Odds favour Blues to complete senior double

FOLLOWING their county final win over Cratloe, players and officials from the Newmarket-on-Fergus camp spoke of how their victory in the Clare Champion Cup final last year played a huge part in their championship success.

There is little doubt but that they want to retain the league crown so, despite the disappointment of last Sunday’s Munster semi-final loss, they are expected to go all out to retain the league title when they face Clonlara in the decider on Sunday.

This is a repeat of the championship semi-final when Clonlara were favourites but had to give best to Newmarket, who showed the greater hunger for victory.

Clonlara were clearly disappointed with that result and will be glad of the early opportunity to gain revenge. This time, however, Newmarket will carry the favourites’ tag and it will be a surprise if they fail to hold on to the title.

That said, there is little doubt but that Clonlara will make things difficult for the Clare champions. Since their championship win in 2009, Clonlara have come close to adding to that success but, so far, haven’t succeeded.

The starting team is expected to be along similar lines to the semi-final line-up and they will again be looking to the O’Connells, the O’Donovans, John Conlon, Colm Galvin and Darach Honan to lead their challenge. Team coach Donal Madden has made no secret of his determination to bounce back to winning ways after their championship disappointment.

It should make for an interesting end to the domestic hurling season.