Sports

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 …

Rhine Rovers 3   Connolly Celtic 1 Rhine Rovers took a giant step towards the first division title when they defeated Connolly Celtic on Monday evening at Lees Road.A win over Bunratty-Cratloe in their final game this Friday will see the Quin-based side crowned champions.They took the lead midway through the first half when Ivor White scored and this goal separated the teams at the break.Midway through the second half Cathal O’Sullivan doubled their advantage but straight from the kick-off Connolly pulled one back through Alan Markham.Going into the final quarter, the winners made some changes and two minutes from time they sealed the points when Christy O’Brien finished off a good move. Rhine Rovers: Aidan O’Connor; Jamie Fahy, Kevin Johnston, Paul Johnston, Cillian Duggan, Mark Hanrahan, Ivor White, Cathal O’Sullivan, Johnnie O’Brien, Davy O’Brien, Stephen Monaghan.Subs: Christy O’Brien for Monaghan; Martin Reidy for J O’Brien; Martin McInerney for K Johnston.Connolly Celtic: Niall Quinn; Brian Connellan, Kieran Dillon, Keith O’Looney, Barry …

Newmarket Celtic B 4   Sporting Ennistymon 2 Newmarket Celtic will play in the first division next season after finishing their league campaign on a winning note.Despite playing against the wind, Ennistymon were 2-0 up with goals from Alan Sexton and Michael Leigh. Just before half-time Newmarket scored through Ciaran McCoy to trail by one at the break.They were on top in the second half and added goals from Ciaran McCoy, Kevin Feehily and Martin O’Neill to seal victory.  Newmarket Celtic B: Kevin Corbett; Eoin Kelly, Chris Noonan, Ciaran Crosby, Conor Cusack; Ian Cusack, Martin Frawley, Danny Conway, Chris Lake, Barry O’Driscoll, Kevin Feehily.Subs: Martin O’Neill, Michael Crosby, Davy Barrett.Sporting Ennistymon: Richard Leigh; Pádraig Kenneally, John Mullane, Thomas McConigley, Mark Burke, Pa Foley, Michael Leigh, Michael O’Dwyer, Alan Sexton, Kieran Monaghan, Cathal McConigley.Subs: Patrick O’Dwyer for Kenneally and Damian Flanagan for O’Dwyer.    Moher Celtic 1   Inch Crusaders 4 Inch Crusaders qualified for the promotion play-off from the second division with …

Clare 5-20   Limerick 2-5 The Clare Ladies’ U-16 team took on Limerick on Saturday in Wolfe Tones’ pitch in Shannon. This was the final game of the Munster Championship and it had already been established that both teams would play each other again in the Munster C Final. Clare started well and after a couple of minutes were up by four points. A quick break by Limerick and a mix-up in the Clare defence meant that Limerick were right back in it with a goal. Not to be deterred, the Banner ladies maintained the upperhand and soon they were putting points over from almost impossible angles. Another goal from Limerick’s Leanne Hartnett kept them in touch for a short while but great work by the forwards saw Clare lead 3-12 to Limerick’s 2-2 at half-time. Gráinne Nolan (Banner Ladies), who was having a great game had a personal tally of 2-5 at this stage.Clare kept the pressure on in the …

The Clare Post Primary Schools’ First Year blitz for lady footballers concluded when St Flannan’s recorded a big win over St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil in the final, played in Coolmeen last Wednesday. St Flannan’s have won the title in four of the last six years. This latest success comes in a year when their junior team (up to third year) were defeated in the Munster final, while their senior team won the Munster title. Played in difficult weather conditions, Clionadh Blake was denied a goal soon after the throw-in for St Michaels, and St Flannan’s had only two points on the board at half-time. However, Doireann Murphy netted twice for the Ennis school within as many minutes with additional points from Sadhb Malone.  Kilmihil battled throughout led by Sharon Egan, Clionadh Blake, Rebecca Doohan and captain, Coughlan. Louise Browne was very impressive for Flannan’s along with Doireann Murphy, Mia Hanrahan, Andrea and Theresa O’Keeffe. Vanessa Meaney and  Marese Hayes …

Conditions were anything but pleasant during last week’s rain-soaked Punchestown Festival but that failed to put a damper on things for Newmarket-on-Fergus couple John and Karen Hannon, who drove away with a brand-new Land Rover Defender following the success of a horse they sold, Some Article, in the prestigious €100,000 Goffs Land Rover Bumper.John and Karen are proprietors of Killulla Stud on the old Limerick Road out of Newmarket and Some Article, who went off at 16-1, was offered for sale by them last June at Goffs with an eye to running in Tuesday’s €100,000 bumper.  Kilkenny trainer Tom Mullins purchased the son of Definite Article for €11,500 on behalf of his wife Helen and that proved money well spent when the Mark Fahey-ridden four-year-old forged clear of the home bend to beat Noel Glynn’s Catamondepigeons by seven-and-a-half lengths.Some Article was bred by Karen’s father, Pat McLoughney, and the now retired Shannon businessman takes up the story.“I bought this horse’s …

An exciting double for Ferrybank owner-breeder, Ger Kiely, was undoubtedly the highlight of second round heats of the Roche’s Feeds Oaks at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium on Saturday night. It was certainly an outstanding night for the Airmount prefix.Airmount Pearl (Kiowas Sweet-Trey-Water Girl) won the first part of the double. Showing great early pace from trap two in heat two, she led at the opening bend from Go Mandy but showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field down the far side to come home a seven lengths winner from Gogetembabe in trap four and Lass Cause in six, three lengths back. The time was 28.42.Litter sister Airmount Swank had a faster clock, 28.38, when winning heat four. Also showing great early pace to lead at the first, she was three-lengths up at the third and, while Lacken Rua came with a strong challenge on the way home, Airmount Swank was not to be denied …

Kilmaley 1-11Ballyea 0-14 Given the fact that this particular U-21 championship campaign had produced three draws prior to the final, all of them involving Kilmaley, it didn’t come as any great surprise that last evening’s decider ended all square at Cusack Park.