Sports

CLARE teams have gone into Munster Hurling Championship action on many occasions as rank outsiders but rarely have supporters had such little hope facing into the provincial campaign.

CLARE Soccer League chairman Jim Madden confirmed this week that he is to step down from the post of chairman at the upcoming annual general meeting of the league.

CLARE and Kilmurry Ibrickane manager Micheál McDermott has opted to stand down as manager of the county and Munster club champions.

KILMALEY proved far too strong for Doora-Barefield in the U-14A hurling championship final at Cusack Park on Friday evening. Dominant in every sector, they had the title secured long before the final whistle sounded.

CLARE intermediate hurling manager Kevin Kennedy is surprised that there was a move earlier this year to do away with the inter-county intermediate hurling championship. He is glad that the move failed as he believes it is a great grade.

The race for this season’s Clare Champion Cup title continued over the weekend, with action in all three divisions.

Doonbeg 2-8Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-6 Doonbeg remain top of the Cusack Cup table following their eight-point defeat of Kilmurry-Ibrickane last Saturday evening. The sides were tied at 0-4 each at halftime while Shane Ryan and David Tubridy scored the Doonbeg goals in the second period. Kilmurry, who were minus some frontline players including Peter O’Dwyer, who was in the US, kicked 16 wides in total.Newly re-appointed manager Micheál McDermott will at least reflect on the fact that Kilmurry are creating, if not taking, all of their chances. Both sides have two games left and while Doonbeg are definitely through to the semi-final, Kilmurry are almost certain to join them if they defeat Cooraclare in their next league outing. Doonbeg: Nigel Dillon; Joe Blake, Pádraig Gallagher, Conor Whelan; Richie Vaughan, David Downes, Padraic Aherne; Colm Dillon, Enda Doyle; Shane O’Brien, Frank O’Dea, David Tubridy; Jamie Whelan, Shane Ryan, Conor Downes. Subs: Brian Egan for Shane O’Brien. Kilmurry Ibrickane: Peter O’Dwyer; Martin McMahon, …

GARRY CUP