Sports

Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

Sport

“We Learned The Tough Way With Anthony That You Have To Make The Most Of Every Day”

Never assume that tomorrow is going to come, so do your best today. It is a mantra that was always present in the Foley household when Rosie, Anthony and Orla were growing up, but little did they know the meaning it would take on in later years. Life after Axel will never and could never be the same, but putting the focus on the fact that there is still a life to be lived has helped to put a semblance of shape back on a daily routine. For a family like the Foley’s, sport was always going to be the cornerstone of that life and from an early age, Rosie recalled that it was always something that was in the family DNA. “I don’t remember a time growing up when sport was not part and parcel of our every day lives. We regularly had games out on the back lawn when we lived in Murroe, and once we moved to …

There may not be any action for fans of Clare soccer to look forward to for some time yet on the local scene, but there is sure to be plenty Banner interest when this season’s Airtricity League action gets underway. March 26 will see Limerick based Treaty United begin their First Division campaign with a trip to Bray Wanderers, with five Clare players being part of the squad. Sixmilebridge resident and former Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett takes charge of the side, with the club assembling their squad for the season ahead in a matter of just a few days following late notification of their acceptance into the league. Treaty United, which was only formed this year, will replace the Shamrock Rovers second string in the First Division. Barrett, who lined out for Bridge United in the Clare Premier Division in recent years, has used his knowledge of the Clare league scene to recruit some of the top players in …

There may not be any on field action to look forward to for some time yet, but if the pace at which off field matters in Clare GAA is hurtling along is matched once the first ball is thrown in, we will be in for an exceptional summer. Last week’s online gathering of delegates ended in a fairly amicable conclusion with the board opting to weigh in on the support for the Eire Óg motion to establish a committee which will carry out a review, which this time should include the ‘warts and all’ which was once promised but never materialised. It was also agreed that clubs would be contacted to ascertain if they had someone they wished to be nominated for consideration, with that communication coming this week from the county secretary. Just when it seemed that the furore had dissipated and all was beginning to heal, the national focus that came last weekend did little to replenish the …

The Cheltenham Festival in 2021 will mark the first time it has been run without the presence of Clare jockey Derek O’Connor since he first began race riding almost 20 years ago. Amateur riders will not be permitted at this year’s Festival as they are not considered “elite” under the Government’s coronavirus rules. The Festival contains three major amateur races, including the Foxhunter Chase which is often dubbed the “amateur Gold Cup”. The amateur races will still go ahead, but horses will be ridden by professional jockeys. Tubber native O’Connor, who has ridden winners at the Festival on three occasions in recent years, admits that while it is disappointing not to be involved this year, it is a small price to pay to help in controlling the outbreak of Covid-19. “It is unfortunate but the thing is that we are playing our part to make sure that racing goes ahead and that the Festival goes ahead. If we are playing …

When people talk about life having those moments that can change it in a heartbeat, it is something that will always hold extra meaning for Shane Hickey. The Kilmurry Ibrickane stalwart, who has been an ever present in the Brick’s dominance of the club football scene in Clare, added to his medal haul in the 2020 victory over Cratloe on a week that saw him experience the ultimate highs and lows of emotions. The passing of his grandfather Denis “Junior” Considine was followed just a few days later by the birth of his son Cillian, who joined Shane and his wife Orlaith along with their eldest son Séan and daughter Caoimhe in their family home in Quilty. The story was not finished there though, as just a couple of weeks later, the Limerick based Garda found himself in the Beacon Hospital in Dublin undergoing heart surgery after being diagnosed with a rare condition which had been lying dormant since birth. …

Derrick Lynch The new manager of the Clare Ladies footballers feels that a more coordinated approach to returning to sport needs to be considered when plans are laid out in the coming weeks. With the news last week that the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Associations had not sought to retain their elite status under Level Five restrictions, it means that a start date for a return to action across the codes remains unclear. By contrast, the men’s and women’s League of Ireland campaigns will be returning in the coming weeks, and Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman Evan Talty feels other sports have shown that they can operate safely in the same manner. “I did not realise that we had lost the elite status as I thought we were just going by the Level Five restrictions and being careful. I understand that the top level clubs in the soccer can operate in that training to match bubble, but they are a very small …

At the end of the 2020 competitive season, Ruan cyclist Imogen Cotter was making huge strides having been called up to ride with a top tier professional team. A visit home over Christmas saw Cotter contract Covid-19, and though fearful of the damage that might do to her career prospects, the Clare woman is back on track for 2021. She spoke with Ronan Judge. What do you do when your world is in perpetual motion and that world stops? You keep doing what got you to that place: work hard and focus. You keep pedalling. So it was for Belgian based aspiring pro-cyclist, Imogen Cotter. 2020 brought the highs of a World Tour trial and the chaos wreaked on the sporting calendar by the pandemic. Whether at home in Ruan or with her team Keukens Redant in Belgium, Cotter held fast to the commitment that has been the guide rope of her ascent through Irish cycling. It hasn’t always been …

AN employee at the Department of Transport in Shannon, Jim Conlan regularly converses with Premier League managers, Olympic gold medal winners, world champion boxers and celebrated actors. The Ballynacally man acts as sports producer for West Clare community station RCB Radio, while he also has a sideline as a freelance journalist, providing material for outlets here, in the UK and America. He became prominent recently after a Sky Sports soccer account tweeted footage of Jim asking a scowling Pep Guardiola if Manchester City would be in the market for a new forward, before the manager gave him an abrupt one word answer, ‘no’. It was a rather rude reply from an often impatient manager, while Jim feels he might have touched a nerve, as the question had a certain subtext. “The question was basically did he have confidence in Gabriel Jesus taking over the mantle from Sergio Aguero and to try and see was he looking for a third option …

TEN Clare students were among the 78 students that received the Limerick Institute of Technology Sports Scholarship this academic year. The ten from Clare are Gearóid McMahon (Athletics), Chloe Towey (Camogie/Ladies Football), Seán Rouine (Gaelic Football). Gavin Cooney (Gaelic Football), Killian Nugent (Hurling), Robin Mounsey (Hurling), Aisling Morrissey (Ladies Football), Lee Devitt (Soccer), Meg Brennan (Soccer), Tara McEvoy (Swimming/Lifesaving). Adrian Flaherty Sports Recreation & Facilities Officer, LIT, said despite these challenging times for sport, the aim of the scholarships remains clear. “Now in its fourth year, the LIT’s Sports Scholarship Programme provides athletic support, focuses on individual welfare, and includes off-field mentoring and education support to its recipients,” said Mr Flaherty. “Despite the impact of the pandemic on sport we continue to meet the goals set out by the scholarship programme in new ways. This year has been a challenge, but lessons learnt through participation in sport include resilience, team work and working to overcome obstacles, disappointments and setbacks. The …

COLM Collins said he thought “long and hard” before committing to a return as Clare senior football manager for another season. Collins confirmed this week that he would be staying on in the role that has seen him lift Clare from division four to division two and to the brink of a place in football’s top tier. It means an eighth year at the helm for the Cratloe man since succeeding Mick O’Dwyer, making Collins the longest serving manager with the same county in Gaelic football. Clare’s preparations for a season unlikely to have a definitive roadmap for weeks to come are at a very early stage. Collective training is not allowed under the current level of restrictions so players are currently undertaking individual strength and conditioning programmes. Collins and his backroom team have also started preliminary work on tactics via Zoom meetings The Allianz leagues are expected to be pushed back from the original start dates of February 27 …

ENNIS boxer Paddy Donovan had been due to have his sixth professional fight in the UK on Friday week, but it is now set to happen next month. “The fight that was to be on January 22 had to be cancelled because of Covid, there’s no boxing being held in the UK, the British Boxing Board of Control have suspended all boxing. It looks like he’s going to be fighting on February 19, in the UK again,” his trainer and manager Andy Lee said. At present no opponent has been finalised. The 22 year old Donovan has won all of his first five contests, three by way of knockout and is widely seen as an outstanding prospect.

Confirmation last week that the re-arranged Olympic Games will go ahead in Tokyo this summer has provided a timely boost to Ennis swimmer Rory McEvoy, he spoke to Ronan Judge. 22-year-old Rory McEvoy is at the start of an intensive block of training at the Sports Ireland campus in Dublin as he bids to to book a place on the plane to Japan. The postponed Irish Olympic Trials are just around the corner and after the uncertainty of the last 12 months, McEvoy is fully focused on the task at hand. After a welcome visit home to see family at Christmas, McEvoy is back in the pool with fellow members of Swim Ireland’s high performance unit as Olympic preparations step up a notch. “Since we came back last week, it’s full steam ahead for the next two weeks. I’m based in Dublin and training out of the Sports Ireland campus in Blanchardstown. We’re in the thick of one of the …

Munster MFC Final: Kerry 2-14 Clare 1-7 Clare’s bid to bridge a 67 year gap without a Munster minor football title just came short as Kerry continued their dominance of the grade with an eighth consecutive crown. It was already a historic night in the Gaelic Grounds with silverware being handed out three days before Christmas, but for Kerry it will be a night that will live long in the memory with another record going into the history books. There may not have been any silverware coming back out the Ennis road with the Clare squad, but there are plenty positives to be gleaned from a year that yielded a Munster final appearance that looked unlikely in the shadow of two lockdowns. There can be no fault attributed in terms of the workrate and effort of this Clare side who battled to the end, but at times the execution was not at the level shown by their opponents and those …

Derrick Lynch The new chairman of Clare GAA has outlined his three goals for the coming year with improvements at Caherlohan, progression in coaching structures and addressing the huge financial issues of the board being the main targets. Cratloe’s Jack Chaplin was unveiled as the successor to Joe Cooney in the chairman’s role at this week’s Annual Convention. He overcame Cooraclare’s PJ McGuane in the race for the position, gaining 116 of the 183 votes cast. McGuane congratulated Chaplin on his victory and outlined that it was the last election that he would be contesting in Clare GAA. It is the first time Chaplin has been elected to the executive of Clare GAA, but he has served as chairman of Cratloe for 17 years over two terms. He has also represented Cratloe as a county board delegate for a number of years while also serving as part of the master fixtures committee. The former referee outlined that while a daunting …

Munster MFC Semi-Final: Clare 4-20 Limerick 1-10 A third Munster final in the last four years awaits the Clare minor footballers after another impressive showing saw them overcome Limerick at the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday evening. Dermot Coughlan’s charges controlled the game from start to finish with their workrate and ability to transition quickly from defence to attack proving to be a potent combination, as they set up another final showdown with Kerry next Tuesday evening. That workrate in the middle third was a crucial element while the willingness to get up in support of the attack created several overlaps and scoring chances. Clare will need to be even more clinical in front of the posts if they are to reach the provincial summit, but on this performance there will be plenty positives to take into that tie. Having reeled off 1-18 from play last time out, it served as a warning that there was plenty scoring potential in …

Page 8 of 409« First...«6 789 10 »20 30 40...Last »

Sports

Tones just shade 12 goal thriller

Minor C Camogie Championship Final Wolfe Tones 6-13 Parteen-Meelick 6-10 Wolfe Tones definitely earned their Minor C Camogie Championship breakthrough, having been tested to their optimum by a never-say-die Parteen-Meelick in what was a truly memorable decider in Fr. McNamara on Wednesday evening, Sharing twelve goals equally, supporters were not only afraid to take their eyes off it but even fearful of blinking in case they missed a goal. It was a compelling end-to-end contest that proved a superb advertisement for Clare Camogie as the standard on offer far exceeded expectations as both sides left everything out on the field in pursuit of some much-needed silverware. And yet considering the final scoreline, it’s perhaps difficult to believe that there were no goals at all until additional time in the first half. Indeed, injury-time in general appeared to ignite something special in these sides as seven of the twelve goals were scored in those added minutes, five of which arrived amidst …
Read More »
Can the real Inagh-Kilnamona please stand up?
Group of Death comes alive
Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4
Blues complete unprecedented clean sweep of underage honours

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