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MOTOR and tractor enthusiasts are revving up for the return of the Tony Horan Memorial Tractor Run in Bridgetown on Sunday, October 24. This eagerly-awaited social event, which is run in memory of popular Bridgetown publican Tony Horan, is expected to attract up to 100 trucks, tractors, motor bikes and vintage cars. Starting at 1am, the tractor run goes from Bridgetown to Broadford, onto Ardnacrusha and Bridgetown for the pig on a spit at 4.30pm. It has been organised by Rosemarie Stuart, who now runs Tony’s Bar, Bridgetown. “It is a great day in the village, and everyone is looking forward to it. In view of Covid-19, everyone needs a lift,” she said. An auction and raffle will be held in the pub after the tractor run. A mini tractor run takes place for children in the back yard early in the morning. Families can look forward to availing of a face painter for children, pig on a spit and …

WEST Coast Motorcycle Club will be teaming with Happy Feet Happy Minds this weekend to raise funds for mental health services in West Clare via a motorcycle run on October 24. The charity’s main prerogative is to support mental health services within West Clare, particularly sending counsellors to the local schools and to people in need outside of that sphere. Check in for the event will be at Centra on the Lahinch Road in Ennis at midday, where some donations will be taken before the bikes take off on their first leg of the journey. This will take them to Spanish Point, on to Kilkee and further to Dunlickey before returning to Kilrush and finishing with hot food, teas and coffees at the marina. John Murphy, an organiser of the event and long-term member of the motorcycle club, said: “We will also be giving out fuel vouchers worth €100, as well as four €50 all-for-one vouchers, and many more. It …

The perfect advertisement for 2021’s new underage structure as St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Ballyea served up a thrilling inaugural Under 13A decider that was only edged by the former with a spectacular late three goal blitz in Clarecastle on Saturday afternoon. Considering the transformation of playing non-competitive Under 12 ties in a reduced field twelve months previously to being thrown in at the deep end of an Under 13 competition installed as the first major championship title, the standard of play and quality of personnel was admirable in a final that pitted the best two sides in the county against one another for the ultimate showdown. After all, a combined tally of twenty previous championship matches only yielded one defeat, ironically an opening reverse for the Parish against Ballyea. However, while Ballyea had remained unbeaten up to Saturday’s final, St Joseph’s only seemed to grow in confidence and understanding as the championship developed. The rivalry was enhanced by the fact …

GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised after confirming that a total of 22 emergency calls in Clare did not receive an appropriate response in the period of 2019-2020. The vast majority of these calls related to domestic disturbances. At the meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) this week, the Commissioner reiterated an apology he made nationally after the Policing Authority found that 600 emergency calls nationally were cancelled and not correctly dealt with by the force. The JPC heard that a follow-up procedure was put in place to address the matter and that a new call classification system is being developed. However, Deputy Violet Anne Wynne, who raised a question with the commissioner about the matter, was critical of the missed opportunity to respond appropriately to the brave decision made by those experiencing domestic abuse to seek help. In response to a question from the Sinn Fein TD, which was submitted formally before the meeting, Commissioner Harris outlined that …

Ennistymon’s Junior A manager Brendan Rouine believes this weekend’s county final against Ballyvaughan will see the form book go out the window. Despite his side showing admirable grit in beating Kilmurry/Ibrickane after extra time in the last four, the Ennistymon manager insists previous games are irrelevant when the ball is thrown in on Saturday. “That game (semi final) is behind us. It’s going to be a good contest against Ballyvaughan and we are looking forward to it. They are experienced and strong throughout the field so we are under no illusions of the challenge we face. Every game takes on a life of its own. Ballyvaughan will present us with a difficult challenge. This team is helping us to develop players but we still want to put our best foot forward.” Ennistymon’s defence has impressed throughout the Championship as they only conceded an average of just over four points per game in the group stages. In the semi finals they …

Ballyvaughan manager Pat Costello is looking forward to seeing his side test themselves against Ennistymon this Saturday. For the second time this year, Ballyvaughan will compete in the Junior A football final. Costello believes the fact they are competing against a North Clare club will add extra intrigue to this final. “There is a way bigger build up to a derby. Everyone meets everyone. Even if you go to the shop you will likely meet someone who is interested in the game or who will be rooting one way or the other. “There’s mighty banter and it leads to more hype which will hopefully mean more of a crowd. It’s brilliant. It’s what you want. It’s great that people are talking. It would be a downer if there was no talk about the game.” Ballyvaughan lost the 2020 Junior A final, which was held in July of this year to Banner. Costello is delighted that his side get another crack …

FURTHER delays in giving Clare homeowners access to the grant scheme for defective blocks have been strongly condemned by the founder of The Clare Pyrite Action Group. There were conflicting reports, at a recent public meeting, on whether and when the Department of Housing had raised queries with the council, over its application to access to the scheme. The Department has now clarified to Deputy Joe Carey and to The Champion that it is to contact the council “shortly” about the report it submitted in June. Given the Minister gave an assurance, on his Clare visit in August, that a decision would be made in a matter of weeks, the delay has provoked anger. “This is disgraceful carry on,” Dr Martina Cleary said. “Bureaucracy is being used to drag out people’s suffering. This obfuscation is unacceptable, and the council’s application is being pushed from pillar to post. It’s an utter joke and they think people are stupid enough to believe …

PLANS by Clare hurling manager Brian Lohan for a new Aldi store in Ennis are being challenged by a number of objectors who have lodged appeals to An Bord Pleanala. Among those opposing the proposal are the representative body for independent grocery store owners The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA). The group stated, “If left unchecked the cumulative effect of significant new convenience retail developments at multiple neighbourhood locations poses a real threat to the future vitality and viability of the town centre. “This has the potential to compromise the delivery of town centre expansion.” Appeals have also been lodged by Paul and Kay Ryan of Ryan’s Centra and Harnett Homes and Estate Developers. Moam Property Ltd & Lohan Property Ltd are behind the plans for a change of use from a retail warehouse to a discount foodstore at the Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Road. Last month Clare County Council gave the proposal the green-light …