Clare Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final Previews

Derrick Lynch looks ahead to a massive weekend of action where three semi-final spots in the Clare SHC will be filled.

Ballyea v Kilmaley

This one has the potential to be the tie of the round as two of the front runners for the Canon Hamilton go head to head.

There is also that derby element which will add extra spice, while Kilmaley will know that Ballyea have made that progress that they so desperately crave over recent years.

The 2016 Munster champions are unbeaten so far in this year’s campaign, having overcome a stern test from Crusheen in the opening round before a comfortable victory against Clooney-Quin saw them book their spot in the last eight.

Any analysis of that particular victory is almost a pointless exercise with the game well over long before Rory McGann blew the full-time whistle. The tenacity of Paul Flanagan and Jack Browne in defence allied with the work-rate of Pearse Lillis in the middle third meant a solid foundation for the strike force up front to exploit. Niall Deasy stood out as being back to his best while Tony Kelly continues to make the extraordinary look ordinary in the way he goes about his business.

Ballyea’s title win in 2018 was lauded for the manner in which they coped with a turnaround in personnel as the likes of Brandon O’Connell, Barry Coote and Cillian Brennan emerged as the new talent. All those players are now well bedded in and playing key roles, but another has added his name to the list of the new talent in the form of Morgan Garry with his movement and finishing up front adding another dimension to the Ballyea attack.

Kilmaley suffered a blow last weekend when regular goalkeeper Bryan O’Loughlin suffered a broken leg in training, and his absence is certainly going to be a factor. The role of the netminder has moved well beyond that primary task with his accuracy from puckouts being a central part of Kilmaley’s launchpad.

It was a disappointing Kilmaley performance in their opening round tie with Cratloe, but they bounced back in impressive fashion to see off the challenge of Wolfe Tones last time out. Daire Keane showed exactly what everyone knows he is capable of when he’s on song with two outstanding goals in what was an eye catching display. His power and pace up front is something Kilmaley have to exploit, because goals will be needed if they are going to book a last four spot. Tom O’Rourke also showed a keen eye for goal, and Kilmaley will be looking for more from him along with the likes of Mikey O’Neill and Sean O’Loughlin.

Match ups will be key and the potential showdown between Mikey O’Malley and Tony Kelly is one to look forward to. Assuming Kelly is back around the middle third, that should materialise but Kilmaley will no doubt have learned the lesson from Clooney-Quin and will not allow O’Malley to be nullifed by tracking Kelly to the edge of the square. Conor Cleary and Niall Deasy looks like another potential showdown, with Cleary’s move to full-back against Wolfe Tones helping to nullify the threat of Aron Shanahger on that occasion. Cathal Darcy is also a man marking option for Kilmaley and could well be detailed to stifle Pearse Lillis. Ballyea will also need to plan how they will keep tabs on Daire Keane, with Browne or Flanagan the obvious choices.

If Kilmaley can find another gear from the performance they showed against Wolfe Tones, they will make life very difficult for Ballyea. The absence of O’Loughlin between the posts is going to be a factor, and a week is not a long time to recover from that blow.

Ballyea look really focused so far in 2020 and are hitting their stride nicely. The power of Browne, Brennan and Deasy allied to the pace of Flanagan, Kelly and Garry is a potent mix, and that greater psychical edge might just prove the difference.

Verdict: Ballyea

Broadford v Sixmilebridge

This is one that is not only a clash of neighbours, but also the meeting of the current intermediate and senior champions.

Both sides come into this one after solid performances in the previous round with Jimmy Browne having masterminded Broadford’s win over his native Clonlara last time out.

It was a merited victory, and one that they will be hoping to build on here as they eye up another giant killing assignment.

Everyone involved will know that the bar is being raised more than a few notches this time around but in many respects, this could well be most dangerous opponent that the title holders could be facing. Broadford have nothing to lose and will know they can have a real cut at this one without the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

Sixmilebridge have been steady but underwhelming in the campaign so far, and while they have two victories under their belt there is still a sense that there are a few more gears left for them to move through. They had five points to spare against Eire Óg in the opening round with just four between themselves and Whitegate a fortnight ago. Alex Morey is carrying most of the scoring burden, and accounts for almost two thirds of their scores in their two championship games to date.

Diarmuid Moloney is the main threat from a Broadford point of view, but has been getting plenty support from Diarmuid O’Brien and Stiofan McMahon along the way. Craig and Darren Chaplin offer solid protection in the half back line while Shane Taylor and Donie Whelan offer plenty threat up front.

Sixmilebridge are now in their second year under the watch of Tim Crowe and Davy Fitzgerald, and look comfortable in playing the system that has served them well so far. A powerful middle third with Shane Golden, Cathal Malone and Jamie Shanahan is backed up by the covering Caimin Morey meaning the pathway to Derek Fahy’s goal is always well protected. Alex Morey’s scoring threat is clearly a potent one while there are plenty others who know how to pick off a score when the opportunity arises.

Broadford know it is essentially a shot to nothing and will play with that freedom. The pressure is on Sixmilebridge to take the game on and while they should come through, it will be a stern test.

Verdict: Sixmilebridge

Inagh-Kilnamona v O’Callaghan’s Mills

Two sides with a similarly progressive profile with both also carrying that ‘dark horses’ tag in this year’s championship.

It is also two sides with two wins to their name so far so both will be carrying plenty momentum and confidence into this clash.

O’Callaghan’s Mills followed up their hard fought win over Broadford with an impressive victory over Crusheen, and they have been scoring heavy with a total of 5-30 in their two championship games to date.

Colin Crehan was forced off early in their opening round win with an injury but the All-Ireland champion handballer had put the ball in the net just before that. He returned to full fitness two weeks ago with 0-7, and was well supported by Gary Cooney who finished with 1-2. A feature of the Mills this year is the depth of their scoring threat, with their 3-17 tally last time out being shared among nine scorers.

Inagh-Kilnamona have gone about their business so far in a composed and ruthless fashion, but Fergal Hegarty will know better than anyone that their biggest challenge of the year lies ahead this weekend. Clooney-Quin and Newmarket have been put to the sword with relative ease up to now but the question will now be how his side react to being put under the type of pressure that O’Callaghan’s Mills will apply.

Aidan McCarthy has been in brilliant form so far, with the county star accumulating 2-20 over their two championship games. Kealan Guyler and Conner Hegarty are growing into their senior roles while the leadership of David Fitzgerald and Jason McCarthy will also be key.

Both sides have plenty firepower up front so the battle around the middle third to choke the supply lines could well be the defining factor. O’Callaghan’s Mills would appear to hold the edge in terms of the psychical battle with Paddy Donnellan, Aidan O’Gorman, Ciaran Cooney and Aidan Fawl all offering plenty power. Fitzgerald and the McCarthy’s along with Darren Cullinan will have plenty to offer for their side, so this one has the potential for fireworks.

Inagh-Kilnamona are beginning to build toward being a force at senior level having achieved so much underage success in recent times. O’Callaghan’s Mills are looking like they are back to the type of form that saw them reach the last four stages two years ago.

It is a game that has the potential to go the distance, but a hesitant nod goes to Inagh-Kilnamona to continue on their upward curve.

Verdict: Inagh-Kilnamona

Clare Senior Hurling Championship Round Two

Cratloe v Eire Óg

After a difficult few weeks for Cratloe, the focus this weekend is back on matters between the white lines as they enter last chance territory for their 2020 Clare senior hurling championship hopes.

The events that have transpired since their opening round win over Kilmaley mean that any momentum gained from that performance is realistically gone, so it is almost like starting the championship campaign all over again.

Eire Óg may have also been in the situation of not having any hurling championship action, but the full focus in Clonroadmore is now on the small ball after last weekend’s loss to Kilmurry Ibrickane saw them exit the race for Jack Daly. There is still their Senior B title to defend but all resources this week will now be poured into the effort that will be required here.

A positive from that defeat was the return to fitness of Aaron Fitzgerald, while it is also expected that David Reidy will make his first championship appearance after recovering from a hamstring problem. They are two major additions to the panel for the Townies, and will add both pace and power to their arsenal. Shane O’Donnell’s role will be key and he will likely be deployed much closer to goal than he was in their opening round loss to Sixmilebridge.

Cratloe looked impressive at times against Kilmaley last time out with Conor McGrath once more dictating the pace in the middle third. Liam Markham’s influence was also key while the emergence of Shane Neville as a threat in the inside line is also a welcome one for the south-east Clare men. Billy Connors is not available this year, and allied to the fact that Cathal McInerney is likely to miss out on the remainder of the season it means Cratloe are robbed of two potent scoring threats.

It is a difficult one to call as it remains to be seen what impact the last few weeks have had on Cratloe. On the basis of having more time for preparation, a slight nod goes to Eire Óg.

Verdict: Eire Óg