*Aidan McCarthy and Aaron Fitzgerald will renew rivalries. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FOUR excellent quarter-finals are on the cards in the TUS Clare SHC following Monday’s draw for the last eight.
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SHC is with thanks to The Temple Gate Hotel.
Places in the last eight were secured over the weekend with the conclusion of round three in the Clare SHC.
Clare GAA’s headquarters hosted Monday evening’s draw with PRO Aaron Carroll presiding over proceedings alongside Chairman Kieran Keating and Vice President of TUS, Jimmy Browne.
For the second year running, Éire Óg and Inagh/Kilnamona meet at the quarter-final stage. Inamona ran out 2-16 0-22 winners they met last September but Éire Óg have produced a strong group campaign with wins over Newmarket-on-Fergus, Wolfe Tones and Feakle. Conner Hegarty’s half-time introduction was key to the Combo advancing to the last eight when they came from behind to knock out Broadford.
Brian Culbert will face an interesting hour in the quarter-finals. The Kilmaley manager will come up against his native Sixmilebridge, a side he has tasted championship glory with as a player and manager. Kilmaley have been one of the form teams with wins over Ballyea, Cratloe and Scariff while The Bridge have bounced back from a first round loss to Clonlara to record successive victories over Crusheen and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield despite missing key personnel.
Champions Feakle put their title on the line when they come up against an unbeaten Clooney/Quin. The title holders have been crippled with injuries, goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan and talisman Shane McGrath are currently ruled out but their determination has stood to them as they progressed to the knockout stages. Clooney/Quin have impressed in their victories over Broadford and Inagh/Kilnamona while Fergal Lynch’s side were held to a draw by Corofin in round three.
Further excitement is provided with the clash of Clonlara and Ballyea, the champions of 2023 versus the 2022 winners. They crossed swords in the group campaign last season when Clonlara had a 1-28 1-20 in the first round while Ballyea won their maiden title in 2016 at the expense of Clonlara. Ian Galvin and Tony Kelly have been leading the way in attack for their respective clubs and this may well turn out to be a battle of the sharpshooters.
In the relegation semi-finals, it’s a meeting of the 2020 intermediate champions Scariff versus 2023 intermediate winners Corofin. Having met in last year’s championship, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Newmarket-on-Fergus renew rivalries but this time senior status is on the line.
Scariff reached the semi-finals of the Clare SHC last season but finished bottom in the Group of Death after defeats to Cratloe, Ballyea and Kilmaley. Corofin will take spirit from drawing with Clooney/Quin at the weekend following losses to Inagh/Kilnamona and Broadford.
TUS Clare SHC quarter-finals (to take place on weekend of September 6th/7th):
Kilmaley vs Sixmilebridge
Clonlara vs Ballyea
Clooney/Quin vs Feakle
Éire Óg vs Inagh/Kilnamona
TUS Clare SHC relegation semi-finals (to take place on weekend of September 6th/7th):
Corofin vs Scariff
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield vs Newmarket-on-Fergus
