No quarter asked or given as final eight set sights on Jack Daly

Things are hotting up in the race for the Clare senior football crown. Eoin Brennan previews this weekend’s four quarter-finals and the relegation play-off

Cratloe v Kilmurry Ibrickane at Cusack Park Ennis Saturday 2pm

Despite the geographical contrast, there have been no keener or more frequent rivalry at senior level as this is remarkably the 14th championship clash in only 13 seasons between Cratloe and Kilmurry Ibrickane.

The pendulum has swung in both directions over that time but crucially the ‘Bricks have held the upper hand over the past five meetings which include the 2016 Final replay and of course the 2020 decider.

It’s a testament that Cratloe keep bouncing back despite the narrative, repeatedly hammered home, that they have failed to fulfil their potential in either code since 2014.

Following their hurlers’ advancement to the last four on Saturday, it would be a major boost to do likewise in football, especially as it would also end their Kilmurry Ibrickane hoodoo.

The thing is that this is their greatest opportunity as, fatigue aside, they have been playing their best football this year, backed by myriad scoring options including their defence.

The ‘Bricks meanwhile were slower to start, have been troubled by injuries and really only found their feet properly in the second half against Clondegad.

That rousing result should have provided some much needed momentum but Cratloe do have the slight edge on balance, spread of scorers and perhaps most significantly motivation.
Verdict: Cratloe

Ennistymon v St Breckan’s, at Cusack Park Ennis, Saturday 2pm

Having fended off one North Clare neighbour at the group stages when kickstarting their championship bid in earnest against Corofin, St Breckan’s can claim the undisputed title of ‘Kings of the North’ if they can double the dose against Ennistymon.

In truth, they’ve improved with every passing game which along with the pre-championship Cusack Cup success, only bolsters their determination to finally make a Jack Daly breakthrough. The North men have finished at the last four stage for successive seasons since returning to the top flight.

The thing is that before, during and even since St Breckan’s re-emergence, the North Clare side most touted for the Jack Daly have been Ennistymon who for all their underage dominance over the previous decade only had a 2018 Senior Final appearance to show for their efforts at adult level.

However, the momentum of a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ has certainly raised Ennistymon’s belief once more this year as all three adult teams are still vying for championship silverware.

This includes an unprecedented run from their second string who have defied the odds to reach the intermediate semi-finals despite only coming up from Junior A level.

That said, Ennistymon will need to play their best game of the year to overcome St Breckan’s who if allowed to impose their running game, have enough pace, movement and firepower to hurt the Magpies and secure the North Triple Crown.
Verdict: St Breckan’s

Lissycasey v Corofin at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1.30pm

A repeat of the Garry Cup Final that saw the intermediate champions strip Lissycasey of their title, both sides will be eyeing each other up as a golden opportunity to reach the penultimate stage.

All because it’s essentially bonus territory for Corofin who following this year’s return to senior level, would have set their sights firmly on consolidating their status, a feat that was actually achieved on day one when edging out St Joseph’s Miltown in a shoot-out.

Being truthful, they haven’t reached those heights again since but in fairness, the standard of opposition also rose considerably as champions Éire Óg and Cusack Cup winners St Breckan’s are the clear favourites to contest the final if they can avoid each other until then.

Automatically qualifying as the third placed team in Group 1, that slice of fortune has been matched by Lissycasey being drawn out as a seeded team alongside group winners Éire Óg, Cratloe and Ennistymon.

Lissycasey easily have the greater experience to back up that seeding too as while they have really exciting young talent such as Aaron Griffin, Connor Meaney and Shane Griffin leading their attack. Let’s not forget that they are bidding to reach a third consecutive semi-final on Sunday.

While there are brilliant sub-plots such as the Finnucane brothers facing their first cousins Gearoid and Diarmuid Cahill, when you pare it all back, Lissycasey should have the winning know-how to prevail.
Verdict: Lissycasey

Éire Óg v Clondegad at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 3.30pm

While it’s not technically a derby, these sides know all about each other and quite a few played together under the St Flannan’s flag at some stage.

The key difference is that while both sides have been touted as contenders over the past decade, Éire Óg, thanks to last year’s long-awaited triumph, are the only ones to snatch their opportunity having faltered in the 2014 version.

Clondegad’s chance was in 2017 but this is the first time since that they have shown green shoots of optimism once more, albeit they did have to go by the scenic route.

Early wins over Ennistymon and Doonbeg put Martin Brennan’s side in a hugely advantageous position heading into the final round against Kilmurry Ibrickane, with a disappointing second half slump ensuring that they had to go through a play-off with Doora/Barefield to finally confirm their passage to the business end.

They would have probably preferred any other team but Éire Óg at this stage but they did manage to be to defy the odds last year in being the only team to beat the Townies in their dominant charge to the Jack Daly so why not again?

The role of Gary Brennan will be pivotal as he has played both at midfield and full-forward but would be most effective if allowed to stay inside.

The thing is though that of all the teams left in the championship, the champions seem most equipped to deal with the former county captain’s threat while possessing their own dual destroyers at the other end in Gavin Cooney and Mark McInerney to be able to exact revenge.
Verdict: Éire Óg

Senior Football Relegation Final
St Joseph’s Miltown v Kilmihil at Shanahan McNamara Park Doonbeg, Saturday 4.30pm

Both sides have tasted intermediate football in the past decade and even Miltown’s brief sejour in the second tier in 2013 was ended with a final victory over Kilmihil.

However, St Joseph’s did reach far greater heights since in securing senior crowns in 2015, ’18 and ’19 along with even contesting a Munster Club Final only four years ago.

Therefore, a drop to intermediate would be unthinkable in their own minds but not unlikely if they continue to underperform and haemorrhage scores.

Kilmihil meanwhile will give it everything but will find an expected more resolute Miltown a tough nut to crack, even on scoring prowess alone.
Verdict: St Joseph’s Miltown