Senior hurling preview
August 12, 2010Cratloe v Tubber @ Cusack Park, Saturday
Cratloe will pay a third visit to Clare GAA headquarters in as many weeks as they prepare for their final Group 2 game against Tubber. Key players for Cratloe are ace attacker Conor McGrath, Sean Chaplin, Barry Duggan, David Ryan, Cathal McInerney, Liam Markham and county senior Sean Collins and you have a formidable bunch. Tubber lost out to Wolfe Tones and Sixmilebridge in their two outings to date and look all but certain to finish bottom of the group. Key to the Tubber cause is Eammon Taaffe, Conor, Clive, Mark and Blaine Earley, Patrick O'Connor and Eoin Ruane. Both sides are expected to not include their Clare minors for this tie with Podge Collins and Enda Boyce (Cratloe) and Ronan Taaffe (Tubber) all in action on Sunday in the All-Ireland Minor hurling semi-final against Dublin.
Verdict: Cratloe
Sixmilebridge v Inagh-Kilnamona @ Cusack Park, Saturday 21st August
Both teams still harbour quarter-final ambitions and a win here for either side would put them in pole position to emerge from the group while virtually knocking the other out of contention. The 'Bridge qualified for the final of the Clare Cup last weekend when they trounced Smith O'Brien's while in the Combo's most recent outing they overcame Wolfe Tones back in round 2. If they 'Bridge are to win this one then they will have to aid Gilligan again. Other key performers for them are Tadgh Keogh, Caimin and Danny Morey, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Shane Golden and Aidan Quilligan. Meanwhile, Inagh-Kilnamona have a new manager in place since their last outing with Fergie O'Loughlin taking the reins. Key to their cause are Tony Carmody, Ronan O'Looney, David Hegarty, Ger and Niall Arthur, Conor Tierney and Eammon Glynn. A tight contest is expected but judging by recent form Sixmilebridge should shade it.
Verdict: Sixmilebridge
Clonlara v Crusheen @ Cusack Park, Tuesday
These two heavyweights are right in contention to reach the quarter-finals and whoever wins will secure their place in the knockout rounds. In 2008 it took a replay to separate these two in the semi-finals and another gripping game is hoped for here. Nicky O'Connell and John Moloney were absent from the Clonlara side that thrashed Corofin in Round 3 and supporters of the south-east Clare team will hope that both players return for this clash. Despite suffering relegation from the Clare Cup, the 2008 county champions expect to go a long way in the championship. Key players for them include Darach Honan, John Conlon, Nicky O'Connell, the O'Donovan brothers (Tomas, Domhnall and Cormac) and Paul Collins. Crusheen will be in confident mode and have a 100% record so far in this year's championship. Their main performers are Gerry O'Grady, the Meaneys (Paddy and Joe), Cathal and Cian Dillon, Donal Tuohy and Fergus Kennedy. They will hope to have Pat Vaughan back from injury. It promises to be an exciting game between two of the county's best sides with Clonlara just getting the nod.
Verdict: Clonlara
Ballyea v St. Joseph's Doora/Barefield @ Shannon, Tuesday
Doora/Barefield remain in contention for a quarter-final place while Ballyea's championship is all but over after losing their first two games. After drawing with Clonlara the first day out, Barefield racked up a sizeable win over Corofin which will boost confidence. Ballyea will be looking to retain their senior status and will eye the game with Corofin as the critical one for them in this group. They will be hoping for big performances from Shane O'Neill, Paddy O'Connell, team captain Eamonn Griffin, Tony Griffin, Paul Flanagan, Niall Keane and Francie O'Reilly. The game could see a first senior appearance for teenager Tony Kelly, who has yet to feature in the championship to date. For St. Joseph's, Ken and Damien Kennedy, Ivor Whyte, Kevin Dilleen, Shane O'Connor, Noel Brodie and Marty O'Regan are likely to be valuable players. Ballyea will give it everything but the superior quality of Doora/Barefield should carry them to victory.
Verdict: St. Joseph's Doora/Barefield
O'Callaghan's Mills v Whitegate @ Scariff, Tuesday
With Newmarket already cementing their quarter-final place, there is only one other position left in Group 3 for progress to the knockout rounds. Both O'Callaghan's Mills and Whitegate are in line to join the Blues in the quarter-finals, with each team recording one win and one defeat so far, and victory for either side here would make them firm favourites to advance to the last eight. Key men for the Mills are Conor and John Cooney, Adrian Donovan, Adrian Flaherty, Alan Duggan, James Shanahan and team captain Bryan Donnellan, but they have been dealt a blow by the suspension of the captain's brother Pat Donnellan after he was sent off in the Round 3 win over Tulla. Intermediate champions Whitegate have made great strides this year at senior level and will look to Brendan Bugler, Andrew and Ian Fahy, Patrick Minogue, Tommy Holland, Shane O'Rourke and John O'Brien for inspiration. There is unlikely to be much between the sides at the full-time whistle, with the greater experience of O'Callaghan's Mills maybe tipping the scales in their favour.
Verdict: O'Callaghan's Mills
Newmarket-on-Fergus v Tulla @ Cusack Park, Sunday 22nd August
Newmarket have ensured their place in the quarter-finals with three out of three so far. Additionally, they have also qualified for the Clare Cup against near neighbours and arch rivals Sixmilebridge after defeating Broadford in the semi final last Saturday. By contrast, it has been a summer to forget for 2007 county champions Tulla, who have lost both of their championship games so far and are unlikely to make it beyond the group stage. The Blues will hope that the likes of Bernard Gaffney, Colin Ryan, David and Enda Barrett, Eoin Hayes, Michael McInerney and Stephen Kelly can maintain their momentum ahead of the greater challenges that lie ahead. They will also hope that James McInerney will play some part in this match after a long-term absence with a stomach injury. Tulla's main sources of inspiration are Mark and Andrew Quinn, Ray Stewart, Paul and Aidan Lynch, Philip Brennan and Michael Murphy, but they will be missing Conor O'Halloran through suspension. Even with Newmarket already safely through to the last eight, they will want to remain on winning form ahead of the quarter-finals.
Verdict: Newmarket-on-Fergus
Kilmaley v Broadford @ Cusack Park, Wednesday
After three championship games Kilmaley remain unbeaten, but they have still to record their first win as they have drawn all of their matches so far. Meanwhile Broadford, who impressed upon their promotion to senior hurling last year, hold out little hope of repeating their quarter-final showing of 2009. Kilmaley will look to Diarmuid and Conor McMahon, Alan Markham, Noel Casey, Daire Keane, Colin Lynch and Ken Kennedy to finally guide them to victory. Broadford's key players are Cathal and Craig Chaplin, Aonghus O'Brien, Padraig Taylor, James Gunning, Kieran Corcoran and Declan Teefy, while they will hope to have Padraig Hickey back for this game after he missed the Clare Cup semi-final defeat to Newmarket. Kilmaley should maintain their undefeated streak while finally claiming a victory.
Verdict: Kilmaley
Clarecastle v Scariff @ Sixmilebridge, Wednesday
Clarecastle can be pleased with their championship form so far, one win and one draw. Scariff, on the other hand, have it all to do after drawing one match and losing the other. The Magpies are undergoing a rebuilding process with their team to cope with the retirements in recent years of club stalwarts like the Sheedys, Ger Canny and Ken Ralph, who has re-graded to intermediate. In 2010 their key men include Eric Flynn, Jonathan Clancy, Jamie O'Connor, Tyrone Kearse, Aaron Considine, Stephen O'Halloran and Darragh Moloney. If Scariff are to kick-start their championship, they will need Brendan McNamara, Barry Murphy, Alfie Rodgers, Cathal and Diarmuid Nash, Conor McNamara and Ross Horan to be on top form. Speaking of form, that critical factor points to a Clarecastle victory here.
Verdict: Clarecastle Tweet
