The quarter final line up for this years Clare senior hurling championship is all but complete with a round to spare.
The battle to avoid the drop has also become clearer after this weekends games.
Sixmilebridge secured top spot in Group One, with a 3-26 to 0-20 win over Whitegate.
Newmarket are all but assured of the second qualification spot after their win over Clonlara, with only a huge win for Feakle over bottom side Whitegate being enough to deny the Blues progression on scoring difference.
Whitegate are destined for the relegation battle, while Clonlara’s race is run for 2022.
In Group 2, Cratloe secured top spot with one of the performances of the weekend as they beat champions Ballyea by 2-21 to 0-14.
The champions are still safely through but will now face a group winner in the quarter final draw.
At the other end of the table, Broadford’s loss to a late O’Callaghan’s Mills goal sees them now preparing for a winner takes all showdown with Clarecastle in two weeks time to avoid the relegation battle.
Group Three sees Clooney-Quin as group winners, despite their defeat to Eire Og.
The Townies also advance to the last eight
Clare Cup champions Kilmaley are out of the race for the Canon, with their win over Scariff consigning the East Clare men to the relegation playoffs. The win wasn’t enough to see Kilmlaey through, as they finished third in the standings on scoring difference.
Last years runners up Inagh-Kilnamona are the seeded team in Group Four, as another inspired showing from Aidan McCarthy saw them overcome Wolfe Tones, with the Shannon side qualifying in second spot.
Elsewhere in that group, last year’s intermediate champions Smith O’Brien’s are battling for survival, as their loss to Crusheen sees them finish bottom of the standings and into the relegation playoffs.
You can hear reaction from this weekend’s action below
Meanwhile in the intermediate championship,
Tubber and St Joseph’s are safely through to the last eight along with Parteen, Sixmilebridge, Corofin, Ogonnelloe and Tulla.
The last spot will be filled when the final round of group games are held in two weeks time.