*Tony Kelly hits a trademark score off his left side. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA’S HURLING FIELD was not just where one of the country’s finest hurlers Tony Kelly honed his craft but also the spot where his greatest friendships and bonds blossomed.
*Clare goalkeeper, Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE GOALKEEPER, Eibhear Quilligan has said match-ups in Sunday’s senior hurling final are “going to be really intriguing” while pinpointing the middle third as the area where the game will be won and lost.
*Thomas Collins produces a finger-tip save to stop Kevin Keane from scoring. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SLOW STARTS have come back to bite Lissycasey.
*Ballyea’s Cathal Doohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA’s bid to become back to back Clare SHC champions for the first time in their history took another step in the right direction when overcoming neighbours Clarecastle.
Sean Crowley offloads as Kilmihil launch an attack. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill LISSYCASEY WILL have to maximise opportunities that fall their way as the Clare SFC progresses while Kilmihil have no choice but to overturn either Cratloe or St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield after the meeting of the West Clare neighbours on Sunday.
*Lissycasey’s Shane Griffin scored two goals. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography LISSYCASEY’s greater scoring threat and pace proved decisive as they recorded an opening round win in the Clare SFC against their neighbours Kilmihil.
Lissycasey captain, Seamus Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SEMI-FINALISTS for the last two seasons, Lissycasey buoyant by continued success at underage level, most recently the inaugural U19 championship, head into the new senior campaign with a swagger.
*Pearse Lillis raided for the first goal for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ballyea flexed their muscles to compete a comfortable first round defence of the Canon Hamilton trophy as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of O’Callaghan’s Mills in Cusack Park.
*Diarmuid Cahill was lively throughout for Corofin. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Lissycasey’s dream of back to back Garry cup successes was shattered at Cooraclare on Saturday evening when they went under to Corofin.
CILLIAN BRENNAN RETURNS to the starting fifteen as Clare prepare to take on Derry in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.
