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Clare certainly like to give their supporters value for money. I mean it would have been very boring had the Banner only built upon their seven point first half cushion and running out comprehensive winners with the wind at their backs for the second period. Manager Colm Collins could see also see the humorous side to getting over the line for what was their first ever championship victory over Meath. “We’ve had a bad time with them haven’t we?” quipped the Cratloe clubman immediately afterwards. “I think we played them five times since I’ve got involved and hadn’t won but the last day we played them here in Cusack Park during the league I thought we were a lot closer. So I was optimistic today but by God did we make hard work of it. “Listen, the bottom line is that it’s great to be in the hat on Monday, that’s the most important thing but overall I don’t think …

THE Shannon Summer Music Festival will take place on this Saturday, June 11, in the Town Park.  It is being organised by Chris Walshe and he said there will be something for all age groups on the day. “It starts at 2pm and from 2-6pm we’ll have children’s entertainment. We’ll have face painting, balloon modellers, kiddies disco and we’ll have a DJ. From 6pm on it’ll be live music on the main stage in the Park.” All of the acts during the evening are local. “First up we have the Kirby brothers, then we have Adam Moloney, then we have a band called North of Fortitude, then we’ve a band called the Mangled Badgers. “The last band then, the headliners, is a band called Sticky September. You might know the bands One September and Sticky Fingers. The two of those are joining forces for the evening.” It is the first major outdoor event in the town for several years and …

OBJECTORS to plans for the construction of a new housing development in an historic Ennis area designated an Opportunity Site in the County Development Plan have insisted they don’t want it to become an “opportunity lost”. Two separate appeals by residents against the proposal have now been lodged with An Bord Pleanala following the granting of permission by Clare County Council to Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ of 37 residential units and a cafe with digital working hub at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. An appeal has been lodged by Mary Burke and Pat Conboy who have purchased and are renovating a property on Carmody Street. In a previous submission to the council during the initial planning application, they argued that the proposed density of the development “will entirely destroy the fabric of this neighbourhood.” And a separate appeal, lodged by local Stephen Loftus …

ONE third of residential burglaries last summer involved entry through an unsecured door or window, with summer burglaries more likely in the afternoon than winter burglaries, gardaí in Clare have revealed. With summer holidays on the horizon, gardaí in Clare have issued advice to homeowners on ways to protect their homes from burglars. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks says, “Operation Thor summer burglary campaign is ongoing with targeting of organised criminal gangs. “Operation Thor and ongoing community engagement has resulted in dramatic drops in burglary. Less residential burglaries are reported in the summer than in the winter. “Residential burglaries during the summer are more likely to occur in the afternoon than winter burglaries. “An unsecured door or window is a more common entry point in the summer than in the winter and one third of residential burglaries last summer involved entry through an unsecured door or window. “As we come into the summer months, we want to remind people …

HIGHLY acclaimed aerial dance troupe Fidget Feet are coming to Scariff Harbour this weekend, as part of Crinniú na nÓg.  The national festival of youth creativity, which takes place on Saturday next (June 11), is supported by Clare County Library, the Council and Creative Ireland. This year’s event will see the spectacular ‘Flutterby 2’ performed on the shores of Lough Derg. A magical show for children aged four to 12 and their families, there are two sessions per day, each lasting 90 minutes. The sessions are hands-on and will be made up of three parts.  The first part is called ‘Make’. This is an active arts and crafts session. Families can join in the fun to make caterpillars, moths and butterflies together with the Fidget Feet team.  Then, it’s time to ‘Walk’. This part of the session involves meeting Bláithín. Bláithín loves caterpillars, moths and butterflies and you are invited to follow her on her adventurous journey with Uncle Rusty …

FIVE patients are waiting six to seven years for a first appointment at an outpatients diabetes clinic in the Mid-West, new official figures have revealed. Figures provided by the UL Hospitals’ Group also show 101 patients are waiting four to five years, 28 patients are waiting five to six years, 58 patients are waiting up to six months while 72 patients are waiting six to 12 months for a first appointment. Out of the total of 573 on the waiting list, 47 patients are waiting 12 to 18 months, 57 patients are waiting 18 to 24 months and 205 patients are waiting two to four years. These figures were provided to Limerick Councillor Dan McSweeney in response to a question tabled at a recent HSE West Forum meeting. In September 2020, the diabetes outpatient waiting list was at least six years with 663 people and 336 of those people were waiting two years or more for their first appointment. While …

Avenue United manager David Russell has lauded his charges for securing the club’s first League and Clare Cup double since 2010. The Clarecastle native credited his side’s commitment and appetite to improve for helping them end Newmarket Celtic’s stranglehold on both competitions. “It’s great. It’s our first double in about 10 years. To do it against Newmarket who’ve dominated Clare soccer for so long makes it better. It’s a great achievement by a great bunch of players there. They put their shoulder to the wheel for the whole season and they got what they deserved.” In what was a demanding campaign for Avenue with runs to the Last 16 of the FAI and Munster Junior Cups, a final appearance in the League Cup and victories in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup and Moloney Hardware Premier Division, Russell insists himself nor the players ever felt that any part of the season was a slog. “The lads never baulked at …

Sporting Ennistymon have spoken out on the controversy surrounding the registration of a Ukrainian refugee. The club have published a statement in which they outline their grievances with the process. The controversy arises over the need for the player in question to obtain an International Transfer Clearance (ITC) with the club believing they did not need to obtain one for the player to line out with them. However, they did and due to the confusion, Sporting were docked five points which subsequently meant they needed to play a Promotion/Relegation Play Off. Had they not received the penalty, the club would be guaranteed Premier Division football next season. In the club’s statement, they argue that a lack of information and clarity was provided by the FAI surrounding the rules with regards to registering a Ukrainian refugee. They also contend that the website used to register players, FAInet, is inadequate while also stating their belief that the FIFA rule in relation to …