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Senior Hurling Final - Eire Og v Ballyea

Sport

Victory for soccer side but defeats for GAA clubs

It was a good day for Clare soccer as the Oscar Traynor side defeated Mayo but there was disappointment for Clare GAA teams competing in provincial competitions as Corofin and Ennistymon bowed out. Clare 2 Mayo 0 Clare moved a step closer to the play offs in this season’s Oscar Traynor, inter league junior soccer competition, when they scored a 2-0 win over Mayo at the county grounds in Doora on Saturday evening. In atrocious conditions, Clare scored twice in the opening half to move to the top of the table in their group. With one game to play when they travel to take on Roscommon, Clare know that a win at the Connacht venue will see them through to the next stage. [doptg id=”85″] The Clare soccer headquarters was in remarkably good condition but the teams had to contend with driving rain and strong winds which militated against a big attendance. The home side got off to a dream …

UNTIL 2015, Carol Kaiser had not put much thought into how effective a shouter she was. An accountant based in Dublin, Carol is wearing the number one jersey for Newmarket this year and is still acclimatising to the demands of what is often a solitary role. Goalkeeping isn’t merely about preventing the sliotar from crossing the white line and taking puck-outs. Communication is a crucial component and this basically boils down to shouting quite a lot. “It wouldn’t have been something I’d have been very good at previously but I am trying to improve on shouting,” Carol revealed. The problem is that her full-back is a more experienced practitioner and can be heard miles away. “I have Laura [McMahon] in front of me and Laura does a lot of that work for me. She’s very good at shouting. When I shout, I think I’m really loud and then nobody hears me,” Carol noted somewhat sadly. The sisters have won 22 …

CAN Róisín McMahon predict the future? It seems that way. As night closed around Newmarket on Saturday, The Clare Champion visited the McMahon family ahead of this weekend’s Munster final. Róisín captains the team from centre-back, while her sister, Laura, wears the number three jersey. Their mother, Veronica, played for club and county, while their father, Seánie, has just retired from refereeing. A Newmarket club hurler himself, their brother, Pádraic, is a journalism student and often writes on camogie, although he admits that he sometimes holds back a bit on giving credit to his sisters. Just before we retired to the McMahon family front room for the on-the-record chat, Róisín predicted that her mother would not delay in mentioning that she won an All-Ireland medal with Clare. “I won an All-Ireland in 1981,” Veronica chimed, seconds after the dictaphone was switched on. Róisín and Laura were next seen rolling around the floor, unable to free themselves from uproarious laughter. Even …

Clare senior football captain, Gary Brennan, will become just the fourth man from the county to represent Ireland in the International Rules series, when he lines out against Australia in Croke Park on Saturday week. The Clondegad clubman, who teaches at St Flannan’s College in Ennis, has been selected on Joe Kernan’s 23-man panel for the one-off test. Kilkee’s Noel Roche was the first Clare man to represent Ireland in the series in the 1980s, while Martin Daly (1998) and Odran O’Dwyer (2003) have also represented the country. Speaking to The Clare Champion on Wednesday, Gary Brennan said he has been helped by many people in his development as a footballer. “I’m delighted but I’m very conscious I wouldn’t be in this position only for my family, all of my football and hurling club mates and my county team mates. “This comes from training all year with the county, playing at a particular standard and being fortunate enough to go …

Wolfe Tones 1-12 Bruree, Limerick 0-11 Wolfe Tones from Shannon will play Newcestown from Cork in the final of the Munster intermediate club hurling championship in two weeks time. At Kilmallock earlier today (Sunday), the Clare champions proved too strong for their Limerick counterparts, Bruree and emerged with a four point victory, 1-12 to 0-11. The game’s only goal came nine minutes into the second half and it proved to be a crucial score, Rory Hayes getting the final touch after the experienced Brian O’Connell had created the opportunity. After playing with the aid of the wind, the Shannon club led by five points, 0-9 to 0-4, at half time. Bruree had the first two points of the second half but then the visitors struck for an Aron Shanagher point followed by goal from Hayes. Bruree piled on the pressure and outscored their opponents, 0-5 to 0-1 in the next twenty minutes to trail by a goal with the full …

The University of Limerick will this afternoon award an Honorary Doctor of Science to former Ireland rugby captain Paul O’Connell. Dr Paul O’Connell will be the 100th recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Limerick since 1990. Dr Paul O’Connell has a long association with the University of Limerick from his days training in the original PESS swimming pool as a secondary school student, to the years he spent studying computer engineering at UL. He has been a director of the UL Foundation since 2011. In that role in 2012, he gave generously of his time to front the Paul O’Connell Golf Outing, which raised in excess of €50,000 to fund scholarships for students participating in UL’s Access Programme. The scholarships enabled six students from socio-economically disadvantaged areas of Limerick to study degree programmes at the University. Speaking about Paul O’Connell’s Honorary Doctorate UL President Professor Don Barry said, “The awarding of a University of Limerick Honorary Doctorate …

Sixmilebridge 0-18 Crusheen 1-13 A memorable year for Sixmilebridge senior hurlers concluded at Shannon on a sunny November afternoon with victory over Crusheen in the Clare Champion cup, senior hurling league, final. The merited win saw the Bridge complete the senior double as they had earlier won the championship title (Canon Hamilton trophy) while the win also saw the side go through the domestic season without suffering a defeat. They concluded their memorable season in front of new Clare senior hurling coach Donal Og Cusack who attended the game in the company of team manager Davy Fitzgerald from Sixmilebridge. [doptg id=”84″] This was the third meeting of these sides in competitive action this season and the Bridge emerged victorious on all occasions. In bright sunny conditions Sixmilebridge took an early lead with points from Niall Gilligan and Jamie Shanahan before Pat Vaughan opened Crusheen’s account in the third minute. A minute later Crusheen pounced when Derek Fahy’s attempted short puckout …

Donal Og Cusack from Cork is the new coach to the Clare senior hurling team. In a statement issued this Bank holiday Monday, the former Cork custodian has been named as coach selector in Davy Fitzgerald’s management team for 2016. A winner of minor, under 21 and three All-Ireland senior medals, five Munster senior medals and two All-Star awards as goalkeeper the Cloyne man has been a member of the RTE Sunday Game panel for the past two seasons. During the Cork senior hurlers strike action a few season’s back, Cusack was one of the chief spokesmen for the players Another new member of the backroom team is Jimmy Payne from Waterford who is to be a strength and conditioning coach along with Kelvin Harold who is employed full time by Clare GAA. He worked with Fitzgerald during the Sixmilebridge man’s tenure as Waterford senior hurling team manager. He has also held the role of Strength and Conditioning Coach with …

Na Piarsaigh, Limerick 3-11 Sixmilebridge 1-15 Sixmilebridge’s dream of progressing to the latter stages of the Munster senior club hurling championship were shattered at their own O’Garney park this Sunday afternoon. Despite being ahead by nine points at half time, the Clare champions suffered their first competitive defeat of the season when going under to their Shannonside neighbours. Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the first half, the home side built up a nine point lead, 1-12 to 1-3 by half time but they struggled throughout the second half. A haul of 1-6 in a nine minute spell at the start of the second quarter saw the Clare champions build up a good lead. The goal scorer was Cathal Malone who was put through by Shane Golden. A storming third quarter from Na Piarsaigh proved decisive in this tie. Kevin Downes goaled two minutes after the resumption and he provided the pass from which Peter Casey found …

Wolfe Tones 4-12 Kilmoyley, Kerry 2-6 Clare champions WolfeTones booked a Munster intermediate hurling championship semi-final date with Bruree from Limerick when they proved too strong for Kerry senior champions, Kilmoyley at Sixmilebridge on Saturday afternoon. The winners dominated throughout Ssturday’s tie and were two goals clear inside the opening ten minutes after Aaron Shanagher and Declan O’Rourke had found the net. Shanagher goaled in the tenth minute and O’Rourke’s major came three minutes later when his strike from 60m slipped through the hand of visiting goalie Aidan McCabe. At half time they were 3-8 to 1-4 ahead, the third goal coming from team captain Aaron Cunningham just before the short whistle. Clare senior panelist Cunningham also scored the fourth goal when he converted a penalty awarded against visiting full back Sean Dowling who earned a straight red card for his tackle on Cunningham. Kilmoyley finished the game with thirteen players after Tom Murnane picked up a second yellow a …

THIS Saturday night in the Stella Maris Hotel, St Senan’s GAA Club, Kilkee will host a tribute night to John Lynch. Originally from Moveen, the now retired Kilkee club secretary filled that role for 41 years from 1971. This week, The Clare Champion met with John, who still sells club lotto tickets 52 weeks of the year. He was joined by his successor Diarmuid Keane, club chairman Christy Kirwan and three-time championship winner Noel Roche, who also represented Ireland in the Compromise Rules in the 1980s. Their admiration and respect for John was clear as they listened to him reflect on more than four decades at the epicentre of Kilkee GAA. “I came into town in 1961 and met my life partner, Mary. We married in ’61. I was working as a tradesman and I was thankful to the people of the parish for giving me the work. I didn’t have to emigrate,” John explained. A former O’Curry’s footballer, it …

Miltown St. Josephs 0-13 Cooraclare 0-9 Miltown St. Josephs bridged a twenty five year gap at Cusack Park in Ennis earlier today when they captured the Clare senior football championship title for the thirteenth time. In one of the better finals for some time, they deservingly overcame the challenge of their neighbours Cooraclare which led to County GAA chairman Michael McDonagh, a member of the Miltown club, presenting the Jack Daly cup to the running captain, Brian Curtin, amidst great scenes of celebration [doptg id=”83″] The winners made a blistering start racing into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after just four minutes with points from Eoin Cleary, Darragh McDonagh and man of the match Kevin Keavey. Points from Rory Donnelly and Pierce Lillis lifted Cooraclare spirits and from here to half time it was evenly fought with Miltown taking a two point advantage to the break when the score was 0-8 tgo 0-6. Cooraclare had the better of matters in …

THE 2015 Clare Senior Football Championship final has the potential to be one of the most intriguing for many years. Miltown haven’t seen Jack Daly for 25 long seasons, while Cooraclare’s memories of their last win in 1997 are also fading into the mists of time. This year’s final has a fresh look to it simply because it has been so long since either club were in one and because there are players on both sides who have more than paid their dues to their clubs and, indeed, to Clare football. Nobody necessarily deserves anything but it is fair to say that a cohort of players on both panels have more than earned their county final day experience. So who will win it and why? Based on their respective semi-final performances, Cooraclare should start as clear favourites. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they will win it. While their semi-final display against Clondegad was not flawless, they played the game …

Waterford and Limerick will provide the opposition for Clare in the opening rounds of the 2016 Munster senior hurling and football championships. The hurlers of Clare and Waterford will meet in a Provincial semi-final game while the football clash of Shannonside neighbours Clare and Limerick will be a quarter final tie with the prize for the winners a Provincial semi-final date with the defending Munster champions Kerry. The winners of the Clare v Waterford hurling game will be through to the provincial final and also in the the All-Ireland quarter finals. Dates and venues for the games will be set at a meeting of the Munster council in the coming weeks but as the footballers had home advantage last year when they played Limerick, this year’s meeting will be at a Limerick venue. Should Clare win this game they will also be away to Kerry as the last time these sides met, it was played in Cusack Park. The opening …

PODGE Collins is on his way back to the Clare senior hurling panel for 2016, but he will also remain with the county footballers. Manager, Davy Fitzgerald has refused to confirm or deny that the Cratloe man, who is currently recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury, is about to rejoin the hurling panel but The Clare Champion has learned this is the position. “No comment” was the manager’s response, when asked about this and about speculation as to who has been let go from the panel, which is expected to begin training next month. Collins, one of the stars of the 2013 All-Ireland success, after which he was honoured as an All-Star and was shortlisted for the Hurler Of The Year award, was omitted from the hurling panel last year, after the management opted not to include any dual players. The return of Collins to the hurling panel, while still being available to the senior football side – which …

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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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