Ballyea have ensured their title defence continues in the Clare senior hurling championship.
A 0-19 a piece draw with Scariff sees the champions in pole position to seal a quarter-final spot, but they will need the East Clare men to get a result against Kilmaley in two weeks time in order to progress.
The result also means that Inagh-Kilnamona are out of contention this year, and will face St Joseph’s in a fortnight’s time, where the losers will enter the relegation series.
That’s despite their 3-22 to 1-16 win over Kilmaley with goals from David Fitzgerald (2) and Evan McNamara, along with 0-10 for returning county star Aidan McCarthy.
Group Two is where the real talking point of the weekend occurred, with off the field action as intriguing as the on field fare.
Clonlara’s 0-22 to 1-10 win over Crusheen saw the south-east Clare men confirmed as group winners, but while Sixmilebridge lost to O’Callaghan’s Mills by 3-17 to 1-21 thanks to Colm Cleary’s 3-6 haul, it looked like the Bridge would go through on scoring difference.
However, a change in how teams deadlocked in round robin formats this year was unearthed, with the scoring difference only calculated from the games involving the teams who are level on points.
That then put Crusheen into second place in the standings, and into a quarter-final spot.
Clare FM understands Sixmilebridge are querying the rule with a meeting of the CCC of Clare GAA on Monday evening likely to discuss any objection which may be submitted by the Garneyside club.
Meanwhile Clooney-Quin manager Tommy Corbett says his side will welcome the four week break until the quarter-final action.
A five goal haul helped them overcome Cratloe to secure the second placed spot in Group 3, with Newmarket topping the group after victory over Wolfe Tones.
Group Four was also set for a dramatic finish, but wins for Feakle and Eire Óg over Broadford and Clarecastle, see them through to the last eight in that order.
You can hear reaction from some of the managers in this weekends action below
