*Cratloe’s Sean Collins in action against Fionn Kelleher and Diarmuid Boyle of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SEMI-FINAL ACTION in the TUS Clare senior and intermediate football championships are the focus of this weekend’s GAA action.
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SFC is with thanks to The Shannon Springs Hotel.
Éire Óg’s quest to win a senior championship double is well and truly alive after their hurlers qualified for the a first decider since 2022 but they must navigate the challenge of Lissycasey as they bid to record back to back titles.
After emerging from an extra-time win over Ennistymon, Cratloe renew rivalries with St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield for the second time in this year’s championship.
On Saturday, Éire Óg and Lissycasey square off at 16:30 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg. The sides clashed in last year’s championship with the Ennis outfit prevailing on a score of 2-17 1-6 in the third round. Shane Daniels’ side overcame St Joseph’s Miltown to make the semi-finals with Lissycasey managed by Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney accounting for St Breckans.
Billed as strong favourites, Éire Óg will be looking to their experienced cohort of Ciaran Russell, Aaron Fitzgerald and Dean Ryan to anchor their defence with Ikem Ugwueru, Manus Doherty, Mark McInerney and Colm Walsh O’Loghlen setting the way further afield.
Ronan Lanigan made a welcome return to championship action for the Townies when introduced as a substitute in the quarter-finals and he will be available for selection to get a first-start in this year’s run. Walsh O’Loghlen has been dealing with a hamstring injury but it is not expected to keep him out of the tie. “Ronan has been carrying an injury for a while, he is back doing a good bit of training, he has an awful lot of work done in the last few weeks,” manager Daniels told The Clare Echo.
Lissycasey led by three-time Clare SFC winning manager Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney will need to produce their greatest performance of the year to cause an upset. While they were comfortable winners in the quarter-finals, last season’s Cusack Cup champions have yet to show a full sixty minute display in their four games thus far.
Both Mikey O’Neill and Aaron Griffin tasted semi-final defeat with the hurlers of Kilmaley and Ballyea last weekend but came through their respective games unscathed. While Griffin was one of Clare’s top performers under Peter Keane, he has yet to catch fire in this year’s Clare SFC and is a potential match-winner on his day. Captain Ryan Griffin, Matt Shea at midfield, Darren Keane, Daire Culligan, Conor Finnucane, Darragh Killeen and Shane Griffin will be called upon to give big displays for the 2007 champions.
Despite a high amount of injuries and both Cathal McInerney and Jamie Moylan effectively playing on one leg in extra time, Cratloe still managed to find a way to win which has them in a very strong place mentally ahead of Sunday’s semi-final against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield which commences at 14:30 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg. The sides faced off in the third round when Enda Boyce’s late kick sealed the win for Cratloe.
It was also a dramatic quarter-final win for Doora/Barefield who knocked out Kilmurry Ibrickane with a one point win.
David Collins, Tommy Rooney and Eoin Carey all missed the quarter-final for Cratloe and of the trio, Rooney is the most likely to potentially feature this weekend. With the experience of Kevin Harnett, Podge Collins, Sean Collins, Cathal McInerney, Diarmuid Ryan and Liam Markham in their ranks, Colm Collins is still able to call on quality players.
Doora/Barefield have major concerns on the fitness of Clare defender Fionn Kelleher. He was forced off with a hamstring injury in their quarter-final and missed out on the relegation final for the club’s senior hurlers last weekend. His fitness will be assessed closer to throw-in and his availability is likely to have a big bearing on the outcome. Tom Curran was introduced as a substitute in the second half of their quarter-final and is likely to have a similar role.
Tom O’Brien will man the goals for The Parish who will be confident of reaching a first final since 2012 but are slight underdogs. Donagh Vaughan’s side will also be relying on Joe Rafferty, Tom McDonald, Odhran O’Connell, James Curran and Darragh O’Shea.
Meanwhile, both Clare IFC semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday. Corofin and Clondegad meet in Clarecastle at 13:00 while Hennessy Memorial Park in Miltown Malbay is the setting for Banner vs Cooraclare at 15:00.
Jamie Malone will be flying back from the Middle East for Corofin who are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of their relegation from the senior hurling ranks.
Clondegad have four wins from as many games but James Murrihy’s side have yet to be tested to their limit in the championship.
It will be a first-ever intermediate championship semi-final for Banner who possess a very lively attack which includes Shane Meehan, Thomas Meenaghan, Seán McMahon and Ronan Kilroy.
They’re coming up against the Martin Daly managed Cooraclare who can call on one of the top footballers in the county, Brian McNamara along with former Clare senior Pearse Lillis.
