Galleries

CHECK out our gallery of images from the Clare District Soccer League games we covered last weekend.

Following the GAA Autism Summer Camp, sports inclusion disability officer, James Murrihy recalled the Clare Sports Partnership (CSP) wanted to build on the example set by Tulla and Derg AC by using this template for a similar programme in Corofin GAA club. What followed was the first Corofin All Stars programme for children with additional needs “An inclusive programme will only work if there is a drive and participation from volunteers within the club,” Murrihy pointed out. “It is also important to set up a sustainability plan with the help of the CSP to ensure it doesn’t end after six weeks. CSP can provide training and education for volunteers as well as advising them about grants for equipment.” Read Dan Danaher’s full report on the project here

After their historic victory over De La Salle Waterford, St Joseph’s Tulla joint-manager Terence Fahy was in high spirits. “We just love the way that this team represent our school. They have so many characteristics that people can admire. They are relentless. “Their capacity to respond to setbacks was evident again there today. It came down to the basics really, desire, fitness, and no little skill. We are on a journey, and it begins and ends with our school spirit. “That has been built by a thousand people over many, many years. These lads just drive it on wonderfully. The level of support not alone from their own communities but from all over Clare for these lads is immense.” “The field is just full of past players who have worn that navy jersey over the decades and it’s immense. St Joseph’s Tulla is a special place, full of history, and these lads are carving their niche in that now. We …

The final scoreline of 6-15 to 1-12 may be misleading but there’s certainly no doubting the pedigree of the latest breakthrough Kerry representative to soar to Munster Intermediate Club Championship honours in Mallow on Sunday afternoon. Becoming the 13th different club from the Kingdom to garner this provincial crown in the last 15 years, it was a rite of passage that a much heralded Na Gaeil capitalised upon with six timely goals. That said, aside from a third quarter meltdown in which they were pummelled into submission by 3-8 to 0-1, Corofin more than matched their Tralee opponents who only two years previously had garnered provincial and national Junior silverware. Indeed, the North Clare outfit were arguably the better side in the opening period, only to be twice struck by impact goals at the start of the first two quarters while passing up a glorious opportunity of their own through Robin Mounsey as Na Gaeil gladly took a 2-4 to …

LARGE crowds gathered in Ennis this afternoon for a vigil organised by Clare Women’s Network to honour the memory of the late Ashling Murphy. The Square in Ennis was filled with people holding candles and pictures of the 23-year-old school teacher who was murdered in Tullamore this week. Further vigils will follow all around the county this evening at Clarecastle 7:30pm; Ennistymon Square 5:30pm; Ruan Pitch 7pm; Corofin GAA Pitch 6:30pm; Kilrush at 7pm in the Square; Lissycasey’s main pitch at 7pm; Kilmaley National School running track at 7pm and at the Town Park, Shannon 6:30pm with more planned tomorrow. On Saturday there is a walk/run at Tim Smythe Park, Ennis with candle-lit vigil at 5pm. There is a vigil at the Bandstand in Kilkee at 4pm, a bog walk beginning at the School Road side, Kilkishen at 6pm and a vigil in Newmarket on Fergus meeting in O’Regan Park at 4pm

CLARE has a strong representation as usual in this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition with 19 separate projects. Many of the projects draw inspiration from the students’ local area, a philosophy drummed into his students over the years by Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna science teacher John Simms. “We believe very much in the principle that science should be local,” John told The Champion. “We will never be going for the big super-duper, millionaire-style projects. “We believe it’s very important for young people to have a love for and an interest in their own local area.” The same can be said of the projects from St Joseph’s Spanish Point and St Joseph’s Community College Kilkee. There is a wide spread of interest in the other projects and they can all be checked out here    

A group of Doonbeg residents organised a special commemoration ceremony recently for the 80th anniversary of the crash landing of an RAF flying boat in Doughmore Bay. Dan Danaher chronicles this fascinating tale involving the tragic death of nine airmen, the heroic rescue of two colleagues, an eye witness account of the wreckage, salvaged items such as a 1940 aircraft tool kit box, and relatives’ accounts of the extraordinary bravery of those who risked their own lives to help save the lives of others. HISTORY hung heavily in the Doonbeg air recently as Colm Gowran commemorated the loss of nine airmen following a tragic crash-landing 80 years ago. A hush descended on the crowd gathered on Doughmore Beach during a minute silence after the Ennis Brass Band member played “The Last Post” on his trumpet, marking the end of a soldier’s day. This signalled the finale of a poignant ceremony organised by a local committee remembering the 11 airmen involved …

THE Clare Champion’s photographer John Kelly has been capturing the life and times of the Banner county for over 30 years. Last year was another successful one for John, adding Local Ireland photographer of the year 2021, to his ever growing catalogue of awards. Here he selects his favourite images from the year just gone by. We look forward with great anticipation to what he produces in 2022.