The race for the U15 A and B hurling championships gets underway on Bank holiday Monday with twelve games listed for decision, three in the A grade and the remainder in the B competition.
Sixmilebridge, winners of the U14A title last year, are expected to challenge strongly for the U15 title along with Inagh/Kilnamona, beaten finalists in the U14A decider in 2020.
Inagh/Kilnamona carried the favourites tag into the U14 competition last year having won the U13A title in 2019.
Six teams will compete for the title with each playing five games. The league section will be followed by semi-finals and a final.
In the opening round Clarecastle, last year’s U14B winners, will host Sixmilebridge at 12pm. on Monday. Inagh-Kilnamona will have home advantage against Clonlara at 1.30p.m. while neighbours Éire Óg and St Josephs Doora/Barefield will meet at Éire Óg at 6p.m.
The U15 B competition is divided into two groups. Group 1 includes Kilmaley, last year’s U14B beaten finalists, Cratloe and Clooney-Quin, both of whom competed in the U14A last year while the U14C winners from last year, Feakle-Killanena will also be in this group.
Kilmaley open their campaign with a home game against Tulla at 12 noon, and at 6:30pm Feakle-Killanena will enjoy home advantage against Cratloe, Broadford will welcome Ballyea while Bodyke/O’C. Mills will welcome Newmarket-on-Fergus to Bodyke. The remaining game in this group will see Corofin/Ruan play Clooney-Quin at Ruan and the throw in time here will be 6p.m.
In group two East Clare neighbours Smith O’Briens and Whitegate will be in opposition at Killaloe at 3p.m, Banner will host Parteen at 5p.m. Ogonnelloe will be the venue for the meeting of Scariff/Ogonnelloe and Ennistymon at 12.45p.m. while Wolfe Tones will have home advantage at Shannon for their meeting with Crusheen/Tubber at 12 noon.
Round 2 is scheduled for Monday week (June 14) while the race for the under 15 football titles will commence on this coming Friday (June 11).