Sports

Derrick Lynch The task of trying to keep tabs on Diarmaid Cahill on a pitch is one that could be described as being a nightmare, but spending time in his company talking about his time on the pitch is anything but. The young Corofin man announced himself as one of the most prodigious talents in the country in 2019 with some outstanding displays for the Clare minor hurlers, and his notoriety soared when the footage of his wonder goal in this year’s Harty Cup quarter-final win over Tulla went viral. Despite some jibing from his equally talented brother Gearoíd that it might have been a shade on the lucky side, the younger sibling is adamant that the goal is what he had on his mind when he took on the shot. “I went for it alright to be fair. I spotted that the goalkeeper was a small bit off his line but it was a one in a million shot …

Derrick Lynch Tony Butler is no stranger to big sporting occasions, but arguably the biggest one yet is awaiting on Saturday in the Harty Cup final. The St Joseph’s Doora Barefield clubman knows all about what it takes to reach the big days, having lined out with Clare in the Munster Minor hurling final last year. It is not just hurling in the locker either, with the Ennis RFC man representing Munster and Ireland at underage level along with clubmates Ethan Coughlan and Conor Moloney. For now though, the sole focus is on hurling as St Flannan’s go in search of a 22nd Harty Cup title as the look to bridge a gap going back to 2005. Butler acknowledges the proud tradition within the school but warns they cannot allow that be something that distracts them from the task at hand. “If you look at the legends that have passed through the school, you see what all the tradition is …

2005 was the last St Flannan’s Harty Cup victory, and the man who lifted the famed trophy that day was Inagh-Kilnamona’s Ger Arthur. St Flannan’s had dominated the later part of the 1990’s, with titles being annexed in 1998 and 1999 before also claiming the Millennium title in 2000. Another final defeat would follow in 2001 while the 2003 decider was only lost to St Colman’s Fermoy after a replay, with the Cork school completing their own three in a row. Arthur, who is now based in Bahrain where he works as a teacher, recalls the 2004 win with mixed emotions. “We played an amalgamation of Waterford colleges who were hot favourites in Cashel. I remember Danny O’Halloran getting the first ball and scoring a goal which set the tone for the match. We ended up with a comprehensive victory that day. I was pleased with my days work as I notched three points but unfortunately also ended up being …

GAA clubs in Clare are being warned that more stringent controls will be in place in relation to applications for seeking loans. It comes after secretary Pat Fitzgerald informed delegates that the board currently has a contingent liability in excess of €450,000, while a credit line of €250,000 is also required to finance outgoings in the early part of the year. Chairman of the Clare GAA Audit committee Michael Curtin also commented on the matter and said that the days of clubs coming in to meetings looking for loans and having it proposed and seconded were over and done with. He outlined that any club who wish to apply for a loan will be required to outline a detailed plan as to how they intend to repay it, as the risk of the debt falling back on the board can no longer continue. Ruan delegate Ger Lyons also raised the issue of financing the cost of intercounty teams and suggested …

The sporting community in Clare is in mourning following the passing of one of the Banner’s most popular sportsmen. Newmarket on Fergus stalwart Jimmy ‘Puddin’ Cullinan passed away this week with tributes flooding in from former club and county team-mates along with the wider community. His club issued a statement in which he was described as a “lovely man and a hurling legend”. They also detailed that he was “one of the finest players ever to wear the Newmarket jersey and was equally brilliant in the colours of Clare and Munster”. The club also lauded his “incredible stickwork, an iconic ability to catch the high ball and total domination of matches from centre back”. During his time with Newmarket, Jimmy won an incredible 10 Clare Senior Hurling championship titles, along with a Munster club. His exploits in the county jersey were just as impressive and while success in the form of silverware might have eluded him with Clare, his defiant …

A motion to be discussed by Clare’s County Councillors is calling on RTE to reinstate Joe Brolly to the national broadcasters GAA coverage. Motion 31 on the agenda for the next gathering of the Council is submitted by Councillors Gerry Flynn, Ann Norton and PJ Ryan who feel that Brolly’s absence from the national airwaves has had a detrimental impact on the coverage of Gaelic Games. The motion reads: “We are calling on the Minister for Communication/Finance to request RTE to reinstate the football analyst Joe Brolley (sic) to his position on the current panel asap. Joe has provided in-depth analysis of football for many years and his removal from the panel has taken away from the enjoyment of the game for so many people who watch our games on the national station”. The motion, which is sandwiched between calls for a reassessment of the HAP scheme and efforts to better promote Shannon airport, comes after the former Derry All-Ireland …

Tulla GAA Club has confirmed they will enter a team in the Junior C league and championship for the 2020 season. This week’s meeting of Clare GAA heard that the club are making an extra drive to promote hurling following their relegation from the top tier last year, and have drafted a list of 28 players for re-grading. Their club delegated informed the meeting that the vast majority were of an older variety and that no younger players would be allowed to opt to play at that grade. Chairman Joe Cooney outlined his view that the purpose of the Junior C championship was mainly for clubs who were struggling for numbers and referenced Kilkee-Bealaha and Clonbony as clubs who were fighting to maintain the promotion of the game at the grade. Clonbony delegate Séan Malone stated that his club relished taking on the traditional East Clare clubs, but said having to face younger players could often be the difference in …

THE mood in Colm Collins’ camp will be buoyant this week after an excellent, hard-fought victory over Kildare last weekend. Every bit of positivity will be needed come Sunday as the Banner make the journey to Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon to take on Anthony Cunningham’s charges. Clare fought back from three-point deficits twice during their clash with the Lilywhites, while the Rossies have twice forfeited six-point leads in their first two games and sit bottom of Division Two with just one point. Keelan Sexton led Clare’s attack against Kildare, slotting 0-4 and making the GAA.ie team of the week. Sexton knows Clare are going to have to replicate their form from last weekend if they are to have any chance against Roscommon. “You’d love to be going up there playing them after they had two wins in the bag, as opposed to the position they’re in now. They’re a quality side and were six points up in two games …