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Scoring power may decide it

It’s not the final pairing widely predicted but, as the campaign progressed, both Cratloe and Crusheen put down a marker as to why they would contest this year’s Clare senior hurling final.They have travelled somewhat similar routes to the final stage in that they both lost a group stage game and finished as runners-up in their respective groups.A draw with neighbours Sixmilebridge meant Cratloe dropped three points in the group stage. This left them depending on their neighbours to win their final game to ensure the champions’ passage to the play-off stages.Ironically, the winners of the two groups were the beaten semi-finalists with Cratloe requiring a second chance to repeat last year’s final win over neighbours Clonlara.Crusheen have a very strong defence but their attack is not to the same level. That said, it’s worth noting that they scored 8-79 in their six games to date, just 11 points less than the holders, who have played an extra game.There were …

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World gold for Norma and Oisin

Clare representatives in the Irish Lifesaving team at the World Championships in Alexandria, Egypt last week scored remarkable successes.Competing in the masters’ competitions, Norma Cahill won seven gold and a silver medal, while Oisin McGrath (both pictured below) returned with three gold and a silver.The contribution of the Clare members was phenomenal and brought huge success to the Irish team which was placed 17th in the world.Five members of the 10-strong Irish team hailed from Clare. They were: Colm Fitzgerald, Oisín McGrath, Bernard Cahill, Dylan Barrett and Siobhan McGrath. Norma Cahill travelled to compete in the masters’ section. Beach and ocean All Clare competitors progressed to finals in the beach and ocean competition as follows: Siobhan McGrath, B final in rescue tube event; Dylan Barrett (15th), A final of swim event; Bernard Cahill (17th), A final of swim; Oisín McGrath (10th overall); Taplin relay (9th overall) with Clare competitors Oisín McGrath, Colm Fitzgerald and Dylan Barrett on the Irish team …

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Two Clare players nominated for camogie All-Stars

Two Clare players have been included in the shortlist of 45 nominees, from which this year’s camogie All-Stars will be chosen.Deirdre Murphy, Clooney-Quin and Fiona Lafferty, Kilnamona have been nominated for positions in the half and full-forward lines respectively.Wexford, the All-Ireland and National League champions, have received 11 nominations as have defeated All-Ireland finalists, Galway.The winners will be announced at a banquet in the Dublin on Saturday, November 6. “For those that received a nomination it is a testament to their tremendous sporting calibre. I am delighted that this particular group of players from seven counties will be afforded national recognition for their excellent displays during the year,” commented association president, Jean O’Flynn.

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All hail the comeback kid

  There were a number of occasions in the past two years when it appeared that Gerry O’Grady’s hurling career was over. A serious ankle injury meant he saw little action with  Crusheen last year. Things had started very brightly for the talented player as he led Clare to the Waterford Crystal Munster Hurling League title. He was named as Clare vice-captain at the start of the season and in the absence of captain Brian O’Connell, he was handed the captain’s role and played a leading role as Clare beat all opposition to claim the title with a final victory over Tipperary.A short time later, the ankle injury flared up resulting in little action for the remainder of the season. Indeed, there were fears that he would be forced to give up the game he loves. The injury required surgery and while he was in recovery at the start of the current season, he made the decision to withdraw from …

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Can lightning strike twice for the Cratloe skipper?

SHOULD Cratloe manage to retain the Clare Senior Hurling Championship title on Sunday, team captain Barry Duggan will join a special group of people, those who have captained their clubs to more that one county senior title.The team’s inspirational leader was retained as skipper this year after he led the club to a historic first Clare senior crown 12 months ago.“Last year’s success was a huge boost to confidence. We got a bit of belief into the club, the team and the players. Setting out this year, we said we don’t want to go out in the first round, we don’t want to go out in the group stages. We were lucky enough that the ’Bridge did us a favour, the result was out of our hands. We got to the semi-final and we said we want to go on to the final, go one step further. We are in the final and we want to retain the title,” the …

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‘We want to be here for a long time’ – Deegan

MOMENTS after Cratloe had made history 12 months ago by winning the Canon Hamilton Trophy for the first time, team mentor Mike Deegan recalled what he and his fellow mentors said to the players. “Nobody remembers teams beaten in county finals. It’s the people who win county finals that are remembered,” they said.Cratloe are now just one hour away from retaining the senior hurling title and there is little doubt but that those involved will hold a special place in parish history and, indeed, in Clare GAA history if they manage to achieve that.Delighted to be in the final, Deegan admitted this week that they started the year by concentrating on getting out of their group.“We had to take it one step at a time. It was a tough group we were in. Every game was a serious challenge. We were county champions and everyone wanted to beat us and that’s to be expected but fair play to the lads. …

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At the helm at home

  THIS time three years ago, Crusheen manager Michael Browne was busy preparing for the county senior hurling final between Crusheen and Tulla. On that occasion, he was in the opposition camp.Two years earlier, he had given a commitment to coach the East Clare team and while he knew that there was always a chance that it would mean plotting the downfall of his native club, little did he think that they would end up on opposite sides on the biggest day of the year in Clare hurling“It was an extraordinary position to be in. If I could have got any way to change it I would so much love to have done so, but you give your commitment to a club and I gave it to Tulla two years ago and that was not going to change, not because it was my own club Crusheen we were playing.“I wished and I hoped and I would love to be able …

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Cloughleigh NS

Five teachers at Cloughleigh National School in Ennis will be in final action for their respective clubs in the coming weeks. On the left is Denise Geaney, West Clare Gaels, who will be playing in Sunday’s Munster ladies football intermediate final in Ballyagran. Denise is being shouldered by Cooraclare junior B footballer, Joe Garry, whose club meet Kilkee in the Junior B final the weekend after next.  On the right are Paul Crehan (Éire Óg) and Kilfenora captain MJ Malone. The clubs meet in Saturday’s Junior A football final at 3pm in Miltown. Missing from the photo is Gearóid Roughan, Ruan, who play Killenana in the intermediate hurling final the weekend after next. Photograph by Declan Monaghan

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