Sports

THE popularity of the late John Moroney, an outstanding Ruan and Clare hurler, was evident in his native parish on Saturday last when many of the game’s leading lights from past and present turned out for the unveiling of a plaque to his memory.Welcoming the attendance, Ruan club chairman Fintan Cotter said, “The unveiling of this commemorative plaque will be a fitting testimony to his great sporting contribution to Ruan and Clare and that his hurling deeds and enrichment of our parish life will always be recalled by this and succeeding generations”.The specially commissioned plaque which is on the wall of the clubhouse, was unveiled by former Tipperary All-Ireland winning star Len Gaynor and recently appointed Clare senior manager Ger O’Loughlin. John Moroney played at all levels for Clare having shot to prominence at underage level with his club and with St Flannan’s College, with whom he won Harty Cup and All-Ireland honours in 1979. He made his National League …

ST Flannan’s College Ennis were crowned Munster Junior B Colleges Camogie champions at the Éire Óg grounds on Saturday when they proved too strong for Coláiste Choilm from Ballincollig in Cork.In ideal conditions, the Ennis school atoned for the disappointment of losing last year’s final and they will now go on to play in the All-Ireland semi-final at the end of February.A hat-trick of goals from lively corner forward Nikki Kaiser played a big part in the St Flannans’ victory. Indeed, it was the ability of the Damian Noonan and Laura Linnane trained squad to find the net which proved decisive on the day.Two goals from Newmarket star Kaiser had the winners in control after just seven minutes and while the visitors fought back strongly in the second quarter, a goal from Christine Glynn just before the half time whistle sent St Flannan’s to the break with a five point advantage, 3-2 to 1-3.Indeed the goal from centre-back Glynn was …

TRAINER Gerry Holian was the star of the show when the 85th national coursing meeting ended in a blaze of glory for the Athenry man in Clonmel on Wednesday.

Waterford 1-17  Clare 0-8 WHAT a difference five days makes. On Tuesday of last week, Clare hurling followers left Borrisoleigh in upbeat mood after watching a new-look Banner outfit beat a strong Tipperary side in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal tournament.Last Sunday, a smaller number of Clare supporters left Ballyduff Upper in Waterford disappointed after seeing a side that included many of the same players comprehensively beaten by Waterford. On this occasion, Clare were outplayed in almost every department by a physically stronger and much sharper Waterford side and there will have to be a huge improvement if the Banner men are to reverse this result come June 7, when the sides clash in the Munster championship in Thurles.The fact that these counties will meet in the provincial semi-final, added to Davy Fitzgerald’s role as Waterford boss, ensured that there would be a lot of interest in this fixture, which attracted an attendance of over 1,500 to the picturesque …

County Board Meeting Round-up with Sports Editor Seamus Hayes

They had to meet twice at this stage of the competition last year before there was a winner and it could well be that a replay will also be required this time around when Shannon’s St Caimin’s clash with Ard Scoil Rís Limerick in the semi-final of the Dr Harty Cup on Sunday.

IN the world of Munster Colleges hurling, the view is that a school that wins the Dean Ryan Cup (Junior A championship) generally follows with Dr Harty Cup honours a year or two later.

WHILE it might be considered premature to state that Clare’s most important NFL Division 4 match of 2010 will be their first, that is the reality.