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Breaking News

Make or break for some in intermediate hurling championship

Eoin Brennan runs the rule over this weekend’s intermediate hurling championship ties Intermediate Championship Round 2 Group 3 Inagh-Kilnamona v Tulla at Gurteen, Sunday 12pm With the group blown wide open following some dramatic opening round twists, it’s now make-or-break territory for Tulla. Following a frustrating hour against Ogonnelloe, they simply cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to return to a third consecutive quarter-final since falling from senior. Inagh-Kilnamona, having already matched other flagship side Bodyke, will be licking their lips at the prospect of knocking out Tulla but the East Clare side’s experience simply has to surface. Verdict: Tulla Ogonnelloe v Bodyke at Whitegate, Sunday 6.30pm A little more freedom here as whoever loses will still be in contention for the business end. They last met in the Junior A Championship but both will have set their sights on higher plains and therefore neither will want to end their unbeaten run. Victory is much more important for …

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Petition launched over ‘dangerous’ East Clare jet ski activity

JET SKI activity at one of Lough Derg’s most scenic bathing areas has been described as “an accident waiting to happen”.  The issue has prompted a petition calling for restrictions to protect swimmers at Knockaphort, a popular bathing spot and launch point for vessels sailing to Holy Island. Local swimmers have reported a number of near-misses with jet skis. One Mountshannon woman described her own recent experience as “horrific”.  Clí Donnellan told The Champion she was so frustrated with the ongoing problem that she launched the petition last Sunday night on Change.org. “The situation last weekend was just shocking,” she said. “There is a massive, massive safety issue. Knocaphort is only around 500 metres from Holy Island. There are reeds about halfway between the shore and the island and jet skis just shouldn’t be there, and they certainly shouldn’t be speeding. Swimmers are now reluctant to go into the water because of the danger.” Clí recalled her own recent near-miss …

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Great range of fun and informative Heritage Week events in Clare

HERITAGE WEEK begins this Saturday, August 13, running until the following Sunday and there is a wealth of events to enjoy in Clare. The artisan crafts and produce of County Clare will be showcased at the Cliffs of Moher Experience as part of a series of daily events running throughout the week. The Cliffs will also be hosting a number of events including story-telling, music and dance performances. Meanwhile, children will be invited to take part in Biodiversity Treasure Hunts in which they will have to seek out etchings scattered throughout the visitor attraction as well as identifying the natural flowers at the Cliffs of Moher. Liscannor Heritage Group will present an evening of ‘Show and Tell’ on the rich history of the village and the surrounding area as part of Heritage Week. The event takes place at Liscannor Community Hall on Saturday, August 13 at 6pm. It includes a presentation by Ciara Carew on her research on Cornelius O’Brien, …

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Senior hurling sides look to push on, not fall behind

Eoin Brennan previews all of this weekend’s senior hurling championship ties Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 Group 3 Kilmaley v Clooney-Quin at Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 1pm More than a battle of the first round winners as it’s a golden opportunity for both to not only maintain their table-topping form but make a real statement of intent in the Canon Hamilton race. Having seemingly turned a corner previously before skilfully reversing back around it, both Kilmaley and Clooney-Quin have a free shot on Sunday to put one foot in the quarter-finals. Kilmaley seemed better positioned to snatch that chance as there were finally real signs of maturity amongst their core in seeing out a significant opening victory over neighbours Éire Óg. It’s also an exciting time for Clooney-Quin who are in the midst of assimilating a new generation of stars. However, while it was enough to edge out relative newcomers Scariff, taking down the recent Clare Cup champions might be …

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Charity tag rugby game on Kilkee beach this Saturday

A CHARITY tag rugby game between the Limerick Leprechauns and the Kilkee Fallen Stars will take place on the beach in Kilkee this Saturday at 2pm. The game will benefit the Ukrainian Integration Fund, to help the tens of thousands of refugees who have arrived in Ireland since the outbreak of war. Kilkee itself has hosted hundreds of Ukrainian families. The funds raised during the annual Leprechauns game will directly help these families as well as many others living elsewhere in Clare and across the country. The Limerick Leprechauns, which is made up of retired club rugby players and members undertakes a number of events every year and has raised significant funds for charity over the past 30 years. In that time the Leprechauns say they have raised over €1million which has benefitted organisations such as Pieta House, Milford Hospice, Tipperary Cancer Support Centre, Kilkee Sub Aqua centre among others. Leprechauns President John Fanning said they were particularly happy this …

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GALLERY: Clare athletes on the hunt for Community Games gold

Clare Community Games will have 92 children representing them in track, field and relay events at the Community Games National Athletic finals this Saturday in Carlow SETU Campus (formerly IT Carlow). On Saturday over 60 of the participants in the National Finals had a Meet and Greet and coaching session in O’Sullivan Park. It was arranged by Paula Byrne O’Connell, county chairperson. It was beautiful to see so many smiling children in glorious sunshine so eager to meet and make new friendships. Thanks to Marie, Martin, Colm. Gabriel and the parents who helped to give tips and encouragement to the children on their particular event. Best of luck to all in the finals on Saturday. Busy Time St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games are having a very busy few weeks completing team competitions. The winners will qualify for the Munster finals on September 10 with some preliminary games to be played on September 3. Some are also preparing for …

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Heritage comes alive at Cliffs of Moher on special week

A RANGE of events and activities showcasing the best of Clare will take place at the Cliffs of Moher for National Heritage Week, August 13-20. The artisan crafts and produce of County Clare will be showcased at the Cliffs of Moher Experience as part of a series of daily events running throughout the week. The visitor centre will host local suppliers from a different part of the county each day, including Wilde Irish Chocolates (Tuamgraney), Creative Clay (Sixmilebridge), artist Doreen Drennan (Lisdoonvarna), Sallyann’s Handmade Bags (Miltown Malbay), Irish Slate Craft (Lahinch), Wix and Wax  (Ennis) and Glendara Art (Feakle). Other activities will take place daily between 10am to 4pm. Storytellers will recount tales from the cliffs and the surrounding area, there will free guided tours of the site offered twice daily, birdwatching, a talk on the tradition of surfing Aileen’s Wave at Aille na Searach, and music, dance and interactive demonstrations. Meanwhile, children will be invited to take part in …

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Eir defends controversial mast as ‘futureproofing area’s needs’

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to install a 21-metre mast in the centre of Scariff has been defended by its developers, on the basis that it will future proof the area’s communications needs.  Proposals lodged by Eir at the end of last year, sparked considerable local alarm over moves to replace a 12m pole at the exchange of The Connacht Road with a much larger structure. A total of ten objections were lodged, including one with a petition containing 48 signatures.  Against that backdrop, County Planners contacted Eir in February seeking Further Information (FI) on a number of of aspects of the mast plan. The company has now responded.  Planners had raised concerns over the proposed location of the mast, which would be just 15m from a number of local homes and the potential for “an over-bearing, imposing effect”. They also said the proposed mast would be “highly visible” from locations including the R352, a designated scenic route.  In its recent response …

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