Sports

Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

Sport

There was a big turnout in Clooney on Sunday evening when the local GAA club honoured four former members when they opened new facilities.The new pitch, the club’s second playing field, was dedicated to the memory of Mick Hennessy who served the association at club, county, provincial and national levels and who also did huge work for the promotion of camogie at club and county levels.The stand serving the new pitch is dedicated to the memory of Brendan Vaughan who also served the association at all levels and was a lifelong member of the club. He served as Clare and Munster chairman.The spectator stand in the club’s second pitch is dedicated tot he memory of Seamus Reddan in recognition of his many years of service to the GAA in the parish.A plaque was also unveiled to the memory of Amby Power from Quin who captained Clare’s All-Ireland winning senior hurling team in 1914.Munster GAA council vice-chairman Robert Frost performed the …

Mossey Joe impresses in Killarney

Cratloe trainer Declan McNamara has a classy chasing recruit on his hands in the shape of Mossey Joe, who impressed when landing his beginner’s chase at Killarney on Tuesday of last week. Having only his second run for McNamara – he was formerly trained in Tipperary by Willie Austin – Mossey Joe went to post a well-backed 4/5 favourite to account for his nine rivals and the Barry Geraghty-ridden eight-year-old achieved that with the minimum of fuss. Keen early on, Mossey Joe was always on the front edge with Geraghty allowing his mount, who made a bad mistake three out, hit the front on the approach to the penultimate fence and the son of Moscow Society, who races in the silks of his Ballina, Tipperary owner/breeder Willie Clifford, quickly had the race in the bag as he powered clear to beat runner-up Alnama by 14 lengths. This was a first-class effort by the winner, who had won a point-to-point, hunter’s …

Snowdrop best in Phone final

Clare trainer Donie Duggan and owner Siofra McInerney from Manus, Clarecastle, were the headline makers in the Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night when their Manus Snowdrop won the big race of the night, the Fonez-Sim Free Phones A6 final over 525 yards and worth €1,800 to the winner.Manus Snowdrop in trap three and Nodandawink in the outside trap were best away and as they rounded the opening bend they went on by a few lengths from Windfield Lass in trap five. Passing the halfway mark, Manus Snowdrop began to take control and the daughter of Crash-Baby Jean gradually pulled away to score a five and three parts of a length win from Longstone Hawk. Nodandawink was back three parts of a length for third place. The time for the race was 29.42. There was also a Clare winner in the chief supporting race, the Fonez-Sim Frerer Phones over 525 yards. Noel Hehir’s Cool Ivy Hill went off the even-money …

Rebels hammer shellshocked minors

Cork’s Seán Kiely won the throw-in and popped it off to wing-forward Mark Sugrue, who escaped Jarlath Colleran, cut through the Clare defence and hammered high into the net. The sizeable Clare crowd were stunned but not half as stunned as the Clare team, who didn’t kick a score of any sort until the 21st minute. By then Cork, who played against a strong wind in the first half, led 1-2 to 0-0.This Clare team wasn’t the same outfit who played some superb football against Cork in Pairc Uí Rinn on April 13. Despite losing by five points that evening, Clare suggested that with a bit of added confidence, they would be a match for anyone in Munster. Wins over Waterford and Limerick, both away, brought them to Cusack Park and a second tilt at Cork. That hope didn’t manifest itself into a performance of substance though.Dazed by Cork’s lightening start, the colour went from Clare, as did their …

Brennan believes Clare can deliver

Peter O’Connell previews Clare’s opening match in the Munster Football Championship against Cork on Sunday IF the Clare footballers are to cause one of the biggest upsets in GAA history this weekend, Gary Brennan will have to be the county’s main man in the middle of the field. The St Flannan’s Irish and PE teacher has developed into one of the most complete midfielders in Munster in recent years and will never be more needed than from 3.30pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. This week, Brennan’s thoughts will stray occasionally from the classroom and fast-forward a few days to the weekend. It would be impossible to block off all thoughts of playing against the best team in the country.“When you’re growing up, they’re the days you dream of; playing for your county in Munster championship in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. It doesn’t get much bigger. They’re the All-Ireland champions and I suppose that adds that extra bit to it. It’s …

Super sub seals the title deal for Éire Óg U-16s

Éire Óg 4-11 Ennistymon 1-7 Éire Óg substitute Paddy O’Malley’s tally of 1-5 was a central factor in the Ennis club winning their first U-16A football title since 2000 in Cusack Park on Monday evening.Another significant element was Ennistymon’s poor use of the very strong wind. Playing with it in the opening half, they trailed 1-4 to 0-5 at the interval. Éire Óg’s James Wood scored the crucial goal before half-time for the winners. The first three scores of the second period were goals. Éire Óg raised two early green flags as Éanna Fennell and Paddy O’Malley found the net. O’Malley’s goal was from the penalty spot and was his first touch. Ennistymon could have folded at this point but to their credit, they fought back manfully. James McConigley buried a penalty and Éire Óg goalkeeper Nathan Murray made a couple of superb tip-over saves, which looked certain goals. Éire Óg finished the game very well …

Killanena get first taste of the big leagues

Killanena 0-10 Smith O’Brien’s 1-7 History was made on Sunday when Killanena played in the senior hurling championship for the first time. For a long time it looked as if it would be a truly memorable day for the 2010 intermediate champions but Smith O’Brien’s pointed twice in the closing minutes to earn a share of the spoils. Missed chances, wrong options and poor striking are all part of first round games and there were plenty of errors from both sides when they clashed before a good attendance at Scariff.Playing against the wind in the first half, Killanena made a great start and raced five points clear after just nine minutes. Smith O’Brien’s problems increased four minutes later when they were reduced to 14 men. Liam Walsh was red carded following an off-the-ball incident which left Enda Collins needing attention and put him off the pitch for eight minutes. Referee Fergie McDonagh dismissed Walsh after consulting with his umpires.Three Mark …

Scoring spread wins it for Inagh-Kilnamona

inagh-Kilnamona 0-16 Whitegate 3-9 Nine minutes from time Inagh-Kilnamona led by just two points (0-11 to 0-9). Briefly, it looked as if Whitegate were about to rouse themselves for a thundering closing ten minutes. Instead Inagh-Kilnamona reasserted their authority and put over five successive points as Whitegate wilted. In what was a fairly tepid hours of hurling in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon, nine Inagh-Kilnamona men managed to split the posts. Just four Whitegate men did the same, with George Waterstone hitting six, five from frees. Three of his team-mates put over a point apiece and therein lay the primary difference between the sides. Although the winners didn’t hurl particularly fluently, they had several players who were capable of putting over a score from frees or play. Whitegate couldn’t match that scoring spread. Having played with a reasonably strong wind, Whitegate didn’t avail of it sufficiently in the opening half. The teams were tied at 0-6 each at half time. …

Reigning champs finish all square with Kilmaley

Crusheen 1-13 Kilmaley 1-13 While both Crusheen and Kilmaley can point to missed chances at Cusack Park on Saturday evening. a draw was a fair outcome on a day when the sides were level on six occasions. Champions Crusheen had to rely on an injury time point from a Pat Vaughan free to earn a share of the spoils. Crusheen looked to be in a strong position when they went to the break leading by four points after playing against the wind. Kilmaley, helped by some changes, stepped up a gear in the second half and as the game ticked into added time they looked the likely winners. Crusheen captain Gerry O’Grady showed his experience however when winning the free which Vaughan converted to level the game seconds before the final whistle.The champions went into the game without the injured Cronan Dillon. This led to the switch of his brother Cian to full-back, the move of Pat Vaughan from midfield …

Lyons impresses as Ruan make winning start in Intermediate

Ruan 1-9 Bodyke 1-6 A strong finish saw Ruan, last year’s beaten finalists, get their intermediate championship campaign off to a good start when they overcame the challenge of Bodyke at Clooney on Saturday evening. The sides were level with ten minutes remaining but Ruan proved the stronger side in the closing stages.Helped by a goal from Ian Molloy, the East Clare side enjoyed a slight upperhand in the first half on a day when both sides were guilty of bad misses, especially from placed balls. It was 1-3 to 0-3 in Bodyke’s favour at half time.Brendan Lyons was the winner’s top scorer, contributing 1-2 from play. His pace caused huge problems for Bodyke. With the teams on level terms inside the final quarter, a share of the spoils looked a possibility but Ruan put in a strong finish and fired over three points for victory.Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Padraig …

Sixmilebridge unimpressive in victory

Sixmilebridge 0-15 Clarecastle 1-11 Sixmilebridge may have appeared to justify their favourites’ tag at Cusack Park on Saturday evening but when they sit down to review the match, they will quickly realise that they were fortunate to take full points from the contest. Clarecastle had the better of the exchanges for most of this tie but they failed to avail of a number of chances and this proved costly.Indeed, for a long time, a share of the spoils looked the likely outcome as the teams were level on nine occasions.Rocked by an injury to Conor Plunkett in a league tie a week earlier, arguably their most experienced player, there was much speculation as to who would play at full-back in his place. The choice of last year’s county minor star Stephen O’Halloran for this role surprised many but he more that justified the selectors decision with a powerful performance. He got the better of a number of opponents, including Niall …

Soft goal swings game for Tulla

From Tulla’s viewpoint they won’t worry about the fact that they didn’t hurl with real verve or quality. In a first round game, achieving a result is paramount and they were well worth their win, even if the game itself wasn’t up to much. The defining score was struck in first half injury time. Conor O’Halloran directed a shot from around half way towards the O’Callaghan’s Mills goalmouth. Unfortunately Mills goalkeeper John Cooney allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and over the line. There wasn’t even time for the puck-out. Tulla had the wind in the opening half and now led 1-7 to 0-3. If that lead had just been a four-point one, the Mills would have been convinced that they could have taken Tulla with the wind behind them. It’s instructive to note that both halves featured two wides apiece before either side scored. The first half frees from which Andrew Quinn hit three points were all …

A special day for Clooney-Quin GAA

THIS Sunday will be a red-letter day for Clooney-Quin GAA Club as the club’s second pitch will be officially before Clare and Galway play in a senior hurling challenge.With the opening games in the championship for both counties just a few weeks away, they are both expected to have strong sides on duty. John Conlon, Nicky O’Connell and Darach Honan (Clare), Ger Farragher, Damian Hayes and Joe Canning (Galway) are all expected to line out.Proceedings will get under way at 6.15pm when the club will unveil plaques to honour four deceased members who, in different ways, made a significant contribution to the GAA at local, provincial and national levels. Those being honoured are Amby Power, captain of Clare’s All-Ireland winning team in 1914; Mick Hennessy, former Clare secretary and a well-known referee; Brendan Vaughan, former Clare and Munster chairman and Seamus Reddan, long-time club official.Work on the development of the new pitch commenced in 2005 shortly after Des Lynch became …

Club heroes honoured at new pitch celebrations

Amby Power AMBY Power was the captain of the Clare senior hurling team in 1914, 1915, and 1916, leading the county to its first All-Ireland senior title in 1914 when they beat Laois in the final on a scoreline of 5-1 to 1-0. The game was played in Croke Park in October, 1914 before 15,000 spectators.Amby Power was born in 1887 in Brook Lodge, Quin close to the parish boundary with Tulla. Two of his brothers, Joe and Fred, also played with the Clare around this period. Amby married Katie Reddan of Killorglin, County Kerry, who inherited a public house in Quin which was then known as Mariah Reddan’s. This public house was subsequently known as Power’s and run by the family for many years. Amby also did some farming in the locality. In later life, he became a member of Clare County Council for the Fine Gael Party and represented the Ennis Electoral Area from 1950 to 1960.In the …

Cork in a different class

Cork 6-12 Clare 0-3 Clare suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Cork in Saturday evening’s Munster senior camogie final, losing on a 6-12 to 0-3 scoreline. Cork, who had the majority of play in the first half, had scored 5-4 to Clare’s two points by the half-way stage, with their goals coming between the 10th and 18th minutes as their forwards blitzed the Clare defence. From here on, the Banner side were fighting an uphill battle against a stronger and better-balanced outfit.Cork opened the scoring with a Sile Burns point and added on two more points, a second for Burns and a free from Jennifer O’Leary, before Denise Cronin eventually found the Clare net in the eighth minute after Susan Vaughan in Clare’s goal had twice stopped Cronin’s attempts but was unsuccessful in clearing the ball after the second shot. Burns raised a green flag for Cork two minutes later when her handpass flew over the head of …

Page 302 of 409« First...270 280 290 «300 301302303 304 »310 320 330...Last »

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 …
Read More »
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

Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3, Group 1 Clarecastle v Smith O’Brien’s at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir Cratloe, Saturday 5pm, (Andy McMahon, Cratloe) They’ve met regularly in the Clare Cup and even the Magpies’ second string have battled Smith O’Brien’s but at adult championship level, this appears to be the first time that their flagship sides have clashed. It would potentially have been a heavyweight showdown if the Killaloe-Bridgetown side were at their 2021 or ’22 levels while it will still be a battle, the loss of key players to emigration for Smith O’Brien’s should mean that Clarecastle possess the better balance to shade matters and top the group. Verdict: Clarecastle Ruan v St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Crusheen, Saturday 5pm, (Jim Hickey, Cratloe) It’s only three years ago since St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s first team raided for five goals to floor Ruan in the intermediate semi-final. However, it’s a strong sign of the Parish that while their first team is now operating …

Clooney or not Clooney, that is the question

On initial viewing, the race for the Fr. Murray Memorial Cup (intermediate camogie) appears fairly straight-forward. After all, with all three semi-finalists from 2023 (Tulla, Whitegate and Éire Óg) and senior demotee Clooney-Quin split evenly between the two groups, the business end overtly looks clear-cut. Clooney-Quin’s senior experience along with negotiating their way to intermediate glory as recently as 2021 makes them the stand-out candidates, with Tulla currently ranking a close second having contested back-to-back intermediate finals, three if you include the replay in 2022 against eventual champions Clarecastle/Ballyea. They won’t want to see another mid-Clare side join them in the second tier but for Tulla, it’s all about learning from their previous deciders and leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of reaching the promised land of senior. Whitegate were beaten finalists to Clooney-Quin in 2021 and actually meet them first this Thursday evening at 7pm, in what is potentially a Group A decider in Clooney and the same …

Clare camogie power base is still in the East

Current kingpins Truagh-Clonlara and Scariff-Ogonnelloe may have switched roles last October after the latter’s two year reign but having clashed in the last three finals, they will be overwhelming favourites to do so once more come October 19th. It’s up to the chasing pack to alter that perceived narrative as with only the finalists seeded for this year’s race for the McMahon Cup, the groups initially appear a bit lopsided. After all, with three of last year’s semi-finalists (Scariff-Ogonnelloe, Inagh-Kilnamona and Feakle-Killanena) pooled in Group B, the fact that there are two business end berths means that one major contender has to fall at the group stages. Scariff-Ogonnelloe’s vast experience of three titles in the last five seasons makes them the forerunners to maintain their perfect group record as since bounding back to senior level in 2017, they have progressed to the penultimate stage at a minimum. That’s a seven year record that no other senior side in the county …

Doora/Barefield hit the ’Bricks for six

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 6-10 Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-13 Senior Ladies’ Football Championship Group A Round 1 It took free kicks to finally separate these sides in the Division 1 League decider but this time it was six timely goals that ensured revenge for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield but also a major opening boost to what is unquestionably the group of death in this year’s senior ladies football championship in Gurteen on Sunday afternoon. Such a heartbreaking means of losing a final seemed to be channelled into Sunday’s display for the Parish who were never behind at any stage despite facing into the strong conditions in the opening period. Decisive first half goals through Roisin Fowley, Lyndsay Clarke and Aoibhinn McMahon kept wind-assisted Kilmurry Ibrickane at arm’s length in the opening period, with Chloe Moloney inevitably leading the charge with seven points in what was a compelling tussle with fellow county senior Siofra Ní Chonaill at 3-5 to 0-9 by the break The …

‘There was hurling in Clonbony before there was hurling in Sixmilebridge’

When Limerick referee Johnny Murphy blew his full time whistle at the end of what was arguably the greatest All-Ireland final of all time there was naturally a huge outpouring of emotion the length and breath of this beautiful County. For the people, especially the hurling fraternity, in places like Ennistymon, Clonbony and Kilkee there was also an overwhelming sense of pride as Miltown’s Conor Cleary and Ennistymon’s Cathal Malone walked the steps of the Hogan Stand. Heroes forever more to every Clare person, be they man woman or child, these two great warriors are now the proud owners of a coveted Celtic Cross medal and their achievements will no doubt inspire a whole new generation of children to pick up a hurley and dream of following in their footsteps. Sport has always been part of the DNA of the Banner and hurling has always had a massive following all over the County. In recent weeks the John Hynes Memorial …

The rocky road to recovery

The resilience shown by Clare hurlers Ryan Taylor and Tony Kelly to battle back from serious injuries has been lauded by team physiotherapist for the last three years, Shane Malone. While Shane has attended All-Ireland homecomings in his native Kerry following All-Ireland successes, he described last week’s welcome for the Liam McCarthy Cup in Clare as “incredible”. He will never forget the hundreds of Clare hurling supporters who lined the streets and rural roads to welcome the team home, which was a real “eye opener”. “The enthusiasm and love for Brian Lohan and the team is quite different from my previous experiences. I was very impressed by the volume of support out there for the Clare team. It shows the high esteem they are held within the county. “The response from Clare fans all year has been unbelievable. There is a great connection between Brian Lohan and the county and people respond when they like what they see. “The way …

‘A special day and a special win’ – Diarmuid Ryan

The relief; the jubilation on the field when it was all over; the calm and satisfaction afterwards as Clare left Croke Park secure in the knowledge that they’d be back in a few weeks time. These were the winning moods and personas displayed among the players as they went on their way after the glass ceiling of this All-Ireland semi-final stage had finally been cracked. A first All-Ireland semi-final win over Kilkenny since 1997 and only a second championship win over Kilkenny ever; a day of atonement for the most recent semi-final defeats against Kilkenny; an All-Ireland final day out to look forward to on July 21. “It’s a special feeling for sure,” said Diarmuid Ryan. “A special day and a special win but we’re going to knuckle down for two weeks and the All-Ireland final.” As he spoke the reset had already taken place – the hoopla had died down, with Ryan and the rest of the players being …

‘We grabbed it with both hands’ – Tony Kelly

It’s a measure of the standards that Tony Kelly has set in his 13 years as a senior inter-county hurler and of his star quality that despite being subdued for the first 45 minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final that he still ended up as one of the game’s most influential players. Doing the maths tells this story – no Clare player ended up with more than him from play as he top-scored jointly with David Reidy who had a huge game in the 61 minutes of game time that he got. And for the Ballyea colossus, who has slipped into the veteran classes almost unnoticed, his three-point burst down the long home straight of this All-Ireland was a crucial part of the power-play that ultimately swamped Kilkenny and left them shellshocked at the end. And you could say that this comeback was really kickstarted by Kelly, with his opening point being the first response to the Billy Ryan goal, which …

Dominant display drives Blues to record 26th Clare Cup title

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-19 Inagh-Kilnamona 1-11 The victor wasn’t a surprise but the manner of Newmarket-on-Fergus’ 26th Clare Cup title certainly proved to be as the roll of honour leaders had a rather bloodless final triumph in Clarecastle on Friday evening. Bridging a six year gap to their last Clare Cup crown, it was an utterly commanding display when first responding to the hammerblow of an early goaled Inagh-Kilnamona penalty to outscore them by 1-7 to 0-1 in the second quarter and carve out a match-winning 1-11 to 1-04 interval cushion. Indeed, it wouldn’t have flattered the Blues had the half-time chasm been doubled as amidst their second quarter siege, James Carrig’s side passed up four glorious goal chances in as many minutes just before the recess. Niall O’Connor was outstanding at the back, Peter Power was equally influential at the other end while Stephen Casey was also hugely effectual when switched to shadow Inagh-Kilnamona’s talisman Fred Hegarty. This was an impressive …

Kearns’ golden goal secures Division 3 Hurling League title for the Parish

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-14 O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-17 It really doesn’t matter if you lead early in a match or are chasing the game for lengthy spells but what does matter though is who is ahead when it counts the most and that’s at the final whistle. On Sunday morning out in Tulla the men from the Parish epitomised resilience and got their just rewards for never surrendering when grabbing the lead for the only time in the sixtieth minute to practically steal a cracking league final that was played in a hugely sporting manner. It was two second strings but nobody who was in Dr.Daly Park would have guessed that as these two played out a superbly contested battle that ebbed and flowed throughout with the result in doubt right up until referee Pat Healy’s full time whistle. Level on six occasions it took a late late Conor Kearns goal to decide the destination of league honours. One could only …

Éire Óg go to town on the ’Bridge

Éire Óg 3-20 Sixmilebridge 2-14 There’s always a certain level of respect between clubs but sometimes there’s also a level of contempt that is evident for all to see. On Sunday evening this Division 2 final was practically over by the end of the opening quarter. The townies who would have genuine Canon Hamilton ambitions were going through the motions and without much exertion had eased to an eight point lead. Fast forward to the final minutes and after battling throughout the Bridge’s second team who will compete in the Intermediate Championship to their credit only trailed by nine. Gerry O’Connor’s charges are in complete and utter control with several tap over point opportunities but rather than take them they continually try to engineer another green flag to inflict more pain on their opponents. I suppose a series of high profile clashes between the clubs in recent years will have that effect and they did eventually get their third major in …

Clare set for Wexican stand-off

The distinctive stench of turpentine has permeated around the county in the last two weeks as slates have been cleaned and canvases blanked ahead of Clare’s senior hurling championship resumption in Thurles this Saturday. Following the heartbreak of a third consecutive Munster Final reverse to trophy hoovers Limerick at the same venue last time out, picking up the pieces has never been more important as they look to regather self-belief, confidence and momentum once more in the All-Ireland series. While earning the unwanted record of being only the second team ever to lose three Munster deciders to the same opposition was harrowing enough, the despondency surrounding the below-par performance made it arguably the most disappointing of all three provincial final clashes. After all, Brian Lohan’s side had exceeded all expectations to push Limerick all the way to extra-time in a Munster Final for the ages in 2022 while the Banner subsequently almost took down the champions in their own home …

Promotion the main prize for semi-final winners

Adult Football League Semi-Finals (Winner on the day) Cusack Cup Semi-Final Lissycasey v St Joseph’s Miltown at Lissycasey, Friday 7.30pm (Jim Hickey, Cratloe) Considering the seesaw form of these sides in recent seasons, it’s hard to believe that only three years ago, Miltown were Cusack Cup and Lissycasey were Garry Cup champions. All because both have been in the second tier since and are now vying for a pre-championship boost of attempting to dethrone holders Ennistymon in the final. Lissycasey were subsequently beaten finalists to Corofin in 2022, the same season that Miltown dropped to the second tier. However, having secured a first Garry Cup crown in 18 years twelve months ago, it would be a major jolt to qualify for the Cusack Cup decider once more. Meanwhile it’s 17 years since Lissycasey last contested and won their sole Cusack Cup title, a major carrot in itself this Friday evening as they look to make home advantage count. The sides …

Ballyea in a league of their Eoin after powerful finish

Under 18A Hurling League Final Ballyea 1-20 Sixmilebridge 1-11 A devastating finish saw Ballyea complete a remarkable 13 point second half turnaround to snatch their first ever Under 18A League title on the away soil of O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge on Wednesday evening. Having led for the previous 30 minutes, the ‘Bridge seemed set for victory themselves when accentuating their 0-8 to 0-7 half-time edge with a goal after only 25 seconds of the restart as good play from Stephen Gavin was finished to the bottom right corner by Donal O’Leary. However, it was if subconsciously the home side assumed that the job was done as they would be sorely second best for the remainder as the defiant visitors outscored them by 1-13 to 0-03 in the final 30 minutes. Eoin Kennedy found his range from frees while the talismanic Eoin O’Connor provided the real spark to ignite Ballyea’s challenge when fielding a Dillon Killoughery delivery to cut in from …

900 million fans shows the popularity of volleyball

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports there is with over 900 million fans worldwide. That fanbase is growing all the time and the sport consistently ranks in the top five of the most watched global sports. At the end of the month Ireland will head to San Marino for the CEV SCA (European Volleyball Small Countries Association) Championship where they will face Scotland, Malta, Northern Ireland and hosts San Marino in the group stages. The Banner County have had huge success in the sport with the Senior and Junior All Ireland titles residing in the county courtesy of the Coláiste Muire and the Munster Thunder clubs. The strength of the sport in Clare can be highlighted by the fact that four Banner players will represent Ireland in the tournament. Amy O’Sullivan, Catriona Ní Riordan, TJ Sweeney and Maria Jones will all proudly don the green jersey in Serraville from May 30th to June 2nd. Three of the girls …

Sport

Recent Posts