*David Gough continues as joint captain of the Killaloe outfit. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill It’s eleven years since the last intermediate champion fell straight back down from senior and it’s that bounce of momentum that Tony Gleeson is hoping can fuel Smith O’Brien’s first taste of top flight championship action in nine years.
*Inagh/Kilnamona’s Jason McCarthy will once again be a central player for them. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Avoiding the hangover of how their first county senior decider panned out will be essential to Inagh-Kilnamona’s development for 2022.
*Colm Madden in action for Whitegate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill There was a real sense of déjà vu as Whitegate were drawn out as the third team of five in the latest Group of Death and therefore receiving a first round bye for the second successive season.
*The experienced Cian Dillon will be at the heart of the Crusheen defence. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Having experienced the heartbreak and deflation of being relegated before an eleventh hour provincial reprieve, if there ever was a kick in Crusheen, it has to come in the next two months.
*Pearse Lillis raided for the first goal for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ballyea flexed their muscles to compete a comfortable first round defence of the Canon Hamilton trophy as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of O’Callaghan’s Mills in Cusack Park.
*Sixmilebridge defender, Barry Fitzpatrick. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill First blood to Sixmilebridge as a powerful second half display ensured the opening derby spoils over Newmarket-on-Fergus in Cusack Park this afternoon.
*Dylan McMahon has been moved to the centre-back berth for Clonlara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Everything appeared to be motoring along nicely for Clonlara until the Clare Cup Final a fortnight ago.
*Éanna Crimmins on the attack for Newmarket-on-Fergus. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill There has been a renaissance in Newmarket-on-Fergus over the past two seasons that has given the Blues a new lease of life at senior level.
*Seadna Morey has been in flying form for Sixmilebridge this season. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Having amassed five senior championship crowns in just eight seasons as recently as 2020, there were signs last season that Sixmilebridge’s most successful side were beginning to wane.
*Feakle’s Adam Hogan is one of the county’s most exciting prospects. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill While 2021 was ultimately a successful one for Feakle after garnering their first senior silverware since 1988, there’s still no hiding from the disappointment of a premature championship exit.