Times and venues confirmed for Clare’s Munster showdowns

The times and venues for the Munster Senior, Minor and U20 Hurling and Football Championships have been confirmed this afternoon, writes Ivan Smyth.

The Munster Hurling Championship reverts to the round robin format this year. Clare start their campaign against Tipperary on April 24 as they travel to FBD Semple Stadium, with that game throwing in at 2pm.

One week later, on May 1, Brian Lohan’s charges return to Thurles as they face Cork with that game also starting at 2pm. The game was initially due to be held on Páirc Uí Chaoimh but has been moved to Thurles with Ed Sheeran set to play in the Cork venue on April 28 and 29.

Two weeks later, Clare host All Ireland champions Limerick in Cusack Park with that game scheduled to throw in at 4pm. In the final round of fixtures, which takes place on May 22, Waterford travel down to Ennis with no time confirmed for that game. The Munster final is pencilled in for June 5.

Meanwhile, the county’s footballers will face Limerick on Saturday April 30 at Cusack Park. That game is set to thrown in at 6pm.

Should Colm Collins’ side prevail, then they will face Tipperary or Waterford two weeks later with a venue set to be announced closer to the date. The Munster Senior Football Final is fixed for Saturday May 28 at 3pm with no venue confirmed yet.

The Munster U20 Hurling Championship is being run with two groups of three teams. Clare are paired with Cork and Limerick with the top two sides progressing through to the semi finals.

Clare travel to the TUS Gaelic Grounds to face Limerick on Wednesday, April 6 with that game commencing at 7pm. Sixmilebridge will host the clash of Clare and Cork a week later with that game set to throw in at 7pm.

The semi finals are pencilled in for Wednesday April 27 with the Munster final set to take place one week late on May 4.

The Clare U20 footballers face Tipperary in a provincial quarter final on Monday, April 11 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay. That game is set to throw in at 7pm.

The winner of that clash will host Kerry one week later in the last four.

This year’s Minor Hurling Championship is being run in a group format with two groups of three teams.

Clare are paired with Tipperary and Waterford as they will travel to face the Premier County first on Tuesday, April 12. FBD Semple Stadium will host that encounter with the game set to throw in at 7pm.

One week later, on Tuesday April 19, Sixmilebridge will host the clash of Clare and Waterford with that game set to throw in at 7pm.

Unlike the U20 Championship, there will be provincial quarter finals with the third placed teams facing those that finish second in their groups. Those games are currently scheduled to take place on April 26 with the teams in second enjoying home advantage.

The group winners progress straight through to the semi final stage.

In the Munster Minor Football Championship, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford are placed in to a group of four with the top two teams progressing through to the Phase One Final.

Kerry and Cork meet in the provincial semi final with the winner moving 60 minutes away from Munster glory. Meanwhile, the loser of the Cork and Kerry clash plays the team that emerges from the group of four.

Clare start their campaign against Waterford at Hennessy Memorial Park on Thursday, April 14 with that game set to throw in at 7pm. Seven days later Dermot Coughlan’s charges travel to Mick Neville Park to face Limerick.

Finally, Clare host Tipperary at Hennessy Memorial Park on April 28 with that game throwing in at 7pm.

The Phase 1 Final is down for decision on May 5.