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DUE to the effects of the pandemic, a number of national and regional cup competitions have pushed back their re-commencement dates after the winter break, writes Ivan Smyth. Round five of the FAI Junior Cup, which was due to be played this month are now pencilled in for February 13. Avenue United and Ennis Town will be flying the Clare flag in this competition. David Russell’s side must travel to play Leinster junior league side, Yellowstone Celtic in Dublin while Ennis Town will also be in Dublin to face Ballymun. Should either or both progress then Round Six is schedule to take place on March 3. Quarter finals are down for decision on April 3. Meanwhile, last four games are due to be played on May 1. The final is scheduled for May 22. Meanwhile, in the Munster Junior Cup, action will recommence on the week ending February 20. Avenue United, Ennis Town and Shannon Town will all be in …

AN Ennis secondary school has featured in the top three feeder girls’ schools for third level progression in the country. Coláiste Muire, a non fee paying school, features in the top four of all schools in the recently released Irish Times feeder school tables. The school recorded a 115% progression rate to third level in the list which included the total number of college registrations from schools including those who completed their Leaving Certificate prior to 2021. A total of 138 students at the Coláiste sat their Leaving Certificate in 2021, while the total number of Coláiste students to accept a CAO place in that year was 159. According to the statistics, NUIG was the most popular third level institution for Coláiste students with 37 enrolled there last year. The second most popular college was UL with 31 students enrolled. Students were also accepted to UCD, TCD, DCU, St Angela’s, Queens’ University Belfast, TU Dublin, Galway – Mayo IT, IT …

FORMER Tyrone footballer Cathal McCarron will be at Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon at 4pm on Saturday, where he will be speaking about gambling addiction. McCarron was a sub when Tyrone won the 2008 All-Ireland, while he won four Ulster titles and was twice nominated for an All-Star, before his retirement in 2019. Just over five years ago he released his autobiography Out of Control (which was ghost-written by Clare journalist Christy O’Connor), in which he was candid about his gambling addiction and the dark places it brought him to. The book was an explosive read, certainly one of the most memorable GAA autobiographies, in which he recounted what was a chaotic lifestyle. He says he likes to give talks like the one on Saturday, and he feels it’s important to keep drawing attention to problem gambling. “I don’t do as many as I’d like, but hopefully I’ll get more time to do them. The way things are going the …

ENNNIS U16s showed their mettle as they outscored Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne 29-0 in the second half of their Pan Munster Phase Two clash winning the game 39-14, writes Ivan Smyth. On what was an extremely windy day with the occasional hail shower, conditions were certainly not ideal. Ennis managed to adapt quickly and some physical carries from Caoimhin Enright and Michael Sweeney created gaps in the Dingle defense which Jacob Cassen Rennie exploited as he crashed over for Ennis’s first try.  The Kerry side struck back through their pack with some strong carries leading to a converted try. Both seams swapped scores again before half time with Nicolis Roos muscling his way over for the visitors and a quick reply from Dingle saw the half finish 14 – 10 in their favour.  Ennis started the second half just like the first with Seán Queally and Odhrán Flynn leading a very hard working pack around the field constantly stretching the Dingle defense. Roos …

FUNERAL details have been announced for the 78-year-old Clareman who was killed in Lisdoonvarna last Friday morning. The late John O’Neill (better known as Jack) of St. Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna, was found dead in unexplained circumstances on January 7. Mr O’Neill will repose at Cullinan’s Funeral Home, Ennistymon, this Thursday, January 13, from 5pm with removal at 7.30pm to The Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday (January 14) at 11am with burial afterwards in The Holy Rosary Cemetery Doolin. Mr O’Neill had run a tourism business in Lisdoonvarna and was bereaved on the death of his wife Chris last year. Speaking to The Clare Champion several local people said he was a friendly and sociable person, who was popular in the area. Predeceased by his wife Chris, sisters Geraldine and Philomena, Mr O’Neill is deeply regretted by his loving sons Séan and Graham, daughters-in-law Norma and Deirdre, adored grandchildren Conor, Síofra, Cara, Odhran and Donagh, …

A CLARE man charged with the murder of a pensioner in Lisdoonvarna has been further remanded in custody, writes Ronan Judge. Thomas Lorigan (32), of no fixed abode, appeared at Ennis district court this Wednesday via video link from Limerick Prison. Lorigan is charged with the murder of John O’Neill (78) at St Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna at a time unknown between January 6 and January 7. The charge against Lorigan is contrary to Common Law. During the brief hearing, the accused spoke only to confirm that he could see and hear the court proceedings. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court the matter had first come before the court on Saturday, January 8. Sergeant Lonergan said directions from the director of public prosecutions (DPP) are already known and that a book of evidence is awaited in the case. The DPP has directed trial on indictment. The sergeant said it was the State’s application to have the accused remanded in custody for …

WITH Clare people continuing to fall foul of bogus callers and rogue tradesmen, gardai have issued security advice to the public. Clare crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks has provided a check list of advice to follow should you be confronted with suspicious callers • Are you expecting callers? If not, look out the window to see the caller. • Have a viewer fitted in your door – you are safer behind a closed door. • Have a door chain / limiter fitted and keep the chain/ limiter on, if you must open the door use the limiter. There are electric doorbells that link to your mobile phone. • Make sure your back door is locked before you go to the front door • If you are going to engage, ask for ID – a genuine caller won’t mind! • Use recommended tradespeople, avoid using the services of cold callers. • The basic rule is if you don’t know the …

ONE person has died and another has been injured in a road traffic collision in County Clare this morning. The two-car crash happened shortly before 6am on the main R352 Ennis to Scarif Road between Tulla and Feakle. It’s understood that one car travelling east from the Ennis direction lost control on a bend in the townland of Ballinahinch and collided with an oncoming car. Gardaí, National Ambulance Service paramedics and units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Scariff station responded to the scene. A fatal road traffic collision has occurred on the R352 Ennis to Scarriff Road at Ballinahinch.Eastbound traffic is currently diverted at the R352 via the R467 Black Sticks Road to Broadford and Bodyke.Westbound traffic on the R352 is diverted at Bodyke Village via Broadford. pic.twitter.com/HChXI2iSL4 — Clare County Council (@ClareCoCo) January 12, 2022 On arrival they found that the driver and sole occupant of one car had been fatally injured. The driver of the …