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Clare manager Brian Lohan has expressed his delight that Peter Duggan and Rory Hayes have been cleared to play in this weekend’s All Ireland SHC quarter finals. Lohan admits having the in form duo to call upon is a boost for this Saturday’s showdown as he believes his side need the strongest panel possible to overcome Wexford. “Sure look we are delighted that we are getting the opportunity to pick from a full panel. We are delighted that everyone is available.” The former All Ireland winning full back admits that the talk surrounding the proposed suspensions and the effort needed to overturn them was tiring. “It’s very draining for any of these appeals. Between getting legal advice and the Board Officers putting in a lot of effort, it is a tough process. For the guys themselves (Duggan and Hayes) it puts a strain on them. There is a mental toll. Social media is something that we didn’t have to deal …

THE natural beauty of Loop Head and its rich biodiversity will be showcased this weekend through a wide range of activities. Wild Loop Head’s Nature Weekend 2022 will take place on June 18 and 19 and draws on a number of diverse attractions on the peninsula. It is supported by the efforts of Loop Head Peninsula Together, Purecamping, Carsten Krieger Photographer and Author and sponsored by Wild Atlantic Hemp and Hemp4Soil. On June 18, the day will begin at 10am with a walk and talk hosted by Cormac McGinley of Cormac’s Coast, observing the Loop Head bird colonies such as fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and choughs. Tickets are €25. McGinley has degrees in zoology and marine biology, and is an expert on all coastal wildlife, running tours and talks around the Cliffs of Moher all year round. This will be followed by a talk by Mary Kate Bolger of Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt at 2pm at Halla Eoin Kilbaha, while Kilkee Sub-Aqua …

LAST year Clare County Councillors voted to keep the Local Property Tax at the maximum that can legally be charged, but pressure for a reduction is likely to be high in 2023, as the worst inflation seen in decades is eroding people’s standard of living. Last year Shannon Independent councillor Gerry Flynn was one of just two members who were against keeping the amount paid by Clare householders at 15% above the standard rate, and at this week’s meeting of the local authority he called for a reduction in 2023. Prior to last week’s meeting he put a motion on the agenda in which he stated, “I am calling on the Councillors in Clare County Council to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15% when they are making a decision on the new rate. “Currently homeowners in Clare are paying 15% above the Government’s recommended standard rate as a result of a decision taken by local councillors. “This unjust tax …

A TEMPORARY prohibition on swimming at a west Clare bathing area has been lifted following consultation with the HSE. Following improved bacterial results the temporary prohibition on swimming that had been in place at Cappagh bathing area has been lifted as of 11am Friday, June 17. Lifeguarded hours at Cappagh are 11am-7pm weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) in June; daily starting June 27 to August 31; and the first two weekends in September (3-4 and 10-11). Clare County Council has advised that the safest place to swim is at lifeguarded locations. For further information, contact Clare County Council environment section on (065) 6846331 / enviroff@clarecoco.ie and visit www.beaches.ie.

Leo O’Connor has certainly become accustomed to rolling with the punches these past few weeks as Clare’s hurling re-emergence at all levels began to build momentum. Working as a Business Development Manager for The Clare Champion, the Limerick native, and former player as well as former minor and U-21 manager has faced his fair share of banter as the Shannonside derby that extended to four competitive clashes in 2022 reached fever pitch with the recent Munster Final clash. With that rivalry put on hold (temporarily at least), there is no let-up for O’Connor though as having been Offaly minor manager for the past three seasons, there was almost a sense of inevitability when Clare were the ones to come through the quarter-final qualifiers to face the Leinster champions at the All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final stage in Thurles this evening (7.30pm). Before matters get serious on Friday though, the Claughan clubman, who actually played against Offaly in Limerick’s ill-fated 1994 All-Ireland senior …

AN INSPECTION by HIQA has found that conditions in the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick pose a significant risk to the provision of care and to the health and welfare of people receiving care. The report by the health watchdog, published today, found UHL’s emergency department to be non-compliant in three key indicators from the National Standards for safer better healthcare. It was only partially compliant with the other key standard. Excessive demand on services, ineffective patient flow and insufficient nurse staffing levels were all highlighted in the report of an inspection that took place at the hospital on March 15 of this year. On that date HIQA conducted a risk-based unannounced inspection of the ED at UHL to follow up on issues of overcrowding and to assess preparations for the risk of additional severe crowding over the upcoming bank holiday weekend of March 17 to 20. During the inspection, HIQA assessed compliance with four key standards under the …

INTENSIVE efforts to ensure consultation on the new defective concrete blocks grant, which is to cover this county, have resulted in an agreement to hear from affected homeowners before legislation is finalised. The announcement from the Housing Committee falls short of full pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS), which had been sought by campaign groups, including that in Clare. However, it will mean that members of Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) are likely to get the opportunity to address the committee next week. It also means the legislation can be fast-tracked. The move follows a request by Deputy Joe Carey and two party colleagues to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing to engage in a PLS process. “With Deputy Kieran O’Donnell from Limerick and Deputy Joe McHugh from Donegal, I have written to the Chair of the Housing Committee seeking PLS,” Deputy Carey confirmed. “I have also asked Minister Darragh O’Brien to facilitate a full briefing for the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) …

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 …