Tag Archives: @SMBGAA

Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals Newmarket-on-Fergus v Wolfe Tones @ Cusack Park, Saturday 1.30pm A golden opportunity to return to a semi-final that neither side can afford to pass up in what is a unique derby showdown in Ennis on Saturday. It’s novel because at certain stages of their final group matches, the thoughts of staring the relegation play-offs in the face seemed a distinct reality so this is essentially bonus territory particularly after drawing each other in the last eight. Newmarket-on-Fergus’ late smash-and-grab victory over another neighbour Clooney-Quin will have injected a new lease of life into the Blues while Wolfe Tones, despite coming off the back of back-to-back defeats, equally have nothing to lose on Saturday. That Wolfe Tones’ form has fallen off a cliff will be alarming as the first half of their group campaign up to half-time in the Sixmilebridge match, the Shannon side looked like Canon Hamilton contenders only conceding 1-18. However, since then, they have …

Clare Cup Division 1A Round 4 Feakle v Inagh-Kilnamona at Feakle, Saturday, 4.30pm (Jim Hickey) Depending on results, Feakle could be Clare Cup champions for the first time since 1988 on Saturday evening. For all the arguments surrounding the condensed format, it would be a major boost for the squad, their new management team under PJ Kelleher and of course the club as this would be their first senior silverware since that historic double winning season 33 years earlier. What has made their run all the more impressive is that they have been without key players which for a squad not renowned for its strength-in-depth will give Feakle great momentum for the championship, regardless of the outcome of the next two matches. Inevitably however, the pressure ramps up for their remaining ties against the last finalists Inagh-Kilnamona and Kilmaley. Inagh-Kilnamona, who have been affected much more by the absence of inter-county senior and Under 20 contingents, haven’t anything to play …

Broadford v Clonlara at Broadford, Friday, 7.30pm A first derby meeting since the intermediate champions unceremoniously knocked Clonlara out of last year’s championship and soared into a senior quarter-final against another neighbour Sixmilebridge. Both, whether by necessity or choice, have delved deep into their panels for new hands to potentially be put up ahead of the championship so this local duel should tell the respective managements a lot more about their strength-in-depth. Of course, Clonlara’s Jimmy Browne is manager of Broadford but it may not be enough to work the oracle once more as Clon’s new-look side appear hungry and determined to maintain their perfect start. Inagh-Kilnamona v Ballyea at Inagh, Friday, 7.30pm If asked to name two sides that would be pointless after two rounds, one would hardly have chosen this pair. That said, aside from Ballyea’s 2019 league burst, such is their dual inter-county commitments that they have been content to ply their trade in Division 1B of …

FEAKLE and Clonlara have set the early pace in the Clare Cup following the completion of back-to-back victories over the weekend, reports Eoin Brennan. 2016 champions Clonlara, a week on from overcoming last finalists Inagh-Kilnamona, managed to add the scalp of their nearest neighbours and reigning champions Kilmaley on home soil on Sunday afternoon. Leading from start to finish, a fortunate Dylan McMahon goal from distance provided the clear daylight that Clonlara needed to build up a nine point half-time advantage. And with Cian Moriarty excelling around the centre, that six point cushion would be maintained into the final quarter. Kilmaley inevitably rallied predominantly through Daire Keane and Mikey O’Malley. However, three points was as close as the visitors would come to Clonlara who deservedly held on for a 1-16 to 0-15 win. The previous evening, a strong finish to both halves saw Feakle lower home side Crusheen by 1-18 to 1-14 in another first round winners clash. Having been …

While it’s a rare weekend of inter-county calm before the storm, the competitive action has contrastingly rapidly mushroomed at club level, with a first bumper weekend of football and hurling leagues to come over a hectic three day span. That zero to a hundred fixture hike is in one way a welcome world away from the bleak lockdown longing that greeted the first five months of the year. However, with a large chunk of players still seeking match sharpness, it’s perhaps not ideal to be a dual player that in the absence of county contingents could be called upon to fulfill up to four fixtures over the coming days. Clare Cup Division 1A Round 2 Crusheen v Feakle at Crusheen, Saturday, 7.30pm (C Maguire) After opening round victories, this should present a welcome barometer for both this Saturday. Feakle’s opening round triumph over county champions Sixmilebridge will have given them a significant shot in the arm whereas the most encouraging …

KILMALEY made a successful defence of their Clare Cup title on home soil on Saturday evening when holding off neighbours Ballyea by 1-20 to 1-15, reports Eoin Brennan. Daire Keane’s trademark surge and finish to the net in the ninth minute would be a decisive score in catapulting Kilmaley into the ascendancy at 1-3 to 0-3. And with all of Kilmaley’s front six getting on the scoreboard from play in the opening period, they would ease into an 1-11 to 0-08 interval advantage. Newcomers Ballyea were far from full strength but could rely on the scoring prowess of Niall Deasy who finish with all but five points of his side’s total. Indeed, having fallen eight behind entering the final ten minutes, the former county senior rallied with 1-3, but eventually had to concede second best to a more balanced home side. Other teams to make home advantage count on the opening weekend were Clonlara and Feakle. Senior B holders Clonlara …