The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
AFTER Doonbeg edged out Éire Óg by 1-10 to 1-9 in the Cusack Cup and Lissycasey had three points to spare over Kilmihil 0-13 to 0-10 in the Garry Cup on Thursday, Eoin Brennan previews the rest of the weekend’s football action here
Cusack Cup
(Division 1 League) Round 2
Clondegad v St Joseph’s Miltown
at Ballynacally, Saturday 2pm
The first real evaluation of Clondegad’s mettle as they crave a kick following a disappointing opener against St Breckan’s. With Miltown having won the 2019 Cusack Cup over their hosts and then managed to retain it in the corresponding fixture in Miltown last July, Clondegad shouldn’t require any additional motivation. Both will be understrength but it also an opportunity for Miltown to up the scoring ante, having only kicked 1-6 last time out albeit sufficient to win.
Kildysart v Ennistymon
at Kildysart, Saturday 3pm
Outside of O’Gorman Cup meetings, they haven’t met too often in competitive action, although there will be a handful of protagonists from December’s Under 21A Semi-Final meeting that Cill Cúil Gaels (Kildysart/Kilmihil/Coolmeen/Shannon Gaels) edged on their way to a famous breakthrough. Indeed, Kildysart could well be pitted against Ennistymon’s second string in this year’s intermediate championship which they hope will finally be their last. Should be close.
St Breckan’s v Kilmurry Ibrickane
at Lisdoonvarna, Saturday 6pm
In the mix for all three titles on offer in 2021, St Breckan’s, despite celebrating their 50th anniversary, ended up with no senior silverware to show from another encouraging year. An O’Gorman Cup Final reverse to Kildysart came after falling at the semi-final hurdle to Éire Óg in the senior championship for the second successive season. First up though, it was then county champions Kilmurry Ibrickane that belied their injury and county absentees to deny St Breckan’s a shot at the Cusack Cup by 1-15 to 1-12 in the final round. As it turned out, Miltown’s victory over Clondegad put paid to their hopes anyway but the Lisdoonvarna men weren’t to know that at the time. Avenging that defeat would put them firmly back in the mix on Saturday though.
Garry Cup
(Division 2 League) Round 2
Shannon Gaels v Corofin
at Labasheeda, Saturday 3pm
A potential clash of colours could well see Corofin’s new green set of jerseys being brought to Labasheeda on Saturday. It certainly did do them any harm against the Gaels’ neighbours Cooraclare a fortnight ago when an injury-time Kevin Keane goal snatched the points for the North Clare side. Last year’s Munster Intermediate Finalists will be favourites to preserve that winning run against a Gaels side that need a backlash even more.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield
v Cooraclare
at Gurteen, Saturday 6pm
Having blown away their first West Clare opponent last time out, Doora/Barefield should get a sterner evaluation this Saturday against a Cooraclare side, not only understandably hurting from last year’s senior relegation but also the manner of their last gasp defeat to Corofin two weeks ago. That said, the Parish possess a young, vibrant side that are only short on senior experience so they will relish the opportunity to make their mark in the Garry Cup.
Kilrush Shamrocks v O’Currys at Captain Tubridy Memorial Park Kilrush,
Saturday 6.45pm
A positive start for these West Clare neighbours makes their derby clash that bit more intriguing on Saturday evening to see which intermediate side can keep pace with the Garry Cup leading pack. For the second successive season, O’Curry’s managed to brush off the opening challenge of Kilmihil but it was Kilrush’s act of defiance against Lissycasey to take a share of the spoils following back-to-back opening defeat to the holders that really caught the eye. Kilrush prevailed by four in the corresponding fixture last year and there will be little to separate them this time either.
