*Conor Cooney. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLARE CUP fare has meant more to O’Callaghans Mills than any other side to date in this year’s competition.
Championship hurling brought to you in association with McKeogh’s Ballina-Killaloe.
With the results to back it up, the Mills were the only side to qualify for the quarter-finals with their unbeaten status intact and they have maintained this run recording wins over Clooney/Quin and Kilmaley in the knockout stages.
It sees the 2023 Clare Cup winners face off with fellow East Clare side Scariff in Saturday’s final which commences at 13:00 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla. They will be without the injured Gary Cooney and Colm Cleary who is in the US.
Bodyke’s Seán Doyle has brought an undoubted bounce to the Mills, guiding them straight back to the senior ranks with their Clare PIHC glory last year and they have kept this run going into the league campaign in 2026.
O’Callaghans Mills needed to deliver when it came to the Clare Cup, Doyle felt. “To be honest, the Clare Cup has probably meant more to the Mills than a lot of the other teams because we were conscious that we had to try and find our feet back at senior so even though we had a good Clare Cup campaign last year as well, we know what’s coming down the road in a few weeks time for championship as well”.
Along with their determination to prove a point in the league, the Mills have also used it as a chance to try blood more players. “We’ve taken the Clare Cup seriously enough but we’ve also given a lot of players game-time too over the course of the eight matches and changed our team around every day. Funnily enough, the semi-final against Kilmaley was probably the weakest team we’d put out as we had a lot of players out injured and a few away on holidays and a J1 too. Those players that have come in have done well though and it’s great to get good competitive games like this heading into the championship”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Seán admitted getting to the league final was not on their radar when they set out their stall for 2026. “We obviously didn’t initially have a Clare Cup Final in our championship plans but obviously it’s hugely positive that we’re in it now and it’s another big test to really look forward to”.
Young guns have impressed for the Fireballs with former Clare minor Liam Murphy bringing a new energy and goal threat to their already lively inside line. “The addition of Liam Murphy and Sean Boyce was crucial in the semi-final and Liam’s goal proved the ultimate difference really. He had been out for a while as he was doing the Leaving Cert while Sean was obviously with the Clare Under 20’s. So we hope to get a few others back for the final and try to put our best foot forward against Scariff] and see where it takes us.”
