Offaly, Wicklow and Tipperary football club series continue on road to Croker as Clare’s begins in style

The dream is alive

In a dual county there is little time to breathe and so for Cratloe the long autumn, and possibly winter, stretches out in front of them after an opening round win in the Clare senior club football championship. Looking to secure 'Jack Daly' for the third time in a row, the dual outfit secured an impressive 4-9 to 2-9 win over former All-Ireland club finalists Kilmurray Ibrickane. The west Clare side led by 0-7 to 0-1 at the break in Lissycasey before Cratloe made the most of two red cards for the 'Bricks as a late John Galvin goal saw them safely through to the next round, with the former Munster champions headed for the back door. Ennis outfit Eire Óg were surprised by north Clare's Ennistymon on Saturday when they lost out by 3-6 to 0-13, while Gary Brennan, the Clare senior captain, failed to line out for Clondegad in their 2-11 to 1-7 win over Shannon Gaels. The most dramatic game of the weekend was the clash of St Breckan's and Lissycasey, with extra time required to separate the teams and the Saints eventually winning by 1-14 to 0-16. Also in round one, Cooraclare beat Wolfe Tones by 1-11 to 1-10, while Kilrush eased past St Joseph Doorabarefield 3-9 to 1-7 and will be joined in the second round proper by O Curry's, who had too much for St Senan's of Kilkee in a 2-8 to 0-5 win. The Tipperary senior championship saw Aherlow Gaels find enough to beat Ballyporeen by 1-15 to 0-8, while in the game of the weekend Moyle Rovers squeezed past Drom and Inch by two points in a 0-12 to 0-10 contest. In group one, Eire Og Anacarty/Donohill beat Thomas McDonogh's by 4-13 to 0-2. In Carlow, Rathvilly's senior football defence continued with an impressive 2-14 to 0-6 win over Kildavin Clonegal in Netwatch Cullen Park. Elsewhere, Eire Og sent out a serious signal of intent with a 1-20 to 2-10 win over Palatine, Mt Leinster Rangers got to grips with the big ball game in their clash with Tinryland as they eased past the challenge with a 2-10 to 1-9 win while Old Leighlin issued a warning that they haven't gone anywhere with a 3-14 to 0-5 demolition of Ballinabranna. Last year's beaten Leinster club finalists Rhode are out in front of the competition in Offaly after another impressive win in round three of the senior championship. Their third win came against a limited St Brigids side who scored just 1-3 compared to the champions' tally of 0-17. Clara beat Ferbane by 2-14 to 0-9 while Edenderry enjoyed a handsome 0-17 to 1-2 win over St Rynagh's. In Wicklow, Bray Emmets got the better of Coolkenno by 0-16 to 0-7, while Avondale secured a 0-13 to 0-12 win over Newtown. Elsewhere, champions Rathnew had a terrible outing as they slumped to a massive 1-10 to 0-4 loss to St Patrick's in Aughrim and Annacurra got the better of Kiltegan by 1-4 to 0-6. Baltinglass beat Eire Og by 1-15 to 0-11 and Blessington beat Hollywood by 3-11 to 0-10 to complete the weekend's action. Switching codes and in the Kerry senior hurling championship Lixnaw made it two from two with a 2-17 to 0-16 win over rivals Causeway on Saturday. Level at half-time, a Mikey Conway goal after 35 minutes helped the champions move through the gears and book their place in the last four. On Sunday, Kilmoyley overcame Crotta O'Neills by 1-12 to 0-10 after extra time as Daniel Collins hit 1-11 of his side's total. Elsewhere, there was slightly less drama, and quality, in the meeting of St Brendan's and Ballyheigue as John Egan's last-gasp point helped Brendan's to a 0-10 to 0-9 win.

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