Pearse Lillis

Facile start for champions Ballyea

*Pearse Lillis raided for the first goal for Ballyea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ballyea flexed their muscles to compete a comfortable first round defence of the Canon Hamilton trophy as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of O’Callaghan’s Mills in Cusack Park.

Battle-hardened Ballyea back into county final

*Delight is etched on the face of Pearse Lillis as he celebrates with Gary Brennan and Mossy Gavin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Ballyea are one step away from a third Clare senior hurling title in six years following this one point victory over Newmarket in a hard fought semi-final at Cuack Park this Sunday afternoon.