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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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No Complaints From Doyle As Banner Bow Out Of Munster U20 Hurling Championship

Derrick Lynch Clare boss Sean Doyle had no complaints about the final result after seeing his side bow out of the Munster U20 hurling championship. Failure to score for 26 minutes of the second period proved fatal for the Banner as Tipperary turned a four point half time deficit into a ten point victory. Doyle and his management team had to plan without a number of key players for the game and he says while it had an impact, they are not using it as an excuse. “We knew we needed to be six or seven points up at half time because there was a good breeze out there and we are young inexperienced team. Tipperary were psychically that bit better and they ran amok a bit there in the second half. I think you have to give credit to our lads though. We were rocked for the last two weeks with the spate of injuries. I know it is …

Derrick Lynch The result of Kildare’s tie with Cavan was still not decided when Colm Collins spoke to the media after Sunday’s win over Fermanagh, but he was quick to point out however things played out, there is still a clear ambition for his side to aim toward this weekend. When asked about how results might fall to keep his side out of the relegation battle, his answer was swift. “That is one side of the table. The other side of the table is also alive so we got to wait and see what happens. The other side of the table is still alive if we win our last game” he stated. Clare’s last victory over Fermanagh came back in 2015 but subsequent games, albeit all on the road, had ended in defeat for the Banner. The fate of the 2020 clash was in the balance in the lead up to the game after the Erne men had an outbreak …

Derrick Lynch Clare will be without one of their key men when they open their U20 Munster hurling championship campaign on Monday next. Sean Doyle and his management team have been dealt a blow with the news that talisman Aidan McCarthy is ruled out of the game after the Inagh-Kilnamona man suffered a broken thumb. It also leaves him in a race against time to be fit for Clare’s Munster senior hurling quarter-final showdown with Limerick on October 25, with the highly rated star due to be in a cast until just a few days before that tie. Fellow promising Combo star Conner Hegarty is also listed in the extremely doubtful category after he suffered a knee injury, but a broken nose is not expected to keep Shane Meehan from lining out under the lights in Semple Stadium. Doyle admits while there is still much uncertainty surrounding how the remainder of the sporting year will play out, his side are …

Derrick Lynch After a seven month wait, Clare’s 2020 National Football League campaign resumes this weekend with crunch Division Two penultimate round tie with Fermanagh in Cusack Park. The Banner come into the game knowing that victory will not only move them further away from the relegation mire, but would also set up an outside shot at finishing in the promotion spots on the final day when Armagh will be the opponents. Defeat for Fermanagh would see them relegated to Division Three ahead of their final round clash with Laois. Clare’s last outing came on March 1 when Joe McGann’s goal was instrumental in securing a 1-14 to 0-15 win over Cavan in Breffni Park. That result sees Clare just above Kildare in the relegation places on the head to head rule, and two points clear of Sunday’s visitors who are sitting bottom of the standings. The Banner have recorded two wins so far in the Division Two campaign with …

Derrick Lynch Sunday afternoon’s clash with Fermanagh in Cusack Park will not only mark the resumption of Clare’s National Football League campaign, but also the resumption of Eoin Cleary’s captaincy duties in Colm Collins’ squad. The Miltown clubman was appointed captain last January, and his six point haul in Clare’s last league game was instrumental in securing a crucial away win against Cavan. That was the last outing for the squad in a competitive setting, and Cleary admits everyone is now focused on making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. “It is great to have this to look forward to, particularly with the club season finished. Everyone is in limbo and it is unprecedented times so people are just mad to get out to play a bit of sport and meet up with friends. We are privileged to have this now and we are looking forward to playing Fermanagh this weekend. We know what we need to do …

Derrick Lynch The honour of being the first Clare hurling team to embark on their 2020 championship campaign falls to the Banner’s minor outfit this weekend as they take on Cork in the Munster quarter-final on Saturday afternoon. Brian Coffey’s charges go up against the Rebels in Semple Stadium with a 1pm throw in for the right to meet Limerick in the last four in two weeks time. The fate of the minor and U20 championships for 2020 had been in doubt in recent weeks as Covid-19 restrictions left question marks surrounding how they would proceed. Those fears were allayed last week with confirmation that they would go ahead behind closed doors, but it was outlined that one parent or guardian per player could attend games at the minor grade. Banner GAA clubman Coffey, who has been with this crop of youngsters through the underage ranks, admits while the uncertainty was not ideal, they have not allowed it to affect …

Derrick Lynch Clare’s 2020 All Ireland senior camogie championship campaign gets underway this weekend when they take on Tipperary in the Ragg on Sunday afternoon. Ger O’Connell’s outfit are part of the three team group along with the Premier and Dublin, with the top two sides advancing to the quarter-finals. The Clonlara clubman admits while it was a challenge to stay focused in such an uncertain year, their mindset was always fixed on reaching this point. “It has been a long year to be fair about it. We were preparing that the championship would eventually happen and we had to have that mindset really. Even when the girls were off from the middle of March, they were still working on their plans and then once the club kicked in we were always seeing how they were in terms of injuries and staying updated on that. We were always being prepared for it because we had to and you could not …

Derrick Lynch Fermanagh manager Ryan McMenamin has outlined his view that it will be a player led decision as to whether they will fulfill their remaining fixtures in Division Two of the National Football League. The Erne County face the prospect of making a 300 mile round trip to Ennis on the same day that the isolation period for a number of their squad affected by Covid-19 elapses. The former All-Ireland winner with Tyrone revealed this week that he had just 11 players at their training sessions on Saturday and Monday last, with 10 members of the squad testing positive for the virus while another seven were in isolation as close contacts. Fermanagh are teetering on the brink of relegation from the second tier as they lie bottom of the standings, two points adrift of safety with two rounds remaining. It means that should they suffer defeat to Clare, regardless of when the game would be played, they will make …

One of Clare’s most promising stars has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2020 intercounty season through injury. Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Dermot Coughlan sustained a serious knee injury last week with a scan revealing damage to the cruciate ligament. It means the talented attacker, who was one of the standout performers as Kilmurry claimed the Clare SFC title, will miss the remainder of Clare’s upcoming campaign with crunch Division Two league ties against Fermanagh and Armagh along with a Munster SFC quarter-final clash against Tipperary.

Clare will be without one of their key men when they open their U20 Munster hurling championship campaign on Monday next. Sean Doyle and his management team have been dealt a blow with the news that talisman Aidan McCarthy is ruled out of the game after the Inagh-Kilnamona man suffered a broken thumb. It also leaves him in a race against time to be fit for Clare’s Munster senior hurling quarter-final showdown with Limerick on October 25, with the highly rated star due to be in a cast until just a few days before that tie. Fellow promising Combo star Conner Hegarty is also listed in the extremely doubtful category after he suffered a knee injury, but a broken nose is not expected to keep Shane Meehan from lining out under the lights in Semple Stadium.

Derrick Lynch The manager of the Clare minor footballers has outlined the details surrounding an outbreak of Covid-19 in the squad in recent weeks. It comes as positive cases of the virus were identified in members of the panel following a challenge game against Galway two weeks ago, with the panel having travelled to that fixture by bus. The squad are managed by 1992 Munster championship winner and Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman Dermot Coughlan, who told The Clare Champion that all precautions were taken prior to travelling to the game. “The game was fixed for 7pm on the Friday evening in NUIG and a number of parents had indicated that they were not in a position to travel to it. I approached the county board about getting a bus and spoke to Glynn’s in relation to what was needed. They said it would be a 52 seater with only half that capacity being carried and everyone sitting in their own seat. …

Derrick Lynch In Clare, we love our traditional music, but we love our cycling as well. It might not be the exact sentiment expressed by Ella Doherty last weekend, but like her fellow Magpie Anthony Daly, she too was crowned a national champion. The Leaving Cert student produced a stunning sprint finish to cross the line first in the National Junior Women’s championships in Limerick, in what has already been a historic year for her. Her performance in the recent Clare championships have been identified as the perfect barometer of her form coming into last weekend as she secured third place overall in a high quality field, becoming the first woman to claim the bronze medal in the race. Ella outlined that while she felt confident coming into the race, the win was unexpected. “It was a big surprise to be honest. I knew I was on form but I hadn’t raced a lot of those girls in a long …

Derrick Lynch The AGM of the Clare District Soccer League will take place on November 2 should Covid-19 restrictions be eased at that point. Next Monday evening had been pencilled in a possible date for the the meeting but this week’s announcement of Level 3 restrictions mean that plans have had to be put on ice for the time being. It also means that the start date for the new season will now be postponed until after that meeting has taken place, with hopes that the following weekend, November 7/8, will see action resume around the county. There are a number of positions to be filled when clubs eventually gather with chairman, secretary and PRO among the positions currently vacant. It is expected that Kilrush Rangers clubman Jason Ryan will take over from Oliver Fitzpatrick in the chairman’s role after Fitzpatrick brought his tenure to an abrupt end last month. Ronnie Pyne looks set to remain as vice chairman while …

Derrick Lynch The chairman of Clare GAA is hopeful that the last remaining adult championship in the county can still be completed. It is after GAA’s decision to suspend all club games in light of Covid-19 concerns means the Clare Junior A football title will remain vacant for the time being. A GAA management committee meeting on Monday morning cited post match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events as being part of the reason to call a halt to proceedings. The cull on club action means that the last remaining adult championship in final in Clare, which was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, can not now go ahead with the Banner and Ballyvaughan having been set to lock horns for the silverware and a place in the 2021 Clare intermediate championship. The Banner secured the Clare Junior B hurling title last weekend and were bidding for a historic double for the club. In a social media post. …

Derrick Lynch There is mixed news for the Clare senior hurling and football panels ahead of the resumption of the intercounty season in the coming weeks. It is understood that Brian Lohan will be without another of Clare’s 2013 All Ireland winning heroes with Podge Collins leaving the panel for the upcoming campaign. The circumstances surrounding the Cratloe man’s departure from the squad are not yet known, but the former All Star joins the injured Clonlara duo of John Conlon and Colm Galvin on the absentee list. Clare take on Limerick in the opening round of the Munster hurling championship in Thurles on October 25 with the game also doubling up as the National League final. There is better news on the football front with All Star nominees Gary Brennan and Jamie Malone having linked up with the squad once more. Clondegad man Brennan opted out prior to the start of the 2020 season but the outbreak of Covid-19 scuppered …

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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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