THE founder of an animal rescue organisation in Ennis has described the number of dogs being put to sleep at the Clare pound as “worrying”. In the first four months of this year, 64 dogs were euthanised at the pound, a figure which Deirdre Ryan of Rover Rescue believes is far too many. Figures show the equivalent of a dog a day being surrendered to the pound in the first four months of this year, with Ms Ryan saying more needs to be done to ensure dogs brought to the pound find new homes. And she says that people who surrender their dogs need to be more aware that there is a possibility that the animal may be put to sleep. Statistics released to The Clare Champion by Clare County Council show that the number of animals being euthanised at the pound has dropped steadily in recent years. From January to April of this year, a total of 64 dogs …

Newmarket Celtic A 2 Avenue United B 0 In a year in which they contested the concluding stages of the Munster junior cup, the FAI junior cup and the Munster champions cup, its fitting that Newmarket Celtic should make Clare soccer history. At a sun splashed Clare soccer county grounds at Doora this Saturday evening, they won the Clare cup for a record fifth year in succession, a result that sees them extend their lead at the top of the roll of honour. Eoin Hayes scored both goals for the winners and was later named as the man of the match. The first came just after the mid point when Hayes was adjudged to have been fouled in the area after winning possession from a Stephen Kelly delivery and referee Pa Gleeson had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Brian Callinan picked up a yellow card for the foul and Hayes drilled the ball low to the corner …

Clare’s chances of beating Waterford in tomorrow’s Munster senior hurling semi-final have received a huge boost with the news that both John Conlon and Oisin O’Brien have recovered from injury and are named in the starting line up. The return of the Clonlara clubmen are the only changes from the side which started the league final replay against the same opposition. They replace Jack Browne and Aaron Cunningham. There is further good news for Clare fans as David McInerney has been included in the match day panel which, it is understood, also includes Aaron Cunningham. McInerney hasn’t hurled since helping Clare overcome Limerick in the final group game in division 1B of the league while Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury when helping his club Wolfe Tones to victory over Newmarket in the opening round of the Clare senior hurling championship. The team is Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona): Oisín O’Brien (Clonlara), Cian Dillon (Crusheen), Conor Cleary (Miltown St Josephs); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), …

WINNING a championship game should never be derided, yet a worrying trend is developing as far as the Clare footballers are concerned. Sunday’s three-point win over Limerick, who haven’t won a game for 14 months, was the fourth successive championship game in which Clare failed to play anywhere close to their optimum level. Last year, they beat Limerick by two points in Cusack Park, before losing to Cork (1-20 to 1-8) in Pairc Uí Rinn in the Munster semi-final. They exited the All-Ireland qualifiers in their next game, losing 2-12 to 1-12 at home to Longford on July 4. In contrast, they played some excellent championship football in 2014, albeit losing to eventual All-Ireland champions Kerry in Ennis and to Kildare in the All-Ireland qualifiers. However, Clare did play five championship games that year, including a draw against Waterford, before winning the replay in Dungarvan. Their second championship win that year was away to Carlow in Dr Cullen Park. Based …

A man has been airlifted to hospital after he fell from a 25 metre cliff near Lahinch this morning (Saturday). The alarm was raised at around 5am when the man in his 20s is understood to have lost his footing and fell. He was pulled ashore within minutes by one of the group he was with. The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard along with an ambulance were alerted and rushed to the scene. The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter was requested to airlift the injured man to hospital. He inched from the base of the cliff onto the helicopter and flown to Galway University Hospital.

“I am the greatest.”  One of the most famous catchphrases in the sporting world will be heard no more. Muhammad Ali, three times world heavywight boxing champion, peace activist and freeman of Ennis has died at the age of 74. On September 1, 2009, Ennis came to a standstill, as crowds lined the strteet to watch Ali travel in a cavalcade to The Turnpike, birthplace of his great grandfather, Abe Grady, who left for the US in the 1860s. He was accompanied by his wife, Yolanda ‘Lonnie’ and other family members. He surprised his wellwishers when he alighted from a people carrier to unveil a plaque at his ancestor’s house. As crowds cheered ‘Ali, Ali’, he turned and – in his true showman style – took a boxing stance and thre a punch. Muhammad Ali then travelled to Waterparkhouse where he was afforded a civic reception and granted the freedom of Ennis. It was truly one of the great days in the history of Ennis. Leading the tributes in Ireland to the colourful character, President Michael D Higgins said, “Many will remember the wit, grace and beauty he brought to boxing and some will recall his visits to Ireland. …

Clooney-Quin 2-15 Sixmilebridge 2-6 History was made at Cusack Park this Friday evening when Clooney-Quin won the under 14 A Clare hurling championship for the first time, beating a fancied Sixmilebridge team in the process. On their way to winning the Clare feile na nGael title two weeks ago, Sixmilebridge had pipped Clooney-Quin and they went into this evening’s final carrying the favourites tag. Clooney-Quin took control from the start and raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead before Sixmilebridge opened their account. The winners, however, dictated matters and led 0-8 to 0-1 with just nine minutes played. Sixmilebridge received a great boost in the twentieth minute when David Kennedy struck for a goal but within a minute Clooney-Quin had replied with a like score from their full forward Shane Harrisson and they went on to lead by nine points at half time when the score was 1-10 to 1-1. The winners had the first score of the second half …

Clare County Council is urging visitors to Clare’s beaches this June Bank Holiday Weekend to take responsibility for their rubbish by bringing it home with them. The Council has employed additional resources to deal with the increase in litter that has resulted from the rise in visitor numbers to beaches such as Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point. The local authority says it is also installing additional refuse facilities at Clare’s Blue Flags in an effort to minimise littering while litter wardens have been deployed to monitor littering activity. “Our beach is a fantastic resource for the wider community and it’s up to us all to ensure that we take home what we bring to the beach”, said Cyril Feeney, area engineer with with th council. He added, “The council wishes to acknowledge those who have used the public bins to dispose of their litter. These bins are emptied regularly each day but often reach their capacity due to the unprecedented …