Group 1

Wolfe Tones v Tulla
Few would have predicted that the county champions of the last two years would be struggling to qualify for the latter stages but that is the reality for Wolfe Tones and Tulla who clash in this must win game.
Both were victims of the emerging force that is Inagh/Kilnamona, who only need one more win from their last two games to secure a quarter-final spot and with rivals Newmarket having three remaining ties, a victory here is a necessity for both sides.Tulla are the form side however, off the back of seven straight victories that has catapulted them into a Clare Cup semi-final and got their championship defence back on track after beating Ballyea on Sunday with only 13 men.

Wolfe Tones need a reaction after a hapless display against the Combo on Saturday in which they took 43 minutes to register their first score. Their experience suggests that they will improve but it won't be enough to topple Tulla's charge for a second successive quarter-final.

Verdict: Tulla


Group 2

St Joseph's Doora/Barefield v Cratloe
This group is now wide open after St Joseph's surprise victory over favourites Sixmilebridge on Friday evening.
As a result, Cratloe, St Joseph's, Sixmilebridge and Corofin are all level on two points but with Sixmilebridge expected to overcome bottom side Tubber this weekend, a win for either side here could be significant in the race for qualification.
Cratloe had too much for Tubber first time out but that was 11 weeks ago and in the interim, the east Clare side fell away in their pursuit of a place in the penultimate stage of the Clare Cup after an impressive start.
St Joseph's league campaign was forgettable and included a nine point trimming by Friday's opponents but as they proved last weekend, championship is a completely different prospect. It has been suggested that Cratloe have peaked too early but two more points will silence those whispers.

Verdict: Cratloe


Sixmilebridge v Tubber
The only way to answer an inexcusably poor performance is to get right back on the horse and fortunately for Sixmilebridge, they have only had to wait a week to vanquish their demons. Out-hurled, out-fought and out-thought by Doora/Barefield last Friday, they were knocked off their pedestal as group favourites and now need to scrap for every point if they are to qualify for the latter stages.
Tubber demonstrated against Corofin on Sunday that they are not about to let their groups rivals walk all over them and will relish the chance to pour more misery on the Bridge. There are question marks over their defence who appeared porous at times and dealing with the double threat of Niall Gilligan and Caimin Morey will be priority but they will want to restore some pride.
It's difficult to look past the Bridge though who are sure to provide a backlash here and it should be enough to get them back on track.

Verdict: Sixmilebridge


Group 3

O'Callaghan's Mills v Clooney-Quin
While leaders Kilmaley enjoy a  break this weekend, the rest of their rivals battle it out to determine who will emerge as their biggest challengers. O'Callaghan's Mills, Clooney-Quin and Clarecastle are all in with a realistic shot of qualification but while the Mills and the Magpies cannot afford any more mistakes, Clooney-Quin are still unbeaten, albeit that they have only played one game against strugglers Eire Og at the beginning of June.
The Mills, however, pushed Clarecastle all the way last time out and only for some wayward shooting, they could have knocked the Magpies out of the championship. The solidity of their defence is their platform and if John Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, Alan Duggan and Brian Donnellan can muster up some much needed scores, they could unsettle Clooney-Quin's confidence.
Clooney-Quin still depend on Fergal Lynch to a large extent to provide their inspiration and if the Mills can cancel out his threat, it should go a long way in picking up their first two points of the championship.

Verdict: O'Callaghan's Mills

Clarecastle v Eire Og
Eire Og may be struggling but regardless of their form, they have always been able to raise their game against the Magpies and as a result this local derby is more significant than most. Add in the weather, the fact that Clarecastle are currently suffering from an injury crisis in their forward line and require a win to maintain their chances of qualification and all the ingredients point towards a gritty battle of attrition.
Jonathon Clancy, Seanie Moloney, Darragh Moloney, Tyrone Kierse and Sean Talty are all on the treatment table for the Magpies, who had to introduce recognised backs to re-enforce their forward line against the Mills. Clancy and Moloney appear to be definitely out but Clarecastle will hope that the others can recover sufficiently to play some part this weekend.
Danny Russell came on and scored five points from play in their Clare Cup meeting earlier this year but they will need others to supplement his threat. Family ties are also on hold this weekend, no more so than brothers-in-law John Russell and Tommy Howard who are facing each other on the line but on experience alone, the Magpies should prevail.

Verdict: Clarecastle

Group 4

Crusheen v Clonlara
Game of the week if only because a victory for either side would ensure advancement to the latter stages. Both sides have a perfect record after two matches but while Clonlara eased past Ogonnelloe and Smith O'Briens, Crusheen struggled to replicate the form of last year against Scariff last time out and will require a massive improvement if they are to maintain their championship record of only one defeat in nine championship games and that against Tulla in last year's county final.
Clonlara also require a real test of their senior development and Crusheen will certainly provide that this weekend as one of the favourites for the Canon Hamilton. The loss of the O'Donovan twins didn't seem to restrict Clonlara in their local derby against Smith O'Briens on Saturday but without a big squad, they cannot afford to carry any passengers against Crusheen.
The senior county experience of Gerry O'Grady and Pat Vaughan have been crucial to Crusheen's challenge in recent years and with a slight reshuffling of their pack, they should have too much for Clonlara on this occasion.

Verdict: Crusheen

Scariff v Ogonnelloe

Despite defeat, Scariff's performance against Crusheen last weekend suggests that they have recovered sufficiently from their Clare Cup slump and appear the biggest threat to Crusheen and Clonlara's seemingly comfortable progression from the group. They cannot afford another loss though and beating their neighbours this weekend could spark their much needed revival at senior level.
Ogonnelloe have had almost three months to dwell on their disappointing collapse against Clonlara in round one and are sure to emerge with renewed determination but their record in the senior championship over the last year doesn't make for healthy reading and indeed, Scariff had four points to spare in their round one meeting fourteen months ago. With the inclement weather set to continue, this could be a real scrappy battle but form is in Scariff's favour and if they can iron out their shooting problems this week, they should steal all the points.

Verdict: Scariff

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