Clare Camogie Club Championships Move Toward The Knockout Stages

Derrick Lynch

Clare Camogie Round Two Preview

A repeat of last year’s semi final is the highlight of this weekend’s Clare Camogie action, as title holders Scariff-Ogonnelloe take on the Inagh-Kilnamona side they dethroned 12 months ago.

The reigning Munster champions were impressive winners in their opening round tie as they easily accounted for last year’s Shield winners Sixmilebridge, running up a total of 2-21 over the course of the hour.

The vast majority of that scoring was done by the ever reliable duo of Mairead Scanlan and Marion Rodgers, who shared 2-12 of that total between them. A feature of their win was that all the starting six forwards got their names on the scoresheet, while holding the ‘Bridge to just 0-2 in the second period.

Inagh-Kilnamona were equally impressive winners against a Truagh-Clonlara side who would have held ambitions of challenging for silverware. The Combo held their opponents to 0-3 over the course of the contest, as Amy Keating, Aoibhinn Ryan and Aoife Keane did the damage at the other end. A serious injury to Teresa O’Keeffe is something the former champions will use as motivation, and it has the makings of a brilliant contest.

Sixmilebridge and Truagh-Clonlara meet in the other group game, and will know that defeat will see their 2020 season effectively come to an end. Both sides have scope for improvement and with final round ties against the top two in the group to come, a win is vital both for points and momentum.

Newmarket can all but seal their progression to the knockout stages when they take on Kilkishen-Bodyke. The Blues served notice of their intent to get back to the top table in 2020 as they ran out 1-18 to 0-8 winners over St Joseph’s in the opening round, thanks to 1-10 from Áine O’Brien and 1-3 from Carol O’Leary. Kilkishen-Bodyke put up good show in defeat to Kilmaley but this will be another step up.

Kilmaley will look to build on that opening round win as they take St Joseph’s, where a win will likely see them through to the next stage of the championship.

In the intermediate championship, Eire Óg meet Clooney-Quin, it is an East Clare derby as Whitegate face Feakle-Killanena, and Tulla take on Clarecastle-Ballyea.