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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 …

Clare Cup Division 1A Round 7 Sixmilebridge v Broadford at O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge, Friday 7.30pm A keen derby that would be a juicy prospect come championship time but realistically there’s merely only pride to play for in Sixmilebridge this evening. Of course the sides did clash in the 2020 Senior Championship that the then county champions Sixmilebridge prevailed in with a degree of ease on their way to retaining their Canon Hamilton title. However, that was Broadford’s first year back in the top flight and they’ve been growing in stature in the intervening period. While Sixmilebridge are stuck in a mid-table limbo, Broadford do require the points to steer clear of safety. Inagh-Kilnamona v Feakle at Inagh, Friday 7.30pm It’s safe to say that Inagh-Kilnamona have had the Indian sign over Feakle in recent seasons. Indeed, the East Clare side’s last senior win against their hosts was in 2015 and in the seven years since, Inagh-Kilnamona have recorded five consecutive …

LOCAL retailers Joe Greensmith and Anne Keyes are inviting people to support the Tour de Mace static cycle in-store in order to raise funds for their charity partner, Down Syndrome Ireland. The event will take place on May 28 and 29 from 10am to 5pm at the store on the Lahinch Road. This store is one of many Mace outlets involved in running this rewarding charity event throughout summer 2022. The retailer is hosting a unique in-store static cycle event whereby customers can donate 15 minutes to 1 hour of their time to cycle and contribute much needed funds to Down Syndrome Ireland. Customers and staff can sign up beforehand by calling into the store to select their cycling time slot or else they can sign up on the day. They are encouraging customers who aren’t participating to come along and join in on the celebrations and donate funds towards Down Syndrome Ireland. Each Tour de MACE makes a real …