Cratloe, St Breckan’s and Eire Óg are sitting top of their respective group standings after the opening round games in the Clare senior football championship.
There was just one draw among the six first round ties, as neighbours Kilmurry Ibrickane and Miltown played out a dramatic tie.
Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch rounds up the action
St Breckan’s produced arugably the most impressive performance of the weekend as they saw off the challenge of last year intermediate champions St Joseph’s Doora Barefield.
The 3-8 to 0-9 win was thanks in part to a brilliant brace of goals from county star Joe McGann, with his manager Donie Garrihy channeling his inner Delia Smith to encourage his star man to keep delivering.
Elsewhere in Group Two, Kilmihil earned West Clare bragging rights over Kilrush as a Ciaran Downes penalty helped them to a 1-13 to 0-10 win.
The most dramatic moment of the round came when a late Daniel Walsh goal saw holders Kilmurry Ibrickane and Miltown share the spoils in a 2-7 apiece draw.
Cratloe took the chance to steal an early march as they saw off a dogged challenge from Cooraclare, with Diarmuid Ryan’s second quarter goal being a key score in a 1-13 to 0-10 victory.
In Group Three, Paul Madden’s Eire Óg produced an eye catching display to hit last years semi-finalists Lissycasey for three goals, with Gavin Cooney, Niall McMahon and Philip Talty finding the net in a 3-10 to 0-9 win.
The final game of the opening round saw Doonbeg grind out a 0-9 to 0-6 win over Clondegad, with county star David Tubridy notching 0-7 for the winners.
Manager Mark Rafferty was relived to get off to a positive start after an uncertain start to the season.
In the intermediate championship, newly crowned Junior A champions the Banner got off to the perfect start with a one point win over neighbours Eire Óg.
Corofin served notice of their intent with a 12 point win over Naomh Eoin, Kilfenora were impressive winners of their North Clare derby against Liscannor, while Kildysart overcame Michael Cusacks.
Shannon Gaels and O’Curry’s played out an entertaining draw, while the meeting of Coolmeen and Wolfe Tones was postponed to a later date.
