Sports

Niamh Kilkenny’s goal at the turn of the final quarter was the decisive score in this All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship game at Cusack Park on Saturday evening.Galway has just edged a point ahead when they struck for the game’s only goal, a blow from which Clare never recovered. Indeed, the home side managed just one point in the final quarter as they slumped to their third consecutive defeat in the championship. They play their final group game this weekend when they travel to Dublin.Clare got off to the better start on Saturday and scored the opening two points through Fiona Lafferty and Claire McMahon. Galway battled back and by the end of the first quarter, the sides were level at 0-4 each with Chloe Morey (free) and Lafferty adding to Clare’s early scores. The home side went two clear again when Claire McMahon converted two frees but Galway finished the half strongly and points from Niamh McGrath (3) and Martina …

THE GAA car park in Clooney was heaving with hard-hitting hurlers last Saturday morning. Sliothars whizzed in every direction, with eager competitors racing after it. The hurlers haring left and right are members of the Limerick-based Treaty Warriors Club. What separates them from sister or brother hurlers in most GAA clubs is the fact that they play while in a wheelchair. The demonstration of wheelchair hurling was held in conjunction with Move Smart Week, which was co-ordinated by Munster camogie development officer Deirdre Murphy. Move Smart Week was an initiative organised by the Munster Camogie Association, in conjunction with the Nutrition and Health Foundation. One of the parents who didn’t have far to drive that morning was Ann Enright from Quin. Her 10-year-old daughter Adah plays with Treaty Warriors, who are supported financially by Limerick Sports Partnership. “We’re huge supporters of hurling and when your children are born, you think they’ll be playing hurling. Then, when they have a disability, …

Contests for the positions of chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and posts on the committee are expected at this Thursday’s annual meeting of the Clare Junior Soccer League.There are three candidates for the post of chairman with outgoing Donie Garrihy being opposed by Michael Guilfoyle and Padraig McCullough.McCullough, a former chairman of the league, is also nominated for the position of vice-chairman in opposition to Paul Tuohy.Another former chairman, Frank Healy, is nominated to contest the position of secretary against the outgoing Oliver Fitzpatrick.A contest is also expected for two positions on the committee. Nominated are Paul Tuohy, Padraig McCullough, Frank Healy and Tom Nestor.Certain of re-election are treasurer Michael McInerney, registrar Leo Murphy, fixtures secretary Michael Lydon, FAI delegate Jim Madden, Munster delegate Thomas Leahy, PRO Gerry Scanlon and child protection officer Dave Kerin.  

PLANS are well underway for the 2012 Clare Motor Club Loose Surface Autocross, which takes place on Sunday. The event is Round 4 of the Munster Autocross Championship.After a six-year break at the Ardnacrusha venue, clerk of the course, Gerry O’Brien, is thrilled to announce the event is back in Bobby O’Connell’s Quarry. Since details were released that the club are returning to this venue, the interest from people willing to take part is very exciting and one of the biggest entries of the year is expected.For anybody interested in taking part and wondering about the make-up of the course, the surface is a very solid with hard compacted gravel and is suitable for all makes of cars.Scrutiny for all cars will take place from 10am sharp at the quarry with racing taking place afterwards. Each lap will be approx 1.5km. Prize-giving will take place afterwards.For more details, contact Gerry O’Brien on 086 2766267. Registration and entry forms are available …

THE upcoming seven-day Galway Festival is foremost on a lot of people’s minds at present and there were plenty of Ballybrit clues on offer last weekend, none more so than at Limerick on Sunday where Tony Mullins’ Claret booked her Galway Hurdle ticket with a smooth success.A good winner over hurdles at Sligo and on the flat at Tramore already this season, Clarach went to post 9/4 favourite to account for her 11 rivals in the two-mile Adare Festival Weekend Rated hurdle and did so with the minimum of fuss.Ridden by her trainer’s son, Danny, this daughter of Beneficial swept to the front at the penultimate flight and ran on really strongly from there to beat runner-up, Pires, by two lengths.Mullins senior, whose late father, Paddy, had a tremendous record at Ballybrit, commented, “All my life, I’ve dreamed of training one for the Galway Hurdle and this mare fits into that category. She’s very honest and finds plenty although she …

THE Athletics Association of Ireland National Track and Field Championships were held over two days in Santry Stadium. A host of Irish stars took part and looked for big performances before the Olympic Games in London in August.David Tierney from Ennistymon and Leevale AC won the 56lbs for height and Rachel Akers (Marian) won a silver medal in the hammer.Cara Kennedy (Ferrybank) produced some fine throwing to take this national title with a throw of 56.22m with Rachel Akers throwing 52.37m to take a silver medal.Timothy Crowe (Sixmilebridge and Dooneen AC) in the 400 hurdles finished fourth with a time of 53:91.Brian McGinley (Ennis Track) finished 10th in the 5,000m with Brian Murphy (Ennis Track) finishing 14th in the 10,000m.In the 56lbs for height, David Tierney who hails from Ennistymon and competes with Leevale AC, captured the gold medal with a throw of 4.56m. Micheal O’Brien (Tulla) had some fine throws to finish fourth in 3.65m. ResultsSenior ladiesHammer1. Cara Kennedy …

THE Coillte 10k road race, organised by Dundrum Athletic Club, was held in damp weather conditions with over 300 competitors going to the start. There was a big representation of Clare athletes and from the start, Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) set the pace, going through the first mile in 5:10. He had the big field well strung out with Danny Smith (Ballynonty), Kevin Moore (Dundrum), Damian Landers (St John’s) and Shane Mullally (Thurles Crokes) all working hard to stay with the leader. At the 5k mark in 15:25, he had a minute on Danny Smith with Damian Landers in third spot and Kevin Moore starting to drift off the pace.Shannon was always in control up front and finished in a time of 31:54 with two minutes on Danny Smith. In the masters’ ladies’ O-35, Loretto Duggan (St Mary’s) came home in second spot with Siobhán Lennon taking the O-40s and Aishling Power (Ennis Track) finishing second. ResultsSenior ladies1. Siobhán O’Doherty (Borrisokane) …

The captain’s (Declan O’Donovan) prize will be played for at Kilrush this weekend. Members will play an 18-hole qualifying stroke competition on Saturday with the play off set for Sunday evening at 4.30pm.On Sunday, the captain’s plate and the captain’s prize to the ladies will be played for.A busy weekend of competition kicks off on Friday evening with the captain’s mixed. The draw for partners will be made at 6.15pm.The Rush Cups mixed competition took place last Friday and the winners were Tom Coffey and Maeve Murphy from Ollie and Marty McNamara with Sean and Freda Moran in third spot. Declan O’Donovan and Ailish Lorrigan won the gross.On Sunday last the Flanagan Aluminium open singles was won by Barry McMahon (17) with 38 points from Michael O’Reilly (10) with 37 and Finbarr McMahon (15) with 37. Tony McMahon had a hole in one at the par three fourth on Sunday.The winner of the open singles on Sunday week last was …