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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Mystery Of Guilfoyle’s Missing U-21 Clare Jersey Solved 35 Years Later

One of the greatest mysteries of Clare GAA appears to have been solved. 35 years have passed since The Clare Champion first reported on the saga of Tommy Guilfoyle’s missing jersey, but thanks to the power of social media, the famed number 14 jersey has been found. The background to the story was first outlined in the Clare Champion in the aftermath of Clare’s loss to Tipperary in the 1985 Munster U-21 Final, with the Feakle man lining out on the edge of the square. The story reemerged in recent days after a picture of the article was posted online with Guilfoyle’s daughter Lauren posting a public appeal for information. I LOVE this. Dad called up in front of the county board for swapping his Clare jersey for a Tipperary one after a Munster U21 Final. #GAA pic.twitter.com/Ifmqoc5cDw — Lauren Guilfoyle (@LaurenGuilfoyle) February 17, 2020 Her tweet gained traction, and eventually led to the most infamous jersey being discovered …

NHL: Clare 0-17 Laois 0-9 Clare continued their unbeaten start to the National League with a battling win over Laois through the wind and rain in Cusack Park. Whatever about the arrival of Storm Dennis to Cusack Park, it was the return of Aaron Cunningham that provided arguably the highlight of the half inside the opening two minutes. The Wolfe Tones man marked his first start in almost two years by angling over a brilliant point from the sideline after a excellent first touch saw him lose his marker. The sheeting wind and rain meant that it was never going to be a classic, and it was no surprise that the opening half saw just five points scored from play. Ross King landed 0-3 from frees for Laois while Willie Dunphy finished a nice move for the Laois men for their only score from play. At the break, it was Clare 0-9 to 0-4 ahead having played with the wind, …

Derrick Lynch Clare’s National Hurling League campaign continues this weekend when Laois come to Cusack Park on Sunday for their Round Three encounter. Two wins from the opening two games for Brian Lohan’s outfit leaves them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout out stages of this year’s competition, and victory on Sunday would all but guarantee their progression. Central to that cause will be Ballyea’s Tony Kelly, with the 2013 Hurler of the Year in brilliant form so far in 2020 as he amassed 0-24 from the Banner’s two outings to date. He admits it is has been a good start under the management, but no one is getting carried away just yet. “It is just a start and a positive one having played two games and won two games. That being said, we are under no illusions and we know there is plenty to work on. The wins were satisfying but the hurling the last day …

With the Master Fixtures plan for 2020 now in place, and club leagues set to begin in less than a month’s time, there are still some spots to be filled on the managerial merry-go-round. Eight of the clubs in the Clare senior football championship will have new management in 2020, while nine of the top tier hurling clubs have changed the guard. SENIOR FOOTBALL One of the biggest departures comes with county football champions Miltown, who are currently searching for David O’Brien’s replacement. The publican stepped back from his role after just one year in charge having led his native club to a Cusack Cup and championship double. A spokesperson for the club confirmed to The Clare Champion that they are working on identifying a replacement for O’Brien, while his management team including Kerry native David Geaney, have also stepped down. Beaten county finalists Kilmurry Ibrickane have retained the services of 1992 Munster championship winner Aidan ‘Horse Moloney’ who continues …

Today’s Harty Cup Final has been postponed. Munster GAA confirmed just after 11am that the game between St Flannans and CBC was not going ahead in Mallow with heavy wind and rain throughout the morning. A pitch inspection took place at 8.30am with the provincial body confirming the game would go ahead at that point, but a further deterioration in the weather conditions led to the game being called off. No details of a refixture have yet been confirmed.

If St Flannan’s are to bridge that 15 year gap without a Harty Cup title, then having Conner Hegarty hitting top gear is one of their main targets. The Inagh-Kilnamona clubman has seen plenty hurling in the last few years as he donned the Clare minor jersey in 2018 and 2019, while he has been a central figure in his schools run to the decider. He is confident there is more to come from this group as they build up to their biggest day in the provinces biggest schools hurling competition. “We did not really start off well in our first game in the group. We got the win but we did not really perform well. Since then, we have kicked on a bit and we are playing well at the moment but we know there is plenty more to do. We have had to come through some really tough battles along the way and that probably the ideal way …

The rapid rise of Women’s Rugby in Clare continues this weekend when two Banner teams contest the final of the Munster U-18 League. Recent years have seen Edel McMahon and Eimear Considine become established international stars with the Irish team, with both being key figures in Ireland’s opening two wins of this year’s Six Nations campaign. That Clare focus will continue on Saturday afternoon with Ennis RFC defend their title as they take on their rivals from the west in the form of Kilrush in Thomond Park. These two sides have already met twice this year, and interestingly home advantage counted for little with Ennis coming away from Monmore with the win, while Kilrush left Lees Road with victory. It has already been a positive year for Ennis RFC’s girl’s sides, with the U-14 squad winning their league title in the last few weeks. The club has also begun recruiting for an adult women’s side in recent weeks with a …

As deputy principal of St Flannan’s College, John Minogue is more aware than most of the policies and procedures in the famed hurling nursery. There have been many changes to educational policies throughout the years for the Scariff native to keep up to date with, but at St Flannan’s the policy of encouraging and fostering the hurling fraternity of the future never wavers. One of the major concerns for modern day school management is the knowledge and implementation of health and safety procedures, but that hurling tradition is factored in at the Ennis school when assessing the potential hazards. “The biggest health and safety issue in St Flannan’s at the moment is trying not to fall over a hurley. They are all over the corridor, inside the classroom doors and anywhere else you look too. There must be 300 of them inside around the school every day and then you see all the lads out on the field playing at …

One look at the manner in which St Flannan’s go about their business on a Friday evening training session and it becomes apparent that the bar is set to the maximum in all aspects of their preparation. It is hardly surprising though when you take into the account the calibre of the management team, with manager Kevin O’Grady flanked by Brendan Bugler, Mike Kelly and Shane McCarthy. There is another link of outside of hurling that binds three of them together, with O’Grady, Kelly and McCarthy all teaching history and geography. Bugler is identified as the brains of the operation as he teaches Design and Communication Graphics, and he is adamant that he is keeping to the forefront of all the latest educational developments. O’Grady is the man in the Bainisteoir bib with the Beagh native long since associated with Clare hurling. He was part of John Carmody’s management team in Crusheen when they reached the 2014 Clare senior final, …

Derrick Lynch The task of trying to keep tabs on Diarmaid Cahill on a pitch is one that could be described as being a nightmare, but spending time in his company talking about his time on the pitch is anything but. The young Corofin man announced himself as one of the most prodigious talents in the country in 2019 with some outstanding displays for the Clare minor hurlers, and his notoriety soared when the footage of his wonder goal in this year’s Harty Cup quarter-final win over Tulla went viral. Despite some jibing from his equally talented brother Gearoíd that it might have been a shade on the lucky side, the younger sibling is adamant that the goal is what he had on his mind when he took on the shot. “I went for it alright to be fair. I spotted that the goalkeeper was a small bit off his line but it was a one in a million shot …

Derrick Lynch Tony Butler is no stranger to big sporting occasions, but arguably the biggest one yet is awaiting on Saturday in the Harty Cup final. The St Joseph’s Doora Barefield clubman knows all about what it takes to reach the big days, having lined out with Clare in the Munster Minor hurling final last year. It is not just hurling in the locker either, with the Ennis RFC man representing Munster and Ireland at underage level along with clubmates Ethan Coughlan and Conor Moloney. For now though, the sole focus is on hurling as St Flannan’s go in search of a 22nd Harty Cup title as the look to bridge a gap going back to 2005. Butler acknowledges the proud tradition within the school but warns they cannot allow that be something that distracts them from the task at hand. “If you look at the legends that have passed through the school, you see what all the tradition is …

2005 was the last St Flannan’s Harty Cup victory, and the man who lifted the famed trophy that day was Inagh-Kilnamona’s Ger Arthur. St Flannan’s had dominated the later part of the 1990’s, with titles being annexed in 1998 and 1999 before also claiming the Millennium title in 2000. Another final defeat would follow in 2001 while the 2003 decider was only lost to St Colman’s Fermoy after a replay, with the Cork school completing their own three in a row. Arthur, who is now based in Bahrain where he works as a teacher, recalls the 2004 win with mixed emotions. “We played an amalgamation of Waterford colleges who were hot favourites in Cashel. I remember Danny O’Halloran getting the first ball and scoring a goal which set the tone for the match. We ended up with a comprehensive victory that day. I was pleased with my days work as I notched three points but unfortunately also ended up being …

GAA clubs in Clare are being warned that more stringent controls will be in place in relation to applications for seeking loans. It comes after secretary Pat Fitzgerald informed delegates that the board currently has a contingent liability in excess of €450,000, while a credit line of €250,000 is also required to finance outgoings in the early part of the year. Chairman of the Clare GAA Audit committee Michael Curtin also commented on the matter and said that the days of clubs coming in to meetings looking for loans and having it proposed and seconded were over and done with. He outlined that any club who wish to apply for a loan will be required to outline a detailed plan as to how they intend to repay it, as the risk of the debt falling back on the board can no longer continue. Ruan delegate Ger Lyons also raised the issue of financing the cost of intercounty teams and suggested …

The sporting community in Clare is in mourning following the passing of one of the Banner’s most popular sportsmen. Newmarket on Fergus stalwart Jimmy ‘Puddin’ Cullinan passed away this week with tributes flooding in from former club and county team-mates along with the wider community. His club issued a statement in which he was described as a “lovely man and a hurling legend”. They also detailed that he was “one of the finest players ever to wear the Newmarket jersey and was equally brilliant in the colours of Clare and Munster”. The club also lauded his “incredible stickwork, an iconic ability to catch the high ball and total domination of matches from centre back”. During his time with Newmarket, Jimmy won an incredible 10 Clare Senior Hurling championship titles, along with a Munster club. His exploits in the county jersey were just as impressive and while success in the form of silverware might have eluded him with Clare, his defiant …

A motion to be discussed by Clare’s County Councillors is calling on RTE to reinstate Joe Brolly to the national broadcasters GAA coverage. Motion 31 on the agenda for the next gathering of the Council is submitted by Councillors Gerry Flynn, Ann Norton and PJ Ryan who feel that Brolly’s absence from the national airwaves has had a detrimental impact on the coverage of Gaelic Games. The motion reads: “We are calling on the Minister for Communication/Finance to request RTE to reinstate the football analyst Joe Brolley (sic) to his position on the current panel asap. Joe has provided in-depth analysis of football for many years and his removal from the panel has taken away from the enjoyment of the game for so many people who watch our games on the national station”. The motion, which is sandwiched between calls for a reassessment of the HAP scheme and efforts to better promote Shannon airport, comes after the former Derry All-Ireland …

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‘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 …
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‘I feel like I’m in a dream’ – Morris
Considine bows out after a glorious decade
Éire Óg Adare to dream of provincial glory
Munster final on Clare’s mind

‘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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