Competitions heating up

IT may well be early in the domestic GAA season and this weekend hurlers across the county will play in what is only round two of the senior, intermediate and junior A leagues but the fact that there are just four weeks to the opening round of the senior and intermediate hurling championship should ensure that there will be plenty of competitive games this weekend.

The fact that the championship is so close has added great interest to the early rounds of the leagues. This weekend’s pairings should ensure there is plenty of entertainment for the followers.
In Division 1 of the Clare Champion Cup, Clooney-Quin and Broadford have agreed to bring their game forward to Saturday evening. It will go ahead at Clooney at 6.15pm, where both will be chasing their first points of the campaign.
Clooney-Quin enjoyed some good moments against Sixmilebridge in round one before losing out. They lost freetaker Brian Shalley towards the end of that tie with a leg injury and he is a doubtful starter for this one.
Broadford were well beaten by Clarecastle in their opening tie and they will be looking for a big improvement this week. It is likely that Clooney-Quin will collect their first points of the campaign.
Titleholders Sixmilebridge will entertain their neighbours, Wolfe Tones at O’Garney Park at 3pm on Sunday. The fact that the Shannon club has lost the majority of their senior panel from last year has been well documented and while they managed a draw against Tulla on the opening day, it will be a surprise if they stop the champions from collecting another brace of points this week.
In recent years in particular, Tulla appear to have ‘the Indian sign’ over Newmarket and Jim McInerney’s outfit will be hoping that this continues to be the case as they entertain the Blues at Dr Daly Park. Newmarket lost their opening tie to Inagh-Kilnamona but are fancied to get their first points of the campaign this week.
Clarecastle will carry the favourites’ tag into their home tie with Whitegate. On paper they look the more experienced side and this could prove decisive.
The remaining Division 1 tie sees Crusheen with home advantage over Inagh-Kilnamona and this could well prove to be a lively contest. Both impressed in round one, when Crusheen had a comprehensive victory over Whitegate, while Inagh-Kilnamona defeated Newmarket.
Crusheen had almost all of their county championship team from last year on duty in round one, which indicates how serious they are taking this competition. With home advantage, they will be fancied to take the points.
In Division 2A, first-round winners, O’Callaghan’s Mills and Clonlara will be in opposition and this game is set for Monday evening in Kilkishen. Clonlara were somewhat fortunate to score a one-point win over Feakle in their opening tie, while the Mills had two to spare over St Joseph’s. Clonlara are in Dubai this week and it remains to be seen if this will have any effect on their performance on Monday. It should be a close contest, with little between them at the final whistle.
Cratloe will be fancied to record their second win of the campaign when they travel to Feakle on Sunday. They will have noted how their neighbours, Clonlara were fortunate to win in round one and this should ensure that they will be ready for the Feakle challenge.
Tubber will be fancied to overcome their North Clare neighbours, Corofin, while both Scariff and St Joseph’s will be chasing their first points of the campaign when they meet at Scariff.
Smith O’Brien’s will entertain Ballyea at Killaloe and the home side will have to keep a close eye on Tony Griffin if they are to win this one.
In Division 2B, Kilmaley will wear the favourites’ tag when the travel to Parteen. The meeting of Ruan and Bodyke on Saturday evening should be particularly interesting given that they are due to meet in the intermediate championship in a few weeks’ time. Éire Óg need to get a win under their belts, having lost their opening tie and, with home advantage, they will be hoping to get over the challenge of Ogonnelloe.
Last year’s intermediate champions, Killanena, will make their debut in this season’s league when they entertain Sixmilebridge on Sunday evening.

Intermediate league
THERE will also be a full round of games in the intermediate league. First-round winners Meelick, Inagh-Kilnamona and Crusheen will be chasing more points when they take on Newmarket, Cratloe and Crusheen. Kilmaley have a bye in this round when Clooney-Quin and Éire Óg chase their first points at Clooney on Saturday evening.
There is also a full round of junior A games with Ballyea, Smith O’Brien’s, Tulla and Whitegate all at home on Saturday to Corofin, Clonlara, St Joseph’s and Wolfe Tones respectively.