Clonlara seal quarter final spot

There were no major shocks as round 2 of the Clare senior hurling championship was completed this Sunday afternoon. Weather conditions were anything but pleasant as the remaining three games in the round were played at Sixmilebridge, Broadford and Tulla.

Clonlara secured their passage to the quarter finals with a hard earned 2-13 to 1-11 win over Clooney-Quin at O’Garney Park. They got off to a superb start with a goal from Darach Honan in the second minute and the inter county man quickly followed with a point. By the end of the first quarter Clooney-Quin were in front helped by a Mike Daffy goal.

A superb goal from Nicky O’Connell put the winners back in front and when the half time whistle sounded they were 2-2 to 1-4 ahead. While never managing to pull away, the South East Clare side always held the lead in the second half and deservingly booked their passage to the last eight.

Crusheen had to work hard for their one goal victory (1-12 to 0-12) over Wolfe Tones in a tie played before a good attendance at Broadford while Cratloe had their expected victory over Whitegate, winning on a  scoreline of 1-21 to 1-11. Whitegate now join Newmarket, Kilmaley and Inagh-Kilmaley in the relegation  play off.

In the intermediate championship Tubber moved closer to the knock out stage with a 2-18 to1-7 win over Newmarket while Parteen were 0-12 to 0-7 winners over Corofin. Broadford also moved closer to the play offs but they didn’t have to hit a ball as Inagh-Kilnamona were unable to get a team for this outing.

After defeat in both the senior and intermediate championships, there was some consolation for Newmarket when they captured the division 5 league title with a one goal win (3-14 to 2-14) over their neighbours Wolfe Tones at Cratloe.

By Seamus Hayes