*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.
*Jack Browne will form a key pillar of the Ballyea defence at centre back. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill With the race for the Canon Hamilton trophy set to get under way this Saturday, there is, understandably, much speculation among followers as to who will take home the trophy come the end of the campaign.
*Tony Kelly with his PwC GPA Player of the Month award for June. Photograph: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile CLARE’S SENIOR HURLING CAPTAIN, Tony Kelly has admitted he is at a loss to explain their exit from the All-Ireland SHC.
*Huw Lawlor claims the ball above Peter Duggan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Along with a huge Clare crowd, I travelled to Dublin in expectation of a win rather than hoping for one. The mood before the game was confident, although as word circulated of John Conlon’s injury there was a note of apprehension.
AN OUTSTANDING Kilkenny performance mixed with a below-par display from Clare brought the curtain down on the Banner’s run in this year’s All-Ireland SHC.
*David Reidy’s shot is blocked by Cian Kenny. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clare headed to Croke Park full of hope but left dejected and disappointed, coming up second best across the board against Kilkenny to bow out of the All-Ireland SHC.
*Clare’s Cathal Malone. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’S starting team for Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final shows no changes from the team which lined out in their quarter-final win over Wexford.
*Clare captain, Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final outcome will be decided by the respective talisman, Tony Kelly and TJ Reid according to an ex Kilkenny hurler now residing in East Clare.
Kilkenny and Clare have provided many memorable hurling contests over the years and this Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final meeting of the counties is set to provide hurling followers with another intriguing clash.
*Clare defender, Rory Hayes. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill RORY HAYES and Cian Nolan are battling out for the left corner back spot on the Clare team which is expected not to show any major changes.
