Sport

Oscar Traynor Preview: Clare v Limerick Desmond League

Eoghan Moloney Clare know that a share of the spoils with Limerick Desmond in Askeaton this Saturday evening will be enough to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition. This is Clare’s third and final group game having lost 2-1 to Limerick District on Halloween night and beaten Kerry 2-1 in Frank Healy Park in December. Manager Shane Keegan has said his side will be gunning for all three points as if Clare get the win, they will top the group and secure a home draw from the quarter-finals. “If we lose, we’re out. If we draw, we’re through, and if we win, we top the group and have a home quarter-final draw. It’s really that simple, literally anything can happen. We knew from the start of the group that it could go in any direction and I said to the lads at training that we could top the group or come last. The fear after the first game was, …

Read More »

Decade Dazzles As Silverware Abounds

Derrick Lynch reflects on ten years of sporting success for Clare at both county and club level. As the decade draws to close, it is worth remembering just how much sporting success came to Clare over the last ten years. The highlight was undoubtedly that unforgettable night under the lights in Croke Park when Pat Donnellan lifted Liam McCarthy amid a sea of gold streamers as Avicci’s ‘Wake Me Up’ blared across Jones Road. The scenes in the Fairgreen for the homecoming will live long in the memory too when Davy Fitzgerald told the recession to “go to hell”. It is incredible to think that from 2010 to 2016, there was only one year where inter-county hurling silverware did not materialise for Clare. 2010 and 2011 brought Munster minor hurling glory, with 2012, 2013 and 2014 copper-fastening the Banner’s standing as the kingpins of the U-21 grade. 2015 would prove a barren year before Tony Kelly’s dramatic late double saw …

Read More »

Derek O’Connor Rides High As Decade Closes

After Derrick Lynch outlined his selections last week, Eoghan Moloney gives his opinion on the best and worst sporting moments as the year and decade draws to a close. Sports person of the decade I had many a back and forth about this. I asked Clare people, non-Clare people, anyone that would listen, their opinion on this one. And not many will agree with my answer. This man isn’t famous for his exploits in Cusack Park. While he is from the same parish as Clare’s captain, Patrick O’Connor, he has no real affiliation to the two most popular sports in Clare. My third and second are Gary Brennan and Tony Kelly. And when you list their exploits, you could make a case for either, but the reason this man is number one is because the majority of human beings wouldn’t last a New York minute in his shoes. My Clare Sports Person of the Decade is Derek O’Connor. JP McManus …

Read More »

Collins Pleased With Performance Despite Opening Round McGrath Cup Defeat

Clare boss Colm Collins was taking the positives from their first competitive outing of the year after a strong finish from Limerick saw them take the points in their opening McGrath Cup tie. It was a game that was more notable in terms of taking note of those who were stepping in the breach after an Autumn that saw the squad losing leaders like Gary Brennan, Jamie Malone, Sean O’Donoghue and Aaron Fitzgerald for the coming season. Six new faces saw action across the contest with four more making their return after being absent for last year’s championship. Collins feels there was no complaints about the result on the day. “We were a little ring-rusty and Limerick were just that bit sharper on the day. We had a few goal chances there at the end and we could have maybe edged it but overall we got match time into a few young lads and had a look at them so …

Read More »

Clare Champion Sport Review Of The Year 2019 And Sports Person Of The Decade

Derrick Lynch High point of 2019 There can only be one moment that stands out above all others for Clare sport in 2019, and that was undoubtedly Scariff-Ogonnelloe’s Munster senior camogie success. The East Clare side swept all before them this year in the championship, with that incredible statistic that they were never behind in any game across the campaign being a testament to their consistency. The fact that this was only their third year back up to the senior ranks makes the achievement all the more brilliant, as they established themselves as the dominant force in the province. From the battling qualities needed on the night they took down defending champions Inagh-Kilnamona, to the composure and confidence of their Munster final win, this was a year to remember for Scariff-Ogonnelloe, with hopefully more to come. Low point of 2019 It is hard to choose between the disappointment of the on-field performances for the Banner’s hurlers in 2019, or the …

Read More »

Comment: More Questions Than Answers After Hurling Review

Derrick Lynch From the outset, let it be noted that no one is questioning the fact that the officers of Clare GAA are hard working volunteers who sacrifice a huge amount of time in the execution of their duties. That is an indisputable and accepted fact. That being said, there are a number of worrying and disappointing issues arising out of last week’s annual Convention that are simply not good enough. Let me make this very clear. This is by no means a personal attack on any individual officer but there are points which must be raised and questioned. The most disappointing aspect on the night has to be the failure of any member of the executive, or indeed club delegates, to pay tribute to the late Kieran Harvey. At the time of his passing, the O’Curry’s clubman was the sitting chairman of the Clare Ladies Football board and deserved to have his achievements noted and his family sympathised with. …

Read More »

Third professional contest for ‘Real Deal’ Donovan

ENNIS welterweight Paddy Donovan has his third professional fight this Friday night in the UK, while he has been installed on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s next fight in New York on St Patrick’s Day. On Friday, he will face Nicaraguan Oscar Amador in Bolton and it should be a relatively easy night’s work for Donovan. The 20-year-old welterweight is trained by former world champion Andy Lee, who acknowledged that Amador is really a journeyman fighter. “He is, yeah, but he has been in with some very good fighters, world-class fighters. This is where Paddy’s at in his career, picking up experience. Right before Christmas, we wanted a fight where he will learn a bit more.” A hugely successful amateur, Lee says that keeping his focus outside of the ring is probably the biggest challenge his protege has had to deal with since turning professional. “The lifestyle, I think, is the biggest adjustment for Paddy; it is something he is …

Read More »

New Clare Selector Ken Ralph Encouraged By Positive Atmosphere Ahead Of New Campaign

Derrick Lynch His Banner passport has been stamped with a long time, but the thoughts of facing his native Tipperary in his first competitive outing as new Clare hurling selector is something Ken Ralph is clearly relishing. When asked about the prospect of the new era getting underway with a Munster League opener against the reigning All-Ireland champions, he just grinned and said: “Someone told me we will have to applaud them onto the pitch and I said I had nearly forgotten about that”. His heroics in both the saffron and blue along with the black and white of his adopted Clarecastle means his credentials as a fully fledged Clare man have long since been signed off on. A Munster club championship winner with the Magpies in 1997, he accounted for 1-4 of their tally in that famous final win over Patrickswell. He was captain six years later when Clarecastle won the Canon with victory over Ballyea, with a return …

Read More »

Champions Lead The Way In 2019 Clare Camogie All-Star Awards

Derrick Lynch After their historic county and Munster successes, it is no surprise that Scariff-Ogonnelloe lead the way in the 2019 Clare Camogie All-Star team. The initiative has been set up this year by Scariff Bay Community Radio in conjunction with Derg Credit Union, who have also provided the trophies for the 2019 awards. It comes after a year that saw the East Clare based station further expand their coverage of camogie in the county, with commentary of all Clare’s league and championship games along with extensive coverage of the club scene. Scariff-Ogonnelloe climbed the provincial peak at senior level at the first time of asking while their maiden county title came after successive defeats at the last four stages in previous campaigns. The consistency of their performances in 2019 meant that they not only navigated to glory unbeaten, but were never behind in any of their championship outings. They will be bidding to continue that strong run when they …

Read More »

O’Brien Honoured To Follow In Harvey’s Footsteps As Clare LGFA Chairman

Derrick Lynch It can be a rare occurrence in the GAA where there is total agreement in a boardroom setting, but this week’s Clare Ladies Football annual Convention was one of them. Tributes flowed on an emotional evening as former chairman and stalwart Kieran Harvey was remembered and honoured by all those present following his untimely passing last month, while his presence still evident with a smiling photo of the Querrin native watching over proceedings from the big screen behind the top table. Munster LGFA President and Cork native Jerome Casey sat in the chairman’s seat for the first half of the meeting, and recalled his memories of Kieran whom he described a great friend and hard-working person. He spent time working with Kieran on the appeals committee at Munster Council level and praised the dedication he showed to the cause.  Secretary Monica Callinan hailed Kieran’s ability to always find the middle ground, even where there was none. She said …

Read More »

Outgoing Clare LGFA Treasurer Hails Healthy State Of Board Finances

Outgoing treasurer of Clare Ladies football Bernie Regan told this week’s annual Convention that the board have a balance of over €11,000 at the end of the 2019 financial year. The Wolfe Tones clubwoman was presenting her final treasurers report as she stood down from the role, with the Mayo native having also spent time as chairperson of the board. The income for the year to the end of October stood at €106,468 while the treasurer informed the meeting that other church gate collection fundraisers were not included in that figure as they took place after the books had closed. Expenditure for the year came to a total of €92,035, with the intermediate team expenses taking up the bulk of that figure at a cost of €53,402. The treasurer outlined that the largest income figure was gate receipts with almost €25,000 taken at matches during the year, while there was also a €9,000 Women’s Gaelic Players Association grant along with …

Read More »

Clare GAA Delegates To Discuss Motion To Sell Clareabbey Site In Favour Of Caherlohan Move

There are 37 motions to be discussed by delegates at the 2019 Clare GAA Convention this Thursday evening, but one of those could lead to a new administrative home for the association in the county in 2020. Tulla GAA Club is behind the motion, which calls for the board to sell their property in Clareabbey and move their headquarters to Caherlohan. The motion states that this could be looked into in the next three months. Caherlohan, which is located in the parish of Tulla, is currently the site for Clare GAA’s Centre of Excellence facility while Clareabbey is the current administrative base. The Clareabbey site also includes dressing rooms and a pitch along with adjacent car parking spaces. Meanwhile Tulla GAA Club is also calling for club delegates to the county board meetings to be subject to the five year rule, which is currently in place in relation to the term that officers can hold in their board positions, while …

Read More »

Secretary Of Clare GAA Hits Out At Anonymous Online Attacks

Derrick Lynch Secretary of Clare GAA Pat Fitzgerald has hit out at the “unwarranted character assassination” on him in light of social media commentary, which he says also impinges on his family. The Sixmilebridge clubman has used his address to the 2019 Convention of Clare GAA to highlight the issue which he described as a “particularly disturbing development” during the year. The matter has been referred to an Garda Siochana after Mr Fitzgerald made a formal complaint to Clare GAA in recent weeks after he felt that “enough is enough”. His report to delegates states that: “For years I have been pilloried on social media and other online platforms, subjected to cheap shots by a majority of people who haven’t the decency or courage to put their names to the posts. For most of the time, I have chosen to ignore the diatribe. I have always prided myself on being a person with solid principles and values, or decency, integrity …

Read More »

Clare GAA Warned That More Fundraising Efforts Must Be Made To Maintain Finances

Derrick Lynch Clare GAA is being warned that efforts must be redoubled to fund raise additional monies other than gate receipts if the board are to maintain the current level of expenditure. It comes as the financial report, which will be presented to delegates at the 2019 Convention this Thursday evening, shows a surplus of €257,277.  That figure represents an increase of almost €103,000 on the 2018 surplus with overall expenditure and income remaining largely unchanged. The outgoings for the year were a total of €2,009,993 (down €123,134 on 2018) with an income of €2,267,270 (down €20,119 on 2018). In his summation, independent auditor Anthony Fitzpatrick commended the audit committee and team managements for working closely and efficiently in controlling costs in a very demanding and challenging environment. He noted a considerable drop off in fundraising and advised that this be addressed as a matter of urgency. The 2018 accounts showed a fundraising profit of €66,580 with that dropping to …

Read More »

Controversy Erupts As Clare Soccer League Hit Player With Ban Following Social Media Comments

There has been widespread criticism of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) executive following a controversial ban handed out to a player arising from posts made on social media. The offending posts relate to a post from on the CDSL Facebook page last March in which the league expressed it’s support for the then under-fire former CEO of the FAI John Delaney. The post was made after details of a €100,000 payment to the FAI by Delaney was revealed and was the first of many revelations which would ultimately lead to him leaving his position. The Clare League posted at the time that they acknowledged the contribution made to the Clare League by Delaney during his time as CEO, which included attending many functions and bringing the FAI AGM to the county in 2011. The player in question, who was not signed to any club at the time of his initial online remarks, posted several comments in which he was …

Read More »
  • Tones just shade 12 goal thriller

    Minor C Camogie Championship Final Wolfe Tones 6-13 Parteen-Meelick 6-10 Wolfe Tones definitely earned their Minor C Camogie Championship breakthrough, having been tested to their optimum by a never-say-die Parteen-Meelick in what was a truly memorable decider in Fr. McNamara on Wednesday evening, Sharing twelve goals equally, supporters were not only afraid to take their eyes off it but even fearful of blinking in case they missed a goal. It was a compelling end-to-end contest that proved a superb advertisement for Clare Camogie as the standard on offer far exceeded expectations as both sides left everything out on the field in pursuit of some much-needed silverware. And yet considering the final scoreline, it’s perhaps difficult to believe that there were no goals at all until additional time in the first half. Indeed, injury-time in general appeared to ignite something special in these sides as seven of the twelve goals were scored in those added minutes, five of which arrived amidst …

    Read More »
  • Can the real Inagh-Kilnamona please stand up?

  • Group of Death comes alive

  • Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

  • Hurley and Sliotar

    Blues complete unprecedented clean sweep of underage honours

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

‘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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

‘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 …

Read More »

‘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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »