*Sean Rouine and Ennistymon need to beat Cratloe to make the quarter-finals. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Two quarter final places remain to be filled in the 2021 Clare senior football championship and this weekend’s games will determine who will join already qualified Kilmurry-Ibrickane, St. Josephs Miltown, St. Breckans, St. Josephs Doora/Barefied, Éire Óg and Lissycasey.
The meeting of Doonbeg and Kilmihil at Cooraclare this Saturday is a straight knock out game with the winners going forward to the last eight. These sides finished in third spot in Group 2 and Group 3 after displaying mixed form in their group games.
Doonbeg opened with a surprise win over a fancied Clondegad but they lost their remaining two games to Lissycasey and Éire Óg. Kilmihil started with a good win over Kilrush but suffered a heavy defeat from St. Josephs Doora/Barefield before concluding their group games with a loss to St. Breckans.
Both will agree that they will need to show a big improvement if they are to challenge for honours. Doonbeg depend heavily for scores on inter county star David Tubridy so Kilmihil will need to limit his possession of they are to win this one.
Cooraclare are already consigned to the relegation play off after losing their three games to date but they have been unlucky not to have had at least one victory. They face a Miltown side that have qualified but it remains to be confirmed whether they will be second or third in the group of five from which three teams advance. With Cooraclare’s focus likely to be on the upcoming relegation play off, Miltown carry the favourites tag into this one and a draw or win will see them progress in second place in the group.
The meeting of Cratloe and Ennistymon is a straight knockout game for a quarter final place. A draw will be enough to see Cratloe through whereas Ennistymon must win if they are to progress.
With so much at stake this promises to be a lively affair. Cratloe, seeking to emulate their hurlers and reach the last eight, will carry the favourites tag. For whichever side doesn’t make the last eight, there is the consolation of not having to face into a relegation play off.
Meanwhile Michael Cusacks are the hot favourites to complete the intermediate football quarter final line up. They face fellow North Clare side Liscannor at Miltown this Saturday with the men from Carron hotly fancied to come out on top and join already qualified Kildysart, Kilfenora, O’Currys, Banner, Shannon Gaels, Corofin and Coolmaan in the knock out stage.
In the race for the junior A title the quarter finals take place this weekend. Ballyvaughan, last year’s beaten finalists take on Killimer and a tight affair is expected here. Ennistymon carry the favourites tag against Clondegad, neighbours Kilmurry-Ibrickane and St Josephs Miltown will meet at Doonbeg while St. Senans Kilkee are determined to get back up the ladder but they face a Clooney-Quin side that, on their day could match opponents in the higher grades.
The first adult football championship final of the season is set to be decided on Sunday when Kilrush face Parteen in the junior B final. Parteen are tipped to collect the silverware.
