*Clonlara’s Colm Galvin is chased by Luke O’Halloran of Sixmilebridge. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLONLARA qualified for a second Clare Cup final in four years after they withstood a strong Sixmilebridge comeback to set up a league decider with Inagh/Kilnamona.
*eir ambassador and hurler John Conlon of Clare, pictured at the launch of the third annual ‘eir for all’ Poc Tapa Challenge. Photograph: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile JOHN CONLON and the Clare senior hurlers are expecting “a massive challenge” from Cork this Sunday in the opening round of the Munster SHC but it is one they are …
*Clare’s Mark Rodgers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CHAMPIONSHIP fever is about to grip the county with the All-Ireland hurling champions Clare beginning the defence of their title this Sunday when Cork come to Ennis.
*Clare’s contingent of Tony Kelly, Patrick Crotty, Brian Lohan, Aidan McCarthy & Mark Rodgers. LEAGUE CHAMPIONS in 2024 to relegation to the second tier following the 2025 campaign represents a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Clare’s senior hurlers.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill IT WAS always going to be Clare’s final league outing of 2025 but Saturday’s one point loss to Tipperary meant Brian Lohan’s side finish bottom of the table, Enda Treacy rates the performances of the Banner hurlers following their fifth loss of 2025.
John Conlon chases after David Reidy. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. CLARE’S start to the Allianz National Hurling League was “fairly pathetic” but the side have moved into “championship mode,” the team’s centre back has said.
*Brian Lohan on the sideline in TUS Gaelic Grounds. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. A SPIRITED showing against Limerick saw Clare pick up their first win of 2025 with manager Brian Lohan praising the response of his charges to their setbacks on and off the field.
*Darragh Lohan races for the sliotar with Aaron Gillane. Photograph: Ruth Griffin DAVID Reidy’s early second half goal proved to be the difference as Clare gave their hopes of avoiding relegation to Division 1B a fighting chance thanks to 1-21 to 0-21 over rivals Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday evening.
*Mark Rodgers is set for his first appearance of 2025. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill TONY Kelly, John Conlon, David Fitzgerald, Mark Rodgers and Rory Hayes will all make their first starts of 2025 for the Clare hurlers as they welcome Wexford to Ennis in a must-win tie.
*Colm Galvin battles with Shane Golden. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AN OVER-reliance on scores from frees and missed chances were costly for Clonlara as they were dethroned as Clare SHC champions.
