The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
On a weekend when league action dominated the domestic GAA scene the pairings for the semi-finals of the Clare Champion cup (senior hurling league) were confirmed.
Eire Og knew going into their clash with neighbours St. Josephs that they needed to win by seventeen points or more to claim a place in the last four. They came very close but their fifteen point winning margin wasn’t enough to see them through and that spot goes to Whitegate who finished second to Kilmaley. The three were level on 14 points each after nine games and it was left to score difference to separate them. Kilmaley had a vastly superior difference and claimed top spot.
Crusheen sealed the runners up spot in division 1 A when they drew with Inagh-Kilnamona. Sixmilebridge were already through but they completed their programme games with their ninth win from nine outings when they overcame O’Callaghans Mills.
Clooney-Quin who went down by a point to Cratloe were already relegated prior to this game. The second relegation spot will be taken by either Clonlara or Clarecastle who complete their programme of games next weekend. Clarecastle must win this one to avoid the drop.
Despite losing to Eire Og by fifteen points, St. Josephs have just held on to their division 1 B status. Broadford’s two point loss to Wolfe Tones means that they will join their East Clare neighbours Scariff in making the drop to division 2.
Ballyea will enjoy home advantage against Smith O’Briens in the semi-final of the division 2 league after they sealed the runners up spot to Parteen with victory over Inagh-Kilnamona on Saturday. Parteen await the winners in the final.
Ennistymon will be relegated and will be joined by either Cratloe or Bodyke who complete their programme of games next weekend..
Meanwhile, Clarecastle and Killanena will have to meet again to determine the destination of the division 3 league final after they played out a draw at Tulla on Saturday. A brace of goals in the last ten minutes saw Killanena rally to earn another chance.
The division 4 title has gone to Sixmilebridge who scored a three goal win over St. Josephs at Kilkishen.
In the division 5 league semi-finals, Inagh-Kilnamona and Feakle played out an exciting draw while the Newmarket v Killanena semi-final did not take place due to the absence of a referee.
In football St. Senans Kilkee have won promotion to division 2 and a place in the division 3 final after they scored a 0-13 to 0-9 win over Liscannor at Kilkee on Saturday. When the sides met in the league two week earlier Liscannor were two point winners.
The division 4 final will be between Clondegad and Eire Og after the latter defeated Ballyvaughan in the semi-final on Saturday.
By Seamus Hayes
