Following back-to-back Junior A Final reverses in only the space of three months last year, Ballyvaughan will be determined to dust themselves off for a real drive for silverware this time around.

The North Clare side’s strength in depth isn’t overly healthy while their age profile isn’t getting any lower either but they do possess quality with their spine to be vying for honours come October.

For the first time though, there are five more flagship sides looking to overtake Ballyvaughan including their most frequent championship rivals Killimer, a Liscannor side just down from intermediate level, Junior B champions Parteen and sleeping giants St Senan’s Kilkee and Clooney-Quin.

Indeed, Ballyvaughan are embroiled in a real group of death with Killimer and Liscannor for only two quarter-final spots while in contrast Group 1 is an all-second string pool comprising of Cratloe, St Joseph’s Miltown, Lissycasey and Clondegad.

It will be also interesting to see what the reserves of last year’s semi-finalists Kilmurry Ibrickane and 2021 intermediate side Éire Óg have to offer as both would have blooded many of these sides in the Cusack Cup.

Meanwhile, the Junior B Championship has been subdivided into a Premier Junior B Championship and a Junior B Championship to maximise competitiveness between the near 20 teams entered into what is now encouragingly a five tier adult football championship structure.