Large crowds are gathering in Abbey Street car park in Ennis for the big screen showing of the All-Ireland final against Cork.     People from all over the county have converged on the car park where there is a great carnival atmosphere.

Croke Park is beginning to fill up with speckles of Clare and Cork supporters dotted around the stadium. As we write Galway and Waterford are warming up ahead of the All-Ireland minor final. Weather wise there are a few clouds hovering but they are broken by some blue speckles. Around the stadium Clare and Cork supporters are inching their way to Croke Park, occasionally delayed by the odd detour into the multitude of nearby establishments. The Clare team travelled from Limerick railway stations this morning for what is the counties first All-Ireland senior final appearance since 2002, when Cyril Lyons was manager.

Messages of support are coming in for the Clare lads.

Getting an early seat in Croke Park

Kia has confirmed that its dramatic new European concept, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will be called the Niro.   The Niro hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the urban environment and will preview an innovative new powertrain when it is revealed on September 10.  The car was designed at Kia’s Frankfurt design studio under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe. Niro’s unveiling in Frankfurt will be used to gauge potential customer response for future showroom models.

  All-Ireland hurling final fever continues to grip Clare ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Cork for the Liam McCarthy cup but domestic competitions continue and following this Saturday’s action the way is now clear for the semi-finals of both the junior A hurling and football championships. In hurling Bodyke will play St. Josephs while Inagh-Kilnamona will face Cratloe. The junior A football semi-final draw has yet to be made but following today’s quarter finals, Eire Og, Coolmeen, Ballyvaughan and Cooraclare are the last four standing in the race for this title

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald has named the same team as started in the semi-final against Limerick for Sunday’s All-Ireland final with Cork. Paul Flanagan comes into the substitutes list in place of the injured Aaron Cunningham. The team is; Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’donovan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Pat Donnellan (Capt) Patrick O’Connor; Conor Ryan, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly Colin Ryan; Paudge Collins, Darach Honan, Conor McGrath Subs–Donal Tuohy; Conor Cooney, Seadna Morey, Liam Markham, Nicky O’Connell, Fergal Lynch, Shane O’Donnell, Cathal McInerney, Peter Duggan, Jonathon Clancy, Paul Flanagan

It’s easy to forget that you don’t have to travel far for a great holiday. We’ve all been so spoiled by cheap flights that we seem to have abandoned the option of hopping on a ferry and visiting our nearest neighbours. Last year, my wife and I decided to try a holiday in Devon and Cornwall, mainly because of my fond memories of the area from a childhood trip in the mid 70s. At the same time, we were marking our 20th wedding anniversary and Shelly came up with the bright idea for my anniversary present of renting a vintage car for a few days while we were over there. I was definitely game for that and quickly decided that nothing short of an E-Type Jaguar convertible would do.   The problems began when I tried to find one for hire. It was easy enough to find cars, but none of them were near Cornwall. I got a lead on …