Eire Óg are facing a must win derby tie with neighbours Clarecastle to reach the quarter-finals of this year’s Clare senior hurling championship.
The Townies registered a one point win over Broadford in Round Two, as they bounced back from their opening day loss to Feakle.
Group Four is set to be decided on a dramatic final day, with three teams still in contention for both quarter-final and relegation spots.
Top scorer David Reidy feels they are making strides but need plenty more in order to stay in the hunt for the Canon Hamilton.
Meanwhile the manager of the defending champions feels they are starting to build momentum after picking up their second win of the campaign.
Victory over St Joseph’s Doora Barefield puts Ballyea back in the mix for the quarter-final spots in Group One, with a crucial showdown against Scariff to come in two weeks time.
Manager Leonard McNamara says his side showed their will to win when it mattered.
Clonlara manager Donal Madden is warning his players that their championship season is still all to play for in their final round tie.
The south-east Clare side produced an impressive display to see off neighbours Sixmilebridge, which leaves them with two wins from their first two games.
They will still need a result in their final round tie against Crusheen in two weeks time to guarantee themselves a place in the quarter-final draw.
Madden says it was vital to back up their first round win, but all eyes now are on making sure it counts in the final standings.
Meanwhile Clooney-Quin boss Tommy Corbett feels his side are now facing a tough task to take their next step in the championship.
Defeat to Newmarket was compounded by Peter Duggan’s late red card, which rules him out of their winners take all showdown with Cratloe in two weeks.
Corbett says they need to focus on making sure they are ready for that test.
You can listen to some of the reaction from the camps after last weekend’s action below
