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*Fionn Kelleher and Diarmuid O’Donnell in action. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
MOVING round of the Clare senior and intermediate football championships arrive this weekend where places in the knockout stages can be secured.
There will be plenty of movement for supporters too as the decision of Clare GAA not to host a single double-header between senior and intermediate leaves patrons scrambling from venue to venue to try see games in the flesh.
Back to back victories will at the very least secure a spot in the preliminary quarter-finals whereas other sides that record successive wins will be able to look forward to the knockout stages.
On the flipside, following up a round one loss with another defeat in round two will move clubs closer to a relegation battle.
It won’t be until the final round in the group stages takes place in a fortnight that the standings in each group will be finalised.
Kicking off the action is the battle to top Group 3 when Kilmurry Ibrickane and Lissycasey face off in Cusack Park on Friday evening at 18:45. This could well be a pairing later on in the year with both sides capable of forging a successful run in the knockout stages. Whoever progresses is likely to top the group following their victories in round one.
Notably both sides saw extensive leads cut back to two points after conceding a brace of two pointers so they have plenty to learn heading into round two. Dermot Coughlan and Caoilfhionn O’Dea excelled for Kilmurry Ibrickane as they showed their ability to attack in numbers and at pace while Lissycasey brought an array of firepower up front with Daire Culligan, Shane Griffin, Conor Finnucane and Diarmuid McMahon to the fore.
Corofin and St Breckans will both be looking to bounce back in what is a novel North Clare derby on Sunday afternoon (15:00) in Gurteen. They last met in the 2022 champonship when the Spa prevailed 0-14 1-7. It will be even tighter this weekend with both sides knowing a win will bolster their chances of qualifying for a preliminary quarter-final if not the last eight. Diarmuid Cahill remains sidelined for Corofin but they will hope to have Damien O’Loughlin and Cilléin Mullins back in action. St Breckans apart from their two pointers lacked an attacking threat while their defence was ripped open by the Bricks so a big improvement is required by Patrick O’Neill’s side.
Champions Éire Óg can secure their spot in the quarter-finals if they overcome Doonbeg on Saturday (16:00) in Páirc na Muintire, Lissycasey. The Townies strolled past Cratloe 1-17 0-4 in round one while Doonbeg came close to upsetting St Joseph’s Miltown. Colm Walsh O’Loghlen continues his recovery from an ACL injury for Éire Óg who came through the second round of the Clare SHC without additional injuries, a red card for David McNamara a fortnight ago means they will be without his powerful presence in the middle third. Seán Conway may be pressing for inclusion to make a first championship start in two years for Doonbeg who will need Darragh Burns, Darragh O’Sullivan, David Tubridy, Tadhg Lillis and Mikie Tubridy on fire to take down the champions.
A second win for Seán O’Brien’s St Joseph’s Miltown would seal their progression to the quarter-finals. The West Clare side had an abundance of threats up front which helped them recover from a three point half-time deficit to beat Doonbeg 1-21 2-12. It can only get better for Cratloe following their first round no-show but they will welcome back Podge Collins and Rian Considine to their attack to increase the questions they will pose of opposing defences.
Last year’s beaten finalists St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield will endeavour to bring their campaign to life when they face off with Kildysart on Saturday (13:00) in Clarecastle. The sides finished all square at 1-12 apiece in the 2025 first round, scoring difference ultimately sending The Parish through and they backed it up with wins over Kilmurry Ibrickane and Cratloe to make a first county final since 2012. Kildysart had a nervy opening half against Kilmihil but they outscored their opponents 0-9 0-2 in the second half to take the points. Niall Ginnane’s side will look to put more points on the board to edge closer to the knockout stages.
Once bitten twice shy will be in the minds of Ennistymon as they face Kilmihil in round two for the second year in a row. Kilmihil had three points to spare over Ennistymon in one of the shocks of the season, this will give them great confidence of repeating the dose. Ennistymon rightly have ambitions of having a big say in where Jack Daly resides for the winter, a second win on the trot will move them towards an eleventh quarter-final in twelve seasons. Notably the tie throws up a double derby with former Kilmihil footballer Declan Downes in charge of Ennistymon while Denis Hynes, an Ennistymon native and coach of their senior side in 2021 part of the Kilmihil management.
