Sports

Under 15 Academy B Final Inagh-Kilnamona 3-11 Scariff-Ogonnelloe 2-10   A powerful final quarter was sufficient for Inagh-Kilnamona to finally shake off the stubborn challenge of Scariff-Ogonnelloe and capture the Under 15 Academy B Hurling honours in Hamilton Park, Kilkishen on Wednesday evening. Despite leading from start to finish, it was never comfortable as only a puck of the ball separated the sides for three-quarters of this entertaining end-to-end decider that produced a whopping 14 goal chances over the hour. With wind advantage favouring Inagh-Kilnamona, they frustratingly found goalkeeper Charlie Collins in superb form as he kept out early attempts from Conn Walshe, Diarmuid De Brun and the lively Tadhg Hassett. Indeed, with Walshe and Hassett also clearing the crossbar with glorious opportunities, Inagh-Kilnamona had much more fortune picking off their points, with the full-forward unit of Hassett (2), Fionn Daffy (2) and Conn Walshe ensuring a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage by the end of the opening quarter. Considering the …

A meeting of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) on Tuesday evening decided that Kilrush Rangers have secured promotion to the Premier Division. This means that Sporting Ennistymon have suffered relegation from the top flight of Clare soccer. The sides were due to meet in a Promotion/Relegation Play Off last Sunday morning. However, Sporting Ennistymon refused to play the game as they protested against the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) rescheduling the game to last Sunday. Sporting Ennistymon said on May 29 they were informed by the CDSL Fixtures Secretary, Brendan Browne, that the play-off match would be held on June 12 but claimed there was interference among the CDSL committee that saw the game pushed back a week. In a lengthy statement published on their social media channels last Sunday, the club argued that they were told at the end of May the game would be taking place on June 12 and not June 5. “On Sunday the 29th …

Clare will face Roscommon in the second round of the All Ireland SFC qualifiers. It will be a second meeting of the sides in 2022, after they played out a 0-9 to 0-9 draw in Division Two of the National League in Hyde Park. The game is set to be played in Croke Park next Saturday with throw-in at 3.45. Colm Collins’ side progressed through to this stage after ending their hoodoo against Meath, when downing the Royals 1-11 to 1-9, as late scores from Keelan Sexton and Manus Doherty edged Clare over the line. Roscommon enter the contest having lost just one game all year between league and Championship, that being a Connacht final reversal against Galway. Anthony Cunningham’s side didn’t hit the levels they expected of themselves in Salthill and will be keen to ensure their year doesn’t end in a whimper. This clash will evoke memories of 2016, as Clare beat Roscommon to seal a quarter final …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final Limerick 1-29 Clare 0-29 PRIDE definitely overruled disappointment as a gallant Clare left everything on the field in a titanic Munster Final bid that had to go all the way to extra-time before finally having to succumb to holders Limerick in FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, writes Eoin Brennan. Any questions surrounding Clare’s readiness to take on the three-in-a-row champions were quickly answered as Brian Lohan’s warriors not only went toe-to-toe with Limerick for the third successive outing but with a slice of luck might have even snuck a victory in normal time. True to character, the relentless effort and spirit never waned in extra-time but unfortunately the legs did somewhat as a warweary Clare were finally edged out coming down the final straight. For Clare to finish without four of their starting forwards inciting the god-like Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan left Clare rather light physically and experienced-wise in contrast to Limerick whose …

On sporting occasions such as Munster final day, one can find themselves looking back and reminiscing on past glories. With Clare going for a first Munster title since 1998, the county’s fans will be dreaming of celebrating an historic provincial success as fans flock to Semple Stadium for a blockbuster sell out that has all the ingredients to be a modern day classic. The pairing of Clare and Limerick naturally draws back memories of 1995 and the former’s ending of a 63-year wait for provincial honours. With Ger Loughnane in charge, he, alongside a now iconic group of players showed the established order of the game little respect as the Banner County came from nowhere to usurp the traditional kingpins of the game in spectacular fashion.   Heading in to the final in ’95, Clare were without a provincial crown since 1932 and were hurting, especially considering the anguish suffered in the two previous Munster final defeats to Tipperary and …

THE new Mick Mackey Cup will be presented to Tony Kelly or Declan Hannon next Sunday evening in Thurles to spark wild celebration on one side of the river Shannon, writes Jerome O’Connell. And, it’s most fitting that it’s Limerick and Clare contesting the first final for the new solid silver trophy, which was crafted in Kilkenny by Jim Kelly, who is best known for his work with the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The new Munster SHC Cup  was unveiled at a function in Mackey’s home of Castleconnell last week which was attended by his sons Michael, Pat and Greg and daughters Audrey Lennon and Ruth Doyle. Audrey Lennon set the tone perfectly for a final in which the teams are intrinsically linked. Stopping to check her words, Audrey said, “I’d love to wish the senior hurlers all the best in the Munster hurling final.” From family homes to places of work or education, these are words that will fit perfectly …

Patrick O’Connor won’t be lining out for his third Munster Final this Sunday due to his continued rehabilitation from a cruciate injury. However as the captain of Clare’s last two provincial deciders, he would be only too delighted to see the Banner finally bridge a 24-year gap to their last title in Semple Stadium. “I’m in a different place now in that I’m currently transitioning from running straight to twisting and turning and in that current condition, I’d have no place out on the field. It might be different six or eight weeks further down the line but for the moment, I’m happy to be supporting the lads from the sideline. “Look, there are so many lads out there that I’ve soldiered with for a long long time that there would be no happier person in Thurles on Sunday to see John [Conlon], Tony [Kelly] or lads like that get their just rewards for sticking with it and driving things …

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 1 Clare 1-7 Meath 0-6 THE famine is finally over as Clare exorcised their Meath ghosts to advance to the last 12 of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in Cusack Park this evening. Having suffered five consecutive defeats to the Royal County in as many seasons, Clare certainly made hard work out of their revenge mission as despite holding a four point interval lead with the strong conditions to come, the Banner eventually had to come from behind to cement victory with the last three points. Add in eight second half wides, three missed goal opportunities including a 63rd minute David Tubridy penalty that was excellently tipped away by goalkeeper Harry Hogan and it understandably had to take immense character for a persistent Clare to get back on track as Eoin Cleary, Keelan Sexton and Manus Doherty provided the finishing touches to a rousing yet relieving opening championship win. It was all so different in …