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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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July 31st Start Date On The Cards For GAA Club Championships

The GAA has announced details of its roadmap to a return to competitive action, with games set to recommence at the end of next month. The Association says pitches will reopen on June 29th, with club championships set to get underway on July 31st. In Clare, the club championships were pencilled in to start in early August. The inter-county scene will also make a return in late Autumn with September 14th identified as the date that squads can resume training while the championship could get underway on October 17th. It will be left to each county board to decide which format they choose to run their competitions, while the numbers of spectators allowed to watch games will be dependent on government guidelines. Ladies football and camogie will follow a similar timeline while underage action is also set to resume from the end of July. Each club will be required to have a number of Covid-19 officers with the GAA to …

Derrick Lynch CHLOE Morey has come through plenty battles during an inter-county camogie career that stretches back over a decade. The Sixmilebridge woman has been a central part of the Clare senior side since making her breakthrough but this year she opted to take a step back to refocus on solving some long standing injuries. She was not to know when she made that call that she would miss out on very little action as Covid-19 brought sport to a halt, but the virus is something that has impacted much closer to home than that. “It has been tough but that seems odd for me to be saying as a teacher because both my mother and sister are nurses. I have heard all the stories from them firsthand and it really emphasises how important it is to abide by the guidelines. Everyone has had to adapt and I have been teaching online and it is really hard for our students. …

Derrick Lynch The return of competitive sport to Ireland comes next Monday as the first horse racing meeting since restrictions began gets underway. Horse Racing Ireland has released details of how the sport will operate under new protocols, including races being held behind closed doors along with strict medical advice and hygiene procedures for those involved to abide by. It is expected that both National Hunt and Flat races will be part of the schedule with most of the feature races of the summer retained across the various venues, including the Galway Festival. Clare jockey Derek O’Connor feels everyone involved is looking forward to having competitive action back once more, but is warning that every measure must be taken to ensure the safety of all concerned. “People are optimistic I think. We need racing to get back going in order to have that good atmosphere in the racing world. Once it happens, I think things will pick up fairly rapidly …

Derrick Lynch The latest phase of development at the Cooraclare based West Clare Sports and Fitness facility is nearing completion with a new covered sprinting section set to be unveiled in the coming weeks. The brainwave to develop the cross-country course as a training base for local athletes was first mentioned in 2011, while the addition of floodlights four years later on a 1000m loop saw the creation of the West Clare Sports and Fitness to cater for the wider community. Spokesperson Dermot Galvin outlined how the facility first got up and running. “The idea for the project originally came about a time when I was dealing with a lot of injuries. I suggested to Joe Garry that our local club St John’s or even athletics as a whole in West Clare should look at buying land to develop a place to train. It was a passing comment but Joe suggested using his land in Clonreddan and we took it …

Derrick Lynch Clare handball hero Diarmaid Nash admits his bid for a historic third successive All-Ireland doubles title alongside Colin Crehan may have to wait until 2021. Last year saw the duo emulate the famed Kirby brothers by putting All-Ireland crowns back to back, but with sport now on hold due to the Covid-19 crisis it means any future fixtures are still in doubt. Nash, who works as a financial consultant, is not confident that they will have a chance to defend their title this year. “The chances of the doubles championship being on are very slim unless something changes drastically. If we are under restrictions for another few months and the government decides it is something that we just cannot afford to continue doing with benefit payments, then people would have to go back into the workforce. That could create a herd immunity and maybe in that scenario we could go back playing because you are as likely to …

Derrick Lynch Getting through the Covid-19 crisis can often seem like climbing a mountain for some, but the Corofin GAA club have decided to turn that on its head. The North Clare club will descend on one of the most iconic landmarks in the county on Saturday June 6 for a unique fundraising event. The Solo Run Challenge will see 50 members of the club make their bid for the summit of the famed Mullaghmore in the spectacular Burren landscape, all while soloing with either a football or hurley and sliotar. The target is for the participants to reach the top having completed the combined distance it takes to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The challenge will be completed throughout the day in small groups with all participants adhering to current social distancing guidelines. All funds raised from the event will go towards Cystic Fibrosis charity TLC4CF. Among those taking on the challenge will be county star Jamie Malone, …

Derrick Lynch It is clear from just a few seconds of talking to John O’Malley that his recollection of Avenue United’s historic run to the FAI Junior Cup final is going to be an interesting one “30 years ago. You’re bringing back a lot of memories now asking about that” is the immediate response and he laughs before gathering himself to issue a “no comment” statement when asked how many of those memories are fit for publication. He says the time since that famous year has flown. “It doesn’t seem like it was 30 years ago to be honest with you. We were a really close bunch and I think that stood to us throughout the campaign. We only used about 14 players across the run and many of the lads from then are still involved today. In many respects, the time we have on our hands now with Covid-19 has been a blessing in disguise to the club. We …

Derrick Lynch The first local sporting activity since the outbreak of COVID-19 is set to get underway next week as golf courses around the county open their doors once more. A set of protocols from the Golfing Union of Ireland outline the terms and conditions under which the sport can resume, with only casual golf allowed for the moment under strict guidelines and time constraints. The protocol is aligned to the five planned phases of the Government’s Roadmap and sets out how the restrictions on golf will be eased over the coming months. From Monday May 18, all tee times must be booked in advance either online or by phone with only fully paid up members permitted out on course. 3-balls will be played at 14 minute intervals, there will be 12 minute intervals for 2-balls while individual players will be on 10 minute intervals. Clubhouses will be closed with pro shops allowed open only for the purpose of checking …

Derrick Lynch Clare Camogie manager Ger O’Connell feels club action should be prioritised ahead of county games should the opportunity to return to action arise later in the year. It comes after the Camogie Association announced it was extending its suspension of activity until Monday June 8 following the latest announcement from the Government on the pathway to reopening post COVID-19. The statement from the Association stated that “we acknowledge that this step will result in further inconvenience and disruption to members as well as the game at all levels, however we appreciate the continued co-operation and support of everyone involved at this time. The health and safety of our members is, as always, of paramount importance and these steps will assist us all in taking the necessary precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to return to full activity as early as possible”. It also says that the situation will be assessed in line with further advice from …

Derrick Lynch When the golf courses around the county reopen their doors next week, chances are Sinead Sexton will be one of the first in line to tee off. The Spanish Point native has a better excuse than most for wanting to get back onto the first tee though as she recently began her studies to become a golf professional. “I am doing it through the Ladies PGA and it allows you to do it all online through quizzes and assignments. There is also a in-person seminar in Florida in August so we will have to just wait and see if that goes ahead. If I can’t get there, it can be put off until December and that will complete Level One. There are three levels which are worked like three college semesters and the good thing about it is that you can still be working while you are doing it. It can tie in with what you are doing …

One of Clare’s top athletes is driving a fundraising initiative this weekend to raise funds for Sláinte an Chlair. Ennis Track clubman Rory Chesser is no stranger to success on the track but this weekend his focus will be on hitting the road to help out one of Clare’s main Cancer support charities. “I was thinking about how I could do something to encourage people to run with a cause in mind. I organised this fundraiser with the aim of getting €1000 for the charity. The idea I had was that I would get a group from Ennis Track to run a total of 100 miles between all of us, on an individual basis obviously. To date, there are 50 volunteers and we have raised over €2,000” he outlined. Rory admits he has been blown away with the response since the idea first came into his head. “The support I have received from the club and from people outside the …

Derrick Lynch East Clare has always been a hotbed of hurling debate and over the last few weeks that has only intensified. It is all because of an initiative from Scariff Bay Community Radio which has seen each of the ten hurling clubs in its catchment area casting their votes for the best 15 players to have ever donned their own club jersey. As with all sporting debates, there will be plenty alternatives suggested but democracy has ruled with the votes now counted and the teams revealed. It may sound like an onerous task to collate the best players to have ever represented their own clubs, but the unenviable task of distilling the 150 players already selected down to the 15 who will make the best ever East Clare team is well underway. Under the rules of the selection process, there must be at least one player on the final team from each of the ten clubs involved while votes …

Derrick Lynch I am not sure how much of a sports fan Joni Mitchell is, but one of the lines in her iconic hit Big Yellow Taxi can well sum up how a lot of us are feeling over the last few weeks. Don’t it always seem to go; That you don’t know what you’ve got til its gone Since the COVID-19 outbreak shut down all sporting activity, it has left fans pining for the return of some form of live action. Everyone is united in the mindset that public health and safety is the number one concern and in the grand scheme of things sport is really a luxury we enjoy to supplement family life. That being said, it is still a major part of our lives and one which has been missed almost universally. For example, last weekend was meant to be the start of the 2020 championship season for the Clare senior footballers while next weekend should …

Carl Walsh From the age of seven to 30, I basically went everywhere with my Dad. We had a unique shared experience at countless training sessions, matches and meetings over that winding, wonderful and enlightening GAA journey. From a Junior B match in West Clare to the All Ireland Final (our first one was in 1974), we were there. At the start, I watched and listened, often in wonder, until I grew a bit and it was my time to play my small part in the rich tapestry of his incredible GAA life. It was an unforgettable GAA journey that has inspired me to carry on his legacy here in Australia as a player, coach and administrator. In the 1970s we travelled the length and breadth of Ireland together with a Clare senior football team that had plenty of talent but lacked the necessary support and resources to be successful. Dad was very committed to improving Clare football and the …

2020 will always be marked in the annals of St Flannan’s College long and storied sporting history as being the year they ended a long wait for their latest Munster hurling glory. It also marks a milestone in the history of the football tradition of the school, with 25 years having elapsed since they last claimed the Corn ui Mhuiri title on a dramatic day in Charleville. That gap looked like it was moving one step closer to being bridged this year as a brave effort from the Clare men just came short in their last eight showdown with St Brendan’s Killarney, who were ironically the team they beat in 1995 to secure their third ever crown. The links do not end there though, as Eoin Curtin followed in the footsteps of his father Tommy in guiding the fortunes of the young footballers of St Flannan’s. Tommy was there in Ballyagran for the showdown with the Kerry men this year, …

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Feakle possess the perfect vaccine for Sars

Feakle are on a ground-breaking mission this Sunday when traveling to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for a Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final showdown with Sarsfields (3.15pm). Following the unbridled elation of a first Clare Senior crown in 36 years and only the club’s second in 80 years, the three week gap has allowed the East Clare side to celebrate and recalibrate sufficiently for what is an exciting next step of their 2024 journey, Feakle have contested a Munster Senior Semi-Final before when Val Donnellan (father of current captain Oisin and Fiachra) led the 1988 side into Walsh Park to take on Mount Sion. It would prove an ill-fated afternoon as they were agonisingly edged out by the minimum (1-8 to 1-7), having already seen off Kerry’s Ballyduff in their provincial bow. For more on this story and all the latest news from the Banner County, pick up this week’s Clare Champion or view our digital edition which is …
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‘Fix the one percents and you’ll reach the magical one hundred’ – Hogg
‘I feel like I’m in a dream’ – Morris
Considine bows out after a glorious decade
Éire Óg Adare to dream of provincial glory

‘Fix the one percents and you’ll reach the magical one hundred’ – Hogg

2023 All Ireland Junior winner Sinead Hogg is a mainstay at the heart of the Clon defence and after a monumental battle with Eimear Bourke and Cait Devane she is ready to push on and claim the biggest camogie prize in Munster. ” Today wasn’t easy and the body is sore. It was a serious battle and in fairness to both teams it was a war of attrition. We had to just try and stay in the game at different stages because their six forwards are unbelievable players and can hurt you in the blink of an eye. It’s great to have that half back line in front of you cutting out the supply which makes it a bit easier for us in the full back line though and I think we did quite well. We were fully focused on delivering not only a performance but delivering a result and thankfully we did both.” Sinead feels as a group they have …

‘I feel like I’m in a dream’ – Morris

Former coach to the Clare Senior set up and in his fourth year training his beloved Truagh-Clonlara Ryan Morris feels like he’s dreaming but admits this was their ultimate objective. ” I feel like I’m in a dream that I don’t want to wake up from. To see how far we’ve come from winning an Intermediate title to claiming a first ever McMahon Cup, going back to back and now a Munster final. It’s magical, it truly is. Last year we enjoyed celebrating after the County championship and the buzz around the place was incredible. The whole day out against Sarsfields was also really special but in truth we let the day be our focus and not the game itself. It wasn’t until we sat down to plan for this year that we felt the pain of that defeat. We set in motion a plan to retain our crown and have another crack at Munster but to do so we …

Controversy reigns as Tulla denied at death

Dr. Harty Cup Round 2 St Joseph’s Tulla 0-17 Cashel Community School 0-17 After an opening day defeat to Cork school Blackrock, the pressure was firmly on Tulla to deliver in Cappamore. Showing tremendous character against a quality Cashel side they managed to stay in the game throughout thanks to an outstanding defensive display by fullback Fionn O’Gara and a series of top drawer saves from Broadford’s Jack Lovett. It was the player affectionately known as ‘Fog’ though that towered above everyone else on the field and was quite simply majestic all afternoon. Decisive hooks, critical blocks and booming clearances were the order of the day from the Clooney-Quin player. When Cashel did manage to break through the Tulla rearguard, they met a wall of resistance in Lovett. On three occasions the netminder came to the rescue, firstly denying Briain O’Donoghue with a brave point blank save in the 15th minute, then thwarting corner-forward Ryan O’Sullivan just before the interval …

21st celebrations as Éire Óg return to helm

Clare Senior Football Championship Final Éire Óg 1-10 Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-6 “The Townies are back and we’re not going anywhere’ was the passionate concluding words to captain Aaron Fitzgerald’s speech as Éire Óg bounced back to Jack Daly winning ways in Cusack Park, writes Eoin Brennan. Having only lost one of their last 21 matches and that to Cratloe in last year’s semi-final after penalties, the Ennis side’s third senior crown in four years was fully merited as they rolled with the punches of a difficult day weather and opposition-wise before finishing in powerful fashion. The ‘Bricks, fueled by an intriguing mix of youth and vast title winning experience, certainly made Paul Madden’s side sweat after hitting the ground running with the first three points through Keenan Sexton (2) and Daryn Callinan. However, on a day in which they almost needed a perfect performance, crucially they coughed up possession at halfway for Mark McInerney to pick out Gavin Cooney for …

Strong Ennis performance seals win over Cobh Pirates RFC

Senior Men’s Junior League 2: Ennis RFC 26 – 6 Cobh Pirates RFC The Ennis Senior men’s rugby team were victorious 26 – 6 over Cobh Pirates during the Junior League 2. Ennis started off with a strong scrum, followed by Dylan Kenny breaking through tackles to score a converted score under the posts. Ennis’ defence stood firm and soon Joey Keane managed a huge steal with the Cobh Pirates just short of the try line. At the end of the first-half, the opposition scored a penalty, bringing the half-time score to 7 – 3. At the start of the second-half, the Cobh Pirates scored another penalty. With the score at 7 – 6, Ennis increased their defence and attack, allowing Cian Guilfoyle to score Ennis’ second try. Brendan Keane scored their third try, converted by Kenny, after a dominant Ennis scrum. With the game almost over and the Cobh Pirates on the attack, Guilfoyle intercepted on the halfway line …

Meehan and McEvoy shine as Banner overcome Wolfe Tones

Junior C camogie final Banner 1-9 Wolfe Tones 0-9 Novel could best describe this meeting on Saturday afternoon last between Wolfe Tones and Banner in the Junior C camogie final that drew a sizable attendance to Father McNamara park. Wolfe Tones with an experienced group of players faced up to a youthful Banner side with many dual players. Both sides had freetakers of a standard far higher than Junior C as Ciara Meehan and Sarah McEvoy shared a dozen scores over the hour. Wolfe Tones netminder Anna Brennan retired injured after 15 minutes as the Shannon side started slowly and didn’t score until the 17th minute from McEvoy with Laura Meaney adding a second Tones scores a minute later. Two further scores from Wolfe Tones in the final minutes of the half left them on four points, one behind Banner at the interval. Ciara Meehan was excellent from placed balls and missed just one over the hour. Half-time Banner (0-5) …

Whelan and Meaney score as Clondegad lower Banner

Junior B football final Clodegad 2-11 Banner 2-8 A season of underachieving in the view of both clubs in the Intermediate championship came to an adult end in Lissycasey on Sunday afternoon in the Junior B county final decider. As with most Junior finals it can be a hazardous task to allocate a favourites tag so all was up for grabs before what was a disappointing following from the two clubs. Scores were hard to come by the opening quarter with the two sides sharing a paltry five points as Clondegad led (0-3) to (0-2) before Ciaran Connelly struck for the first of four goals in the game. Within two minutes Banner had cut the lead of Clondegad to the minimum with their first goal as long time performer Fiachra Hayes who started in place of William Bello was their shooter. Clondegad full forward Oisin Griffin won a high ball and his breaking ball was doubled to the net by …

Éire Óg Fawle as Kevin’s goal seals final place

Junior A football semi-final Michael Cusacks 1-9 Éire Óg 0-8 Renowned Michael Cusack’s defender Kevin Fawle is not recognised as a goalscorer but should ultimate success come the way of the men from the Burren and Belharbour they will look back at Fawle’s 50th minute goal as one of the decisive moments of the year. Éire Óg will have left Corofin with deep regrets posting perhaps their least effective showing of the season that was well below their quarter-final showing against Cooraclare as Michael Cusack’s were very fortunate to get extra time before dispatching the challenge of St Breckan’s second string. Éire Óg opened the scoring with goalkeeper Cian Howard kicking over their first score from a free and he added a second free after eight minutes. Domhnall McMahon operating at full forward with others pulled out kicked over Michael Cusack’s first score just before Jack McGann and McMahon once more were on the scoresheet after 13 minutes to take the …

Flynn and Duggan goals keep St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield senior as the ‘Bridge drop down

Senior camogie relegation final St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-9 Sixmilebridge 1-10 There was heartbreak for Sixmilebridge and jubilation for St Joseph’s in equal measure in Clooney on Saturday afternoon. Relegation to Intermediate camogie for the Bridge who in a bygone era won multiple championships as St Joseph’ chasing their first maintained their status and once more are the only Clare club to possess four senior GAA, Camogie and LGFA sides. With the LGFA county final on the horizon for St Joseph’s they did not want a low note to be played in the run up with relegation from senior camogie and set out their stall early with (2-2) in the opening half with Ciara Duggan and Siobhan Flynn scoring (1-1 each). Chloe Morey hit back between the 14th and 18th minutes with (1-2) to keep Sixmilebridge in contact as Olivia Phelan had initiated the scoring for Sixmilebridge after four minutes. Determined tackling by both sets of defenders ensured a low scoring contest as …

Tulla fall to Harty Cup opening round loss

Blackwater Community School, Lismore 2-16 St. Joseph’s Tulla 0-20 St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla suffered an agonising two-point reverse in their Harty Cup Group 3 campaign on Wednesday afternoon. The defat, at the hands of a pacy Blackwater Community School from Lismore, leaves them under pressure to advance to the knockout stages. For all that Tulla did well in this contest, a sloppy start proved detrimental to their chances in Kilmallock, falling eight points behind inside the opening quarter. It was a position that the students, coached by Terence Fahy, Aidan Harte and Tomás Kelly couldn’t recover from fully. Even when they were on top and looked like taking the lead, they were hit with a sucker punch of a goal that filled the Lismore confidence heading into the second half. Indeed, a stunning save from Billy Murphy in the Lismore goal denied them a potential game changing goal, with Darragh White having to settle for a point instead. The …

New Clare ladies football manager

IN a statement this afternoon Clare LGFA announced the appointment of Listowel’s Graham Shine as the new Intermediate team manager for the coming season. The former Limerick and Kerry Ladies manager has been appointed for two years, with an option of a third, in charge of the county’s flagship side. Board Chairman Sean Lenihan advised that there were a number of applicants for the post from both within and outside the County and thanked the unsuccessful candidates for their interest in the position. He outlined Shine’s extensive experience at Club and County level over many years and wished him and his backroom team well over the next couple of years starting soon with preparation for Clare’s return to Division 2 of the National Football League commencing in mid-January. A qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor, Shine was part of former Manager Wayne Freeman’s Backroom Team last year so he knows the panel of players involved here to date. He has …

Banner five still alive in Munster Junior Football PPS Championships

Clare’s interest in the Munster Junior (Under 17) Post-Primary Schools Football Championships have been reduced to five after a busy week of derbies in all five grades. St Joseph’s Spanish Point (C), St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart (D) and Under 17E trio St Michael’s Community College Kilmihil and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon and Ennis Community College who are due to face each other this morning (Thursday) in Wolfe Tones at 10.45am are the only schools left in the first provincial championship of the 2024/25 season. The Frewen Cup is destined to return to Kerry for another year after St Flannan’s College bowed out at the quarter-final stage to St Michael’s Listowel by 1-13 to 1-09 in The Bog Garden in Rathkeale on Wednesday afternoon. Trailing by 1-4 to 0-4 by the break, the Ennis College grabbed a lifeline on the restart when Kieran Doyle converted a penalty. With Dara Kennedy and TJ Moore dominating the engine room, Darragh …

Crusheen present double trouble for Parteen-Meelick

Junior A Camogie Championship Cup Final Crusheen v Parteen-Meelick at Fr McNamara Park Ennis, Saturday at 4pm (Kevin Walsh, Wolfe Tones) Momentum is the clear driving force as heavyweights Crusheen and Parteen-Meelick finally meet in earnest to decide the Junior A Camogie Championship honours. I say finally as they were forced into a dress rehearsal final group decider a fortnight ago but as expected it was merely a shadow-boxing exercise especially on the red half of the divide as Parteen-Meelick eased to a 9-27 to 0-07 win. Don’t expect the same in Fr. McNamara Park on Saturday afternoon as Crusheen, off the back of their commanding Junior A Ladies Football Final triumph over Cúil Gaels last Sunday will be determined to achieve a historic double. Parteen-Meelick were pencilled in for a ladies football final too last Saturday but being a Junior B Shield Final, they opted to put their full focus on this prestigious decider. There’s no shortage of camogie …

Clancy crushes Cúil dreams of silverware

Junior A Ladies’ Football Final Crusheen 3-10 – Cúil Gaels 0-14 Crusheen back at the start of the century under the management of the late Michael Cullinan possessed some of the best underage players in the county winning four Under 16A titles plus Minor, Junior A and Intermediate honours finally contested a senior final joined with Kilmihil. Time moved on, players left and lean times followed but once more Crusheen are back in the Intermediate championship for 2025 following a five-point success over Cúil Gaels in Lissycasey on Sunday evening. Cúil Gaels for their part had ample scoring chances over the course of the hour and really worried Crusheen but unfortunately from the estuary’s perspective they kicked a dozen wides as opposed to just five for the title winners. At least four of the Cúil Gael points skimmed the Crusheen crossbar much to the relief of Grace Gleeson. Yet, the matchwinner was at midfield for Crusheen, namely Anna Clancy with …

Shannon Town shade cup spoils in low-key derby

(FAI Junior Cup) Shannon Town A 2 – Bunratty/Cratloe 1 Shannon Town inched the derby spoils to book their place in the next round of the FAI Junior Cup but it wasn’t the greatest of advertisements for an early morning kick-off in Lynch Park in Shannon on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, all the ingredients were ripe for a memorable derby as a sizeable crowd was in attendance to witness a rare clash of these neighbours while there was the added layer of new Shannon Town manager Davy Hogan playing against his former Premier winning club. However, perhaps the players weren’t given sufficient notice of the 10:30am kick-off as the teams never really livened up until the final quarter. Amazingly, there wasn’t a shot of note throughout the entire opening period and essentially it was only with Charlie Morrison’s 68th minute penalty that this prudent tie finally opened up. It was a huge relief to hosts Shannon Town who, as …

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