A historic day for Clonlara GAA

ANOTHER chapter in the history of Clonlara GAA will be written this Sunday when recently elected association president, Liam O’Neill, will perform the official opening of the club’s pitch.
The opening ceremony will take place at 6pm when the facility will be blessed by Fr Pat Greed and Fr Brendan Cleary, assistant. Afterwards, Clare will play Tipperary in a senior hurling challenge and with the opening games in the Munster Championship just a few weeks away, it is expected that both sides will be fielding near full-strength teams for the game, which will throw in at 6.45pm.
Over the years, Clonlara GAA Club used fields around the parish with the permission of local farmers such as Stritch’s field, which is now Churchfield’s, Stritch’s field in the village, which is now Derryvinna and Cloonomera and Crowe’s field in Doonass.
In 1953, the GAA club purchased six acres from James Byrom’s land, which was part of Doonass Demesne, for £600. The trustees were Tomás MacCormaic (Clonlara), Seán O’Cuineán (Clare GAA) and Seán MacCárthaigh (Munster Council GAA).
For many years, the field was known locally as Byrom Park. It is still well used.
In 1983, the club purchased the property of the late Christy Ryan comprising residence and 25 acres for £48,000. The officers of the club at the time were president, Fr J Hannon PP; vice-presidents, Eddie Moloney (RIP) and Pat Mulane (RIP); chairman, Michael Begley; vice chair, Fr Michael Cooney CC; secretary, Seán O’Donovan; treasurer, Francis Moloney; registrar, Kieran Whelan (RIP); committee, Flan Haskett, Pat McDonnell, Mick Hogan, Michael Begley (Truagh), Declan Hannon, Ritchie Hackett, Breda Begley and Catherine Burke (both Truagh Camogie).
The trustees are Seán O’Donovan, Francis Moloney and Michael Begley (Clonlara GAA), Des Crowe Clare GAA and Donie Nealon (Munster Council GAA).
Addressing the club members in 1983, the secretary, Seán O’Donovan, said, “Clonlara is a rapidly growing community, therefore the demand for sporting facilities is increasing also. As most GAA clubs are now providing other facilities as well as playing fields, we propose to include the following in our development plan: playing pitches, dressingrooms, showers and toilets, handball alley, basketball court and car park to facilitate church and community. There would also be space available for other projects. The club officers and committee have great confidence that the people of the parish will support this venture, which will benefit the whole community,”
As part of the funding, a £100 loan scheme was launched. One hundred and twenty five people subscribed raising £12,500. Other fundraising ventures included the sale of the residence and seven of the 25 acres, while the club also benefited from some GAA grants.
In an article in a souvenir programme, which will be available at Sunday’s opening, long-time club member Michael Begley explains, “As the natural ground was not suitable for a good-quality, all-year playing pitch, the latest drainage technology was taken on board. This system was designed and proven over a number of years in both Ireland and the UK by two men – Pat Joe Prunty from Newtownbuttler, County Fermanagh and John Mulqueen from Doonbeg and became known as The Prunty-Mulqueen drainage system. It’s a three-tier stoned drain system overlaid with a layer of special texture sand, an expensive development that took some time to bring to fruition.”
While Clare and Tipperary aren’t expected to name their final line-ups for Sunday’s game until later in the week, it is expected both will have near full-strength squads at their disposal for this outing.
James McInerney is still out of action due to a broken thumb, while Conor McGrath is also likely to miss this game due to injury. Cathal McInerney didn’t play for Cratloe at the weekend due to injury. Caimin Morey had to retire early on Monday due to injury, which leaves his participation in this tie extremely doubtful. Pat Vaughan, Darach Honan and Mark Flaherty have long-term injuries. Flaherty is unlikely to play this year, while Vaughan and Honan are hoping to play some part in Clare’s championship campaign.
The Clonlara contingent of Domhnaill O’Donovan, Nicky O’Connell, Colm Galvin and John Conlon are all expected to be in the Clare line-up for this one. Diarmuid McMahon is likely to play, while his clubmate Daire Keane is expected to return.
With a full round of Clare Champion Cup games listed for this Saturday, it will be another busy weekend for those who are part of the inter-county squad. Sunday’s game with Tipperary will provide the players with a chance to stake a claim for a place in the championship team for the Munster semi-final against Waterford in June.