The eight quarter finalists of the 2010 Clare senior football championship are now known after last weekend's conclusion to the group stages. However it was not without a bit of drama with a couple of teams going through by virtue of a greater scoring difference.

In group 1, Cratloe qualified for the last eight for the first time in their history thanks to a 3-6 to 1-10 victory over Ennistymon. The south-east Clare side had their goals courtesy of Sean Collins, Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney while Ennistymon had their major from Danny Rouine. Also in this group St. Joseph's Doora/Barefield saw off the challenge of an under strength Lissycasey side by 3-5 to 1-10. Goals from Christy O'Brien, former Kerry goalkeeper Declan O'Keeffe (penalty) and Eoin Kane laid the foundations for this victory. Gerard Murphy got the Lissycasey goal. These results mean that St. Joseph's go through as group winners with Cratloe going through as runners up. Ennistymon now go forward to the Senior B and will hope to make up for last years Senior B final loss and Lissycasey will hope to recapture their form of 2007 when they won their sole senior title as they strive to keep their senior status.


Group 2 saw victories for town sides Eire Og (Ennis) and Wolfe Tones (Shannon). The Townies saw off the challenge of Shannon Gaels (1-16 to 3-7) to top the group. Clarecastle native Stephen Hickey, back in Eire Og colours after a spell in the league of Ireland with Limerick FC, was the Eire Og hero with 1-5 over the hour. The Gaels had their three goals courtesy of John Paul O'Neill, Shane Tubridy and former Armagh senior Barry Toner. Indeed before the game had started both sides already knew that they were both into the last eight. This result means Eire Og go through as group 2 winners and Shannon Gaels as runners up. The other game saw a talented Wolfe Tones side hammer Kilmihil by 5-12 to 0-6. Supporters of the Shannon side will be disappointed that their side failed to produce this form in the games versus Eire Og and the 'Gaels as certainly on their day they are a match for anyone. Johnny Bridges, Gary Leahy (two), Brian O'Connell and Daniel Gallery all rattled the back of the Kilmihil net. Wolfe Tones now progress to the Senior B semi finals while for Kilmihil they will go into the relegations play-off's.

Doonbeg claimed top spot in group 3 thanks to a 1-10 to 1-4 win over Garry Cup champions Kilrush Shamrocks. Clare sharpshooter David Tubridy was in top form for the Magpies with 0-6, all bar two coming form play, while Shane Killeen once again popped up to score a crucial goal. Kilrush, who now go on to the Senior B semi's, had their goal from the lively Ruairi O'Connor. Cooraclare will join the Magpies in the last eight after they easily defeated O'Curry's by 0-17 to 1-5. Cooraclare inside forwards John O'Looney (0-8) and Rory Donnelly (0-4) caused all sorts of problems for the Carrigaholt men who had their goal from Mark Roche. O'Curry's will now go into the relegation play-off's.

Reigning county and Munster champions Kilmurry Ibrickane topped group 4 thanks to a 2-14 to 1-11 win over neighbours St. Joseph's Miltown. Kilmurry had their goals from Michael O'Dwyer and Noel Downes while Eoin Curtin got the Miltown three pointer. The 'Bricks will be joined in the last eight by Liscannor who were defeated by St. Senan's Kilkee (2-7 to 0-12) with Kevin Larkin and Darragh Kelly notching the Kilkee goals. These results mean St. Joseph's progress to the last four of the Senior B championship while for St. Senan's they will go into the relegation play-off's.

The draw for the quarter-finals is as follows:

Eire Og v Cooraclare
St. Joseph's Doora/Barefield v Liscannor
Doonbeg v Shannon Gaels
Kilmurry Ibrickane v Cratloe Tweet

Most Read Stories