*Adam Mungovan in full flight for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ST JOSEPH’S Doora/Barefield, Inagh/Kilnamona and Scariff recorded big wins in the opening round of the Clare Cup with Kilmaley, Clooney/Quin, Clarecastle, O’Callaghans Mills and Feakle off to winning starts.
The race for the 2026 willwego.com Clare cup (senior hurling league) got underway at the weekend with eight first round games taking place.
This year’s competition is divided into two groups of eight (1A and 1B). High scores were the order of the day on Saturday when Inagh/Kilnamona, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Scariff recorded comfortable wins in Division 1A over Corofin, Broadford and Newmarket-on-Fergus respectively.
In Division 1B on Saturday Kilmaley reversed last year’s championship semi-final result when defeating Éire Óg while, in another close contest, O’Callaghans Mills overcame Ballyea
On Sunday Feakle were one point winners over Crusheen, Clarecastle had three to spare over Sixmilebridge while Clooney/Quin were six ahead of Clonlara when the final whistle sounded.
All teams were short players due to their involvement with the Clare senior and under 20 squads while injury ruled a number of players out of contention.
Interestingly most teams introduced players to senior hurling for the first time and a number of the players who lined out for St Flannan’s College in this season’s Harty and Croke cup competitions were prominent with their clubs
The race for the Clare Cup title continues this weekend with another full round of games whole the opening games in the other divisions will also take place.
A comfortable win for Inagh/Kilnamona
Inagh/Kilnamona; 4-31
Corofin 3-18
Venue: Killnamona
Eleven players got on the scoresheet as Inagh/Kilnamona scored a comfortable victory over neighbours Corofin in this tie played at Kilnamona on Saturday.
Ahead on a score of 2-16 to 1-10 at half time, the winners started the second half with a Cathal Ryan goal which proved a huge blow to Corofin’s hopes of staging a comeback.
While Corofin will be disappointed with the outcome, they will take huge hope from the display of Diarmuid Cahill who ended the game with a tally of 2-9 and in the process caused huge problems for the winners.
The positioning of a number of players on the Inagh/Kilnamoa team which is now coached by Corofin native Matthew Shannon certainly raised some eyebrows.
Aidan McCarthy was at centre back with his brother Jason, normally a defender, at centre forward while Keith White, normally in defence was placed at wing forward.
Inagh/Kilnamona travel to play Scariff on this Saturday while Corofin will have St Josephs, Doora/Barefield as visitors.
Inagh/Kilnamona; Jack O’Connor; Seamus Foudy, Kevin Hehir, James Cullinan (0-1); Neil Hegarty (0-1), Aidan McCarthy (0-3, 1f), Brian Foudy; Niall Mullins, Mark Callinan (1-1); Cathal Ryan (1-3), Jason McCarthy (0-4), Keith White (0-3); Gearoid Barry (1-3, 0-2f), Keelan Guyler (0-6, 1f), Josh Guyler (1-5);
Subs; Darren Cullinan (0-1) for N. Mullins; David Mescall for K. White; Ronan Mescall for K. Guyler; Eoin Fitzgerald for M. Callinan; Tom Barry for J. Guyler
Corofin; Liam Corbett; Gearóid Hanrahan, Damien O’Loughlin, John Rees, Michael Cahill, Cillian McGroary, Evan Doolin; Caoimhín O’Donovan, Gearóid Kelly (0-5, 3f, 1’65); Kevin Keane (0-2), Diarmuid Cahill (2-9), Eoin Clancy; Cian Doolin (1-0), Cathal Flanagan (0-1), Micheál Duffy
Subs: Colin Fitzgerald for Hanrahan; David Corbett for Flanagan; Cornac Walsh for E Doolin; Cian O’Loughlin for Rees; James Organ (0-1) for C Doolin
Referee; Kieran Liddane, Sixmilebridge
Doora/Barefield lay foundation in opening half
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 4-21
Broadford 1-16
Venue: Gurteen
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield laid the foundation for this big win over Broadford in the opening half when they built up a lead of nineteen points to leave the visitors to Gurteen with a mountain to climb in the second period.
All but six points of the Doora/Barefield side’s tally came from their full forward trio
Harty Cup player with St Flannan’s College, Thomas O’Connor led the scoring for the winners with a tally of 2-7 while corner forward Eoin Lahiffe hit 2-1 with the other corner forward, Padraic O’Donovan contributing 0-7 as the home side opened a lead of 4-13 to 0-6 by half time.
To their credit Broadford raised their game for the second half and outscored their opponents but the end result was never in doubt.
Broadford’s goal was of the lucky variety Craig Chaplin’s free deflecting off a Doora/Barefield defender and ending up in the net
St Joseph’s make the short journey to Corofin this week while Broadford will host Clooney/Quin.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Aaron Landy (0-1); Ciarán O’Driscoll (0-1), Paddy Nagle, Ian Williams; Cian Breslin, Eoghan McMahon, Francis Meaney; Adam Mungovan (0-1), Dara Nagle; Senan Crosbie, Eoghan Burke (0-2), Darragh Ball (0-1); Eoin Lahiffe (2-1) Thomas O’Connor (2-7), Padraic O’Donovan (0-7);
Subs: Brian Guifoyle for E. Lahiffe; Joe Mannion for I. Williams; Darragh O’Shea for F Meaney; Mark O’Connor for A. Mungovan, Niall Talty for P.O’Donovan.
Broadford: Cian O’Brien; T.J. Dillon, Padraic Taylor, Damian Keniry; Mark Gunning, Cathal Chaplin, Craig Chaplin (1-7, 5f); Jack O’Brien, Diarmuid Moloney (0-6, 4f); Cormac Gunning (0-1), Shane Taylor (0-1), Oisin Kavanagh; Aodán O’Driscoll, Donie Whelan (0-1), Daniel Greene;
Subs; Sam Cooper for Dillon; John Moran for M. Gunning; Diarmuid Whelan for J. O’Brien
Referee: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Strong opening half from Scariff
Scariff 0-26
Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-14
Venue: Scariff
A powerful opening half by Scariff proved decisive as they recorded a comfortable win over Newmarket on Saturday afternoon.
The home side dominated in all areas in the opening half at the end of which they were comfortably ahead with the score at 0-18 to 0-4.
While they will be pleased with the win, they will be a little concerned with their second half performance as Newmarket outscored them in this period.
Newmarket-on-Fergus for their part depended hugely on Peter Power for scores and all but 0-2 of his 1-10 tally came from placed balls, the goal coming from a penalty in the second half.
Nine players shared in the winner’s tally while Newmarket’s 1-14 came from five players.
Teenager Michael Vaughan, in his first season at senior level, Matthew Crotty and Sean Collins impressed for the East Clare outfit while Mark Delaney, Éanna Crimmins, Peter Power and substitute Evan Crimmins did well for the visitors.
Scariff will have home advantage again this week as they entertain Inagh/Kilnamona while Newmarket-on-Fergus will travel to play Clonlara on Saturday.
Scariff; William Kavanagh; Cathal McCaul, Michael Scanlan, Eoin Keehan; Sean Collins, Matthew Crotty (0-4, 2f), Jack Ryan; Conor Downes (0-1), Michael Vaughan (0-9, 8f); Michael Barrett, Keelan Hartigan (0-4, 1f), Rossa Keehan (0-2); Luke Madden (0-1), Paddy Ryan (0-3), Patrick Nugent (0-1).
Subs: Sean Minogue (0-1) for M. Barrett; Sean Hartigan for P. Nugent; Seamus McCaul for C McCaul; Benny Tuohy for J. Ryan; Kian Myles for L. Madden;
Newmarket-on-Fergus Adam Enright; Paudie McMahon, Jack Enright, Mark Delaney; Damian Lyne, Éanna Crimmins, Eoghan McInerney; Shane Lynch (0-1), Liam O’Connor (0-1); Eoin Guilfoyle, Mike McInerney (0-1), James Freeman; James Power, Peter Power (1-10, 1-0 pen., 8f), Padraic Guilfoyle (0-1);
Subs; Evan Crimmins for P. Guilfoyle (inj), Cathal Cullinan for J. Power; Luke Hayes for E. McInerney
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
Gallery of photographs by Ruth Griffin
Strong second half from Clooney/Quin defeats league champions
Clooney/Quin 2-18
Clonlara 1-15
Venue: Clooney
Eight players shared in Clooney/Quin’s impressive tally of 2-18 as they defeated Clonlara in this Clare Cup opener at Clooney on Sunday afternoon.
Clonlara depended hugely on Micheál O’Loughlin for their scores and he finished with 0-10 to his name, a tally that included one superb score from a sideline cut and seven from frees.
Clonlara will be disappointed with the manner in which they conceded the winner’s goals.
Two points separated the sides at half time when the winners were 0-12 to 1-7 in front, Clonlara’s goal having come from Gearoid O’Brien who reacted quickest when the ball rebounded off the upright.
Second half goals from Shane Harrisson and Ulick O’Sulivan helped the home side get on top and sent them on the way to a merited win.
Clooney/Quin travel to play Broadford in round 2 on this Saturday while Clonlara will have home advantage against Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Clooney/Quin; Cillian Duggan; Enda O’Halloran, Evan Maxted, Fionn O’Gara; Sean McNamara (0-3), Conor Grogan, P.J. McCarthy (0-1); Sam Scanlan (0-1), Donagh Keogh (0-6, 5f); Shane Harrisson (1-1), Callum Hassett, Trevor Lee (0-1); Patrick Finneran (0-4), Eoghan O’Brien, Uick O’Sullivan (1-1);
Subs: Michael Corry for E. O’Brien; Donnacha O’Donovan for O’Gara; Donnacha Mahon for Lee; Cillian O’Gara for O’Halloran
Clonlara; Seimi Gullly; Oisin O’Brien, Paul McNamara, Michael Clancy; Kieran Howard, Aidan Moriarty, Jamie O’Connell; Colm Galvin (0-2) Jathan McMahon (0-2); Eoin Begley, Cathal O’Connell (0-1), Daniel Moloney; Gearoid O’Brien (1-0), Conor Bourke, Micheal O’Loughlin (0-10 7f, 1 line ball);
Subs: Sam Barrett for C. Bourke; Sean Begley for P. McNamara; Mark Hogan for G. O’Brien; Cian Begley for M. Clancy
Referee: Eoghan O’Leary (Whitegate)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Kilmaley make a winning start at expense of county champions
Kilmaley 0-22
Éire Óg 1-18
Venue: Kilmaley
When Kilmaley and Éire Óg met in the Clare senior hurling championship semi-final last year, the town side emerged two point winners on their way to winning the final for the first time in thirty five years.
Many believe that the meeting of the neighbours back then was the best game of the season and it wasn’t any surprise that their meeting in the opening round of this season’s senior hurling league attracted a lot of attention.
Those who made the journey to Kilmaley on Saturday weren’t disappointed as this latest meeting of the sides proved to be a well contested affair with the result in doubt to the finish.
Both sides were understrength with the visitors more severely hit. At the end of a closely contested opening half Eire Og led by the minimum with the score at 1-8 to 0-10, the game’s only goal having come from Luke Vaughan.
They continued to be evenly matched throughout the second half with the home side under pressure in the closing minutes as the visitors chased a goal which would see them take the points.
In the final minute Kilmaley were reduced to fourteen men when Michael O’Malley picked up a second yellow card which ended his involvement in the game.
Sean O’Loughlin top scored for the winners with 0-11, 0-9 coming from placed balls. Conor Perrill led the scoring for the Ennis side with 0-9 to his name.
It will be another local derby tie for Kilmaley this week as they travel to play Ballyea. Éire Óg will play Clarecastle on this Thursday night.
Kilmaley; Bryan O’Loughlin; Martin O’Connor, Colin McGuane, Colin Carmody; Luke Reid, Michael O’Malley, Daire Keane; Tommy Barry (0-1), Éanna McMahon (0-1); Colm Killeen (0-2), Michael O’Neill (0-2), Sean O’Loughlin (0-11, 9f); Cian Neylon, Tom O’Rourke (0-3), Jason Keane Hayes (0-1);
Subs; Thomas McGuire (0-1) for McMahon; Joe Carmody for C. Neylon;
Éire Óg; Darragh Stack; Liam Corry, Fionán Treacy, Roan McDermott; Harry Kavanagh, Rian Mulcahy (0-2), Darren O Brien (0-1); Oran Cahill (0-4), Michael Heneghan; David McNamara, Conor Perrill (0-9), Tom Kavanagh; James O Dwyer, Luke Vaughan (1-0), Eoin O Regan.
Subs; David Loftus (0-1) for Vaughan; Eoin Guilfoyle for H Kavanagh; Niall McMahon for R.McDermott;
Referee: Niall Donovan (O’Callaghans Mills)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Clarecastle get the edge over Sixmilebridge
Clarecastle 1-25
Sixmilebridge 1-22
Venue: Clarecastle
After being level on eight occasions in the opening half spectators at this Clare Cup tie on Sunday were predicting a share of the spoils as the likely outcome.
A strong start to the second half which yielded six points without reply swung the contest in favour of the home side but a strong response from the visitors ensured that the outcome was in doubt right to the final whistle.
The lead had changed hands on a couple of occasions in that opening half before the sides went to the dressing rooms locked together at 0-12 each.
Six points inside eight minutes when the new half got underway suggested that the magpies might pull away. Paul and Rory O’Connell, Evan Price, Oisin and Conor Whelan were the scorers of those points for the eventual winners.
The Bridge quickly replied with three from Cillian Murphy, Brian Corry and Jamie Shanahan and as the game entered the final quarter they had cut the home side’s led to three.
Substitute Rory Ralph stretched his side’s led to four and with five to play they went seven clear when Oisin Whelan found the net after good work by Jack Murphy.
The Bridge weren’t giving up and after two pointed free from from Cillian Murphy, Paidi Fitzpatrick finished off a pass from David Kennedy to cut Clarecastle’s lead to two points as the game headed for the final minute.
The home side had the final say when Paul O’Connell superbly converted a 50m free from the sideline.
Filip Wiechinski, Aaron Hayes, Stephen O’Halloran, Colin Brigdale Rory and Paul O’Connell did well for the winners while Paidi Fitzpatrick, Jamie Shanahan, Zak Phelan, Davy Kennedy and Brian Corry were prominent for the visitors.
The Magpies will be back in action on this Thursday evening when they play round 2 against their neighbours Éire Óg under lights at Clarecastle at 8p.m.
Meanwhile Sixmilebridge will entertain Feakle under lights at O’Garney Park on this Friday night at 8p.m.
Clarecastle; Cian Broderick; Aaron Hayes, Darragh Healy, Filip Wiechinski; David Tuohy, Stephen O’Halloran (0-1), Eoghan Wallace; Evan Price (0-5), Colin Brigdale (0-1); Rory O’Connell (0-3), Conor Halpin (0-2), Conor Whelan (0-1); Paul O’Connell (0-6, 5f), Lee Brack (0-1), Oisin Whelan (1-4);
Subs; Jack Murphy for Brack; Rory Ralph (0-1) for E. Price; Niall Gavin for Brigdale (inj)
Sixmilebridge; Derek Fahy; Mark Mullins, Noel Purcell, John Deasy; Pa Muready, Jack O’Halloran, Paidi Fitzpatrick (1-0); Jamie Shanahan (0-4), Zak Phelan (0-2); Stephen Gavin, Brian Corry (0-4), Dylan Keogh (0-1); Cillian Murphy (0-6, 5f), Sean McNamara (0-2) David Kennedy (0-3);
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Mills edge a tight contest against Ballyea
O’Callaghans Mills 1-23
Ballyea 1-18
Venue: Hamilton Park, Kilkishen.
Little separated the sides throughout in the first round of the Clare Cup between O’Callaghans Mills and Ballyea.
Building on their great run last year which saw them regain senior status in Clare and progress to the Munster intermediate final, O’Callaghans Mills took an early lead which they held to the finish
Helped by Gary Cooney’s goal they were four points in front when the half time whistle sounded with the score at 1-13 to 1-9, Ballyea’s goal having come from full forward Eoghan Gavin.
The sides continued to swap scores in the second half but try as they did, Ballyes just could not get in front.
Six players got on the scoresheet for the winners with Cooney topping the list followed closely by Jacob Loughnane.
Mossy Gavin led the scoring for Ballyea with St Flannan’s Harty cup player Eoin O’Connor landing 0-5.
The Mills will be away to Crusheen this weekend while Ballyea will entertain Kilmaley
O’Callaghans Mills: Killian Nugent (0-1); Cathal McNamara, Conor Cooney, Keith Donnellan; Colm Cleary, Aidan O’Gorman, Rory McNamara; Cormac Murphy (0-6), Niall Melody; Mike McGrath, Darragh Moroney (0-3), Stephen Donnellan; Gary Cooney (1-6), Jacob Loughnane (0-6, 5f), Liam Murphy
Subs: Sean O’ Gorman (0-1) for Mike McGrath; Mark Pewter for Liam Murphy; Bryan Donnellan for Niall Melody
Ballyea: Barry Coote; Niall Casey, Paul Flanagan, Evan Flynn; Eoin Kennedy (0-1), Jack Browne (0-3, 2f), Paddy Sweeney; Thomas Kelly Cian O’Callaghan; Dylan Killoughery, Martin O’Leary Mossy Gavin (0-7, 5f); Eoin O’Connor (0-5), Eoghan Gavin (1-1), Kieran McDonald (0-1);
Subs; Daniel Kelly for C. O’Callaghan; Pearse Lillis for N. Carigg; Diarmuid O’Neill for D. Killoughery.
Referee: Johnnie Healy (Smith O’Briens)
Shane McGrath lands the winner for Feakle again
Feakle 1-20
Crusheen 2-16
Venue: Feakle
Shane McGrath has been a leading scorer in Clare hurling for a number of years and it looks like he will again be to the fore in the scoring stakes in 2026.
His tally of 0-15 steered his club to a one point win over visitors Crusheen on Sunday afternoon, the winning score coming from a 65m free in the first minute of added time.
Crusheen did have an opportunity to level but Luke Ketalaar’s free failed to hit the target.
This was a closely fought game in which there was little between the teams at any stage, Crusheen led by the minimum at the interval when the score was 1-7 to 0-9, the goal having come from Jamie Fitzgibbon
The visitors had the opening two points of the second half to go three clear but Feakle levelled with a Steven Conway goal.
Points were then exchanged twice before Crusheen landed three in a row. Early in the final quarter Feakle hit four unanswered points but with two minutes to go Crusheen went back in front when substitute Sean Hanrahan had a goal.
Feakle, however had the final say as McGrath scored the winner. They will travel to play Sixmilebridge on this Friday night at 8p.m. while Crusheen will have O’Callaghans Mills as visitors on Saturday.
Feakle; Liam O’Connor; Conor McGann, Killian Bane, Eoghan Daly; Oisin Clune, Evan McMahon, Eoin Tuohy; Enda Noonan, Ronan O’Connor (0-1); Oisin Donnellan (0-1), Shane McGrath (0-15), Steven Conway (1-0); Oisin O’Connor, Owen McGann (0-3), Patrick Daly;
Subs: Gary Guilfoyle for O. O’Connor; Conor Tuohy for E. Noonan; Diarmuid Bane for O. Donnellan
Crusheen: Donal Tuohy; Cian Fogarty, Diarmuid Mullins, Ciaran O’Doherty; John O’Sullivan, Cian Dillon (0-1), Kyle Scanlan; Eanna McMahon, Jamie Fitzgibbon (1-1); Conor O’Donnell, Oisin O’Donnell (0-7), Glen O’Sullivan; Luke Ketalaar (0-6), Fergus Kennedy, Rian O’Donnell (0-1);
Subs: Sean Hanrahan (1-0) for F. Kennedy; John Brigdale for E McMahon; Stephen O’Brien for R O’Donnell;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
