*Tomás Kelly celebrating St Joseph’s Tulla’s Harty Cup win over Ard Scoil Rís. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill COUNTY FINALS ARE OFTEN won by “the supporting cast” and that is likely to be the case in Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash between Ballyea and Éire Óg, Harty Cup winning coach Tomás Kelly maintained.
*Éire Óg’s marquee man, Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SHANE O’DONNELL has achieved a lot in his hurling career and he hopes to fulfil a dream of claiming a Clare SHC medal as Éire Óg take on Ballyea in Sunday’s decider.
*Éire Óg’s David Reidy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill DAVID REIDY has been playing senior hurling with Éire Óg for eleven years and is relishing the opportunity to end a 32 year famine for the club this Sunday.
David Reidy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Éire Óg will contest a first Clare Senior Hurling Final since 2000 after powering to an extra-time victory over Sixmilebridge in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
*Shane O’Donnell controls the ball ahead of two Inagh/Kilnamona defenders. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Éire Óg exacted full revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat when brushing aside the crestfallen challenge of Inagh-Kilnamona in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
*Jarlath Collins holds onto possession under pressure for Éire Óg. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Despite going down by four points to Éire Óg, Clooney/Quin are still through to the last eight alongside the Townies from Group 3, sending Kilmaley to the Senior B contest and Scariff to a relegation play off.
HAVING come close in recent seasons to a breakthrough at senior ranks, Éire Óg will feel a certain degree of pressure to ensure this materialises on the hurling field this year.
*Éire Óg manager, Matt Shannon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Not enough big-name players ‘brought their A game’ when it mattered, Éire Óg manager Matt Shannon said following the club’s semi-final exit in the Clare SHC.
Inagh/Kilnamona’s dreams of winning a first ever Clare SHC title are edging closer to becoming a reality after they sealed their place in the county final with a three point win over Éire Óg.
*Paidi Fitzpatrick claims the sliotar and looks for a free. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Knocking out the “standard bearers” of the Clare senior hurling championship will strengthen Éire Óg’s bid for honours.
