Clare’s epic 2024 season that saw them capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first …
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St Senan’s 17 Crosshaven 11St Senan’s laid siege to the visitor’s try line for the first five minutes but had a number of strong pushes for the try line thwarted by a strong Crosshaven defence in this rugby league tie.
Read More »PLAYERS from the cup-winning team of 1974 and ’75 together with the double winning team of 1975/’76 will be honoured at Lifford’s 50th celebration dinner on Saturday, October 29 at the Auburn Lodge Hotel
Read More »GRAND National-winning trainer, Martin Brassil has a smart recruit on his hands in Double Seven who landed his third race in-a-row when victorious in the Woodlands House Hotel Handicap Hurdle at last Sunday’s Super Sunday meeting in Tipperary.
Read More »A DERBY trial stake win for Murty McMahon from Ennistytmon was one of the highlights of the Liscannor coursing meeting last weekend.The fact that he came up against his great coursing friend of many years, ICC President, Brian Divilly from Claregalway, made the final all the more exciting and memorable. His appropriately named Indepub came up against Crafy Denso to earn the right to go to Clonmel and when the Pat Curtin-trained brindled moved three lengths clear, the shouts from Moher must have been heard back in Ennistymon. It was without doubt the most popular win of the meeting.Liscannor got the new coursing season off to a fine start and set a high standard for the remainder of the season, a fact acknowledged by ICC secretary DJ Histon when he addressed the big attendance prior to the presentation of trophies. He congratulated Liscannor club members on the success of their meeting and the quality of the hares and also congratulated …
Read More »Clare senior hurlers are two to three years behind the stronger counties in strength and conditioning. That’s the view of Ger O’Loughlin, who recently stepped down as team manager recently after a two-year term.The All-Ireland-winning forward also revealed that the Clare County Board could not facilitate his proposal for the formation of a development squad earlier this year.In presenting a report on his tenure as manager at this week’s board meeting, O’Loughlin outlined how he envisaged a development squad of players who would have a future at senior level but would not yet have the skill required. “They would train twice a week from February onwards but this would not interfere with club training. It would be a stepping-stone to the senior squad. The county board could not offer this,” he said.Referring to the need for players to improve physically, he stressed that “nothing less than a very serious approach to a winter gym programme will suffice and the fruits …
Read More »Davy Fitzgerald will be ratified as Clare’s next senior hurling manager at the October meeting of Clare GAA on Tuesday, October 11.When nominations for the vacant post closed on Friday last, he was the only candidate having been nominated by “10 to 12 clubs”.“I am delighted to have received such strong support. If we are to go forward we will need everyone working together. It’s the only way to progress and I will give the job my all”, he told The Clare Champion.Fitzgerald will address the October meeting of Clare GAA when it is expected that he will name his backroom team. At this week’s meeting, chairman Michael O’Neill said that only one nomination was received. “Every club had the opportunity to nominate someone. I must say I am surprised as I thought there would be more nominations,” he commented.Miltown’s Noel Walsh proposed that the name of Davy Fitzgerald will be put forward to the October meeting for ratification. Sixmilebridge …
Read More »AS Davy Fitzgerald sat in the stand in Cusack Park last Saturday watching his beloved Sixmilebridge battle it out with Inagh-Kilnamona in the quarter-final of the senior hurling championship, no doubt thoughts of great days of triumph in both championship and league crossed his mind.However, little did he think that, four years after he last played competitively for the club, an opportunity would arise for him to make a return to the playing field.An unfortunate injury to Derek Fahy, the man who succeeded Fitzgerald between the posts as the Sixmilebridge number one, has resulted in Fitzgerald answering the call and returning to training. Fahy suffered a broken jaw and will be out of action for a while.Whether 40-year-old Fitzgerald will be wearing the number one jersey on Saturday week when the ’Bridge line out against Cratloe in the county semi-final remains to be seen.Asked about his return to action, he replied, “It wasn’t expected. I am going back to help …
Read More »Wolfe Tones 1-10 Kilkee 0-9For the second time within a week, Wolfe Tones built up a sizeable lead over Kilkee in Kilmihil. This time, the Shannon men held onto it and made it back to the senior football county semi-final stage for the first time since 2007.Many elements of Sunday’s replay were similar to the drawn game at the same venue a week before. Wolfe Tones again played with a strong first-half wind, which blew in the direction of the scoreboard end. Like last week, they raced into an early lead and led 1-2 to 0-0 after eight minutes.Darren Ryan’s point, after just 26 seconds, was a portent of how sharp Wolfe Tones were in the opening quarter. The ball was popped to Ryan by Daniel Gallery, who enjoyed a superb first half. In fact, he scored 1-2 from play, with the goal in the seventh minute, having linked nicely with Stephen Monaghan. With Michael O’Shea and David Russell, both …
Read More »LAST weekend, the citizens of London were mesmerized as the humble Clare currach cut through the swollen waters of the River Thames, keeping apace with the more conventional and customised fleet of rowing boats.The Great River Race from the Docklands to Richmond over a gruelling 22-mile course with deadly currents and a spring high tide set a fair challenge for the two teams from Fergus Rowing Club, based in Clarecastle.The club, only in its second year, has performed well in county and national leagues throughout the year and the teams had been training for several weeks in preparation for the Great River Race.The annual rowing race had over 330 entries with competitors from England, Holland, Denmark, Canada and France.There was plenty of admiration for the craftsmanship and elegance of the Clare currach and indeed many comments on the style of the oars, which are very narrow at the tip compared to conventional rowing oars.However, the comments were soon retracted as …
Read More »AS the 60 x 30 handball season draws to a close, Clare were involved in three deciders on the last weekend of All-Ireland finals, winning two doubles titles, to add to singles medals already captured by Pat Donellan and John Kirby.All three finals were played at St Coman’s, Roscommon town on Saturday and first up was the ladies’ junior singles final between Tuamgraney’s Ashling Fitzgerald and Aoife McCarthy of Westmeath. Fitzgerald won a great first game 21-19 but, despite putting up a great battle, was defeated 21-11, 21-13 in the next two games.Pat Donellan and Stephen McInerney played Cavan pair Andy Clarke and Dermot Dolan in the golden masters’ B doubles final. Similar to Donellan’s epic singles final win two weeks previously, the Clare duo were again forced to go the full distance to claim victory in the third game on a 12-21, 21-9, 21-12 scoreline.After recovering from losing the first game, the Kilkishen clubmen always looked in control and …
Read More »A WORKING holiday abroad provided the three young Clare men with the chance to experience playing Australian Rules football.Twenty-four-year-old Gerard Murphy from Lissycasey has played as a forward and back at senior level for his home club. Patrick Looney, 21, a forward and Gearoid Meade, 23, a back, have both played senior level for their club, Cooraclare. Looney was a county minor representative and Meade represented the county a U-21 level.After their arrival in Australia, they learned there was employment available in a grain terminal in the small country town of Beulah in the state of Victoria.Beulah is a town of 200 people located 100 kilometres from the nearest regional city. The main industry is grain farming and the population of the area is declining.The lads immediately impressed the locals with their strong work ethic. They also got along well with the young people from the town. It was through these friendships that the Irish boys got invited to come …
Read More »Clare GAA has decided to seek nominations for the position of county senior football manager for 2012. Holder of the post for the past two years, Micheál McDermott confirmed to this week’s special board meeting that he is available to continue for another term and this has led to speculation that he will be the only candidate when nominations close next Wednesday.Miltown delegate Noel Walsh proposed at this week’s meeting that the same selection process as applied for the hurling post should apply now and clubs should be asked to nominate. The proposal was seconded by Clondegad’s Seamus O’Reilly, who went on to ask “the local media to note that his club were of the opinion there is a need for change”.Doonbeg’s Michael Neenan asked the meeting “to go deeper with regard to who is put in place. Put in place a director of football and start from the ground up. Take a leaf from the book of Tipperary in …
Read More »Ennistymon 4-5 St Joseph’s Miltown 1-7 Three first-half goals, two within four minutes of the half-time interval, were largely instrumental in securing Ennistymon’s place in the upcoming minor A final.
Read More »Sixmilebridge 0-17 Inagh-Kilnamona 0-15 AN excellent game of hurling on Saturday evening was spoiled in the closing seconds by a nasty incident that ended with Inagh-Kilnamona’s Cathal Lafferty being dismissed on a straight red card.Two minutes of injury time had been signalled by match official, Rory Hickey and this had almost expired when the incident happened. Inagh-Kilnamona were trying to mount a last attack in search of the goal they needed to keep their championship hopes alive when all hell broke loose. The match official had no hesitation in dismissing Lafferty before blowing the final whistle. It was a disappointing end to what had been a most entertaining game of hurling.On the run of play, Sixmilebridge just about deserved their win but Inagh-Kilnamona will feel they could now be preparing for a semi-final, such was the closeness of the contest.While there were some excellent scores, both sides failed to capitalise on goal chances. The majority of these chances came in …
Read More »Kilmihil 0-11 Kilmurry-Ibrickane 1-7 Eight points down four minutes into the second half, Kilmihil’s participation in the 2011 minor A county football final was nestling firmly in the ‘highly unlikely’ category.Kilmurry-Ibrickane had led 1-5 to 0-1 at half-time and when Niall Hickey pointed his fourth free early in the second half, the game looked up for Kilmihil. Their chances of reaching their first minor A final since 1995 looked as likely as an Irish man and a Greek being handed control of the IMF for a month. Darren Sexton scored Kilmurry’s goal from the penalty spot 13 minutes before half-time. Sexton himself was fouled and he buried the penalty, which actually went through the net at the scoreboard end in Doonbeg. Sexton also pointed from play in the first half, while Aaron Murrihy, along with Niall Hickey, was Kilmurry’s other first half scorer as Kilmurry took advantage of a strong wind. Martin O’Leary was Kilmihil’s only scorer in the …
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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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