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Ladies Camogie Championship Preview The best was saved for first last weekend as Newmarket-on-Fergus received a timely validation of their potential when holding off Kilmaley by 1-13 to 1-8 in Tubber on Friday evening. Having slumped to five consecutive final defeats, the Blues dismissed any nagging doubts of their current health and will now look to build upon that display when facing Kilkishen/Bodyke in Fr. McNamara Park on Saturday at 1pm. While it’s only the second round of five, it’s already sink-or-swim time for Kilkishen/Bodyke who crave a response after shipping the biggest defeat of the entire opening round against Scariff-Ogonnelloe. The 2019 county and Munster champions can put one foot in the semi-finals if they can quash St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s enthusiasm in what is the Parish’s championship bow at Clare Camogie Headquarters on Saturday at 5pm. At Intermediate level, having negotiated their way past Whitegate by three points, Clooney-Quin face another obstinate opponent in neighbours Tulla who arguably should …

Senior Championship Round 5 Group 1 Cratloe v Ennistymon at Cusack Park, Sunday 12pm The high noon throw-in couldn’t be more apt as this is the ultimate showdown for the final quarter-final place on Sunday afternoon. The scenario is simple as it’s winner-takes-all albeit that Cratloe can afford a share of the spoils to prevail. It’s only two years since the sides last knock-out meeting, a quarter-final clash that saw Cratloe eventually ease up to victory by 11 points as the wheels rather came off the Ennistymon wagon after finishing with just 13 men. After a slow start, Ennistymon have actually improved as the group has developed but the Achilles heel remains up front where they hold the unenviable record of having the lowest scoring ratio of all five teams in the group to date. The thing is that Cratloe have a particular point to prove themselves, having faltered so embarrassingly against Kilmurry Ibrickane last time out when conceding 2-6 …

  Walk-in vaccination clinics for adults, and children aged 12 and over, are being held in Mid-West Covid-19 Vaccination Centres over the weekend. The clinics will be held in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, this Saturday, and in the vaccination centres at Limerick Racecourse and the West County Hotel, Ennis, on Sunday. These local clinics form part of the nationwide effort to maximise uptake for Pfizer Dose 1&2, and to ease access for those people who have received AstraZeneca Dose 1 and who now, as per national guidance, can receive the Pfizer vaccine as their second dose. Clare people can receive this Pfizer Dose 1 and 2 in the Nenagh Abbey Court Hotel on Saturday from 9am to 6pm. On Saturday, there will be a walk-in clinic in Limerick Racecourse for those wishing to receive Prizer 1 and 2 between 9am and 6pm. Pfizer Dose 1 and 2 will also be administered in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis on Sunday …

    VOLUNTEERS are being sought from Clare to help improve services across UL Hospitals’ Group by joining the Patient Council. The Patient Council was established in 2016 and provides an independent voice for patients, service users and their families. It gives patients and members of the public the opportunity to become involved as active partners in UL Hospitals’ Group and advise hospital management on improving patient experience. The council comprises volunteers from the general public as well as members of the hospital management team. It is currently looking to increase the number of public and expressions of interest are sought from people who have had experience of University Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital or University Maternity Hospital Limerick. John Hannafin, Chairman of the Patient Council, said that in the course of its ordinary work and through its engagement on a wide range of hospital committees- including nutrition and hydration, the National Inpatient Experience Survey, End-of-Life …

AN Ennis secondary school will be able to expand its number of student admissions after the Department of Education gave the go-ahead for a multi-million euro extension. The development at Rice College will see state-of-the art facilities added to the school campus including 13 new mainstream classrooms and a designated suite providing education and support to autistic students. Principal Louis Mulqueen has described the development as “a major advance in the post-primary educational infrastructure of Ennis”. The ability to increase student numbers has been particularly welcomed in light of unprecedented demand in recent years for secondary school places in the county capital, which Mr Mulqueen has described as “a major challenge” for post-primary schools area. As well as enabling increased pupil numbers, the new extension will also allow for an expanded curriculum and broader services for students with special needs at Rice College. Following the announcement, Mr Mulqueen said, “Rice College Board of Management welcomes the recent announcement by the …

UHL reports 89 suspected cases of Covid-19, the highest figure of any hospital in the country UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick is coming under considerable pressure dealing with overcrowding, a Covid-19 outbreak in two wards as well as looking after an “extraordinarily” high number of patients with suspected incidence of the virus, it emerged this week. The flaghship hospital was treating 89 suspected cases of Covid-19, compared with 23 in St James’ Hospital, Dublin, five in Sligo and four in University College Hospital, Galway on Tuesday. It also had the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country with 23, one higher than Cork University Hospital on 22. An analysis of offical Covid-19 figures in public hospitals has revealed 11 hospital had no suspected case, four had one case, six had two cases and four had three cases on Tuesday. This has been a trend for a number of days. HSE statistics show there were 86 suspected Covid-19 cases in UHL …

A Clare TD has compared a Garda investigation into alleged squaring away of road traffic offences in the Limerick Garda Division, to the Salem witch trials, which saw 20 people executed in the Massachusetts town in the 1690s, reports David Raleigh. Eight gardai suspended on November 8 last year remain so, pending the outcome of the two-year investigation which is being led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI). Clare Deputy Cathal Crowe said gardai have come to him and told him they are concerned at the nature of the probe. Gardai have privately expressed fear they may face the threat of suspension or court for using discretion when dealing with members of the public. Deputy Crowe said, “You could almost call the Limerick Garda Division ‘Salem’ at the moment, because there’s a form of witch-trial being going on for the last two years there.” “Eight members suspended, 60 garda phones confiscated, morale has never been lower,” he …

Killaloe woman keen to highlight support she and her family have received from local organisations DONATIONS are still being made to local charities after a Killaloe woman completed a gruelling 250km triathlon in one day. The successful completion of “The Long Way In One Day” by Jade Hoynes (28) has raised €7,341 for the Samaritans and Sejare Adult Respite House. Her original target was €5,000, so she was thrilled to collect more than €2,300 extra for two charities that are close to her heart. “I would have been delighted to raise €5,000. The huge support and kind messages I have received really meant a lot to me. “It was one of the best days of my life. It was a day I will not forget. The support from my family, friends and the charities made the day so much more enjoyable and much easier.” The regular Ironman challenge is a 180 kilometre cycle, 3.8 kilometre swim, and marathon. Just to …