Aidan McCarthy gets away from Aaron Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FOUR CRACKING encounters are on the cards as the TUS Clare senior hurling championship hits the quarter-final stage this weekend.
Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg is the setting this weekend for quarter-final double headers on Saturday and Sunday. Only four clubs will be left standing in the bid to lift the Canon Hamilton by Sunday night.
Each quarter-final has the makings of a rip-roaring contest with a strong case to be made for any of the eight teams to advance to the last four which is why big crowds are expected in Cusack Park for the double-headers this weekend.
Ballyea and Clonlara kick off the action at 3pm on Saturday which is followed by the meeting of Kilmaley and Sixmilebridge at 5pm. On Sunday, Clooney/Quin and Feakle face off at 3pm and then it’s the battle of Éire Óg and Inagh/Kilnamona at 5pm.
Relegation is also on the agenda with Dr Daly Park in Tulla the venue for both semi-finals. It’s Newmarket-on-Fergus versus St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at 1pm on Saturday with Corofin and Scariff squaring off at 1pm on Sunday.
First up in the quarter-finals is the clash of 2023 champions Clonlara versus 2022 winners Ballyea. They crossed swords in the group campaign last season when Clonlara had a 1-28 1-20 in the first round while Ballyea won their maiden title in 2016 at the expense of Clonlara.
Robbie Hogan’s Ballyea will get more dangerous the longer they stay in the championship and in the first half of their opening round against Kilmaley gave a glimpse of the damage they can inflict on any team. Tony Kelly has led the way for Ballyea so far with Gearoid O’Connell, Paul Flanagan, Jack Browne and Peter Casey all playing their part to emerge from the so-called Group of Death. The Kirby twins have added an electricity to their attack while the returns of Pearse Lillis and Morgan Garry from their travels add to the renown Ballyea work-ethic.
Ian Galvin has been the standout player of the Clare SHC to date and has been in exceptional form for Clonlara, hitting sublime points in their three outings to date. He has been the star for Donal Madden’s side but has been ably assisted by Dylan McMahon, Diarmuid Stritch, Oisin O’Brien and Colm Galvin.
Brian Culbert faces a challenging hour on Saturday evening when the Kilmaley manager tries to plot the downfall of his native Sixmilebridge. Culbert has tasted championship glory at senior level with as a player and coach with The Bridge and remains heavily involved with his native club.
His Kilmaley outfit have excelled with three wins from three with Conor Cleary causing havoc at centre forward, proving to be a handful for any defence to curb. The depth of talent within their ranks is well noted but they have brought consistent to their run so far with Mikey O’Neill, Sean Kennedy, Michael O’Malley and Eoin Enright impressing while the return of Brian McNamara has boosted their cause.
Injuries have hampered Sixmilebridge but they are still one of the last eight teams bidding for championship glory. Barry Fitzpatrick is ruled out for Saturday but the Bridge faithful are hopeful of seeing Seadna Morey and Cathal Malone return for the first time since the first round. Their winning know-how and steely minds make them a difficult ask for anyone to take down.
Title holders Feakle have also overcome adversity to make the knockout stages and face an unbeaten Clooney/Quin. The champions are without two of their most influential players as goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan and talisman Shane McGrath are sidelined. Ger Conway’s side will still bring a strong spirit and a physicality to proceedings.
Having contested the relegation semi-final last year, Clooney/Quin have gone quietly about the business to find themselves sixty minutes from the final four. Fergal Lynch’s side have showed resolve to overcome Broadford and Inagh/Kilnamona before stumbling to a final round draw with Corofin. There is plenty of energy within their side typified by Jerry O’Connor, Jack O’Neill, Ryan Taylor and John Cahill while Peter Duggan remains their main target man.
It is the second year in a row that Éire Óg and Inagh/Kilnamona meet at the quarter-final stage. Inamona ran out 2-16 0-22 winners they met last September but Éire Óg head into this tie unbeaten after topping Group 3. Conner Hegarty made a big difference off the bench to help Inagh/Kilnamona qualify for the quarter-finals beating Broadford in round three, Tomás Kelly and his management will be relying on the former Clare minor to play a sixty minute role this weekend while they’ll also be looking to captain Aidan McCarthy to deliver a big performance along with David Fitzgerald, Seán Rynne, Keith White, Shane Woods and Éamonn Foudy.
Éire Óg managed by Gerry O’Connor have been very impressive to date and have continued to add new players to their ranks with Marco Cleary among the form players of the Clare SHC. Experienced in the guise of David Reidy, Shane O’Donnell, Ciaran Russell, Aaron Fitzgerald and Danny Russell strengthens their cause which have witnessed Oran Cahill and Darren Moroney dictate matters from midfield.
