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Clare camogie PRO Bríd MacNamara is aiming to walk one million steps during the month of July to raise funds for camogie within the county. Following on from the successful Clare Camogie to Croker & Back fundraiser in 2020, Bríd is again to the fore in this fundraising effort. This year Brid will be joined by all the other members of the Executive Committee, who she will lead out in completing the challenge. The Clare Camogie PRO will complete daily walks at home and during her work breaks while putting her walking shoes on in the evenings as she will visit each of the 26 camogie clubs. Members of the clubs will walk with her while each of the officers will complete a 2km walk each day. This year Brid has the added challenge of visiting 10 inter county games across senior, junior, minor and U-16 whilst completing the walk. The challenge commences today (Thursday) with Brid set to kick …

RECORD livestock prices are set to continue at Sixmilebridge Mart, due to the increase in ringside buyers and online activity, according to the new manager of the facility. Quin native Joe Clune has taken the reins from New Inn’s Seán Ryan, who retired this week after a decade managing the mart. “One of the biggest aims now is driving the mart forward both online and around the ring and providing a good service for the local community,” said Mr Clune. “We had an exceptionally big sale last Saturday and cattle prices are very strong. People have great confidence and with online options, we’re getting buyers logging on from as far away as Northern Ireland, so it’s now time for local farmers to avail of this opportunity to get top prices for their cattle.” Ringside access has been allowed at marts across the country since May and the Saturday sales in Sixmilebridge have been very busy. “Numbers are limited at the …

ST PAT’S dug deep against Fern Celtic to win a tightly contested under 16 cup final on Sunday. A final that flowed back and forth between two well matched sides was eventually settled by Lauren Conway’s late winner for St Pat’s. The centre back’s close range effort capped a fine comeback by St Pat’s who trailed Fern Celtic 1-0 at half time. In a game adorned by two spectacular strikes, Hannah Mai Neylon gave Fern the lead before Edel McNamara levelled matters in the 54th minute. There was plenty of quality on display in a first-half that saw St Pat’s go close to taking an early lead. Lively striker Teegan Wade picked put Edel McNamara but her shot was saved by Fern goalkeeper, Kylah Hickey. There was little to separate the sides in the opening quarter but Fern started to gain the upper hand after the first water break. A testing spell for the St Pat’s defence started with Alyssa …

DATA published by the Department of Health show that 83 women with Clare addresses had termination of pregnancy procedures carried out in Ireland in 2020. The figure is an increase of ten on 2019, the first year for which statistics are available on procedures under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act. The increase, of almost 14%, bucks the national trend which showed a slight year-on-year decrease from 6,666 to 6,577. Within the Mid-Western region, 278 women with Limerick addresses had terminations in 2020, an increase of 52 on 2019. Those who gave Tipperary addresses accounted for 161 of the national total last year, down 13 on the figure for 2019. Nationally, 97 procedures were carried out last year because of a fatal foetal abnormality; 6,455 in early pregnancy under Section 12 of the Act. Twenty were related to a risk to life or health while five related to a risk to life or health in an emergency. Under …

A MAYO activist, who has been central to a campaign to highlight the issue of defective concrete blocks, has pledged to work with affected homeowners in Clare so that they too can get redress. Jamie Lee Donnelly from Ballina is one of the founders of the North Mayo Pyrite Group, which now represents 600 people whose homes are cracking and crumbling because of defective materials. She told The Champion she strongly favours the inclusion of Clare in the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, which currently covers only Mayo and Donegal. As an expert group meets this week to look at calls for an increase in the level of redress from 90 to 100%, Jamie backed calls for other counties, including Clare, Limerick and Sligo, to be given access to supports. “I would urge people in other counties to make their voices heard,” she said. “Don’t sit back, don’t take this. We are fortunate in Mayo and Donegal that we have …

“BODY image and self-esteem start in the mind, not in the mirror,” insists Ennis’ Kasia Kowalska who has just embarked on a new chapter of her life.​ Kasia, a life coach and yoga instructor, has launched her new ‘One of a Kind’ book which aims to boost people’s body image, self esteem and mental health. “Body image, self esteem and mental health go hand in hand. Very few people are 100% confident at all times. “However, if the way we feel about ourselves starts to impact what we do and the choices we make in a negative way, we need to address this,” she explains. Her guide contains a set of 35 worksheets and 100 prompts and questions to help people expand on their awareness and understanding about themselves, and encourage mindfulness of emotions, thoughts, habits and sensations. “This guide challenges your unhelpful beliefs, switches perspective, helps you connect to your body, invite curiosity into your life, question the old, …

O’CALLAGHAN’S MILLS native Noel McNamara has been appointed to a prestigious coaching role with a South African franchise, the IRFU has confirmed. Noel, from Silvergrove, was previously manager of the Leinster Academy and head coach of the Ireland U-20s from 2018 to 2020, winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019. On Twitter, Noel confirmed that he is to take up a role with the Durban-based Sharks. “I am grateful to the IRFU and Leinster Rugby for helping to facilitate this move which will be another great learning and development opportunity for me as a coach,” he said. “I have received great support to date on my coaching journey garnering experience with multiple underage teams, exposure to senior provincial and national coaches and getting the opportunity of a three month placement with North Harbour in New Zealand. This appointment is exciting for both me and my family and I am looking forward to getting started.” After his studies at The …

SEVEN projects in the Killaloe Ballina area have benefited from LEADER funds in excess of €1.2 million, new figures have revealed. Not least among the facilities to have benefited from the grants in the LEADER funding period 2014-2020 is the Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre (KBFRC). The Clare Local Development Company has confirmed it led an application for LEADER funding from Clare and Tipperary Local Development Companies, with assistance from Patrick Killeen, which resulted in a total allocation of €216,000 for the upgrading and extension of the KBFRC. Clare LEADER co-ordinator, Gloria Callinan, said the hard work of Martina Minogue, CLDC rural development officer, ensured KBFRC and also six other projects in Killaloe have been supported, realising almost €600,000 from CLDC, with a matching €600,000 in investment from Tipperary along with community co-funding. She stated a significant allocation of LEADER funds in excess of €1.2 million has been made in the Killaloe and Ballina communities. Operating since 2003, the Killaloe …