*Leo Doyle.
BODYKE’s Leo Doyle is well versed on Clare hurling, attending games across all grades a few times a week both as a keen follower of hurling and in his role as a commentator with Scariff Bay Community Radio.
Heading into the 2024 campaign he has some interesting views as to how the race for this season’s Canon Hamilton trophy might go before giving the nod to Clonlara to retain the title.
He predicts Clonlara and Éire Óg will emerge from Group 1 and he doesn’t rule out the possibility of them meeting again later on in the campaign.
“Clonlara are looking to build on last year and I believe training has gone well. In the first round they face a Ballyea team that has lost key players in Gary Brennan and Pearse Lillis to mention two. They have lost too many key players and the outstanding Tony Kelly can’t carry
the whole lot every day”.
Waiting over thirty years for this title “could be significant for Éire Óg this year. A lot of their players didn’t have the extra commitment of being with County squads this year. Clooney/Quin, their opponents in the first round, are beset with injuries and it remains to be seen how many will be able to play a part this week. Ryan Taylor is back and that is a boost as is the decision to play Cillian Duggan in goals”, he said before giving the nod to Clonlara and Éire Óg to qualify from the group.
Whether or not Conor Cleary is available to line out with Kilmaley will have a bearing on who will qualify from Group 2. “Feakle got to the semi-final last year and will be expected to build on that. It will be tight between Cratloe and Kilmaley as to who will qualify from the group with them and Cratloe may edge this particularly if Conor Cleary isn’t available for Kilmaley. Intermediate champions Corofin have lost some key players since last year and they could struggle to avoid being in the relegation play off”.
The meeting of neighbours Broadford and O’Callaghans Mills “is a great game to open the championship with. I expect Broadford to have built on last year and they might just have enough to get over the line in this one”.
The other game in this group sees Inagh/Kilnamona take on Scariff. “Inagh/Kilnamona have struggled a little to recover from the county final loss of a few years ago. Scariff will be looking to Mark Rodgers to lead their charge. They did well last year and will want to build on that. I expect both Scariff and Inagh/Kilnamona to emerge from this group.
According to Leo “Group 4 is a very interesting group. Crusheen are great battlers but it’s hard to see them getting to the same level as last year. Newmarket-on-Fergus are cup champions and they are one of the sleeping giants. They should have enough to get over the line this week. There has to be a kick in Sixmilebridge while their first round opponents St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield are only recently back in senior ranks and it will take some time to develop. Sixmilebridge and Newmarket should qualify from this group”.
Overall Leo gives the nod to Clonlara to retain the title with “Inagh/Kilnamona their greatest threat”.
