Sports

Clare native Pat Scanlan was honoured by the Gaelic Athletic Association of Greater New York at their annual dinner dance last weekend. The Lissycasey man was the invited guest of honour, as New York GAA paid tribute for his many years of service. Pat was an active member of his native club in his youth, and represented the maroon and white at all levels underage, and was part of the Lissycasey panel that captured the Clare Junior football title in 1982. Having spent some time on holidays in New York in the late 70’s, Pat decided to make the move stateside in 1984, and was elected manager of the local Clare side four years later. He switched to managing the Longford team in the early 1990’s, before taking up the reins once more with Clare in 1997. He served three terms as chairman of the Junior Football Division, but perhaps his biggest moment for New York GAA came when he …

Dylan McMahon is no stranger to operating at the top level when it comes to hurling. The Clonlara man was one of the keystones for the Clare minor hurlers in 2018, with some hugely impressive performances in the half-back line as the Banner got within touching distance of a Munster Final. He will line out in a provincial decider this weekend when he will be vice-captain of St Anne’s Community College as they bid for glory in the Munster Senior C decider. Dylan admits it is an exciting time for all involved. “It’s great for everyone involved with the squad to have reached this stage. We have been training so hard all year, so to get to the final is a huge boost. We have a few lads who are in their last year in the school  and will be sitting their Leaving Cert in June before moving on, so to win something like this would be a great way …

Where would we be in sport without hype? The Oxford English dictionary describes hype as being ‘extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion’. Who are we to argue with the good people in Oxford? The reason I bring this up is that over the weekend, the online response to people (yours truly included) who dared to ask were the Irish rugby team being unjustifiably hyped up was incredible. Social media tends to be a dark place at the best of times, but you would think that those asking the question had just insulted the last 10 generations of their respondents. A particular favourite of mine was someone telling me to “stick to talking to Tony Kelly because you know nothing about rugby”. Don’t you just love Twitter? Let’s look at the facts though. Ireland were beaten, and let’s be honest, well beaten by England in their home turf at the Aviva Stadium. It was a result that few saw coming, but …

Colaiste Muire Ennis withstood a late fightback from Castletroy Community College before claiming the Munster Colleges Ladies Football D title on a 2-11 to 3-5 scoreline. The Clare side saw a 12-point second-half lead whittled down to just two as the full-time whistle loomed, before a pointed free from player of the match Emma O’Donoghue sealed the win. Coláiste made a blistering start to the game as they raced into a 2-7 to 0-0 lead, with O’Donoghue notching 2-2, including a well-struck penalty and a fine finish from play. Both wing-forwards helped themselves to a brace of points, with Sarah McCann and team captain Niamh McDonagh on target with well-taken scores. Castletroy had two opportunities to score from penalties in the opening half but saw both efforts saved by Coláiste goalkeeper Nouriatou Tchadjobo. They did eventually find the net just before half-time, when Caitlin Bonfil produced a tidy finish and they followed this up with a point soon after but …

On this weeks show: We talk Clare’s win over Kilkenny in the NHL, the Banner’s draw with Armagh in Newry, LGFA draw with Kerry and plenty more besides. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/570003048″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The GAA has confirmed that Clare’s National Hurling league clash with Cork will now be played in Pairc ui Rinn. It comes as a statement has been released condemning the surface at Pairc ui Chaoimh, labelling it as unacceptable. The statement in full from the GAA reads: The playing surface at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for last weekend’s Allianz Leagues games was unacceptable. The heavy pitch-side traffic, associated with the construction works for the new stadium build, has had a detrimental effect on the pitch. As was evident yesterday, in winter conditions, the surface is likely to cut up badly. However, as weather improves the grass roots will develop and playability will improve dramatically. The stadium team have engaged the Sports Turf Research Institute, who are international pitch specialists, to advise on the best way forward. Their preliminary results suggest a pitch replacement, later this year, will be required. In the short term, we will continue to use best endeavours to …

Eoghan Moloney CLARE ran out 2-20 to 1-22 winners over Kilkenny in their Division One National League clash in Cusack Park this afternoon. Goals from John Conlon and Podge Collins were the difference in an encounter where Clare were dominant for long periods but a goal from Kevin Kelly from a free with the last puck of the game ensured the minimum would separate the teams. Kevin Kelly opened the scoring with a free after 45 seconds before Colm Galvin got a fine point from play to level it up straight after. Kelly added a second free a minute later. Cleary started well, winning two battles and a free early. Clare started quickly but had four wides in first five minutes so did not make their early influence felt. Colin Guilfoyle soon set matters straight with a fine catch and point to open his account. Kelly soon added another free as Clare leaked too many scoreable frees in the first …

David Tubridy’s late goal saw Clare snatch an unlikely draw from this National Football League clash with Armagh in Newry. The Doonbeg man arrowed a dangerous ball across the square in injury time, and it found it’s way to the net see the full-time score finish Clare 2-10 Armagh 1-13. The game was barely 20 seconds old when Dermot Coughlan suffered a serious leg injury which led to the Kilmurry Ibrickane youngster being stretchered from the field. When the action got back underway after a 12 minute stoppage, it was Armagh who struck first through Niall Grimley as he finished off a sweeping team move. Gordon Kelly found himself in space near the Armagh goal just moments later after being sent clear by Kieran Malone, and his shot had to be tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Blaine Hughes. Pierce DeLoughery was called into action twice in quick succession and the Cratloe man answered with two brilliant saves from Stefan …