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The scoreline of 1-20 to 3-4 is a little misleading but there was no doubt about the merits of victory as Ennistymon cooly picked off the last eight points to finally cement a much-needed Under 15C crown over Whitegate in Clareabbey. Having laid the groundwork by only trailing by the minimum at half-time with the conditions to come, initially it didn’t quite pan out how Ennistymon would have wished for. Despite being on top, Ennistymon were duly pegged back by timely goals through Daragh Pearl and Whitegate talisman Jake Gibbons to ensure only a two point advantage for the North Clare side entering the final ten minutes. Indeed, it had to take a superb save from goalkeeper Liam Marrinan to somehow deny Gibbons once more and cling onto their advantage at 1-12 to 3-4. That stop proved inspirational as Ennistymon regrouped and got back on the frontfoot with successive points through Donncha O’Dwyer (3), Eoin Devanney (2), Eoin Byrne, Louis …

A devastating finish of four final quarter goals saw Clonlara sink Clarecastle in truly dramatic fashion on their way to the U-15B title in Cratloe. The interval switch of centre-back Harry Hodgins would ultimately be decisive as trailing by five nearing the turn of the final quarter, he would dramatically fire two goals in the space of just four minutes to completely flip this decider on its head. Now soaring in confidence, further goals through Dan and Mark Hogan would remarkably complete a late 14 point turnaround which did certainly skew the final scoreline. Along with the impact of Hodgins, the lively Darragh Dillon, who scored the opening goal and set up two more, along with Ciaran Howard were Clonlara’s main protagonists in an unprecedented final win. And yet it was arguably Clarecastle midfielder Harry Doherty’s almost incredulous powers of fielding, especially from puck-outs that will live longest in the memory bank from this seesaw final. Doherty and excellent chief …

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina visited the local branch of the Samaritans on the Kilrush Road in Ennis last week, as it celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Samaritans provides confidential emotional support to people experiencing feelings of distress and despair, including feelings that may lead to suicide. The current local director Margaret McMahon said Gardai had been at the branch well in advance of the visit, and around the Tuesday of the week before the Presidential visit it had been confirmed he would be coming. On the day he presented certificates to two of the longest serving volunteers. “One of them, Teresa, is one of the founding members and has 40 years of service, while another one, Mary, has 39 years,” said Margaret. Speaking about the visit, she said that they had shown him their premises, while they found he was familiar with the charity. “We brought him in and showed him our visitors room, the operations …

THE town of Ennis has been firmly in the national spotlight recently with a visit from President Michael D Higgins as well as a full episode of RTÉ’s Nationwide dedicated to the hard working volunteers of Ennis Tidy Towns. On Saturday President Higgins and his wife Sabine arrived in the county capital for the unveiling of a plaque to mark Ennis’ achievement in winning the 2021 Tidy Town Competition. The couple also visited the Samaritans branch on the Kilrush Road to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary. The unveiling of the plaque took place at the president’s Alma Mater of St Flannan’s College where they were greeted by a guard of honour as well as some young local musicians. The Ennis Brass Band played the Presidential Salute as the guests of honour made their way through the audience of invited guests including other members of Tidy Towns committees across the county. President Higgins described the overall Tidy Towns award as not …

CLOONEY-QUIN’S county stars Peter Duggan and Ryan Taylor were on hand to officially open Clooney-Quin’s new astro pitch and ball wall. The pair who are vital cogs in the Clare attack that will face Limerick in the Munster Final took part in an exhibition game, signed autographs and took selfies with their legions of adoring young fans. The astro and ball wall are the latest milestones in the club’s ongoing five year plan.

THE late Susan O’Neill was remembered at Ballyea National School on Wednesday, when a bench in her memory was unveiled. As secretary of the school Susan was a well known person in Ballyea and her former colleagues, her friends, her children, grandchildren and husband Michael were all present on the day. “She was here for 20 years, so it definitely is poignant. The grandchildren are around today, all the school kids who made a major impression on her,” said Michael. He said that one of the children who were confirmed recently had chosen the name Susan, which showed the esteem his late wife was held in. “She took Susan as her name and that epitomised what Susan meant to the school and to the kids who went to the school. An awful lot of 18 to 20-year-olds came to the house, during and after the funeral, whose lives she had touched. “She meant a lot to a lot of people, …