The Clare Echo 19/10/23

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

Oct 19 2023

THE MAC ATTACK ‘Historic’ gains at

Shannon Airport

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT’s recovery is among the best in Europe and is the best in Ireland, new independent analysis has found.

Global aviation publication Air Service One in its latest independent analysis detailed that Shannon Airport is leading the way in terms of its recovery from the pandemic which crippled the aviation industry.

A total of 1.34 million passengers chose Shannon during the first nine months of this year as it experienced a 14 percent increase on 2019 passenger numbers and a five percent jump compared with the same time in 2018.

Comparing the recovery versus 2019 shows other Irish airports have bounced back slower: Cork’s traffic was +5.6 per cent, Knock +1.9 per cent and Dublin +1.2 per cent.

CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine said the findings were “fantastic” for Shannon. She stated, “This is another testament to the hard work by our team across the Group, in providing dynamic services to our customers in the region and beyond. We worked extremely hard throughout the pandemic to upgrade our infrastructure and ensure ease of travel for our passengers, particularly after the pandemic, where many were concerned about travelling”.

Full story Page 14

Mulcahy back on the ballot

l Cratloe’s man of the match Cathal McInerney with his two sons Tom and Charlie after they were crowned Clare SFC champions for the third time on Sunday

Photo Gerard O’Neill

FORMER SENATOR, Tony Mulcahy (FG) is returning from the political wilderness and will contest next year’s local elections.

Shannon based Tony has been out of politics since losing

out in the 2016 Seanad Election.

He was selected alongside Cllr John Crowe (FG) in the Shannon Municipal District at Monday’s selection convention.

Mulcahy explained his reasons for returning to politics in an

exclusive interview with The Clare Echo.

Full story Page 12

2

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

CONTENTS

NEWS .............................2-16 COLUMNISTS ...................18 HEALTHY CLARE .............19 GREEN CLARE ...........20-21 BUSINESS ...................22-27 HURLING FINAL .........28-42 SPORT..........................43-47 PLANNING ........................54

New life on old Feakle farm FOR the first time in 40 years, a calf was born on a Feakle farm, writes Páraic McMahon.

Batt and Dan O’Shea farmed on land in Magherabaun in Feakle, they died in the 1990s and their last owned cows before them in the 1980s. Now Paula Carroll and her family reside on the same land and over the weekend they experienced what could be described as a magical moment with new life born on the farm on Friday for the first time

in four decades. Paula explained, “there has been no calf born on this farm for probably 40 years.

Until today, when this lovely 12 year old Belgian Blue Mammy gave birth to this little girl, unobserved and without a bother on her.

The neighbours were called and we stood and gazed and talked and felt blessed. All us nonfarmers in this place where farming is now a memory”. “Old place new life,” she remarked.

l BLESSED: The Belgian Blue mammy and her new calf

Gardaí probe assault case

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONTACT US

36C Abbey St., Ennis, Co Clare Call: 065 - 6719021

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

The Brendan O'Regan Restaurant is ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

The Town Hall Bistro

The Poets Corner Bar

Providing a welcoming environment with great value food championing local ingredients.

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

AN INVESTIGATION is ongoing into an alleged assault at a premises in Sixmilebridge.

“Serious injuries” were sustained by a boy in Sixmilebridge on Thursday last (October 5th).

He was brought to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for treatment of these injuries which The Poet's Cornerare Barnot life-threatening. He has since from hosis a traditional Irish pubbeen that discharged opens pital. its doors onto the main town street of The Clare Echo understands Ennis. Perfect for that a pint, biteistoa secondary eat or theaboy school traditional Irish music session. student.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána outlined that they were investigating “ an alleged assault that occurred at a premises in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, on Thursday afternoon, October 5, 2023”.

Investigations continued into the incident, Gardaí have confirmed.

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant Ideal for special occasions.

The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

Book now on +353 65 682 8127 or email sales@oldgroundhotel.ie | Find out more www.oldgroundhotelennis.com/dining

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19 , 2023

HomeGallery-Pre-Xmas.qxp_Layout 1

18/10/2023

15:35

Page 1

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

ORDER NOW FOR XMAS WE ARE NOW TAKING LAST FURNITURE ORDERS FOR PRE-CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

LIANA CORNER GROUP WAS €2695 NOW €1349 RETRO CHAISE SOFA WAS €1595 NOW €995

TANGIERS CORNER SOFA WAS €2,449 NOW €1,949

ROBYN 3 SEATER WAS )1595 NOW €1195

Open Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6pm SUNDAY 1pm - 5pm

I N T E R I O R S

Kilrush Road, Ennis Ph: 065 6797040

3

4

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Paddy McDonnell a fountain of knowledge with a gift for stories

by Páraic McMahon

most loyal supporters, Paddy was certainly among them, he travelled KILKEE’S Paddy McDonnell has to games across the country be it been remembered as a fantastic hurling or football. storyteller who possessed a strong As a keen sportsman, Paddy gave passion for his native place and most of his life to GAA, and sport county. in general. He played football for A driving force of the GAA in St. Senan’s Kilkee as a young man Kilkee, Paddy died suddenly at the whilst also serving as a committee age of 83 on Sunday on his way back member in the club in his younger to his car having attended the Clare years. He also played basketball for SFC final between Cratloe and St Kilkee.

Breckan’s in Cusack Park.

West Clare may be traditionally As a spokesperson for St Senan’s viewed as more football than hurlKilkee GAA club noted, “For a man ing territory but Paddy was an inwho dedicated his life to sport in strumental force in Kilkee/Bealaha Clare, he wouldn’t have wanted to hurling club, remaining a driving go any other way”. force in the club from when it conBorn in England, he came to tested the national Féile na nGael Moveen and later Kilkee before hurling final in 1987 right until the starting school in Kilrush CBS. He present day serving as the club’s described his Leaving Certificate President. He previously flagged results as “reasonable”, in the years that hurling in Kilkee goes all the after he went to England and later way back to 1830. returned to Dublin working as a Michael O’Neill first got to know psychiatric nurse and a concierge in Paddy in 1984 when Paddy was Croke Park before returning to his involved with the Clare Supportbeloved Kilkee. ers Club. When he moved back to When it comes to Clare GAA’s Querrin a decade and a half ago McDonnell became his travelling companion for Clare hurling matches all over the country.

“He was man full of life,” Mick told The Clare County Council is currently inviting Clare Echo. applications from suitably qualified persons for the “He was a great below competitions. Clare County Council will, man, he got the following the interview process, form panels for hurling going here the areas set out below from which future relevant in the 1980s, it died vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval but he got it going from the Department of Housing, Local Government and then when I & Heritage. got it going again • Print Room Attendant in 2014 he was the first man I went Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 12 noon to, he was at our Tuesday 7th November 2023. semi-final a fortnight ago, he would • Retained Fire-Fighter Panels always ring me after (Part-time) games and I’d ring him, we were very Clare County Fire & Rescue Service is currently close. It might not recruiting staff for inclusion on panels for the go down well with following stations: people back here • Shannon but hurling was his • Kilrush first game, he’d go • Kilkee anywhere if there • Killaloe was a game”.

• Ennistymon Attending Clare Candidates must live and work within 2.4 km of games won’t be the Fire Station and be available to attend drills and the same for Mick fire alerts. next year, “It will Garda vetting will apply prior to any appointment(s) be different going that are made. to matches, physCompleted applications must be emailed to: ically he won’t be recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later then 12 noon on there but spiritually Tuesday 14th November, 2023. he will be, I’ll miss Application forms and further particulars may be him, I got to know obtained by requesting same from the Human him very well over Resources Department, Clare County Council at the last fourteen to 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie fifteen years”. or can be downloaded from the following website: Supporters in safwww.clarecoco.ie fron and blue would Clare County Council is an equal opportunities often spot Paddy at employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community. games but his voice was well known Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat. to GAA followers across the county.

For many years, he was a sports reportparaic@clareecho.ie

l The late Paddy McDonnell

er for Clare FM up until 2014. He was also a regular contributor to The Clare County Express, providing notes from Kilkee and West Clare.

Paddy was also ever-available to assist Raidió Corca Baiscinn with their sports output, appearing as a regular guest while also featuring in a 2010 documentary looking back on the Kilkee Strand Races.

During his 44 years as Editor of The County Express, Seamus O’Reilly built up a friendship with Paddy.

He recalled, “We’ve known each other over the last 25 years, we were great old buddies, we were different in ways, we’d sit down in Kilrush and talk about anything”.

O’Reilly added, “He had great stories, he was a proud Kilkee men, he loved looking out from the Strand, he enjoyed his lot in life”.

His ability on the air came as no surprise to those who knew him as Paddy was a great storyteller who loved nothing better than regaling an audience with stories of past events, such tales made memorable due to way with words.

This view was echoed by O’Neill, “he was heavily involved in the drama back here, he took part in the drama and he was very good at, the last play I remember him in was as the Bishop in John B Keane’s

The Field. He was very good at that and on the local radio, he wrote with The County Express for years, if there wasn’t a story he’d always find one, he gave us great coverage in Kilkee while the paper was there.

He always told a great story of being involved when Kilkee won the Gardiner Cup, there was an objection after they played Doonaha in the 1970s, they objected but the County Board never got the Cup back, he reckoned it was somewhere by the Blackweir Bridge”.

In 2009, Paddy was part of a group of five Kilkee men who were involved in the publication of ‘Kilkee, A Sporting Odyssey’ which chronicled the history of the GAA and other sports in the coastal West Clare town.

Ger Keane, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Paul Costelloe (RIP) and Patrick Keane formed the committee alongside McDonnell. Paddy’s deep knowledge was one of the biggest sources of material for the book and this will serve as one of his biggest legacies in the area.

Former Clare footballer Keane who worked alongside McDonnell on the project paid tribute to him this week. He told The Clare Echo, “Paddy McDonnell was a Kilkee man and a Clare man to the core but beyond that he was a gentleman.

He loved Gaelic Games and was a passionate supporter of Clare hurling and football teams along with St Senan’s Kilkee. He was a founder member of his beloved Kilkee/ Bealaha hurling club and kept the club alive through good and bad times along with his good friend Michael O Neill.

“Paddy never had a bad word to say about anyone and he was a popular member of the West Clare community for his wit and good humour. He was a fountain of knowledge and this was evidenced in his popular segment in the Kilkee notes section of The County Express, something that Seamus O’Reilly will testify to, Paddy was a noted Basketball player in his youth and he loved to talk about the games that were played in the old Olympia Hall. The town of Kilkee is a lesser place due to Paddy’s passing but his spirit, passion and attitude will live on in all those who knew, respected and admired him”.

Paddy’s removal will be from Lilli’s Funeral Home in Kilkee on Thursday at 6pm to the Prayer Room at St. Senan’s Church Kilkee for prayers at 6:30pm followed by reposal until 7:30pm. His funeral mass is in St. Senan’s Church Kilkee on Friday at 11:30am followed by burial in Lisdeen Cemetery, Kilkee.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

Credit Unions in the Republic of Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

5

6

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Francis St site will host first Minister’s comments affordable housing scheme ‘interesting’ A SITE that had been intended to become a €1m temporary car park in Ennis is now earmarked as the county’s first location for an affordable housing scheme, writes Páraic McMahon.

Last October, Clare County Council acquired a block of six cottages with the intention of using the site as a temporary car park and then a mixed-use development as part of the Ennis 2040 Strategy, they had initially been on the market for €700,000.

In March of this year, there was a split in the Ennis Municipal District when a Section 183 to dispose of the lands and buildings was passed by the smallest of margins (4-3) backing the plans to use it as a temporary car park and then a mixed-use

development, the disposal was set to cost €1.1m for the 0.327Ha site.

These plans led to the creation of the Francis Street Alliance (FSA) who hold a public protest in April and within a month the County Council announced they were postponing plans to demolish the cottages.

Representatives of FSA met with Director of Social Development in Clare County Council, Anne Haugh and Director of Economic Development, Carmel Kirby in the past fortnight (October 6th).

Plans for a temporary car park at the Francis Street site are off the table and instead it is envisaged to be used for affordable housing, the first in the county.

A spokesperson for Clare County Council

lSPLIT: Francis St, Ennis

GIVE THE

GIFT OF HEARING

TH IS C H R IS TMA S

We’re giving away a FREE top of the range pair of hearing aids valued at

€5000!

Simply tell us why you, or someone you know deserves to win.

Either post or drop in your nomination, email us or visit our website and leave us a message.

Scan the QR code to visit our website and leave us your nomination.

T 094 9861698

M: 083 3945762

EMAIL: contact@kellyhearingspecialists.com

| 086 8658259

VISIT US AT: kellyhearingspecialists.com

Kelly Hearing Specialists • Holly’s Pharmacy • 23 Abbey Street • Co. Clare FREE HEARING ASSESSMENTS • EAR WAX REMOVAL • TINNITUS THERAPY • LATEST HEARING TECHNOLOGY

told The Clare Echo, “As the focus for Francis Street is centred on the delivery of affordable housing, the Local Authority outlined the process for obtaining approval for a new affordable housing scheme, criteria to meet, timelines, eligibility of applicants, and the potential advertising and marketing of the scheme.

Clare was granted access to the Affordable Housing Fund by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in early 2023.

FSA is comprised of Clare Leader Forum, Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field, Sinn Féin’s Ennis cumann and the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Clare. In a statement to The Clare Echo, the group said it “will continue to oppose projects that we feel may be a dilution of local democracy and may see the transfer or sale of public land by the Clare County Council to the Ennis 2040 DAC”.

Underperformance on the provision of social and affordable housing in Clare was among the items raised by FSA during their meeting with members of the Council Executive. “The Council Executive confirmed that the planned temporary carpark will no longer go ahead and that Co Clare will see its first affordable housing scheme built on the Francis Street site.

Clare County Council and the Ennis 2040 DAC are planning and managing this scheme and this is ongoing. A detailed advertisement campaign is due in January 2024. Whilst some of the public’s concerns were alleviated, a number of questions were left unanswered and a number of new questions have arisen,” FSA stated.

ENNIS 2040 DAC have described the comments of the Environment Minister in a row with Dublin Port as “interesting”, writes Páraic McMahon.

This week, The Irish Independent reported on the dispute between Dublin Port and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP). Dublin Port is refusing to give up its new car compound for housing, the ten-acre site can hold 2,500 newly imported cars while they await distribution to salesrooms.

Minister Ryan said the compound should be housing people and not cars. “Do we want these large areas as car parks, within walking distance of O’Connell Street, within walking distance of the Luas?” he said.

Following the publication of a report on the matter by The Irish Independent, Ennis 2040 DAC via their social media channels stated, “Interesting article in today’s Indo: Minister says we should be housing people, not cars”.

This post came days after Save Ennis Town held a silent march to demonstrate their opposition to construct a mixed-use development on Abbey Street car park. Ennis 2040 DAC’s social media is managed in-house while it employs a PR consultant to handle its media queries.

“As with any organisation, Ennis 2040 DAC shares content on its social media channels which may be of interest to its target audience. Over the last few months this has seen everything from National Umbrella Day to articles in The Clare Echo to news items in National media. Social media is managed in-house,” a spokesperson for Ennis 2040 DAC told The Clare Echo.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Vogue Williams

Styling Event!

In a Crescent exclusive, Vogue Williams talks lifestyle and fashion essentials with Muireann O’Connell followed by

Vogue’s Style Showcase Compered by fashion legend Celia Holman Lee

Sat Oct 21st from 1pm Tickets available on Eventbrite

50

Series 1973-2023

Celebrating 50 Years of Crescent

News

7

8

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Capital investment for Scariff campus

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FUNDING for a project at the College of Further Education Training Scariff Campus has been announced.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris (FG) was in Scariff on Monday to announce the capital investment which will support Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board adding a purpose-built extension to the College of FET campus.

This project falls under the next tranche of capital investment under the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund. “The funding I am announcing today is going to expand and add the number of courses available here in Construction and Engineering. These courses and their availability are crucial as they will help to meet the skills and lifelong learn-

ing demands locally and nationally,” he stated.

Minister Harris commented, “This purpose-built extension will facilitate integrated FET learning on one Campus, enhancing the crucial role our Further Education Institutions play in supporting an inclusive and progressive society which serves the needs of everyone in society”.

According to Minister Harris, the Scariff investment is “of huge importance and will benefit those learners who are to come through the door in the coming years”.

Funding for this project will be provided through SOLAS to Limerick and Clare ETB. The project announced today will now move forward to the appointment of a design team, with a view to development of a more detailed project brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Chief Executive of SO-

LAS, Andrew Brownlee, said the capital investment announcement was “a significant development for learners and communities in the Clare region, but also an important milestone in the evolution of FET facilities and provision nationwide”.

Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare ETB, George O’Callaghan commented, “The ETB very much welcomes the significant planned investment by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science through SOLAS in the Further Education and Training facilities in Scariff that are in need of an upgrade. The announcement aligns with the ETB’s FET Strategic Framework priority of ensuring FET facilities provide the best learning and working environments that reflect quality and industry standards, and promote innovation and sustainability”.

lPROJECT: Minister Harris taking an art class in Scariff

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Ireland’s Best Value Business Broadband

News

Now only

34

€

.99 a month

Blanaid Hennessy, Folkster

“When running your own small business, you need a partner you can trust. For me, that’s eir.”

Call 1800 220 200 Go in-store • Visit eir.ie/business From April of each year, the monthly price of your plan (excluding any discounts) will increase by the Consumer Price Index rate published in January of that year plus an additional 3%. For more information see eir.ie/annual-price-increase.

Terms and conditions apply

eir SMB Press Ad FOLKSTER Clare Echo.indd 1

09/10/2023 19:01

9

10

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Unauthorised ceremonies at ancient Burren Abbey damaging grave slabs

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

THE STAGING of unauthorised humanist weddings and civil ceremonies at an ancient 13th century Abbey in the Burren, Co Clare is resulting in damage to graves slabs there with local family members upset over litter, broken glass and bottles left behind after such events.

That is according to the Minister for State at the Dept of Public Expenditure, Patrick O’Donovan TD (FG) who confirmed that as “a last resort” that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has now erected signage at Corcomroe Abbey advising visitors that such events are not allowed to take place there at the National Monument.

Corcomroe Abbey was built in the 13th century and the Cistercian Monastery is located a few miles from the Burren coastal village of Ballyvaughan.

However, according to Minister O’Donovan the Abbey is regularly advertised by known wedding celebrants as a location to stage a humanist or civil ceremony.

In a written Dáil response to Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) on the issue, Minister O’Donovan said that the activity at Corcomroe has led to concerns in relation to the

l CONCERNS: Corcomroe Abbey

damage to the grave slabs which are located in the nave of the Abbey in the front of the altar.

He said, “Chairs and other items are being placed on the grave slabs which leave scratches behind. The graveyard is an active graveyard regularly visited by family members

who have been upset by finding litter, broken glass, bottles, and flower arrangements left behind after these unauthorised events”.

Minister O’Donovan said that the OPW has been aware of unauthorised ceremonies taken place at the Abbey and has in the past tried

FREE EARWAX REMOVAL

Notes

for the month of November.

CUIMHNEAMH AN CHLÁIR THIS Thursday 19 Oct at 6.30pm in Kilrush Library, Dr Críostóir MacCárthaigh, recently retired Director of The National Folklore Collection, will give an illustrated lecture on: Memories of the Civil War preserved in the National Folklore Collection.

With this lecture Cuimhneamh an Chláir makes its contribution towards marking the last year of the Decade of Centenaries. To book your free place please e mail us at events@ clarememories.ie

Earwax buildup can cause a range of hearing problems, from mild to severe.

Hidden Hearing is offering

FREE EARWAX REMOVAL SERVICES

for over 55s throughout November.

(To the value of €70) Our Earwax Removal Services are: • Expert-led • Quick and painless

to engage with known celebrants who regularly advertise the Abbey as a wedding location to request that they remove reference to the National Monument from their advertising. Minister O’Donovan said that the decision to erect the sign “was a last resort and was taken en-

sure that any parties wishing to get married are aware that ceremonies are not facilitated there and should they witness such an event that official permission has not been granted and report it to the OPW”.

The Limerick TD did state that there are a number of sites where the OPW facilitates humanist weddings and civil ceremonies. He said that these venues were chosen after consultation with the Civil Marriage Registration Authorities in Ireland as meeting their criteria in respect of suitability, access, health and safety and non-religious themes.

The Minister said that the sites are on the OPW website and the OPW welcomes and facilitates a number of requests for such ceremonies at these approved sites each year. The sites include Ceide Fields, Ormond Castle, Casino Marino, Dungarvan Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Charles Fort.

Deputy McNamara said on Monday that Corcomroe “is more impressive than many better known monastic sites across the country.

It is a fantastic Abbey and it would be great if the Abbey could be utilised more in a way that doesn’t negatively impact on it and that is the fear that the OPW has in terms of the civil ceremonies that have taken place there”.

Call Hidden Hearing Ennis 065 679 7027 or visit hiddenhearing.ie for FREE earwax removal.

• Use state-of-the-art technology • Do not require a GP Referral • Highly effective • FREE for over 55s during November

Please Quote: B2N1-1

X-PO HERITAGE TALK THE first X-PO heritage talk of the new season takes place on Thursday October 26th at 8.00 p.m. It is entitled “Clooncoose Cave, An Early Medieval Refuge?” The guest speaker is Pat Cronin. The talk will focus on Clooncoose cave in Carran. It is a 30 metre long natural passage with artificial features which suggest that it may have been used as a refuge in the past.

Pat read archaeology at NUI Galway as a student. He is a cave explorer in the Burren and the wider world. All things subterranean are an addiction to him. He is presently researching the origins of souterrains; their commission and construction.

Pat is a volunteer in the Doolin Coast Guard Unit and a Warden in the Irish Cave Rescue Organization. He lives in Doolin with his wife Pauline. All of our events are free but donations are welcome. Please note that X-PO is an intimate venue so please come early to guarantee yourself a place.

CLARECASTLE DAYCARE CENTRE POP UP SHOP CLARECASTLE Daycare Centre will host an Aran knits pop-up shop on Saturday, October 28 from 11am to 3pm. Selection of pure wool Aran throws, cushions, jumpers, dresses, hats, scarves and ponchos. Cash only - no card facilities. All proceeds to Clarecastle Daycare Centre.

VILLAGE INN FUNDRAISERS FOR MILFORD ANN and Willie at the Village Inn in Quin are organising a series of fundraisers for Milford Care Centre in memory of Declan Ryan. The events include: Darts competition on Friday, October 20 at 8pm; 45 drive on Wednesday, October 25 at 8pm; Tractor drive on Sunday, November 5; 50km cycle on Saturday, November 11. Saturday night is the main event. Male volunteers will undergo transformations such as chest hair waxing, beard shaving and Mohican hair styles. On the the night there will be a raffle, 100 squares competition, music, bingo and signed Clare & Munster jerseys auction. Please support these events and contribute to Milford Care Centre which does so much for so many in our region.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Monsters, misfits and mayhem to take over Bunratty this Halloween BUNRATTY Castle and Folk Park in County Clare hosts its biggest Halloween celebration yet when Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem take over the castle grounds from Saturday October 28th to Monday October 30th.

From ghosts swooping from the skies to a deathly torture chamber in the castle basement and from the witches’ kitchen to the haunted train that snakes through the Folk Park, no gravestone will be left unturned at the 26-acre visitor attraction later this month.

The Witch’s Kitchen, located within the nearby Loop Head Farmhouse, will see Grandmother Witch prepare her latest magic spell in a cauldron filled with secret ingredients. The Witches come under suspicion too during the Witches Trial as Ardcroney Church is transformed into a courthouse for the event.

The solemn wake of Mickey McNamara will be hosted in The Shannon Farmhouse where the farmer demonstrates he has some unresolved business to attend to as his family pray for their beloved. Visitors to the neighbouring outhouse will marvel at the antics of the Incredible Talking Head.

Children of all ages can take a ride through the Folk Park on the Halloween Haunted Train where they must be on the guard for executioners, convicts, grim reapers, and zombies lurking around every corner.

Age-old Halloween traditions will be reenacted at the Golden Vale Farmhouse where the Bean an Tí will speak about the types of food that typically would have been eaten in Samhain and recall the peculiar superstitions of the time.

They will also host Halloween-themed games where guests can participate in traditional Halloween games such as Bobbing for Apples,

Blind-Man's-Buff and Snap Apple.

At Corry's Pub on the Village Street, Bunratty’s resident one-of-a-kind seanchaí Mickey Joe will recount fables of Samhain and hair-raising tall tales passed down through the generations.

Other performances on the Village Street include Escapologist Monsieur Gusto as he showcases his juggling, escapology, and acrobatic skills, Konor the Klown and his hilarious Halloween themed puppet show, and Tarot Card readers will be on hand in the Spooky Haunted Hayshed to offer visitors a glimpse into their future.

“Castles and historical monuments have long been associated with spooky goings-on and this Halloween Bunratty Castle is no different, and we’ve added some new and interesting features such as the tortuous Bed of Nails in the Castle Torture Chamber,” explained Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. “Upstairs the creepy castle guides will tell the story of the deadly dungeon and monstrous murder hole, while in the courtyard all must beware of the grim executioner who will set you in stocks if you’re not careful!”

Ms. Brennan added, “Our Village Street characters will abandon their old-style Irish tweeds for Halloween attire as the Folk Park is transformed into a cauldron of spooky Halloween activities. This year’s programme is guaranteed to thrill and terrify the entire family.”

‘Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem’ takes place from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm each day from Saturday October 28th to Monday October 30th. Visit www.bunrattycastle.ie for booking details.

News

11

Harvest Walk raises vital funds for Day Service Pakie Garvey presenting a cheque from funds raised recently from Cora Garvey Memorial Harvest Walk. A total of €2,850 was raised in Whitegate for St Dympna’s Ability West Adult Day Service in Portumna. Pictured are Garvey family members with centre manager Gerry Blake and friends.

PUBLIC INFORMATION NOTICE Shannon Town & Environs Flood Relief Scheme Emerging Preferred Options Public Consultation Event Venue: Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Airport Road, Shannon, Co Clare Date: Wednesday, 25th October 2023 Time: 4pm – 8pm

CLARE County Council in conjunction with the OPW and Shannon Airport Authority are progressing the implementation of the Shannon Town & Environs Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme is likely to include for works along the Shannon Estuary as well as a number of tributaries within Shannon town and the industrial estates. Interested parties are invited to

attend a public consultation event to be held on the 25th October from 4pm 8pm at Treacys Oakwood Hotel in Shannon. Representatives of Clare County Council, the OPW and RPS will be available to answer queries.

For individuals who may not be able to attend in person details will also be available on the project website at www.shannontownandenvironsfrs.com.

The purpose of the event is to allow interested parties the opportunity to offer their views on the emerging preferred options being considered. Any comments/ observations can be provided at the event or forwarded to shannonfrs@rpsgroup. com.

Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem 28th-30th October 11am-5pm

BOOK NleO.ieW /halloween ycast

www.bunratt

12

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Fianna Fáil Mulcahy to keep faith in make political comeback sitting trio

F

IANNA fáil members have kept faith with their sitting trio of councillors in the Ennis Municipal District by opting to select them on the ballot paper for next year’s local elections, writes Páraic McMahon.

Hotel Woodstock hosted Monday’s selection convention of the Ennis Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceanntair which was chaired by Cork North-West TD, Aindrias Moynihan (FF).

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) was joined at the top table by Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Templemore’s Tim Maher who is on the party’s national executive, Kevin Considine the party’s chair in Ennis and Angela Coll the Ennis branch’s PRO acted as secretary for the convention.

A total of 109 votes were cast for the convention with 75 to 80 people in attendance when the results were announced.

Exact votes were not revealed to the membership but they were informed Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) received the highest amount of votes. She was elected on the first count along with Cllr Pat Daly (FF).

Colleran Molloy’s surplus resulted in the election of Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) on the second count plus the elimination of Antoinette Bashua Baker (FF) and Amanda Major (FF).

The Clare Echo has since learned that Colleran Molloy received 40 votes, Daly 35, O’Callaghan was just two shy of the quota with 26 votes received while Bashua Baker had 5 and Major 3.

Highlighting the anticipation surrounding the convention was the attendance of Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) in Ennis along with a handful of members outside the Ennis Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceanntair.

Addressing the convention, Cllr Colleran Molloy admitted it was “hard to think it was five years since we were here last and I was asking for the opportunity to represent you for a second term”.

First elected in 2014, she told the gathering, “I am pleased to say that after ten years in the role, the fire is still in the belly to go again”.

Quin native Clare welcomed the competition for places on the party ticket and expressed particular pride as the party’s only ever female councillor in Clare that more women were putting their hand up to represent Fianna Fáil, “we’ve had

a competition here tonight, it has come about because two other females wanted to represent Fianna Fáil in the Ennis Municipal District, that is to be applauded because in other parts of the county there is a struggle to get candidates to come forward”.

She was confident a “progressive strategy” would be put forward by the party in their bid to retain three seats in the Ennis MD. The Ballybeg resident said the backing of members for the selection convention was “an overwhelming vote of confidence, it was clear in the numbers”. She added, “we must be a confident optimistic and progressive county and you have to have councillors to reflect that ethos”.

“Democracy was done tonight,” Cllr Daly remarked.

“I’m one of these old fellas going around Ennis trying to plámás people and trying to get favours done but I’m surviving,” he added.

He referenced the threat of Sinn Féin to Fianna Fail, “I believe they peaked two years ago, I believe we will beat them in the local election and the general election but we have to be wary”. Selling three Fianna Fáil candidates to the public in the electoral area is the challenge, the longest serving of the councillors in the Ennis MD stated.

To get confirmation that he was an official candidate for the local elections was a moment of delight for Cllr O’Callaghan.

“One of the hardest things when you put name out there is that you are putting yourself out there,” he said. “I have made it my business since I was co-opted when saying I’d do something that I would do it,” the Kildysart native commented of his work on the Council since taking the seat of Mark Nestor last year.

O’Callaghan took time to remember his late grandfather Michael Lawlor who he described as “a dev man” from Ballynacally. “We’re now a team and our objective has to be to bring those three seats back, I will do everything I can to achieve that”.

To get a nomination was an honour, Hermitage native Antoinette reflected. “Even though I was not successful I have committed to the Fianna Fáil party and I am conscious that I’m among people who have given a lifetime of service”. She said the work of Mark Nestor over three years “reignited the importance of Fianna Fáil to the Cloughleigh community”.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FORMER Senator, Tony Mulcahy (FG) is making his political comeback and will be contesting next year’s local elections.

Mulcahy was selected alongside Cllr John Crowe to represent Fine Gael in the Shannon Municipal District for the 2024 local elections which will be held next June. The duo were unopposed at Monday’s selection convention held at the Park Inn in Shannon, the party were unsuccessful in their efforts to encourage a third candidate to run in South-East Clare. Newcastle West native Tony was an elected member of Clare County Council from 1999 to 2011. Indeed it was his running mate Cllr Crowe who approached him to put his name forward. He also served as a Town Councillor on Shannon Town Council from 1994 to 2011. In 1999, Mulcahy with 451 first preferences was the last of five councillors elected in the Shannon electoral area after Patricia McCarthy (IND), Cllr Crowe (FF), the Seán Hillery (FF) and Cllr Pat McMahon (FF).

By 2004 with 1,195 first preferences he was the second candidate elected in a strong performance for Fine Gael with Cllr Crowe topping the poll but McCarthy again was first elected, followed by Mulcahy and Crowe. Five years on, Tony again secured his status as the second candidate elected in Shannon, Crowe topped the poll and this time was first elected.

During his time on the local authority, Tony was Chair of the Fine Gael grouping and also served as Mayor of Clare in 2009/10. A bid for the Dáil was made by the Shannon man in 2011. He received 11.8 percent of the first

preference vote, the sixth highest in a field of sixteen.

He was eliminated on the tenth count as Fine Gael retained two seats in Clare with success for Pat Breen (FG) and Joe Carey (FG).

There was better luck for the Managing Director of Freshtoday Clare weeks later when he became a Senator. A share of 64,000 votes saw him elected to the Labour Panel. He lost his seat in the Seanad in 2016, stepping away from politics after this. He has previously served on the Clare Federation of people with Special Needs. In 2006, he was a selector for the Wolfe Tones senior hurlers when they won the Clare SHC. The team’s freetaker Garret McPhillips contested the 2019 local elections and had Mulcahy’s backing, McPhillips seconded Tony’s candidacy at Monday’s convention.

Sixmilebridge based Crowe will be contesting his sixth successive local election. He also contested the 2016 Seanad Election but was eliminated on the thirty first count on the Industry and Commercial Panel, he finished with 60.799 votes. Speaking to The Clare Echo in his Tullyvarraga home on Tuesday morning, Tony explained why the decision to return to politics has been on his mind for the last nine months. “I’m retiring from my own business next year, I talked to a good few lads in the business and political game and the question was put to me ‘what are you going to do’, basically I came to the deduction that I should do what I’m getting the phone calls about and be a proper representative and not be pushing to other people. An awful lot of people voted for me in the town, I obviously don’t know who they are but there is a good chunk of them. Anybody

lPOLITICS: FILE PIC. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny that has ever called to me I’ve always tried to represent them to the best of my ability even when I wasn’t elected, I just continued to do that”.

Politics is more fastpaced since he finished up as a Senator, Tony noted.

“I’m handy on the mobile phone, Facebook and the WhatsApps, it has got a whole lot faster but I don’t think you’ll see me on TikTok or Instagram, that is not my style of politics or doing business. I’m very fond of my town, I came here in 1976, trained as a chef in the Airport, got elected to the Shannon Town Council in 1994 on the persuasion of John Crowe to run in the first place, I’d have always had a political lineage even though I was asked in the Airport what colour I was and I didn’t know what it

meant, I was only sixteen and next thing I was a member of the branch in Shannon, I was involved in leaflet drops with Madeline Taylor Quinn and Donal Carey in the 1980s, it just continued on from there until John asked me to run it and I gave it a go with the Town Council and it took off, it ballooned”.

Abolishing the Town Councils remains an issue that Mulcahy is annoyed with. “I wasn’t happy with the abolition of the Town Council, I made my views known to Phil Hogan, if you look at it now we’ve two Council seats in Shannon Town whereas it was nine with the Shannon Town Council so we had plenty of people to go to whereas now the workload is carried by two with a population of nearly 11,000. I

‘We’re only meeting at funerals’ seek meetings to discuss issues FIANNA fáil members feel there needs to be more meetings of its Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair held, writes Páraic McMahon.

Speaking at Monday’s selection convention to decide the party’s ticket in the Ennis Municipal District, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) led the call for more meetings to be held among the party membership to discuss issues of importance.

The Comhairle Ceanntair is a form of

district unit covering the entire county.

Deputy Crowe noted that having a contest to decide who represents the party on the ballot paper is “democracy in action”.

He added, “we need to go back to having Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair meetings, we need to be having these gatherings. In our family, we buried a loved one 10 days ago and it was said amongst our family that the family only tends to meet at wed-

dings and funerals nowadays, it seems to me that when we meet as the Fianna Fáil family we’re putting on the green armband and honouring our dead.

“We should be meeting more often, I would love to have a meeting of the Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair before Christmas to give our candidates a platform to

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

with Tony Mulcahy Photo by Joe Buckley didn’t agree with the abolition of Town Councils, Town Councillors were getting €183 a month. It built from there, you learn as you go along with all the representations made to you, you get everything, the key is to have the contacts to know who to talk to but you’re not God and you can’t solve everything, the biggest thing is to be straight and honest with people and I’ve always done that”. Tony maintained his political and business experience will make him an asset to the local authority if elected next year. “I’ve a lot of experience and knowledge from both business and political, I’d like to see the Industrial Estate continue to grow.

In 2014, we abolished Shannon Development when Shannon Commercial Properties got set up under the management of the Airport, it has been completely refurbished and made into modern facilities, the Airport has a lot to do with it and Mick Guinnee in Ei who has a stunning operation. I believe that growth should continue along the Estate.

“I had a great working relationship

with Mary Considine at the time and Rose Hynes and great contact with Michael Noonan while Leo Varadkar was Minister for Transport and Richard Bruton was Minister for Enterprise, thankfully we can see the benefit all the time. My only interest is to have jobs here for the next generation. A lot of people look at it that it’s about fixing footpaths and lights, there is that too and making sure there is road crossings, making schools safe but I do a wider remit and I always believe that if we have plenty of employment we have a vibrant town, if you go back to ten or fifteen years ago the Industrial Estate was finished and briars were going up through the buildings, Leo Varadkar’s Chief of Staff Brian Murphy is a good friend of mine, I don’t mind name dropping, I harassed him every time I met asking what we were doing for Shannon and the Industrial Estate which is why we have what we have there, we kept pushing”.

For more from this interview, become a subscriber of The Clare Echo on clareecho.ie.

- Fianna Fáil members of importance bounce ideas around”.

Party member Liam Daly speaking from the floor stated, “we haven’t had a Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair meeting for many years, I would like to see more Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair meetings. It has to be said”.

Meelick native Crowe commended local officer Angela Coll for manning the Ennis Comhairle Ceanntair Face-

book page which he said had “fabulous positivity”.

He added, “it sets a status that other pages should look at, it has positive messaging from the party”.

The TD’s comments appeared to be a jibe at the East Clare Comhairle Ceanntair Facebook page which has questioned the direction of the party on occasion.

News

13

14

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Shannon

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Traffic calming measures to proceed in Tradaree and Cluain Airne

P

ROPOSED traffic calming works in Cluain Airne and Tradaree impacting on Shannon residents are to proceed, writes Páraic McMahon.

A series of traffic calming measures are to be introduced as proposed by Clare County Council from the St Patrick’s Comprehensive school roundabout through the cul-de-sac between Tradaree and Cluain Airne estates in Shannon.

Two uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, four speed cushions,

alterations to existing build-outs, junction tightening introduction of drop kerbs and two short sections of footpath to accommodate the pedestrian crossing points on Bothár na Rinne are proposed.

Following the erection of a site notice at the beginning of June and the publication of a Section 38 notice in The Clare Champion, just one submission was received from the public.

This submission queried if a pedestrian crossing should be allowed to enable a

crossing to St Patrick’s Comprehensive. The correspondence also requested utilisation of some of the green space for parking between Cluain Airne and Tradaree to remove cars parking along the road edge and also the provision of additional parking at the end of the road.

Senior executive engineer with the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett in his report to elected members outlined that an improved pedestrian crossing point is included opposite the basketball area of St Patrick’s Comprehensive.

On the utilisation of green space, he stated, “the design incorporates existing build-outs along this road which allow for parking. Recessing these buildouts into the green spaces would lead to long wide straight

Celebrate Christmas 2023 at the

Shannon Springs Hotel & The Old Lodge Gastro Pub SSH…This is where the magic happens!

Party Packages €39.95 per person

Christmas Lunches €28.50 per person

Festive Afternoon Tea From €25.00 per person The place to be for all your festive party celebrations this year…

To book, or for more information, phone: 061 364 047 or email: info@shannonspringshotel.com 061 364 047 | WWW.SHANNONSPRINGSHOTEL.COM BALLYCASEY, SHANNON, CO. CLARE

sections of road which can lead to increases in vehicle speeds”. Consideration to increasing available parking spaces can be made in a separate application, he said.

At the September meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) (inset) felt further improvements could be made to the proposal. “I had issues with it and I was trying to improve what was on offer, that is our duty because it is a reserved function to pass it. I’ve met on site with the senior executive engineer and liaised with residents in the area”.

He told the meeting his support for the measures were dependent on adaptations. “I am hoping improvements can be put forward, one of them is for an additional speed cushion before the bend on the

road”. The other was a centre white solid line from the roundabout “to stop illegal parking on both sides of the road and to give additional parking, with those improvements pencilled in I will support, if they are not, I will not”.

“To incorporate the changes would mean going back to the drawing board and starting again,” Mellett advised the meeting. “I can give a commitment that we will progress a separate Section 38 to incorporate those changes,” the engineer added.

Such a commitment was requested “in writing” with a timeline by Cllr Flynn. “It is very important, a number of people have said I’m holding this up, I’m not, I want to get it right,” the Shannon representative added.

Shannon ‘Ireland’s best recovered airport’ SHANNON Airport is Ireland’s best recovered airport, an independent analysis by global aviation publication, Air Service One has found, writes Páraic McMahon.

In the first nine months of 2023, Shannon Airport recorded a 14 per cent increase on 2019 passenger numbers, and 5 per cent increase on 2018, its previous peak for passenger numbers.

During this period, Shannon Airport saw a record 1.34m passengers through its doors. The report stated, “Comparing the recovery versus 2019 shows other Irish airports have bounced back slower: Cork’s traffic was +5.6 per cent, Knock +1.9 per cent and Dublin +1.2 per cent. Shannon made history in several months so far this year, including August. It was because of strong growth by Ryanair and United Airlines. It will be further helped by the return of Delta Air Lines from New York JFK in 2024 after a five-year absence”.

Air Service One delivers air service development news and data driven analysis to airline network planners and to the air service industry across the globe. The data for the report was collated using Cirium, a programme that uses airline fleet data, aircraft values, travel analytics, flight information and airline schedules to deliver analytics.

Speaking to Shannon Airport about the report, Air Service One commented, “As the world increasingly returns to normal from the devastating pandemic, it is great to see Shannon Airport leading the way in Ireland. Helped by big Ryanair growth, the airport welcomed 14% more passengers this January-August than in 2019. It is among the best recovered of European airports”.

Commenting on the report, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine said, “It is fantastic to see in the Air Service One report that Shannon Airport is Ireland’s best recovered airport. This is another testament to the hard work by our team across the Group, in providing dynamic services to our customers in the region and beyond.

We worked extremely hard throughout the pandemic to upgrade our infrastructure and ensure ease of travel for our passengers, particularly after the pandemic, where many were concerned about travelling.

“We have just recently launched our new service to Paris with Aer Lingus which is a fantastic route to serve the region. Charles De Gaulle is one of Europe’s busiest airports serving 119 countries worldwide. We now look ahead to 2024 and we are committed to growing further. The recent news

by Delta Air Lines of the return of its JFK service in May next year, will be another boost for us here in Shannon,” she added.

l Mary Considine Photo by Arthur Ellis

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

15

16

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Ennis

Work on €11.6m public realm project to begin

W Harmony Bro take to home stage in Ennis Harmony Bro, the Ennis based men’s choir, are giving a concert of Songs of The Sea in Glór, Ennis on Thursday 26th October with special guests Sean Dagher and Fiona Ryan.

Harmony Bro is a new, Ennis based men’s choir, singing together since September 2022. Well known musicians Joan Hanrahan on fiddle, Brid O’Gorman- flute, Cormac Hennessy- upright bass, Michael Hennessyaccordion and Oisín O’Cualán on acoustic guitar will provide accompaniment on the night.

As well as soloist Sean Dagher, our own Padraic Larkin, Brian McAulliffe , and George Hegarty will sing solo for some of the shanties.

Richie Hayes, Paddy Hogan and Joe Lynch will also be part of the ensemble. Musical Director for the evening is Michael Hennessy. Visit glor.ie for tickets.

Pedestrianisation to end in Ennis

PEDESTRIAN measures in O’Connell Street in the heart of Ennis will end on Sunday next, writes Páraic McMahon.

Clare County Council have confirmed that the temporary measures will no longer be in place from 4:30pm on Sunday (October

22nd).

A spokesperson for the local authority outlined, “This is in line with the road closure notice advertised in February 2023. As outlined in this notice, these measures were intended to be in place until 7th January, 2024, or until the O’Con-

nell Street Public Realm works commenced, whichever date would fall first”.

Such works were intended to commence last year but were delayed in a wait for final approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

ORK ON one of the largest public infrastructure projects to be undertaken in Ennis in decades is set to get underway early next week, writes Páraic McMahon.

Clare County Council has confirmed that the first phase of works to enhance the streetscape of High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square in Ennis will commence on Monday (October 23rd). €8,744,275 has been approved for Project B of the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Strategy following the successful delivery of significant public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, and town laneways and bow-ways in 2020 and 2021.

Funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) with 25% match funding from Clare County Council, Project B will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption to local business. Pedestrian and service access will be facilitated at all times and affected businesses and residents will be kept informed throughout the construction period. The works are due to be completed in late 2025. Uisce Éireann is funding the delivery of the foul sewer upgrade in parallel.

Phase 1 of the works, which are being undertaken by Shareridge Ltd, entail the upgrading of footways and kerbs with high quality surface materials, undergrounding of cables, improved wall-mounted street lighting and replacement of large sections of the Uisce Éireann foul sewer. The works will focus on the area extending from

the junction of Old Barrack Street and O’Connell Street to Carmody Street. The first phase is planned for completion in April 2024 and includes a five-week pause in works from 1st December to early January to promote Christmas and New Year trade.

The commencement of works also coincides with the ending of the Temporary pedestrianisation measures currently in place for O’Connell Street on Sunday, 22nd October at 4.30pm. Meanwhile, site investigation works will take place at O’Connell Square over the coming weeks ahead of Phase 2 of the project commencing in 2024. Vehicular access will be maintained throughout.

Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Pat Daly (FF) commented, “The public response to the proposed works has been extremely positive to date. There is great enthusiasm about what the project will deliver in terms of the significant enhancement of the historic town centre for the benefit of traders, visitors and the local community”.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council said, “These public realm enhancement works will substantially improve accessibility in the town centre. This will be achieved through the provision of widened footways and shared surface treatments, as well as providing up-graded civic spaces and enhanced amenity with high quality paving, seating, tree and shrub planting, street lighting and signage. The result of these completed works will be an attractive, welcoming, and vibrant streetscape befitting a county town the size and economic importance of Ennis”.

Scéalaíocht do pháistí i leabharlann na hInse dé Máirt Free storytime as Gaeilge in Ennis Library next Tuesday Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

B

ÍGÍ in éindí liom Dé Máirt seo chugainn, an 24ú lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair ag 3pm, i Leabharlann De Valera in Inis, áit a bheas mé ag inseacht scéil agus ag rá amhráin agus rannta do pháistí!

Is ócáid choicísiúil IN AISCE í seo i gcomhar le Glór na nGael. Agus ansin Dé Céadaoin beidh scéalta agus rannta le Ceri i Leabharlann Shráid na Cathrach, ón 10.30 go 11am. Saor in aisce freisin!

Come along to De Val-

era Library, Ennis, at 3pm next Tuesday the 24th of October, where I will tell stories and sing songs for children and their parents/guardians, i nGaeilge and FREE OF CHARGE! And then on Wednesday, the 25th of October, between 10.30 and 11am please come along to stories and ryhmes as Gaeilge with Ceri in Miltown Malbay Library. Also free of charge.

lMacDara sa leabharlann

Imeachtaí/Events:

• ENNIS/INIS – RANGANNA GAEILGE/ ON-GOING IRISH CLASSES, Ennis Education Centre, Dé Céadaoin, 6pm agus 7pm, spraoilegaeilge@gmail.com, 085-1295594 • CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm • INIS – Músaem an Chláir, Taispeántas dhátheangach ag ceiliúradh saol & saothar an Ollaimh Tomás Ó Máille, an chéad ollamh le Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ar siúl go dtí an 27ú Deireadh Fómhair.

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com • RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@ clare.fm

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

17

Students invited to explore Ennis Community College on open night

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

ENNIS Community College and Gaelcolaiste An Chlair are welcoming prospective students and their families to visit their state-of-the-art facility next week.

Gaelcolaiste An Chlair will host an open evening on Tuesday, October 24 and Ennis Community College open night is on Wednesday, October 25.

Last summer, an extensive €12.5m extension transformed Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir. The open nights will provide an opportunity for students and parents to meet with staff and students, and tour the modern facility upgrades as they decide their first choice second level education.

Among the additions to the new facility include a full-size sports hall and changing rooms, a fitness suite, a new library, a number of additional classrooms including a new science lab, home economics room, art room, computer room along with new office spaces and a

large assembly area.

Brian O’Donoghue, principal of Ennis Community College and Gaelcolaiste An Chlair, told The Clare Echo that an additional €5.5m investment was made as part of the energy retrofit programme over the summer, which saw upgrades including roof and wall insulation, new windows and doors, a new heat-exchange system and gas boilers, solar panels and a 17,000 litre tank for grey water usage which “greatly reduces the amount of carbon the school uses”.

“The upgrades have transformed the entire place,” notes Mr O’Donoghue. “The environment is huge, and you notice it, you get a pep in your step. Students are now benefitting from quality classrooms. We always had fabulous teachers and we still do, we had fabulous SNAs and we still do and they’re a wonderful staff and our students are absolutely fantastic but they’re now learning in state-of-the-art facilities, and they have proper equipment.”

Situated in Ennis since

1938, Ennis Community College is an ETB school while the Gaelcholáiste an Chláir was added in 1993.

There is a teaching staff of 55 in addition to nine SNAs and a number of admin and support staff.

Outlining the unique dynamic within the school, Mr O’Donoghue explains, “The Ennis Community College is an English medium school, and Gaelcholáiste An Chláir is a unit within ECC where we do all our subjects through Irish and where students, either before school or during small break or lunch, use the Irish language to converse and they focus on Irish culture. That works really, really well. They’ve got designated classrooms that they use so they’re speaking and using Irish as much as they possibly can. There are about 130 students in G Gaelcholáiste An Chláir CAC at the moment and we’d love to see that grow.

Overall there’s about 570 students across the school, all well-resourced and we have relatively small student class numbers compared maybe

lWELCOME: Ennis Community College Principal Brian O’Donoghue

to other schools.”

He adds, “We’ve got a very diverse student population which is very reflective of Ennis and is reflective of the wider population which

I think all schools should be. Within that diversity, we have a Gaelcholáiste focusing on Irish culture and Irish language. That’s absolutely unique. We’re the Clare pro-

viders of Irish medium education.”

Ennis Community College is the only secondary school in Clare offering engineering up to Leaving Certificate, with 15 subjects in total to choose from in the Leaving Cert cycle in addition to the mandatory subjects of English, Irish and Maths; while there are up to seven junior cycle option subjects to select from.

Mr O’Donoghue, who previously served as Deputy Principal at St Munchin’s College in Limerick, says that since his time in charge in 2017 there has been an increase in student numbers of 35-40 per cent, “That’s a credit to Limerick and Clare ETB and the staff of the school.”

He is encouraging all prospective students and their families to visit the open days.

The Gaelcholaiste An Chlair open night is on Tuesday, October 24 and Ennis Community College Open Night is on Wednesday October 25. All are welcome to arrive from 7pm.

18

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Columnists

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Thought for the week: Pray for peace

Spreading the word of positivity RONAN SCULLY

I

N THIS most worrying time for our world, the subject of peace, above every other, commands the reflective attention of all people of reason and good will.

It is eminently fitting to write this thought for the week about peace, as peace is the most precious good to ask of God at this time and to build with every effort, by means of concrete gestures of peace on the part of every man, woman and child of goodwill.

HURTING WORLD Our world is full of hurting families and countries torn apart by war and violence.

Nearly 2 billion people, about one-third of the world’s population, live in countries with conflict, violence, terroism or fragile internal systems, according to the World Bank. These are places with the greatest humanitarian needs, where children, families, and communities struggle to acquire the basic necessities of life.

It can be difficult to know how to help people in need.

One of my most abiding wishes and prayers that I say daily is, “we all live in peace together.” I light one of my daily candles for that prayer to come true constantly. We have seen what peace can do for people in Northern Ireland. But

you only have to watch the news or read the papers to find conflict and suffering in every corner of our world.

Through prayer, we can “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). Pray with me this week for peace for fragile countries and conflict zones in our world and for children and families living through difficult times in places like Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan,Yemen, Ethiopia and many other places in our world.

INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS The causes of this unrest and lack of peace may seem complex, but I believe the root of much of it is one group trying to impose its will on another. The motives may be political, religious, greed, terroism or racism, but it amounts to the same thing. One group sees itself as ‘right’ and others as ‘wrong’. Religion and politics are often used to justify such claims.

Another thing I often think to myself is that it is ironic that the objective of war is to create Peace! In order to have a better, more peaceful world we must learn to think of the globe as a whole. Our world leaders need to be more selfless and sacrificing.

Only by having a universal, peaceful and spiritual vision can we bring positive change into the political and world field. A person who is really interested in making positive changes will

l The dove is a symbol of peace

never resort to violence to effect political reform. The approach has to be nonviolent and peaceful. Anything achieved through violence will not last long; it will leave an enemy sitting somewhere plotting against you. If instead, you make a friend, you need not be afraid of the other person; and he or she need not be afraid of you.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK As your thought for the week, look at ways you can bring real, lasting and genuine peace into your own life and the lives of those around you. If peace is what you seek, focus your thoughts on this Prayer for Peace by Jackie Trottmann - “Dear God, I need

your peace now. Silence my thoughts of confusion.

Silence my thoughts of anxiety. Silence my thoughts of grief or despair.

Silence my thoughts of hurt or anger. When there is chaos and turmoil surrounding me, shelter and protect me with your peace and loving, powerful presence.

As I take this time to stop

A taste of Clare cuisine Brown Bread

This weeks recipe is brought to you by

THERE’S nothing better on cold autumn or winter days than fresh brown bread, whether enjoyed with homemade soup, as a nice sandwich or smothered with good butter.

Sadly what was baked fresh daily in many houses is a tradition that seems to be getting lost. This recipe is really easy and can be made and enjoyed by all the family.

INGREDIENTS

160g plain flour 140g bran flour 10g bread soda 20g baking powder 100g oats 80g treacle ½ teaspoon salt 500ml buttermilk 100g mixed seed (pumpkin, chia, sunflower) This is best done in a bowl with either an

electric mixer or by hand. Be warned this recipe is for a moist brown bread so the mix will be closer in texture to a cake batter than bread dough.

Start by mixing together the flours, bread soda, baking powder, salt, oats and seeds.

Add all your wet ingredients with treacle going first followed by the buttermilk and mix fully making sure there are no lumps of flour.

Pour into one large or two smaller loaf tins, you can sprinkle some more oats on the top and bake at 170c for an hour.

Check if it’s cooked by inserting a skewer or small knife and removing it. If it’s clean it is ready, if you see any batter it will need a further 10 minutes.

Once cooked remove from tins and place on a cooling rack. Leave to cool before slicing.

For reservations call 0858613103. Visit homesteadcottagedoolin.com for more.

lTRADITIONAL: Delicious brown bread

and pray, fill me with your peaceful presence. With each breath I take, I breathe in your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Help me to focus on peace instead of unrest. I surrender my unrest to you so that I may receive peace.

Help me to be a spark that ignites peace in others.

Amen”. And finally my own favourite prayer for peace, Dear Lord, Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light. In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope. As we long for lasting peace in the midst of war and terrorism, Be with us.

As we long for families to be reunited, Be with us. As we long for homeless and abandoned people in our communities to be cared for, Be with us. As we long for enemies to be reconciled, Be with us. As we long for cures and healings, Be with us. As we long for decent jobs, decent homes and shelter and economic security, Be with us.

As we long for love and community, Be with us.

Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world. Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and justice. May the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the ‘Prince of Peace’ (Is 9:6), and who cuddles him thus, with such tenderness in her arms, obtain for us from heaven the precious gift of peace. Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. Amen

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

19

FitLine helping Clare people get fit over the phone

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

OLDER people in Clare are being encouraged to sign up to FitLine, a telephone-based motivation line that assists callers to become more active.

FitLine is an initiative of Age & Opportunity which was rolled out nationally in 2020 following a successful pilot programme in Drogheda. Callers to FitLine can find out about clubs, groups, and facilities in their area.

They will also be provided with ideas on how they can do simple physical activities as part of their daily routine.

Meg Hegarty joined Age & Opportunity in May, 2023 as the Active Programme FitLine Coordinator. She is responsible for leading the nationwide expansion of FitLine. She tells The Clare Echo that there have been 126 sign-ups nationwide this year however there are currently no participants in Clare. With a local mentor available to people in Clare, it marks an excellent opportunity and convenient way for older people to become more active.

Meg explained, “I think

that is quite reassuring for people to know, that there is a mentor in Clare who will be aware of what’s on offer, and what resources are there.

People can sign up themselves or a professional such as a GP or a physiotherapist is also very welcome to refer a person.”

Meg says that the only criteria for someone to use the FitLine service is that they are aged over 50 “and that they would like some support to be more physically active”.

“They are allocated a mentor, ideally from their county or CHO area, and that mentor has been trained by Ageing Opportunity. The mentors are people who are interested in sport and keeping active and they have an understanding of the challenges of getting and remaining active.”

Participants receive a phonecall from their mentor every fortnight to discuss a suitable exercise programme, to set a goal, and record how many minutes of exercise they do per week.

“We’re aiming to support people to meet the national recommendation, which is 150 minutes a week.

“When we’re over 55, we need to be doing what’s called strength and balance activity as well as aerobic.

People can stay with their mentor and get those phone calls for as long as you like.

We have some people who are ready to move on after three months but truthfully we have other people that have been with us for over a year, they feel that that makes the difference, they look forward to the phone calls and it keeps them on track.”

Participants receive a memory stick with mainly chair-based exercises “so they can do the exercises at home” however Meg notes that mentors help people research what’s on in their local area, “that could be a walking group, it might be exercise classes for the over 55s at their local leisure centre, but the mentor will help them if information is a barrier or if they like to get involved in a group or local activity”.

“I think the key is for all of us, we need to find something we enjoy doing, there’s no point if you sign up to a gym and it’s not for you, you’re not going to keep it up so it’s working with individuals to find what suits them

… we’ve got plenty of people joining dancing groups, walking groups, local leisure centres and so on.”

Meg outlines that there are “so many benefits” to the lifestyle changes supported

by FitLine such as “a boost to mental health. Especially in the winter months, some people tell us they are more inclined to feel a little bit low with the shorter days and exercise can boost mood. And

physically, everything really, so it can regulate a healthy weight, blood pressure. It helps to keep people independent for longer because again, in older age groups we’re more at risk of falls and if we’re doing balance exercises, we are less likely to fall so it does help people with their independence and keeping healthy for longer.”

To find out more or sign up to FitLine, call the na-

tional free phone number on 1800303545 or call Meg on 087 6211 767. Visit ageandopportunity.ie for more.

FitLine

A FREE, nationwide telephone mentoring service supporting people aged 50+ to be more active

JOIN! US

To download an online copy, visit the Mental Health Ireland’s website on www.mentalhealthireland.ie or contact info@mentalhealthireland.ie for a physical copy.

As a participant

As a volunteer

Do you want to stay healthy and independent for as long as you can?

Do you have 2 to 3 hours a fortnight to make a positive difference?

Our friendly volunteer mentors will call you regularly to encourage and support you to become more physically active.

We will train and support you to mentor older people to improve their physical and mental health by becoming more active.

Contact us: call 1800 303 545 or 087-6211767 or email us: fitline@ageandopportunity.ie www.ageandopportunity.ie

A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital.

Registered in Ireland, No: 284318. Charity No: CHY 12365.

Registered Charity No: RCN 20036010.

20

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

GREEN CLARE

GREEN CLARE

Warning issued over illegal disposal of waste during Halloween period CLARE County Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are urging members of the public and businesses not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit, writes Elaine Tubridy.

The call comes in advance of the Halloween period, which traditionally has been used by some people to illegally dispose of waste material on bonfires.

The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal and releases toxic pollutants into the air, which are known to be damaging to our health and environment.

Burning of waste in this manner is illegal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and the Waste Management Acts, 1996-2008. Allowing unpermitted waste collectors to remove waste is an offence and could incur a fine of up to €5,000.

Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property, presenting risks to personal safety and property.

“Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire services and responding to bonfire call-outs creates a strain on existing resources. I would like people to be aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials may lead to serious injuries or death,” said Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire l Bonfire

Officer, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.

“Unfortunately, we have experienced anti-social behaviour on a small number of occasions when attending these fires – I would appeal to people to respect the role of the firefighters in this regard and let them carry out their duty in a safe manner,” he added.

Members of the public are also advised not to buy, use or supply fireworks. Illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious damage to users, particularly children. Parents should monitor their children and ensure they do not play with fireworks. Throughout the country, every year, children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.

In the period before and during Halloween, Clare County Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be assisted by An Garda Síochána to closely monitor the situation around the county. Clare County Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team and Municipal District staff are vigilant in keeping an eye out for stockpiled bonfire material. Clare County Council endeavours to collect this waste where possible. The uncontrolled burning of waste in a bonfire is an illegal, costly and dangerous practice.

According to Maria Carey, Executive En-

gineer, Clare County Council, “Businesses and members of the public are requested to desist from supplying any waste material to persons who do not have a valid waste collection permit. Dealing with waste material on any other basis is an offence and can result in prosecution.

“There are significant risks arising from such bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the members of the local community, not to mention the negative effects on the general environment.”

If you see material such as pallets, tyres, old furniture or other combustible materials or waste being hoarded in advance of Halloween we encourage you to contact Clare County Council’s Waste Enforcement Section at enviroff@clarecoco.ie, 065-6846331 or visit https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1293&r=show&u=www.clarecoco.ie&t=c627cfa5ec0dcc8f67a73796b3b98e00bf6b2e7b.

All reports can be treated confidentially and information such as addresses, source of waste, vehicle registrations would be of great assistance.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

GREEN CLARE

21

Uncertainty over Shannon Airport rail link is ‘holding farmers to ransom’ FARMERS in Clare “have been held to ransom” over the uncertainty on whether a rail link to Shannon Airport will come to fruition while the economics of the spur have been questioned, writes Páraic McMahon.

Thirty recommendations aimed at enhancing Ireland’s rail network have been included in the draft of the All-Island Rail Strategy Review, which was published in July.

The strategy from the Department of Transport is aiming to deliver a €36bn investment in the country’s transport infrastructure over the next 25 years.

Among the recommendations is the development of a rail spur at Shannon Airport. Route identification and protection of a potential future line to serve the International Airport has also been included in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS).

CEO of Irish Rail, Jim Meade has previously said the rail spur to Shannon would have a bill of hundreds of millions of euros.

A report published in October 2003 by the Shannon Railway Company detailed that a €60m commuter rail link between Shannon, Limerick and Ennis was “a viable commercial entity” through a public-private partnership.

In recent weeks, officials in the Shannon Municipal District returned a submission on the All-Island Rail Strategy Review from a “strategic environmental piece,” acting Director of Services, Siobhán McNulty confirmed. “Views on the links and updates required to improve the rail network” from the Council have also been provided to the Department.

An update on the rail link to Shannon Airport was sought by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND). “There is an inference to it in the report and we’re trying to

strengthen it as a link to the town and the Airport,” McNulty responded. Uncertainty on flooding at the Ballycar section of the rail line is a stumbling block, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) maintained. “Where you have uncertainty on a through line, people can’t use it and won’t get into the habit of using it”.

Farmers are unfairly suffering as they are unable to utilise the lands currently earmarked for the link, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) stressed. “It is something we will have to tie down at this stage, farmers are waiting to see where the line is going and if it goes to Shannon. A former Director said it won’t happen in our lifetime, if it doesn’t it should be removed from the maps because farmers are held to ransom”.

Shannon MD’s most experienced councillor, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said the day of a rail link to Shannon Airport would not arrive. “At ev-

l Irish Rail ery opportunity I can I go to Dublin or Cork on the train because I love trains, there is no train going into Dublin Airport, it won’t change, we all aspire and wish for train to go into Shannon”.

He added, “farmers have been

impounded for that long not able to extend their farm let alone houses is very unfair, I don’t think we will get a train into Shannon, I wish it would happen but I think with the Greens it is an aspiration, the economics alone don’t stand up”.

22

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Business & Recruitment

Deloitte host Ennis Budget breakfast briefing in the Old Ground Hotel BUDGET 2024, billed as the most expensive Budget in the history of the State, was delivered by Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, and Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023.

The Ministers announced an overall Budget package of €14bn with cost of living measures being a major focus and comprising €2.7bn of this year’s Budget package.

Fergal Cahill (Tax Partner, Deloitte) and his team held a Budget Breakfast Briefing on Wednesday, 11 October 2023 in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, where they were joined by a panel of Entrepreneurs, John Burke (CEO, Armada Hotel), Caroline Dunlea (CEO & Cofounder, Core Optimisation) and Gerard Ryan (Entrepreneur & Angel Investor). There was a fantastic turn out from the Mid-West business community to hear the detail and analysis of the Budget announcements from Fergal and his team, followed by an enlightening discussion with the panel of Entrepreneurs, who gave their insights on entrepreneurship in the Mid West and the impact of Budget 2024 on their respective businesses.

Some of the key tax measures announced in Budget 2024 and detailed at the Budget Breakfast Briefing by Sinéad Dooley and Gerard Finucane (Tax Directors, Deloitte) included the changes made to income tax and USC; the focus on property in the Budget; and the impact of Budget 2024 on entrepreneurs and business owners.

Given the current cost of living crisis, Fergal and his team also indicated that the measures which reduce the effective rate of income tax for individuals & families are welcomed.

Some of the key measures covered at the Breakfast Briefing included the following: • The standard rate band for income tax (the amount of income that is subject to tax at the 20% rate) is to be increased by €2,000.

This will mean that the first €42,000 of an individual’s income will be taxable at the 20% income tax rate.

• A number of tax credits (personal tax credit,

lBUDGET 2024: Fergal Cahill speaking at the Old Ground Hotel Ennis employee tax credit, earned income credit, home carer tax credit and single person child carer credit) will be increased by €100. The incapacitated child tax credit will increase by €200.

• The 4.5% rate of USC will be reduced to 4%, the first reduction in this rate in five years. The 2% USC rate band has also been increased to €25,760. The exemption from the top rate of USC for medical card holders will also be extended to the end of 2025.

• The rent tax credit has been increased from €500 to €750 per year for 2024. The credit will also be extended to parents who pay for rental accommodation for their student children in rent a room properties or “digs” accommodation, with this change applying retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023.

• Temporary oneyear mortgage interest relief has been announced for homeowners who have a mortgage balance of between €80,000 to €500,000 on their primary dwellings on 31 December 2022. The

relief will be available in respect of the increased interest paid on the mortgage in 2023 compared to the interest paid in 2022 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The relief is capped at €1,250 per property.

• A new tax relief for landlords with one to two properties has also been announced, subject to the landlord retaining the property in the rental market for four years. With this tax relief, the following amounts of rental income will be disregarded at the standard rate of income tax: €3,000 for 2024, €4,000 for 2025 and €5,000 for 2026 and 2027.

• Some key farming reliefs that were due to expire at the end of the year have been extended and further measures to support farming families were announced, in particular the all-important Consanguinity Relief which reduces the rate of stamp duty from 7.5% to 1% on farm transfers between blood relations.

• The only change to Capital Acquisitions Tax (“CAT”) related to the extension of the Group B CAT

threshold to foster children.

• A reduced capital gains tax (“CGT”) rate for “Angel Investors” of 16% (18% for partnerships) has been introduced for disposals, where certain criteria are met. This relief will apply to gains up to twice the value of the initial investment, subject to a lifetime limit of €3m. In order to qualify for this relief, the investor must acquire between 5% to 49% of the company and the investment must be held for a minimum period of three years.

• Retirement relief is a form of CGT relief which applies on the disposal of certain business assets and shares in certain companies by individuals aged 55 or over. Currently, there are no limits on Retirement Relief on a transfer to a child up to age 66 and a limit of €3m applies after age 66. The Retirement Relief limits for a transfer to a third party are €750,000 up to age 66 and this limit reduces to €500,000 where the individual is aged 66 or over.

Budget 2024 made some significant amendments to Retirement Relief. From 1 January 2025, the above-

lBRIEFING: Gerard Finucane and Sinead Dooley

lPANEL: John Burke, Caroline Dunlea, Gerard Ryan and Fergal Cahill mentioned age limits will increase from 66 to 70, however a new limit of €10m will also be introduced in respect of disposals of business assets to a child from age 55.

In light of the changes to Retirement Relief in 2025, Fergal and his team encouraged business owners to consider succession planning over the coming year,

in advance of 31 December 2024.

For further detail on the measures introduced in Budget 2024, visit Deloitte’s dedicated Budget hub at https:// lnkd.in/dswsD6dw and dedicated Tax calculator at Income Tax Calculator | Deloitte Ireland

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Business & Recruitment

Campion Insurance buys Munstergroup MUNSTERGROUP Insurance, based in Ennis, County Clare, has become the 19th Irish brokerage acquired by the rapidly growing insurance intermediary PIB Group Ltd (‘PIB’). The business was acquired through Campion Insurance, which leads PIB’s Irish division.

The acquisition of Munstergroup Insurance brings the total number of businesses already purchased by Campion this year to nine. Building on other transactions, Campion Insurance is very well placed to meet the needs of all its customers by offering a broad range of services and offerings from specialist commercial products, motor and home insurance and life & pensions products.

Today’s announcement underscores Campion’s strategy to expand its footprint and offering in Ireland.

It also reflects PIB’s positive view of the continued growth potential for the Irish market, and with other acquisitions pending underscores the importance of the Irish market to the Group.

Jim Campion, CEO of Campion Insurance, commented “I am delighted that Munstergroup Insurance is

now part of Campion Insurance and PIB Group. The business was highly sought after, and I am delighted that we have successfully completed the purchase. I am very impressed by the skill, commitment, and ambition of the people in the business, and I am looking forward to working with them into the future. Now that they are part of Campion Insurance and PIB we will be able to support the business as it grows giving people the opportunity to reach their potential. Padraic and I have known each other for a long time, and I would like to wish him every success as he steps back from the business to pursue other personal goals. I am delighted to announce that from today Michael Henchy will lead Munstergroup Insurance.

Michael Henchy, Munstergroup Insurance said: “Today’s announcement of the acquisition of Munstergroup Insurance by PIB Group is great news for our clients and team. Today, marks a new chapter for Munstergroup Insurance, one which excites me. This is a market-leading insurance business, with a dedicated, ambitious, and hard-working team. I am looking forward to working

with them to grow this business further and to give our team every opportunity to grow and develop their careers with this business.”

Pádraic McNicholas, said: “It was critical for me to sell the business to a company whose vision and values clearly align with that of Munstergroup Insurance. As a long-time admirer of the PIB Group I believe we have found a company whose guiding principles are very much aligned with our own core behaviours. It is for these reasons why I personally believe that this acquisition was the best option for our customers, staff and Munstergroup Insurance. Finally in welcoming Michael to Munstergroup Insurance I wish him well and also express a sincere thank you to all the staff and customers for their help and commitment to Munstergroup Insurance and all those who supported me over my thirty five year career in the Insurance Industry. Together we built a market leading business and I am very proud of it and all the Team for getting it to this point and I wish you all every success for the future. I would also like to thank David Lucas from PKF for advising on the transaction”.

Top LUXX for Ennis salon LUXX Hair salon in Parnell St, Ennis scooped two awards at the Irish Hair and Beauty Awards held in Cork recently. The team won Hair Salon of the Year 2023 and overall in Munster Hair Salon of the Year. Pictured are Nicole Burns, Roisin McCarthy, Sharon McCarthy, Edel Hehir (Co-owner), Emma Cosgrove and Bebhinn Donnelly (Co-owner)

23

24

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Business & Recruitment

Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023

Introducing this year’s finalists WITH judging complete for this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, today (October 19, 2023) we announce our finalists.

This year’s finalists hail from every corner of our enterprising county and represent a broad range of sectors.

Ennis Chamber launched ‘Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023’ at the end of June, with Clare County Council as main sponsor and supporter.

Independent adjudicators, Spotcheck NI, were recruited to complete mystery visits and reviews for categories involving retail, hospitality, tourism, bistro, restaurant and customer service. This adjudication took place over September and early October. For categories where judging was based on written submissions an independent expert panel was established to adjudicate.

Commenting on the quality of entries for this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, President of Ennis Chamber Sheila Lynch, said, “We were blown away to receive so many entries this year, especially against a tough trading background a lot of businesses. It’s great to see busi-

lEnnis Chamber President Sheila Lynch

Photo by Arthur Ellis

nesses continue to place high value on this benchmarking exercise. Our independent judges tell us that standards were high overall, with some categories proving particularly competitive with wafer thin margins separating top applicants”.

Gala Awards Night

There will be great excitement at the Gala Awards dinner, to be held at The Inn at Dromoland on November 16, when category winners are revealed as well as the identity of Clare Business of The Year, sponsored by Clare County Council.

The Awards Gala is a happy occasion for finalists, their staff and family, but it also provides a great occasion to network with businesses from across the county in a relaxed, fun environment.

Together with the announcement of individual category winners on the night of the awards, will also present the overall ‘Clare Business of the Year 2023’ Award, chosen from amongst our category winners.

Tickets for this year’s Awards Gala can be reserved by emailing awards@ennischamber.ie or phone: 065 6842988.

BEST VOLUNTARY/ COMMUNITY GROUP IN CLARE As is tradition we announce one outright winner this week (October 19) for Best Voluntary/ Community Group in Clare.

Sponsored by Vitalograph Winner 2023: Ennis Book Club Festival *EBCF to receive a cash prize of €500 plus trophy at the Gala Awards Dinner on November 16

lWINNER: Book signing at Ennis Book Club Festival Photo by Eamon Ward

CLARE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALISTS 2023 BEST MICRO BUSINESS (employing 10 people or less) Sponsored by Local Enterprise Office, Clare l Clare Language Centre l Madrassori l Sauna Suaimhneas l Wix n Wax BEST SME (From 10 to 250 employees) Sponsored by Cup Print l Doolin Ferries l Ecolect l MHP Sellors l Tierney’s Office Automation BEST USE OF DIGITAL MARKETING/ SOCIAL MEDIA Sponsored by the Clare Echo l Hotel Woodstock l Moher Cottage l Ollie’s Tours l Wix and Wax

BEST GREEN & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES Sponsored by Rengen Power l Bridget Haren Hair & Beauty l Dromoland Castle l Falls Hotel l Shannon Estuary Way Retreat HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE Sponsored by Essilor l Beckman Coulter l Dromoland Castle l Ei Electronics PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD Sponsored by Ennis Chamber l Beckman Coulter l Bridget Haren Hair & Beauty l St Francis Credit Union l MHP Sellors BEST PLACE TO EAT (Bistro or Café) Sponsored by AIB

l l l l

Eva’s Café (Ennis) Mondo Sweet n Green La Cheile

BEST PLACE TO EAT (Restaurant) Sponsored by AIB l The Lahinch Coast l The Monk’s Society l The Town Hall (Old Ground) l Tubridy’s (Doonbeg) BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE IN CLARE Sponsored by TUS l Burren Smokehouse l Doolin Ferries l Burren Farm Experience CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE Sponsored by McKeogh Gallagher Ryan Accountants l Blackbird l Bridget Haren, Hair & Beauty l Shannon Springs

l Frank Frawley Butchers l O’Connor’s (Parnell Street) BEST HOSPITALITY Sponsored by Shannon Airport Group l Old Ground Hotel l Shannon Springs Hotel l The Lahinch Coast Hotel l The Inn at Dromoland CLARE RETAILER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Clean Ireland Recycling l Blackbird l County Boutique l La Jolie Femme l O’Connor’s Bakery (O’Connell Street, Ennis) ‘CLARE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2023’ (Overall Winner) Sponsored by lead sponsor - Clare County Council To be announced at the Awards Gala on November 16, chosen from amongst category winners announced on the night.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Business & Recruitment

25

60 seconds with... David Hedigan With five weeks to go before the Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023, we speak to David Hedigan from Ecolect Technical Services Ltd

1. Where are you from?

Cooraclare, Co Clare.

2. Tell me about your business?

We are an Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Company based in Ennis. We work mainly in Energy / Pharmaceutical / Industrial / Hazardous Area Sectors.

3. Is there anything that might surprise readers about Ecolect Technical Services Ltd? We are trading in Ireland and UK and have also completed contracts in Europe. Won Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice Employer of the Year Award 2022’.

4. What was your first

job and what age were you?

Farming with my uncle Martin from a young age

5. What are your strongest memories of that?

Lovely times spent with him in the tractor going to the creamery and great friendship built up.

6. Weirdest job you ever had?

Working on the Oil Rigs 100 miles off the Nigerian coast in the Delta Region.

Always the fear of an invasion by Pirates and on high alert at all times.

7. If you could have chosen a different career path, what would it be?

Carpenter.

8. Is there anybody in business that has inspired you?

Michael O’Leary’s straighttalking attitude.

9. What has been the most challenging thing you’ve encountered in business?

The work life balance.

Long hours are required for starting and running a business and sometimes can be to the detriment of family life. Striving to find that balance can be challenging and means consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal commitments.

10. If you could start again, is there anything you would do differently?

Be more aware of the resources and supports available for business startups and reach out for some assistance and advice.

11. Can you give advice to anybody considering

going into business?

Working hard and long hours does not get immediate results, but perseverance pays off and sometimes you learn a lot from your mistakes.

12. What is your favourite book?

Anything by Andy McNab 13.What is your favourite film?

The Replacements 14. What was the first CD / tape / record your purchased?

That’s what I call music 1993.

l David Hedigan 17. If somebody could play you in a film, who would it be?

Jason Statham.

15. Who is your sporting hero?

Roy Keane

18. Three things you’d bring to a desert island?

Knife, fishing net, hammock.

16. What was your favourite holiday?

Recent trip to Edinburgh with Family – I worked & they shopped!!

19. What is your favourite saying / quote?

Things happen for a reason.

Burren Winterage Festival to celebrate best of local FOOD and drink producers from the Burren Ecotourism Network will showcase their products at one of Ireland’s most iconic agritourism events later this month, writes Elaine Tubridy.

The Burren Beo Trust's Winterage festival marks the ancient farming tradition of ‘winterage’ - herding cattle onto the higher limestone uplands for the winter months to feed on the rich vegetation.

This year, the event will be held at Michael Cusack’s GAA Pitch near Bellharbour in County Clare on October 29th and includes both the Cattle drive walk, and the Burren Food Fayre which is being organised by the Burren Ecotourism Network.

The Burren region is widely known as the ‘Fertile Rock’ and includes a wide variety of food producers including fish smokers, beef, dairy, sheep and oyster farmers, as well as distillers, foragers, herbalists, cheesemakers, bakers and chefs. This group have been working together for many years and have made the Burren an award winning food destination, with the Burren Food Trail winning the Burren Food Town award in 2015.

Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network said: “This is an excellent opportunity for people to not only hear about the ancient farming practices of the Burren, but also for them to experience walking the cattle upland to the winterage, and then to be able to taste and purchase the foods of the land and

sea at the Burren Food Fayre.”

“We are delighted to work with the team at Burren Beo, who have run the Cattle Drive for several years, bringing it from strength to strength, and attracting people from all over Ireland to attend on the day.” He added.

The locally sourced food and drink on display on the day will include beef, salmon, pork, oysters, cheese, breads, jams, chutneys along with Burren whiskey and gin.

Many of the producers taking part adhere to the GEOfood concept, an international UNESCO initiative, which promotes sustainable agriculture and conservation and supports farmers and communities in the area.

Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark said: “With a long-standing traditions of food grown in the Burren, and a wide array of producers of both big and small-scale, GEOfood is a natural fit for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.

“We are delighted that the food fayre is once again being staged on the rich agricultural lands of the Burren – there is no better way to connect people to the produce than to see where it came from. Amongst our GEOfood group, we have a few farming families who have worked this land for generations.”

The winterage walk starts at 11am, however attendees are encouraged to arrive at 10am to avail of tea, coffee and scones in the mar-

quee. There will also be entertainment provided by local musicians.

Pranjali Bhave of Burren Beo Trust said “We encourage all walkers to bring their own mug and hazel sticks and to bear in mind that this is a challenging walk of 6kms in total with a steep incline in the initial section of the walk.

The walk is also on an uneven path and so

unsuitable for buggies. No dogs are allowed, and all attendees must purchase tickets and pre register at this link: - https://buytickets.at/ burrenbeotrust/1024872 The Burren Food Fayre is supported by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the Department of Agriculture, Food and The Marine and Calor Ireland.

lTRADITION: Cattle are herded onto limestone uplands for winter months

26

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Business & Recruitment

Clean Habit sparkling after 40 years

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CLEAN Habit this week celebrates 40 years of providing its professional cleaning services to businesses in Clare and the Midwest.

Clean Habit is a renowned contract cleaning company that was founded by Mandy Tubridy four decades ago. Since its establishment, Clean Habit has become a household name in the Midwest region, where it has solidified its reputation for providing exceptional services.

Under Mandy Tubridy’s visionary leadership, Clean Habit has thrived as a business deeply embedded in the fabric of the Midwest community. With a focus on offering a friendly, down-to-earth, and no-nonsense approach to cleaning, the company has built long-lasting relationships with clients across various industries.

“We believe that a clean environment is essential for health, happiness, and productivity, and we’re honoured to be able to help our clients achieve that. We use only the most effective cleaning products and techniques to ensure that every nook and cranny is spotless, and we pride ourselves on our attention to detail,” says Mandy.

From humble beginnings, Mandy established the company in Shannon in 1983, where she had previously worked as a hairdress-

lRUBY ANNIVERSARY: Sinéad and Mandy Tubridy, Marcin Nowakowski, Imelda Higgins and Jagoda Kojodziej er. Operating her cleaning busi- key clients in the early days. Today, When asked to reflect on the ness from her car, the Galway na- Clean Habit employs 115 people growth of her business, Mandy is tive quickly garnered a reputation locally and works with companies quick to praise her staff. This Friamong Shannon-based companies across the Midwest, from pharma- day, Clean Habit is celebrating 40 including Rotherburger and Guin- ceuticals right down to small office years with a get-together for curness Pete Aviation who became environments. rent and retired staff, and Mandy

tells The Clare Echo, “We’re very lucky, no more than the companies we work with, we have been so lucky with staff.”

A number of Clean Habit’s clients have remained loyal to the company for 38 years, a testament to their professional service and level of care. Clean Habit are ISO certified with quality and environmental certs and continue to lead the way locally in setting standards in the industry. Mandy notes of their customers, “What do you say. They have just been amazing and we’ve met some wonderful people. The reason we have survived is that we actually really care about the clients we work with.”

Mandy’s daughter Sinéad is also involved in running Clean Habit.

She continues, “It’s been a partnership really. They’re not just clients, they’re partners.

“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we want to thank our loyal customers for trusting us to care for their businesses. We’re also excited to welcome new customers into the Clean Habit family, and we look forward to providing excellent service for many years to come. We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the employees, both current and past, who have played a pivotal role in our business’s incredible 40-year journey.” https://cleanhabit.com/ or call 061 361 461

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Business & Recruitment

27

Clare Youth Service Community Training Centre Clare Youth Service, a community-based charity, is the leading provider of Youthwork programmes and services to young people in the county. The Community Training Centre (CTC) provides vocational training and education options to meet the needs of young people aged 16 to 21 years who have left mainstream education without adequate qualifications.

In compliance with the funder requirements, we are advertising publicly to invite applications from suitably qualified and enthusiastic persons for the post of:

General Learning Tutor (Specialising in Vocational Preparation & Guidance) Part time (30.5 hours per week).

Fixed term maternity leave cover from November 2023.

Application form, job description and person specification are available from emcdonough@clareyouthservice.org or www.activelink.ie/node/103889 Completed application forms should be returned to emcdonough@clareyouthservice.org by:

12 noon on Thursday 26 October 2023.

Application by e-mail only.

Salary is based on the National CTC Instructors scale, starting at €33,254 (part-time pro rata).

Ennis native wins Worldskills gold Ennis native and third-year apprentice at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty, Laoibhse O'Malley, has claimed the prestigious first place in the hairdressing category at WorldSkills Ireland. The fierce competition, held over three days in Dublin, saw Laoibhse showcase her exceptional skills in six diverse categories, including Catwalk Fashion, Ladies' Festival Look, Ladies' Commercial Colour, Men's Colour, and Cut. This remarkable achievement highlights Laoibhse’s dedication and passion for her extensive training and education. Her journey as an apprentice encompasses college course at Limerick and Clare ETB, College of FET, Raheen Campus, as well as the invaluable experiences gained on the salon floor at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty.

Laoibhse is pictured being presented her award by Annette Heffernan and Colm O’Reardon and (inset) one of Laoibhse’s creations

Clare Youth Service is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity. Appointment is subject to Garda Vetting. Shortlisting will apply. A panel may be formed from which future sessional or part-time posts may be filled.

28

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Malone to oversee Senior Hurling final CLARE SHC CHAMPIONSHIP ROAD TO THE FINAL Group 1: Round 1: Kilmaley 2-20 Ballyea 0-14 in Cusack Park on 22nd July Round 1: Scariff 3-17 St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield in Dr Daly Park, Tulla on 22nd July Round 2: Ballyea 1-16 Inagh/Kilnamona 0-15 in Shannon on 29th July Round 2: Kilmaley 0-24 St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield 2-11 in Clarecastle on 29th July Round 3: Scariff 4-18 Inagh/Kilnamona 0-23 in Cusack Park on 11th August Round 3: Ballyea 3-21 St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield 2-16 in Clarecastle on 12th August Round 4: Ballyea 0-19 Scariff 0-19 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla on 27th August Round 4: Inagh/Kilnamona 3-22 Kilmaley 1-16 in Cusack Park on 27th August Round 5: Inagh/Kilnamona 4-25 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-16 in Cusack Park on 9th September Round 5: Kilmaley 0-21 Scariff 1-18 in Cusack Park on 9th September Group 2: Round 1: Sixmilebridge 1-21 Crusheen 0-20 in Clarecastle on 29th July Round 1: Clonlara 2-15 O’Callaghans Mills 1-17 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 29th July Round 2: Clonlara 0-24 Sixmilebridge 1-16 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 12th August Round 2: Crusheen 3-16 O’Callaghans Mills 0-16 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla on 12th August Round 3: Clonlara 0-22 Crusheen 1-10 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 25th August Round 3: O’Callaghans Mills 3-17 Sixmilebridge 1-21 in Clarecastle on 25th August Group 3: Round 1: Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-15 Cratloe 0-15 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 28th July Round 1: Clooney/Quin 1-22 Wolfe Tones 2-11 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 29th July Round 2: Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-16 Clooney/Quin 0-19 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 12th August Round 2: Cratloe 1-19 Wolfe Tones 1-9 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 12th August Round 3: Clooney/Quin 5-12 Cratloe 0-13 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 26th August Round 3: Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-17 Wolfe Tones 0-18 in Clarecastle on 27th August

Group 4: Round 1: Broadford 1-19 Clarecastle 2-9 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 29th July Round 1: Feakle 2-13 Éire Óg 2-11 in Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus on 29th July Round 2: Feakle 1-21 Clarecastle 0-17 in Shannon on 12th August Round 2: Éire Óg 1-17 Broadford 2-13 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla on 13th August Round 3: Feakle 1-15 Broadford 1-10 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 26th August Round 3: Éire Óg 4-15 Clarecastle 0-16 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 26th August Quarter-finals: Scariff 3-19 Clooney/Quin in Cusack Park, Ennis on 23rd September Feakle 1-18 Kilmaley 2-13 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 23rd September Crusheen 3-7 Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-7 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 24th September Clonlara 1-14 Éire Óg 0-14 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 24th September Semi-finals: Crusheen 1-24 Scariff 0-19 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 7th October Clonlara 0-23 Feakle 0-15 in Cusack Park, Ennis on 8th October Final: Clonlara vs Crusheen in Cusack Park, Ennis on 22nd October Senior B championship: Quarter-final: Inagh/Kilnamona 1-16 Broadford 1-12 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla on 24th September Semi-final: Ballyea 3-23 Sixmilebridge 1-22 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 4th October Semi-final: Inagh/Kilnamona get walkover from Cratloe Final: Ballyea vs Inagh/Kilnamona in Gurteen on 19th October Relegation Finals: St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-16 Wolfe Tones 1-13 in Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus on 23rd September O’Callaghans Mills 1-16 Clarecastle 1-13 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on 24th September

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ÉIRE ÓG’s Niall Malone will take charge of Sunday’s Clare SHC final between Clonlara and Crusheen.

Ennis native Malone will officiate proceedings at the senior decider for the second time in his career following on from the 2019 final which saw Sixmilebridge claim the Canon Hamilton at the expense of Cratloe.

He was the man in the middle for back to back intermediate finals when Scariff sealed their return to the senior ranks in 2020 beating Tubber and in 2021 when Smith O’Briens overcame St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.

In 2020, Niall was part of the Munster Development Panel before joining the referee’s provincial panel in 2021. On the inter-county front this year, Niall handled two ties in the Munster U20 hurling championship for

Cork’s wins over Tipperary and Limerick in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A referee since 2012, the thirty two year old credited former match official Rory Hickey for getting him to take up to the whistle. Niall will throw the sliotar in for Sunday’s final at 2pm.

Clonlara’s Aaron Hogg will be in charge of Saturday’s intermediate final between Corofin and Sixmilebridge.

It will be his first time officiating at this level to decide who claims the Paddy Browne Cup, the game commencing at 3:45pm.

Hogg who is heavily involved as the Healthy Club Officer with Clonlara is also a camogie referee and was the official for the Division 2 National Camogie League final last year. He is beginning to climb through the ranks at a provincial level. He is also regularly on hand as an umpire for fellow Clonlara ref-

eree, Joe Mullins.

Kilkee native Robert Harte has been appointed referee for the Junior A final between Clooney/Quin and Broadford.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

29

Veteran O'Loughlin says Senior B was a blessing

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

The wheel has come full circle for Micheál O’Loughlin since he last tasted a county senior final in Cusack Park.

Back in 2015 and ’16, O’Loughlin had established himself on the team as a teenager and in contrast to the more experienced core that had now suffered three county final and four semi-final reverses since their sole crown in 2008, he felt that their chance at glory would come sooner rather than later.

“It was very disappointing to lose those finals in 2015 and ’16 but I remember at the time, the older players were stressing that these days don’t come around too often. But being still only 19 or 20 and being so used to contesting semi-finals and finals the whole time, I kind of let those comments go in one ear and out the other.

“It’s now seven years on from that final against Ballyea so I now know why they were referring to and it definitely has given me the determination to grasp this opportunity”.

Such has been Clonlara’s misfortune that it almost seems as if there has been a curse placed upon them but thanks to a new exciting crop of young players taking on leadership roles O’Loughlin, who broke onto the team as a 17 year-old himself in 2013, feels there is something special about the current squad.

“We were blessed with so many quality players in 2008 and ’09. I can recall a Munster Championship game that there were five Clonlara players eventually starting for Clare but it just never manifested into winning another county championship. I suppose for so long there were so many players involved with Clare that people were automatically questioning why Clonlara aren’t winning more but by 2015, a lot of those unbelievable servants had dwindled away for one reason or another and there was almost a fresh team that got to two more finals but still couldn’t get over the line.

“Then there was another transition because we ended up in a relegation play-off before rebuilding in the Senior B in the last few years. Initially we were disappointed to be there but it actually turned out to be a bit of a blessing because so many of the Minor A winning team of 2018 got valuable gametime in a competitive atmosphere. Genuinely, there were a few evenings there training for the senior B last year that I got some feeling this was a little bit different to previous years.

“It’s easy go to training when things are going well but we seemed to pull together better in that time when we were training for those Senior B’s. It was almost a bonding experience that we’re all in this plight together so let’s make the most out of it.

“Eddie Horgan and then Donal [Madden]

were excellent too in keeping us motivated and building things and in reality, it’s unlikely that in the proper senior championship, those young players wouldn’t have gotten so much game-time.”

It was certainly the path less travelled as while most teams dismissed the Senior B when being knocked out of the Canon Hamilton race, Clonlara not only embraced it but actually secured three titles in a row despite becoming a bit of a stigma. “There was a lot of slagging going on about it. In the dressing last year, John [Conlon] mentioned that someone had asked him ‘was the drive for five of Senior B’s on?’

"There were some serious words spoken after we had brought back the Senior B for a third time last year.

There’s no doubt that it stood to us as it would have been just as easy to down tools and not take the competition seriously. However, the attitude of the players was that the management had put in so much effort that it wasn’t fair to them when it came to the Senior B to completely down tools.

Now preparing for a first Senior final in seven years, how is it different this time around? “Well

for starters, I’m actually a veteran now at 27 so that just shows how young this team is. Looking at the team, John [Conlon], Ger [Powell], Colm [Galvin] and myself are probably the four oldest on the team so it’s kind of scary. I mean I look back on my first final in 2015 and at the time the Dunnys [Cormac and Domhnall O’Donovan] seemed so old and had been around forever but looking back now they were only around 26 or 27."

Sunday will be their second time meeting Crusheen in this year’s championship, having been comfortable winners in the third round to secure their status at top of the table in Group 2. “It is but it’s no surprise either that Crusheen have made it to the final too. Everyone has mentioned that their defeat to us changed their team but it was the same for us when we played them in the first game of the Clare Cup this year.

It’s funny because that game became a catalyst for our year as we have consistently referred back to that game in how poorly our shape was and how poorly we played.”

30

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Dylan doesn't want season to end

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

WHILE Sunday will be his first experience of a senior championship decider, Dylan McMahon has played for Clonlara on county final day before.

Back in 2018 when Ballyea ambushed Cratloe coming down the final straight, he helped Clonlara to secure a first ever Minor A crown at the expense of Clarecastle.

Five years on and not only has McMahon progressed to being an influential member of Clonlara’s senior side but is surrounded by the minor class of 2018 including captain Jathan McMahon, Aidan Moriarty, Colm O’Meara and Logan Ryan. “I think we’ve five players that are actually starting on the senior team now that were on that 2018 Minor team and another four or five on the bench so it’s a great sign really. It’s brilliant for the club too because there was a lot of talk that our minor team would be filtered into the senior team to bring on the next generation but without realising it until this year, that has actually happened.

“It’s great to play alongside the experience of John [Conlon] and Colm and Ian [Galvin], the O’Loughlins [Micheál and Paraic] and David Fitzgerald”.

That almost seamless assimilation has accelerated Clon’s progress to a first senior final since 2016 under the tutelage of 2008 winner Donal Madden whom Dylan feels has been the glue that has moulded this new-look force.

“You hear Madden consistently speak about the culture of the club but personally I don’t think the management get enough credit. Madden has often said that no one is bigger than anyone in the playing or management set-up. And I can see that now because the work-rate that the management put in outside of training is just as important and time-consuming than anything we so in the training field or match day so it’s all feeds into each other and makes this such a great place to be at the moment.

“More than that though, what Donal Madden actually does for the club in general is phenomenal. I mean my brother plays for the Under 13’s and I’d go down and watch their training sometimes and Madden is there

helping out. He’s at the field 24/7, there’s no getting him out,” he jokes. Seriously though, he definitely doesn’t get enough credit but it’s that bond that he has set in place.

“You heard John [Conlon] saying after one match about us all swimming in the River Shannon after training, that’s true although we’re trying to taking it handy this week in case we get sick. It’s those little things though.

We all go to breakfast together, at training a few weeks ago we all chipped in and got food from Lidl and had our own health breakfast.

So it’s all those little things that have played a big part in how we’ve developed this year”.

Also central to this team’s evolution were the three-in-a-row of Senior B crowns that weren’t considered building blocks outside of Clonlara but certainly were key spokes in their development wheel to get back to contesting an A final.

“The Senior B was used as a stick to beat us with but we just got on with it and after winning the third one in a row last year, we just said that wanted to try and progress now and try to make a quarter-final. And now to see the buzz and excitement that this team have generated is crazy. This is my first year experiencing anything like this but just to see all the kids singing and celebrating after the semi-final was just so great. So it’s a lot to take in at the moment but at the same time, it’s the best feeling ever”.

Having played in front of a near capacity Cusack Park for the Clare minors against Limerick in 2017, McMahon is looking forward to Sunday’s first senior final, with confidence high after their five match winning record thus far to get to this lofty stage.

“We have a lot of players in their first final but we’re not all young fellas and there is plenty experience there too from previous finals. I mean John [Conlon] is definitely feeling a lot younger with all the new players on the team anyway,” he quips.

Having represented Clare at minor and Under 20 levels, McMahon is now Clonlara’s defensive anchor which is a dream come true for the stylish centre-back. “I remember being a young fella and looking at the senior team and the great hurlers that Clonlara had.

We longed to play with them some day and

l Dylan McMahon

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

now it has happened that you’re not only togging out beside them but this year, I’m now trying to supply them with ball. It’s just the

best feeling ever, especially preparing for a senior final now as it’s there to be won.

“Don’t get me wrong, Crusheen are a great side and will be the toughest team we’re going to face but it can go either way on the day so hopefully it can go our way. Everyone’s just on the same wavelength at the moment.

I honestly think that we would die for each other on the field and that is what’s getting us through these big games”.

There are clearly no scars of past final and semi-final heartbreak that have dogged previous Clonlara teams. McMahon is the poster boy of a new carefree generation of players that aren’t getting preoccupied by winning at all costs.

“Look, it would be great to win on Sunday but personally I feel that the club has won something by even getting this far. You see the support we have been given over the last few weeks, I mean the amount of kids that are so excited and thrilled to be cheering on the team is almost madness.

“So I just think that we’ve already won but it would be a major bonus if we were to win the final on Sunday. Hopefully we can do it as I just don’t want this feeling to end so if there was the possibility of keeping this going and having another game, it would be brilliant”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

31

Clonlara must bring 'ferocious spirit' to be crowned champions - Madden

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLONLARA’s bid to win a first Clare SHC title since 2008 is spear-headed by one of their leading players from that day.

Donal Madden was freetaker of the Clonlara side who bridged an 89 year gap to win the Canon Hamilton when they defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-12 1-9, he was their top scorer on the day finishing with 0-7 to his name.

Fifteen years on, Madden is now the manager as Clonlara aim to end a shorter wait for success.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the principal of Newport College noted that spirits were very high in SouthEast Clare. “It is fantastic for

everybody, the young, the old, small kids and big kids, real old people that feel like young kids now, it is absolutely amazing, it tells you the power of the GAA and what it does, to see happy faces on people is just immense, I don’t think there is any other organisation and obviously I’m clearly biased but I don’t think there is any other organisation that can do that for people, I’m sure it is the same for Crusheen and good luck to them but it is really special for us”.

On the sideline, Tulla native Donal will face off with Michael Browne, a man who coached him at club level and the duo were also part of the management of the Tulla intermediates in 2020 spearheaded by Ray McIn-

l Donal Photo by Gerard O'Neill

erney. “We know we have an almighty battle ahead of us against a really well-drilled and well coached team, I’d know their manager really well and would have huge

respect for him, he coached me in my last year playing for Tulla and I’d be very close with his son-in-law, he is a fantastic man and I mean that outside of hurling, they will be seriously well prepared but we’re looking forward to it”.

Unbeaten in this year’s campaign, Donal flagged that they have been preparing since November and commended all involved in his management which includes Niall Hogan a selector from 2008 and Ger O’Connell who was the team’s championship winning goalkeeper. “I’ve a tiny part to play, we have a fantastic set-up and management, we have an extensive backroom team and everyone has a role to play. One of the coaches looks after the defence and

the footwork, he is doing an extraordinary job, we can see that, we have our roles and our duties as a management team no more than the players have their roles, I’d be very proud of the work that the guys do in training and it has been implemented on the pitch and we can see improvements in those particular areas”.

“Ferocious spirit” is needed for any team vying to lift the Canon Hamilton, he said. “We’re here tonight in Sixmilbridge, a fantastic club in terms of what they have achieved, look at Ballyea with fantastic hurlers and Tony Kelly is the guy I love watching but what he brings to his club on and off the field, even the lesser lights in what they bring in terms of leadership

like Gary Brennan, Cillian Brennan, the workrate and spirit of Jack Browne, Paul Flanagan and Pearse Lillis, that is what we are ultimately trying to replicate, they have been the barometer.

"It has been a fantastic Clare championship, we’re hearing discussion that they are thinking of changing it and that is madness, go next year with four groups of four and let us at it again, why change things if it is not broken, I do think it is nonsense, it is fantastic.

"We won it in 2008 and we were told it was because the big clubs weren’t strong at the time, I don’t go with that either. It is our time to shine, ourselves and Crusheen and let the best team win on the day”.

32

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: CLONLARA VS CRUSHEEN

AIDAN MORIARTY

BRYAN McLEISH

CIAN MORIARTY

COLM GALVIN

COLM O'MEARA

CONOR BOURKE

DANIEL MOLONEY

DAVID FITZGERALD

DIARMUID STRITCH

DYLAN McMAHON

EOIN MEEHAN

GER POWELL

IAN GALVIN

JAMES HASTINGS

JAMES McCORMACK

JAMIE O'CONNELL

JATHAN McMAHON

JOHN CONLON

KEN SAVAGE

LOGAN RYAN

MICHAEL CLANCY

MICHAEL STRITCH

MICHEÁL O'LOUGHLIN

PADRAIC CAMPBELL PÁRAIC O'LOUGHLIN PATRICK CONLON

SÉIMÍ GULLY

STEPHEN CULLEN

TOMMY WALSH

The Clonlara management team

SEAN BEGLEY

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

JOHNNY MURPHY

33

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

CLARE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: CLONLARA VS CRUSHEEN

BREFFNI HORNER

CATHAL DILLON

CIAN DILLON

CIARAN O'DOHERTY

CILLÉIN MULLINS

COLM McNAMARA

CONOR O'DONNELL

DAVID KEARNEY

DIARMUID MULLINS

DONAL TOUHY

ÉANNA McMAHON

EOGHAN McMAHON

FERGUS KENNEDY

GAVIN O'BRIEN

GERRY O'GRADY

GLENN O'SULLIVAN

IAN O'BRIEN

JAMIE FITZGIBBON

JOHN BRIGDALE

JOHN O'SULLIVAN

LUKE HAYES

LUKE KETALAAR

MARK PERILL

MURROUGH McMAHON

NIALL KEARNEY

OISIN O'DONNELL

ROSS HAYES

TADHG DEAN

TOM TYNAN

Crusheen management (l-r) Pa McEvoy, Cronan Dillon, Michael Browne, Gearoid O'Donnell, Alan Tuohy, and Paddy Vaughan

PADDY HARKIN

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

34

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Record against Clonlara 'is in their heads', admits Browne

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

HONESTY and hard work were among the key traits of the Crusheen side which won backto-back titles in 2010 and 2011, those same characteristics resurfaced this year and it’s no coincidence that Michael Browne is back at the helm.

Browne was manager when Crusheen recorded their unprecedented success and became the first club in Clare since the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield All-Ireland winning club side of 1998 and 1999 to record back-to-back county titles.

He is quick to clarify that he is part of a management team and not the bainisteoir this time round.

He won’t ask the world of his players this weekend, only a simple request to leave everything out on the field.

Afforded a second chance to make the knockout stages after scoring difference saved their bacon and instead eliminated Sixmilebridge, Crusheen grabbed the opportunity with every available limb and their quarter-final victory over Newmarket-on-Fergus served as a major turning point, he said.

“It was huge, we felt we let ourselves individually and as a team down, we felt we let our parishes and our supporters down, we were hurt by our own performances. It wasn’t anything that Clonlara did, it was simply ourselves that let ourselves down, we had to go out there and we had to atone for that. Newmarket suffered for that, luckily we got enough done in the first half to keep us ahead, there was nothing

l Michael Browne

brilliant about the game, we only scored 3-7."

Even though they lost to Clonlara by nine points in the third round, there is not a sense of looking for revenge this weekend, he admitted.

“What I’m worried about is somewhere deep down in their psyche some place they will have this thing, like if you look back over the last eight or ten years that we have played Clonlara it does not make

for pretty reading. I know it is in their heads and I know it because one or two of them have said it.

"When you look at the quality of the Clonlara team, look at the six forwards they have and my God they have leaders in every line and every position, two midfielders who can clock up six or seven points every day they go up, the half-back line scored seven or eight points on the day we played them”.

Managing the county final experience and the hype that surrounds it is the challenge with Cian Dillon, Donal Tuohy, Gerry O’Grady, Jamie Fitzgibbon, Conor O’Donnell and Fergus Kennedy their only starters remaining from the success of over a decade ago. “At the end of the day my motto always is, when you’re walking back over the white line at the end of the game, can you say ‘I could not have done any more’ and if you can say that it doesn’t matter what the score is ... If we are 10 or five points worse than Clonlara well then we are, we have to accept that because it is sport and it is life”.

Browne added, “If we can manage their mental approach, attitude and give them the confidence that they are good enough to go out there without making it so that it cripples them, that is the narrow line that we have to follow”.

In his lifetime involvement in the GAA, Michael has achieved quite a lot. Prior to the Crusheen success, he was coach of the Tulla side which defeated his native club in the 2007 decider, he was involved with Clarinbridge in Galway as they went from the junior ranks to become All-Ireland club champions while he was a selector with the Clare senior hurlers for two seasons.

One of the first teams he got involved with in Crusheen won an U12 championship with a certain Gerry O’Grady. Three decades have passed and O’Grady is still one of his trusted lieutenants, the connection was even noticed in one of the congratulatory texts Michael received when Gerry gave a man of the match display in the semi-final.

At the outset of 2023 he had no

aspirations of getting involved with a team but that all changed when he was approached by Cian Dillon, Ross Hayes and Donal Tuohy.

Having answered the call, he is delighted to have rediscovered the buzz of being involved with teams. “It is amazing. What I’m really enjoying is the players, when I saw the emotion from the players when I went out on the field after the semi-final, I couldn’t believe it, I looked around me and it was as if we won a county final, there was adults there and some of them a good bit older than myself had tears running down their face because they were so thrilled it happened.

Michael’s background in education has helped him to adapt and moved with the times. He was a teacher in Killeeneen National School from 1980 until 2012.

“You have no choice but to move with it because if you don’t you won’t bring the players with you," explained Michael.

He added, "You often hear about losing the dressing room, you have to have the dressing room with you, in the past I would have been quite dictatorial as a manager, ask some of the older lads and they will tell you but I’d be quite different now in the sense that you have to hand over responsibility to the players and have them involved in the decision making, that is part of leadership and it is what I still work at all the time in relation to education in the leadership field. I would have a lot of experience and the educational background would come into play”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

35

Second bite of the cherry has been embraced by Crusheen - Dillon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ADVANCING to the knockout stages of the Clare SHC on scoring difference was treated as a second bite of the cherry for Crusheen who are now 60 minutes away from lifting the Canon Hamilton for the third time in their history.

Cronan Dillon was fullback on the teams of 2010 and 2011 when Crusheen last won the championship, he’s now in the role of selector.

Pitted in a competitive group with Clonlara, Sixmilebridge and O’Callaghans Mills, it took scoring difference to decide who would join top of the table Clonlara in advancing to the quarter-finals, via a new ruling it was the scoring difference of the teams tied on points so each team’s game with Clon-

l Cronin Dillon

lara was not in the equation thus allowing Crusheen and not Sixmilebridge to qualify.

Largely thanks to how tuned in Crusheen Vice Chairman Kieran O’Donnell was with the rulings, the club were quick on the case following their third round loss

to Clonlara to remind County Board officials that it was them that would progress.

Reflecting on this, Cronan recounted, “It is well documented what happened at the time, this new rule got us through, players one minute thought they were out of the

championship and the next minute they were in.

"A players meeting was had the next day, we had our own chat with them after the Clonlara match, told them there was a second bite of the cherry and that we were not a bad team, we know what we have to work on and put a plan in action for a month to get as ripe as we could for the match against Newmarket."

Contesting the county final is not a place Crusheen expected to be in. He said, “it’s been well documented now that we didn’t think we’d be getting there at the start of the year, the focus was game by game and it stayed that way until we got to a quarter-final, lads started to pick up a bit of confidence and we snuck into a semi-final and we’re in a final now so we’ll see how that goes”.

Aged 46, Cronan was an active member of the club’s Junior A side last season but has found the commitments in the senior management make it more difficult to stay playing. Along with being involved with the U8 camogie side, Dillon has been with teams in the club at U16, minor and U21 in both hurling and ladies football. He was a selector during James Carrig’s three year stint as Crusheen senior manager.

Over the past decade, he also did a spell as a referee and is not opposed to taking up the whistle in the future.

Renewing rivlaries with Clonlara is a chance for Crusheen to make amends for their 0-22 1-10 loss in August. “To us it doesn’t matter who we are playing, we know we are playing Clonlara, it’s just making it a small bit

spicy for people around the county but it is irrelevant for us that we are meeting Clonlara again, after that it is a battle between two teams and whoever comes out in front".

Since then, Crusheen have dispatched of the challenges of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Scariff comprehensively.

On what areas they need to improve on from their meeting two years ago, Cronan stated, “Without giving away State secrets it is hard to know where to start because we didn’t get out of the gates at all on the same day. We have to get a good start and hopefully the players because of the confidence that has come about from the last two games and the way they have performed, if they can start well, continue that way and get us to half time to regroup and see how we go after that”.

36

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

'Crusheen must have no regrets' TOP SCORER when Crusheen last won a senior county final, Gearoid O’Donnell still feels the itch to play but has to be a content with a role among the club’s management, writes Páraic McMahon.

Gearoid hit 0-3 from wing forward when Crusheen accounted for Sixmilebridge in the muddy final of 2011 to win back to back titles.

O’Donnell is on the wing again but this time on the other side of the white line. He was among the ex-players drafted in by Michael Browne when the club went about forming a management team for the season.

When such conversations were underway, there was no talk about county finals.

“We met early last January and February, the talk was to get out of the group and if we could that see what happens after that, that was the ambition”.

In the 2014 decider, Crusheen lost out to Cratloe by a margin of eight points, O’Donnell admitted he didn’t think it would take almost a decade for the club to return to the senior final. Part of that rebuilding has been aided by Crusheen/Tubber tasting success in the U21B championship on two occasions over the past five years.

Cilléin Mullins, Breffni Horner and Ross Hayes were part of the victorious 2018 managed by current selector Alan Tuohy while Oisin O’Donnell, Diarmuid Mullins, Tadhg Dean, Éanna McMahon, Ian O’Brien and Luke Ketelaar were among the winners in 2021. “It is important to keep young lads going, winning is very good for them just to win

something, it brings them that bit more on,” O’Donnell said of the success.

2017 saw Gearoid finish up playing senior, he did line out with club’s second team with the Junior A final of 2021 his last game .

Post-playing, he has primarily been involved with Crusheen’s U8s and U10s before he was “roped into the seniors this year”.

Serving as a selector is “totally different” to playing, Gearoid observed. A carpenter by trade, he admitted that hurling is in his head more now during his working days than when he was playing. “As a player you’re only focused on yourself but when you’re involved as a selector you’re thinking of different things, you’d be working during the day and often times you could be up on a roof for a couple of hours where there is nothing else going on so you would have stuff in your head”.

He acknowledged that their display against Clonlara in round 3 was among one of the most un-Crusheen like performances witnessed in living memory. However he insists meeting them again is irrelevant in terms of motivation. “It’s a county final and there will be motivation no matter who you are playing...They are the form team, they are unbeaten, they were very impressive in the semi-final and on most days they have played, it is going to be a big task but we will give it a go”.

O’Donnell’s message to the players is simple. “It is like any final, it is just to perform, the main thing I’d tell a player is just to have no regrets when you come off the field.”

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

37

Cahill has played key role in Corofin's hurling progression

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

SUCCESS AT MINOR and U21 level has left Corofin’s hurlers ambitious to prove their worth at the senior grade, to get there they must overcome the challenge of Sixmilebridge on Saturday.

Corofin manager Joe Cahill got involved in coaching because he wanted “to put something back into the club where he got so much enjoyment as a player”.

A couple of years after he called time on his playing career in the mid 2000’s he answered the call and started working with a bunch of six to eight year olds. A few years later he was in charge when Corofin won the under 13 A hurling title becoming the first team from the club to win an A championship.

“We beat Inagh/Kilnamona in that final and eight of those players will be involved on Saturday. We went on to win the Division 4 All-Ireland Féile title a short time later. We then joined up with our neighbours Ruan and we won the under 16 A championship, beating Sixmilebridge in the final”.

Two minor A titles followed and an U21 A crown just two seasons ago with the current Corofin intermediate manager playing a central role in the management of all those teams.

Success was achieved this year when Corofin claimed the Division 2 title in the league. “We needed to create depth in the panel. We had five or six long term injuries during the league, injuries to key players, and as a result we had to find new players for the league while these guys were given time to recover. Our hands were forced because those players were ruled out. We won the league and in the process found that depth which has served us well”, Cahill explained.

As they complete preparations for Saturday’s final, there are concerns about the fitness of Killian O’Connor and Shane O’Brien and a final decision on whether or not they will play a part in

l Corofin manager Joe Cahill Burren Eye Photography

the final won’t be made until nearer match time.

Two of the players who missed the league campaign are Diarmuid Cahill and the experienced Jamie Malone both of whom have recovered from the injuries which kept them out of action for much of the league.

Looking ahead to the final the Corofin boss noted “Bodyke and Tulla had aspirations to win this champion-

ship and the Bridge turned both over. They are a good team with four or five who have played at senior level and who have massive experience”.

Asked if it has been difficult to manage a squad that includes so many dual players he replied, “the key has been to talk to the players as to how they felt week in week out. We are a dual club and we have to embrace that

and we have done that. We have to be fair to the players and create a balance between both. The dual players have played in the region of twenty eight competitive games to date this season and this can be taxing”.

Joe believes “it would be massive to be a dual senior club. The week after our victory over Clondegad to retain our senior football status, there was a tremendous

bounce in training. We now want to take the next step in hurling and join the footballers at senior level”.

The manager also believes that the club has benefitted from having players in Clare panels “In 2017 we had five players on the Clare minor hurling panel. We have always had players on county panels and this is brilliant as they raise the standard in the club when they come back.

They demand a high standard”.

Concluding he says there is excitement in the parish.

“The schools are embracing our progress. The colours are appearing throughout the village and parish and all eyes are on Cusack Park this week”.

38

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Captain O'Loughin central to Corofin bid for dual senior status

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

DAMIEN O’LOUGHLIN has been a central player for Corofin’s hurlers and footballers, the captain is sixty minutes from leading the hurlers to join the footballers as a senior team.

On their march to the division 2 hurling league title earlier in the season, Corofin played their intermediate championship final opponents twice.

Reflecting on those games this week ahead of Saturday’s decider, Corofin captain Damien O’Loughlin said “they are one of the best teams we played this year and I am not surprised that they have come through to this championship final. They have a strong mix of youth and experience. We are facing a tough battle and we will need to produce our best performance of the year if we are to succeed”.

O’Loughlin acknowledged “this is a big one for us. I have been involved with the team at this level for a few years and we never reached the final until now. Our aim at the start of the season was to win promotion and we managed that in the league by winning our place in the Clare Cup for next season. We now want to complete the season by winning a place in senior ranks”.

Noting that “Sixmilebridge have players who have won senior championships in recent times and they are used to the big day”, he pointed out that “a lot of our players have played football at the top level and hopefully we can draw on that experience. There is aa big difference between league and championship.

I expect that they (Sixmilebridge) will have a few extra players from when we played in the league”.

BOOST Referring to the fact that Corofin are a dual club he said “sometimes people say it’s a hindrance but when things are going well it’s great. It’s all we have done and, thankfully, it has never affected us. We are used to playing week on

week”.

Corofin go into Saturday’s final on the back of their football team retaining senior status for 2024.

“It’s a great boost to the club that the footballers have retained senior status and we want to be a senior hurling team. It would be great for the club to be competing at senior level in both codes. We have had three weeks now to focus on the hurling. Things have been managed well by both managements”, according to Damien.

POLICY Playing in Cusack Park isn’t a concern for the Corofin skipper, “most have played there. It’s a big field and hopefully we can make use of it on Saturday”.

Already sure of representing Clare in the upcoming Munster club championship, O’Loughlin says “we are not looking at that. Our focus is on Saturday’s final. We have always taken it one game at a time. We would play a football game on a Saturday, recover on a Sunday and then go straight into the other code. That has been our policy and it hasn’t changed”.

Captain Damien has no doubt but that his side will have a big following at Cusack Park on Saturday, “We have great followers and there was a big crowd at our semi-final.

Excitement has been building around the parish all week ahead of what is expected to be a titanic battle”.

l PICTURED: Damien

O’Loughlin fields the sliotar in the sky above Robin Mounsey Photo by Gerard O'Neill

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

ADVERTORIAL

39

Hyperbaric Oxygenation: A Game-Changer for Athletes' Injuries, Performance, and Mental Clarity HYPERBARIC oxygenation continues to gain significant recognition in the world of sports as a versatile and effective treatment modality. It has been used for years by leading athletes for it’s ability to enhance sporting performance, reduce injury recovery times and improve mental clarity.

Accessibility to hyperbaric chambers has been the main issue for athletes in Ireland. However, this treatment is no longer out of reach for the general public.

OxyGeneration are leading the way in delivering the phenomenal benefits of hyperbaric oxygenation and after 5 years in operation can boast success stories from hundreds of clients.

One of the most signifi-

cant advantages of HBOT for athletes is its ability to expedite the recovery process. Studies have shown that rehabilitation is accelerated by about 70% when hyperbaric oxygenation is introduced to an athlete's treatment regime.

The increased oxygen levels in the bloodstream aid in reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and speeding up the healing of injured muscles, ligaments, and bones.

Rest assured, you do not need to be injured to benefit from hyperbaric oxygenation. HBOT can enhance an athlete's endurance and stamina by increasing oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood. This allows muscles to perform at their peak for longer periods, giving

athletes a competitive edge.

In addition to physical benefits, HBOT boosts cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.

As more professional athletes and sports organisations embrace this technology, we can expect to see even greater recognition of the benefits of hyperbaric oxygenation in Ireland.

Whether you're a professional athlete or a dedicated amateur, HBOT may hold the key to taking your athletic performance to the next level while ensuring a faster and more effective recovery from injuries.

Contact OxyGeneration to find out more.

40

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

CLARE INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: COROFIN V SIXMILEBRIDGE

ADRIAN SHANNON

CAOIMHIN O'DONOVAN

CIAN DOOLIN

CILLIAN McGROARY

COLIN FITZGERALD

CONOR LEEN

DAMIEN O'LOUGHLIN

DAMIEN RYAN

DAVID CORBETT

DIARMUID CAHILL

EOIN DAVOREN

EOIN FITZGERALD

FERGUS KILLEEN

FIONN CLANCY

GEAROID CAHILL

GEAROID HANRAHAN GEAROID KELLY

JAMES ORGAN

JAMIE MALONE

KEVIN KEANE

KILLIAN NEYLON

KILLIAN O'CONNOR

LIAM CORBETT

MICHAEL CAHILL

MICHAEL KELLY

MICHEÁL DUFFY

SEAN O'BRIEN

SHANE O'BRIEN

SHAY MALONE

MARC O'LOUGHLIN

(left) the Corofin management team Photos by Gerard O'Neill

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

CLARE INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: COROFIN V SIXMILEBRIDGE

ADAM BREEN

ADAM MURRAY

AIDAN QUILLIGAN

ALAN MULREADY

ATHAOIR AGNEW

CHRISTY CAREY

CHRISTY GRIFFIN

CIAN HOGAN

CILLIAN CUSTY

COLM FITZGERALD

COLM FLYNN

DARA FITZGERALD

DYLAN DOWNES

EVAN McINERNEY

EVAN MURPHY

FIONN HAYES

JACK CORRY

KEVIN LYNCH

LUKE KEOGH

LUKE O'HALLORAN

OISIN BREEN

RONAN TOUHY

SEAMUS O'CONNELL

SEAN LYNCH

RONAN KEANE

(right) Sixmilebridge management team Eamon Healy, Pat Keane and Tommy Howard Photos by Gerard O'Neill

41

42

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Bridge's progression to decider has 'shocked a lot'

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S sole focus this weekend is on taking down Corofin as they bid to see their second string side win promotion to the senior ranks.

Pat Keane is a Sixmilebridge GAA man through and through. A former chairman (4 years), secretary (5 years), vice chairman (2 years), county board delegate (current), senior selector from 2015 to 2018 when the club were county champions twice, his GAA focus this week is on Saturday’s intermediate hurling championship final.

Keane is the manager of Sixmilebridge who are seeking to win a title they last held in 1990 and on Saturday evening he will be patrolling

the sideline at Cusack Park as his charges take on a hotly fancied Corofin outfit in the final.

This will be the third meeting of the sides this season.

They met in round five of the Division 2 league back in May when a draw resulted at O’Garney Park. They met again in June in the league semi-final and here Corofin won by three points on their way to winning the title.

The manager believes his team “shocked a lot of people in this campaign, including many locals. Nat many gave us a chance particularly in the semi-final against Tulla”.

That five point win over a fancied Tulla outfit reversed the semi-final result between the same sides twelve months earlier when Tulla were 14 point winners. “One of the

l Dara Fitzgerald has been a standout player for

Sixmilebridge’s

lads made the point after the win last week that only two of our players, Aidan Quilligan and Colm Flynn, filled

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

the same positions they held 12 months earlier. We had a completely new half back line”, the manager explained.

Keane told The Clare Echo, “each team goes out to win their own championship. Three of the players that started out with us this year, Sean Mac Namara, Fiachra Ó Broin and Paul Corry, went up to the senior squad.

We have a lot more experienced players this year and these include three, Alan Mulready, Christopher Carey and Evan McInerney, who were not with us last year”.

Asked for a view on the possibility of Sixmilebridge having two senior teams next season he said “next year will be somebody else’s problem as our term is over when this final is decided. All we are focused on right now is facing Corofin in this final and we know they are the hot favourites”.

Incidentally when the club

last won this title they were promoted to senior where they had two teams but they were in separate groups and incidentally, neither managed to make it through to the play offs.

Keane’s backroom team comprises Eamon Healy and Tom Howard “both with multiple championship titles as players”. Healy featured as a forward on a number of title winning teams while Clarecastle native Howard, now a Sixmilebridge resident, helped the Magpies to a number of successes.

“Corofin have been favourites for this title from early in the season and we know we are facing a strong side.

Our lads have worked hard and prepared well and we are looking forward to Saturday’s final”, Keane concluded.

Quilligan vying 'to put the Bridge back on the big stage'

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S intermediate side has always been competitive but their progression to a final at the grade for the first time since 2008 has been driven by their seniors failing to make the knockout stages.

Youth and experience make up The Bridge side with full-back Aidan Quilligan among those to have been around the block for the South-East Clare club.

Speaking this week ahead of Saturday’s final, Quilligan said “since our seniors went out of the championship, a lot of the younger players have stepped up in a major way and I am delighted to be part of a great group”.

Quilligan won three Clare SHC medals and captained his club to win the 2013 decider against Newmarket-on-Fergus. Shortly after that success he went to

London for three years before returning and resuming his hurling. “On returning I played a bit of a role with the seniors but I am delighted to be part of the current intermediate set up and involved in this great run. I am enjoying hurling at the moment.

We are going into Saturday’s final as massive underdogs.

Corofin are a major team and they’re hot favourites.

No one expected to see us in this final but we are enjoying being there and looking forward to taking on the challenge”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Aidan said “the love of the game” is what drives on all players in Sixmilebridge where the club has four adult teams at present. “Everyone takes their hurling seriously, we want to be competing at the highest level, people are proud to put on jersey, and for us it’s a bit more important this year, when our se-

niors are not in the shake up”.

Playing at this level is “a stepping stone to seniors, most definitely. The fact the seniors went out early this year has put a bit of limelight on the intermediate, it has made the players step up and it’s great to be part of it and really enjoyable. Players have to take responsibility”, commented Aidan.

He continued, “we have a really good set up, we trained with the seniors and the training was great but the results didn’t come the way.

The training benefitted all in the intermediate and they have done a great job since then”.

Concluding the experienced defender said “Corofin are a top club looking to get to senior level and all the pundits will predict that. We have 20 to 25 who will do their best to put the Bridge back on the big stage”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

43

Ryan's return capped off with Cratloe title

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONOR Ryan's return to the Cratloe colours this summer gave a lift to GAA followers across the county and getting to capture his third Clare SFC medal is something not even the most ardent of St Breckan’s supporters will begrudge him.

Man of the match in Clare’s drawn All-Ireland final against Cork in 2013, he earned an All Star in his breakthrough inter-county season but more importantly a coveted All-Ireland SHC. Three years on and issues with his pituitary gland began to emerge which kept him sidelined for the entire 2016 championship season.

At the beginning of 2018, aged 26, Conor was told his days of playing sport were finished.

So it was incredibly uplifting to see Conor back on the field with Cratloe’s senior hurlers and footballers this season, a sight topped off by winning a senior championship and getting introduced at half-time to partner his brother Diarmuid in the middle of Cusack Park.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Conor noted the “special” feeling associated with their latest championship win. “Getting back today feels really sweet most importantly because my best buddies are still here and as I say it one of them (Liam Markham) walks past. When I finished at the time I thought I’d never play and the biggest burn for me was Diarmuid, you see the man he has come on to be now and he

l Cathal McInerney and Conor Ryan

surpassed the talent which I ever had which is fantastic, to play with him today was special”.

Six years after what was a difficult exit from the Cratloe camp, the UL graduate was struck by how a cohort managed to ensure the club still aspired to the highest of standards. “I had made my peace with not playing fairly quick but I couldn’t get rid of the fact in my head that I hadn’t played with Diarmuid especially when I saw the man he has grown into. Today was never

'There's silverware in this Breckan's team' CRATLOE’S experience of the big day was the difference but St Breckan’s manager Declan O’Keeffe is confident his side can bounce back, writes Páraic McMahon.

Lining out in their first county final since 1996, St Breckan’s came up just short by a margin of two points against Cratloe in Cusack Park on Sunday.

Missed chances and unforced errors were cited by a disappointed Declan O’Keeffee when he reflected on their loss. “The better team won on the day to be honest, Cratloe missed two open goal chances if I’m to be honest”.

He added, “We had a couple of chances after half time to go ahead and we didn’t take them, lads maybe snapped at them, a couple of hand passes didn’t go to

hand, maybe it was the nerves on the big day, I don’t know”.

To lose Jack Sheedy and Colm O’Brien to injury on either side of half-time was a setback for the North Clare outfit. “They are two attacking flanks for us and two great defenders, when they are taken away from us, I don’t think any team in the county can afford those losses. We’re not making excuses, Padraig O’Dwyer and Denis O’Callaghan who just about recovered from a fractured collarbone came on and did themselves justice.

"There is great youth and enthusiasm, they love their football and I’d be hoping they stick with it, there is definitely silverware in this team.”

As they struggled on their own kickout in the second half, one such example

Photo by Ruth Griffin

going to be about me or Diarmuid playing together, we had a job to do.

The one thing I’ve come back into this year after being away from the team for six years, you just see that the standards have not dropped and especially with the footballers I put that down to the four Collins’, each and every single one of them, the standards that those boys drive, the three boys are a credit to Colm and what he has done, God only knows where we would be as a football team without the three boys or

Colm, it is incredible”.

Though it was far from easy, Conor had accepted the days of getting to kick or puck ball with Cratloe were over. “I had made my peace with it fairly quick but there was things burning away at me, being in America and watching Cratloe in county finals, it was really hard and hurt the heart but to come back today and still be involved was a blessing, to overcome my own battle was one thing but to be a part of something special like this makes it all worthwhile, you can look back over the years at what we’ve won, today is unequivocally the sweetest for many reasons”.

Time would also change his role within the side, from one of the first names on the teamsheet to impact sub, noticeably his presence as a leader in the set-up continues to be as strong as ever. “I’ve a different perspective on life now than when I first played, I was probably burning too much energy on a couch thinking about games, when I came back I would have sold my left arm for a minute never mind coming in at half time. When I came back it was just the opportunity to play in this jersey again, as the weeks went on you’re smelling silverware and there is nothing like that. I’ve been away from sport for a long time, I tried my best to find something to replace it in terms of that buzz but I haven’t been able to, today it does get on top of you because it’s emotional”.

Ryan’s journey makes him appreciate the magnitude of the

club’s third ever senior football title but the nine year wait ensures his teammates also savoured it. “Look around today, there are some many lads that played in those years that aren’t here today, it was a county final and a county championship for the community, every one likes to put Cratloe hurling versus Cratloe football but it’s really a community effort, people ask us which we prefer but we just love going out and wearing this jersey, you can see the community spirit on the pitch, I don’t take this lightly it really was a win for Cratloe parish, Cratloe as a community and the people of Cratloe because in 2014 a lot of people would have said we were at the peak of our powers and we would get used to it, nine years is a long time when you’re expecting every year to win something”.

He added, “At the start of the year everyone thought they were playing second best to Éire Óg, they started off like a train, as we showed in 2015 three in a row is very hard to win, it is hard to keep going. They were brilliant champions, we beat them on a penalty shootout which was a sweet way to win but Jesus it is a cruel way to lose. There’s a good few of us here, have we a three in a row in us? We’re just happy to win today”.

At the outset of the 2023 championship, Cratloe were not tipped to be the side lifting Jack Daly nevermind to have Conor Ryan to the fore driving them to success, it showcases that sporting success can really be the stuff of dreams.

'You need luck to win a championship' - McInerney cherishes Cratloe success

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

seeing Cathal McInerney raid for goal on 43 minutes, management made the call to substitute goalie Mark O’Donnell for Tristan O’Callaghan.

O’Keeffe, who won two All Stars as a keeper, admitted, “It is a very difficult situation, we felt we needed to get our hands on the ball, we have Tristan on the line so we used him, I think he settled us down a little bit after that.

The Kerry man added, “I’m very proud to be associated and involved with St Breckan’s, I’ve made a plethora of friends up there, I’m very proud of the lads and I know they will be back.”

AFTER the pain of losing their last six senior finals with football and hurling combined, Cathal McInerney made sure to enjoy Cratloe’s turn in fortunes.

Paving the way in their success was the full forward who finished the hour with 1-6 to his name, ensuring he was awarded the MD MyClubShop.ie / The Clare Echo top scorer of the championship.

If that wasn’t enough, Cathal also walked away with the man of the match award while also holding his two sons in his arms.

Getting over the line to win their third Clare SFC was a relief for Cathal given their shortcomings in recent finals. “We’ve been here before but it’s a long time ago, we’ve had a lot of heartbreak, we’ve lost so many finals that I’ve lost count. This is excellent, absolutely brilliant, I can’t really describe it, we were hanging on but we saw it out, thank God”.

Reflecting on his 43rd minute goal after he lobbed Mark O’Donnell, the secondary school teacher stated, “It was fortuitous in the sense of how it happened, I feel sorry for the goalkeeper to be honest, he is a good goalie, it was just one of those instances and it happens to the best players which

l Martin Donnelly presents the MD MyClubShop.ie / Clare Echo top

scorer award to McInerney with his son Charlie

we’ve seen at inter-county level on All-Ireland final day, he will come back stronger for it but it is just unfortunate for him”.

Nine years after winning their last football championship, he felt they got the rub of the green to get their hands back on the Jack Daly.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

He added, “You need a lot of luck to win any championship, we had luck in the semi-final, Conal’s penalty hit both posts and off the back of the goalkeeper. The goal was a bit of luck today but you need luck to win a championship”.

44

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Lernihan leaps high to lead way for Kilmihil

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

l Kilmihil joint captain Fionn Febrarro leads the celebrations with the Talty Stores Cup

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Dillon does the business with Kilmihil on beloved Doonbeg sod

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

BRIAN DILLON had the distinction of guiding Kilmihil back to the promised land while standing on home soil.

Doonbeg native Dillon came on board as Kilmihil manager at the start of 2023 with the primary intention of helping them realise their potential and secure a return back to the senior ranks.

Standing in Shanahan McNamara Park, a field he has so often travelled to during his days training with Doonbeg, he was a proud figure with members of family among those making it their business to congratulate him on a job well done.

Facing off with Kilrush Shamrocks was always going to pose a tricky task, he recounted. “We’re delighted to get over the line, we knew it was going to be tough but I felt we played better football over the hour,

it’s a final Kilrush have huge history and it was always going to be a battle, when the goal went in at the end I tell you it was nervous staff but we hung on and got over the line”.

Completing the job in his home turf added a special dimension to the success, he admitted.

“A few people said it to me during the week, I didn’t think about it to be honest, of course it does, I’m coming here since I was four or five years of age, little did I think this time last year that I’d be here with Kilmihil and winning an intermediate so it’s brilliant, these are the days you live for, it is great”.

Starting the second half with three unanswered points gave them a crucial platform, the secondary school teacher in Ennistymon acknowledged. “Our first half performance against the wind was very

good, even though we went in at half time level but I felt we played the better football, Gearoid’s goal was key but the start of the second time was key and it settled us again, we were four points up with three or four minutes to go but when that goal went in it was backs to the wall and thankfully we held on anyway”.

In advance of the county final, Brian told The Clare Echo there had always been talent in Kilmihil and that his job was to get the best out of them. Now with promotion achieved and a Munster club run to follow, does he think he ticked that particular box.

“Hopefully, there was always talented players here but I think it was just to get over the line in tight games, they’ve done that, not just today but down through the championship, it is a small thing but it is enough for this year”.

Kilrush will bounce back - Ryan

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KILRUSH SHAMROCKS are gutted at coming up short by a single point in the Clare intermediate football final but “they will be back,” their manager has insisted.

A last gasp free from Stephen Ryan was on its way to forcing a replay in Saturday’s intermediate decider but a late gush of wind pushed his placed ball to the left of the goal and wide.

It was missed chances in the opening half that proved costly for the Shams according to

manager Daniel Ryan.

Playing with a strong breeze, they crucially didn’t possess a half-time advantage. “We needed to be up a few more scores, we had sixteen chances, eleven attacks, eleven chances, eight scores, it sounds like we only missed three but we had three bad wides and a good few dropping short, that is the difference, decision making on the day at vital times cost us but I feel for the boys, I am gutted for them because they put in so much work,” Ryan stated.

Three opening half wides were lamented by Daniel as he

reflected on their narrow loss.

Losing centre forward Ross Phelan in the second half was also a factor in the outcome, he felt.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Kilrush man said, “We’d have to look back at the first half, we left a few scores behind us and dropped a few shots short, we dropped a few short again in the second half. We put up a great battle and fought to the end, Ross Phelan going off was a big loss to us because at that stage in the game we needed lads to be running and carrying the ball, Ross is a se-

rious player for us and it was disappointing to lose him at that stage of the game.

“The last kick from the sideline it looked like it was going over the bar but it just pulled and pulled away, we’re very disappointed, the lads put in a lot of work and great effort, we couldn’t question them at any stage of the year, we were delighted to get a good few players back who hadn’t played and they helped us big time plus the younger lads coming through.

We’re disappointed, we’re gutted for them but they will be back”.

LEADERS show the way on the biggest of occasions and Kilmihil midfielder David Lernihan certainly fell into the bracket on Saturday.

Lernihan produced an excellent performance from the middle of the park as Kilmihil sealed their return to the senior ranks with a one point win over Kilrush Shamrocks in Doonbeg.

Against the elements in the opening half, Kilmihil crucially went in at half-time on level terms. Central to this was David’s influence at midfield, winning a total of five kickouts from Sean Scott Cafferky restarts when the pressure was beginning to mount.

He told The Clare Echo, “As a midfielder that is part and parcel of the game, you have to reach up into the sky and get them, sometimes it happens and they stick, today they stuck and it got us over the line so I’m happy”.

Securing promotion back to the top tier, twelve months on from their relegation was the goal from the get-go for Kilmihil, he said. “At the start of the year this is where we wanted to be and this is the feeling we wanted to experience, we’re here now and we’re going to celebrate it then we’ll look to next year and back to senior which is where we should be and where we want to be, we’re there now so we’re happy”.

Injuries have hindered David’s involvement for the club in recent years, he underwent keyhole surgery in 2021 and was absent from their senior campaign last year due to injury. Getting back on the field has been an experience he has relished. “Injuries have plagued me even this year was tough but that is part and parcel of the game, you will get that but these are the days you’re going to be playing in and you need to be fit and healthy to play this game”.

Since August, he has been working for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association as a National Development Officer. He was a coach to Evan Talty for his final year as Clare intermediate manager in 2022.

When Kilmihil/Shannon Gaels won the U21A championship in 2019, Lernihan was captain and getting a further taste of silverware with Kilmihil was a joy.

Keeping faith with their system was how they earned the win, the UL graduate maintained.

“We stuck to the way we play, that is the way we wanted to play and dictate the game we way we play it, we stuck to that and regardless of how it went we wanted to stick to our own game plan, it worked but Kilrush battled hard and made it challenging especially at the end of the first half they put it up to us but we knew if we stuck to the game plan as we had done all year that it would get us over the line”.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

45

set to collect Banner bask in latest glory Rodgers top scorer award

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

BANNER Ladies winning a 14th title came down to getting their matchups right, victorious manager JJ O’Dea said.

Kilfenora native O’Dea has been at the helm for all 14 of the Ennis club’s successes in the senior ladies football championship. “I think we got our match ups right today. We knew West Clare Gaels had a young team.

From the word go our girls were on the ball. They were just ready for it and when you are ready for a game nothing will get past you”.

Squad development has been important for retaining the title, this time round. “At the start of the year a lot of our girls went travelling, they went to Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and other places. We had no problem with them going, football is only a game and we were delighted to see them going. We had a squad, we brought on four or five from last year.

You saw today that we have a squad and we used them and they came up trumps for us”.

West Clare Gaels were always going to pose a strong challenge, JJ noted. “We knew they were going to come at us, a team in the final for first time, they had to take a chance and go for it. At half time it could have been 2-6 to 0-5. I thought our defence was magnificent today”, he said referring to the fact that the winners had limited their opponents to a single point in the opening half.

Munster awaits Banner Ladies who will once again represent the county in the provincial series. “Our policy has always been the next game. You are really up against it in Munster, up against the top stuff. We didn’t even pick the team for today until

SCAN FOR REPORT

l Banner Ladies celebrate their title

the warm up as we wanted to know who was on form, that’s our policy, we have a squad, they come and go and its working for us. Long may it continue”.

Experienced defender, Louise Henchy paid tribute to their younger guns for leading the way. “The more you win the harder the fall when you don’t and we just don’t want it to end.

There is huge credit due to management, there are new players brought in every year. Our backs were really to the wall today and my God did Caoimhe Cahill and Emer Burke stand up, they were brilliant”.

Assurance in each teammate has been pivotal, she said. “We have great confidence in each other. Caoimhe (Harvey) and Fidelma (Marrinan) are exceptional players and they never let us relax, it was end to end even though the score might not reflect that. It’s a huge task to go into Munster”.

Niamh O’Dea remains a central figure in their attack. She said,

Burren Eye Photography

“Louise said to me during the week we play competitive sport for a reason and you never get sick of winning. We all enjoy playing.

Remember some were winning their first title today, some their second and some their third. There are always new girls coming in and their drive and hunger help push on the standard, there is always great battles at training. We are all great friends on and off the field and we all enjoy playing”.

A prominent dual player she acknowledged that it has been “football and camogie every second weekend since last November. We love it and what else would you be doing on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a joy to see Clare (Hehir), one of my best friends, up there receiving the cup. We will turn over the page now and be back training on Thursday night ahead of the Munster championship. We will continue with one game at a time approach”.

BIG WINS FOR CLARECASTLE & INAGH/KILNAMONA AS U21 CHAMPIONSHIP COMMENCES U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

MD MyClubShop.ie / The Clare Echo hurling top scorer: 1: Mark Rodgers 5-56 (Scariff) 2: David Reidy 4-39 (Éire Óg) 3: David Conroy 0-47 (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) 4: Michael O’Malley 2-37 (Kilmaley) 5: Peter Duggan 4-30 (Clooney/Quin) 6: Shane McGrath 0-40 (Feakle) 7: Colm Cleary 3-26 (O’Callaghans Mills) 8: Cian O’Rourke 1-29 (Wolfe Tones) 9: Breffni Horner 2-24 (Crusheen) 10: John Conlon 1-25 (Clonlara)

Offaly role for former Scariff-Ogonnelloe camogie manager

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SCAN FOR ROUND-UP

Clarecastle’s James Doherty catches the sliotar

MARK RODGERS will top off a memorable season by collecting an accolade in Cusack Park on Sunday, writes Páraic McMahon.

Scariff’s sharpshooter leads the way with an unassailable advantage which will see him named the MD MyClubShop.ie / The Clare Echo top scorer of the senior hurling championship.

An impressive haul of 5-56 has Mark way clear of the chasing pack, serving as the main man for Mark McKenna’s charges as they reached the county semi-finals for the first time since 2004.

Crusheen’s Breffni Horner must hit 41 points or John Conlon needs to register 43 points or over fourteen goals each to stop Rodgers from leaving The Park with the trophy.

It is likely that this award won’t be the only one the Clare forward ends up with, he is in the running for Young Hurler of the Year and has also been nominated for an All-Star award off the back of a promising season in attack for Brian Lohan’s men.

Photo by Chris Copley

EX SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE senior camogie manager, David Sullivan has been appointed the new manager of the Offaly intermediate camogie side.

Lorrha native Sullivan spent only one year in charge of the East Clare camogie side but it was a successful one. They won the Clare senior camogie championship in 2021, having bowed out at the semi-final stage to Newmarket-on-Fergus a year previous. Sullivan was in charge when Scariff/Ogonnelloe went on to win their second ever Munster club title.

This management did not continue with Scariff/Ogonnelloe for a second year with Alphie Rodgers taking over the helm and leading them to retain their county title.

Following on from his departure from East Clare, David was in the frame to become manager of the Clare camogie side in the wake of Conor Dolan stepping down as joint manager of the county senior and junior outfits.

However John Carmody was appointed, who led the juniors to win the All-Ireland championship.

Indeed, the juniors defeated Tipperary in the All-Ireland final with Sullivan in charge of the Premier County.

Offaly have confirmed that David has been appointed manager of their intermediate side on a two year term. John Paul Houlihan (selector) and Ronan Moore (S&C) both of whom are from Lorrha and worked with Sullivan last year and with Scariff/Ogonnelloe are on board with Offaly. Michelle Davis and Elaine Hogan will serve as selectors.

Newmarket-on-Fergus native Keith Begley forms part of the backroom team as sports psychologist. He has been involved with several teams including the Offaly senior hurlers in 2021, the Cuala senior hurlers from 2016 to 2018, the Carlow senior hurlers, Clare senior footballers and the IABA high performance unit boxing team.

46

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Avenue face Replay brings ultimate Celtic in FAI reward for Inagh/Kilnamona Junior Cup

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET Celtic will put their FAI Junior Cup title on the line against their biggest rivals Avenue Utd in the third round of the national competition.

Both sides progressed over the weekend, Newmarket with a 5-0 victory over Strand while Avenue received a walkover from Shountrade.

Roslevan will host the tie between the two rivals on November 5th, their last meeting at the same venue saw Celtic come earn a play-off tie which they prevailed in to see them win back the Premier Division title from Avenue, they had

been 3-0 down before it finished 3-2 in the Roslevan encounter.

Fair Green Celtic and Shannon Olympic both received home draws for the third round when they face Rathkeale FC and Tralee Dynamos respectively.

Pike Rovers who include Ennis winger Colm Walsh O’Loghlen in their side have a home tie against Athlunkard Villa FC. Regional Utd who have a strong Clare contingent in their squad including Rob Shier, Brian O’Connor, Eoin Duff, Filip Mostowy and Adam Fitzpatrick will be on the road when they do battle with Herbertstown AFC.

Shannon athletics

SHANNON ATHLETIC CLUB will be holding an open evening this Monday.

With the focus of recruiting volunteers and preserving the future of the club, the meeting will be held at Treacy’s Oakwood Hotel in Shannon from 8pm on Monday (October 23rd).

A discussion on the club’s current position with a view to forming a new committee will take place plus efforts to seek to engage coaches and volunteers to ensure the future of the club in Shannon.

Further details are available by contacting Josephine on 0863994698.

Inagh/Kilnamona 2-9 Scariff-Ogonnelloe 2-4 Venue: Gurteen INAGH/KILNAMONA claimed victory in the Minor A camogie final following a replay.

It completes a rare double at minor level with Inagh/Kilnamona also claiming the hurling equivalent which was backed up by some of their players tasting Minor A football success with Ennistymon in Cusack Park on Sunday.

In what is a case of anything you can do I can do better, the girls also completed a double following St Joseph’s Miltown’s success at the end of August.

In total, there was a total of eight dual players.

On the camogie front, Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s bid for a third title was thwarted

by Inagh/Kilnamona in what was another memorable encounter between the clubs.

Dominance at this grade has been shared by the two clubs who account for eight of the last ten titles.

A strong final quarter pushed Inamona to victory and seal their sixth success in ten seasons with the absence of Eimear Rodgers a huge blow to the East Clare side who started on a high going four points clear after getting two goals in quick succession.

Roisin Shannon got a touch for a vital green flag for the winners on forty two minutes, she finished with 1-1 to her name and was fouled for a penalty that was superbly stopped by Nisha O’Neill.

Approaching the final quarter, they led 2-7 2-3 with Paul Queally’s charges relieved when Eva O’Halloran stopped a Danielle Beston strike at a crucial juncture.

Scorers Inagh/Kilnamona: Mary McInerney (1-2); Roisin Shannon (1-1); Ailbhe Devitt (0-3, 2f); Shauna Queally (0-2f); Cliodhna Queally (0-1) Scorers Scariff/Ogonnelloe: Caoimhe McNulty, Chloe Lynch (1-0 each); Rachel Danaher (0-2f); Laoise Giblin, Shannon Beston (0-1 each) Inagh-Kilnamona: Eva O’Halloran; Catriona Byrne, Aine Longe, Abi Kelly; Niamh Miller, Shauna Queally, Roisin Shannon; Eimear Burke, Cliodhna Queally (Joint-Captain); Ailbhe Devitt, Rhea Foudy, Elisha Rynne (Joint-Captain); Erika Wynne, Mary McInerney, Ella Fitzgibbon

Subs: Grainne Burke for Fitzgibbon (HT), Ally Hogan for Miller (HT), Kate Dowling for Wynne (52) Scariff-Ogonnelloe: NIsha O’Neill; Lorna Reilly, Aine Rodgers, Dearbhla McNulty (Captain); Alison Collins, Tara Murnane, Eimear Heffernan; Emily Domini, Caoimhe McNulty; Rachel Danager, Dannielle Beston, Laoise Giblin; Chloe Lynch, Seva Brennan, Joanna Grady Subs: Shannon Beston for Brennan (9, inj), Eliza Wiley Murphy for Lynch (HT) Referee: Aaron Hogg (Truagh-Clonlara)

Busy schedule continues for Aideen and Aine

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FRESH from her victory at the Irish Mid-Amateur Women’s open championship, Aideen Walsh is in the US this week representing Ireland at the Carey Cup annual match between Golf Ireland and the Metropolitan Golf Association. This competition is taking place at Winged Foot golf club New York.

Meanwhile Áine Donegan had her second top 10 finish of the collegiate season with a share of ninth place as LSU captured the team title at the Illini Women’s Invitational in Medinah Country Club, Chicago. Áine had rounds of 71, 72 and 69 for a four-under-total.

The World Amateur team championships will take place on the National Course at the Abu Dhabi golf club over the next two weeks.

The women’s competition will take place from October 25 to 28 and Aine Donegan has been selected as a member of the Irish three woman team EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB The golfer of the year winner at East Clare is Catherine Minogue. This result was confirmed after the weekend ladies masters18 hole stroke competition which was won by Bernie Cox (29) with 72 nett who had two to spare over Celia Moloney (28).

Meanwhile the senior men’s competition last week was won by Pat McNamara, J.J. Barton and Jimmy Nagle from Ailbe McDonnell, Brendan Molone and Steve Symes with third spot filled by John Nihill, Danny Minogue and Ger Shortt.

The Friday morning mixed scramble winners were Eileen Donnellan, Pat McNamara, Kevin and Mary Mannion from Terry Cough-

l Aideen Walsh Photo: Fran Caffrey / Golffile

lan,Siobhan Mulcahy, Tricia Nash and Mary Jo Minogue with third place filled by Jonathan Walsh, Mary Farrell and Paul Husband.

The Friday morning mixed scramble continues at 10 am on Friday.

SHANNON GOLF CLUB Jean Murphy (16) was the winner of the ladies hampers competition a last week with 36 points. She had one more than Madge Young (11) with the gross won by Michaelle Pyke (9) with 26 points. The category winners were Liz O’Sullivan (20) with 33 points, Caroline Fanneran (21) with 34 points and Honor Kinahan (34) with 29.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Bernard Coleman (16) was the winner of the men’s 18 hole singles stableford competi-

tion at the weekend with 41 points.

The category winners were Thomas Downes (9) with 34 points, Robert Kirwan (12) with 36 points and Sean Finnucane (23) with 30 points while the winners of the nines were Pat Shannon (18) with 20 points and Noel Thornton (16) with 19 points.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB Ciaran Kelly was the winner of the stroke competition at the weekend with 66 and he had two to spare over Shane Ryan. Patrick Marnane was third with 78 with Eoghan Smith in fourth spot with 88. Seamus Cusack won the gross with 70.

The 9 hole competition was won by Andrew Kenny with 19 from Shane Ryan with 18.

In the ladies three club and putter 9 hole competition, Deirdre Cooney won with 18 points from Joan Dunne with 16 and Siobhan Doohan with 15.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB The October league for ladies is currently running at Ennis golf club and results of the 9 hole and 18 hole competitions will be available at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, last week’s senior ladies competition was won by Therese Lillis, Carmel Verling and Ann White from Claire Pyne, Mary McMahon and Anne McMahon.

The previous week’s winners wwere Claire Pyne, Peig Cleary and Mary Glynn from Kathleen Pyne and Anne McMahon.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB Declan Heffernan (10) was the winner of the weekend singles at Woodstock with 43 points.

He had three to spare over Cathal O’Connor (3) with Michael O’Malley (13) in third place

and he also had 40 points. The gross was won by Tony Cleary (-1) with 37 points.

There will be another club singles this weekend. The Winter/Spring league will commence on the weekend of November 3/4/5.

GORT GOLF CLUB The winner of the men’s 18 hole singles stableford competition at Gort at the weekend was Seamus Noone (13) with 42 points.

Category 1 was won by Barry Cahill (11) with 41 points, category 2 was won gy Kevin Ruane (15) with 40 points while the category 3 winner was Dave Hennessy (29) with 37 points. The gross wss won by David Quirke (2) with 33 points.

Hannah McInerney (5) was the category 1 winner of the ladies competition last week with 39 points. Category 2 was won by Anne Kerins (23) with 36 point while Pat Wynne (39) won category 3 with 23 points Adam Hogan (19) won the president’s prize for juniors with 38 points from Cian Brennan (21) who had a similar score. In third place was Jack Losty (13) with 37 points while Donnacha O’Loughlin (10) won the gross with 27 points.

In the captain’s 9 hole stroke competition for juniors, Cormac Nolan was the winner with 44 from Ruairi Marren with 45 with third spot filled by alex O’Malley with 46 followed by Conor Cummins with 48.

In the girls competition, Shanti Brocklebank won with 29 from Eve O’Loughlin with 35 with third spot filled by Sadhbh Madden with 39 followed by Vanesa Doh,erty with 42.

The cadet boys section was won by Eanna Forde with 28 from Zach Boyd 31, Adam Hughes with 32 and Luke O’Dea, also with 32.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support sports journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Sport

47

Wins for Ennis Women and u16 girls

by Dearbhla Parry

Senior Women: Ennis/Kilrush RFC 41 – 7 Midleton RFC The Ennis/Kilrush Women started the season with the Munster Open Cup Quarter Final. The final score resulted in a victorious 41 – 7 score for Ennis/ Kilrush and the team are now in the semi final on October 22nd.

They travelled to Midleton for this opening game with opening tries from Ailish Dunne, Grainne Burke and Caolifhionn Morrissey, putting Ennis/Kilrush in the lead in the first 20 minutes.

Burke followed with an excellent long kick from the half-way, which she chased, scored and followed up with a conversion.

In the second half, Grainne Burke got her hat trick early. Midleton fought back and their captain scored and converted, bringing the score to 31 - 7.

However, Aoibheann Hahessy made a timely interception to score, followed by another quick and 7th try. This was converted by Patricia Coote and brought the score to 41 – 7 at full

time.

U16 Girls: Ennis RFC 39 – 34 Gort RFC The U16 Girls team had their second run out of the season. They were up against a strong Gort/Monivae amalgamation and managed to get a 39 score, winning the match.

Ennis started the stronger team with two early tries following good carries from Sarah Keavey and Aoife Martin. Gort/Monivae gradually got back into the game, but Ennis continued to dominate, particularly at the breakdown. After a second try from Aoife Martin, Gort/Monivae fought back to score two of their own.

Strong Carries from Lucy Kelly, Kate Howard and Kiera Hanrahan saw Ennis create space for the backline to launch attacks, and Emma McGann and Sarah Keavey found space to score two more tries before the break.

The second half saw Gort/Monivae as the stronger team. They took advantage of some loose tackling from Ennis to go over for three tries in the opening 15 minutes. Ennis gradu-

ally took hold of the game as their tackling improved and the Ennis backrow of Maeve McCarthy, Siofra Enright and Nicole Clark closed down the opposition at the gainline.

Ennis closed out the game with two more tries to secure the win with a final score of 34 – 39. This battle set them up in good stead for the start of their league campaign next week against Old Crescent/Richmond at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

The Ennis team contained Fia Doody, Kate Howard, Aoife Martin, Lucy Kelly, Kiera Hanrahan, Maebh McCarthy, Siofra Enright, Nicole Clarke, Grace Hoyne, Emma McGann, Holly Murphy, Sarah Keavey, Eileen Keating, Kate Murray and Laura Kate Ryan.

Fixtures: U16 Girls Competition League: Ennis v Old Crescent/Richmond Saturday 21st October Kick-off at 11:00 in Ennis U18 Girls Competition League: Ennis v Ballina/ Killaloe; Saturday 21st October; Kick-off at 12:30

Doubles for Clare owners at Galway

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

FRIDAY night's Galway card was an all graded eight-race programme.

The training honours on the night went to the Donal Duggan of Tulla kennels courtesy of the Gordon Vaughan-owned Aunty Clare and Siobhan Garrahy's Cloneyogan Sydny.

In the A4 graded sixth contest Creevy Bird broke smartly in the centre and led from Danmar Daniel rounding the opening bend.

Racing along the back Danmar Daniel joined issue and the pair matched strides to towards the penultimate corner. All the while though Aunty Clare was gradually creeping closer and manoeuvring her way between runners nearing the home bend, the daughter of Out Of Range Ash & Airfield Biddy pounced in the straight to score by two & a half lengths from Creevy Bird in 29.32.

The brace was initiated in the A6 fourth contest in which less than two lengths covered the field approaching the opening bend with Grangeview Dude a fractional leader. Rounding the bend there was plenty of crowding as Cloneyogan Sydny navigated his way through to lead into the back straight. Racing along the back the Siobhan Garraghy of Lahinch-owned son of Droopys Sydney & Tiermana Rum was clear of Millroad Caesar and staying on well the Donal Duggan trained runner scored by three lengths at the line in 29.77.

The Final of the Liam Brussels Memorial A4 525 Yards Stake was the Saturday night feature in Galway with the Semi Finals of the Paddy O’Gorman A1 525 Stake providing the back up to the feature.

In the second semi-final of the Paddy O'Gorman Stake, Lissatouk Dave was just about best away towards the outer and despite being under pressure on the swing for home, the Master James McMahon of Cooraclare owned

Lissatouk Dave (Laughill Blake-Lissatouk Dolly) maintained her lead throughout and would not be denied on the run home as she saw off Cloonturk Bruno and Crokers Spirit by a head and a short head in 29.14.

Young Cooraclare owner Master McMahon enjoyed a great evening as his runners completed a double with Lissatouk Peggy making all in this A5 graded contest to defeat Cragbrien Sydney by four & a half lengths in 29.27.

In Limerick on Thursday night last, we had 2 Clare greyhounds in the winner’s enclosure – Tiermana Anna notched up her 6th career win with a 29.20 victory in an A4 contest, owned by Mullagh’s Noel Moroney, she is a daughter of Pestana and Cloneyogan Flash.

And Amys Jack brought his career winnings to nine with a 29.00 victory in an A3 contest for Shannon Peter Russell, a son of Skywalker Rafa and Notimetotalk, he is trained and was bred by Tulla’s Donie Duggan.

On Saturday night in Limerick, the first race of the evening had a contingent of Clarecastle magpies celebrating when Cheero won this 600 Yards contest. A son of Droopys Jet & Cats Belle, he is trained by Athenry based Matthew Harte, this was his sixth career success. Cheero is owned by the Commons Seven Syndicate which comprises of Anthony & Michael Daly, the 2 Tommy Howards, Stephen Sheedy, John Cosgrove, and Michael Corry.

In an A4 graded 550 yards contest, Tromora Ronaldo showcased great potential with a 29.99 victory for Quilty's, David Hogan. A home bred son of Ballymac Best and Tromora Champion, this was career win number 2.

And the finale on the night was over the 750 yards trip, and Mad Money dispatched her rivals with ease to lead home by 10 lengths for Mullagh’s Noel Sexton, a daughter of Droopys Sydney and Work Your Head, she recorded a third career victory in a time of 42.49.

in Drumbiggle U12 Mini Blitz Sunday 22nd October; Kick-off at 10:30 in Drumbiggle U14 Girls Competition League: Ennis v Richmond; Sunday 22nd October; Kick-off at 11:00 in Drumbiggle U14 Boys Competition League: Ennis v Kilrush; Sunday 22nd October; Venue – Kilrush U15 Boys Competition League: Ennis v Ballina/ Killaloe; Sunday 22nd October; Venue – Killaloe U16 Boys Competition League: Ennis v Thurles; Sunday 22nd October; Venue – Thurles U18 Boys Competition League: Ennis v Cashel; Sunday 22nd October; Kick-off at 12:00 in Lee’s Road Senior Men Competition Junior League: Ennis v Waterford City; Sunday 22nd October; Kick-off at 14:30 in Drumbiggle Senior Women Open Cup Semi Final Sunday 22nd October; Kick-off at 13:00 in Tralee

Midwest Cup title for Ennis l Congratulations to the

Ennis Tennis & Badminton Club's U18 tennis team who won the Midwest Cup for the second year running, defeating Limerick Lawn Tennis Club on a 3-2 scoreline.

Congratulations too to their Coach Danny Comerford. The team members were presented with Club shirts as is the tradition

for a championship winning team in Ennis Tennis Club. Pictured left to right: Noel Gavin, non-playing Captain, Matthew Conway, Peter Farrell, Lara Kelly, Emily Feehan, Caoimhe Collins, Danny Comerford, Coach, and Bryan Timmoney, Junior Tennis Captain. Missing from photo is Mia Gavin and Eoghan Breslin.

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

WITH ALL THE RIGHT MOVES B o o k y o u r C h r i s t m a s Pa r t y n o w !

www.LimerickGreyhoundStadium.ie

www.GalwayGreyhoundStadium.ie

48

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

News

St Francis Credit Union Community THE St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games 2023 All Star Presentations were held on Friday last 13th October in Treacy’s West County Hotel.

Twenty eight girls and 30 boys from 15 areas across the county received awards for their endeavours in their events. The Vice Chairperson Paula Byrne O’Connell welcomed everyone including guests and recipients.

She thanked the All Star volunteer committee for their hard work organising the event – Triona O’Gorman, Paula Byrne O’Connell, Mary Phelan, Marie Roche & Brendan Cusaack. A minute’s silence was observed for the late Liz Canny who was heavily involved in the organising the All Star event in previous years.

Chairperson Graham Meakins welcomed everyone and especially the guests. He thanked St Francis Credit Union for their sponsorship of Clare Community Games and Clare County Council for their support over many years.

Mr Gabriel Keating Leas Cathaoirleach Clare County Council in congratulating the award recipients thanked the volunteers who enabled these and many more children across the county to participate in community games.

Mr Dave Noble Business Development Officer with St Francis Credit Union congratulated the children receiving awards said that St Francis Credit Union are a bit like Community Games as they are in most communities in Clare. He said they are delighted to be their sponsors for the past number of years. He also thanked the volunteers who continue to give of their time for the children of Clare.

Graham, Mr Keating and Mr Noble all encouraged the parents present to come forward to County AGM and get involved so that all Clare children will have the opportunity to participate in the many different sports and cultural events offered by Community Games and have many more evenings like this.

Gabriel Kehinde talented Clare and National athlete said that his interest in athletics started in Community Games with Ennis and then Clare where he had many successes. He has had many successes at both indoor and outdoor events. He has two national U23 records. He

represented Ireland in 4X100 in Switzerland, France, Latvia and Finland. He encouraged all the children to continue in Community Games and other sports.

Gabriel still volunteers with Community Games yearly at the County Athletic Finals.

The Hall of Fame Award was presented to Mr Gerry Hayes of Ennis as a small token of their appreciation of his support to Clare Community Games for over 40 years. He has been the starter at the county athletics each year. He was a manager at National Finals in Mosney on numerous occasions when his son Martin was a participant in the swimming event.

A bouquet of flowers was presented to President Mrs Cecilia O’Sullivan who has been deeply involved in Community Games since its inception in 1971 holding many executive positions down the years.

Entertainment was provided on the night by siblings Aidan and Katie Reynolds from Quin/ Clooney who sang the beautiful song “When I grow up from Matilda the Musical”. Keelin Clune also from Quin/Clooney gave a beautiful rendition of “Out Here On My Own” and a Disco by DJ Kaylum Maxwell from Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry.

A great night was had by all.

COUNTY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

l WINNERS: Enjoying the St Francis

Credit Union Clare Community Games All Star presentations were (clockwise from above): Sophie Maher; Isabelle O’Doherty and Gabriel Kehinde; Leon, Lexi, Skylor, Noel, Taylor, Noel Duggan & Samantha O Grady Photos by John Mangan

The Clare Community Games Annual General Meeting will take place on Tue 7th November in Treacy’s West County Hotel. All areas are requested to send their three delegates to the meeting as the input from all areas will help with the decision making for the coming season.

A number of positions on the Executive will be vacated so it is up to the areas across the county to nominate people to fill those positions to enable the county to be registered on time for the 2024 season. If the County can’t affiliate, areas then can’t affiliate and get insurance cover.

The Executive positions coming vacant are – Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Games Director and Development Officer. If these positions cannot be filled on 7th November Clare Community Games, we cannot affiliate to National areas cannot affiliate so there will be no Community Games in Clare for 2024.

Hopefully that won’t happen.

Clare Our O } ¿

:

Ennis

Clarecastle

Kildysart

Kilmihil

Lissycasey

Newmarket-on- Fergus

Shannon

Sixmilebridge

Tulla

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

49

Games All Star Award ceremony

l YOUNG STARS: Celebrating the winners of the

St Francis Credit Union Community Games All Star Awards were (clockwise from top left): Ciara McAllen and President Cecilia O’Sullivan; Ciara Corry and David Noble; Eugene, Ava and Michelle Moloney; Diarmuid and Aisling Kelly with Siobhan Horgan; John, Marie and Eoin Keane; Sinead, Tadhg, Daithi, Eoghan, Liam and Diarmaid McMahon; Seanie, Conor and Sarah Connellan; Keelin Clune; Odhran Donnellan and Cllr Gabriel Keating

Photos by John Mangan

Clare Our O } ¿

:

Ennis

Clarecastle

Kildysart

Kilmihil

Lissycasey

Newmarket-on- Fergus

Shannon

Sixmilebridge

Tulla

50

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Classifieds

ACCOUNTANTS

CHIMNEY CLEANING Miltown Chimney Cleaning Open Fires, Stoves & Ranges All areas covered Call or text Pearse on 085 1187811

CAR REPAIRS

CLEANING

. TAR & CHIP DRIVEWAYS . GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS . NEW DRIVEWAYS . INDIAN SANDSTONE PATIOS . GARDEN SERVICES . GARDEN PATHWAYS . BRICKLAYING AND WALLING . WOODEN FENCING . NEW LAWNS . PATIO PAVING . NATURAL STONE PATIOS

ENNIS WINDOW CLEANING & POWER WASHING SERVICES FULLY INSURED

. BLOCK PAVING . DRIVEWAY RESTORATION ...

Power Washing Soft Washing  Window Cleaning Roof Cleaning Specialists

Telephone: 061 574163 Mobile: 083 1049148 Email: info@allseasonsdriveways.ie

Fully insured

references available

www.allseasonsdriveways.ie

Gutter Cleaning Service

CONSTRUCTION

ROOF MOSS CLEANING

Contact Kevin Cosgrove Tel: 087 1385904 Web: www.enniswindowcleaning.ie

PAINTING

GARDENING

ALPINE ROOFING SERVICES FOR SALE Ford Focus 2007 NCT’d Good Condition Call 065 68 20844

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

PRINTING

Classifieds

51

PAINTING

Tired of Being Alone?

TwoHeartsMeet Dating Agency will help you find your Special Someone!

Call 085 7742444

twoheartsdating.com

Recent Deaths

PRINTING McDonnell, Paddy Kilkee Clare Moloney, Josie Ennis Clare Mulcahy, Victor Lahinch Clare

O’Doherty (née Ryan), Patricia (Pat) Ennistymon Clare

TYRES

HASKETT, Jude Martin Parteen Clare Nash (née Scanlan), Nora (Nonie) Tulla Clare

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED ADVERT NOW from as little as

€15

perweek

Contact 065 671 9021 or email sales@clareecho.ie

PRAYER

Nash (née Scanlan), Nora (Nonie) Crusheen Clare O’Keeffe, Trace (Tracey) Kilfenora Clare Casey (née Murphy), Mary Corofin Clare Spaight, Canon Daniel Ennis Clare Spaight, Canon Daniel Sixmilebridge Clare Moran, Pat Kilmihil Clare Naughton, Sr. Breda Ennis Clare

Saint Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus: The name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of. Pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (here make your request), and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout eternity. Amen.

Saint Jude, Apostle, martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Mary and of Joseph, intercede for us.

Amen.

St. Jude, Patron Saint of hopeless cases, pray for us M

O’Keeffe, Alan Kilkee Clare O’Keeffe, Alan Doonaha Clare O’Connell, Daniel (Donal) Kilkee Clare RYAN, Michael Kilrush Clare Brennan (née McKeogh), Martha Killaloe Clare

brought to you by

52

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz  To whom is there a holy well

 How many people live in Liscannor

 What is one thing Liscannor is

 How far does The Shore Wall Art

 What is the name of the pub in

 What is the name of the woman

 Who wrote the song Liscannor

 What is the name of the man who

 O’Brien’s Tower was named after Cornelius O’Brien, what was his profession ?

Farmer Member of Parliament Builder

invented the submarine?

John Holland Joseph Murphy Tom Mc Mahon

 In what year did he receive a

contract from the U.S to build a submarine?

1865 1899 1895

Spot the Difference Can you spot the 7 differences

QUESTION 5 : O’Brien’s Tower was named after Cornelius O’Brien, what was his profession ?

ANSWERS

135 200m Ann Vaughan John Holland 1895

Bay? Christy Moore Mick Flynn Andy Irvine

who started The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane?

Ann Vaughan Rachel Clancy Amy Considine

Last weeks answers

. Light different colour . Piece missing on sign . Light missing on wall under sign . Hours missing on Opening Hours beside

6 7 8 9 10

Liscannor that has a famous song written about it ?

Joseph McHugh’s O’Briens Vaughans

Project in Clahane stretch?

100m 150m 200m

St Bridget Flagstone Joseph McHugh's Mick Flynn Member of Parliament

famous for?

Roads Flagstone Horticulture

according to the last census?

123 164 135

1 2 3 4 5

dedicated to in Liscannor?

St. Joseph St. John St. Bridget

door . Piece of Open sign missing . Ali’s comb missing . Shadow missing of post

Cratloe and supporters celebrate their win in the Senior Football Final last weekend Photo by Ger O’Neill

53

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Puzzle

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Oct 19th about:blank

2 7

How to play

7 5

9

3

2 8

3 2 8

5

8

7

9

3 6

2

1

5

6

2

9

4

1

3

4

1

9

7

1

7

6

8

5

4

2

3

1

8

7

6 2

3

6

8

8

4

4

9

7

9

1 5

3

6

5

2

4

9

5

10/18/23, 8:04 AM

7

4

6 7 5 9 8 2 3 1

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

2

5 3 1

1/1

4 7 8 9 6

Offspring

about:blank

about:blank

S

ceed (5,5) 7)

17

ormer (4) ear (8)

S

L

I

I

E

L

S

nimal (6)

B

h (8) e (4) ,5) shrine (10)

7 6

S

12

A

T

T

16

R

L

1

11

15

18

T

19

R

H

O

L G R

P

2

U I

Y

A

D E C E M B E R

E I

L F A S

R E P E A T K

N D O U B T

G

20

F

D

B A L D I

I

14

10

U

P P E R S

R A B B

13

22

E

8

A 3

I

4

D

C L O G A

O

M A G E 5

Daily Quick Crossword: 10 October 2022 ,10/10/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

9

G

about:blank

23

21

22

H

21

d lever (5)

20

19

E

18

E D

17

O

16

U

r (4)

15

G A M B L

14

T A R

13

S

12

)

11

G H T

10

I

9

A

8

S

7

CROSSWORD ANSWERS E

6

ACROSS DOWN 1 Journey to a shrine (10) 1 Foot-operated lever (5) 7 Uncertain (2,5) 2 Yob (4) 8 Wooden shoe (4) 3 Preferably (6) 10 Hairless (4) 4 Oily fish (8) 11 Winter month (8) 13 Burrowing animal (6) 5 Farewell (7) 6 Gobbledygook (9) 15 Iterate (6) 9 Thankfulness (9) 17 Indoor footwear (8) 12 Scatter (8) 18 Quick (4) 21 Leading performer (4) 14 Bubble raised on the skin (7) 22 Took a risk (7) 23 Signal to proceed (5,5) 16 Thrifty (6) 19 Parcel out (5) 20 Self-satisfied (4)

G R E E N L

5

23

4

s (9)

3

ok (9)

2

1/1

d on the skin (7)

1

about:blank

(4)

Daily Quick Crossword: 10 October 2022 ,10/10/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

)

The Clare Echo Crossword

he skin (7)

ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

Offside

er (5)

4

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

Offshore

(5,5)

1

How to play

Offshoot

8)

9

5

6

Offset

(6)

7

1

2

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

4

Official

e (10)

6 1/1

Office

5

4

9

Offhand

Offprint

2

2

Offer

Offing

7

5

Offensive

Officious

8

6

6

4

Offend

9

1

Offbeat

Officiate

3

1

Offal

3

1

4

Off Season

6

9

6

Off Duty

about:blank

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

10/18/23, 8:04 AM

Thursday, Oct 19, 2023 THE CLARE ECHO

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Planning

54

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KELLS, COROFIN, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ronan & Janine Howard are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to make minor alterations to the dwelling house granted under planning permission P22-801 along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 2 IRISH HOLIDAY COTTAGES, MOYARTA WEST, KILKEE, CO. CLARE, V15 KH64 Take notice that Lisa McK-

night intends to apply for permission to construct a new veranda to the existing dwelling and all other associated and ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOUGH, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Brid and John Fawl intend to apply for retention permission for the garage as built on site and for permission to build a new dwelling, connect to services & all other site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the

reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MAIN STREET, KILFENORA, CO. CLARE, V95 Y5Y6 Take notice that Michael Keating Dip. Arch. (phone 085-8421780), on behalf of Julie McMahon, intends to apply to Clare County Council for full permission to renovate an existing vacant building and to construct an extension to the rear. Construct new divisional boundary wall to the East, demolish existing outbuildings, provide new gated entrance in existing front wall and build up existing, and carry out all ancillary site works at Main Street, Kilfenora, Co. Clare.

Public Information Notice

Shannon Town & Environs Flood Relief Scheme Emerging Preferred Options Public Consultation Event Venue: Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Airport Road, Shannon, Co Clare Date: Wednesday, 25th October 2023 Time: 4pm – 8pm Clare County Council in conjunction with the OPW and Shannon Airport Authority are progressing the implementation of the Shannon Town & Environs Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme is likely to include for works along the Shannon Estuary as well as a number of tributaries within Shannon town and the industrial estates. Interested parties are invited to attend a public consultation event to be held on the 25th October from 4pm - 8pm at Treacys Oakwood Hotel in Shannon.

Representatives of Clare County Council, the OPW and RPS will be available to answer queries.

For individuals who may not be able to attend in person details will also be available on the project website at www.shannontownandenvironsfrs.com.

The purpose of the event is to allow interested parties the opportunity to offer their views on the emerging preferred options being considered. Any comments/observations can be provided at the event or forwarded to shannonfrs@rpsgroup.com.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 11 BEECH GROVE, TOONAGH, FOUNTAIN, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Leona Reynolds and Sionnach Guilfoyle, intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to carry out alterations and extension to existing dwelling house, demolition of existing shed and all ancillary site works necessary to facilitate the proposed development.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL HILL ROAD, BUNRATTY WEST, BUNRATTY, CO. CLARE. We, Mulkear Investments Ltd intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission to construct a two-storey Guesthouse with single storey annex to rear comprising kitchen and ancillary store rooms and plant room along with new vehicular and pedestrian accesses and boundary treatment, signage,

parking provision and connections to adjacent services/utilities inclusive of associated site works, all in accordance with documents lodged, at Hill Road, Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority at Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare 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 of €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Planning Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFY SOUTH, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that D. O’Connor intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to erect dwelling house, foul sewerage treatment plant, percolation area and new site entrance 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, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOONBOOLY,

CONNOLLY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Pat O’Neill, intends to apply for permission to renovate, change layout and construct extension to the existing dwelling, install new effluent treatment system, and construct boundary wall to the front of the site, all with associated site works, at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SAN ANTONE, DRUMMIN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO.CLARE Edel Regan Design Architects Ltd. intend to apply for planning permission for construction of a one-storey addition to the front-west of the existing dwelling house with proposed skylight, proposed new shed dormer window in existing attic to the front-west of the dwelling house, demolition of the existing sun room and porch to the front-west of the dwelling, proposed new internal alterations to existing dwelling house including new windows and doors to existing elevations of the dwelling house and all associated site works at San Antone, Drummin, Miltown Malbay, Co.Clare on behalf of Eamon and Cliona Byrne. The planning application may be

inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours, i.e. 9.00a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 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, and such submissions and observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. STEELES ROCK PARK, DRUMCLIFFE ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE. V95 CR23 Take note that Lifford AFC is applying to Clare County County to construct a single storey club house including all ancillary site works at the above address.

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

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 19, 2023

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

News

55