Eoin Brennan

Safety is now Clonlara’s first priority

*Paraic O’Loughlin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Turning a Senior B title (or three for that matter) into a Canon Hamilton equivalent certainly isn’t an easy transition as Clonlara have discovered over the past few seasons.

Mills look to back up Clare Cup

*O’Callaghans Mills’ Conor Cooney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill To say that the recent Clare Cup triumph was a welcome jolt for O’Callaghan’s Mills would pehaps be one of the understatements of the entire year as expectations levels certainly didn’t reflect the reality.

Championship brings out the best Tones

*Aaron Cunningham will lead the attack for Wolfe Tones. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill If anyone can epitomise the contrasting distinction between Clare Cup and Championship it’s Wolfe Tones who have struggled in the league but prospered when it came to the Canon Hamilton race.

Derby duel requires champions Ballyea to hit the ground running

*Ballyea’s talisman, Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill While their second successive Canon Hamilton trophy success last October was a historic breakthrough for Ballyea, one would have to search back half a century to find the last time that a Clare club managed to garner a three-in-a-row of county senior crowns.

Consistency is key for Kilmaley

*Kilmaley’s Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Since the draw was made and the fixtures quickly deciphered, the opening round derby between back-to-back holders Ballyea and then Clare Cup champions Kilmaley easily stood out from the pack as the tie of the first weekend.

Parish pumped for senior reintroduction

*Darragh O’Shea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Any thoughts of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield gradually assimilating themselves back at senior level quickly evaporated last month when pooled in the dreaded group of death alongside back-to-back county champions Ballyea, then reigning Clare Cup champions Kilmaley, 2021 county finalists Inagh-Kilnamona and 2020 intermediate winners Scariff.