Sports

Donal Moloney has confirmed his decision not to seek appointment to the position of Clare Senior Hurling Manager for 2020. Moloney had declared his interest in the position to the Clare County Board during the summer and has since met with Board officials on two separate occasions to review the 2019 season and to outline his plan and management team for the coming season. Moloney said, “Due to the ongoing uncertainty over the process of selecting new management and despite the support I have received from the hurling squad, I do not wish to inhibit members of the existing management team and persons who had committed to coming on board for 2020 from missing out on opportunities as other counties put together their coaching teams.  As a management team therefore, we have taken the decision to not seek another term. “On behalf of the management team, I would like to thank the players for creating such a fantastic environment over many …

The Clare Champion understands that Louis Mulqueen is the third candidate in line for the Clare senior hurling managers job. The St Joseph’s Doora Barefield clubman was part of the Clare backroom team for the 2013 All Ireland win and 2016 National League success while he also guided Liam Mellows to the Galway SHC title. He joins Donal Moloney and Brian Lohan in vying for the role, with all three expected to outline their proposed management teams when they meet with Clare GAA officials next week. It’s expected that an update will be given to delegates at the October meeting of Clare GAA on Tuesday week.

Clare SFC Semi-Final Preview: Kilmurry Ibrickane v Cratloe It is fitting that these two should meet in the final year of a decade that has seen them build up one of the great rivalries. It has been a relatively straight forward run back to the last four for Kilmurry with a narrow win over Lissycasey in the opening round being followed by comfortable victories over Corofin and Kilmihil. The most notable feature of both those wins has been the scores that the Bricks have been racking up, with 4-30 being split across their two most recent ties. Conceding 1-10 against Kilmihil last time out will be a concern and Aidan Moloney will be hammering home the message that the defensive lines have to be improved if they are to overcome their old foe. It has been a mixed campaign for Cratloe so far as they blitzed Clondegad in round one before a disappointing loss to Eire Óg. It was a …

Clare SFC Semi-Final Preview: St Joseph’s Miltown v Doonbeg A traditional West Clare derby lies in store in Cusack Park as the holders Miltown go in search of back to back final appearances against a Doonbeg side that were last there in 2013. Both these were forced to come through tough battles in their last eight ties, but the circumstances could not have been any different. That dramatic finish in extra-time saw the Magpies raid for two late goals to see off the challenge of Eire Óg while Miltown got the better of a stubborn but wasteful Lissycasey to book their semi-final berth. The champions have been doing what they have to up to now but with the finishing line in sight they will know that they simply have to find another gear if their title defence is to continue. There is no doubt but there are a few more gears for David O’Brien’s charges to hit and with the …

Clare IFC Semi Final Preview: St Breckan’s v St Joseph’s Doora Barefield This promises to be an intriguing tie as two of the favourites from the outset of the championship do battle for a place in the decider. While both sides have been putting in consistent performances in their run to the last four, it could also be argued that both have plenty improvement left to come. St Joseph’s were held to a battling draw against Kildysart in the opening round but have been well clear of their opponents in all their ties since that game. St Breckan’s are yet to put a foot wrong as they forged a comfortable path through the group stages before easing past O’Curry’s last time out. There is no doubt but that this will be the biggest test that either side have faced so far. The Parish are on a crest of a wave as they chase an intermediate hurling and football double with …

Clare IFC Semi-Final Preview: Shannon Gaels v Kildysart The derby element only adds to what promises to be an enthralling clash as the neighbours cross swords at this stage for the second year running. It was Kildysart who held the whip hand when they met 12 months ago before narrowly losing out to Kilrush in the decider. Shannon Gaels have come back to this stage once more with a perfect record after three wins on the bounce. They withstood a late fightback from Kilkee to take victory in the opening round before easing past O’Curry’s to seal top spot in their group. It was a much different affair in another derby showdown with Coolmeen in the last eight where a battling second-half performance saw them through. Kildysart shared the spoils with Doora Barefield on their first day out before a comfortable win over Naomh Eoin. They were equally comfortable winners over Kilfenora in their quarter-final tie as they ran out …

Feakle-Killanena and St Josephs go to battle on Sunday afternoon to lay claim to the Intermediate Championship and lift the Fr Liam Murray Cup. There’s also the carrot of playing Senior Club camogie in 2020. On paper Feakle-Killanena would-be odds-on favourites to take the title. They cruised to victory in their group games where the narrowest margin of victory was five points, and that came against their opposition in Sunday’s decider. Manager Ger Conway admits they are pleased to be in that position. “At the start of the year it was our aim to reach the final and it’s great to have gotten there. The girls have put in a great effort and everything has gone according to plan so far in that we have won all our games relatively comfortably. We have had tough battles in there too even though the score lines may not have suggested it at times” he noted. These sides have already met in the …

It has been a decade to remember for all involved in Banner GAA circles with outstanding progression on and off the field. Their facilities on the Shanaway Road are almost second to none, with that drive for improvement transferring to on –field success. Shane Meehan’s explosion onto the national stage has catapulted the club to new heights with the dual star recognised as one of the best hurlers at minor level in the country this year. The club will hope for further progression on Sunday as they make their bid for the Clare Junior A football title. It is only two years since the Junior B crown was annexed and the steady climb through the ranks has seen them emerge as real title contenders. They took the scalp of another North Clare side in the semi-final with victory over Ballyvaughan, while they have already bested Sunday’s opponents when they met in the group stages. Manager John Burke feels it will …