Relegation matters to fore in final round of championship

Eoin Brennan previews this weekend’s hurling championship action

Senior Hurling Championship Round 5 Group 1

Sixmilebridge v Clonlara at Shannon, Saturday 2.30pm
In terms of championship advancement or danger, this is essentially just a dead rubber that will be dependent on the derby juices to animate the contest.

Of course, Clonlara can catapult Feakle into third position in the table if they win and Feakle don’t, which would gain a seeding for the Senior B Quarter-Finals, a competition which they are bidding for a three-in-a-row in.

However, it all hinges on how seriously group winners Sixmilebridge treat it as being their last competitive match ahead of the knock-out stages, they will arguably want to keep their winning streak intact.
Verdict: Clonlara

Feakle v Whitegate at Dr Daly Park Tulla, Saturday 5pm
Everyone loves a fairytale but this is fundamentally more miracle territory as nothing but a 28-point victory for Feakle will be sufficient to leapfrog Newmarket-on-Fergus in the group table to clinch the last quarter-final spot.

Feakle’s black day against Sixmilebridge in which they shipped a 21-point defeat has ultimately come back to haunt them.

It’s difficult to see them even score 28 points not to mind win by that margin against a Whitegate side that will be determined to finish the group on a high themselves ahead of their winner-takes-all relegation final play-off.
Verdict: Feakle

Group 2
Broadford v Clarecastle at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 3pm
The only real fixture of the weekend as it’s a straight shoot-out between Broadford and Clarecastle in a bid to avoid the dreaded demotion play-offs.

It’s a difficult one to call really as both have shown glimpses of progress and yet neither have been able to get over the line in terms of turning any moral victories into actual ones.

Broadford are the more physically imposing and aggressive side that have concentrated on defensive solidity rather than going for broke offensively so far whereas Clarecastle’s brighter sparks have come up front albeit that they did finally display some real defensive grit against fellow parishioners Ballyea last time out.

With East Clare sides Scariff, Smith O’Brien’s and Whitegate already in the relegation zone, Broadford simply cannot afford to make it an eastern quartet. That added motivation could provide the edge in what should be a tense battle for supremacy.
Verdict: Broadford

Cratloe v O’Callaghan’s Mills at O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge, Sunday 5pm
With nothing tangible to play for, how both sides approach this contest will be crucial.

Cratloe are confirmed group winners regardless of the result but even if they wanted to, they don’t have the reserves to be able to rest their regulars as their second team are contesting a Junior A Quarter-final the same afternoon.

Regardless, they wouldn’t want to hinder their perfect start that has equated to six group victories in both codes so far.

Without a hurling or football tie for a fortnight afterwards, Cratloe should be aiming to only slightly tinker with their side as the Mills, backed by relief and freedom of not being in the relegation mix, will certainly play with abandon.
Verdict: Cratloe

Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 5
Group 1
Newmarket-on-Fergus v O’Callaghan’s Mills at O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge, Sunday 3.30pm
Much like Broadford and Clarecastle at senior level, all eyes will be on this tie at intermediate level as it’s effectively a make-or-break showdown for a quarter-final place.

Neither second string will be expected to light up the knock-out stages but getting to a quarter-final would be seen as major progress.

The Mills have demonstrated the better consistency though and might edge matters off the back of their first intermediate championship victory in 45 years last time out against Killanena.
Verdict: O’Callaghan’s Mills

Group 2
Corofin v Clonlara at Fr. Murphy Memorial park Newmarket-on-Fergus, Saturday 12pm
A little more realistic than the Feakle scoring feat as Corofin will cement their place in the knock-out stages barring an eight point victory for Clonlara.

Being a second string versus a flagship side, one would expect Corofin to prevail with a degree of comfort but they have made heavy work of the group which will provide Clonlara with a glimmer of hope if they can perform to their optimum.

Corofin’s redemptive motivation is just as great though as they bid to cement quarter-final spots in both football and hurling. Incidentally, a six point Clonlara win would put Ruan in the relegation play-offs.
Verdict: Corofin

Sixmilebridge v Parteen at Cusack Park Ennis, Saturday 6pm
It was all gearing towards an intriguing group decider until Sixmilebridge’s second string lost three key players to their flagship side a fortnight ago.

The ascension of Leon Kelly, David Kennedy and Luke O’Halloran does leave a major hole in their spine which should mean that it’s advantage Parteen in a rare outing in Cusack Park, not seen since their last county final appearance in 2013.

Getting back to that lofty stage has never been more appetising but the South East Clare side need to show their teeth here first.
Verdict: Parteen