The race for the quarter finals of the Clare senior hurling championship is now well underway after the opening round of games.
Champions Sixmilebridge, Cratloe and Ballyea were among the winners this weekend, while the returns of Peter Duggan from Australia and Shane O’Donnell from injury were among the talking points.
Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch rounds up the action
Following weeks of speculation, Peter Duggan’s return to the Clooney-Quin line up was confirmed as the 2018 All Star lined out in their dramatic draw with Feakle.
He was involved in a thrilling finale to the game, as his penalty was brilliantly saved by Clare star Eibhear Qulligan, with Shane McGrath firing over the levelling score from the resultant clearance to ensure an 0-18 a piece draw.
In the other Group Four tie, Shane O’Donnell made a welcome return from a concussion injury as he lined out for Eire Óg, his first appearance since Clare’s National League win over Dublin at the start of June.
The Townies produced a strong second half fightback, but it was Newmarket who held on to take two crucial points.
Group One lived up its Group of Death billing, as Inagh-Kilnamona and Clonlara produced brilliant third quarter turnarounds to see of the challenge of Kilmaley and O’Callaghan’s Mills respectively.
Holders Sixmilebridge were first to get points on the board in Group Two, as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Clarecastle.
Elsewhere in that group, Wolfe Tones overcame senior newcomers Scariff to set themselves up for a shot at reaching the last eight.
Group Three is also starting to take shape, with Cratloe having too much firepower for Crusheen, while Ballyea left it late to see off a spirited challenge from Broadford to take a one point win.
Meanwhile, in the intermediate championship, there were wins for Sixmilebridge, Killanena, Tulla, Smith O’Briens, Doora Barefield, Parteen, Ruan and Bodyke.
