Patrick Crotty takes on Eoin Guilfoyle and John Cahill. Photograph: Sport Action Photography
BOTH FAVOURITES to win the U21A hurling title have been paired at opposite sides of the draw for the semi-finals.
Reigning champions Corofin/Ruan who produced a stirring finish which included 3-01 in the final ten minutes to overcome Sixmilebridge will face Inagh/Kilnamona in the semi-finals. The Combo have bounced back superbly from their first round loss to Clonlara by eliminating last year’s beaten finalists Newmarket-on-Fergus and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield after extra time.
Scariff/Ogonnelloe quietened the dark horses Clooney/Quin in Saturday’s quarter-finals following up their first round victory over Crusheen/Tubber. The East Clare side meet Clarecastle in the last four. The Magpies are building in confidence after progressing in a penalty shootout versus Crusheen/Tubber and then in extra time against Clonlara, they of course faced off with Corofin/Ruan in the Minor A final three years ago.
Both A semi-finals are scheduled to take place on Sunday December 11th and will be held at neutral venues.
Two of the club’s tipped for glory in the B campaign will meet in the semi-finals. Feakle/Killanena who have three Clare senior panellists within their ranks face Kilmaley while Broadford await the winner of Éire Óg and Tulla. The B semi-finals are fixed for Saturday December 10th.
In the C1 competition, Cratloe and O’Callaghans Mills will do battle while Whitegate and Parteen/Meelick face off in the other semi-final.
Clarity is set to be provided on Tuesday evening for the C2 semi-finals. The CCCC are waiting for further detail on a ruling following an appeal from Corofin/Ruan after their defeat to Scariff/Ogonnelloe. Officials in Clare GAA are hopeful of holding the draw on Tuesday.
Clare U21 A Hurling semi-finals:
Scariff/Ogonnelloe v Clarecastle
Corofin/Ruan v Inagh/Kilnamona
Clare U21B hurling semi-finals:
Éire Óg or Tulla v Broadford
Kilmaley v Feakle/Killanena
Clare U21 C1 hurling semi-finals:
O’Callaghans Mills v Cratloe
Whitegate v Parteen/Meelick