*Kildysart’s Fergal Guinane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. LOSING their talisman before their championship run has even begun is a killer blow for Kildysart but they’re anxious to ensure it isn’t a fatal one.
*Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. ST JOSEPH’s Miltown exited the championship at the hands of rivals Kilmurry Ibrickane in the quarter-finals by a margin of eleven points last year, they’re hopeful of closing the gap and claiming the bragging rights this weekend.
*Éire Óg’s Ikem Ugwueru. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CHAMPIONS Éire Óg put their title on the line but with the abundance of strength in depth in their ranks it is going to take an almighty effort from the chasing pack to stop them claiming the Jack Daly for the fourth time in five years.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. NEW RULES have brought a renewed lease of life to gaelic football and the race for Jack Daly begins this weekend with an added sense of excitement.
*Emmet McMahon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE footballer Emmet McMahon is to miss out on the entire club championship with Kildysart through injury.
*Darragh Sexton of Kilmurry Ibrickane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. THERE’S an element of transition about Kilmurry Ibrickane with a spate of retirements but the drive to succeed in the heat of championship is still as strong.
*Jason Linnane of Doonbeg. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. WITHIN Doonbeg there is a quiet confidence that the eighteen-time Clare SFC champions could end a long wait of six years to return to the knockout stages.
*Fionn Kelleher of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. STARTING with a win is the “number one priority” for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield who are not short of ambition as they seem to overcome their quarter-final hoodoo.
*Cratloe’s Seán Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CRATLOE’s bid to reclaim the Jack Daly from the tight grip of holders Éire Óg begins in earnest this weekend when they face the reigning champions in what is billed as the tie of the round.
*Declan Downes. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FORMER CLARE selector Declan Downes has taken charge of Ennistymon and Shane Daniels has finalised his Éire Óg management.