The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A joint venture between the Clare hurling and camogie fraternity will see the new Club Clare supporters group using funds to support both codes in the county.
The initiative was launched last week with a new committee in place, with all proceeds from the group going toward the development of hurling and camogie at all levels in Clare.
The committee includes former Minister of Defence Tony Killeen (Corofin) as secretary with former All Ireland winner Frank Lohan (Wolfe Tones) Clare camogie legend Deirdre Murphy (Clooney-Quin) and two time National League winner Johnny Callinan (Clarecastle) also part of the group.
A statement on the groups website outlines that “Club Clare is committed to raising funds and support for its inter-county hurling and camogie teams at all levels. We operate separately from, but in regular consultation with, both County Boards and every euro raised by Club Clare goes directly to providing support, equipment and services so that all Clare squads can perform to their optimum. Our protocols ensure value for money and guard against duplication and waste of resources”.
Newmarket on Fergus clubman Pat Keogh takes over the reins of chairman for the coming year, and outlined that having the connection between the hurling and camogie squads will have mutual benefits.
“We are the first group to have a joint venture between the hurling and camogie squads, and by doing that we are creating a Supporters Club that will benefit both men and women. It is all about inclusion and camogie is strong at the moment in Clare. If you go to any field whether it is in Loop Head or Whitegate, the first thing you will see at U-6 or U-8 training is the boys and girls playing together. We don’t want to be asking prople to support just the hurling supporters club without incorporating the girls into it. It will be hopefully be a great fundraiser for both” he stated.
Since 2017, Club Clare has raised over €400,000 in support of Clare’s inter-county hurling panels with funds going to help the preparation of development squads from U-14 level through to the senior squad. The group state that “all money raised was used to directly fund supports required to enhance our teams’ preparation and performance including video and performance analysis, strength and conditioning support, diet and nutrition, and training camps”.
The group have also committed to continuing the practice of producing audited accounts which has been in place since Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor were appointed as joint managers for the 2017 season. A representative from the 2017 Club Clare committee gave a detailed breakdown of accounts at the Clare GAA Convention that year, but that opportunity was not offered to the group the following year.
Details of this year’s membership package are available on www.clubclare.com with individual membership available for €50 with family membership for €100. A golf classic is also provisionally arranged to take place at Trump International Doonbeg in June, along with virtual events and meet and greets at open training sessions, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.
2021 Club Clare Supporters Committee
Chairperson: Pat Keogh (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Secretary: Tony Killeen (Corofin); Treasurer: Caroline O’Connor (Doora Barefield); Senior Hurling Manager: Brian Lohan (Wolfe Tones).
Committee: Johnny Callinan (Clarecastle), Peter Casey (Ballyvaughan), Eoin Conroy (Doora Barefield), Tommy Corbett (Eire Óg/Clooney-Quin), John Lenihan (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Frank Lohan (Wolfe Tones), Kieran McDermott (Clarecastle), Deirdre Murphy (Clooney-Quin).
