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Derry dominate as Clare suffer from lack of scoring power

Michael O’Connor reports as the Banner get a reality check from Derry in the Allianz football league round 4 clash DERRY……………….2-13 CLARE……………..0-10 Derry are being mentioned in footballing quarters since the beginning of the season as a side that could reasonably be considered as a side to watch come June and July. This viewpoint was franked with a ultra-professional performance against a Clare side who suffered from errors and a dearth of scoring potential when required most. An official attendance of 1,478 with a sizable minority from Derry saw Rory Gallagher’s side score a win that may send them into division 1 of the league in 2023. Clare now definitely need one big result in the remaining three games even with Cork and Offaly looking as if division three awaits. The winner of the Cork/Offaly tie might have a lifeline if teams slightly above them begin to falter Operating with 15 inside their own 45 yard and attacking with speed …

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Clare’s second-half rally falls short against Kingdom

Classy Kerry provide primer for bigger days ahead, writes Derek Dormer Clare 0-9 Kerry 1-13 After last weekend’s postponement due to adverse weather conditions Clare and Kerry squared off in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park Doonbeg. It’s always a tough assignment for any intermediate team to be playing senior and so it transpired as Kerry put Clare to the sword in the opening 30 minutes. A goal inside 90 seconds certainly didn’t help Clare as what seemed a communication error from a Banner kick out resulted in star forward Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh finishing to the net. Ni Mhuircheartaigh would finish the day with 1-7 and was a constant threat throughout. Another defensive error led to a Niamh Ni Choncuir goal chance but an admirable point blank Micaela Glynn save kept Kerry at bay. Defensive errors and a lack of indiscipline giving Kerry plenty of scoring opportunities from play and placed balls was a feature of the first half. Clare trailed 1-8 …

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Cotter stays calm on road to recovery from near-fatal crash

The morning before a training accident which could have ended her life, Ruan cyclist Imogen Cotter was finally seeing the fruits of her hard labour. She spoke with Ivan Smyth from her base in Girona. The struggle and sacrifices Clare cyclist Imogen Cotter has made to earn a professional contract were rewarded when Belgian based team Plantur Pura signed the 28-year-old this year after a rapid upturn in her form towards the latter half of 2021. Enduring the 3.30am starts which came with working for the Belgian postal service or completing eight-hour shifts at a bakery all led her to fulfilling her dream. She moved to Spain at the start of the year as her career looked destined to reach new heights in the upcoming months. On the morning of January 26, Cotter moved in to her new apartment in Girona and in that moment, it felt as if her life couldn’t be more perfect. At roughly 2pm that afternoon …

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Tests of Clare’s promotion credentials keep on coming

‘On the cusp of a wave of momentum’ is a phrase that could be attributed to either Clare or Derry at the moment, writes Eoin Brennan. After all, this is easily the best start that Clare have had in their six seasons at Division 2 as they remain unbeaten after a rousing opening victory over Offaly and back-to-back away draws with Cork and Roscommon. Table-toppers Derry can boast an even greater feat though as one would have to go back to before we ever knew about COVID-19 to find the last time that the Ulster side lost a National League tie. A perfect run of ten consecutive victories have catapulted Rory Gallagher’s side from being a mid-table Division 3 side to the precipice of promotion back to the top tier. Granted, seven of those wins were in Division 3 but it has given Derry the self-belief to hit the ground running so far back in Division 2, with commanding triumphs …

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Cats use up one of their nine lives following Banner backlash

Eoin Brennan reports from the National Camogie League Division 1 Round 2 match in Cusack Park Kilkenny 1-8 Clare 0-10 IT had to take an injury-time point from Kallyann Doyle to finally edge Kilkenny over the line and agonisingly deny Clare a dramatic share of the spoils in Cusack Park this afternoon. Sunk by a brace of late Cork goals seven days previously at the same venue, this time it was the hosts who appeared to be finishing the stronger after a three point unanswered rally regained full parity by the hour mark. It wouldn’t be a full reprieve though as from the puck-out, Kilkenny patiently worked the ball down to roaming centre-back Doyle to squeeze her shot just inside the right post for the winning score. A draw would have been just reward for another hard-working display in difficult conditions, with newcomers Lorna McNamara and Caoimhe Carmody in particular excelling on the heightened stage against the 2020 All-Ireland senior …

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Clare look to shake off latest injury blow against Offaly

JUST when it seems that the worst was over for Clare’s injury-ravaged squad, news that Mark Rodgers will be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a knee injury is another massive blow to the solar plexus, writes Eoin Brennan. After all, from the nadir of not even being able to bring a full 26 man squad to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to the welcome sight of getting John Conlon, David Fitzgerald and even Tony Kelly back on the field in the intervening period, things seemed to be finally coming together at an opportune time for Brian Lohan and Co. As Clare’s top-scorer so far, Rodgers was the form player of 2022 and was also instrumental in UL’s run to the Fitzgibbon Cup title until suffering a knee injury against Carlow IT in the semi-final last Thursday evening. As the Scariff star anxiously awaits results on a knee scan though, the show must go on, with a first victory now a prerequisite. …

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Brave Coláiste Muire fall at final hurdle in All-Ireland bid

A determined Colaiste Muire couldn’t undo the damage of three first-half goals in the All-Ireland Senior B decider, writes Ivan Smyth Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew 4-8 Coláiste Muire Ennis 1-9 Three first half goals paved the way for Wicklow’s Coláiste Bhríde to be crowned All Ireland Senior B Camogie champions as they overcame a determined Coláiste Muire outfit. After losing their All Ireland Junior A final in 2019, it is further heartbreak for Coláiste Muire although they can be proud of the grit and determination they showed on Friday evening. In a strange opening half, where Coláiste Muire enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory, it was the Wicklow side’s ruthlessness in front of goal that proved the difference. Coláiste Bhríde captain Emma Tomkins struck for two opening half goals while her fellow corner forward Sadhbh Buttle looked a livewire up front. Their full forward, Wexford minor Sarah Doyle, was crowned Player of the Match as despite often being utilised …

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Clare footballers too strong for Offaly in U20 tournament

Michael Neylon’s charges had far too much firepower for the Faithful, writes Michael O’Connor CLARE……………2-11 OFFALY………0-6 Following an early season win against Limerick in UL the week previous Clare went to Offaly for round two of the Under 20 football tournament. The Offaly training facility in Kilcormac Killoughey hosted the game. Michael Neylon’s side remain unbeaten following Clare’s comfortable 11 point win. Clare were quick off the mark and aided by a strong defensive unit they curbed the efforts of the home side. After 25 minutes the Clare forwards had taken a firm grip on proceedings with goals coming from Brian McNamara and Shane Griffin as Cian Mahony and Griffin once more with points left Clare (2-3) to (0-4) ahead at the interval. With Fergal Ginnane, Ciaran McMahon and Fionn Kelliher on top there was little real respite for Offaly in the second half as they required a strong sequence of scores to gain a foothold in the game. With …

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