The Clare Echo 17/09/20

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‘ONE OF THE GREATS’ Chris Droney remembered PÁRAIC McMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

ARM and glowing tributes have been paid to one of Clare’s greatest sons and one of the country’s finest musicians following his passing in recent days. Chris Droney died peacefully at University Hospital Galway following 95 years of music, laughter and love. The former Clare Person of the Year has been recognised on a national level for his brilliance on the concertina, a style of music which remained rooted in his beloved North Clare home. He learned to play music by ear and had a career in music which spanned almost nine decades. The Bellharbour native was also a very proud family man and shared a deep love for his wife Margaret, they lived to see three generations after them. His attention to detail was also visible in the manner in which he kept their immaculate family farm. Leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, John Lynch described Chris as one “the Gods that we looked up to” and an ambassador for the county. Musician Noel Hill maintained that Droney was one of the individuals responsible for the survival of the concertina.

TRIBUTE TO CHRIS DRONEY PAGE 6

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THIRD CLARE SCHOOL DEALING WITH COVID-19 A THIRD Clare school has been affected by a confirmed case of COVID-19, writes Páraic McMahon. Schools reopened across the country at the end of August and in the space of three weeks, a total of three primary schools have been affected to varying degrees relating to close contact with positive cases and confirmed cases. Second class pupils in St Conaire’s National School have been out of the Shannon school for the past week after it emerged that one pupil had tested positive for the virus. Remaining classes are operating as normal. A week previous, parents of fifth and sixth class students at Stonehall National School were informed of a confirmed case involving one member of the class. Testing has not found there to be subsequent cases emerging in the Newmarket-on-Fergus school. Earlier this month, Meelick NS was forced to temporarily close as it was left without any member of permanent staff after personnel were required to self-isolate having been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Clare schools and their equivalents across the country will remain open even if Ireland returns to the lockdown measures enforced earlier in this year. This was confirmed as part of the Living with COVID-19 framework released on Tuesday. Data released by the Department of Health on Tuesday highlighted that the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in the country was at its highest point since midJune. A total of 68 confirmed Covid-19 cases are currently in Irish hospitals – the highest figure since 16 June. There are currently 13 Covid-19 cases in ICU – the highest figure since 30 June.

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l FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS: Tadhg and Aodhan Ó Gairbhith and their sister

Liadan with ‘Michael Cusack’ (Martin Vernon) at the announcement of datails of the inaugural Michael Cusack Day in Carron at midday on Sunday Photo by Eamon Ward

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Clothes banks a ‘disaster’

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TRONGER policing of clothes banks is required according to elected representatives. Contracts are required for the supply, servicing and maintenance of textile banks on sites controlled by Clare County Council. The local authority is responsible for the tendering and awarding of these contracts. Textile Recycling Ltd are currently responsible for textile banks on Council controlled property in Clare. When textile banks are not under contract obligations to the Council, they are not regularly serviced and cause “a waste nuisance” such as dumping. A 14 day removal notice can be put at the relevant bank, acting executive engineer with the County Council’s environment department, Antony Considine outlined. Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) shared his concern regarding a number of textile banks across the country as clothes were being left beside them following a failure to empty the banks on a regular basis. He flagged that identification is lacking in some instances. “Unidentifiable clothes banks should be removed, they are not bona fide and not charitable.” Clothes banks in Kilrush were labelled “an absolute disaster” by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND). “Magpies are destroying them, they are coming in and the items are discarded all over the town”. Acting senior executive officer, John O’Malley said the matter would be reviewed again.

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Clare in Level 2 of living with Covid framework

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THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

FIVE-level plan for living with Covid-19 has been announced by the Government. Measures as part of the medium-term plan came into effect from midnight on Tuesday. Five different levels of restrictions are included in the framework. The lower levels will be activated when there is low incidence of the disease, with isolated outbreaks and low community transmission. The higher levels will be used to deal with higher incidences of the disease. Level 1 involves the least amount of restrictions, it does not apply to anywhere in Ireland at present as the whole country is on Level 2. As part of Level 1, up to 10 visitors from a maximum of three households are allowed in your home. Crowds of 100 people are permitted to attend weddings and organised indoor gatherings such as business meetings. Up to 500 people will be able to attend outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000 with a maximum of 200 patrons allowed in most other outdoor venues. Nightclubs, discos and casinos will

lSTRANGE TIMES: Interested parties forced to observe the soccer from outside the gates of Frank Healy Park Photo by Joe Buckley

remain closed under Level 1. In Level 2 which is applicable to the entire country, visitors from one other household only or up to six visitors from two to three other households are allowed in your home. It grants the reopening of pubs not serving food with individual groups limited to six people from no more than three households. Crowds of 200 are permitted for sporting stadiums that are capable of holding crowds

of 5,000. Fifty people can attend a wedding with the same number for arts events. Up to 100 patrons are permitted for larger venues hosting cultural events where strict two metre seated social distancing and one-way controls for entry and exit can be implemented. Level 2 allows for a capacity of greater than 50 in separated sub-groupings of no more than 50, with additional protective measures in place. Up to 50 can attend a funeral.

A limit on visitors to a home from one household only comes into operation for Level 3. Weddings are capped to a maximum crowd of 25 with outdoor gatherings set to a maximum of 15 people. Sports training would be allowed to continue but with no matches. Museums and galleries would close with additional restrictions for indoor dining in pubs and restaurants. No visitors to households are sanctioned in Level 4. Weddings are cut down to only six people attending with the closure of gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools plus the cancellation of in-person religious services cancelled. Only 25 people are permitted to attend a funeral at this stage. Indoor dining is also given the chop and pubs are only allowed cater for 15 outdoor customers. Returning to the lockdown of months gone by is planned if Level 5 was to occur. Domestic travel restrictions and a 5km limit are back on the table but schools and creches would remain open. Speaking on Tuesday, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath (FF) said the plan would cover the next six to nine months as it is not certain that there will be any progress in a vaccine over that period of time.

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THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Dr Crawford begins life as councillor PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

R SUSAN Crawford (GP) can officially call herself a county councillor following her co-option to the local authority on Monday evening. A two-time Fulbright Award winner, Susan takes the seat vacated following Roisin Garvey’s (GP) nomination to the Seanad at the end of June. Her addition to the County Council means that two county councillors have been awarded the Clare Person of the Year accolade, herself and Cllr Ann Norton (IND). Nominating Susan to take the position, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) expressed his confidence that she would serve as a great addition to the Council and the areas in North and West Clare that she will represent. He admitted that having the distinction of putting forward the nomination gave him great pleasure, “Susan’s addition to the Council is coming at a very timely moment.” Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) seconded the nomination as she remarked

that the Inagh native was “starting a new journey”. Cllr Howard revealed that the first time she met Susan was also the same occasion that she met Cllr Garrihy for the first time, “I learned a lot that night”. Addressing the meeting, Susan said, “It is a great privilege and a great honour and indeed a humbling experience to join Clare County Council as the Green Party representative. I hope I do bring some strength, vision and support to the work of the Council”. She acknowledged the efforts of Senator Garvey during her 12 months on the local authority and the “vision she is already providing in the Seanad”. The inspiration stemming from her son Tomás was also cited by the Miltown Malbay resident in encouraging her to step out from her comfort zone. An autism consultant, Cllr Crawford outlined that her years working as a social activist will form part of her work on the local authority. “I will be supporting any initiative in West and North Clare that gets people out and active”. The prospect of the West Clare Greenway was mentioned as a real positive for the county as she concluded her maiden speech, “I feel energised for this role, it will be great. I’m a team worker and I’m happy to be a part of the team”.

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THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Legendary Chris Droney dies, 95 PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

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NE of Clare’s greatest musicians, Chris Droney has died at the age of 95. Born in Bellharbour in 1924, Chris is regarded as a legendary concertina player. Over his near nine decade music career, he has been acknowledged with many prestigious accolades including the TG4 Grádam Saoil award for lifetime achievement; a CCÉ Bardic Award, a Teastas award, the Clare Person of the Year Award in 2012 and the 2018 MÓRglór award. From 1956 onwards, he would

become a ten-time senior All-Ireland concertina champion, nine of which were solo efforts and one included a duet with fiddler Gus Tierney. Droney travelled the world playing music. He played alongside the Bell Harbour Céilí Band, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Ballinakill Céilí Band, Augrim Slopes and the Kincora Céilí Band throughout his career. He also released three solo recordings, The Flowing Tide (1962), The Fertile Rock (1995) and Down From Bell Harbour (2005). His father, James and grandfather Michael also played concertina and Chris learnt by ear from the age of eight. He began his musical career by learning two tunes, The Wearing of the Green and Clare’s Dragoons. Johnson’s Hall in Kinvara was where Chris made his first pub-

Tribute: Noel Hill, renowned concertina player

“I HAD great time for Chris from a very young age, before I started playing I would have heard Chris through the recordings, they were made by Ciarán Mac Mathúna and broadcast on the radio...A dancer would always be very pleased with his playing because it was straight, simple and strong in rhythm, it was savoured by dancers. “My mother used to say that Chris was such a hearty player that he would lift the dancers off the floor, I recall that from before I started playing so we’re going back more than fifty years...There was a great grá for him in our house, particularly with my mother, they got to know each other very well over the years. My mother was in Kilmaley Day Care Centre, Chris was very generous with his time and he used to come down to Kilmaley and play for the old folks. That was the kind of man he was, he was very pleasant and a man you would love to meet, a man of tall stature and great quality, I loved meeting him. “One of the sad things the longer I live is the way we are losing great people. The group of the older generation left is becoming smaller and smaller, we’ve lost Micho Russell, Bobby Casey, John Kelly, all great people. Chris battled on longer than nearly all but he is now gone to his eternal rest and I will really miss him, a reliable man. I came back from a farming background so I used to admire the neatness of his land in Bellharbour anytime I would pass... A great loss but the only consolation is that he lived a long and a good life, he had great family values and they are shown in his children, grand-children and great grand-children, he is a great loss to all of those people”. “Chris Droney’s father Jim also lived a long life, he was born in 1885. He had a concertina which had 20 keys therefore his style was limited by the instrument whereas we all play with 30 keys. That style was handed down to Chris. Jim lived right until 1972, you had a lineage there and Jim Droney’s people before him played music right back until the Famine. There is a continuity there which I find very important. It brings it all back to the fact that we are the custodians of the music of our lifetime and for it to be passed on. Jim Droney’s ancestors did the same, then you had Chris come along with another long life playing that style in that corner of North Clare which was an entirely different style to the style I was brought up with around Mid and West Clare. That is the great richness of it all.”

lic appearance as a musician, for which he was paid half a crown. Both his son Francis and daughter Ann continued the family tradition of winning All-Ireland titles on the concertina. Many of his grandchildren have maintained this legacy on the concertina and others on the fiddle. The Droney family played to a packed glór as part of the Consairtín an Chláir lunchtime series during the 2017 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in what was viewed as one of the highlights of the traditional music festival. Just last week, a picture of Chris and his great granddaughter Líobhan, the daughter of Aoibhin Garrihy and John Burke, was shared online with both pictured smiling to the caption “what a precious life”.

lLOCAL TREASURE: Chris Droney Photo by Martin Connolly

Tribute: John Lynch, Kilfenora Céilí Band “WHENEVER you met Chris Droney there was always fun and devilment going on. Anytime I’d be walking towards Chris Droney, there would be a smile on his face and a smile on mine, we had a great relationship. “He was a superb family man, a brilliant farmer and a brilliant musician and entertainer. Wherever he went he brought joy. He won ten senior All-Irelands on the concertina, he won a senior duet with Gus Tierney, he was Clare man of the Year in 2012, in 2014 he received a TG4 lifetime achievement award, in 2018 he won the MÓRglór award, that shows you the integrity of the man. As a musician, dancer and storyteller he was superb, with all that honour and glory Chris remained a gentle, humble man. He demonstrated how we should strive to live our lives, that is what epitomised Chris Droney for me. “He lived to see three generations after him, there was a picture taken just last week of himself and Líobhan who is his great-granddaughter; he is smiling and she is smiling. He gave tremendous support to all them people and never let them down in any way. “He was an exceptional farmer, Chris Droney was the first man to bring the combine harvester to his parish, he was an innovative man and was never afraid to take a chance. He always remained grounded and I think the farming did that for him. He was above in the Burren and was very much aware of where he was and the land he played from. One of his favourite tunes was the Bellharbour Reel which was played when he was being removed from the church, it shows how grounded he was and how aware he was of where he came from, he was very proud of where he came from and the people he came from”.

Kate Purcell, singer/songwriter

“THE minute I met him I felt a connection with Chris, he was one of those older stock of people and musicians that just played the music for the music and the love of it. He was so generous with his music and himself, he was a lovely, gorgeous, warm gentleman who always had a funny story or a bit of craic going on in the background. You would ask people to do their party piece and he would play along with anyone who was singing anything it didn’t matter, he was there to coax them and help them. I started doing a concert series in Tuamgraney in the old church there, I used to run three concerts a week and used to invite Chris almost every week, at least once if not twice in the week Chris would come over and play for the tourists, he was always such an amazing character to sit up in front of an audience and tell the tourists stories from his childhood and how he learned concertina, he was a wonderful composer of fabulous tunes, it smacked of the real style of his own playing in the Burren area but you would hear the age of the music. I would sing Johnny Patterson songs from the late 1800s and when Chris would play them with me you were almost back in that era because his music was so old style and you could hear the style from his grandfather who taught him to play, you could hear all the wonderful style coming through. “I immediately thought of his lovely wife Margaret when I heard the news, they were together probably 70 odd years, what a beautiful lady she is. I’m thinking of the whole family... they are a great family who I’m sure are heartbroken and my heart goes out to them for losing such a legendary soul who we all miss terribly”.

Chris died peacefully on Wednesday night following a short illness surrounded by his loving family at University Hospital Galway. He is survived by his devoted wife Margaret, his loving children, Jimmy, Ann, Clare, Francis, Declan, Joseph and Caroline, his grandchildren, David, James, Áine, Iarlaith, Oisín, Aoibhín, Ailbhe, Doireann, Cathal, Gráinne, Éanna, Christopher, Cian, Meaghan, Saileóg, Cillian, Ciara, Joey, Robyn and Heidi and great-grandchildren, Hanorah, Líobhan, and Seán, his brothers Jet (Frank) and Paschal (John) Hartford, Connecticut U.S.A, sons-inlaw, daughters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Tribute: Paula Carroll, music producer

“CHRIS is right up there at the tip top of the traditional music greats in Clare. He was not just a wonderful musician but he was that old style musician, his music was very straight forward, very rhythmic, it was for dancers. That’s what musicians were for in the days when Chris was born and was a young man and that was how he delivered his music. “Another reason that he is up there at the top is that he represents a time when music was one part of a person’s personality, Chris is equally known for being a great family man, a wonderful farmer, he was the neatest of men, the house and the farm was in fantastic condition. I was speaking to his son Francis the other day and he was saying of his father that his priorities were 1) family, 2) work and 3) music but you would never know that if you just knew Chris through music because he embodied music. He loved to dance, he could lilt and he could play, he was a great man to go the extra mile and knocked a great sense of fun out of every situation he was in. “I think all of county Clare is poorer for the loss of Chris Droney because he was that kind of renaissance man, because he was a great storyteller, a great musician, a great community man no matter what you asked him to do he would do it with a smile on his face, a light heart and a joke to crack, he had a huge sense of fun”. “I remember when we were doing a tribute to Paddy O’Donoghue, my great friend and departed colleague Pat Costelloe was one of the people interviewed on the night. He said Paddy was a man of two halves, you had Paddy and Bridie his wife, they were a real musical unit I felt and I feel the exact same about Margaret and Chris Droney. You never saw one without the other, they were always together, she played the traditional role of the woman who was slightly quieter than the men when she was out, she was always with him and was a huge support to him as he was he to her. My heart goes out to her, when a unit like that is broken it must be really painful, even though he had a really long, hugely productive and creative life in which he was very much loved, it is no doubt a really sad thing for Margaret”.

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THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Ennistymon schools nearing amalgamation STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

THE long-awaited amalgamation of three secondary schools in Ennistymon is progressing to the tender stage. The project has been spoken about for a long number of years and was officially given the green light in 2018. It will see the existing schools of Ennistymon CBS, Ennistymon Vocational School and Scoil Mhuire come under one umbrella in a new three-storey building. Now, it has been confirmed by the Education Minister that the project is expected to progress to tender stage in the coming weeks, according to Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe. “I’ve been in contact with the school principals in Ennistymon, as well as a number of parents who have been seeking updates on this project,” said Deputy

Crowe. “On the back of this, I’ve been speaking with Education Minister Norma Foley to seek updates and am delighted now to be told that this is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. “The Department is now reviewing the project in the context of construction sites restarting and projects at a tender stage progressing. “This review is due to be completed in mid-September and Department officials will revert to the Board of Management with regards to the progression of the building to tender and construction stages. “Once it goes to tender, this is the beginning of getting that school over the line which I know will be a significant sigh of relief to all those in Ennistymon who have been crying out for a new school for years. “I will continue to keep in close contact with the Minister on this as the plans develop.”

Michael Cusack Day on the way in Carron PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

HE significant contribution to Irish culture by the founder of the GAA will be celebrated with the inaugural Michael Cusack Day in Carron on Sunday, September 20. A Shane Gilmore sculpture representing the central role played by Gaelic Games in communities across the island will be unveiled exactly 173 years on from Cusack’s birth in Carron, while 32 trees representing each county will be unveiled as part of the TOMAR Trust-funded GAA and Burren fairy trails near the Michael Cusack Cottage. The event also will feature the launch of ‘Going WeLL’, a national wellness experience programme being developed nationally by the GAA to encourage people to take better care of their mental and phys-

ical health, and by so doing, to reconnect with their communities. Going WeLL is being rolled out on a pilot outreach basis to a range of communities, schools and FET (Further Education & Training) Centres from the Michael Cusack Centre this winter, and is targeted at supporting 30 to 33 hours of additional ‘Wellbeing’ Education per annum in the Junior Cycle programme of pilot schools. “Michael Cusack Day seeks to draw on the vision of ‘Citizen Cusack’, as he was known, and to offer it as an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of a true icon of Irish culture as well as all that is good in community and society,” Flan Garvey, Chairperson of Michael Cusack Centre Ltd commented. He added, “In his own time, Michael Cusack was born during the Great Famine and reared in poverty. Yet, he excelled in his education career and founded the GAA

lHAVING A BALL: Former Clare hurlers Naoise Jordan and Fergal Hegarty with ‘Michael Cusack’ (Martin Vernon) Photo by Eamon Ward

to reflect all that was good in the community and society of his time: hurling, football and handball and the Irish language. The context was a post-famine time of poverty and colonisation. He drew on the inspiration of the Burren landscape for his vision of life. The GAA that he helped to establish in 1884 has since grown into the national GAA

organisation that is present in every parish and community in all of Ireland and worldwide”. The Michael Cusack Centre, the GAA trail and the Fairy Trail will be open to the public each Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm throughout September and October. Pre-booking is advised.

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10 NEWS

Centenary of the Rineen Ambush STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

NEXT Tuesday will mark the 100th anniversary of the most significant event in the War of Independence in Clare. The Rineen Ambush at Drummin Hill on the main Lahinch to Miltown Road had a major impact nationally in the struggle for independence. In the early morning of September 22, 1920 units of the 4th Battalion Mid Clare Brigade mobilised at Moy Chapel. Commanded by Ignatius O’Neill they moved off at 4am, met further companies at Ballyvaskin and went cross country to the planned position at Rineen. It wasn’t until shortly before 3pm the target, an RIC Crossley Tender lorry was attacked. With grenades thrown, rifle and gunshot fire by the Volunteers the attack was over in seconds. Five Royal Irish Constables and a Black and Tan were dead, with their rifles, revolvers and ammunition captured. As the Crossley Tender burnt, the peace was short lived as a lorry of Crown Forces searching for Acting Resident Magistrate Captain Alan Lendrum (who had been shot by members of the West Clare Brigade earlier that day) was heard approaching from Lahinch and came upon the scene. Dis-

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

mounting, the military opened machine gun fire on the withdrawing IRA and an intense rear-guard action was fought as the 4th Battalion dispersed returning fire through the low fields behind Drummin Hill. O’Neill and Vol. Micklo Curtin were wounded, the only IRA causalities. The resultant aftermath of the ambush led to immediate brutal reprisals and indiscriminate atrocities by the British Army, RIC and Black and Tans. They terrorized the local population in Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Ennistymon and the surrounding countryside with the murder of civilians and the destruction, burning and looting of private and public houses and shops. The long night of rampage and violence left five civilians and one IRA Volunteer dead. At the time the Rineen Ambush was the largest and most successful military action against Crown Forces during the war. In adherence with the current public health advice regarding gatherings and guidelines relating to the Covid-19 pandemic a commemoration will not go ahead this Tuesday but will at a later date when the vast number of family members and people with interest can safely travel to remember the sacrifices of the men of Rineen. For further info please visit midclarebrigade.ie or Facebook page @MCBClare2020.

Beckman staff help develop antibody test CIAN O’BROIN

A

cian@clareecho.ie

CLARE medical technology manufacturing facility is involved in the development of antibody tests for the detection of COVID-19. The development of the tests at Beckman Coulter in O’Callaghan’s Mills will assist in tracking the spread of the virus worldwide and in real time. The detection of antibodies will allow for a clearer view of the extent of Covid-19 within the general population, gauging those individuals who previously contracted the virus but are either asymptomatic or have recovered. Knowing how much of the population has been infected may help some decisions being made on lifting or implementing restrictions on schools, travel etc, according to Beckman Coulter. The site provides clinical diagnostic products and comprehensive clinical laboratory solutions. The recent development of antibody tests was one of the latest successes highlighted as part of

lCUTTING EDGE: Orlaith Lawler, Senior Director Operations at Beckman Coulter in Co Clare

the Irish Medtech Associations #medtechgoodnews campaign. Beckman Coulter is the largest employer in East Clare and forms part of a collection of MedTech facilities in the Mid-West Region. The company, established in 2011, has its main headquarters in Brea, California in the US and employers over 11,000 worldwide. The company relayed that the workers from Clare played a large role in the development of the antibody test. Their involvement began at the beginning of the project, supporting the development and transferring it into routine manufacturing from the research and development (R&D) stage.

Clare individuals also played a part in directing the project management. The development and manufacturing procedures took place over three Beckman Coulter sites worldwide; Marseilles, Co Clare and in the US. Orlaith Lawler, Senior Director Operations at Beckman Coulter in Clare, said, “It is a proud moment for all Clare Associates that Beckman Coulter Ireland is a key player in the fight against Covid-19 for the organization. The commitment and care taken by our associates to support this new product initiative to market is a testament to their work ethic and commitment to supporting the global fight of this pandemic.”

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12 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Award for Bunratty company A TECHNOLOGY company based in Bunratty specialising in visitor attractions and museums has just won their first national award. Great Ireland Experiences has won many previous regional awards, however this is particularly special as it highlights the deep sectoral knowledge that founder and CEO Ivan Tuohy has within the industry. Their product offering fulfils the gap within the management of a visitor attraction or museum in providing rich, unique and engaging visitor content. Great Ireland Experiences has developed a lowcost technology that clusters visitor attractions, museums and experience led operators together in one application, enabling these businesses to increase their direct revenue by targeting in-destination visitors through customer segmentation and push notifications. Their technology engages passive on-site consumers through their mobile application, using the platform as a powerful Engagement Visitor Tool. Ivan (pictured) states, “Right now many visitors to these tourism sites pass seamlessly through the admissions point and have very little interaction with the business thereafter. This is a common global problem across the sector. The visitor is missing out in terms of the real stories beyond what they can see while the business is missing out on revenue and the opportunity to customise and personalise their sales offerings. We are the link between the visitor and the business which currently doesn’t exist in any meaningful wayâ€?. Ivan says that it was while working as general manager at Shannon Heritage that he came up with the innovate idea. He says, “there was nothing in the market that fulfilled this need to understand their customer behaviours, to communicate directly with their visitors and to develop better ways at upselling and crossing selling directly to them while in-destination.â€? Failte Ireland has recently announced a grant scheme titled Covid-19 Adaption Fund where a visitor attraction with more than 50,000 annual visitors can claim up to â‚Ź15,000 in the form of a capital grant that includes technology enhancements. Ivan recommends that all Clare tourism businesses utilise this support and his team are on hand to offer free advice on what is best for their current and future needs. “Now is the time to re-image your attraction or museum and put the visitor experience at the forefront of your business plan. Our approach is Visitor First, Mobile First, Digital Firstâ€?.

Shannon goes live this Friday

CIAN O’BROIN

S

cian@clareecho.ie

HANNON town will celebrate Shannon Culture Night 2020 on Friday 18th September via a string of livestream performances covering topics such as sports, Shannon Amherst writer’s group, traditional music, theatre performances and much more. The annual event, with Shannon participating for its second year, hopes to highlight the cultural diversity and immense wealth of talent within a relatively new town of 10,000 people. A community collaboration, Love Shannon Group’s Niamh O’Callaghan says that the town is constantly finding new ways of connecting and that Shannon Culture Night’s virtual event is the perfect opportunity to enunciate all admirable aspects of the town’s cultural diversity, with a particular emphasis on sports and music. “We want the world to know that this is our culture, and this is Shannon,� is the slogan on the day. Niamh endorses the multi-cultural population of Shannon referring to a large presence of Filipino, Chilean, Polish, Indian and Chinese communities existing alongside and within an Irish one. This year, Shannon Culture Night will take the form of a 13-hour livestream from 10am to 11.30pm on Friday, September 18. Love Shannon’s Facebook and website will host the livestream and Niamh hopes that the challenges presented by COVID-19 in upending any physical congregation will in fact, allow for more accessibility and connectivity amongst the community through a virtual lens. The underlying goal of the day is to show people that Shannon is a lot more than what they think it is, demonstrating the richness of 84 groups and counting posited around the town. A number of hotels and restaurants will be streaming the event for a small, socially distanced audience. These streams will be available

within Wolfe Tones na Sionna GAA club, Shannon Springs Hotel and Treacy’s Oakwood Arms hotel Shannon. On the line-up for the event, Niamh informs, “Sports is a massive aspect for Shannon and so there will be a spotlight on sport. There will be the likes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Bodybuilders and GAA. As well as soccer skills, golf and more. We then have an Amherst writer’s group hour with Madge O’ Callaghan a local award-winning writer. She is interviewing Rachel English (pictured) who is another award-winning writer and novelist from Shannon. Peadar King is going to be interviewed on zoom. There is going to be a lot of music, including a tribute to the late Pat Costello. For children, the library has created a crafts video for children and inisowiacy folk group, a Polish/Irish folk group have a wonderful story to keep children entertained as will folk storyteller Mike Glynn of Sixmilebridge. There will be a theatre production from Muse productions, Shannon Gospel Choir, Shannon Musical Society, Eclipse Stage School and Hackett Flannagan Dance Academy. Boots have been on the ground in the build up to this Friday’s event and Niamh hopes that this year’s virtual Shannon Culture Night lives up to the expectation accrued from last years resounding

success. Streaming will take place from Shannon’s Sky Court and Niamh is grateful for the technical excellence produced by Pat Clarke Brown. Also involved in the setup are founder Madge O’ Callaghan of Amherst writers’ group and Damian O’ Rourke of cuppa tea tv and youth in music. Jacquie Murphy of St. Patricks Comprehensive School was responsible for the artwork for the upcoming event. On this year’s event, Niamh concludes, “People do come out to events in Shannon but when it will be streamed straight to their laptop or phone, they can all connect and they don’t have to leave the comfort of their home if they don’t want to. They are delighted that the event is going to be live streamed by the local establishments and are grateful to them for becoming involved, it can be watched in company in the GAA Club, the Shannon Springs hotel and Treacy’s Oakwood Arms hotel all of whom are looking forward to celebrating culture night. We are going to have fun. To be able to showcase 13 hours of performance really says a lot for our town. We want to showcase that this is our culture, and this is Shannon.� More info and links will be available on Love Shannon’s Facebook page and website. Check out the order of events on LoveShannon Facebook/Instagram/twitter pages or www.loveshannon.ie.

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Arts & Entertainment 13

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

‘Reimagined’ Culture night ELAINE TUBRIDY

C

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

LARE’S cultural community will come together on Friday, 18th September, to showcase the very best the county has to offer. This year it will be in a reimagined way, with events online allowing audiences to connect through culture. Culture Night 2020 will see a myriad of cultural events being held virtually across Clare throughout the evening from 4:00pm. This year’s programme, which is organised by the Clare Arts Office and funded by Clare County Council and The Arts Council, is packed with more than 25 free online events from across the county from Ennis to Doolin, Kilfenora to Mountshannon, Kilrush to Ennistymon, with an input from New York! Artist Ana Colomer and storyteller Niall de Búrca have come together to produce an animated tale. Award-winning film, The Story of Johnny McGory, produced by Stray Dog Films, makes its online premiere. Theatrical company, Ballycartoon Productions, screens a segment of its new play by Dermott Petty.

Clare Céilí Band have recorded traditional music sets made famous by the great Clare bands of the past. Aindrias de Staic tells of the stories and scribes of a market town as he brings us on a virtual tour of Ennistymon. A studio session recording by Mike Butler, Aidan McMahon and Michael Landers will bring new traditional tracks to the online audience. Budding artists will have the opportunity, from the comfort of their own home, to take part in an interactive drawing class with artist Marie Connole. Tommy Hayes and Matthew Noone of AnTara present their online musical dialogue with New York-based Indian pianist, Utsav Lal, which will be chaired by Lyric FM’s Carl Corcoran. From the heart of Mountshannon, a live stream will deliver a miscellany of music and spoken word. Members of Inis Cathaigh Comhaltas will entertain virtually. There’s a chance to see artist David O’Rourke’s video footage taken in Ennis during lockdown, as well as a short art film by artist Caitriona Sheedy. Jenny Basset brings her online court drama, WikiLeaks on Trial, where the audience is the jury. Kids can look forward to a science workshop in their own kitchen, a hands-on lab not to be missed!

lNEW REALITY: Aindrias de Staic brings us on a virtual tour of Ennistymon

The Irish Traditional Music Archive and Clare Arts Office present the premiere of Duala, an audio-visual film installation by Jack Talty and Maurice Gunning. Examining the sense of place and identity through the lens of Irish traditional music and song, this 25-minute film weaves archival footage alongside original music and videography. This event takes place at glór, Ennis, and pre-booking is essential.

Hot chocolate café opens in East Clare

WILDE Irish Chocolates, long established chocolate makers in East Clare have spent the last six months, in the middle of the global pandemic, refurbishing and tripling the size of their chocolate factory in the Lough Derg village of Tuamgraney. As part of expanding the visitor experience in the chocolate factory they have opened the doors of their new Hot Chocolate Café & Coffee Dock. The Café is open Monday to Saturday and all are welcome. Wilde Irish chocolates have been in business in Tuamgraney since 1997 and produce a ‘wilde’ variety of different chocolate products and probably have the

widest selection of handmade chocolate bars in Ireland. Everything is produced by hand at their open plan production facility where visitors can see the chocolates being made and packed, meet the chocolatiers all while they taste the creations. Covid 19 has not stopped the Co Clare chocolate makers who have used the time to radically expand the production facility and also to add more for the visitors to do. ‘It’s been a tough time during the last 6 months’ says the founder Patricia Farrell, ‘but we are optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We love making chocolate and we love meeting people who

are interested in chocolate and we will talk chocolate all day long. Little did we know that we would re- open our doors in such a turbulent time, but that’s life and especially the life of small rural business it is a rollercoaster ride” she added. Wilde Irish Chocolates’ new development has been supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare, Clare Local Development Company and Failte Ireland and they are looking forward to meeting locals and visitors alike at the newly expanded and refurbished chocolate factory. For more information call Patricia Farrell 0872706708 or 061922080.

Also in Ennis, a series of paintings will be displayed in shop windows around town and there will be a seisiún at Cois na hAbhna. Commenting on this year’s programme of events in Clare, Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said: “We wish all the Clare artists and cultural organisations well in showcasing their culture in a new way, having responded to the call to take Culture Night online. Over the past 14 years this initiative has captured the public’s imagination and, despite this year’s difficulties, we look forward to a different Culture Night experience on Friday night.” Audiences are invited to come together, apart, on Friday, as a window into Clare’s shared cultural experience is opened. The culturally curious are encouraged to log in from 4:00pm and enjoy any number of events from the programme which will showcase the scale and diversity of culture in Clare. Details of the full Culture Night programme for County Clare and links to online events can be found at www.culturenight/events/clare For updates, follow Clare Culture Night on Facebook.

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

14 FEATURES

GREEN CLARE

Burren & Cliffs of Moher preparing to define ‘our geotourism future’

delights at the Burren having been approved once again, earlier this year. Binding the project together tightly is the development of an app and website, called European Atlantic Geotourism Route. The app is currently being developed, with a provisional release date set for November. Each of the eleven partner UNESCO destinations in Europe will have their own section and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark will have its own routes. The idea behind the app is to build up a clientele for geotourism, in turn creating a proper market. Eamon delegates on the future hopes for the project, “The reason Clare County Council is involved in this is that we are looking to access new markets essentially. Geotourism is a growing niche market globally. It is also new territory and we hope to get direct marketing from these other geopark areas of France, Spain and Portugal. I fully expect to see more visitors coming from those areas. This is just part of a global Geopark network. There are 160 global geoparks as well. They will be able to see what we are doing here, and they will have access to it online or via the app. We are trying to define our geotourism market for the future.�

CIAN O’BROIN

M

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ANAGED by the Tourism Department of Clare County Council, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark is one of three Irish UNESCO Geoparks that contain a wealth of geological data and beauty. Geologists have been studying the uniquely exposed landscape for over many decades; by analysing the Earth, its subterranean constituents and the diverse fossil ecosystems preserved within, geologists can help to look towards future trends in climate change. Co-funded by the EU Atlantic Area programme, the council is currently in the process of developing a new UNESCO international trail for visitors within the Geopark, with the hope of defining a unique Geotourism route that will promote an interest in the landscape and further develop sustainable tourism practices within the area. Clare County Council’s Geopark Geologist, Eamon Doyle, talks to The Clare Echo about the importance of geology, what defines a geopark as well as the use of an app to further the Atlantic Geotourism project and its utility in increasing the geotourism market in Clare and Ireland. Eamon explains that geology is the study of rocks and that rocks tell an untold, hidden history of the Earth. By looking into the ground, geologists can extrapolate information relating to the history of the earth, which in turn can lead to possibilities of the future. Supported by Geological Survey Ireland in his work as the Geopark Geologist, Eamon informs, “one of my roles is to provide geological information to the public in a way that they can understand. We produce publications and information on social media to highlight geological aspects, the benefits and the heritage involved. This is then provided to schools, visitors and locals. We do that by working with the Burren Ecotourism Network. We do a lot of work with them. I have also been involved with training staff at the Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Caves. We do a course where I outline the role of UNESCO and the Geoparks as well as the local geology, so they can talk more effectively about it to visitors and answer any questions they may ask. I also do a lot of research. There is always new stuff to be found. We identify new species where we can, publish that and send it out abroad and to institutions. The underlying goal is to promote the Burren and the area.� The European Atlantic Geotourism route is funded by Europe and the Burren Geopark was invited several years ago,

lSTUNNING: The unique Burren landscape

banding geoparks together as local hubs for promoting an international route. There are several other UNESCO Geoparks located in France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom that are all interconnected. Geotourism tries to avoid commercial mass tourism and Eamon hopes that the new project will entice tourists to stay longer and explore more. Geotourism links into farming and how the rocks influenced local farms. In different areas, with different rocks, comes different produce. It also ties into how people use the rocks as building material and archaeology is also intimately intertwined. Eamon asserts that our stories, landscape and culture are all ultimately embedded in rocks. The purpose of the project is to take a holistic approach to tourism. Eamon lists a number of factors that are imperative in the process of becoming an official Geopark. Firstly, having a strong management system is essential, with the Burren Geopark being managed by Clare County Council. Secondly, access to a geologist is needed to explain vital information. Thirdly, a lot of co-operation amongst agencies is necessary. Various managing bodies have different roles to play within a Geopark and Eamon outlines that working closely with each other is crucial. Finally, working closely with local communities and businesses is perhaps one of the most important components to successfully operating a Geopark. UNESCO has key sustainable goals worldwide and sets a certain standard, with all of these factors tying together aptly to create a systematized Geopark. UNESCO Geoparks must

be re-validated every four years and Eamon

COLUMNISTS

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Opinion

2015

Cian O’Broin digs into the history books one last time as his Reeling in the Years series comes to a close

CIAN O’BROIN History

A

S WE draw the curtains on our Reeling in the Years in Clare series, we take a look at the quirky stories of 2015. In news, we have Holy Island being placed in public hands for the first time; a hardhat that made its way across the Atlantic, washing up at Fanore. Finally, we hear of a local ‘Holocaust Denier’ that put an axe through a TV in the main square of Ennis. Read on and enjoy... HOLY ISLAND In 2015, Clare County Council purchased Holy Island on Lough Derg. The attainment of the island was the first instance of public ownership, with the Office of Public Works (OPW) already staking a claim on just 2km of the surface. The Council purchased the remaining 41 acres and with the announcement, came a comprehensive plan relating to the island’s future development as a tourist and visitor hotspot. Holy Island, known as Inis Cealtra in old Irish, is believed to come from Inis, meaning ‘island’ and Cealtair, meaning ‘church.’ The monastic site on the island was founded by St. Caimin, with historic structures dating back to before the 7th century. Included on the island is a 24-metre high round tower, an oratory and a number of churches. St. Colum is cited as setting up the first monastery on the island in the year 520. This was succeeded by St. Caimin, a prince and stepbrother of the king of Connaught. St. Caimin is believed to have passed away in either 644 or 652. Two centuries later, the Danes were said to have pillaged the island, executing most of the monks. Later again in 922, under different leadership, the Danes returned. The reformation had a more desultory effect on the churches of Inis Cealtra than the Vikings ever did. Re-roofing or re-occupation never occurred after 1615. After the Council’s purchasing in 2015, Cllr. John Crowe, the then Cathaoirleach, stated that Holy Island is, “the jewel in the crown for East Clare.” HAT CROSSES OCEAN This year, a hardhat believed to have originated from

Mississippi was discovered by Liam McNamara on the rocks of Fanore beach. The hardhat was engraved with the purple and gold colours of the Louisiana State University team. Liam posted his find on the ‘Burren Shores - Beachcombing & More’ Facebook page, remarking that the owner must have been a fan of the LSU Tigers. Two days later, Liam received a message from Nicole Bonnette, who detailed that her husband had lost the hardhat while at work in 2015. The misplacement, coincided with the birth of their son, she told. “He lost the hard hat right before our son was born in 2015, and he will be five years old on April 18! That means that the hard hat has been on its journey as long as our son has been alive!”. On his miraculous find and the story behind it, Liam commented, “I’m hoping to have the hat en-route back to Matthew early next week...it is stories like this that keep me addicted to beachcombing.” HOLOCAUST DENIER ACTS WITH AN AXE In 2015, a judge incarcerated a ‘Holocaust Denier’ who was found guilty of putting an axe through a TV in a public demonstration in the square of Ennis. The five-month sentence, issued by Judge Patrick Durcan at the Ennis District Court, was for breaching Section 9 of the Firearms Act and Section 6, pertaining to the Public Order Act. The defendant, 49-year old Dermot Mulqueen, exclaimed that the performance was entitled, ‘Liberation of the Mind.’ Mr. Mulqueen launched the public exhibition in alignment with International Holocaust Hoax Day. Before the act, the defendant took to social media to inform of his future travail. Judge Durcan condemned Mr Mulqueen’s actions and his view on objective history, saying that Mr Mulqueen, “may have a view and an interpretation of history, but it is an historical fact that the Holocaust was the greatest crime perpetrated against a section of mankind in the history of mankind”. Mr. Mulqueen bequeathed his final defence before bail was granted, “I am not a racist but I have found out that the Holocaust was a hoax and I wanted to highlight this so that other people would realise.” Thanks for checking in on our local history.

15

Get in contact Become part of the conversation. Submit your letters to the editor by emailing editor@clareecho.ie or via post addressed to 36c Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare

Fianna Fáil refuses to tackle its major flaw

T

HIS first Red C poll since the Summer break was announced at the weekend and makes for terrible reading for the Fianna Fáil faithful. Support for the former monolith of Irish politics continues to trend downward to equal its lowest previous result of just 10%. All other parties are unchanged, with the 5% drop in FF support benefiting Independents and Others. This is quite a telling change in that it informs the change is more due to dissatisfaction with FF rather than a preference for any other party. It’s been clear since the formation of the new Government that FF have been haemorrhaging support and this is no surprise to anyone. The formation of this Government had, as I wrote previously, FF in a lose-lose situation. Joining Government with FG and the Greens was perceived by the vast majority of FF members as the least worse option at the time; choosing to back party leadership to provide the leadership and policy change that they’d long promised from the opposition benches. Unfortunately for them, eleven weeks into the new regime, these changes and policies are not being championed or communicated. Housing policy has shifted under FF leadership as local authorities have been given the tools to provide badly social housing. The Government has also moved to seriously increase the output of housing with grand policy changes already secured. These well needed changes though were completely overshadowed by gaffs by other Government members. Furthermore, the pandemic’s decimation of the construction industry means

EOIN NEYLON Politics

that results of these policy shifts won’t been seen for at least two years. That will come far too late for Fianna Fáil. The party’s faults run far deeper than comms and media gaffs though. They’re far more structural than that. This goes back as far as the 2014 local elections. A then critically injured FF, in the wake of the 2011 General Election, allowed for far too much interference from on high on local election tickets which saw many talented young members relegated off election. Some might point to that comment as “sour grapes” however, the figures back that assertion up. Since Ógra Fianna Fáil changed to an autonomous organisation in 2011 that elects its own leader, as opposed to an Oireachtas member appointed by the party leader, only two of all the FF Ard Chomhairle members Ógra has elected have since become Councillors. Ógra elects five members to the National Executive ever year. That’s a poor return. Just 8% of FF Councillors nationwide are under 35, the figure rises to 14% for those 40 and under. Under 40s represent roughly half the population of the country. The reluctance to promote new members and with them, new ideas and ability to engage effectively with new media, is stark. Martin has kept policy formation

l Micheál Martin has alienated a group of members, both rank and file

and political messaging to a small inner circle, thereby alienating large members, both rank and file and elected alike. The running of local organisations has, by contrast, been left completely in the hands of the senior elected members in each constituency; a policy with its own inherent issues concerning objectivity and transparency. More young members that were front and centre in the rebuilding the party post 2011 have left the party than have contested election for the party. This fact appears to not once ring alarm bells for the hierarchy which now finds itself lost as to why they are not connecting with an electorate. FF are now scrambling for relevance while also trying to control a pandemic response and fight a renegade UK Government on Brexit. Yet, the party refuses to tackle its major flaw; its own structural incompetence and side-lining of its membership. For far too long, members have been a source of income, rather than a source of expertise, information, policy formation and direction. The members themselves are not innocent though. At convention after convention, they’ve been, mostly inadvertently, guilty of partaking in the blocking of young candidates. When a dictate comes from on high that the local members will get to select 3 candidates instead of 5, with HQ to hand pick the other 2, rather than rebel and vote in the new candidates they want, they vote for the sitting Councillors who would be added anyway, had they lost a convention. This has facilitated the blocking on new blood and has been ongoing for almost a decade. The public looking in are now deciding that FF don’t represent them and who could blame them. Just what does FF stand for? FF was the natural party of Government but now, 11 weeks after Martin became Taoiseach, it’s become apparent that moniker is also beyond its sell by date. With the growth of other parties with set ideologies, new voters are supporting parties that represent their views rather than a broad church. If FF is to survive it needs to go back to its roots, listen to its members and embrace the fact Ireland has changed. Anything else, and we will see the death of wat was once, the most successful political party in Europe.

Property

Beautiful homes all over the County

50 KINCORA PARK, ENNIS COUNTY CLARE

€255,000

59 ARD CAOIN, GALWAY ROAD, ENNIS, CO.CLARE

€149,000

LIMERICK ROAD, ENNIS COUNTY CLARE

16

€249,000

LOCATION Location are delighted to present 50 Kincora Park to the market, occupying a large corner site in this mature residential location just a stroll from Ennis town centre, CBS National School, Rice Secondary School and a host of wonderful amenities. The property occupies an exceptional corner site, with a garage to the side, ample parking, private courtyard and the large side gardens are a wonderful benefit to the property. Extending to 173.48 sqm (1867 sq ft) ) this detached dormer bungalow home built in 1965, presents an ideal opportunity for anyone seeking a home in this sought after location within a short walk of all town amenities. Internally, the property enjoys a traditional spacious layout with a reception room to the front, a modernised open plan kitchen-dining-living to the rear, four bedrooms and a bathroom.

LOCATION Location are delighted to offer this bright and spacious 3 bedroom duplex to the market built in 2005 & extends to 68.17 sqm. This bright 3-bedroom duplex comes to the market in pristine condition having been carefully maintained by its current owners. Ard Caoin, is the perfect opportunity for any young couple looking to step onto the property ladder or for those who are seeking a good quality downsize option with close proximity to Ennis town centre & the Ennis Bypass. Located in the development of Ard Caoin on the Gort/ Galway Road (N18), less than 1 mile to the Ennis By-pass (exit 14), whilst only a short distance to town centre and all amenities, such as shops, schools, churches,restaurants etc. Viewing is strictly by scheduled open viewings or by appointment with Sole Selling Agents.

WELCOMING Limerick Road to the market, this modernised four bed detached property comes to market in turn key condition and has been renovated to the highest specification throughout. Accommodation is well thought out and offers a perfect balance of space and light throughout. This bright space takes full advantage of the properties south-west aspect and seamlessly combines the kitchen, living and dining accommodation whilst a spacious utility and ground floor wetroom & two double bedrooms complete the ground floor accommodation. The first floor offers another two double bedrooms, main bathroom and a bright landing with stira stairs to attic. Privately enclosed by stone built walls, mature trees and hedging this is the perfect space for Al fresco dining in the summer months.

Contact: Location Location Unit 2 Summerhill, Market Place, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065 672 9999 PSL 003928

Contact: Location Location Unit 2 Summerhill, Market Place, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065 672 9999 PSL 003928

Contact: Location Location Unit 2 Summerhill, Market Place, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065 672 9999 PSL 003928

BALLYMACAULA VIEW, CAHERCALLA, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

4 SLI AN FHEARGAS, CLARECASTLE, CO. CLARE

2 CAHERCALLA ESTATE, ENNIS CO. CLARE

€265,000

ONLY 3 REMAINING NET OF HTB €238,500

SEMI DETACHED HOME– 3 BEDS – 2 BATHS

€210,000

DETACHED HOME - 4 BEDS - 3 BATHS

€250,000

NEW SEMI DETACHED HOMES €265,000 – 3 BED – 2 BATHS • Outstanding location – within walking distance of Ennis town centre and ideal for commuting to Shannon, Limerick & Galway. • Energy efficient homes with A3 BER rating. • Superb finishes with choices of quality kitchen, wardrobes, tiled bathrooms & flooring. • Underfloor heating on the ground floor from air to water heat pump. • Multi fuel insert stove in living room as standard.

NEW TO THE MARKET is 4 Sli an Fhearghas an exceptional, modern three bedroomed semi-detached home, superbly located in a quiet cul-de-sac at the end of Quay Road, within a minute’s walk of the Quay which has been recently redeveloped. This home is finished to the highest standards in 2009 and has been carefully maintained over the years and is presented in a turnkey condition. The rear garden is West facing and is a key feature of the property boasting a large open space with a patio area, landscaped garden with beautiful mature trees and shrubs and garden shed. Viewing highly recommended.

Cahercalla Estate is a mature, private development ideally located to Ennis Town Centre. No 2 stands on a private landscaped garden and overlooks a large open green area to the front. The accommodation is bright and very spacious with good living accommodation. There are four bedrooms and a main bathroom on the 1st floor. The property is fully enclosed and has a lovely private West facing back garden with patio area and a detached garage. Viewing of this fine family home is highly recommended.

Contact: Helen Gallery Auctioneer & Valuers 68 Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. 086 250 4671 & 065 6829 481. PSRA Registration No. 002433

Contact: Helen Gallery Auctioneer & Valuers 68 Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. 086 250 4671 & 065 6829 481. PSRA Registration No. 002433

Contact: Helen Gallery Auctioneer & Valuers 68 Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. 086 250 4671 & 065 6829 481. PSRA Registration No. 002433

DIARMUID McMAHON

DANIELLE O’ CONNOR

JASON PYNE

NEW HOME

36 WESTWOOD, GOLF LINKS ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95 PYY5

ASKING PRICE €235,000

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It’s not just about property. It’s about people

PSRA No. 001212

18 FEATURES

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

Keep your chin up 2,500km RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

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HEN people experience hard times, it can seem that they’re never going to end. I think we are all feeling tough times like that at the moment as we try to deal with the fall-out of trying to live with the Coronavirus. The dictionary defines adversity as “a serious or continued difficulty.” Although some people going through adversity are more likely to define it as hell. It is the long drawn-out nature of adversity, rather than brief spells of misfortune, that can crush the human spirit and cause related illnesses such as stress, anxiety and depression. However, it’s also at such times that people can discover their inner resilience and optimism, while having strong faith that the difficult times will end. Adversity visits us all, some more than others and in different ways. It can come disguised as marriage trouble, sickness, financial calamity and debts, hardship from personal attacks, or even difficulty in the workplace or the death of a loved one. Adversity is no respecter of persons. All of us will face it. The question is how we will respond? Just like we have and are at the moment in dealing with the Coronavirus. At this stage, it’s hard to predict what the future holds when it comes to COVID-19, but it’s likely months upon months before things go back to normal. The best way to keep your chin up over the long haul is to be kind to yourself. Take the extra time to stay active, get adequate sleep, eat food that nourishes your body, and do things that make you smile and remember that anxiety might be in someway contagious but compassion for oneself and others is contagious too. So try if you can muster up the energy to encourage yourself! For me through my prayer, life encouragement is one of my most powerful antidotes against adversity. As usual a story may help to explain.

Potatoes, Eggs and Coffee

“Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it through. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He

then let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After 20 minutes, he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her, he asked, “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied. “Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. It’s rich aroma brought a smile to her face. “Father, what does this mean?” she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, eggs, and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity, boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

The Highs and Lows of Life

I don’t know about you but there have been times in my life where I just wanted to throw in the towel especially during some of the time in lockdown. I am sure we have all been down on our luck at some point. Personally, I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows through my journey through life so far. The starting point for me in dealing with any difficulty or worry is simply to relax and pray and ask God to help me and guide me safely through it. Clear your mind. Get yourself into a state where you’re calm and cool and in full control of your emotions and senses. Step back and look at the problem with a certain amount of detachment, as if it were happening to someone else. When you can analyze your adversities clearly, you sometimes see opportunities to turn them to your best advantage. And for me I always turn to God in prayer and

light a candle for help, direction and guidance so that hopefully no matter how hard it is to make the right choice or decision. In dealing with adversity effectively, your ability to ask questions and to seek help and support and guidance is essential. In dealing with adversity, perhaps one of the most important positive affirmations I know that was given to me by my good friend David who sadly passed away a few months ago, and hopefully you can remember it to at times if you are like me and suffer from anxiety and depression is this: “This, too, shall pass.” Whatever it is, however difficult it may appear, say to yourself, “This, too, shall pass.”

for an old friend...

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, always remember that one of your main jobs in life is to become an expert in dealing with adversity, to triumph over difficulty, to rise above the challenges of day-today life especially now for all of us during these uncertain times of the Coronavirus. Keep your thoughts on where you’re going, not on where you’ve been. Keep your eyes on your goals, and keep your chin tilted upward towards the heavens. Resolve in advance that you will meet and overcome every difficulty, and then, no matter what happens, keep your chin up and don’t give up until you do. Remember In life, things happen around us and things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us. Sometimes when we’re heartbroken, our heart is broken open and we’re able to give and receive more love. As long as we choose not to shut down around the pain but stay with the feelings and trust that we can survive them, heartbreak can be an opportunity to experience more love for ourselves, for a sick loved one or really for anyone in our lives. “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen.” So keep your chin up as best you can and remember that yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come and we have only today....so let us begin again.

CIAN O’BROIN cian@clareecho.ie

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OONBEG native Patrick Kelly has completed a charity cycle event in honour of his friend Paddy Culligan who passed away from cancer in August 2019. The Paddy Culligan Memorial Cycle’s proceeds will go straight to Sláinte An Chláir, The Galway Hospice and Prostate Cancer Research Galway. The 19-day venture saw Mr Kelly traverse 2,500km around the country, without a puncture, joining ranks with friends along the way. Sitting down with The Clare Echo, Mr Kelly talks about his endearing connection to the “always smiling, helpful and intelligent” Paddy Culligan, the cycle itself as well as an acute network of support found within the West Clare community. Patrick and Paddy first met in 1981, where they worked in Limerick together. Mr Kelly recalls an immediate connection with his old friend, bonding over the fact that Paddy’s mother was from Doonbeg and he would have spent a lot of his youth there. Paddy was first diagnosed with cancer at 16, which later returned again in his 20s. “You would never think that this man had cancer. The glass was always half full in everything that he did. He had a great life, was always smiling and very happy. He helped a lot of people, helped me a lot in life.” Two years before his death, Paddy retired from Eircom. He leaves behind his wife, Anne, a nurse from Louisburgh, Mayo who he met in Dublin in his early 20s. He was having his hip replaced and Anne nursed him at the time. “They fell in love and got married and were so compatible”, tells Mr Kelly. Paddy passed away from prostate cancer at the age of 57. The idea for the memorial cycle was incepted in a moment

of fate. Mr Kelly recalls cycling through a thunderstorm, shortly after laying Paddy to rest. Paddy’s brother was the first person he approached and later his wife Anne. “After that, we started planning. A work colleague and friend of his, PJ O’ Gorman, was the man for the planning.” Patrick began in Trump International Doonbeg and worked his way up the west coast, stopping in Louisburgh because Paddy spent the last eight years of his life there. “They had a big warm welcome for me,” recounts Patrick. Some friends joined him for parts of the route while an Eircom van rode along for support. “A lot of people had put doubts in my mind, being 62, they said my legs wouldn’t last 19 days,” quips John. A reception filled with locals, warmly received Mr Kelly on his return to Trump International Doonbeg on the 19th day. A champagne reception was organised at the golf club for Mr Kelly and his achievement, with food, refreshments and a special guest, Vicky Phelan. Mr Kelly commends the whole community for coming down and the network of support that helped him get through the event and raise over €40,000. Patrick adds, “September is the month for prostate cancer. This is something that effects a lot of people and sometimes they don’t want to talk about it. Everyone can relate to cancer, my own mother passed away from it. COVID is very serious but a lot of people with cancer are dying or being forgotten about during this. We need to give them a bit of perspective too. Donations are still open until the end of the month on the GoFundMe page ‘Paddy Culligan Charity Cycle for Cancer Care.’ We are hoping to reach the €50,000 mark. It’s going towards Sláinte An Chláir, Prostate Cancer Research Galway and the The Galway Hospice, where Paddy was at the end. His wife wanted to see to it that they benefitted from this.”

Sport Clare Echo THE

Shannon’s Eoin Duff collects first FAI Junior Cup medal.

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ART of the Fairview Rangers squad that defeated Dublin club Usher Celtic 1-0 on Saturday, Eoin watched his side win the club’s ninth FAI Junior Cup title. They bounced back from losing the Munster Junior Cup to claim the biggest prize in junior soccer. Played at Eamon Deacy Park in Galway, the tie was officiated by Pa Gleeson of Ennis who became the first Clare referee to take charge of the fixture. Man of the match Clyde O’Connell netted the all important goal in their 1-0 victory. He headed home a James Fitzgerald free kick late on in the contest to see the Limerick outfit take the spoils. In a close fought encounter, the Shannon teenager was not sprung from the bench in what was a memorable occasion for Fairview held behind closed doors. Earlier this year, Eoin was part of the Limerick Youths side that saw their All-Ireland defence ended by the Ruairi Price managed Clare team. As Fairview hope to kickstart another dominant era, Duff who has strong family connections to Newmarket-on-Fergus will be anxious to play a crucial role as part of this.

l Shannon’s Eoin Duff (left) has collected his first FAI Junior Cup medal.

Don’t miss the Final this Saturday night!

Watch it LIVE with RPGTV, Sky Channel 175, Freesat 176 Barking Buzz customers can watch the action live on www.BarkingBuzz.ie or download the iOS or Android app on igb.ie/apps

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Tramora Ding rings the bell to delight of Quilty’s Hogan QUILTY’S David Hogan saw his Tromora Ding ring the bell first at Friday’s feature contest at Galway Greyhound Stadium while Skywalker Logan gave an outstanding display to claim the €5000 Emerald Isle Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open in Limerick on Sunday. Six runners rose out of the traps for the final of the Welcome Back To Sports A6 525 Yards Stake sponsored by John Grimes in Galway on Friday night. All six were almost in terms with Dancers Way Out, Tromora Ding and Martins Jet disputing the lead as they negotiated the opening bend. Turning down the back Tromora Ding held a narrow advantage in the inside of Peteles Queen and Martins Jet dropped to third place. At the third bend the David Hogan of Quilty owned Tromora Ding still held the call as Peteles Queen and Some Way Out led on either side approaching the home turn. Out front though Tromora Ding was still calling the tune and the son of Good News & Tromora Sonic lasted home by three parts of a length from Peteles Queen in 29.61. Willbrook Lenny owned by Claire Davoren of Kilfenora claimed the second contest. Leading at halfway before drawing clear to defeat Killanin Diva by three lengths in 29.59. The son of Lenson Bolt and Blaze Flame raced in third place early as Killanin Diva and Peteles Countess disputed the early lead. Once hitting the front Wilbrook Lenny was always in control and was going away at the line. There was little doubt to the outcome of race six as early as halfway with Allegra Blue routing her rivals by upwards of fourteen lengths in 29.13. Owned by Ennis’ Marion Morone, the winner was headed from traps by Yankees Princess on the wide outside but Allegra Blue was in front approaching the opening bend and railing well the daughter of Droopys Nidge and Rathmeehan Craggy began to ease away from her rivals. Leaving the back straight the race was only for the minor places as Yankees Princess just held on for the silver medal. Pinnacle Abbie owned by Michael Costello took the spoils in the concluding contest on Saturday nights card. The A4 graded 550 Yards affair saw Pinnacle Abbie,Karakal Jon and Crokers Light disputed the lead racing towards the opening bend but Pinnacle Abbie was limpid like along the rails and turning down the back she led Rising Turbo by two lengths with Crokers Light and Hanover Power also close up. Between the final two bends the leader again railed

l Dan Flynn Sponsor with Brendan O Neill

Representative of owner Ray Patterson, also in picture Pat Guilfoyle trainer and Racing Managerr Ollie Hester.

Picture by Michael Cowhey

superbly but on the run home she began to search for the line and the daughter of Laughill Duke & Maries Legacy lasted home by a diminishing half a length from Hanover Power in 30.70. With €5000 on offer for the winner, the final of the Emerald Isle Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 was the feature event at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and fans were treated to what was an outstanding display from Skywalker Logan. It was expected that the early running would be made by Skywalker Logan and Ballymac Kingdom and this went to script as both greyhounds were on their toes at traprise to head proceedings into the opening corner. ‘Logan’ held the advantage however, and the sensational son of Sizzling Sarah powered clear to record a 12.89 sectional as Ballymac Kingdom chased hard in second with Deadly Do Lago next best in third. Although soon to be entering his fourth year next month, Skywalker Logan remains as fast as any greyhound up to 600 yards and he was setting a frantic gallop out in front as the chasing pack failed to many any inroads into his six length lead. The penultimate bend approaching, and we now looked to have a race on our hands as Ballymac Kingdom wound up his challenge in behind and was building up ahead of steam approaching the final bend. It was too little too late however as Skywalker Logan had enough in the tank to stay on stoutly and seal a length victory over Ballymac Kingdom, who also ran a cracker in second. There was another eye-catching run in behind as Springwood Vardy stormed home to take bronze. It was expected that the time would be sharp and it was confirmed as 41.41, a new track record which was a fitting end to what was a fantastic stake from start to finish.

Clare Echo THE

#CLAREHURLING Compiled by Seamus Hayes & Páraic McMahon

17-09-20

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O’Callaghans Mills 2-17 Ballyea 1-17 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

David Reidy gets away from Paidi Fitzpatrick. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

O’Callaghans Mills Frees For: 16 (7/9) Wides: 15 (6/9) Scores from Play: 2-08 Spread of Scorers: 8 Top Scorer: Jacob Loughnane (0-08 7f) Own Puck-Outs won: 18 from 27 (67%)

Ballyea Frees For: 8 (3/5) Wides: 9 (4/5) Scores from Play: 1-16 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Tony Kelly (1-08) Own Puck-Outs won: 20 from 34 (59%)

Donach O’Donnell, O’Callaghans Mills manager: “There was a period there in the second quarter where we were under a lot of pressure, I’d say we spent ten minutes without the ball and we dug it out and by half-time we drew the game. The last quarter it came down to heart and will, we knew we were fit enough and had the hurling so we had to settle on the ball, there were nerves there but once we settled down we drove it home. Goals change games, we thought Tony Kelly’s goal had taken it from us but we went down the other side and got one. Coming in this year you’re starting from a low ebb, there is great credit due to them fellas, they are open and awful willing to learn, they want to improve themselves and they know they didn’t play particularly well last year and they wanted to prove themselves this year. The club is a really strong club, our selectors Tom, Donal and Marty have put a huge amount of work in, they are very good to the players and know them very well, our medical team are top notch who have put in a huge amount of work to those guys. The players themselves are really good guys, I’m delighted that they got the result. We’ll do a recovery session now, our performance analyst Alan Duggan will be on with the videos this evening and we’ll do a video session on Tuesday night with a very light session and we’ll start building it up from there. You have to look at the team as a sum of its parts, our bench is very good, Sean Cotter picked up a knock during the week so we started Michael McGrath who did very well, Cormac Murphy and did a good job”.

Sixmilebridge 0-17 Éire Óg 1-13 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis Sixmilebridge: Frees For: 16 (8/8) Wides: 8 (4/4) Scores from Play: 0-07 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top scorer: Alex Morey (0-10 10f) Own puckouts won: 18 from 24 (75%) Tim Crowe, Sixmilebridge manager: “We are absolutely thrilled. Fair play to Eire Og, they took the game to us. They have made major strides and its hard to believe that it’s thirty years since they won it. It won’t be much more than 31 when they win back the title. I knew trying to bet Eire Og three times in twelve months was going to be very difficult. I’m so delighted. Matthew and Ger have done a fabulous job with them. We are thrilled to be back in the final. We have massive experience. There are a lot of 100% players on our team. Their experience and the cool heads and their battling qualities were evident but, look, Eire Og were equally as good”.

Éire Óg: Frees For: 15 (8/7) Wides: 10 (5/5) Scores from Play: 1-05 Spread of Scorers: 2 Top scorer: Danny Russell (1-12 8f) Own puckouts won: 19 from 25 (76%) Matt Shannon, Éire Óg manager; “We are gutted but in those last ten minutes in a titanic battle, they came to the fore. We were in the ascendancy in the first half and I thought we played some great stuff. I felt we should have had a bigger lead going in at half time with a strong wind like that. We didn’t take a few chances in the second half but in fairness, their experience showed in the closing minutes. We have played them three times and we have given them a serious run for their money. We felt we had a great chance. There is nothing between the teams. Fair play to them, they got over the line”. It will take a good team to beat Sixmilebridge”.

Marty Baker of O’Callaghans Mills Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Intermediate Football Championship Doora/Barefield vs Shannon Gaels

Corofin vs Kildysart

pg 21

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Clare Echo THE

#CLARECAMOGIE

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Compiled by Eoin Brennan, Seamus Hayes & Páraic McMahon Kevin Sexton, Kilmurry Ibrickane selector: “We had guys out there that are playing since 2002 and they have played a lot of county and Munster club football and these buys bring big experience, When the tight games come they don’t do stupid things. We are disappointed to have conceded three goals but at the end of the day we are in the county final where we wanted to be. You are never remembered for playing well in a semi-final. Everyone was saying that we are an old team but centre back Ciaran Morissey is 24, our two midfielders are under 21, Dermot Coughlan is under 21 and Keelan Sexton is under 24. The spine of our team is very young and we have a good few young guys in the subs”.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane 1-18 Lissycasey 3-11 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Kilmurry Ibrickane: Frees For: 14 (8/6) Wides: 9 (5/4) Scores from Play: 1-14 Spread of Scorers: 9 Top scorer: Keelan Sexton (1-05 3f) Own kickouts won: 13 from 18 (72%) Lissycasey: Frees For: 22 (7/15) Wides: 4 (2/2) Scores from Play: 3-08 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top scorers: Conor Finnucane (0-06 2f) / Shane Griffin (2-00) Own kickouts won: 22 from 28 (79%)

John Ryan, Lissycasey manager: ““We probably took our foot off the pedal when we should have driven on and we didn’t do that. You cant give these boys chances as they are a very good game management team and when they are like that it is very hard to deal with them. They punish teams the whole time. I can’t speak highly enough of the Lissycasey team. There definitely is something in this team. They should stay together and work very hard. There are a lot of positives but the lads are gutted there now and we have to take that”.

Inagh-Kilnamona 2-17 Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-07 Venue: Fr McNamara Park, Ennis Inagh-Kilnamona Frees For: 13 (8/5) Wides: 9 (4/5) Scores from Play: 2-13 Spread of Scorers: 8 Top Scorer: Andrea O’Keeffe (1-4) Own Puck-Outs won: 6 from 14 (43%)

Cratloe 2-16 St Breckans 1-15 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis Cratloe Frees For: 19 (10/9) Wides: 6 (2/4) Scores from Play: 1-09 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Cathal McInerney (1-09 6f 1’Pen) Own Kick-Outs won: 17 from 20 (85%) Colm Collins, Cratloe manager: “It was a great game, St Breckans were in control for most of that game, it was only towards the end that we got on top but it was no more than we expected. I know a lot of these Breckans lads fairly well and I knew we were up against a really good side that are well coached and managed, I knew it was going to be close. They dominated for long periods and we struggled with them, it was great that we came on top in the end and came out on the right side of the scoreboard. Cool heads are never lacking anywhere. The bit of experience did tell in the end, we’d have been fairly annoyed with some of the scores we missed. Podge was in danger of getting kicked out of home if he didn’t score the goal, his lodgings were in trouble so they were. There was cool heads on the pitch and even towards the end they came to the ball very well, I’m delighted as Martin Murphy says to be behind the band again. I was very worried, I thought St Breckans outplayed

St Breckans Frees For: 18 (8/10) Wides: 4 (3/1) Scores from Play: 1-08 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Jamie Stack (0-07 4f) Own Kick-Outs won: 20 from 22 (91%) Donie Garrihy, St Breckans manager: “Mark my words, I’ll be 55 years old in November of this year, reference me on this, last year I promised we were coming to get something and we got them that was from intermediate, I will make another promise, we will not stop, it will be relentless. The lads want to play, we don’t want to have to waste time, we want to keep playing football, there will be bangs along the way, this is a pothole along the way. Next year is our fiftieth year and that brings a lot of positivity so we will have to regroup and work even harder. I’m not going to blame anybody, we have to control ourselves, I thought we could have hit the net two or three times but it didn’t happen, we’ve to learn from that and work on how it will happen for us the next time. ”.

Seventh heaven for Lafferty

by Eoin Brennan MUCH was spoken about Newmarket’s vast experience ahead of Saturday’s decider but Newmarket-on-Fergus none could match Fiona Lafferty’s remarkable achievement of a seventh senior camogie title. Frees For: 19 (10/9) Playing with all the enthusiasm of her first, Wides: 6 (3/3) the former All-Star nominee was as ever a cenScores from Play: 0-03 tral cog in Inagh-Kilnamona’s return to glory. Spread of Scorers: 5 But such was their all-encompassing display that there were an abundance of spokes in Inagh-KilTop Scorer: Roisin McMahon (0-4) namona’s well-oiled wheel. Own Puck-Outs won: 10 from 29 (34%) “I’m delighted, overall it was a great team performance,” beamed Lafferty at the final whistle. “I suppose there was a lot of talk of how we played against Kilmaley but we knew ourselves that there was a big performance in us as we had already played well against Truagh-Clonlara and again against Scariff-Ogonnelloe. “So we knew that there was 60 minutes in us, even at half-time when we were well up, we just said to forget about the score because we knew that Newmarket would have their purple patch. But from Becky in goals right through to the girls that came on and also the subs on the line who were our fantastic crowd today, there was such a great team spirit shown. We wanted to win, I think we showed that out there and we’re going home with the cup so it’s definitely job Inagh Kilnamona Camogie done for today.” Senior Champions That’s putting it mildly as Inagh-Kilnamona excelled by leading from start to finish in a near Photograph by Burren Eye faultless display of movement, pace and power Photography to force their stunned opponents into submis-

sion. “Everything worked for us today, even things like contesting high balls. We know how strong Newmarket are in the air so we tried to contest those as best as possible. And even players like Tierna Hegarty and Danielle Griffin who were starting their first ever senior county final, they slotted in so well that you certainly wouldn’t have thought that they are only 16 as they played more like someone the age of myself. They’re super girls and they’ve gelled so well into the team. So we know that we’ve hurlers and we just wanted to go out and show that ability today.” That insatiable desire was largely carved out over an introspective winter after letting slip their crown after three successive title wins to a hungrier Scariff-Ogonnelloe at the penultimate stage in 2019. “We were bitterly disappointed last year, especially when we saw what Scariff-Ogonnelloe went on to achieve afterwards by winning Munster, the job that we couldn’t finish the previous year. So we were very eager this year, even though we knew from the draw how difficult it was going to be. But it was a relatively short championship, the matches came thick and fast so it was about everyone rowing in behind each other for that condensed period and thankfully it all worked out today. “Look, usually the final isn’t on until October so technically the cup was only missing for 11 months really. So it’s great to have it back”.

Dulick Motors Gort Road, Ennis Tel: 065 6823232

CONGRATULATIONS & WELL DONE LADIES ON WINNING THE COUNTY FINAL FROM ALL AT DULICK MOTORS ENNIS

17-09-20

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Ennis golfer of the year award for TJ Scanlan By Seamus Hayes TJ Scanlan was named as Ennis Golf Club’s golfer of the year while Aeneas O’Connor claimed the senior men’s captain’s prize in Kilrush ENNIS GOLF CLUB: The Masters final was played at Ennis over the weekend and resulted in victory for Joe Carmody (16) with 40 points. He had two to spare over T.J. Scanlan (9) with Tony Flynn (15) in third spot with 37 followed by Barry Lee (17) with 36, William Donnellan (24) with 35, Sean Rynne (13) with 35, Flan Downes (14) with 35, Noel Kenny (12) with 35 and Barry Lynch (18) with 34. Ronan Herbert (6) won the gross with 31. Senior captain Brian Considine’s prize was played for at Ennis last Thursday when Gary Cuningham (14) captured the honours with 41 points from Tom Greene (21) who had a similar score. They were followed by Noel Pilkington (17) with 40 points, John Nevin (16) with 40 points, Tony Kehoe (16) with 39 points, Tony McInerney (14) with 38 points, Gerard Harnett (15) with 37, John Keane (13) with 37, Ronnie Guinnane (17) with 37, Pat Murphy (9) with 37, Liam Pyne (7) with 36, Matt Flynn (19) with 35, John Lillis (16) with 35, Gerry Daly (16) with 35, Tim Scanlon (20) with 35, Pat P. McInerney (14) with 35 and Liam McCannon (14) with 35. Mike Butler won the 9 hole competition with 18 points from Kevin O’Connor with 15 points. The nearest the pin prize was won by Jim O’Connor. Last week’s Tuesday fourball at Ennis was won by Mike Irwin and Leo Herbert with 34 points. They had one to spare over Johnny Kearse and Tony McInerney. In third

spot, also with 33 points, were John Kelly and P.J. Hehir followed by Pat Murphy and Ronnie Guinnane with 32. Andrew Whelan (5) won the Friday open singles with 39 points from Andrew McGloin (12) with 39, Gerry Daly (16) with 39 and Oisin Kennelly (13) from Woodstock with 37. Darragh T. Murphy (7) won the gross with 78.

vid Abbott (18) with 39 points. The category winners were Thomas Coffey (12) with 37 points, Cian O’Mahony (16) with 39 points and Nevan Prendeville (19) with 39 points. Last week’s ladies competition was won by Geraldine Burke (17) with 37 points from Anne Brennan (12) with 34 and Mary Keating (30) with 34.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: Mary Mannion’s president’s prize was played for at East Clare last week. The men’s competition was an 18 hole v par event off the white tees and was won by Aaron O’Brien (10) with 2 up from James McNamara (5) on 1 up and Willie Hayes (21) also on 1 up. The ladies competition took the format of an 18 hole stableford event which was won by Maureen Clune (34) with 37 points from Margaret Lynch (26) with 35 points and Heather Cullen (22) with 34 points. Last Thursday’s open day competition was won by Kevin O’Flanagan(12) from Castlettroy with 41 points. Men’s and ladies open singles continue each Thursday

GORT GOLF CLUB: Last weekend’s men’s competition at Gort was an 18 hole singles competition which was won by Trevor Cummins (7) with 41 points from Liam Perkins (16) with 38 points and Liam Byrne (18) with 38 points. Eanna Melville (4) won the gross with 29 points. In the ladies competition, Joan Fogarty (19) won with 43 points from Marcella Killeen (26) with 40 points and Charlotte Kelly (34) with 39 points. Siobhan O’Connor (12) won the gross with 25 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The senior men’s captain’s (Finbarr McMahon) prize was played for at Kilrush last week when Aeneas O’Connor (18) emerged with the honours with 41 points. John Robinson (22) was second with 40 points followed by Stephen Fennell (21) with 39 points, Michael J. McNamara (16) with 38 points, Harry Rose (15) with 38 points and John McNeilis (17) with 37 points. In the captain’s plate for men the winner was Bryan J. Hayes (16) with 45 points from Michael Leonard (26) with 41 points, Jim Young Senior (8) with 40 points and Da-

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: The 9 hole mid week competition at Dromoland was won by Darragh O’Shea with 23 points from Darren Reilly with 22 and Seamus Lawlor with 20. Seamus Cusack won the men’s 18 hole stableford competition with 44 points from Ed Crowe with 41 and Colm Hayes with 40. Jason O’Leary won the gross with 39 while the category for those with handicaps of 18 and over was won by Brian Maloney with 39 points. The Nozomi ladies invitational competition was won by Michelle McCarthy and Lisa McKnight with 47 points from Mairead Toomey and Claire Bracken with 46 points with third spot filled by Tina Devitt and Katrina O’Neill with 43 points.

Our Lady Captain Mrs. Nuala D’Auria Prize 18H S/F

1.Yvonne Keohane (17) 35 pts. 2. Joan Murphy (30) 34 pts. GROSS Shannon Hegarty (3) 33 pts. 3. Ann Gallery ,(17) 33pts. 4.Patricia Moroney (21) 33 pts. 5.Ann O’Loughlin (15) 31 pts. 6.Brid Cunningham (19) 30 pts. 7. Suzanne Deane (16) 29 pts.

Senior Ladies Results 8th September 2020 1st. Eileen Daly. 38pts (back 6 16v14) Bridie Keane. Rita O’Brien. 2nd. Anne McMahon 38 pts. Mary Murray. Ann Casey 3rd. Eileen Corry (T) 35pts (back 6 15v13) Margaret Flanagan. Phil Butler

Niamh McDermott won the autumn major competition with 40 points from Katrina O’Neill on 39, Kelly Maclean on 36 and Breige Scanlon on 35. Ellie Corgreave won the gross with 29 points. The nines were won by Shauna Moylan with 18 and Cora O’Toole with 21 while the 9 hole competition winner was Julie Fitzgerald with 15. SPANISH POINT CHASE MUNSTER GLORY: Fermoy golf club will host the semi-finals and final of the AIG Munster junior cup and Pierce Purcell shield competitions on Saturday week, September 26. Spanish Point will take on either Cahir Park or Faithlegg in the Pierce Purcell semi-final with the first match starting at 8.45. The Cahir Park v Faithlegg match wasn’t finished at the weekend due to failing light. It will conclude this week. In the other semi-final East Cork will take on Kenmare, also on Saturday morning week. The final will take place in the afternoon. SHANNON INTO NORTH MUNSTER FINAL: Shannon have qualified for the North Munster final in the Jimmy Bruen shield thanks to a victory over Kilrush in the Clare area final last week. The North Munster final will take place this Sunday, September 20, at Woodstock. The Shannon pairings in the win over Kilrush last week were Keith Buckley and Adrian Carew; Murty O’Donoghue and Adam McMahon; P.J. Moroney and James Corry; John O’Connell and Kieran Kirby; Joe Finlay and Pat McHugh.

Ennis Tennis Senior Club Championships 2020 Ennis

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ELL, 2020 has made its mark on most things this year, but despite all of that, Ennis Tennis Club held it’s tennis senior club championships during the first 2 weeks of September as in previous years. With over 80 players and 96 matches to play it was a hectic few weeks. There were matches scheduled each night from 2nd September to finals day on 12th across 10 different events. It is normally a social highlight of the year as players and spectators alike gather to compete and enjoy the tennis on offer. Sadly, the social side was a little lacking this year but the competition wasn’t and we rounded off the tournament with 10 finals to play on Saturday 12th September. Thanks to technology we were able to live stream some of the matches on social media and keep our would-be spectators informed of the scores. Proceedings kicked off with the men’s A singles (winner Ciaran O’Brien), ladies doubles (winners Siobhan O’Donovan and Shauna Woods), beginner ladies singles (winner Gemma Hassett), men’s B singles (winner Dave Enright) and men’s Grade 6 singles (winner Sean Moloney). As we could not have a prizegiving ceremony at the end of the day we dished out prizes as we went along and got ready for round 2 of the finals. The next set of games were the ladies A’ singles (winner Anne-Marie Darcy), men’s doubles (winners Stephen Lester and Mike Hensey), beginner ladies doubles (winners Catherine Purcell and Ann Doran), mixed doubles (winners Caitriona NiRiordain and Eamonn McGuinness) and last but not least the men’s beginner singles (winner Noel Brodie). As a club and tournament committee we’d like to thank everyone who played and for making the whole event so enjoyable. It wasn’t easy staying away as a spectator either and we appreciat everyone’s compliance and understanding. We also had a record number of new members playing this year. We are also delighted to announce that our adult Badminton open nights will commence again on Monday & Thursday nights at 8pm.

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Harveys braced for Last year’s county final defeat emotional occasion a driving force for Hehir SEAMUS HAYES

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OR West Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey, her three sisters Ciara, Shauna and Grainne and the rest of the panel Sunday’s Clare ladies football final will be an emotional occasion. The Harvey sisters late father Kieran was a key part of the club and ladies football in Clare. At the time of his untimely death, he was chairman of the Clare ladies football board. “Yes, it will be an emotional day for us and we hope that we can do his memory proud. There have been a lot of sad passings in our West Clare area in the past twelve months and all were strong supporters of our club. We know that they will all be looking down on us this week”, Caoimhe told The Clare Echo. The West Clare captain has been part of the team since 2013 and played in the final in 2015, the last time that the club contested the decider. “We have competed every year getting to the quarter or semi-final. We have been rebuilding this year and there are a number of new young players in the squad. “We know that we re up against a very experienced Banner team but we are

delighted to be in the final and we will take it as it comes. A lot of our players are in school and some are just starting college. They have all put in a really big effort and they have shown great loyalty to the club. Getting to the final this year is a great lift for the whole area”, explained the captain. Five of Sunday’s panel are survivors from the 2010 title winning team. They include Ciara, Shauna and Graine Harvey, Niamh Lardner and Colette Keniry. All of the players that make up the panel come from the West Clare Peninsula, from Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Querrin, Cross and Kilbaha. According to Caoimhe “the panel is more settled and better prepared going into Sunday’s final than they were when the teams met in the opening round a few weeks back. One cannot under estimate a team like the Banner, Losing last year’s final was a big blow to them and they have been edging to win back the title. All we can do is our best” Caoimhe pays huge tribute to “the county board for getting this championship played given the strange times that we are living in”. She added, “We know what we are coming up against and we hope to do well. A lot of valuable experience will be gained for the young players. Getting to the final is fantastic and we are hoping that the experience of the regulars will lead us on”.

Caoimhe Harvey of West Clare Gaels Photo byBurren Eye Photography

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OUISE Henchy is one of fielder admitted. “That fact that we nine players who were in have nine of the 2008 panel still inthe Banner ladies panel volved shows the loyalty that these which won the Clare senior players have to the club. One ladies title for the first time of two took a year out to travel in 2008 writes Seamus Hayes. but all returned and most of the The midfielder has been ever players have been around over the present since along with Emma last decade which is a major testaO’Driscoll, Laurie Ryan, Louise ment to how the club is run”. Woods, Niamh and Aoife KavanaAccording to the Banner star “it gh, Niamh O’Dea, Niamh Keane would mean as much to win on and Naomi Carroll all of whom are Sunday as it did when we won the seeking an eleventh title on Sunday first one. As the years go on you “We all share a love of sport and appreciate things more. We want we were around for a while before to win as much as we can while we won anything”, according to we are there. You have to make the Louise who captained the club to most of these things while you are the title in 2018 when they beat able”. Kilmihil in the final. Louise acknowledged that “these She added, “These successes don’t are great times for the Banner club. last forever and one tries to make The men’s teams are doing well in the most of them when the opporboth hurling and football. Their tunities come around. The Banner committee are doing a massive has had a strong representation on amount of work also. There are county teams winch 2007/2008. great facilities there for the players. PHOTO: There is a great bond amongst It’s a real group effort in both clubs”, Burren Eye Photography the group. The younger girls have she concluded. had great success through Feile and this has added to the bond”. Louise gives huge credit to the club’s executive committee. “Our chairperson is Dorothy Meeneghan and she - Hamstring strength testing - receive instant testing results simply cannot do enough for everyone. - Performance & Injury reduction programes Earlier this year we lost a very import- Pre & Post surgery recovery and exercise programes ant member of the executive committee - Shockwave therapy - reduces pain for conditions such as in Michael McIntendinopathy, heel pain and plantar fasciitis erney who was the backbone of a lot - Treatment of musculoskeletal pain and injury that went on in the club. Ita Mahoney is another who does invaluable work for the club”. She acknowledges that the absence of Michael McInerney from Sunday’s final “will be strange. He hailed from Cross which is in the heart of the West Clare Gaels area. We have always had a great rivalry with them going back over the years. Michael’s death was so unexpected. He would be very happy that we are back in the final”. Losing last year’s 086 083 6015 final to Kilmihil is a physiorecoveryroom@gmail.com huge driving force this year, the mid@physiorecoveryroom

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Tubber & Scariff meet in intermediate decider for first time since 1976 SEAMUS HAYES

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UBBER and Scariff meet in the Clare IHC final on Sunday for the first time since 1976, Seamus Hayes traces back to their last meeting in the decider and recalls the occasion with Matt Waters. Forty four years ago Tubber and Scariff last met in the intermediate hurling championship final when Tubber emerged with the title and won promotion to the senior ranks on a final scoreline of 3-12 to 5-2. The North Clare club remained in senior ranks for the next forty years before dropping back down to intermediate level. Matt Waters, proprietor of Clare Fruit and Veg Turnpike Road in Ennis remembers the last meeting of the clubs which was in 1976. He played at left half forward on that occasion, a line completed by Enda O’Connor at centre forward and Noel O’Grady on the other wing.

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HERE’S one glaring difference between Sunday’s finalists and the remainder of the clubs who have been relegated since the senior championship overhaul in 2014. Scariff were part of the initial five team culling along with Wolfe Tones, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, Broadford and Ruan while Tubber succumbed to the drop 12 months later before Kilmaley, Feakle, Doora/Barefield and Tulla followed suit through the trapdoor. Tubber v Scariff @ Cusack Park Ennis, Sunday 4.30pm A transitional Ruan and newest intermediate side Tulla aside, the other five all managed to bounce back up to the top flight, leaving Tubber and Scariff with a glorious opportunity to redress that balance this Sunday. Embroiled in such an ultra-competitive grade means that both will never get a better chance to take their development path to the next level. But while the carrot for the winner is almost immeasurable in terms of it’s value, equally it could be a detrimental blow for the loser after being forced to ship a lot of gut-wrenching set-backs in recent seasons.

“We had three great games with Wolfe Tones in the semi-final which really was the making of that team”, recalled Matt this week. “We needed a second replay to get over the Shannon side and these games certainly stood to us when the final came around”. The ‘76 final was played at Dr. Daly Park in Tulla and the sides were level at half time, 2-6 for Tubber to 4-0 for their East Clare opponents. Scariff captain Gerry Nugent scored three of his side’s goals from frees while Tubber’s two first half goals came from the stick of full forward Michael O’Connor. The match report noted that both of O’Connor’s goals “were outstanding scores”. Incidentally Enda O’Connor scored Tubber’s third goal on a day when the North Clare club’s half forward trio accounted for 1-9 of their team’s total “We had eight under 21’s in our squad and a month after winning the intermediate title, we won the under 21 B championship, beating Corofin in the final. A year later we played in the under 21 A championship and reached the final where we drew with Eire Og before losing out to the town side in the

replay”, recalled Matt. “That was the start of a great run for Tubber and the club went on to contest the Clare senior final in 1981 where they lost out to Newmarket”. He continued, “Clare hurling was on a high in the mid to late seventies when they contested three national league finals, winning two while they also contested a number of Munster senior championship finals. The O’Connor brothers, Enda and Pat along with Scariff’s Gerry Nugent were part of the Clare panel managed by Fr. Harry Bohan at that time. The Murphy brothers Teddy who was centre back and Sean who played at midfield for Scariff were noted Clare footballers and members of the Clare senior football team. Natives of Kilmihil, they played their hurling with Scariff where they resided. Michael Kelly who later served as a Clare senior selector and who went on to be a member of Clare County Council, captained Tubber to that title. The Tubber backroom team included Michael Lee, Pa Howard, Micheál Burnell and George Taaffe. For the record the teams in the 1976 final

were as follows Tubber; Paul Ryan; John Donoghue, Francis O’Grady, Jamie O’Connor; Michael Ryan, Pat O’Connor, Fintan Earley; Leo Donoghue, Gerry Lee; Matt Waters, Enda O’Connor, Noel O’Grady; Michael Kelly (captain), Michael O’Connor, Donie O’Grady; Sub--P.J Donoghue for Gerry Lee Scariff;; M. Ryan; E Henchy, M. McNamara, M. O’Donnell; P. Clancy, T. Murphy, T. Nugent; G. Nugent capt, S. Murphy; N. Sullivan, N. Corry, B. Ryan; A. O’Beirne, J. Corbett, G. McNamara. Referee: Michael Slattery (Clarecastle)

Tubber are best placed to grasp that golden ticket to senior level as this is their third final appearance in four years. Of course, double-digit defeats to Kilmaley and Feakle don’t automatically suggest that they’ve fully paid their dues but lessons have been learned as there’s a visible maturity about the 2020 Tubber. Having fired 10-29 in their last two outings against Sixmilebridge and St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield, if they able to replicate that scorching form on Sunday should go a long way to reaching the holy grail. Their spine has been simply irresistible as Ronan Taaffe’s distribution has been a key asset, Patrick O’Connor and Fergal O’Grady have dominated the defensive anchor roles while Ronan Monahan has provided the ammunition to unleash the red-hot attacking trio of Domhnall McMahon (3-8), Clive (4-4) and Blaine (2-8) Earley whose trail of destruction has amounted to 9-20 in the last two matches alone. In addition, former Galway senior Iarla Tannion has managed to assess and evolve their tactical gameplan over the past three years, highlighted by a more elusive fluidity up front and the ability to either go direct or run the ball.

Scariff have been on a similar path to enlightenment, having been made to suffer more than their fill of heartbreak over the past three campaigns. A first semi-final against Feakle in 2017 didn’t exactly go according to plan but that was put in the shade by the manner of last year’s penultimate stage exit after producing a brilliant first 40 minutes to soar ten points clear of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, only to be floored by an unforeseen revival that first forced extra-time before the Parish completed a 21 point turnaround. So while they didn’t play to anywhere near those 2019 first half heights last Sunday in their latest semi-final bid against neighbours Smith O’Brien’s, crucially they were doggedly resilient to be able to go the extra [time] mile this time around. Consequently, having finally banished that hoodoo, the pressure should be largely off their shoulders for Sunday’s final as a bit like the Mills rampage at senior, there’s a growing feeling that their names could simply be on the cup. It will take their best performance of 2020 to achieve that lofty feat though as having taken out Tulla and halted Smith O’Brien’s momentum,

they will need their forward division to be inspired by their return to Cusack Park. Mark Rodgers certainly lit up Clare headquarters throughout his 2018 raid through the provincial minor championship while Diarmaid Nash and Conor McNamara still have memories of Scariff’s senior exploits there. McNamara was a brilliant targetman last Sunday but will require more assistance if Scariff are to get on top of their more experienced opponents. Padraig Brody, Michael Scanlan and a physically strong half-back unit of Conor Moloney, Daniel Treacy and Diarmaid McNamara will also need to be alert to prevent Tubber from getting into their undoubted stride. But being their first major final, there are far more uncertainties surrounding Scariff’s best formation and ability to step up to their biggest match as a collective. After all, a third final defeat for Tubber would be simply unthinkable and therefore, it should be a sufficient motivational tool to drag them over the line. Verdict: Tubber

Wishing Tubber the best of luck this weekend

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Tubber anxious to rectify intermediate final record EOIN BRENNAN

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art of a backroom team with Iarla Tannion, John Clancy, Ivan Conway, Matthew Fitzsimon and Mike Finn, selector Eoin Ruane is hoping that past final experiences can stand to Tubber in their Intermediate Final showdown with Scariff. Eoin Ruane doesn’t have to delve too deep into the memory bank to recall an example of Scariff ’s threat. Back in August 2011, a year in which Ruane was part of Clare’s All-Ireland Intermediate winning squad, Tubber were on the cusp of advancing to a prestigious senior championship quarter-final when leading Scariff by ten points after only 20 minutes. However, they would somehow be turned over and pipped by a point at 2-12 to 2-11 which was suffi-

cient to steer Scariff clear of any danger and shipwreck Tubber’s Canon Hamilton hopes in the process. “We’d two rounds of the senior championship won and just had to beat Scariff to make a quarter-final. But despite being ten points nearing half-time, they pegged us back. That’s a big game that I often think about myself but it just goes to show the kind of club Scariff are as they’ve got that never-say-die fighting spirit and won’t lie down at any stage. They are a club that we always have massive respect for. They have always had a great set of beliefs and tradition which means they don’t fear anyone.� With both finalists finding it difficult to reclaim their senior status in recent years that included plenty of heartbreak along the way, Ruane sees Sunday’s final as one which Tubber and Scariff will be eyeing up as a golden opportunity. “In all fairness the intermediate championship is a fantastic competition. At the start of the year, you could honestly say that there were six or seven teams that

were realistic contenders so for us to have made the last two is brilliant and we’re really looking forward to the final. But when you analyse it, the final is definitely 50/50. Scariff were very unlucky not to be in a final last year and I know we’ve been in finals but they seem to have been on a similar journey to us over the last few years of being there-or-thereabouts. “It’s all down to who can remain composed and perform to their best on Sunday I feel. Finals can take on a life of their own anyway so with the way the game is divided now, I’d say the first 15 minutes until the water break is going to tell a lot. You’d hope that both teams would have settled by then but we are wary of Scariff because they showed great heart to come through against Smith O’Brien’s last Sunday. I mean they hadn’t played in a few weeks so that game will only bring them on.� Tubber will be banking on their final appearances of 2017 and ‘18 to bring them on too as they look to finally banish any regrets against Kilmaley and Feakle once

and for all. “You’d hope that the experience of playing in finals in Cusack Park would stand to us because it can definitely play in some players’ minds. Only people that have played in Cusack Park understand how deceptive a field it is and it’s only when you down there playing in it that you realise how big a pitch it is and it certainly takes a bit of getting used to. So that prior experience of playing in Cusack Park you’d hope would be to our advantage. “At the end of the day, regrets can haunt you if you don’t perform in a final. I think any guy can accept a defeat if they’ve given their best. You can always shake the hand of your marker and congratulate them when you’re beaten by a better team. So the only thing we are focusing on is sticking to our gameplan and performing. We can only control the controllables so up against a good team like Scariff, we have to be tuned in right from the start and hopefully hit the ground running. After that, it’s kind of out of our hands and whatever happens, happens.�

McMahon’s instinctive X-factor a potential match winner for Tubber IT’S been a whirlwind two year period for Domhnall McMahon. Initiated by his call up to the county senior hurling panel in 2019, his value was subsequently validated by new manager Brian Lohan in giving the Michael Cusack’s clubman some tangible game time this year to stake his claim for one of the targetman roles vacated by 2018 All Stars John Conlon (injured) and Peter Duggan (abroad). They are big shoes to fill but the confidence and maturity gained by those inter-county standards allied to McMahon’s instinctive X-Factor as a potential match-winner is a potent cocktail which has certainly benefitted Tubber’s elusive quest for an Intermediate breakthrough. That was particularly evidenced in their last two outings as McMahon formed the

central vertex of a lethal attacking triumvirate with the Benjamin Button-like Earley brothers Clive and Blaine to combine for 9-20, with the captain raiding for 2-8 of that remarkable haul. And that’s the final crucial ingredient in Tubber’s relentless bid for senior redemption as having taken a leaf out of Michael Cusack’s Junior A success in 2019, Iarla Tannian astutely also made Domhnall McMahon captain for 2020 as he looks to lift a second coveted championship crown in the space of just eleven months. And after sobering final defeats to Kilmaley and Feakle, McMahon is doubly determined to make it third time lucky in Cusack Park on Sunday. “I suppose we didn’t really get going at all in the last two finals we were in but

since then, the younger lads have matured and have more experience under their belts, players like Joey Droney and the few Ballyvaughan lads that we’ve with us. We had a few footballers that have joined us in the past few years and maybe they lacked that bit of experience initially but the last few championships have brought them on loads and a lot of them are now key players for us too. “So we’ve been motoring along nicely and we’re just looking forward to Sunday and getting a performance this time around. The game against Inagh-Kilnamona’s second team was our wake-up call I think. We didn’t really perform the way we wanted to that day so after that, there was an extra drive and we’ve really picked thinks up in the last two matches. “But a final is a final, what you’d done or scored leading up to it won’t matter as it all comes down to the day and we knew that

Best of luck to Tubber Intermediates the weekend

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Domhnall McMahon takes on Jack Hannan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

they will be nothing between us once the ball is thrown in but hopefuly we can come out on the right side this time�. Those back-to-back double-digit final defeats in 2017 and ‘18 did cut deep but having just come down from senior level, Kilmaley and Feakle just seemed to have that added sprinkling of senior experience that had faded more in Tubber. However, Sunday’s decider provides a completely different complexion as Tubber are now favourites for the first time but will be wary of a momentum-filled Scariff side that doggedly passed a tough evaluation last Sunday against Smith O’Brien’s to finally break their own semi-final hoodoo. “Scariff have come through two good battles against Tulla and Killaloe. They’re a very good team and have plenty of youth and experience of their own so there’ll be very little between us I’m sure. We’re just looking to give our best performance

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Scariff determined to succeed in the present to inspire bright future PÁRAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie

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EACHING the final of the Clare intermediate hurling championship has not happened as quickly as clicking one’s fingers, it’s why they will savour the build-up to the occasion and aim to make their outing a memorable one for the right reasons. Relegated from the senior ranks as part of a championship reshuffle which saw five teams make the drop in 2014, Scariff have became much more competitive in the intermediate grade over the past three seasons reaching the semi-finals in 2018, 2019 and again this year. “Getting to this year’s decider hasn’t happened over one year, it has been a long project, three years ago was our first semi-final since coming back down, that was a big step

because we hadn’t got past the quarter-final stage since being relegated. The two beaten semi-finals, last year in particular hurt, getting there was the goal and to win it, we find ourselves in the final now which is brilliant,” manger Mark McKenna explained. Many individuals have played their part in this “long project” and McKenna is among them, this is his fifth season involved with the intermediates, the first of which was spent as a selector to John Minogue. Moments after defeating Tulla in the quarter-final, Mark was quick to reference the efforts ongoing in the East Clare club in building a strong underage structure. Such efforts have resulted in Scariff/Ogonnelloe winning the Minor B championship of 2018 and contesting the A semi-finals a year later and making the quarter-final stage of the A championship this year. McKenna outlined, “The work on the underage has gone back ten or twelve years with the likes of Ger Rodgers, people have

Wishing Scariff the very best of luck this weekend

invested huge time and energy. Patrick Ryan came through this year, Mark Rodgers came through last year, there are three more coming next year that will make a big difference too. We’re bearing the fruits of it now, the future is bright for them lads”. One of Mark’s teammates from the Scariff side that contested the 1995 Clare SHC final who has gone on to manage the county, Donal Moloney forms part of their backroom team this year and is proving to be a valuable addition. “Donal only came at the last minute more or less, he offers advice behind the scenes. To have someone like that to be able call on, any avenue that we think we can use to get us an extra percent or inch to help us on Sunday we’d have to use it. Donal has been a great club man and it is great to have him involved”. A benchmark has been set within the setup that losing quarter-finals at intermediate level are no longer accepted. “Losing quarter-finals are non excusable now, getting back to the semi-final was the ultimate goal this year and winning it then became the target and we find ourselves where everybody wants to be”. They sealed their place in the decider with a dramatic extra-time win over Smith O’Briens on Sunday. Recovery and sharpening up will be the main priority this week, a recovery session was conducted by Mark Hartigan on Monday as

they finalise preparations for Tubber. “What we took from the Killaloe game was they had went to extra time the week previous and we thought the pace they started against us was particularly impressive, we were three weeks without a match and it took us a bit to get up to the pace. You could say having the match last weekend would do us the world of good”. Adult final appearances have been few and far between for Scariff so it serves as a reminder as to why they are determined to savour the occasion this weekend. “It’s new. It is 25 years since Clare won that great All-Ireland, it is also 25 years since Scariff played in their last county senior final, in the meantime the number of adult county finals that Scariff have participated in would be very few, I think we won a Junior B when I was finishing in 2007 or 2008, we got to a few U21 finals, we were beaten by Smith O’Briens in an intermediate league final too, it is new, it is exciting. “We told the lads to enjoy the week and make the most out of it, I’m really looking forward to seeing some of them lads get into the Park, they should have no fear of that. It is a great week, the town is done up already which hasn’t been done in years, it is great for the people around after the year we had, nobody was able to go anywhere and you would hope it would give people a huge lift, you have to remember people that passed away during the year too. The pressure of winning the semi-final will lift us a bit, there was a lot of pressure on some of the lads and to fall over the line was just enough”.

Wishing the Scariff Intermediate Hurlers the best of luck this weekend

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Scanlan hoping to keep up family appearances of bringing county titles back to Scariff PÁRAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie

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EINVIGORATED by the youthful additions in recent seasons, the experienced heads in the Scariff line up will play a critical role in Sunday’s intermediate final, none more so than captain Michael Scanlan. White hopes such as Mark Rodgers, Patrick Ryan, Fergus Madden, Tomás McNamara and Sean Minogue have brought a new lease of life to Scariff ’s intermediate hurlers in the past three seasons but they are also reliant on an experienced cohort, the blend between the two has aided their journey to the county final this weekend. Michael Scanlan falls into the bracket of the experienced men on Scariff ’s team. Fullback on the side, he made his senior debut for the club as a teenager in the early 2000s. He hasn’t played in Cusack Park since the East Clare outfit were relegated in 2014, “When I played there last, I was playing either in the half-forward line or midfield, I had a few years at centre back and wing back, now I’m full back so it will be a very different experience in the Park this time around. I think it will be a very good experience for the younger lads who haven’t played adult hurling in Cusack Park before”. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Scanlan observed that the build-up for the final has been unique to all other encounters they have had this year. “It’s been different. Over the last few years we’ve been beaten in two semi-finals and prior to that we had been knocked out earlier in the championship, every year we’ve seen real progression and to get the monkey off our back and get to the final, we’re hoping to go one step further and win it. For the semi-final we had three weeks preparation, we had two weeks for the rounds before that, for the final we have only one week so it’s a different build up mainly

087 125 4365

driven around recovery and making sure we can peak after our previous game”. With a short turnaround from their semi-final win over Smith O’Briens, the father of two young girls is hopeful this will limit the chance of players getting carried away for the final rather than fatigue being a factor. “You never know until you play the final, in hindsight you might say that you weren’t fresh but right now I feel it is definitely not a negative. There are probably nerves within the squad which is natural because it is the first final for a lot of people, the short build-up might suit us but it is difficult to gauge right now, my gut would say it’s not a bad thing”. A former member of the Clare minor and U21 panels, Michael who spent a year on the county senior side’s extended panel believed the continuity provided in Mark McKenna’s tenure as manager has been critical in seeing them progress year by year. “Mark McKenna has been ever-present in our management for five years. We’ve had trainers and selectors that have come and gone but Mark has been the ever-present, we’ve been very lucky with the quality of trainers we’ve had over the last few years, Johnny Markham from Shannon is in at the moment, the quality of the younger players is pushing us on at the moment, we’ve had Mark Rodgers, Fergus Madden and Patrick Ryan all started the semi-final and they only came into the squad in the last three years. I don’t think we’ve had retirements either so the older lads are staying on for an extra few years, training hard, keeping their fitness up and trying to compete”. As the full-back, Michael has had the task of marking one of Clare hurling’s brightest prospects in Mark Rodgers at training regularly, he admitted getting such a test has improved his own game. “I have had to mark him in training on numerous times, it is a very difficult task, you have to really think outside the box because he is a different

full-forward. Generally the full-forwards that I mark in matches like to stand on the edge of the square but Mark is very different, he is constantly moving, you can’t give him a second or he’ll take advantage. It has improved my game but we have a lot of good forwards that I’ve marked in training that would bring on your game”. Last year, Michael watched as his sister Mairead captained Scariff/Ogonnelloe to their first ever senior county and provincial title success. The achievements of the side have motivated the Scariff hurlers, he re-

vealed. “We all helped them celebrate their county championship and Munster final last year, I went to all the games and it really drove us on. Mairead is very professional about the way she prepares and trains for games. Their success was definitely a motivating factor, the quality of the way they train is something that would come up”. He is now hoping to follow in his sister’s footpaths and lead Scariff to county glory when they face an experienced Tubber outfit on Sunday.

Michael Scanlan reacts quickest to the breaking ball. Photograph: Gary Collins

Carrowmore, Scarriff, Co. Clare

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PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 50 KINCORA PARK, LIFFORD, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Fionna Power intends to apply for Retention Permission to retain 2 no. velux windows to the front of the property and the garage roof as constructed including all ancillary site services and works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of â‚Ź20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Further Information/ Revised Plans. Planning Ref. P20/344 Development Description : Eoin and Jacqui Murray have applied for permission for a single family dwelling and associated site works

and services connections. Take notice that Eoin and Jacqui Murray have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P20/344. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, County Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than two weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the Planning Authority. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 18 CARRAIG LIA, SHANNON, CO. CLARE Sue and Keith Buckley seek minor alterations to the front porch and elevation, and minor changes to the approved rear extension of their previous planning application MO#78057 where they were granted full planning permission for an extension and adaptation of 18 Carraig Lia, Shannon,

Co. Clare. The proposed alterations may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE CO COUNCIL CAHER, OGONNELLOE, CO CLARE Permission sought to retain as constructed single storey residential structure and adjacent garden shed (located at rear of main dwelling house which received planning permission under previous planning ref 13-348. Retention is also sought to retain and complete construction of roadside boundary including all ancillary site works and services at above address, applicant Paul Blake. ‘’The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation

in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission’’ CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GORTYGEEHEEN, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE Take notice that John and Betty Brennan of Gortygeeheen, Lissycasey, Co. Clare intend to apply to the planning authority for retention permission to (a) retain kitchen extension as constructed, (b) retain sunroom extension as constructed, (c) retain garage as constructed, (d) retain shed as constructed, 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 Clare County Council (à ras Contae an Chlåir, 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 KILKEE ROAD, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Ed Danaher Limited is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for alterations to an existing office building and planning permission to construct a new equipment storage building containing office space at Kilkee Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare along with all associated 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 Clare County Council 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SHANNON Nancy & deceased members of The Shannon & Hewitt Families (13th Anniversary) In Loving Memory of a dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister in law, aunt & friend, Nancy, of 86 Hermitage Ennis, who died on the 19th September 2007. As we sit here with our memories, we think of days gone by, of times we had together, our ups, our downs, our joys. The home you left is lonely now and we

are lonely too, those left behind are good and kind but no one replaces you. If we could visit heaven on this your special day, maybe for a moment our pain would go away. We’d wrap our arms around you and kiss your precious face and tell you no one in this world would ever take your place. Rest in peace dear loved one and thanks for all you’ve done we pray that God has given you, the crown you’ve truly won. Will those who think of Nancy today, say a little prayer to Jesus Sadly missed by your loving family. Anniversary Mass in the Cathederal on Saturday 19th September at 6.30pm.

30 PUZZLEPAGE

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QUIZ 31

THURSDAY, SEP 17 2020

The Clare Echo Quiz

many Ceomhaltas branches was the Kilfenora Ceilí 1How are there in County Clare? 7When Band founded? a. b. c.

22 15 17

a. b. c.

1909 1918 1925

How many times has the Fleadh Which of these are not one of the 2 Ceoil been hosted in County 8 early players in the Kilfenora Ceilí Clare? Band?

was the Fleadh first hosted 3When in County Clare? a. b. c.

1956 1968 1977

was the county Fleadh set 4Where to take place this year? a. b. c.

Ennis Tulla Lisdoonvarna

did Sharon Shannon grow 5Where up? a. Ruan b. Kilfenora c. Doolin

6 a. b. c.

What was the name of Sharon Shannon’s second album?

a. b. c.

Jim Mulqueeney Tim Collins Brigid McGrath

year did Willie Clancy pass 9What away? a. b. c.

10

1963 1968 1973

l QUESTION 8 : Which of these are not one of the early players in the Kilfe-

In which month does the Willie Clancy Festival take place?

nora Ceilí Band?

a. June b. July c. August

By Sarah Clarke

TY Studen at Socil Mhuire Ennistymon

Sharon Shannon The Diamond Sessions Out The Gap

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

ANSWERS 6: Out the Gap 7: 1909 8: Tim Collins 9: 1973 10: July

3 4 5

1: 15 2: 4 3: 1956 4: Lisdoonvarna 5: Ruan

a. b. c.

Last weeks Answers . Ball is missing . towel near goal is missing . 3 is missing on players back . Line on pitch missing

. Part of fence missing . Leg of player missing (middle) . Crest on players shorts missing in goal

Publicans protest outside the office of Cathal Crowe Photograph: John Power