O’Callaghan’s Mills will be bidding to go one better than last year when they get their 2021 Clare senior hurling championship campaign underway this weekend.
The East Clare side bridged a 27 year gap to reach last years decider but were denied the Canon Hamilton by Sixmilebridge.
This year’s opener sees them taking on a familiar opponent as they cross swords with Clonlara for the second time in three years.
Manager Donach O’Donnell says last years experience is something that will stand to his squad
Meanwhile one of the stand out ties of the opening round sees neighbours Inagh-Kilnamona and Kilmaley clash in a repeat of the 2019 Clare Cup final.
Both sides reached the quarter finals of last years championship, with the Combo losing out to O’Callaghan’s Mills while Ballyea ended Kilmaley’s season.
Inagh-Kilnamona manager Eugene Cullinan says his side have had a good preparation for this years championship during their Clare Cup campaign.
Elsewhere a highly competitive Group Three sees Ballyea, Broadford, Crusheen and Cratloe battling for spots in the quarter finals.
Crusheen and Cratloe meet in the opening round, in what is a repeat of the 2014 final.
Crusheen are now managed by Ballyea Munster club winner Kevin Sheehan, who says championship week always brings an added bite to preparations.
