*John Conlon clashes with Seadna Morey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

A GREAT weekend is forecast for Clare hurling with Cusack Park to host double headers on Saturday and Sunday in the TUS Clare SHC quarter-finals.

Two-time All-Ireland winner, Liam Doyle the wing back on Clare’s successes of 1995 and 1997 is eagerly looking forward to the action. “The beauty of the draw is that there are a number of derby pairings” and everything points to close contests in the Bodyke clubman’s view and he feels injuries to key players could well prove decisive.

Scariff and Cratloe get the action underway on Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm, it remains to be seen if Scariff will be without their captain Mark Rodgers. “He is their main man and the injury appears to be serious. Scariff will, of course, want him while all of Clare will be hoping that he won’t do any further damage to his ankle. They are an up-and-coming team with an awful lot of youth”.

Cratloe’s experience will be an advantage, he felt. “The majority of their squad are around a long time and they know the scene. If Rodgers plays it will be interesting to see how things will go if he comes up against another of the Clare stars of this year in Diarmuid Ryan. I think it will be Cratloe particularly if Rodgers is out,” Doyle predicted.

Liam Doyle.Photograph: Ruth Griffin

Assessing the meeting of Feakle and Crusheen, Liam told The Clare Echo, “both have been knocking on the door for honours for a while. Feakle have more or less the same bunch with the addition of a few young fellas who helped St Joseph’s Tulla to Harty Cup honours. Shane McGrath continues to be their main go to man who does the bulk of their scoring. Just as Scariff need Rodgers, Feakle need McGrath. Two county players on a club team is a big boost and they have Adam Hogan who is likely to be honoured with an All Star award later this year and Eibhear Quilligan.”.

Regarding last year’s beaten finalists Crusheen, he said, “year after year they are in the hunt and you have to admire their drive. Michael Browne and Aidan Harte who is now gone in as part of the Galway senior management are key men in their backroom. One has to admire Cian Dillon’s longevity, he is so consistent and he is still manning the number 6 jersey”. That said Liam gives the nod to Feakle to just shade it.

Clonlara’s group meeting with Éire Óg “was one of the best club games in Clare for a number of years. Clonlara have players of inter county standard in all lines. They had a comprehensive win over Clooney/Quin who had been tipped to come out of the group. They showed no mercy, they were ruthless in their approach”.

Their opponents in this week’s quarter final are Sixmilebridge “and one thing the Bridge have is tradition. They don’t care who they are playing, they will always fancy their chances. That said, at the end of the day I expect Clonlara to be ahead”.

The remaining quarter final pits Éire Óg against Inagh/Kilnamona and, in Liam’s view, “this is the game most people are looking forward to. It’s the tie of the round and it’s a hard one to call. A lot depends on Shane O’Donnell. Is he fit enough, he will certainly play some part. We can say the same with regard to Aidan McCarthy. He came on against Broadford in their last game and he will probably play from the start this week. I might be going against general opinion in giving the nod to Inagh/Kilnamona to win this one. They have had great underage success which they didn’t capitalise on for a few years. They have bounced back from their first round loss. Yes, the town of Ennis needs a title win but I give the nod to Inagh/Kilnamona to win this one”.

Looking at the relegation games he says “both Clooney/Quin and O’Calllaghans Mills have a lot of young players this year. There won’t be much in it but I think Clooney/Quin will edge through”.

The other relegation tie pits Corofin against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. “Corofin have been a small bit unlucky this year as they lost a few key players and they have had a number of injuries. To survive at senior level, they need all players and one or two more. I think St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield will edge this one”.

Related News

pj kelly funeral 18-09-24 10
'Saint Peter better be versed on planning before he meets PJ Kelly'
Cusack2
Fifth annual Michael Cusack honours founder of the GAA from Carron
clare gaa convention 12-12-19 18 niall gilligan
Gilligan sent forward for trial to Circuit Court for alleged 'stick' assault
garda car newmarket on fergus drugs 02-04-21 1
Gardaí urged to clamp down on small-scale drug dealers
Latest News
2
Understanding Temporary Lay-Offs & Short-Time Working: What You Need to Know
Music Generation PRynne, TBreen, JMurray (1)
Clare to light up for Culture Night
Artboard 1
Investigation continues over shooting in Kilrush estate
shannon ladies golf 1 (1)
Shannon ladies chasing All-Ireland honours
ennistymon v liscannor 15-09-24 darren mcnamara darren nagle 2
Ennistymon's second string consolidate intermediate status and put Liscannor in relegation final
Premium
scariff-v-kilmaley-09-09-23-mark-rodgers-1
Rodgers a major injury doubt for Scariff & Cleary begins work to sort shoulder problem
pj kelly funeral 18-09-24 10
'Saint Peter better be versed on planning before he meets PJ Kelly'
clare v waterford 13-05-23 pj mcguane michael o'connor anne hayes 1
Clare GAA minutes amended following PRO exit as delegates criticise communication skills
inagh kilnamona v broadford 08-09-24 paddy donnellan sean rynne 1
Inamona striving for consistency
clare gaa convention 12-12-19 18 niall gilligan
Gilligan sent forward for trial to Circuit Court for alleged 'stick' assault

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top