Tag Archives: clare

THE National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) charity shop has found a new home in Ennis, where a stronger emphasis on sustainability is clearly visible. The NCBI has relocated its shop to Quay House, Wood Quay and opened its new doors last week. Beverley Scallan, Head of Retail, said, “Opening this shop is a fantastic step forward for NCBI. We have transformed what has become the norm for NCBI stores throughout the country, and with this new look, I hope the NCBI store will become a cornerstone of the community as it has in so many other locations across the country. All aspects of the shop fit-out are made from reusable and recyclable raw materials. In addition, the shop will sell quality preloved clothing, accessories, and hidden gems. So, by supporting our shops, customers not only generate funds for our services but also support our drive for more sustainable fashion and furniture. We urge shoppers to pop in and …

Munster U-20 Hurling Championship Semi-Final Limerick 1-27 Clare 0-17 THERE was no doubting the result in the Gaelic Grounds on Monday night as Clare tried as much as they were allowed against a Limerick side who were stronger and more dominant possessing the key players in the right positions and this sealed a place in the Munster final, reports Michael O’Connor. Two replacements on the Clare side from the opening round win over Kerry saw William Halpin and Jack Kirwan make way for James Maguire and Robin Mounsey. Clare crowded the half-forward and midfield sector leaving Diarmuid Cahill and Robin Mounsey as a two man inside forward line. Missing from the corresponding fixture from a Clare perspective at minor level due to senior and injury issues were Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan and Cian Galvin who is out until next year. Limerick were looking to the talented duo of Cathal O’Neill and Colin Coughlan as the home side had a solid …

WITH less than a week to go to the closing of entries it’s emerged that Clare has received 15 nominations for the ‘Best Place to Live in Ireland’ 2021. The Irish Times launched its search for the Best Place to Live in Ireland last month and invited people from all over the island to nominate their favourites. Fifteen nominations puts Clare outside the top 12 counties for nominations received, behind Wexford on 16 but ahead of Kildare on 14. Neighbours Galway and Limerick have been nominated 49 and 39 times respectively. To be in with a chance to claim the title for your homeplace, all you have to do is to write a short submission of 300 words explaining what makes it so special. Full details are available at www.irishtimes.com/bestplace Any Clare people swelling with pride in their locality and who would like the rest of Ireland to know, will have to get cracking on their entry, however, as the …

All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Round 2 Leitrim 4-7 Clare 2-9 CLARE’S bizarre opening round hoodoo continued this afternoon when ambushed by a ravenous Leitrim who deservedly topped the group in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe, reports Eoin Brennan. Following first round reverses against Wexford (2019) and Kildare (2020), Division 4 finalists Leitrim completed the Banner’s unwanted hat-trick to cause the biggest upset of them all as prior to last week, the Connaught side had not won a championship match since 2017. They certainly made up for lost time as four perfectly timed goals provided consistent sucker-punches that accumulated into too big a mountain to climb for a Clare side that just couldn’t get out of second gear at any stage. The stifling conditions certainly zapped the energy levels and can be held accountable for some of the handling errors but ultimately it was the same for both sides and Leitrim, despite contesting their second championship match in eight days, appeared …

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Round 1 Qualifier Clare 2-25 Wexford 2-22 AS the championship heated up so did Clare after completing a hat-trick of championship knock-out victories over Wexford since 2018 in Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. It was a testament to all 40 players for providing such entertainment amidst a veritable sauna as Clare passed a true test of character with flying colours after feigning off an inevitable Wexford backlash. Davy Fitzgerald’s side had previously exited the championship at the hands of the Banner in two of the last three campaigns but far from being a motivational tool, they appeared to be suffering sunstroke in the opening quarter as a sharper Clare completely dominated proceedings with 1-7 without reply in just eleven minutes. The goal arrived in the ninth minute through the tireless Cathal Malone who made an excellent burst to finish to the roof of Mark Fanning’s net on their way to a 1-9 to …

CLARE battled until the end but Kilkenny’s superior quality up front shone through as they secured the spoils in Sixmilebridge writes Ivan Smyth. A battling Clare side fell to a 0-16 to 0-22 defeat against Kilkenny as the reigning All-Ireland and league champions held on for a deserved win. Clare certainly gave as good as they got throughout and can look back on some spurned goal chances in the second half going forward . Chloe Morey saw a 20m free blocked on the line early in the second half while corner forward Eimear Kelly was thwarted by Kilkenny goalkeeper Emma Kavanagh. Morey was also fouled going through on goal late in the game while Bridin Dinan saw Kavanagh save her goal-bound effort in the final play of the game. Despite the goal chances Kilkenny possessed the greater firepower up front with Clare heavily reliant on Morey frees for scores in the second half. They only shot three points from play …

TOURISM in Ennis has received a boost with the historic Ennis Friary re-opening to the public this week. The friary, which dates back to the 13th century, re-opened on Tuesday having been closed to the public since last summer due to Covid-19 restrictions. And as an extra bonus, admission to the popular attraction is free for the season. Welcoming the announcement, Councillor Mary Howard said it is “great news” for the town. Just last month she criticised the continued closure of the Friary, saying that the town was losing out on potential tourism opportunities. The Friary has been opened with health and safety in mind and Covid-19 guidelines have been put in place. A maximum of 15 visitors are permitted on site at any one time. Social distancing will apply throughout the site. Face coverings must be worn in all indoor spaces. There are self guided visits only, but Ennis Friary guides are on hand to answer any questions. Hand …

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Round 1 Clare v Kilkenny @ O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge, Saturday 2pm IF NECESSITY is the mother of invention, Clare will need all their powers of innovation this Saturday as they prepare to host All-Ireland champions Kilkenny. Indeed, with the draw pooling the last two All-ireland winners Kilkenny and Galway with Clare and Westmeath for two knock-out places, the criteria couldn’t be made any simpler for the Banner in that they either take their most significant scalp since returning to the senior grade in 2009 or else face an early exit from the competition. Only eight months on from reaching the last six of the All-Ireland Senior Championship for the first time in six years, hopes of emulating that feat are hanging by a thread unless Clare can finally step up to the mark. Optimism stems from their National League opener against Galway which despite defeat, arguably was Clare’s best performance under Ger O’Connell. However, its antithesis …