*Kilmaley’s Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Since the draw was made and the fixtures quickly deciphered, the opening round derby between back-to-back holders Ballyea and then Clare Cup champions Kilmaley easily stood out from the pack as the tie of the first weekend.
*Clare manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP campaign draws to a close with Clare’s senior hurlers edging closer but not arriving in the promised land.
*Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill NOT WANTING to concede goals early on was the reason Clare played the opening half of the All-Ireland semi-final with a sweeper according to manager Brian Lohan who said they will dust themselves down and come back again.
*Shane O’Donnell in action for Clare versus Kilkenny. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clare had no problem overcoming futile resistance from Dublin to give us a crack at Kilkenny in an All-Ireland semi final this weekend. The players and management alike will be on a mission to atone for last year’s loss in a game where we …
*Clare captain, Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill This year Clare have their best chance of winning the All-Ireland senior hurling title since their last success ten years ago.
*Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill JOHN CONLON, CONOR Cleary and David McInerney have all been named to start in Clare’s team to take on Kilkenny in the All-Ireland senior hurling final.
*Clare’s John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill HOPES ARE RISING on the injury front for Clare’s senior hurlers ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final versus Kilkenny.
*Clare’s Shane O’Donnell in action during last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Nine time All-Ireland senior hurling medal winner Noel Skehan while hoping his native Kilkenny will beat Clare in Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final believes “any of the four teams involved in the weekend’s semi-finals can qualify for the final”.
Darragh Lohan signs an autograph. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A FIRST SENOR championship start was the reward for Darragh Lohan as Clare powered past Dublin on Saturday but he hadn’t as much notice as others may like for such a run-out.
*Clare manager Brian Lohan with selector James Moran. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BEFORE A BALL was pucked on Saturday, Brian Lohan was confident his Clare charges would deliver a performance.