Sports

Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

Sport

Best form needed to secure U-21 victory

WHAT a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, as Clare finalised preparations for the opening round of the Munster U-21 Hurling Championship against Limerick at Cusack Park, there were hopes that the long wait for honours at this level could finally be ended. Yet followers were conscious of the many disappointments teams had suffered at this level over the previous 40 years.History now shows that Clare won the Munster and All-Ireland titles in impressive fashion in 2009, so both titles will be on the line when they make the short journey to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick next Wednesday next (throw in at 7.30pm) for their first game in the 2010 race.Clare go into the tie with seven of the starting line-up from last September’s All-Ireland final win over Kilkenny available for selection, together with a further six players who played at some stage in last year’s memorable campaign.“We really don’t know much about Limerick but the word is …

Tough task for minors

WHILE management and players alike would have preferred to know the identity of their Munster minor final opponents earlier, the reality is whether it is Waterford or Cork that get through to Sunday’s final, Clare have a major task on their hands.The replay took place on Wednesday, saw the defending champions Waterford emerge triumphant, and leaves the Déise with just four days to prepare for the decider. The reason for the delay was due to Cork’s involvement in the Munster minor football final last Sunday where they beat Kerry. Five of those involved are part of both minor panels.Getting to the final was Clare’s target from the start of the season but few, outside of the panel, believed they would get through. The view hadn’t changed after the opening round when Waterford won comfortably. Three days later, Clare justified favouritism when accounting for Kerry but they had to work hard for the victory, which gave them a date with Tipperary …

Great London Swim success for Chris

SHANNON swimmer Chris Bryan finished ninth in the Great London Swim last weekend, ahead of former Olympic and world medallists.The 20-year-old was competing in the event, held in the Thames, which attracted some 5,000 swimmers.Chris completed the course ahead of Britain’s David Davies, who won Olympic bronze in the 1,500m and was also a silver medallist in the open water 10km at the Beijing Games.Bryan, a member of Ennis Swimming Club, was right in the mix all the way. He held third place for a while before his group took the less favourable line back to the finish. He beat David Davies from Britain, who won an Olympic bronze in the 1,500m and silver in the open water 10km at the last Olympics. He also beat Brendan Cappell (Australia), world 25km open water champion, David Carry and Ross Davenport, who are Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallists for Britain.The race was won by Thomas Lurz, a bronze medallist in Beijing …

Rebels comfortably defeat Clare

Cork 5-13 Clare 2-9 THREE goals in the first 10 minutes meant that an upset could be ruled out at an early stage last Saturday evening in Castletownroche.Facing a side chasing their seventh consecutive Munster title, outsiders Clare needed a good start but Cork blew them away. To their credit, the Banner women stuck at the task until the final whistle but there was never going to be a way back.The tone was set when Cork centre-forward Ciara O’Sullivan won a penalty after just 37 seconds. Emma O’Driscoll managed to stop Valerie Mulcahy’s effort but the Cork full-forward sent the rebound to the net.It took Clare a while to settle but points from Eimear Considine and Niamh O’Dea brought the score to 0-2 to 1-1 after six minutes. But those scores just preceded another burst from Cork. Ciara O’Sullivan pointed after a great run through the middle of the Clare defence, Mary O’Connor added another point and an outstanding move, …

Paterson paddles her way to white water silver

A COMPETITIVE white water canoeist with ties to Feakle paddled her way to a silver medal at the world championships that were held in Spain last week.Dee Paterson, whose family reside at Coolagoree near Feakle, took second place at the in the women’s class 2010 ICF Wildwater Canoeing Masters event in which she represented Great Britain. She missed out on the gold medal by just under four seconds to Hiroko Sasao from Japan.Davida, known as Dee, explained her Clare connections to The Champion. “My family live on a farm in the Feakle area where they mainly breed Connemara horses. My younger sister went to school in Scariff. I work in the UK but take every opportunity to return home when I have enough annual leave to spare after taking holidays to compete, so sometimes I may only get to Clare at Christmas.” White water racing is a discipline of canoe sport in which each competitor negotiates a section of rapids, …

First half blitz sets Crusheen on the path to final victory

Crusheen 0-14 Clonlara 1-8 THE foundations for Crusheen’s victory in the Junior A Hurling League final at Newmarket on Saturday evening were laid in the opening half when they ran up a lead of seven points.Clonlara stepped up their performance in the second period but they found the margin too much and Crusheen went on to deservingly take the honours in a tie that produced some good hurling.Crusheen made a blistering start and scored five points in the opening seven minutes, three from Niall McMahon and one each from David Forde and Trevor Corbett.The game was 10 minutes old before Alan O’Connell opened Clonlara’s account from a free. The full-forward and captain was his side’s only scorer in the opening half. Niall McMahon scored six for the winners who went to the break 0-9 to 0-2 in front.Indeed, such was Crusheen’s play in the opening period, they would not have been flattered had they been a few more points in …

Broadford dominate struggling Tubber

Broadford 2-19 Tubber 1-11 BROADFORD were crowned Junior B Hurling League champions at Tulla on Saturday afternoon, after they proved too strong for a Tubber outfit that struggled in a number of areas.Tubber scored first through Declan Ryan but once Broadford hit the front in the sixth minute they never looked back. They were four points clear at half-time and a goal early in the second half strengthened their position and left Tubber fighting an uphill battle.Tubber depended to a huge degree on their freetaker, Declan Ryan, for their scores and he finished the game with all but two points of their final tally.While Broadford also had a very good freetaker in Alan McMahon, their final tally was shared by six players with corner-forward Cian O’Brien contributing 2-2.The winners were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead after just 10 minutes and by the midpoint of the half, they had stretched their advantage by another two points.Ahead 0-11 to 0-4 with five minutes …

Minor camogie side in All-Ireland semis

THE Clare minor camogie team qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final for the third year-in-a-row when they beat Cork by the minimum margin at Ballincollig on Wednesday evening.Having lost by three points to Tipperary last week, Clare, who have been beaten by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final for the past two years, had to beat Cork to remain in the race for the title.A first half goal from Naomi Carroll helped Clare to a 1-5 to 0-1 half-time lead. An early second-half goal sparked off a Cork fight back and they drew level by the three-quarter stage. Clare went back in front by a point three times but each time the home side levelled. A goal from Niamh Corry in the final minute of normal time put Clare in a strong position and they quickly added a point but Cork refused to give up and they hit back for their third goal. After four minutes of injury time, the final whistle …

Seven Clare junior lifesavers on Irish team

LAST Sunday was the culmination of months training for members of the Junior Irish National Surf Lifesaving Squad as they competed in trials for a place on the Irish team. Pool events were held at UL pool and open water/beach events took place at Whitestrand Beach. Thirty-seven young people between the ages of 14 and 18 vied for 10 places (five male, five female) on the Irish national junior team. The counties participating were Clare, Donegal, Wicklow, Galway and Waterford. The sport of life-saving is quite distinct in that the disciplines in which people compete are directly related to elements of lifeguarding. The pool events are 100m rescue medley, 100 manikin tow with fins, 100m manikin carry with fins and 50m manikin carry. The beach events are board race, run-swim-run, swim sprint and beach flags. The competitors gain points from their placings in the events. Points are also awarded for attendance and participation at training camps during the year.Clare competitors …

Pros leave amateurs starstruck in Adare

AN unforgettable experience was how Micheál Talty described his involvement in this week’s JP McManus Pro-Am golf event at Adare.Together with his cousin, Evan and Evan’s cousin and fellow Quilty man, Eric Murrihy, the team finished in second place having qualified for the event representing St Joseph’s Foundation from Charleville. The CEO of the foundation is Cork football manager, Conor Counihan.The Quilty men won the qualifier in aid of the St Joseph’s Foundation at Charleville Golf Club that entitled them to play in the grand qualifier in Adare. Their success at that event last month secured their passage to the big show.On Monday, they were drawn to play with Thomas Bjorn from Denmark while on Tuesday they played with American, Heath Slocum who is currently ranked 58th in the world.“We were in fourth place after day one. On Tuesday there were three teams on the same score, -30, at the end of play but as we had the better score …

Two-point win for Doora/Barefield

Doora/Barefield 1-10 St Breckan’s/Ballyvaughan 1-8 DOORA-Barefield overcame a gallant St Breckan’s-Ballyvaughan by two points in the U-12 Division 1 football championship final in Cusack Park on Monday evening.It was a riveting contest all through with both sides giving it their all. Darragh Duggan was on the mark early with a pointed free for eventual winners Doora/Barefield but the North Clare outfit used the wind advantage well in the opening period, pointing four times in-a-row. Padraig Kelly kicked with the outside of his boot and Rowan Danagher pointed a free, while Colm O’Brien and Joseph McHugh added points after good passing movements.However, Doora/Barefield soon came more into the game and finished the half stronger and it was now their turn to kick four in-a-row. Kieran Mulqueen pointed following a poor clearance, Maurice Nugent added another with seven minutes remaining, while Keelan Butler and Nugent again added two more points, giving Doora/Barefield a two-point lead at half-time, 0-6 to 0-4.St Breckan’s/Ballyvaughan were …

Olympic medallist to compete in Clare cycle

OLYMPIC gold medallist Denise Lewis and leading Irish comedian PJ Gallagher have been confirmed as participants in the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, Ireland’s first closed road mass participation cycling event which takes place in Clare on August 22.The announcement comes less than a fortnight after professional Italian riders and Team Sky members Dario Cioni and Davide Vigano were confirmed as participants, which is expected to attract an estimated 2000 cyclists in the first year.The event is being marketed nationally and internationally and will attract everyone from novice cyclists up for a challenge to keen club riders eager to cycle on traffic free roads. The 82-mile cycle will commence and finish in Ennis, as well as travel through Ruan, Corofin, Kilnaboy, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Lahinch, Spanish Point, Connolly and Kilmaley. West Bromwich native Denise Lewis won the gold medal in the heptathlon for Britain at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “I am looking forward to travelling to Clare and taking part in what …

Clare well placed in Mazda League

A DEPLEATED Clare squad, due to injuries and exams, travelled to Tullamore last Sunday to compete in the first round of the Mazda Track and Field League, with teams from Galway City Harriers, Waterford Athletics Club, Tallaght Athletics Club and Olympian Athletics Club taking part. Despite being under-strength, Clare are in a strong position to qualify for the final.The first athlete to take part was Lunga Bulman (Marian Athletics Club), who finished third in the long jump with 5.77metres. Lunga followed this with a sensational victory in the javelin, throwing 48.97metres to gain Clare their first maximum points of the day. This seemed to galvanise the Clare team and they did not have long to wait for another victory. Keith King, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, won the high jump, clearing 1.70metres. He also gained valuable points in the discus, where he finished fifth, throwing 20.96 metres. As the team were excelling in the field events, Darragh Lynch, Ennis Track, finished second …

Kinielty Spice wins Clare clinic final

THERE was huge support for the Clare Crusaders benefit meeting in Galway on Friday night when the feature race, the Clare Crusaders Clinic fundraiser for A2 graded runners over 550 yards, was won by the Liscannor-owned Kinielty Spice.Six Clare-owned dogs went to traps and when they lifted, it was the West Clare runners, Lismadine Crash and Ad Lib who first showed and they led by a length approaching the first bend from Kinielty Spice. Racing down the back, Ad Lib was a length in front of Kinielty Spice, who made headway on the inside as they went to the second-last bend. Here, the Declan and Terry McDonagh-owned daughter of Brett Lee-Inagh Spice came good to take the lead. While Conor Cleary’s Kilcorcoran Manu launched a big challenge on the run home, the Liscannor-owned black was not going to be denied and she held on to win by a neck from Kilcorcoran Manu. A length and a half back for …

Hurley treatment a smash hit with US Major League Baseball

EARLIER this year, after months of research, Broadford man Flan Marsh came up with a treatment for hurleys that prevents the ash from flying through the air when the hurley breaks.Now, Flan is in communication with officials from Major League Baseball in the US with a view to having baseball bats fitted with the same safety feature.“Baseball bats are made from ash and maple and, like hurleys, they break. A friend of mine was reading an article about the problems this was causing for the game and he emailed them details of what I had done with regard to the treatment of hurleys to make them safer. Within 10 minutes they responded and we have been in communication regularly over the past few weeks”, Flan Marsh told The Clare Champion this week.“They wanted to know what the technology was and asked all about the safety aspect. They were very impressed.“We asked them to send us some bats and a consignment …

Page 361 of 409« First...330 340 350 «359 360361362 363 »370 380 390...Last »

Sports

Banner brilliance dominates hurling All-Star nominations

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

Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

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

Clooney or not Clooney, that is the question

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

Clare camogie power base is still in the East

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

Doora/Barefield hit the ’Bricks for six

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

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

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

The rocky road to recovery

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

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

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

‘We grabbed it with both hands’ – Tony Kelly

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

Dominant display drives Blues to record 26th Clare Cup title

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

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

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

Éire Óg go to town on the ’Bridge

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

Clare set for Wexican stand-off

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

Promotion the main prize for semi-final winners

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

Ballyea in a league of their Eoin after powerful finish

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

900 million fans shows the popularity of volleyball

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

Sport

Recent Posts