*Cratloe’s Conor McGrath. Photograph: Martin Connolly A place in the quarter-finals of the Clare SHC will be the prize for the winners of the four ties taking place this weekend.
*David Reidy. Photograph: Martin Connolly Championship aspirations will become more defined as the second round takes place in the Clare club hurling scene over the weekend.
*Diarmuid Ryan. Photograph: Martin Connolly Cork have booked their place in the Bord Gáis Munster U20 hurling final at the expense of Clare.
*Gary Cooney gets to the ball ahead of Noel Connors. Photograph: Martin Connolly Sean Doyle has named his starting team for his first tie as manager of the Clare U20 hurling team.
*Gerry O’Connor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare were happy at half-time to trail by six points with the wind in their favour but joint manager Gerry O’Connor admitted the concession of Seamus Callanan’s goal on forty minutes “knocked the stuffing” out of his side.
*Patrick O’Connor holds off Tom Devine in the 2018 Munster championship. PHOTO: Martin Connolly In anticipation for Clare’s Munster SHC opener with Waterford, little adaptations were made to their training routine such as the layout of Cusack Park to properly prepare for the environment that would exist at Walsh Park.
*David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Martin Connolly Championship hurling ain’t easy, for David Fitzgerald not alone had he to aim for an impeccable performance for the Clare seniors but he had to combine it with studying for equally as important college exams.
*Tony Kelly’s shot is blocked by Kieran Bennett during their Munster League meeting in January. Photograph: Martin Connolly Their League quarter-final defeat to Waterford in Walsh Park was the warm-up and Sunday is the real deal as Clare aim to get their Munster senior hurling championship campaign off to a winning start.
*Conor Ryan in action for Clare. Photograph: INPHO Cratloe’s Ryan family have been very generous with their contributions and commitment to Clare hurling teams down through the years, a new chapter will begin on Sunday with Diarmuid expected to get his senior debut following in the footsteps of older brother Conor.
*Jack Browne & Shane Bennett will renew acquaintances on Sunday. Photograph: Martin Connolly Both Clare and Waterford have announced their starting teams for Sunday’s Munster senior hurling championship clash.
