*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.
*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.
Clare’s Abbie Cahill feeling the pressure from Antrim’s Enya Neeson and Leah Stewart. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography. Nothing was going to stop Antrim from securing a historic first ever All-Ireland U-16 C title at the expense of Clare on Sunday.
*St Joseph’s Miltown captain, Enda O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill They left it late but better late than never for St Joseph’s Miltown to snatch the Garry Cup honours for the first time in 18 years after a compelling extra-time battle with St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.
*Tulla’s victorious U15 hurlers and management. A scorching second half surge saw Tulla complete an eleven point turnaround to capture the prestigious Under 15B hurling silverware over Crusheen/Tubber.
A Conor Gleeson goal at the death finally brushed off the obstinate challenge of Ballyea as Sixmilebridge cemented a second Under 15A crown in three years in Cusack Park.
*Sean Cotter, Cormac Murphy, Fionn Hickey and Sean O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A FIRST Clare Cup crown since 1995 was the perfect end to O’Callaghan’s Mills weekend of celebration to mark the centenary of the official opening of Hamilton Park in Kilkishen.
St Breckan’s celebrate winning the U15B football championship. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A five star display from St Breckan’s who bounced back superbly from last year’s final defeat to finally capture the Under 15 Division 2 Football title following a 5-8 to 0-11 victory over Kildysart/Coolmeen.
Éire Óg celebrate winning the U15A football championship. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ÉIRE ÓG completed a championship and Féile double claiming the U15A championship at the expense of neighbours St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.
*Jimmy Corry was one of the most experienced for a youthful Clooney/Quin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill An eighth consecutive victory powered Clooney/Quin to an unprecedented Clare Cup Final against home side O’Callaghan’s Mills next Sunday after overtaking neighbours Sixmilebridge with an impressive finish on Sunday afternoon.