Sports

Eoin Brennan was on hand to watch Inagh-Kilnamona power to a 7-11 to 2-5 defeat of Clarecastle in the U13A hurling final Goal hungry Inagh-Kilnamona powered to their third Under 13A crown in six seasons after hat-tricks for Sean Hehir and Fionn Daffy sunk Clarecastle in Cusack Park on Monday evening. A quickfire brace of majors in the tenth minute through Hehir and Padraig O’Looney helped settle Inagh-Kilnamona to a seven point half-time cushion. However, it was their clinical five goal blitzkrieg in just 17 minutes on the restart that put the result beyond any doubt as Joint-Captain Daffy, Hehir and the excellent O’Looney provided the firepower to cement the prestigious honours. In addition, Donnacha Kelly, midfielders Tom Hegarty and Tadhg Hassett and especially goalkeeper Rio McCoy also impressed as Clarecastle had just as many goal chances but found the Inagh-Kilnamona stopper in particular stubborn mood. That said, even without talisman Sean Meere, Clarecastle battled hard throughout, with spinal defenders …

A FAN favourite with several English clubs, Mick Kennedy was heavily involved in Clare soccer, before his untimely death in 2019. A biography entitled Tackle This? The biography of football hardman Mick Kennedy written by Halifax Town fan and club historian Johnny Meynell has just become available for pre-sale, ahead of its launch in October. While born in the UK, Johnny says Mick was always an Irishman at heart and lived in Clare for over 20 years after his retirement from soccer. “His family were from Clare, from what I’ve researched they moved over from Clare to Salford in the ‘50s and then they moved back in the early ‘80s. “When Mick retired from playing in 1994, two years later he moved back to Clare and he lived in Kilmaley. He got into coaching in Kilmaley and later at Lifford and did summer camps.” He remembers watching Mick from the terraces in the late ‘70s, when he was a teenager …

Eoin Brennan runs the rule over this weekend’s intermediate hurling championship ties Intermediate Championship Round 2 Group 3 Inagh-Kilnamona v Tulla at Gurteen, Sunday 12pm With the group blown wide open following some dramatic opening round twists, it’s now make-or-break territory for Tulla. Following a frustrating hour against Ogonnelloe, they simply cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to return to a third consecutive quarter-final since falling from senior. Inagh-Kilnamona, having already matched other flagship side Bodyke, will be licking their lips at the prospect of knocking out Tulla but the East Clare side’s experience simply has to surface. Verdict: Tulla Ogonnelloe v Bodyke at Whitegate, Sunday 6.30pm A little more freedom here as whoever loses will still be in contention for the business end. They last met in the Junior A Championship but both will have set their sights on higher plains and therefore neither will want to end their unbeaten run. Victory is much more important for …

Eoin Brennan previews all of this weekend’s senior hurling championship ties Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 Group 3 Kilmaley v Clooney-Quin at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1pm More than a battle of the first round winners as it’s a golden opportunity for both to not only maintain their table-topping form but make a real statement of intent in the Canon Hamilton race. Having seemingly turned a corner previously before skilfully reversing back around it, both Kilmaley and Clooney-Quin have a free shot on Sunday to put one foot in the quarter-finals. Kilmaley seemed better positioned to snatch that chance as there were finally real signs of maturity amongst their core in seeing out a significant opening victory over neighbours Éire Óg. It’s also an exciting time for Clooney-Quin who are in the midst of assimilating a new generation of stars. However, while it was enough to edge out relative newcomers Scariff, taking down the recent Clare Cup champions might be …

Clare Community Games will have 92 children representing them in track, field and relay events at the Community Games National Athletic finals this Saturday in Carlow SETU Campus (formerly IT Carlow). On Saturday over 60 of the participants in the National Finals had a Meet and Greet and coaching session in O’Sullivan Park. It was arranged by Paula Byrne O’Connell, county chairperson. It was beautiful to see so many smiling children in glorious sunshine so eager to meet and make new friendships. Thanks to Marie, Martin, Colm. Gabriel and the parents who helped to give tips and encouragement to the children on their particular event. Best of luck to all in the finals on Saturday. Busy Time St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games are having a very busy few weeks completing team competitions. The winners will qualify for the Munster finals on September 10 with some preliminary games to be played on September 3. Some are also preparing for …

AFTER a one year hiatus which he spent coaching the Cork camogie side, Davy Fitzgerald is back in intercounty hurling, having been announced as the new Waterford manager. It’s his second time managing the Déise, having taken the reins from 2008 to 2011, a time in which they reached an All Ireland final and won a Munster championship. On Thursday night Waterford GAA released a brief statement it was “delighted to announce that following a meeting of the Waterford County Committee tonight Davy Fitzgerald has been ratified as the new Waterford Senior Hurling Manager on a two year term with an option for a third year. Selectors and backroom team will be confirmed at a later date.” After winning the national league earlier this year Waterford looked to be in good shape for the Munster championship and a possible All Ireland bid, but they imploded spectacularly, winning just one of their four matches.

IN 2019 there was some criticism of Shannon Group after the Irish Open in Lahinch, with claims it had missed an opportunity to market Shannon Airport to an international audience. If that was a mistake it’s not going to be repeated this year, as on Tuesday it announced a partnership with the Women’s Irish Open, which is being played at Dromoland from September 22-25. It will be the first time for a Ladies European Tour event to be played in Ireland since 2012. The competition will see 126 of the best professionals on the Ladies European Tour and leading Irish Amateurs take to the 18-hole Championship Course, including selected star players from the LPGA Money List. Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine said, “We are delighted to become an official partner of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, which is being held on our doorstep, at the acclaimed Dromoland Castle, providing an opportunity to highlight the fantastic golfing talent we have here …

WATERFORD GAA have declined to comment on reports that Davy Fitzgerald could be appointed as the county’s senior hurling manager in the near future. PRO Taylor Murray declined to comment on who is in the frame for the job when approached on Wednesday. She said that the Waterford county board’s chairman and secretary are part of a committee appointed to find a new manager, along with a former player and an external person. This four-person group is to come up with a recommended candidate, whose name will go before a future county board meeting. The third round of the Waterford senior hurling championship is due to take place this weekend. Fitzgerald managed Waterford from 2008 to 2011, with the county reaching the All Ireland final in his first year, and winning a Munster title in 2010. Liam Cahill has departed as the Decies manager this year to take up the reins at his native Tipperary. This year saw Fitzgerald coaching …