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Kilmihil manager Kevin Callinan insists his side bear no wounds from their 10-point loss to Banner Ladies in last year’s Senior decider. Callinan’s side will line out in their sixth county final in seven years as they face the ever present Banner Ladies. With the Ennis side firm favourites and keen on securing a three in a row after Kilmihil pulled off a shock upset in the decider in 2019, Kilmihil enter the contest as firm underdogs. Throw in JJ O’Dea’s side securing a 10-point triumph in last year’s decider while beating Kilmihil 2-14 to 2-3 in this year’s round robin series and it goes without saying that Callinan’s charges face a mammoth task if they are to secure a second county title in four years. However, he is adamant that Kilmihil hold no burden on their shoulders despite suffering more than their fair share of county final heartbreak. “We wipe the slate clean, and we started again after last …

FORMER Irish Rugby international Rosie Foley has dived into an elite group of about 279 people who have achieved the gruelling Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. The 49-year-old Killaloe native recently followed in the footsteps of her mentor, Fionnuala Walsh, by completing the 32.3 km swim across the Catalina Channel between Santa Catalina Island and the Southern California mainland in the United States. In July 2014, Rosie completed the 33.5 km swim across the English Channel between England and France and the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, a 45.9 km circumnavigation around Manhattan Island last June. She has also become just the second Irish woman to finish a marathon swimming challenge consisting of three historically important swims around the world. The mother-of-three undertook the charity challenge in memory of her brother, the late Munster and Irish rugby legend Anthony Foley, who died on October 16, 2016. All proceeds will go to the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation, children’s charity CARI and CRY, …

Despite being the barometer by which other teams within Clare measure themselves, Banner Ladies manager JJ O’Dea insists that his side are trying to raise the bar. With the Ennis club aiming to win their 13th county title in 15 years, O’Dea maintains that blending young players in to his side is a necessity if the club are to stay ahead of the chasing pack. Despite possessing players of the ilk of Niamh O’Dea, Laurie Ryan and Gráinne Nolan, Banner Ladies have continued to give youth its chance with Caoimhe Cahill, Keelin Fitzgerald, Emer Burke, Caoimhe Ryan and Gráinne Burke all plying their trade at adult level after impressing at underage with club and county. “We have to blend youth. The most important teams, in any club is the U-10s or U-8s because they are the future of the club. This team didn’t happen overnight. We worked hard to get this group together. People think we are a big club, …

RETAIL businesses in Ennis will close if new rateable valuations on businesses are implemented, a number of traders in the town have claimed. Last week saw a number of businesses receive letters about future rates bills, which left some of the traders shocked. Barry O’Driscoll of Precious Pets said the bill he is facing is set to increase from €8,000 per annum to €14,500. “When I found out what the formula was I realised, ‘Oh my God, my rates have gone up by 82%. Then I started phoning other retailers and I found they were in the same position, or even worse. We got together then, because quite frankly it is very serious and there will be no shops left if this stands.” He said that if there is no change he will go out of business. “This kicks in on January 1, 2024 and I cannot trade with these catastrophically high rates unless something radical is done.” John O’Connor …

Eoin Brennan previews the senior and intermediate ladies football championship finals taking place in Doonbeg this Sunday Kilmihil v Banner Ladies at Shanahan McNamara Park Doonbeg, Sunday 3pm Much like Kilmihil and Banner ladies will have an almost forensic knowledge of each other at this stage, there’s very little more than can be said when it comes to assessing this well-worn pairing that are contesting their sixth senior decider in seven seasons. More than that though, this is Banner Ladies 15th consecutive final appearance, an unprecedented record in the county as they bid to secure a 13th crown in that time. Only West Clare Gaels (2010) and Sunday’s opponents Kilmihil (2019) have interrupted that staggering power surge that still possesses an experienced core of Niamh O’Dea, Laurie Ryan, Grainne Nolan, Louise Henchy, Naomi Carroll, Louise Woods and Eva O’Dea. Kilmihil’s team is also noteworthy for their winning knowhow as Ellie O’Gorman, Catriona Callinan, Micaela Glynn, Laura Egan, Becky Mahon and …

A LETTER from a major international company supporting an application for a communications tower in north Clare has warned service will suffer if planning is not granted. Vodafone has supported the planning application by Vantage Towers Ltd for a 30-metre mast at Gortaclob, Doolin. The telecommunications giant said it plans to use the structure if it is granted planning permission and in its supporting letter stated that failure to progress it “could have a negative future impact on network subscribers enjoying future technologies”. Vantage has sought permission for a 30-metre lattice telecommunications support structure, with antennae, dishes and associated equipment at Gortaclob, Doolin.  In the application Vantage Towers said the proposal would improve the service in the area. “There is a clear deficiency in basic 4G coverage especially towards Doolin to the southwest of the proposed site, and the surrounding regional road network, with substantial areas of fair and fringe.” The company claimed current customer demand is not being met …

ENNIS is in the running to be named Ireland’s Friendliest Place for 2022. The people of Clare, and further afield, are being urged to show some love for Ennis by voting for the town to take the coveted overall title at this year’s Retail Excellence Awards. The county capital has made it to the top five, with Ennis now vying against Ashbourne, Carrick-on-Shannon, Monaghan and Moynalty to be named Ireland’s Friendliest Place. Voting for the awards will be accepted between now and October 17 at https://strawpoll.com/polls/YVyP2px1kgN. The winners of the awards will be named at a gala event in the Galmont, Dublin on November 12. A spokesperson for Retail Excellence has urged the public to have their say on which place should take the title. “Five of Ireland’s best and brightest towns have been nominated for our prestigious Friendliest Place award, but who deserves it most? We want to hear from residents and tourists alike all across the country. “Get …

THIS year’s Kilkee Playwright Festival is responding to the climate emergency and includes online playwriting workshops for stage, radio and a discussion on developing ecological performances’ in community spaces. Jenny Bassett, who curates the Kilkee Playwright Festival said, “We feel privileged to have highly experienced and extremely talented, award winning dramatists facilitating workshops. “Added to that we shall be focusing on the most urgent and important issue of our time – the climate crisis. “It is hoped that the seeds from this year’s festival grow to mighty trees and go on to be developed and performed at next year’s festival. “Because we are funded by Clare County Council we have adopted a Pay What You Can pricing policy so that everyone has access to participating.” On October 10 from 6.30 pm to 10 pm Gavin Kostik the Literary Manager with FISHAMBLE will be running an online playwriting workshop for stage. Participants shall have the chance to engage with Fishamble’s Tiny …