THE Athletics Association of Ireland National Track and Field Championships were held over two days in Santry Stadium. A host of Irish stars took part and looked for big performances before the Olympic Games in London in August.David Tierney from Ennistymon and Leevale AC won the 56lbs for height and Rachel Akers (Marian) won a silver medal in the hammer.Cara Kennedy (Ferrybank) produced some fine throwing to take this national title with a throw of 56.22m with Rachel Akers throwing 52.37m to take a silver medal.Timothy Crowe (Sixmilebridge and Dooneen AC) in the 400 hurdles finished fourth with a time of 53:91.Brian McGinley (Ennis Track) finished 10th in the 5,000m with Brian Murphy (Ennis Track) finishing 14th in the 10,000m.In the 56lbs for height, David Tierney who hails from Ennistymon and competes with Leevale AC, captured the gold medal with a throw of 4.56m. Micheal O’Brien (Tulla) had some fine throws to finish fourth in 3.65m. ResultsSenior ladiesHammer1. Cara Kennedy …

THE Coillte 10k road race, organised by Dundrum Athletic Club, was held in damp weather conditions with over 300 competitors going to the start. There was a big representation of Clare athletes and from the start, Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) set the pace, going through the first mile in 5:10. He had the big field well strung out with Danny Smith (Ballynonty), Kevin Moore (Dundrum), Damian Landers (St John’s) and Shane Mullally (Thurles Crokes) all working hard to stay with the leader. At the 5k mark in 15:25, he had a minute on Danny Smith with Damian Landers in third spot and Kevin Moore starting to drift off the pace.Shannon was always in control up front and finished in a time of 31:54 with two minutes on Danny Smith. In the masters’ ladies’ O-35, Loretto Duggan (St Mary’s) came home in second spot with Siobhán Lennon taking the O-40s and Aishling Power (Ennis Track) finishing second. ResultsSenior ladies1. Siobhán O’Doherty (Borrisokane) …

A BUST of the inimitable Willie Clancy was presented to Oidhreacht An Chláir at its centre in Miltown Malbay on Wednesday afternoon.

The captain’s (Declan O’Donovan) prize will be played for at Kilrush this weekend. Members will play an 18-hole qualifying stroke competition on Saturday with the play off set for Sunday evening at 4.30pm.On Sunday, the captain’s plate and the captain’s prize to the ladies will be played for.A busy weekend of competition kicks off on Friday evening with the captain’s mixed. The draw for partners will be made at 6.15pm.The Rush Cups mixed competition took place last Friday and the winners were Tom Coffey and Maeve Murphy from Ollie and Marty McNamara with Sean and Freda Moran in third spot. Declan O’Donovan and Ailish Lorrigan won the gross.On Sunday last the Flanagan Aluminium open singles was won by Barry McMahon (17) with 38 points from Michael O’Reilly (10) with 37 and Finbarr McMahon (15) with 37. Tony McMahon had a hole in one at the par three fourth on Sunday.The winner of the open singles on Sunday week last was …

HAVING charged passengers for the use of wheelchairs and mused publicly about the potential of raising money through charging passengers for the use of toilets, Ryanair doesn’t have a reputation for worrying about anything other than the bottom line.

MAYOR of Clare Councillor Pat Daly has laid down a marker for his council colleagues in a bid to deal with official business more efficiently at monthly meetings.

IN this third-round U-16 Championship game played in Clonlara on Sunday morning, Wolfe Tones collected their first points in the competition in a high-scoring and hugely entertaining match. At the half-time whistle, Tones led 4-7 to 2-6 after playing with a slight cross-field breeze. Three goals from full-forward Aaron Shanagher, one from a 20m free and an excellent individual effort from Brian Monaghan gave the Tones the upper hand. Clonlara replied with two superb efforts by the excellent Ian Galvin. On the turnover, both sides traded score for score and with 15 minutes left, the Tones led by nine points after Aaron Shanagher scored from a 20m free, adding their fifth goal of the afternoon. At this juncture, it looked like they would run out easy winners but the hosts staged a tremendous fightback netting three times in the second half. Wolfe Tones hung on for dear life and they were very relieved to hear the full-time whistle. For Clonlara, …

CLARE County Council is introducing the use of stationary and mobile CCTV surveillance at the county’s 53 bring banks in an effort to curb the misuse of the facilities.