Tag Archives: Clare intermediate hurling championship

Michael O’ Connor was on hand for the Champion as Tubber crushed Killenana on a score of 2-31 to 0-10   Consigned to the relegation zone before the game Killanena were making their first appearance at county headquarters since their famous 2010 intermediate win that was masterminded by the late Colman Houlihan. It was a sobering experience for the proud hurling folk nestled around Loughgraney as Tubber are emerging quietly with younger players who earned their crust in two Under 21B successes and Under 21A final appearance in the last four seasons. With Pat O’Connor acting as sweeper in Cusack Park the many times Intermediate finalists set out their stall early as this has been a winning tactic to date. Expectation of a end to end high scoring tussle was muted but one was hopeful that Killanena would play to a level to prepare themselves for the coming month. The Droney cousins were to the fore throughout in the duties …

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 …

Eoin Brennan runs the rule over this weekend’s intermediate hurling championship ties Intermediate Championship Round 2 Group 3 Inagh-Kilnamona v Tulla at Gurteen, Sunday 12pm With the group blown wide open following some dramatic opening round twists, it’s now make-or-break territory for Tulla. Following a frustrating hour against Ogonnelloe, they simply cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to return to a third consecutive quarter-final since falling from senior. Inagh-Kilnamona, having already matched other flagship side Bodyke, will be licking their lips at the prospect of knocking out Tulla but the East Clare side’s experience simply has to surface. Verdict: Tulla Ogonnelloe v Bodyke at Whitegate, Sunday 6.30pm A little more freedom here as whoever loses will still be in contention for the business end. They last met in the Junior A Championship but both will have set their sights on higher plains and therefore neither will want to end their unbeaten run. Victory is much more important for …

Eoin Brennan looks ahead to this weekend’s Intermediate Championship hurling clashes Round 1 Group 3 Tulla v Ogonnelloe at Glenomra Park Broadford, Saturday 7pm Having watched their fellow contenders mainly swim rather than thread water last weekend, Tulla and Ogonnelloe will eagerly await this initial evaluation of where they currently stand. Only three years ago, two championship divisions separated them but Tulla’s back-to-back attempts to bounce straight back up haven’t exactly gone to plan whereas Junior A champions Ogonnelloe have been relishing their resurrection through the ranks that has included voluntarily stepping up to the Division 2 League in 2022 where they reached the semi-final. Meeting in the middle should be an intriguing match-up but there has to be a greater kick in Tulla. Verdict: Tulla Bodyke v Inagh-Kilnamona at Fr. Murphy Memorial Park Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sunday 1pm Undoubtedly Bodyke would have been keeping a firm eye on how the no-win first versus second team clashes between St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and …

Eoin Brennan previews the intermediate hurling championships and pinpoints two sides as especially strong contenders Group 1 – Tubber, Killanena, Inagh-Kilnamona, Sixmilebridge It seems that if Tubber hadn’t bad luck, they wouldn’t have any luck at all as following three final defeats in the last four years, the loss of county stalwart Patrick O’Connor appears a hammerblow to their chances of redressing the balance. They still should have enough experience and firepower to top the group and put it up to anyone in the knock-out stages though. With an injection of youth, Killanena have improved while Inagh-Kilnamona have caused the North Clare side difficulties in the past. But it’s Sixmilebridge’s second string that should prevail alongside the tranquil Tigers to the quarter-finals, depending on who they lose to their flagship side. Group 2 – Smith O’Brien’s, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Cratloe, Tulla No prizes for guessing the favourites for progression as Tulla and Smith O’Brien’s should be too strong for newcomers O’Callaghan’s …