*Jarlath Collins in action with Colm Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

SEVERAL LIVELY contests can be expected with the start of the TUS Clare senior hurling championship.

Roscommon senior hurling coach, Kevin McNamara from Kilmaley is forecasting a number of exciting championship ties.

Champions Clonlara have, he believes, strengthened their panel this year with the addition of some young players like county minor Michael Collins and the return of Cathal O’Connell and Kieran Galvin.

Their opponents this week are Ballyea for whom Tony Kelly has returned to his best following injury issues earlier in the year. “They are used to playing having lost experienced players. They have some very good young lads coming through”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, McNamara who is part of the backroom team with the Clare U16 hurlers added, “The clash of Éire Óg and Clooney/Quin is very interesting. Clooney- Quin have a good few players battling injury but Ryan Taylor’s return is a big boost. Éire Óg have had the majority of their panel available to them for the season which is a big help. They haven’t won a first round game in a while”, according to Kevin who tipped Clonlara and Ballyea to qualify from the group before adding “whatever two come out of the group here will take beating”.

Kevin McNamara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Turning to Group 2 he observed, “Feakle had a good run last year. They had three involved with Clare’s All-Ireland team which is a huge achievement for a small club. Cratloe are now getting the burst of youth that they have been waiting for. Kilmaley had an up and down league campaign and Michael O’Neill is a big loss but they have a good number of young players coming through. They perform best when they are underdogs. They are facing a dangerous opponent in Corofin who will be trying to consolidate senior status after winning the intermediate title last year”, according to Kevin who tips Feakle and Kilmaley to make it through from the group.

The meeting of neighbours Broadford and O’Callaghans Mills “will bring a big crowd to Clonlara and there will be big battles throughout the field. Since the Mills contested the county final a few years ago they have disappointed but with the likes of Pat Donnellan and the Cooneys they might have a bit more know how in this one”.

The other game in this group sees Scariff and Inagh/Kilnamona clash “and they are the two favourites to emerge from the group. “With Mark Rodgers, Patrick Crotty and Paddy Ryan they went to town on teams last year but forewarned is forearmed. Inagh-Kilnamona are under new management this year and they have serious ambitions. I fancy Scariff and Inagh/Kilnamona to qualify from this group”.

Group 4 is “the hardest one to call,” he outlined. “Newmarket won the Clare cup but the winners of the cup haven’t come out of their group since 2016. Crusheen had a big win over Newmarket last year so Newmarket will be keen to avenge that result. Can Crusheen prove that last year’s result wasn’t a flash in the pan?

“Sixmilebridge have a lot of experience and they take on St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield who are in their second year back at senior level. They have really good structures in place and they are coming off minor success. They are a club going in the right direction but the ‘Bridge might have too much know how this week”, he said before predicting St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Newmarket-on-Fergus to qualify from the group.

Overall he feels defending champions Clonlara, along with Ballyea and Inagh/Kilnamona are the main contenders for this year’s title “but if Éire Óg emerge from the group they will take stopping.

Related News

shannon group clare crusaders little blue heroes 1-2
Clare Crusaders & Little Blue Heroes chosen as Shannon Airport Group's charity partners for 2025
jim enright 1-2
Scór long-service award for Cratloe's Jim Enright
st brendan's road lisdoonvarna 1
Corofin developers lodge plans for 60 houses in Lisdoonvarna
ambulance 1
Clare 'always suffering on health front' - Cllrs seek Dáil committee to examine emergency response times

Advertisement

Latest News
jim enright 1-2
Scór long-service award for Cratloe's Jim Enright
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (19)
Regnum Carya Golf Resort
492300430_1265350338926478_8538017681006863111_n
Ennis RFC 'bursting with pride' as Aoife Corey makes Ireland debut in 6 Nations
st brendan's road lisdoonvarna 1
Corofin developers lodge plans for 60 houses in Lisdoonvarna
grease ennistymon choral society 2
Grease is the word in Ennistymon
Premium
clare v limerick minor 25-04-25 evan crimmins 2
Clare minors lower Limerick to set up do or die tie with Waterford
ambulance 1
Clare 'always suffering on health front' - Cllrs seek Dáil committee to examine emergency response times
clare v waterford 19-05-24 ken ralph 2
'Clare were disrespected in commentary before start of championship' - Ralph
clare v tipperary 19-04-25 peter keane 2
'We're opening doors' - Keane praises Clare for kicking on but stresses goal chances must be taken
liscannor 23-04-25 footpath 6
'Embarrassing' state of footpaths, kerbs & parking slammed in Liscannor

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement