*Thomas Collins. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
BARRING any hitches, the domestic football season in Clare will conclude this weekend when the under 21 championship and shield finals take place, all games scheduled for Saturday.
The A final for the John Marrinan memorial trophy pits Lissycasey against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and this final takes place at Clareabbey where there is a 1.30p.m. throw in.
The finalists have been prominent in underage competitions in recent times and, in fact, they contested the under 17 A decider a few weeks back when Lissycasey captured the crown.
Both teams in Saturday’s final will feature a number of players who lined out for their respective senior teams this season.
Fionn Kelleher, Tom and James Curran, Joe Rafferty and Nikki Hardiman are key members of the Doora/Barefield outfit while Lissycasey, who have never won this particular championship, will be looking to Thomas Collins, Daire Hill, Daire Killeen, Conor Meaney and Daire Culligan to lead their charge. It promises to be a lively contest between two evenly matched sides.
The B final sees Kilmury-Ibrickane take on Wolfe Tones, the Shannon club having been disappointed not to have been included in the A competition. The game takes place at 1pm in Clarecastle.
They will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of a one point loss to Aherlow from Tipperary in the Munster intermediate club championship semi-final last week.
Aaron Kelly, Niall and Tadhg Fitzgerald, Eoghan Casey, Craig and Colin Riordan are key members of the Shannon side while beaten senior finalists Kilmurry Ibrickane will be looking to Shay Gleeson, Conor Kearney, Evan Cahill, Colin Considine, Cathal Talty, Josh Moloney and Joe Campbell to lead their charge
In the C final, St Joseph’s Miltown who wanted to be in the B competition, will take on Western Gaels, a combination of Naomh Eoin, O’Currys and St Senan’s, Kilkee and this game will go ahead at Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg.
Neighbours Cooraclare and Kilrush/Killimer will clash in the A shield final which goes ahead in Cooraclare while the B shield final brings Cill Cul Gaels (Kilmihil, Shannon Gaels, Kildysart and Coolmeen) and Banner into opposition at Ballynacally.
Conditions permitting, there should be some exciting fare at all venues on Saturday afternoon.
