Clare Cup semi-finals take place
August 07, 2010Newmarket-on-Fergus v Broadford @ Sixmilebridge, Saturday 5 pm
First up is the clash of Newmarket and Broadford in Sixmilebridge at 5 pm. The Blues, who have claimed a whooping twenty Clare Cup crowns the last of which was achieved in 1974, will be expected to win this one and are coming into this game with confidence following three consecutive win's in the championship thereby being undefeated. Their most recent game saw them demolish Smith O'Brien's by 1-23 to 0-11 and showed an improvement from their first two outings. One thing noticeable from the last game was the strength in depth that the kingpins of Clare hurling have at their disposal as on the bench last time out were Enda Barrett, Bernard Gaffney and Anthony Kilmartin all of whom have tasted senior action with Clare in the past few years. The latter has recently returned from injury along with James Liddy and both are bound to see action in this tie. While it is expected that Enda Barrett expected to start in place of the injured Shane O'Brien. Once again Newmarket will be without key man James McInerney but so far this year they have coped very well in his absence. They have a young side that possess experience with players of the calibre of Paudie Collins, Colin Ryan, Enda and David Barrett, Stephen Kelly and younger players Eoin Hayes and Michael McInerney who have impressed greatly. Their opponents from east Clare will hope to spring a massive surprise this weekend to reach the decider, a title they won in 1951. However while their league form this year was very good the same cannot be said for their championship fare as they have suffered two sizeable losses to Clooney-Quin and Clarecastle. A worrying factor for the men from Glenamora is that in these two games their scoring was fairly low with returns of 1-8 and 2-6 respectively. They will need a big improvement on this if they are to cause Newmarket any trouble. In 2009 they showed they can mix it with the best and they will hope to recapture that form this weekend. Key to their cause is Cathal and Craig Chaplin, Kieran Corcoran, Aonghus and Peter O'Brien, Padraig Hickey and James Gunning. Overall it is hard to see anything other than a Newmarket victory.
Verdict: Newmarket-on-Fergus
Sixmilebridge v Smith O'Brien's @ Tulla, Saturday 7 pm
Meanwhile, Dr. Daly Park, Tulla plays host to the other semi final with Sixmilebridge and Smith O'Brien's set to lock horns. The Bridge, who have won the Cup on 10 occasions, are gunning for a first final since 2004 and are coming into this game on the back of topping the group in the league and also having defeated Tubber in the championship last week. Former Clare ace Niall Gilligan has once again been the key man for the 'Bridge and if the Killaloe side are to upset the odds then they will have to curb his influence. In round 2 Gilligan was the saviour as his last gasp free and overall display gave his side a draw against county champions and near neighbours Cratloe. Last time out Gilligan received good support from Danny Morey and substitute Rory Shanahan who got his side's goal in their 1-17 to 1-8 defeat of Tubber. However, more forwards will have to get in on the act if the 'Bridge are to further their championship and Clare Cup aspirations. Key players for them this weekend are Niall Gilligan, Caimin and Danny Morey, Aidan Quilligan, Tagdh Keogh and younger members of the side Paudie Fitzpatrick and Shane Golden. Smith O'Brien's impressed during the league with a 100% record in Division 2B and indeed in their opening championship game with Tulla. In round 2 they put up a good showing against Whitegate but faded away in the second half. As for round 3 last week, it is likely they will want to forget that one as they were walloped by Newmarket with Liam Walsh their only forward to threaten. A massive improvement is needed this week is needed if they are to cause an upset. They are expected to have Shane O'Brien and Trevor Howard back for this one and these two along with Ian O'Halloran, Liam Walsh, John Cusack, Pat Vaughan and Seamus Gleeson are crucial to the Smith O'Brien's cause. Again just like the other semi final it is hard to see anything other than a Sixmilebridge victory.
Verdict: Sixmilebridge Tweet
