Sports

Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Clare football only for Podge in 2015

The Clare senior hurling management team tried to accommodate the dual player in 2014 but it did not work for either part, player or management, according to Davy Fitzgerald. “This was not the reason why we did not win a Munster or All-Ireland championship; we are well aware of that. However, it was one of many factors”, the manager said on Wednesday evening, when revealing some details of the management structure for the coming season. “Podge Collins informed us a while back that in 2015 he will be playing football only. We have no issue with that except, of course, that we’d love to have him with us. For the coming year we want players on our panel fully committed to Clare hurling. Our goal is to get Clare hurling back to Croke Park in September,” Fitzgerald said. The Clare manager went on to say that the management team had spoken to Podge and explained their position. “We felt Clare …

By Seamus Hayes Clare hurling fans turned out in big numbers in Ennis this Sunday evening to welcome home the newly crowned All-Ireland under 21 champions. Its the third year in a row that Clare fans have had the opportunity to celebrate All-Ireland success in this grade and there was no hiding the pride of the fans as they marked this historic achievement by the team and the management. It was a particularly special occasion for seven members of the panel who have been part of all three winning squads. Seadna Morey, Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly, Cathal O’Connell, Peter Duggan, Jamie Shanahan and Aaron Cunningham played significant roles in Saturday’s superb victory over Wexford at Thurles. Joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor who have been in charge for all three successes, introduced the players and the backroom team to rousing cheers. They went on to thank their fellow mentors and all members of the backroom team. Earlier Mayor of …

THE U-21 hurlers and management team are an ambitious bunch, according to joint team manager Gerry O’Connor. “We are very ambitious and we set ourselves ambitious goals at the start of the season. Number one was to win the first game in the Munster championship, get to the final and win that, get to an All-Ireland final and try and win that. That’s why we are here on a Sunday evening, getting everybody back in to assess their injuries and get a recovery programme in place. The management team met over the weekend to plan how to put a performance together that will beat Wexford,” he said at last week’s press evening. Clare have analysed the Wexford and Galway semi-final to death, O’Connor points out. “We have also watched the Dublin v Wexford U-21 Leinster final. Wexford have strengths and weaknesses. They have two very obvious strengths, they have conceded very little goals and the one against Galway was the …

By Seamus Hayes Fit again Conor Cleary returns to the Clare team for tomorrow’s All-Ireland under 21 final clash with Wexford at Thurles. The Miltown Malbay native who plays his club hurling with Kilmaley, missed the semi-final win over Antrim because of a broken thumb suffered while playing in the Clare senior championship with Kilmaley against Sixmilebridge. In the only change to the starting line up from the team which started against Antrim in the semi-final, Cleary returns at centre back to the exclusion of Alan O’Neill. Cathal O’Connell who, like O’Neill, was in the starting team in last year’s final, has failed to get into the starting line up on this occasion but he is listed amongst the substitutes. The game against Wexford throws in at 7p.m. and will be refereed by Cork’s Cathal McAllister. The Clare team is; Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin); Jarlath Colleran (St. Josephs), Jack Browne (Ballyea), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Gearoid O’Connell (Ballyea), Conor Cleary (Miltown), Jamie …

WEXFORD senior manager Liam Dunne believes Wexford have a good chance of winning the county’s first U-21 All-Ireland since 1965. “Clare play a running game but a lot of our guys were involved with the seniors, who played against a Clare team that play a similar style to the U-21s. If Wexford can be with Clare by half-time in this game, I’ll give them every chance of winning it; they won’t falter, they won’t die. Clare could open them up in the first 20 minutes but if they can hold that off, I think they’ve a great opportunity,” Dunne says. He masterminded an unexpected victory over the Banner this summer, something almost no one outside the Wexford camp saw coming. Eight of the senior panel are involved again on Saturday and while he is adamant that Wexford do have a real shot, he is under no illusions about the strength of the Clare threat. “They’ve (Wexford) beaten Offaly, Kilkenny, Dublin …

A class act on and off the field, the moment that Clare U-21 captain Tony Kelly will wring most enjoyment from on Saturday is the journey from the dressing room to the turf of Semple Stadium. If Clare win the 51st final at this grade, Kelly will become the 47th captain to lead his county to glory. The 2013 hurler of the year has been central to some of Clare’s greatest moments at senior, U-21 and minor but it’s those tension-laden steps before entering the cauldron that the Ballyea hurler lives for. “For a player, it’s coming out, down the tunnel. You know the county is behind you and they’re willing you on to win. As a player that’s maybe the best part of the day. If you can then deliver a performance and go on and win it, all the better,” he reflected. All-Ireland final evening incorporates parades and pre-match pageantry, which adds to the atmosphere, but can drag …

By Seamus Hayes Champions Cratloe will face Cooraclare in the semi-final of the Clare senior football championship. The second semi-final will see the winners of the Clondegad and Kilmurry-Ibrickane quarter final take or either Eire Og or Miltown St. Josephs. The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of September 27/28 The re-scheduled Clondegad v Kilmurry-Ibrickane game goes ahead on this Saturday in Cooraclare at 2p.m. having been postponed from last Saturday due to the tragic death following an accident of Gerry O’Connell Ballyea. Gerry’s sons Gearoid and Paddy are members of the Clondegad anel. Eire Og and Miltown will meet in the last of the quarter finals on Sunday at Kilmihil. The semi-final pairings in the junior A championship were also decided on Monday at Clare GAA headquarters in Clareabbey. Ml. \Cusacks will face Naomh Eoin while Ennistymon awaits whoever emerges from the Clondegad/Lissycasey/Coolmeen triangle The semi-finals of the intermediate championship will take place on this Saturday with Wolfe Tones …

By Seamus Hayes Cratloe 0-16 ‘Curry’s 1-9 Defending champions Cratloe booked a place in the semi-final of the Clare senior football championship when they overcame O’Currys at sun splashed Lissycasey on Saturday afternoon. However, the hot favourites have to survive an anxious final five minutes before becoming the first team into the last four in the 2014 title race. Ten points ahead at the three quarter stage, everything pointed to a comfortable win. Five minutes into the second half they introduced ‘new signing’ John Galvin, the Limerick senior inter county footballer, for his first competitive action for the club following his transfer last week. With a comfortable lead, they followed with further changes calling ashore such regulars as Barry Duggan, Liam Markham, Conor Ryan and Enda Boyce before losing Sean Chaplin to a black card and goalkeeper Pierce De Loughrey to injury. Suddenly O’Curry’s took a grip on proceedings and when Jim Downes got through for the game’s only goal …

CHANGES in the Clare senior hurling management team are on the way but manager Davy Fitzgerald isn’t prepared, just yet, to reveal the specifics. The Clare Champion understands that strength and conditioning coach Joe O’Connor, will not be continuing while there is uncertainty if team coach/trainer Paul Kinnerk will be in the new set-up. Fitzgerald wouldn’t confirm or deny this but did admit that “there will be changes and I will be revealing the make up of the team in a week or two”. There was much speculation during the summer that Limerick native Kinnerk had left the team but this was inaccurate. The St Caimin’s Shannon teacher, who plays club football with Monaleen and lives in Cratloe, was away for a number of weeks on a pre-arranged trip and on his return, re-joined the management team immediately and fulfilled his usual role when they played Wexford in the qualifier replay in Wexford Park. Since that game the rumour mill …

COUNTY football coach, Paudie Kissane has stepped down from his position, the Clare Champion can reveal. The Cork man, who won an All-Ireland medal in 2010, was part of Colm Collins’ management team along with Ger Keane and strength and conditioning coach Chris Delooze. Clare won promotion from division 4 in 2014 and defeated Waterford in the Munster championship quarter-final following a replay. After losing by four points to Kerry in the Munster semi-final, Clare defeated Carlow in their All-Ireland qualifier meeting in Dr Cullen Park. They were beaten by Kildare in round three of the qualifiers in Cusack Park, losing by a single point. The Clyde Rover club man travelled from West Cork throughout the year and it is believed that the long commute was a factor in his decision to step down. Kissane is also believed to be concentrating on pursuing a career in strength and conditioning. Clare will now search for a new coach, with former Clare …

Crusheen’s strong finish too much for Newmarket

By Seamus Hayes C is for Cratloe, for Clonlara and for Crusheen and hurling followers in all three parishes are celebrating this evening after their quarter final wins in the Clare senior hurling championship at Cusack Park. Crusheen went into their game with Newmarket as underdogs but a storming finish saw them emerge with a merited three point win. After playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Crusheen trailed by a goal at the half way point and when they found themselves five down ten minutes into the second half. they still trailed by three with six minutes remaining but a storming finish yielded 1-3 without reply to seal their passage to the semi-finals. Newmarket had a chance to take the game to a replay with the final action but Colin Ryan’s penalty effort was saved by Cathal Dillon and the Blues were out of the 2014 title race. The final s core was 1-16 to …

By Seamus Hayes The line up for the quarter finals of the Clare senior football championship was completed this weekend and the last eight games are scheduled for the weekend of September 5, 6 and 7. Eire Og went into their game on Sunday with Lissycasey as favourites to progress and while the justified that favouritism, few would have predicted the size of their winning margin. The townies recorded a runaway 3-16 to 0-6 win and were well on their way to a quarter final date with Miltown before the mid point of the game had been reached. First half goals form Eoin Glynn and Stephen Hickey helped the winners to a 2-12 to 0-1 lead. While the second half was closer, Eire Og continued to dictate matters and Dean Ryan struck for their third goal with ten minutes remaining. On Saturday evening, Cooraclare had progressed to the last eight with an easy 2-13 to 1-3 win over Ennistymon. On …

By Seamus Hayes Clare 4-28 Antrim 1-10 Clare were on their way to a third All-Ireland under 21 hurling final long before the final whistle sounded at Thurles on Saturday afternoon. From an early stage their superiority was evident and when the half time whistle sounded they were eighteen points ahead of Ulster champions Antrim showed some lovely touches but just could not match the overall team work and skill of the defending champions. As was the case when they met in last year’s final, Clare were able to give game time to a number of substitutes, such was their dominance Antrim started well but Clare quickly took control and a beautiful Colm Galvin point gave them a lead they held throughout. They had 0-5 on the scoreboard when Aaron Cunningham struck for their opening goal in the eleventh minute. They added another four before Cunningham got through for their second major which came in the twenty first minute, just …

By Seamus Hayes Shane O’Donnell has been named in the Clare team for this Saturday’s All-Ireland under 21 semi-final against Antrim. The Eire Og man suffered a broken bone in his hand in the Munster final win over Cork and it was feared that he would miss the semi-final as a result. However, he has satisfied the selectors as to his fitness and will play in the full forward line. The team named for duty shows one change from that which started in the Munster final with Alan O’Neill in at centre back in place of Conor Cleary who suffered a broken bone in his hand while playing for Kilmaley last week in the club hurling championship. Otherwise the team is unchanged from that which started in the Munster final and it is Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin);Jarlath Colleran (St. Josephs), Jack Browne (Ballyea) Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Gearoid O’Connell (Ballyea), Alan O’Neill (St. Josephs), Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Eoin Enright …

There will be at least one, probably, two changes in personnel for the Clare U-21 team that will line out in All-Ireland hurling semi-final with Antrim at Thurles on Saturday (throw in 4pm). It is expected the team will be without Conor Cleary, who suffered a hand injury on Saturday last while playing for Kilmaley in the senior hurling championship. The injury will keep the Miltown Malbay man out of action for a month and he is ‘hoping’ top be back in action for the final on September 13, should Clare, as expected, qualify to play either Wexford or Galway. They meet in the second part of the double-header. Shane O’Donnell returned to training this week following a hand injury picked up in the Munster final win over Cork at Cusack Park but it remains to be seen if the management team will name him in the starting line up. They may opt to ease him back into action and introduce …

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Banner brilliance dominates hurling All-Star nominations

Clare’s epic 2024 season that saw them capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2013 and the Allianz League title for the first time since 2016 sees them deservingly dominate the list of PwC Hurling All-Stars nominees announced this morning. The Banner braves are the standout contingent in the list of 45 names and have 14 players nominated across all areas of the field. In addition, star forward Shane O’Donnell is nominated for PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year where he is joined by Cork’s midfield dynamo Darragh Fitzgibbon and Limerick’s defensive rock Kyle Hayes. The PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year nominees are Clare’s Adam Hogan, Cork’s Eoin Downey and Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill. There are eight counties represented in total. The breakdown is Clare 14, Cork 10, Limerick nine, Kilkenny four, with Waterford, Wexford, Dublin and Antrim having two representatives each. Goalkeepers: Patrick Collins (Cork), Nickie Quaid (Limerick) and Eibhear Quilligan (Clare). Defenders: Adam Hogan …
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Tones just shade 12 goal thriller
Can the real Inagh-Kilnamona please stand up?
Group of Death comes alive
Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3, Group 1 Clarecastle v Smith O’Brien’s at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir Cratloe, Saturday 5pm, (Andy McMahon, Cratloe) They’ve met regularly in the Clare Cup and even the Magpies’ second string have battled Smith O’Brien’s but at adult championship level, this appears to be the first time that their flagship sides have clashed. It would potentially have been a heavyweight showdown if the Killaloe-Bridgetown side were at their 2021 or ’22 levels while it will still be a battle, the loss of key players to emigration for Smith O’Brien’s should mean that Clarecastle possess the better balance to shade matters and top the group. Verdict: Clarecastle Ruan v St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Crusheen, Saturday 5pm, (Jim Hickey, Cratloe) It’s only three years ago since St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s first team raided for five goals to floor Ruan in the intermediate semi-final. However, it’s a strong sign of the Parish that while their first team is now operating …

Clooney or not Clooney, that is the question

On initial viewing, the race for the Fr. Murray Memorial Cup (intermediate camogie) appears fairly straight-forward. After all, with all three semi-finalists from 2023 (Tulla, Whitegate and Éire Óg) and senior demotee Clooney-Quin split evenly between the two groups, the business end overtly looks clear-cut. Clooney-Quin’s senior experience along with negotiating their way to intermediate glory as recently as 2021 makes them the stand-out candidates, with Tulla currently ranking a close second having contested back-to-back intermediate finals, three if you include the replay in 2022 against eventual champions Clarecastle/Ballyea. They won’t want to see another mid-Clare side join them in the second tier but for Tulla, it’s all about learning from their previous deciders and leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of reaching the promised land of senior. Whitegate were beaten finalists to Clooney-Quin in 2021 and actually meet them first this Thursday evening at 7pm, in what is potentially a Group A decider in Clooney and the same …

Clare camogie power base is still in the East

Current kingpins Truagh-Clonlara and Scariff-Ogonnelloe may have switched roles last October after the latter’s two year reign but having clashed in the last three finals, they will be overwhelming favourites to do so once more come October 19th. It’s up to the chasing pack to alter that perceived narrative as with only the finalists seeded for this year’s race for the McMahon Cup, the groups initially appear a bit lopsided. After all, with three of last year’s semi-finalists (Scariff-Ogonnelloe, Inagh-Kilnamona and Feakle-Killanena) pooled in Group B, the fact that there are two business end berths means that one major contender has to fall at the group stages. Scariff-Ogonnelloe’s vast experience of three titles in the last five seasons makes them the forerunners to maintain their perfect group record as since bounding back to senior level in 2017, they have progressed to the penultimate stage at a minimum. That’s a seven year record that no other senior side in the county …

Doora/Barefield hit the ’Bricks for six

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 6-10 Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-13 Senior Ladies’ Football Championship Group A Round 1 It took free kicks to finally separate these sides in the Division 1 League decider but this time it was six timely goals that ensured revenge for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield but also a major opening boost to what is unquestionably the group of death in this year’s senior ladies football championship in Gurteen on Sunday afternoon. Such a heartbreaking means of losing a final seemed to be channelled into Sunday’s display for the Parish who were never behind at any stage despite facing into the strong conditions in the opening period. Decisive first half goals through Roisin Fowley, Lyndsay Clarke and Aoibhinn McMahon kept wind-assisted Kilmurry Ibrickane at arm’s length in the opening period, with Chloe Moloney inevitably leading the charge with seven points in what was a compelling tussle with fellow county senior Siofra Ní Chonaill at 3-5 to 0-9 by the break The …

‘There was hurling in Clonbony before there was hurling in Sixmilebridge’

When Limerick referee Johnny Murphy blew his full time whistle at the end of what was arguably the greatest All-Ireland final of all time there was naturally a huge outpouring of emotion the length and breath of this beautiful County. For the people, especially the hurling fraternity, in places like Ennistymon, Clonbony and Kilkee there was also an overwhelming sense of pride as Miltown’s Conor Cleary and Ennistymon’s Cathal Malone walked the steps of the Hogan Stand. Heroes forever more to every Clare person, be they man woman or child, these two great warriors are now the proud owners of a coveted Celtic Cross medal and their achievements will no doubt inspire a whole new generation of children to pick up a hurley and dream of following in their footsteps. Sport has always been part of the DNA of the Banner and hurling has always had a massive following all over the County. In recent weeks the John Hynes Memorial …

The rocky road to recovery

The resilience shown by Clare hurlers Ryan Taylor and Tony Kelly to battle back from serious injuries has been lauded by team physiotherapist for the last three years, Shane Malone. While Shane has attended All-Ireland homecomings in his native Kerry following All-Ireland successes, he described last week’s welcome for the Liam McCarthy Cup in Clare as “incredible”. He will never forget the hundreds of Clare hurling supporters who lined the streets and rural roads to welcome the team home, which was a real “eye opener”. “The enthusiasm and love for Brian Lohan and the team is quite different from my previous experiences. I was very impressed by the volume of support out there for the Clare team. It shows the high esteem they are held within the county. “The response from Clare fans all year has been unbelievable. There is a great connection between Brian Lohan and the county and people respond when they like what they see. “The way …

‘A special day and a special win’ – Diarmuid Ryan

The relief; the jubilation on the field when it was all over; the calm and satisfaction afterwards as Clare left Croke Park secure in the knowledge that they’d be back in a few weeks time. These were the winning moods and personas displayed among the players as they went on their way after the glass ceiling of this All-Ireland semi-final stage had finally been cracked. A first All-Ireland semi-final win over Kilkenny since 1997 and only a second championship win over Kilkenny ever; a day of atonement for the most recent semi-final defeats against Kilkenny; an All-Ireland final day out to look forward to on July 21. “It’s a special feeling for sure,” said Diarmuid Ryan. “A special day and a special win but we’re going to knuckle down for two weeks and the All-Ireland final.” As he spoke the reset had already taken place – the hoopla had died down, with Ryan and the rest of the players being …

‘We grabbed it with both hands’ – Tony Kelly

It’s a measure of the standards that Tony Kelly has set in his 13 years as a senior inter-county hurler and of his star quality that despite being subdued for the first 45 minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final that he still ended up as one of the game’s most influential players. Doing the maths tells this story – no Clare player ended up with more than him from play as he top-scored jointly with David Reidy who had a huge game in the 61 minutes of game time that he got. And for the Ballyea colossus, who has slipped into the veteran classes almost unnoticed, his three-point burst down the long home straight of this All-Ireland was a crucial part of the power-play that ultimately swamped Kilkenny and left them shellshocked at the end. And you could say that this comeback was really kickstarted by Kelly, with his opening point being the first response to the Billy Ryan goal, which …

Dominant display drives Blues to record 26th Clare Cup title

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-19 Inagh-Kilnamona 1-11 The victor wasn’t a surprise but the manner of Newmarket-on-Fergus’ 26th Clare Cup title certainly proved to be as the roll of honour leaders had a rather bloodless final triumph in Clarecastle on Friday evening. Bridging a six year gap to their last Clare Cup crown, it was an utterly commanding display when first responding to the hammerblow of an early goaled Inagh-Kilnamona penalty to outscore them by 1-7 to 0-1 in the second quarter and carve out a match-winning 1-11 to 1-04 interval cushion. Indeed, it wouldn’t have flattered the Blues had the half-time chasm been doubled as amidst their second quarter siege, James Carrig’s side passed up four glorious goal chances in as many minutes just before the recess. Niall O’Connor was outstanding at the back, Peter Power was equally influential at the other end while Stephen Casey was also hugely effectual when switched to shadow Inagh-Kilnamona’s talisman Fred Hegarty. This was an impressive …

Kearns’ golden goal secures Division 3 Hurling League title for the Parish

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-14 O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-17 It really doesn’t matter if you lead early in a match or are chasing the game for lengthy spells but what does matter though is who is ahead when it counts the most and that’s at the final whistle. On Sunday morning out in Tulla the men from the Parish epitomised resilience and got their just rewards for never surrendering when grabbing the lead for the only time in the sixtieth minute to practically steal a cracking league final that was played in a hugely sporting manner. It was two second strings but nobody who was in Dr.Daly Park would have guessed that as these two played out a superbly contested battle that ebbed and flowed throughout with the result in doubt right up until referee Pat Healy’s full time whistle. Level on six occasions it took a late late Conor Kearns goal to decide the destination of league honours. One could only …

Éire Óg go to town on the ’Bridge

Éire Óg 3-20 Sixmilebridge 2-14 There’s always a certain level of respect between clubs but sometimes there’s also a level of contempt that is evident for all to see. On Sunday evening this Division 2 final was practically over by the end of the opening quarter. The townies who would have genuine Canon Hamilton ambitions were going through the motions and without much exertion had eased to an eight point lead. Fast forward to the final minutes and after battling throughout the Bridge’s second team who will compete in the Intermediate Championship to their credit only trailed by nine. Gerry O’Connor’s charges are in complete and utter control with several tap over point opportunities but rather than take them they continually try to engineer another green flag to inflict more pain on their opponents. I suppose a series of high profile clashes between the clubs in recent years will have that effect and they did eventually get their third major in …

Clare set for Wexican stand-off

The distinctive stench of turpentine has permeated around the county in the last two weeks as slates have been cleaned and canvases blanked ahead of Clare’s senior hurling championship resumption in Thurles this Saturday. Following the heartbreak of a third consecutive Munster Final reverse to trophy hoovers Limerick at the same venue last time out, picking up the pieces has never been more important as they look to regather self-belief, confidence and momentum once more in the All-Ireland series. While earning the unwanted record of being only the second team ever to lose three Munster deciders to the same opposition was harrowing enough, the despondency surrounding the below-par performance made it arguably the most disappointing of all three provincial final clashes. After all, Brian Lohan’s side had exceeded all expectations to push Limerick all the way to extra-time in a Munster Final for the ages in 2022 while the Banner subsequently almost took down the champions in their own home …

Promotion the main prize for semi-final winners

Adult Football League Semi-Finals (Winner on the day) Cusack Cup Semi-Final Lissycasey v St Joseph’s Miltown at Lissycasey, Friday 7.30pm (Jim Hickey, Cratloe) Considering the seesaw form of these sides in recent seasons, it’s hard to believe that only three years ago, Miltown were Cusack Cup and Lissycasey were Garry Cup champions. All because both have been in the second tier since and are now vying for a pre-championship boost of attempting to dethrone holders Ennistymon in the final. Lissycasey were subsequently beaten finalists to Corofin in 2022, the same season that Miltown dropped to the second tier. However, having secured a first Garry Cup crown in 18 years twelve months ago, it would be a major jolt to qualify for the Cusack Cup decider once more. Meanwhile it’s 17 years since Lissycasey last contested and won their sole Cusack Cup title, a major carrot in itself this Friday evening as they look to make home advantage count. The sides …

Ballyea in a league of their Eoin after powerful finish

Under 18A Hurling League Final Ballyea 1-20 Sixmilebridge 1-11 A devastating finish saw Ballyea complete a remarkable 13 point second half turnaround to snatch their first ever Under 18A League title on the away soil of O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge on Wednesday evening. Having led for the previous 30 minutes, the ‘Bridge seemed set for victory themselves when accentuating their 0-8 to 0-7 half-time edge with a goal after only 25 seconds of the restart as good play from Stephen Gavin was finished to the bottom right corner by Donal O’Leary. However, it was if subconsciously the home side assumed that the job was done as they would be sorely second best for the remainder as the defiant visitors outscored them by 1-13 to 0-03 in the final 30 minutes. Eoin Kennedy found his range from frees while the talismanic Eoin O’Connor provided the real spark to ignite Ballyea’s challenge when fielding a Dillon Killoughery delivery to cut in from …

900 million fans shows the popularity of volleyball

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports there is with over 900 million fans worldwide. That fanbase is growing all the time and the sport consistently ranks in the top five of the most watched global sports. At the end of the month Ireland will head to San Marino for the CEV SCA (European Volleyball Small Countries Association) Championship where they will face Scotland, Malta, Northern Ireland and hosts San Marino in the group stages. The Banner County have had huge success in the sport with the Senior and Junior All Ireland titles residing in the county courtesy of the Coláiste Muire and the Munster Thunder clubs. The strength of the sport in Clare can be highlighted by the fact that four Banner players will represent Ireland in the tournament. Amy O’Sullivan, Catriona Ní Riordan, TJ Sweeney and Maria Jones will all proudly don the green jersey in Serraville from May 30th to June 2nd. Three of the girls …

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