*Donach O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill O’CALLAGHANS MILLS have parted ways with senior hurling manager Donach O’Donnell with Conor Dolan and Davy Fitzgerald now involved with the Fireballs.
*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.
*Jack Browne will form a key pillar of the Ballyea defence at centre back. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill With the race for the Canon Hamilton trophy set to get under way this Saturday, there is, understandably, much speculation among followers as to who will take home the trophy come the end of the campaign.
*Action begins this weekend in the Clare SHC with four games down for decision on Saturday. It may be argued that the GAA is more political than political organisations themselves, off-the-field antics can certainly strengthen this theory across multiple aspects of the Association.
*Pat McNamara on commentary duty for Scariff Bay. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Current analyst with Scariff Bay Community Radio, Pat McNamara who served as a selector with the Clare Development Squads at U14 to U17 levels from 2007 to 2012 gives his prediction on what way the Clare SHC will pan out this year.
*Fergie O’Loughlin. Photograph: Chris Copley HE WAS COACH TO Clarecastle when they won the 2003 Clare SHC title and now Fergie O’Loughlin is coaching the Ballybrown senior hurlers, he has had a big influence on the Ballyea club and expects them to claim the Canon Hamilton for the fourth time.
*Tony Kelly with his PwC GPA Player of the Month award for June. Photograph: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile CLARE’S SENIOR HURLING CAPTAIN, Tony Kelly has admitted he is at a loss to explain their exit from the All-Ireland SHC.
*Keelan Sexton in action in Croke Park. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION of Clare’s run in the All-Ireland SFC, a number of Colm Collins’ side have headed to the United States.
AN OUTSTANDING Kilkenny performance mixed with a below-par display from Clare brought the curtain down on the Banner’s run in this year’s All-Ireland SHC.
*Tony Kelly on the attack for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill At no stage during Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter final did Clare think that their season was over, according to team captain Tony Kelly.
