Yes, yes and yes.
The county championships have been delivering already. Like we can always count on them to do.
You know rubber’s really hitting the road with the county championships all over when TG4 are on board, and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Pat Fleury and co. are travelling the country this weekend.
We don’t miss a ball pucked or a score kicked all thanks to the great men and women of Teilifís na Gaeilge, and they’re heading to Clare this weekend.
They could have gone to Kilkenny, Limerick, they could have headed for Wexford, they’ve banked on Clare and it looks like a good choice.
The Clare Senior Hurling championship is an open gate this year. Ballyea are back and Tony Kelly is knocking over points like it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. Éire Óg Ennis are minus Shane O’Donnell but David Reidy is hurling out of his skin. Seadna Morey’s Sixmilebridge will be favourites again but don’t be too shocked if they’re knocked off of their perch.
So it’s no surprise that TG4 have decided on Clare for their first Sunday afternoon of club coverage this winter.
Live games
Coverage starts on TG4 at 12.45 on Sunday.
Éire Óg Ennis V Kilmaley (Clare SHC Quarter finals)
This one throws in at 1.00. Éire Óg are without the deadliest goal poacher in hurling with Shane O’Donnell flying over to Harvard on his scholarship last weekend but they still have a decent side. As mentioned above, David Reidy is buzzing around while former Banner 21 Michael Moloney is strong in defence.
Kilmaley have a very evenly balanced panel though they will go into this one as slight underdogs.
Ballyea V Inagh-Kilnamona (Clare SHC Quarter finals)
The hurling game of the weekend. Clear the couch and set the TV to 104 because the most glorious hurler in the country in Tony Kelly is on the box and he’s in full flight right now.
#GAABEO Dé Domhnaigh ar @TG4TV 📺
Cluiche Ceathrú Ceannais Iomána an Chláir (Beo)
⏰ 13:00 @KilmaleyGAA v @EireOgInisGAA
⏰ 14.45 @ballyea_club v @inagh_kilnamonaCluiche Leathcheannais Iomána Phort Láirge (Iarbheo)
⏰ 17:40 @PassageHurling v @ballygunnerHc pic.twitter.com/eW3KT0chpk— GAA BEO TG4 (@GAA_BEO) September 20, 2018
The graceful flyer has been on fire in Clare this year, most notably when he scored 1-11 from play against Cratloe recently. He’s been stretching his legs and leaving defenders for dead all over the Banner and he’s been knocking over points from miles away.
Jack Browne, spurred on by his farcical omission from the All-Star nominations will have a bee in his bonnet and he’ll be defending like his life depends on it. Then Niall Deasy and Gary Brennan will be plucking balls from the sky like they’ve jets in their boots.
And that’s only the Ballyea team.
Because Inagh-Kilnamona have a few stars of their own. David Fitzgerald must be the fittest hurler in Ireland and he’ll be striding over and all around Cusack Park on Sunday. Jason McCarthy of Ireland’s Fittest Family fame won’t be far off and we’ll have a match here.
Ballyea to do it though.
Deferred coverage
Ballygunner V Passage (Waterford SHC semi-final)
The 2016 finalists meet again. Déise kingpins Ballygunner had way too much for the men of Passage back then but like Thurles in Tipperary, after so much success, you’re just wondering if they’ll be caught out one of these days.
The unheralded Conor Power will be one to watch out for on the favourites’ 15, while Noel Connors and Killian Fitzgerald will be leading the Passage battle.
