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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

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Interesting pairings in round 3

The draw for round 3 of the senior hurling championship has thrown up some very interesting pairings as has the senior relegation play off draw. Title holders Sixmilebridge will take on Wolfe Tones who made Crusheen battle all the way at the weekend in round two. There will be an East Clare battle as O’Callaghans Mills face neighbours Tulla while Clarecastle will need to step up on their form last week if they are to overcome a fancied Cratloe side. In the remaining third round tie Clooney-Quin will face Ballyea and this should prove an interesting fixture for Clarecastle man Fergie O’Loughlin. He is currently coaching Clooney-Quin having been in charge of Ballyea in the past. The four winners will go through to the quarter finals to join Clonlara, Crusheen, Feakle and Eire Og who have already secured their last eight places The clash of neighbours Kilmaley and Inagh-Kilnamona in the relegation play off could well be the game of …

There were no major shocks as round 2 of the Clare senior hurling championship was completed this Sunday afternoon. Weather conditions were anything but pleasant as the remaining three games in the round were played at Sixmilebridge, Broadford and Tulla. Clonlara secured their passage to the quarter finals with a hard earned 2-13 to 1-11 win over Clooney-Quin at O’Garney Park. They got off to a superb start with a goal from Darach Honan in the second minute and the inter county man quickly followed with a point. By the end of the first quarter Clooney-Quin were in front helped by a Mike Daffy goal. A superb goal from Nicky O’Connell put the winners back in front and when the half time whistle sounded they were 2-2 to 1-4 ahead. While never managing to pull away, the South East Clare side always held the lead in the second half and deservingly booked their passage to the last eight. Crusheen had …

When the draw for this year’s Clare senior hurling chamionship was made six months ago not many would have predicted that as early as round two, Kilmaley, Newmarket and Inagh-Kilnamona would be facing into the relegation play offs. After two rounds, thats exactly the position with all three out of the championship race having suffered their second defeats of the campaign this Saturday afternoon. Kilmaley, beaten semi-finalists after a replay with Clonlara last year, went under to Sixmilebridge at Shannon where the final score was 3-11 to 1-12. The Bridge led 1-7 to 0-6 at half time. Kilmaley made the better start to the second half with three unanswered points and at the three quarter stage the margin was down to two.. Kilmaley missed two scoreable frees and failed to capitalise on a goal scoring chance. Sixmilebridge then went on the attack and substitute Danny Morey found the net to put them five points clear. Kilmaley were back in contention …

EIGHT teams set out this week in search of the Clare Senior Camogie Championship title and between now and the final, on the weekend of October 15/16, some lively contests are expected. Newmarket are the defending champions and they start the campaign as the favourites but Inagh-Kilnamona, Clooney-Quin and Kilmaley are all expected to challenge strongly for the title. The competition is divided into two groups of four and at the end of the group stage, the top two teams in each will qualify for the semi-finals, with the remaining two in each group going on to play for the shield. The intermediate championship title race also gets underway this weekend, with seven teams taking part. They are divided into two groups, one of four and one of three. As with the senior, the top two in each group will contest the semi-finals with the remaining teams competing for the shield. There will be four teams in the Junior A …

Draws for round 3 of the county senior football championship have been made and the games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday week. the pairings for the relegation play off have also been decided and these games will also go ahead on the weekend of August 27 and 28 In round three of the championship, the winners of which will advance to the quarter finals, last year’s beaten finalists Cooraclare will take on Wolfe Tones. Clondegad will face St. Senans, Kilkee while O’Currys will face Lissycasey and this is a repeat of a third round game from last year when the men from the penninsula scored a one point win. The remaining third round tie will be an all North Clare affair with Ennistymon taking on St. Breckans who are managed by Ennistymon’s Brian Conway. In the relegation play off Eire Og and St. Josephs Doora-Barefield will face each other while the other tie will see Kilrush take on Corofin.

Clare Marts had requested the council to delete any references to the relocation of Cusack Park to the subject site from the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023. However, councillors took a different view and decided to include a resolution into the draft plan to facilitate the move, if this is sanctioned by Clare GAA in the future. The council stated, “This opportunity site on the edge of the town has been zoned for mixed-used development and, given its location, it is particularly suited to facilitate the relocation of Cusack Park, should the need for a new stadium arise during the lifetime of this plan. “Adequate lands have been zoned to also accommodate the necessary car, coach and bicycle parking on the site, the development of which will require the use of permeable surface, given its location within an area of flood risk,” the resolution stated. Councillors also decided at a recent meeting to include additional land to the west …

Kilkenny 5-16 Clare 1-16 Kilkenny’s dominance of the inter county hurling season looks set to continue after their convincing win over Clare in the All-Ireland intermediate final at Semple stadium this evening. Before an attendance of 1,401, their ability to get through for goals proved too much for Clare and the noresiders deservingly took the honours Five points up after ten minutes when they had 1-2 on the scoreboard despite having lost centre back Shane Taylor to injury in the very first minute, things looked good for Clare. Then, in the space of six minutes they conceded three goals after some poor defensive play and when the half time whistle sounded they found themselves seven points in arrears with the score at 4-5 to 1-7. Throughout the pitch Clare struggled to cope with Kilkenny’s physicality and this was particularly true of the Clare full back line. Being forced into an early change didn’t help Clare who lost centre back Shane …

Tipperary 4-12 Clare 2-9 IN winter-like conditions at Garryspillane on Wednesday, Clare’s dream of capturing the Munster Minor A Camogie Championship title was dashed by a stronger and better-balanced Tipperary. The sides had met in the All-Ireland championship earlier in the season, when Tipperary were somewhat fortunate to record a one-point win. Not surprisingly, Clare supporters travelled with good hopes of reversing that result but the damage was done in the first half, when Tipperary built up a 13-point lead with the aid of the strong wind. It left Clare with a mountain to climb and while they battled bravely to the end, they just could not get through for the goals they needed to get back into contention. Tipperary led by 1-6 to 0-0 before Clare opened their account, a goal from Doireann Murphy. Tipp corner-forward Sinéad Maher caused huge problems for the defence and she finished the game with a tally of 4-2, the four goals all coming from …

Kerry 2-16 Clare 0-11 CLARE’S 2016 championship season ground to a very definite halt in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon, with Kerry advancing to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with either Dublin or Donegal. Kerry’s eleven point win was their 14th All-Ireland quarter-final win in 16 games and their ninth successive championship win over Clare since 1992. Clare did not lack for effort but there was a clear gap in quality between the teams. Clare lacked the zip and support play evident in their wins over Laois, Sligo and Roscommon while poor decision making on the ball cost them regularly against Kerry. The attendance was 29,251. Clare had been going reasonably well until they conceded a very soft goal to Donnchadh Walsh in the 20th minute of the opening half. Kerry intercepted a Martin McMahon pass and although Dean Ryan tried valiantly to somehow direct the ball away from goal, it broke for Walsh who could not miss from close range. …

KERRY manager Eamon Fitzmaurice believes Clare and Tipperary are not being shown sufficient respect, despite making it to the last eight of the All-Ireland championship. The 2014 All-Ireland winning manager maintains that both have earned their place in the quarter-finals as much as any of the remaining counties. “They were being dismissed because we beat them, completely dismissed, both teams and I think it was very disrespectful to be honest. I think both teams have gone on and shown the quality that they have. I think that of the teams that played in Division 1 this year there’s two who haven’t been beaten by a team from a lower division, ourselves and Dublin. The other six have all been beaten by teams from lower divisions. I think it shows the work that’s going on, in particular in the likes of Clare and Tipperary and the progress that they’ve made. “There was a reaction to the wins at the weekend, that …

CLARE midfielder Cathal O’Connor is available to play in Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final game against Kerry at 2pm. O’Connor travelled to Dublin on Wednesday, accompanied by Clare selector David O’Brien and GAA secretary Pat Fitzgerald, where they attended an appeal hearing at Croke Park in relation to his red card in Saturday’s round four qualifier win over Roscommon in Salthill. The Coolmeen man was sent off shortly after half-time for what what referee Pádraig Hughes deemed ‘dangerous play’ in his match report. Clare received a copy of the match report on Tuesday and immediately filed an appeal, which was heard by the Central Competitions Control Committee on Wednesday night. The appeal was successful. This is a huge boost to Clare ahead of their biggest championship match in 24 years. They have not played championship football in Croke Park since the 1992 All-Ireland semi-final, when they were beaten by Dublin. Peter O’Connell

Galway 2-17 Clare 0-17 Clare’s dream of adding the All-Ireland senior hurling championship title to the national league crown won earlier in the season is over. Before an attendance of 31,690 at Semple stadium in Thurles yesterday, they went under to neighbours Galway on a day when the Tribesmen’s aerial supremacy proved decisive. Clare failed to match Galway’s physicality and can have no complaints with the result. Joe Canning, not for the first time, proved a key figure in Galway’s victory, the Portumna man’s goal twenty seconds into the second half putting the winners ten points clear and leaving Clare with a mountain to climb. A Conor Cooney goal after fifteen minutes helped Galway to a 1-10 to 0-6 half time lead after they had played with the aid of a fresh wind. It was a lead they deserved as they had dominated the exchanges in a majority of positions. Clare recorded the opening score when Tony Kelly converted a …

The Clare senior hurling team to play Galway in tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter final is unchanged for that which started against Limerick in their last outing. It is Andrew Fahy (Whitegate); Oisín O’Brien (Clonlara), Pat O’Connor (Tubber), Cian Dillon (Crusheen); Jack Browne (Ballyea), Conor Cleary (Miltown St. Josephs), Brendan Bugler (Whitegate); David McInerney (Tulla), David Reidy (Éire Óg); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Podge Collins (Cratloe), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); John Conlon (Clonlara), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna). The game throws at 4.00 pm in Semple Stadium in Thurles By Seamus Hayes

Clare 2-12 Roscommon 1-9 INCREDIBLE. The Clare senior footballers will hit the road again on Sunday when they head to Croke Park for an All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Galway or Kerry. Clare played pulsating football in the opening 35 minutes with Gary Brennan ruling midfield and Jamie Malone continually running at Roscommon down the middle. Brennan was imperious in that opening half and although he tired after half-time, the Clondegad man showed the country what he can do.This was the first time Clare have won three All-Ireland qualifiers in the same season since the back door was introduced in 2001. First half goals from David Tubridy and Jamie Malone were the key scores. Malone’s goal was one of the best ever scored by a Clare team playing championship football. Seán Collins, Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton were all involved in setting up the lethal Corofin man who buried a sensational finish into the Roscommon net. Malone was also involved in …

Clare will play Roscommon in round 4 A of the football qualifiers on Saturday next. Fresh from their impressive victory over Sligo, they have been drawn against another Connacht side as they go in search of an All-Ireland quarter final date. Roscommon suffered a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Galway in the Connacht final replay at McHale Park in Castlebar on Sunday. Interestingly, Rossies coach Liam McHale is a former Clare coach and when he was involved with the Banner side a few years back a number of the current team were in the Clare panel. The match will take place at Pearse stadium in Salthill on Saturday at 3p.m.

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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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