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From Cross village to Texas for gruelling US Navy training; from running festivals to nearly drowning in debt; from earthquakes in Manila to almost dying in Mondello, Danny Boland has experienced many highs and lows which he shares with Dan Danaher. WHEN he was working on major construction projects all over the world, Danny Boland always gave thanks for the training he received in Ardnacrusha Power Station. “It was the greatest training anyone could ever have,” says Danny, “It was unbelievable. I would not have been able to work on any of these projects without the ESB. The training and skills I learned in Ardnacrusha made all these jobs so easy. “If I ever ran into a problem on a job, I can pick up the phone and get advice from one of the ESB fitters or electricians I worked with.” “We were trained to weld, operate lathes, maintenance work, construction work, piping. I learned about five different trades in …

UL HOSPITALS Group has notified the public that there will be significant delays at UHL’s emergency department (ED) today. The group has advised people to consider all alternative care options before attending ED as it is busy managing high attendances of very sick people with a variety of complex illnesses, including Covid-19. People with less urgent complaints are advised to expect long delays at the ED today, and have been asked to first consider attending one of the local injury units, (such as that at Ennis), GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED, which continues to experience high presentations. A spokesperson said, “We are working to ensure that care is prioritised for the sickest patients, and as part of our escalation plan, additional ward rounds, accelerated discharges and identification of patients for transfer to our Model 2 hospitals are all underway. We have also opened surge capacity to manage the extremely high levels of activity. “We are reminding …

The morning before a training accident which could have ended her life, Ruan cyclist Imogen Cotter was finally seeing the fruits of her hard labour. She spoke with Ivan Smyth from her base in Girona. The struggle and sacrifices Clare cyclist Imogen Cotter has made to earn a professional contract were rewarded when Belgian based team Plantur Pura signed the 28-year-old this year after a rapid upturn in her form towards the latter half of 2021. Enduring the 3.30am starts which came with working for the Belgian postal service or completing eight-hour shifts at a bakery all led her to fulfilling her dream. She moved to Spain at the start of the year as her career looked destined to reach new heights in the upcoming months. On the morning of January 26, Cotter moved in to her new apartment in Girona and in that moment, it felt as if her life couldn’t be more perfect. At roughly 2pm that afternoon …

‘On the cusp of a wave of momentum’ is a phrase that could be attributed to either Clare or Derry at the moment, writes Eoin Brennan. After all, this is easily the best start that Clare have had in their six seasons at Division 2 as they remain unbeaten after a rousing opening victory over Offaly and back-to-back away draws with Cork and Roscommon. Table-toppers Derry can boast an even greater feat though as one would have to go back to before we ever knew about COVID-19 to find the last time that the Ulster side lost a National League tie. A perfect run of ten consecutive victories have catapulted Rory Gallagher’s side from being a mid-table Division 3 side to the precipice of promotion back to the top tier. Granted, seven of those wins were in Division 3 but it has given Derry the self-belief to hit the ground running so far back in Division 2, with commanding triumphs …

AN Bord Pleanála has rejected an appeal against the granting of planning permission for a development near Mountshannon, writes Dan Danaher. Last June, Clare County Council granted Declan White and Ann Gitte Oerbaek planning permission for a development, subject to four standard conditions, which was subsequently appealed by their neighbour, Jim Grady of Cappaduff, Moutshannon. Permission was sought for retention of lean-to sunroom extension to east elevation of the existing studio building to the north/front of the site; kitchen extension to the east elevation of the existing dwelling house; converted lean-to structure from storage to bathroom and dressing room with extension to existing sunroom on the west elevation of the existing dwelling house. Approval was also requested for rainwater storage tank and associated structures located to the south/rear of the existing dwelling house; retention of terraced area and glass balustrade over rainwater storage tank; new road entrance onto R352 road and associated wing walls; upgraded farm roadway from new road …

Eoin Brennan reports from the National Camogie League Division 1 Round 2 match in Cusack Park Kilkenny 1-8 Clare 0-10 IT had to take an injury-time point from Kallyann Doyle to finally edge Kilkenny over the line and agonisingly deny Clare a dramatic share of the spoils in Cusack Park this afternoon. Sunk by a brace of late Cork goals seven days previously at the same venue, this time it was the hosts who appeared to be finishing the stronger after a three point unanswered rally regained full parity by the hour mark. It wouldn’t be a full reprieve though as from the puck-out, Kilkenny patiently worked the ball down to roaming centre-back Doyle to squeeze her shot just inside the right post for the winning score. A draw would have been just reward for another hard-working display in difficult conditions, with newcomers Lorna McNamara and Caoimhe Carmody in particular excelling on the heightened stage against the 2020 All-Ireland senior …

JUST when it seems that the worst was over for Clare’s injury-ravaged squad, news that Mark Rodgers will be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a knee injury is another massive blow to the solar plexus, writes Eoin Brennan. After all, from the nadir of not even being able to bring a full 26 man squad to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to the welcome sight of getting John Conlon, David Fitzgerald and even Tony Kelly back on the field in the intervening period, things seemed to be finally coming together at an opportune time for Brian Lohan and Co. As Clare’s top-scorer so far, Rodgers was the form player of 2022 and was also instrumental in UL’s run to the Fitzgibbon Cup title until suffering a knee injury against Carlow IT in the semi-final last Thursday evening. As the Scariff star anxiously awaits results on a knee scan though, the show must go on, with a first victory now a prerequisite. …

A determined Colaiste Muire couldn’t undo the damage of three first-half goals in the All-Ireland Senior B decider, writes Ivan Smyth Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew 4-8 Coláiste Muire Ennis 1-9 Three first half goals paved the way for Wicklow’s Coláiste Bhríde to be crowned All Ireland Senior B Camogie champions as they overcame a determined Coláiste Muire outfit. After losing their All Ireland Junior A final in 2019, it is further heartbreak for Coláiste Muire although they can be proud of the grit and determination they showed on Friday evening. In a strange opening half, where Coláiste Muire enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory, it was the Wicklow side’s ruthlessness in front of goal that proved the difference. Coláiste Bhríde captain Emma Tomkins struck for two opening half goals while her fellow corner forward Sadhbh Buttle looked a livewire up front. Their full forward, Wexford minor Sarah Doyle, was crowned Player of the Match as despite often being utilised …