*Keith Stritch. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Smith O’Briens, Corofin and Whitegate have edged closer to the play-offs in the intermediate hurling championship following round two victories over Tubber, Ruan and O’Callaghans Mills while Parteen/Meelick and Bodyke got their challenge for honours off to a winning start with victories over fancied Sixmilebridge and Tulla sides.
Cian Moriarty takes on Noel Purcell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clonlara powered to the local bragging rights after a determined performance brushed aside the challenge of Sixmilebridge in Cusack Park.
Conor Deasy loses possession to Cilléin Mullins and Oisin O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SIXMILEBRIDGE may have picked up a four point opening round win in the Clare SHC but replica performances will not suffice in the championship, manager Sean Stack maintained.
*All clubs pictured at the championship launch on Monday evening. Photograph: Aidan Ryan FRESH FROM Clare’s All-Ireland triumph in the Premier Junior Camogie Championship, attention swiftly moves to the club scene with the race beginning in earnest for the local championships.
*Sarah Loughnane leads the celebrations in Hotel Woodstock. Photograph: John Mangan AT HALF-TIME in Croke Park, the message from Clare’s junior camogie panel was simply, they were not leaving Dublin without the Kathleen Mills Cup.
*Cyril Crowe at Crowe’s Store in the Minister’s Cross. Photograph: Joe Buckley CYRIL CROWE is entering the political arena and is putting himself forward as a prospective Fine Gael candidate for next year’s local elections.
*Seamus Hayes with Sarah Loughnane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill SARAH LOUGHNANE will have the task of hitting the frees when Clare’s Junior camogie side go in search of All-Ireland glory this weekend.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill EFFORTS to install a pedestrian crossing at the Minister’s Cross in Bunratty are underway.
*Fintan Shanagher and Mairead Casey load the vans. Photograph: John Mangan WHEN you say you’re from Newmarket-on-Fergus, there are two things people say to you – hurling and Obair. And they’re the two things that everyone in Newmarket is very proud of.”
*Whitegate’s Ian Fahy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill WHITEGATE and Corofin handed out 28 and 24 point respective beatings in the opening round of the Clare IHC which also saw Inagh/Kilnamona, Smith O’Briens and Sixmilebridge record victories.