Clare Cup to spring into life

*Colm Cleary and O’Callaghans Mills begin the defence of their Clare Cup title. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

COMPETITIVE club hurling returns this weekend, with games taking place across five different leagues.

On Thursday evening, last year’s beaten finalists Crusheen face Newmarket-on-Fergus in Clarecastle’s Astro-turf facility at 8:30pm in the opening game of Division 1A of the FutureTicketing Clare Cup.

O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge hosts the meeting of county champions Clonlara and Sixmilebridge from 7pm on Friday.

Reigning Clare Cup champions, O’Callaghans Mills welcome Scariff to Hamilton Park in Kilkishen on Saturday with Clooney/Quin hosting Feakle and Inagh/Kilnamona taking on Kilmaley in Inagh.

Division 1B commences on Friday evening with Tubber welcoming Broadford to North Clare for an 8pm start.

Saturday’s fixtures in this Division all commence at 3pm as newly promoted Bodyke take on Clarecastle in the Evicted Field, Wolfe Tones na Sionna travel to Intermediate county champions Corofin, whilst four time county champions Ballyea host Cratloe. On Sunday morning, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield have an early start as Oisin O’Brien’s side travel to Whitegate for a 10:45 throw-in.

Three other leagues will also commence throughout the weekend, as Smith O’Brien’s and Clonlara will face off in the UL Pavilion at 9pm on Thursday to kick-off the RealPrint Division 2 League.

Cratloe will head to Gurteen to face The Parish for 7:30pm to start the HM Travel Intermediate Division 3 League.

Two Junior ‘B’ sides will begin the Morey Movement Junior ‘A’ League, as Tulla take on Inagh/Kilnamona at Dr Daly Park.

A detailed round-up of the Clare Cup will be available to Clare Echo subscribers by Sunday evening. For just 75c a week you can become a subscriber of The Clare Echo or support us with an annual membership for only €69.99.