EDITORIAL

THE Clare U-21 hurlers’ decisive Munster final win over Tipperary last week provides a timely boost for the seniors, as they prepare to face Limerick in Croke Park on Sunday, with an All-Ireland final place at stake.

 

 

The prospect of two Clare hurling teams reaching the All-Ireland final in the same year, for the first time since 1997 when the senior and minor double was achieved, is something to relish.

The U-21 grade has yielded considerable rewards for Clare in recent years – three Munster and two All-Ireland titles (’09 and ’12) in five years. Joint managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney have the Midas touch.
Each year, the underage players’ pool has come up trumps, with a few new and important additions to the seniors. This year, no fewer than six U-21s played on the senior team that defeated Galway a couple of weeks earlier.

The young guns have played a key role in the seniors’ march to the penultimate stage of the All-Ireland competition. In total, 15 of the U-21s are involved in the senior squad and this crossover has proved to be mutually beneficial.
From a disappointing defeat by Cork in the Munster championship, Davy Fitzgerald has forged the team into a formidable unit, one that is edging closer to emulating the achievements of the teams of the ’90s.

Most of his charges were only toddlers when he guarded the net for Clare in ’95, when the county won its first All-Ireland title since 1914.
Probably the most important thing going for the Clare team is that virtually all of the players have won a Munster or All-Ireland medal in recent years. They have plenty of experience and are battled-hardened, even at such a young age. They respect all opposition but fear none.

Limerick, as the opposition on Sunday, will bring added intensity to the affair. Our neighbours also have their fair share of younger lads, who were on the team that defeated Cork in the Munster final. Having tasted success, they are not going to be fazed by another fierce encounter.

After being somewhat subdued in recent years, exponents of the Banner Roar should be in full voice.
If there is to be a single wish, apart from a Clare win, it is that the game should deliver the skills and excitement of last weekend’s semi-final, when Anthony Daly’s 14-man Dublin came so close to beating Cork.

The dream of two former Clare team mates meeting on the sideline on All-Ireland final day is gone but fingers crossed it will be Davy Fitzgerald who meets Jimmy Barry Murphy on Sunday, September 8.

Leaving Certificate results

FOR 55,572 Irish students, including 1,255 from Clare, Wednesday morning was greeted with some degree of trepidation as they headed to their schools to get their Leaving Certificate results or logged on to the internet.

Results obtained in most subjects this year followed broadly similar patterns to those of previous years, according to the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
While seen in general terms as the yardstick of a pupil’s ability, combined with a commitment to focus on study, the Leaving Cert is no more than a stepping stone in life. Whether it’s straight As or as is flippantly said, “the honour of doing it”, each and every pupil will have further opportunities in life to showcase their individuality and own skill-sets. Many pupils, whose results don’t exactly dazzle, go on to do well in various careers.

The initial excitement and, for some, even relief on hearing the results should be followed by reflection on what’s the next step along the education ladder. A large percentage will pursue their preferred university or institute of technology course, while others will look at options that can deliver different qualifications or provide an access route back to college.

Looking for employment straight away would seem to be a tough option at a time when jobs are so hard to come by. First-round CAO offers, which will be made on Monday, will put things into perspective.
Pupils can also look to the Leaving Certificate Candidate Information Booklet that they received earlier this year for pointers. A copy of the booklet is available on the SEC website at www.examinations.ie.

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) has important advice to offer pupils. It is urging them to take time to consider their options and look after their mental health by talking to a friend, family member or doctor. On a positive note, the IACP said recent research showed that 90% of under 24s believe it is more acceptable to talk about emotional problems than it was in the past.

The benefit of taking some exercise to help clear the mind of worries and stress in order to help you concentrate has also been highlighted by the IACP.
All of the Leaving Cert class of 2013 are wished every success in the future.