*Cilléin Mullins and Tony Kelly will cross paths this Friday. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Whether you call it ‘Moving Weekend’ or ‘Make-or-Break’, Round 2 of the Clare Senior Hurling Championship will definitely determine the lines of demarcation between promotion or demotion.
Six group ties are scheduled, evenly split between clashes of unbeaten sides, clubs yet to register any points and the final two between those with contrasting starts.
The Group of Death ranking will certainly be clearer come Sunday evening as leaders Inagh-Kilnamona take on Clonlara in Cusack Park (2.45pm), with one perfect record set to crumble while at the other end, last year’s finalists O’Callaghan’s Mills and Whitegate (Sunday in Sixmilebridge at 5pm) will be fighting it out just to get off the mark.
Inagh-Kilnamona have already overcome Kilmaley and O’Callaghan’s Mills and have got better with every passing game and the same could be said for opponents Clonlara who deservedly got the better of the Mills but are still trying to learn and blend on their feet which is conducive to the four match group schedule.
Both are favourites to advance from Group 1 but neither will want to take any back step. However, if Clonlara can hit the ground running after a three week break, their slightly better balance could shade a tight contest which may not be their only championship meeting this year.
While still mathematically possible, reaching the business end is further down the priority lists of the Mills and Whitegate who crave a first victory just to ease the threat of relegation. Whitegate have consistently been the great escapers of the last decade but couldn’t have received a tougher draw to contend with as despite believing that this is their best chance of a win, Terence Fahy’s side might not have enough firepower to take out a better balanced Mills who will be eager to rediscover their goalscoring feats of 2020.
It’s a similar relegation avoiding showdown in Group 2 where Clarecastle and Scariff, off the back of double figure opening round reverses, have a glorious opportunity to save their senior souls in Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon (2pm).
Both have been re-enthused by the injection of young talent but it’s the older heads that will be required to prevail in a veritable cauldron of anxiousness. Injuries have plagued Clarecastle and Scariff so far, with every soul needed for their respective causes.
Clarecastle’s 89 year top flight status has been slipping in recent years but they have proven themselves in survival mode before so might have the edge at the end of a tense yet compelling hour.
Kevin Sheehan will be the centre of attention in the Group 3 showdown between Ballyea and Crusheen in Cusack Park on Friday evening (6.30pm). Having been instrumental in Ballyea’s breakthrough Canon Hamilton triumphs of 2016 and ’18 as first a player and then as manager, Sheehan is now in charge of a Crusheen side that are beginning a new chapter in their development as they assimilate the experienced core of the last decade with their worthy young guns.
Despite Sheehan’s insider knowledge of his native club, this might be a step too far for Crusheen as Ballyea, following a below-par display against Broadford, will be determined to make a statement of intent.
It’s still all to play for in an intriguing Group 4, with top seeds Éire Óg under the hottest microscope as they search for their opening points against Clooney-Quin in the Park on Saturday evening (5pm). An opening defeat to Newmarket was marred by injuries but with more encouraging signs from their less burdened treatment table, the Townies could well be a lot closer to full strength for what is a must-win tie for the Ennis side.
Clooney-Quin have only added to their pack with the Ronaldo-like return of Peter Duggan but the greater need might just drive Éire Óg over the line on this occasion.
A similar high noon showdown will take place the following day in Ennis as Newmarket-on-Fergus and Feakle look to build on positive opening results. Indeed, their seasons have been a series of highs so far as the Blues hold a perfect six match competitive record in league and championship whereas Feakle secured a first Clare Cup crown since 1988 to bolster their belief for an even greater prize this summer.
Being their third championship meeting in the past six seasons, there has been nothing between the sides. However, on reflection, Feakle should have won both and with the added impetus of senior silverware, enduring tougher tests along the way, they might just shade a tough encounter.
