*Clonlara and Ballyea will be facing off again in the group stages. GAA focus has been on the inter-county scene but anticipation for the start of the club championships has gone up a notch for the club championships following the draws for senior, intermediate and junior a grades on Tuesday evening.
*Photograph: Ruth Griffin. CHAMPIONSHIP pairings are to be made this Tuesday evening for the Clare senior, intermediate and junior competitions in hurling and football.
*Kilmaley manager, Brian Culbert. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. BRIAN CULBERT will manage Kilmaley’s senior hurlers for a fourth year.
*Eugene Cullinan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. EUGENE CULLINAN is to return for a second stint as manager of the Inagh/Kilnamona senior hurlers.
*Gerry O’Grady in action for Crusheen. Photograph: Ruth Griffin FORMER Clare defender, Gerry O’Grady is the new manager of his native Crusheen with the son of a two-time All-Ireland winner appointed as coach.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A CIVIC RECEPTION is on the cards for Éire Óg after their senior hurlers and footballers won a historic double.
*David Reidy receives his award from Lending Officer with St Francis Credit Union, Raymond O’Mahony. FOREVER etched in the history books as the man to captain Éire Óg to their sixteenth Clare SHC title, David Reidy adds the distinction of the St Francis Credit Union/The Clare Echo player of the week to his annals.
*Liam Corry rises the sliotar under pressure from Ryan Taylor and John Conneally. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. TWELVE YEARS on from making his Éire Óg senior hurling debut, Liam Corry was now able to call himself a county champion.
*Robert Loftus. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. ÉIRE ÓG’s success will not be taken for granted according to one of their young stars.
*Shane O’Donnell watches on as David Reidy lifts the Canon Hamilton. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. INJURIES made the 2025 hurling year a “challenging” one for Shane O’Donnell but to claim a coveted Clare senior hurling championship Éire Óg is a “phenomenal” feeling.