*Keith Stritch. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Smith O’Briens, Corofin and Whitegate have edged closer to the play-offs in the intermediate hurling championship following round two victories over Tubber, Ruan and O’Callaghans Mills while Parteen/Meelick and Bodyke got their challenge for honours off to a winning start with victories over fancied Sixmilebridge and Tulla sides.
*Whitegate’s Ian Fahy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WHITEGATE and Corofin handed out 28 and 24 point respective beatings in the opening round of the Clare IHC which also saw Inagh/Kilnamona, Smith O’Briens and Sixmilebridge record victories.
*Ronan Monahan weaves through the Smith O’Briens defence of Evan Connolly, Cian Nolan and Mark Stritch. Photograph: Ruth Griffin TWO MORE teams will be relegated from the senior ranks this season so the opportunity to jump from the intermediate grade to the top tier is all the greater for the fifteen teams in action.
*Brian Guilfoyle puts pressure on Andrew Conheady. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ST JOSEPH’S DOORA/BAREFIELD are determined to build on the bounce currently being experienced by the club.
*Tulla intermediate hurling manager, Jim McInerney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill TULLA’s defeat in the Clare IHC final must act as a learning curve if the club are to bounce back, manager Jim McInerney has stated.
*Alan O’Neill battles to win the ball ahead of David McInerney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill PAST DEFEATS stood to St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield when the pressure mounted in Saturday’s Clare IHC final, one of their most experienced players affirmed.
*The St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield hurling team. Photograph: Chris Copley PAUL MADDEN is one of the most experienced players in the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield hurling team and the goalkeeper is anxious to see the club regain their senior status.
*Daniel Vaughan and Paul Lynch on the goal-line. Photograph: Mark Hayes TULLA captain Paul Lynch will lead his side from the full back position in Saturday’s intermediate hurling final and he’s in his nineteenth season playing adult hurling with the club.
*Jarlath Donnellan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill JARLATH DONNELLAN is to take charge of his first Clare SHC final this weekend.
*St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield manager, Michael Guilfoyle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ANGER HAS BEEN VOICED by both St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Corofin managements over a thirty five minute delay to the start of their intermediate hurling semi-final on Sunday.