SPORT

Clare Echo THE Sport

04-02-21 pg 25

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One of Clare’s top sportsmen Paul Costelloe dies

SEAMUS HAYES

THE death took place at the weekend of one of Clare’s best known sportsmen, Paul Costelloe.

A native of Kilkee, he achieved success in a variety of sports including football, badminton and squash.

He played football for his beloved St Senans, Kilkee for many years helping them to gain senior status in 1970 when they swept the boards at junior level. In the league final that year they scored a one point win, 1-8 to 0-10 over Lissycasey with Paul scoring the all important goal. He served as club secretary for a decade, was a selector with and helped train a number of club teams.

Paul also had a keen interest in hurling and helped train a number of Kilkee-Bealaha teams

He was particularly prominent at basketball and he helped Clare win two Munster basketball titles in the early seventies.

In 1976, he joined the One Mile Inn squash club and he had the distinction of winning the first Clare squash championship, the competition being organised for the first time at the end of the 1976/’77 season. In the final he defeated Colm McLoughlin, now the CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

Costelloe was a member of the One Mile Inn team which captured the Limerick area league title that season. They were runners up in Munster where they lost out to Minnies from Dungarvan. The other members of that squad were Denis Maurer, Colm McLaughlin, Dickie Pyne, Rory O’Keeffe, the late Tony Lillis and the late Paddy Kelly.

When Kilkee golf club built a squash court, Paul helped coach and train the members while he managed teams from the club competing in the Clare leagues. Paul was also a keen badminton player.

He was also part of the committee which wrote ‘A Sporting Odyssey’, a history of sport in Kilkee. Published in 2009, the book took three years of research, Paul worked on this alongside Ger Keane, Paddy McDonnell, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Danny McCarthy.

A private cremation took place with a funeral service and interment of his ashes to be held at a later date in Kilkee. Paul is survived by his brothers Eugene (KIlkee), John (England), sisters Mary (Kilkee), Teresa (England) and Monica (England), brother-in-law Tony and sister-in-law Marj, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and friends.

Clare’s first squash champion Paul Costelloe (second from right) at the 21st anniversary of Clare Squash with (l-r) ladies champion Margaret Lacheiner, Willie Griffin and Mike Conlon

Clare duo signed up

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

TWO Clare teenagers have put pen to paper on new deals with U17 League of Ireland sides.

Caoilfionn Madden has signed for Galway WFC and will line out with their U17 side. She had previously been a key player on underage teams for Tulla Utd and also at Gaynor Cup level for her county.

In a statement paying tribute to her move, Tulla Utd said Caoilfhionn’s departure brought “pride and lots of sadness”. She featured on club teams at U14 and U16 level last season. “She has been with Tulla Utd AFC since she started playing four years ago. We have seen her develop into an outstanding player over the years. We will miss not only her ability on the field but her wonderful attitude off it”.

Amy Madden will also be competing in the U17 League of Ireland. The Newmarket-on-Fergus native has transferred from Ballingarry AFC to Treaty Utd. A second year student at St Patricks Comprehensive in Shannon, Amy is also a noted camogie player with the Blues, her mother Elaine McMahon was the first woman to captain Newmarket-on-Fergus to senior championship glory in 2001.

Amy also represented Clare at Gaynor Cup level and featured in the U15 Munster Schools competition.

Newly appointed Treaty Utd U17 manger, Craig Hurley welcomed Amy’s addition as an “excellent singing”. He succeeded Ennis woman Irene Hehir as manager last month.

Caoilfionn Madden has joined Galway WFC and (inset) Amy Madden has teamed up with Treaty

Clare Echo THE

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THE CUTTING EDGE

WITH MARK O’DONNELL ‘Use of language has enormous impact on development of athletes’

AS SPORTING activity remains on hold, The Clare Echo will for the

next few weeks share the insights of coaches to aid trainers across the county as they prepare for a return to action. This week, LIT GAA Games Development Officer, Mark O’Donnell tackles language – the good, the bad and the ugly.

In a number of weeks, when restrictions allow us to do so, people will return in their droves to clubs nationwide. Players loving to be back amongst their friends. Parents even happier to get out of the house. Coaches eager to impart their knowledge. Huge energy and enthusiasm in the air, it’s almost palpable.

After the “welcome back” chat and brief warm-up games, the coach is ready to go with his/her session. Two players execute a quick demo, questions arise, feedback is provided and just before the whistle blows … “Whatever ye do now lads, DON’T drop the ball!” Does this sound familiar? Language has an incredibly powerful impact on our lives, especially athlete development.

You just had to say it coaches, didn’t you? We’ve all sought crisp teamplay before an important match, wanting our players going 100mph without misplacing a strike or kick-pass. However, the final lingering thought has now become … DON’T drop the ball. Many of us may be unaware that our sub-conscious brain is unable to process the word “don’t”. Don’t drop the ball short when shooting, the ball lands in the clutches of the goalkeeper; don’t overcarry the ball, free out for taking too many steps; don’t foul … you guessed it! We are programming our players into paralysis with the inclusion of “don’t.”

“Every pass goes to hand” or “soft hands, wrap up the ball” magnifies the importance of securing possession without negative connotations. This enforces our coaching point and gives players a clear message on a task. Fidelma Marrinan is one of Clare’s fastest, most technically gifted footballers, marrying both speed and technique into her game. She doesn’t think of “don’t” when playing at the highest level - embracing the inevitable mistakes associated with sport and re-enforcing positive language to excel at her game.

“Bend your back” … an aggressive order which often contains another expletive that’s not very newspaper friendly! In this case, the coach wants players to get into a low, athletic position when performing the crouch lift (football) or jab/roll lift (hurling). To maximise the chance of gaining possession in a congested ruck, getting low towards the ground is vital for protection of the ball. Bending of the back is not something humans are configured to do – why ask players to do it?

Coaches could instead use “bend your knees & hips” or “get low and strong, head over the ball.” Players thrive off accurate, relevant feedback, as opposed to generic utterances that have no meaning after the third/fourth repetition. When Cian O’Dea or Chloe Morey perform a crouch lift/jab rise, they’ll adopt a wide stance in a quarter squat or lunge position with their head directly over the ball. This enables them to maintain balance and protect themselves from opponent’s ferocious tackling, without risking a turnover. Challenge yourself and your coaching vocabulary to become more specific!

Take stock of your current coaching philosophy, review the strengths and areas for improvement, and reach out for support. Coach education is paramount if we want our games to continue to evolve. We can begin this process by a simple change of phrase, and better utilisation of our language & communication skills. May I suggest leaving “bend your back – don’t drop the ball – …” in 2020?

“Mean what you say, and say what you mean,” for a more enlightened 2021!

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Bling Bling Paul is fancied to bounce back

SATURDAY’S final of the The Epic Hero Leger Winner 2020 Sweepstake at the Limerick Track on this will be the main focus of attention for Greyhound people this weekend.

Clare will be well represented with three runners in the line up. Paradise Mozart owned by Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay a heat winner in the semi-final looks to be a greyhound who is improving with every run and is sure to be in the shake up. Boyhero trained by Páraic Campion has strong Clare connections in the guise of Tommy Hegarty and Seanie McMahon but Bling Bling Paul owned by John Meehan of Newmarket-on-Fergus is tipped to bounce back and claim the title. Meehan’s young dog could only manage to fill third position last week-end after breaking poorly.

The quarter-finals of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 575 Yards Stake formed the backbone of last Saturday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium. All eyes online were on the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Kiss An Angel in the opening quarter-final and the litter sister of Miss Joss and Dana Point certainly did not disappoint as she routed her rivals by upwards of twelve lengths in 31.68.

Flyers Job owned by Kilrush duo Colm Fitzgerald and Cathal Meaney claimed the third quarter-final. The winner led at halfway before drawing clear to defeat reserve Merciful Grace by seven lengths in a time 32.12.

In the A2 graded sixth contest over 525 yards, the John Collins and John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan May but up a fine performance as she made most of the running to defeat Office Bar by four and a half lengths in 29.14.

keep a bitch for breeding, rear a litter of pups train and race them under the Finure Prefix. About two years ago he decided to purchase a greyhound with his niece Marie and neighbour Gerard Sexton, they would form a syndicate known as the Finure Syndicate, the Greyhound was named Finure Storm and put into training with a long time friend of Christy’s, Denis P O Malley. The syndicate had an eventful journey with Finure Storm, he was won twelve races with his most recent coming last Thursday night in Limerick. It was a win of Death of mixed emotions for all involved with the greyhound Christy Kelly: with Christy’s funeral the fol lowing day. -

All in greyhound racing Due to COVID-19 restricreacted with sadness to the tions a private funeral mass death of Mullagh’s Christy for family only was celebrated Kelly last weekend. Christy on Friday in St Mary’s Church who was in his ninety second Mullagh by Fr Donagh O year was predeceased by his Mara assisted by Fr Tom wife Claire. Ryan. He is survived by his

Coming from Mullagh an daughters Pat, Claire & Gerarea with a strong tradition aldine, son John, daughterin coursing and track racing, in-law Loretto, grandchildren, the trip to Clonmel for the Shane and David Kavanagh, annual meeting was one he Niamh, James and Sean Kelreally looked forward to. ly, brother Timmy, sisters in

Christy was involved in law, nephews, nieces, grand the dogs from a very young nephew & grand nieces, age, Over the years he would neighbours & many friends.

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Fahy stays with Whitegate as Broadford enlist O’Brien

SEAMUS HAYES

WHITEGATE have opted for continuity as they stick with the same management of their senior hurlers for 2021.

Terence Fahy remains in the role of manager with the North-East Clare side. The former manager of Laois club Borris-In-Ossory Kilcotton has played a key role in the improvements of St Josephs Tulla in recent years with the secondary school reaching the quarter-finals of the Dr Harty Cup under his stewardship last year.

A Munster SHC winner in 1998, Fahy enters his third year as Whitegate manager. Kenneth Doyle and Patrick Minogue will act as selectors for the coming season.

Limerick’s Dave Moriarty will take responsibility for strength and conditioning of the side. He was S&C coach with the Laois hurlers last season while he was part of the backroom team involved with Cork club Glen Rovers as they won back to back senior titles in 2015 and 2016.

In last year’s campaign they lost out to Feakle (0-21 to 0-16) in the opening round before going down to champions Sixmilebridge (0-20 to 1-13) in round 2. In the senior B championship they bowed out when losing to Clarecastle (1-17 to 2-10).

As previously reported by The Clare Echo, Whitegate senior hurler Brendan Bugler has been appointed manager of Offaly side Birr for 2021.

Meanwhile, former Clare senior selector Jimmy Browne remains in charge of the Broadford senior hurlers for 2021 and he’ll be joined by an All-Ireland winning coach.

Last year, Broadford reached the quarter-finals of the Clare senior hurling championship bowing out to eventual winners Sixmilebridge on a scoreline of 0-21 0-12 in what was regarded as a positive campaign for the East Clare men.

As a result of this, the 2019 intermediate champions have re-appointed the management team which is headed up by Clonlara’s Jimmy Browne. The Vice-President Corporate Services & Capital Development at Limerick Institute of Technology previously managed Monaleen to success in the Limerick IHC.

He also served as selector on the Clare U21 hurling teams that won three Munster and All-Ireland titles from 2012 to 2014, moving onto the senior ranks for Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor’s three year spell in charge of the county seniors. The Clonlara man is also the manager of LIT’s Fitzgibbon Cup team.

Speaking to The Clare Echo following their championship exit last year, Jimmy described their 2020 endeavours as “a good step forward for the club”.

John Corcoran has stepped down from the management citing work commitments while the club have secured a big coup by enlisting Aonghus O’Brien, a coach with the Limerick senior hurlers and a former Clare senior hurling coach in 2016 to their set-up.

Ex Clare selector Kieran Corcoran and Padraig Boland also form part of the Broadford management. Garath Walsh is the side’s strength and conditioning coach.

Brendan Bugler in action for Whitegate Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Eugene Foudy has been named junior coach

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

O’Connell finalises senior set-up as Foudy named junior coach

by SEAMUS HAYES

WHILE all the indications are that it will be some time yet before competition returns for many sports, Clare camogie will be ready to go once the green light is given.

Inter county team managements have been put in place and plans have been drawn up by those in charge.

Clonlara’s Ger O’Connell, Clare’s All-Ireland wining minor hurling goalkeeper from 1997, will manage the senior team for a third successive season. Meelick’s Conor Dolan will again be the team’s head coach while the selection committee includes Francis O’Halloran, Éanna Mulvihill and Barry O’Connell. Stephen Cusack and Maeve Conneely will be in charge of S&C. Nollaig O’Sullivan will be the team’s sports psychologist while Trish O’Donnell is the team’s physiotherapist.

The seniors will compete in division 1 of the league. They were in the running for a place in the final last year following away wins over Offaly and Kilkenny and a home Lockdown led to the cancellation of their home game against Cork and the competition wasn’t concluded.

Ann Marie McGann and Tim McGrath have been re-appointed managers of the county junior side. Eugene Foudy is joining as coach and the selectors are Ann Marsh McMahon and Bryan O’Loughlin. The juniors were Clare’s only unbeaten team in 2020 having defeated Louth in the league and Offaly in the championship while they beat Limerick in the LIT cup.

Eleanor Walsh from Scariff-Ogonnelloe will manage the minor team in 2021. The backroom team will include John Hanrahan (Crusheen), Niamh Cooney (Parteen), Mike Beddows (Ballina) and Eileen Gleeson (Clonlara), who has stepped down from the senior management to be part of the minors backroom team. Ann McElhinney will be nutritionist while Nollaig O’Sullivan will be the team’s sports psychologist, a role she also fills with the seniors.

Walsh succeeds Dervilla Moloney who led the side to the 2019 All-Ireland decider.

Clare Echo THE

Laois recruit O’Donnell as Mills return confirmed

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

O’CALLAGHANS Mills manager Donach O’Donnell has been named as new coach of the Laois senior hurlers.

Coach of the Limerick senior hurlers that tasted provincial glory in 2013 but later exited the championship to Clare who finished the year as All-Ireland champions, O’Donnell has taken on an additional role for 2021.

He guided O’Callaghans Mills to a first senior county final appearance since 1993 last season when they came up short against Sixmilebridge. Donach was announced this week as a member of Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s Laois management team alongside former Laois football and Kerry U20 boss John Sugrue, ex Galway coach Francis Forde, Leo Tiernan, David Matthews and Arthur Dunne.

Over the weekend, O’Callaghans Mills held their AGM which confirmed O’Donnell’s return as senior manager. Fergus Donovan is in the hotseat as intermediate boss with Jack McNamara in charge of the Junior Bs. No management was appointed for the club’s U21 hurlers.

Thirty members of the East Clare club attended the virtual AGM. Chairman Joe O’Gorman thanked fellow officers for their work in the club and congratulated the senior team and management on contesting the county final, the Junior A team on winning the championship and the O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke team winning the County Minor B championship.

O’Gorman stepped down from his post and no successor was appointed which has prompted the need for a reconvened AGM. Patrick Hogan succeeded Patsy Neville as secretary. Club membership fees will stay the same as 2020, the meeting agreed.

Club president: J. P Guinane Vice president: John Fitzgerald Patron: Fr Donal O’Dwyer. Chairman: Vacant Vice Chairman: Brendan Hannon Secretary: Patrick Hogan Assistant secretary: John Cooney Team secretary: Joe Meaney Treasurer: Michael Jones Assistant treasurer: Billy Murphy County Board delegate: Robert Frost Registrar: Michael Jones PRO: Pat O’Brien and Marty Baker Membership officers: John Cooney and Niall O’Donovan Child welfare officer: Caroline Hickey Health wellbeing: Kate O’Gorman

Players representatives:

Barry Heffernan and Bryan Donnellan Pitch bookings: Joe Cooney and Brendan Hannon

PLANNING NOTICES

Clare County Council Further Information/Revised Plans Planning Ref: P20/811 Development Description: to retain extended road Location: Tiermaclane, Ennis

Take notice that J. Kelly has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P20/811. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

Clare County Council Ballycorey, Barefield, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Michael Keating Dip. Arch. (phone 085-8421780) intends to apply to Clare County Council, on behalf of Edward O’Grady & Deborah Pigott, for full permission to construct 1 no. Dwelling House. Connect to new proprietary Waste Water Treatment System. Connect to public services and to public water supply, and carry out all ancillary site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date

of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFA WEST, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE

I Declan Donnelly, wish to apply for planning permission for the construction of an a slatted agricultural livestock unit, dungstead and all associated site works, at Breaffa west, Lissycasey, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ARDBOOLY UPPER TULLA CO. CLARE

Take notice that Rory Stephens & Niamh Ni Thuathail intend to apply for Planning Permission to: a) To construct a detached dwelling house, waste water treatment system including all ancillary site services and works. b) Change of Use of Existing Cottage from residential to use as agricultural and general storage including all ancillary site services and works at the above address The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20, within 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application.

Clare County Council Nr 1 Tullyvarraga Heights, Shannon, Co. Clare

I, Paul Feeney, intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an extension and carry out alterations to an existing dwelling house. The the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare Co Council Caher, Ogonnelloe, Co Clare

Permission sought to retain the following: (a) to retain garden room structure as constructed to the rear of existing dwelling house (b) to retain and continue temporary use of same garden room structure for residential purposes for a period of three years (c) to retain a garden shed to the rear of existing dwelling house (d) to retain and complete construction of roadside boundary and (e) all ancillary site works and services at above address, applicant Paul Blake. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

The Clare Echo Quiz

THE COVID-19 QUIZ FIRST WAVE

1Clare’s first COVID-19 case became known on what date?

February 19st 2020 January 31st 2020 March 4th 2020

2Which part of the county was this case located in?

South Clare East Clare North Clare

3How many cases had been known on the island of Ireland before Clare’s first case?

Nine Fifteen Twenty One

4What was the last pandemic before COVID-19 to hit Ireland?

Swine Flu Spanish Flu

5When did the first meeting of the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group take place?

December 28th 2019 January 18th 2020 February 5th 2020

6NPHET was created to co-ordinate the national response to the pandemic on January 31st 2019, what does NPHET stand for?

Now Please Help Everyone Tune-In National Public Health Emergency Team Novel Pandemic Health Emergency Team

7Who introduced a National Stay at Home Message on March 27th 2020?

Tony Holohan Leo Varadkar Linda Martin

8A drive-thru testing centre was set up at which iconic Clare location?

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Sixmilebridge Mart Cusack Park

9Which measure introduced because of COVID-19 led to a protest in Ennis?

. Level Five lockdown restrictions . Pedestrianisation of the town centre . Health Minister Stephen Donnelly saying trampolines were as risky as going to school in a pandemic

10Which public health message became a slogan for Joe Duffy’s Liveline during the pandemic?

Stay two metres apart Wash your hands Hold firm lQUESTION 9: Which measure introduced because of COVID-19 led to a

protest in Ennis?

10.Wash your hands 9. Pedestrianisation of the town centre 8. Cusack Park 7. Leo Varadkar 6. National Public Health Emergency Team

ANSWERS

February 5th 2020 Swine Flu NINE

3. 2. NORTH CLARE 1. March 4th 2020

Spot the Difference Last weeks Answers

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition. . Strap on guitar different . Wall plaque missing . light holder missing . Line on window missing . Writing on guitar missing . piece on base of guitar missing . Harpist’s ring missing