Clare IHC Round Two Previews

Derrick Lynch

Clare IHC Round Two Preview

Tulla v Killanena

Both sides put up good scores in their opening round ties, but it is Tulla who enter this round with a victory already under their belts.

They began life in the second tier with a hard fought win over East Clare neighbours Scariff, with David McInerney, Niall Bolton, Sean Torpey and Daragh Corry all playing key roles.

Killanena were on the wrong side of the result in their showdown with Bodyke, where Mark Flaherty once more carried the lion’s share of the scoring burden.

Tulla’s greater spread of a scoring threat coupled with a tight defence should see them through to the quarter finals.

Verdict: Tulla

Sixmilebridge v Clonlara

Sixmilebridge are getting used to playing in dramatic games in the Clare intermediate hurling championship, as they came through a fascinating extra-time battle with Inagh-Kilnamona last time out.

Their fitness told as they finished that game well, and they will carry that momentum into this weekend as they take on near neighbours Clonlara.

Last year’s Junior A champions were unlucky not to get life in the second tier off to a winning start as they narrowly lost out to Ruan with eight different scorers on the board.

This represents another step up in class against a strong ‘Bridge outfit who should make it another appearance in the quarter-finals.

Verdict: Sixmilebridge

St Joseph’s Doora Barefield v Newmarket

The Parish are bidding to get back into the decider once more after suffering final heartbreak 12 months ago, and the manner of their opening round win over Smith O’Brien’s suggests they are in a strong position to do that.

They had to battle for that win and with another two week’s training under their belts Seanie McMahon will have his side well primed for this knockout tie.

Newmarket’s second string made Corofin battle to the end a fortnight ago when Diarmuid Cahill’s late intervention proved decisive, but the Blues will have taken plenty positives from their performance.

Much more will be needed if they are to upset the favourites for the title, but it is hard to see that happening.

Verdict: St Joseph’s

Tubber v Inagh-Kilnamona

Tubber are another side who laid down notice of their championship ambitions as they ran up a score of 3-13 against Cratloe in the opening round.

The North Clare men had goals from Domhnall McMahon, Ronan Monahan and Cathal Murray while Blaine and Clive Earley shared 0-9 between them.

They will come up against an Inagh-Kilnamona side who were unlucky not to take the scalp of Sixmilebridge last time out when their challenge eventually faded at the end of extra-time.

It has the potential to be one of the best games of the weekend but a greater balance and scoring threat should see Tubber home.

Verdict: Tubber

Corofin v Cratloe

Corofin will know that improvements are needed from their opening round win if they are to launch another assault on the intermediate title.

The Cahill brothers accounted for 1-14 of their 1-19 tally against Newmarket and while it is easier said than done, back up is needed if one of that duo is not on song.

Cratloe suffered a heavy loss to Tubber and are somewhat unfortunate to draw another of the teams who are on the shortlist for championship honours.

Corofin will be eager to bounce back from their footballers loss last weekend too, and should be back to winning ways this time around.

Verdict: Corofin

Parteen v Scariff

Parteen had it all their own way in the opening round as they cruised past Clarecastle, putting 1-23 on the scoreboard in the process.

Evan Fitzgerald accounted for 0-10 of that, but the encouraging stat for the south-east Clare men is that the rest of their tally was shared between nine different scorers.

Scariff might have began their year with a loss but the performance in defeat against Tulla is something they will take great heart from.

The East Clare side will have learned much more about their squad in that contest, and having a battle like that under their belts could prove crucial here.

Verdict: Scariff

Bodyke v Clarecastle

Bodyke came through a tough East Clare derby in the opening round when getting the better of Killanena.

The scoring power up front from Paddy Fitzgerald and Ian Murray along with the impact from the bench by Peter Flower was crucial, and they will have taken plenty from it.

Clarecastle went down tamely in their tie against Parteen and will likely have another tough afternoon against a strong Bodyke outfit.

They will battle, as the Magpies always do, but it won’t be enough.

Verdict: Bodyke

Ruan v Smith O’Brien’s

Both these sides will still be harbouring championship ambitions and whoever comes through will be tough opponents in the last eight.

Ruan have club stalwart Aidan Lynch to thank for getting their name in the winner’s hat with his haul of 0-11 instrumental in their win over Clonlara.

Smith O’Brien’s came out the wrong side of the result against St Joseph’s in the opening round, but will be taking plenty positives from that game.

Tommy Reddan and Lynch will feature heavily in the scoring stakes once more but the slight preference is for Reddan and the Killaloe men to come out on top.

Verdict: Smith O’Brien’s