*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.

Our championship hurling coverage is brought to you in association with McKeogh’s in Ballina/Killaloe – built to support champions. You can check out their spring offer in Store and phone them on 061 376249 and delivery is also available.

The Water Break returns in time for championship and The Clare Echo’s Head of News & Sport is joined by Barry Murphy, All-Ireland winner with Clare’s senior hurlers in 1997, Donal Madden All-Ireland winner with Clare’s minor hurlers in 1997 and Martin Conlon three-time Clare SHC winner with Sixmilebridge to preview Sunday’s game.

Clare begin the defence of their All-Ireland title when kicking off their Munster championship bid in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Ciosog at 2pm on Sunday with recently crowned league champions Cork coming to town. Tipperary play Limerick at 4pm in FBD Semple Stadium.

On the clár:

  • What can we gauge from Clare’s league which saw them suffer relegation
  • Hype in Cork
  • Will Sunday determine how the championship goes for both counties?
  • How to go about stopping a very pacy Cork forward line?
  • Who is likely to inherit the difficult task of trying to fill the void left by Shane O’Donnell.
  • Importance of securing primary possession.
  • Moving David Fitzgerald onto Robert Downey a big move that can help Clare
  • AOB

Related News

shannon men's shed 1-2
Almost 600 Christmas dinners delivered by Gardaí to Shannon senior citizens
st flannan's college aerial
An Coimisiún Pleanála refuse plans for €25m community hospital on St Flannan's College grounds
buddy mcmahon 1
'He was our North Star' - Buddy McMahon captain fantastic of all-conquering Newmarket-on-Fergus side laid to rest
ennis lions club 1
Ennis Lions Club bring Santa to The Height
Latest News
st flannan's college aerial
An Coimisiún Pleanála refuse plans for €25m community hospital on St Flannan's College grounds
patrick hillery 1
Irish public did not grasp the honesty, integrity & devotion of Patrick Hillery
kevin hehir 1-2
Hehir creates history as first Inagh/Kilnamona championship winning U21 captain & manager
buddy mcmahon 1
'He was our North Star' - Buddy McMahon captain fantastic of all-conquering Newmarket-on-Fergus side laid to rest
ennis lions club 1
Ennis Lions Club bring Santa to The Height
Premium
Celtic move back to joint top in Premier Division
Host of suitable sites identified in Clare for construction of new hospital
Clare football bit by travel bug with seven footballers opting out for 2026
O'Malley returned as CSSL Chair with 7 new additions to Committee including political podcasters
Net surplus of €42k recorded by Clare Camogie in 2025

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.