Sports

The chairman of the new committee charged with finalising Clare GAA’s Centre of Excellence has outlined that work has begun on addressing the considerable issues at the venue. The still to be completed facility has cost €4.8 million to date, with the pitches still not in a suitable condition for Clare’s intercounty hurling teams to train on. Failure to collect grass clippings from the pitches over a two to three year period have led to significant problems, while the main building is still to be fully completed, with pallets of timber flooring still unopened in the hallway of the building. Tulla delegate Brian Torpey addressed the concerns around the facility at this weeks meeting of Clare GAA, and outlined that potential solutions need to be acted on. “Hylands of Kilkenny came up two years ago and gave us an excellent report. They told us what the problem was but more importantly what the solution was.We thought we would get the …

A former Clare intercounty referee has issued a warning that the GAA in the county must do more to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines before any on field activity resumes. Corofin’s Ambrose Heagney, who was part of the Covid committee for Clare GAA in 2020, made the remarks at this week’s county board meeting during a discussion around the structures for the U-19, U-20 and U-21 grades. He stated his club would love to see both an U-19 and U-21 championship played, but felt that with the timeframe available it would simply not be possible. He said more needs to be done to ensure that all guidelines around Covid-19 are met. “The first committee I got involved with was last year on the Covid committee. Most of the clubs were Covid compliant but there a number who were not. I think that is the first thing we need to do. We need to get every club Covid compliant. Even in Cusack …

The new committee to develop a five year strategic plan for Clare GAA has been formally ratified by club delegates at their March gathering. The group, which was formed of the back of motion from Eire Óg GAA club, were proposed en block by the Ennis club, with John Keane of Doonbeg GAA Club seconding the proposal. Clarecastle’s Mark O’Connell (CEO of Repucon Consulting), Parteen man Conor Gilligan (CEO of Roadbridge), Ogonnelloe’s Colin Kelly (CEO of Gyrogy), Eoin Conroy of Barefield (CEO of Titan Experience), Ennis man Eoin Doohan (Managing Director of DFP Group, Enda Connolly of Ennis (Managing Director of CMP Investment Partners) and Enda O’Flaherty of Shannonside will be joined by Kilrush native Roisín Glynn, who is a senior manager with AIB, along with current vice chairman Kieran Keating. Eire Óg chairman Jimmy Cooney informed delegates of the process of the last two weeks which saw the group meeting virtually with the board executive and outlining their plans …

Whether it is making the step up to international rugby just five years after first being introduced to the game, or making the move to London from her home in West Clare, Edel McMahon is not someone who tends to get overawed by big occasions. That laid back personality is evident any time she speaks about her sporting or professional achievements, with the scale of what she has done in both fields almost lost in the manner in which she addresses them. Take her description of her role as a goalkeeper at just 13 years of age when Kilmihil were crowned All Ireland intermediate ladies football champions in 2008 for example. “There were much older women involved, but I was a competitive and stubborn sort. No matter who you were, I’d charge down on anyone that came near me. I hated being a keeper but by God I wasn’t going to let any ball or body past me” she revealed …

When Clare’s footballers made their appearance in the 1992 All Ireland football semi-final against Dublin in Croke Park, Kevin Costner became a part of the folklore of that day as he was shown watching on from the stands. Almost 30 years later, the actor is once more connected with Clare sport as his 1989 film Field of Dreams has provided some of the inspiration for a development in East Clare which is hoped will change the sporting landscape of the area. “If you build it, they will come” is the line paraphrased by Scariff Rugby Club President Mike Madden as he outlines the motivations behind a new indoor facility which will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The development consists of a 40x20m state-of-the-art 4G pitch, while a new seated area to overlook the main pitch has also been incorporated into the design which is expected to have a final cost in the region of €300,000. Having given their service …

When people talk about the magic of sport, it is a term that Deirdre Murphy can relate to when recalling how her journey began. It has been a journey filled with success both on and off the field, with the Clooney-Quin woman going on to help steer the fortunes of UL as the GAA Development Offier in a period that saw the college winning all bar one of the top level titles in the Higher Education competitions. Those talents and experience are also being harnessed at the moment by the new Club Clare hurling supporters group, with Clare manager Brian Lohan knowing only too well what someone like Deirdre can bring to the table. Her role in helping to establish the Women’s Gaelic Players Association in 2015 was one of the seminal moments in Irish women’s sport, with the Association working to raise both the profile and the revenue being directed to female players. During her time involved with the …

The return of one of the longest serving members of the Clare Soccer League executive was confirmed last week with Jim Madden returned as PRO. The Tipperary native was an almost ever present in the league since the early 1990’s, and is back on the executive after losing his position in a vote at the 2018 AGM. As passionate about the game as ever, he readily accepts that the role of the Public Relations Officer has changed hugely since he first got involved, but is looking forward to taking on the challenge that lies ahead. “It is a game that has been really good to me and I have loved being involved for as long as I have. It has allowed me to meet so many people even outside of Clare through the Oscar Trayor team, and I love that social element that sport brings. The whole area of Public Relations has changed dramatically. The modern way now is all …

The March meeting of Clare GAA, which will be held on Monday evening next, is expected to see the ratification of a new committee to develop a five year strategic plan for the Association in the county. The committee, which were put together following consultation between Eire Óg and the county board executive, will be tasked with putting plans in place to create new structures around the governance, fundraising, marketing and facilities of Clare GAA. A seven person committee was initially proposed which included Clarecastle’s Mark O’Connell (CEO of Repucon Consulting), Parteen man Conor Gilligan (CEO of Roadbridge), Ogonnelloe’s Colin Kelly (CEO of Gyrogy), Eoin Conroy of Barefield (CEO of Titan Experience), Ennis man Eoin Doohan (Managing Director of DFP Group and Enda Connolly of Ennis (Managing Director of CMP Investment Partners). Ennis native Tony Garry, the former CEO of Davy Stockbrokers, was also part of the original group but it is understood that his name will now not be …