*Ballyea boss, Robbie Hogan on the sideline in Cusack Park. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A WARZONE in the middle third in Sunday’s Clare SHC final and who wins the battle in this sector will be crucial to determining the destination that the Canon Hamilton is headed, Ballyea’s manager has predicted.
*Sam Sheedy tackles Pearse Lillis. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA’S workrate is central to them making back to back Clare SHC finals.
*Mossy Gavin scored 0-06 for the winners. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill 14 man Ballyea powered through to their fourth Clare Senior Hurling Championshp Final in seven seasons after keeping familiar rivals Cratloe at arm’s length in Cusack Park Ennis on Saturday afternoon.
*Gary Brennan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA HAVE been boosted in their efforts to retain the Canon Hamilton with the return of two time Clare SHC winner, Gary Brennan to their panel.
*Cathal O’Connor wins the ball in the air for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Holders Ballyea flexed their muscles to progress to a third successive Clare SHC semi-final in on Sunday afternoon.
*Jack Browne claims the ball from Shane Gleeson. Photograph: Ruth Griffin BALLYEA’s first championship defeat since September 2020 represented a “flat” performance.
*Rian Considine’s first half goal marked a turning point in the game. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Cratloe overwhelmed county champions Ballyea to inflict a first championship defeat on the men in black and amber since September 2020.
*Patrick Kelly catches the sliotar above Gearoid O’Connell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SCORING DIFFERNENCE is going to play a key role in influencing the make-up of the participants in the knockout stages and relegation play-offs of the Clare SHC, Clarecastle’s senior hurling manager has said.
*Tony Kelly in action for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill He has been the hero on so many occasions for club and county and Tony Kelly continues to stand out as an outstanding hurler.
*Pearse Lillis raided for the first goal for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ballyea flexed their muscles to compete a comfortable first round defence of the Canon Hamilton trophy as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of O’Callaghan’s Mills in Cusack Park.
