Ballyea & Bridge avoid each other in Clare SHC semi-final draw

*Ballyea’s Cillian Brennan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Championship favourites Sixmilebridge and Ballyea have avoided each other in the semi-final draw of the Clare senior hurling championship (SHC).

Only five teams remain in the hunt for the Canon Hamilton following the weekend’s action. Reigning champions Sixmilebridge await the winners of the quarter-final tie between Feakle and Éire Óg. The Ennis side already clashed with Tim Crowe’s men in the opening round and will get a second chance to overturn them should they overcome a fancied Feakle outfit.

O’Callaghans Mills laid down a marker by eliminating Inagh/Kilnamona on Sunday. As they return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, they now face the side that defeated them on that occasion. Two time champions Ballyea will meet the Mills in what is expected to be a very tough encounter.

After knocking out intermediate favourites Tulla, Scariff will meet the victors of the Corofin versus Smith O’Briens quarter-final. The other side of the draw pits St Josephs Doora/Barefield against Tubber, the two clubs met in last year’s quarter-finals and it took extra time for Seanie McMahon’s men to prevail against the North Clare club.

Clare SHC semi-finals:
Sixmilebridge v Feakle or Éire Óg
Ballyea v O’Callaghans Mills

Clare IHC semi-finals:
Corofin or Smith O’Briens v Scariff
Tubber v St Josephs Doora/Barefield