The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
By Seamus Hayes
A week after their memorable All-Ireland final victory, many of the Clare senior hurlers returned to competitive action when the domestic championship resumed after a twenty week break.
There were no surprises as three games were played in the senior A competition and a further two were decided in the senior B title race.
Following his never to be forgotton display in Clare’s victory over Cork, nineteen year old Shane O’Donnell was in the Eire Og team that faced Smith O’Briens from Killaloe. Having lost their opening tie, victory was a must for the Ennis side in this one and they achieved this comfortable, winning on a 3-23 to 0-7 scoreline. O’Donnell, however, failed to get on the scoresheet on this occasion when his fellow inter county panellist, Davy O’Halloran hit some fine scores.
O’Callaghans Mills, home club of Clare captain Pat Donnellan, scored their second win of the campaign when accounting for Ruan.
Meanwhile in the A division, champions Newmarket edged closer to the knock out stage with a ten point win, 1-18 to 1-8, over Tulla.
Sixmilebridge hit 3-3 in the opening ten minutes of the second half on their way to a 3-17 to 2-10 victory over Clooney-Quin, their first of this campaign.
It was also a must win outing for Cratloe who scored a 2-22 to 2-6 victory over St. Josephs to get their campaign right back on track.
Clarecastle’s involvement in this season’s intermediate championship ended at Shannon when they lost to Parteen who now await the runners up from group 1 to determine who will fill the fourth semi-final place
