*Jacob Loughnane is blocked by Cratloe defender, Oisin Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. VICTORY was “cruelly taken away from us,” O’Callaghans Mills manager Seán Doyle maintained as they drew with Cratloe in the second round of the Clare SHC.
*Darragh Moroney of O’Callaghans Mills. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. O’CALLAGHANS Mills make their return to senior hurling after a year-long stint in the second tier, the Fireballs will be looking to catch fire from the off in a competitive Group 3.
*O’Callaghans Mills manager Seán Doyle with Mark Pewter. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. O’CALLAGHANS MILLS are continuing their upward trend under Seán Doyle with Clare Cup honours the latest step on the ladder.
*Conor Cooney. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. CLARE CUP fare has meant more to O’Callaghans Mills than any other side to date in this year’s competition.
*Conor Henry keeps the sliotar from Joe Carmody. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. HURLING hath no fury than a Mills scorned it seems as the Premier Intermediate champions edged a real battled to advance to their first Clare Cup Final in three years.
Conor Henry makes his way to the sideline after getting sent off. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. O’CALLAGHANS MILLS had a year full of highs on the hurling field but have been left seething with their Munster Final defeat to Upperchurch-Drombane and the performance of referee Nicky O’Toole.
*Referee Nicky O’Toole is escorted off the field after the final whistle. Photograph: Ruth Griffin O’CALLAGHANS MILLS’ memorable season which was full of highs has ended on a sour note following a fourteen point Munster final loss on an evening when they finished with twelve men.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. LINING out in a Munster final serves as “a huge game” for O’Callaghans Mills and Kilkishen as their hurlers go in search of provincial glory.
*O’Callaghans Mills captain, Aidan O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. O’CALLAGHANS MILLS have dipped into their reserves more than ever to bounce back to the senior grade at the first attempt which has also propelled them to a Munster intermediate final.
*Seán Boyce and Gary Cooney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. “SERIOUS RESILIENCE” was shown by O’Callaghans Mills to qualify for the Munster IHC club final for the first time with their manager confident their showings can result in the Fireballs earning some call-ups to the Clare hurling panel.