Sports

Clare’s ongoing quest to dine at the top table of camogie takes an intriguing new direction in 2022 with the integration of junior and senior squads under a collective management team, writes Eoin Brennan. It’s not an innovative model as it has proven successful in other counties. However, in Clare’s case at least, an ill-fated initial attempt to field teams at both senior and intermediate in the county’s first season in the top tier in 2009 under Bertie Sherlock, seemed to leave a lasting scar. Those wounds were only tentatively healed when Ann-Marie McGann and Tim McGrath resurrected Clare’s second team five years ago and since that departure, there has been a growing pool of adult players proud to play for the Banner. Playing numbers were an issue in 2009 as was the additional work-load on management, with Clare in a much healthier position on both fronts this time around according to joint-manager John Carmody. “When you think about it, …

ENNISTYMON CBS are just one win away from completing an historic double this weekend, writes Ivan Smyth The north Clare school face Tipperary’s Presentation Ballingarry in the Munster Post Primary Schools C final at UL’s north campus this Saturday (throw in 12.30pm). Last weekend, the Ennistymon school comfortably accounted for Dungarvan CBS in the Munster Post Primary Schools C football final. This Saturday they play in the hurling equivalent as they try to lift the Corn Risteard Uí Mhathúna. Manager Jason Daffy is proud to see the school compete on both fronts as he believes his charges are ready to produce a big performance against a Presentation Ballingarry side that will prove stiff opposition this Saturday. “It is a huge achievement for the school to get to both finals. Now we have won one so we would love to win this too. I’ve been part of the groups that have won 15s and 16 and a half at the D …

SAINT Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla have raised the bar for other Clare schools to achieve hurling success following their fairytale first Harty Cup victory, according to Davy Fitzgerald. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Davy said St Joseph’s were well deserved winners over Ardscoil Rís in the Harty Cup final, having followed their meteoric rise all year. “I am a Clareman, you can’t get away from watching Clare teams and results. The one word I would use to describe St Joseph’s is resilience. They never gave in, they never gave in and fought on their backs. “That augurs well for young hurlers in Clare, the way St Joseph’s have led this. Hats off to them the way they fought on the field. St Joseph’s were underdogs on a few occasions, but just because you are underdogs doesn’t mean you are going to be defeated.” “That is what we want in Clare, they have given us that light, St Flannan’s …

Tulla United’s hopes of securing the First Division crown and promotion to the Premier Division received a huge boost when they overcame Moher Celtic in a tight encounter. The winners enjoyed the perfect start when Darragh Murphy’s industry gave Conor Whelan a goalscoring opportunity which was duly taken as Tulla struck first after five minutes. Their second goal came before the break with Fionn Ryan sending James Wallace in behind the Moher defence before Wallace powered through and rounded Moher goalkeeper Shane Keane before his left footed strike caused the net to bulge. Both sides had chances in a competitive second half with Tulla ‘keeper it took a couple of Simon Kilker needing to be on form to keep his side’s lead intact. Moher got a consolation goal in the concluding stages when a deflected Eoin Davies strike found its way to the net. Top of the table Tulla are at home to Coole FC next while Moher Celtic are …

Newmarket Celtic progressed to the quarter finals of the U17 FAI Centenary Cup but needed extra time to overcome a stubborn Letterkenny Rovers FC outfit, writes Ivan Smyth. The sides could not be separated inside the 90 minutes with the scores level at 1-1. Che Sheedy found the net for Newmarket but a goal from Letterkenny’s Sam Harvey meant these sides were deadlocked when the full time whistle blew. In a tense extra time, Newmarket Celtic held their nerve as Adam Cusack struck the all important goal to help the home side power through to the quarter finals. It was tough luck on a Letterkenny side that proved difficult opposition but Newmarket found the quality needed to prevail. Newmarket now enjoy home advantage once more as they face Corduff FC in the quarter finals. Newmarket Celtic: Connor Mulqueen, Ronan O’Rourke, Conan O’Neill, Eoin McGillick, Cathal Cullinan, David Gilbert, Micheál Dower, Che Sheedy, Adam Cusack, Darragh Prazer, Ciaran Russell. Subs: Killian …

RTE Gaelic Games commentator Marty Morrissey has lauded the achievements of St Joseph’s Secondary School in capturing their first Harty Cup, writes Dan Danaher. Speaking on a platform outside the school, the Quilty broadcaster paid tribute to all the work that contributed to becoming the best senior hurling colleges team in Munster. Marty said it was a wonderful honour and privilege to be present in Tulla to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the St Joseph’s team. “As a Clareman I want to thank this team and school because what you have done is more than just win a cup or a Munster title. This is what a school dreams of aspiring to. “What you have is a sense of belonging to a community. You are from Clare, East Clare and St Joseph’s school in Tulla. The school has achieved a wonderful thing by bringing a whole county together.” “We are all gone mad on this St Joseph’s team because of …

The SPIN South West Student Race-day is back on and taking place on Thursday, April 7, at Limerick Racecourse. The last student race-day took place back in 2019 and the track said it was delighted to announce its return after a two-year gap due to Covid restrictions. Tickets are going on sale this Thursday morning, February 17, at 11am on www.limerickraces.ie and there is expected to be high demand. Tickets are going to be limited to a maximum of two per person in the interest of fairness. A racecourse spokes person said, “We are pleased to partner up with SPIN South West once again as our sponsors for the event. “SPIN will be there on the day to welcome students and bang out the freshest hits. With SPIN resident DJ’s, the crowd can expect to be entertained before, during and after the races.” Content director at SPIN South West, Eoghain Fitzgerald commented “We are delighted to be teaming up with …

CLARE are still searching for their first points of the new National Hurling League campaign, writes Eoin Brennan, after going down 2-20 to 1-20 against Wexford in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon. For the second consecutive season, Wexford left Ennis with a valuable victory under their belts to leave the hosts pointless after two matches. Leading by 1-16 to 1-14 following a strong third quarter turnaround, Clare lost their way down the final straight as a resurgent Wexford fired 1-5 without reply including a 64th minute goal for Diarmuid O’Keefe. Emanating from a defensive error, it would be the clinching score in front of an attendance of 2,855. Mark Rodgers again led the way on the scoreboard, mainly through placed balls and was aided by strong displays from midfielder Paddy Donnellan, Shane Meehan and impressive newcomer Patrick Crotty from the bench. Three Rodgers frees lifted the hosts to a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage by the tenth minute but despite a …