*Ryan Taylor and Clooney/Quin will be in relegation action. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Semi-final pairings are known for the Clare IHC, Junior A and C championships while draws were also held for the Clare SHC relegation round robin series and Senior B competition.
Smith O’Briens, fresh from knocking out last year’s beaten finalists in the form of Tubber have been drawn against Tulla while the favourites St Josephs Doora/Barefield will face off with Ruan.
Tuesday’s meeting of Broadford and Crusheen will determine which side competes in the Senior B and which club will fighting tooth and nail to retain their status in the top tier.
For the relegation, a round robin series involving Clarecastle, O’Callaghans Mills, Clooney/Quin and either Crusheen or Broadford will see two teams drop to the intermediate ranks. Round one pits either Crusheen/Broadford against O’Callaghans Mills with Clarecastle facing off with Clooney/Quin, a side coached by their own Fergie O’Loughlin.
When it comes to round two Clarecastle will play Crusheen/Broadford as O’Callaghans Mills meet Clooney/Quin. The crucial final series of games pits Clooney/Quin against Crusheen/Broadford as O’Callaghans Mills take on Clarecastle.
Less pressure will be attached to the Senior B competition. Current holders of the Ryan-Hannon Cup, Clonlara meet Whitegate in the quarter-final, the South-East Clare having only recently edged out Terence Fahy’s charges in the championship via late goals from Cathal ‘Tots’ O’Connell. The winner of this meets Scariff in the semi-finals with Feakle awaiting either the winner from Crusheen versus Broadford.
With the final four known in the race to secure promotion to the intermediate ranks, the picture is much clearer. St Josephs Doora/Barefield face off with Crusheen who eliminated Kilmaley at the weekend while the other tie pits Ballyea against Ogonnelloe.
In the Junior C semi-finals, it’s Killanena against Bodyke in an East Clare derby while Scariff and St Josephs Doora/Barefield battle it out for a place in the decider.
Clare SHC Relegation
Round One:
Crusheen v O’Callaghans Mills
Clarecastle v Clooney/Quin
Round Two:
Clarecastle v O’Callaghans Mills
Crusheen v Clooney/Quin
Round Three:
Clooney/Quin v O’Callaghans Mills
Clarecastle v Crusheen
Senior B Quarter-Final:
Clonlara v Whitegate
Senior B Semi-Finals:
Scariff v Clonlara / Whitegate
Feakle v Crusheen / Broadford
Clare IHC Semi-Finals:
St Josephs Doora/Barefield v Ruan
Tulla v Smith O’Briens
Junior A hurling semi-finals:
St Josephs Doora/Barefield v Crusheen
Ogonnelloe v Ballyea
Junior C hurling semi-finals:
Killanena v Bodyke
Scariff v St Josephs Doora/Barefield
