Tag Archives: Clare GAA

A NEW model is required to keep small rural clubs alive, according to GAA coaching officer, Peter Casey. The Lisdoonvarna native, who is living in Fanore for the past 15 years, argues the GAA’s one-size-fits-all approach isn’t suitable for some clubs, particularly those on the periphery in the west, north and east of the county. The former Clare U-21 hurling selector proposes one model for an urban club with enough playing resources and another for those struggling due to a lack of numbers. In the first group, he includes the likes of Éire Óg, Sixmilebridge, Doora-Barefield, Ballyea and Clarecastle, who usually can field two teams in most underage grades most years. He places Cratloe, Tulla, Broadford, Ennistymon and Corofin in a middle group that can comfortably field teams in most grades. Clubs on the Loop Head Peninsula, such as Naomh Eoin and O’Curry’s, and teams in isolated parts of North and East Clare, however, require amalgamations at underage level. Stressing …

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-14 Clondegad 0-14 KILMURRY Ibrickane are Clare senior football champions for the 15th time, following their victory over first time finalists, Clondegad in Cusack Park, on Sunday afternoon. Played in front of an attendance of 4,916 the game was tactical and restricted in the first half, following which the Aidan Moloney managed two in a row champions led 0-6 to 0-4. The game opened up considerably in the second half with the sides kicking 19 scores between them. However the crucial one was the green flag raised by Kilmurry substitute Peter O’Dwyer, who was put through by fellow substitute Noel Downes. O’Dwyer, who was later red carded, along with Clonegad’s Joe Neylon, slotted home the goal, which put Kilmurry into a 1-13 to 0-13 lead. O’Dwyer also scored the winning point in Kilmurry’s semi-final win over Cratloe. Clondegad did not give up and in fact they pressed Kilmurry hard over the remaining 14 minutes, which included nine minutes …

A FORMER landlord of a landmark London pub is hoping to get the chance to become a new tourism representative for the county. Gerry O’Brien, who recently retired from running The Churchill Arms in Kensington after 32 years, has built up a huge wealth of contacts who now want to visit him. Currently residing in Ennis, the 66-year-old Ogonnelloe man said he would love to link up with groups such as Clare Tourism or East Clare Tourism and become their part-time tourism representative to take people from all over the world around visitor attractions in Clare. “I would love the opportunity to be able to showcase the county. I am hoping I will get the opportunity to do this. “I’d love to do something in tourism, promoting Clare to visitors from the UK and abroad. That would be an absolute dream come true for me,” he said. A Clare GAA hurling fanatic, Gerry said he would relish the opportunity to …

Clare senior hurling coach Donal Óg Cusack has distanced himself from a “letter of support” he had written, which was then submitted by a company to try to secure planning permission for an unauthorised sports facility in South-East Clare. The Clare Champion can exclusively reveal that Mr Cusack was not asked for his consent for the inclusion of a recommendation letter to support a retention planning application that was submitted to Clare County Council. Up to 100 residents have criticised the use of this unauthorised facility by Clare GAA in a comprehensive objection submitted to the council. A petition, signed by 102 residents opposing the planning retention, was sent to the local authority. Gillogue Residents’ Association (GRA) chairperson, Jim Upton, stated in a letter to the council, “We are sure community groups, the GAA and Donal Óg Cusack would be delighted to endorse an authorised development in a unique vast indoor facility, available nowhere else in the county”. Clare senior …

Former county board and Munster Council chairman, Robert Frost is to put his hat in the ring and stand for election for the post of GAA president. In running for top post in the association, Frost, a native of O’Callaghan’s Mills, is seeking to become the first man from the Banner County to hold that office in 128 years, since Edward Bennet became the second President of the association in 1887. Frost’s nomination was proposed by PJ McGuane (Coraclare) and seconded by Christy Murray (Sixmilebridge) to contest the presidential election at this week’s board meeting. In a statement, Clare GAA public relations officer, Sean O’Halloran said Mr Frost brings to the table a wealth of administrative experience, having been chairman of the Munster GAA Council (2013 to 2015) .while he has been a member of Munster Council for the past 12 years. Frost was also chairman of the Clare hurling board for nine years while he also served two five …

MEELICK GAA club have appealed to the Clare County Board for the postponement of Sunday’s junior A football county final. Meelick are due to play Kilmurry Ibrickane in the final. However they have five members of the Clonlara senior hurling panel in their starting 15 who are preparing for the county final replay the following weekend. The players are Oisin O’Brien, Cillian Fennessy, James Hastings, Shane O’Brien and Garrett Kennedy. Clonara are also down to play a Clare Cup game this Saturday. Meelick manager Pat O’Rourke confirmed this afternoon that his club are appealing to Clare GAA on player welfare grounds. “We’re looking to have Sunday’s junior A football final postponed to a future date in which Clonlara are not involved in hurling. We have gone to the county board with that. They are making fixtures this (Monday) evening. If we don’t have the Clonlara players we mightn’t be able to put 15 out on the field,” O’Rourke said, citing …

A TUG of war is developing between two-time All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly and the duo who guided Clare to three All-Ireland U-21 titles in-a-row for the vacant senior hurling manager’s position. According to board chairman Joe Cooney, Clare GAA is in the process of putting an interview panel in place to meet with the nominees. He told The Clare Champion that the candidates “will be interviewed over the next couple of days and we will then bring a report back to the executive and hopefully we will come up with some conclusion”. The chairman confirmed that there are just two nominations for the post vacated by Davy Fitzgerald a few weeks ago, after a meeting of the players had expressed a view that a change was required. Asked if he expects to have a decision for next Tuesday’s October board meeting, he replied “if possible, yes”. However, he added, “This may not be possible, as some of the nominees …

Contesting the final of the National Hurling League, which required a replay, netted Clare GAA €202,552.51. Clare’s return from the National Football League, where they were crowned Division 3 champions, was worth €28,554.38 to the board. Details of the financial returns from both leagues were revealed by treasurer, Bernard Keane to Tuesday night’s board meeting in Caherlohan. Up to the end of August, the total spend on county teams, Mr Keane outlined, was €449,124.51, of which €258,625 was for hurling, with €190,500 for football. A further breakdown revealed that €222,262 was spent on the senior hurling team and €159,777 was spent on the senior football team. The treasurer stressed that these figures “are what has been paid out in cheques up to the end of August and may not be a true figure but it gives you a feel for where we are. It’s not a complete picture.” Whitegate delegate, David Solan said, “Clubs are being squeezed to the limit …