THE DEFENDING CLARE Senior Hurling Championship winners have suffered an early setback as Cratloe were narrowly beaten by Ballyea in the first round this afternoon.
Last year’s Munster club finalists fell to a two-point defeat at Cusack Park but the early withdrawal of Podge Collins will be of more concern.
The corner-forward was forced off after just 15 minutes with a leg injury and could yet be a doubt for Clare’s Munster Football Championship semi-final against Cork in a fortnight’s time.
Cratloe will now proceed to the loser’s draw as nine points from Tony Kelly ensured Ballyea a safe passage through.
Also at Cusack Park, 11-time winners Sixmilebridge got their campaign off to a winning start as they comfortably defeated Éire Óg. Shane Golden scored twice in a 2-19 to 1-10 win.
Elsewhere, Colin Ryan’s late goal saw Newmarket-on-Fergus prevail over newly-promoted Feakle while Kilmaley made light work of Whitegate at O’Garney Park.
Crusheen were the first side to book their place in the winner’s round with a convincing win over Inagh-Kilnamona on Friday night but Clonlara and Clarecastle will have to do it all again after drawing 1-25 to 2-22.
There are two more fixtures on Sunday with O’Callaghan Mills facing Tubber and Tulla playing Clooney-Quin.
Clare Senior Hurling Championship first round results:
- Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-13 Feakle 1-13
- Kilmaley 1-22 Whitegate 1-10
- Sixmilebridge 2-19 Éire Óg Ennis 1-10
- Ballyea 0-13 Cratloe 0-11
- Clonlara 1-25 Clarecastle 2-22 (ET)
- Crusheen 3-18 Inagh-Kilnamona 0-15
