Clare’s epic 2024 season that saw them capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first …
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CLARE minor hurling goalkeeper Ronan Taaffe faces a race against time to be ready for Sunday week’s All-Ireland semi-final date with Dublin at Croke Park.
Read More »A FULL eight weeks after senior club footballers in Clare last got a chance to play championship football, they will go back at it on Saturday and Sunday. Teams who were beaten in their opening group matches and who go the same way this weekend, will have plenty of time to reflect on how their season imploded. Eight weeks after their first championship game of 2010, they will have more than eight months to get it right for next year’s championship. Although they might get to play senior B or relegation semi-final football to keep them occupied for another few weeks. While there have been league fixtures in the interim, it is worth pointing out (yet again) that Clare GAA sees little problem with having a huge gap between the first and second round of the senior football championship. In a successful county there would be some excuse. Yet both the Clare footballers and hurlers exited their respective championships after …
Read More »THE disappointment felt by players, mentors and supporters in Athy in 2008 and in Thurles last year after the All-Ireland U-18 finals is something that followers of Clare camogie don’t want to experience again.Heading into their third successive final at this level, it is understandable that the memories of the defeats suffered from Kilkenny in both of those finals come flooding back.However, there is an air of confidence sweeping through the county, that it will be ‘third time lucky’ and that the All-Ireland trophy will be carried back to Clare on Saturday evening by Chloe Morey, a member of the squad for the past two years.That Clare are facing a huge task is without question. Galway have won the All-Ireland U-16 title for the past two years and were installed as favourites for this title at an early stage.Clare lost to Tipperary 1-7 to 1-10 in the opening round but they then went to Cork and scored a two-point win …
Read More »IF form in last weekend’s round three of the senior hurling championship is an accurate guideline, then near neighbours and arch rivals Sixmilebridge and Newmarket will contest this year’s final.Both were comfortable winners while their league semi-final opponents, Smith O’Brien’s and Broadford, suffered heavy defeats and are now in danger of not making the play-offs.Dr Daly Park in Tulla will host the meeting of Sixmilebridge and Smith O’Brien’s on Saturday at 7pm when the ’Bridge will start as warm favourites.Despite missing a lot of scoring chances last week, Sixmilebridge still managed a comfortable win over Tubber and with team captain Niall Gilligan leading the way with regard to scores, they should prove too strong for their Killaloe opponents this week.Smith O’Brien’s disappointed in their performance against Newmarket last week and they will be keen to show that they can play much better. They were without the experienced Trevor Howard and Shane O’Brien last week and both are likely to be …
Read More »THE race for the Clare Senior Camogie Championship got underway at the weekend when the meeting of neighbours Clooney and Kilkishen produced some great action before the sides ended on level terms.Elsewhere, Newmarket, Sixmilebridge and champions Kilmaley emerged victorious in their opening ties. Sixmilebridge 8-21 Wolfe Tones 1-3 As the scoreline suggests, Sixmilebridge were always in control and had the points secured long before the final whistle. They were 7-9 to 0-2 ahead at the halfway point on an evening when they dominated in most positions.Naomi Carroll with 2-9 and Sinead Tuohy with 4-2 were the team’s top scorers while Rachel O’Brien accounted for all of the Shannon side’s scores.Sixmilebridge will play Tulla-Bodyke in the next round. Sixmilebridge: Áine McNamara; Orla Chaplin, Maire McGrath, Sinead Hyland; Aiveen O’Shea, Sinead Crowe (capt), Shauna Chaplin; Niamh Corry, Sinead Costello; Rachael O’Halloran (0-3), Chloe Morey (0-6,3f), Mairead Hyland (1-1); Sinead Touhy (4-2), Orla Fitzgerald (1-0), Naomi Carroll (2-9,2f).Subs: Anne Sweeney, Jean Chaplin, Ciara …
Read More »Clarecastle 2-18 Broadford 2-6 ULTIMATELY, the significance of the hole on top of John Casey’s net was usurped by the excellence of Clarecastle’s second-half display in Shannon last Saturday afternoon.If Clarecastle had lost by a couple of points, Broadford’s 12th minute goal would have rankled with the Mapgies every bit as much as Sixmilebridge’s floodlights did two years ago. That evening, the lights were switched on without consultation in the ’Bridge, on an evening when Clarecastle lost to Cratloe by a point. This time, Clarecastle goalkeeper John Casey was adamant that Niall Moloney’s shot dropped on top of the net at the scoreboard side before it slipped through a hole in roof and dropped behind him. Immediately, Joe Kelly raised the green flag, prompting ructions from Clarecastle, who had Eric Flynn booked amid the protests. Casey was yellow-carded before a ball was pucked at the start of the second half, for another comment on the issue to his ‘new’ …
Read More »Clonlara 2-18 Corofin 0-10 THE emphatic scoreline suggests that Clonlara won very easily. Certainly they pulled away in the second half but Corofin didn’t help themselves by shooting eight first-half wides, with the breeze at their back, in Shannon.
Read More »Crusheen 1-14 Ballyea 1-8 The result shows a win for the favourites but for three quarters of Friday evening’s senior championship clash between Crusheen and Ballyea the underdogs looked the likely winners.They led from the third minute until two minutes into the final quarter. A further seven minutes passed until Crusheen took the lead for the first time with a Fergus Kennedy goal but Ballyea should have been awarded a free out because Gerry O’Grady’s pass to the goalscorer wasn’t a proper hand pass.It was an evening when Ballyea should have done better and Crusheen players and mentors were the first to admit this after the game. A goal in the third minute by Tony Griffin after Gearóid O’Connell made the break gave Ballyea a lead they would hold until midway through the second half. Crusheen closed the gap to the minimum on a couple of occasions but their finishing on the evening was atrocious, a fact highlighted by …
Read More »ENNIS will host Nenagh in the Munster semi-final of the JB Carr seniors’ inter-club competition next Monday. This is one of the most popular inter-club competitions, as the numbers playing seniors golf have increased in huge proportions in recent years.Ennis beat Ceann Sibeal from Kerry in their last outing and now face a difficult assignment as Nenagh have a formidable team. Lahinch The captain’s (Eugene Gilligan) prize was played at the weekend and there was a full timesheet on both Friday and Saturday. The leading qualifiers from both days went through for a nine-hole play-off on Sunday.West Clare native Pascal Looney emerged as the winner with 60 points and he had two to spare from Jim O’Leary, with Gerry Buckley in third spot on 59 followed by Diarmuid Leonard on 59, Parry Mandal on 58, Jimmy Condon on 57, Frank Keating on 57, Danny McGrath on 56 and Matthew Griffin on 55.The gross was won by Thomas Neenan on 49 …
Read More »FOLLOWING round two of the junior A football championship last week, a number of teams have edged closer to the play-offs but there is still a lot to play for in the final round in a few weeks’ time.Meelick, Coolmeen and Cooraclare all have full points after two rounds and are almost certain of quarter-final places. In fact Coolmeen, trained this year by former Doonbeg and Clare star Tommy Tubridy, are safely through and the second qualifying spot from this group will go to either Kilmihil or Kilfenora, who meet in the final round.Coolmeen caused a surprise last week when they accounted for Kilfenora on a score of 0-12 to 1-4. Their final game is against Smith O’Brien’s, who conceded a walkover to Kilmihil at the weekend.Kilmihil and Kilfenora will meet in round three and this will be a straight knockout tie with the winners joining Coolmeen in the quarter-finals.In group one, Division 5 league winners Meelick continued their winning …
Read More »O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-17 Tulla 1-11 FROM an early stage in this clash of neighbouring sides at Cusack Park on Saturday evening, it was clear there would be little between the teams.At the end of a tie in which they were level on six occasions, the Mills finished the stronger and scored a three-point win to take the honours and strengthen their chances of making it to the play-offs.Ten minutes from the end and at a time when the sides were level, a flare up in front of the tunnel resulted in the sending off of Conor O’Halloran and Pat Donnellan, after both were shown straight red cards by referee Johnnie Healy. The Mills went on to finish strongly and claim the points, a result that leaves Tulla in danger of not making the knockout stage.The game was eight minutes old before the first score came and it was to the winners, with Adrian Flaherty converting a 55m free. It …
Read More »Cratloe 0-22 Wolfe Tones 2-12 HOLDERS Cratloe took a step closer to the play-offs in the race for the Canon Hamilton Trophy when they accounted for Wolfe Tones at Cusack Park on Sunday. The final scoreline is a little flattering to the Shannon outfit, who scored 2-1 in the last four minutes of play.Cratloe’s determination to hold on to the title they won for the first time last October was evident from the start and a tally of 22 scores, shared by eight players, is certainly impressive.They started well and after seven minutes were 0-5 to 0-1 in front. With the game in danger of slipping away from them, Wolfe Tones stepped up a gear and had drawn level at 0-6 each by the 17th minute. Two minutes later they were two clear and it looked like it was going to be a real battle but Cratloe clearly laid down a marker in the last eight minutes of the …
Read More »Clooney-Quin 1-14 Kilmaley 0-17 UNBEATEN after three rounds of the championship and in danger of not making the play-offs. That’s the position Kilmaley find themselves in after they had their third draw in this year’s competition when sharing the spoils with Clooney-Quin at Cusack Park on Saturday evening.On the run of play a draw was, probably, a fair result but should Kilmaley fail to make it into the quarter-finals they will look back on a few missed opportunities in this tie.In all, the teams were level on six occasions but twice in the second half Kilmaley had edged in front, only to be hauled back. They will be disappointed they didn’t build on a spell of dominance, which saw them score six points without reply.In the end, it was Kilmaley who had to come from behind to snatch a draw when Michael O’Neill pointed two minutes from time. They came agonisingly close to hitting the winner when Kenneth Kennedy’s …
Read More »Sixmilebridge 1-17 Tubber 1-8 THE experience of Niall Gilligan again proved a vital asset for Sixmilebridge as they deservingly accounted for Tubber in the last of the third-round games in the senior hurling championship on Sunday evening.The centre-forward and club captain contributed 0-9, the difference between the teams, to his side’s tally in a tie that never reached any great heights.As the winners raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after nine minutes, their captain contributed four of those scores and he followed with three of their next four as they took an early grip on proceedings.The game was 10 minutes old before Eamon Taaffe opened Tubber’s account and he went on to add three more in the half, which ended with the Bridge 0-11 to 0-7 ahead.They could and probably should have been more ahead at this stage, as they had wasted some great opportunities in a first half, which saw them shoot nine wides.In addition, they …
Read More »Newmarket 1-23 Smith O’Brien’s 0-11 THE greater experience and sharpness of Newmarket proved too much for Smith O’Brien’s in this senior hurling championship third round tie at O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge on Saturday.The win means that the Blues are the first side safely through to the quarter-finals of this year’s title race. They have three wins from their three outings and will play Tulla in their final group game.There was never really a doubt about the outcome of Saturday’s game as Newmarket, despite being without the services of a few first-choice players, were always in control.A point ahead as the end of the first quarter approached, they stepped up a gear and scored 1-4 without reply in a six-minute spell to open an eight-point game and from here on their Killaloe-based opponents were struggling to stay with them.Midfielder Colin Ryan picked off some excellent points while Jim McInerney was their goalscorer after a great break by Eoin Hayes had caused …
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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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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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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