Tag Archives: final

MANAGER Davy Fitzgerald has handed a first competitive start this year to star forward Tony Kelly for tonight’s Waterford Crystal hurling final against Tipperary at The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Kelly, selected ‘Hurler of the Year’ following his epic displays for Clare in winning last year’s U-21 and All-Ireland senior titles, will lead the attack.  He is flanked by John Conlon and Colin Ryan. The triumvirate make up the half forw3ard line as was the case in the All-Ireland final against Cork. His Ballyea clubmate, Paul Flanagan, last year’s U-21 winning captain, comes in for his first start in the tournament. Flanagan was introduced as a second half subsitiute in the semi-final win over UCC. Eight of the starting team for tonight’s game started in last year’s All-Ireland final win over the Rebels. Podge Collins, Conor Ryan and Jack Browne were ineligible having already played in the Waterford Crystal tournament with University of Limerick while hat-trick hero, Shane 0’Donnell had …

By Seamus Hayes Clare senior hurling champions Newmarket are one game away from retaining the Canon Hamilton trophy. Before a big attendance at Clarecastle—the game was transferred from Cusack Park following heavy overnight rain on Saturday night —they had to pull out all the stops to overcome Ballyea in a hard fought contest. At the end of the opening half the teams were level at 0-6 to 1-3 with the game’s only goal coming in the twenty first minute when Gary Brennan turned a Paul Flanagan delivery into the Newmarket net. Newmarket’s greater experience came to the fore in the second half and within a minute of the resumption they had taken a two point lead and they remained in front from here to the end. Clare’s top scorer in 2013 was to the fore for the Blues, hitting o-8, all from frees. Shane O’Brien senior who, along with Ronan Goode, helped Doonbeg progress to the senior football semi-final on the …

By Seamus Hayes Feakle will play Whitegate in the final of the Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship following their five-point victory over Sixmilebridge at Dr Daly Park in Tulla on Saturday afternoon. Two goals from Gary Guilfoyle played a key part in this success and clears the way for next Saturday’s final. There will be no rest for the winners of that game as, 24 hours later, they will be in Munster club action against either the Cork or Waterford champions. Tulla have secured their senior status for 2014, thanks to a five point win over St Joseph’s at Cratloe on Saturday. The Doora-Barefield club has one more chance to stay at the top level. They play Clarecastle on Saturday next and the losers will drop to Senior B for 2014. The minor A hurling final will be a repeat of last year’s decider with holders Kilmaley taking on Clarecastle. The Magpies sealed their final spot when they overcame Inagh-Kilnamona, 0-16 …

By Seamus Hayes A huge weekend is in the offing for hurling fans in Clare with all four quarter finals in the senior championship listed for decision. The pairings were decided at a meeting at GAA headquarters in Clareabbey on Monday evening. Champions Newmarket will face Inagh-Kilnamona. The 2011 winners Crusheen will come up against Ballyea, Sixmilebridge will face Tubber and Clonlara will take on O’Callaghans Mills. All four games are expected to take place on Sunday and venues and times will be finalised at a meeting of the Clare CCC on Tuesday evening. The football championship resumes on Sunday also with Cratloe taking on Cooraclare for the right to face Kilrush in a quarter final game on Sunday week. The losers of Sunday’s game will play Clondegad on Sunday week for the right to go forward to play Doonbeg in the remaining quarter final.  

Don’t forget to buy your Clare Champion tomorrow to read our special supplement in advance of Saturday’s replay. ‘Burning Desire’ will give you everything you need to know about the upcoming clash between Clare and Cork.

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald has named the same team as started in the semi-final against Limerick for Sunday’s All-Ireland final with Cork. Paul Flanagan comes into the substitutes list in place of the injured Aaron Cunningham. The team is; Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’donovan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Pat Donnellan (Capt) Patrick O’Connor; Conor Ryan, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly Colin Ryan; Paudge Collins, Darach Honan, Conor McGrath Subs–Donal Tuohy; Conor Cooney, Seadna Morey, Liam Markham, Nicky O’Connell, Fergal Lynch, Shane O’Donnell, Cathal McInerney, Peter Duggan, Jonathon Clancy, Paul Flanagan