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The deadline for Club Clare membership for 2023 approaches this week, safe in the knowledge that no stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of making Clare a hurling and camogie force once more. With the players guided by their management teams and the county board backing the teams, Club Clare’s direct financial support from its members essentially provide those crucial extra elements that have helped transform the hurling landscape over the past few years. The fundamentals of the game haven’t altered but the unprecedented levels of preparation and meticulous attention to detail on and off the field require a whole suite of supplementary resources that are now considered almost a prerequisite. The additional essential ingredients of nutrition, sports psychology, advancements in Strength and Conditioning, video analysis and recovery ensure that playing at inter-county level is now a lifestyle and not just a hobby. As Clare Senior Manager Brian Lohan admitted himself when launching the current Club Clare set-up …

When Brian Lohan’s men take to the hallowed turf at the GAA headquarters on Sunday, this will be only the third time in six years for the majority of this squad of players. Standing in their way of a first All-Ireland final appearance in a decade, a familiar foe in Kilkenny. This weekend’s opponents dismantled Clare’s dreams of reaching the 2022 decider after a humbling 2-26 to 0-20 loss at the hands of a then Brian Cody led Kilkenny side. However, time has now passed, old wounds have healed and it’s been little over a year and redemption is on the cards for the banner side. Clare fans who are expected to travel in their thousands to the capital will be hoping for an improvement this time round if they’re to see their team reach the 2023 All-Ireland final. David Fitzgerald, who lined out at wing forward for the banner in that defeat, is optimistic that Clare can come out …

Clare and Kilkenny have clashed at the All-Ireland semi-final stage on four occasions, with the Banner County’s only victory coming at the first time of asking writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh. 10 August 1997 Clare 1-17 Kilkenny 1-13 At Croke Park This was the first championship clash between Clare and Kilkenny in 65 years since they’d crossed sticks in the 1932 All-Ireland final. That final in ’32 was a case of what might have been for Clare as they were left to rue a late missed goal chance by Tull Considine. There were no regrets here though as Clare ruthlessly showed how hurling was singing to their tune as they eased to a four-point victory that was much more comfortable than the margin suggests. And it showed what a difference two years can make — when these two played in the 1995 National League final it was Clare that cut forlorn figures on the field afterwards on the back of a …

Clare Senior Hurling Manager Brian Lohan is relishing a return to Croke Park for only the second time since 2013. He spoke with Ivan Smyth about lessons learned from last year’s trip to GAA HQ. The similarities are obvious. Akin to 2022, Clare face in to an All Ireland semi final against Kilkenny after bouncing back from a Munster final defeat to Limerick. Facing off against the third placed team in Leinster in an All-Ireland quarter-final adds to the sense of déjà vu so far in this year’s journey to GAA HQ. The semi final showdown last year was only Clare’s second appearance in Croke Park since the 2013 All-Ireland final. There is a greater sense of cautious optimism among the Clare hurling fraternity with manager Brian Lohan expressing his view that the squad have gained valuable insights from last year’s journey. “I think we are in a different place to last year. We invested a lot of energy in …

U-15B Hurling final Tulla 1-12 Crusheen/Tubber 1-5 A spirited showing by Crusheen/Tubber troubled but ultimately did not upset Tulla as they held on with a dominant second half showing to ensure a Feile and county championship double to bookend their hurling season, writes Michael O’Connor. Late October weather and a bad version of same greeted both teams onto the hallowed surface of Cusack Park on Thursday evening for this renewal of the Under 15B championship, Tulla who were the unbackable favourites for this title since the turn of the year took on the side they dispatched with ease in the Feile B final in Caherlohan in mid Spring. Due to the conditions and the A final at 745 this game started five minutes earlier in a wise move by referee Robert Harte. The game was on 10 seconds and Cathal McNamara who is tremendous dual player having led St Breckans to 15B football glory blasted past Patrick Murphy after a …

Under 15A Hurling Championship Final Sixmilebridge 2-11 Ballyea 1-8 A powerful finish ensured that Sixmilebridge maintained their current superiority to garner the Under 15A Hurling honours in Cusack Park on Thursday evening, writes Eoin Brennan. The defending Under 14A champions were full value for their latest victory too, having led for the final three-quarters of the tie before finally seeing off a resilient Ballyea with a clinching last gasp goal through substitute Conor Gleeson. Amidst incessant rain, a low-scoring final duel sparked into life entering the final minutes when a Sixmilebridge counter-attack yielded the opening goal as Dylan McInerney centred to Stephen Gavin to shake off the defensive cover and fire to the net at 1-10 to 0-8. True to form, Ballyea refused to panic but a potential lifeline would be dashed four minutes later when a Dara Kennedy penalty, earned by his midfield partner Evan Cleary, was superbly tipped away by goalkeeper Conor Keogh at his right hand post. …

Well, wouldn’t you think after last week’s shenanigans that I’d get a long rest before taking off again, but no. I barely got two days at Pat’s, my dog-minder, while the two were away in London throwing knickers at Tom Jones, before it was all systems go again. Don’t they know I’m a mature lady who needs her rest? This time, it wasn’t a long drive as we headed north to one of my favourite places, The Twelve Hotel in Barna. They don’t have a resident dog but there’s always a lovely variety of doggos to chat to. I really enjoy my time there. I was using my bone allowance to treat himself for Father’s Day. He really does a good job as a doggy-daddy so he deserves it. Unfortunately, after the weekend my bone account is fairly empty so maybe we need a campaign to get me an increase. A girl has to keep up her standards after all. …

FORMER Clare TD and Government Minister Brendan Daly has died, at the age of 83. Mr Daly was a Fianna Fáil TD for Clare from 1973 to 1992, and from 1997 to 2002. He was also a Senator for a number of years. Mr Daly served as a Government minister in portoflios including Social Welfare, Defence, the Marine and Tourism, Fisheries & Forestry. He was also a Junior Minister on several occasions. On social media this morning Clare TD Cathal Crowe wrote, “Very saddened to hear of the passing of Brendan Daly. Brendan was a very good friend of mine and a valued political mentor for many years. Brendan gave years of stellar service to county, country and the Fianna Fáil party. Brendan was a very proud Cooraclare man throughout his life. “Brendan was a beloved son of the Banner but this morning, as we learn of his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with those closest to him – …