Claremorris young guns aiming to bring Purcell title West

Mayo club Claremorris are hoping to keep Connacht’s strong start to the AIG All-Ireland Cups and Shields National Finals week going at Royal Tara Golf Club when they get their Pierce Purcell Shield title bid under way today in Meath.

Buoyed by semi-final successes in both the Barton Shield and Junior Cup yesterday for Co. Sligo and Westport respectively, as well as their own national success in the Irish Mixed Foursomes at Douglas last week, captain Ger Noone – a playing team member a week ago — will send his young side in against Leinster champions Corrstown in confident mood.

“We had a good win in Douglas and that gives us a good bit of confidence going in,” said Noone, who captained his club to Jimmy Bruen Shield success in 2011. “We’re hoping success breeds success but we’re not the most experienced team. We have a lot of young fellas but hopefully on the day things will go all right.”