Fiona Breen under pressure from Edel McNamara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SIX will become four as the stage is set for the quarter-finals of the Clare LGFA quarter-finals this weekend.
Securing top spot in each group has sent Kilmurry Ibrickane and Banner Ladies straight through to the semi-finals and they’ll watch on from the sidelines with interest to see who joins them in the penultimate stage of the competition.
After suffering a first championship defeat in Clare in eighteen months, champions Kilmihil put their title on the line when they welcome Fergus Rovers to St Michael’s Park at 14:00 on Sunday morning.
Timmy Ryan’s Kilmihil possess one of the strongest attacks in the county and will be counting on the Considine sisters, Eimear and Ailish, the McNamaras Edel and Áine together with Ellie O’Gorman, Laura Egan, Carol O’Leary, Becky Mahon and Dervla Higgins to get them back to the semi-finals.
A 4-9 2-5 win over Burren Gaels in round two has been central to Fergus Rovers progressing to the knockout stages. They drew with Liscannor in their most recent outing and Barry Keating will need his charges to produce a defining hour to upset the odds. Áine Slattery, Louise Cleary, Ria Meaney and Aisling Costelloe are central pillars in their team but they will need to tighten up defensively.
Intermediate champions Liscannor have made their mark in the senior ranks this season and will vie to make the last four. They host St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at 14:00 on Sunday with crowds having to dodge the Walker Cup in Lahinch en route.
Competitive in each of their three outings, Liscannor set out their stall when overcoming Burren Gaels, a result that ultimately sent their North Clare neighbours into a relegation battle. Tony Roche has plenty of experience in his ranks with Roisin Considine, Sinead Considine, Ella Healy and Shannon Cagney in flying form during this campaign.
Coming within a whisker of a relegation battle, a strong finish from St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield saw them kick five points without reply to defeat Éire Óg 1-12 2-7. The manner of the victory can propel Mark Reidy’s side forward but they will receive a stern test in North Clare. Without question, they are a far cry from the side which contested championship and league deciders in 2024 but Eabha O’Driscoll, Aisling Hannan, Lucy Power, Hannah Doyle and Amy Reynolds have plenty of ability.
Quarter-finals will also be held in the intermediate championship. Coolmeen is the setting for the clash of Cuil Gaels and Crusheen (13:00) while Hennessy Memorial Park in Miltown Malbay hosts the tie of St Joseph’s Miltown and Kilrush Shamrocks (14:00). Doonbeg and Cooraclare are safely through to the semi-finals.
