Sports

Santa Claus came early for popular Quin trainer Malachy Hassett when his 4-1 shot Archie Meade ran out a good winner of the two-and-three-quarter-mile INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Thurles three days before Christmas.Ridden by Miltown Malbay jockey Danny Howard for Spanish Point owner Ted O’Sullivan, Archie Meade had run well when fourth on his previous outing at Punchestown 10 days earlier and he built on that effort here when scoring in authoritative fashion.A full brother to Paddysparks, who won a point-to-point for Hassett at Lisronagh back in April, Archie Meade challenged for the lead two out and, having finally shaken off the attentions of long-time leader Jack Bene at the final flight, the son of Beneficial ran on best to beat that rival by two-and-a-quarter lengths with Howard even allowed the luxury of a wave to his supporters as the successful duo crossed the line.Hassett, who is one of the really colourful characters of the racing game, …

The tenth annual Burren Charity Challenge in Ballyvaughan was in aid of two charities, the Doolin Rescue and the Billy Riordan fund. Ballyvaughan was the venue for the second year-in-a-row and over 300 competitors took part in the 10km run and walk and 38km Cycle. The event lraised in the region of €7,000. The 10km fun run and walk was over a one-lap course and going through Ballyvaughan village, local athlete Kevin Darcy, who runs with Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, was setting the early pace going through the first mile in 5.30. He was closely followed by Tom Mackey, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare; Liam Glynn, Burren Cycle Club, and the leading lady athlete, Laoise Griffin. Darcy was a very comfortable winner in 36.21 and was three minutes ahead of Tom Mackey (39.45). In third spot was the main organiser, Liam Glynn, Burren Cycling Club (40.29).In the ladies’ race, Laoise Griffin led from start to finish and her time was (41.04) with Noreen …

Ennis boxing resources were stretched to the limit last weekend with a double engagement on successive days (Friday and Saturday).Friday saw the renewal of the Cecil Campbell Memorial Trophy, which was staged annually between Limerick and Clare selections on a home-and-away basis in the 1980s and ’90s and which will be a landmark event on the boxing calendar for both counties in the future. On this occasion, the Clare boxers took the honours with an 8-6 victory in a stirring contest between two evenly matched sides.Saturday was the annual tournament against the St Ann’s Club in Westport, which is the alma mater of world amateur champion, Ray Moylette and again there were some absorbing battles before the home side emerged victorious with on a 10-4 margin. There were many stand-out performances from both days, with victories for Irish champion, Conor Doyle, who suffered a rare setback in Limerick a fortnight ago but regained perspective with style in a great battle …

MOTIONS calling for a change to existing playing rules were referred to congress, without any discussion at last week’s Clare GAA County Board convention.“Some of these motions may not win support here,” said Miltown St Joseph’s delegate, Noel Walsh, expressing surprise.Chairman Michael O’Neill replied, “The clubs have gone to the trouble of putting down these motions and they should be debated at congress.”The motions, which have been referred to congress, include three from Miltown St Joseph’s, two from Ruan and one each from from Scariff, Banner, Whitegate, Cratloe and Sixmilebridge.Motions: Miltown St Joseph’sWhen a team has completed three consecutive movements of the ball by hand or fist, the next move must be to kick the ball by foot. l After a foul, play is restarted by a free kick or a throw-in where the foul occurred but when the foul takes place on the 20m line or inside it, the kick must be taken off the ground. l The incoming …

THERE was keen competition at the Clare Athletics Association’s juvenile relay cross-country trials at the Lees Road Sports Complex last Saturday, as the first five in each category qualified to represent Clare in the Munster Relay Finals, which will take place in Beaufort in Kerry on January 15. All clubs contested the U-10, U-12 and U-14 girls and boys races on a very frosty morning.In the girls’ U-10 250m, Niamh Conlon, Kilmihil got away to a very good start and held the lead all the way to the finish from Keisha Attwell, St Mary’s, followed by Amy Sexton, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare; Jodi Cahill, St Cronan’s and Hannah Shannon, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare.There was a great contest in the boys U-10, which saw a dead heat between Ben Whelehan, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare and Ferdia Lionaird, Tulla for the top spot. They were followed by Fintan Caulfield, Tulla; Conor Hassett, St Mary’s and Eoin Browne, St Mary’s.The girls’ U-12s 500m was dominated by …

Lisa Casserly, a third-year pupil at Seamount College in Kinvara, made her debut with the Irish U-16 international women’s soccer team when they beat Northern Ireland 4-1 last week.A native of Ballindereen, she plays her club football with Colga in Galway. School principal Maighréad Mhic Dhomhnaill this week congratulated Lisa on her selection. “The staff and students of Seamount College are all very proud of Lisa’s achievements and we wish her continued success,” the school principal said this week.As a result of her performance last week, Lisa has been called up to the Irish U-17 squad.A versatile athlete, Lisa was a member of the school camogie team that suffered defeat against New Inn in the Connacht senior camogie schools final last Saturday.

St Munchin’s Limerick 37   Ennistymon VS 34  (after extra time) Ennistymon Vocational School will take strong positives from this semi-final game at the South-West Regional Finals in Kanturk, with nine of the squad underage for the next two years. They certainly can look towards a strong showing in this competition if they can continue their progress.They opened the brighter of the two sides and had the much-taller Limerick team on the ropes in the opening minutes, with John Dillon and Joey Rouine combining for 10 early points, two three-pointers coming from Dillon. This gave them an early 10-3 lead. St Munchin’s Liam Collins connected on two three-pointers to have the Limerick side trail 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was a much more even affair and Ennistymon kept well in the game with strong rebounding from Pádraig Haugh, Roma Byrne and Aaron McNulty against the opposition. Shane McNamara and Adrian Hickey posed some problems for …

The inaugural Mountrivers Cup, Doonbeg Links versus Doonbeg Golf Club  competition was played recently and resulted in victory for the club team on a 12½ to 8½ score. Afterwards, captain, Kevin Hayes presented the cup to the club team captain Kevin Kenny at a social gathering in Darby’s.The results are listed below.Michael Waters and Michael Liddane had a 2½ to ½ win over Martin Griffin and Kevin Hayes. Wade Murphy and Seamus Dooley suffered a 0-3 loss to Paddy O’Grady and John O’Brien. Harry Crowe and Bernard Ryan halved their match with Timmy Killeen and Declan Conway. Kevin Kenny and Eddie Dwyer were 3-0 winners over Seanie Moloney and Roy Capon. Ian Kearney and Barry Murphy had a 2-1 win over Diarmaid O’Donnell and Pat Cotter. Nigel Dillon and Frank Murnane lost to Maurice Mangan and Johnny Igoe on a 2-1 scoreline while Joe Russell and Paul Faughnan were 2 ½ to ½ winners over Seamus Griffin and Pat O’Malley.In …