Tag Archives: Clare senior hurling

Eoin Brennan previews this afternoon’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 between Clare and Tipperary at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles JUST as Tipperary’s sense of injustice motivated an uprising against recently crowned National League champions Waterford last weekend, Clare will be targeting a similar assault this Sunday as they look to hit the ground running in this year’s provincial championship. With both sides justifiably irked at being largely discounted in the conversation for the top three in Munster, Tipperary’s backlash landed but ultimately failed to knock down their opponents which leaves them with no room for error as they scramble for points this Sunday. Being Clare’s competitive bow, they obviously have a little more wriggle room but realistically if the Banner are to make an impression in the provincial series, a win is almost a prerequisite in Thurles. Easier said than done, after Clare took 90 years to previously make that breakthrough back in 2018 on their way to knocking …

Although Ken Ralph has more than earned his Banner citizenship, an intriguing sub plot to this weekend’s clash with Tipperary is the selector trying to defeat his county of origin. Ralph represented Tipperary at minor and U-21 level before he was offered a job at De Beers (now Element Six). After initially living in Limerick, he migrated to Clarecastle as he helped the Magpies enjoy some of the greatest days in their history, when winning county titles in 1997 and 2003. Although the two time county champion with Clarecastle admits that he does hold a soft spot for Tipperary, there is no doubting his determination to inflict a second straight loss on Colm Bonnar’s charges. “Coming up against Tipp is something I’ve dealt with years ago. I’m in Clare longer than I was in Tipp. I do have a soft spot for Tipp but my kids were born in Clare. I’d nearly be forgiven for rooting for Clare. When Clare …

WHEN Shane Meehan answered the phone to The Clare Champion the 19-year-old was almost drowned out by the cheers and excitement of the children hurling behind him. That morning and afternoon, Meehan was down at his own club, Banner, helping the club run their Easter camp. With over 100 kids attending the camp, hopes are high within Banner that they can continue their recent upward trend across all codes. The evening prior Meehan and the Clare U-20 hurlers saw their Championship campaign come to an end after falling to an agonising two point against Cork. For the second game on the spin, Clare let a winning hand slip as Meehan’s final year at the U-20 grade came to a close. Despite the disappointment, the Mary Immaculate student, headed down to coach the young players coming through the ranks. When Meehan spoke to The Champion after the camp, he reiterated the point that heading down to his club helped him deal …

For someone with the mercurial touch of Tony Kelly, it’s intriguing to hear the Ballyea man discuss improving upon and refining his artillery for Championship combat. After requiring ankle surgery last October, Kelly was forced to watch from the sidelines as Ballyea showed remarkable grit to eventually emerge triumphant and lift the Canon Hamilton. The 28-year-old was part of the St. Flannan’s management team when the Ennis school lifted the Dean Ryan Cup in November, three days after Ballyea were crowned county champions for the third time in the club’s history. The teacher believes he can take lessons from watching his clubmates and the students he coaches between the white lines. “It gives me a different perspective when I’m watching games on the sideline. Something I enjoy doing is coaching the younger players. No matter what age you are you can pick up a thing or two watching other players. You can learn a lot from different players.” After a …

With Clarecastle and Feakle having defeated Broadford and Éire Óg respectively already this week, Eoin Brennan previews the rest of the Clare Cup Division 1A and B action with an array of interesting clashes in prospect Clonlara v Sixmilebridge at Clonlara, Saturday 2pm (Rory McGann, Newmarket-on-Fergus) As part of the reparation process post-lockdown is the long-awaited resumption of the Clonlara v Sixmilebridge derby which has been absent for the past three years. At the time, Sixmilebridge were on the cusp of what would eventually become back-to-back county titles for the first time in 27 years whereas Clonlara have had to be content with back-to-back senior B versions over the past two seasons. Under new managements, it will be interesting to see how much water has flowed under the bridge in the intervening period as while they won’t be near full strength, the winner will remain in contention for Clare Cup honours. Cratloe v Ballyea at Páirc Uí hEithir Cratloe, Saturday …

Derek Dormer was in Clarecastle to witness the home side defeat Éire Óg 2-18 to 0-15 in the Clare Cup A GAME with all the hallmarks of a local derby – ferocious tackling, fierce exchanges, yellow cards and a vocal crowd – provided an excellent spectacle on Wednesday evening in Clarecastle. Éire Óg started the game at a frenetic pace racing into a five points to one lead by the tenth minute but failure to score for the remainder of the half was hugely detrimental to their hopes of success. Dominanation at restarts, winning their own easily and overturning the opposition’s, provided the platform for three David McNamara points, an Oran Guilfoyle beauty and a fine Michael Heneghan score. From here though until the half time whistle Clarecastle simply took over with Killian McDermott inspiring his teammates with some fantastic scores. With Stephen O’Halloran, Rory O’Connell and Darragh Healy now dominating primary possession the Magpies moved through the gears and …

The weekend’s action couldn’t ask for a better ignition with neighbours Wolfe Tones and Newmarket-on-Fergus commencing a 35 match adult league weekend schedule that includes a repeat of last year’s county final and the commencement of a 26 team Division 5. Clare Cup Division 1A Round 3 Crusheen v Sixmilebridge at Crusheen, Saturday 1.30pm Requiring a strong reaction to their relegation scare, Crusheen have hit the ground running in 2022 but face their biggest test to date on Saturday against a ‘Bridge side that have had the Indian sign over them in recent times. Indeed, Sixmilebridge are bidding for their fifth consecutive victory over Crusheen in as many seasons but more than that, crave the points to further establish their new-look structure under new manager Sean Stack. Feakle v Clooney-Quin at Feakle, Saturday 2pm No point going over old ground again about that now infamous 2017 championship clash and its remarkable diverging subsequent paths. Better to reflect on last year’s …

HURLING fans looking to take in the Clare senior team’s season opener will now be travelling to Ennis instead of Sixmilebridge. The clash with Waterford in the 2022 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling Cup Semi-Final will take place on Saturday at 1.30pm in Cusack Park. It had been set for the ‘Bridge at 7pm on Friday. Tipperary man Michael Kennedy will take charge of the game, which will be resolved by penalty shootout if level at full time.