Sports

While the county’s fingers and toes were crossed in anticipation of Shane O’Donnell getting back in time for the Munster Championship, behind the scenes the marquee Éire Óg forward was actually contemplating not being able to return at all. Not dissimilar to Clare ladies football captain Laurie Ryan’s prolonged absence a few years back, a concussion injury sustained at training in June 2021 further demonstrated just how debilitating the condition can be. As a result, O’Donnell’s first taste of championship action in 17 months against Tipperary last month was much more triumphant than just long-awaited return to the fold. “It was tough to come back into it to be honest.” Admitted the 2013 All-Ireland winner in front of the dug-outs in Cusack Park on Sunday. “I definitely had a long few months thinking whether I would be back on the pitch at all and it was a major milestone getting back on the pitch, togging out with Clare again.” “It …

Clare finished at the summit of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship table after overpowering Waterford in their final home match of 2022 to complete an unbeaten group campaign and yet despite the contrasting form guide, it was still seen as a surprise. From the outside looking in, Clare, having blazed a trail safely through to a Munster Final showdown with Limerick with a game to spare, didn’t appear have much to play for outside of giving valuable game-time to new and recovering players. For Waterford however, off the back of two successive defeats, a stirring response was simply a prerequisite to back up their National League winning form and just stay alive in the championship. From the inside looking out though, nothing could be further from the truth as captain Cathal Malone, deputising for the rested Tony Kelly, outlined immediately afterwards. “Every match you get to play for Clare is valuable. You want to play every single game and win …

Heading in to this Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship, Clare manager Evan Talty admits his side are trying to replicate the success of the county’s camogie side. With Clare travelling to face Down this Sunday, Talty wants his charges to show the same grit and determination during their Championship campaign that the camogie side have displayed thus far. In recent weeks, John Carmody and Conor Dolan’s side have pushed last year’s All Ireland finalists Cork to extra time in the Munster final, eventually losing 0-24 to 1-18. Then they struck the final two points of the game to pick up a share of the spoils against Tipperary in the opening round of the Glen Dimplex Senior Camogie Championship last weekend. The Kilmurry-Ibrickane clubman wants his side to show the same mettle in this Championship campaign, starting with Sunday’s tricky away assignment. “I’d have a good relationship with Conor (Dolan) with us having dual players. The Camogie team have …

Avenue United captain Dylan Casey is expecting fireworks when his side come up against Newmarket Celtic in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup final this evening in Frank Healy Park (kick off 5pm). The two traditional heavyweights of Clare soccer go head to head in what a game which has the potential to see sparks fly. With Newmarket Celtic going for a scarcely believable 10th Clare Cup title in a row, Casey is aware that his side face a huge task to dethrone the roll of honour leaders. The centre back knows the challenge ahead is a tough one but he wants his side to focus on their own performance. “We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing. Just because it’s Newmarket doesn’t mean we should be changing our approach to the game. There’s always a bit of bite in these games. It’s going to be a cracker.” There’s nothing unusual about a member of the Casey …

Paddy Purcell has been there and seen it all. The experienced Newmarket Celtic centre half maintains the same level of hunger that he showed during his 10 year spell with Limerick FC and his subsequent time with the kingpins of Clare soccer. With Newmarket Celtic trying to claim 10 Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cups in a row, Purcell insists this side’s drive to succeed is as strong as ever. “We are as hungry and motivated as ever. This is why you play football. We are in the Cup final and are involved in the business end of the League too so we want to win our next two games.” The Newmarket captain claims that completing the 10 in a row does not provide additional motivation for him or the team. “I don’t think the whole 10 in a row is extra motivation. I don’t think the number matters really. Personally, it’s not on my mind. Our sole focus is …

This is where Newmarket Celtic expect to be. In their eyes it’s where they belong. In contention for a fourth successive league and cup double, the reigning champions are keen to assume their place on top of the pile once more. By the time they arrive at Frank Healy Park for Saturday’s showdown Newmarket Celtic will have gone 4087 days without a defeat in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup. Their dominance of this competition has been nothing short of remarkable with the goal of hitting the magic 10-in-a-row and showing that they are in fact far from finished ruling Clare soccer is motivating them according to manager Mark O’Malley. “The lads have done this nine years in a row. I’ve been involved in the club all my life and our cup form has always been good. This batch of players have set their stall out. Ten is a nice number. Ten is better than nine. Avenue are a …

Avenue United manager David Russell doesn’t mince his words. He wants silverware, preferably both the Premier Division and Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup. With his side coming up against Newmarket Celtic in an eagerly awaited Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup final tomorrow, the possibility of a domestic double looms large for both these outfits. Avenue United lie two points clear of Newmarket Celtic in the Premier Division. The sides meet in the final game of the season next Wednesday with a draw enough to see Avenue crowned league champions. However, Newmarket Celtic are the current holders in both the league and cup as they will certainly be in no mood to give up either piece of silverware without a fight. Russell feels that his side need to win silverware if his current tenure in charge of the club is going to be regarded as a success. “I said I’d give it three years and see how things stand …

It seems a little too soon to revisit such an epic Munster Final showdown a fortnight ago but perhaps the reparation process can be accelerated by another bout between Clare and Cork on Saturday. Being Clare’s fifth weekend of championship action in-a-row, an already war-weary Banner side had to use all their experience and nous to take what could be yet prove a valuable share of the spoils against Tipperary last Saturday. However, a lack of freshness against the Rebels is a much more daunting task as Cork’s perennial challenge for All-Ireland honours has built up a much more experience and deeper senior squad than most to be able to contend with their own hectic schedule. It means that despite an unflinching determination and unquestionable spirit, it’s all about how Clare approach their latest trip to Cork as with Aoife Power, Alannah Ryan and Orlaith Duggan fully back in the mix along with a free weekend for the juniors, it …