After the county team's exit from the Munster SHC last Sunday, the attention switches to the start of the Clare SHC this weekend.

The big question on everyone's lips is: can Crusheen make it a three in-a-row of Canon Hamilton Cup successes? The champions open their campaign against Broadford at Cusack Park tonight, but could be without Gerry O'Grady and Pat Vaughan, who are both injury doubts.

Crusheen manager Michael Browne insists he isn't looking beyond tonight's game.

"It (the three-in-a-row) is the further thought on my mind at this stage. We are under pressure for the first game, the result of which will dictate our summer," he said in the Clare Champion.

"If we win, we will be in a good position, but if we lose, the pressure is on and it will give Tulla and Newmarket (the other teams in the group) a great boost."

All the other SHC first round games will take place tomorrow. There is a double-header in Cusack Park which sees Kilmaley taking on Clarecastle and Sixmilebridge meeting Cratloe. In Clarecastle, Clooney-Quin face Inagh-Kilnamona, while Sixmilebridge hosts the games between Clonlara and St. Joseph's, and O'Callaghan Mills and Ballyea.

There is another double-header in Tulla which sees Whitegate in opposition to Eire Og and Wolfe Tones against Scariff, while Tubber and Smith O'Brien's lock horns in Shannon.