LAST Friday saw the Shannon based Search And Rescue Helicopter fly its first missions while the aircraft had both a female pilot and co-pilot. The women in question were Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and Captain Carmel Kirby. Captain Fitzpatrick is based in Waterford and was on transfer to Shannon to build up flying hours on the Sikorski S92 helicopter, which is due to replace the S61 in Waterford next month. Captain Kirby is scheduled to become the manager flight operations for all the helicopter search and rescue bases later this year. It was a historic occasion for the Coast Guard and the women carried out two missions on their shift. One of these was a cardiac case in West Cork, who was brought to Cork University Hospital, and the second was an aero-medical transfer from Cork University Hospital to Temple Street of a critically ill five year old child. Coast Guard statistics show a 45% rise in the number of …

The Mid-West Health Service Executive is carrying out an investigation after two West Clare toddlers contracted serious digestive system infections.

The ’Bridge held the favourites’ tag ahead of the tie and while they deserved their win, it was hard earned.Truagh got off to a great start, putting Sixmilebridge under pressure. Maire Begley for Truagh had the first real scoring opportunity of the match but failed to find the target. The first score came for Sixmilebridge from a free, with Chloe Morey pointing after nearly eight minutes. Aileen O’Sullivan for Truagh matched Morey shortly after, converting a free. After 10 minutes, Truagh were dealt a blow when captain, Patricia Mullins, retired due to injury. Yvonne Woods replaced her in the full-forward line. O’Sullivan put Truagh ahead after 12 minutes with a point from play. Two minutes later, after some excellent play from both teams, Sixmilebridge levelled with a point from play. Sixmilebridge’s Morey added another free to go a point ahead. Sixmilebridge then had their purple patch, with midfielders Maire McGrath and Morey both scoring from play and showing dominance in …

When Cork man Rob Heffernan won the gold medal in the men’s 50km walk at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow this week, it led to great celebrations in Corofin and Ennis.

FLIGHTS from Shannon to Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday may not get off the ground because of industrial action.

FURTHER evidence of an element of recovery at Shannon has been provided by the latest statistics from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Broadford hurler Aonghus O’Brien could have found himself in a particularly awkward situation heading to Croke Park on Sunday. As it stands he will travel to Croke Park as the trainer of the Limerick minor hurlers for their All-Ireland semi-final date with Galway. He could well have found himself having to make special arrangements as he could have been a member of the Clare senior panel at this time. The new principal of Broadford national school – he is currently preparing for the new school year – has spent the past few years teaching in Limerick. While based in Dooradoyle he was approached  about getting involved with the Limerick minors as their hurling trainer. “I had done a bit with a few clubs in Limerick over the past few years and that probably led to the approach”, he told The Clare Champion this week. “There will be a quick change at the end of the minor game as I swap …

SHANNON Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has reported a record operating profit of over €3m from 2012, a year that saw tonnage throughput at the company’s ports reach levels not seen since 2008.