While Cratloe are self-isolating following a difficult week, their senior football championship rivals battle it out in Round 2 for coveted semi-final spots, three by means of the direct route and the remaining place eventually emanating from the dreaded thunderdome that is the losers section writes Eoin Brennan
Knockout clashes in the Clare SFC and IFC will proceed this weekend except the meeting of Cratloe and Clondegad.
Reigning county champions St Josephs Miltown will have to overcome Doonbeg in a repeat of last year’s semi-final if they are to hold onto the Jack Daly, it is one of many cracking ties on the cards in the next round of the Clare SFC.
St Breckans have marked their return to the top tier of the Clare SFC overcoming Cooraclare in a very entertaining contest on Sunday evening.
Ennistymon are back in the quarter-finals of the Clare SFC, sealing their fate following a hard-fought encounter with Doonbeg on Sunday afternoon.
A last gasp Sean Crowley fisted point finally sealed a dramatic victory for Kilmihil in an inch-tight opener with Clondegad in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
A hugely encouraging 2019 had certainly whetted Kilmihil’s appetite for the new decade ahead. A senior championship quarter-final finish that included coming within four points of eventual champions St Joseph’s Miltown was further bolstered by some much-needed silverware after Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil’s thrilling Under 21A Final victory last November, Kilmihil’s first such honour since 1987.
A bigger picture approach has been instilled by Doonbeg’s senior footballers in recent campaigns but for now only Ennistymon occupy the frame of their thoughts.
In a repeat pairing of last year’s county final, Kilmurry Ibrickane turned the tables to advance to the Clare SFC quarter-finals.
Their knuckles are tired from knocking on the door but Ennistymon remain determined as ever to make their long-awaited breakthrough in the Clare senior football championship.