The Clare Echo 04/08/22

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

AUG 4 2022

HIGH SPIRITS IN SCARIFF

Doonbeg to host LIV golf event?

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

D

Reese Foster from Flagmount with his daughters Violet and Ebony taking a walk around the Market at the Scariff Harbour Festival Photo by Natasha Barton

OONBEG has been touted to host the controversial LIV Golf International Series in 2024.

Former US President, Donald Trump is set to visit his West Clare resort later this month and it has also emerged that the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series is likely to take place at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg.

Funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, the LIV Series has become one of the most controversial sporting events of recent times. Golfers who have signed up to the Saudibacked breakaway series have come under fire, Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson was stripped

of the Ryder Cup captaincy after joining the series.

Greg Norman who is the face and CEO of LIV Golf designed the Doonbeg course in 2002, he was previously thwarted in his plans to create a new tour in the 1990s.

Trump Doonbeg is almost booked out already for 2023 so 2024 is the earliest juncture that the links could host one of the new tour’s 48-man, 54-hole, nocut events.

Ahead of the visit of Donald Trump next month, local publicans including Tommy Comerford have said they do not want a repeat of “very nasty comments” made about Doonbeg online. “We don’t want people being nasty to Doonbeg again because we support the Trump project here. It is providing employment that has meant so much to West Clare - not alone to Doonbeg”.

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THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

CLARE QUILT FINDS A NEW HOME

36C Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

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Email: editor@clareecho.ie paraic@clareecho.ie news@clareecho.ie

SALES

Email: niall@clareecho.ie or sales@clareecho.ie This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

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OMHALTAS Ceoltóirí Éireann’s headquarters in Dublin is set to be the new home of the Clare Quilt, writes Páraic McMahon.

Following a limited raffle of 200 tickets each costing €100, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann had the winning ticket and their Dublin headquarters can now house the Clare Quilt unless they decide to offer it to

lPICTURE PERFECT: Bernie Callinan, Maureen Flynn, Teresa Connelly, Bernie Anslow and Valery Larkin Photo by Joe Buckley

the County Museum.

Doolin Coast Guard, West Clare Cancer Support and Sláinte An Chláir were the three beneficiaries of the raffle.

Sixty squares showing the historic and cultural aspects of the county are included on the quilt which was the brainwave of Valery Larkin.

“The Quilt idea came to me in May 2021 and it was completed at the end of Novem-

ber 2021. While this was during Covid, we did adhere to restrictions.

"All communication was via Facebook and WhatsApp. Pieces were delivered in various car parks around the county and the actual assembly of the quilt was over a period of three months in venues that were well ventilated and all participants were suitably masked,” she explained.

Man walks free after agreeing €20k payout

by GORDON DEEGAN AN ENNIS man who slashed his victim across the face with a kitchen knife leaving him with a 20cm wound has walked free from court.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Brian O’Callaghan imposed a suspended three year sentence on William McDonagh (31) for the assault causing harm of Wayne Higgins (25) in February 2019 in Ennis.

Judge O’Callaghan said that he was “somewhat reluctantly” suspending the three year jail term on Mr McDonagh on condition that he pay €20,000 compensation to Mr Higgins.

Judge O’Callaghan said that Mr McDonagh’s actions in injuring Mr Higgins “were nothing short of appalling”.

He said, “It could easily have resulted in Mr Higgins losing an eye.” Mr Higgins’ 'deep scar' runs from his left nostril to his hairline.

Mr McDonagh, with addresses at Hazelbrook House, Lower Gardiner

Street, Dublin and Clancy Park, Ennis, had pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Wayne Higgins and the production of a kitchen knife during the course of the assault.

However after a two day trial at Ennis Circuit Court in October last year, a jury convicted Mr McDonagh of the two offences.

In evidence, Wayne Higgins, originally from Kilmaley and who has lived in Ennis, told the jury that he had been staying at the Laurel Lodge homeless hostel around the time of the assault.

Mr Higgins said that on the night of February 10th, 2019 he was refused entry to Laurel Lodge because he had been drinking.

After being unsuccessful in his attempts to stay at a relative’s house in Hermitage, Mr Higgins was waiting for a lift when he met William McDonagh and some members of his family, the trial heard.

The jury was told an altercation developed.

Mr Higgins said William McDonagh “jumped over his mother’s shoulder” and “slashed me with a knife”.

The jury heard Mr Higgins ran to a friend’s house in Drumbiggle Drive and called an ambulance.

The jury were shown photos of Mr Higgins taken after the attack, showing a bloody wound from the victim’s left temple to his left cheek. “It felt like my face was falling off,” Mr Higgins told the jury. Mr Higgins said he felt “horrible” after the attack and now has no feeling in the left side of his face.

At the sentencing hearing, counsel for Mr McDonagh, Patrick Whyms BL said that his client wishes to apologise to Mr Higgins.

Mr Whyms said that Mr McDonagh has rehabilitated himself - he has got a job and has stopped engaging in criminal behaviour. Mr McDonagh has 39 previous convictions including 21 that are road traffic related, seven for theft and nine drug related offences.

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Controversial LIV touted for Doonbeg

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

€50,000 boost for walkway

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

ORMER US President, Donald Trump is to visit Co Clare this month while his Doonbeg resort is set to host the LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2024.

A major security operation has commenced in preparation of Trump’s trip to the county, his first since 2019.

Definitive dates have yet to be set but the seventy six year old is expected to stay at his Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland and will fly into Shannon Airport via private jet. His visit is set to last two days and will be sometime between August 25th and August 30th with the 45th President of the US visiting his five star Doonbeg resort to play some golf.

His entourage is to include members of the Trump family.

With Trump no longer holding office, it will not be an official visit but plenty of Garda checkpoints are to be set up from Shannon to Ennis onto the Kilrush Rd towards Kilmihil, Cooraclare, Cree and Doonbeg. Secret service protection will be liaising with Gardaí and top brass security officials in the lead-up to the trip.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series is likely to take place at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg. Reports have suggested that it will be 2024 at the earliest before the Saudi-backed breakaway series lands in Co Clare. The professional golf tour is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The name LIV is a reference to the Roman numeral for 54, the score if every hole on a par-72 course were birdied and the number of holes to be played at LIV events.

Greg Norman who is the face and CEO of LIV Golf designed the Doonbeg course in 2002 on 400 acres of breath-taking coastline. He is determined to take the series to Doonbeg but when it will be held is dependent on a potential new date for the

lGOLF: Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg

Horizon Irish Open. Norman appears determined to win his battle with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour having been thwarted in his efforts to create a new tour in the 1990s. The Australian admitted to the New York Post this week that it was a personal mission to win the battle this time.

Trump Doonbeg is almost booked out already for 2023 so 2024 is the earliest juncture that the links could host one of the new tour’s 48-man, 54-hole, no-cut events.

Doonbeg locals have said they do not want a repeat of "very nasty comments" made about Doonbeg online by ‘anti-Trump people’ ahead of the ex-US President’s planned private trip.

Publican, Tommy Comerford said that President Donald Trump’s 2019 visit to west Clare was marked by “nasty comments” made by ‘anti-Trump people’ about the west Clare village. “Last time in 2019,

Photo by Arthur Ellis

we got some very nasty comments and one of our people got a nasty letter. We don’t want to be drawing that attention to us again. Everyone knows there are terrible people on Facebook and Twitter and they say terrible things and we don’t want to draw that down on us again”.

Comerford added, “We don’t want people being nasty to Doonbeg again because we support the Trump project here. It is providing employment that has meant so much to west Clare - not alone to Doonbeg”.

Another local publican, Tommy Tubridy said, “I could show you some of the letters” he received after the 2019 Presidential visit.

He added, “As late as two weeks ago, I received a phone call late at night about the man himself. It is not anything to do with us. I don’t pay any heed. I am too long in business to be paying attention to it”.

PROPOSALS for a major extension of the River Fergus walkway have received a significant boost with the allocation of €50,000 to assess how best to link it to Clarecastle Quay where a trailhead development is being planned.

On Wednesday morning, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys (FG) announced the funding, less than a year after the opening of the 1.5 kilometre paved cycling and walking route from the Quin Rd in Ennis to the Clareabbey roundabout.

A further €121,000 has been allocated to six other Clare projects. They include €28,975 for the creation of a new walking trail adjacent to the Kilnamona GAA complex; €22,304 for the design and development of a lakeside amenity at Doon Lake, Broadford; €21,207 to link cycle routes from Kilrush Town Centre and along the nearby coastal roads; €20,102 towards the development of a community area at Cullaun Lake, Kilkishen; €15,508 for the development of a looped walking trail in Ennistymon and €13,036 to improve the Errina Canal trail surface in O’Briensbridge.

Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) said the €50,000 River Fergus grant would be used to develop a plan to extend the route to the Quay in Clarecastle ahead of applying for larger finding to deliver the project in full. “The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the first phase of the Fergus walkway has given impetus to proceed with the task of linking it to Clarecastle where a trailhead, incorporating a boardwalk and visitor facilities, will be developed,” he stated.

Deputy Carey added, “The project is already generating significant tourism and educational benefits to an area that is beautifully scenic, ecologically rich and historically important. It also has the potential to evolve into one of the most significant recreational projects in the county, particularly in the context of a link to the proposed West Clare Greenway which has been under active consideration for several years. The development of the existing walkway is a practical example of how proper planning can broaden the benefits of public investment. The extensive engineering work on the Ennis South drainage scheme provided the opportunity to develop a walkway along the length of the embankment”.

Summertime is the ideal time to have braces fitted

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THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

W

ITH a return to school in sight, parents are being urged to have their children ‘braced’ for their new school year by booking an appointment with their orthodontist.

When it comes to children, specialists recommend a first visit from the age of 10 onwards. A summertime appointment not only gives them the leeway to adjust to their new braces as the specialist orthodontist works on their growing smile, it also eases their social transition into secondary school.

Dr Jeeves of Ennis Orthodontic Practice tells The Clare Echo, “The one thing we do is encourage that the kids have braces walking

into first year because you’re moving into a new school, making a new set of friends, so to walk in with that makes it a non-event. Having braces put on during the school year, it becomes something their peers notice.

“Getting a brace put on in the summer allows them to become accustomed to it, it also means we can see them prior to going back to school which allows them to focus on their schoolwork and extracurricular activities at the beginning of the year, so it works for that reason.”

Dr Jeeves adds that patients with braces tend to have increased self-esteem. “A straight set of teeth can be a benefit in terms of aesthetics. There is also an at-

tached improvement in dental health. It makes sense that if teeth are straight they are easier to keep clean. More importantly, it has a huge psychological benefit.

“I don’t think any child that walks out of here with straight teeth regrets doing them and invariably they are two inches taller psychologically; that’s what parents tell me.”

Does Your Child’s Growing Smile Require Orthodontics?

A specialist orthodontist can assess your child’s growth pattern l EXPERT: Dr Jeeves to see if early treatment is recommended. A first the correct position. appointment should For parents unsure of be made any time af- whether they need to ter your child turns 10 visit the orthodontist, to survey the dentitian the continued presence (condition of the teeth), of baby teeth is a sign and to check the teeth that an appointment is are coming through in required.

Dr Jeeves explains that any social anxiety associated with braces has now dissipated, with many children now seeing it as a rite of passage. “Anywhere from age 10-12 is the

ideal age to start wearing braces,” he says, explaining that treatment time is 16 months on average, depending on the difficulty of the case.

“We continue to see the patient every six weeks and after we finish the treatment, we fit the patient with a retainer and monitor them for an additional 18 months.”

Where should I book my appointment Those in need of orthodontic treatment are advised to visit a specialist in the field.

Work carried out by non-specialist dentists can potentially lead to the need for reparation works, while numerous dental and orthodontic organisations warn the public of the dangers of undertaking “direct to consumer” mail order braces.

Dr Jeeves, based in Westgate Business Park on the Kilrush Road, Ennis, has been serving the people of Clare since 2004. After qualifying as a dentist, Jeeves spent nine years specialising to become an orthodontist. “Other practitioners who aren’t specialists don’t have the benefit of that time and experience together with over 20 years working as a specialist,” he adds.

Patients can claim medical expenses on their orthodontic treatment of up to 20 per cent rebate and Ennis Orthodontic Practice are happy to assist with the required forms.

To make an appointment, call 065 6860001 or email info@ennisbraces.com.

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THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Woman kicked and stripped by partner after miscarriage

by GORDON DEEGAN

A

MAN kicked and stripped his then partner and gave her a black eye five days after the woman miscarried her pregnancy earlier this year, a court

has heard.

At the Family Law Court, the woman said that in an earlier assault this year “he gave me a black eye and beat me while I was pregnant”. The woman said that the maternity hospital where she was going do have records of bruises on her body.

Recounting another alleged assault on her by the man last year, the woman said that her then partner “hit me across the face, bit my nose and stripped me naked”.

Recalling the alleged assault five days after she miscarried this year, the softly spoken woman said that after the couple got home from a family event, “he kicked me and stripped me again".

She said, “He hit my head off the wall.

Gave me another black eye and that went on for two hours that night and the next morning I got up”. The woman said that the couple went camping in June “and he hurt me”.

Man assaulted in Ennis ONE MAN has been hospitalised following a Bank Holiday assault in Ennis, writes Páraic McMahon.

At approximately 3:30am on the morning of Monday (August 1st), Gardaí were informed that a man was lying unconscious in Abbey St, Ennis with blood cover-

ing his face.

Medical assistance was immediately administered to this male and he was taken to University Hospital Limerick with non-life threatening injuries. The scene was preserved for technical examination.

Crime prevention offi-

Solicitor, Shiofra Hassett for the woman told the court that her client “has taken photos of injuries he has caused during your relationship” and Ms Hassett handed the photos into court.

Judge Mary Larkin said the allegations made “are extremely distressing” and granted the woman a Safety Order for five years.

There was no appearance by the man for the Safety Order application hearing.

Ms Hassett said that in relation to the most recent alleged assault that occurred while camping, her client has made a statement to Gardai and the man has been charged with

assault and the case is before the criminal district court.

The woman told Judge Larkin that her ex-partner has never been honest with her about drugs and she didn’t know if he has a drug problem now.

She said, “He used to be addicted to cocaine and tablets”.

A safety order is an order of the court which prohibits the abusive person from committing further alleged violence or threats of alleged violence. If the man breaches the order, he can be arrested and brought before the court.

CHEERING FOR THE PARISH

cer, Sergeant Triona Brooks told The Clare Echo, “There were large crowds of people on Abbey Street at this time and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed this assault or anyone who may have camera footage to contact Ennis Garda Station on 6848100”.

lSUPPORT: Young Crusheen supporters in full voice in Cusack ParkPhoto by Gerard O'Neill

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Venue site moves forward with lease transferred to Council PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

GREEMENT for a transfer of the Shannon Venue site has been reached.

On Monday, the Directors of the Shannon Venue Ltd announced “that they have facilitated the transfer of their Town Centre site to Clare County Council”.

In their statement, the group detailed that a “sale has been completed” to enable the local authority to develop the One Shannon Hub, a multi-functional civic and community facility in the heart of Shannon. The hub is a key objective of the Shannon Town Masterplan.

Plans to develop the Shannon Venue were scrapped in 2018 when a voluntary group established six years earlier failed to secure necessary Government funding and instead funds were granted for a masterplan.

A 99-year lease for the site, previously held by the directors of the Shannon Venue project, has been transferred to the local authority to allow them to build the One Shannon Hub.

lHUB: Love Shannon members, Darragh O’Connor, Elton Good, Brendan Wall & Derek Clune at the site of what could have been The Venue Photo by Joe Buckley

Derek Barrett who was a director in the project believed the Hub was “exactly what the Venue team set out to deliver on their site” and described it as “a fantastic opportunity”. “While it has taken 10 years to get to this stage, the plans for the One Shannon Hub exceed the team’s expectations.

The total area will be almost twice the size of the original concept and will accommodate even more services and facilities. Most importantly, the County Council has taken

ownership and is now driving the design, funding and delivery of the project,” the statement outlined.

Financial and legal advisors of the Shannon Venue Ltd will be instructed by directors to now wind down the company, he confirmed. “Once the liabilities have been settled, any remaining funds will be returned on a pro-rata basis to the donors who supported the Venue through the concept, design and planning stages”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) was critical of the statement issued by the Directors and that they referenced a potential completion date of 2027.

He flagged that the protect was initiated

by Shannon councillors almost two decades ago, “the Venue people decided we weren’t up to the task and what did they do, the Government turned down in 2018 for URDF funding”. He added, “People were playing around with the site for ten years and they threw the toys out of the cot when they didn’t get funding”.

He questioned how the Venue site ended up in the property portfolio of Shannon Development and urged Shannon Commercial Properties to relinquish their ownership.

Aspects of the Masterplan can come to fruition because of the public engagement, Cllr Flynn maintained. “Last year, during the lockdown I was going around with a mask to meet members of the public to try rescue what was a very poor masterplan and we did rescue it because the people of Shannon engaged with the process”. He added, “I’ll support Clare County Council to do whatever we can do to make this the one stop shop. We have a fall back though, we have a perfectly good site where we have the depot”.

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Bee brings Sixmilebridge to a standstill PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

IXMILEBRDGE and surrounding areas of the county came to a standstill this week for the funeral of Bridget Loughnane (neé O’Halloran).

Thousands of mourners paid their respects to the family and friends of the 42 year old mother of three who died on Saturday evening, shortly after 4pm.

Bridget or Bee as she was more commonly known to her friends was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in October 2019, she battled the illness with immense courage and determination.

These were of course traits that the Cappa woman showed on countless occasions when representing The Bridge on the camogie field, some of her opponents will certainly testify to this while others can recall that conversation was plentiful in her company on and off the field.

In the past decade, she returned to college to study to become a secondary school teacher and she graduate from the Universi-

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

ty of Limerick as an English and PE teacher.

Prior to this, Bee worked at Bunraty Manor and the Leisure Centre of the Shannon Shamrock Hotel, everywhere she went she left an impression, largely through her warmth, personality, humour and stunning appearance.

At Tuesday morning’s funeral mass at St. Finnachta's Church in Sixmilebridge, symbols of her life were brought before the altar, “the gifts in many ways will tell her story,” Fr Harry Bohan noted. They included her Sixmilebridge camogie jersey, hurley with pink grip and marathon shirt to show her determination, commitment and love of the community, a globe to highlight her sense of adventure and love of the world, a textbook in reference to her work as a teacher, a family picture in recognition of her love for her nearest and dearest, a friendship bracelet to remember the strong bonds she built and also a Zara package to indicate her love of shopping.

Fr Bohan said the volume of people passing for four hours and queuing in the rain for Monday’s reposal and the crowds on Tuesday served as “a huge tribute” to Bridget, the O’Halloran and Loughnane families

lRIP: The late Bridget Loughnane with her family, husband Barry and three children, Harry, Neila and Aaron

and the respect held for them. He noted the reaction to her death “was enormous” and “since Saturday this community had stood still”.

At each weekend service in Sixmilebridge it was clear for Fr Bohan, “we were a community in grief ”. He added, “After all those masses people gathered in small groups outside the church, groups of people were shocked, a local community was shocked”.

He acknowledged the “huge gesture of respect” from local publicans who cancelled all music events planned for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Deep roots of the O’Halloran family were recalled by Fr Bohan who commended Bridget’s families for supporting her and Barry on “a long journey, a big battle and a huge struggle”. He told the mass of one message he received from a school teacher following Sunday mass in Sixmilebridge who noted the palpable air of sadness around the village, the woman shared how Bridget was “’a most beautiful person who fought a heroic battle to stay every second possible with her children, Barry and the family’. Then she said ‘I’ll be having Harry in my class in Sept, I’ll support him and care for him with all my heart’”.

Speaking from the altar on Tuesday, Bee’s husband Barry Loughnane voiced their appreciation with the groundswell of support evident in recent days. “Bee was an absolute amazing person with numerous magnificent qualities, thankfully for me all those magnificent qualities will live on Harry, Neila and Aaron, she will never leave us,” he said.

Her battle with cancer had been “absolute torture” over the past three years but he admitted to being struck by the determination and refusal of his loving wife to complain.

The “exceptional support group” and pools of friends that she had were central to her surviving for so long, Barry felt. “Our families have been phenomenal, they’ve seen most of the hardship we’ve been through, without them we wouldn’t have got this far.

Our appreciation is unfounded”.

Her selflessness to “find the strength” for other people was amazing and often followed periods when she had been bed bound for days. “She is the definition of toughness, she never once complained with all the tough surgeries. Her determination, boy God was she determined to live as long as she could, if someone said eat nettles she went out and ate them, she tried everything she possibly could, she fought to the bitter end,” the Shannon man added.

“Even though today is an extremely sad day, just because she’s gone doesn’t mean we love her any less or that we will stop loving her, it always means we will never stop feeling the love she had for us. Love you Bee, see you later,” Barry concluded to rapturous applause.

Bridget was the beloved wife of Barry and loving mother of Harry, Neila and Aaron, daughter of Caroline and Seamus (RIP), daughter in law of Mary and Ger, sister to Mary (Crosbie), Ann (Sweeney), Michael, Gerard and Paul, sister in law to Ciaran, Derek, Ardia, Ciara, and Jodie. An aunt, a niece, a cousin, and a friend to so many.

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THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Potential for 'quick buck'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON AN ‘OPPORTUNIST’ could save Clare County Council from spending “hundreds of thousands of euros” on an overflow car park by one of East Clare’s most popular tourist amenities.Clare County Council are presently assessing their land holdings in the vicinity of Two Mile Gate as part of considerations to develop an overflow car park.

Such a proposal was not necessary in the eyes of Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) who felt there instead was potential for locals to make a quick buck while also easing the burden on the County Council.

According to the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, all that’s needed is to “get a young fella to open the gate and make a few bob”.

Acting senior executive officer in the Killaloe MD, Morgan Lahiffe responded, “as a local authority we are subject to planning conditions, I won’t comment on other things going on in the county but we simply can’t open a gate”.

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

S

IXTY CHILDREN partook in the second annual Clare GAA Autism Activity Cúl Camp held this week.

Over the course of three days this week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), 50 coaches and volunteers helped to make a difference at the camp in Cusack Park which caters for children on the ASD spectrum ranging in age from six to 13.

Last year, Clare became only the third county in Ireland to hold a Cúl Camp specifically for children on the spectrum.

Clare Sports Partnership disability inclusion officer, James Murrihy told The Clare Echo they were keen to build on the success of last year. “The big thing for us this year is to try make it better than last year. We had a sensory station last year with a blanket, toys and games to play with by the tunnel but this year we’ve turned a dressing room into a sensory room for kids where they can have time out and relax which is a big thing for the children depending on the type of autism and where they are on the spectrum”.

Children from all over Clare have been in Cusack Park this week with some from neighbouring counties of Limerick and Galway also signed up. “We’re covering every part of the county,” James outlined.

Feedback thus far has been very

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Clare continues to set the way with Autism Activity Cúl Camp

lRAINBOW: Participants at the Clare GAA Autism Activity Cúl Camp Photo by Joe Buckley

positive, he admitted. “It’s been absolutely brilliant, we’ve been full up for a good few weeks. From our own perspective, it’s trying to make it bigger and better than last year, we added the sensory room which we didn’t have last year, we’re trying to maintain the volunteers and coaches ratio to allow

kids to have a good time”.

Support from partner organisations such as Clare GAA has been key to making it a success, he said.

This year, camps will also be held in association with Derg AC and Athletics Ireland for a similar camp while the FAI are their partners for a camp for children with

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A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session.

Down Syndrome to be held in Sixmilebridge. “We’ve three camps in 2022, we want to go to five camps in 2023, the plan is that we’ll increase the numbers next year and we are offering children with disabilities chance to come to a summer camp. The support of the NGBs has been key,” James added.

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THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Burren named Best Place to Holiday in Ireland

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

T

HE BURREN has been crowned as ‘The Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022’.

Hosted by The Irish Times in association with Fáilte Ireland, the Burren won the summer competition for its stunning landscape and its vision for sustainable tourism.

Unanimously backed by the judging panel, The Burren beat off stiff competition from the four other shortlisted locations, Achill, Co Mayo, Carlingford, Co Louth, The Causeway Coast / Portrush in Co Antrim and Inisbofin Co Galway.

Among the other things which impressed the judges about The Burren are its breath-taking coastal scenery and world-class tourist attractions, its grassroots food culture, and its joined-up community approach to warmly welcoming visitors while also protecting what is a unique environment.

The announcement was made live simultaneously on www.irishtimes.com and on The Ray Darcy Show on RTÉ Radio One. The win caps a remarkable double for Clare in The Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland Compe-

tition’ as the inaugural winner of the competition back in 2013 was the Loop Head Peninsula.

This year’s competition began in early May when members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite holiday destination on the island of Ireland. Over the course of the summer, close to 1,200 members of the public nominated hundreds of locations in every county in Ireland for the title of ‘The Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022’. While the number of nominations was a factor in the selection of the top locations – The Burren received 6 - the quality of the place itself was the chief consideration.

Two weeks ago, the long list of ‘Best 20 Places to Holiday in Ireland’ was published while last week the short list of five finalists was announced. Clare was one of just four counties to have two locations on that list – The Burren and Lough Derg.

Every nominated location was considered by a panel of judges on a range of criteria including natural amenities, built

environment, sustainability, tourism services, diversity, a warm welcome for visitors, transport links, accommodation supply, cost and of course the X factor.

Chair of the Judging Panel, Conor Goodman from The Irish Times said that while selecting a winner had been difficult, in the end, the many fine qualities of The Burren shone through. He said this was clearly demonstrated in the comments of the judges and reviewers.

For Irish Times journalist Rosita Boland who hails from Ennis, The Burren is simply a unique region. “Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, and composed of fields of limestone, under which a network of unseen caves lie, the Burren is a haunting, stunning landscape. Among the fields of stone are a myriad of small businesses, making and selling local produce, while also collectively doing their best to safeguard this special place, including the rare flowers that bloom among the stone each spring. The towns and villages in the Burren each have their own distinct character and charm. The more you explore of this unique region in Ireland, the more it rewards the visitor”.

lPhoto by Burren Eye Photography

Kilrush keen to host National Famine Commemoration again

by PÁRAIC McMAHON KILRUSH is to put its hand up to host the National Famine Commemoration once again.

A request has been issued to the National Famine Commemoration Committee for the West Clare town to host the commemoration for the first time since 2013.

It follows a proposal by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) before the West Clare Municipal District who also appealed to the local authority to commission a sculpture or monument “in recognition of the work done by Captain Kennedy during the Famine”.

Acting senior executive officer, John O’Malley confirmed that the request would be made to host the event. He forwarded the call for a monument to the Council’s memorials committee to discuss the matter in more detail.

In 2013, Kilrush hosted a 10 day programme of events leading up to the National Famine Commemoration, the official representation was led by President, Michael D. Higgins. This included a series of lectures, walks, tours, re-enactments, theatre, music, exhibitions and local commemoration ceremonies. The events recalled the impact of the Great Famine on the people and the landscape of the Kilrush Poor Law Union.

Indeed Kilrush and its environs were

among the areas worst hit by the Great Irish Famine between 1845 and the early 1850s.

In the 1840s, half a century before the introduction of Local Authorities, most local government and local taxation were devolved to the level of the Poor Law Union and placed in the hands of the local Boards of Guardians.

In the Kilrush Union, which originally stretched all the way from Loop Head in the west to Quilty in the north to Kildysart in the east, the unpaid Guardians lost control of the situation during the famine. In November 1847, Captain Arthur Kennedy was appointed in an advisory capacity as Poor Law Inspector for Kilrush, where he remained until September 1850. His detailed reports documented the further deterioration of the situation, and the Guardians were stripped of their powers, which were transferred between April 1848 and November 1849 to two paid Vice-Guardians.

Between December 1849 and February 1850, the Illustrated London News carried a lengthy seven-part series entitled Condition of Ireland: Illustrations of the New Poor-Law, illustrated by a total of eighteen sketches. The series and the sketches concentrated on the Poor Law Union of Kilrush, where the effects of famine were particularly harshly felt. These 18 sketches are by far the best recognised images of famine in Ireland.

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

New Corofin booklet to highlight local attractions TADHG HOLLAND

T

HE Corofin Tourism Association has launched a new booklet aimed at promoting the natural landscape and historical points of interest in the North Clare village.

The 14-page brochure produced with the support of The Clare County Council lists 40 sights to visit in the area, including The Dysert O’Dea Castle and High Cross, Rath Castle, Richmond House, Killinaboy Round Tower, Clifden Mill, Dromore Castle and Synge’s Soup School.

Corofin is relatively well touristed due to its position on the Southern edge of The Burren and carries a degree of pop-cultural fame as the home of Fr. Ted’s house from the classic channel 4 sitcom, yet Niall Monogue, editor of the Fáilte Corofin booklet and chairman of The Corofin Tourism Association, says they were motivated to pro-

duce the brochure after getting tired of people telling them there was nothing around the village to see.

“One of the main things behind why we did it was because people were saying to us ‘there’s nothing around here in Corofin’, so we said we’d have to come up with something to keep people in the area for longer. The main reason behind it all was that if someone came here in the morning or was passing and popped into a shop for a coffee, they could pick this booklet up and stay around for the day. So, they could, before they head back towards The Cliffs of Moher, spend a few hours around the place” Niall said.

For Niall, out of all the attractions in the exhaustive list contained in the brochure, Kildysart castle is his pick for Corofin’s top destination “[my favourite is] Kildysart castle. A lot of tourists love it there because it’s so quiet and you can tour around yourself. It’s more of a peaceful sort of an area not like, will we say, Bunratty Castle. It’s just

something totally different and off the grid” he said. Yet, he underscores, the landscape is the real attraction, “The main thing really is the Burren, Mullaghmore and the walkways around there, they’re like a different planet”.

The next project for The Corofin Tourism Association is to update their website, another initiative aimed at returning tourism in the village to pre-pandemic levels, something which Niall says hasn’t been achieved yet.

Between the tourism group and The Corofin Community Development Association though Niall told The Clare Echo this week that “there’s a lot going on around the town. One of the main things was the painting scheme, that all the houses on the street and village are painted, and the shop fronts are being done up at moment, so the village is looking well, but there is a lot of other stuff that isn’t done and are in the pipeline at the minute.”

You can pick up a copy of the Fáilte Corofin booklet in most businesses in the village.

NEWS 11

lDysart O'Dea Castle

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12

NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

'Playing chicken' in local estates a concern RESIDENTS are to be met as appeals to remove the gateway system from Purcell Park to Cluain Airne intensify due to motorists “playing chicken” and regular complaints of speeding, writes Páraic McMahon.

Dubbing the speed reduction measures leading from Purcell Park, Tradaree to Cluain Airne as a ‘gateway system’, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) asked the Shannon Municipal District to remove them at the earliest convenience.

She outlined, “this system does not seem to be working in the area but speed is still an issue on this road which

only has one way in and one way out for those living in Tradaree and Cluain Airne”.

The Shannon representative requested residents be met to determine the “how best going forward” to reduce speed.

Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett confirmed that speed and traffic volume surveys were to be undertaken in the area “to assist with an assessment of the existing infrastructure”.

He added, “a meeting with residents can take place when this assessment is complete”.

Speaking at the July meeting of the Shannon MD,

the Sinn Féin councillor referred to the “many complaints” she has received on the issue. “People are playing chicken with each other to see how fast they can get up the road,” Donna stated.

She was pleased to hear the commitment to meet residents and shared their concern, “they are afraid a child will be hit”.

Her Shannon colleague, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) flagged that he raised the matter on numerous occasions. The installation of easy ramps in new housing developments are “a huge inconvenience to local people,” he said.

Illaunmanagh works to be complete soon

lPhoto by Joe Buckley

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

paraic@clareecho.ie

ORKS to combat difficulties outside the county’s main crematorium and Shannon’s biggest graveyard are to be completed by early September while the “ethnic status” of Travellers gives them “massive power” and weakens the ability to clamp down on illegal encampments, a local authority meeting has heard.

A new footpath and improved public carpark is to be installed in the Illaunmanagh area and include the installation of new drainage infrastructure, kerbing, a new macadam footpath, the new carparking area and a new entrance, senior executive engineer in the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett stated. “These works will be completed by early September,” he confirmed.

His comments came in response to a motion by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) who had sought an update on previous proposals “concerning the difficulties experienced by the local community in Shannon when they are visiting the Graveyard in Illaunmanagh”.

Flynn referenced how the parking area near the main entrance was caused “due to illegal encampments causing massive inconvenience”, he continued, “it is a shame that

an overflow carpark was closed as a reaction to an illegal encampment”.

He also highlighted how “safety issues” are persisting on the “very busy” Slí na Mara with the present sight-lines.

“People are coming from all over Ireland” to the crematorium, Cllr Flynn stated when discussing the amount of traffic and vehicles in the area.

Parking etiquette was criticised by the Shannon resident who flagged that disabled spaces were parked in by those not meeting the criteria. He was hopeful the new carpark would be opened and managed properly.

Popularity of the nearby loop has seen walkers utilise the car park, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) observed when seconding the motion. “It is an issue that comes up time and time again,” she said.

Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) questioned if by laws could be enacted to oversee the management of the car park while stressing the need for it to be reopened.

“Make a proper car park with marked out spaces which is managed properly by the local authority and have by laws to say these people cannot use it”.

Senior engineer Mellett said this could be examined and Flynn replied, “the by laws are possible but the people we are talking about couldn’t give a ‘tuppetedy dam’ about by laws”.

Cllr Ryan then interjected, “they have ethnic status which gives them massive power”.

Arts & Entertainment 13

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Naomi Louisa O'Connell to resonate at glór PÁRAIC MCMAHON

M

paraic@clareecho.ie

EZZO-SOPRANO, Naomi Louisa O’Connell has been announced as glór’s musician in residence for the second edition of RESONATE. Six arts centres across Ireland have brought some of Ireland’s most established professional musicians to different cultural spaces from July to October under the programme.

Each musician is awarded €8,000 as part of RESONATE to support and facilitate the making of new work and creative partnerships.

It provides the artists with the time and space to cultivate new sounds which may never have been brought to life otherwise.

Audiences will have opportunities to enjoy the new material created through live concert performances in November and via online video content shared on social media platforms shortly afterwards.

A love of music for Naomi Louisa began in Lismorahaun when she heard an opera arias around a piano.

From there, the Burren native would study at Juilliard and secure her first professional job on London’s West End. Widely praised for her versatility on operatic, theatrical and recital stages, Naomi will develop a song cycle for voice, piano, and live electronics with pianist Gary Beecher and composer Emma O’Halloran while in residence.

Taking inspiration from their shared backgrounds, they will explore various musical styles and forms drawing on classical, cabaret, folk, and pop music influences to create an exciting new work.

Hailed by The New York Times as “radiant,” Naomi made her professional debut in 2012 starring on the West End in Terrence McNally’s play Master Class.

Her work encompasses both theatrical and operatic repertoire, ranging from plays to operas, from recitals and cabarets to sound sculptures and virtual reality performances.

A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Naomi was brought up in the Burren and studied in Ireland with Archie Simpson and Mary Brennan.

Upcoming performances include engagements with LA Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Irish National Opera, Hong Kong’s ‘Intimate of Creativity’ Festival, and New York’s Prototype Festival.

Naomi’s collaborators for her residency are Irish composer and vocalist, Emma O’Halloran, who has written for folk musicians, chamber ensembles, turntables, laptop orchestra, symphony orchestra, film, and theatre along with Cork pianist Gary Beecher who has had a varied career as a vocal accompanist, chamber musician and soloist and currently teaches Piano and Contemporary Keyboards at the MTU Cork School of Music.

In 2021, RESONATE produced six beautiful performances from guitarist Eamon Sweeney, violinist Larissa O’Grady, composer and improviser Philip Christie, feisty fiddler & bilingual singer Clare Sands, singer songwriter Emma Langford and uilleann piper David Power.

Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.

Music Network is a national music touring and development organisation whose mission is to make high quality live music available and accessible to people throughout Ireland.

Visit glor.ie for more information.

lNaomi Louisa O'Connell

Kildysart Show celebrates 80th anniversary in style lPhoto by Niamh O’Connell

CELEBRATIONS took place in style for the 80th anniversary of the Kildysart Agricultural Show.

Following an absence of three years, the show came back with a bang, thanks in no small part to

the hard working committee who worked tirelessly in preparation of its return.

Wonderful exhibits were noticed in all sections including showjumping, horse and pony showing, cat-

tle, sheep, donkeys and even a few goats arrived to compete for the Gerard Ginnane Memorial Cup, presented by his sister Ita Ann in his memory. The vintage was as popular as ever with butter making one of the many attractions. There were the usual trade stands and lots of entertainment for the kids which kept them occupied.

PRO of the Kildysart Agricultural Show, Bridget Garry stated, “Of course the Champion of Champions for young horses also brought out the cream from many parts of the country. The All Ireland two year old Filly Championship was certainly the most contested”.

She added, “Without the generous sponsorship drawn from companies and individuals from many parts of the county and further afield, it wouldn’t be possible to stage this great event known as the best in the west”.

14

OUT & ABOUT

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

BAD WEATHER DOESN'T STOP SCARIFF

I

N THE week of David Trimble’s death, the impact of the Good Friday Agreement in connecting communities North and South was remembered in Scariff over the weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

Stewart Dickson, Alliance Party MLA for East Antrim acknowledged the work of the inaugural first Minister and that of the late John Hume when he opened Scariff Harbour Festival on Friday evening.

“We must appreciate the role of community festivals in keeping North South links alive, allowing us to celebrate our roots and build networks,’ he said.

He also acknowledged the cultural, economic and historic nature of our waterways and thanked Waterways Ireland for continuing its efforts and demonstrating how local people and organisations can work together and celebrate culture and natural amenities.

Despite a massive downpour on Saturday, the sun shone and the crowds came out in their numbers to bring the festival to a close on Sunday night. Harry O’Meara of the Harbour Festival Committee said how great it was to be back after a two hiatus of Covid-19.

“Hopefully events such as ours up and down the country can start to resume successfully once again,” he said.

Martin Hayes spoke and played to a most appreciative audience at Scariff Library following the publication of his memoir Shared Notes – A Musical Journey, while local emigrant stories were brought alive at the harbour by professional genealogist Jane Halloran Ryan. Outdoor walks and talks were partly hampered by the inclement weather but the spirits weren’t completely dampened for a wide range of street activities enjoyed by young and old.

Mike Rodgers, Chair of the Harbour Festival Committee expressed his utmost gratitude to the small but fully committed team who continue to make the Festival a success.

“Not even the bad weather stops us”. He added, “We have learned over the years to deal with the challenges it brings” and acknowledged the loyal support of the festival goers, visitors and sponsors big and small, including EKO Integrated Services, who have recently taken over the Finsa Forest site in Scariff. lSUMMER FUN : Pictured at the Scariff Harbour Festival were (clockwise from top): Alex Ahchong from Ennis gets his face painted; Elaine Bradley and Joe McGrath from Irish Seed Savers show their produce at the Festival Market; Cub Scouts Johnny Bailey from Scariff and Jack McTernan from Mountshannon take a rest; Mary and Teresa Kelly from Tulla play some games at the East Clare Community Co-Op; Mila Bengochea and her dog Beanz Photos by Natasha Barton

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

OUT & ABOUT

HARBOUR FESTIVAL FROM SHINING

15

lTAKING IT ALL IN: Pictured at the Scariff Harbour Festival were (clockwise from top left): Venture Scout Leader Lucy Whenday teaches how to tie knots; Chef Ishka makes some homemade pizzas in the East Clare Community Co Op; Reese Foster from Flagmount with his daughters Violet and Ebony taking a walk around the Market; Christine Kiefer and Jackie Parfitt from the Glendree Potters with a stall at Scariff Harbour Festival Market; Isabel Carolan checks out the sunflowers growing in the East Clare Community CoOp Photos by Natasha Barton

16

NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Sewage plan will 'spoil' area

by TADHG HOLLAND

P

LANS to construct a new sewage treatment system in Islandmagrath, Clarecastle has met strong opposition from locals.

Residents in the Lissane area have grown hugely concerned about potential impacts the construction of the new plant could have on the area, namely in relation to increased traffic on the road, odor, damage to local habi-

tats and decreases in property values for homes located close to the chosen sight. Submissions from 15 individuals have been received by the Planning Authority in relation to the development.

For local resident Mags McMahon, the development represents “a huge shame” for the local environment, “this is a beautiful area of countryside out here and it’s just next to the Fergus estuary which is a conservation area.

"The sight itself is proposed to

have a concrete septic tank within meters of the road which is part of the mid Clare way. It’s a narrow road, it’ll be difficult to park trucks, it’ll be completely spoiled” she said.

However, an environmental impact assessment (EAI) undertaken

by Burke Environmental Services on behalf of Clare Drains Environmental Ltd. doesn’t agree with the residents’ ecological concerns, saying “it can be concluded that there will be no significant direct

or indirect impacts on the receiving environment.”

The report doesn’t broach one the most significant environmental concerns of the locals, flooding.

In the original planning application submitted by Clare Drains Environmental Ltd, the company said that to the best of their knowledge, the sight in question had never been flooded.

This is a major point of contention for the locals who say it is in fact a flood plain.

In 2011, according to Marie Connors, a landowner in the area, she was refused planning permission to build a house on a sight she owns adjacent to the proposed sewage development because of flooding risks.

Clare County Council are due to make a decision on the application within the next three weeks.

“If it’s confirmed they will get planning, I’d say yes we will appeal,” said MacMahon, “I think all they can do is withdraw”.

Killaloe in need of 'facelift'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

Public Participation Day KILKEE COMMUNITY HALL THURSDAY 18TH AUGUST 2pm to 8pm

Members of the public and businesses are invited to attend a Public Participation Day to share information on their experience of flooding in Kilkee and their thoughts on the potential solutions that are currently being considered.

Presentations from the project team will be held at 2:30pm, 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

JBA Consulting, OPW and Clare County Council will be present. www.kilkeefrs.ie In association with:

CALLS FOR “a major clean up and facelift” of Killaloe town’s lower end and its bridge crossing the border into Tipperary has been sought.

In a proposal before the July sitting of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) urged Clare County Council to engage with relevant bodies such as Waterways Ireland and Tipperary County Council to organise “a major clean up and facelift of the lower end of Killaloe town” and the bridge linking it with Ballina. Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) seconded the request.

He flagged, “the entire area has become overgrown.

The pedestrian bridge over the canal is in very poor state and needs to get a major clean up”.

Commitments to hold a meeting with Tipperary County Council, Waterways Ireland and the ESB “to clarify areas of responsibility and to establish maintenance requirements,” were issued by acting senior executive engineer, Derek Troy. “Where accessible” painting maintenance will be undertaken on the pedestrian bridge but he was of the view that “more significant maintenance and repair works” will be required.

Arrangements will be made to undertake a structural inspection of the pedestrian bridge “in the coming months,” Troy stated.

Inspections are generally undertaken every five years and are part of a reciprocal agreement with Tipperary County Council.

He anticipated the bridge would be included in the next round of inspections funded by the Department

of Transport and “will address the vegetation overgrowth to bridge abutment structures, bridge sidewalls, parapets and recommend the required remediation measures”.

Outlining his hope with the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement Mobility Plan, Cllr O’Brien pointed to the bottom of the town and described it as being “in a neglected state”. “There is a doubt on ownership but it is an eyesore. It is very unkept and it is not an inviting place to stay around,” he commented of the pedestrian bridge.

O’Brien acknowledged the amount of agencies involved to carry out improvements and moved towards the church in Ballina with the surrounding area “like a jungle”. He was hopeful that elected members would be invited to planned meetings with the relevant agencies.

“It is not totally in the wilderness, I don’t want bad reviews to be going out, Killaloe is a lovely place to come to but all I’m saying is it needs a hand”.

Acting senior executive officer in the Killaloe MD, Morgan Lahiffe responded, “I agree with what you’re trying to achieve”. He explained that they are in “constant communication” with Waterways Ireland throughout the shorelines of Lough Derg. He suggested that it might be more beneficial for the engineers from the respective local authorities to meet on their own.

“If you were to drive to Killaloe this evening, you will see that it’s a nice place but it could be a lot better,” O’Brien stated. He added, “It’s a simple job I’m looking for, we can do better”.

NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Clare is Amazing,

17

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take it ALL in...

Get Active on the Water!

August is an excellent month for water activities around Clare, and the last month to enjoy the water before schools reopen.

Here are a few suggestions.

Make a splash on Lough Derg Enjoy an unforgettable kayaking experience on Lough Derg with ‘My Next Adventure’ in Killaloe. They can provide all you need for a Lough Derg kayaking tour in the company of their expert guides. Or, check out Derg Isle Adventure Centre, located close to Inis Cealtra. They offer a wide range of exciting land and water activities including kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. If you are organising group outings, the UL Sport Adventure Centre on the shores of Lough Derg near Killaloe offers great land and water activity options – together with excellent purpose-built facilities.

Break for Ballyalla Lake, Ennis Clare Water Sports specialise in kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding tours and equipment rentals all over Clare. During August, they will have kayaks and stand-up paddle boards for rent at Ballyalla Lake in Ennis. They also offer lessons daily – a great way to get into watersports.

Head to the Clare Coast

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to water activities on the Clare coast.

Several companies provide lessons if you want to learn to surf or paddleboard.

Most also offer wetsuits and other equipment for hire. The main centres are Lahinch, Kilkee, Spanish Point, Fanore, Doolin, and Ballyvaughan. Companies to check out include: • Aloha Surf School, Fanore.

• Bay SUP, Ballyvaughan.

• Ben’s Surf Clinic, Lahinch.

• Celtic Surf School, Spanish Point.

• Lahinch Surf School.

• Lahinch Surf Experience.

• Nevsail Watersports and Adventures, Kilkee (kayaking and adventure camps).

• North Clare Sea Kayaking, Doolin.

• Ollie’s Lahinch Surf Centre.

• The Green Room Surf School, Lahinch.

• White Water Surf Company, Spanish Point.

Aqua Park, Kilrush & Killaloe

Have fun at an Aqua Park in Kilrush or Killaloe An epic, fun adventure for all the family.

You can jump, slide, climb or bounce your way around the inflatable obstacle course on the water. Children as young as six can take part.

Lahinch

Please Stay Safe: For water safety advice, visit www.watersafety.ie

Kilkee

VisitClare.ie

18

COLUMNIST

VEGAN CURRY IN A HURRY

F

M

YOU WILL NEED: • 1 can of chickpeas • 1 can of chopped tomatoes • 1 can of coconut milk • 1 knorr veggie stock melt • 1 onion chopped roughly • 3 crushed cloves of garlic • 1 diced chilli pepper • 1 roughly chopped bell pepper.

• Juice of half a lemon • Salt and pepper to season • Chopped coriander to garnish

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

Kearney Cooks AKING curry from scratch can really freak people out.

There's usually a lot of ingredients and it can take a while to do. I was given the below recipe by a buddy of mine from India. It's basically a simplified version of a masala chan. It cooks very quickly and packs a real flavour punch, and it can be made as mild or as spicy as you like. The recipe here is vegan, as that's how it was given to me, but if you're a member of the IFA then feel free to sprinkle some chicken or beef on top. As usual I will share an instuctional video of how to get this done on my Instagram @kearneycooks this weekend. Anyways, enough guff from me, let's get cracking.

Friendship

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

RIENDSHIP is every colour of the rainbow and all the hues in between. The good, the bad, the ugly, the glorious, the inspirational, the beloved and the brilliant.

Friendship is a really helpful life-line for our souls.

The Richness of Friendship

PLUS 1TSP EACH OF: • 1 tsp of the following spices: • Cumin • Garam masala • Tumeric • Chilli powder • Paprika • Smoked paprika • Ground ginger

into your frying pan with everything else. Now horse in your can of coconut milk and your can of chopped tomatoes. Mix everything through and allow to simmer on the heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Fire in the knorr stockpot now as well.

Step One In a hot pan, fry off your onions and chilli in a little oil for one minute. Then add your garlic and bell pepper and fry for another minute.

Next, add all your spices, mix everything well and allow to fry for another two minutes.

Step Three Just before you're ready to serve, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon or lime and adjust your seasoning with some salt and pepper. Serve it up with some rice and naanbreads, garnish with some chopped Coriander and pair with a tiger beer. Boom. Curry in a hurry!

Step Two Rinse and drain your chickpeas and lob them

Enjoy

Steve K

True friends enrich our lives in so many ways and shower us with many blessings. Through a magical combination of similarities and differences, friends offer us the opportunity to know ourselves as we are and help us grow into who we want to be. Our similarities attract us to each other, comforting us with familiarity when we see ourselves in them.

When we are drawn to those we admire, the same recognition is at work, unconsciously acknowledging that these people possess qualities that we ourselves possess. By acting as mirrors, friends help us define who we are by reflecting ourselves back to us.

True friends also help us know ourselves through our differences. Differences allow us to see other options and make choices about who we want to be.

Sometimes we are drawn to those who appear to be our opposites, and we learn to accept the parts of them we love and the parts of them that don't resonate with us.

True friends have the courage to correct each other's mistakes rather than keep silent and do nothing.

True friends help us to be a better version of ourselves and any friendship that brings toxic elements of bullying or judgmentalism and hurtfulness needs to be dissolved as it will lead to illness and hardship.

Friendship for it to work needs to have a positive impact on our lives, not a negative one.

True friends are very hard to find and if you have them in your life cherish them forever. Part of the joy of friendship is the feeling that we are accepted just the way we are, with no need to change. It is a gift they give us, and one we can give

back every day. Ultimately, we choose friends because they make us feel good about ourselves and life.

Through tears and difficulties, friends help us find laughter.

What is True Friendship?

We all long for true friendship. But, what is true friendship? For me a true friend is someone who shows love, honesty and care at all times and who walks in when the whole world has walked away.

True friendship is when the other person encourages you to be all you can be and challenges you to become the best version of yourself, and vice versa.

But is it possible for us to love and care at all times?

We are all humans, so we all make mistakes and have weaknesses, blind spots, frustrations and selfishnesses. Sometimes we are tired, overworked or depressed. It is very hard to be full of love and care all the time. We will always disappoint each other and even disappoint ourselves.

Yet, the heart of God is always full of love for us. He is our very best friend, who loves us at all times.

A big reason friends stop expressing love to one another is because they misunderstand each other.

People can find it very hard to fully understand what another person truly means. That is normal, it is human, it is typical for our limited ability to hear, feel, see and comprehend each other. God always fully understands us. He sees the depths of our hearts. He knows our deepest hidden thoughts, feelings, motivations and desires. He knows our blind spots and our weaknesses.

He knows our wounds and hurts and is full of compassion and mercy for us. God is our one true friend where all refuge is found and he is true love and true friendship. The more we rest in His love and true friendship, the more we are filled with His mercy and kindness for us, the more He is our true rock and refuge, the more we will be able to be a true friend for others. I believe

friendship is the most genuinely humane relationship of which we are capable.

To be understood and appreciated for oneself is a vital experience in life

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, look around you and truly cherish those special people and friends that are part of your life and always remember that friendship can be a true place of refuge and is one of life's most wonderful blessings.

Let me finish this thought with a prayer I say for my friends, "I will pray for you, my friend. I will name you in my heart before God and ask all His blessing be upon you.

I will be concerned for your rising and your daily mood. I will be sympathetic to your personal needs and desires in each day of your life. I will wish you well in your learning, or your work, in your domestic round and your leisure. I will think of you at the close of each day and pray that God’s peace be with you. If you have been especially kind or helpful to me then I will make my gratitude known to you. If you are in trouble or difficulty of any kind, or simply tired and worn down, I will do all and anything I can to lift your spirits.

I will ache for you in your sorrows and disasters and rejoice with you in your joys and triumphs.

I will love and care for you as I love and care for myself. Amen." Happy World Friendship Week to everyone - In these difficult times, good friends are more important than ever. In the blink of an eye another day is gone, In the blink of an eye another week is gone. In the blink of an eye another month is gone, In the blink of an eye another year is gone. And in the blink of an eye I'll be gone too, And not just me but also you. So maybe we should be wishin' and hopin', so that we could just keep our eyes open. And see and appreciate a ll that we can see, And learn how we can be, the best that we can be, Before it's too late, Time flies, so let's not wait. Whether we have just one life or many, one thing is true, We should try to enjoy every moment we can with family and friends; it's the wisest thing to do!

FEATURES

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

19

GREEN CLARE

Appeals to be made to Minister for Cappa plant

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

ALLS for Cappa to get a secondary wastewater treatment facility are to land on the desk of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In June, a three day no swim notice was in place for Cappa, Kilrush which has prompted Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) to issue a formal request to Minister Darragh O’Brien (FF) “to instruct Irish Water to install a secondary treatment facility as part of the ongoing treatment plant works to ensure that harm-

l Cappa pier

ful pollutants have been removed before discharging into the River Shannon”.

Lynch maintained, “this is the only solution to ensure protection of our fishing and shellfish industry, aquatic life, environment and public amenities”.

An update has been requested from Irish Water on their plans for treatment facilties in Kilrush, acting senior executive officer, John O’Malley stated in response to Lynch’s motion before the July sitting of the West Clare Municipal District. He confirmed that a letter would be issued to the Minister on foot of the proposal.

Irish Water, in January, working in partnership with Clare County Council, commenced works

to construct Kilrush Wastewater Treatment Plant, to end the discharge of raw sewage into the Shannon Estuary. The project involves the construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant and sewer pipelines that will serve a population equivalent of approximately 6,700. The pumping station on Frances Street will also upgrade its pumps, mechanical plant and a storm water storage tank.

Not adding a secondary treatment facility to these plans represents a mistake, Kilrush’s Lynch felt. “This one is extremely im-

portant, there is a huge investment being made in KIlrush and I want to recognise that investment, however the investment is a primary treatment which literally screens the larger particles from the sewerage before it is discharged in the river, there is no actual treatment of the microorganisms or the bacteria in it, I think it is a missed opportunity and while it might reach the European criteria there is a better way of treating sewerage, there should be a better impact on the environment”.

According to Lynch, the recent notice was “the first time I remem-

ber one issued in Cappa and it has raised concerns that we’re not doing enough”. He added, “The fishing industry isn’t quite as strong as we would hope but there is quite a strong shellfish industry and that would concern me, anything that would put these facilities at risk needs to be given serious thought, we need to protect them as best we can, there is a possible impact, it would improve the primary treatment but there is still a probable risk there, now is the time we should use to negate the risk and help those industries to thrive in West Clare”.

20

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

Community

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

KILNAMONA

lPRESENTATION: Marie Phelan (Sláinte an Chláir), James Pender holding his granddaughter Bonnie, Noel Keane, Noel Howard and Chloe Lynch

Clare Older People’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2022

lCHARITY: Liam Duggan, Michael O’Neill and Dave O’Donnell (Cancer Care West) SOUTH FOR SUSAN AND ANTOINETTE RAISES OVER €60.000 A TOTAL of over €60,000 was raised for two cancer charities by the recent South for Susan and Antoinette Malin to Mizen cycle. On Thursday last, July 28th, 2022, presentations of €30,390 each were made to Kilnamona based Sláinte an Chláir and Cancer Care West, both of whom provide cancer support services to patients undergoing treatment and their families.

The cycle was undertaken in early June, in

memory of Susan O’Neill from Ballyea and Antoinette Pender from Quilty, both of whom died from cancer related illness in 2021.

Sláinte an Chláir’s Marie Phelansaid “the amount received this evening means a huge amount to our charity and will enable us to continue supporting cancer patients and their families."

Cancer Care West's Dave O’Donnell said “We are full of admiration for the trojan efforts put in by the cyclists and support team during the trip from Malin Head to Mizen Head."

KILLALOE/ENNIS/KILRUSH

WANTED

The search is on again to recognise those who give their time, energy and skills to help others in the local community For an application form please email: hmoloney@clarecoco.ie or visit https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/agefriendly-programme/clare-age-friendly-county.html or telephone (065) 6846240

Application forms must be submitted by Friday 16th September 2022

lTHREE CHEERS: Clare sporting legend Anthony Daly supporting the Tour De Munster in 2021 with Michael Cahir and his little brother Matthew

https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/age-friendly-programme

TOUR DE MUNSTER GETS UNDERWAY This year’s Tour de Munster charity cycle gets under way this morning (Thursday, August 4th), raising vital funds for Down Syndrome Ireland’s Munster branches.

Speaking ahead of this year’s tour, Kieran Dooley of Down Syndrome Clare said, “We look forward to welcoming the Tour de Munster to Killaloe today, and onwards to Ennis and Kilrush tomorrow (Friday, 5th August)."

Clareopc

Please support our Down Syndrome Clare members and volunteers who will be out in force in Killaloe, Ennis & KIlrush bucketshaking today and tomorrow or you can also donate by visiting: www.idonate.ie/ event/3774_tour-de-munster-2022-ds-clarefundraiser.html

For route information and the latest information and news log onto www. tourdemunster.com or find it on Facebook.

The TUS advantage – Getting it Right THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

I

N TODAY’S competitive market, employees need a strong academic qualification to achieve their potential, boost their employability and set themselves up for success throughout life. To be truly successful employees need to have the skills that correspond to industry needs.

As a result, in these changed economic times, some are under pressure to upgrade their skills to remain employable. To ‘master your tomorrow’ may require upskilling or reskilling in disciplines where there is an identified skills need and in these times of increasing pressure on discretionary spend, part-time education can be a further drain on already constrained finances.

Higher education has always been a key driver of economic growth, upskilling the workforce and fuelling innovation.

TUS, the newly formed university, works tirelessly to support people back into employment, improve the skills of those in em-

ployment and boost their career success and promotional prospects. The university offers a range of initiatives for reskilling and upskilling focussed on presenting educational opportunities in areas where there is an identified skill required. Having identified growing economic pressure on individuals, TUS work with partners such as Springboard+ and HCI to provide 100%* funded education programmes. Flexible and Professional learning can be accessed free or for as little as 10% of the overall fee. TUS is committed to making further education more accessible to more people.

The Technological University of the Shannon is embedded into the local region.

The Flexible and Professional Learning department are continually working with industry to meet new skills needs and forge stronger commercial partnerships. The university-business engagement focussing on region, sector and type of firm, to ensure they offer students the right opportunities

for true personal and professional change and growth.

“What could be more important than preparing our postgraduate students for the jobs required in our regions?” asks Dr. Orlaith Borthwick, Head of Department of Flexible and Professional Learning. “We adopt a practical and applied learning approach to address the current performance gaps and to deliver the very skills needed for workforce success.

FUTURE-FOCUSED SKILLS

“We shape the way of working and learning so students are adequately prepared to succeed in an evolving world” says Seamus Hoyne, the Dean of Flexible and Work-based Learning. He continues “Our flexible learning students are ‘work ready’, have developed critical thinking and essential soft skills such as communication and team collaboration. We believe that giving our students the skills to succeed in the workplace will help them thrive and excel in their chosen career paths.”

Siemens investment a sign of tech growth SHANNON’s tech growth is evident in the €7m investment announced by Siemens Digital Industries Software, writes Páraic McMahon.

Siemens will establish a software research and development group in Shannon as part of a €7m investment which is to create 25 jobs in R&D over the next three years.

According to Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) this investment highlighted the tech growth of Shannon with the region’s enterprising spirit which saw it become an international centre for manufacturing industry now assisting it to become a world leader in digital technology.

He observed that Siemens’ announcement came on the back of the official opening of the Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) test centre for mobility technologies in the Shannon Free Zone.

"The fact that the new facility will focus on HPC for semiconductor design helps underline Shannon's reputation for worldclass research and development in the digital technology sector. The project, which is supported by IDA Ireland, will deliver cutting edge cloud HPC environments for Siemens Electric Design Automation (EDA) workloads,” Deputy Carey stated.

Further Education and Training ADULT LITERACY ORGANISER Ref. No. 011981

COMMUNITY EDUCATION FACILITATOR Ref. No. 012001

Application Form, Person Specification and Job Description is available on www.lcetb.ie/recruitment Closing time and date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday 19th August 2022.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Có-mhaoinithe ag an

AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the

EUROPEAN UNION

learning works

EXPERT TEACHING AND LECTURERS

Ambitious, innovative and creative, The TUS university offers more than 300 industry-focussed programmes and 2,000 funded and part funded places this year.

Class sizes are small and there is a very high quality of teaching from lecturers who are industry experts.

It’s a forward-thinking, inclusive university, giving everyone who could benefit from a university education the chance to fulfil their potential.

The end point of flexible and professional education with TUS is likely to mean improved career prospects, higher earning potential, or a positive career change.

For some, it may mean personal development or pursuit of a new interest. No matter what kind of

RECRUITMENT

21

lTUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane

learner a prospective student may be, TUS is a university where their journey will be enjoyable and worthwhile.

Are you interested in progressing your career, changing your job or learning a totally new skill?

Studying a flexible, online or professional programme with TUS can change your career, your life and your prospects forever.

Don’t worry about studying within your already hectic life – many TUS programmes are delivered fully online, via live lectures, tutorials and labs which are run in the evenings through the university’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Take a look at TUS flexible learning at www.lit.ie/flexible-learning and choose a course to grow your opportunities.

22

BUSINESS

Aisha brings beauty service into Clare homes

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

lAisha Kelly

NEW mobile beauty business has been established by wellknown Clare beautician Aisha Kelly.

Aisha’s mobile beauty service will see the former Estee Lauder consultant offering at-home treatments including waxing, tinting, make-up, nails, and a range of massage treatments including Swedish body massage. All of Aisha’s 5 star training along with her vast experience in multiple salons over the years has influenced Aisha to create Aisha Beauty The North Clare native is highly experienced in the industry having

qualified in 2004, and is excited to bring her passion and perfectionism to both new and existing clients.

Aisha is known for her work as an Estée Lauder beauty expert in Rochford’s Ennis for nine years before furthering her progression at Brown Thomas, Limerick, and Dromoland Castle where she provided massage and facials.

"I was the first girl in Clare to represent Estée Lauder," she said proudly.

Aisha told The Clare Echo she is excited about offering her range of beauty services in people’s homes.

“I decided to do the mobile as it’s something I feel a lot of women need, like mothers who find it hard to get out of the house.

"Since lockdown people are very home-oriented and it’s been very busy, it’s proving to be a very convenient service for a lot of women.”

She serves Ennis and its surrounding areas however Aisha will travel further for group bookings, hen parties or pamper nights.

She has already received great support from previous clients from Rochford’s and Dromoland.

“I’m blown away by the amount of support I’ve received from people that I would have known years ago that have come back, customers from Rochford’s and Brown Thomas.

"They love the fact that they don’t have to travel. There’s a lot of people working from home as well and they love the fact that I come to them after being in front of the computer all day.”

Aisha Beauty is open for business Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm. For bookings or requests, email aisha1974kelly@yahoo.com, call 083 432 5826 or find Aisha Beauty on Facebook and Instagram.

pg23

04-08-22

pg24

GROUP 1

St BRECKANS

Breckan’s bidding to make their breakthrough PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

SURPRISE FACTOR with St Breckan’s no longer exists as the North Clare outfit are viewed as a top side but ultimately the provision of championship silverware is required for them to become a seriously respected force.

Cusack Cup success has already been garnered by Breckan’s this year who overcame Kildysart in the final, a repeat of their 2019 Clare IFC victory. Backing this up in championship was never going to be easy, especially when they find themselves pitted alongside Éire Óg, St Joseph’s Miltown and Corofin with only one team missing out on a quarter-final place.

Both the Clare IFC and the Cusack Cup titles have been won under Donie Garrihy’s watch. Their league win has not been overstated but was important in making a mark and continuing to progress new players.

“It kept the interest there while the inter-county season was on, that’s the height of it,” he remarked of the Cusack Cup. “It kept the interest, nothing more and it kept us interested, being surrounded by Kerry, Limerick and Galway, they were all involved in All-Ireland series so it has been difficult to get games”.

Having looked like the form team for the bulk of last year’s championship, the men from Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Kilshanny saved their worst display till the most important day when they hit 0-05 and lost by six to Éire Óg in the county semi-fi-

nal. The lessons from this were simply according to Garrihy, “Don’t feel sorry for yourself, keep doing the right thing. We didn’t do bad in the Cusack Cup, we ended up in the final and took the Cup. You can bury your head in the sand and give up or don’t feel sorry for yourself and do your best, when you do that you won’t be disappointed.

This will be the first year since St Breckan’s returned to the senior ranks that the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival takes place. Once again, there is no form of rocket science in the viewpoint of Donie on what the footballers need to do to find their right match on the field of play, “Keep doing the right thing and keep doing our best, if you go to the Matchmaking and do your best then you won’t be disappointed when you’re going home,” he quipped.

Travel miles have also increased among the panel with some players spending time in the US and Canada, there’s no complaint from the two time Oscar Traynor winning manager as he flagged it is something all club managers are dealing with. “The guys have travelled and we have played without them, the last two years they haven’t been able to go anywhere so you can’t say anything. I did in when I was 20 so I can’t complain”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Donie welcomed the fact that they face the reigning champions in the first round. “It is a great test, the four team group will have nothing easy.

We expect nothing else. The worst training sessions you’ve had were the easy ones and the worst games you played in were the easy ones, we will get great value from tough games and we expect tough games

in our games. The most disappointed I have been in soccer is winning games 7-0 and the same in football when winning easy games”.

Garrihy was adamant their three opponents will “be primed” for their respective clashes. “We have a local derby with Corofin, Miltown will be disappointed with what happened in the quarter-final last year, we’re disappointed with the semi-final so it has a lot of ingredients to be a tremendous group”.

With the calibre of young exciting players like Joe McGann, Jack Sheedy, Alan Sweeney, Colm O’Brien, Dale Masterson, Aiden Davidson and Patrick Doherty, there is every reason for Breckans to be optimistic once they back up the talent with an insatiable workrate.

AT A GLANCE Pictured: St Breckan’s utility man, Jack Sheedy Photo by Burren Eye Photography

MANAGEMENT: Donie Garrihy (manager), Jersey O’Loughlin (selector), Pat Haugh (selector), Declan O’Keeffe (coach), Rob Mulcahy (S&C), Grainne Travers (nutritionist), John Earls (PT), John Petty, Aidan McDermott, Pat Cosgrove CAPTAIN: Dale Masterson VICE CAPTAINS: Jack Sheedy, Colm O’Brien, Raphael Considine KEY PLAYER: Alan Sweeney ONE TO WATCH: Denis O’Callaghan FRESH BLOOD: Cian Jimmy Burke DEPARTURES GATE: Liam Tierney (ACL), Evan Barrett (emigrated), Oisin O’Loughlin (J1) TITLES WON: 0 LAST SEASON’S RUN: Saw their unbeaten run come to a shuddering halt in the semi-finals where they fell down to Éire Óg.

SCHEDULE: Rnd 1 vs Éire Óg Rnd 2 vs Corofin Rnd 3 vs St Joseph’s Miltown

GROUP 1

pg25

EIRE Óg

Éire Óg ready to deal with pressure that comes with champions tag SEAMUS HAYES

A

S CLARE senior football champions Eire Og go into this season’s campaign with a slightly different mindset according to their manager Paul Madden.

“Everybody will raise their game to play us. We are in a very difficult group and we are under no illusions about that. Our opening tie against St. Breckans is a massive game”, the popular Temple Gate hotel manager said this week.

Paul admits that “all clubs want to beat the champions. Our first round game is a massive one. They were probably the favourites going into our semi-final meeting last year. They were disappointed to lose that one so they will be determined to win this time. Our focus is on them and theirs is on us and it’s going to be tough”, the champions’ manager said.

The Ennis side’s management team is unchanged from last season with former players Peter Cosgrove and Shane Daniels as selectors and they have all given long service to the club as players.

Like their hurlers, they played much of the league campaign without many of their key players due to their involvement with county panels. Indeed for many of their league games they would have been without up to ten first team regulars from the championship winning side and this contributed to their relegation from division 1 for next season.

Conall Ó hÁiniféin and Nathan Murray from last year’s championship winning side miss out this year. O’hAinifein is out with a long term injury suffered during the league while Murray had emigrated, his absence has pushed selector Shane Daniels between the posts.

There is a big lift for the side with the return from injury of defender Cathal Darcy, he missed last year’s championship winning campaign due to an ACL injury. Danny Griffin of Crusheen has also returned

AT A GLANCE MANAGEMENT: Paul Madden (manager), Seanie Buckley (coach), Peter Cosgrove, Shane Daniels (selectors) Rory O’Brien, Tom Russell, Victor O’Riordan (S&C) CAPTAIN: Gavin Cooney KEY PLAYER: Manus Doherty ONE TO WATCH: Gavin D’Auria

FRESH BLOOD: Danny Griffin, Oran Cahill DEPARTURE GATE: Conall Ó hÁiniféin (injury), Nathan Murray, Tadhg Connellan, Dara Walsh, Eimhin Courtney TITLES WON: 2 (2000, 2021) LAST SEASON’S RUN: Champions. Finished top of their group ahead of Lissycasey on score difference.

Best of luck to Paul & his management team and the Eire og footballers for 2022

to the side having been abroad completi n g h i s studi e s a n d offers more physicality to their side.

Went on to beat Ennistymon (quarter final), St. Breckans (semi-final) and Kilmurry Ibrickane in the final SCHEDULE: Round 1 v St. Breckans Round 2 v St Joseph’s Miltown Round 3 v Corofin

Pictured: Éire Óg’s Ciaran Russell adds experience and talent to their defence Photo by Gerard O’Neill

pg26

GROUP 1

COROFIN Intermediate champs fear no-one SEAMUS HAYES

R

FEIGNING Clare intermediate football champions, Corofin are returning to the senior ranks with a pep in their step and this bounce will leave them with no fear.

Last November it looked like Corofin were going to fall short in the Clare IFC final for the second year on the trot, however in the seven minutes of additional time, goals from Damien O’Loughlin and Diarmuid Cahill turned the game on its head and resulted in them edging out a dramatic 2-12 2-10 win over Kildysart to claim the title for the fourth time.

More silverware has followed since then with the club which has produced Clare’s only football All Star in Seamus Clancy (1992), defeating Lissycasey in the Garry Cup final last month on a scoreline of 1-17 1-13.

They impressed throughout the Garry Cup with an unbeaten run, joint manager Douglas Hurley acknowledged this has strengthened self-belief in the squad but it goes without saying that the league run will soon be forgotten once the championship kicks into action.

“We know league form is one thing and championship is different.

We’re underdogs in this group but we have to up it a few notches to compete, if we come out of group, we won’t fear anyone in the knockout stages. Injuries will be key for us, we have thirteen dual players going week in week out, injuries will be key”.

Injuries have already ruled out

for this weekend Conor Leen who missed last year’s intermediate run and centre back O’Loughlin whose lung-busting run before burying the ball in the back of the net in last year’s final was a pivotal reason for their promotion.

Hurley added, “If we have a full side, we can put it up to up anyone, we’ve already been out two weeks in a row in the hurling, it’s how we react to the injuries if we pick them up. If we played championship a week or two after the win over Lissycasey I’d be more buoyant, we haven’t seen as much of the lads in the last few weeks due to the hurling championship”.

Corofin claimed the intermediate title in 2015, having fell short in the decider a year previous to Wolfe Tones. This year’s promotion

is some bit different in that there is more expected of the Corofin side given the amount of players that have featured on county panels.

The co-owner of estate agent DNG O’Sullivan Hurley said they are continuing to build towards the future. “We’re a very young team, our Munster campaign didn’t end so well last but it added a lot to us, we’re definitely much stronger as a group, we have ten U21s or thereabouts, they’re all improving, we had three players still minor playing last year who are a year older.

We’ll be getting stronger for the next few years I’d be hoping”.

Football is not the only sport in which the young guns are used to success with many of them collecting two Minor A and one U21a hurling championships as part of

EXPERT VIEWPOINT by Seamus Hayes

HE IS known the length and breadth of this county as an avid football follower. He is seen weekend after weekend officiating as an umpire at games in all grades and at all levels.

There are few better placed than Kilmurry-Ibrickane clubman PATRICK ‘BUTCHER’ MCCARTHY to offer a view as to who will qualify from the groups in the race for the 2022 Jack Daly cup which will be presented to the winners of the Clare senior championship title.

GROUP 1: “I have watched Corofin play

over the last number of years and they will cause an odd surprise. Éire Óg, if they have their full panel will be very hard to beat as will St. Breckans who will have benefitted from their success in the Cusack Cup”.

PREDICTION: Éire Óg and St. Breckans to qualify with Miltown’s experience to see them take the third spot.

Looking at GROUP 2, McCarthy believes that Lissycasey and Cratloe will emerge to the knock out stage. “Doora/Barefield and Kilmihil look to be evenly matched”.

PREDICTION: Lissycasey and Cratloe to

the Corofin/Ruan amalgamation.

The Cahill brothers, Gearoid and Diarmuid, Clare hurler Robin Mounsey, Cillian McGroary, Kevin Keane and Marc O’Loughlin are among those with the growing medal collections.

Competing and succeeding at a higher level does help when it comes to the football, Douglas acknowledged. An even bigger boost is their ability to call on former All Star nominee Jamie Malone for the entire season, he missed the bulk of their championship last year through injury and will be available from the get-go as they lock horns with St Joseph’s Miltown this weekend.

Dual-commitments can be a headache for any management and indeed players, it may require Douglas and joint manager Geoff O’Sullivan to reach for a few panadols but it is a common denominator for all teams in their competitive group. “Éire Óg and Miltown are on the same boat but we’ve a particularly small crop to pick from, we can’t have one session without them (dual-players), it’s a problem we have to deal with.

They’ve had two championship matches in hurling, they won’t be cold or shouldn’t be”.

Management: Douglas Hurley (joint manager), Geoff O’Sullivan (joint manager), Donnacha Kelleher, Eoin Keane, Vincent McCarthy.

Captain: Fionn Clancy Key Player: Jamie Malone One to Watch: Marc O’Loughlin Fresh Blood: James Tierney Departures Gate: Eoin Clancy and Cillian Clancy (both injured) Titles won: 0 Last season’s run: Crowned Clare IFC with a dramatic final win over Kildysart, defeated in Munster final by Na Gaeil of Kerry.

Schedule: Rnd 1 vs St Joseph’s Miltown Rnd 2 vs St Breckans Rnd 3 vs Éire Óg

PICTURE: A strong championship from Cillian McGroary would aid Corofin’s chances.

Burren Eye Photography

qualify.

Looking at GROUP 3 he noted that, “Of the four teams here Doonbeg finished the highest in the Cusack Cup”. Despite the fact that his own club, Kilmurry-Ibrickane, will be without inter county man Keelan Sexton for their meeting with Doonbeg in the first round this week, he believes that they will be good enough to win the game.

“Ennistymon have been there or thereabouts for the last five years but despite their minor and under 21 successes in that time, it’s disappointing that they haven’t made a bigger impact at senior level. Like a number of Clare senior clubs, the lack of a star forward is proving costly”. In relation to

Clondegad’s chances he believes “a lot will fall on the Brennans to lead the way”.

PREDICTION: “Kilmurry-Ibrickane and Ennistymon to qualify and it could be Doonbeg v Kilmihil in the play off for the last place” He also believes that Éire Óg and Kilmurry-Ibrickane will be in the shake up for the title. “Éire Óg have the best panel if they get them all out”, he concluded

GROUP 1

pg27

MILTOWN Miltown must navigate injuries AT A GLANCE

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

paraic@clareecho.ie

ITH 15 Clare senior championships to their name, three of which have come in the last seven years the viewpoint that St Joseph’s Miltown are at risk of failing to make this year’s knockout stages is surprising to say the least.

Undoubtedly they find themselves in a very tough group facing off with reigning senior champions, Éire Óg, last year’s beaten semi-finalists St Breckans and current intermediate winners Corofin where three of the four teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Eoin Cleary’s pedigree is respected in football circles across the country and the Clare football captain will be a handful for any defence in the Clare SFC. He is an injury doubt for Saturday’s tie with Corofin, having battled with a broken bone in his hand during the closing games of the championship for the county footballers.

Cleary is held in high regard but so too is former Clare stalwart Gordon Kelly who has been ruled out for the championship with a knee injury. “Gordon is a tremendous loss. He has been a great servant to Miltown and to Clare, any county would be delighted to have a player of his ability,” Miltown manager Martin Flynn noted. He added of the county captain, “Eoin is a fantastic player, he has served Miltown and Clare well, if he is out he will be a massive loss, we’re hoping he will be available”.

Kelly is absent and joining him on the sidelines with a knee injury is fellow defender Enda O’Gorman while ex Clare U20 footballer Oisin Looney is currently in the US on a J1.

When these losses are factored in plus the question marks on the fitness of Cleary, Seanie Malone and Cormac Murray, the surprise factor regarding the potential of Miltown not making the quarter-finals fades away somewhat.

“It’s a group of death and it will be a struggle to come out,” Martin surmised. Despite this, they will still be able to call upon Darragh McDonagh, Brian Curtin, Conor Cleary and Aidan McGuane.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Flynn was counting up to eight injuries among his panel. “It has been

Management: Management: Martin Flynn (manager), Neil Moynihan (coach), Michael Ryan, Michael Talty Captain:: Seanie Captain Malone & Gearoid Curtin Key Player: Eoin Cleary One to Watch: Sean Neylon Fresh blood: Sean Neylon, Paul Frawley, Mark Cunningham, Adam Burke, Euan Lineen, Departures Gate: Gordon Kelly (injury), Enda O’Gorman (injury) – knee problems, Oisin Looney (USA).

Titles won: 15.

Most recent title: 2019 Last season’s run: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by St Breckans.

Schedule: Rnd 1 vs Corofin Rnd 2 vs St Joseph’s Miltown Rnd 3 vs St Breckan’s

a disastrous year with injuries,” the 1992 Munster championship winner admitted with the amount of challenge games played curtailed in an attempt to not add to the list.

Suffering relegation from the Cusack Cup was a blow but the publican is hopeful that they their selected outfit will be able to click when it’s time to kick ball on Saturday evening in Cusack Park. “The mood has lifted with the Clare lads coming back, it had been difficult when we were missing five or six players the whole time. We’re playing Corofin now and it will be the first time this year that our guys are on the field together. Corofin are going well, they are dangerous and they won’t be a team we will be taking lightly”.

“If we didn’t have as many injuries, we’d be more confident, there is no game to be taken for granted, everyone is capable of beating each other in our group”.

Former Clare ladies football manager, Neil Moynihan is on board as the Miltown coach this season joining Martin for his first season in the role, having previously managed the clubs to success at U16B, Minor B and U21B levels.

PICTURED: The experienced Brian Curtin has been an effective sweeper for St Joseph’s Miltown in recent seasons.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

pg28

GROUP 2

LISSYCASEY

KILMIHIL

Lissycasey real about championship ambition

Indifferent league run won’t bother Kilmihil

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

EMI-FINALISTS for the last two seasons, Lissycasey - buoyant by continued success at underage level, most recently the inaugural U19 championship - head into the new senior campaign with a swagger.

John Ryan’s tenure to date has had an air of familiarity about it. Not alone have they reached back to back semi-finals but it was the same opposition, Kilmurry Ibrickane that ended their aspirations on both occasions.

Again they will cross swords with Cratloe, where the man who managed Limerick to success in the All-Ireland Ladies Football Junior Championship resides. Lissycasey produced an impressive extra time win over Colm Collins’ side to kick off their 2020 bid while the sides won’t meet until the final group game where the winner could likely claim top spot.

Adding to the Cratloe intrigue is the fact that John’s son Seán is part of the panel. “I’m coming up against Cratloe with my own young fella involved, I know a lot of lads in Cratloe, we’re coming up against them again, we respect them, they will be very hard to beat.”

Before they reach that juncture, they have to face Kilmihil in round one in a repeat of the 2020 quarter-final which Ryan’s side won 1-14 2-07. “When you go against neighbours there will always be rivalry. They are a very good side and different to what they were a few years ago.

Sometimes people get car-

ried away with opposition, the first round of the championship will be a lottery”.

Reflecting back on the disappointment of bowing out with a nine point semi-final loss, John admitted, “I wouldn’t have changed anything, we went into last year and expectations were high when you get to a semi-final and then we got back there. We didn’t do ourselves justice in the semi-final, we had a chat last year and we regrouped, we decided to give it another shot. We’re not thinking ahead because we will be up against it this weekend”.

Ahead of an anticipated tough encounter with Kilmihil, John expects to have a full bill of health by the time the ball is thrown in. “We’re carrying a few injuries, we hope they will be cleared by the weekend.”

Management: John Ryan (manager), Liam O’Connell (coach), David Pyne, Noel Finucane, Matt Kilroy, Jimmy Collins Captain: Seamus Collins Key Player: Seamus Collins One to Watch: Luke Griffin Fresh blood: Conor Meaney Departures Gate: N/A Titles won: 1 (2007)

Recent success of the U19s is helping to drive on the senior players, Ryan observed. “Every bit of silverware to get into the club is very positive, it drives on us a bit, we have great young fellas coming through with great work going on in the underage from the likes of Martin Daly, that is coming through but it won’t happen overnight”.

Tasters of the business end of the race for Jack Daly has whet the appetite for the 2007 champions, they’ve showed promise in patches but they must view this year’s campaign as an opportunity to deliver. “No team in championship is looking to turn up with performance here and there, we have an ambition to do well, we want to progress and get past the business end where anything can happen.”

Last season’s run: Qualified from the group with wins over Doonbeg and Clondegad, overcame St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in the quarter-final before bowing out to Kilmurry Ibrickane Schedule: Rnd 1 vs Kilmihil Rnd 2 vs St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield Rnd 3 vs Cratloe

SEAMUS HAYES

K

ILMIHIL will begin their championship campaign on this Sunday with a number of players who have played no competitive games with the club this year.

Ciaran Downes and Dan Keating missed the club’s league campaign due to their involvement with the Clare senior side while Gavin Downes was part of the Clare under 20 squad.

In addition, midfielder David Lernihan hasn’t played a game yet this year due to injury.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Kilmihil manager, Gerry Downes outlined, “The hurlers, Stan Lineen and Marty O’Leary play with Ballyea while Gearoid O’Grady is with Kilmaley didn’t play a huge amount in the league.

“We have a bit of an indifferent league campaign.

In addition to inter county commitments, we had a couple of guys who missed out due to injury and they were all a huge loss to us during the league”, They face neighbours Lissycasey this weekend in the opening round and Downes said they are targetting progression from the group. “The best game we played last year was in the quarter final in Cusack Park and if we can bring that form to Sunday’s game then we will be in with a chance. When you get to Cusack Park you have to perform,” he stressed.

Kilmihil finished third in their group last year and then beat Doonbeg in a play off for a quarter final place where they narrowly lost out to finalists Kilmurr Ibrickane.

It is now 42 years since their only success in the senior championship (1980). A win over their neighbours Lissycasey

Ciaran Downes is the main attacking threat for Kilmihil Photo by Gerard O’Neill

would be the ideal start to this year’s campaign. In meetings of the sides in recent times, Lissycasey have held the upperhand

Management: Gerry Downes (manager), Timmy Ryan, Philip Ryan, Colm O’Gorman.

Captain: TBC Key Player: Ciaran Downes One to Watch: Gavin Downes Fresh Blood: Mark Normoyle; Sean Cafferkey Departures Gate: Johnny Sullivan, Philip Ryan

but Kilmihil supporters are confident that their side can challenge strongly for honours this year.

Titles won: 1 (1980) Last season’s run: Qualified from group in third spot and then beat Doonbeg in play off to earn quarter final place where they lost by a goal to Kilmurry Ibrickane Schedule: Round 1 v Lissycasey Round 2 v Cratloe Round 3 v St Josephs, Doora/Barefield

GROUP 2

pg29

CRATLOE Cratloe not short of motivation for start of football campaign SEAMUS HAYES SINCE THEY made the breakthrough when winning the title for the first time in 2013, Cratloe have challenged strongly for both senior football and hurling honours each season with almost the same group of players.

Having failed to make the knockout stages of last year’s race for Jack Daly, there will be added determination within the Cratloe ranks to atone for that disappointment.

With a first round hurling win under their belts they begin their

challenge for football honours when they take on St. Josephs Doora/Barefield at Shannon this Saturday.

Colm Collins continues at the helm and as he puts the final touches to preparations for another campaign he says, “there is not a whole lot between the teams in the group and we know it is important to get a few points on the board as quickly as possible. We will be taking it one game at a time and see how we will get on”.

They finished their league campaign well, winning the Division 3 title. “We eventually got a lot of our team together for the closing rounds but we must remember it was Division 3”, he told The Clare

Echo.

Collins who completed his ninth season in charge of the Clare senior footballers confirmed that they have no injuries to contend with this weekend. “We hope to have a full hand from which to pick out team at the weekend” With regard to the fact that the majority of the players also play hurling the football manager says “it’s a matter of managing this and making sure to keep the players fit and healthy. We have ten or twelve players who play both codes”.

Round two will see Colm face off against his native Kilmihil while the third round will see them do battle with Lissycasey who are managed by John Ryan who lives

MANAGEMENT: Colm Collins (manager) Sean O’Dea, Brian O’Connell, Shane Markham, Oscar O’Dwyer (S&C) CAPTAIN: Sean Collins KEY PLAYER: Cathal McInerney ONE TO WATCH: Tommy Rooney FRESH BLOOD: Tommy Rooney DEPARTURE GATE: None in Cratloe.

This year, their panel is strengthened by the addition of Tommy Rooney, a producer with Off The Ball and presenter of the popular

TITLES WON: 2 (2013 and 2014) LAST SEASON’S RUN: Finished fourth in the group of five and failed to qualify for the play off stage of the competition.

SCHEDULE: Round 1 v St. Josephs Doora/ Barefield Round 2 v Kilmihil Round 3 v Lissycasey The Football Pod who transferred from Meath Hill in Co Meath.

DOORA/BAREFIELD

Dose of ambition delivered to Doora/Barefield

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

QUARTER-FINALISTS LAST SEASON, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield got reacquainted with the taste of knockout football in the top tier and are anxious to sample it some more.

Contesting back to back senior deciders in 2011 and 2012 where they lost out to Kilmurry Ibrickane on each occasion by eight and six points respectively, brought an optimism that The Parish could become a strong force in Clare football but this ultimately never materialised and instead they suffered relegation from the top tier in 2018.

A rebuilding process is showing fresh signs of hope with Doora/ Barefield claiming the intermediate title in 2020 and impressing in their first year back senior last season.

Kevin Frehill has stepped down as manager due to family commitments with selector Donagh Vaughan making the step-up to the hotseat as they attempt to carry on that progress. Ex Clare minor manager Maurice Walsh and Kildysart’s Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly are fresh additions to Vaughan’s set-up.

Full-back Conor O’Brien will miss their testing opening round

with Cratloe due to a broken collarbone. Apart from this, there are no major injury concerns for the Doora/Barefield management.

With such a vast catchment area at their disposal plus outstanding facilities at Gurteen, it is not inaccurate to say that the club has been underachieving at adult level in the past decade. Regular knockout appearances from the footballers would go some way to altering this while their hurling side managed by Michael Guilfoyle are determined to secure promotion from the intermediate ranks this year.

Doora/Barefield still possess the ambition that saw the club crowned All-Ireland champions before the turn of the millennium, Donagh believed. “There’s great aspirations in Doora/Barefield, we’re under no illusions. There is a lot of hard work going in, we have lots of players coming in each year.

I’ve just been watching our minors against Clooney/Quin and there is a lot of talent there. We should be having two to three lads coming into the fray each year, we have to keep our standards high each year and hopefully in the next three to four years we can be challenging for senior honours every year”.

He added, “We’re still very young

and in development, the oldest player on our team will be 26 or 27 and we’ve an average age of about 22 or 23. We really want to move on as a team and as a club”.

Travel has increased for club players in recent months and Doora/Barefield are no different, thankfully for them the arrivals gate at Gurteen has been busier than the departures. “Every club is in the same boat, we’re also a dual club no more than Cratloe, most players have been playing championship in the past month, we’ve been working closely with Michael Guilfoyle to manage lads, we’ve had no bye in the hurling yet, Cratloe have had which will help them. We definitely have more lads around in the last few weeks with guys coming back from the US”.

Facing off with Cratloe for round one is no easy task with Colm Collins’ men determined to make their way back to the quarter-finals having failed to get past the group stages in 2021. “They have massive experience, they have so many inter-county lads and lads that have played at the top level and done very well. Colm is over them and they tick a lot of boxes, they’ve managed the dual-thing for a lot of years, no more than us. We

Pictured: Conor O’Brien & Tom McDonald in action for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield Photo by Burren Eye Photography have to test ourselves and that’s where we want to be, testing ourselves against the top teams”.

Donagh who owns The Grove Bar and Restaurant in Roslevan pointed to the experience gained

by Tom McDonald (senior), Fionn Kelleher (U20) and Joe Rafferty (U20) who were part of county panels this season with Kelleher and Rafferty starting members of the Clare team. “It’s brilliant then for them to come back to the club with that experience, it is great to have quality players like that, a lot of

MANAGEMENT: Donagh Vaughan (manager), Maurice Walsh (selector), Morgan Rowland (selector), Philly Ryan (selector), Cathal O’Sullivan (selector), Ger ‘Bobby Kelly (coach). Key Player: Tom McDonald ONE TO WATCH: Fionn Kelleher FRESH BLOOD: Michael Nash, Jack Scahill, Conall Dorgan

the lads on the panel would have played county at some level like the Hannans”.

“We hope the experience of last year will stand to us. The first year up can bring a bit of bounce so the hard work has been this year, we got to the quarter-final last year and we have to keep it going, the experience last year can stand to us,” Vaughan said.

DEPARTURES GATE: Kevin Harrington (moved back to Cork), Aódhán Ó Sé (travelling) TITLES WON: 1 (1898 as Doora) LAST SEASON’S RUN: Recorded group wins over Kilrush Shamrocks and Kilmihil, their first round loss to St Breckan’s didn’t stop them advancing to the quarter-finals where they lost to Lissycasey.

pg30

GROUP3

KILMURRY IBRICKANE Kilmurry Ibrickane ready to battle back to the summit PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

N end.

EVER SHORT OF MOTIVATION ON THE BEST OF DAYS, Kilmurry Ibrickane will not be found wanting when the race for the Jack Daly kicks off this week-

Beaten by a better Éire Óg team in last year’s county final, the resilience Bricks will be determined to bounce back and try secure a tenth senior title in twenty years.

While Kilrush Shamrocks still lead the roll of honour list, Kilmurry Ibrickane are two titles behind rivals Doonbeg and they fly into battle against the Magpies this Sunday morning. For this game, they are without talisman Keelan Sexton who is currently in the United States and is expected to be back in their attack by the conclusion of the group stages.

Championship winning manager and captain, Aiden Moloney stepped down following the five point loss to Éire Óg with highly respected coach James Murrihy who previously worked under Horse Moloney along with managing Corofin to Clare IFC glory in 2015 and leading Clare’s intermediate ladies footballers to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2020, stepping into the role.

“To be honest, it’s been an easy transition because I’ve been involved with the players and in the backroom team before, I’ve coached them before and have had various roles, it’s been an easy transition transferring stuff I’ve learned from managing clubs and inter-county teams to Kilmurry Ibrickane,” James admitted.

He added, “It was an easy decision to the extent that you always want to try and manage your own club, it’s always been an ambition of mine, the opportunity presented itself and I wasn’t going to turn it down”.

High regard for the panel of player is something the former Irish Paralym-

Pictured: Aidan McCarthy’s return to full fitness is a major lift for Kilmurry Ibrickane Photo byGerard O’Neill

pian has had, “to be honest they have massive potential in the group, From our perspective we seem to be getting it right every second year so it’s about creating that consistency within the group, blooding the new players we have in and trying to keep the lads fit and getting the most out of the older players”.

As they went about regrouping at the beginning of this campaign, the focus was on blooding new players at senior level with the Cusack Cup utilised for this purpose. “I would have worked with Aiden a number of times before under his stewardship, the players are used to, the older ones in particular, to getting their body right and getting themselves right for championship, they know their own bodies. On the flipside, the Cusack Cup allowed us to blood young fellas and see if we could find depth in panel and those guys were eager to get an opportunity”.

“For us, we’ve had some unbelievable servants to Kilmurry Ibrickane for fifteen years or more, the likes of Michael O’Dwyer and Enda Coughlan are close to twenty years for what they’ve given, but they won’t be around forever and we wouldn’t be doing our job unless we kept the wheel turning, in fairness to Aiden he brought in new lads from the U17s and minors.

This year we’ve had six eighteen year olds come into our adult panel and they’ve given a real injection, we would have been missing a lot of players through county training but they’ve reinvigorated the group from a training perspective as well as a panel,” he said.

Year on year, Kilmurry Ibrickane have managed to defy the narrative thrown at them about being an ageing panel no longer at their peak.

“It’s a testament to the group of players that every time they go and put on a green and red jersey they give it everything. The older players drive that, to the rest of group and younger

AT A GLANCE MANAGEMENT: James Murrihy (manager), Diarmuid Whelan, David Russell, Odran O’Dwyer, Kevin Sexton selectors – Keith Hennessy & Gary Sexton (S&C). Stephen Cunningham, Paul Shanahan (video), Michelle Downes (physio).

CAPTAIN: Darren Hickey KEY PLAYER: Keelan Sexton ONE TO WATCH: Josh Moloney FRESH BLOOD: Caoilfhionn

players they don’t’ accept less than 100%, they are a self-driven group, we’re there to facilitate them, even some of the players that I’d manage this year, they’ve forged their own managerial careers at various levels, sometimes they know more than I do”.

For his first championship match as Bricks boss, not having a player of Keelan Sexton’s ability is a blow. “It’s like anything else, you have to play the hand you are dealt with, Aiden had the same hand not to have Shane Hickey, Dermot Coughlan or Diarmuid King last year, not having Keelan is the way the cards have fallen, with COVID a lot of young fellas want to go and travel, we gave Keelan our best wishes to go away for a few weeks and enjoy America”.

On the injury front, he said Hickey’s achilles is healing “very slowly” while King is not back from his ACL injury, “with Dermot Coughlan we’ve tried to nurse him back into it, not many people knew it but it was a double ACL injury so we’re trying to be extra careful, he’s only pretty much back a week after spending six weeks in America, we are treating him with TLC”. According to Murrihy, the trio of Mark Killeen, Enda Coughlan and Martin McMahon are nursing niggles prior to the Doonbeg game.

Kicking off his senior tenure with a derby does not take away from their target of securing the win, he stressed. “Doonbeg had a really good Cusack Cup campaign, they were relegation candidates but the management they’ve brought in with the amount of experience and championship medals between them really add something. Our local derbies are MIltown and Doonbeg, they take on a life of their own and it will be no different this weekend, there won’t be much between two teams, both teams will be fired up and will want to get two points on the board”.

O’Dea, Colin Considine, Diarmuid Comber, Jason Cushen, Josh Moloney, Kieran Killeen, Kieran O’Neill, Maurice Donnellan, Michael Comber, Niall Hickey, Oisin Sexton, Shay Gleeson, Stephen Moloney DEPARTURES GATE: Darragh Pender, Eamonn Bracken, Evan Talty, Adrian Murrihy TITLES WON: 16 MOST RECENT: 2020

LAST SEASON’S RUN: Topped Group A ahead of St Joseph’s Miltown, Ennistymon, Cratloe and Cooraclare. Defeated Kilmihil and Lissycasey in the knockout stages before losing out to Éire Óg in the county final.

SCHEDULE: Rnd 1 v Doonbeg Rnd 2 v Ennistymon Rnd 3 v Clondegad

GROUP 3

pg31

DOONBEG

Experience key for Magpies PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

PPROACHES followed in the Cusack Cup remain as the procedure in place for Doonbeg as they prepare for their opening outing in the Clare SFC. Doonbeg reached the semi-finals of the Cusack Cup where they lost out to Kildysart on the smallest of margins when a Diarmuid O’Donnell late point put the Estuary men through to the league decider on a score of 2-10 1-12.

Overall, their Cusack Cup run had more positives than negatives in the eyes of Doonbeg manager, John Keane. He has succeeded Mark Rafferty in the role and is joined by 2010 championship winning boss Kieran O’Mahony plus former Clare defenders Conor Whelan and Padraig Gallagher, a trio with plenty of experience and no shortage of county medals given the five championships claimed by the Magpies in the 1990s.

This pedigree has been quite helpful for Keane to call upon.

“The lads have a vast amount of experience there’s no doubt about it, they are bringing that into the setup, the game has changed a good bit since they stopped playing, it’s got a lot quicker but having said that they still do bring a vast amount of experience”.

When they took over the role, they kept it simple. “We focused on the league, we took it one game at a time, our aim was to go as far as we

Doonbeg goalkeeper, Eamon Tubridy

could and retain our Division 1 status. We took it one game at a time, we were beaten in the semi-final by Kildysart, once t h a t game was over the Management: John Keane (manager), Kieran league O’Mahoney (coach), Conor Whelan (selector), Padraig Gallagher (selector), Shane McNamara (S&C and physio), Aisling O’Mahoney (stats), Ava Keane (stats), John Killeen (kit man), Thomas Dillon (water), Liam Hehir (water) Captain: Paraic Aherne Vice Captain: Ian O’Mahoney Key Player: David Tubridy One to Watch: Cathal Killeen Fresh blood: Darragh Burns, Departures Gate: Ronan Good Titles won: 18 (Most recent 2010) Last season’s run: Exited in the quarter-final playoff against Kilmihil, overcame Clondegad but lost to Lissycasey and Éire Óg prior to this.

Schedule: Rnd 1 vs Kilmurry Ibrickane Rnd 2 vs Clondegad Rnd 3 vs Ennistymon

AT A GLANCE

was done and dusted, and our focus has been on Kilmurry Ibrickane since that game. We’re in an extremely tough group, there’s a big challenge in front of us, our aim is one game at a time like the league, we’ve a lot of work to do”.

With all eyes on The Bricks, it must be some relief to be facing

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

them without the talented Keelan Sexton. “Regardless, Kilmurry Ibrickane have a vast amount of experience even without Keelan, we’re under no illusions with the size of the task we are facing, Keelan is a loss but they still have plenty of experience and depth in their panel,” John responded.

He continued, “The group is extremely tough, it’s championship football, it is a step up from the league and we have to be ready for that, that is the challenge for us to meet, if we don’t we won’t be progressing”.

Shirking away from tough tests is not in the nature of the Doonbeg folk like captain Paraic Aherne, David Tubridy, Kevin Pender and Eamon Tubridy. According to Keane, they react best “to a good structure, the demands on the club player now are extremely high, they make huge sacrifices and effectively put their lives on hold to play football, it is important to have a good structure in place and work well with the management that is there”.

Given that their experienced servants are in the twilight of their careers, it heightens the pressure on Doonbeg to make the most of them while they are around. “It’s always the aim to make the business end, that’s always the aim, it would be fantastic for those players to be in the knockout stages but you can’t look that far ahead, we didn’t in the league and we won’t in the championship. It would be great for players who have given fantastic service for us to go on a good run this year”.

Before they begin any run, the focus rests firmly with Kilmurry Ibrickane. Question marks surround the fitness of Tadhg Lillis while Ronan Good is also believed to be unavailable, former Clare U20 defender Sean Conway will miss the first two group games but will be back for the Magpie meeting of Doonbeg versus Ennistymon.

They’ve experience on the field which is matched by their knowledge off it, the task at hand for Doonbeg is to make it count when it matters.

pg32

GROUP 3

ENNISTYMON Consistency key for Ennistymon are tough, it’s very important to win the first game because you are under pressure otherwise”.

That Clondegad avoided relegation last season is irrelevant this weekend, in the eyes of the Ennistymon manager. “We are not looking at the Clondegad from last year, we know the calibre of teams there so you have to win the first game, it’s giving a bit of momentum and if you lose you’re under a bit of pressure. We are not looking at what happened before, we are concentrating on ourselves and getting our own house in order”.

The trio of Dara Conneally, Sean Rouine and Sean O’Driscoll are outside that house this weekend with injury ruling them out.

Conneally a former county minor is unlikely to feature for the group stages while Rouine and O’Driscoll who have both captained the senior side and lined out in the 2018 final are hoped to see some action in round two or three. “They are three senior players that have a good bit of experience, definitely they are a loss,” Shanahan said.

With the likes of Brendy Rouine, David Fitzgerald, Cillian Rouine, Cathal Malone and Eoin Rouine they have talent and physicality in abundance, of that there is no question, for them and their teammates shaking off the inconsistent tag is an objective that simply must be achieved.

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

ONSISTENTLY inconsistent is a tag thrown at the footballers of Ennistymon and it’s one they are eager to

dispose of.

For the last seven campaigns they have reached the quarter-finals of the Clare SFC, coming up short on all but one occasion, the one year in which they overcame the hurdle saw them contest the county final where they would come up short against St Joseph’s Miltown in the 2018 decider (0-14 0-08).

Mark Shanahan returned to the role of Ennistymon manager in what is his third different stint, ironically he was the last man to guide them past the quarter-finals.

Former Clare hurler, Colin Lynch worked as coach for Shanahan’s first spell a decade ago.

Dealing with the inconsistency has been a target from the beginning of their 2022 campaign.

“There’s no doubt about it, we’ve been inconsistent. If there is one thing we’re after, it’s trying to get some consistency and see where it takes us, a consistency of performance, if you get that you’re giving yourself a better chance. We know it hasn’t been there and we’re trying to address it,” he told The Clare Echo.

With a single U21 title to their name in fifty years, a senior title still eludes Ennistymon, but underage success has been prevalent for the North Clare Magpies. The reasons for this inability to replicate the trick at adult level are not easily explained, Mark flagged, “I don’t think it’s as straight forward as people make it out. A lot

of clubs in hurling and football find it difficult, there is a massive difference between underage and senior, there’s nothing in particular that I’d say is the reason we haven’t had success, a lot of small things but essentially we haven’t been good enough if you want to simplify it but it isn’t form lack of trying, we’re doing everything we can to try and make a difference

from the underage to senior”.

Under the management of Noel Crowe last year, Ennistymon managed to emerge from a difficult group to make the knockout stages. Once again, they find themselves in a tight corner in Group 3 alongside Kilmurry Ibrickane, Doonbeg and Clondegad.

It all begins for them on Sunday afternoon in Cusack Park

PICTURED: Ennistymon

goalkeeper, Noel Sexton against Clondegad and starting Photo Gerard O’Neill with a win is very important, Mark stressed. “It goes without saying how importManagement: Mark Shanahan (manager), Ger ant the first Quinlan (coach), Brendan Rouine (selector), Brian game is, all Conway (selector), John McInerney (selector) the groups Captain: Adam Ralph Key Player: Brendy Rouine One to Watch: Sean Rynne Fresh blood: Liam Cotter, Sean Rynne, Josh Guyler, Eanna Rouine, Brian McNamara, Darren McNamara, Josh Vaughan, Dara Rouine, Joey Rouine Departures Gate: Mattie Kinch, Liam Devitt, Michael McDonagh, Sean McConigley, Willie Murphy, Michael Leigh Titles won: 0 Last season’s run: Survived the Group of Death with Kilmurry and Miltown making the quarter-finals at the expense of Cooraclare and Cratloe.

Exited at the last eight to champions, Éire Óg.

Schedule: Rnd 1 vs Clondegad Rnd 2 vs Kilmurry Ibrickane Rnd 3 vs Doonbeg

AT A GLANCE

GROUP 3

pg33

CLONDEGAD

Clondegad put laser focus on Ennistymon relegation last season to maintain their senior status.

SEAMUS They will get their chalHAYES lenge for the 2022 title underway on this Sunday when they take on Ennistymon L O N D E G A D and, according to their manhave had mixed ager Martin Brennan, “our fortunes in the whole focus at this stage is senior champi- on Ennistymon and no one onship in recent else”. years and they’re determined Clondegad finished on the 2022 will be one of their bet- same points as Doonbeg in ter seasons. the group stage last year but County finalists in 2017, because Doonbeg beat them, they had to battle through they ended up in bottom spot in the group which led to them going into the relegation play off.

They were the only to beat champions Éire Óg in last year’s campaign which shows that they are well capable of matching the best.

Management: Martin Bren“We are in a tough nan (manager) Neil Hawes (coach/trainer), Michael Callinan, Keith McNamara, Niall Gavin, Christoir McCaw (S&C) Captain: Gary Brennan Key Player: Gary Brennan One to Watch: Daniel Kelly Departure Gate: None Titles won: None Last season’s run: Finished bottom of group, defeated Cooraclare in relegation play off.

Schedule: Round 1 v Ennistynmon Round 2 v Doonbeg Round 3 v Kilmurry Ibrickane

C

AT A GLANCE

EXPERT VIEWPOINT by Seamus Hayes KILMIHIL native DECLAN DOWNES knows Clare adult football inside out. A member of Colm Collins’ Clare management team for the past number of years, he is well versed on what patrons can expect for the 2022 county senior championship which gets underway on Saturday.

“GROUP 1 looks very competitive with the defending champions, the Cusack Cup champions, recent champions (St Joseph’s Miltown) and an exciting young team in Corofin. The first round games are very important, they will set the tone, will get momentum going, will give confidence and a win will take the pressure off ahead of the next two rounds,” Declan said.

PREDICTION: Champions Éire Óg to qualify along with St. Breckans on the back

of their Cusack Cup success. Three teams qualify from this group and he feels that Miltown’s greater experience will see them edge Corofin, a team he expects to trouble the opposition if they take confidence from their recent league success.

“GROUP 2 looks to be a very interesting group and Cratloe will be seen as the team with the proven record here. They have won titles and been there or thereabouts regularly throughout the past decade. They are a very experienced bunch and they have introduced a couple of new players in recent times. Lissycasey have been in the knock out stages for the past few years.

They have a fairly settled team but they will be disappointed with their performance in the semi-final last year.

“Doora/Barefield are a team with a lot of potential but they will be looking to one or two players to step up and make a mark this year. Kilmihil did well last year and Timmy Ryan has done a good job as coach.

They might be missing one or two this week which could be decisive”.

PREDICTION: Cratloe and Lissycasey to qualify with Kilmihil to be in the QF play off.

“Looking at GROUP 3 the bar has been set by Kilmurry Ibrickane year on year in terms of their ability to produce a team to compete for honours. They are serial winners, they have a serious management and coaching ticket and they are boosted by the return of experienced players this year.

“After a few lean years Doonbeg look to be on a comeback. They showed well in the Cusack Cup which they played without David Tubridy. This year the team management is from within their own club and that

group, indeed all groups are tough. A win will give a bit of momentum but we know that we are facing a stiff test.

We have some injury worries and won’t know until later in the week if those carrying injuries will be available for Sunday”, the manager explained.

With quite a number of the players also playing senior hurling with Ballyea, the manager is happy that, “the managements of both clubs work exceptionally well together”.

“As I’ve said, we are not looking past the first round and hopefully we will fare a bit better this year”, the manager concluded.

PICTURED: Clondegad’s Cillian Brennan

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

will bring pride and an understanding of the ethos of a parish. Ennistymon have a great bunch of talented young players who have yet to establish themselves at senior level.

They could do with a win this weekend to kick start their challenge. They have huge potential. Clondegad will again be looking to the Brennans to lead their challenge but with so many of their players having hurling success with Ballyea its hard to maintain a push in both codes PREDICTION: Kilmurry Ibrickane and Ennistyon to qualify. The third team in this group will play the third team from group 2 for the last quarter final spot and Declan won’t be surprised if this turns out to be a repeat of last year’s play off with Doonbeg facing Kilmihil.

Overall he feels that it’s hard to look past last year’s finalists, Éire Óg (winners) and Kilmurry Ibrickane for this year’s title.

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CLARE INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: TEAM PROFILES GROUP 1: KILDYSART

MANAGEMENT: Noel O’Grady (Manager); John O’Sullivan (coach); John Murtagh, John Cleary, Kieran Doohan, Terry Murphy (selectors) David and Dara Butler (Stats), Kieran Connolly (Physio).

CAPTAIN: Keith O’Connor KEY PLAYER: Diarmuid O’Donnell ONE TO WATCH: Jamie Evans FRESH BLOOD: None DEPARTURE GATE: Robert Eyers, Shane McNeilis, John Guinnane COMMENT: “The first round is our focus and we are taking it game by game and hopefully get out of the group. We have benefitted from playing in the Cusack Cup and we are hoping that the experience gained from that will stand to us,” - Noel O’Grady manager.

COOLMEEN

MANAGEMENT: Sean McMahon, David Neenan, Frank Kennedy; CAPTAIN: Eoin O’Connor KEY PLAYER: Cathal O’Connor ONE TO WATCH: Mark Meaney FRESH BLOOD: None DEPARTURE GATE: J.J. Carigg (long term injury), Micheal Brooks, Liam Markham COMMENT: “We are hoping to give a good account of ourselves. Games between ourselves and Kildysart have always been very competitive. We know we are facing a tough challenge. They were unlucky to lose the intermediate final last year and were in the Cusack Cup final this year,” - Sean McMahon selector

NAOMH EOIN

MANAGEMENT: Barry Harte (manager), Martin Haugh, Patrick Foley, Christy Kirwan CAPTAIN: Conor Tevlin KEY PLAYER: Conor Magner ONE TO WATCH: Fergal Keane FRESH BLOOD: Fergal Keane, Ciaran Bonfil DEPARTURE GATE: None COMMENT: “This is a big game for us.

Kilrush are after being relegated from senior. They have a lot of young lads. We are looking forward to the game with Kilrush.

We had a disappointing league. We have a small squad and when you are missing one or two, it makes a difference. Things are getting into shape now and, thankfully we have a full squad available for this game,” Barry Harte manager.

KILRUSH SHAMROCKS

MANAGEMENT: Daniel Ryan (Manager); Kevin Shalloo, Noel Ryan, Michael Griffin CAPTAIN: Evan Power KEY PLAYER: Geroid O’Brien ONE TO WATCH: Sean Canny FRESH BLOOD: Dylan O’Brien, Sean Canny, Ciaran Bermingham, Evan Power DEPARTURE GATE: Jim Young, Ray Glynn, Conor Bolton, Ross Cullinan COMMENT: “We wouldn’t be looking past the first round. We are in transition, it’s about developing the players. There is a good underage structure there. There is always pressure when you are involved with a big club. The first round is what our eyes are on” - Daniel Ryan manager

GROUP 2: KILFENORA

MANAGEMENT: Aidan O’Keeffe (Manager), Thomas Connole, David Connole CAPTAIN: Daniel Egan KEY PLAYER: Cian O’Dea ONE TO WATCH: Cronan Howley FRESH BLOOD: Nathan Brody, Cian Ó Conchuir, Arthur Collins, Joseph O’Gorman DEPARTURE GATE: Shane Long, Aidan Malone COMMENT: “We have prepared well and we are looking forward to the match. Both sets of players know each other well, have played against each other often and have played schools football with each other, all of which adds to the interest in the game,” Paul Carkill, club chairman

ENNISTYMON

MANAGEMENT: Brendan Rouine (Manager), Tom Aherne, Shane Talty, Michael Rouine CAPTAIN: To be confirmed KEY PLAYER: Niall Canavan ONE TO WATCH: Eanna Rouine FRESH BLOOD: Joshua Vaughan, Brian McNamara, Eanna Rouine DEPARTURE GATE: A number of last year’s junior team promoted to senior COMMENT: “With three adult teams in the club we won’t know until after the senior game who is available for this game. To win a game in the group is important and it’s our aim to get a result. We met in the league for the past two years and the fact that the players know each other well adds to the interest in the game,” - Brendan Rouine manager.

BANNER

MANAGEMENT: Conor Killeen (manager), Tom Meehan, Kevin O’Malley, Pat McMahon; CAPTAIN: James Coakley KEY PLAYER: Shane Meehan ONE TO WATCH: Thomas Meeneghan FRESH BLOOD: Diarmuid Toner, Justin McGrath, Dylan Mooney DEPARTURE GATE: Darragh Gleeson COMMENT: “We are not looking past Cooraclare and all our preparations have been geared towards that game. They are an experienced team, a club with a great tradition. Having been relegated from senior last year, they will be hoping to bounce straight back up. We face a difficult challenge,” Conor Killeen, manager

COORACLARE

MANAGEMENT: Michael Garry (manager); Paddy Keane, Michael Lillis, Tom Queally, Niall Murphy, Martin Davis (S&C) CAPTAIN: Pearse Lillis KEY PLAYER: Pearse Lillis ONE TO WATCH: Brian McNamara FRESH BLOOD: Finn O’Driscoll, Gary Donnellan, Noel Gavin, Kevin O’Gorman DEPARTURE GATE: Thomas Donnellan COMMENT: “It’s all about the first game and we are taking this campaign game by game. The aim is to win the first round and build momentum and every manager is looking for that. We are just focussing on the Banner. They have a lot of good play-

Cooraclare’s Micheál Garry Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ers,” - Michael Garry, manager.

O’CURRYS

MANAGEMENT: Dinny McMahon (Manager), Andrew Curtin, Stephen Rowan CAPTAIN: Cathal Downes KEY PLAYER: Sean Haugh ONE TO WATCH: Danny Downes FRESH BLOOD: Patrick Clancy DEPARTURE GATE: Brian Troy, Alex Harvey, James Troy, Derek Troy COMMENT: “We are only focussing on the first game. With just seventeen players it’s not easy to look any further. These boys will battle. We are crippled with numbers and we have a couple of injury doubts. It will be tight,” - Dinny McMahon, manager

MICHAEL CUSACKS

MANAGEMENT: Brian O’Reilly (manager), Michael Sweeney (selector), Eoin Farrell (selector and goalkeeping coach) CAPTAIN: Aidan Forde KEY PLAYER: Sean McNamara ONE TO WATCH: Thomas Roche FRESH BLOOD: Joe Copley, Senan Dunford DEPARTURE GATE: None COMMENT: “Our whole focus is on the first round. We want to get off to a good start. We had a disappointing end to the league. A win would be great and help build a bit of momentum,” - Brian O’Reilly, manager

WOLFE TONES

MANAGEMENT: Matt O’Connor (joint manager), Frank Casey (joint manager); Barry Murphy, Kevin Cahill, Kieran Ryan (coach) CAPTAIN: Jayme O’Sullivan KEY PLAYER: Daithi Lohan ONE TO WATCH: Aaron Kelly, FRESH BLOOD: Craig Riordan, Aaron Kelly, Brian Murphy DEPARTURE GATE: Ross O’Connor, Joe McGauley

COMMENT: “All our focus is on the first round. We haven’t won a first round in the past two years so this is a major fixture for us. We want to qualify from the group and winning the first round is key to that. We have a number of dual player but we are working well with the hurlers in managing that,” - Matt O’Connor joint manager

SHANNON GAELS

MANAGEMENT: Michael Crehan (manager), Frank Kelly, Eamonn Keane, Peter O’Connell, Gary Sexton CAPTAIN: Thomas Cleary KEY PLAYER: Dylan Kenny ONE TO WATCH: Ronan Davis, Aaron Lee McMahon FRESH BLOOD: Ronan Davis DEPARTURE GATE: Micheal Lorigan, Diarmuid Lorigan COMMENT: “Numbers are very tight and we have a number of injury concerns. In the last few years we have lost a number of players to emigration. In a small club it’s difficult when you don’t have the numbers.

Our focus is on the first round and the game against Wolfe Tones. They were in the league final recently and they would have big numbers while a lot of their players would have played inter county at some level,” - Michael Crehan, manager.

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04-08-22

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

Incredible 15 minutes set Tone Wolfe Tones 2-17 Smith O'Briens 1-12 Venue: O'Garney Park, Sixmilebridge Cian O’Rourke and Keith Stritch battle for the ball

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Compiled by Derek Dormer

FACTFILE WOLFE TONES SMITH O’BRIENS Puckouts: 15 from Puckouts: 12 from 21 (72%) 26 (46%) Frees won: 9 (4/6) Frees: 7 (5/2) Wides: 8 (5/3) Wides: 9 (7/2) Spread of scorers: 8 Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: Scores from play: 2-13 1-9 Top scorer: Billy Top scorer: Tommy Connors (2-6 4f) Reddan (0-4 3f) REFEREE: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge) RAY DIVINEY, WOLFE TONES MANAGER: “We’re absolutely delighted to get the result. We put in a brilliant second half performance. For the first 15 minutes of that second half we were incredible. Our backs were also on top form only coughing up one score from play in that period.

It's a good start but we had a similar start last year so we need to be aware of that and maintain the momentum. We have to get ready for Crusheen now. I’ve to give a special mention to Billy Connors who was terrific all day, his touch was savage in those conditions and his work rate which is the key was phenomenal”.

BRENDAN FOLEY, SMITH O’B SELECTOR: “We were in a good spot at half time but we made a lot of mistakes. They were mistakes we probably got away with last year but at this level with the quality of senior opposition you just can't make those mistakes. The pace and physicality were new to us. We have to stick together now and make sure there are no holes in the boat."

Cullinan praises young guns

Inagh-Kilnamona 1-18 Crusheen 1-12 Venue: Cusack Park

FACTFILE INAGH-K'MONA Frees For: 12 (5/7) Wides: 14 (7/7) Scores from play: 1-12 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Aidan McCarthy (1-07 6f) Own puckouts won: 16 out of 21 Bookings: David Mescall (30)

CRUSHEEN Frees For: 8 (5/3) Wides: 9 (5/4) Scores from play: 1-9 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Ross Hayes (0-03), Oisin O’Donnell (1-00) Own puckouts won: 18 out of 22 Bookings: Mark Perrill (16), Gerry O’Grady (32)

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

Niall Mullins moves away from Oisin O’Donnell Photo by Gerard O’Neill

REFEREE: Niall Malone (Éire Óg) EUGENE CULLINAN, INAGH/ KILNAMONA SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “Last year we just took it one game at a time and that is going to be our mantra this year, one game at a time. Crusheen are a formidable outfit and while there was a bit of a gap there, it was not a huge amount. We are pleased to have two points in the bag.

"The young lads have given the thing a bounce and any young lad that can stand up to Crusheen is a good young lad and we are delighted. Smith O’Briens in two weeks time will be as tough as this one, they are just up from intermediate and they are a solid side. We are looking forward to that. Kevin Hehir and Conner Hegarty are close to getting back but they might not make it in two weeks time”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Mark Rodgers appeals for a free from Jim Hickey Photo by Ruth Griffin

Clooney-Quin blow with wind Clooney-Quin 1-16 Scariff 0-13 Venue: O'Garney Park, Sixmilebridge Compiled by Derek Dormer

TOMMY CORBETT, CLOONEY/QUIN SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We've been targeting this game ever since the draw was made. We knew it would be a huge game and I'm just over the moon we got the result.

"We had two approaches today, going short into the elements and direct with the wind and both paid dividends.

Our big players stood up when it mattered. Peter and Ryan were sensational while Keith Hogan who is a terrific bloke always first at training and last to leave pulled off some great saves especially the penalty save, that was top class.

"We have Kilmaley next and they gave us a lesson in the Clare Cup but that's phoney war stuff. Today I'm absolutely thrilled, we had six championship debutants and I'm so proud of all of them”.

MARK MCKENNA, SCARIFF SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “I’m very very disappointed to be honest. We were in this position last year too losing our first game and it puts you on the back foot.

"We felt we had improved from last year, we trained hard all year and in fairness we worked hard all day today but we just fell short. We kept battling, our heads never dropped, we forced their keeper SCAN HERE FOR into making saves. We probably MATCH REPORT should have had another penalty but those are the breaks.

"Officials have a tough job and you have to respect that. It doesn't get any easier as we have Éire Óg next and it's a big task. We have to try stay in this championship”.

FACTFILE

KEVIN SHEEHAN, CRUSHEEN MANAGER: “We are on a rebuild but, at the same time, we hold standards high in the management and in the dressing room. We are not making excuses as that is not the way to go but we had five very young backs and they held their own. I am a bit disappointed with three or four wides

we had in the first half. We have something to work on as opposed to the first round last year when we were comprehensively beaten. The next day now is important. Inagh/Kilnamon are an incredibly good side who know what they are about. It’s for us to get up to that level and that game today will do us no harm for two weeks time”.

CLOONEY/QUIN Puckouts: 15 from 19 (79%) Frees: 8 (5/3) Wides: 7 (4/3) Scores from play: 1-10 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Peter Duggan (0-8 6f)

SCARIFF Puckouts won: 16 from 24 (66%) Frees for: 12 (5/7) Wides: 6 (5/1) Scores from play: 0-4 Spread of scorers: 3 Top scorer: Mark Rodgers (0-10 7f 1’65)

REFEREE: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)

04-08-22

pg 36

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

'Sharper' Kilmaley deserved victory

Kilmaley 3-18 Éire Óg 3-15 Venue: Cusack Park Compiled by Seamus Hayes Oran Cahill clashes with Sean O’Loughlin Photo by Gerard O’Neill

FACTFILE KILMALEY: Frees For: 10 (5/5) Wides: 6 (3/3) Scores from play: 3-10 Spread of scorers: 10 Top scorer: Michael O'Malley (0-08 6f 1'SC) Own puckouts won: 23 out of 27 (85%) Bookings: Martin O’Connor (6), Brian Cahill (23),

ÉIRE ÓG Frees For: 11 (4/7) Wides: 8 (3/5) Scores from play: 2-9 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Danny Russell (0-06 5fs) Own puckouts won: 20 out of 28 (71%) Bookings: None

REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clonlara) CONOR CLANCY, KILMALEY SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We had a good first half but disappointed in the second half as we lost our shape for about fifteen minutes. Overall I am pleased. We made changes and the guys that came on make a contribution. We finished strong in the last five minutes but we are concerned that we lost our shape for a while in the second half.

“Everybody had tipped Éire Óg to win this one which surprised me after the way we performed in the Clare Cup. "Next day will be another test. We saw Clooney/ Quin play today and we will have to raise our lev-

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2

Bridge punish 'flat' Feakle

Sixmilebridge 1-31 Feakle 0-13 Venue: Cusack Park Compiled by Seamus Hayes

FACTFILE SIXMILEBRIDGE: Frees For: 12 (5/7) Wides: 8 (4/4) Scores from play: 1-25 Spread of scorers: 10 Top scorer: Lorcan Fitzpatrick (1-05) & Jamie Shanahan (0-08 5fs) Own puckouts won: 16 out of 23 (70%) Bookings: None

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

FEAKLE: Frees For: 8 (4/4) Wides: 12 (7/5) Scores from play: 0-8 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Shane McGrath (0-07 4fs) Own puckouts won: 30 out of 40 (75%) Bookings: None

el of performance again.

"We have the great news there that Cathal Darcy is back fro the States and, hopefully in another couple of weeks Aaron Moleney will be back from his cruciate injury. We have a couple of more bodies on the way back in Tom O’Rourke and Aidan Griffey who are on J1s in the States”.

JIM COONEY, ÉIRE ÓG CHAIRMAN: “Kilmaley were definitely the sharper team and deserved their win. It took us too long to get going. I thought we made some very basic errors in the first half. We probably won the second half.

Kilmaley showed the benefit of having a season’s hurling under their belt whereas we only got together as a senior championship team two weeks ago.

"The game will stand to us. There are two more games left in our group and we will need an improvement to come out of the group. It’s very difficult to play a league with so many players missing, you can’t put a strategy together, you can’t put a campaign together and even now in championship time, all those players will be training for football next week so we wont have them again. It’s SCAN HERE FOR very difficult. The week you MATCH REPORT have those players, you only get one session out of them”.

WINNING WAYS CONTINUE FOR TUBBER & BAREFIELD SCAN HERE FOR ROUND-UP

REFEREE: Niall Malone (Éire Óg) SEAN STACK, SIXMILEBRIDGE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We were expecting a massive challenge today.

In the first half we played really composed stuff and worked the ball up the field really well. They are a great bunch of lads. When you win we are all happy but we have to get ready for the next day now, it’s a simple as that.

"We are happy enough and delighted with out intermediate team’s win yesterday, that’s the breeding ground for us and it was a big bonus to beat Corofin yesterday.

"There are five or six of those who are prospective players for this squad. Some of them might be on the next day.

"Young lads are coming through the junior and intermediate and we are trying to encourage them as best we can. We have four weeks of a

Oisin Donnellan and Barry Fitzpatrick race to the sliotar Photo by Ruth Griffin

break now and we are glad of that”.

P.J. KELLEHER, FEAKLE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We were very flat today, we felt after last week that we were in a good place, and the sessions were good all week. The Bridge were very very sharp today. I can’t put a finger on it at the mo-

ment. We have Newmarket in two weeks. Lads are down at the moment but we have to lift it and see what we can learn from today. The championship is still on, just because we won the last day and lost today doesn’t end it. We will have to see why we were so flat today. We will examine that during the week”.

Tubber’s Blaine Earley

Photo by Ruth Griffin

pg 37

04-08-22

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2

'Fair result' in seesaw battle Clarecastle 1-14 O'Callaghan's Mills 1-14 Venue: Cusack Park Niall Donovan’s swing catches Killian McDermott

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

FACTFILE CLARECASTLE: Frees For: 11 (5/6) Wides: 10 (5/5) From play: 0-9 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Bobby Duggan (1-08 1-05f) Own puckouts won: 24 out of 29 (83%) Bookings: Killian McDermott (9)

O’CAL MILLS Frees For: 16 (9/7) Wides: 14 (8/6) From play: 1-8 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Jacob Loughnane (1-04 3f) Own puckouts won: 16 outs of 24 (67%) Bookings: None

SHC TOP SCORER

1. Shane McGrath (Feakle) 1-18 2. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge) 0-18 3. Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle) 1-14 4. Niall Deasy (Ballyea) 0-14 5. Billy Connors (Wolfe Tones) 2-06

THE Clare Echo is delighted to have partnered with MD MyClubShop.ie to come on board as the new media partner of the top scorer awards in the Clare senior hurling and football championships.

With the advantage of having played a second game, the teams in the groups of five are setting the way with Shane McGrath in pole position following the first two rounds.

REFEREE: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones) BRIAN RUSSELL, CLARECASTLE MANAGER: “We missed a lot of chances at one end and I’d say the Mills would feel the same. It was a low scoring game. There was plenty of battle there and we had to. We had said we couldn’t be beaten. We are disappointed now that we didn’t win because we had the lead at one stage but we are happy we came back and I think the Mills will say the same and they are also relieved that they didn’t lose.

CONOR DOLAN, O’CALLAGHANS MILLS SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “It was probably a fair result. It could have gone either way to be honest. Clarecastle got a head start of 0-4 at the start and we made it very easy for them. They did the exact same thing at the start of the second half. We managed to work it back and we were 0-4 up ourselves.

"We probably coughed up a lot of scores on turnovers. We have four weeks before the next game and we have time to re-group and push on”.

Ryan praises Blues attitude

Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-18 Whitegate 0-09 Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla

FACTFILE NEWMARKET-ONFERGUS Scores from play: 0-13 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Colin Ryan (0-06 3f)

WHITEGATE Scores from play: 0-09 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Conor Whelan (0-03) Bookings: Reuben Noyes x2, Dylan White REFEREE: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)

TOMÁS RYAN, NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “We’re pleased with the win, just to get two points on the board especially after losing the first game, you’re probably under pressure and had to win.

“We were open and honest after the Bridge game, we kind of let ourselves down in the last 15 minutes of that game and we recognised that as a group. We just had to regroup and put our best foot forward coming into this game and I felt we did that. It was a very hard fought game and the sending off maybe tipped it in our favour as well.

“The attitude was right, even in the first half we had scoring opportunities that we left behind us but we upped it again in the second half and with an extra man up, along with that added intensity we brought to it. The conditions were really poor and this probably was a higher quality game that the scoreline suggests. Whitegate brought the fight to the game and they were unlucky with going down a man, it was one-way traffic from there.”

Compiled by Jamesy McConigley

Job done, Cathal Finucane and Frank Melody leave Dr Daly Park happy.

Photo by Ruth Griffin

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Barry Coote emerges from his line with Stiofan McMahon on alert Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Cometh the hour, cometh the man Ballyea 1-22 Broadford 0-13 Venue: Wolfe Tones na Sionna Compiled by Seamus Hayes

ROBBIE HOGAN, BALLYEA SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “A team like Broadford will always get a purple patch and come at you. It was nervy enough for a while but in fairness to the lads they showed a bit of composure and ground it out at the end. Cometh the hour cometh the man. Tony (Kelly) stepped up when we needed something inspirational. Two wins in a week, we can’t ask for anymore. We can now look forward to the next game in two weeks time”.

JIMMY BROWNE, BROADFORD SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “The bottom line is that when we had it back to one score midway through the second half a young fella called Tony Kelly came into the game in a very big way.

We probably didn’t adhere to the standards that we are capable of and needed to be at SCAN HERE FOR when playing a really really quality MATCH REPORT team like Ballyea. The bottom line is this is a very interesting group with lots of games and there will be twists and turns. We must focus and go back to our basics and try and bring the performance that we know we are capable of ”.

FACTFILE

TERRENCE FAHY, WHITEGATE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “Newmarket fully deserved their win. The match was finely poised until the sending off.

Momentum shifted big time on that issue. The

free count was new territory for us and it rattled us. We are not a dirty team. Conditions were poor. Our boys are strong so we will just reboot and go”.

BALLYEA: BROADFORD Frees For: 10 (6/4) Frees For: 9 (3/6) Wides: 6 (2/4) Wides: 10 (6/4) Scores from play: 1-15 Scores from play: 0-8 Spread of scorers: 7 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Niall Deasy Top scorer: Niall (0-07 7f), Tony Kelly O’Farrell (0-05) (0-07) Own puckouts won: 22 Own puckouts won: 19 out of 29 (76%) out of 23 (83%) Bookings: Darren Bookings: Morgan Garry Chaplin (49) (58) REFEREE: Rory McGann (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

04-08-22

pg 38

Con's prize at Dromoland won by ... Con!

by SEAMUS HAYES

Sheila Kent was winner of President's Prize to the Ladies, pictured with Con Woods DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB President Con Woods’ prize was played for at the weekend and it ended with two retired Garda colleagues filling the top two positions. Former club officer Con Ryan captured the honours with 63 points, three ahead of Noel McMahon. Shane O’Brien was third with 56 points. Jason O’Leary won the gross with 38 points while Fergal Kennedy with 20 points and Eoin Heaney with 25 points won the front and back nines respectively.

Eoin Lahiffe won the junior section with 40 points, Adam Merriman won the student’s category with 59 points, Martin O’Mahoney won the past president’s prize with 37 points and Gerry Malone won the guests section with 36 points.

Sheila Kent was the winner of the president’s prize to the ladies with 71 nett from Dervla O’Neill with 73, Mary Arthur with 74 and Suzanne Mc Consway with 75. Leslie O’Flynn won the gross with 87 while

the nines were won by Siobhan Fitzpatrick with 33 and Majella Cotgreave with 34.

LAHINCH GOLF CLUB: Over 400 members including 194 who braved awful conditions on Saturday, competed in Jim Nolan’s captain’s prize qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday. The scoring over both days was excellent and the leading 27 golfers qualified for the playoff on Sunday afternoon when Niall Collins held his composure to emerge as winner on countback from Kieran O’Loughlin. Niall (14) returned 58 points to win on countback from Kieran (11) with third spot filled

by Tom Shiels (20) with 57 points.

Mark Campbell (2) had the best gross on Friday with 36 points while the best nett on Friday was returned by Des Hanrahan (26) with 40 points.

Eoin Glynn (1) had the best gross on Saturday with 34 points while David McInerney (11) had the best nett with 36 points. Dan O’Donovan (11) won the past captain’s prize and the Oswald Browne cup with 35 points. The captain’s prize to the seniors for the Francis Garrahy perpetual plate, was won by T. J. Kerins (18) with 40 points.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Pat O’Brien (16) won captain Kieran Dromey’s prize at Woodstock at the weekend with 99 nett. He had a shot to spare over Tony Coote (19) wth Mike Kelly (19), also with 100, in third spot.

In the ladies section the winner was Marie McNamara (42) with 46 points from Ann Kilker (54) with 38 points with Eilis Neille (37) in third spot with 38 points.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: Captain Kieran Kennedy's prize was played for last weekend at East Clare when Jack Brennan emerged as the winner with 97.5. He had a stroke to spare over Jason Horan with third spot filled by Darren Rosney with 100 followed by Brendan Moloney on 100.5.

Category 1(1 to 11) was won by Ronan Molloy from Michael Rochford. The winner of category 2 (12-20) was Tom Larkin from Brian Stritch while category 3 (20 plus) was won by Nick Ryan. Ronan Mc Guinness won the gross with 72.

Ennis-Clarecastle Coursing in fine health

by MICHAEL MAHER

ENNIS/CLARECASTLE Coursing Club held its AGM at the Community Centre in Clarecastle with several officers re-elected.

In a very comprehensive report, secretary Johnnie Moroney said the 2021/22 season will go down as a very successful one. He detailed the work undertaken on the field including the building of an extension to the boxing shed, the replacement of twenty plus posts, the construction of a new bulb and refencing works.

Advice was sought from John Curtin who is responsible for the hare husbandry at Clonmel for the new bulb. John Browne was credited with helping to double the size of the existing shed along with Noel Hehir, TJ Scanlan and Liam Daly. “All these works came at a substantial cost to the club but were necessary and certainly enhanced our meeting,” the secretary stated.

He recalled, “On the two days of our meeting the new shed & bulb proved a huge success and was highly praised by ICC Steward Martin Scarry. The upgrades didn’t stop there as the entrance to the field to the slippers hut was concreted as were the two exit gates from the hare escape. The road way to the top of the field was skimmed and two loads of light grit was spread which allowed cars to drive to the top of the field and this was highly complimented on the days by trainers and owners over the two days”. Total costs were in the region of €6,000 with the club hopeful to obtain 20 percent of this through ICC grants while he said the club was “in an extremely healthy financial position”.

A rating of 93 percent was achieved in the club’s two day meeting from the ICC. “This is the third consecutive year to reach a 93+ rating and it’s now about retaining those top standards. We are blessed to have a top class field at our disposal thanks to the kindness of the McInerney family and we have a good working relationship with them. One has to remember that this is farm land first and foremost so to get the use of the field for nearly 12 weeks we can count ourselves very fortunate”.

The club went hunting on 29 occasions last year. “Last year club member Shane Flanagan was elected to the ICC Executive, the first Clare man to gain a place at the top table since the early 90s. This was a great honour for our club this year John Keane retires as the clubs ICC representative a post he held for many years and we thank John for his sterling work for the club during that time. One of the most loyal voices for coursing in the country over the last years is our own club member and Clare TD Joe Carey. Joe has been unwavering in his support for coursing and the help he gave to the ICC in ensuring we got our netting licence”.

The following Officers were elected; President: Gerry Moloney Vice President: Patsy Cronin Chairman: Noel Coote Vice Chairman: John Keane Hon Secretary: Johnny Moroney Asst Secretary: Leona Ryan Asst Secretary: Tom Keating, Treasurer: Paul Keating ICC Club Rep: Shane Flanagan .

The winner of the captain’s prize to the seniors was Brendan McInerney with 42 points and he won on a countback from Pat Carey and Terry Coughlan.

Enda Donnellan won the past captain’s prize, Ronan Hayes won the long drive and Eddie Rosney was nearest the pin.

In the captain’s prize to the ladies the winner was Noreen O’Grady with 37 points from Brid Hayes with a similar score with Mary Farrell in third spot with 36 points. Rachel Whelan won the gross while the nines were won by Breda McCarthy with 22 points and Mary Bugler with 17 points for the back. Sean Lowry Cummings won the junior section with 77 KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The ladies SuperValu stableford competition was won by Jean Lorigan (32) with 43 points from Anne Brennan (13) with 42 points, Honor Kyne (23) with 38 points and Mary G Nolan (23) with 38 points.

The winners of the SuperValu mixed foursomes were Sean and Attracta Wlliams with 57 from Ursula Lineen and Tom McGrath with 58 while the gross was won by Anne Galllagher and Tomas Prendeville with 77.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: Darragh Murphy (7) won captain Frank Gormley’s prize with 99.5 nett. Bernard Hanrahan (26) was second with 101 followed by Ronan Herbert (5) with 99.5. Alan Butler (2) won the gross with 70 from Martin Moran (6) who had a similar score. The leading qualifier was Brian McCrthy (29) with 66 nett.

Diarmuid Meere (8) won the junior section with 111 nett, John Considine (14) won the senior category with 107 while the 9 hole competition was won by William Delaney (8) with 35 nett. The putting competition was won by Peadar Cosgrove. The competition attracted 243 entries.

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OBITUARIES 39

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2021

Recent Deaths Dinan, Bridget Mary (B. May) Mountshannon, Clare Date of Death: Monday 1st August 2022 Quilligan (née Donnellan), Nancy Broadford, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 31st July 2022

Anniversary

Park, David Shannon, Clare Date of Death: Friday 29th July 2022

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Donnellan (née Moroney), Bridget Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Friday 29th July 2022

Cullinan, David Ennis/Sixmilebridge, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 30th July 2022

Carey (née Gully), Mary (Kitty) Clonlara, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 28th July 2022

Hogan, Michael Tulla, Clare Date of Death: Monday 1st August 2022

Nagle, J.P. Liscannor, Clare Date of Death: Friday 22nd July 2022

Meaney, Micheál Ballynacally, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 31st July 2022 Loughnane (née O’Halloran), Bridget Shannon/ Sixmilebridge, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 30th July 2022

Prayer

1ST ANNIVERSARY JOHN CREGAN

CRONAN LAWN, SHANNON, CO. CLARE & BELFAST

In loving memory of a wonderful Dad, granddad, great grandad and father in law.

Though your smile is gone forever and your hand we can’t touch. Still we have so many memories of the one we love so much. Your memory is our keepsake.

You are loved and missed every day Dad. Martina, Brenda, Sean, Conor, Daniel and their Families xx 1st Anniversary mass will be celebrated on Saturday 6th August in John and Paul Church, Shannon at 6.30 pm.

Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours.

This time, I ask you This special favour.

(Mention Favour) Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes It will become your favour Not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days.

Promise Publication.

-TOR

THE MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours.

This time, I ask you This special favour.

(Mention Favour) Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes It will become your favour Not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days.

Promise Publication.

-J.N

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 4 MONASTERY LANE, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE Take notice that Lisa McInerney intends to apply for permission to renovate and extend the existing dwelling, connect to Irish Water mains services & all other associated site and ancillary 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 in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILBANE, BROADFORD, CO. CLARE I, Paul Moloney, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Kilbane, Broadford, Co Clare: Permission for construction of new detached dormer dwelling, detached domestic garage, bored well, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, connection to necessary services, new entrance together with all associated ancillary

and incidental site works 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 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 LOUGHAUN SOUTH, TULLA, CO. CLARE We, Wiskin Property Development Ltd, intend to apply for permission for development at Loughaun South, Tulla, Co. Clare. The development will consist of a residential development comprising 60 no. residential units, (15 no. detached house, 36 no. semi-detached houses and 9 no. terrace houses), two vehicular entrances and all ancillary site development works on lands at Loughaun South, Tulla, Co. Clare. Ancillary site development works include a new connection to the public water main and foul sewer, surface water drainage and attenuation, new entrances and access roads, footpath to front of site, vehicle parking, landscaping, boundary treatments and site development works above and below ground.

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 of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours and 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 7 T-DÚN AN ÓIR, TULLYGLASS TLD., SHANNON, CO. CLARE Take notice that Pádraig and Caroline O’Loughlin are applying to Clare County Council (Planning Authority) for permission to subdivide existing plot with dwelling house and to demolish existing garage in order to provide new dwelling house with entrance and connection to public sewer and water mains all 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 in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the pe-

riod of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TOOR, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that J. Organ intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a dwelling house, garage, proprietary wastewater treatment system and ancillary site works at the above address. That 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 COUNTY COUNCIL INAGH LODGE, CARROWKEEL WEST, INAGH, CO. CLARE V95 FX40 Take Notice that We, Des & Maeve Ryan intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission for the construction of an extension to existing dwelling house to comprise of Sunroom including ancillary site works at 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 of Clare County Council, Planning Department, 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 authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYGEERY WEST, CO. CLARE Island Stability Services, intend to apply for permission for development at this site Ballygeery West, Co. Clare.

The development will consist of a 10 year planning permission for the construction of a: 1. enclosed battery energy storage system compound on a total of up to c. 7.8 hectare site, to include: 1 no. TSO electrical substation building and 1 no. single storey customer substation, control and switch rooms, up to 19 battery storage blocks on concrete support structures including heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC units), transformer and inverter units. Including access tracks and site entrance, associated electrical cabling and ducting, security gates, perimeter security fencing, CCTV sys-

tem, landscaping works and all associated ancillary infrastructure.

That 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 COUNTY COUNCIL 1 STEELES TERRACE, LIFFORD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95 N40F Take notice that Paul and Orna O’Farrell intend to apply for permission for development at the above address. The development will consist of Construction of a single storey extension to the rear of the house, new studio/garage to the rear of garden, new parking space accessed from the lane and all associated site works.

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 in writing to the planning au-

thority 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 BALLAGHALINE, DOOLIN, CO. CLARE Take notice that K. Nagle intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to add a single storey extension to the existing boathouse/ storeroom and to change use of existing boathouse/storeroom to a cafe ancillary to the existing Nagles Camping & Caravan Park along with associated site works at the above address. The existing boathouse/storeroom is a protected structure (RPS No. 546).

That 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.

Continues page 41

40

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RUBBISH REMOVAL

PLANNING/ LICENCE APPLICATIONS

Continued from page 39

STORAGE

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYKELLY, BROADFORD, CO. CLARE I, Brian McNamara intend to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission for the construction of a single storey dwelling house, detached boiler house, septic tank system and all ancillary site works at Ballykelly, Broadford, 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 and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CASE NO: D:LIC:KILA:2022:005626 AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT NO. 86.3 PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC DANCING LICENCE DISTRICT COURT AREA OF KILLALOE DISTRICT NO. 12 Flexiteam Limited Applicant TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Applicant Flexiteam Limited of Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay, Cork, Cork intends to apply to the District Court at Killaloe District Court on the 06 Sep 2022 at 10:30 for the grant of an Annual Dance Licence a Licence to use a particular place, to wit: LOCATION Killaloe Hotel Knockyclovaun Killaloe Clare situate at Knockyclovaun, Killaloe, Clare in court area and district aforesaid, for public dancing.

Dated this 29 Jul 2022 Signed McMahon O’Brien Tynan Solicitor for Applicant Solicitors, Mill House, Henry Street Limerick To the Garda Superintendent, at CourtPresenters.Ennis@garda.ie, Ennis Garda Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 TR83 To the Fire Officer, at fireoff@clarecoco.ie, Clare Fire Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 CD74 To the Co Council Official, at corporate@clarecoco.ie, Clare County Council, Ennis, Clare, V95 DXP2 To the District Court Clerk, Ennis District Court

41

42

QUIZ

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz

PRESIDENTS, HEADS OF STATE AND COUNTY CLARE

On 30 September 1994 which 1plane President failed to get off his when it landed at Shannon

President Patrick Hillery from 6 Spanish Point served two terms as Irish President. What did he gain

Nelson Mandela, Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton

Voted Ireland’s sexiest man Tried out for Ireland’s basketball team Declined invite to Prince Charles’ wedding

he pictured drinking Irish coffee?

Scariff, Killaloe, Sixmilebridge

Fidel Castro, former Cuban 5 president, left what as a gift for then-taoiseach on a Shannon stopover in 1982?

Box of Cuban chocolates, Box of Cuban cigars, A traditional Cuban hat

ANSWERS

Ennis, West Clare, East Clare

10

In 2015 Prince Charles fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit the Burren, but while helping to build a stone wall, what did he tell local farmers?

I’ve spent my life thinking about this This is a great wall Where’s the closest toilet?

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. Declined invite to Prince Charles’ wedding

Snowball, D-licious, Horse

7. Greg Norman

But what nickname was he given in his schooldays?

l QUESTION 6: President Patrick Hillery from SpanishPoint

. Helmet right different colour . Black strap on hurler different colour . D missing on jersey (right) . O’Neills missing on jersey

1.Boris Yeltsin

Current Irish President Michael Former Taoiseach Eamon de Val4 D Higgins attended St Flannan’s 9 era was elected via by-election in College when growing up in Ballycar.

1917 in which constituency?

2. have a day off in

Dwight D Eisenhower, Harry S Truman, Franklin D Roosevelt

Chinese Premier Xi Jinping spent 8 most of his State visit to Ireland in Co Clare in 2014, but where was

8. Sixmilebridge

Kennedy?

Darren Clarke, Greg Norman, Dermot Bannon

9. East Clare

Every US president since JFK 3 has landed at Shannon Airport – but which US president preceded

which it is attached?

3. Dwight D Eisenhower

Conquer, Hide out in, Have a day off in

4. Snowball

of any country in the world I would rather [blank] than Ireland’

Current US President Donald 7 Trump owns Doonbeg Hotel – but who designed the golfcourse to

10. I’ve spent my life thinking about this

When president Richard Nixon 2 gave a public address from Shannon Airport, he said ‘I don’t think

notoriety for in 1981?

5. Box of Cuban cigars

Airport for a State visit to Ireland because he was “very tired”

. Pole missing in background . GAA missing on jersey (left background) . Black Bracelet missing on wrist (left)

Members of the Inagh Kilnamona team which won the inaugural U19A hurling championship

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

PUZZLE

THURSDAY, AUG 4 2022

43

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES AUG 4th

SUDOKU

8/2/22, 4:19 PM

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Bellow

2

8

Below

6

Blow

2

Callow Fallow

5

7 7

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9

4

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9

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1/1

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5

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5

9

6

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3

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Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

4

Willow

ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

8

Tallow

How to play

7

Swallow

9

8

How to play

Shallow

7

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

Sallow

3

5

6

Mellow Pillow

4

6

5

Lowdown Overflow

7

3

9

Flower

9

about:blank

WORD SEARCH

about:blank

The Clare Echo Crossword

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S A M B A

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12

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Daily Quick Crossword: 2 August 2022 ,8/2/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

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Help support us by subscribing Visit clareecho.ie/subscribe to find out more

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6)

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20

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19

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23

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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DOWN 1 Lauded (7) 2 Annoyed (5) 3 Answers (anag) (7) 4 Reduce in rank (6) 5 Derby venue (5) 6 Former prince of Monaco (7) 7 Robinson Crusoe author (5) 13 Type of lettuce (7) 15 Putting through a sieve (7) 16 Answer (7) 17 Hansel’s sister (6) 18 Indian stringed instrument (5) 19 In the lead (5) 21 Brilliant success (5)

n Crusoe author (5)

(3)

ACROSS 1 Game bird (9) 6 Disencumbered (3) 8 Permit (5) 9 Thick-set powerful breed of dog (7) 10 Most doleful (7) 11 New England state (5) 12 Constraint, force (6) 14 Extortionate money-lender (6) 18 Brazilian dance (5) 20 Roof beams (7) 22 Cut into three parts (7) 23 Dome-shaped Inuit home (5) 24 American whiskey (3) 25 Overjoyed (9)

lettuce (7)

7

prince of Monaco (7)

6

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5

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Daily Quick Crossword: 2 August 2022 ,8/2/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

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