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Clare 1-13 Limerick 1-12 THE Clare footballers have qualified to play Kerry in the Munster semi-final in Ennis on the weekend of June 10/11 but they almost threw the game away in Cusack Park against Limerick. While they led by five points at half time and six 12 minutes from full time, an injury time Josh Ryan goal pulled Limerick to within a point of their division 2 opponents. While Limerick fought hard throughout, Clare held them at bay for most of the game, until Seán O’Dea intercepted a Joe Hayes kick out, which was aimed at John Hayes. O’Dea found Ryan and the Limerick substitute goaled to give his side renewed hope of forcing a replay. Limerick had a chance to create an equaliser but Seán McSweeney’s shot went high and wide, when he could have held up the play and waited for a support run. In a game which was played in front of an attendance of 2,968, …

THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are today beginning an investigation after an incident yesterday in which a bull injured three men at Ennis mart. The incident occurred yesterday morning and the bull has since been put down while two of the men remain in hospital. A HSA spokesman said that their inspector will be at the mart today, to investigate the incident. Clare Marts released a brief statement on Friday morning. “Clare Marts confirms an incident took place in the Ennis Mart on Thursday, May 25 at the point of intake of animals.  Three men were injured and taken to hospital and two men remain in hospital.  All agencies were notified of the incident.”  

The Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman today (Thursday) launched their annual report for 2016. The report highlighted that the Office of the Press Ombudsman received 261 complaints in 2016, down from 278 in the previous year. The complaints related to articles published in national and local newspapers, magazines and online-only news publications. In 2016 the Press Ombudsman made 23 decisions, down from 34 the previous year. Nine complaints were upheld in 2016. Speaking at the launch at the Maldron Hotel in Dublin, the Press Ombudsman, Peter Feeney, said, “Member publications are providing a service to their readers which is largely compliant with the requirements found in the Code of Practice”. Seán Donlon, the chair of the Press Council, welcomed the review of the Defamation Act, which is currently taking place. He said that “reforms suggested by the Press Council and others would result in the possibility of lesser financial court settlements and more frequent …

THE shocking events of Monday night in Manchester stunned the world, including the Mancunian community in Clare. The suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena killed 22 people and injured 59. Manchester native Ollie Mullooly, who is a very well-known DJ in Clare, has been living in the county for 17 years. He first heard about the tragic events, which followed an Ariana Grande concert attended by 19,000 people, on the family viber group from his brother-in-law in Australia. “Shocking. I’m still in shock now,” Ollie told The Clare Champion on Wednesday. “To make it even more shocking to my family, the first guy that was arrested lives half a mile away from my parents’ house. Apparently the bomber lived close to him. I don’t know if he lived in Chorlton-cum-Hardy as well. It’s a lovely place. It’s smaller than Ennis. It’s a south central suburb of Manchester. To think that he lived so close to us…It’s hard to believe,” he …

Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis in solidarity with the people of Manchester and the UK in memory of the victims of last night’s terror attack at the Manchester Arena. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Bill Chambers said, “By opening this Book of Condolence, Clare County Council is giving the people of Clare the opportunity to express their solidarity with the people of Manchester and the United Kingdom following this senseless and callous attack.” “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the people of Manchester at this difficult time,” he added. Members of the public are invited to sign the Books at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, during office hours (9am -5pm, Monday-Friday). Once closed, the Book …

Clare TD Michael Harty has condemned “in the strongest possible words the indescribable slaughter of the Innocents in Manchester last night.” The West Clare GP said, “To kill and injure teenagers and children on a happy night out at a concert is beyond comprehension. It goes without saying that no cause, no ideology can excuse this outrageous attack on the young and vulnerable. “As a doctor, I am very well aware of the grief and pain suffered by the loved ones of those who die in horrific circumstances. I am equally aware of the slow, difficult and sometimes incomplete recovery of those who survive. They are all in our thoughts today as they battle for life and hope in the face of this atrocity.” The independent Deputy, Dr Harty spoke of the close links between Ireland and County Clare and the city of Manchester. “Over the decades, many of our sons and daughters emigrated there. They found work and a …

A NEW Clare hero arrived home this afternoon, as John Burke touched down at Shannon Airport, having scaled Mount Everest. As he emerged from the aircraft the 38-year-old hotelier was visibly thrilled to be home, and he was embraced by family on the tarmac. Later when he emerged from the arrivals area he was welcomed by a large crowd, eager to recognise the Miltown man’s achievement. Speaking to the press John said he was delighted to be back in Clare. “It’s amazing, I’ve been thinking about it since I left. There’s no place like home, I’m delighted to be back.” Reaching the earth’s summit was an unforgettable moment. “I got to stand on top of the world on May 16 at 9.45am. It was a dream of ten years for me and I was so emotional when I got to the top, I’m still emotional that I got to the top. I suppose when you chase a dream and you …

Nine prestigious International Blue Flag status has been awarded to Clare beaches, including Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggeran, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Green Coast Awards were also awarded to the beaches at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan), Seafield (Quilty) and for the first time, Ballyalla Lake. An Taisce’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards were accepted on behalf of Clare County Council by Councillor Paul Murphy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, and Claire McGrath, Clare Water Safety development officer, at a ceremony held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, County Cork today (Monday) The Blue Flag is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to over 4000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The award, which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) – represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental …