The final eight of this year’s Clare SHC were completed as holders Feakle and Inagh-Kilnamona joined Clonlara, Clooney-Quin, Éire Óg, Kilmaley, Sixmilebridge and Ballyea in Monday’s draw.
Ironically, Feakle’s first reverse in eight matches managed to still confirm their return to the business end as they edged Wolfe Tones on score difference by a mere six points.
Ger Conway’s side, despite being four clear by the break and even having a numerical advantage for the majority of the second period, would be floored by second half goals from Éire Óg’s Marco Cleary, and Danny Russell (2) as the Ennis side completed a perfect group campaign with a 3-16 to 1-18 win.
Meanwhile in Sixmilebridge, the other Group 3 tie looked to be just a straight relegation avoidance derby as a wind-assisted Newmarket-on-Fergus reeled in a five-point half-time deficit to edge two in front entering the final ten minutes, 0-16 to 0-14.
However, intermediate champions Wolfe Tones somehow saved their best for last as led by 2013 All-Ireland winner Aaron Cunningham, the Shannon side finished with the last eight points to draw level on points with Feakle and nudge the Blues into the demotion series alongside St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, Scariff and Corofin.
Trailing Group 2 winners Clooney-Quin by nine points by the 50th minute, Corofin somehow secured their first point since returning to senior twelve months ago as inspired by a Diarmuid Cahill goal, they outscored their opponents by 1-7 to 0-1 for the remainder to share the spoils, 0-21 to 1-18.
It left a straight shoot-out for the other qualification spot between Inagh-Kilnamona and Broadford, with the sides still level entering the final ten minutes. For the second successive season though, Inagh-Kilnamona were just able to find that extra gear when needed most as substitutes Conner Hegarty (4) and Kealan Guyler (3) combined for an impressive seven points.
Eight unanswered points put last year’s semi-finalists into an unassailable position that would be tested by an injury-time 20 metre free from Niall O’Farrell which managed to find the net for a consolation goal for Broadford.
Diarmuid Moloney and David Fitzgerald had previously traded first half goals as Broadford took a three-point edge into the break, but the impact of Conner Hegarty and Kealan Guyler were essential ingredients in garnering back-to-back business end appearances for Tomas Kelly’s side.