Confidence growing in Clarecastle with senior promotion within reach
*Oisin Whelan and Rory O’Connell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. BELIEF is building within the Clarecastle squad that they can secure a return to the senior ranks.
Ger O’Loughlin
Sparrow & Doyle among new managers for intermediate hurling clubs in Clare
*Ger Sparrow O’Loughlin congratulates Brian Lohan. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. FORMER Clare manager and two-time All-Ireland winner, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has taken charge of his native Clarecastle while O’Callaghans Mills have appointed an ex Clare U20 and minor hurling manager as their new boss.
Clare have ticked all the boxes so far for Sparrow
*Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARECASTLE’s Ger O’Loughlin, a two-time All-Ireland medal winner with Clare who subsequently managed the county team is “satisfied Clare have ticked all the boxes” heading into Sunday’s eagerly awaited Munster senior hurling championship opening tie.
Mills ‘Keane’ to build on Clare Cup success
*Sean Cotter, Cormac Murphy, Fionn Hickey and Sean O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A FIRST Clare Cup crown since 1995 was the perfect end to O’Callaghan’s Mills weekend of celebration to mark the centenary of the official opening of Hamilton Park in Kilkishen.
Fergie to take over Doon hurlers
*Fergie O’Loughlin and John Casey on the sideline for Clarecastle. Photograph: Chris Copley CLARECASTLE’S FERGIE O’Loughlin is to take over as the manager of the Doon senior hurlers.
The Water Break: Munster Final heartache becoming too common for Clare’s senior hurlers
*Peter Duggan is fouled by Mike Casey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THE WATER BREAK returns to dissect a successive one point Munster final defeat for Clare’s senior hurlers at the hands of Limerick.
‘Hurling will always be the only show in town for me’ – Patrick O’Connor calls time on Clare career
*Patrick O’Connor leads the Clare team onto Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Photograph: Martin Connolly AFTER an eleven year career at senior level with Clare, Patrick O’Connor this week called time on his inter county hurling career.
‘I’m happy to keep putting on the Clare jersey for as long as I can’ – Conlon
*John Conlon. Photograph: Martin Connolly John Conlon will line out in Sunday’s Munster Senior Hurling Final as part of an elite band of hurlers to have played 50 championship matches for their county.
THE WATER BREAK: Clare maintain unbeaten status | Physical strength boosting the Banner
*Shane Meehan and Peter Duggan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A Munster Final with Limerick awaits the Clare senior hurlers and they will make the journey to Semple Stadium with an unbeaten record in this year’s championship (latest episode below).
‘Limerick will want to keep Clare down’ – Sparrow & TJ Ryan give verdicts ahead of Sunday showdown
*Robin Mounsey and Barry Nash clash. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Capacity crowds will flock to Ennis this Sunday for the meeting of Clare and Limerick in the Munster SHC, a tie that will certainly indicate what level the Banner’s senior team are really at as they face the reigning All-Ireland champions.