Tag Archives: galway

THE absence of captain Gary Brennan and half-forward Seán Collins has hampered Clare’s panel depth, as they aim for a first league win over Galway since 1995. Both were substituted against Down on February 12, carrying hamstring injuries and neither have recovered, while Brennan is also focusing on preparing for Ballyea’s All-Ireland club final against either Cuala or Slaughtneil. The Clare Champion understands that Ballyea panellists Pearse Lillis, David Egan and Shane Brennan will be available to the footballers this Sunday. “Gary or Seán haven’t trained since we played Down. Both of them came off injured, so I wouldn’t expect to see either of them this week, or maybe not for the Cork game either. Cathal and Kevin Harnett were the two lads with injury concerns going into the Down game. Both of them have got another few weeks under their belts and they are grand,” Clare selector David O’Brien confirmed. Galway are also on three points, having drawn with …

Clare League 2 Galway League 1 Oscar Traynor champions Clare made a winning start in defence of the title when they came from behind to record a merited 2-1 win over Galway at Frank Healy park in Doora this evening. [data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;} _psEmbed(“http://photos.clarechampion.ie”); The visitors started brightly and their early play suggested that they might win this one. A superb strike from Jason Molloy as early as the sixth minute game them the lead but Clare showed that they have gained from their success last season and they fought back in impressive style. A foul on Eoin Hayes resulted in a free  just outside the area and Dave McCarthy found the corner of the net to tie up the scores after fourteen minutes. The winning goal was a score worthy of any game at any level. Team captain Stephen Kelly, who was outstanding throughout, won possession in his own defence and having beaten two opponents …

FRANK Healy Park in Doora will be the venue on Saturday evening at 5pm for the opening game in this season’s Oscar Traynor Cup. Clare will begin the defence of the title, won impressively last year, when they take on Galway with a side that will be drawn from a panel similar to that which won the title. The sides met last year in Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway, where they played a 1-1 draw. Clare are again be under the management of Donie Garrihy and his backroom team of David Russell and Denis Hynes. “There is no talk about defending titles or achieving back-to-back successes. This is a new campaign and we have some new players. This is the first game in a four-team group and Galway will be difficult opponents. There will be an extra bit of pressure on because we are playing at home. Because we are the title holders, all will be wanting to take a …

The Clare senior hurling team to play Galway in tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter final is unchanged for that which started against Limerick in their last outing. It is Andrew Fahy (Whitegate); Oisín O’Brien (Clonlara), Pat O’Connor (Tubber), Cian Dillon (Crusheen); Jack Browne (Ballyea), Conor Cleary (Miltown St. Josephs), Brendan Bugler (Whitegate); David McInerney (Tulla), David Reidy (Éire Óg); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Podge Collins (Cratloe), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); John Conlon (Clonlara), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna). The game throws at 4.00 pm in Semple Stadium in Thurles By Seamus Hayes

A South Galway GAA club has begun a mental health initiative which proponents hope will spread nationwide. Kilbeacanty GAA Club recently launched its Be Well programme, dedicated to maintaining and improving the mental and physical well-being of members of the club and the wider community. “Two years ago, Niall Donoghue passed away. As a follow-up, we have done a few small things but this is an initiative we came up with and it might be a way of getting information to everyone in the parish. The county board is hoping to roll it out in other areas,” explained club secretary Alan O’Grady. The death of the outstanding young hurler was a devastating blow to the club and community. “It has woken up a lot of communities. It put a lot of alarm bells ringing in clubs across the county and country. Every parish should be aware that this could happen, people are depressed and we don’t want it happening in …

Pope Francis has South Galway in his “prayerful concern”, according to a letter from the Apolostic Nuncio to a local General Election candidate. Independent candidate in the Galway East constituency, Councillor Michael Fahy, contacted Archbishop Charles J Brown about the hardship caused by flooding in South Galway throughout December and January. Last week, he received a letter from Archbishop Brown stating that he had personally assessed the “terrible flooding” in the area when he was there last month. “I have informed Pope Francis about the flooding and I can assure you of his prayerful concern for all the people who have suffered the effects of this very distressing situation,” the letter said. Councillor Fahy told The Clare Champion that he was very moved by the contents of the letter. “I might as well be honest, it made me that little bit emotional to see that the Pope has recognised the conditions that people were going through. Please God, God will …

A CANDLELIGHT vigil was held at Barefield parish church on St Stephen’s Day for Michael Bugler, the 20-year-old Ennis man who has gone missing in Galway. The vigil was held at the request of friends of Michael, as the search continues for the missing student. Fr Jerry Carey of Doora Barefield Parish said, “We were contacted by friends of Michael about holding the vigil and we were happy to make it possible”. Some of Michael’s family were in attendance at the event, which drew large crowds. A huge group of volunteers are continuing the search for the missing man in Galway this week. Ahead of the searches, gardaí are briefing volunteers in the grounds of Calasanctius College, Oranmore. Gardaí have launched a public appeal for information on the whereabouts of the law student, who has been missing since the early hours of Friday, December 18. The student, originally from Ennis but now living in Galway where he is attending NUIG, …

Episode two of the RTÉ 1 series on local newspapers will air this Thursday at 7.00pm. Over six weeks, the series follows the fortunes of three local newspapers, The Clare Champion, The Mayo News and The Munster Express. This episode sees Daisy, the ‘Champion mascot, going to Barna to get a blueberry facial and mud bath at Bubbles and Barks Dog Spa, before checking in to review The Twelve Hotel as a dog-friendly hotel. Check out the trailer below and don’t forget to tune in.