INCREDIBLE though it might seem, when it emerged that Cypriots were having their bank accounts raided as part of the island’s bailout, it led to an increase in business for those selling clothes in small towns on the far side of Europe. Patrick Bourke found that people, particularly older people, were inclined to turn part of their savings into something tangible, lest Ireland’s dysfunctional banks be next in the firing line. “It helped us. People were afraid their money would be lost so they decided to spend their money instead of losing it. You’d notice it with older people rather than younger people, because younger people hadn’t the money sitting there.” He operates men’s clothes shops in both Kilrush and Ennis and is the third generation of his family in the business. “It started in 1928, we’re 85 years in business this year in our shop in Kilrush. My grandfather started it in 1928, my father took it over in …

A selection of photographs of Clare hurling fans in Croke Park, Cratloe, Sixmilebridge and at The Fairgreen, Ennis.

AFTER the drawn game everyone knew that any 21 yard free for Cork was likely to result in a goal and on Saturday evening Cian Dillon said that especially large hurleys had been made for defenders to use whenever Nash came up the field. “It was kind of funny in training when Fitzy told us there might be 12 or 13 of us on the line and that we’d be getting hurleys made for us. We had eight especially big hurleys to try and stop them! It didn’t work for the first one, he didn’t really connect with the last one, maybe he was put off by the amount of us!” the Crusheen defender said. Clare led by four points at the break, but it had been eight points earlier on. While Cork had found their stride, there was still great confidence in the Banner dressing room, Dillon said. “At half time, in every game we’ve played this year, we’ve always …

By Seamus Hayes Sixmilebridge will host the annual GOAL charity match involving the newly crowned All-Ireland  hurling champions on this Wednesday evening(October 2) at 7.30p.m. The match will be between an A and B Clare selection and all funds raised will go to the GOAL charity. Admission will be €5 and children under 16 will be admitted free of charge. Its expected that the entire All-Ireland senior squad will be involved in what has become an annual post All-Ireland final match involving the winners. Initially the match featured the newly crowned champions against a Rest of Ireland selection but more recently the champions have faced the club title holders in their county. With round 2 in the Clare senior hurling championship scheduled  for this coming weekend, the organisers have opted for an A v B game. The match will p rovide an oppostunity for fans to meet up with the players that ended a sixteen year wait for Clare on …

By Seamus Hayes An estimated 30,000 Clare hurling followers assembled in Ennis on Sunday evening to give a heroes welcome home to the newly crowned All-Ireland senior hurling champions. The welcome was also extended to the Clare team which retained the All-Ireland under 21 title two weeks ago and who were also on stage at Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park (formerly known as the Fairgreen). Earlier the team’s first stop on the journey to Ennis was at Cratloe, home to six members of the panel, Paudge and Sean Collins, Conor Ryan, Liam Markham, Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath as well as team selector Mike Deegan. From there they travelled to Sixmilebridge where local man and team manager Davy Fitzgerald received a rousing welcome. Seadna Morey, Jamie Shanahan and Derek Fahy from the ‘Bridge club are part of the Clare panel. In Newmarket the championship’s top scorer Colin Ryan was given a tumultous reception and it was similar in Clarecastle, home …

“I’m glad the point meant something. It would have meant nothing if we’d lost the match” said Domhnall O’Donovan of his last gasp point which resulted in Saturday’s replay. He made his comments while being interviewed in front of thousands of Clare people at the team’s homecoming in Ennis this evening. The Clonlara corner back also said the score had been “one of the best things I’ve done in my life.” Captain Patrick Donnellan said he hoped Clare “will have many more of these days” and he said the under 21 success had helped to focus the seniors. “We’re on the crest of a wave and the under 21s showed us the way to a degree,” he commented. Donnellan now has his first Celtic Cross and he said the All Ireland will be well celebrated. “Days like yesterday have been few and far between in recent years so we’ll make the most of it.” Wing forward John Conlon said his nerves had …

“THEY’RE my family and I love these guys to bits” said Davy Fitzgerald of his charges at the Fair Green in Ennis this evening, at a homecoming event for the Clare senior and U-21 sides. An estimated 30,000 people turned out and shortly after nine o’clock there were fantastic scenes of jubilation as the two All Ireland winning panels arrived. Addressing the supporters, Fitzgerald said the county has given his charges great support throughout the Championship. “I’d like to start by saying that we know we have passionate players for sure, but by Jesus, we have passionate supporters as well.” Fitzgerald remarked on the amount of saffron and blue displayed around Clare in recent weeks and praised all those who have got behind the team. He also said that the All Ireland win shows life in Clare isn’t all doom and gloom now. “Let that recession go to hell,” he commented. He referred to an incident in which a woman …

  WHILE the Banner’s tactics have drawn a share of criticism over the last two years Davy Fitzgerald has been vindicated now yet when he spoke to the media on Saturday evening he strove to keep the focus on the players. He said he was particularly pleased with the spirit shown when it looked like they had squandered a significant first half lead. “We played probably the best 20 minutes I’ve ever seen at the start, we were on fire. Naturally you’re not going to keep going at that pace. The biggest test of a Clare team I’ve ever seen was when they brought it back to zero again. Everything was going against us, but it’s not down to anyone else, these boys have incredible resilience. It didn’t come from anyone training them, it comes from themselves, they are good kids, they are honest kids, they never give up. They are fellas who mind themselves unbelievably and I think it …