*Ger Sparrow O’Loughlin congratulates Brian Lohan. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. FORMER Clare manager and two-time All-Ireland winner, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has taken charge of his native Clarecastle while O’Callaghans Mills have appointed an ex Clare U20 and minor hurling manager as their new boss.
*Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARECASTLE’s Ger O’Loughlin, a two-time All-Ireland medal winner with Clare who subsequently managed the county team is “satisfied Clare have ticked all the boxes” heading into Sunday’s eagerly awaited Munster senior hurling championship opening tie.
*Sean Cotter, Cormac Murphy, Fionn Hickey and Sean O’Gorman. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A FIRST Clare Cup crown since 1995 was the perfect end to O’Callaghan’s Mills weekend of celebration to mark the centenary of the official opening of Hamilton Park in Kilkishen.
*Fergie O’Loughlin and John Casey on the sideline for Clarecastle. Photograph: Chris Copley CLARECASTLE’S FERGIE O’Loughlin is to take over as the manager of the Doon senior hurlers.
*Peter Duggan is fouled by Mike Casey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THE WATER BREAK returns to dissect a successive one point Munster final defeat for Clare’s senior hurlers at the hands of Limerick.
*Patrick O’Connor leads the Clare team onto Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Photograph: Martin Connolly AFTER an eleven year career at senior level with Clare, Patrick O’Connor this week called time on his inter county hurling career.
*John Conlon. Photograph: Martin Connolly John Conlon will line out in Sunday’s Munster Senior Hurling Final as part of an elite band of hurlers to have played 50 championship matches for their county.
*Shane Meehan and Peter Duggan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A Munster Final with Limerick awaits the Clare senior hurlers and they will make the journey to Semple Stadium with an unbeaten record in this year’s championship (latest episode below).
*Robin Mounsey and Barry Nash clash. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Capacity crowds will flock to Ennis this Sunday for the meeting of Clare and Limerick in the Munster SHC, a tie that will certainly indicate what level the Banner’s senior team are really at as they face the reigning All-Ireland champions.
*Donal Tuohy. Photograph: Martin Connolly Donal Tuohy has called time on his Clare career after twelve years on the county senior hurling panel.
