The Clare Echo 17/10/19

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Public have lost faith in Shannon Airport board PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

P

UBLIC faith in the board of Shannon Group has been lost and Shannon Airport is at risk of falling behind Knock Airport, elected representatives declared this week.

On foot of Ryanair pulling three services from their 2020 schedule at Shannon Airport while adding four extra routes to Dublin Airport and one from Cork Airport, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) decided to table a motion to Clare County Council seeking action from the board of Shannon Group.

Sixmilebridge representative Cllr John Crowe (FG) accused the board of “having their heads in the

clouds”. “We’re on about this for the last number of years, all the good ideas have been coming out but nobody has been listening”. He stated that Shannon “has been completely ignored”.

“What we’re going to hear next is Knock overtaking Shannon and we will be completely gone at that stage. The signs are all over Mayo and Galway for Knock Airport, Knock is going to take over the numbers in Shannon next year, they can forget about the MAX grounding, this was only an excuse, the numbers were falling. Unless there is drastic action, Knock will be the leading airport within 12 months,” he added.

Full story Page 9

9 PAGE FEATURE INSIDE

17 Oct 2019

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Index

ENNIS NATIONAL FLYING THE FLAG

2-17

NEWS

AOIBHIN GARRIHY

18-19

ENTERTAINMENT

20-21

REFURB YOUR HOME 24-29 PROPERTY

32-33

MOTORING

34-38

SFC FINAL PREVIEW 39-47 SPORT

48-49

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@clareecho.ie

l MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: There were celebrations at Ennis National School on Friday as they received their Health Promoting Schools Flag.

In what was a very proud moment for the school, its oldest and youngest pupils Leah and Yassime had the honour of raising the flag in front of the entire school population. Music was provided on the day by the school’s band.

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

First dog poo audit for Clare PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

POO audit is being conducted in Clarecastle.

In what is believed to be the first occurrence of its kind in the county, one member from a group of retired men that regularly clean the Quay Rd area in Clarecastle is compiling a poo audit detailing all the occasions this year whereby he discovered dog poo.

Clarecastle councillor, Paul Murphy (FG) dropped the bombshell as opposed to the dog faeces at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. He had requested traffic and speed calming, scoop the poop signage along with gloves and bags to be installed in the Quay area. He also appealed for a solution regarding the ponding at the back entrance to Roche.

Referring to it as the “dog poo situation”, Cllr Murphy praised the retired group of individuals who clean the vicinity “every evening”. “One member of the crew is conducting an audit of the amount of poo he

has collected this year, he hasn’t the figures done yet but I will report back in time”.

Leaving dog poo behind was “horrible” according to Cllr Mary Howard (FG). “It is only the minority of people that leave dog poo behind. There is nothing worse to find it when you come home to find poo on a wheelchair, wheels of a pram or on your shoes”.

Council official, Marie O’Neill in response to Murphy’s motion stated, “Even with signage in place, the problem can still exist and hence is not a total solution to the problem. The majority of people walking dogs in public spaces are conscientious about picking up dog litter, and can help get the me ss age out to others when leading by example”.

Budget ‘necessarily prudent’ says Breen MINISTER of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen (insert) said supporting small businesses, the regions and the rural economy is among his main priorities in the case of a No Deal Brexit.

Minister Breen said, “In preparing for Budget 2020, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has put in place an emergency support package of €110 million in the case of a No Deal Brexit which will be available on day one of a crash-out.

“This fund will activate four specific schemes including a €42 million Rescue and Restructuring Fund; a €45 million Transition Fund; an €8 million Transformation Fund and €5 million Support for Micro Enterprises.”

“Building enterprise capability in the regions, especially among our smallest firms, is a key driver of productivity growth and resilience. I fully support these measures, which will ensure that microenterprises and SMEs in every part of the country are given every possible support in the face of a No D e a l Brexit.

T h e Governm e n t already offers a range of supports to h e l p businesses prepare and I would urge any business in Clare who has not al-

ready engaged with these supports to visit their Local Enterprise Office as a first port of call,” said the minister with responsibility for trade and business.

“While my department has a €110 million emergency support package in place in the case of a No Deal Brexit, I would like to remind local businesses in Clare that existing Brexit supports, which were introduced by the Department in Budgets 2017, 2018 and 2019, are already in place and being utilised by businesses.”

“I am also concerned for our farmers and the tourism sector in the case of a No Deal Brexit, which together make up a large part of Clare’s rural economy.

In the case of a No Deal Brexit €110m will be provided through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with €85 million allocated to beef farmers; €14 million for fisheries; €6 million for other livestock farmers and mushrooms sector; and €5 million for the food and drinks processing industry,” said Minster Breen.

“In addition, €40 million of funding for the tourism sector will be provided from the contingency fund.

“This funding will focus on the regions that will suffer most from a No Deal Brexit, as well as encouraging direct access into our regional airports and ports including Shannon Airport, “ he added.

“This was a necessarily prudent budget, as we prepare for uncertain times ahead post Brexit.”

The existing Brexit Supports include: the €300m Brexit Loan Scheme and the €300m Future Growth Loan Scheme among others.

6 NEWS

€38m development at Trump Doonbeg

PÁRAIC McMAHON

O

paraic@clareecho.ie

NE year after submitting their planning application, approval has been granted to the Trump Organisation firm, TIGL Ireland Enterprises for a €38m development at Donald Trump’s Doonbeg resort.

Permission has been given for a 1,774sq m (5,820sq ft) ballroom/function room catering for up to 300 people and 1,816sq m (5,958sq ft) leisure facilities along with the 53 holiday homes on a 25-acre site at a cost of €38m.

Currently, a temporary marquee structure next to the golf course is used to host weddings and conferences. This will be removed as part of the works.

Further information was sought by Clare County Council in January on the application. Documents filed by TIGL Ireland Enterprises stated overnights at the resort will increase by 10 to 15 per cent along with higher indi-

vidual room occupancy if permission was granted.

Clare County Council have now given the green light to the project as first reported by The Irish Times.

The decision is open to appeal and is subject to nineteen conditions being

adhered to.

Doonbeg businesswoman, Rita McInerney told The Clare Echo she was “delighted” with the decision to grant planning permission.

“The next step is coastal protection,” she said.

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THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

€2m invested in Clare group water schemes 2,157 CLARE households are expected to benefit from a €2 million investment in 26 group water schemes around the county, according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey.

The money will come from the Government’s new multi-annual capital investment programme for water services in rural areas which will run from 2019 to 2021. €1,606,000, will enable 21 existing group water schemes transition to the public water sector and be taken in charge

by Irish Water. These include 10 group water schemes connected to various public water schemes and serving 575 households at a cost of €170,000.

Individual group water schemes approved for funding are: Seafield/Quilty (354 households) €100,000; Ballynote (150) €50,000; Caherkine (116) €25,000; Leitrim Shyan/ Clonreddan (107) €50,000; Ballycar (94) €350,000; Feenagh (48) €450,000; Mountrivers (30) €25,000; Ballybeg (25) €12,000. Ballinruane (19) €120,000; Dough/Spanish Point (15) €110,000. €144,000 was allocated Tullaher (16 households) with a recommendation that Clare County Council re-examine the proposal for cost savings. €283,649 will go towards the enhancement of four group water schemes - Killone (377 households) €35,700; Kilnaboy (128) €39,950; Ranaghan (39) €187,000 and Raheen (20) €20,999.

The remaining €270,000 will finance public health compliance measures at Leitra (5 households) €20,000 and Ranaghan (39 households) €250,000 with a proviso that the funding be used to rationalise or amalgamate with a nearby group water scheme.

“As Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Affairs, I am delighted that this funding will help ensure people in rural Ireland can expect the same delivery of water services as those in urban areas”.

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8 NEWS

Dream professional debut for Donovan PÁRAIC McMAHON

I

paraic@clareecho.ie

t took less than eighty seconds for Paddy Donovan to record a firstround knockout in his opening bout as a professional boxer.

Twenty year old Paddy who is from Clancy Park in Ennis and was educated at Ennis CBS took no time, just over a minute in fact to get the job done.

A thirteen time Irish underage champion, he dispatched of Arturo Lopez with little fuss, his Mexican opponent had to leave the ring on a stretcher following Donovan's knockout blow.

"I trained hard for this fight and we had to do a job. The knockout came and I was glad. There was a lot of pressure on me and a lot of talk about me, so I was really happy with the way that I got the win. I loved every second of it," Paddy said following the fight.

Belfast's Ulster Hall hosted the bout on Friday night which was part of the MTK Fight Night undercard that saw Paddy Barnes suffer his third defeat since leaving the amateur ranks, going down to European champion Jay Harris on this oc- lBIG HIT: Paddy Donovan being announced the winner after his first round KO Photo MTK Global casion.

Donovan is bethrough these guys, he is only ing promoted by Bob Arum's Top twenty years old, we'll see. His Rank and his coach Andy Lee is talent will dictate how fast we a WBO middleweight champion. will be moving.

A former boxer with Our Lady "I don't want to rush things, of Lourdes in Limerick, Paddy why? Because he is twenty years had been tipped to represent Ire- old and he is only getting better land in the 2020 Olympics at To- and improving, he enjoys what kyo but was confident he made "a he does so there is no rush. big statement" in his professional "We're keeping our feet on the debut. ground, he is concerned that his Of what awaits the Clare box- opponent comes out ok and Pader, Andy Lee said, "It's going dy will fight again in November to be difficult to hold him back and look to build on this," he especially when he is running added.

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Cork Airport hits 2million

PASSENGER numbers at Cork Airport, which is Ireland's fastest-growing and most punctual airport, have increased by nine per cent to just over 2 million in the first nine months of this year.

Cork Airport welcomed its two millionth passenger of 2019 and had further good news with service expansions from both SWISS and TUI for next year.

Passenger numbers at Cork Airport, which is enjoying its fourth consecutive year of growth, are expected to hit 2.6 million by the end of the year, which would be an eight per cent increase for the full year. Traffic has already increased by 16 per cent over the past three years and this year's performance means that passenger numbers will have increased by 25 per cent in four years (2.1m in 2015 v 2.6m expected in 2019).

"Passenger numbers at Cork Airport are thriving and it is the fastest growing airport on the island of Ireland in the first three quarters of this year," said Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy. "We have already announced six new routes and service expansions for 2020 and we are expecting more good news in the next few weeks for 2020, which will further increase consumer choice into and out of Cork.

"Airlines are increasingly choosing to place new business at Cork Airport as they see a commercial return from an efficient and strong airport. We intend, with our experienced and professional local management team working with the strong backing of DAA group, to retain the mantle of Ireland's fastest growing airport into 2020."

SWISS has announced the expansion of its Summer 2020 season to Zurich. The airline will operate four flights per week — on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday — commencing March 29 and running until October 20.

This is a 15% increase on capacity versus Summer 2019 with an additional 4,400 seats on offer and an expansion to 30 weeks from 27 weeks.

Meanwhile TUI will increase its capacity by 11% at Cork Airport next summer and will operate three times weekly, using its own chartered aircraft under its own brand. In 2020, TUI will operate a new service to Lanzarote, and continue existing routes to Reus and Palma. This brings TUI to 31,500 twoway seats next year, up from 28,500 in 2019.

"We are thrilled to see SWISS and TUI expand their services and increase capacity from Cork Airport again next summer," Mr MacCarthy said. "This is a testament to growing operator confidence in the markets served from Cork Airport. We are confident that these extended seasons will further add to Cork Airport's impressive growth to date, attracting even more holiday and business visitors to the South of Ireland region for 2020.''

Last week, Ryanair announced a new Summer 2020 service from Cork to Katowice, Poland, an extension of its Winter 2019/20 schedule route. The airline's Winter schedule also includes an additional four new services to Alicante, Budapest, Malta and Poznań. Ryanair's passenger numbers at Cork are forecast to rise by 23% in 2019, the largest increase among all Irish airports.

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THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

NEWS 9

'Shannon Airport at risk of falling behind Knock'

LIT wants University recognition

the Airport. Nothing is being done about a Europe connection if Brexit goes ahead, there is talk about it but nothing is being done. The only person I seem to have faith in is the Acting CEO because she can be seen doing work for Shannon. They have got rid of two CEOs which doesn’t show very well for the Board or the Chairperson”. He acknowledged the positive work done with Shannon Commercial Properties.

Minister Ross’ failure to visit the Mid-West “shows scant regard for Shannon Airport,” the Cratloe man stated. He was adamant action must be taken immediately instead of waiting for Project Ireland 2040. “If we wait for the 2040 plan, Shannon will be gone with the tide.

We need to put in as much pressure as we can.

10% of Dublin traffic would create five million passengers for Shannon and make it extremely viable”.

A bus operator in Limerick has recently added three extra buses taking passengers from Limerick to Dublin Airport, Cllr Ryan revealed, “It is a crazy situation because they have an airport on their door step”. He added, “Fáilte Ireland have to be held to account too because it is virtually impossible to find Shannon Airport on their website.” He said that Dublin has a marketing budget of between €11-15m while Shannon “has nothing”.

LIT has confirmed that it is forming a consortium with AIT to develop a new Technological University (TU) for the Mid-West and Midlands.

The governing bodies of both institutions met last week and formally confirmed the formation of a new TU consortium. This is the key step opening the pathway to commence work on the new university. It follows the announcement by Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD, that the government is to make funding of €90m available for the development of technological universities over the next three years.

Both institutions made a joint application for funding earlier this year to commence work on the TU consortium. An announcement on this application is expected to be made by government in the near future.

President of LIT, Professor Vincent Cunnane welcomed the move as "generationally significant for the Mid-West".

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Cunnane said, "Our intention is to build a new type of networked university with the River Shannon forming its spine. We will enhance our regional focus and our collaboration with partners here in the Mid-West."

PÁRAIC McMAHON

P

paraic@clareecho.ie

UBLIC faith in the board of Shannon Group has been lost and Shannon Airport is at risk of falling behind Knock Airport, elected representatives declared this week.

On foot of Ryanair pulling three services from their 2020 schedule at Shannon Airport while adding four extra routes to Dublin Airport and one from Cork, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) tabled a motion to Clare County Council seeking action from the board of Shannon Group.

He called on Rose Hynes and the Shannon Group board “to set out a clear pathway to restore Shannon Airport to a consistent pattern of passenger growth for a five year period” which would be forwarded to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross “for immediate implementation and that Oireachtas Members and councils in the catchment area be appraised of the plans content.”

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the local authority, Cllr Ryan announced, “The public have lost faith in the Chair and the board of Shannon Group as far as the airport is concerned. There is very poor movement with

Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said, “The ongoing situation is of huge frustration. The Government have no aviation policy. Shannon’s marketing policy is weak, we have 24 hour landing and take off, we have no restrictions, Dublin does. The vast amount of people going into Dublin have to pay tolls, we have no tolls, there are alternative routes to Shannon Airport”. He suggested getting an aviation expert into the Chamber to “address us on ways to improve the airport”.

Sixmilebridge representative Cllr John Crowe (FG) accused the board of “having their heads in the clouds”. “We’re on about this for the last number of years, all the good ideas have been coming out but nobody has been listening”. He stated that Shannon “has been completely ignored”.

“What we’re going to hear next is Knock overtaking Shannon and we will be completely gone at that stage. The signs are all over Mayo and Galway for Knock Airport, Knock is going to take over the numbers in Shannon next year."

An individual outside of the board must “take the bull by the horns and find the solutions for Shannon,” Cllr Michael Begley (IND) commented. “Drastic situations require drastic remedies. I’m not sure if the solutions can be found within the existing boards."

10 NEWS

Raw sewage flowing through streets of Clare PĂ RAIC McMAHON

B

paraic@clareecho.ie

USINESSES in Clare are "losing money" due to "poor water quality".

Videos of raw sewerage flowing through the street of Ennistymon prompted Cllr Roisin Garvey (pictured right) to highlight the matter at a monthly meeting of Clare County Council.

"In light of getting constant complaints from residents in Clare in relation to poor water quality, in light of the most recent beach closures due to diffuse pollution from heavy rain and in light of open raw sewage issues, I would like to be informed as to what specific actions we as a Council can carry out to improve our water supply to homes and businesses".

She questioned if it would be more beneficial to have more staff

enforcing the water pollution act, hold a meeting with Irish Water on their upgrading plans or seek funding from Minister Richard Bruton "so we are not left with third world country standards. I am happy to do all that is within my power to help make Clare water great again."

At the adjourned September meeting, a response from Irish Water was provided on the matter. "Irish Water is responsible for the public water and wastewater network. Funding to develop and maintain these systems is allocated with the approval of Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It's important to note that Irish Water has no statutory role where there is currently no public network".

Irish Water is planning to carry out wastewater projects in Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle, Inagh and Liscannor. Such works are presently being conducted in Kilrush, Shannon, Clarecastle and Quin.

An upgrade of both the Clon-

roadmore Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Shannon Sewerage Scheme have been completed so far this year.

"When you're getting daily phone calls and videos, when businesses are losing money, I'm looking for a better response than it is Irish Water's responsibility," Cllr Garvey responded.

The Green Party representative referred to online videos of raw sewerage floating through the street of Ennistymon in critiquing the water service in North Clare.

Director of Service, C a r m e l Kirby clarified, "Clare County Council has a service agreement

with Irish Water, they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of services". She urged the councillor to contact Irish Water before the Council if there is an issue. "I know their number off by heart," Cllr Garvey responded.

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

St Michaels Villas needs investment ST MICHAELS Villas "is neglected and forgotten about," one of Ennis' six elected representatives has stated.

Speaking at the September meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy tabled a motion seeking the green area, road and paths be addressed describing them as "neglected" and "long in need of attention".

Eamon O'Dea, senior executive engineer within the Ennis MD confirmed they still have outline drawings from a previous examination of the open space which can be reviewed and brought before councillors. "A means of funding this work and similar projects to this work needs to be identified for works to proceed following public consultation process".

During her canvass for the local elections, Cllr Colleran Molloy saw the "poor condition" of the estate which first opened in 1953. "It seems to me to be neglected and forgotten about, that is not fair. We need to put St Michaels Villas up on the pecking order, it has long been on the bottom. When can we start looking at St Michaels Villas as an area of our town that deserves attention," the Fianna FĂĄil representative commented.

"I brought this up many times during the years even back in the old Town Council days," Cllr Mary Howard remarked. She felt there are "serious issues with parking and the green is too big".

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Popular Hook & Ladder open new café in Shannon

H

OOK & Ladder is the latest addition to Skycourt Shopping Centre in Shannon, further enhancing the attractiveness of the centre as a shopping destination.

Shannon marks the seventh addition in the Hook & Ladder enterprise, a family-run business which first opened in Waterford in 2013 before expanding to Limerick where the flagship store on Sarsfield Street, along with premises in Corbally and Castletroy followed in 2015.

The Shannon-based café opened in early July and, alongside its fresh bakery produce, has a substantial food offering; a wide range of gourmet sandwiches, burgers, main courses such as Beer Battered Atlantic Cod & Chips, soups, salads and sides. Professional branding, high-quality local produce and an unrivalled setting are among the hallmarks of a visit to Hook & Ladder.

Andrew Moloney, one of the directors of the company and acting manager for the Shannon branch of Hook & Ladder, believes that the arrival of the six-screen cinema later this year, along with Hook & Ladder and other upcoming announcements at the centre will add to Skycourt’s appeal to local shoppers.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and we like to think we keep our end of the bargain on that,” Andrew remarks. “We have a strong following and there was very positive feedback online prior to opening our store in Shannon. People were delighted to hear that a brand like ourselves were opening in Shannon where there wasn’t a massive offering in terms of food.

“You have everything in Skycourt; a healthfood lTREAT YO’SELF: Hook & Ladder ready to welcome customers in Shannon

shop, pharmacy, Dunnes, Dealz, Iceland; everything was there except an offering like ours. With the addition of Hook & Ladder, Skycourt visitors are now more inclined to come in and spend a fiver on a coffee and a scone with us, then maybe go into the pharmacy and then do your shopping in Dunnes; all of a sudden you a have a visitor experience and the centre as a whole has benefitted that.”

Local producers - such as St Tola’s Goats Cheese in Inagh and CS Fish in Doonbeg - are part and parcel of the Hook & Ladder ethos. “People care more now about what they get, what food they’re paying for and the quality of food. Any of our butchers are no further than a couple of km away from our shops. All of our baking is done ourselves.

We are paying a bit more for our products and the customer may pay a slight bit higher than they’re used to but we like to think that the food quality and local produce, experience and ambience will allow that higher price.

“We’re a café serving breakfast and lunch with a very good bakery offering, all freshly made seven days a week and delivered on-site from our development kitchen in Limerick. Nothing is frozen, it’s all fresh, top-quality produce from local suppliers.”

Hook & Ladder now employs in the region of 110 staff, of which 10 are based in Shannon thereby bringing local employment to the area. The company has also established a substantial catering service “All of our food is coming 7-days fresh, so we have massive capabilities to cater for up to 200 people and we could probably do it in 24 hours and have it on the table for you. Looking after our walkin customer is our priority but we are also looking to expand the catering side.”

Shannon Group welcomes Route Development Fund SHANNON Group has welcomed the announcement in Budget 2020 of increased connectivity funds for Tourism Ireland to assist airlines with route development at regional airports.

Mary Considine, Acting CEO, Shannon Group said: “We welcome the Government’s recognition of the importance of air connectivity into regions and the critical role this plays in driving economic growth. The increase in route development funds for Tourism Ireland is welcome and something Shannon Group has strongly advocated for some time.

“We are grateful to our regional stakeholders for their support in lobbying on this issue. The recent Copenhagen Economics report commissioned by Limerick Chamber and supported by Shannon, Ennis and Galway Chambers also

provided strong endorsement for a route development fund along with other measures to develop connectivity for the region, particularly European hub connectivity.

“We continually work with our airlines partners to explore all opportunities to expand the range of air services at Shannon and these additional funds will make airports in the regions, including Shannon, a more attractive proposition for airlines.

“We are operating in a very competitive international aviation environment, it’s important that all stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that we can deliver increased connectivity. As the fund has just been announced, it remains to be seen how it will work and we will now be engaging with Tourism Ireland to understand how the funds can be accessed.”

High flying French come to Shannon SHANNON Group welcomed 13 French aerospace and aviation companies as they met with Shannon International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) cluster at a networking event at Shannon Airport.

IASC was accepted as a member of EACP last year, becoming the first Irish member to achieve this status. The membership acknowledges Shannon IASC as not only the largest aerospace cluster in Ireland but a cluster of pan-European significance.

The recognition elevated the international status of the Shannon cluster and created the opportunity for Shannon's aviation cluster firms to co-operate on a European level to identify new projects and development opportunities.

Speaking at the event, John Drysdale, Business Development Manager of Shannon Group's International Aviation Services Centre said: "It is a wonderful opportunity for our IASC cluster members to present to, and network with, top French aviation companies and explore business opportunities.

“The basis of the event was to create partnership and collaboration opportunities across the EACP network and to showcase Shannon's growing aerospace cluster which now has over 80 companies employing over 3,000."

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

'When the final whistle blew I just lost the head' STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

NEW book by John Scally on GAA Rivalries recalls the famous Clare-Tipperary rivalry of the 1990s.

For the book Scally draws on over a hundred interviews with a who’s who of Gaelic Games to explore 50 of the biggest rivalries in the history of the GAA. One of his most interesting contributions is from the former Clare manager Ger Loughnane – who has some personal observations to make about his memories of Tipp’s clashes with Clare. Scally writes: Given the enormity of the '95 All-Ireland victory to Clare fans it would be reasonable to assume that it was Ger Loughnane's proudest moment. Reasonable but inaccurate.

"I'll never forget our most thrilling victory. It was against Tipperary in Pairc Uí Chaoimh in 1997.

We had set our sights on winning the All-Ireland in '97. We had great days in '95, beating Cork

in the Championship in '97 was wonderful but from a purely hurling point of view because of their great tradition and well-deserved reputation to beat Tipperary was the day of days.

"It was a beautiful sunny day.

We had gone into the '95 All-Ireland in a relaxed frame of mind but there was no relaxation that day. We went to Cork that day with a sense of going on a mission that was only recaptured when we played Waterford in the Munster Final replay the following year. Everybody was totally up for it. When we met the bus outside the Shamrock Hotel Frank Lohan was dancing from foot to foot. When Fitzy arrived he was pale. There was none of the usual chatter. This was the day. There was an awful lot at stake. " A s usual the t e a m went to bed after breakfast and the mentors and I w e n t for a

walk in the grounds of UCC. It was the first time I had been there and it's a really beautiful place but all the time the thought was flashing in our minds: this is the day.

We went for a puckout in the Mardyke. Afterwards I called on the players and told them that they had done so much for Clare already but today we wanted a really special effort. I said in a soft voice, 'Everything we've achieved is at stake today. Our entire reputation rests on the match.' We went onto the coach and really the bus didn't need an engine to power it. Everybody was totally geared up.

"My last words to them were, 'Everything depends on today.

Make every second of every minute count.’’’

As he talks Loughnane relives every moment of the match.

"I can't remember everything before the two All-Irelands but I can remember every second of that day. As soon as we went we could feel the tension that was in the air. It wasn't a tension that drained you it was a tension that enlivened you. For the first time when the names of each of the Clare players were read out there

was a massive cheer. The crowd was really up for it. There was an incredible sense of oneness between the team and the fans.

"When the game started we were playing at 90 miles an hour.

We made a brilliant start and led by 0-13 to 0-8 at the interval.

Barely seven minutes after the re-start Tipperary were level and playing with the wind. The Tipp supporters started singing Sliabh Na mBan. I immediately leapt to my feet and shouted to each of the players, "Is that the sound you want ringing in your ears all the way home?’’ Clare lifted their game and regained the lead almost immediately when Seánie (McMahon) scored a point from a free. Suddenly the tide had turned in our favour again. We brought on David Forde and he scored a wonder goal.

"Clare were seemingly going to be beaten, after enjoying a huge lead. Then we came back, to lead again, with a magic goal.

We were winning by three points.

Then John Leahy broke through and Tipp almost scored a goal in the last minute to tie the match.

"When the final whistle blew I just lost the head. I leapt out of the dugout and got a belt of a

lEPIC: John Scally's book recounts that glorious 1997 win and (left) Ger Loughnane

Photo by Martin Connolly

flag and my face was bleeding.

Some lady jumped on me. I was ecstatic."

Great GAA Rivalries by John Scally is published by Black and White Publishing and is available in all good bookshops now.

Clare wants to host a stage of Tour de France PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE has put its hand up to host a stage of the Tour de France. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) put the wheels in motion when he proposed that they liaise with other local authorities in the West of Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the French Embassy in Dublin and Honorary French Consult for the Mid-West of Ireland, Loic Guyon to see a stage of the world renown cycling tournament take place along the Wild Atlantic Way. Director of Rural Development, Leonard Cleary confirmed they will discuss the proposal with Fáilte Ireland as "a starting point".

Describing it as "one of the greatest sporting events in the world", Cllr Crowe felt Clare should take advantage of the growing trend in moving stages outside of France. The tournament was first held in 1903. In 1998 the opening stage of the race, known as 'La Grand Départ', was held in Dublin and a further stage took place along a 205km route from Enniscorthy to Cork.

He commented, "The Wild Atlantic Way traverses some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland and encompasses nine counties. In its five years of existence, the Wild Atlantic Way

has been heavily marketed by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and is now regarded as one the great scenic road routes of the world. Many of the current crop of elite cyclists competing in the Tour de France are familiar with the cycling opportunities that Clare and the West of Ireland offers.

For six consecutive years the Junior Tour of Ireland has been held in Clare. International cyclists have arrived in their droves to compete in what is a prestigious event in the world junior cycling circuit.

"I am certain that Clare and the neighbouring counties of Limerick, Galway and Kerry have the capacity to show leadership in potentially bringing the Tour de France back to Ireland," the General Election candidate added.

Regular cyclist, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded the motion. "We have proven in Clare we can support the running of major events. This is a great opportunity for Government agencies to support the west of Ireland. We can show the world what we have. Tour de France is for cycling what Wimbledon is for tennis, it is a world event. You have to let a positive seed filter through the different agencies," Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) remarked. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross would have "a big say" in such a move and Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) requested Cllr Crowe write to him regarding the proposal.

Cllr Roisin Garvey (GP) felt greater benefit would result from a permanent greenway in the county, "There will be

l GEARED UP: Councillor Cathal Crowe

one million bednights in Waterford next year from their greenway, I will continue to talk about this at Municipal District and Council level until we get one, it is something we need to focus on."

Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling was adamant they would take the lead if the idea was progressed. "There is no doubt the Wild Atlantic Way would be a spectacular setting, we would be supportive of the motion. We will debate it with our colleagues to see if we can advance it."

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16 NEWS

Journalists bring French flair to WAW PÁRAIC McMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

OUR travel journalists from various high profile French media outlets – including a national newspaper, lifestyle magazine and travel websites – have been visiting Co Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Ireland's Blue Book.

The journalists – who have a combined audience of more than 4.4 million readers, or potential holidaymakers for Ireland – travelled by ferry from Inis Mór to Doolin. They stayed at Gregans Castle Hotel. The next day, they enjoyed a 'Wild Food Walk' in Lahinch with Oonagh O'Dwyer of Wild Food Kitchen.

Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland's Manager Southern Europe, said: "We were delighted to invite these influential French travel writers to visit Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way. They've been really impressed by the choice of accommodation on offer with Ireland's Blue Book, our attractions and wonderful scenery, as well as the friendliness of

lOOH LA LA: French travel and lifestyle journalists during their visit to the Wild Atlantic Way, with Orlaith Moore, Tourism Ireland (right)

the people they've met."

"In 2018, we welcomed 547,000 French visitors to the island of Ireland. We are undertaking an extensive and targeted programme of promotional activity in France

again throughout 2019 – to continue to grow French visitor numbers and, in particular, to encourage more French holidaymakers to explore our regions and less-visited attractions, during the shoulder and off-season months."

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Clon Rd design in focus...

DRIVER behaviour needs to change to become accustomed to the controversial road layout linking St Flannans College to the Kilrush Rd, a leading official in Clare County Council has said.

Residents from College Grove and College Green were in the public gallery for the October meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where a preliminary review on the ‘low cost safety scheme’ was discussed.

Addressing the meeting, Director of Service, Carmel Kirby pointed out that the Council aims to introduce infrastructure to “promote walking and cycling, we want to encourage cycling and walking for all”. She highlighted that the scheme was introduced on the request of elected representatives in October 2016 “who were rightly concerned”. Negotiations between the local authority, bus companies and St Flannans College are ongoing.

Cyclists have contacted the Council to say they feel protected by the new measures and segregation from drivers.

Bodies such as the Health Promotion Department of HSE, Clare Sports Partnership, Éire Óg GAA and Ennis National School have welcomed the new design.

Darts whizzes strut their stuff in hopes of becoming 2020 champs IN THE lead-up to the Inter Counties Darts Championship held by the Irish National Darts Organisation (INDO) in Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis in February 2020, Clare County Darts have been hosting trials for men and women for the last number of months.

There are currently 77 men and 20 ladies registered from all over the county.

A target has been set to create the best possible teams to participate in the All Ireland's, but there are plenty of events they lSTEP UP: Clare County Darts have been holding trials will participate in before to find the best sharp shooters hand. This Saturday, place on January 3 and 4 in Treacy's West Clare County Darts are sending two men's and one wom- County Hotel. The West Coast Challenge en's team to the Limerick Invitational in takes place from January 24-26 also in Treacy's West County Hotel.

O'Grady's Rathkeale House Hotel.

To run these events Clare County Darts The men's teams will be led by Ennis man Aidan O'Connor, who was manager has been looking for sponsorship from of the Clare A team for the last two years. pubs, clubs and businesses from around The women will be led by James Dormer, the county to help fund the costs of running these events. who also hails from Ennis.

For more information search for Clare After the Limerick Invitational, Clare County Darts will be hosting the next two County Darts on Facebook for regular upmajor darts tournaments in the region. dates on everything darts related in the The Munster Darts Championship takes Banner County.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 17

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

Values for a good life the passing of time except to learn from the past and then be grateful and live in the present and hope and pray for the future.

Experiences without reflection, prayer and meditation are just events. Experiences with reflection, prayer and meditation become wisdom and life giving. Know the difference between the tears that purify and the tears that do not. Never hold back the former.

Touch, taste, smell, feel, see, pray, meditate and listen deeply to all that is, remember, if it exists it has meaning even if it does not reveal it to you. Living plants and flowers are better than cut plants and flowers but always try and have a little bit of the God given beauty and life enhancing forces of nature near you. Live so as to cause as little harm to other human beings as is possible especially to our children. Protect our children and their chance of a good childhood always.

Advocate and stand up for the weak, marginalized, homeless, orphaned, abandoned, the downtrodden, the diaspora, the refugee and those on the edges of our societies.

Our own Hopes, Dreams and Prayers We at times abandon hope, dreams and prayers, actually our own hopes, dreams and prayers. We should try as much as possible to consult not our fears but strive valiantly to look after our hopes, our dreams and our prayers. Think not about our frustrations,

but about our unfulfilled potential. Concern ourselves not with what you and I tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for us to do. Hope is the basis of existence and we should never give up hope or give up on our dreams or prayers for a better more loving and fulfilled future. Hope, dreams and prayer should be our true companions at all times. I am sure if we allow it, our hope, dreams and prayer will light many candles figuratively speaking in our life and in the lives of many people we come in contact with.

For when you light up the candle of hope in the life of others, in the days of adversity you will receive strength and capacity to overcome all of your fears. I pray that your candle of hope may start to shine brightly again!! A prayer of Hope I like to say to keep me going each day goes as follows - Dear Lord, I try so hard to be your humble servant, I come before you today at the start of another new week in need of hope. There are times when I feel helpless and lost. There are times when I feel weak and addicted. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need hope for a better life.

I need hope for love, care, shelter and kindness. Some say that the sky is at it's darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems very dark in my life at times. I need your light, Lord, in every way.

Thought for the week As your thought for the week be the first to help those most in need. When a new day begins, be the first to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice and inequality, be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, be the first to do it anyway When love hurts you, be the first to love again. When someone is hurting, be the first to help them heal. When another is lost, abandoned, orphaned, homeless or refugee, be the first to help them find the way.

When our soldiers, our farmers, our nurses, our emergency workers, our doctors, our teachers, our gardai, our elderly, our homeless, our lost, our people in direct provision, our refugees, our diaspora, our abandoned and those excluded to the edges of our society and all their families need our help and support, be the first to help and support them. When a friend falls, be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with strangers, be the first to welcome them and to make them smile. When you feel great, be the first to help someone else feel great too. When the day has ended, be the first to feel as you've done your best. Be the best you can be and show gratitude at all times.

Finally; before all else and above all else; act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God. Amen.

‘‘

‘‘

T

he following thought for the week is a reflection from my recent pilgrimages to The Via Francigena Camino in Italy and to the amazing peaceful prayerful Medjugore that made me look on and think about what are my values, hopes, prayers and dreams for the future. So the following are some meanderings of what I think are important values to lead a good, caring, prayerful, compassionate and loving life in service of my fellow human beings on our journey or pilgrimage of Life.

When out and about each day look at the beauty of the sky no matter what the weather, time or the season; to do so draws you up and out of your thoughts whether they be good or not so good. Look at the Seas, Lakes, Rivers or Streams; in their flowing tides and ripples, and see its calms and its storms an analogy of what our lives can sometimes be for it will give you a sense of perspective.

Look up from the ground as you walk and meet the world with compassion, love, care, empathy, acceptance, prayer, forgiveness, hope and mercy.

Live seasonally, healthily and sensibly if you can and enter fully to the joy and the beauty of each of our seasons, winter, summer, autumn and spring as they arise and then do not cling to them as they bid you farewell. There is nothing you can do about

Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God

18 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019 CLOSE UP: I sat down with Irish Country Magazine for an in depth interview

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE

CLARE

B eautiful Burren wedding THE NOTEBOOK

P

OST wedding blues are a thing and not just for the bride and groom!! The whole family suffer! What an amazing few days we had for Ailbhe and Ruaidhri’s wedding (pictured right) and not even storm Lorenzo could dampen our spirits. The newlyweds braved the elements and got some stunning shots in the heart of the Burren too.

The most special time with family and friends.

It’s been a busy few months at BEO HQ as we prepare to launch a brand new Sleep Well range.

The aim is to offer a range of Sleep Enhancing products, inspired by our landscape and we have been ac-

tively sourcing a whole host of natural, local and organic ingredients here in County Clare ensuring sustainability.

I’m so excited for the end result in a few weeks time.

I was so delighted to feature on the new November cover of Irish Country Magazine this week. The shoot took place in the stunning surrounds of Dromoland Castle and the whole thing had such a regal feel.

I love working with a creative team who have such a clear vision of what they hope to achieve and then it exceeds all expectations.

This was one of those shoots and all the team in Dromoland were fantastic.

Looking forward to catching Danceperados of Ireland on Friday night at glór, an authentic (And 100% LIVE) performance of Irish Dance, Music and Song and with Michael Donnellan at the helm it’s sure to be a great night of entertainment.

CLASSIC CHIC This beauty from Seventy Official available at Ela Maria in Ennis will have you looking and feeling like a royal with all the Kate Middleton vibes to boot! Full collection available in store and it’s all divine!

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Time for a peel

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COVET IN

CLARE

AS WE welcome the Autumn, it is important to know that this is the best time of the year to receive a peel!

Because our skin experiences less exposure to the sun therefore there is less margin for sensitivity to the suns harmful rays.

As we all know, the weather plays a big role in how we care for our skin.

As always we suggest using an SPF on your face no matter what time of year it is. During summer months, where there is more sun exposure, we suggest lessening the use of retinol products.

As the season shifts into fall and winter months, it just gets easier to receive peels and use Retinol because of the lack of sun.

Why you should experience a peel...

At Ennis Medical Aesthetics, we offer a variety of medical grade peels, each with a unique complex of ingredients, which are customised to target your specific skin concerns whether it be ageing, pigmentation, acne, oily, dry, or sensitive skin.

This unique experience includes an exfoliating peel treatment, brightening enhancement followed by prescriptive targets serums which reveal a more radiant, soft and luminous skin.

Benefits of Medical Grade Peels ~Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles ~Increases cell turnover rate within your skin ~Visibly firms and tightens the skin ~Brightens dark spots ~Leaves your skin soft and smooth ~Boosts collagen and elastin production ~Removes dull dry skin cells ~Floods the skin with antioxidants ~Reduces redness ~Reduces breakouts ~Increases skin hydration How often should I get a peel?

It is recommended to have a peel treatment every four to six weeks depending on personal skincare needs.

However, if you have acne or melasma, you may get it done on a more frequent basis.

COLUMNIST 19

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Top 5 Pregnancy P ick Me Ups in Clare

1

HANNAH O’CONNELL ACUPUNCTURE:

Whether you want to help morning sickness or disturbed sleep, alleviate aches or pains, help turn a breech baby or prepare for labour acupuncture is a wonderful go to during pregnancy.

Hannah O’Connell at the Orchard Wellness Centre in Ennis’ gentle approach will put your mind and body completely at ease.

2

BODYTREATS BEAUTY SALON:

There is only one place in Clare for brows and nails in my opinion and that’s Bodytreats, Ennistymon. When you’re beauty treatment options are limited during pregnancy there is nothing quite like having a fresh pair of brows or set of nails to give you a little perk up on the days weighing heavy!

3

THE BUMP ROOM, CLARECASTLE:

Guaranteeing every woman leaves the Bump Room feeling limber, relaxed, informed and destined for a good’s night sleep these pregnancy fitness classes are not only a great meeting place for mums-to-be but offer perinatal support during pregnancy including pelvic floor info, sleeping positions, meditation and loads more!

4

THE SPA AT DROMOLAND:

This unique pregnancy massage is profoundly nurturing and tranquil. Performed on a pearshaped beanbag that moulds to every bump and supports every body, mothers-to-be are restored to optimum wellness. An intuitive, sensitive and relaxing massage hydrates and moisturises skin that is expanding to accommodate a growing baby...If ever a massage was needed!!

5

THALASSOTHERAPY CENTRE KILKEE:

The benefits of seaweed are endless so why not bathe in heated seawater and freshly harvested seaweed to ease those tired muscles (also ideal for skin ailments). A 100% natural, detoxification suitable for all stages of life’s journey!

Entertainment

An evening of classic melody

G

LÓR along with The Violinists, Vladimir and Anton Jablokov (pictured right) present Those Were the Days, an evening of songs and melodies we all love and remember on Thursday 17th October at 8pm. The programme for the evening will include Que Sera Sera, Hungarian Dance No 5, Russia's Kalinka, Jewish dance Hava Nagila, Danny Boy, Those Were the Days and many more.

The brothers are fourth generation professional musicians whose unique style was inspired by travelling Europe with the family ensemble.

Aged 19, Vladimir was due to start his studies at The Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, in his father's violin classes, but a last-minute change of heart made him decide to take a break from classical music altogether, and travel to Ireland. Vlad was discovered performing the pop-

ular Viennese music of his homeland on Grafton Street, ultimately moving from street corners into the Irish concert circuit.

After winning several classical violin competitions, Anton continued studying music at some of the best European universities. Although learning classical violin, his curiosity inspired him to explore jazz and traditional gypsy music as well as inventing unconventional bow and pizzicato techniques. After earning his second Master’s degree, Anton and Vlad joined forces. Vladimir and Anton have performed nationally and internationally as The Violinists, including at Dublin's National Concert Hall, London's Palladium and BBC Proms.

The Violinists perform tonight (Thursday) at 8pm in glór. Tickets priced at €25/€22.50 are now on sale at glór Box Office on 065 6843103 or www.glor.ie.

Santa visits the Aillwee Caves for 20th anniversary

A YEAR bigger and better than any before to celebrate 20 years of Santa's Workshop residing at Aillwee. We have seen this event grow from year to year which leads to the many marvels we have at our Santa's Workshop today.

Join us, and the elves will guide you through the underground world until you find Santa's Workshop deep in Aillwee Cave. Santa Claus calls upon you for a personalised chat and a gift from the elves.

Take a wander to the Bird of Prey Centre to watch a dynamic flying display, browse some festive collections in our Christmas Shop, enjoy Burren Gold Cheese samples at the Farmshop, relax with a hot fruit punch and mince pie while the children get their faces painted and enjoy the carnival entertainment.

Follow us on Facebook @aillwee and Instagram on @aillwee_farmshop, @aillweecave_giftshops, @burrenbirdsofprey and @thetearoomaillwee to see how the event comes to life in the days leading up the event.

Call an Elf for bookings and more information on 1890 245593.

ENTERTAINMENT 21

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Irelands biggest beer and Ged's country music festival returns World l PARTY TIME: Jamboree in the Park promises to rock the Ennis Showgrounds

Cup Diary with GED McNAMARA Ged McNamara signs off from Japan and also on his involvement with the Georgian rugby team

J

AMBOREE in the Park Oktoberfest is back for 2019 with an incredible line-up at the Ennis Showgrounds on Saturday 2nd November. Irelands largest Beer and Country music festival combined returns to County Clare with its biggest ever stage and lighting rig, valued at over 1 million euro, and festival goers are in for a real treat!

Headlined this year by Country music superstar, Derek Ryan.

Fresh from the summer festival season and with a Scottish headline tour under his belt, event organisers AJS Promotions are very excited to be welcoming Derek back to the Jamboree in Ennis this October to perform on our massive stage.

The supporting bill on the night is incredible, including the multi award winning Jimmy Buckley and his daughter Claudia. Jimmy has spent many years at the very top of his profession and is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s top entertainers.

Alongside his daughter Claudia they are no strangers to TV and stage and have just completed their second hugely successful concert tour together and the future certainly looks bright for The Buckley’s.

Joining this already huge festival line-up will be Ennis’ own Clodagh Lawlor.

Clodagh is the 2019 winner of the Late Late Show’s Search for a Country Star competition and will be joined by two of the fastest rising stars in country music, Paul Kelly and Christopher King.

Paul from Pettigo, Donegal has been playing music in bands for over 10 years and is regularly filling dancehalls across the counCHRISTOPHER KING PAUL KELLY DEREK RYAN try.

Christopher King is an Ireland’s Got Talent Semi Finalist and Golden Buzzer act that has burst onto the scene over the past year.

JIMMY BUCKLEY

CLAUDIA BUCKLEY

CLODAGH LAWLOR

SHOWGROUNDS ENNIS INDOOR EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

www.ajspromotions.com | 048 8225 2800 JAMBOREEINTHEPARK

JAMBOREEINTHEPARK

JAMBOREEFEST

JAMBOREEFEST

Join the party on Saturday 2nd November for an unmissable night with great music, beer and craic. For more information and for early bird tickets visit www. ajspromotions.com or call 048 8225 2800. To keep up to date with all things Jamboree, check out our social media @jamboreeinthepark or follow us on snapchat @jamboreefest for more updates.

T

HIS was the last week of the World Cup for Georgia and it was very bittersweet for myself personally as it was going to be my last week working for Georgia.

It was tough after the loss to Fiji the previous week but this was going to be the first time ever Georgia were going to be playing Australia so there was a massive incentive for the boys. The game went brilliantly for us and we played incredible for 65 minutes but eventually our defence fell and Australia put in two easy tries and made the score line look a lot worse than it was. But no-one could fault the effort of the players.

After the game, it was very humbling for myself when it hit me that this was my last time with Georgia. Even though our World Cup didn’t go to plan, I had many great days and have had the opportunity to work with some many great people including Craig White and Calvin Morris, I was allowed to develop so much there that I will be forever grateful.

Craig celebrated his birthday in Japan, he’s been a massive influence in how my career has progressed, I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

Saying goodbye was very hard. I look forward to starting in my new role with Munster in the coming weeks, more on that next week!

Community 22 COMMUNITY

ENNIS SERVICE OF WELCOME The Churchwardens and Select Vestry is delighted to invite you to the Service of Welcome for the Revd Kevin O’Brien as incumbent of Drumcliffe Group of Parishes, in St Columba’s Church, Bindon St Ennis on 18th October at 8.00pm Prior to ordination Kevin worked for several years in television and advertising, in the UK and overseas, before becoming Senior Lecturer in International Marketing at Bournemouth University.

He was ordained in 2001 and served as an assistant curate and then as a school chaplain before becoming Chaplain to the Bishop in Europe in 2006. He is currently Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Burgess Hill in the Diocese of Chichester in the Church of England, a position he has held since 2010. He is married to Sue, and they have two adult sons, Patrick and Fergus.

The O'Brien family have 2 lurcher dogs, Jimmy and Seamus, and lready they picture them having fun in the large garden behind the rectory at St. Columba's.

Revd. Kevin says his key skills are in public and civic theology, cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue, preaching and teaching, pastoral care, social action engagement and social enterprise management.

He particularly enjoys teaching the faith to those who are new to it.

He is founder and chair of Burgess Hill Community Food Bank. He with others launched the first credit union drop-in for the Diocese, and at the church café they now run a food bank, an IT drop-in centre, a stroke club, a dementia café, a toddler and baby group and cookery classes for those in assisted living.

SAFE TALK Cllr Mary Howard is co-ordinating another safeTALK workshop on the evening of Tuesday November the 19th in Ennis. SafeTALK is a training programme that prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources.

Spaces are limited and advance booking is essential, this is a free four hour workshop. Contact Cllr Mary Howard if interested at 086 87 80298 FANCY DRESS TWILIGHT RUN It’s that time of year again. Ennis Track hold their Annual Fancy Dress Twilight Run in Lee’s Road, this Friday, 18th October. As always, this event promises to be a great family fun event with some scary surprises in the woods!! There will be music and refreshments at the clubhouse after, as well as prizes for original fancy dress costumes.

Registration can be done on the night from 6 45pm at a cost of €5 per person, €20 per family. The run will commence when darkness falls!!

CLARE ICA Clare ICA Federation had a bingo fundraiser in aid of the Clare Branch of the Samaritans in the hall in Newmarket on Fergus. Samaritans is dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can end up in suicide. The Clare Branch is open all-year round for people who may be going through a crisis or need emotional support in their lives. This service is available due to the generosity of people , with donations and the dedication of the Clare volunteers who work there. During 2018 there were 43,000 contacts made to the Clare Branch. The Clare Branch of the Samaritans can be contacted at "Sunville House" on the Kilrush Road in Ennis on freephone 116123, text 087 2609090 or email jo@samartians. There was a large attendance on the bingo night and the proceeds of the night were presented to the Samaritans in a €1,200.00 cheque. In the presentation photo are Mary O'Halloran Clare ICA President, Nora Shanahan ICA Treasurer presenting a €1,200 cheque to Tom Ryan Samaritans Director, Pierce Cahill and Noreen Torpey Samaritans Treasurers. Thanks to all who donated spot prizes for the raffle and who helped out on the night. All support was gratefully appreciated.

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

BURREN

l TASTY: Brid Fahy Cafe Linalla, George Quinn Hylands Burren Hotel, Katherine Webster Kittiwake Solutions, Jarlath O'Dwyer Network CEO, Karen Courtney Stonecutters Kitchen, Simon Hayden Gregans Castle Hotel, Victor McSweeney Hazelwood Lodge, Birgitta Curtin Burren Smokehouse, Orla Vaughan Vaughans Pub and Guesthouse Joan Hamilton Doolin2Aran Ferries getting ready for the Burren Food Fayre next weekend.

BURREN FOOD FAYRE Burren Food Fayre takes place on October 26 and 27 at the Burren Storehouse & The Pavilion, Lisdoonvarna. Award-winning celebrity chef and author Brian McDermott will headline this year's "Taste without Waste" Burren Food Fayre. As part of the Taste the Island programme, The Burren Food Fayre will open its doors in the Pavillion in Lisdoonvarna from 12 noon to 5pm on Sunday 27th, with a range of Burren food producers exhibiting their produce, cooking demos and foodie talks. The Fayre entry is FREE of charge for all visitors on Sunday with pre-fayre events taking place on the Friday and Saturday also.

The Fayre is organised by the Burren Ecotourism Network, and they are striving this year to not only minimise the waste produced by this event but also to increase awareness on waste reduction.

On Friday 25th the fabulous new visitor experience developed by the Burren Smokehouse will be launched by Mrs Sabina Higgins. Saturday 26th will feature a family open day at the new interpretive centre as well as an Eco Brick Demo by the Boghill Centre team also at the Burren Storehouse.

Each year on the October Bank Holiday weekend The Burren Food Fayre plays a part in the festivities for the Winterage Festival, which is celebrated in the towns and villages of the Burren on Saturday evening, 26th of October, The Burren Food Trail are delighted to see the launch of the long-anticipated book Burren Dinners by Trevis Gleason.

Community THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

COMMUNITY 23 CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

BURREN

l GIRL POWER: Jumping​with joy were the Burren Gaels U14 ladies who overcame Kildysart in the Clare Ladies Football U14 D Shield Final played in Miltown Photo by Willie O’Reilly

WEST CLARE

ENNIS ENNIS MACRA NA FEIRME EGM An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Ennis Macra na Feirme took place last week at Molony's Lounge in Ennis.

Two vacancies arose after Kieran Harvey (Chairperson) and Alan Shannon (Chairperson of the Cycling Group) had to stand down due to personal and work commitments.

During the Summer months since the AGM, club members were involved in a Munster Fleadh night out in Ennis, the annual pitch and putt competition in Kilnamona and a farm walk on Clune's farm in Tulla.

More recently since September, Clare Macra competitions have been underway with Bowling, Club question time, 7 a-side GAA and a novice debating workshop taking place.

The election of officers was officiated by Sean Wallace, Munster Vice President of Macra na Feirme nationally. Elected on the night were Dermot Hegarty as Chairperson and Denise Woulfe as Chairperson of the Cycling group. Hegarty is taking over in the middle of a hectic schedule on the Macra calendar with upcoming events including an Impromptu public speaking final on Friday evening, the Macra National conference in Cork on 25th-27th October and the Indoor soccer county final on Sunday 3rd November.

Hegarty, who recently won a leadership award from Macra na Feirme has been involved in the club for 5 years and has held various positions in the club such as Vice Chairperson and Young Farmer Development group Chairperson. He is also currently Treasurer of Clare Macra na Feirme.

Chairperson of Ennis Macra, Dermot Hegarty stated that 'I'm delighted to take on the role of Chairperson of Ennis Macra. My main aim is to grow the membership of the club and to ensure the club is successful into the future. And to answer a frequently asked question-no, you certainly don't need to be from a farming background to join.'

Macra na Feirme is an organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35 who are interested in meeting new people and trying new things like sports, travel, drama or debating. Macra has competitions to suit everyone and you don't need to be an expert to take part.

You will meet young people from all over the country and can get involved in a wide variety of areas. You can also join just to have a bit of fun and make new friends.

The full committee for the 2019-2020 period is: Chairperson; Dermot Hegarty, Secretary; Aine Griffey, Treasurer; Caitríona Power, PRO; Cillian Griffey, Walking Group Chairperson; Justin Mulqueen, Cycling Group Chairperson; Denise Woulfe.

You can register your interest in joining the Ennis Macra by visiting their Facebook or Instagram page or join online by visiting macra. ie/macra-na-feirme.

l ELECTED: (left) Dermot Hegarty, Chairperson of Ennis Macra accepting a leadership award from President of Macra na Feirme Thomas Duffy.

CHESS IN KILRUSH Join a Junior Chess Group in Kilrush. Learn the basics. Improve your skill. Beginners and new members welcome. At the Community Centre. Wednesday evenings 5 – 6pm. Ages from 8 – 14 yrs.

LISSYCASEY YOUNG AT HEART Meeting on Tuesday, October 22 beginning with mass at 2pm followed by the usual refreshment and chat. New members welcome.

CLARE YOUTH SERVICE BIRTHDAY Triple C Youth Club are hosting Clare Youth Service 50th Birthday Roadshow at the Cooraclare Community Centre on October 20th 2019 from 2 to 4pm. This is the third and final Clare Youth Service Roadshow which celebrates 50 years of the work volunteers and staff do with young people to support their active and meaningful involvement in their communities. Clare Youth Service would like extend an open invitation to all for this event which promises to be a fun filled celebration with arts and crafts, interactive activities, Halloween fun, birthday cake, light refreshments and lots more.

COUNTYWIDE HANDBALL FIXTURES Three Clare handballers, who are representing St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla, will be in action this weekend in the 60 x 30 All Ireland Colleges’ Semi Finals. In the Girls’ Junior Singles, Chloe Philpott takes on Emma Kinnane (HRC Mountbellew, Galway), while Jennifer Nicholas and Áine Lenihan play Carragh Kennedy and Siobhán Treacy (Roscommon CC), in the Girls’ Junior Doubles. Both games will be played in Clogh, Kilkenny on Saturday, October 19th, with play underway at 10:30am.

In an effort to develop the game of handball within the county, Clare Handball will be making some innovative changes to juvenile handball. Clare Handball will be running a number of juvenile leagues and blitzes, aimed at players ranging from Under 11 up to Under 18, during the months of October, November and December. These leagues and blitzes will be run independently of any county championships. The leagues and blitzes are aimed at encouraging participation and playing the sport for fun. There will be blitzes organised and run at various venues across the county starting this weekend.

Action will begin with the Under 12/13s on Saturday.

The complete design service from award-winning Kontour

Introduction Kontour Design is an awardwinning company based in Ennis with a showroom in the Gort Road Industrial Estate that specialise in the field of bespoke kitchens, cabinets, bathrooms, bedrooms, appliances and commercial projects.

Kontour offer a complete design service. It’s not just the kitchen cabinetry design and functionality that is considered, but every aspect of the room, from light to any possible structural improvements. Kontour can advise on everything from counter tops to lighting to flooring choices and everything in between.

With 35+ years’ experience, directors Barry Meehan and Dave Gannon are designers, project managers and installers of bespoke kitchens with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary to modern.

Awards Kontour are in operation three

years and already are being recognised for their attention to detail and professionalism. Kontour, won the national “Showroom of the Year” at Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide Awards show in 2018 with competition from business’s around the country.

Kitchens Kontour creates bespoke kitchens to cater your home and design.

With kitchens from In-Frame to Modern designs, Kontour can tailor your kitchen to any design you wish. The experts at Kontour will explain the options you have available to you to help create the design you wish.

Worktops No kitchen is complete without the foundation of your cooking.

Choosing the correct worktop to work with your kitchen design can be difficult, that’s why at Kontour we design your kitchen using some of the

best worktops available.

From Silestone natural quartz surfaces to ultracompact surfaces from Dekton and natural granite surfaces from Sensa we work with Cosentino to provide you with the perfect surface for your kitchen.

Appliances Choosing the correct kitchen appliances for your kitchen renovation is part of the finer details and also a key aspect in getting your kitchen just right.

Kontour offers appliances from multiple world leading suppliers.

For the perfect mix of professional performance, artisan quality and iconic design we offer multiple products from KitchenAid, Neff, Siemens, Bosch Quooker The amazing convenience of boiling water on tap. Instant access to 100°C water, energy-efficient and money-saving, 100 percent safe and multi-purpose.

THE DREAM KITCHEN: Kontour offers a complete design service which covers all your bespoke kitchen needs

26 REFURBISH YOUR HOME

TRENDS TO GIVE YOUR A

S WITH new season fashion trends we see new emerging home decor trends each season, that tempt us to update our homes – rather than change them

entirely.

He began carving walking sticks and st‘Trends’ evolve at different paces – some are popular for years rather than a season, like the Nordic trend, but there are also key colours that become the big thing for decorating our homes.

Here, we bring you some key trends for 2020 and simple ways to update your existing decor. This means you don’t have to redecorate your whole home to be on song with the latest styles.

TREND 1.

ABSTRACT ENERGY This is the fun, free-spirited interiors trend that takes inspiration from abstract expressionist artwork. With bold geometrics, handdrawn sketches and playful blocks of colour this look is all about expressing personality in our homes. The purpose is to evoke emotion and create a mood – and that, it

certainly does.

Bold patterns and punchy colours lend a more playful approach to styling a decor.

As with the expressionist art movement this trend celebrates the imperfect and fluidity of hand-drawn forms – line drawings play a key focus within this look.

TREND 2. STRUCTURED SIMPLICITY

Evolving from the Nordic Retreat trend of 2019 this look is stripped back style back.

The purpose is to create a calm, comfy, chilled-out space to relax in – it’s all about making our homes a safe, inviting space to

rest and regenerate.

Has grey had its day? The new neutrals are warming, as we look to create a calm yet uplifting space to retreat to from the outside world.

Trade bold and bright for soft and neutral and go for pared-back pieces and considered choices. This element of more thoughtful home choices comes from the trend for being aware of sustainability.

Where to use it? This look works in any setting, whether it’s a rustic kitchen or a small modern bathroom, but it’s especially at home in a living room or bedroom, paired with a dark accent colour.

TREND 3. HONEST COMFORTS Layer up comforting cushions, throws, knits and faux furs to make any space feel instantly inviting. This approach will see you through the winter and still light enough to see your home fashionably dressed ready for spring.

The colour palette: The emphasis on natural pigments remains at the roots of this trend.

Go for a mix of cool blues and greys teamed with accents of warmer pinks and browns.

This organic colour palette can be complemented

by washed teals and mossy greens, that are easy to work into a relaxed, neutral scheme.

TREND 4. ECLECTIC GLAMOUR

A move on from Retro Revival last season, this is 2020’s bold, confident and sassy take on the glamour trend. Taking it up a notch this reimagined trend is a grown-up look that channels Thirties sophisticated elegance with a little sexy Seventies-style opulence thrown in. Here shapely furniture with rounded curves and fluid shapes takes centre stage within this elegant theme.

Ennis (Acme) Blinds and Curtains Renovating or decorating ? Call us now to have your window treatments completed in time for the Christmas season.

We offer a mobile sales service, allowing you to make your

selection in the comfort of your own home.

Contact: Mary @ 086-8117373 or 065-6823422. email: ennisblinds@gmail.com

REFURBISH YOUR HOME

27

HOME WOW FACTOR...

Think 1920s elegant occasional chairs with the scalloped shell-like backs and soft edges.

Pick rich tones for key pieces, such as royal blue or ruby, mixed with warmer tones of ochre, rose and bronze. Layer on the bling with lashings of metallic touches – think gleaming gold, burnished copper,

brushed brass and bronze.

TREND 5. JAPANI There’s been a strong Japanese design element running as an undercurrent through interior collections over the past few season. This autumn winter it’s really coming into it’s own as a stand out trend.

Several big retailers have presented us with collections bursting with rich silk textures, graceful bird motifs, stylised oriental prints and structured furniture shapes.

A mash-up of elegant Japanese minimalism and rustic Scandinavian simplicity, Japandi is a hybrid trend bringing together the best of these two muchloved styles. This trend is the one for you if your home is your sanctuary and you take a less-is-more approach with uncluttered spaces, clean lines and a calm, subdued colour palette.

Combining the mindfulness elements of Scandinavian hygge and the Japanese theory of ‘wabi-sabi’ this trend finds effortless beauty in the simple things.

Lantern style lighting, like this bamboo floor lamp, helps to add a soft ambient light that’ll keep homes in a state of calm serenity at all times.

TREND 6. REFINED GLAMOUR The new glam is less sheen, more sophisticated. Luxury materials such as pewter, marble and velvet all mix together beautifully to create fine decorative details. Fringing

is everywhere this season, from lampshades to wall hangings – fringe is in!

Key colours: Dusky rose and pewter.

Key materials: Velvet, marble, brass and smoked glass The new metallics are more muted than in previous seasons, feeling more sophisticated. The brass is matt and the silver, despite being almost liquid silver, has a less shiny look compared to chrome.

28 REFURBISH YOUR HOME

Huge sofa sale at Kmc Home Trends

KMC Home Trends located on Parnell Street Ennis are having a fantastic Sofa Sale with up to 50 per cent off all Sofa’s.

With Superior Leather, Fabric, Microfibre and Modular Corner Sofas to choose from, there is something to suit every taste and budget without compromising on quality or comfort.

Doors open to the public this Thursday, October 17 at 10am Noteworthy is the luxurious “SAOIRSE” 3+1+1 Sofa, all reclining was €1,995 now only €995, fantastic value with exceptional comfort. The stunning Aisling Corner Modular Sofa now only €1,195 save €800. Huge savings are also available across a wide range of compact 2-Seater Sofas, 3-Seater Sofas and Reclining Arm Chairs. All can be purchased separately at Sale prices with FREE Delivery and FREE recycling of packaging, DEPOSITS taken on all stock.

Contact Kmc Home Trends on 065-6797853 or find us on Facebook. Sale ends Saturday October 19 at 05:30pm.

REFURBISH YOUR HOME

29

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS - WHAT’S THE FLOOR PLAN?

W

HEN it comes to flooring, the options these days seem endless. Current trends can be hard to keep up with - what’s the first step with my new floor? Do I want carpet, hard wood, laminate, tiles, or luxury vinyl flooring? What will suit my kitchen unit, my stairs or sitting room furniture? Once your floors are fitted, it’s quite the long term commitment so it’s important to get it right and whatever you opt for must stand the test of time.. Here, we bring you some trends and ideas to help you on your way.

DOWNSTAIRS New wooden floors can transform your living room, and an authentic grainy look will serve you the longest; while real hard wood is still a very popular option, there are a multitude of options to suit your budget (pop in to your local floor specialists for infor).

Grey wood are becoming popular as they provide a good neutral base to style your living area around and offer a bright fresh alternative to the traditional darker tones we usually associate with living rooms. Adding depth of colour can be achieved with cushions and rugs, or wall art.

With more and more open plan living spaces, it’s a very clever option to continue the same flooring throughout

your entire downstairs shared spaces such as kitchen, hallway and living area. But if your home isn’t set up like so - or even if you prefer to break up an open plan area and create different atmospheres - then flooring can be the perfect way to achieve this.

Create a modern parquet look in your kitchen with luxury vinyl flooring; it gives an authentic look without the difficult upkeep, it’s the perfect style to add character to your kitchen design project. Of course, tiles are still the staple in many Irish kitchens but vinyl

flooring is definitely on the rise.

UPSTAIRS The bathroom can often be left as an afterthought because it’s hidden away and becuase tile trends move fast, it’s not unusual to see a LOT of outdated bathrooms so it’s important to give this the attention it deserves in order to get years out of your bathroom. Therefore the more pared back the better; the

humble subway tile paired with darker neutral floor tiles is a safe bet but also a classy one.

Bedrooms, meanwhile, are one area where carpeting is and probably always will be very popular - nothing like a soft, warm landing when you get out of bed in the morning!

Again, it’s neutral all the way and a light grey carpet works with a number of bedroom decor styles. You won’t go wrong with a high quality carpet that will stay in good shape for a long time.

30 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

BUSINESS

CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

600,000 Norwegians to get a taste of Co Clare KulTour

M

ATKANALEN, a popular Norwegian TV channel dedicated to food, has been filming in Co Clare and Ireland this week, for a travel and food show called KulTour – which has around 600,000 viewers. The film crew is here as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

KulTour involves director Finn-Erik Rognan and producer John Kaare Hoversholm travelling around the world in search of great culinary experiences. The episode filmed here will air in November – showcasing some of our unique food and drink experiences, regional produce, as well as our world-class chefs. It will feature the Burren Food Trail – including the Redbank Food Company, Anam Coffee Company and Burren Free Range Pork Farm. The crew stayed in Gregan’s Castle Hotel.

The KulTour crew will also produce a podcast about their trip to Ireland – featuring interviews with the various people they meet during their time here.

Food is a really important theme in Tourism Ireland’s programme of activity – in Scandinavia and elsewhere around the world. The organisation’s Taste the Island promotions are raising awareness of Ireland’s rich food culture around the world.

“Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite the KulTour TV crew to come and film our superb culinary offering and some of our unique food and drink experiences”, said Julie McLaughlin, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Nordic Region.

“The episode filmed here will be seen by around 600,000 Norwegians, inspiring them to put Clare and Ireland on their holiday wish list for 2020, to experience our wonderful food and drink for themselves.

“Tourism Ireland is encouraging prospective visitors to come and sample our award-winning local produce, dine in our excellent restaurants, visit our fantastic distilleries and breweries, or perhaps take in a food trail or festival. l HOG WILD: Stephen and Eva Hegarty, both Burren Free Range Pork Farm (right); with producer John Kaare Hoversholm (left) and director Finn-Erik Rognan (second left), during filming for a travel and food TV Our message is that there has never been a more exciting time to come and discover the food scene in Ireland.” show called KulTour.

Win €10,000 STEM education for your school BD RESEARCH Centre Ireland (RCI), the global medical technology company in Limerick's National Technology Park, is encouraging secondary school students throughout Limerick and Clare to enter a new school competition, BD STEM Stars. The competition invites students to identify a key health problem that affects the community around them and demonstrate how they could solve or improve this problem through the STEM subjects.

The competition is open to secondary school students and the winning entry will receive a cash prize of €10,000 for their school to use within STEM education. There is also two runner-up prizes of €5,000 each for STEM education in the schools. To assist in getting students engaged in the competition, BD has created a dedicated website containing all the information needed including tips and advice for both students and teachers when they are creating their entries www.bdcareers.ie/stemstars.

BD was founded in 1897 and has had a presence in Ireland since 1964. The company provides solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management and infection prevention and support the management of diabetes. BD RCI (Research Centre Ireland) focuses on product and software development, clinical research instrumentation and prototype development, expanding the existing community of Life Sciences companies in the region.

Using video, photography, audio, Powerpoint or a Google Docs presentation (or a combination of the above) students are invited to propose how they would go about solving the health problem through the use of the STEM subjects. Closing date for entries is Friday October 25. Visit www. bdcareers.ie/stemstars.

l BLADE RUNNER: Pictured at the launch of the competition in Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis , are Abby Quirke, Emer Murray, and Grace Doherty (Fifth Year Students of Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis)

BUSINESS 31

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

Ten new jobs at McConnell Woollen Mills manufacturing STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

N AWARD winning Clare-based international knitwear company has announced investment plans at its

new Killaloe manufacturing facility.

McConnell Woollen Mills Ltd, established

by Anne Behan in 2000 with the support of the Local Enterprise Office Clare and LEADER (administered by Clare Local Development Co Ltd), announced plans to in-

vest over €400,000 and create 10 new jobs over the next 3 years at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the facility’s opening.

The announcement was made today at the official opening by Pat Breen TD, Minister for Employment, Business, EU Digital Sin-

GMIT OPEN MORNING

gle Market and Data Protection. Speaking at the opening, Minister Breen commended Anne on her passion and commitment to Irish Design and employment in Clare and said: “It is encouraging to see a company such as McConnell Woollen Mills, who have been based in Clare for the last twenty years, continue to expand and invest in the region.

Despite the potential challenges that Brexit poses, they continue to demonstrate the opportunities for businesses in Clare and the West of Ireland to grow and develop international markets. It is fantastic to see the recognition they have already received for their success in export excellence to Europe, America and Japan” Anne Behan, MD and CEO, McConnell Woollen Mills Ltd. commented “McConnell Woollen Mills Ltd. is delighted to celebrate the official opening of our new facility in Killaloe, Co. Clare and I would like to thank everyone for their support, in particular the team who have worked tirelessly over the last few months to make this happen.”

“Our continued investment in Clare and our highly skilled local staff, some of whom have been with us from the early days, enables us to provide the highest quality product range to clients across the world.

We ensure all clients are looked after satisfactorily by having the creations made in Ireland using state of the art technological infrastructure. This new facility will allow us to continue to grow and expand in the years ahead.”

Saturday, 19th October, 2019 GMIT Galway campus 10am – 1pm Five campuses. Over 100 courses. You choose.

This Open Morning is for secondary school students, parents, teachers and mature applicants.

Join us to find out about: 1. The courses we offer 2. The CAO application process 3. Student grants & scholarships

Discover what courses we offer at: ■ GMIT Galway campus ■ GMIT Centre for Creative Arts and Media ■ GMIT Mayo ■ GMIT Letterfrack ■ GMIT Mountbellew

4. Career opportunities 5. Student life at GMIT

GMIT (Official)

@GMITOfficial

GMIT Channel

www.gmit.ie/openday

l ALL EARS: Minister of State Pat Breen with Anne Behan; and below also with Clare LEO’s Padraic McElwee

Beautiful homes all over the County

Property

5 homes remaining in the final phase of Fort View

T

HRE are just 5 homes remaining in the final phase of Fort View, Creggaun na Hilla, Clarecastle, Co Clare.

M. Fitzgibbon Contractors Ltd. have been building new homes in Creggaun na Hilla, Clarecastle for three years and are now finalising the development with Fort View.

Fort View comprises of only twenty four homes overlooking a large green area to the front. Construction started in March this year and the first of these homes are now ready for occupation.

The mixture of bungalows, 3 bedroomed semi detached and four bed-

roomed detached and linked homes at Fort View has proved to be very popular with both young families and mature people wishing to down size.

Fort View homes are all A rated and are energy efficiently designed for today’s modern living style.

They are fully finished internally & externally.

Internal finishes include timber flooring and tiling throughout, modern choices of built-in kitchen, stylish fireplace with multi fuel stove in living room, built-in wardrobes in all bedrooms, tiled bathrooms and air to water heating with under floor heating on the ground floor.

These properties are fin-

ished to the highest standard and offers bright, spacious family accommodation with lots of open spaces in the development making it ideal for modern day living.

All the new homes qualify for the government Help to Buy (HTB) incentive and purchasers may receive up to â‚Ź16,750 towards their new home.

Viewing of this new development is by appointment with the selling agent Helen Gallery Auctioneers and Valuers.

For further information please call into our office at 68 Parnell Street, Ennis or contact Helen on 065 6829481 or 086 250 4671.

Email: info@helengallery. ie

Elizabet Irurzun recieveing her key for her new home from Mark Hennessey& Niall Coonan, M. Fitzgibbon Contractors LTD.

l

3 GLENINA, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 V6HD

€209,000

This bright, spacious four bedroom detached home is located just a short stroll from all local and town amenities and set on a stunning private site.

4 LIOS ARD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95FKH2

€199,000

9 CASTLEFIELD, KILKEE, CO. CLARE V 15 T042

€295,000

Stunning three bedroom home in an ideal residential location presented in turn key condition.

This contemporary four bedroom detached home is set on an elevated site with sea views in the coastal town of Kilkee.

€260,000 17 GORT LEAMHAN, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 E39E

20 MOYARD, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 Y2F2

€229,000

28 THE MAPLES, OAKLEIGH WOOD, €295,000 ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 DDF7

Located in a highly desirable residential location, this five bedroom semi detached family home offers premium quality finishes throughout.

Four bedroom semidetached family home ideally located with easy access to the M18 link road.

Located in the popular Oakleigh Wood development, No. 28 is a well presented five bedroom detached home positioned on a corner site within walking distance of all amenities.

39 DERRYMORE, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95K3CE

CULLEEN, KILMALEY, CO.CLARE V95T9RV

14 LAGHTAGOONA, COROFIN, CO. CLARE V95 PH99

€199,000

Located in the much sought after development of Derrymore, No. 39 is a three bedroom semi detached family home which comes to market in excellent condition throughout.

€249,950

Detached five bedroom family home, providing bright spacious open plan living. Located in the heart of Kilmaley Village, 10 minutes drive from Ennis, 25 minutes drive from Shannon.

€279,950

Located in the award winning development of Laghtagoona, this four bedroom family home is immaculately presented throughout and is set on a large corner site.

Thinking of selling? Book a free market appraisal to start your sales journey.

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

MINI’S NEW JOHN COOPER WORKS ISN’T QUITE A BARREL OF FUN NEW 306HP MINI ESTATE IS FAST, BUT NOT FURIOUS

T

MINI COOPER

HERE are doubtless many of us who simply don’t know where the Mini Cooper got its name.

We know it indicates a sporty version of BMW’s small car, but why Cooper? Something to do with barrels, maybe?

Barrels of fun, more like. The Cooper name comes from the Cooper Car Company, formerly of Surbiton in suburban London. Cooper, founded by father-and-son team Charles and John, rose from taking motorbike engines and putting them in tiny, flyweight junior race cars, to taking two Formula One world titles, back-to-back, with Jack Brabham in 1959 and 1960. Cooper turned Formula One around — literally, by being the first team to put the engine behind the driver for superior balance and lower weight — before turning its attention to tuning Minis.

At the behest of Mini’s original maker, the British Motor Corporation, Cooper modified and tuned the little car into a high performance machine, capable of winning rallies and races alike. It became a union that would survive and endure through five changes of ownership, becoming the Mini that people know about, even if they don’t realise the provenance of the name.

So when Mini releases a John Cooper Works special edition, it’s actually a bit more of a serious machine than the normal stickers-and-trim editions. In fact, it’s a proper high-performance car, with a sub-5.0secs

0-100km/h time, and a new turbo engine pumping out 306hp.

That’s enough to put this new John Cooper Works Clubman (the estate and Countryman SUV models are the first to get this new engine — the hatch follows suit later this year) into the big leagues, going up against the pricey likes of the Mercedes-AMG A35, the Audi S3, the VW Golf R, and the Honda Civic Type-R. That’s serious performance territory.

Then again, this is a serious engine. It’s the same 2.0-litre engine as the previous JCW Mini, but with an extra 75hp, thanks to a new turbo, new fuel injection, a new air intake system, and some other mods, chiefly to the software. 306hp, in case you hadn’t noticed, is a lot. That original Mini Cooper, launched in 1961, had 55hp…

Is it really a lot, though? After all, this is the Clubman estate body which is heftier than the standard hatchback (albeit also much, much more practical and with those rather cool barn-door boot doors) and to that Mini has also added All4 fourwheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Apparently, the markets that take most of these sorts of cars demand such niceties, even though this car would doubtless be much more fun with just front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual ‘box.

More fun? Well, to be honest, it could stand to be. It seems like the worst sort of First World Problem carping, but this 306hp four-wheel drive Mini estate, with its mad rear doors and its AMG-threatening performance is a bit too… sensible?

I suspect that much of this is down to weight. The JCW Clubman bludgeons the scales into submission at a chunky 1,550kg, unladen. I know many of us

have packed on a few too many pounds of late, but that’s a lot for a car purporting to be a hot hatch. That weight doesn’t exactly smother the 306hp and the 450Nm of torque, because with launch control switched on and All4 parceling out the torque to each corner, this thing will rip off a 4.9sec 0-100km/h time, and that’s serious performance by any standard.

No, it’s when you get to a twisting road that the JCW Clubman falls slightly apart.

It is hugely precise and sure-footed, and has that usual Mini trait of having so much front-end grip that it almost never understeers, no matter how harshly provoked.

Its ride quality is a bit mixed — too jittery around town, but smoother at higher speeds — but on the whole it feels almost incredibly poised, balanced, and capable.

Arguably a little too much so. It’s just so easy, and I don’t know about you but I’d prefer my 306hp hot hatch to be a little more of a challenge. If Mini had left in a little touch of torque steer, or wound the chassis balance back a notch or two, the Clubman might feel a touch more ragged, but I bet it would also feel more fun.

More like you were actually in charge of it, rather than just issuing orders to the robots. The Mercedes-AMG A35 suffers from a similar outbreak of common sense, as does the VW Golf R, so it’s left to the wild and wooly Honda Civic Type-R to fly the last remaining flag for traditional hothatch hooliganry.

Mind you, the Mini might be more desirable, at least more so to a wider spread of the population, than the big-winged Civic. It looks good — quirky, but good — and the cabin is classy, if a touch confused in its layout from time to time. There are great seats up the front, and useable space

FACTS & FIGURES

Model tested: Mini Clubman John Cooper Works Pricing: €54,120 as tested; Mini Clubman starts at €28,310 Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol Transmission: eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive Body style: compact estate CO2 emissions: 161g/km (Band D €570 per annum) Combined economy: 39.7mpg (7.4 litres/100km) Top speed: 250km/h 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds Power: 306hp at 5,000-6,250rpm Torque: 450Nm at 1,750-4,500rpm Boot space: 360-1,250 litres Safety: Euro NCAP rating for Mini Clubman: Four stars; 90 per cent adult; 68 per cent child; 68 per cent pedestrian; 67 per cent safety assist.

in the back seats and boot, so it’s certainly useable day-to-day. It also gets the latest range of updates to the standard Clubman lineup, which includes mildly revised exterior and interior styling, and those Union Flag LED brake lights, which may or may not find favour with your political outlook.

Here’s the thing, though. The better John Cooper Works is coming. Later this year, Mini will release the third iteration of its John Cooper Works GP model. It’s based on the three-door hatchback Mini, loses its back seats to save weight, and is front-wheel drive with far more aggressive chassis settings. Oh, and it’s going to be wearing a massively in-your-face aerodynamic body kit too.

That, we suspect, is going to be the modern-day Cooper to have, something far more in line with the original, ground-breaking efforts of the Cooper Car Company.

In the meantime, this JCW Clubman is certainly fast, but possibly just a bit too sensible.

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SKODA WANTS TO ADD A NEW WORD TO THE DICTIONARY

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OSSIBLY inspired by Jaguar’s recent efforts to have the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of ‘car’ reworded to reflect the rise of electric power, Skoda now wants the OED to take a look at a new word entirely.

A ‘neologism’ is a newly coined word or expression, and for quite a while now Skoda has been using the neologism ‘Newsed’ to describe their used cars, which are of such high quality that they feel like new cars.

With that in mind, the brand has written an open letter to the Collins Dictionary arguing for the inclusion of this word in the next edition of their renowned word encyclopaedia.

“The English language has been going through constant change since its origins in the 5th Century, and since then many new

FANCY A ‘NEWSED’ SKODA? words have entered popular culture and sound remarkably like what they mean, for example, the word ‘Mankini’ was born after the hit comedy Borat in 2006,” said Eimear Walshe, Marketing Manager at Skoda Ireland.

“In the last five years, however, piecing words together or creating word hybrids has been in vogue. We all use words like ‘Chocoholic’ and ‘Bromance’, and of course, the most topical word in news terms is the dreaded ‘Brexit’, adds Walshe. “But we think our hybrid word Newsed (a combination of new and used) deserves a place in the Collins Dictionary.”

Skoda has a quality used car program that makes their used vehicles indistinguishable from their new cars. They aren’t new, and they are too good to be called used, so Skoda calls them ‘Newsed’. “We can see

many applications for this word. ‘I’m selling a Newsed dress. I bought a Newsed watch online’, it makes perfect sense!”

Fig. 1 Newsed ŠKODA Superb

[nyew-sed] / adj.

Something that is just like new, both unbeatable value and in outstanding working order.

Invented to describe a ŠKODA that has gone through 110 meticulous checks.

Visit www.skoda.ie to find out more.

Al Hayes ŠKODA, Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie

Can Miltown find extra gear?

Miltown need to be at 100 per cent to defeat the wily Quilty men

l KEY MAN: Gordon Kelly in action here against Dr Crokes in last year’s Munster final, will have a vital part to play Photo by Martin Connolly

Martin Daly GAA ANALYSIS

CLARE SFC FINAL Kilmurry Ibrickane v St Josephs Miltown

T

Sunday, 3pm at Cusack Park

HE most fitting county final awaits this Sunday, as unarguably the two best sides in Clare will come head to head for the first time in this campaign. Both Kilmurry Ibrickane and St Josephs Miltown Malbay have effectively neutrilised all the opposition en route to the final without seeming to break too much of a sweat.

I saw both these teams in action versus my own club Lisseycasey, albeit at different stages of the campaign. Quilty were only getting warmed up in their season when we met them in the first round of the group stage; they were down numbers, Keelan Sexton wasn’t back, they didn’t look in shape and they still deservedly pulled through as Lisseycasey failed to capitalise on their possession.

In the quarter finals when Lisseycasey met Miltown in Cooraclare, Lisseycasey couldn’t deal with the structure and pace that Miltown brought to the game. We were lucky to still be in the game after a fortunate penalty before half time but ultimately Miltown never came under genuine pressure, which is a pity because I would have loved to have seen Miltown tested to see how they react to pressure. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen that pressure put on Miltown yet as they swanned through their qualifying without leaving second gear.

It’s been a similar story of the Bricks and Miltown throughout, both have been mostly untested. Looking at the semi-finals, I expected more from Cratloe who I believed would defeat Kilmurry Ibrickane – however the Bricks aren’t the most successful senior club in Clare over the last 20 years (with eight titles) for no reason and we shouldn’t ever be doubting them. They performed very smartly, with the extra man in defence upsetting Cratloe and Cathal McInerney, who didn’t get the space he’s used to. He scored 1-04 but it was all from placed balls, which is unusual for him. It’s the game that KIB have perfected, bringing lots of people behind the ball and they were always in control in the second half.

Likewise Miltown, who were up against surprise package Doonbeg, went in nine points up at halftime and you could only see one winner. Doonbeg, in typical fashion, came out fighting and changed tactics, putting the ball through the hands and brought it back to four points. With Miltown down a man at that stage I thought

they had a battle on their hands, but Miltown remained resolute and the Magpies couldn’t legitimately threaten that lead. So again, they didn’t come out of second or third gear to beat Doonbeg.

So although neither side has been tested just yet in the Championship, that will definitely change this Sunday. Miltown are doing nothing different this year, same energy, same disciplined gameplan and high fitness and workrate. They swarm from the front and turn pressure into scores. I don’t think they’re at the same level they were last year but maybe they haven’t needed to go to that place.

Kilmurry’s key findings this year is an injection of youth, alongside the return of Keelan Sexton and Diarmuid Coughlan.

After his summer in the States, Keelan has come back with a new lease of life.

Kilmurry have also blooded one or two new players while Diarmuid Coughlan has come back from injury. When you factor in the return of two intercounty standard players in Coughlan and Sexton along with the addition of one or two youngsters, you’ve got quite the lovely balance alongside experienced heads like Marty McMahon. If their fitness levels can match Miltown, there will be nothing in it.

KEY AREAS Miltown bring Brian Curtin in front of the defence, so where Keelan Sexton lines up - inside or out the field – could have a significant bearing on proceedings. If you

play your inside forward line, you need to be able to provide clean possession but will Brian Curtin cut that out? If he does, Kilmurry need a Plan B. They’re excellent through the hand as they always have been.

Meanwhile, the last day against Doonbeg, Miltown played Cormac Murray in the full forward Line and he exposed them with ease. That won’t happen against Kilmurry because they play exactly like Miltown with Marty McMahon as the spare man; he’s one of the best in the country at cleaning up breaking ball and turning defence into attack. So will Miltown and Kilmurry both be forced to run it through the hands?

It will be very interesting to see how that plays out.

The middle of the field will be a huge battle ground, from half-back to the half-forward lines. Kickouts will play a huge part.

I’ve watched the Miltown keeper Sean O’Brien and he is a tidy operator. However last year he was put under pressure by Ennistymon and struggled at times to reach his intended targets with his kickouts when they pushed up. We all know how important kickouts are in this day and age, so are both teams going to push up and put pressure or sit back with the spare man behind and see can they take it off them? So there’s a myriad of variable key areas that tactically could have a big impact on the result.

KEY PLAYERS Gordon Kelly’s ability to turn defence into attack is pivitol to Miltown Malbay’s

success. A story that’s equally as impressive as 43-year-old Niall Gilligan’s, Kelly is in his late 30s and still the key man in starting attacks for Miltown; when he makes those bursting runs he’s very hard to catch. Eoin Cleary will be the go-to man and in last year’s final he showed his importance by hitting some exceptional scores when his side were under pressure early on. He and Cormac Murray will have to perform.

For Kilmurry, Marty McMahon will be huge in this game because of his tactical role in cutting out the opposition supply line and attacking from that position, much like Kelly. Keelan , who was on fire against Cratloe, will be their go-to man and to win these games you need to have a man like him on form.

VERDICT Miltown are justifiably favourites, but the Bricks have an unrivalled winning mentality. Miltown will need another gear than what they’ve shown so far to get over this hurdle and KIB know that. Bricks have been written off many times, by myself included, with people saying they don’t have the legs to compete in the Park but they’ve proved us wrong time and again. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they proved me wrong again on Sunday. However if Miltown can lift it one notch more, which is definitely within them, I can see them winning the game.

THE OUTSIDE VIEW PAUL MADDEN (ÉIRE ÓG MANAGER AND 2006 CLARE SFC WINNER)

SEÁN O’DONOGHUE (CLARE SENIOR FOOTBALLER AND COORACLARE MIDFIELDER)

I don’t think there is a lot between the two teams and if there is any advantage to one side, I believe the gap will be closed due to the big rivalry between the two teams. It should be a very exciting contest and it’s a very tough one to call. I think Miltown could come out on top by a narrow margin if their link play between midfield, wing and inside forwards click as they have several scoring options inside.

VERDICT: ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN MALBAY

JIM CONLAN (SPORTS PRESENTER WITH RAIDIO CORCA BAISCINN, CLARE MINOR SELECTOR) It’s the final everybody has wanted for the last decade or so. I think the midfield battle is going to be intriguing and will see the evergreen Keith King square up against Conor Cleary while the two young guns in Aidan McCarthy and Oisin Looney will also face off, both tussles will probably go along way to determining the victorious side. I can see Miltown looking to flood that area with extra bodies in terms of the kick-out battle as Kilmurry Ibrickane totally dominated Cratloe in terms of primary possession in that sector, everytime a short kick-out wasn’t on for Cratloe in their semi-final triumph. For Miltown to be successful they will need to get the cavalry up a lot quicker to support what will likely be a two-man full-forward line in Darragh McDonagh and Cormac Murray. Kilmurry Ibrickane are the experts in making the pitch look a lot smaller for opposing attacking teams and are brilliantly marshaled by Enda Coughlan and Shane Hickey who intercept the world of turnover ball and then start counter-attacks to devasting effects.

I liked what I saw from Kilmurry Ibrickane in terms of snuffing out a potent Cratloe forward line and Keelan Sexton guarantees scores for the Bricks. On the flipside, Miltown haven’t really caught fire for me yet but have beaten everything that has been put before them, I feel they will probably need Eoin Cleary to hit double figures on the scoreboard if they are going to be successful and maybe raise a green flag or two from the likes of Murray or McDonagh. Kilmurry Ibrickane aren’t conceding many goals so far in this championship and if Ian McInerney keeps a clean sheet on Sunday, I think Jack Daly will have a new home for the winter of 2019.

VERDICT: KILMURRY IBRICKANE

Miltown were very impressive in the opening half of the semi-final against Doonbeg. When they move the ball quickly into their forward line they have the pace and the ability to cause serious problems. Kilmurry Ibrickane on the other hand have what most teams don’t and that’s know-how to see a game out. Keith King and Aidan McCarthy were impressive in midfield against Cratloe, however, they come up against an equally strong pairing in Conor Cleary and Oisin Looney. Keelan Sexton scored seven of Kilmurry’s 13 points in the semi-final, he is their ‘go to’ man for scores. I expect Gordon Kelly to be his marker for the day, the person who gets on top in this battle might go a long way to determine the eventual winner come 5pm.

Eoin Cleary had a relatively quiet semi-final by his standards, however, on his day he is an outstanding player and I see a big final in him. The same may be said about Dermot Coughlan for Kilmurry who is a real talent. Martin McMahon will need to continue to marshal their defence very well and in attack Michael Hogan provided a huge work platform in the semi-final, Aidan McGuane, or whomever is detailed to mark him, will have his hands full.

Miltown’s greatest feature over the last two years has been their hugely impressive tackling and turnover rate, something which Cratloe didn’t manage against Kilmurry in the semi-final. This may well prove their greatest asset come Sunday. It’s a hard one to call, on form over the year it should be Miltown’s day, however, don’t rule out an upset. Kilmurry Ibrickane’s back-to-back success in 2016 and 2017 was motivated by Miltown’s 2015 victory. The rivalry between these neighbours is intense. It’s all on the day and the from book goes out the window.

VERDICT: ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN MALBAY

FINALIST PANELS Kilmurry Ibrickane Panel: Ian McInerney, Mark Killeen, Darren Hickey, Ciaran Morrissey, Shane Hickey, Martin McMahon, Daragh Sexton, Daniel Walsh, Keith King, Aidan McCarthy, Thomas Lernihan, Enda Coughlan, Michael Hogan, Daryn Callinan, Dermot Coughlan, Keelan Sexton, Adam O’Connor, Steven Moloney, Paudie Murrihy, Caolfhionn O’Dea, Diarmuid King, Evan Talty, Kevin Tubridy, Eamonn Bracken, Niall Hickey, Maurice Donnellan, Mark McCarthy, Damien Lynch.

Mentors: Aidan ‘Horse’ Moloney (Manager), Vincent Talty (Selector), Barry Gibbons (Trainer).

Kitman: Shane Callinan Physio: Michelle Downes

St Joseph’s Miltown Panel: Sean O’Brien, Enda O’Gorman, Seanie Malone, Eoin O’Brien, Aidan McGuane, Gordon Kelly, Euan Reidy, Oisin Looney, Conor Cleary, Kieran Malone, Micheal Murray, Eoin Cleary, Gearoid Curtin, Brian Curtin, Darragh McDonagh, Cormac Murray, Paul Tubridy, Graham Kelly, Eoin Curtin, Jamesie O’Connor, Gerard Malone, Enda Fox, Martin Rynne, Shane Curtin, Sean Malone, Cian Flanagan, Joe Carmody, Gearoid Burke, Colin Hehir, David Talty, Zack Whelehan, Michael Crehan, Michael Barry.

Mentors: David O’Brien (Manager), John O’Sullivan (Selector), David Geaney (Coach), Derek Morris (S&C).

Medical: Aidan Looney, Shane O’Connell.

Backroom: Joe Talty, Gerry O’Connor, Francis Cahill, Paul Keane.

Water: Éanna O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Sean Neylon.

FAMILY TIES RUN Enda Coughlan happy to take on mentoring role with Dermot, but he’s aiming to take down Cleary cousins from Miltown PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

S

UNDAY will see two neighbours go to war in the Clare SFC final but it will also split families as cousins will be in opposite camps including the Coughlans and Clearys.

Caroline Cleary mother to twins Conor and Eoin used to play ladies football with Kilmurry Ibrickane but has been happily married in Miltown Malbay for some time now. She is a sister of Danny and Dermot Snr Coughlan who are the fathers of Enda and Dermot Jnr. Family loyalty will put to one side when the rivals clash in Cusack Park this weekend.

Enda told The Clare Echo that the Cleary cousins have not been excommunicated just yet. “I talk to Eoin a good bit, we still talk every few days; we wouldn’t be asking each other any questions [about the final] or saying anything like that.

l FAMILY TIES: Cousins Dermot Jnr and Enda Coughlan will line out for the Bricks

Photo by John Mangan

“I’d still be in regular contact, I talk to Conor regularly enough too, he is doing great with the hurlers. At the weekend, we’ve a job to do and they’ve a job to do, we’ll shake hands after and meet for a drink on Monday somewhere”.

Eoin proved to be a big help for Dermot this year as he recovered from a broken ankle. “As a young lad I always looked up to them both. At the start of this year when I was injured, Eoin was always texting me and telling me I’d be back stronger so in fairness he was a big help when things weren’t looking so good so I’ll always respect him for that”.

Growing up, Eoin looked up to Enda and even followed him into An Garda Síochána but Coughlan refused to take credit for his cousin’s career choice. “Maybe the two of us could have studied a bit harder in school, maybe that could be the reason. I like the job and talking to him, he likes the job so if you like something it’s good to be doing it”.

Kilmurry Ibrickane last lifted the Jack Daly in 2017 in what was Dermot’s first year on the panel, though his godfather regularly offered advice, he didn’t go easy on him at

DEEP IN QUILTY

‘‘

II was getting a bit of a slagging for not tracking back so the last day I was trying to do a bit more and I suppose I suffered at the other end of the field. I’d be happy to do anything to win as long as we got over the line

‘‘

training.

“He is his own player but if he is coming through I’ll tackle him, he’s no different to anyone else, that’s the way it is. I wouldn’t be as rough on him as his father was on me when I was starting but we’ll get over that,” Enda quipped.

They describe the club as being of “massive” importance to the Coughlan family.

One of Dermot’s standout memories being the 2009 All-Ireland club final for which his first cousin was captain, “We played at halftime and getting to watch them running out sticks out. When I was coming up along, they were in a lot of county finals and winning them so they were great memories to have and I was dying to be a part of”.

Outside of football, as they live on the same road they meet regularly, often with Enda quick to admit he is responsible whenever Dermot’s family are low on teabags.

The topic of conversations is mostly football, “It depends who you’re talking to. Dermot’s kind of changing to girls now but for me it’s football”. For fear, Enda would hang him out to dry, Dermot opts against responding to the comment.

As a selector to the county set-up, Enda is responsible for critiquing players to aid their improvement. Such comments may put a target on his back when Clare panellists such as Dermot are standing opposite him in club training.

Of the desire to get some revenge on him,

Dermot said “Maybe the odd time but not too much in fairness. I go about my things and he goes about his, we keep it that way in training and we’re the best of buddies afterwards,” to which Enda responded, “I’m injured most of the time so he doesn’t get a chance”.

Club players may be slower to pass up on such an opportunity.

“I can honestly say no one has said anything or done anything to me, it wouldn’t bother me to be honest,” admits Enda. “They have a job to do for their club and I’ve a job to do for my club, I just try to help out at inter-county trying to help out Colm and I think the players know that. If they want to have a cut, they can. There’s no hassle”.

In their semi-final win over Cratloe, Dermot didn’t register a score but did a lot of work off the ball.

“I was getting a bit of a slagging for not tracking back so the last day I was trying to do a bit more and I suppose I suffered at the other end of the field. I’d be happy to do anything to win as long as we get over the line,” he says.

For every championship outing this year, Enda has played in a different position, he comes into each game with little knowledge on what line of the field he will be located in.

“I don’t mind playing anywhere to be honest, I used to always like playing in the half-back line but father time has put paid to that. I learned after the injury with a year

out of football, you have to take every game as your last, since then my attitude has changed, I’ll play anywhere even if it’s not playing, it’s for the club and all we’re trying to do is better the club. I haven’t many more years left so I’m taking it as they come”.

A second year English and History student at Mary Immaculate College, Dermot is keeping a low profile at City Campus this week as he keeps his focus on football.

“In fairness it’s grand, a lot of people there wouldn’t have a clue that you’re playing a county final or whatever, they’ll be heading out and I’ll be staying in and be there to welcome them when they’re back. It’s grand to get away from it all, when you’re up here it’s hard to but down there you can keep level headed”.

On Tuesday, Enda celebrated his 34th birthday but as his daughter turned eight years old, his thunder was most definitely stolen.

Should Kilmurry Ibrickane do the business on Sunday, both he and Dermot Jnr will be amongst the life of the party. When Enda collected his first two championship medals (2002 and 2004), Dermot Jnr was the mascot - as the clock turns and he looks to win his second senior title, his cousin will be right alongside him.

The sights, sounds & tastes of West Clare on the Atlantic's Edge

Malone aims to bring County standards to Miltown set-up

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ESPONSIBILITY is nothing new to Kieran Malone whether it’s in the workplace or on the field; he’s determined not to shirk from such duties when St Josephs Miltown take on Kilmurry Ibrickane in Sunday’s county football final, writes Páraic McMahon.

For the past three seasons, Kieran has been a member of Colm Collins’ county panel and this weekend he is vying to win his third senior club championship medal. When he returns to the St Josephs Miltown setup on the conclusion of a Clare campaign along with Eoin Cleary, Gordon Kelly and Cormac Murray he strives to

set a certain level for his clubmates.

“There is a standard you have to uphold, coming back into the club you’re trying to bring lads with you and raise up their level as well, some of the players in that sense might look up to us but when you go back to the clubs I’d see myself as one of the boys, I try to break down that barrier,” says the mem-

Dr Michael Harty TD Constituency Office 3 Daly Villa's, Carmody Street, Ennis, County Clare Tel No: 065-6868505 Email michael.harty@oireachtas.ie Clinics every Monday and Friday by appointment

Best wishes to Quilty Football team and Miltown Malbay Football team in the County Final.

ber of the Airport Fire Police in Shannon.

“Being a part of the county squad over the last number of years has improved my skill level leaps and bounds. It doesn’t matter what club you play with, there is always going to be a step-up when you’re representing your county, bringing that back to the club it’s nice to drive on the lads around you when you come back to the club.”

Despite being away from his club teammates for large parts of the year, Malone maintained the camaraderie with his Miltown colleagues is as strong as ever. “The club is where you start and where you finish, you’re going to know the lads very well”.

As a club St Josephs Miltown have never won back to back titles, should they overcome neighbours Kilmurry Ibrickane that will all change. Kieran told The Clare Echo they were treating it as “another game, we’re not really rising to the sideshow”. Avoiding conversations on football isn’t easy, “In day to day you are going to meet people who know you through

football circles and the topic of conversation is going to be about football, you just have to focus on the task at hand”.

Being located at Shannon Airport is also less hassle when it comes to making training. He has noticed that a very positively challenging atmosphere at their sessions due to the competition for places. “You’ve no choice but to put in the effort and stake your claim to make sure your name is down on the starting fifteen. When that is happening in training, there is going to be a competitive environment and lads are going to improve as a result”.

In four championship appearances to date, Kieran has scored 1-06 from play and is grateful to the “freedom” afforded to him by David O’Brien and the management team. “I quite like my role that I’m tasked with doing, I have a lot of freedom with it and a bit of responsibility, I’m happy to do my job for Miltown”.

l ALWAYS LEARNING: Kieran Malone says being involved in county has raised his levels Photo by Martin Connolly

ROUTE TO THE FINAL KILMURRY IBRICKANE Round 1 Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-09 Lissycasey 0-07 on 10/08/19 at Kilmihil

TEAM – Ian McInerney; Shane Hickey, Darren Hickey, Diarmuid King; Daragh Sexton, Thomas Lernihan, Martin McMahon; Keith King, Aidan McCarthy; Paudie Murrihy, Dermot Coughlan, Michael Hogan (0-01); Daryn Callinan (0-06 4f), Enda Coughlan, Steven Moloney (0-01). Subs: Adam O’Connor for D Coughlan (5), Eamonn Bracken for Murrihy (48), Niall Hickey for Lernihan (50).

Round 2 Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-16 Corofin 0-06 on 24/08/19 at Ennistymon

TEAM – Ian McInerney; Diarmuid King, Darren Hickey, Mark Killeen; Shane Hickey (0-02), Martin McMahon, Daragh Sexton; Keith King, Aidan McCarthy; Steven Moloney (0-01), Enda Coughlan (0-02), Michael Hogan (0-02); Daryn Callinan (1-06 4f), Paudie Murrihy, Keelan Sexton (0-03 1f). Subs: Adam O’Connor for Hickey, Eamonn Bracken (1-01) for Murrihy, Ciaran Morrissey for King, Mark McCarthy for Callinan, Evan Talty for Coughlan.

Quarter-Final Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-14 Kilmihil 1-10 on 21/09/19 at Shanahan McNamara Memorial Grounds, Doonbeg

TEAM – Ian McInerney (0-01 1f); Ciaran Morrissey, Mark Killeen, Darren Hickey; Daragh Sexton, Martin McMahon, Diarmuid King; Keith King, Aidan McCarthy; Michael Hogan, Dermot Coughlan (0-02), Paudie Murrihy; Enda Coughlan, Keelan Sexton (0-07 4f), Daryn Callinan (0-01). Subs: Steven Moloney (2-01 2’Pen) for E Coughlan (9) (Inj), Daniel Walsh for K King (HT), Eamonn Bracken (0-01) for Callinan (36), Niall Hickey for Murrihy (39), Adam O’Connor for D Hickey (44) (Black Card), Thomas Lernihan (0-01) for D Coughlan (59) (Inj).

Semi-Final Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-13 Cratloe 1-08 on 06/10/19 at Cusack Park

TEAM- Ian McInerney (0-01 1f); Mark Killeen, Darren Hickey, Daniel Walsh (0-02); Ciaran Morrissey (0-01), Martin McMahon, Daragh Sexton, Enda Coughlan; Aidan McCarthy, Keith King; Michael Hogan (0-01), Shane Hickey, Dermot Coughlan; Steven Moloney, Keelan Sexton (0-07 2f). Subs: Eamon Bracken (0-01) for Moloney (34), Niall Hickey for E Coughlan (39), Daryn Callinan for Hogan (56).

MILTOWN MALBAY Round 1 St Josephs Miltown 1-16 Kilmihil 1-12 on 10/08/19 at Cooraclare

TEAM – Sean O’Brien; Euan Reidy, Enda O’Gorman, Eoin O’Brien; Gearóid Curtin (002), Gordon Kelly, Jamesie O’Connor; Oisin Looney (0-01), Conor Cleary (0-01); Aidan McGuane, Eoin Cleary (0-07 4f), Kieran Malone (0-03); Brian Curtin, Graham Kelly (1-00), Cormac Murray (0-02). Subs: Micheál Murray for O’Connor (HT), Darragh McDonagh for B Curtin (42), Eoin Curtin for Graham Kelly (52)

Round 2 St Josephs Miltown 3-13 Kilrush Shamrocks 0-06 25/08/19 at Cooraclare

TEAM – Sean O’Brien; Eoin O’Brien, Enda O’Gorman, Euan Reidy; Micheál Murray (101), Gordon Kelly (0-01), Aidan McGuane; Oisin Looney (0-01), Conor Cleary; Gearóid Curtin, Eoin Cleary (0-06 3f), Kieran Malone (1-00); Cormac Murray (1-02 1f), Darragh McDonagh (0-02), Brian Curtin. Subs: Eoin Curtin for K Malone (52), Seanie Malone for B Curtin (55), Enda Fox for McDonagh (58), Jamesie O’Connor for Reidy (60) (Inj), Gerard Malone for O’Gorman (62).

Round 3 Round 3: St Josephs Miltown 0-09 Naomh Eoin/O’Currys 1-06 on 09/09/19 at Cooraclare

TEAM – Sean O’Brien; Shane Curtin, Martin Rynne, Seanie Malone; Cian Flanagan, Gearóid Curtin, Jamesie O’Connor; Conor Cleary, Micheál Murray; Enda Fox, Kieran Malone (0-01), Ger Malone (0-07 5f); Sean Malone, Graham Kelly, Eoin Curtin (0-01).

Subs: Aidan McGuane for Kelly, Joe Carmody for Cleary, David Talty for Fox, Euan Reidy for Seanie Malone, Brendan O’Brien for K Malone, Michael Barry for Sean Malone.

Quarter-Final St Josephs Miltown 0-12 Lissycasey 1-05 on 21/09/19 at Cooraclare

TEAM – Sean O’Brien; Eoin O’Brien, Enda O’Gorman, Seánie Malone; Euan Reidy, Gordon Kelly, Aidan McGuane; Oisin Looney, Conor Cleary (0-03); Micheál Murray, Eoin Cleary (0-05 4f), Gearóid Curtin; Cormac Murray (0-02 1f), Darragh McDonagh (0-01), Brian Curtin. Subs: Graham Kelly (0-01) for Reidy, Jamesie O’Connor for Murray, Eoin Curtin for B Curtin.

Semi-Final St Josephs Miltown 1-16 Doonbeg 1-12 on 05/10/19 at Cusack Park

TEAM - Sean O’Brien; Enda O’Gorman, Seanie Malone, Eoin O’Brien; Gearoid Curtin, Gordon Kelly, Aidan McGuane; Oisin Looney, Conor Cleary (0-01); Eoin Cleary (0-06 4f 1’45), Brian Curtin, Kieran Malone (0-02); Micheal Murray, Darragh McDonagh (0-03), Cormac Murray (1-04 1f). Subs: Graham Kelly for Looney (42), Colin Hehir for G Curtin (58), Jamesie O’Connor for B Curtin (58), Eoin Curtin for C Murray (59), Ger Malone for K Malone (61).

LIFTED SPIRITS... Jubilant celebrations after the final whistle of last year’s finale, with Miltown’s Sean Malone head over heels with the performance. This year they’re hoping Photo by Martin Connolly to make it their first back to back championships

DID YOU KNOW? Sunday’s decider is the first meeting of St Josephs Miltown and Kilmurry Ibrickane in a Clare SFC final.

St Josephs Miltown have never won back to back titles. They are vying to get their hands on Jack Daly for the 15th time, should they do that they will be level with Kilmurry Ibrickane on the roll of honour list.

Kilmurry Ibrickane have scored 4-54 to date in this year’s championship and have conceded 2-31.

So far in this year’s championship bid, Miltown have put 5-66 on the board and let 4-41 past them.

Two Miltown panellists, Brian Curtin and Gordon Kelly have been championship winning captains.

Shane Hickey (2008), Enda Coughlan (2009), Martin McMahon (2012 & 2017) have led Kilmurry Ibrickane to county final success.

Dermot Coughlan Jnr was the last ever Clare minor football captain when the grade was U18.

Kilmurry Ibrickane manager, Aidan ‘Horse’ Moloney is the only man to captain and manage a team to glory in the Clare SFC, he was captain in 2002 and manager in 2016 and 2017. He is in his second stint in charge of The Bricks.

David O’Brien is also in his second coming as St Josephs Miltown boss. He led their return to the senior ranks following the intermediate success of 2013, they came within four points of becoming the first Clare club to win the Munster Intermediate title. He is a former Clare senior ladies football manager and was coach to the side that won the 2009 All-Ireland intermediate title. He previously served as selector to Colm Collins with the county senior footballers.

Kilmurry Ibrickane have won the Munster senior club crown on two occasions (2004 and 2009), Doonbeg (1998) are the only other Clare club to have also won in this competition.

The Cleary twins Eoin and Conor are first cousins of Enda and Dermot Coughlan.

Both Shane Hickey and Steven Moloney are married to Miltown Malbay women.

Although Eamon Bracken, Aidan McGuane, Conor Cleary and Joe Carmody all play hurling with Kilmaley, Bracken will be in opposition to them this weekend as he plays club football with Kilmurry Ibrickane.

Clare hurlers Conor Cleary and Aidan McCarthy are set to face each other in midfield.

St Josephs Miltown are unbeaten in their last three senior final appearances (1990, 2015, 2018), they have scored a single goal in these outings.

Kilmurry Ibrickane have not lost a senior county final in their last seven outings which includes the 2016 drawn final. St Senans Kilkee (2005) were the last side to beat them on county final day.

24 players have featured in the 2019 championship for Kilmurry Ibrickane.

St Josephs Miltown have used 30 players.

‘A lot of pain in Kildysart team’ l READY TO PRESS ON: The Kildysart team are hoping this will be their big day

PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE IFC FINAL

I

Kildysart v St Breckans

Saturday, 3.30pm at Cusack Park

T’S his first year on the Kildysart intermediate panel but Emmet McMahon is well aware of the heartbreak suffered by the club on big days.

Saturday will be their third time appearing in the intermediate decider since 2016, they have lost out to both Kilmihil and Kilrush Shamrocks with both sides holding their senior status following their promotion.

“There isn’t really pressure as such, it’s a game at the end of the day. We’re going out to win it. We’ve been very close, there’s a lot of pain inside us and hopefully we will set it free on Saturday,” McMahon said to The Clare Echo ahead of their showdown with St Breckans.

Aged eighteen, he was two years old when the club last won the intermediate championship in 2003. Emmet has been part of what he called “a really good underage system” in Kildysart. “This year two lads came up and last year there was three so it’s nice to have a bit of a conveyor belt. There has been a couple of lads retiring so we need to be replacing them, it makes more of a contest in training when people are pushing for places, the standard increases and then the intensity rises”.

Kildysart won four Minor C titles in a row from 2015 to 2018, he was involved in each win and is hopeful intermediate glory will reward all the volunteers within the club.

“The amount of times we’ve been out on

wet, rainy nights and they’ve all the cones and balls set out for us, we wouldn’t be contesting the intermediate if it wasn’t for them.

Hopefully we can repay the work from the last three to five years by getting back to senior”.

“To win would be brilliant for me and my club. I know I wasn’t part of the team but they’ve struggled to get up to senior in the last couple of years, all that suffering from 2016 and last year it would be brilliant for myself and my family to get the result but most importantly the club and the parish”.

A midfielder with the Clare minors last year that reached a Munster Final, there has been no stopping McMahon in his debut with the intermediates scoring 0-05 in their quarter-final win over Kilfenora and bagging a goal in the last four victory over

FINALIST PANELS

Kildysart: Robert Eyres, KierSt Breckans: Tristan O’Callaghan, an Leahy, Brian Eyres, Michael Conor Burke, Evan Barrett, Cian Burke, Eustace, Rory McMahon, Jack Sheedy, Alan Sweeney, Ciaran FlaShane McNeilis, John Ginnane, nagan, Liam Tierney, Dale Masterson, Kieran O’Brien, Emmet McMaccon Byrne, Padraig Kelly, Colm Mahon, Luke McGrath, Keith O’Brien, Rowan Danaher, Joe McGann, O’Connor, Seamus Casey, DiAiden Davidson, Colm Haugh, Michael armuid O’Donnell, Neil O’ConGarrihy, Pat Nagle, Daniel Carey, Darnor, Mikey Donnellan, Aidan ragh Flaherty, Robert O’Connell, Cian O’Loughlin, Kieran Eyres, Ian Burke, Michael Hogan, Seamus Hurley, Flanagan, Ryan Casey, Keith John Paul Keating, John Stack, Michael Murphy, Stephen Sheehan, Flanagan, Killian Blood, Eoin Petty, John Murtagh, Oisin Coyle, Conor Shannon, Ryan Burke, Shane Conor Cusack.

O’Connor.

Manager: Noel Garry.

Selectors: Terry Murphy, James Foran, Ruairi Murphy, Tomás Eustace, Brian O’Sullivan.

Physio: Kieran Connelly

Manager: Donie Garrihy.

Management: Jersey O’Loughlin, Pat Haugh, Declan O’Keeffe.

Selectors: Cathal Blood, Greg O’Leary.

Sports science: Conor Shannon.

Physio: John Earls

Shannon Gaels. “I wouldn’t be getting any of these points if there wasn’t lads around me.

No one remembers who won a quarter-final or a semi-final, it’s all down to the big day”.

His role at full forward also sees him roam around midfield for the second half in close proximity to his brother Rory at wing back.

Emmet’s exploits have resulted in him getting called up by Colm Collins to the county senior training panel. “I can’t wait for that to get started, it will be a great achievement and hopefully I’ll be able to impress the lads at training”. So far he is on a strength and conditioning programme plus a diet plan.

“It will be an unbelievable experience, I’ve been in the stands the last couple of years looking at them like celebrities so it will be grand to see them face to face and train with them, it will be a good experience to train KILDYSART Group 2 Round 1 Kildysart 1-08 St Josephs Doora/Barefield 0-11 on 10/09/19 at Lissycasey Group 2 Round 2 Kildysart 3-12 Naomh Eoin 1-08 on 24/08/19 at Kilrush Semi-Final Kildysart 1-15 Shannon Gaels 0-09 on 05/10/19 at Cooraclare

with them and that intensity will be very high. It will be a big step up but hopefully I’ll be able to fit in”.

Club commitments have restricted his involvement with the UL Freshers Team, he is studying to become a PE and Maths teacher.

The college nights out that have been sacrificed due to Kildysart’s run will have been worth the miss if they win on Saturday, he said. “You’d be sitting there on a Monday night and you see fellas going out. If you were to lift a trophy after it all, you’d know all those nights you stayed in for would be worth it and that’s the aim at the moment”.

Noel Garry’s charges are looking forward to playing in Cusack Park, for Emmet McMahon he’s hoping his first intermediate final will be one to savour.

ST BRECKANS Group 4 Round 2 St Breckans 2-16 Coolmeen 2-05 on 24/08/19 at Hennessy Park, Miltown Malbay Group 4 Round 3 St Breckans 2-11 Éire Óg 2-02 on 08/09/19 at Corofin Quarter-Final St Breckans 1-11 O’Currys 0-06 on 22/09/19 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay Semi-Final St Breckans 2-14 St Josephs Doora/Barefield 1-10 on 06/10/19 at Ennistymon

St Breckans ‘is everything’ for manager Donie Garrihy PASSION and pride are two traits Donie Garrihy will always bring to the fore, so long as his native place is concerned, writes Páraic McMahon.

Relegated to intermediate 12 months ago, St Breckans turned to Clare’s most successful soccer manager, two time Oscar Traynor winning boss, Donie Garrihy to lead their crusade back to senior.

According to the Doolin2Aran Ferries Director, “The aim at the beginning of the year was to steady the ship, there was different views on where the football was going and where were people going and what they were doing, it was doom and gloom so the aim was to steady the ship at the start and put it on an even keel, start being positive and start work”.

In tracing their progression, Donie goes back to the beginning and their first gathering on January 10th this year. “We said we’d do our best, we were coming from a fragile place.

I know it’s an old thing but we’re never looking ahead of the game, low and behold we’re in a final, that final is an award for the players to be in the final, they’re rewarded for being there, now they have to award themselves. You’ve asked a thousand managers the same question, people who would be more in the GAA world may answer you more plainly, it’s a reward for their efforts but now they have to award themselves. I can’t award them, they can do it themselves”.

His message back in January is one he is still applying. “I told them, ‘I cannot win a football game for you, I have not got a magic wand, I can direct you but you have to achieve this on your own, I can stand in the technical area but I don’t have a magic wand, it’s going to be about yourselves

and standing up for your club, yourself, your family, your school, where your job is’. I can stand in front of a board and show them this is the heading next week in The Clare Echo, The Clare Champion or the local Facebook page, you see the heading ‘Breckans Almost’, ‘Breckans Nearly’, ‘Breckans Next Year’, ‘you have a chance of achievement’, someone could come along with the glantóir and rub that all off ”.

Reverting from soccer to gaelic football management was “a huge transition”, Donie admitted. “I take stuff at face value, when I hear the buzz word that football has changed, I’d have to experience that before I use that phrase, I make up my own mind. I guard against the unknown”. Subsequently he formed a management team which included Greg O’Leary, Cathal Blood, Jersey O’Loughlin, Pat Haugh, Conor Shannon and the most recent addition two time All-Ireland winner Declan O’Keeffe.

At U14 and U16 level Garrihy previously managed St Breckans teams, learning from the likes of Jim Hillery, Pat Harrington, Francis Hawes, Willie Moloney, TJ O’Loughlin and Tom Cosgrove. “I always heard about football at home in the house, a mad football house. I learned a lot from them as a young kid, growing up listening to them people. I was always into soccer, at U16 level with Lifford which is a long time ago 37 years ago, hitching to Ennis playing youths football, from my late father’s point of view it was a no no but I had to do it on the quite”.

For his father, soccer was “a no no” but for Donie any GAA club other than St Breckans falls into the “no no” category. His own playing career with Breckans lasted thirty two

MAN OF THE PARISH: Donie Garrihy

Photo by Martin Connolly

years. “One life one club, I would not think of playing football with anyone else. In soccer it’s a different world, it’s non parochial but in gaelic games that is a no no in our house.

Winning a galvanised medal with our club is like a Champions League winners medal rather than winning a gold medal with somebody else. You’ve no idea how passionate we are in our house about our club, my wife Breeda is the Culture Officer in the club, my four sons have won championship medals underage and my daughter plays with Burren Gaels, it’s everything”.

Nine months on from meeting the panel of players, Donie Garrihy has steadied the ship, from here to Saturday’s it’s full steam ahead as St Breckans aim to win their third intermediate title in 37 years and their first since 2010.

EchoSport Bridge success means world to Davy SNR HURLING CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

G

CRATLOE 0-15 SIXMILEBRIDGE 0-21, CUSACK PARK

ETTING involved with Sixmilebridge again and seeing the club taste success at senior level has brought an immense sense of satisfaction to Davy Fitzgerald, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Sunday, he became the first person to train a side to Clare SHC honours in the same year as guiding another team to Leinster championship glory following Wexford’s exploits earlier in the summer.

Having not spoken to Tim Crowe for the past 12 years, Davy and Tim put their differences aside after Chairman Paddy Meehan enticed the pair to work together with The Bridge senior team. “Me and Tim had our differences in the past...The Chairman came and asked me would I work with Tim Crowe, it didn’t take me two seconds, I said I would, he was asked the same thing. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done to get back involved with Tim, it was the right thing to do and I’m so proud to have been involved with it”. He praised Crowe for doing “a phenomenal job” as manager and spoke of how it was “a pleasure” to be back with The Bridge. “I’m so delighted to be back involved with my own club and it means the world”.

Sixmilebridge got their hands on the Canon Hamilton for the 14th time and the fourth occasion this decade. To do so against their other big rivals Cratloe makes it sweeter Garneyside as despite playing second fiddle in the first ten minutes, The Bridge held their nerve and would outscore their opponents 19-9 from here onwards.

A fiery beginning saw Alan Neville’s men take control to build a 0-06 0-02 advantage, their white flags coming courtesy of Conor McGrath, Shane Gleeson, Rian Considine and Enda Boyce. On 11 minutes, Cathal Malone pointed when snatching a Seadna Morey sideline cut delivery from a waiting Diarmuid Ryan. Crucially though before, Morey touched the sliotar, McGrath picked up an injury that he was unable to shake off for the remainder of the game, it is no coincidence that this curtailed their challenge. Off the back of Malone’s point, The Bridge scored straight from the puckout via Jamie Shanahan. What was a four point lead was cut to two points within seconds.

From here on, The Bridge took over and limited Cratloe to just three points for the remainder of the half while adding seven of their own.

Despite it being county final day and a derby clash, the ferocity that existed in the first ten minutes was non-existent for the second half. Although Sixmilebridge’s lead for the most part was four points, it felt much larger such was the lack of life emerging from Cratloe. Energy was zapped from their challenge as they missed scoreable chances, their wide tally of 12 included four from frees, Alex Morey on the otherhand had 100 per cent accuracy from placed balls.

This writer has pointed out on occasion this year that Sixmilebridge’s full-back line was vulnerable, as evident in the Éire Óg quarter-final. However for them to concede only a single goal in the championship would force yours truly to consume some humble pie, though the celebrations may prompt any baked goods from being prepared by Crowe’s Bakery to be delayed, for now at least.

Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Alex Morey (0-8, 7f); Cathal Malone (0-4); Brian Corry, Jamie Shanahan, Conor Deasy (0-2 each); Jason Loughnane, Shane Golden, Barry Fitzpatrick (0-1 each) Scorers for Cratloe: Shane Gleeson (0-5, 3f); Diarmuid Ryan (0-3); Rian Considine, Cathal McInerney (0-2 each); Conor McGrath, Enda Boyce, Billy Connors (f) (0-1 each) Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Brian Carey, Noel Purcell, Barry Fitzpatrick; Caimin Morey; Pa Mulready, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Seadna Morey; Shane Golden, Evan McInerney; Jason Loughnane, Jamie Shanahan; Cathal Malone, Alex Morey, Brian Corry. Subs: Conor Deasy for Loughnane (HT), Alan Mulready for Corry (59), Kevin Lynch for A Morey (61), Niall Gilligan for Shanahan (61), Cathal Lynch for McInerney (61) Cratloe: Gearoid Ryan; Martin Oige Murphy, Shane O’Leary, Michael Hawes; Damien Browne, Diarmuid Ryan, Liam Markham; Conor McGrath, Enda Boyce; Shane Gleeson, Billy Connors, Sean Collins; Podge Collins, Cathal McInerney, Rian Considine. Subs: Sean Chaplin for Connors (HT), David Collins for S Collins (38), Jack McInerney for McGrath (51).

Referee: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)

l CLOSE QUARTERS: Enda Boyce attempts to hook Sixmilebridge’s Séadna Morey

Photo by Willie O’Reilly

Glory for Broadford

IHC FINAL

BROADFORD 0-15 DOORA/BAREFIELD 1-11, CUSACK PK

A

FTER five years of trying, Broadford have sealed their return to the top tier in Clare hurling.

Broadford made life very difficult for themselves in Saturday’s decider but did just enough to secure their eighth intermediate title and first in eleven years.

The win will atone for their 2016 defeat to St Josephs Doora/Barefield who were relegated from the senior ranks last year.

A bright start in which Broadford scored six points in the opening quarter laid the foundation for their win but their return of three points in the second and third quarter almost cost them the title.

Fortunately for them, Donie Whelan was on form and did damage on every occasion he received the ball.

Doora/Barefield as they reflect on the game can have no complaints. They did build up a four point lead on fifty one

minutes when the impressive Conor Tierney goaled but were the inferior team for the vast majority of the contest.

Over sixty five minutes, they scored 1-03 from play and lost 54 percent of their own puckouts.

In terms of game management, Broadford ruled the roost.

Tom Howard’s side won the key battles with Darren Chaplin coming out on top against Davy Conroy while Alan O’Neill who has been The Parish’s main main for the best part of this decade was restricted by Eoin Donnellan, once this happened their challenge greatly waned.

The East Clare outfit had more strength across the board which was evident in their range of six scores contributing 0-11 from play.

Donie Whelan with five points from play, Darren Chaplin and Darragh Whelan were best for the winners who will now play a Munster club semi-final on November 9th. Next year, they will be more than capable of reaching the

knockout stages of the senior championship.

Scorers Broadford: Donie Whelan (0-05), S Taylor (0-05 2f 1’65), P Hickey (0-02 1f), D Moloney (0-01), S Phelan (0-01), Craig Chaplin (0-01).

Scorers St Josephs Doora/Barefield: D Conroy (0-09 6f 2’65), C Tierney (1-00), A O’Neill (0-01), C Ruane (0-01).

Broadford: JC McMahon; Paddy Donnellan, Eoin Donnellan, Darragh Whelan; Cathal Chaplin, Darren Chaplin, Padraig Taylor; Mark Moloney, Diarmuid Moloney; Sean Phelan, Shane Taylor, Craig Chaplin; Donie Whelan, Niall Moloney, Stiofan McMahon.

Subs: Padraig Hickey for M Moloney (43), Kieran O’Connell for Phelan (53), Danny Reddan for D Moloney (55), Diarmuid Whelan for Craig Chaplin (63) St Josephs Doora/Barefield: Paul Madden; Jarlath Colleran, Kevin Dilleen, Thomas Hehir; Conor Kearns, Aaron Landy, Keelan Butler; Darragh O’Shea, Adam Mungovan; Caimin O’Connor, David Conroy, Cian Barron; Brian Guilfoyle, Alan O’Neill, Conor Tierney.

Subs: Cathal Ruane for Guilfoyle (40), Jack Hannan for O’Connor (41), Fionn O’Brien for Dilleen (53).

Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)

SPORT

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

49

COROFIN/RUAN MINORS MAKE HISTORY A FIRST ever Clare Minor A hurling championship is the reward for an exceptional Corofin/ Ruan team that overwhelmed Clarecastle on Sunday, 1-21 to 2-09 at Cusack Park.

Ruan have previously won the top Clare minor hurling prize in 1938 and 1953 but Sunday’s success is the first time the joined up forces of Corofin and Ruan have tasted championship glory at this grade.

Unbeaten going into the decider, Clarecastle were left reeling as the North Clare side blitzed them in the opening half where they managed a single score. Corofin/Ruan’s return of 11 consecutive points in 24 minutes highlighted their first half dominance.

Though corner back with the county minors, Cillian McGroary showed he was well able to split the posts with Kevin Keane, Shane Punch, Patrick O’Halloran and Diarmuid Cahill also contributing with white flags.

The Magpies eventually opened their account on 26 minutes through a Oisin Casey free. The twelve point gap was still a mountain they would be incapable of climbing.

Inevitably as with most Clarecastle teams, a fightback from John Casey’s charges was imminent and they came with more vigour on the resumption. Substitute Niall Brigdale struck for goal within four minutes of the restart. Ultimately the damage was done in the opening period and Corofin/Ruan though not as free-scoring as they had been continued to do damage largely through the outstanding Diarmuid Cahill who himself raided for goal on thirty eight minutes.

Scorers Corofin/Ruan: D Cahill (1-08), S Punch (005 5f), C McGroary (0-03), K Keane (0-02), P O’Halloran (0-01), J McDonagh (0-01), A Brohan (0-01).

Scorers Clarecastle: O Casey (1-06 1-05f), N Brigdale (1-00), B Healy (0-01), J Doherty (0-01) Referee: Rory McGann (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

Scariff/Ogonnelloe claim first senior title CLARE SNR CAMOGIE FINAL

SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE 1-12 NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS 2-03, AT CLARECASTLE

S

CARIFF/Ogonnelloe have won the Clare Senior Camogie Championship for the first time beating Newmarket-on-Fergus on Saturday, writes Páraic McMahon.

In what was their first senior championship final, Scariff/Ogonnelloe showed no nerves and were dominant from start to finish to deservedly see captain Mairead Scanlan raise the McMahon Cup.

Not alone were they sharper on the breaking ball, they came out on top in over 90 per cent of key battles.

From the off, the East Clare outfit showed intent with the lively Aoife Power getting the game’s opening point. Zoe McInerney responded four minutes later in what was Newmarket’s first shot on goal.

Four points in succession put the League finalists back in the driving seat only for a converted

Laura McMahon penalty to bring the Blues to within a point.

Scariff/Ogonnelloe responded superbly again with an unanswered 1-05. Marian Rodgers raised the green flag, firing low and hard past Kilmartin.

Needing to claw back the eight point deficit, Newmarket started the second half well. Critically though despite getting on top for the first ten minutes, it only materialised into one point. Points from

Getting acceleration through impact...

T

HE key to achieving optimum distance and trajectory with every golf club in your bag, but in particular with the longer less lofted clubs you use, is to make sure your golf club is accelerating as you impact the golf ball.

If your club isn’t accelerating then it is slowing down as it strikes the golf ball and the club you are using will loose speed and momentum as it strikes the ball, causing a loss of ball speed as it leaves the face of the club, which also causes a lower trajectory leading to a loss of carry and overall distance on the golf ball. When you choose a less lofted golf club like a driver, fairway three wood, lower lofted rescue’s or a long iron (1 - 4 irons in particular), you need your swing to accelerate through impact in order to achieve the optimum trajectory.

You don’t have the aid of loft on these longer clubs to get the ball airborne, therefore clubhead speed and acceleration is needed to achieve the optimum carry distance. An indication of this is if you currently find your five and six iron carry similar distances or possibly even further than your three or four iron.

To achieve a golf swing that will accelerate through impact, you need to focus on the follow through part of your swing after you strike the ball. A well known golf tutor in the US Fred Shoemaker recorded his clients who struggled with acceleration in their golf swing and then he got an old golf club and asked them to throw the club on their follow through. Looking back on his footage he noticed when his clients threw the golf club, they had far better acceleration than when they tried to strike a golf ball. Throwing an old golf club on your follow through will give you the feeling of freedom as you freely release the club towards your target, which will help you to achieve the

additional acceleration you are looking for. There are also training tools like the tempo trainer (left) that has the majority of the weight in the ball at the end of the shaft, this training tool will teach you how to accelerate better on your follow through.

To achieve the full follow through position your back foot must also roll and lift off its heel over on to your toe (below), other wise your hips can’t turn fully and you simply can’t accelerate fully through impact. Looking at the image attached with the four stages of the golf swing. Focus on his position

in the final image where he is facing directly towards his target with his right foot completely on his toe. This is the perfect finishing position you need to achieve if you are to find the maximum acceleration in your own golf swing.

In order to gain the maximum distance with every club, but especially your less lofted longer clubs you must achieve a swing that accelerates through impact with the golf ball. This can only be achieved if you finish your follow through completely. “Remember you are NOT swinging your golf club towards the golf ball, you are ALWAYS swinging the golf club towards your TARGET”.

Power and Scanlan kept Jim Minouge’s side in front but the Blues struck for goal again with Niki Kaiser teeing up Zoe McInerney.

Such was the gap between the teams that the leaders opted to go for a point from the penalty spot on fifty six minutes. Although they only added two points in the second half it was enough for the East Clare side to claim the top prize in Clare camogie.

For the fourth year in a row,

PGA Golf Professional

Newmarket-on-Fergus have come up short on county final day. Scariff/Ogonnelloe were superior all over the field and are capable of going on to rule the roost at senior level for years to come.

Scorers Scariff/Ogonnelloe: M Scanlan (0-05 2f 1’Pen), A Power (0-04), M Rodgers (1-00), D Sheedy (0-01), A Corbett (0-01 1f), J Daly (0-01).

Scorers Newmarket-on-Fergus: Z McInerney (1-01), L McMahon (1-00 1’Pen), A O’Brien (0-02 2f).

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

The Scorecard in association with

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Club Fundraiser Winners Tony Duggan, Kieran Kennedy, Patsy Kett; Ladies: Maureen Clune, Rachael Whelan, Marie Donnellan Mixed: Michael Hayes, Noreen O Grady, Owen Slattery Men’s Seniors Nick Ryan, Seamus ODwyer, Tom Larkin Friday Scramble Redmond Walsh,Kevin Mannion, Helen Downey ENNIS GOLF CLUB Friday Open Singles. 11 - 10 - 2019 1st Tony Mc Inereny (14) 39pts 2nd Evan Greer (13) Woodstock GC 35pts Gross Andrew Whelan (5) 24pts 3rd David Considine (15) 35pts 9 Hole open singles 1st Sean Hayes (19) 15pts Saturday Club Scramble 12th Oct. 2019 1st Marian Irwin, Padraig Cusack & PJ Hehir 45 2nd Carmel Verling, Gerry Bredin & John Gavin 46.3 Gent’s Modified Scramble Oct 12/13 1st N Normoyle, Ml Irwin, E Glenny, J Mc Namara 102pts 2nd D Kinsella, J Griffin, J Byrne, M Geraghty 101pts 3rd PG Mc Inerney,B Considine, G O’ Brien, M Cummins 97pts KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Oct 12/13 KGC Open Men’s Singles

1 Joe Linnane (14) 27 pts 2 Finbar McMahon (17) 26 pts Wed Oct 09 Senior Men 1 Noel Thornton, Gerry Duffy, Jim Kelly, PW Glynn 67pts 2 Bill O’Reilly, Billy Clarke, Murt Collins 65 pts 3 Mick McNamara, Tom McGrath, John McNelis 57 pts Tue Oct 08 Senior Ladies 1 Margaret Clancy, Margaret Griffin, Anne McMahon, Carmel Lillis, 40.33 2 Ann Coen, Pauline Kirk, Marion Brennan, Loretta Browne, 40.58.

SPANISH POINT GOLF CLUB Oct 13, Ladies Singles 13-Hole S/F 1st Emer McCarthy 20 pts (playoff) 2nd Yvonne O’Keeffe 20 pts 3rd Maura Burke 20 pts Oct 13, Men’s Singles 18-Hole S/F 1st Greg Davidson 43 pts 2nd Noel McMahon 40 pts 3rd Noel Connellan 40 pts Oct 8, Seniors’ Open Singles 18-Hole S/F 1st Eamonn Murphy 36 pts 2nd Maurice Murphy 36 pts 3rd Michael A Hennessy 34 pts 2/6 Oct - Ladies Weekly Singles S/F 1st Mary Kenny 29 pts 2nd Maura Killackey 28 pts 3rd Ann White 28 pts

50

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

CAR REPAIRS

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT

CLEANING PAINTING

EDUCATION BEAUTY ELECTROLYSIS PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL Apilus advanced technology Experienced, confidential service, Free consultation Ring Mary 085 7534775

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

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- Indoor and exterior painting services - high quality only - spraying and traditional painting

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- Patio and walkway cleaning - Hard to reach gutters - Exterior house washing and more..

Fully insured. vat reg. All areas Covered www.freshlookpaintinglandscaping.com

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THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

PLANNING/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 53

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & ANNIVERSARIES can ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for a part of us went with you, the day God took you home.

Those we hold most dear never truly leave us,they live on in the kindness they showed, the comfort O’SHEA (1st Anniverthey shared, and the sary): In loving memory love they brought into of our dear Mam and our lives.

Nana, Helen.

Missed everyday by NAUGHTON Michael 86 Cluain Airne, Shan- your loving family (20th Anniversary): non, Co. Clare, who Clara, Andy and Inisgrove, Lahinch died 21st of October Emma.

Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. 2018.

Anniversary mass Treasured memories of Our hearts are full of in Mary Immaculate a wonderful Husband memories, with pride church, Shannon on & Father who departed we speak your name, October 19th at this life on the 17th though life goes on 12pm.

October, 1999. without you it will never Deep in our hearts you be the same. will always stay, A million times we’ve loved & remembered needed you, a million every day. times we’ve cried.

Ger, Ciara, Sarah & If love alone could have Eimear. saved you, you never Mass this Sunday 20th would have died.

October 11.30am in In our hearts you hold the Cathedral, Ennis. a place no one else

ANNIVERSARY

PLANNING Clare County Council Knockyclovaun, Killaloe, Co Clare We, Frank & Hilary Free, are applying to the above authority for permission/retention permission for the following development on property at Knockyclovaun, Killaloe, Co Clare: 1. Retention for increase in floor area of extension to existing dwelling previously permitted under planning ref 08/1111 2. Conversion of existing detached domestic garage to a self-contained granny flat, single story extensions to front elevation of existing detached domestic garage, construction of new detached domestic garage, relocation of existing log cabin elsewhere on the application site, connection to necessary services together with all associated incidental and site works.

The planning application may be inspected,

or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council Ballyduff, Barefield, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates – Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody St, Ennis (0656893565 www.foudyconsulting. ie) Intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Mary Daly for permission to construct

an entrance, dwellinghouse, wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter together with all ancillary site development works and services at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

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54 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

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QUIZ 55

THURSDAY, OCT 17 2019

The Clare Echo Quiz The 2018 Munster fleadh will be held in which Clare town?

Kilrush, Ennis, Shannon Smith O Brien’s gaa club are based in which County Clare parish?

Feakle, Ballyvaughan, Killaloe Droichead an Chlair is the Irish name for which Clare village?

3

Cratloe, Clarecastle, Liscannor The holy well at Newhall just outside of Ennis is named after which saint?

Saint John, Saint Peter, Saint Paul Name this County Clare castle.

(Pic left) Ballinalacken, Lemenagh,Knappogue In which County Clare village will you find L”ARCO Italian Restaurant Ballyvaughan, Tulla, Doonbeg.

Clonmoney is a townland in which County Clare parish.

Kilbaha, Tulla, Bunratty Hennessy Memorial Park is the Gaa grounds in which County Clare town Kilrush, Milltown Malbay, Shannon Name this County Clare village?

(Pic right) Doonbeg, Bodyke, Ruan Who was the Grand Marshall for this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ennis?

Marty Morrissey, John Burke, Tom McNamara

4 5 6

7 8

l VILLAGE: Question 9. Name this County Clare village?

9 10

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Yvonne Young - Asst Director Nursing, Margret Carroll - Peer Vacinator, Mairead Lane Ryan - Occupational Health Nurse and Mary Cleary - pictured in University Hospital Limerick, as the HSE today (10th October) urged people in at-risk groups to get vaccinated against influenza this winter.

Photo by Brian Arthur

6. Ballyvaughan 7. Bunratty 8. Milltown Malbay 9. Bodyke 10. John Burke

lCASTLE: Question 5. Name this County Clare castle.

ANSWERS

1. Ennis 2. Killaloe 3. Clarecastle 4. Saint John 5. Lemenagh

BANNER TRIVIA 1 2

Last weeks Answers . Logo on cup is missing . Shamrock on towel is missing . e is missing in Brie . String on mans hoody missing

. tins in background different colour . Buttons on waiters shirt missing . yellow lines on box of pasta are now red

Christmas Events

Dec 21 st

Dec 22 nd

Dec 28th

Jan 5th

Santa’s Grotto ₏25 Arrives December 6th incl. booking T: +353 (0)65 686 9600 www.treacyswestcounty.com

25th October