Sports

THE organisers of the first Corofin All Stars programme for children with additional needs are thrilled with the success of their innovative pilot project, writes Dan Danaher. In fact, the success of the first dedicated programme for children with special needs in a Clare GAA club exceeded the expectations of Eimer Ni Riain, Crystel Robbins Rynne and Adrian Beakey. On Sunday, some of the Intermediate footballers and coaches dropped into the start of a new programme of training children in GAA skills. Ms Ni Riain, who has 30 years experience as an occupational therapist, doesn’t have any child involved in the sessions. The practice education co-ordinator on the occupational programme in the University of Limerick saw there was a gap for children with special needs who weren’t participating in sporting activities. “The programme helps children with special needs to engage with other children in a fun and safe way that is different to going to therapy and school. “In addition …

Donning the Irish jersey for the first time was a dream come true for Maeve Óg O’Leary, writes Dan Danaher. Last November, 70 women from Ballina-Killaloe RFC raised the roof in the RDS when O’Leary replaced Ciara Griffin in the second half of Ireland’s 20-10 win over the USA on Friday night to earn her first international cap. Seconds after her introduction, the Ballina flanker made a try-saving tackle to prevent US back row Elizabeth Cairns from touching down. 🗣️ "I'm just going to put my head down and push myself as hard as I can." Maeve Óg O’Leary is one of six uncapped players in the Ireland Women's squad for the upcoming Tests against USA and Japan 🙌#NothingLikeIt | #IrishRugby | #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/L1igfC6Va0 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 3, 2021 It was a proud moment for the Munster back row who earned her first Ireland cap through her outstanding performances in the interprovincial championships. The 21-year-old has become a …

Although John Maughan is firmly focused on helping Offaly raid Cusack Park this Sunday afternoon, the former Clare manager admits he holds a special bond with the county he will be trying to overcome, writes Ivan Smyth. Maughan guided Clare to the All Ireland B Championship in 1991 before 12 months later he was at the helm for arguably Clare football’s greatest day as they beat Kerry in the Munster final. The Offaly manager is full of praise for the side he managed and the current crop of players. “I have great affection for Clare. It was the players who made me look good. The gene pool in Clare is fantastic. They are hard, tough, honest and give every last ounce. “Sometimes you hear of inter county players retiring and they may have regrets over not giving everything but you could never say that about a Clare hurler or footballer. They get every last ounce out of themselves. I’d have …

With Clare starting a sixth successive year in Division Two, the goal remains the same, writes Ivan Smyth – a seat at the top table. ONE word sums up the hopes of Clare football fans as Colm Collins’ side seek to test themselves against the very best teams in Ireland – promotion. With Collins at the helm for a ninth season, Clare have continued to make strides and were a win away from making the giant leap to Division One last year before falling to a four point defeat to eventual All Ireland finalists Mayo. Galway, Meath, Cork and Derry are considered the favourites for promotion before a ball has been kicked in anger. However, despite Collins claiming that Clare not being placed among the favourites for promotion is irrelevant to how he will prepare his side, there is a sense that Collins and his team would enjoy nothing more than to upset the odds. “We completely ignore the outside …

James McConigley speaks to Emmet McMahon about the highs and lows of last year and his hopes for this year 2021 was a real mixed bag for Emmet McMahon. The 21-year-old enjoyed fantastic highs and crushing lows. From the heartbreak of Kildysart conceding two late smash and grab goals and ultimately falling short to Corofin in the Clare Intermediate Final to capturing a landmark first U-21A championship, then joint-captaining Cill Cúl Gaels only seven weeks later and registering a 1-10 to 0-08 victory over Éire Óg, the Kildysart native had a rollercoaster time of it. And so begins another year with a jam-packed football season in store. Now in his third year of Physical Education and Maths at the University of Limerick, McMahon is enjoying his chosen course. Speaking to the Clare Champion he said, “The course solely revolves around sport and it’s a great help with the fitness and that side of things. I had a huge interest in …

Ivan Smyth speaks to Clare defender Cian O’Dea who insists his side are prepared for the challenge of trying to secure promotion to Division One. WITH the old format for the league returning whereby the top two teams out of eight secure promotion, the margins will be fine as Clare go in search of a place at the top table. Cian O’Dea knows his side are not among the favourites for promotion but after coming up short against Mayo last year, he insists belief among the group remains high as they commence their campaign this Sunday against Offaly (throw-in 2pm). “We’ve been back since December and have had a couple of challenge matches. Things have been going really well. The depth we have on the panel right now is really good. We have new lads pushing old lads like myself,” says The Kilfenora man. “We love playing the league. The matches come thick and fast as you have a match …

THREE Clare players have made the Ireland squad for the upcoming 2022 U20 Six Nations Championship which begins next Friday. Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan and Conor Moloney were included by head coach Richie Murphy in his 31-man squad, ahead of Ireland’s opening fixture against Wales at Musgrave Park on Friday, 4 February (Kick-off 8pm, live on RTÉ). The three playing for Garryowen, Shannon and Young Munster respectively all began their careers with Ennis RFC. Head coach Murphy, and his assistant coaches Jimmy Duffy, Willie Faloon and Mark Sexton, are excited about the dynamic of this year’s group having had to make a number of difficult selection decisions following a series of squad camps and Challenge Matches in recent weeks. Ireland kick off the Six Nations against Wales next Friday, before travelling to France in Round 2 on Friday, February 11. Murphy’s side will then go head-to-head with Italy on Friday, February 25 at Musgrave Park, before concluding the Championship away …

It was heartbreak for the Ennis Under 18.5 Girls in the Munster League Semi Final at Clonakilty losing out on a score of 34-31. After enduring a first half onslaught from the home team with Clonakilty scoring three early tries, Ennis fought their way back into the game and engineered two tries from Sadbh Finn and a conversion from Grainne Burke, which left them trailing 19-12 at half time. The second half saw both teams attack with gusto. The dry day and hard ground ensured a lot of open rugby and both teams looked to spread the ball wide. The tackling was committed from both teams and scores were hard won. The Ennis centre pairing of Orna Moynihan and Zoe Brown had a very busy afternoon. The Ennis backrow of Aoibheann Hahessy, Roisin Dillon and Jennifer Weston kept the Clonakilty backline under pressure. Lead on by captain Anna Purcell, and with hard work from all players at the breakdown, Ennis …