Sport

Clare LGFA Stars Battling On COVID-19 Frontline

Much of the sporting conversation in recent times surrounding Covid-19 has been on whether or not we will see any action this year or what measures will be in place if any action goes ahead. For Eimear O’Connor and Catriona Callinan, the immediate focus is much different as both Clare Ladies football stars are part of the frontline in the fight against the spread of the pandemic. Cúil Gaels clubwoman O’Connor is one of the many around the country involved directly in testing for the virus as she alternates between centres in Ennis and Limerick. She might be missing the routine of sport but is still involved in one of the biggest challenges we have ever seen. “It is hard these times when you are coming into the nicer summer months where you are looking forward to getting out on the field. You have gone through the hard winter months so you are just really mad to get going when …

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Debate Raging In East Clare On Scariff Bay Community Radio Hurling Team Selection

There may not be any live sporting action to keep the appetite sated at the moment, but it has not stopped the sports gurus at Scariff Bay Community Radio from stoking the fire of debate around their area. An initiative from the sports department of the station has seen each of the ten clubs in their area voting on who they feel were the best 15 players over the past 40 years to don their club jersey. The clubs involved are Whitegate, Scariff, Killanena, Feakle, Bodyke, Tulla, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Broadford, Ogonnelloe and Smith O’Brien’s. The deadline for submitting the best 15 to represent your club is this Friday evening, and from there that selection will be distilled even further to choose an overall East Clare team. Bodyke’s Leo Doyle is one those behind the project and he outlined how the idea came about. “We had queries from a few people about our sports department going off the air when the …

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Clare Sports Partnership Walk To Jog 3K Challenge Building Momentum

If you happen to be one of the people around the Mullagh area in West Clare who use the local walking track for exercise, you may have seen something happening there which would have caught your attention. There is no need to be concerned about the man circling the track early in the morning issuing instructions to himself though, because it is all part of a growing initiative from Clare Sports Partnership which is being spearheaded by Coore native Pat Sexton. The Walk to Jog 3km Programme has been an instant success with close to 400 participants signing up in an effort to boost their fitness levels while also getting in their daily exercise. With the Covid-19 restrictions in place, it means that co-ordinators like Pat cannot run these type of programmes in the traditional manner, so he has devised a alternative way to keep people engaged. “People register with us for free and they will receive a podcast three …

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Lohan Reflects On Unforgettable Summer Of 1995

The Lohan name will always be synonymous with Clare hurling as Brian and Frank followed in the footsteps of their father Gus by not only donning the Clare jersey, but captaining their county too. In terms of honours, the siblings hold the upper hand as they soldiered together for two All-Ireland and three Munster titles while also collecting personal honours along the way. That association continues with Brian now the man tasked with steering the Clare hurling ship as manager and there is no doubt that he will seek the views of his younger brother as time progresses. Their on field demeanour tended to be quite different, with Brian’s swashbuckling clearances and token red helmet being the stuff of Banner folklore. For Frank, it was more about the unseen work with the crucial hooks and blocks that often go unnoticed. He personified the mantra of doing the basic things right, and that was evident in a career that lasted for …

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“There Were So Many Songs About Us That We Made An Album Of Them For A Finish”

If you were to assign movie titles to the members of the All-Ireland winning Clare team of 1995, chances are The Quiet Man would be Michael O’Halloran. The Sixmilebridge man was a key component of the full back line that annexed the McCarthy Cup twice in three seasons, with his rise to prominence immediate after making his full senior debut during the 1995 campaign. Since his retirement from on field duty, he has been a key figure in the underage scene at his native club. He says the glory days are not something he tends to dwell on much, mostly due to the analysis he gets at home. “I try to avoid the nostalgia thing as much as I can to be honest. I have three children myself who are 17, 14 and 12 and they have told me I was awful. Youtube is an awful infection. People expect the 1995 thing to be the stuff of legend but when …

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“Loughnane Was Just That Driven Lunatic And He Got Worse Afterwards Too”

Anthony Daly hoist the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

The great historical events are the ones that are instantly recognisable with the briefest of mention. The Famine, The Great War, The Emergency and The Troubles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to those points on the calendars that need no further expansion to demonstrate their importance. In a sporting context, there is no doubting what people in Clare are referring to when you hear 1995 mentioned. There was only show in town that year, and what a show it was. The long hot summer that saw Biddy Earley’s curse finally banished and put Anthony Daly’s name alongside Amby Power’s in the pantheon of Banner sporting greats. The pitch invasion near the end of the Munster final, the fact is was proud Clare man Noel Walsh who would hand the provincial cup over, and the outpouring of emotion all melded together to create an unforgettable time. The gravity of those historical events can also be viewed …

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“I Have Never Seen So Many Gardens And Flowerbeds Looking Pristine”

By his own admission, it has been a very strange few weeks for Clonlara’s John Conlon. 2020 was meant to be the year he would captain the Clare senior hurlers in the championship under the watch of new boss Brian Lohan, and while that honour was bestowed on him for the National League campaign, a number of factors conspired to ensure this year’s campaign came to a sudden and cruel finish. On what would turn out to be the last collective training session for the squad before the Covid-19 measures came into effect, Conlon found himself living the nightmare of that dreaded cruciate ligament injury. It was a freak accident that would rule him out for the remainder of the campaign, but it still remains to be seen if there will actually be a campaign to miss. It meant a spell of waiting for surgery lay in store, but a phone call from the team at the Santry Sports Clinic …

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Considine Taking In The Home Comforts After Australian Return

It has already been a whirlwind experience for Ailish Considine in her blossoming career in the Women’s AFL, but you have to go to a whole other level to describe how the last few weeks have panned out for the Kilmihil woman. With the outbreak of Covid-19 bringing an abrupt and premature end to the 2020 season for Considine and the rest of her Adelaide Crows teammates, it meant that she was left with a decision to make as to what her next step would be. That was until the rapidly evolving nature of the global pandemic suddenly kicked into top gear and left her in a frantic scramble to make it home before border closures would effectively leave her stranded. That journey home is one that she will not forget for some time to come, with a combination of the evolving Covid-19 crisis and Murphy’s Law combining to ensure it was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons. …

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Reidy: “The Times We Are In Now Are A Lot More Important Than Sport”

A decision on the potential future of the 2020 GAA championships will be discussed this weekend with the extension of the Covid-19 restrictions until the first week of May meaning a much changed campaign is in store. The uncertainty surrounding how 2020 will play out is something that Clare senior hurling star David Reidy feels some players are struggling to plan around. “We are doing our work at the moment and trying to get the touch sharp, while having in the back of our minds that we are still training for a championship. The biggest thing at the moment is the uncertainty around it and it put a bit of fear in us to an extent because we are wondering what exactly are we are training for. No one knows if there will be a championship, or if there is one, when will it be? We just have to prepare as if there will be one because it could be …

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Collins: Sport Must Be Put Into Context Of Personal Impact Of Covid-19 Crisis

Clare senior football manager Colm Collins feels the hiatus from sport as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak presents an opportunity to revaluate where things stand on a number of levels. An update on how the 2020 GAA calendar might play out is expected to be outlined in the coming days, with the extension of the preventative restrictions announced last weekend seeing the current lockdown extended until May 4. The Kilmihil native, who is his seventh season as Banner boss, feels the epidemic needs to be the foremost concern in everyone’s minds. “Any difficulties you encounter in life, it is not about what happens but is more about how you react to it. We can view these times as an opportunity rather than a problem and in a lot of cases it is an opportunity to take stock and see what we have missed. There is very little interaction at the moment so people can take a breath and think …

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2020 Junior Cycle Tour Of Ireland Cancelled Over Covid-19 Concerns

One of the sporting highlights in the calendar for Clare cycling has become the latest to fall victim to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Junior Cycle Tour of Ireland has been held in the county over the last few years attracting competitors from all over the globe, but organisers have opted to cancel the 2020 event. A statement from race director Alice Sherratt confirmed the news this morning. “It is with the greatest of regret that due to the current global pandemic with Covid-19, race organiser Alice Sherratt has taken the decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the Eurocycles Eurobaby Junior Tour that had been scheduled from the 14th to 19th of July in County Clare. This type of decision is never an easy one to take but considering the nature of what is taking place globally and how the fight against Covid-19 is being managed in each country, there is too much uncertainty surrounding a timeline for the conclusion …

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Two Scariff-Ogonnelloe players on club team of the year

TWO Scariff-Ogonnelloe players, Susan Vaughan and Mairéad Scanlan, have been selected on the 2019/2020 AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Team of the Year. Scanlan was also selected as Munster player of the year. The team also features six players from All-Ireland champions Sarsfields from Galway, six players from Ulster Champions and All-Ireland Runners-Up Slaughtneil, along with one from St. Vincents of Dublin. One player from each province, were named as Provincial Players of the Year. Aoife Ní Chaiside of All-Ireland finalists Slaughtneil, Niamh Hetherton of Leinster and St. Vincents, Mairéad Scanlan from Munster champions Scariff-Ogonelloe and Siobhán McGrath of Connacht and Galway’s Sarsfields. The four players are now in the running for the prestigious AIB Camogie Club Player of the Year Award with the winner to be announced on AIB GAA social channels on Friday, April 3. All 15 players on the team of the year, whose performances, skills and talent lit up the AIB All-Ireland Club Championship will be …

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Ennis boxer has Madison Square Garden fight cancelled

ENNIS boxer Paddy Donovan has had his fight, which was scheduled for St Patrick’s Day in New York, cancelled. Donovan, who was part of Tyson Fury’s training camp for the recent heavyweight title fight, had been due to fight Gregory Young, on the undercard of an event headlined by Michael Conlan, at Madison Square Garden. In a message on Facebook the ‘Real Deal’ wrote, “Thank you all for your support. My fight has been cancelled due to the Corona virus, sorry to everyone that was coming to see me. I can’t argue with this decision, health and safety of the fighters and people is most important at this time.”

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Flannan’s Fightback Books Final Four Spot

  Post Primary Schools All-Ireland Quarter-final (Croke Cup) Flannan’s fightback books last four slot St Flannan’s 0-14     St Kieran’s 0-11 ST Flannan’s saw off St Kieran’s of Kilkenny to book their spot in the All-Ireland semi-finals with an incredible comeback. Óisín O’Donnell was the hero for Flannan’s landing three late wonder points as Flannan’s clawed back a 0-8 to 0-1 early deficit despite losing Ashley Brohan to a first half straight red card. St Kieran’s were the dominant side early as they played with a monster breeze at their backs and they led 0-3 to no score after 10 minutes. Free-taker Conor Kelly slotting two from placed balls within the first minute and lively corner-forward Óisín Egan pointing. Cian Galvin added a free for Flannan’s, but this was soon followed by three for Cian Kenny as the Kieran’s half-forward did as he pleased in a brilliant first-half display. Kelly added two more from placed balls to see the Kilkenny side …

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McDermott Expecting Tough Afternoon For Clare In Breffni Park

Clare’s search for a second win of the 2020 National Football League Division Two takes them to Breffni Park in Cavan this weekend to face an Ulster side in a rich vein of form. The opposite is true of the visitors who have now suffered back to back defeats which leave them bottom of the standings, but only on scoring difference. A win this weekend would leave Clare in a strong position to leapfrog Fermanagh and Kildare in the relegation battle, with two home games in Cusack Park to close out the campaign. Former Clare boss and Cavan native Michéal McDermott feels while fortunes have not been smiling on Clare in recent weeks, there is still plenty left to battle for. “If you have spoken to me two weeks ago I would have said Clare were on the rise and Cavan were on a downward slope. Since half-time in their game with Westmeath, Cavan seem to have transformed their season …

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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

Recent Posts

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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‘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 …

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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 …

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‘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 …

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‘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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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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