*Conor Cleary in action against Aidan McCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Pairings have been confirmed for the Clare GAA championships across nine grades following this evening’s draw.
“Close to 200 games will be played in the nine championships,” Clare GAA public relations officer Michael O’Connor outlined. Chairperson Joe Cooney was hopeful all contests would proceed in a safe manner that would be enjoyed by all panellists, spectators and supporters.
Draws for Clare’s GAA club championships were held on Wednesday evening in Clareabbey. Inspector Páraic Frawley was present at the draw as an independent
Reigning Clare SHC champions Sixmilebridge who were lucky to prevail against Éire Óg in last year’s quarter-final will meet the Ennis club once again in the first round. It is one of many mouth-watering ties with local rivals O’Callaghans Mills and Broadford doing battle while two of the contenders to lift the Canon Hamilton Kilmaley and Cratloe square off. Two of the dark horses, Inagh/Kilnamona and Clooney/Quin have also been drawn against each other.
There will be a repeat of the Clare SFC final of 2019 in this year’s opening round as neighbours St Josephs Miltown and Kilmurry Ibrickane do battle. The Magpies of West and North Clare will collide as Doonbeg and Ennistymon face off. Fresh from their journey in the Munster Club IFC last year, St Breckans have been paired against Cooraclare.
Proposed formats for the Clare SHC and Clare IHC pit eight teams against each other in the opening round. In the second round the eight winners from round one will play the eight losers and the winner of the second round tie will advance to the quarter-finals.
As agreed by clubs at Monday’s meeting of the County Board, there was an open draw for the first round of the Clare SFC and Clare IFC with six teams against each other. The successful six teams then face off in round two with the three sides to record back to back victories advancing to the semi-finals
In the other side of the draw for the second round, the defeated six teams from round one will meet, the successful three clubs here then progress to a three-way play-off that is scheduled to take place across the course of one weekend. There will be a draw to see which team gets a bye. The club to emerge from the play-off will seal the last semi-final spot.
Clare Senior Hurling Championship:
Round One:
O’Callaghans Mills vs Broadford
Clonlara vs Newmarket-on-Fergus
Crusheen vs Ballyea
Éire Óg vs Sixmilebridge
Whitegate vs Feakle
Kilmaley vs Cratloe
Inagh/Kilnamona vs Clooney/Quin
Clarecastle v Wolfe Tones
Clare Senior Football Championship:
Round One:
Ennistymon vs Doonbeg
St Josephs Miltown vs Kilmurry Ibrickane
Kilrush Shamrocks vs Éire Óg
Lissycasey vs Cratloe
Cooraclare vs St Breckans
Clondegad vs Kilmihil
Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship:
Round One:
Newmarket-on-Fergus vs Corofin
Ruan vs Clonlara
Bodyke vs Killanena
Smith O’Briens vs St Josephs Doora/Barefield
Tulla vs Scariff
Tubber vs Cratloe
Inagh/Kilnamona vs Sixmilebridge
Clarecastle vs Parteen
Clare Intermediate Football Championship:
Round One:
Liscannor vs Shannon Gaels
Wolfe Tones vs Michael Cusacks
Kilfenora vs Éire Óg
O’Currys vs Coolmeen
Naomh Eoin vs St Josephs Doora/Barefield
Kildysart vs Corofin
Clare Junior A Hurling C’Ship:
Round One:
Éire Óg vs Ennistymon
St Josephs Doora/Barefield vs Broadford
Inagh/Kilnamona vs Ballyea
Wolfe Tones vs Crusheen
Ogonnelloe vs O’Callaghans Mills
Clooney/Quin vs Kilmaley
Clare Junior A Football C’Ship:
Preliminary Round:
Clooney/Quin vs Doonbeg
Cooraclare vs Kilmurry Ibrickane
St Senan’s Kilkee vs The Banner
Ennistymon vs St Josephs Miltown
St Josephs Doora/Barefield vs Ballyvaughan
Clondegad vs Cratloe
Meelick vs Killimer
Lissycasey Bye to quarter-finals
Clare Junior B Hurling C’Ship:
Preliminary round
Sixmilebridge vs Ruan
Banner vs Kilmaley
O’Callaghans Mills vs Clonlara
Scariff vs Éire Óg
Round One:
Banner or Kilmaley vs Tubber
Clooney/Quin vs Meelick
Scariff or Éire Óg vs Corofin
Tulla vs Sixmilebridge or Ruan
Whitegate vs O’Callaghans Mills or Clonlara
Parteen vs Feakle
Newmarket-on-Fergus vs Wolfe Tones
Smith O’Briens vs Cratloe
Clare Junior B Football C’Ship
Preliminary Round:
A: Moy vs Kilrush Shamrocks
B: Kilmihil vs Parteen
Quarter-Finals:
Éire Óg vs St Breckans
Banner vs Kilmihil or Parteen
Corofin vs Moy or Kilrush Shamrocks
Shannon Gaels vs Wolfe Tones
Clare Junior C Hurling C’Ship:
Quarter-Finals:
Kilkee/Bealaha vs Clonbony
Bodyke vs Killanena
Tulla vs The Banner
St Josephs Doora/Barefield vs Broadford