Sports

Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

Sport

Miltown meeting figures highly on bank holiday racing calendar

NOW almost five weeks into the coursing season, some leading fancies for Clonmel could emerge from seven meetings on the menu over this coming holiday weekend. Among them will be Miltown Malbay who host their two-day fixture in Ballymakea Mór, Quilty on Saturday and Sunday.Their attractive card has seven stakes, including the featured all-age dog and all-age bitch events. A number of well-known greyhounds who made headlines last season will be going for more glory over the fine Ballymakea Mór stretch overlooking the Atlantic.Among them will be Kyle Basil who has been installed as the 6/4 favourite by bookmaker Denny Gould to land the Miltown Malbay all-age dog stake. Owned by Michael Field, he won his trial stake at Galbally last season but surprisingly made a first-round exit to 33/1 shot Tullamoy King in Clonmel.Another short-priced runner will be Moot Popint, trained by Michael O’Donovan, for Sir Mark Prescott, Newmarket. A trial stake winner in Cashel, he also failed to …

Considine steers Classic Gallery home to victory

CLOONEY jockey Tommy Considine was among the winners at last Sunday’s Galway Blazers point-to-point at Loughrea when he steered Raymond Lee’s 3/1 shot Classic Gallery to victory in the seven-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden. A farrier by trade, Considine combines riding in points with his busy work schedule and showed plenty of skill when forcing Classic Gallery, a grey son of Portrait Gallery who runs in the colours of Gort garage owner John Howley, home a length in front of fast-finishing runner-up The Machine Levene. Winning trainer Lee, who has 14 horses riding out at his Gort stables, was delighted with the outcome. “That is my first runner of the new season and it fantastic to have started off on a winning note. Tommy (Considine) gave the horse a super ride and it is great for John Howley, who is a cousin of mine, as he has been very supportive over the years.” Speculating on where Classic Gallery may turn …

Young Magpies finally earn their wings

Doonbeg 0-11 Liscannor 0-7 DOONBEG parish is littered with retired footballers whose pockets jingle full of county championship medals. For the first time in their careers, the current Doonbeg senior football team can look their medal-laden fathers, uncles and neighbours in the eye, knowing that last Sunday they proved themselves worthy of the black and white jersey.Championship medals are the sole currency by which Doonbeg footballers are paid heed to and heading into the 2010 final, Doonbeg’s first since 2001, only Nigel Dillon, Padraig Gallagher, Conor Whelan and Kevin Nugent from this year’s team started in their 17th championship winning county final nine years ago.Until 4.50pm on Sunday, the rest had yet to dissuade their doubt-fuelled critics, most of them Doonbeg people, that they were champion material.Team captain Colm Dillon, who scored the game’s most crucial points in the first 10 minutes of the second half, encapsulated his side’s relief at establishing themselves in the annals of their club’s …

Newmarket crowned champions

Newmarket 2-11 Kilmaley 0-10 Newmarket are back on top in Clare senior camogie after they overcame defending champions Kilmaley in the 2010 final at Cusack Park on Saturday.Chasing a third title on the trot, Kilmaley were always struggling against a Newmarket side that laid the foundations for success in the opening half when Iris Kaiser, later named as the player of the match, scored both goals.Kilmaley, winners of the title for the first time in their history in 2008, fought back strongly in the third quarter and closed the gap to four points but that was as close as they got, as Newmarket regained control and went on to record a merited win.Having lost to Kilmaley in the final in 2008 and in the semi-final 12 months ago, Newmarket’s determination to turn the tables on their great rivals was evident from early in the campaign.In Saturday’s final they took an early grip on the game and were in front …

Scoring power may decide it

It’s not the final pairing widely predicted but, as the campaign progressed, both Cratloe and Crusheen put down a marker as to why they would contest this year’s Clare senior hurling final.They have travelled somewhat similar routes to the final stage in that they both lost a group stage game and finished as runners-up in their respective groups.A draw with neighbours Sixmilebridge meant Cratloe dropped three points in the group stage. This left them depending on their neighbours to win their final game to ensure the champions’ passage to the play-off stages.Ironically, the winners of the two groups were the beaten semi-finalists with Cratloe requiring a second chance to repeat last year’s final win over neighbours Clonlara.Crusheen have a very strong defence but their attack is not to the same level. That said, it’s worth noting that they scored 8-79 in their six games to date, just 11 points less than the holders, who have played an extra game.There were …

World gold for Norma and Oisin

Clare representatives in the Irish Lifesaving team at the World Championships in Alexandria, Egypt last week scored remarkable successes.Competing in the masters’ competitions, Norma Cahill won seven gold and a silver medal, while Oisin McGrath (both pictured below) returned with three gold and a silver.The contribution of the Clare members was phenomenal and brought huge success to the Irish team which was placed 17th in the world.Five members of the 10-strong Irish team hailed from Clare. They were: Colm Fitzgerald, Oisín McGrath, Bernard Cahill, Dylan Barrett and Siobhan McGrath. Norma Cahill travelled to compete in the masters’ section. Beach and ocean All Clare competitors progressed to finals in the beach and ocean competition as follows: Siobhan McGrath, B final in rescue tube event; Dylan Barrett (15th), A final of swim event; Bernard Cahill (17th), A final of swim; Oisín McGrath (10th overall); Taplin relay (9th overall) with Clare competitors Oisín McGrath, Colm Fitzgerald and Dylan Barrett on the Irish team …

Two Clare players nominated for camogie All-Stars

Two Clare players have been included in the shortlist of 45 nominees, from which this year’s camogie All-Stars will be chosen.Deirdre Murphy, Clooney-Quin and Fiona Lafferty, Kilnamona have been nominated for positions in the half and full-forward lines respectively.Wexford, the All-Ireland and National League champions, have received 11 nominations as have defeated All-Ireland finalists, Galway.The winners will be announced at a banquet in the Dublin on Saturday, November 6. “For those that received a nomination it is a testament to their tremendous sporting calibre. I am delighted that this particular group of players from seven counties will be afforded national recognition for their excellent displays during the year,” commented association president, Jean O’Flynn.

All hail the comeback kid

There were a number of occasions in the past two years when it appeared that Gerry O’Grady’s hurling career was over. A serious ankle injury meant he saw little action with Crusheen last year. Things had started very brightly for the talented player as he led Clare to the Waterford Crystal Munster Hurling League title. He was named as Clare vice-captain at the start of the season and in the absence of captain Brian O’Connell, he was handed the captain’s role and played a leading role as Clare beat all opposition to claim the title with a final victory over Tipperary.A short time later, the ankle injury flared up resulting in little action for the remainder of the season. Indeed, there were fears that he would be forced to give up the game he loves. The injury required surgery and while he was in recovery at the start of the current season, he made the decision to withdraw from …

Can lightning strike twice for the Cratloe skipper?

SHOULD Cratloe manage to retain the Clare Senior Hurling Championship title on Sunday, team captain Barry Duggan will join a special group of people, those who have captained their clubs to more that one county senior title.The team’s inspirational leader was retained as skipper this year after he led the club to a historic first Clare senior crown 12 months ago.“Last year’s success was a huge boost to confidence. We got a bit of belief into the club, the team and the players. Setting out this year, we said we don’t want to go out in the first round, we don’t want to go out in the group stages. We were lucky enough that the ’Bridge did us a favour, the result was out of our hands. We got to the semi-final and we said we want to go on to the final, go one step further. We are in the final and we want to retain the title,” the …

‘We want to be here for a long time’ – Deegan

MOMENTS after Cratloe had made history 12 months ago by winning the Canon Hamilton Trophy for the first time, team mentor Mike Deegan recalled what he and his fellow mentors said to the players. “Nobody remembers teams beaten in county finals. It’s the people who win county finals that are remembered,” they said.Cratloe are now just one hour away from retaining the senior hurling title and there is little doubt but that those involved will hold a special place in parish history and, indeed, in Clare GAA history if they manage to achieve that.Delighted to be in the final, Deegan admitted this week that they started the year by concentrating on getting out of their group.“We had to take it one step at a time. It was a tough group we were in. Every game was a serious challenge. We were county champions and everyone wanted to beat us and that’s to be expected but fair play to the lads. …

At the helm at home

THIS time three years ago, Crusheen manager Michael Browne was busy preparing for the county senior hurling final between Crusheen and Tulla. On that occasion, he was in the opposition camp.Two years earlier, he had given a commitment to coach the East Clare team and while he knew that there was always a chance that it would mean plotting the downfall of his native club, little did he think that they would end up on opposite sides on the biggest day of the year in Clare hurling“It was an extraordinary position to be in. If I could have got any way to change it I would so much love to have done so, but you give your commitment to a club and I gave it to Tulla two years ago and that was not going to change, not because it was my own club Crusheen we were playing.“I wished and I hoped and I would love to be able …

Cloughleigh NS

Five teachers at Cloughleigh National School in Ennis will be in final action for their respective clubs in the coming weeks. On the left is Denise Geaney, West Clare Gaels, who will be playing in Sunday’s Munster ladies football intermediate final in Ballyagran. Denise is being shouldered by Cooraclare junior B footballer, Joe Garry, whose club meet Kilkee in the Junior B final the weekend after next. On the right are Paul Crehan (Éire Óg) and Kilfenora captain MJ Malone. The clubs meet in Saturday’s Junior A football final at 3pm in Miltown. Missing from the photo is Gearóid Roughan, Ruan, who play Killenana in the intermediate hurling final the weekend after next. Photograph by Declan Monaghan

West Clare Gaels seek second Munster title in four seasons

This time three years ago West Clare Gaels won the Munster junior ladies club football title. Their 2-8 to 1-8 defeat of Castleisland Desmonds was followed by an emphatic 3-20 to 1-10 All-Ireland semi-final win over Curry from Sligo. In what was their maiden season, the Gaels were beaten 1-11 to 0-7 by Foxrock-Cabinteely in the All-Ireland final in Toomevara. Not bad for year one. Season four hasn’t been unkind to West Clare Gaels either. With Patrick Foley (Naomh Eoin) and Darragh Kelly (Kilkee) in charge, they have won the club’s first senior title and have subsequently qualified for Saturday’s Munster intermediate final on Sunday in Ballyagran. The Clare senior champions will take on Roscarberry from Cork at 1pm. “We’ve no injury problems at the moment anyway. We trained twice last weekend and we’ll train again on Saturday,” Patrick Foley told The Clare Champion. He acknowledged that adding an intermediate provincial title to the 2007 junior Munster championship would be …

Foley helps Ireland to Swiss Nations Cup

Tulla’s Tom Foley helped Ireland win the Swiss National Showjumping Cup last week. The victory helped Ireland to clinch the European Challenge Cup, which is based on the number of Nations Cup wins achieved in 2010. Foley, on Dibidoe, had a single mistake in each round.Ireland won the trophy from Belgium, with the Netherlands in third place.The victory also gave them the coveted European Challenge Cup. Going into the competition, Ireland shared the European lead with Belgium, each nation having two Nations Cup wins apiece, but the single fence lead achieved by the Irish quartet delivered the Challenge Cup on a total of three Nations Cup wins.Irish riders went on to produce a near-whitewash in the Pony Grand Prix and two more awards in the European Challenge Cup series.Bertram Allen scooped the Grand Prix first prize on Acapella Z, with fellow team members Emma O’Dwyer and Bandon’s Jeremy Sweetnam taking third and fifth places respectively. Paraic Kenny claimed seventh with …

Tough opening championship and league ties for Clare

THE draws for the 2011 inter-county senior hurling and football championships were made last week and Clare could hardly have been dealt for a tougher draw.The footballers will play All-Ireland champions Cork, while the hurlers could also have to take on All-Ireland champions, as they play the winners of the first round tie between Tipperary and Cork.“Historically most counties that play a preliminary game benefit from it. It’s the draw and that’s it. We will end up playing one of the top three or four teams in the country. It’s an awful tough draw but we must try and rise to it,” hurling manager Ger O’Loughlin said.While O’Loughlin will be keeping the provincial semi-final date in mind, he said, “We have to concentrate on the league first and see how it will treat us. We can’t offer any excuses this year. We have a lot more time to prepare. We know the players better and we must ensure that we …

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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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