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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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McGrath Shoots The Lights Out As Feakle Fly Into Clare SHC Quarter Finals

Clare SHC: Feakle 5-20 Clarecastle 2-12 Feakle came to Cusack Park with an axe to grind after suffering defeat to the Magpies in the 2017 relegation decider, but by the time the final whistle blew it was well and truly buried. The East Clare side produced a ruthless display to power their way into the quarter-final draw with Shane McGrath firing 4-10 over the course of an impressive performance. The writing was on the cards early in the contest as Feakle raced into a 2-8 to 0-2 lead inside the opening quarter. McGrath raided for both his sides goals, with the first coming as he pounced on a break before lashing home a brilliant finish to the far corner. The second was all about persistence as he saw his initial effort hooked but he followed up to whip home and give his side 12 point cushion at the first water break. It was a young Clarecastle side, with nine of …

Clare SHC: Kilmaley 4-13 Wolfe Tones 1-17 An impressive performance from Kilmaley saw them overcome Wolfe Tones and seal their spot in the quarter-finals of the Clare SHC. A brace of goals for Daire Keane and Tom O’Rourke were the crucial scores with all bar two of their scores coming from play, while Conor Cleary’s commanding presence in the square also proved a crucial factor. Wolfe Tones were without Ben O’Gorman from their defence while captain Jamie Roughan also saw his day come to an early end as he picked up an injury The opening period mirrored the weather conditions with a blistering first half that produced 21 scores and saw Kilmaley narrowly in front. The tone was set as early as the 30th second when Tom O’Rourke crashed the ball to the Wolfe Tones net after an incisive pass from the impressive Daire Keane. Mikey O’Neill followed up with a tidy point from distance, but Wolfe Tones found their …

Clare SHC: Inagh-Kilnamona 1-21 Newmarket 1-14 Inagh-Kilnamona produced a composed display to see off the challenge of Newmarket and book their place in the last eight of the Clare SHC. Aidan McCarthy’s first half goal helped him to a personal tally of 1-10 for Fergal Hegarty’s men as they became the first team into the hat for the quarter-final draw. Inagh-Kilnamona’s tactic of opening up the play with diagonal attacks along with Shane McInerney’s protection of the full-back line helped Fergal Hegarty’s charges to lead 0-5 to 0-2 at the opening water break. Aidan McCarthy was unerring from placed balls with three to his name while his brother Jason and young star Kealan Guyler were also on target in the opening quarter. Newmarket had Colin Ryan frees to thank for their two scores, and it looked as if last year’s beaten semi-finalists were well on top. A change of approach from the Blues saw Colin Guilfoyle moved to operate around …

Derrick Lynch looks ahead to the next round of the Clare senior hurling championship where eight teams will see their season come to an end. Inagh-Kilnamona v Newmarket on Fergus They might have been in different pots for the second round draw, but both sides will come into this tie with plenty positives to glean from their opening rounds. Newmarket were on the wrong side of the result against Clonlara on the opening evening, but it was a result that was not decided too long before the full-time whistle. Club veteran Colin Ryan led the scoring stakes on the night with eight pointed frees, while Eoin Guilfoyle, Colin Guilfoyle, Stephen Kelly and James Liddy all chipped in too. The worry for Newmarket will be the over-reliance on the ever reliable Ryan to take those chances from placed balls, with 1-6 of their tally coming from play last time out. By contrast, Inagh-Kilnamona racked up 2-9 from play in their clash …

Derrick Lynch Clare IHC Round Two Preview Tulla v Killanena Both sides put up good scores in their opening round ties, but it is Tulla who enter this round with a victory already under their belts. They began life in the second tier with a hard fought win over East Clare neighbours Scariff, with David McInerney, Niall Bolton, Sean Torpey and Daragh Corry all playing key roles. Killanena were on the wrong side of the result in their showdown with Bodyke, where Mark Flaherty once more carried the lion’s share of the scoring burden. Tulla’s greater spread of a scoring threat coupled with a tight defence should see them through to the quarter finals. Verdict: Tulla Sixmilebridge v Clonlara Sixmilebridge are getting used to playing in dramatic games in the Clare intermediate hurling championship, as they came through a fascinating extra-time battle with Inagh-Kilnamona last time out. Their fitness told as they finished that game well, and they will carry …

Derrick Lynch Clare Camogie Round Two Preview A repeat of last year’s semi final is the highlight of this weekend’s Clare Camogie action, as title holders Scariff-Ogonnelloe take on the Inagh-Kilnamona side they dethroned 12 months ago. The reigning Munster champions were impressive winners in their opening round tie as they easily accounted for last year’s Shield winners Sixmilebridge, running up a total of 2-21 over the course of the hour. The vast majority of that scoring was done by the ever reliable duo of Mairead Scanlan and Marion Rodgers, who shared 2-12 of that total between them. A feature of their win was that all the starting six forwards got their names on the scoresheet, while holding the ‘Bridge to just 0-2 in the second period. Inagh-Kilnamona were equally impressive winners against a Truagh-Clonlara side who would have held ambitions of challenging for silverware. The Combo held their opponents to 0-3 over the course of the contest, as Amy …

Clare Pony Club will celebrate 40 years in existence in 2021, with the numbers involved with the club currently experience a steady rise. The club was first established in 1981, with its members coming from all across the county to the club’s base at the Showgrounds in Ennis. Lessons are held every Friday night from September to April, where members bring their own ponies and take part in lessons given by highly qualified instructors, all of whom were Pony Club members themselves. Club chairman Nikki Harvey outlined that the ethos of the organisation is on ensuring everyone can have access to what is on offer. “We really promote an atmosphere of inclusivity and make sure that anyone who has an interest in equine sports gets that chance to be involved. The club offers so much more in terms of further opportunities with many of our members using their time with us as a platform to build their future careers on. …

Newmarket Celtic have clinched the 2019/2020 Clare Premier Division title. Mark O’Malley’s charges made sure of the crown with a 3-2 win over Avenue United at Roslevan, with that result leaving them 11 points clear with just two games remaining in the season. Kevin Hartnett, David McCarthy and Ciaran McCoy all scored before the break to see the champions 3-1 ahead. Avenue pulled it back to the minimum in the second period but it wasn’t enough to turn the result around. It’s a 19th top flight title for the club and also marks the second time Newmarket Celtic have won three consecutive Clare Premier Division honours. The feat was last achieved in the mid-80’s. Thoughts will now turn to defending their Clare Cup title with action in that competition set to recommence in the coming weeks.

There were champions crowned in the Third Division of the Clare League this week where Connolly Celtic marked their return by clinching the title. They added that to their league cup success earlier in the season. It came after a 2-0 win over Ennis Dons with both goals coming from Brendan Dillon, and manager Ray Kennedy was delighted to get his hands on the cup. “It is a proud moment. At that start of this year our aim was to build for the years ahead and hopefully get up the divisions while building our panel. We wanted to build a squad that would not always be relying on the hurlers so we went about doing that. We got two cups at the end of it so we are happy out with that. There are a lot of players there who have played in higher divisions and we got a few new players in this year and it is good to …

A number of games were played this weekend in the opening round of the Clare Junior A Football Championship. It got underway with the meeting of a Banner GAA side that are building for their future and a Kilkee outfit that must be worried for theirs. The West Clare side are currently operating in the third tier having been relegated last year, and were taking on the team who came within touching distance of promotion 12 months ago. Young star Shane Meehan was always going to be a central figure for the Banner, and he struck for two goals as they ran out impressive 5-12 to 0-14 winners. Two more first teams met as Killimer went up against Meelick, where goals from Kevin Hassett (2) and Eoin Grogan saw the West Clare men come out on top by 3-7 to 0-7. KIlmurry Ibrickane recovered from a slow start against Cooraclare to record a 2-15 to 0-6 victory with both goals …

Clare IFC Wrap Up St Joseph’s Doora Barefield 3-17 Naomh Eoin 2-13 (AET) There is no doubting which game takes the title of being the most entertaining across all codes this weekend, as St Joseph’s eventually came out on top in a high scoring encounter. It took until the second period of extra time before the decisive score came when Kieran Thynne, who was reintroduced having been substituted earlier in the contest, batted to the net from close range to give St Joseph’s a cushion they would hold. There was drama throughout the game with the men from the peninsula looking like they had stolen a march late on as Owen Lynch’s goal saw them go four points clear with time running out. Naomh Eoin played much of the second period with 14 men after Mark McQuaid was sent off, and they eventually wilted as Parish substitute David O’Brien reeled in the deficit with a run of four unanswered scores …

Clare SFC: St Breckan’s 2-8 Cooraclare 2-6 The final Clare SFC game of the weekend proved to be one of the most entertaining as St Breckan’s began life back in the senior ranks with a win. A late goal from Jack Sheedy proved the ultimate difference as the North Clare outfit saw off a spirited display from Cooraclare, who will take plenty positives despite the result. Last year’s intermediate champions were much the better team in the opening quarter with Maccon Byrne and Dale Masterson to the fore in the middle third. Masterson opened the scoring with a tidy finish after a patient build up, but Killian Roche responded with a free after good work from Jack Morrissey. Roche was playing as almost an auxiliary defender for the West Clare men as he offered an overlap in defence when breaking out. Sustained pressure by the St Breckan’s attack forced another free which Colm O’Brien dispatched while an intelligent ball from …

Clare SFC: Ennistymon 0-11 Doonbeg 0-10 Ennistymon edged the battle of the Magpies to fly into the winners round of the Clare senior football championship. The game was slow to build any real momentum, and it took until the 10th minute before the first score arrived. Predictably for Doonbeg, it came through a David Tubridy free with the West Clare Magpies losing Paul Dillon to a black card early in the contest. Ennistymon settled and restored parity with a Cillian Rouine free but a big score almost arrived when David Fitzgerald rattled the outside of Eamon Tubridy’s post. Michael McDonagh angled over the resulting rebound and they led 0-2 to 0-1 at the opening water break. The second quarter began with another Tubridy free, but it would prove their final score of the half as four in a row for Ennistymon sent them 0-6 to 0-2 clear at the break. Kevin Hehir’s energy on the right wing was rewarded with …

Clare SFC: Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-12 Miltown 0-9 A strong closing quarter saw Kilmurry Ibrickane exact revenge on Miltown in the opening round of this year’s Clare SFC. Aidan Moloney’s side outscored the defending champions by 0-5 to 0-2 in that period to move through to the winners section of the championship and within touching distance of the last four. Kilmurry rang the changes before the throw in as regular goalkeeper Ian McInerney was deployed on the edge of the opposition square. His nephew David Sexton was handed a championship debut while veteran Michael O’Dwyer was named in the half-forward line. Miltown were without Kieran Malone and Darragh McDonagh from the side that won this fixture in last year’s county final but debutant Cian Mahoney adapted well to his first senior assignment. The champions settled best to lead 0-4 to 0-1 at the first water break with the Cleary twins Eoin and Conor kicking some brilliant scores to put them in …

Clare SFC: Lissycasey 2-9 Cratloe 0-13 AET Penalties looked on the cards in this contest but it a penalty that ultimately decided the game as Lissycasey edged through a tight contest. The decisive score arrived in the second period of extra-time as Conor Finnucane converted a penalty that was all of Cratloe’s own making. Cratloe struggled without regular top scorer Cathal McInerney as an outlet while Sean Collins was also absent through suspension. Lissycasey’s organisation and discipline in defence was key along with a high level of work-rate. Lissycasey held a narrow lead at the break but it could have been a much different story only for a brilliant save from Killian Normoyle. He got down low to turn away a flicked effort by Conal O’Hanlon after Conor McGrath’s ball across the square. The follow up was missed by the onrushing Killian Phair, and it was compounded moments later as Normoyle fired over a long range free to bring the …

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Tones just shade 12 goal thriller

Minor C Camogie Championship Final Wolfe Tones 6-13 Parteen-Meelick 6-10 Wolfe Tones definitely earned their Minor C Camogie Championship breakthrough, having been tested to their optimum by a never-say-die Parteen-Meelick in what was a truly memorable decider in Fr. McNamara on Wednesday evening, Sharing twelve goals equally, supporters were not only afraid to take their eyes off it but even fearful of blinking in case they missed a goal. It was a compelling end-to-end contest that proved a superb advertisement for Clare Camogie as the standard on offer far exceeded expectations as both sides left everything out on the field in pursuit of some much-needed silverware. And yet considering the final scoreline, it’s perhaps difficult to believe that there were no goals at all until additional time in the first half. Indeed, injury-time in general appeared to ignite something special in these sides as seven of the twelve goals were scored in those added minutes, five of which arrived amidst …
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Can the real Inagh-Kilnamona please stand up?
Group of Death comes alive
Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4
Blues complete unprecedented clean sweep of underage honours

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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