Sports

First Division Mountshannon Celtic 3 Shannon Olympic A 2 Shannon Olympic A suffered their first league defeat of the season when they went under to Mountshannon Celtic on Sunday in Scariff.

Premier LeagueRock Rovers 2 Avenue United A 3Avenue United A maintained their challenge for the Premier League title with this victory over Ennis rivals Rock Rovers last week.For the third game in a row, former Bunratty player Con Collins scored the vital match-winning goal.The winners took an early two-goal lead. Their first came from a Dave McCarthy free kick mid-way through the half and this goal separated the teams at the break. Rock came close to equalising shortly before half-time when Stephen Hickey’s effort went just outside the upright.Avenue doubled their advantage early in the second half and again it was McCarthy who scored after Mikey Mahony had created the opening.A penalty resulted for Rock when Hickey was taken down and Daryl Eade converted before Niall Nevin hit the equaliser after good play from Hickey and Eoin Glynn.Avenue replied quickly and Collins grabbed the winner after a David Smith corner.Rock Rovers: Stephen Loftus; Michael Dinan, Jason White, Shane Daniels, Ronan …

Kilmurry-Ibrickane AC celebrated their 41st season when they hosted the Michael Egan memorial four-mile road race and fun run at Quilty on Sunday.

Boxer of the year, Keelan Sexton kick-started his assault for the elusive three-in-a-row of national titles in the 70kg class at the Munster Juvenile Championships at Mitchelstown last Saturday and Sunday.

The National Juvenile U-14 to U-19 National Indoor Track and Field Championships were held at the Nenagh Indoor Arena, where two Clare athletes won gold.

THE Golden Vale Milk Clare Community Games had three competitions over the weekend with the U-14 quiz, the handwriting and the mini-rugby competitions staged.

FORTY horses will line up at Aintree on Saturday in the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National, with Noel Glynn’s Becasueicouldntsee hoping to bring the world’s most famous steeplechase back to the Banner County.

A 20-point victory, irrespective of the opposition, has to be a pleasing outcome at any time and so it was for all involved with at Cusack Park on Saturday.Team manager Ger O’Loughlin was pleased with his side’s tally of 6-23 but he didn’t hide his concern over conceding 1-18 and warned this is something that will have to change if the county is to get back to Division 1.Clare had the league points secured long before the final whistle. There was a lot more urgency evident in Clare’s display on this occasion and this was clear from the outset. Colin Ryan converted a 50m free in the opening minute to give the home side a lead they would hold throughout. Seán Collins raced through from midfield in the second minute for the opening score from play before Clonlara’s John Conlon had the game’s opening goal in the third minute.The team vice-captain was particularly sharp in this tie and his second …