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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Newmarket Celtic Complete Clean Sweep Of Domestic Soccer Titles

Hugh Kelly Premier Division Cup Final: Newmarket Celtic A 3-0 Avenue United A Newmarket Celtic completed a clean sweep of all top level domestic soccer titles in Clare with a comfortable win over rivals Avenue United on Tuesday night. It means the Liam Murphy and Davy Ryan coached side can now add this title to the league and cup crowns as they put the icing on a remarkable domestic season for the club. The victory also continued their recent dominance over their Ennis rivals, who are the team that pushed them closest in both the league and cup throughout the season. The last time they met in Frank Healy Park was in the Clare Cup semi-final, when only a second-half David Reidy goal separated the sides. Newmarket A showed no complacency in their team selection with all the big hitters included despite having the Clare Cup final just four days previously. It showed on the pitch as they dominated the …

On this weeks podcast: Derrick, Peter & Eoghan look back on the Clare Cup soccer final, the second weekend of the Munster SHC, and how far is too far with sledging in sport? [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/623568486?secret_token=s-64Nj4″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Munster Minor Football Championship Phase Two Round Two: Clare 0-14 Cork 3-9 A late Cork rally saw them overcome a spirited Clare in this Munster Minor Football Phase Two contest. After an entertaining opening period, the sides headed for the dressing rooms deadlocked thanks to a brilliantly struck “45 from Jamie Stack. It was no more than Clare deserved in particular after they stormed into the contest to kick the opening two scores. As ever, Shane Meehan was prominent throughout as he caused problems for the Cork defence with every possession. A trend would develop in the first half which saw the Banner captain fouled on almost every occasion that he won the ball, and he punished the Rebels with 0-3 from placed balls in the first-half. The first of these came after just three minutes, and the Ennistymon duo of Brendan Rouine and Diarmuid Fahy combined for Fahy to notch Clare’s second from the resultant kick-out. The visitors to …

The draws for the 2019 Clare GAA club championships have thrown up some mouth-watering pairings across both codes. Clare Senior and Intermediate Football Championships The new look 13-team Clare senior football championship will see one of the main contenders exit the race for Jack Daly at the group stages, as 2016 finalists Cratloe have been paired with 2017 finalists Clondegad and 2014 finalists Eire Óg. Following a recommendation from the football review committee, last year saw five teams relegated from the top tier in an effort to create a more competitive championship at both senior and intermediate levels. One of the stipulations involved was the accommodation of a group team if one materialised. That led to Loop Head peninsula neighbours Naomh Eoin and O’Curry’s deciding to take their successful underage pairing all the way through to adult level, while also competing individually at the intermediate grade. It was also decided to seed the semi-finalists from the 2018 championship for the …

Clare withstood a late Waterford rally to overcome the Deise by the minimum in a titanic tussle in the Munster SHC. The ideal start to the game fell Clare’s way, when John Conlon was allowed the freedom of Walsh Park inside the Waterford area, and he punished them with a brilliant goal. Shane O’Donnell was the architect of the chance, and when he found the big Clonlara man, he rounded Stephen O’Keeffe before lashing home. It set Clare on a pedestal in the first half which saw them go in 1-13 to 0-10 ahead at the break after a brilliant opening period. All bar one of the Clare forwards got on the score-sheet, with Peter Duggan sending over 0-6 in the first half with 0-5 of those from frees. In the closing ten minutes of the half, Clare outscored their hosts by 0-7 to 0-2 to establish a foothold in the game as they put the home side under constant …

CLARE have opened their Munster Minor hurling campaign with a 0-17 to 0-15 victory over Waterford in Walsh Park this afternoon. Clare trailed three points to one after five minutes as Waterford started quickly but Clare soon found their groove and points from their full-forward line of Conner Hegarty, Diarmaid Cahill and Keith Smyth soon gave them the lead. Indeed this inside line combo bagged 12 of the Banner’s 17 points with Smyth notching five, including three frees. Hegarty was massively influential as he buzzed around and caused constant havoc to the Waterford defence, scoring four from play and looking a star of the future. Waterford’s free takers Aaron Ryan and Reuben Halloran did keep them in the game and while Clare were the better side in the opening half, they led by just one at half-time with the score 0-10 to 0-09. The Déise then took the lead in the second half with two more frees from Ryan and …

Two-time Clare All Star Brendan Bugler feels the Banner’s 2019 Munster hurling championship opener against Waterford may prove to be a step too far at the outset of the campaign. Having been forced to play their designated home games in Semple Stadium and the Gaelic Grounds last year, the Deise are now back on home soil in Walsh Park this time around with Clare and Tipperary set to make the trip to the south-east over the coming weeks. 2018 was the first of a three-year trial of the new format, with Clare having home ties against Waterford and Limerick last year. Home advantage proved crucial for every side involved, with Clare being the only team to win on the road thanks to Ian Galvin’s late goal in Thurles on a dramatic day. A crippling injury list coupled with no home games cost Waterford dearly as they failed to register any victory from their four games, picking up just one point …

In many respects it is hard to believe that this weekend is the start of Championship 2019 for the Banner. With April dedicated to club games, it meant that thoughts of inter-county action were subconsciously moved to the back of the mind for a few weeks. It was only when the calendar ticked over into May that the reality seemed to dawn that there was less than a fortnight to go. The time for talking is almost over. It is time to hit series record on the Sunday Game once more. Summer 2018 was one that some of the Clare senior hurling camp have described as being like a renaissance. The lows of the Cork defeats, the highs of the Limerick win, the tailbacks in shops in the mad rush for tickets, the tailbacks near Moneygall on the road to Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-final, Shanagher’s net-buster in the rain, McCarthy summoning his inner Domhnall O’Donovan, and that goal-post …

As the countdown to the first game of the new Munster championship intensifies, so too does the anticipation for the Clare minor hurlers. Fergal Lynch’s crew will be in action in the curtain raiser on Sunday afternoon as they take on the home side in the first of this year’s round-robin series. With a large home crowd expected in the Waterford city venue, it will be a unique experience for almost the entirety of this squad as they bid to get a huge day for Clare hurling off to a positive start. 2013 All-Ireland winner Lynch admits it is a date that has come around quickly. “Time really has flown since we first met back in October. We have a lot of work done between training sessions and challenge games and we have learned a lot about our players and our management team. It has been very enjoyable so far but the ultimate test will come now on Sunday and …

Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final: Clare 0-9 Waterford 0-8 Clare were forced to overcome a nervy finish before overcoming Waterford and booking their spot in the Munster SFC semi-final. The Banner saw a six point half-time lead whittled away as Waterford hit 0-6 unanswered in the second half to almost spring an upset. After what was an uninspiring opening period, Clare led 0-8 to 0-2 with Eoin Cleary accounting for 0-6 of that tally. Waterford set up defensively, with their 15 men often packed inside their own 45 metre line which led to long periods of sustained Clare possession as they looked to find a gap in the cover. The Banner raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes, with all of those coming from Cleary. The first came when he converted a free after Gavin Cooney was fouled, and another from distance after Darragh Bohannon was upended. That free came as a result of Clare …

2019 has already been something of a mixed bag for Eoin Cleary. The St Joseph’s Miltown man missed out on the early part of the season having undergone surgery on a hand injury before Christmas. He made his return to action in Clare’s National League loss to Kildare, before going on to help the Banner retain their status in Division Two with victory over Tipperary on the final day. As championship approaches, the Limerick based Garda is looking forward to what he hopes will be a successful few months ahead. “Once the euphoria of Thurles died down, this game against Waterford is the only one we have been talking about. We have always been striving in Clare football to keep improving each time we go out on the field, and the next step for us is to make the Munster final. That journey starts on May 11 against Waterford in Cusack Park and we are looking forward to that. It …

Enda Coughan has been through no less than 13 Munster football championship campaigns since making his debut on the Clare senior panel in 2004. He stepped back from playing in 2016, before a call came from Colm Collins that saw him get back involved with the panel as a selector in 2018. He admits it was a move that took even him by surprise at the time. “To be honest I didn’t think it would happen so soon because I am still playing with the club so I am trying to combine both. I would have thought it was something that would have happened further down the line. Colm came knocking to see would I get back involved to give a hand and once he asked, it was something I was looking forward to doing. It is a learning curve to me and I am delighted to be working under Colm and learning from the coaches so I am enjoying …

The 2018 campaign might have been the most memorable and enjoyable of recent years for Clare hurling supporters, but for Shane Golden, it was one that sticks in the memory for a different reason. The Sixmilebridge man was forced to watch from sidelines as injury meant he would not get to play a part as the Banner went all the way to a replay against Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. He is back to full fitness this year, and says he is enjoying being back in the thick of the action. “From my own point of view, I was just trying to shake off niggles and injuries and just get a clear run at it. At the start of the year, I didn’t really know what my plans were and I was just taking it day by day to be honest. Thankfully I just got a good run early on with the Munster League and then the league came along …

Newmarket Celtic are the 2018/2019 Clare Premier Division champions. The defending title holders made it back to back successes after overcoming Lifford 1-0 at Cassidy Park. This evening’s win means Newmarket have picked up full points from their 16 League games so far this season, and are now nine points clear of second placed Avenue with just two rounds left to play. Their focus will now turn to a historic Clare Cup Final against their B team, with both teams chasing a league and cup double after their second string secured the First Division title.

2019 marks a sixth Munster football championship campaign for Colm Collins as Clare senior manager. During that time, he has faced Waterford just once before which was in his maiden year. Since then, Kerry have been his most common foe with Limerick a close second. Since taking over the reins from Mick O’Dwyer, Collins has overseen arguably the most successful period in the history of Clare football, with a Division Three National League title annexed in 2016 along with a third successive stint in the second tier to come next year. What makes it all the more remarkable is that he has also been not just active, but successful on the club scene during that period, leading Cratloe to the Clare senior football title in 2013 and 2014, along with consistently reaching the latter stages in the subsequent seasons. That experience has allowed the Kilmihil native to gain a unique insight into how the club v county debate is evolving, …

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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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