Kilmurry Ibrickane v Ennistymon
at Quilty, Sunday, 12pm
The county champions may be out of contention to commence 2021 with early silverware but it won’t stop the ‘Bricks from finally kickstarting their season and possibly even halting others from getting their hands on the Cusack Cup.
With the championship surfacing inexorably on the horizon including a showdown against this weekend opponents, the return of their county contingent to offset recent injury set-backs is pivotal to turning around their fortunes in time for August.
However, Ennistymon still remain unbeaten and will be determined to sustain that winning mentality especially after being embroiled in such an unenviable championship group and with ‘Bricks legend Odran O’Dwyer amongst their backroom team, the North Clare side might just shade a tight contest.
Clondegad v Doonbeg
at Ballynacally, Sunday, 2pm
It’s been a full mixed bag of results for Clondegad so far with an opening draw with St Breckan’s and a derby win over Kildysart offset by a narrow first reverse away to Ennistymon on Saturday. Doonbeg meanwhile have largely struggled to find their feet so far, a malaise that has extended back almost two years to their last championship victory, a rousing extra-time victory over Éire Óg. Leaving aside their own competition, the O’Gorman Cup, the Magpies have drawn a blank ever since which is not dissimilar to Clondegad’s record either that extends as far back as 2018 for their last championship victory.
That unwanted slump will definitely end when the sides clash in the upcoming championship campaign but a boost here would be equally as timely as Clondegad look to remain in the mix.
Éire Óg v St Joseph’s Miltown
at Éire Óg, Sunday, 12pm
A contest that didn’t initially seem too enticing could suddenly become potentially the tie of the round if their county football contingents immediately return to the fold. Holders St Joseph’s Miltown are still unbeaten so far and will warmly welcome back county captain Eoin Cleary while the Townies’ spine will be considerably bolstered by Ciaran Russell, Conall Ó hAiniféin, Darren O’Neill, Ikem Ugwueru and Gavin Cooney.
Such an injection of leaders could be decisive in edging a confidence boosting home victory but it will all hinge on the personnel available for both sides.
Kildysart v St Breckan’s
at Kildysart, Sunday, 5pm
A repeat of the 2019 Intermediate decider in which St Breckan’s prevailed by the minimum and haven’t looked back since. A Munster Intermediate final appearance was accentuated by a momentum-fuelled return to the senior championship in which they reached the last four and with a bit of luck might have been lining out in a county final for the second successive season.
Kildysart, who were made to suffer their third final defeat in four seasons against St Breckan’s, are still chasing that elusive intermediate crown and will view their first taste of top flight league action as a huge learning curve in their development.
It should be tight again but even without their four strong county contingent, the Lisdoonvara-Doolin side remained unbeaten so they should maintain that run on Sunday.
High-flying Lissycasey put their perfect record on the line against intermediate runners-up Corofin, with a fourth straight victory in Páirc Finne this Sunday perhaps sufficient to secure a first Garry Cup crown in nine years.
Leading the chasing pack will be the winners of the all-Intermediate clash of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and O’Curry’s and Kilrush Shamrocks if they can exact revenge on their neighbours for last year’s senior championship exit after extra-time.
There’s only local pride to play for when Kilmihil and Shannon Gaels face-off in the final Garry Cup tie but there’s a Division 3 title in the offing as table-toppers Wolfe Tones host bottom side St Senan’s Kilkee on Sunday.
There could be a phoney war of sorts as the Banner and Ballyvaughan meet for a top-of-the-table Division 4 clash in Ennis ahead of their long-awaited 2020 Junior A Final clash. Cratloe’s second string can take a step closer to Division 5 League honours if they can overcome Kilrush on Sunday, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Wolfe Tones’ reserves have the chance to snatch the whip hand in Division 6 when they play in Gurteen on. Monday evening while Division 7 could be secured by Ennistymon’s thirds if they can overcome Kilkee at home on Saturday.
by Eoin Brennan