The race for the 2018 Clare Senior Hurling Championship gets underway this weekend.
All 8 first round games are down for decision with a triple header in Cusack Park and a double header in Sixmilebridge among the fixtures.
Holders Sixmilebridge get their title defence underway against Clonlara in what will be a repeat of the 2015 final.
Bridge boss John O’Meara says they’re looking forward to getting the campaign underway.
Clonlara meanwhile have been dealt a huge blow with All Star contender John Conlon ruled out through injury while fellow county stars Ian and Colm Galvin are also unavailable.
Manager Dave Cuddy says they will just have to concentrate on getting the best performance possible.
Newmarket and Kilmaley resume their recent rivalry when they clash in Cusack Park.
The west Clare side are looking to build on last year when they were promoted from the intermediate ranks at the first time of asking before going on to contest the Munster Final at the grade, losing out to the Anthony Nash led Kanturk.
Clare U21 boss John Carmody is back in charge of his native parish.
Meanwhile Newmarket will hope to progress one step further than 2017 when they lost out to neighbours Sixmilebridge at the semi final stage.
Manager of the Blues is Bob Enright
The game that will get proceedings underway in Cusack Park pits Cratloe against Inagh/Kilnamona.
The Combo are led by one of their own in the form of double All Ireland winner Fergal Hegarty.
Their opponents will be hoping they can reach a first final since they last won the title in 2014.
Manager of Cratloe is Alan Neville
There’s a double header in O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge where the first game sees O’Callaghans Mills go up against St Josephs Doora Barefield.
The Parish are led once more by club and county hero Seanie McMahon
The second game in O’Garney Park pits two of last years beaten quarter finalists head to head as Eire Óg go up against Tulla.
Tulla are managed by Michael Murphy, who was the man that last captained them to the Canon in 2007.
Meanwhile the Townies will be hoping to see big performances from county stars Shane O’Donnell and David Reidy as they begin their bid for a first county hurling final appearance since 2000.
Manager is Tommy Corbett
The 2016 Clare and Munster senior hurling champions will begin their bid to reclaim those titles this weekend.
Ballyea bowed out of last years championship at the quarter final stage against Newmarket, and will take on Whitegate on Saturday in the 2018 opener.
Kevin Sheehan manned the goals during that run to Croke Park and is now on the sideline calling the shots for Ballyea.
Whitegate will looking to cause another shock after they took the scalp of Cratloe in last years opening round.
Manager for 2018 is Eric Minogue
There’a a repeat of last years relegation semi final in store as Clarecastle take on Crusheen.
Maggies boss Pat Healy says they don’t want to go through that experience again.
Crusheen are also hoping to avoid the relegation battle this time around.
James Carrig makes the switch from Wolfe Tones to Crusheen as manager in 2018.
Last years beaten finalists Clooney/Quin will be hoping to go one better in 2018
They get underway with a clash against Wolfe Tones.
Clooney/Quin manager is Dave Barry
Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch was joined by Eoin Brennan of the Clare People to preview all this weekend’s action
2018 Clare SHC Opening Round Fixtures
Cusack Park
1.45pm: Cratloe v Inagh Kilnamona
3.30pm: Newmarket v Kilmaley
5.15pm: Sixmilebridge v Clonlara
Sixmilebridge
2.00pm: O’Callaghans Mills v St Josephs
3.45pm: Tulla v Eire Óg
Tulla
2.00pm: Whitegate v Ballyea
Newmarket
5.30pm: Wolfe Tones v Clooney/Quin
Gurteen
5.45pm: Clarecastle v Crusheen
2018 Clare IHC Opening Round Fixtures
SATURDAY
Eire Óg: Ruan v Tubber @ 3.30pm
Clonlara: Parteen v Broadford @ 5.45pm
Whitegate: Killanena v Bodyke @ 5.45pm
Meelick: Cratloe v Smith O’Briens @ 5.45pm
Clareabbey: Corofin v Newmarket @ 6pm
SUNDAY
Tulla: Inagh/Kilnamona v Scariff @ 12pm
Broadford: Feakle v Clonlara @ 12pm
Newmarket: Clarecastle v Sixmilebridge @ 12pm
