*Mark Rodgers will be one of the top players in action in the U21 championship. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S famed knockout U21 championship is no more with County Board officers opting to introduce a ‘second chance’ format for 2022.
A behind-closed-doors meeting took place on Monday evening where the draws for the U21 championships in hurling and football were also held.
In a bid to give clubs more games, Clare GAA have decided to alter the format of the championship this year and have done away with the knockout format.
It means a backdoor will be introduced for the championship in the U21A for hurling and football and the B hurling. Teams that prevail in the opening round will advance straight to the quarter-finals while defeated sides get a lifeline in round two, one of the five losing sides will secure a quarter-final berth when the draw for round two takes place.
Two separate C championships will be held in the hurling. The second teams from each club will compete in a different competition of a club’s first team.
No draw was held for the U21B football championship, that is to be held next Monday evening.
Action in the U21 hurling commences on the October Bank Holiday weekend with the football kicking off the following weekend.
Two amalgamations will compete in the U21A football competition. Reigning champions Cil Cúil Gaels which is comprised of Kilmihil, Kildysart, Coolmeen and Shannon Gaels and Western Gaels which is made up of Doonbeg, Naomh Eoin, O’Currys and St Senan’s Kilkee will be vying for glory.
Semi-final pairings were also made in the Junior B Premier football competition. The last four clashes take place this Saturday with the final to take place the following weekend.
U21A Hurling Championship Round 1: (first named team has home advantage, to be played on October 29th/30th)
Newmarket-on-Fergus vs Clooney/Quin
Crusheen/Tubber vs Scariff/Ogonnelloe
Corofin/Ruan vs Clarecastle
Sixmilebridge vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield
Inagh/Kilnamona vs Clonlara
U21B Hurling Championship Round 1: (first named team has home advantage, to be played on October 29th/31st)
Wolfe Tones vs Broadford
Bodyke vs Feakle/Killanena
Éire Óg vs Kilmaley
Smith O’Briens vs Crusheen
Ballyea vs Tulla
U21C1 Hurling Championship Round 1 (first named team has home advantage, to be played on October 31st)
Parteen/Meelick vs Cratloe
Banner vs O’Callaghans Mills
Whitegate vs Ennistymon
U21 C2 Hurling Championship Round 1 (first named team has home advantage, to be played on October 31st)
Inagh/Kilnamona vs Corofin
Sixmilebridge vs Éire Óg
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield vs Scariff/Ogonnelloe
U21A Football Championship Round 1 (first named team has home advantage)
Éire Óg v Ennistymon
Western Gaels vs St Joseph’s Miltown
Corofin vs Kilrush/Killimer
Cooraclare vs Cil Cúil Gaels
Wolfe Tones vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield
Junior B Premier Football semi-finals: (taking place this Saturday at neutral venues)
Cooraclare vs Wolfe Tones
Ennistymon vs Corofin
