Sports

Clare U-14A Hurling Final: Sixmilebridge 4-10 Inagh-Kilnamona 2-14 (AET) Sixmilebridge edged a dramatic contest with Inagh-Kilnamona on a day when both sides served up hurling of an exception standard. It was clear throughout this contest that there was little to seperate the sides with just one between them at the half-time interval. Inagh-Kilnamona looked to have stolen a march when a strong third quarter saw them open up a six point lead by the final water break but the ‘Bridge battled bravely with Eamon Breen’s goal helping to force the added period. Finn Murphy’s early goal, created by Niall Liddane, helped Sixmilebridge to lead 1-2 to 0-3 at the opening water break with Inagh-Kilnamona playing against the wind. Liddane was influential throughout and forced Inagh-Kilnamona goalkeeper Frankie Roughan into a brilliant save early in the second quarter. The sides traded points before a big moment arrived as Fred Hegarty found the net with a clever finish to put the Combo …

Patrick Hogan (O’Callaghan’s Mills Minor Club Secretary) Clare Minor B Hurling Final: O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-18 Tulla 1-6 O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke captured the U-18B title on Saturday evening by defeating Tulla on a scoreline of 0-18 to 1-6. The amalgamation started very brightly with two well taken scores by Tommy Wiley at wing forward. Seanie Doyle who was very accurate from frees, stretched the lead to 4 before Tulla had their first score through Sean Withycombe.  At the opening water break the Mills/Bodyke led by 0-5 to 0-1 . Tulla came out more energized after the break and Dan Withycombe got Tulla back to level terms with a goal. However, this would be as close as they got, as the Mills/Bodyke didn’t panic and out scored their neighbours with fine scores from Seanie Doyle and a sideline cut by Cormac Murphy to go in at half time 0-9 to 1-4 in front. Now playing with the aid of the breeze the almagamation scored …

Minor A  Inagh Kilnamona 1-13 Scariff Ogonnelloe 2-13  Scarriff Ogonnelloe made the journey Kilnamona on Wednesday last to play Inagh Kilnamona minors in the final championship game and went away with a win secured in the dying minutes of the game.    This was a hard-fought game from start to finish.  Scarriff Ogonnelloe had two points on the board before Muireann Daffy put one over for the home team just before the mid-way point of the half minute.  Scarriff Ogonnelloe responded with a converted free before the water break. Inagh Kilnamona drew level with points from Sarah Coote and Daffy.  The closing minutes of the first half saw Scarriff Ogonnelloe convert a brace of frees with Inagh Kilnamonas Aoibhinn Ryan also converting from placed ball to leave the half time score Scariff Ogonnelloe 0-6 Inagh Kilnamona 0-4.   The third quarter was a tight affair with Scarriff Ogonnelloe adding a  further five points to their tally whilst the home side added four through Ryan(3) and Cara McInerney.  There …

Michael Duggan Clarecastle native, Gearoid O’Loughlin, is a trainer going places. Having spent time honing his skills with such learned men as Jim Bolger, Martin Brassil, Enda Bolger and the Costello clan here in County Clare, the former amateur jockey is currently in-situ at Chris Jones’ Killeen Glebe Estate in County Meath. A pristine 200-acre establishment just outside Dunsghaughlin, Jones’ place combines buying and selling store horses with an ever-expanding training operation. This year, Jones, who used to have most of his string with leading trainer Gordon Elliott, has opted to keep more of his horses at home, where O’Loughlin will oversee their preparation. This arrangement allows the Clare man to keep a few of his own horses too and he was on the mark at Tramore last Thursday where his Whatsyourstatus ran out a facile winner of the Waterford Greenway Beginners’ Chase. The 17/2 shot was originally due to be ridden by Conor McNamara, but he was stood down …

A bonanza weekend of Schoolboys Soccer Cup Finals kicked off on Saturday last with the U-13 Cup Finals. The games were played in fabulous weather and in a very competitive spirit with some great talent on show. The U-13 Division One Cup went to Shannon Hibs as they recorded a 3-1 win over Tulla United in the opening game of the day, while Division Two honours went the way of Lifford AFC with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Ennistymon. The Division Three Cup went to West Clare when St Pat’s AFC got the better of Shannon Town in a dramatic game that went all the way to extra-time. It was the Kilmihil boys who struck for glory as they picked up a 2-1 win. The U-15 finals were the focus on Sunday, where Ennis Town took the top honours in Division One as they beat Burren United 2-0. Newmarket Celtic were crowned Division Two champions after beating Coole FC 1-0. …

Covid-19 restrictions mean that one of the traditional aspects of the biggest days in Clare GAA will not be present in 2020. St Patrick’s Tulla Pipe Band have been an ever present feature on county final day for the traditional pre match parade along with entertaining the crowd across the afternoon. With current restrictions limiting the number of people allowed access to the grounds for this weekend’s deciders, a spokesperson for Clare GAA has confirmed that the decision had to be taken to forego with that tradition in order to ensure as many spectators as possible were allocated tickets for the upcoming games. It means that there now be no pre-match parade before this weekend’s finals.

Derrick Lynch Sunday’s Clare ladies football final will be a hugely emotional occasion for the Harvey family as West Clare Gaels make their bid for the senior title. It will mark the first final appearance for Ciara, Shauna, Grainne and Caoimhe since their father Kieran’s passing last year, with the former chairman of Clare LGFA being an ever present figure along with his wife Mary throughout their time with their beloved club. It was Kieran who was on hand 12 months ago to present Kilmihil captain Ellie O’Gorman with the trophy after they dethroned the Banner, with the Querrin native going to his eternal rest less than two months later. Caoimhe, who will captain her side on Sunday, feels that Kieran will be there in spirit to aid their bid for glory. “It will be a very emotional day for us as a family to have that first county final without Dad. He will certainly be shining down on us …

Derrick Lynch As the Banner Ladies embark on their atonement mission this Sunday to reclaim their Clare senior ladies football title, the message from their manager could not be any simpler. JJ O’Dea has been around Gaelic Games for long enough to know what is needed to plan a successful campaign, with the Kilfenora man having plenty success on the field himself, including captaining St Mary’s College to glory way back in 1979. The modern day approach to coaching the game has seen it move towards near professionalism, but the Burren farmer still feels that the fundamentals have not changed. “Football is a very simple game. There are a lot of laptops going around now, but it really is a simple game. You make the blockdowns and you put the ball over the bar” is how JJ breaks down what needs to be done to come through the test that lies ahead. Defeat in the 2019 decider robbed the Shanway …