The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The CDSL season prepares to swing in to action once more with a revamped league format for the upcoming campaign.
With Ennis Town unable to field a team next season, only nine clubs will play in the Moloney Hardware Premier Division ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 season.
This means that 10 teams will compete in the Ann Romer Flowers First Division, nine sides in the Brian Pyne Tiles Second Division and seven clubs will be represented in the Brownies Barbershop Third Division.
The Maloney Hardware Premier Division kicks off next weekend while clubs in the First, Second and Third divisions begin their season with the League Cup competitions.
CDSL officials are hopeful of playing more games on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season, once both clubs are able to field on the day in question.
With the GAA Club season having commenced, the CDSL are hoping this move allows clubs to field their best players.
At the time of writing, the Maloney Hardware Premier Division season is set to begin on Saturday, August 20 with reigning champions Avenue United squaring off against Lifford AFC at Roslevan.
Meanwhile, Newmarket Celtic are scheduled to face newly promoted Coole FC at home. Tulla United face a tough start to life in the Premier Division when they host Shannon Town while Kilrush Rangers face a difficult away assignment against Bridge United.
The League Cups for the First, Second and Third Divisions are scheduled to start on Sunday week.
In Group A, Moher Celtic are down to face Kilkishen Celtic at home while Shannon Olympic host Bridge United B. In Group B, Sporting Ennistymon will play Rhine Rovers while Shannon Town B host Newmarket Celtic B. Connolly Celtic are the other team in the group.
Meanwhile, in the Second Division Cup, Avenue United B face last season’s Third Division champions Bunratty/Cratloe. Corofin Harps and Ennis Dons are paired together with the latter enjoying home advantage.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Shannon Hibernians B are home to Fern Celtic while Hermitage AFC play Fern Celtic.
In the Third Division League Cup, Group A sees Mountshannon Celtic B host Tulla United B with Fern Celtic B the other side in the three team group. New side Fairgreen Celtic face Manus Celtic at home while Shannon Town C host Bridge Celtic in Group B.
Currently, midweek games are scheduled to take place in the Cup competitions with another round of games set to be played three days later on Wednesday August 24th. The top team from each group contests the League Cup Finals.
