*Adam Hogan gets to the sliotar before Cathal McInerney. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. First blood in Group 2 to Feakle who justified their seeding with a fully merited victory over Cratloe in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.
*Ballyea’s Mossy Gavin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill IN A determined bid to wrestle back the Canon Hamilton, Ballyea have enlisted the services of Galway duo Barry Cullinane and Joe Hession to try and steer the perennial contenders to a third county senior hurling title in four seasons.
*Jarlath Collins in action with Colm Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SEVERAL LIVELY contests can be expected with the start of the TUS Clare senior hurling championship.
*Enda Boyce. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FRESH from starting the defence of their title as senior football champions with a win, Cratloe’s senior hurlers will be bidding to have a winning first outing.
*Stiofan McMahon gets away from Conor Cooney. Photograph: Ruth Griffin BROADFORD prevailed in the East Clare derby against neighbours O’Callaghans Mills to claim the first points on offer in Group 2 of the TUS Clare senior hurling championship.
*Aaron Landy meets resistance from Shane Golden and Caimin Morey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill FADING light greeted the final whistle in Fr. Murphy Memorial Park but there is still plenty of electricity in Sixmilebridge’s legs as proven with a gritty opening victory over the Parish.
*Darren O’Brien. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill HAVING witnessed Clonlara finally break their fifteen year championship-winning hoodoo last October, Éire Óg are undoubtedly next up when it comes to claiming overdue dividends in the race for the Canon Hamilton.
*Newmarket-on-Fergus defender, Colin Guilfoyle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill IT’s not quite on a Biddy Early scale but the ‘Clare Cup curse’ has been a strong feature since reverting to a pre-championship finish.
Shane O’Donnell tries to shake off the challenge of Seadna Morey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THERE is hunger rather than a pressure to end the wait for hurling honours in Éire Óg while Sixmilebridge are determined to make amends for a disappointing 2023 campaign.
*Crusheen defender, Diarmuid Mullins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CRUSHEEN’s remarkable run to a first county senior decider in nine years last October is almost worthy of a book in itself.
