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Avenue United captain Dylan Casey is expecting fireworks when his side come up against Newmarket Celtic in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup final this evening in Frank Healy Park (kick off 5pm). The two traditional heavyweights of Clare soccer go head to head in what a game which has the potential to see sparks fly. With Newmarket Celtic going for a scarcely believable 10th Clare Cup title in a row, Casey is aware that his side face a huge task to dethrone the roll of honour leaders. The centre back knows the challenge ahead is a tough one but he wants his side to focus on their own performance. “We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing. Just because it’s Newmarket doesn’t mean we should be changing our approach to the game. There’s always a bit of bite in these games. It’s going to be a cracker.” There’s nothing unusual about a member of the Casey …

Paddy Purcell has been there and seen it all. The experienced Newmarket Celtic centre half maintains the same level of hunger that he showed during his 10 year spell with Limerick FC and his subsequent time with the kingpins of Clare soccer. With Newmarket Celtic trying to claim 10 Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cups in a row, Purcell insists this side’s drive to succeed is as strong as ever. “We are as hungry and motivated as ever. This is why you play football. We are in the Cup final and are involved in the business end of the League too so we want to win our next two games.” The Newmarket captain claims that completing the 10 in a row does not provide additional motivation for him or the team. “I don’t think the whole 10 in a row is extra motivation. I don’t think the number matters really. Personally, it’s not on my mind. Our sole focus is …

UP to 15,000 people marched in Ennis in November 2003 to oppose the proposed downgrading of Ennis Hospital, which was recommended in the controversial Hanly Report. Last Saturday, a paltry figure of about 70 people turned up to listen to members of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign present a case for the return of a fully functioning Accident and Emergency Department to Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals. A lot of public representatives also decided to stay away. The attendance included Deputy Cathal Crowe, Deputy Joe Carey, Senator Timmy Dooley, Councillor Mark Nestor and Councillor Donna McGettigan. Despite the poor turnout, one of the main organisers, Noeleen Moran, was satisfied with the attendance when questioned by the Clare Champion. “We are getting this campaign up and running after two years of lockdown. It is not an easy thing to encourage people to be in crowds after Covid-19 but we are satisfied with the turnout today. “We only spent two weeks advertising this protest. …

This is where Newmarket Celtic expect to be. In their eyes it’s where they belong. In contention for a fourth successive league and cup double, the reigning champions are keen to assume their place on top of the pile once more. By the time they arrive at Frank Healy Park for Saturday’s showdown Newmarket Celtic will have gone 4087 days without a defeat in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup. Their dominance of this competition has been nothing short of remarkable with the goal of hitting the magic 10-in-a-row and showing that they are in fact far from finished ruling Clare soccer is motivating them according to manager Mark O’Malley. “The lads have done this nine years in a row. I’ve been involved in the club all my life and our cup form has always been good. This batch of players have set their stall out. Ten is a nice number. Ten is better than nine. Avenue are a …

A 73-year-old west Clare farmer credits his fitness and his time in the boxing ring to surviving being caught up in a “raging bull fight” at Kilrush mart seven years ago. At Ennis Circuit Court, James Vincent Fitzpatrick told the court that but only for being “very fit” and his time in the boxing ring “I was a dead man”. He said: “I don’t think anyone else would have gotten out of it alive. Only for I am the type of the man who would not give in – you have to kill me before I die.” During his personal injury action against Clare Marts Limited And Clare Co-Operative Marts Limited, Mr Fitzpatrick broke down in the witness box as he recounted the bull fight at the loading area at Kilrush mart on October 7 2015 during which he sustained a ‘crush’ injury to his right leg. A farmer and a cattle hauler from Burrane, Killimer, Mr Fitzpatrick described how …

Avenue United manager David Russell doesn’t mince his words. He wants silverware, preferably both the Premier Division and Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup. With his side coming up against Newmarket Celtic in an eagerly awaited Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup final tomorrow, the possibility of a domestic double looms large for both these outfits. Avenue United lie two points clear of Newmarket Celtic in the Premier Division. The sides meet in the final game of the season next Wednesday with a draw enough to see Avenue crowned league champions. However, Newmarket Celtic are the current holders in both the league and cup as they will certainly be in no mood to give up either piece of silverware without a fight. Russell feels that his side need to win silverware if his current tenure in charge of the club is going to be regarded as a success. “I said I’d give it three years and see how things stand …

AN Ennis man who recently returned from a humanitarian mission helping Ukrainians flee the war with Russia is this week embarking on a fundraising mission a little closer to home. This Saturday John Casey, founder of the Tesla Owners Group in Ireland and fellow electric vehicle enthusiast ex international rugby player Peter Bracken, will be setting off on a mammoth trip around Clare to raise funds for the Banner GAA. They will visit every GAA club in the county on their journey of more than 550km. John explains that as well as raising money for capital development at the club the trip will also help challenge the perception that electric vehicles cannot travel long ranges. “There are 52 GAA clubs in County Clare and the distance to be covered is approximately 550km starting and finishing at the Banner GAA grounds in Ennis. We will be travelling to the four corners of the county from Naomh Eoin in the West to …

It seems a little too soon to revisit such an epic Munster Final showdown a fortnight ago but perhaps the reparation process can be accelerated by another bout between Clare and Cork on Saturday. Being Clare’s fifth weekend of championship action in-a-row, an already war-weary Banner side had to use all their experience and nous to take what could be yet prove a valuable share of the spoils against Tipperary last Saturday. However, a lack of freshness against the Rebels is a much more daunting task as Cork’s perennial challenge for All-Ireland honours has built up a much more experience and deeper senior squad than most to be able to contend with their own hectic schedule. It means that despite an unflinching determination and unquestionable spirit, it’s all about how Clare approach their latest trip to Cork as with Aoife Power, Alannah Ryan and Orlaith Duggan fully back in the mix along with a free weekend for the juniors, it …