Tag Archives: Jack Daly Cup

Things are hotting up in the race for the Clare senior football crown. Eoin Brennan previews this weekend’s four quarter-finals and the relegation play-off Cratloe v Kilmurry Ibrickane at Cusack Park Ennis Saturday 2pm Despite the geographical contrast, there have been no keener or more frequent rivalry at senior level as this is remarkably the 14th championship clash in only 13 seasons between Cratloe and Kilmurry Ibrickane. The pendulum has swung in both directions over that time but crucially the ‘Bricks have held the upper hand over the past five meetings which include the 2016 Final replay and of course the 2020 decider. It’s a testament that Cratloe keep bouncing back despite the narrative, repeatedly hammered home, that they have failed to fulfil their potential in either code since 2014. Following their hurlers’ advancement to the last four on Saturday, it would be a major boost to do likewise in football, especially as it would also end their Kilmurry Ibrickane …

Eoin Brennan runs the rule over this weekend’s action as the Clare senior football championship kicks off Round 1 Group 1 Éire Óg v St Breckan’s at Cusack Park Ennis, Saturday 4.30pm Easily the headline act of the opening weekend as depending on how the sides approach it, this heavyweight showdown will either be a timely evaluation of where these Jack Daly contenders are or a cautious must-not-lose affair led by fear rather than ambition. With three to emerge to the last eight from this group, it should be closer to the former and certainly much nearer in terms of scores than last year’s semi-final masterclass from Éire Óg that stifled a normally swashbuckling St Breckan’s before they could get into their stride. The Townies are still the team to beat but going on the hurling version, may need a bit of time to blow off the cobwebs of their meticulous gameplan as they’ve had no competitive opportunities to put …

Eoin Brennan previews the county football championship action with focus on games across all divisions THE overly-familiar West Clare derby of Kilmurry Ibrickane and St Joseph’s Miltown represents the perfect start for this year’s race for the Jack Daly. Of course, it’s their fourth championship meeting in less than two years, with the spoils split evenly so far and what makes it even more intriguing is the fact that they have now shared the last six senior crowns evenly (Kilmurry Ibrickane 2016, ’17, ’20, St Joseph’s Miltown 2015, ’18, ’19). As defending champions, Kilmurry Ibrickane certainly had the upper hand in last year’s championship opener, but a combination of key injuries to Shane Hickey and Dermot Coughlan allied to Miltown’s Cusack Cup winning form have certainly swung this year’s momentum towards the men from Miltown Malbay. In an unforgiving group, last year’s finalists Cratloe will also be keen to keep pace at the top as they face Cooraclare this Sunday. …