By Seamus Hayes
The first shock in the 2013 senior hurling championship came in round three when Cratloe, one of the favourites for the title, made their exit. A draw with Crusheen (0-16 each) ended their hopes of making it to the play offs. The South East Clare side led for much of this tie but Pat Vaughan converted a 30m free in the final minute to tie the contest for the third time.
The result sparked off great celebrations in Clarecastle where Inagh-Kilnamona had just recorded a twelve point win (2-19 to 1-10) over St. Josephs. That victory allied to Cratloe’s loss sent the mid Clare outfit into the quarter finals.
Sixmilebridge recorded a two point win, 1-18 to 3-10, over Clonlara, a result that send both teams into the last eight, with Sixmilebridge taking top spot in the group because of their victory over their South East Clare opponents.
This group also produced a surprise result with Clooney-Quin recording a six point victory (5-8 to 2-11) over Clarecastle. The result leaves the magpies bottom of the group and they will now be in a relegation play off along with St. Josephs with the third team to be decided.
Ballyea continued their winning run when they had a comfortable victory over Scariff to top their group. The win puts them into the quarter finals of the championship and also gives them a place in the final of the senior B championship. Wolfe Tones scored their first win of the campaign and it was enough to guarantee them senior status for next season. Scariff drop to the bottom spot in this group and they now face a relegation play off to avoid dropping to the intermediate grade
The remaining three quarter final places in the race for the Canon Hamilton trophy will be decided this Sunday and the draw for the quarter finals will be made at the Clare GAA headquarters on Monday evening at 6.15p.m.
Meanwhile, Whitegate sealed their place in the semi-final of the intermediate hurling championship when they accounted for Ennistymon on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-13. The win sees them top their group and they will play Newmarket in the semi-final next Sunday. Feakle will play either Parteen or Sixmilebridge in the other semi-final.