Sports

Clare U20 hurling manager Sean Doyle has named his team for Wednesday evening’s Munster Championship showdown with Cork in Pairc ui Rinn. 1:Eamonn Foudy E. O Fuada (Inagh/Kilnamona) 2:Keith White C DeFaoite (Inagh/Kilnamona) 3:Aron Moloney A. O Maoldomhnaigh (Kilmaley) 4:Peter Casey P O. Cathasaigh (Ballyea) 5: Darragh Lohan D. O Leochain (Wolfe Tones na Sionna) 6:Ross Hayes R.O hAodha (Crusheen) 7: Dylan McMahon D MacMathuna (Clonlara) 8: Aidan McCarthy A. MacCarthaigh (Inagh/Kilnamona) 9: Killian McDermott C MacDiarmada (Clarecastle)(Vice Capt) 10: Aidan Moriarty A O Murceartaigh (Clonlara) 11: Diarmuid Ryan D. O Riain (Cratloe) 12: Rian Considine R O Consaidin (Cratloe) 13:Mark Rodgers. M O Ruaidhri (Scariff) 14: Gary Cooney G O Cuana (O Callaghans Mills )(Capt) 15: Breffni Horner B Horner (Crusheen) 16: Cillian O Brien C O Briain (Clonlara) 17: Paddy Donnellan P. O Donnallain (Broadford) 18: Jathan McMahon J. MacMathuna (Clonlara 19: Cathal Darcy C D’Arcy (Kilmaley) 20: William Halpin W MacAilpin (Tulla) 21: Darren Cullinan D O …

Clare suffered an agonising loss to Meath in the fourth round of All Ireland SFC Qualifiers, with the Royals taking a 2-16 to 1-18 win in Portlaoise. In a first half that allowed little time for breath, the sides were level on six different occasions, including at the half-time whistle. Meath looked to have stolen a vital march when Brian Menton slammed home a scrappy goal right on the 35th minute to put his side 1-9 to 0-10 ahead. The response from Clare was immediate, with Gordon Kelly raiding from corner-back to kick a vital score before Jamie Malone arrowed over his fourth of the half to restore parity at 0-12 to 1-9. Meath had Mickey Newman to thank for the lion’s share of their first-half tally as he landed 0-5 with all bar one of those coming from placed balls. David Tubridy was central to the Clare challenge once more with 0-3 for him in the first period including …

Goals proved crucial as Tipperary overcame Clare in the All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship. A green flag in either half for the Premier saw them leave O’Garney Park with a 2-12 to 1-7 win. Tipperary were marginally in front at the break after an opening half that saw both sides enjoy periods of dominance. For the visitors to Sixmilebridge, their purple patch came in the first five minutes as they raced 1-3 to 0-1 clear thanks in part to a brilliant goal from Eilibhis McDonnell. Clare slowly settled into the game and got their reward when Fiona Lafferty was upended in the square. Local woman Chloe Morey stepped up to the mark, and made no mistake with the finish to cut her sides deficit back to two. Former captain Orlaith Duggan came thundering into the game with two well-taken scores before the break to ensure there was just the minimum between them heading to the dressing rooms. Tipperary stormed out …

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open reached capacity crowds for Saturday at Lahinch Golf Club, making it the event’s first sell-out day since 2012 at Royal Portrush Golf Club. The tournament, hosted by Paul McGinley, has been a roaring success at the County Clare venue, and reached full capacity on Saturday as the fans streamed through the gates in time to see Robert Rock take the clubhouse lead while threatening to card just the second 59 in European Tour history, eventually posting a ten under par 60. The crowds also gathered to watch young Irishman Robin Dawson make a charge towards the top of the leaderboard, while former Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello and his fellow Spaniard, World Number 11 Jon Rahm, also played their way into contention. Limited tickets are still available for Sunday and fans are advised to purchase online in advance here to avoid missing out. “The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has surpassed all …

Clare 0-13   Kilkenny 2-14 KILKENNY outclassed Clare in Thurles in their All-Ireland round robin fixture this afternoon. Clare were always in the game but Kilkenny’s class in front of goal made the difference with goals at critical times sealing the victory. Aidan Tallis in the Kilkenny goal also made two excellent saves from Shane Meehan to keep his side’s head in front. Pierce Blanchfield got the opening score for Kilkenny within the minute mark but his opposite number Killian O’Connor levelled affairs within a minute from the Kinnane sideline. Billy Drennan, who was to feature heavily in the first half, grabbed the Cats’ second score before Conner Hegarty and Shane Meehan notched scores to put the Banner ahead. From the 10th minute Kilkenny took over and Drennan bagged three points before Kilkenny bagged clear daylight through an expertly-placed Blanchfield goal. A Cian Galvin free being the only Clare for 19 minutes. Clare bagged three points in the last six minutes …

IT’S Day 2 of the Irish Open and huge crowds are again in Lahinch to see some of golf’s top stars. Clare Champion photographer John Kelly is on hand to capture images of one of the year’s top sporting events. At the time of writing (just before 4pm) Zander Lombard and Eddie Pepperell are the leaders, both on -8.  

A place in the Super Eight series of the All-Ireland senior football championship is the prize on offer for Clare when they take on Meath this weekend in the final round of qualifiers. The Banner booked their spot in Round Four after a gritty one point win over Westmeath in Mullingar, and now face a fourth showdown with the Royals since 2017. The Leinster outfit have held the upper hand in clashes between the two counties in the National League, coming out on top in all three of their showdowns in Division Two, including this season when they were 1-12 to 1-7 winners in Cusack Park. Meath come into the game off the back of a 16 point loss to Dublin in the Leinster final, while manager Andy McEntee’s alleged row with a local journalist in the aftermath of the defeat made national headlines. Clare boss Colm Collins feels it was always going to be a huge test no matter …

Padraig Harrington is the early leader at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch Golf Club He holds a one shot lead on 7 under par and finished with a birdie on the 18th to set a new course record of 63. Shane Lowry is right in the mix for a second title after a strong opening round. The Clara native shot a first round total of 66 to see him finish on 4 under par in beautiful conditions at the North Clare course, with his playing partners Russell Knox and Tommy Fleetwood a shot further back. A group of  players on 5 under par held the early lead, while Martin Kaymer was among those to finish on 4 under along with Lowry. The huge crowd that descended on Lahinch were spoiled with glorious sunshine across the day.