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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Chaplin returns as chairman at Cratloe GAA Club

FORMER chairman, Jack Chaplin has returned as chairman of Cratloe GAA Club. He takes over from Pat O’Gorman, who replaced him in the position three years ago.At a well-attended annual general meeting in the boardroom of the sports hall last week, O’Gorman stepped down after completing his three-year term. Many tributes were paid to him for his work during the most successful period in the club’s history.Eileen Murphy takes over from Dublin-based James Enright as the club’s assistant treasurer. Otherwise, the executive is unchanged from last year.The meeting was told that the finances are in a healthy state and tributes were paid to treasurer Mary Considine for her work, while the support from people of the parish was acknowledged.The meeting decided to consider the possibility of fielding a junior football team and also the provision of a second playing field.The following officers were elected: patron, Fr Liam Enright; president, Joe O’Gorman; vice-president, Jim Enright; chairman, Jack Chaplin; vice-chairman, Fintan Ward; …

New Year bash

THE annual New Year’s boxing match between Ennis and Galway’s Olympic Boxing Academy (OBA) at the community centre in Ennis last Saturday produced the usual mix of sparkling action, precision punching and sometimes frenetic toe-to-toe slugging as if each combatant was looking to lay down a marker for the year ahead.The result came right down to the last contest of the evening with Ennis fighter, John McDonagh boxing conservatively against John Donovan from a first-round 5-4 lead to maintain the precious lead right to the final bell for a smashing victory. Victory seemed a remote possibility for the Ennis side when they fell behind 5-0 in a dismal start that saw two of their ultra-reliable performers, Davy Keenan and Luke Carmody, lose to Francie Barrett and Brian McGinley respectively. When coaches Danny Fitzpatrick and Seán Carrig took a time out to urge their charges, the response was emphatic from the boxers.Jim McDonagh, younger brother of the aforementioned John, pulled out …

Departure of O’Connell a huge loss for county

The news this week that Brian O’Connell, Clare senior hurling captain for the last three years, has emigrated to Australia has come as a blow to Clare hurling and, particularly, to his club Wolfe Tones.O’Connell is arguably the highest-profile GAA player to emigrate in recent times but news of the numbers travelling abroad and to Australia in particular, will not come as a surprise.Back in November, Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill told the monthly county board meeting that “emigration is a major problem for GAA clubs across Clare and, indeed, across the country. This is something that we have been looking at and there is no club that isn’t and won’t be affected, particularly in the next six months, when a lot more are expected to leave”.Back then, some 200 members from clubs across the county had left, according to a survey carried out by Clare GAA. It is estimated that the number has increased substantially since and there are …

Carmody and Griffin let Clare down, says Loughnane

Inter-county players have a responsibility to bring on younger players, according to former Clare senior hurling manager Ger Loughnane.“All of us went through that and all of the senior players in the 1990s regarded that as a huge responsibility. Some of the players that should be there in Clare at present, like Tony Griffin and Tony Carmody, have really let the county down,” the Feakle man said in an interview on local radio last week.Loughnane expressed the belief that the good times are not far away for Clare at this time but he said the lack of experienced players is a hindrance. “Getting out of Division 2 is very important. It can be like a quagmire and the longer you stay in it, the harder it is to get out,” he said before going on to compare the current Clare team to the team of 1992-’93 when there were a lot of young players coming into the team and gaining …

Clare athletes win five gold medals

The Munster Senior and Junior Indoor Championships were held at the Nenagh Indoor Arena at the weekend and Clare athletes gave outstanding performances when taking five gold, two silver and two bronze medals. In the junior ladies’ 800m and 1,500m Harriett Flynn (Shannon) produced two outstanding performances when she led from start to finish in the 800m with a time of 2mins.23.40secs and later on in the afternoon again led all the way in the 1,500m and recorded a very good time of 4mins.53.23secs.Suzanne Kelly (Kilnaboy), who competed in the junior ladies’ long jump, captured a bronze medal with a leap of 4.59m.In the junior men’s 800m, Darragh Lynch (Ennis Track) had to work hard to hold onto the silver medal spot over the final lap, with a time of 2mins.04.07secs. Cian O’Brien (Marian) made a welcome return to competitive action and was in the bronze medal position 100m from the finish but just faded out to finish fifth in …

Gearóid Ryan picks up Munster Senior Cup medal

Twenty-one years after he started propping for Bruff RFC as a 13-year-old, Cratloe’s Gearóid Ryan picked up a Munster Senior Cup medal on January 2. Bruff beat Garryowen 23-19 to bring the senior cup home for the first time in the history of the club. Bruff beat Shannon and Cork Con in the earlier rounds. “It was a great win for a club who came up through the ranks and to beat the teams we did on the way to the final,” Gearóid, who runs the family business in Sixmilebridge, reflected. “Years ago as team-mates we used to go and watch the senior cup final. “It was something you’d only dream of. We used to regard the matches against the bigger clubs as a good training session when we played the likes of Cork Con,” he added. Gearóid started playing for Bruff when the club heard that the then St Munchin’s pupil could prop and they were a man down …

County juvenile boys’ handball champions crowned

The Clare boys’ juvenile county singles A handball finals were held over the past week and saw some great matches across the age groups. The U-12 decider was an all-Kilkishen affair, with Tiernan Agnew defeating Gary Cooney in a tie-breaker. Both U-15 finalists were also from the Kilkishen club, with Sean Donellan overcoming Jacob Loughnane in a match that also went to the third game. Clarecastle’s Jack Hayes is U-13 champion after beating Tulla’s Shane Hunt while the U-14 final between Fergal Coughlan (Clooney) and Liscarroll winner Brian Fahy from Tulla was postponed due to injury. Tulla man Niall Bolton defeated his All-Ireland-winning doubles partner Barry Nash to take the U-16 crown while Glen Murray of Newmarket took the U-17 decider after an entertaining match with Aidan O’Gorman (Kilkishen).Meanwhile, the prestigious Liscarroll club annual U-14 tournament took place recently at the Cork venue. With a large entry from right across the country, Clare had great success, with Banner players taking …

Fundraiser for Down Syndrome Ireland

Limerick and Galway greyhound racing stadiums will be among the 10 tracks across the country to stage a meeting on Saturday, February 26 in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. This will be the first multi-venue family benefit night hosted by the Irish Greyhound Board in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. The event will take place across 10 locations – Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Galway, Mullingar, Dundalk, Dublin, Newbridge, Thurles and Waterford, with all funds raised being distributed both nationally and to regional branches of Down Syndrome Ireland.Tickets to this family friendly evening will include access to the races on the night plus a race programme. All venues taking part will have entertainment, goodie bags for children and auctions as well as all the thrill of the races. There will be a fantastic weekend break for two up for grabs at each venue, courtesy of Select Hotels Ireland. Orla Strumble, head of marketing for the Irish Greyhound Board, outlined that this is …

Betheholygobbs in shock win for Brassil

Newmarket-on-Fergus trainer John Brassil tasted success as his Betheholygobbs sprung a 14/1 shock under Kerry jockey Tim Doyle in the www.thurlesracecourse.ie Handicap Chase at Thurles last Thursday. In front three out, Betheholygobbs looked beaten when headed at the second last by Burnt Oil Babe but the son of Insan rallied again close to home, putting his head in front on the run-in to beat that rival by three lengths. Remarkably, this was Betheholygobbs’ first racecourse success on his 20th attempt since he won a point-to-point at Avaune back in December ’07. Brassil, who trains the winner for Castletownroche, County Cork farmer Eddie Farrell, was thrilled that his charge finally broke his duck. “It’s great for the owner, he has been a very loyal patron of mine over the years. As a jockey, I rode Hamers Flame to win the 1983 Galway Plate for him and he was also involved in How’s The Boss, whom I trained to win the then …

Loughnane talks up senior hopes

In the view of Clare’s most successful hurling manager, the county is on the verge of getting back to the top of the senior hurling ladder at national level.“We now stand at the cusp of our next potentially successful team with Clare. In the next three or four years a chance to win an all-Ireland for Clare is going to come. That is an absolute certainty. It’s a certainty that is brought about by the amount of talent in Clare at the moment,” Ger Loughnane told a large gathering when he presented medals to the Munster minor hurling champions at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, at the weekend. “This is reinforced by the fact that the county board we have now is probably the best we have had in my time, from minor to now. The work they are doing in Tulla in developing facilities along with what has been done in developing a huge pool of great coaches, is …

Munster minor champions will never forget 2010

Three-hundred people attended a gala function at the Auburn Lodge Hotel last Sunday night when the members of the Clare minor hurling team that won the provincial title last July were presented with their medals.Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill told the players that they, combined with the U-21s of last year “are the future of Clare hurling”.“We are not too far away from a senior All-Ireland title. We will win one in the not-too-distant future. There is a lot of work going in at development level, in the game and in facilities, which will bring success at different levels. We have the management and the clubs and I have no doubt that we will have senior wins,” he said.Sean Walsh, chairman of the Munster GAA Council, said, “This is a special night for Clare and particularly for the players.” A Kerry minor selector for five years, the provincial council official told the players that the friendships they made this year …

Galway beat Clare in Oscar Traynor battle

Galway 3 Clare 1 CLARE’S Oscar Traynor outfit travelled to Terryland Park in Galway last Thursday knowing that they had to beat the home side to have any chance of remaining in the race for this year’s Inter League Junior Cup title. A goal ahead early in the final quarter, things looked good for the visitors, last year’s beaten finalists but it wasn’t to be and this defeat means that Clare are out of this year’s Oscar Traynor Cup title race.Having lost to Limerick in their first match at the County Grounds in Doora, Clare needed to beat Galway to remain in the competition and the importance of victory was evident in their play from the outset.When Clare officials sit down to review this tie, they will point to some decisions by the home county officials as being amongst the reasons for their defeat. They had two penalty claims waved away in the opening half while a dubious free kick …

New year’s fairytale for Droim Toll

QUIN trainer Donie Hassett enjoyed the best possible start to 2011 when his improving chaser Droim Toll landed the featured €28,500 Porterstown Handicap (Grade C) Chase at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. A dual point-to-point winner, Droim Toll went off at odds of 10/1 in this three-mile, five-furlong test and was given a smashing ride by the talented Paul Townend. Held up for the most of this marathon trip, Droim Toll began to make eye-catching progress as the 15-runner field turned into the home straight. Jumping two out, Droim Toll was really motoring on the stand side, finally putting his head in front when Edward O’Grady’s 6/1 joint-favourite Rocco’s Hall blundered badly at the last, unseating Andrew McNamara, allowing Droim Toll to freewheel home for a facile seven-length success over runner-up Lios Na Bearnaí. While the winner’s task was eased by the final fence fall of Rocco’s Hall, it appeared as if Droim Toll was travelling much the better in …

All-age cups remain in Clare

The South Clare coursing meeting at Cooraclare turned out to be a rewarding one for the Clare connections of Windfarm Eiscir and Atlantic Ashmore, who won the all-age cups and collected more valuable wins in their quest for Clonmel glory.While the Pat Curtin-trained Windfarm Eiscir (Bexhill Eoin-Windfarm Lady) owned in Ennis by Clare Eustace, was a decisive winner of the South Clare Cup for 16 all-age dogs, there was huge controversy surrounding the final of the all-age bitch final when the judge waived the flag in favour of the Paddy Marrinan, Miltown Malbay, owned and trained Atlantic Ashmore (Ardmore View-Atlantic Beauty) against a very unlucky Summerfield Bex, owned by Jean Carr, Claregalway.Already a cup winner at the East Donegal fixture and beaten in the Doon final, Windfarm Eiscir rubber-stamped his Clonmel qualification with his victory at the South Clare meeting, which was held on Thursday and Friday last after being postponed on St Stephen’s Day because of the frost.Gerry Meehan’s …

Kilmaley executive returned

KILMALEY Senior GAA Club held their annual meeting at the clubhouse last week, when Conor Clancy, Steven Clancy and Bernie Burke were returned as chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively, while Gerry Kennedy was appointed as U-21 team manager for 2011.David Dillon was commended on his outstanding efforts on the yearly publication of the club GAA magazine in chronicling the activities of the Kilmaley club.Detailed financial reports were delivered by the club treasurer, Bernie Burke and her hard work along with Marie Lynch, assistant treasurer, was recognised by the large attendance.The fantastic success of the U-14A and U-15B hurlers in bringing silverware to the club was highlighted, along with the involvement of a large number of players with county squads, in particular Daire Keane and Michael O’Neill’s achievement with the Clare minors in reaching the All-Ireland minor final.The secretary also paid tribute to all involved in helping the club win the Bord na nÓg club of the year award. However, he …

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Banner brilliance dominates hurling All-Star nominations

Clare’s epic 2024 season that saw them capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2013 and the Allianz League title for the first time since 2016 sees them deservingly dominate the list of PwC Hurling All-Stars nominees announced this morning. The Banner braves are the standout contingent in the list of 45 names and have 14 players nominated across all areas of the field. In addition, star forward Shane O’Donnell is nominated for PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year where he is joined by Cork’s midfield dynamo Darragh Fitzgibbon and Limerick’s defensive rock Kyle Hayes. The PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year nominees are Clare’s Adam Hogan, Cork’s Eoin Downey and Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill. There are eight counties represented in total. The breakdown is Clare 14, Cork 10, Limerick nine, Kilkenny four, with Waterford, Wexford, Dublin and Antrim having two representatives each. Goalkeepers: Patrick Collins (Cork), Nickie Quaid (Limerick) and Eibhear Quilligan (Clare). Defenders: Adam Hogan …
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Tones just shade 12 goal thriller
Can the real Inagh-Kilnamona please stand up?
Group of Death comes alive
Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

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 …

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