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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Clare game to pack new Killaloe stand

THE first phase in a €500,000 development by Smith O’Brien’s GAA Club at Killaloe will be officially opened this Friday evening at 7pm, by Munster Council chairman, Robert Frost. The former Clare board chairman will open phase one of the development, the new 320-seat covered stand which will be blessed by Fr J Grace before the senior hurlers of Clare and Offaly will play a challenge challenge game. The overall development includes a new clubhouse, incorporating a sports hall/community hall, new dressing rooms, hurling wall, meeting rooms, a spectator viewing stand, car parking facilities, all new boundary walls and entrance. “Phase one of the construction is the viewing stand, which is being officially opened this Friday evening by Robert Frost,” chairman Anthony Rodgers told The Clare Champion. “The community centre and sports hall are under construction and they are well advanced,” club secretary Tony O’Brien added. “We need recreation facilities for the youth and the elderly in Killaloe and when …

THE National Girls and Youth Championships will get under way in the National Stadium, Dublin on this Friday and will round off the boxing season for all aspiring combatants. There will be six entries from Clare in the draw, which will follow the weigh-in and medical on Friday morning. Boxing will get under way at 1.30pm, continuing on Saturday afternoon, with the finals scheduled for Friday week. Top of the contenders from Clare, which includes three each from the Kilfenora and Ennis clubs, will be reigning Irish champion Rebecca Windall, who successfully defended her provincial title last month and has moved up to her new 70kg category with relative ease. The Ennis Rice College student is highly rated and fancied to come through for her second title, but will find Ulster champion, Chloe Moore, a formidable opponent should they meet. Rebecca is in good physical shape after an early season injury and is looking forward to emulating the feats of …

YOUNG Bradley McDonagh eats, drinks and sleeps boxing. He rarely misses his daily workout and training run, in or around the Golf Links Road in Ennis. Just to prove the point, he captured his second Irish title in the National Stadium in Dublin recently. The championships are the Mecca for all juvenile boxers throughout the country. Their season is geared towards the grand finale. Clare clubs have a great tradition in these championships but titles are so hard to come by, with weight management, fitness attainment and injury control in the run-up to the tests. Bradley, who is an Ennis Boys National School pupil, came through county and provincial championships, having made the move up from his comfort zone of 54k with relative ease. He was pleased to get a bye into the semi-finals when the draws were made. He drew Connacht champion Stephen Maughan from Mayo and he duly disposed of the Mayo boxer on Thursday with an emphatic …

Clare 1-28 Galway 1-16 FIELDING a completely separate team in each half, Clare scored a comprehensive win over Galway in a senior hurling challenge game played in Quilty on Sunday evening. The game was the first to feature an All-Ireland hurling winning team playing in west Clare and was played to mark Kilmurry Ibrickane’s 100th anniversery celebrations. The Liam McCarthy Cup was on display throughout the game. Clare led 0-12 to 1-7 at half time, largely thanks to 0-6 from Colin Ryan, who also impressed in open play. Damien Hayes scored the Galway goal in the opening half, while Jason Flynn put over five points from frees and play for Anthony Cunningham’s team. Galway introduced Joe Canning at half time and while he scored an early point from play, Canning didn’t look very sharp with David McInerney retaining the upper hand on the Galway captain. Amongst those to impress for Clare were Seán Collins and Colin Ryan in the opening …

By Seamus Hayes Kilkenny 1-15 Clare 0-4 Physically stronger and much sharper, Kilkenny proved much too strong for Clare in the division1 National camogie league final at Semple stadium in Thurles. Beaten All-Ireland finalists last year, the Leinster side made it clear that their aim is to go one better this season come September when delivering a powerful all round performance which proved much to strong for a young and relatively inexperienced Clare side Clare didn’t get the best of starts and were forced into changes as early as the fifth minute when they lost experienced wing back Eimear Considine through injury. A number of Clare players looked nervous in the early stages and Nikki Kaiser failed to find the target from two scoreable frees which led to experienced Deirdre Murphy taking over the duties and she opened Clare’s account a minute before the end of the first quarter. With the physically stronger Kilkenny defence dominating, there was a lot …

LIKE their hurlers, Kilkenny camogie teams have dominated the inter-county scene over the years. In the past decade, however, they have had to watch as Cork, Wexford and, last year, Galway held the upperhand in the championship. They were never very far away though and in the past year or two, Kilkenny have been close to regaining the top spot. They contested the All-Ireland final last year with a relatively young and skillful side and they have followed up on that progress by reaching Sunday’s league final without dropping a point. Clare have also made a lot of progress, winning honours at U-16 and minor level. Two years ago, they won the Munster senior title but, so far, they have struggled in the championship. This season, the Banner outfit has improved with every outing and are deserving of their place in Sunday’s final, the first time that a team from the county will contest this decider. Team manager Colm Honan, …

Clare members of the Irish taekwon-do team.

By Nicola Corless CLARE competitors, representing Ireland, brought home a range of medals from last weekend’s European Taekwon-Do Championships in Italy. The Irish squad of 32 competitors, six coaches and two managers, finished in third place overall out of 30 countries, with six gold, four silver and five bronze medals. Eight of the team that travelled to Riccione were from Clare. Quin Taekwon-Do Club’s Stephen Ryan (competitor and coach), Nicole Moriarty and Joanne Potter and Shannon Taekwon-Do Club’s Adrian Byrne (coach), Skye Slattery, Jamie Williams and Dave Lynch along with Jamie Rigney from Ballyea-Inagh Taekwon-Do Club all travelled. The Clare contingent achieved massive success in the event, with Joanne Potter taking a silver medal in individual -55kg sparring, beating competitors from Norway, Hungary, Poland and Germany. She showed great skill and tactical awareness along the way to the final, where she faced off against fellow Irish competitor and current world champion, Ellen Ince, from Killester Taekwon-Do Club. The ladies fought …

By Seamus Hayes Deirdre Murphy has been ever present in the Clare senior camogie team in recent years. An all star nominee on a couple of occasions, she has represented Munster a number of times in the Gael Linn cup. Indeed the Clooney-Quin woman spent a number of seasons working as a camogie development officer for Munster so there is no denying her love of camogie. While, understandably, delighted with last week’s victory over Cork, being in Sunday’s league final against Kilkenny is where “Clare should be at this stage if we have any ambition”, Deirdre said shortly after helping Clare reach the final for the first time when defeating Cork in Kilmallock Twelve months ago, despite an outstanding performance by Deirdre, Clare lost out in extra time to Cork at the same stage of the league “We have worked hard and nearly every good player in the county is available to us this year. We have been …

By Peter O’Connell Clare 1-23, Tipperary 0-12 THE Clare minor hurlers qualified for a Munster semi-final meeting away to All-Ireland champions Waterford on June 25 or 26, following an incident-packed second play-off game in Cusack Park on Wednesday evening. The crowd of 1,218 witnessed three straight red cards, issued to Tipperary players Tommy Nolan, Willie Connors and substitute Chris McCullagh. The latter reds were deserved but Nolan was very unlucky to be sent off, following an incident with Clare goalkeeper Jason Loughnane. He was red-carded in first half injury time after he caught Loughnane with the hurley but a yellow card would have sufficed. Earlier in the half match, referee Nathan Wall had issued four yellow cards, two to each team, when none of the players seemed deserving of them. Tipperary led 0-10 to 0-9 at half-time, having played with the breeze. It’s a measure of Clare’s second half superiority that their opponents scored a mere 0-2 in the half …

Waterford 6-9 Clare 4-12 CLARE exited the 2014 Munster minor football championship in a thrilling tie at Fraher Field in Dungarvan on Tuesday evening. Both teams were committed to all out attack and notched some superb scores during 60 minutes of terrific attacking football, although the defending, at both ends, was not quite as impressive. Waterford scored a goal with their first attack when Joe Allen netted 13 seconds after his team won the throw in. That set the tone for a magnificent spectacle. Come half time the home county had added three more goals and led 4-4 to 1-4. Darren Nagle scored Clare’s first half goal with a top class finish while Evan Courtney, Liam Madigan and Keelan Sexton pointed some great scores. The second half was full of goals with Sexton twice netting for Clare, while Evan Courtney added the remaining goal. However every time Waterford attacked they looked dangerous and raised green flags too regularly for the …

Peter O’Connell Dublin AUL 2 Clare League 0 ALTHOUGH the Clare League held a man advantage for almost an hour of Sunday’s Oscar Traynor final in Dublin, two second half goals won it for the home team. AUL’s Stewart Glynn was red carded in the 32nd minute of the first half following a tackle on Clare’s Alan Kelly. The game was goalless at that stage and remained so at half time. Clare goalkeeper John Mulready made several excellent first half saves and also did well in the second half. He was though rather unluckily caught out for AUL’s first goal, which was netted by right back Damien Cuffe seven minutes into the second period. The defender appeared to be trying to cross the ball but somehow the ball spun over a wrong footed Mulready and into the Clare net. The 10 men of the AUL were buoyed by this and played some good stuff thereafter. They sealed the result nine …

Peter O’Connell Tipperary 1-16 Clare 1-15 CLARE put in a brave, unyielding display in Saturday evenings NFL division 4 league final in Croke Park. The highlight was a magnificent goal, early in the second half from Kilmihil’s Martin O’Leary who was played in by fellow U/21 Jamie Malone. At that stage Clare led 1-11 to 1-8 and backed by a strong wind, it looked as if their first appearance in Croke Park since 2004 would end in victory. However they added just four points in the closing half hour with Tipperary tagging on 0-8 during the same spell. The game was watched by a crowd of 8,654 people. Conor Sweeney was the winners main man in attacking scoring their goal in the opening half and kicking an array of impressive points. Tipperary led 1-7 to 0-9 at half time, thanks to Sweeney’s 19th minute goal. In fact were it not for two excellent blocks from Kevin Hartnett, Tipperary could have …

By Seamus Hayes Clare 1-12 Cork 0-11 Clare will contest the division 1 A camogie league final for the first time in their history next week as a result of a fully merited win over Cork at Kilmallock on Saturday. Beaten by the same opposition after exta time at the same stage last year, Clare dominated on this occasion and fully deserved their victory which has earned them a tilt with Kilkenny in the final. The decider will take place as a curtain raiser to the Allianz hurling league final between Tipperary and Kilkenny at Thurles next Sunday. A magnificent display b y the defence inspired this Clare win on a day when the Banner ladies led by a goal, 1-4 to 0-4 at half time. The goalscorer was centre forward Fiona Lafferty after great work by Ellen Horgan and Laura McMahon. Facing into the wind in the second half, there were fears that Clare might struggle but the hit …

Shane Brennan under pressure from Paddy Maguirein their Division 4 National Football League game at Miltown Malbay.

By Seamus Hayes The Clare team for Saturday’s Division 4 football league final against Tipperary at Croke Park (throw in 5p.m.) shows one change in personnell from that which beat Antrim last time out to secure promotion to Division 3. Shane Brennan is named in the starting line up in place of the unavailable Sean Collins who is in Portugal with the Clare hurlers on their training camp. Collins’ brother Podge, a very influential player after being introduced in that game in Creggan, will also miss Saturday’s fixture because he is also with the hurlers. In a positional switch, Enda Coughlan returns to defence and Ciaran Russell is now selected at wing forward. Shane Brennan is named at full forward with Martin O’Leary and David Tubridy in the corners. The team is: Pierce DeLoughrey (Cratloe); Dean Ryan (Éire Óg), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown St. Joseph’s), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) captain, …

By Seamus Hayes AN improved performance from a much-changed team earned Clare a merited win over Limerick in the Munster Minor Football Championship at NewcastleWest on Wednesday. It sets them up for a meeting with Waterford next week, in Waterford, for a place in the semi-final. While Clare supporters in the official attendance of just 353 will be pleased with the result, there will be some concern at the concession of 3-5 in the second half. It would have been greater but Killian Normoyle made a fine save from a Shane Stack penalty six minutes from the end. Overall, Clare were the better-balanced side and picked off some good scores. They were well on their way to the next round at the halfway stage when they held a 14-point lead. A brilliant start to the second half, when they added 1-2 in the opening minutes, killed off Limerick’s chances of a win. To their credit, however, the Shannonsiders battled to …

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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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