Clare Junior Football Championship previewed

Eoin Brennan takes a look at the junior football championship

THE County Junior A Football Championship sees 15 teams, divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the quarter-finals.
As for relegation, two teams will drop down to Junior B for 2022. The bottom team in each group will will enter the relegation play-offs, with a draw to determine two matches in which the loser of both is demoted to Junior B for 2022.
It’s difficult to lose a championship final at any stage but at least for Ballyvaughan, there isn’t a 12-month introspection to contend with as they have the immediate chance to redress the balance in the Junior A Football Championship
Saturday’s disappointing final reverse to Banner does mean that they shouldn’t be short of motivation and crucially they also know what’s required now, something that their fellow flagship rivals St Senan’s Kilkee, Killimer, Clooney-Quin and group opponents Meelick don’t.
Kilkee and Killimer are best placed to threaten while Clooney-Quin just need to win a group game and depending on where their hurling stock is by the time the knock-out stages come around, might bolster a concerted Junior A football bid.
Ennistymon meanwhile are the pick of the second strings, with Miltown, Lissycasey and Clondegad always solid championship performers albeit that the former pair are in the same group.

Group 1 – St Senan’s Kilkee, Kilmurry Ibrickane,
Cooraclare, St Breckan’s

Group 4 – St Joseph’s Miltown, Clooney-Quin, Lissycasey

The Junior B Football Championship is straight knock-out, with unquestionably the East v West showdown between Moy and Parteen providing the perfect opening on Monday.