Sports

Unquestionably the outstanding final of a much-anticipated weekend of county Féile action as Western Gaels eventually edged out neighbours Doonbeg 3-10 to 3-5 to cement the Division 3 honours in style in Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park in Doonbeg on Sunday evening. With both sides managing to get the better of Kildysart/Coolmeen at the groups stages on Friday at the same venue, they understandably passed up the opportunity at a group decider in lieu of Sunday’s derby showdown that definitely lived up to expectations. Indeed, it had to take extra-time to finally separate the sides in a thrilling end-to-end seesaw wrestle for supremacy that saw the lead change hands on no fewer than six occasion over the prolonged 50 minute decider. In the end, the peninsula amalgamation of Naomh Eoin, O’Curry’s and St Senan’s Kilkee prevailed thanks in the main to the outstanding leadership of captain Brian Keane who led the charge with a handsome 1-9 tally. He was greatly aided …

Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 3 Clare 1-22 Waterford 1-8 THIS was much more like it as Clare blew away Waterford in style to kickstart their Munster Minor Hurling Championship campaign in Cusack Park on Tuesday evening, reports Eoin Brennan. Floored by a brace of Tipperary third quarter goals in their opening tie a week previously, Clare demonstrated that lessons were quickly learned in the intervening period as they held a vice-like grip on proceedings from start to finish to run out comprehensive winners. Their appetite, movement and confidence was a clear step ahead of Waterford who had all the hallmarks of a nervy side playing in their first championship tie. Clare made the most of home advantage though with centre-back James Hegarty, playmaker Jack O’Neill, scorer-in-chief Cian Neylon and newcomer Sean McMahon pulling the strings for a Banner side that were 15 points clear at one stage of the second period. Unerring freetaker Oisin Whelan, Diarmuid Stritch, goalkeeper Mark …

Lahinch Golf Club last year swung back into profit to record operating profits of almost €1m after a late season upsurge in green fee income. According to the 2021 annual report for one of the country’s most celebrated golf clubs, Lahinch last year recorded the operating surplus of €990,554 and this followed an operating loss of €303,199 during the pandemic-hit 2020 – a positive swing of €1.29m In a report presented to members at Friday evening’s Annual General Meeting in Lahinch, chairperson of Lahinch Golf Club, Martin O’Sullivan said that the operating surplus was “a very welcome turnaround from 2020”. In 2020 due to course closures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the suspension of international tourist travel, green fee income plummeted by 88pc from €1.88m to €226,025. However, the new report shows that green fee income last year rebounded and increased almost four fold to €1.05 million. The US golf market is a vital market for the club …

Eoin Brennan previews the Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 3 clash between Clare and Waterford at Cusack Park, Ennis There was a real sense of deflation for Clare as they left Semple Stadium with nothing to show for their efforts in a game they felt that they were seemingly in control of. However, Tipperary’s quickfire brace of second half goals did reveal a lot about Clare’s pack as some stood up to the challenge while others faltered under the increased intensity. Being a first outing, it was hardly going to be a perfect competitive bow anyway and manager Brian O’Connell only has to consult fellow mentors Cyril Lyons (seniors reaching All-Ireland Final in 2002) and Donal Moloney (winning 2010 Munster Minor title) about bouncing straight back from opening defeats. However, with two guaranteed matches remaining, a victory may not a prerequisite against Waterford on Tuesday evening but it would certainly grease the wheels ahead of the quarter-finals according to manager …

AN Ennis sporting club which has to travel to Limerick to play matches is hoping an upcoming fundraising event will help achieve its dream of building its own multi-sport facility which will also benefit the wider community. Established in October 2019, Ennis Hockey Club came from the love of hockey with the driving force behind the club a group of volunteers passionate about the sport and bringing this sport to kids and adults of Clare. It is the club’s ambition to build a multi-sport 2G facility in Ennis where they can play, compete and develop the next generation of people passionate about this Olympic sport. As well as members having to travel to Limerick for home matches, club trainings are currently held either at the CBS School or at the Planet Entertainment Centre however the surface of these pitches is not really suitable for the game. A spokesperson for the club explained, “The support has been great. However, none of …

Eoin Brennan looks ahead to the Munster Under 20 Football Championship Semi-Final between Clare v Kerry at Hennessy Memorial Park Miltown Malbay Having already emphatically brushed aside one hoodoo by bridging a 26-year gap to their last victory over Tipperary at this grade, Clare have an opportunity at exorcising two more significant ghosts when hosting Kerry at the penultimate stage back in Miltown Malbay this Monday evening. With the carrot of a first Munster Under 20 Final appearance since 2002, taking down the might of the Kingdom for the first time in 14 seasons would be seen a a major shock even allowing for Clare’s incremental underage development to contest three of the last five provincial minor deciders. After all, Kerry, along with annexing eight of the last nine provincial minor crowns, are also joint top of the Under 20 (formally Under 21) roll of honour with 28 titles. It’s a task that Clare will relish though, hitting the ground …

Point-to-point fans are in for a real treat this weekend, with the annual County Clare Hunt Easter Sunday meeting at Quakerstown set to attract a huge attendance. To say there is something for everyone on offer at the scenic Boston venue would be an understatement, as a host of extra-curricular activities have been laid-on to keep all ages entertained. Trade stands, a dog show, artisan food stalls, pony rides, most appropriately dressed person competition, a pony race and a hound display are just some of the attractions on offer on what is guaranteed a fun day out for all the family. An official launch of Sunday’s meeting took place at Hotel Woodstock in Ennis last Friday night where the guests included top jockeys Eoin Mahon and Derek O’Connor. A presentation was also made to jockey Mark McDonagh to mark his recent run of success that included his first Cheltenham Festival victory. The Co Clare Hunt will also be supporting the …

With Corofin having edged out Kilrush Shamrocks 0-9 to 0-8 on Thursday evening, Eoin Brennan previews the rest of this weekend’s football action Cusack Cup Round 3 Kildysart v St Joseph’s Miltown at Kildysart, Saturday 2pm Two sides poised in mid-table that depending on this result will be either back in contention for Cusack Cup honours or looking over their shoulder at the dreaded return of relegation danger. Of course, it’s a senior versus intermediate tie but Kildysart, outside of intermediate final stumbling blocks, have invariably performed more as a senior side these past few years and will be determined to maintain their top flight status. Ten points separated the sides in Miltown’s favour ten months ago but Kildysart now at home, this rare meeting will be much closer. Clondegad v Ennistymon at Ballynacally, Saturday 4pm With the spoils shared equally in recent seasons, this will be seen as a keen barometer for two sides hoping to better their lot …