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Nine weeks after tentatively embarking on their Munster campaign under lights in Semple Stadium, it’s fitting that the wheel has turned full circle for Clare who prepare for their eighth championship tie this evening. That experience has already proven invaluable as Clare’s rollercoaster ride has gone from the pinnacle of dethroning All-Ireland champions Cork in their own patch to the flooring deflation of an agonising penalty shoot-out in the Munster Final against Tipperary. It understandably took time for the players to fully purge themselves of the residual scars of that battle but there were encouraging signs that the Banner’s swagger was on the way back against Laois last time out. Offaly also dealt comfortably with Laois in their first provincial victory since 2000 so while Clare have the momentum of eight matches in nine weeks, the Faithful County’s five week break since the Leinster Final is offset by a confidence of five successive victories that will be difficult for Clare …

THE failure to conduct an inquest into the tragic death of a Doolin volunteer at sea is a breach of her constitutional rights, an international maritime lawyer has claimed. Mother-of-two Caitriona Lucas (41), an advanced coxswain with Doolin Coast Guard died off Kilkee on September 12, 2016. Ms Lucas was helping the neighbouring Coast Guard unit from Kilkee in the search for a missing man, but she died after its rigid inflatable boat (RIB) capsized in a shallow surf zone. Two other crew members on board the RIB, who were also thrown into the sea, survived. Michael Kingston has questioned why an inquest has yet to be held into the death of Caitriona Lucas, the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to lose their life during active service. “It is shocking and totally unacceptable that almost six years after Ms Lucas’s death, no inquest has as yet been heard. “This is a breach of Caitriona Lucas’ human rights and the rights …

GORT Cancer Support is about to mark a decade and a half assisting those living with the disease. This Friday, the organisation will celebrate 15 years supporting those affected by a cancer diagnosis in the South Galway and North Clare communities. Gort Cancer Support will also host an official opening for its newly extended premises at Hollyblue House, Garrabeg, at 7pm. Gort Cancer Support first opened its doors in June 2007 and moved to their permanent address in Garrabeg in 2012. The newly extended premises was completed in 2020, but was not officially opened until now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The official opening will be followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at 7.30pm and an evening of music, dance and refreshments. Gort Cancer Support extended its thanks to Galway Rural Development for contributing to the sponsorship of the event. All are welcome on the evening. Gort Cancer Support offers a confidential community based support service to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis in the South Galway/North …

With Clare appearing in their first All-Ireland Minor semi-final since 2012 against Offaly this Friday night in Semple Stadium (throw-in 7.30pm), manager Brian O’Connell believes unity is a key ingredient to his side’s success. With a renewed focus towards developing and improving underage structures within the county, the work is starting to bear fruit as Clare are now just 60 minutes away from a first All Ireland final appearance at this grade since 2010. O’Connell has worked with this group of players at U-15 and U-16 level as he believes the continuity that this group have enjoyed has helped them gather results this year. “We have a good few people in the development squad structure that have put in a lot of work. Kieran McDermott and Donal Moloney are two that have invested a lot of time. This is the first group where we’ve had that S+C and continuity between coaches. Maybe we just got lucky with this group but …

DELIGHT at Clare’s inclusion in a grant for homes with defective blocks has been overshadowed by concerns over the terms of the scheme. Following a campaign of almost two years, Clare gained access to the new grant which due to come into effect in the coming months. While the move has been widely welcomed, concerns remain about the eligibility criteria for the updated grant, as well as the amount of financial cover it will provide, in real terms, for homeowners. A day after the long-awaited announcement from the Housing Minister, Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) were outside Dáil Éireann to voice their fears and repeat their call for pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill that will underpin the updated grant. The woman who initiated the campaign for redress for Clare repeated her call for consultation with homeowners here. “We are making our presence known in the capital,” Dr Martina Cleary said. “The CPAG are outside the Dáil to make the clear …

TWELVE hardy and experienced cyclists made their way from Malin Head to Mizen Head last week raising money for cancer charities. From June 6 and 10 the mini peloton completed the South for Susan and Antoinette challenge and have raised tens of thousands of euro for Cancer Care West and Sláinte an Chláir. The cycle was named for two women lost to cancer, Ballyea’s Susan O’Neill and Antoinette Pender of Quilty, and the cyclists covered some 675 kilometres. They left home on June 5 for the Ballyliffin Hotel close to Malin Head, where they roared on Clare’s Munster final efforts, before the serious stuff began the following morning. Monday morning saw cyclists departed Malin Head in bright sunshine while the first overnight was in Donegal Town. The bright sunshine lasted almost until Claremorris at the end of the second day but the rain started close to the Mayo border. It was a wet start to Day 3 also but the prospect …

PEOPLE in Killaloe have been urged to cast their votes to elect up to nine new community councillors for the town. Candidates for election are invited to contact the chairperson, Graham Lightfoot, at killaloecommunitycouncil@gmail.com for nomination papers, which will have to be returned by this Friday June 17. A new Community Council in Killaloe has now been incorporated and registered with the Companies Registration Office as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) under the auspices of Muintir na Tíre, which supports the establishment and development of community councils throughout Ireland. According to the Census, the electorate in the Killaloe Electoral Division comprises of about 1,600 eligible voters, who will be able to vote electronically and in person at a location during the last weekend in June. A steering group is now preparing for the initial election of up to nine community councillors, which will take place on June 24 to 27, with the results being announced on Sunday, July 10. …

A KILMALEY woman who recently ran the VHI women’s mini-marathon in memory of her father has raised more than €2,000 for a national cancer charity. Mary Griffin’s father Brendan passed away last year following a battle with oesophageal cancer. On Sunday, June 5 Mary alongside two of her father’s nieces braved the pouring rain to run the mini-marathon in Dublin, the first time that the event has been run physically since 2019. She tells she was inspired to do the marathon in memory of her “precious father Brendan, who passed away in November, aged 65, after a tough battle with oesophageal cancer.” She explains she decided to run in the 10km event as she wanted to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer as well as raising much needed funds for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, the national charity for Oesophageal Cancer in Ireland. Mary recalls her father was first diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in April 2019 after experiencing food sticking …