The Clare Echo 22/10/20

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OCT 22 2020

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Double IFTA for O’Halloran PÁRAIC MCMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS scriptwriter and actor, Mark O’Halloran was among the big winners at the 2020 IFTAs held virtually on Sunday night.

Mark picked up the scriptwriting in film award for Rialto, a 2019 picture

which also saw its leading actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor take home best actor in a leading role. Rialto was only in cinemas for three days before they all had to close down There was further joy for O’Halloran when he was named best supporting actor for his role in The

WE ARE OPEN

Virtues, a mini-series which began airing on Channel 4 in May of last year.

It is sixteen years since the Clare man received his first Irish and Film Television Award nomination for best script following the release of Adam & Paul. He picked up the award in 2008 for Garage, the film starring Pat Shortt.

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2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

MAXOL GARAGE WINS GLOBAL CHALLENGE

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ENTERTAINMENT

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SCULLY

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GREEN CLARE

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EDITORIAL

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GORT FEATURE

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SPORT

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

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

SALES

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

l DELIGHTED: Celebrations are underway in Clare this week with the news that Maxol Clarecastle has beaten off stiff competition

to take first prize in the Global Forecourt Experience Challenge; a new initiative that recognises teams for their cleanliness and safety efforts on-site during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured L-R are Laura E Murphy, General Manager Maxol Clarecastle Ennis, Mark Cribbin, Operations Manager Aramark, Louise Bailey and Des Cullinan, Ennis Photo by Arthur Ellis

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Council to appoint new contractor for County Library PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

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NEW tendering process to appoint a contractor to complete the €14m County Library in Ennis is to begin.

Late 2021 was the original target for completion of the construction of the library building on Causeway Link in Ennis but the pausing of works has pushed this back further.

Keating Construction had initially won the tender to carry out the construction works but the marine and engineering ran into financial difficulties and last week The High Court appointed an examiner for the firm.

On Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed it would commence a tendering process to appoint a new contractor “shortly”.

“At this juncture we do not have a timeline for the appointment of a completion contractor,” the spokesperson outlined.

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Man makes tragic call to his mother moments before jumping to his death at Cliffs of Moher GORDON DEEGAN

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40 year old Co Tipperary man phoned his mother from the top of the Cliffs of Moher to tell her that he was going to end his own life moments before jumping to his death, writes Gordon Deegan.

That is according to evidence heard at the Co Clare Coroner's Court where County Coroner, Isobel O'Dea returned a suicide verdict concerning the tragedy which occurred at the tourist attraction on the late morning of November 30th last.

In a deposition, eye witness to the tragedy, Mexican tourist, Alondra Lopez said that she along with 10 other people saw the man "jump off the cliffs with his arms out".

Ms Lopez stated that before seeing the man go off the Cliffs of Moher, she saw the man making a call on his mobile phone.

In his evidence, Garda Colm Collins told the coroner's court that he received a call to go to the Cliffs of Moher over a male who had con-

tacted his mother from the Cliffs of Moher stating that he was going to end his life.

However, before he could arrive at the Cliffs, Garda Collins stated that he received another call en route to tell him that a male had been seen going off the Cliffs of Moher.

After arriving at the Cliffs of Moher off a Darby O'Gill bus from Dublin at 11.15am, Ms Lopez walked straight over to the Cliffs.

Ms Lopez walked towards a small tower and about 1km on the pathway, she stated that she saw a tall, slim man with blond hair.

In her deposition, Ms Lopez stated that the man was wearing a brown scarf, wine coloured coat and blue jeans and was standing on a platform talking on his mobile phone.

Ms Lopez stated: "The phone was on speaker and I could hear the phone ringing. It was very loud, that is what drew my attention to the man."

Ms Lopez stated that the man was calm. She stated: "I walked past him about five metres and then I turned to look at this man...I then saw this man jump off the cliffs with his arms out. There were 10 people

around who also saw this."

Ms Lopez stated that she returned to the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre to notify staff as to what occurred and stated that she did not look over the cliffs.

The deceased man had travelled by himself to the Cliffs of Moher on a Darby O'Gill bus from Dublin that morning and he had purchased the ticket two days earlier on November 28th.

The man's body was recovered from a ledge three metres above the sea at the base of the Cliffs of Moher by rescue services and brought to the Doolin Coastguard Unit station. The man's remains were identified through a DNA match with his mother. The post mortem into the man's death stated that he had died as a result of poly-trauma.

Ms O'Dea found that the deceased died from poly-trauma consistent with a fall.

She stated that she was returning a verdict of suicide. She stated: "I have to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt and I am based on the evidence of the tourist and the call to his mother."

The deceased man's mother wasn't present at the inquest and Ms O'Dea expressed her very deep

sympathy to the family members present for their loss and asked them to pass on her sympathies to

the man's mother.

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l TRAGEDY: Mexican tourist Alondra Lopez witnessed a man jump from the Cliffs of Moher

Photo by John Mangan

Soothe lockdown blues with Music Generation ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

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IT HAS often been said that music is an invaluable source of creativity and expression.

Learning to play a musical instrument is also a great mindfulness exercise and can help focus the mind in times of stress. As we face into a second lockdown, there couldn’t be a better time for kids to get involved with Music Generation.

“With what kids are going through at the moment their mental health and surely their wellbeing [is suffering], so music can buffer that gap for children at such an important time” said Music Generation Clare Music Development Officer Padraig Rynne.

As Music Generation is tied to LCETB, they can offer face to face classes as long as the secondary schools stay open. “Of course we follow the strict protocols that are put in place by the LCETB by the Dept of Education. It’s an extremely safe environment. All kids are wearing masks at the moment, we are adhering to social distancing, with all the usual sanitising before and after each class.

It’s a massive job but obviously safety is the core of what we are planning and what we are doing so far,” Padraig added.

Students who can’t travel to classes in Ennis, Ennistymon, Shannon, Killaloe and Kilkee, can tune into online classes. Students with dodgy internet connections can download pre-recorded classes. The classes also offer one of the few opportunities for children to socialise outside of a school environment.

Music Generation have a team of highly

dedicated and experienced teachers, who are keen to keep the music going for kids in these troubled times.

“Without them and the feet on the ground it wouldn’t be possible. Learners are still keen to come which is absolutely brilliant as well,” Padraig said.

As one would only expect for Co Clare, there is a huge uptake in traditional music classes at Music Generation. Concertina comes out on top as the most popular, followed closely by fiddle and bodhrán.

Guitar, ukulele, accordion, piano, banjo, keyboard, harp, rap, singing/songwriting and music technology and production in their brand new state of the art studio are also offered.

“We can teach kids and teenagers how to make their own music in a studio. How to record it, how to mix it, how to master it. If you want to be Katy Perry or Taylor Swift or whoever it may be, the options are there to learn about it,” Padraig said.

Though there is a charge for the after school music classes, they are subsidised by the Department of Education. There are free music workshops available on Saturdays in Shannon and Carmody Street, Ennis. Music Generation offer a rental programme so students can get a feel for their instrument before making the commitment to buy one.

Music Generation are also running programmes in many of Clare’s primary/secondary schools, teaching children how to look after their mental health and boost their self esteem as well as learning how to play their instruments.

Contact info@musicgenerationclare.ie for more information or visit https://www.musicgeneration.ie for more information.

Music Generation Clare/an Chláir MUSIC GENERATION CLARE PROGRAMMES RUN ACROSS THE COUNTY AND ONLINE WEEKLY CLASSES IN A RANGE OF VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTATION INCLUDING: Concertina, Fiddle, Bodhrán, Guitar, Ukulele, Accordion, Piano, Banjo, Keyboards, Music Technology and Production, Harp, Rap, singing/songwriting and much more.

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6 NEWS

Clare returns to Covid lockdown PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

O CLARE and the entire country has re-entered lockdown for six weeks.

Measures came into effect from midnight and are to last until the beginning of December. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommended the move to Level 5 of the Living with COVID-19 framework for a second time and the move was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) stated that closing down borders was considered not to be an option given the island’s geographic location and proximity to Britain and mainland Europe.

Taoiseach Martin said the pattern of suppressing the virus when it is growing and reopening society when safe to do so is likely to continue until a vaccine is in place. He acknowledged that the regime introduced was among the strictest in Europe.

“I understand, and I feel very personally and profoundly the sense of disappointment, the feelings of loneliness, perhaps even the despair that this announcement will bring for many. The days are getting shorter and colder. But I ask you to remember this. Even as the winter comes in, there is hope. And there is light. If we pull hard together over the next six weeks, we will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas”.

Non-essential retail outlets such as hairdressers and beauty salons have closed as a result. Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs may remain open, but only to support provision of essential services.

Religious services will be available online. Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will remain closed. Libraries will be available for online services only. Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks will remain open with protective measures.

Visits to Long Term Residential Care facilities are suspended with the exception of visits required for critical and compassionate circumstances.

Increased incidents of domestic

violence and child welfare referrals were given “careful thought” when the decision was made.

“The evidence of a potentially grave situation arising in the weeks ahead was too grave”. Schools will stay open, he confirmed. “We cannot and will not let our children and young peoples futures to be another victim of this disease”.

Enhanced financial support is to be brought in, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is to be restored to €350 a week for people with prior earnings of €400 or above with wage subsidy rates also to be improved in line with PUP rates following discussions at Cabinet.

Working from home is to continue unless providing an essential service where their presence is considered to be necessary.

To combat the fears of mental health issues spiking during the lockdown, the roll out of new mental health services will be prioritised.

A support bubble is to be created for persons living alone or parenting alone. Breaching of restrictions is to result in an on the spot €500 fine.

up to

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

100 COVID cases among Traveller community PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

100 CONFIRMED cases of COVID-19 have emerged in the Traveller community across Clare, Tipperary and Limerick in the past fortnight.

Described as "a very concerning" situation by Pavee Point co-director Martin Collins, major outbreaks have been recorded in the MidWest and East of Ireland with growing cases being reported.

He confirmed that in the past two weeks, there have been 100 positive cases among members of the Traveller community in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

Collins said that Pavee

Point is working with the HSE and other agencies to develop an "adequate response".

Martin outlined, "Coronavirus does not discriminate and nobody is safe, some communities are more vulnerable than others and Travellers certainly fit into that category because of one very simple fact, even though we as a community only constitute one per cent of the entire population, we constitute 16 per cent of the homeless population.

"With 3,000 individuals in our communities living in sub-standard, primitive halting sites, some of these sites lack the basic essentials such as running water so we have families that can't even comply with the basic requirements of washing their hands".

lWORRYING:

Covid cases among Travellers have risen

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Clare Volunteers join Simon effort to meet Covid demand ANN CRONIN

M

news@clareecho.ie

ID West Simon Community required 150 additional volunteers to meet demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid West Simon Community operate a number of services to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Clare, including a monthly foodbank and an emergency accommodation hub in Ennis. Foodbank and Distribution Co-Ordinator Jenny Walsh said that the demand for these Mid West Simon Community services increased following the national lockdown in March.

“As soon as we went into lockdown, our numbers skyrocketed with people asking for help. It was families with children at home and people who found themselves unemployed looking for assistance

with food.

“Some of our core volunteers wouldn’t have been able to stay with us when the pandemic hit because they would have been classed as vulnerable,” Ms. Walsh said.

In March, the Mid West Simon Community put out a call on their

social media for additional volunteers and received a huge response from individuals and organisations.

Geraldine Guere (41) is a student from Ennis that began volunteering with Mid West Simon Community in July as part of her college work placement. Ms Guere volunteered

lKIND: Geraldine Guere volunteers with the Simon Community in Ennis

Photo by Stuart Holly

in Westbrook House, a Mid West Simon Community emergency accommodation hub based in Ennis.

Ms Guere also volunteers in the Mid West Simon Community foodbank in Ennis, distributing food bags, toiletries and school supplies to service users. The Ennis-based student said that working with Mid West Simon Community has helped her to better understand those affected by homelessness in her community.

“Having met the clients and connected with them, I just realised they’re normal people who just fell off the road they were on,” the social care student said.

Pat Crowley (69) from Cratloe started volunteering with Mid West Simon Community in April after being put on furlough from work.

Mr Crowley’s volunteer work included delivering hot meals to individuals living in hotels and hostels and collecting donated foods from local supermarkets. “ I’m relatively new to it but it’s only when you do it that you see there’s a real need for it,” Mr. Crow-

ley said.

Mr. Crowley, who works in the travel industry, said he hopes to continue volunteering with the organisation when he returns to work.

Foodbank and Distribution Coordinator Jenny Walsh said that Mid West Simon Community is hugely grateful to all the volunteers that supported them in recent months, as the pandemic has had a major effect on the organisation’s fundraising and resources.

“Resources are challenging. It’s the same with every organisation, we just don’t have the funding.

“Our fundraising has completely stopped. The things we would have done this time last year, such as a charity ball, that’s all stopped.

We don’t have the resources to hire extra people to cope with demand, so that’s where the volunteers have stepped in,” Ms. Walsh explained.

Mid West Simon Community support men, women and children that are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary.

Gort Community School ask for more space to deal with Covid ALL WINTER PRODUCTS NOW IN STOCK

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TADHG HOLLAND

news@clareecho.ie

TEACHING staff at Gort Community School have admitted that Covid restrictions have been “very difficult to enforce” while some students say there has been a lack of compliance to Covid measures.

Gort CS has implemented the now standard procedures of mandatory mask wearing in all indoor spaces, sanitization of desks and hands after class, a one-way system and social distancing in classrooms. No member of staff or students at the school have contracted Covid-19 so far, but some students still admit to feeling vulnerable.

Transition Year student Naima Baker said, “I don’t think I feel safe in school outside or inside. Outside when we don’t have to have our masks on we are still quite close together or everyone is kind of close with their group and inside a lot of people find it funny to not wear masks correctly or skip hand sanitiser and it’s not very safe or pleasant.”

She also went on to say, “It’s clear that some teachers find it difficult to wear the mask or the visor for the whole class. Some of them take it off.” This concern was echoed

by Naima’s classmate Olivia Cure who added, “Sometimes it’ll be an entire class where a teacher is not wearing a mask or visor and they’ll be quite close to us.”

Social distancing was also flagged as an issue by students of the school which welcomes nearly 900 students and over 70 staff members every day. Last year it was announced a €4m extension would be added to the school, but it’s still in its planning stages. “We’re all packed like sardines” re-

marked student Sophie Hull. “They say that we’re one meter apart or two meters apart but we’re just really, really not,” student Sìofra McGuire said.

On whether the measures put in place sufficiently protected staff and students, school principal Brian Crossan said, “We’ve done everything practically possible for the size of our school, for the facilities we have, to protect our staff and students. I would love to have a building twice this size and to spread everyone out a bit more but we don’t have that, I have no more physical space to use. We have applied to the department for additional accommodation in relation to covid and if we get that we can spread everyone out a bit more.”

On social distancing, Crossan appeared to share a lot of the students concerns. “The biggest problem is social distancing out on the school yard. That is something that is very difficult to enforce. Every school in the country, anyone I’ve spoken to the social distancing outside, in the fresh air, in the yard is proving difficult.” However despite student criticisms of teachers and peers’ mask wearing, Crossan said he does believe staff and students are doing all that they can to protect the school population. “I have to commend the staff and the students here we have a fantastic school. This is difficult on everybody, but the staff buy-in has been really exceptional, everyone is pulling their weight and the students too.”

The student’s concerns stretch further than just their safety however, many students believe academics are taking a big hit as well. “Personally, I find it harder to learn this year” said Sophie Hull. “As someone who needs to learn with practicals I really struggle with just taking notes and listening to the teacher”.

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Second lockdown is ‘failure to respond’ to COVID-19 cern and sympathy for people who get COVID-19 and I PÁRAIC accept it has a very detrimenMCMAHON tal affect in the short-term paraic@clareecho.ie and in some cases the longterm but it is how we deal RELAND'S second with that threat. Announclockdown to lower the ing a complete shutdown is spread of COVID-19 not a response it is a failure has been described to respond rather than trying by a Clare TD as un- to keep sectors open and let sustainable and "a failure to the State deal with the issue, respond". instead the State is simply As of midnight, Ireland shutting down”. became the first country On Wednesday, The HSE in Europe to have a second was to send a text message lockdown as the Republic to between 2,000 and 2,500 moved to level 5 of the Liv- people who have already ing with COVID-19 plan. been informed by text of a Clare TD, Michael Mc- positive COVID-19 infecNamara (IND) has main- tion asking them to tell their tained the approach of own close contacts to conNPHET and the Irish Gov- tact their GPs immediately ernment is not working as he to seek a Covid-19 test. The criticised the announcement failure of the HSE to alert the of new restrictions. “It has thousands of close contacts been the road we’ve been on results from an unprecefor some time and it hasn’t dented number of confirmed succeeded.TopI have huge &concausing a1backlog from Part Ennis Shannon cases 20200916.pdf 22/09/2020

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Friday to Sunday.

Deputy McNamara said this development brought into “sharper focus” consistent issues regarding contact tracing. “We should look at what’s working for countries instead of what isn’t, clearly there is a huge problem with our contact tracing, Germany had a bigger problem with COVID than us but they don’t have as big a problem now with detected cases, we need to look at what solutions they have. Our testing system isn’t the issue, it is the tracing and that has been clear for some time”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Scariff native also expressed his view that the introduction of on-the-spot €500 fines for the breaching of restrictions won’t work and suggested that the people frightened by fines are following regulations, “the kind of people who would 09:28

not be frightened by fines are not adhering to a large extent”.

“Our fine systems doesn’t work, there are millions of euros outstanding at the moment that haven’t been paid. The Gardaí as it stands don’t have the resources to execute the bench warrants in a certain proportion of cases. People seem to think our health service is a finite resource and we need to do

lCRITICAL: Michael McNamara TD

Photo by Joe Buckley

everything possible to ensure it isn’t overrun but do those policy makers and decision makers not realise that our Garda resources are finite and asking them to police public health matters on top of all the policing that they ordinarily do isn’t going to work”.

Long-lasting affects will be felt in Irish economy’s by the second lockdown, the Chair of the Dáil’s COVID-19 committee predicted. “Dan O’Brien is forecasting that it will tip us into one of the deepest recessions the State has ever seen, it is a failing of the State that emigration has been the pressure valve but that pressure valve won’t be there because the places young people would typical emigrate to are also in recession or quarantining and not allowing people in. It has the potential to lead to a very difficult and unsustainable

end-point”.

Local activists in the county had stated that Deputy McNamara was populist with his stance on COVID-19. He disagreed with such views and clarified that he is not a COVID-19 denier. “I don’t think what I’m saying is universally popular and it certainly wasn’t popular when I was saying it in April or May, I simply don’t think you can deal with public health matters through penal legislation, it doesn’t work”.

“We need to modify people’s behaviour, the way to do that is through information campaigns and informing people of the risks, it involves NPHET publishing risks to back up their evidence which they have consistently failed to, unless there is a proper information campaign backed up by clear evidence people’s behaviour is not going to be modified.”

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Clahane continues to captivate through Shore Wall Art Project SARAH CLARKE

C

news@clareecho.ie

LAHANE has helped to formulate conversations all across the country in recent months due to the eye-catching success of the Shore Wall Art project.

The project, beginning in May of this year is a display of painted rocks found in Clahane. Stretching to about 200m, there are over 1000 pieces featured. The Clare Echo spoke to Ann Vaughan, founder of the Wall Shore Project. Ann initiated this project during lockdown. “I’d

said I would paint a few stones and put them down along the shore”.

Although at the time the 2km restrictions were in place, Ann’s neighbours had a positive reaction to the paintings. She then decided to put a few notices up so more people could gain interest and participate in the project.

Although the first to contribute to the project were children, it grew and encapsulated people of all ages. “I heard of an 87 year old woman from the local nursing home who painted her rock and got a taxi out to the wall and to actually place her stone down there. That kind of thing is all I want to see”.

Local reaction to the Wall Shore

lSKY BLUE: Artwork displayed in Clahane Photo by Phillip Bromwell

Project has been very positive with exposure on social media leading to more contributions. “People got to know about it that way and that just encouraged people to put stuff up.”

The paintings didn’t only gain attention from people living in Clare but all around the country. “It was like a carnival atmosphere down there all through the summer. Of course the staycations, local families of Ireland are just brilliant and the kids were putting stuff up all summer long”.

Luka Bloom also showcased the scenery to a wider audience as it featured in the music video for his single ‘The Beauty of Everyday Things’.

Ann noted that there have been some drawbacks with rocks stolen and storms taking other decorations. “It’s sad to see some beautiful stones being taken and some mothers were almost in tears to me.

They had sat down around the table and done about 13 stones, one lady told me. They put them up the night before and I met her the next day and she said about five of them had gone”.

She is hopeful for the future of the project. “I’d like to see it continue. I’ve been very encouraged by the response I have gotten myself from it. So my vision is that it will just continue to encourage people. It’s something anyone can do”.

Illegal fireworks seized in Kilrush PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

200 fireworks were seized by Gardaí in Kilrush on Saturday night.

A house in the area of Wood Rd was searched under warrant by Gardaí from the Kilrush Garda Station on Saturday evening as part of Operation Tombola.

One man was questioned following the discovery and seizure of 200 illegal fireworks by Gardaí. No arrest was made, a file is

currently being prepared for the office of the DPP. Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks appealed to parents to discuss the dangers of fireworks to their children and teenagers. "Fireworks can cause annoyance to the elderly and babies and distress to animals and if they continue to burn after landing they may cause damage to property by fire or cause injury.

"We are asking parents to explain the dangers of illegal fireworks to children and teenagers," she explained.

lOPERATION TOMBOLA: Fireworks siezed by Kilrush Gardaí

DOORA NATIONAL SCHOOL Doora National School requires a school bus escort to accompany SEN pupils from their home, to and from school. The bus escort must be available in the mornings and afternoons throughout the school year.

Experience working with children with SEN is desirable.

Candidates need to be professional in their manner and have good communication skills.

Appointment is subject to Garda vetting and reference checks.

Please send CV and Letter of Application to ‘The Chairperson, Doora NS, Doora, Co.Clare’ by 31/10/2020

PART TIME

DELIVERY DRIVER ASSISTANT REQUIRED BY BUSY FURNITURE SHOP IN ENNIS ASSEMBLY EXPERIENCE REQUIRED PLEASE APPLY TO BOX NO 195 THE CLARE ECHO 36c ABBEY STREET, ENNIS, CO. CLARE V95 FP44

PART-TIME MEDICAL SECRETARY REQUIRED for busy GP practice in Shannon area.

Experience essential.

Apply To Box Number 247 The Clare Echo, 36c Abbey Street, Ennis

Clare Family Resource Centre Supporting Families in Co.Clare since 1993

The Clare Family Resource Centre is a voluntary organisation with charitable status.

For the past 20 years we have supported families and children in Clare through the provision of accessible, affordable, high quality childcare in a warm, caring, safe environment.

We have a vacancy for a Childcare Practitioner With a minimum of: QQI Level 5 Supervision in Childcare QQI level 5 Paediatrics First Aid 2 years working in a childcare setting If you are passionate about nature and the outdoors, fun, energetic, creative and a good team player, showing initiative in every situation then we have the adventure for you.

20 hours a week with flexible hours - Good work conditions and remuneration.

Send your CV to clarefamilyresource@gmail.com or post to Clare Family Resource Centre, Watery Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

EXPERIENCED PART TIME COOK REQUIRED & EXPERIENCED PART TIME CLEANER REQUIRED FOR A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN ENNIS The Cook will be responsible for: Planning varied menus Preparing the main daily meals for 6 people Ensuring kitchen, dining room & all equipment is cleaned daily The Cleaner will be responsible for: Maintaining the highest standard of cleaning within the Community Both roles to commence late October 2020 Closing date for applications Friday 30th October 2020 Email CV to: rrooney@edmundrice.eu

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

SHOP LOCAL TO KEEP LOCAL SHOPS KEEPING THE BANNER COUNTY IN BUSINESS

Doora- Barefield app developer tackles the sports market STUART HOLLY

SENATOR MARTIN CONWAY PH: 065 7072222

Mob: 087 2612977

STAY SAFE AND TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP OUR BUSINESSES ALIVE

A

editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE developer has launched a new performance app which he believes will change the way teams record their training

sessions.

Feistim is a sports and performance application for individual teams and organisations to track and analyse performance measurements. Founder Lorcan Hassett (inset) says that along with being able to record training and match statistics such as run times, number of possessions and turnovers, teams and individuals who use the app will be able to understand why their level of performance is increasing or decreasing.

Lorcan has 10 years’ experience in working with app development including working on a health and wellness app for diabetes patients with Phillips in the Netherlands. He explains, “The output measurements are straight forward but then you want to see what influences those.

“Things like is a guy sleeping well, what’s his calorie intake, is he training too hard - you can track that information over time and compare the influence of performance. So for example if his time for a 5k run goes down or if his quality of striking or possessions go down in a period of time, you can look at the inputs that go into that like sleep, diet, was he working too many hours and then it gives a value then in terms of correlation, ie if there’s a positive correlation between poor sleep and poor performance, it will give an actual measurement of that.”

The former Doora-Barefield hurler explains that using the

app, managers can also instruct players to record statistics remotely and keep tabs on their performance using Feistim.

He continues, “Another key feature would be around the current climate.

There’s a covid questionnaire as part of the app, so before a player would attend a session or do his own individual session, there’s an option to answer five basic covid questions – if you answer any of these negatively you shouldn’t be training or if you haven’t answered them at all the manager will know that as well.

It’s a way for coaches to track that everyone is okay healthwise.”

Feistim – which can be applied to any sport – also includes a chat feature where players can share information such as video clips and goals for the season.

“Our target audience would be the sports coach and sports teams but also it’s very suitable for individuals. I can track my weight, how long it takes me to do a 10k run, very simple stuff so it’s very suitable for individuals as well.

“The beauty of this, there’s no limit to what you want to record and no limit on the amount of outputs you can have or performance metrics you want to measure and you can also export the information from the app into excel or pdf and share the information.”

The app has been available to download since Oct 19th and has already been downloaded in 12 countries, is shortlisted for the Seedcorn Intertrade New Start Up Competition and will be presented at the Web Summit on Dec 4th as a Best New Start Up.

More information can be found on all social media platforms about Feistim. To download the app, visit www. feistim.com or your App Store on iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android.

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Pink pendant profits go to cancer society CIAN O’BROIN

I

cian@clareecho.ie

RISH jewellery brand Seoidín have launched a special edition pink pendant for October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Designed by Seoidín founder Maureen Harrison, the popular pendant selling for €80 in store, features a rose-coloured Swarovski crystal pendant, with the colour pink symbolising solidarity and support for those affected by breast cancer.

All funds generated from the sale of the pendant will go directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

These donations will ensure that breast cancer patients and their families

have vital access to support services when they need it most.

Founder Maureen asserts that breast cancer is close to so many of our hearts and that we “all know someone who has been affected in some way.”

Margaret Considine, Store Manager of Seoidín Ennis, states, “We wanted to do something for breast cancer awareness and education.

“We originally had an event planned which had to be cancelled due to the times that we are in. We liaised with the Irish Cancer Society in Dublin and they are delighted. The entire funds from the pendant will go towards them. We have a limited edition of them. It is available both online and in the shops.”

Visit https://seoidin. com/ for more information.

l STUNNING: Seoidín’s pink pendant

'Respite and daycare services must resume during lockdown' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE councillors have stressed the importance of respite and daycare services for personnel with disabilities resuming during the lockdown.

Increased engagement between Clare County Council, the HSE and Brothers of Charity in Clare was sought by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) (inset) to facilitate the resumption of both daycare and respite services in the county as a matter of urgency.

COVID-19 cannot be used as an excuse when it comes to the provision of these services, Cllr Crawford maintained. "Every single step of the way, we had to fight for service provision in this county and country," she recalled of seeking better services for her autistic adult son, Tomás. She stated that is was a "very poor reflection" that some aspects of services resumed yet other vulnerable adults were left in their homes in remote parts of the county with no daycare services.

Cllr Crawford quoted Mahatma Gandhi, "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members,"

and claimed that organisations responsible for such services in Clare received "large pots of funding in January and services have not resumed".

Further problems were expected by Cllr Ann Norton (IND) with the return to lockdown. "A lot of service users don't understand why they are not being allowed go to the service they are used to going to, some might feel they are being punished". She added, "A huge amount of money was set aside for disabilities in Budget, where is it going".

"These people don't understand why they can't go to their services. Some are very particular about their routine and now they can't understand. These services need to continue," Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) stressed.

Difficulty has been experienced by individuals trying to access the services, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) flagged. "There is myth and there is reality, in some circles there are people who should know better and they are putting out a lot of information which isn't factual, the Government and the HSE are beginning to think these services are available". The Shannon representative continued, "COVID is serious but I hate to see them use it as an excuse".

Murphy requests masterplan for ‘amazing asset’ at Doonbeg Pier CALLS to prepare a masterplan for Doonbeg Pier to maximise the potential of the site have been voiced by a West Clare councillor, writes Páraic McMahon.

Clare County Council were requested by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) to deliver a masterplan for Doonbeg Pier "to ensure best use is made of the potential of this amenity for locals and visitors alike".

Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) seconded the proposal.

Responding to the motion at a meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, senior executive engineer Alan Kennelly said it would be best placed to forward the request to officials in the rural development and tourism sections of the local authority given it involved the preparation of

a long-term plan.

Stressing the importance of coherent plans and strategies for towns and villages, Cllr Murphy described Doonbeg Pier as "an amazing asset".

He outlined, "It is being minded and developed by a community group.

"This is an opportunity for us as a Council to look and see how we can make it a better thing.

“We've a lot of coast and a lot of small piers, we need to make sure the asset delivers for the village itself ".

The Kilkee representative said that at present a coherent approach was lacking with "people parking all over the place".

Acting senior executive officer, John O'Malley acknowledged, "It is important that we have a full picture".

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14 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

Aviation policy changes can save Airport PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

O

paraic@clareecho.ie

PERATIONS at Shannon Airport can be salvaged by changes to the Government's testing and aviation policy according to one Clare TD while mixed reactions have ensued following confirmation that Ryanair will close its base at Shannon and Cork Airport for the winter.

Ryanair will continue eight weekly flights to three destinations, Stansted, Manchester and Wroclaw from Shannon Airport despite the decision to shut its base at the International Airport. It resumed 16 services from Shannon in July.

On Thursday morning, Ryanair announced that it was to close its bases at Shannon, Cork and Toulouse with CEO Michael O'Leary

(inset) claiming that the changes were forced upon them by the Government.

A total of 55 people are employed as pilots and cabin crew at Ryanair's base in Shannon with a further 80 attached to their Cork Airport equivalent.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine acknowledged that it was very disappointing for Ryanair staff, Shannon Airport and the Mid-West. She stated, "We have done everything in our power to retain the base".

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) is of the view that a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carries do not fly exclusively into Dublin is urgently required. The introduction of a rapid testing system at Irish airports was also suggested by the Scariff native.

"Shannon and those who rely on it for connectivity need the introduction of testing just as many airports across Europe have implemented to enable their aviation

sector to function".

Shannon's branch of the Irish Hotels Federation outlined his concern with the latest setback for the Airport.

Chairperson, Dermot Kelly insisted, "Every effort must be made to ensure the return of all Ryanair routes next spring and to safeguard the existing routes at the airport over the coming months.

This is essential to avoid the risk of long-term damage to the tourism industry and the wider economy across Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Galway".

Optimism that Ryanair's decision will only be temporary was voiced by Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes. "Connectivity through Shannon Airport is a critical part of the overall industry and tourism infrastructure of the region and, while not currently travelling extensively, businesses and people will regain the confidence to travel, once it is declared safe to do so".

Allocation of â‚Ź5m from the Bud-

get plus a pledge to sign up to the EU Traffic Light system came "too little too late," Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) commented.

"While I understand that this decision was made on a commercial bases it is imperative that Ryanair commit to reopening their Shannon bases after the winter lockdown. One would have to question how their Dublin base is not at all effected. I feel again that this shows that Shannon as a standalone airport does not have the bargaining power of the DAA".

Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) admitted to being shocked by the decision of Ryanair to close their Shannon base temporarily.

"There is a tooth and nail fight on to protect Shannon Airport and the jobs of so many people who work there for

airlines and the airport authority but this news makes the challenge ahead of us all the greater".

Criticism of Ryanair's move was expressed by Deputy Joe Carey (FG). "Ryanair's decision will result in job losses at Shannon Airport and will further reduce our connectivity as a region".

Carey added, "It is really disappointing that pre-departure testing at Shannon and our other airports has not been rolled out despite the fact that other airports across Europe have successfully introduced such regimes".

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) cautioned that Ryanair's decision could be "devastating" for the West of Ireland.

"Shannon Airport is the key economic driver in this region. Airports and airlines need support now to ensure they can operate post Covid".

Free Zone constuction on GardaĂ­ urge public to report crimes track in spite of Covid WITH the construction sector cleared to work as an essential service during the latest COVID restrictions, Shannon Commercial Properties, a Shannon Group company, is continuing its expansion plans at Shannon Free Zone with its latest development, a new 54,000 sq ft building on track for completion by the end of this year.

The building is part of a larger development of three distinct signature buildings at blocks K & L at Shannon Free Zone. The overall development extends to 148,000 sq ft of modern high-grade logistics, R&D, advance technology manufacturing space located on a 12-acre site.

Commenting on the project Ray O’Driscoll, Chief Operating Officer, Shannon Group said; “This new development is part of our overall strategy to grow our property portfolio at the

Shannon Free Zone, to service existing companies and attract new companies to the region in the future. By the end of 2020 we will have delivered almost 1 million sq ft of commercial property solutions in the Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Airport campus since 2015.�

lDEVELOPMENT: One of the new buildings at Shannon Free Zone

GARDAĂ? in Shannon have stressed the need for the public to report incidents of crime in the town, writes PĂĄraic McM ahon.

Addressing a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Sergeant Seamus Mulligan updated elected representatives on matters ongoing within the town.

A walk of areas called “hotspots� was recently conducted by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) and Sergeant Mulligan. One observation that she found “particularly interesting� was an interaction with “a lot of young fellas� and explained, “there was no drug or alcohol taking in the area just cans of Fanta, Monster and food wrappers, they have nowhere to go, they are in an estate and have nowhere to go�.

There is a fear of retaliation amongst

the public in Shannon should they report incidents to the GardaĂ­, Cllr McGettigan stated. After one woman reported drug taking to the GardaĂ­ “she had her tyres slashed, some people are afraid to report to the GardaĂ­ because of thatâ€?. “If something is reported we can act on it. A lot of things may be happening in areas that aren’t being reported to the GardaĂ­. If the fire brigade don’t know the fire is lit they can’t go out,â€?

Mulligan responded. “The importance of reporting incidents to the Guards is very important. Some people may think their incident is too small or that we are too busy but it gives us a better idea of what is going on in an area�.

He continued, “If anyone has a problem with a group of teenagers gathering in an area, contact us and we can talk to them.�

Â

TAKE AWAY COCKTAILS

Each Cocktail Bottle Serves 4

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

‘I have spent half my career looking for such financial support’ CIAN O’BROIN

G

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

LÓR Director, Orla Flanagan (inset), has welcomed funding announced by the Government and Arts Council in line with Budget 2021, appraising the recognition for the industry as a step in the right direction.

The Arts Council have announced funding of €130 million for 2021, marking the highest ever allocation recorded in a national budget. This year's Budget also includes a €50m for live entertainment supports and Arts Council funding.

Glór Theatre is committed to channelling this funding to artists and arts organisations in what has been a difficult year for commercial work and local arts. Orla recognises the significant sum outlined by the govern-

ment but admits, "I have spent half of my career looking for such financial support and it's unfortunate that it has taken a pandemic to get to that point and this level of funding."

Reflecting on the recent Budget 2021 announcement, Orla admits, "What we needed going into this budget, was that we would be really recognised as an industry and as a sector as having really lost out in relation to Covid-19 and really have had our hands tied and possibly more than any other industry.

I think it's really encouraging that we know going into next years planning that we now have the €130 million through the Arts Council."

Adaptability has been at the forefront of performing arts theatre's business models since the start of the pandemic and Glór Theatre is no exception to this. Amidst a intensive week of budgeting, Orla feels that Glór must look at delivering a digital programme and artists supports. She asserts the critical need for a lifeline through the arts

centres being throne to artists, where they can continue to work on their development as artists and the creation of work.

"I am looking at what we can generate more locally in collaborations with artists.

It would include a digital programme and a curator in residence. We appointed a curator in residence in August and we are hoping that that will be funded for 18 months. It is particularly difficult for commercial work and the local arts, which plays a massive part in our programme. The arts by and large, is a social experience and that is really important in what we do. It is really important that people are fed that through all of this," Orla states.

On a final note for the future, Orla adds, "I am working on Christmas at the moment.

Assuming that people are in the position to come out, especially in relation to families.

I'd love to create the opportunity for families to come together as safely as possible and to have some sort of Christmas experience."

Hanrahan takes gold in radio awards PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

KIERAN Hanrahan took home gold at the recent IMRO radio awards.

Céilí House, the traditional music show fronted by the Ennis man on RTÉ Radio One for the last 25 years was named as the gold winner in the specialist music programme category.

Since 1991, Kieran has presented traditional music programmes on Radio One. He has worked in the traditional arts as a performer, promoter and educator. As the co-founder of

Stockton's Wing, he took to national and international stages for over a decade with the folktrad group.

Further Clare celebrations were had via the virtual awards ceremony when Doireann Garrihy whose parents Eugene and Clare both hail from the Banner County was awarded gold alongside Eoghan McDermott for best breakfast radio programme.

Clare FM was deemed the second best local radio station in the country as it collected the silver award with WLR honoured with gold.

Sixmilebridge's Marie Crowe and John Cooke of Ennis were also nominated for the IMROs as sports broadcaster and news reporter of the year respectively.

lBUDGET 2021: glór Director Orla

Flanagan is encouraged by arts funding

Double IFTA delight for Ennis’ Mark O’Halloran PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

ENNIS scriptwriter and actor, Mark O'Halloran was among the big winners at the 2020 IFTAs held virtually on Sunday night.

Mark picked up the scriptwriting in film award for Rialto, a 2019 picture which also saw its leading actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor take home best actor in a leading role. Rialto was only in cinemas for three days before they closed.

There was further joy for O'Halloran when he was named best supporting actor for his role in The Virtues, a mini-series which aired on Channel 4.

It is 16 years since the Clare man received his first Irish and Film Television Award nomination for best script following the release of Adam & Paul. He

picked up the award in 2008 for Garage, the film starring Pat Shortt.

Speaking after Sunday's success, Mark outlined, "It was a lovely night, all of us were in pre-lockdown and it was nice to have a little bit of good news in our lives".

Attending the IFTAs virtually was a different experience to when he brought his mother Sharon to the awards ceremony, she later tweeted to say she was the "proudest mother in Ireland".

Mark explained, "For this one, I was at home with my cat in my backroom sitting in the back room at my computer, it was all a bit weird, there was no going out afterwards or celebrating.

We have our social media and people were saying congratulations and adding their best wishes so we can still be in touch with people, there was no wild dancing or drinking or any malarky, it was a cup of tea, a slice of toast and into bed".

16 FEATURES

Everyday heroes RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

O

UR world and our country have been through a lot of sadness and atrocities and major emergencies over the past while especially with the devastation of the dreaded Coronavirus but the common denominator of good ness amongst it all has been the hero's and heroine's of the emergency services and frontline workers country wide and world wide.

There are so many people we need to be grateful for in our lives like family and friends, but I would like at this moment as I write this thought for the week and as we face into further restrictions to thank everyone involved as frontline workers for all their great work over the last 8 months and always.

Thank you for everything and for all the sacrifices you have made to keep us all well and safe. Much prayers and blessings to you and all your families now and always and much prayers for people who are unwell and sick in hospital and at home from all types of illnesses at this time.

Heroes come in all shapes, sizes and uniforms. Growing up we all envisioned ourselves dressed in a superheroes costume. These heroes captured the headlines and our imaginations and helped us escape the reality of our world. Today, those imaginary heroes still capture the headlines. You hardly ever read about the real heroes. The everyday heroes like our frontline workers who keep us safe during this real life pandemic. The real people who don’t help us escape our world, but help us take it on and make it better every day.

Real Heroism

There is a danger in looking to superheroes to define what personal powers may be found within the fires of existential, spiritual, and psychological pain. Alot of the entertainment Superheroes, after all, are imaginary characters. If we take such models too literally, we may romanticize or simplify suffering, losing sight of its intensity.

Or we may hold these powers too cheaply and dismiss or judge those who become mired down, even stuck, within their pain and suffering. What we need is a very sensitive gauge to detect the threads of the heroic in everyday life. We need to understand the nature of what is heroic and what constitutes power in a way that allows us to see and affirm courage, wisdom, and resilience without the bells and whistles that go with

defined by his or her choices and actions, not by chance or circumstances that arise. A hero can be brave and willing to sacrifice his or her life, but I think we all have a hero in us — someone who is unselfish and without want of reward, who is determined to help others.

My heroes are all the people who make up our frontline workers during this time of the dreadful Coronavirus but they are also people like my family members and friends, who have stood by me and supported me through thick and thin; my school teachers and sports trainers , who didn’t give up on and believed in me although the time they invested didn’t guarantee results; and a priest friend, who led the way and took the time to steer me in the right direction when I was lost.

our imaginary Superheroes.

We need a gauge that reveals the heroic even when it is hidden deep beneath sorrow and confusion. On some days, just getting out of bed and putting our feet on the ground is heroic, an act of will, an inner resolve to move even when we don’t feel like moving.

Heroism often threads through our pain, expressing itself in moments that may appear mundane but which are anything but, such as picking up the phone when it rings and engaging even when there is an impulse to withdraw, allowing the tears to flow even when we’re Thought for the week afraid that if we do they will never As your thought for the week stop. It may be as simple as smilremember in our convictions we all ing, remembering how to laugh, or have a decision to make. Will we learning to tell the story. be passive spectators, watching idly It may mean recognizing that the from our comfortable seats as the voice inside our head is judging action of life unfolds? Or are we again, criticizing again, stirring going to become a vital part of the guilt again, and then talking back transformation of this country and to that voice and insisting it make this world? space for imperfection, humanWill we choose to stand up ness, and healing. It may mean against nearly insurmountable learning to accept our vulnerabiliodds? Without the courage to ty, accepting that the season during take action, our beliefs will merely which we struggle may be longer turn to idle thoughts or the famous than expected, and not pressuring but highly useless ‘good intenourselves to heal instantly but to tions’. I will finish with this prayer simply keep on going. during a Pandemic - "Loving God, The value of the Superhero’s Holy One, Your desire is for our stories for those of us who are wholeness and well-being. We suffering, lay in its promise that hold in tenderness and prayer the however painful the issues we must collective suffering of our world at face, however lost or alone we feel, this time. there are places of power within "We grieve precious lives lost and us that will help us, eventually, to vulnerable lives threatened. We heal. The compassion we find may ache for ourselves and our neighbe self-compassion. We may learn bors, standing before an uncertain patience, acceptance, awareness, future. We pray: May love, not or gratitude. Maybe instead of fear, go viral. Inspire our leaders to learning to appreciate others more discern and choose wisely, aligned deeply, we will learn to appreciate with the common good. Help us nature, beauty, or the transcento practice social distancing and dent. reveal to us new and creative ways Having spent a quarter of my life to come together in spirit and in as an Aid worker in the Developsolidarity. Call us to profound trust ing world working with the poorest in your faithful presence, You, the of the poor and having witnessed God who does not abandon, You, firsthand some of the most heroic the Holy One, breathing within men and women serving our coun- us, breathing among us, breathtry on our frontlines over the past ing around us in our beautiful year, I have always asked myself, yet wounded world. Protect our “What does a hero look like?” amazing Frontline Heroes as their A great many of the people pain has often been great O Lord. whom I worked with and respect Continue to let your strength flow the opinion of would collectively within them. reserve the term “hero” for select "Even the worst tragedy cannot individuals although we would all separate them from your love and agree that every frontline worker care. They have done their best. at the moment trying to keep us They have cared for the sick. They all safe during this Coronavirus have comforted the dying. They pandemic are real heroees in our have witnessed the agony of life. midst.

Restore unto them, O God, the The term “hero” is defended for strength of your love. Help them in those who act in the face of danger their disbelief to believe stronger or adversary while showing courthan before. Go with them now age; they do what is morally right when they have returned to their in spite of peer pressure. A hero is homes and families. Amen"

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

'A model for sustainability'

A

CONTRACT for the design of the Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) Visitor experience has been signed by Clare County Council and its consultants with the project viewed as a future model for sustainable tourism, writes Páraic McMahon.

McCullough Mulvin Architects, Tandem Partners Ltd and Tobin Consulting Engineers have been appointed as consultants for the project which will be led by the tourism department of Clare County Council.

The contract involves the commissioning and delivery of preparatory works such as a Visitor Experience and Interpretation Plan, technical surveys/plans and sketch and

detailed designs.

This will enable the project to move to a stage where planning consents are secured.

Conserving Inis Cealtra as a significant historical, ecclesiastical, archaeological and cultural site remains one longterm objective of the project.

It is also intended to expand its attractiveness as a sustainable tourism destination and, in so doing, address population decline and rural deprivation by providing social and economic benefits derived from tourism for East Clare and the wider Mid-West region.Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling described the project as "very exciting" and believed it would represent a model for sustainable tourism.

l HISTORIC: Lough Derg as seen from Holy Island

Photo by Niall Culligan

Cumann na mBan project THE Mid Clare Commemoration Committee founded in 2010, has been marking historic events in The Mid Clare Brigade area for the past ten years. On this the Centenary of the War of Independence in Clare, the Committee plans to acknowledge the role of Cumann na mBan in the area. The role of women was pivotal during the period and its recognition has been largely neglected. It is the aim of the Committee to highlight that role in a number of ways (Covid-19 Guidelines permitting); one such way is to promote a school’s project. With the assistance of schools it is hoped that local women and relatives of the students will get the recognition they deserve.

Information may be found at Mid Clare Brigade Commemoration 100 Facebook page or www.midclarebrigade.ie Project deadline: February 25th 2021

NOTICE: Scariff Health Centre PLEASE be advised that the HSE is carrying out refurbishments to Scariff Health Centre commencing on Monday 19th October 2020 which will require the closure of the Centre for approximately 6-8 weeks. Services will be relocated to Tulla Health Centre, Broadford Health Centre and Scariff Medical Centre for the duration of these works. Queries for services can be directed to Tulla Health Centre at 065 6835264 or 061 921286. The HSE apologises for any inconvenience caused as a result of this closure. We look forward to welcoming back our clients into a newly refurbished Scariff Health Centre as soon as possible.

FEATURES 17

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

GREEN CLARE

Dispose of your mask responsibly CIAN O’BROIN

T

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

HE pandemic has brought about significant challenges in 2020.

One such challenge noted by the Waste Enforcement Section of the Clare County Council is the increase in disposable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) found on both public and private land within the county boundaries.

Executive Engineer of the Waste Enforcement section Maria Carey urges the public to dispose of their litter and PPE waste responsibly.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Maria discusses the make-up of the team, the investigation of public complaints pertaining to litter, the adverse effect of non-biodegradable waste on the surrounding environment as well as effective measures to counteract the rise in single-use PPE equipment.

Maria explains that the Waste Enforcement Section is comprised of a team of community wardens.

These wardens are responsible for investigating complaints made by the public, requests made by councillor as well as working off their own initiative to mitigate litter waste. “We have five wardens throughout the county, covering all areas. These specif-

ic complaints relate to all types of waste. It could be construction, demolition, general household waste, litter, anything illegally disposed of. “We head out and have a look at the site.

We go through the rubbish and see if we find any evidence of names or addresses. If we do, we will issue a fine or instructions. “If the waste is dumped on private land, we would contact the landowner and make them aware of their own responsibilities under the waste management act. If it is dumped on public land, then we would remove it,� Maria states.

The pandemic has incited an increase in facemasks, gloves and sanitising wipes being discovered on private and public land, Maria opines. “We would like to get the message out there to remind the public to dispose of their waste responsibly, whether you are at home, in work or on the street,�

Maria imparts.

Facemasks and sanitising wipes can be placed in the general waste bin after use.

Maria also urges the public to sanitise their bin handles when putting out their household bins for curb side collection. “If you do not dispose of your sanitary waste correctly, not only does it increase the risk of spreading infection, it also leaves environmental pollution and endangers wildlife too,� Maria informs.

The Waste Enforcement section has recorded a rise in PPE litter in both urban and rural setting throughout County Clare.

Crowded areas and beaches have felt the

lPPE: The pandemic has incited an increase in facemasks, gloves and sanitising wipes being discovered on private and public land

most adverse effects of this.

Non-biodegradable and plastic waste are being found within animals as well as in our oceans, Maria believes.

These single-use plastic materials do not break down and Maria posits that their renewable counterparts act as a safer alternative.

She states, “We would be encouraging people to use reusable masks. They can be bought in shops, online or people can make their own at home.

In addition, masks and wipes cannot be flushed down the toilet because flushing leads to blockages in the wastewater treatment systems and plants. That is not the correct method of disposal either.

“Wipes tend to make their way into wastewater treatment plants and cause blockages in pipes and pumps.�

Maria concludes with, “This is a way of reducing pollution and waste. We are promoting this at the moment, with more info available on MyWaste.ie and we would ask people to refer to the HSE guidelines concerning responsible mask wearing and disposal. “Finally, I would like to reiterate the importance of being responsible because of the nature of the waste. It’s dangerous to wildlife and public health. “Carry your reusable masks in a resealable bag, that way they are kept separate and kept clean.�

18 COLUMNISTS

Opinion

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

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

Ireland has hedged its bets on vaccine EOIN NEYLON Politics

L

OCKDOWN 2.0 is upon us and with it all the misery it entails. Expect to see the return of Zoom quizzes and virtual pubs for those who can stomach the thought. Personally, I do not think I can this time. Like a huge section of the population, I have become more than weary from the ongoing restrictions and the divorce from a sense of reality.

Unfortunately, this is all too real.

The pandemic has effectively written off the year 2020 for so many people. Weddings, holidays, sport seasons, movie releases, gigs, even the gym, are all gone.

The very things we look forward to; the milestones we anchor our sense of time around, will not be happening this year. To say it is disappointing is an understatement.

Nevertheless, we are where we are, to borrow that awful phrase, and we have no choice but to persevere until medical science can provide us with a Covid vaccine some time in the new year. At least the mood music there is good with many trials producing great results and phase three trials now underway for six different vaccines. Confidence is so high from the early results that some pharmaceutical companies have already begun the process of setting their plants up to mass produce the resultant compound. However, they will have to wait until full regulatory approval is given, just like any other vaccine.

In the interim, we in Ireland have instituted a near full national lockdown once more. In doing so, we have become the first country in Europe to take such action. One must ask why this measure was taken.

NPHET made it clear that they were worried about case numbers and the R rate, but it’s evident that there is a major flaw in this approach that isn’t being picked up on. The cases being picked up on now are over 80 per cent asymptomatic according to the HSE. A study from University College London found that figure as high as 86 per cent. However, back in spring, at the height of wave 1 of the virus, we were not picking up asymptomatic cases nearly as much. Cases recorded then were overwhelmingly those who presented themselves at GPs with symptoms. This means that our wave 1 peak of just over 1,000 cases a day missed some 3,500 or so cases that same day. This is reflected in the hospital admissions. Whereas we have exceeded the previous recorded peak daily cases, we’re still

only on a fraction of the hospital and ICU admission rates as then. The HSE has stated that it is not under undue pressure for capacity in the hospital network presently. That is, of course, subject to change. The big worry being flu season and how we will cope over the winter months.

Nevertheless, I suspect this will be one of our best flu seasons ever.

More people than ever are seeking the flu vaccine, plus distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, and sneezing etiquette will all hugely reduce the number of flu cases this year. It begs the question; have our Government allowed themselves to be led by an overly cautious NPHET? It is long recorded that long term unemployment, associated deprivation as well as the cancellation/ postponement of elective procedures and some screening programs will inevitably lead to a worsening in public health. Add to that now the distinct lack of regular exercise that people have come accustomed to, the mental health implications and the poor diet that people struggling to pay their way will now encounter, and we’ve set up a ticking time bomb for a future public health crisis that won’t have any quick fix. This is before you take full stock of the economic damage we will see. To now, Government supports have been effective. A report out this week saw that business insolvencies were at a slightly lower rate this year compared to last for the first nine months of the year. That said, the Taoiseach’s words in the Dáil on Tuesday filled me and so many others with dread. In a response to questioning from the Sinn Féin leader, he acknowledged that going in and out of lockdown might be a pattern we will see throughout the next year too. Many people are now questioning; what is the point?

Without an exit strategy, why are we engaging in a strategy that the WHO themselves instructed Governments not to do just last week. It is clear the Government have hedged their bets on there being a vaccine produced early in the New Year. For all our sakes, they had better be right.

Or else, attempts for a lockdown 3.0 might be met with an outright riot!

Until then, stay safe, stay strong and stay connected as best you can, while staying within restrictions of course. Hopefully, all going to plan, we can meet up by a hot fire this Christmas as close to normal as possible. It’s the last milestone we have left now.

Six pack of wins for Credit Union

FOR the sixth consecutive year, credit unions have claimed pole position for the best customer experience in Ireland at the official CXi awards.

Credit unions have strengthened their reputation as Ireland’s undisputed CX champions by not just taking the top spot again this year, but by also extending their lead at the top of the table.

The CXi Report is published annually by the CX Company based on a survey carried out on their behalf by Amárach Research. Amárach surveyed 2,500 Irish consumers who rated their customer experiences of 151 brands across ten sectors. Credit unions were deemed the overall winners with the highest scores across the six pillars of Customer Experience - Personalisation, Integrity, Expectations, Time & Effort, Empathy and Resolution.

Credit Unions also topped the poll for best financial brand and the best brand for loyalty.

Michael Killeen, Chairman of the CX Company, said, “Once again I have to congratulate Irish credit unions for their consistently high performance not only for winning for the sixth year in a row but for also widening the gap between themselves and the rest of the competition. This is a phenomenal achievement and really sets the gold standard for other Irish and global companies to emulate. The credit unions continue to set world records which I have no doubt is primarily down to their member or customer-centric approach.

Other companies take note!”

Matt Heslin (pictured) CEO Kilrush Credit Union said, “This is an extraordinary achieve-

ment for credit unions. As an essential service, Credit Unions throughout Co Clare have remained open and have put in place a number of services for members during this COVID-19 pandemic. Credit Unions will continue to stay open under the new Level 5 restrictions which we are all very proud of. We care about each and every one of our members and put their needs at the heart of everything we do.”

Matt continued “Credit Unions are always encouraging new members to join to be part of a strong Financial Community. Contact your local credit union today and find out about all of the Benefits & Loan products on offer”.

GORT

Special Feature

Martin & Clare celebrate 60 years of marriage in Gort nursing home CIAN O’BROIN

M

cian@clareecho.ie

ARTIN and Clare Moroney celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in Rosemount House Nursing Home, Gort, on Monday October 12.

Set against the backdrop of Covid-19 and visiting restrictions in nursing homes, Rosemount Nursing Home was delighted to be able to stage a celebration of happiness. To mark their lifelong achievement of love, the Moroney family sent in a beautiful cake made by local baker Ann Marie Smullen and a bouquet of flowers from Gort Garden Centre & Florists.

Rosemount House Nursing Home Manager, Donal Walsh, presented them with a gift to honour the occasion on behalf of the

residents and staff. They were presented with a framed photograph of the happy couple, complete with the lyrics of Clare’s favourite song, ‘Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff ’ and Martin’s favourite song, ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’, surrounding their photo.

Martin is originally from Tulla, County Clare while his wife Clare is originally from Ballyjamesduff in Cavan. Martin and Clare first met in Dublin, in 1959. They were both working in the Belvedere Hotel in Dublin at the time and as fate would have it, they started going out together a few months later.

Then in 1960, they both moved to England and they married over there on October 12 of that year.

They lived in England for 13 years and then decided to move back to Ireland in 1973.

The decision came naturally, and the pair set about raising their family. Their children are Bernadette, Gerard, Martin, Patricia, Roger, Clare and Tommy.

For more information on Rosemount House Nursing Home please call 091 631847 or visit our website on www.rosemountnursinghome.com Follow us on Facebook

They couple share a deep love for music. Clare often joins in with the sing alongs that take place in the nursing home. Martin adores his sports, being an avid fan of Munster Ruby and a proud supporter of his native Tulla GAA. Martin and Clare celebrated their special day in Rosemount House Nursing Home, Gort with their fellow residents, staff and management team.

Martin and Clare attribute their happy and successful marriage to always being calm with one another and this would be their advice to young, old and aspiring couples too.

Rosemount House Nursing Home is a 39 bed, family run nursing home situated in the heart of the busy market town of Gort.

Rosemount was established in 1991 and has become an integral part of the Gort community. Residents receive long- and short-term care and are supported by local GP practices, pharmacies and ancillary services.

l DIAMONDS ARE FORVER: Martin and Clare Moroney

Rosemount House Nursing Home

First class nursing home care in a comfortable relaxed & homely environment

n line

n line

20 GORT IN FOCUS

Gort puts best foot forward Tonii Kelly, editor of the Guaire, says that although we are in a downturn Gort is ready to prosper ahead of magazine’s 2020 launch

CIAN O’BROIN

A

cian@clareecho.ie

N GUAIRE 20202021 is Gort’s bi-yearly magazine, which this year puts a strong emphasis on how the town has responded to the Covid-19 crisis.

In 1978, Fr. Enda Glynn decided that the south Galway town required its own magazine. At that time, production led to a thin copy produced four times per year.

Since then, production has been scaled back to a single issue every two years. This year’s edition spans a total of 68 pages, featuring the latest developments within the town, a traditional ‘down memory lane’ feature and an expansion into surrounding towns and villages.

Editor, Tonii Kelly, hopes to give locals a glimpse into their recent

past, whilst also keeping a pulse on the long-term issues within the town. Speaking with The Clare Echo on this year’s production, Tonii talks about the philosophy of An Guaire, what to expect this year as well as how Gort can leverage the current economic crisis to its advantage, opening up as the gateway to the Burren.

The name of the magazine comes from the Irish name for Gort, ‘Gort Inse Guaire’ which translates to ‘The field of the island of Guaire.’ “King Guaire had a place here, and that’s where our name comes from,” Tonii informs.

This year, staff and production has been greatly curtailed and Tonii has both produced and edited the magazine alone. A blow-in to the town, Tonii spent 36 years in production in the Miami Herald, eventually settling in Gort after marrying a local man.

“Since 2018 I decided to go and build it myself. Brian Brennan does all the footwork in locating

names for photographs. All the other members of staff work to source stories and funnel them my way. I get a great chance to work with young authors. I really appreciate that. There is a great tradition of literature in this area and it continues with younger folks today.”

This year, readers can expect to find out more on the Gort River Walk, the Town Hall and renovation on the Market Square. Operating bi-annually, Tonii asserts that the publication must investigate the more salient issues around the town. Tonii’s favourite piece and a must-read in her opinion, is a fourpage feature on the children’s burial ground. In addition, she states, “Guaire was always about Gort.

Now we are looking at edging our way carefully out of the town limits. This includes what you can find over two kilometres out, reactions, looking back and changes that are currently happening within the town.” Tonii affirms that easy to lose sense of the past with the in-

flux of modern media. It is important to keep history alive by bringing it forward. “That is our guiding push here in Guaire Magazine.”

On the importance of supporting the local production, Tonii deliberates, “This magazine is a reminder for people about the close

links between person and community. It’s especially important for the older generations who have managed to save a copy of almost every issue. In effect, it’s a time capsule. I try to capture the flavour of a year as momentous as this one because it will be hard to express to future generations.”

Tonii concludes, “Most of the volunteers here, like myself, are blow-ins and we see what there is here and what’s missing outside.

I’m the PRO for the Burren Lowlands. They are in the process of a redesign of the Gort Square. In my view, between that, the Town Square and the Gort River Walk, Gort is not letting any time waste.

We are in a downturn now, but the bottom line is, as soon as the doors reopen, Gort is ready to put her best foot forward.”

Guaire 2020-2021, will be out by the end of the month and will be available for purchase in Gort, Labane, Cloon and Kinvara for a €5.

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GORT IN FOCUS

21

Gort Cancer Centre plans for life after Covid following year of service disruptions CIAN O’BROIN

cian@clareecho.ie

T

HROUGH the purchase of an adjoining property last November, Gort Cancer Support have been able to successfully provide an essential service to the local community even throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

In June 2007 Gort Cancer Support Group was established to provide caring, confidential, equitable and high-quality community-based supportive services and promote a holistic and positive wellbeing in a safe haven environment for anybody affected by a cancer diagnosis.

As well as repaying their borrowings, the support centre needs to ensure they have sufficient funds to continue providing the range of vital supportive services. This includes adult and children’s counselling, lymph drainage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy, art classes, tai chi classes, mindful meditation and a volunteer driver service, all of which are provided free of charge to individuals after they have received a cancer diagnosis.

Director, Mary Nolan, speaks about the necessity of essential services,

“There is a bright, colourful room dedicated for the child councillor play therapist. Unfortunately, we have many parents coming to us with very young children who are badly affected and require a play therapist. They communicate with them in a one-to-one play centre environment. There has been a huge uptake on this new service. There has been great progress with some of the children that have went in. It helps them to express their feelings and deal with them. It’s a huge benefit and unfortunately it’s something that will be more and more needed.”

Gort Cancer Support is managed and run completely voluntarily. There is no State funding and no staff are paid. This year, Gort Cancer Support has appointed Rose Da Silva, who Mary mentions has been a huge help in assisting local Brazilians who are looking to avail of their services but do not have a sufficient level of English. The native Portuguese speaker assists in an office administration role. “With Rosa’s friendly and kind manner, she can make them feel very welcome while translating their needs and ensuring that we understand their requirements in order to be able to

offer them the correct supports.”

On the benevolence shown by the entirety of the staff, Mary outlines, “Every volunteer gives wholeheartedly their time and expertise to ensure that the Centre is always open from 9.30am4pm Monday to Friday.

“There is no payment, there is no nothing, you do it because you know that there is great satisfaction in knowing that you have helped to lighten someone’s load along the way.”

Like every other charitable organisation, Gort Cancer Support has had to postpone or cancel many fundraising events this year due to Covid-19. The Valentine’s Ball in February at the Lady Gregory Hotel helped raise €16,000, but this was the last major event held in aid of the support centre. While people have got creative, hosting virtual coffee mornings, Big Hair Fun Days, it remains a difficult time to raise funds. The charity is always delighted to hear from individuals or businesses who are looking to donate or fundraise on their behalf.

On the future of Gort Cancer Support, Mary states, “We hope once Covid is over, we can get the place back up to full capacity.”

Visit gortcancersupport.ie to pledge your support. Donations can be dropped in or posted to the support centre.

Pat Smyth ladies and Gents Fashions

We would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the past few months. As we close our doors once again we want to assure you we are still available for anything you may need.

We are offering a phone order service and are happy to post any items nationwide, or a call and collect service for people in the local area.

Contact us on 091-632133 Alternatively we will be updating our social media regularly and you can order through the Facebook page. “Pat Smyths Ladies and Gents Fashions”

E

BRIDGE STREET, GORT TEL: 091 632133

22 GORT IN FOCUS

Gort ‘a better place to visit, live & work’ CIAN O’BROIN

C

cian@clareecho.ie

O-OWNER of Minihane’s Supervalu Gort, Fiona O’ Driscoll, says that since pushing through adversities such as the recession, flooding, the bypass and now Covid-19, Gort, as a town, supports a simple and wholesome lifestyle. Working with

the Burren lowlands for the past seven years, Fiona feels that the local Gort Motto of ‘A better place to visit, live and work’, really shines through into everyday life.

Gort Supervalu and surrounding businesses act as a communal, one-stop shop where consumers can avail of hair-dressers, a health shop, newspaper station, a bookshop, a beautician and a dentist all within the shopping cen-tre.

Fiona labels Gort Supervalu as a ‘community shop’ and says neigh-

bouring businesses all share an excellent professional relationship.

On the fluidity of the county boundary, Fiona states, “Although we have a Galway address here in the town of Gort, we are very aware that North Clare is part of us. Tubber, Boston, Ruan, all those areas. We would provide a hub for these villages. People out in Corofin too.”

“Between the bypass, the recession, the flooding, the whole lot, we are still here. It’s a feisty little

town because it had to be. When you’ve had that much thrown at you. The second bypass, from Gort to Tuam, has been much more benefi-cial. The first, with the Limerick to Galway, that was tough. We went from a town that was choked and awful, but busy, to being deathly quiet for a couple of years. Now with our domestic and international tourism, being near the coast and having the Burren here too, we are very busy,” Fiona adds.

Fiona urges all locals to support locally within the community over the 6-week lockdown and into the busy Christmas period. “If locals don’t kick in, small towns like Gort, won’t survive. We have some really good restaurants here and they are all doing take away from Thursday to Sunday. We decided that we are going to support a different one every week-end. A lot of people are doing that. They are all getting inventive, we are lucky to even be open,” Fiona leaves with.

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Riverwalk volunteers ‘owed a great deal’ GORT River Walk is a point of immense pride within the local community. The most important groups that have assisted with the walk are Galway County Council /FAS, and the Gort River Walk volunteers.

Over the course of 18 months, the Gort River Walk volunteers have managed to eliminate an illegal dump, a wall of briar and an invasive plant species known as ‘OldMans-Beard’ into a 3.4km decorous and picturesque walkway.

Since January, volunteers have clocked up 364 hours on the River Walk. David Murray, on behalf of the Gort River Walk Development Committee, points to two particular individuals, labelling them as ‘community warriors’ and lauding their key efforts at the core of the volunteer process.

Stefano Solpenza assisted when the walk was opened and in a very vulnerable state.

He played a huge part in keeping the walkway open and litter free, David admits. “A chatty and bubbly character by nature, Stefano added a huge amount to the development and character of the trail.”

The second, Flor Burke (pictured above), joined the Gort River Walk as part of the Galway Rural Development, ‘Rural Social Scheme.’ David posits that Flor has been

“a massive influence on the development of the trail”. Flor was placed alongside the FAS crew, assisting heavily in the main trail development.

David describes him as having “a very obvious connection to the river.”

One of the primary benefits of the River Walk, David alludes to, is the social benefit, allowing people to socialise in an open space. Dave hopes that it will contribute to the local economy, attracting visitors to the town. There is also an educational element to be drawn from the walkway, helping to promote a better understanding of the history of the river, nature and subsequent heritage, such as the mill’s former electricity generation, St Manchan’s well, and Old Kinincha Village. Finally, the Gort River Walk has enabled the natural environment to flourish, with the removal of an illegal dumping ground assisting with the river water quality and stinting any environmental degradation that may have ensued.

To conclude, David attributes great thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, “For now we focus on our volunteers and our whole community owes them a great deal because without the we simply wouldn’t have a river walk as it is today.”

MUNSTER HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2020

2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

FERGIE TUOHY, TWO-TIME ALL-IRELAND WINNER WITH CLARE, EX CLARE SENIOR SELECTOR

"A Clare and Limerick game can take on a life of its own. On paper Limerick look like they will have the upperhand. They have a strong panel and it would look like we are facing an uphill struggle. The players Clare are missing will be a huge loss.

"We did well in the league back at the start of the year but we don't have a full deck now. We met quite often back the in the early nineties and it was almost every second turn. We beat them in '93, they won in '94, we beat them in the Munster final in '96 and a year later they beat us. It's a see saw event and we know each other so well. The Limerick club championship looked good this year and its a pity there isn't a Munster club campaign as it would be good to see Na Piarsaigh competing there. Look Limerick are favourites for Sunday but Clare won't go down without a fight".

VERDICT: Limerick

us that games between the counties can be tight. The problem for us spectators at the moment is trying to read a bit of form. Both carry good form from earlier in the year and remember this is also a league final. Both will be looking to get one over on each other.

"The guys Clare are missing are a huge loss, players like Peter Duggan, John Conlon and Colm Galvin to mention some are ball winners and championship players. Planning without them is difficult for Brian Lohan as they would be three starters in most teams.

"Limerick are heading in the right direction but the loss of Richie English and Mike Casey from the full back line is a concern.

It's going to be a difficult championship with the way games are coming. There are going to be trap doors and there will be injuries.

Look at the football last week when there were one or two surprises.

"Limerick will be involved in the latter stages of the competition. They have a strong panel".

VERDICT: Limerick

TJ RYAN, ALL-IRELAND WINNER WITH LIMERICK IN 1996, EX LIMERICK MANAGER, CURRENT ST THOMAS' COACH:

JIM MCINERNEY, ALL-IRELAND WINNER WITH CLARE IN 1995, CURRENT CLARE U20 SELECTOR, MANAGER OF THE TULLA SHC CHAMPIONS OF 2007

"LIMERICK are favourites but history tells

"THE LIKES of Peter Duggan, John Con-

WE’RE OPEN

lon and Colm Galvin are huge losses, you can add Podge Collins and Aidan McCarthy to that list and it remains to be seen if Jack Browne will be fit in time for this one.

Clare are ravaged with injury and it's very hard to know what is going to happen. There are only three left from the 2013 All-Ireland wining side.

"When Clare and Limerick meet the players generally lift their game but when you have a team ravaged by injury it's not easy.

We saw that on Monday night in Thurles.

"Limerick will be hard to beat. They have a lot of good players but they are missing Richie English and Mike Casey and I am hearing that Peter Casey won't get his place. Any team that can leave him out of their team won't be easily beaten. He was untouchable in the Limerick championship and he was their best player in last year's championship.

"Naturally I am hoping that Clare will win but it's hard to see that happening at the moment when you take everything into consideration. Challenge games don't count for a lot when it comes to the championship but we are short a lot of quality players. I am hoping that Clare will find some of the form they showed earlier in the year. Clare and Limerick have always lifted their game when they play each other".

VERDICT: Limerick

VALERIE WHEELER, SPORTS BROADCASTER WITH SPIN SOUTH WEST & RED FM:

"THIS weekend will be a unique occasion for all involved in the GAA and I am really looking forward to it as the neighbouring rivals take each other on in what will be the most talked about championship yet. It's not easy to make a presumption about the weekend's game as anyone who has kept a close eye on Limerick and Clare games down through the years would be slow to call it.

Looking at Clare without big names such as John Conlon, Colm Galvin, Podge Collins and Peter Duggan and injury concerns over others, I would be worried for them. With big names names making way it gives fresh and new talent an opportunity to shine.

They are facing a team that has such a strong panel and who were top of their game before Covid put a stop to games. All teams are in the same boat, they have the same preparation period and must follow new rules and restrictions. Whatever happens I hope it will be a cracking game because in these tough times the GAA is what will get us through it".

VERDICT: Limerick Compiled by Seamus Hayes

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BEST OF LUCK TO BRIAN HIS MANAGEMENT TEAM AND PANEL OF PLAYERS FOR THIS YEAR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Fitzy ready for start of championship PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

LEADERS will be required in abundance as Clare prepare to take on Limerick in Sunday's Munster SHC qualifier, David Fitzgerald is hopeful to be chief among them for the men in saffron and blue.

A strange atmosphere clouds the beginning of the GAA inter-county championships, not just because of the pandemic but also with the time of year in which the games are beginning. "It nearly feels like we never took a break, we're back since the middle of September so just over a month. It is very unusual to be preparing for a Munster championship game in October," David Fitzgerald stated as the hours edge closer to Sunday's eagerly awaited clash.

When Clare resumed county training in September, Fitzgerald recalled that there was little fuss regarding their return. "The general consensus was that it was safe to come back in, case numbers have been rising in recent weeks with a lot of uncertainty so it has been bit

difficult to see if the championship was going ahead and what protocols would be put in place".

As the public narrative has changed, the Inagh/Kilnamona clubman insisted that he remains happy to be a part of the action.

"Any day you get to play for Clare is great, it is unusual that it is on so late in the year, the GAA had their heart set on the championship going ahead. There was a survey last week from the GPA and over half the players voted to play. The lack of testing as mentioned by the Louth captain is a concern but I'm happy to play".

Equally, he is as content whether it is lining out in defence or attack, having done so at club and county level. It is expected that the UL and DCU graduate will form part of the forward line for Brian Lohan's men when they face off with near neighbours Limerick.

Added to the county panel in 2016 by then manager and namesake Davy Fitzgerald, the St Flannan's College past pupil has found the changing faces on the squad this year to be "interesting". "You see lots of new guys coming in, with the U20s during the week you see Cian Galvin, Mark Rod-

gers and Paddy Donnellan those guys played excellent and recently joined the panel, it is interesting to see guys moving on and younger lads coming in and to see what they can contribute".

His first season saw Clare claim the National Hurling League title and should they overcome John Kiely's outift this weekend he will have a second league medal, the doubling-up of the fixture is "another interesting aspect," Fitzgerald noted. "Munster championship is the main focus but it is unusual that you are playing Munster championship and have the opportunity to win a league title".

Working as a lease manager with Shannon based Stratos, David has been working from Inagh since March. The change of environment for training has been welcome but has led to certain frustrations. "It has been good meeting back up with players. I know it's difficult at the minute but it is frustrating arriving into training, you train and jump straight back into the car, you've no access to dressing rooms or showers which is a bit of a pain but we've to get on with it".

Right: David Fitzgerald (Chris Copley)

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2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Cian Lynch ready to renew Clare rivalry PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

MEETINGS of Clare and Limerick in the Munster senior hurling championship tend to be special occasions, their showdown on Sunday will be unique in that it is the first provincial clash between the sides to be held behind closed doors but it won’t shake the determination from Cian Lynch and his teammates from the Treaty County.

Since 2012, the counties have played each other four times in the Munster SHC with Limerick coming out on top in three of these encounters. Notably Clare’s 2018 win made them the only side to defeat John Kiely’s charges in a year in which they were crowned All-Ireland champions.

Cian Lynch was Hurler of the Year following that unforgettable year for Limerick supporters. Indeed his first senior championship appearance came in 2015 when the then TJ Ryan managed side

defeated Clare 1-19 2-15 with the lively Lynch notching three points from corner forward.

Everything associated with Cian’s involvement to the team has strengthened since then but their rivalry with the neighbours remains as strong. “We all either went to school together or went to college together so we know each other fairly well off the pitch, being so close there is massive rivalry but both teams show the utmost of respect for each other and they understand each other. It is just a matter of going out and focusing on our game and doing the best we can, they will do the same”.

His immediate interview with RTÉ after being named Hurler of the Year two years ago and the message of the importance of the GAA in communities has been reinforced given the association’s response across the country to COVID-19. “The backbone of any society and every community in Ireland is the GAA. For me personally it’s great to be able to play and get out training mentally for us as players but also for our family members and supporters

to have something to hold onto, I know they are not able to go to games but it is bringing people together in a different scenario and it is bringing joy to households too.

I know the recent restrictions are limiting people to 5km but there is no reason why they can’t reach out and text each other, stay in touch and support each other, it will be huge in the next few weeks”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the two time Fitzgibbon Cup winner with Mary Immaculate College noted that his perspective on life has changed due to the pandemic.

“Maybe on a normal day we’d be giving out about going training or giving out about rushing around, now you’re grateful to be able to go training or when you’re able to get back out on the road and go around the place. The Government and the GAA are doing everything in their power to do everything right so we just have to have faith and keep driving on”.

Faith has always been important for the Patrickswell native. “In the initial period of lockdown I used to go for a walk every morning and click onto the mass that was online within the parish, I used to put that into my headphones and listen to it, it was a great way of staying grounded and focused with it a bit of positivity. After that, we were able to go back to the

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church and it was a great way of setting up your week, going down to mass on a Sunday morning and listening to a few little stories to focus mind. I think it is very important for people to keep the faith now and keep holding onto it”.

Few GAA players and sporting figures are as vocal on the merits they obtain from going to mass, his views on religion’s importance have struck a chord with parents of young children and he is hopeful when he graduates as a religion and geography teacher from NUIG to impart this message on teenagers. “In modern society it is hard because everyone is under the influence of social media and other pressures in life, we need to realise the backbone in most communities is the church and its faith.

I’m doing religion and geography teaching and I’m looking forward to going into schools and being able to help in anyway possible, it is not about forcing religion on anyone but giving people a framework to stay grounded and have an outlet mentally with something to hold onto”.

Coming up through the underage ranks and into the U21 grade, Cian and his county teammates had an edge over Clare and this was aided by their greater physicality. He acknowledged that every team in the country has realised the benefits of gym work to strengthen their game. “I know hurling is amateur but it is professional in everything but name, it is a nice outlet to be able to do a bit of gym work and get away from the field, it is something different.

Even some evenings when you’d have had a long day just doing a little gym session whether it be moving a few weights or creating a bit of a racket it gives you a bit of drive and purpose, it is a massive thing if anyone can, I know most people don’t have gym equipment I only have a few small bits myself but it gives you a sense of doing something and purpose which is important”.

Lynch had little doubts on returning to the county panel upon completion of their club campaign has praised the efforts of their management team which includes Broadford’s Aonghus O’Brien and Alan Cunningham of Shannon with ex Clare coach Paul Kinnerk also involved. “Every scenario and household differs but for me personally I was just mad for road and mad to get back, it is a sense of routine and getting back with your friends and having a bit of craic on the hurling pitch whether it is just pucking a ball over and back, you realise how much sports means to us as individuals and communities. As Irish people when we pull together we always come out on the right side of it”.

Below: Limerick Hurler Cian Lynch joined All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Sponsor Littlewoods Ireland to launch their new ‘Style Meets Substance’ campaign. Returning for the 4th year running as a top-tier sponsor, Littlewoods Ireland’s ‘Style Meets Substance’ campaign is a celebration of hurling people, their individuality, their love for the game and the joy of Championship. (Sportsfile)

2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

PATHS TO THE ALLIANZ NHL FINAL CLARE: Clare 1-27 Carlow 0-14 Clare 0-18 Wexford 0-15 Clare 0-17 Laois 0-9 Kilkenny 1-19 Clare 3-13 Clare 0-27 Dublin 1-15 Played 5, Won 4, Drew 1.

LIMERICK Limerick 2-14 Tipperary 0-18 Limerick 1-19 Galway 0-14 Limerick 1-21 Waterford 1-17 Limerick 0-29 Cork 2-21 Limerick 1-24 Westmeath 0-18 Played 5,Won 5.

TOP SCORERS Tony Kelly: 0-51 (0-36 frees, 0-1 ‘65’) Shane O’Donnell: 3-7 Ryan Taylor: 1-3 John Conlon: 0-5 (1 free) David Reidy: 0-5 David Fitzgerald: 0-5

TOP SCORERS Aaron Gillane: 1-28 (0-23 frees) David Reidy: 0-16 (0-13 frees) Gearoid Hegarty: 2-8 David Dempsey: 2-7 Tom Morrissey: 0-12 (0-4 frees) Seamus Flanagan: 0-8

LAST FIVE ALLIANZ LEAGUE CLASHES 2019: Clare 2-11 Limerick 1-14 2018: Limerick 4-21 Clare 0-33 (Limerick won on free-taking shoot-out in the quarter-final) 2016: Clare 1-19 Limerick 0-18 2012: Clare 0-21 Limerick 1-16 (1B Final) 2012: Clare 2-24 Limerick 1-13

2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Kelly aspiring to lead through actions PĂ RAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

TIME waits for no man, woman or child, athletes too are included in this bracket and unfortunately the talent and ability of Tony Kelly cannot be bottled to pass onto future generations.

It's nine championship campaigns since Tony Kelly made his senior debut for Clare, bursting onto the scene and delivering on the underage hype scoring 1-02 as a fourteen man Banner defeated Dublin in Cusack Park to signal times were a-changing so far as hurling in the county were concerned.

Kelly had just finished his Leaving Certificate that year, in October 2020 he is back at St Flannan's College, not to repeat the State Examinations but as part of the teaching staff at the Ennis secondary school. "The years don't be long clocking up," he reflected while in conver-

sation with The Clare Echo.

"Coming from the minors and U21s we won so much at underage level and then won so quickly at senior level that you almost expect to win every year you go out but it doesn't take long for you to realise that it doesn't happen like that. The nine years h a v e g o n e v e r y quick, looki n g back o n t h e 2013 team or the U 2 1 s teams

there are very few lads left from those. Not only does it not be long going but players don't be long retiring or going off doing their own thing. It is definitely a different panel of players this year from what we've had in previous years gone by".

Colm Galvin, Peter Duggan and Podge Collins are three players from his underage days that are unavailable for selection while John Conlon an ever-present of the senior side since Tony's debut is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. "I've never played a championship match without any of them being on the team or involved in some way," Kelly highlighted.

Where there's life there's hope and so manager Brian Lohan has added youth to the panel with Cian Galvin and Shane Meehan joining the training panel while Mark Rodgers, Darragh Lohan and Paddy Donnellan are among the new faces that can be considered for selection. "To

have the likes of John Conlon there, even though he is coming back from a cruciate and won't see any part of championship but his presence to be encouraging lads on during drills and giving advice".

As younger players have joined the fold, the Ballyea sharpshooter has admitted that he has altered his own role on the squad. "I'm not one for roaring and bawling every night at training, I think it wears thin, we don't have any character that does that. If you have something to say and it's constructive, by all means I'd say it. It is my ninth year on the panel, when I was nineteen or twenty I took snippets of leadership from the likes of Brendan Bugler, Paddy Donnellan and Colin Ryan, playing with Gary Brennan too you get plenty of examples and then you try to apply them within your own set-up. The main thing is to show leadership through action and how you train rather than always talking, if I've advice or something to say I will say it, it's definitely something I'm more aware of doing now that I'm a senior player on the panel".

Praise is heaped on Lohan and his management for the "professional" manner in which they have dealt with COVID-19 by Tony.

"Any concerns that may have been there were lessened or squashed the first night we came back training, Brian and the management team had everything spot on with everyone at training doing temperature checks, every player getting individual hand sanitiser, no use of dressing rooms, coming to training on your own. The professional set up made it easier for players to see it was a safe environment for players to play in, that has made up my mind that it is safe to proceed that the environment I'm playing and training is extremely safe, from listening to other players around the country they have similar set-ups, as long as it is safe to proceed I'm happy to do so".

Life under Lohan began very promisingly in the Allianz National League with Clare unbeaten in five games. Their momentum was quelled by the onset of the pandemic and Sunday's Munster quarter-final with Limerick will indicate

2020 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

and not words if this spirit has been recaptured.

"We were tipping along nicely in the League, developing a new style of play and getting used to a new management with players in different positions but lockdown called a halt to it. When we came back five or six weeks ago, things have been going well and we've been training hard, we won't know where we're at until the ball is thrown in on Sunday and until you see the heat of championship against Limerick and no better team to judge yourself against other than Limerick.

Come Sunday evening we'll know if what we've done over the last six or seven weeks has worked or does it need to be tweaked a bit. Up to now things have been going pretty well and we're looking to put our game plan into practice".

Unlike the ordinary championship played in the summer months, the 2013 Hurler of the Year must prepare for games and training while also working five days a week. There are further hurdles this year he outlined which include trying to reduce the amount of social contacts and additional precautions such as reducing the amount

of visits to the staff room. "I don't mind working and playing all that much as long as both go ahead".

Tony is also on board as an ambassador for championship sponsors, Littlewoods Ireland. He confessed that any fashion advice he can receive would be greatly welcome. "It is their fourth year as a main sponsor of the All-Ireland senior championship, their promotion is style meets substance and I'm happy they thought I was the correct fit for it. I definitely didn't have too much style so I needed more work in that department".

Style, substance, look no further than TK – the Ballyea and Clare hurler and not the lemonade – should he get the right fizz on Sunday then the county's chances will be greatly boosted.

Photos: Clare Hurler Tony Kelly joined All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Sponsor Littlewoods Ireland to launch their new ‘Style Meets Substance’ campaign.

Returning for the 4th year running as a top-tier sponsor, Littlewoods Ireland’s ‘Style Meets Substance’ campaign is a celebration of hurling people, their individuality, their love for the game and the joy of Championship. (Sportsfile)

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Sport Clare Echo THE

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instagram.com/ClareEcho twitter.com/ClareEcho facebook.com/clareecho clareecho.ie

Donovan ready for challenge CLARE boxer Paddy Donovan's next bout will be held in November, it has been confirmed.

Paddy 'Real Deal' Donovan will go head to head with English fighter Juamanne Camero on Novermber 11th at Production Park Studios in Wakefield.

A thirteen time national champion, Paddy is trained

by Andy Lee and has four wins from his first four professional bouts, three of which have been knockouts. He is determined to keep this unbeaten run

when he faces the former Southern Area title holder.

"Jumanne Camero seems to be a decent fighter with 10 wins from 16 fights and he will be my toughest challenge to date. My training is going really well and I'm feeling really good. I'm sure his style of fighting will bring the best out of me and I'll put on one hell of a show come November 11th," the Ennis professional said.

To date, Camero has upset and pushed domestic level names such as Louis Green and Freddy Kiwit but Paddy

remains upbeat regarding his chances. "I've watched some of his fights. He seems to be a decent fighter. He likes to switch stance during fights. I have been told it's a step up and that has put fire in my soul. I'm really putting in the hours at home and in the gym. After this fight people will know how good I am. Some people are saying he could cause an upset, I'll show them how good I will be. My hands will do my talking".

Minor football game falls victim to restrictions CLARE'S minor footballers will not take to the field in Saturday's Munster championship as the GAA have paused all minor and U20 competitions until further notice.

On Wednesday afternoon, the GAA received clarification from the Department of Sport surrounding the staging of inter-county fixtures and the decision was reached to put all minor and U20 competitions on hold.

Dermot Coughlan's side were due to take on Tipperary on Saturday in the Munster quarter-final but the game

will not proceed as scheduled. Brian Coffey's Clare minor hurlers and Sean Doyle's U20 hurlers exited their respective championships in the past week and are unaffected by the announcement.

Officials within Clare GAA received confirmation of the clarification shortly after lunchtime on Wednesday.

Saturday's scheduled EirGrid GAA U20 football final meeting of Dublin and Galway will not take place as a result.

Rio railroads his way to feature success

THIS RUNS www.grireland.ie

Galway remains a happy hunting ground for Clare dogs and their Banner owners while Inagh’s Noel Hehir will be flying the county flag on Saturday in the English Derby semi-finals.

The concluding A1 graded 525 Yards contest was the top graded event on Friday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was a dog from North Clare that claimed the spoils. As the traps rose the red jacketed Pinnacle Rio came away well in company with Drombeg Blake and Cloneyigan Blaze who raced between runners approaching the opening bend.

Rounding the bend Pinnacle Rio was limit like as usual as Cloneyogan Blaze moved up on the Michael Costello owned runner as they entered the back straight. Racing down the back Pinnacle Rio continued to hold the call as Cloneyogan Blaze raced within a length of the leader.

Exiting the back straight Pinnacle Rio took a length out of his rival as Its My Puma tried to close but Pinnacle Rio would not be denied as he stayed on well two defeat Cloneyogan Blaze by two and three quarter lengths in 29.26.

Having finished runner up on three of his last four outings, Glasheen Davy owned

by Kilkee’s Brendan Browne finally got off the mark in race two of an S8 graded contest as he made virtually all the running to defeat Merciful Debbie by a length and three parts in 19.87. Away smartly the inner matched strides with Willows Dream on the run towards the opening bend where with the benefit of the inside line Glasheen Davy kicked two lengths clear. Despite moving to the middle of the track around the home bend Glasheen Davy was always in control racing up the home straight.

Race four was an A6 graded contest which went in emphatic fashion to the No-Turbo-Syndicate owned Campclone Blaze who routed his rivals by upwards of nine and three quarter lengths in 29.58. Away well in company with Rathin Archie, the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner really lengthened his stride approaching the opening bend where despite moving outwards he extended his advantage to over three lengths. Racing down the back Campclone Blaze pulled further clear with every stride as Ardbula Ned and Merciful Grace gave vain chase with the latter grabbing second place close home.

In the early strides of

race five, Beslow Norajames showed pace to lead from Badgerfort Benjy and as they rounded the opening two bends they were three lengths clear of Banner Chops in third place with Blaze Dubh in fourth as they passed halfway. Leaving the back straight the front three began to tighten up with Beslow Norajames still holding the call but off the home bend the Pat and Gerard McMahon of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Banner Chops swept through to take command and hold off the late effort of Blaze Dubh to score by a length and a half for the Donie Duggan of Tulla kennels in 29.88.

In race two on Saturday nights nights card both Ballygrauige Sue and Confused Fitzy were smartly into stride for this Novice 350 Yards contest with Aulton Zero also showing pace along the rails as the field approached the opening bend. Rounding the bend Confused Fitzy kicked clear on the wide outside as Aulton Zero moved second along the inner but the Gerry Manley of Cratloe owned Confused Fitzy proved two and a quarter lengths too good at the line in 19.48.

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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Compiled by Páraic Mc Mahon

Clare back to winning ways Clare 1-11 Fermanagh 1-09 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis CLARE Frees For: 10 (6/4) Wides: 9 (3/6) Scores from Play: 1-07 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Eoin Cleary (0-04 1f 1’45) Own Kick-outs won: from 13 from 20 (65%) FERMANAGH Frees For: 19 (9/10) Wides: 10 (5/5) Scores from Play: 0-06 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Tomás Corrigan (0-05 3f) Own Kick-outs won: 13 from 21 (62%)

COLM COLLINS, CLARE MANAGER

PLAYER WATCH EMMET MCMAHON Minutes Played: 40 Possessions: 6 (6/0) Passes: 5 Hand Pass: 2 Foot Pass: 3 Short Pass: 5 Long Pass: 0

Shots: 1 Scores: 0-00 Wides: 0 Dropped Short: 1

Frees: Won: 0 Lost: 1

Tackles: 2 Turnovers: 0

Below: Cian O’Dea punches the ball in the air. PHOTO: Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

“IT WAS a touch of magic by Joe, how he got the shot in I’ll never know, it was brilliant goal by Joe McGann that gave us the cushion right throughout the game. Getting the two points is vital in this Division, we knew Fermanagh weren’t going to come here and lie down, I knew they would have their players, we’re delighted to get the two points “We’re so delighted to be playing sport, we’re thankful for it, there has been a great energy at training, the lads have done well and my heart goes out to the lads that were on the panel that couldn’t come in to see the match that have worked as hard as everybody else, that is a tough situation. They declare panels to be 32 panels, we’ve done hard work to knock them down to 32 and the least that could happen is that those six players be allowed to come in and watch the match”.

RYAN MCMENAMIN, FERMANAGH MANAGER: “YOU TALK about the integrity of the league, you talk about player welfare. I’m looking at the NFL, a billion-dollar league and they’re postponing games. I didn’t see the GAA rapid response team sprinting out to Leitrim to test all the players, they seemed to be en masse down to your own man Davy (Fitzgerald) in Wexford, he’s a character who I love. There’s two tiers, there is going to be two tiers in football next year and unfortunately there are already two tiers in the GAA, if this happened in Tyrone the game wouldn’t have happened.

“It has been very difficult, I’m proud of the boys, three or four of them made debuts today and they were fantastic. I think it’s been the story of our season that we didn’t come away with the two points, we were by far and away the better team. We hit the post and we should have put it in the net, we gave away a soft goal and the full-forward should never have got in. Shooting has been Fermanagh’s achilles hill for last four seasons.

“Coming in here today was like coming into Fort Knox, I’ve never been asked for my name so many times to get into a game, it is what it is, we have to learn to live with the pandemic”.

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ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

Tipperary 0-20 Clare 1-08 Venue: The Ragg, Tipperary TIPPERARY Frees For: 13 (9/4) Wides: 5 (4/1) Scores from Play: 0-15 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Cait Devane (0-8) Own Puck-Outs won: 14 from 14 (100%) CLARE Frees For: 13 (6/7) Wides: 4 (3/1) Scores from Play: 1-07 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Eimear Kelly (1-0) Own Puck-Outs won: 13 from 24 (54%)

“WE’RE delighted to get off to a winning start. We knew that Clare were coming down here all guns blazing so we knew we needed to hit the ground running and not get dragged into a battle.

“Clare are a good team and don’t give you anything easy so we needed a good start and to be honest, we took some wonderful points in that first half from out the field and were very sharp from midfield upwards.

“And it was needed as Clare inevitably came back at us in the second half. But we made positional chances and I thought the girls responded well to the sending off [of Aishling Moloney] as well and finished the stronger which is pleasing.

“We’ve Dublin next weekend and they’ll be no pushovers either so we have to treat every team with respect or they will turn you over. So we’re heading to Dublin and will have to perform exactly like we did today.”

GER O’CONNELL, CLARE MANAGER “WE JUST didn’t come out of the blocks and Tipperary did in fairness.

Now there was a strong breeze at their backs but once they opened up, we were always playing catch-up after that. We made a few subs just to try to change the momentum and that’s nothing against the girls that came off, we just needed to do something as a management to alter the pattern. And it did work as we came right back into the game after that but you can’t fall ten points behind so early against an experienced team like Tipperary.

“We were unlucky for a few goals but we just needed to keep the scoreboard ticking over more but look, in fairness to all the girls, they dug deep.

We’ll never question their character, it’s just we cannot afford to give a home team such a head start.

“For whatever reason, we just couldn’t get to the pitch of the game early but we have to put that behind us now and regroup because a place in the quarter-finals is still there for us.

“We need to beat Dublin, it’s as simple as that.”

PLAYER WATCH - EIMEAR KELLY Possessions - 14 (5/9) Hooks/Blocks - 4 (3/1) Scores - 1-0 Frees won 1

BILL MULLANEY, TIPPERARY MANAGER

Passes - 6 (2/4) Shots at posts - 3 Assists - 2 Minutes Played - All

ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Páraic Mc Mahon

Eimear Kelly Photo Aidan Ryan

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Clare 3-14 Offaly 1-12 Venue: Fr MacNamara Park CLARE: Frees For: 19 (11/8) Wides: 5 (2/3) Scores from Play: 3-09 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Siobhán Lenihan (0-07 5f) Own Puck-outs won:12 from 18 (67%)

OFFALY: Frees For: 22 (11/11) Wides: 5 (3/2) Scores from Play: 1-06 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Rachel Brennan (1-04 2f) Own Puck-outs won: 14 from 22 (63%)

ANN-MARIE MCGANN, CLARE JOINT MANAGER:

that I love this life of doing nothing. We've a couple of players who didn't play because of COVID issues at home, you cannot fight with anyone over that and you just have to work with it, a few players have dropped off but when they see things getting momentum we might see them back by the end of the year. We picked 26 because we had 30 last year and we found it very hard to give all the girls game time, it is better to keep a small panel and give everyone as small a run as possible. I'm delighted for the girls to get this win, we're halfway into a semi-final now.

"You cannot fight with anyone, you have to accept what someone says to you, if the girls have issues that is fine. If I'm being honest and I may be hypocritical standing on the line, I thought the GAA might have never gone ahead, now that I'm here I'm glad especially because we won. You cannot fall out with anyone over COVID because it is an exceptional year".

"I WAS irate for the first twenty minutes, we never play like that, we don't do it in trainings or challenge matches but it must have been COVID cobwebs, they were so nervous for the first twenty minutes, it took a while to get into it but so many of the girls stepped up like Caoimhe Carmody, Louise McDonnell's goal if anyone got that in hurling everyone would be talking about it all in one movement drifted in caught the ball and put it in the back of the net it was outstanding, Sarah Ní Cheallaigh and Caoimhe Kelly were outstanding.

"Some of our players from earlier in the year just decided they didn't want to play. When you're playing inter-county for camogie for so long and you get a four or five month break you're saying to yourself

Clare’s top scorer Siobhan Lenihan goes for goal. Photo Caroline O’Keeffe

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MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Eoin Brennan

Minors exit to clinical Cork Cork 1-24 Clare 2-13 Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles CORK Frees For: 5 (3/2) Wides: 10 (5/5) Scores from Play: 1-18 Spread of Scorers: 10 Top Scorer: Ben Cunningham (0-9) Own Puck-Outs won: 11 from 23 (48%)

PLAYER WATCH JARLATH COLLINS (CLARE) Possessions - 22 (10/12) Passes - 12 (5/7) Shots at posts - 8 Scores - 1-5 Assists - 3 Frees won 2 Minutes Played - All

CLARE Frees For: 18 (7/11) Wides: 11 (5/6) Scores from Play: 0-05 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Jarlath Collins (1-5) Own Puck-Outs won: 15 from 33 (45%)

DONAL ÒG CUSACK, CORK MANAGER

BRIAN COFFEY, CLARE MANAGER

“IT WAS very satisfactory. Obviously coming into the game, there was a little trepidation with all that’s going on at the moment and of course the absence of competitive action so considering all that, I’m just delighted to get the victory.

“It is a cliche but it is a 20 man game now. We had a squad of 24 today and like every team in any grade of the championship, you’re not going to finish a game with the same team that started it. So we delighted with the subs contribution but that’s also the expectation.

“Any time you’re coming to Thurles to play hurling, that’s positive. I think we first had a meeting with the parents of all the players almost 12 months ago but little did we think then that we would be only starting the championship now.

“But look, everyone is in the same boat, everybody in the world has been greatly impacted by this pandemic but from our point of view, we’re very grateful to be coming to Thurles to play championship hurling today.

“With recent challenge matches postponed, it was difficult to benchmark teams so I feel that we learned a lot from today that we can take into the Limerick match for the semi-final.”

“WE CAME up against a very, very strong Cork team today. They’re a big strong team and dominated physically but they’re very good hurlers as well so overall, I just think they [Cork] were too strong for us today.

“I think we were a little slow off the mark to be honest. We wanted a fast start but Cork got the edge on us.

“The puck-outs were a problem area for us, there’s no question about it. We made a few changes to counter that and the stats did improve but we were struggling under the puckouts, especially with their superior physicality.

“It took us until the second quarter to be able to claw ourselves back into contention and we were chasing it hard after that. But then in the final quarter, they [Cork] pushed on and they was no catching them.

“It’s very hard on these minors to be training all year for one game but it has been a very strange year. We’re very proud of the lads, the effort that they have put in for the entire year has been phenomenal and you can see some of them really developing as hurlers. So hopefully we’ll go on to see them play at Under 20 and Senior levels for Clare because that is what this is all about really, learning and developing for the future.”

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

PHOTOS: Gerard O'Neill

pg 35

22-10-20

Clare Echo THE

instagram.com/ClareEcho twitter.com/ClareEcho facebook.com/clareecho clareecho.ie

U20 MUNSTER HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Seamus Hayes SEAN DOYLE, CLARE MANAGER:

Tipperary 1-19 Clare 0-12 Venue: Semple Stadium

TIPPERARY Frees For: 12 (5/7) Wides: 12 (6/6) Scores from Play: 0-15 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Conor Bowe (0-07) CLARE Frees For: 10 (5/5) Wides: 8 (7/1) Scores from Play: 0-08 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Cian Galvin (0-05 3f)

“WE PLAYED well in the first half and probably were robbed of a goal as Mark Rodgers was taken out of it. Look these things go against you. We are a young inexperienced team and physically Tipp were that bit better and they ran a bit amok there in the second half. You have to give great credit to our lads. We were rocked as you know in the last two weeks with the spate of injuries we have. I know it’s no excuse but the players we were missing were really key men. To lose Shane Meehan last night at the final hour was a killer blow. He would have loved that type of game out there with a bit of space. Look that is water under the bridge now.

Fourteen of the lads that played there tonight are all available to this age group again next year. For now we have to take it on the chin.

Tipp were the better team, physically stronger but I couldn’t be more proud of our lads.

“The penalty was border line and we missed a couple of scores as well and we needed to take every chance. Look we tried to nullify them in the first half and we brought Cian Galvin back for a while but we really needed him up the field. He played very well in the role. We threw caution to the wind in the second half and pushed him up the field and this left some

gaps at the back. The lads fought gamely. Paddy Donnellan was immense. It’s a learning curve.

Its hard to take now but we will move on.

“We were unlucky a couple of times in the first half. Diarmuid Cahill, a young lad and Conner Hegarty tried hard. I don’t know how Conner went out there tonight. He was injured but he answered the call and he put in a good shift as well. They are all players for the future. There is a good group of players coming through. Look we came down here to win, we don’t want to be second best. We came to win and we didn’t win. We have to take it on the chin. We will look back on it as a management team and see where things went wrong. They moved the ball very well, they are physically very strong around the middle and Connolly is a fair strong player. Look, we tried everything.

We brought on the five subs. We gave as many players game time as we could tonight and hopefully that will stand to them in the future.

“Tipperary had six players that played in an All-Ireland final last year. We were under no illusions coming down here. They are good players. I don’t think I have ever seen a bad Tipp team and when they are at home it’s hard to beat them. We are all down tonight but we have to move on. Look, under these circumstances with Covid aren’t we lucky to play here today. Tomorrow there might be no games”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Clare’s Robin Mounsey Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Finals deferred due to restrictions SEAMUS HAYES WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB The Winter league is in full swing at Woodstock and the winners of round one which was a rumble were Noel and Dave Moloney, Stephen Barry and Noel Casey junior with 90 points.

They were followed by P.J. Carmody, Cathal O’Neill, Gary Thompson and Vincent McInerney with 86 points In a singles competition on the same day Paddy Meehan (11) was the winner with 44 points from Darren O’Neill (13) with 41 points with third spot filled by Cian Moloney (17) with 39 and they were followed by Paul McMahon (15) who also returned 39 points.

Round two of the winter league was a fourball and the winners were Pat Barry (22) and Joe Kelly (12) with 50 points from Tony Neville (12) and Jack Duffy (20) with 49 points.

In the singles competition club president Matt Power (25) was the winner with 46 points from club captain Liam O’Connor (14) with 43 points. They were followed by Ian Birchall

(21) with 43 points, Christy Kelly (19) with 43 points and Brian Kilker (17) with 42 points.

The competition at Woodstock at the weekend was a modified team of four, sponsored by Michael O’Reilly Oil. The winners of the ladies section were Shauna Moylan (24, Mary Sweeney (36), Eleanor Miniter (42) and Mags Nash (45) with a score of 109 points.

In second place were Una Patten (28), Kathleen McEnery (31), Caroline Moloney (34) and Ailish Neville (38) with 97 points with third spot filled by an all Ennis team of Mary McMahon (22), Ann Kelly (22), Ann Casey (24) and Carmel Cummins (37) with 97 points.

In the men’s section the winners were Brendan Neylon (8), Shane Power (14), Jimmy Kelly (18) and Michael Coughlan (22) with 115 points. They won by virtue of a better back nine from Keith McInerney (12), John Kennedy (18), Seamus Kelly (19) and Jarlath Fahy (20) who also returned 115 points.

In third spot were Tony Nugent (4), Kieran Drummy (6), Seamus Kelly (19) and Nick Germaine (21) with 111 points.

Last week’s Woodstock seniors held a team competition which was won by Brian Logue, Ger Griffey, Nick Germaine and Liam McInerney with 50

points from John O’Sullivan, Gerry O’Malley, Matt Power and Martin White who scored 49 points.

Heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday led to the cancellation of this week’s competition.

Kilrush Golf Club: John K. Ryan (16) won the men’s 18 hole singles competition at Kilrush at the weekend with 46 points. He had five to spare over Mark Shannon (6) with third spot filled by Padraic Cotter (16) from Dromoland who had 40 points.

The category winners were Rory Lillis (9) with 40 points, Kenneth Hartigan (16) with 39 points and Ross Cullinan (18) with 38 points.

Last week’s ladies competition sponsored by Martin Ward of Ennis was won by Anne Brennan (9) with 29 points from Ailish Lorigan (12) with 28 points with third spot filled by Carmel Lillis (23) with 27 points.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: The Friday open singles at Ennis was won by Shane O’Doherty (20) from Dromoland with 43 points.

In second place was William Donnellan (24) with 42 points with Cillian O’Connor (9) in third place with 41 points. Ross

O’Flaherty (5) won the gross with 73.

The men’s weekend competition was a fourball stableford event over 18 holes and the winners were Dermot Doheny (6) and John Coleman (17) with 49 points. They had one to spare over Frank Sheedy (20) and Terry Hughes (19) while Gary Collins (5) and David Casey (15) were a point further back in 47 points.

In fourth spot, also with 47 points, were Ian Myatt(10) and Barry Lee (16) followed by Ollie Kennelly (20) and Tim Kelly (21) with 46, Padraig McNicholas (12) and Michael Ball (21), also with 46 while seventh spot was filled by Bernard Hanrahan (22) and Paschal Russell (18) with 46.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Leonard Shanahan was the winner of the Friday open singles at Dromoland with 39 points from Eugene Fawl who returned a similar score. Joe Walsh, with 38 points, was third while the gross was won

by Jason O’Leary, also with 38 points.

In the weekend singles Tony Cotgreave won with 41 points from Alan Neville, also with 41 while Billy O’Sullivan was third with 40 points. Brian Shally

won the gross with 36 points Patrick McCoy won the mid week 9 hole competition with 21 points from Shane O’Brien with 20 with third spot filled by John Casey who also scored 20 points.

FINALS DEFERRED The All Ireland finals of the Purcell and Bruen Shields, due to take place in Donegal, have been deferred due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions. Spanish Point had qualified for the Purcell finals following their thrilling Munster final victory recently. Gort had also qualified for the All-Ireland series following their Connacht final success. Members of both teams will be keeping their fingers crossed that the finals can be played at a later date.

GORT GOLF CLUB: Michael Whelan (22) was the winner of the men’s singles competition at Gort at the weekend with 40 points.

He had one to spare over Noel O’Shaughnessy(8) with third spot filled by Conor Shields (9), also with 39. Gavin Lally (7) won the gross with 32 points.

The Monday open singles was won by Emmet Major (17) with

37 points from Trevor Cumins (7) with a similar score.

In the ladies competition, an 18 hole singles stableford event, Ruth Naughton (18) won with 38 points from Mary Dervan (29) with 35 points In the October Bowl 9 hole foursomes, Teresa Mahon (27) and Pat Fogarty (34) were the winners with 31.75 from Bernie Brown (26) and Niall Finnegan (11) with 32.5.

In third spot with 33.5 were Rose Finnegan (42) and David Cahill (16) and they were followed by Sara Broderick (19) and Paul Smith (9) with 34 BANNER GAA Banner GAA club’s team of four classic was well supported last weekend at Woodstock when the winners with 115 points were Tony Neville, Liam O’Connor, Brendan Keogh and Ailish Neville.

In second place with 111 points were Tony Nugent, Kieran Drummy, Seamus Kelly and Nick Germaine. They were followed by Brendan McDonagh, Pat Curtis, Michael Ryan and Martin Flaherty with 110 points with fourth spot filled by Kevin Toner, Ollie McNamara, James McMahon and Eamonn Woodland who also returned 110 points.

36 CLASSIFIEDS

ACCOUNTANCY

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THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

PLANNING NOTICES Clare County Council Tiermaclane Ennis Take notice that J. Kelly intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain extended road 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 Knockinamana, Clarecastle, Co Clare Take notice that Francis & Kathleen Barry intend to apply for Planning Permission to construct a single storey extension to the side of the existing dwelling house, including site services and all ancillary site works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks.

Clare County Council Lacorroe, Feakle, Co. Clare RDF Architects & Planning Ltd on behalf of Pat Treacy are applying for Planning Permission for the construction of a new dwelling house which is single storey & part two storey, with ground floor garage attached to the dwelling, externally accessed green house, proposed wastewater treatment unit with polishing filter and percolation area, new site vehicular entrance and all associated site works at Lacorroe, Feakle, Co. Clare. This 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 of 9am – 4pm, Mon-Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to Clare County Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed

fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by Clare County Council of the application.

Clare County Council Dooneen, Burren, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates: Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Craig & Áine Hill for permission to construct a granny flat to the side of existing garage / home office together with all ancillary site development works and connection to existing services at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council Unit 1, Castlepark, Smithstown

Ind. Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates: Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Advanced Technical Concepts Ltd for permission to (a) construct extensions to existing unit comprising of a workshop, reception area, meeting room & store, (b) sub divide existing 1st floor mezzanine to accommodate offices, canteen, toilet block and stairwell (c) carry out minor internal alterations together with all ancillary site development works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council.

Summer Hill, Old Cratloe Road, Meelick, Co. Clare.

Take note that Jim Marshal is applying to Clare County County for Planning Permission to retain first floor conversion of extension granted under P08-1220, retention of single storey sunroom and 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 Clare County Council Shannon Free Zone, Shannon We, Shannon Commercial Properties, intend to apply for permission for development at Shannon Free Zone West, Shannon, Co. Clare. The development consists of the demolition of an existing carparking area and the relocation of an existing ESB substation to facilitatethe construction of a four-storey office building with a gross floor area of 5636m². Other works include the provision of 317no. carparking spaces including accessible spaces, EV charging areas and set-down areas, a relocated vehicular access to the site, an additional vehicular access

PLANNING 37

point to ancillary parking on the opposite side of the road with a pedestrian crossing connecting both. Secure bicycle parking spaces, refuse store and plant and services building, incorporating the relocated substation. Signage and wayfinding, services plant and photovoltaic units to roof level with all ancillary landscaping and associated site works & services.

The planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement. The Planning Application and Natura Impact Statement 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 a fee of €20.00, within the 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.

38 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

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WORD SEARCH

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1

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, OCT 22 2020

The Clare Echo Quiz

By Sarah Clarke



To whom is there a holy well dedicated to in Liscannor?

St. Joseph St. John St. Bridget



How many people live in Liscannor

according to the last census?

422 225 374



What is one thing Liscannor is

famous for?

Roads Flagstone Horticulture





What is the name of the pub in

Liscannor that has a famous song

written about it ?

Joseph McHugh’s O’Briens Vaughans



What is the name of the woman who started The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane?

Ann Vaughan Rachel Clancy Amy Considine



Who wrote the song Liscannor Bay?

Christy Moore

Mick Flynn

Andy Irvine



What is the name of the man who 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

6 374 7 200m 8 Ann Vaughan 9 John Holland 10 1895

ANSWERS

1 St Bridget 2 Flagstone 3 Joseph McHugh's 4 Mick Flynn 5 Member of Parliament

O’Brien’s Tower was named after

Cornelius O’Brien, what was his

profession ?

Farmer

Member of Parliament Builder

How far does The Shore Wall Art

Project in Clahane stretch?

100m 150m

200m

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

QUESTION 5 : O’Brien’s Tower was named after Cornelius O’Brien, what was his profession ?

Last weeks Answers . ‘F’ missing from Fáilte on sign . Green circle missing from picture . Top of wall stone missing . Green circle missing from award

. Lady (in foreground) jacket missing logo . Wall stone (on far right) missing pattern . Ladies jacket missing logo (on right)

Students from Scoil Chríost Rí in Ennis get to grips with their kayak while taking part in Kayak Le Chéile, which aims to make the River Fergus as accessible as possible for local children engaging in river sports Photo by Gary Collins