Sports

THE Irish tae kwon do team returned from the ITF European championships in Maribor, Slovenia last weekend with an impressive haul of three gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals. Among the Irish team were several competitors from Quin and Shannon tae kwon do clubs under the guidance of Stephen Ryan and Adrian Byrne. Competing from Quin tae kwon do club were Stephen Ryan, Laura Cullen, Áine Cregan and Nicole Moriarty, while representing Shannon were Adrian Byrne (coach), Louise McCagh, David Lynch, Jamie Williams and Shakira Coonghe. The squad arrived in Maribor on the Wednesday for weigh-in and final registration before the competition kicked on the Friday, running right through to the Sunday evening. The first to compete for the Clare contingent was Stephen Ryan, current world number two in the senior men’s IV – VI Dan pattern division. Stephen came away with a bronze medal after losing out in the semi-final to his fierce rival, Jarek Suska, current world …

Éire Óg GAA club’s appeal to be allowed field teams at U-12 and lower age group levels was upheld this week.The decision was welcomed by club member Bernie O’Brien, one of the driving forces behind the club’s academy.“This is brilliant for the kids and for the town. There is no confusion now and we can go forward as a club. It’s a step that will help to make Éire Óg a force again but that won’t happen overnight,” he said this weekThe club appealed to the County Hearings Committee against the decision of the coaching and games committee decision to exclude the club from competitions run by it under the jurisdiction of Clare GAA for U-12 and lower age groups.The notification of the decision to uphold the appeal stated that it was upheld on the basis that “it was acknowledged that players with Dal gCais, Naomh Fhlannain, Na Fianna and An Boithrín may not necessarily be members of a club, …

Despite being regarded as the favourite for the post, Killaloe’s Anthony Foley has been overlooked for the  head coach job with the Munster rugby team.However, the captain of the 2006 Heineken Cup-winning side is to continue as the forwards coach.The former St Munchin’s College prodigy was capped 62 times for Ireland during a ten-year international career. The back-row forward played over 200 times for Munster.Former Canterbury coach Rob Penney was confirmed as Munster’s new head coach on Wednesday.Last season 48-year-old Penney took Canterbury to their fourth straight ITM Cup national provincial title.  A former Canterbury Academy manager, Penney will coach the defending world champion New Zealand U-20 side during next month’s IRB Junior World championship in South Africa. Commenting on the appointment Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said Penney stood out among a number of stellar candidates.“We conducted a thorough search to find a replacement for Tony McGahan and were delighted with the calibre of the candidates”.  

Feakle-Killanena 4-12   Tubber 1-8 Feakle-Killanena atoned for the disappointment of losing last year’s final after a replay when they captured the U-21C Hurling Championship title at Cusack Park on Thursday evening.While defensive errors proved costly for Tubber, who conceded a number of soft goals, the East Clare combination were the better-balanced side and deserved their success.Interestingly, seven years ago the same clubs clashed in the U-14 final and on that occasion Tubber were victorious.The winners had the better of the opening 20 minutes in last week’s final and at that stage they were 11 points clear, 3-3 to 0-1. Shane McGrath had their opening goal after eight minutes and Killian Bane scored their second on the quarter-hour mark, with both goals coming as a result of defensive blunders by Tubber. Oisín Donnellan was the winner’s third goal scorer as they went 3-3 to 0-1 in front, with the three points coming from centre-back and captain, Gary Guilfoyle.Tubber played their best …

Inagh-Kilnamona 4-7   Feakle 1-3 Inagh-Kilnamona will represent Clare in Dublin at the 2012 Féile na nGael in July following their win over Feakle on Sunday evening at Shannon camogie grounds. Both sides had to contend with a strong wind, with Inagh-Kilnamona having the benefit in the opening half. Feakle, having conceded an early goal, worked hard to contain Inagh-Kilnamona. Inagh Kilnamona picked off some great scores, leaving them 1-7 to 0-0 ahead at half-time. Feakle goaled four minutes into the second half, which breathed new life into the East Clare outfit. However, this goal was cancelled out by a Chloe O’Neill free, which sailed into the top corner. Feakle added two more points but it was Inagh-Kilnamona who grabbed the goals, leaving Feakle with the last score of the game, a converted free and Inagh-Kilnamona en route to the Féile finals in July.Referee: Aaron Hogg.   Inagh-Kilnamona 1-4   Sixmilebridge 1-2Sixmilebridge suffered a two-point defeat against Inagh/Kilnamona on Sunday in Clarecastle. …

The sixth annual Ennistymon-Liscannor Parish National School Sports Day was held in beautiful sunshine at Lahinch Community Sports field. All schools in the parish took part, with over 300 children enjoying the fun. The first three athletes in all races will represent their schools in the finals at Lees Road on Wednesday, May 23 against Kilmurry-Ibrickane and Miltown Malbay parishes. GirlsU-5 60m: 1 Nicole Sherlock (Ennistymon); 2 Latisha O’Connor (Lahinch); 3 Hazel Stackpoole (Ennistymon).U-80m: 1 Nicole Sherlock (Ennistymon); 2 Latisha O’Connor (Lahinch); 3 Chloe O’Flaherty (Lahinch).U-6 60m: 1 Lauren Flaherty (Liscannor); 2 Rachel Cotter (Furglan); 3 Róisín Shannon (Clouna).80m: 1 Rachel Cotter (Furglan); 2 Lauren Flaherty (Liscannor); 3 Lorraine Lacey (Liscannor).U-7 60m: 1 Aoife O’Reilly (Forsith Lahinch); 2 Ellen Carey (Liscannor); 3 Helena Mongan (Ennistymon).80m: 1 Helena Mongan (Ennistymon); 2 Ellen Carey (Liscannor); 3 Aoife O’Reilly (Forsith Lahinch).U-8 100m: 1 Gráinne Doherty (Furglan); 2 Jorja Higgins (Furglan); 3 Alisha Lynch (Furglan).300m: 1 Gráinne Doherty (Ennistymon); 2 Willow Kenny (Lahinch); 3 …

CLARE Community Games had a break from county competitions last weekend as all their interest was focused on the HSE National Community Games Media Awards, the winners of which were presented with their awards in the Radisson Blu hotel in Athlone on Saturday.Three awards were presented to The Clare Champion for their continued coverage of Community Games affairs.The paper was honoured with both a regional award and a continuity award, while photographer Declan Monaghan won the most unusual photograph category.In addition, the Clare organisation’s public relations officer, Mary Phelan was presented, with an award.John Treacy, chief executive officer of the Irish Sports Council, presented the national and regional media awards. Speaking to the guests including Paddy McCaul, president of the FAI; Dr Ailis Brosnan, HSE; Dympna Bracken, HSE and Mary Goode, AIT, John Treacy congratulated the media for their support of the Community Games organisation and also paid tribute to the Community Games volunteers for their dedication. “The media have …