A significant development in the ­promotion of underage soccer in Sixmilebridge will be cemented later in the year when the local Bridge United Schoolboys/girls’ section links up with the Leeds United coaching academy. English Championship side Leeds United are regarded as having one of the top academies in England and thanks to the efforts of lifelong fan and Leeds Supporters Club member Kevin Greene of Feenagh, the club will send members of their coaching staff to Sixmilebridge to conduct a summer camp on June 28-29. Former Leeds United and Northern Ireland stalwart John McClelland officially launched the summer camp when he visited the village at the weekend. As well as winning a Premier League medal with Leeds United in 91-92, John was capped 53 times for Northern Ireland and played in two World Cups in 1982 and 1986. At the weekend, John met with children at the registration evening at Teach Cuirte before attending a social event at The Mills …

It was a great weekend for husband and wife John and Noreen Doyle, as they each won their respective club competitions at East Clare.

Derek O’Connor has moved to the head of the 2012-13 point-to-point riders’ table following a barrage of winners over the past 10 days.

Three nights of racing returned to Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last weekend, with second-round heats of Thursday night’s from April 7 A7 sweep dominating the card on Thursday night.

SPORTING history unfolded in Ennis at the weekend when the town hosted the finals of the Munster close badminton championships for the first time. This is one of many events this year to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Ennis Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club.

A CANCER survivor has criticised Health Minister Dr James Reilly for bypassing patients on trolleys at the emergency department of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis before he made the short trip to unveil the new €9 million 50-bed state-of-the-art wing on Monday morning.

A CZECH homeless man has been living in a public toilet in Ennis and would be dead was it not for the church, a district court heard this week.