Clare Board may have to change format

Clare County Board may change their club championship format mid-campaign to alleviate mounting pressure on fixtures in the wake of Sunday’s drawn All-Ireland SHC final.

The county’s run to the senior and U21 finals has come at a price. Only one round of club championship games have taken place, back on May 18/19. With the All-Ireland hurling final replay now set to postpone club action until early October, PRO Sean O’Halloran revealed they will be hard pushed to run-off the five remaining rounds in time for the provincial semi-final on November 10.

“We are going to be under pressure to get out a county champion by the time the Munster championship swings around unless we play games midweek under lights, but clubs would have to agree to that,” he said.

“If you were to play games Sunday after Sunday it would be very had to see it concluded by the start of the Munster championship.

“To change the format this year to speed it up would take a two-thirds majority at a county board meeting. I am not saying it wouldn’t happen. I’d say everything will be open, every angle looked at, because we are in an unique situation and the club championship will have to be looked at.

The county football championship has also been delayed by the exploits of the hurlers with Cratloe’s second round clash against Clondegad, scheduled for Sunday unlikely to go ahead.

“Podge Collins and Cathal McInerney are on the Cratloe football team, while Tony Kelly plays for Clondegad.

Meanwhile, this weekend’s club championship programme in Cork is unlikely to be affected. The clubs of Cork panel members Darren McCarthy and Michael O’Sullivan, Ballymartle and Tracton, are in action against Blackrock and Youghal and these games will go ahead.

The IFC game between Kanturk and Glanmire — involving Anthony Nash, Lorcán McLoughlin and Michael Cussen — has been postponed.

On Sunday, the county SFC semi-final between Bishopstown and Nemo Rangers is due to take place. Cork captain Pa Cronin has not lined out for Bishopstown footballers this year and the game is likely to go ahead.

“At present, the Ballymartle and Tracton games are the only two involving squad members which are confirmed,” said Cork PRO Tracey Kennedy. “The county CCC will meet tonight , but I would expect the other matches featuring Cork players to be put back.”

Also on September 28, Munster take on Dragons in a RaboDirect Pro12 game at Musgrave Park, with a 6.45pm start. Munster have confirmed this slot is unlikely to change.