The Clare Echo 29/10/20

reload

self service laundry

• A comfortable and relaxing space to do laundry • Small & large washers to suit all your needs • Dryers with multiple heat settings • User friendly opening hours (8am-10pm) • Convenient parking

NOW OPEN

MILL ROAD, ENNIS (BESIDE LIDDY’S SPAR) OPEN 8AM - 10PM DAILY E @RELOADLAUNDRY Q RELOAD.LAUNDRY 065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

facebook.com/clareecho

twitter.com/ClareEcho

OCT 29 2020

SHANNON GOES TO GROUND

l RYANAIR WARN SHANNON AIRPORT BASE MAY NOT REOPEN l AER LINGUS WON’T RESUME SERVICES UNTIL APRIL l SHANNON GROUP LOSING €1.3M A WEEK SINCE COVID-19 PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

S

HANNON Airport will be left without scheduled services for the next month at least, while two of Ireland’s leading airlines will not operate from the International Airport until 2021 at the earliest.

Representatives for both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have stated they will not reopen their Shannon Airport bases until 2021. Ryanair have even warned there is potential that their bases at Shannon and Cork Airports will never reopen.

Aer Lingus detailed that their plans to recommence the Shannon to Heathrow service in December had been

disrupted due to restrictions. They are aspiring to resume Shannon routes to the US in April.

Viability of many firms in both the air transport sector and the remainder of the aviation industry has been severely threatened due to COVID-19 and subsequent containment measures. Jobs all over the world have been put at stake following the dramatic drop in demand for passenger air transport and freight to a lesser extent.

Seen as a key enabler of economic activity, the aviation industry’s importance to the Mid-West has been stressed with the latest setback prompting Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine to issue a plea for an urgent financial lifeline for Shannon Airport and a support package for the aviation sector in the National Economic Plan to be announced next month.

Full story Page 8

l SPOOKY: Ava Carrigg from Ballyea gets into the spooky festive spirit ahead of Halloween

€20 OFF YOUR CAR INSURANCE WHEN YOU MENTION THE CLARE ECHO

*MUST BE USED BY DECEMBER 31ST 2020, ON NEW QUOTES ONLY

Sullivan Insurances (Limerick) Ltd t/a Sullivan Insurances, Slattery Sullivan Insurances, Carey Corbett Sullivan Insurances is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

065 689 3540

nds ding

md

ags,

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

SHANNON COMPANY HELPS KIDS IN NEED

2-12

SCULLY

13

ENTERTAINMENT

14

GREENER CLARE HALLOWEEN

15 16-17

EDITORIAL

18

SPORT

20-27

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

lSUPPORT: Shannon company, CW Applied Technology have donated one of their room UV sterilisers to the Children’s National Ambulance Service. BUMBLEance is the world’s first ambulance service specifically designed and tailored for children. Pictured are Doug Kavanagh & Christy McCarthy [BUMBLEance] and John O’Connell M.D. CW Applied Technology

Photo by Joe Buckley

% and

MOLONEY FUELS

2029 target for completion of West Clare Greenway PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A

 At Moloney fuels we stock all the leading brands of high quality Smokeless coal including Ecobrite, Cosyglo, Magiglow, Stovecoal, Fireflame Smokeless, Coyle Columbian Coal and doubles.  We supply Kiln-Dried Timber in 1.2 metre crates and 40 litre net bags.  We stock only the highest quality kiln dried timber in ash, oak and birch. All our Kiln Dried timber has a moisture content of less than 20% and comes highly recommended from Fairgreen Stoves.

087 6694438 SHOWGROUNDS RD, ENNIS

OPENING HOURS 9.00 - 18.00 MON - SAT

LACK of progress on a greenway section from Ennis to Lahinch has been criticised by a county councillor with others stressing the need for the public to see the West Clare Greenway is progressing.

Earlier this month, €1.8bn in funding for sustainable transport, cycling and walking greenways was announced by the Government as part of the Budget. €225,000 was recently obtained by Clare County Council under the Department of Transport’s Carbon Tax Fund which will advance the appraisal, concept and feasibility of the West Clare Greenway.

Significant construction costs have been flagged by senior engineer, Seán Lenihan. He expected a €600,000 cost per km of the West Clare route working out at a bill of €51m.

An updated report with details on “likely completion dates for the sections of the previously commenced portion of

the West Clare Greenway from Ennis to Lahinch,” was requested by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF) at a recent meeting of the local authority.

Lenihan advised that factors such as funding, land acquisition and statutory consents impeded the ability to give a timeline for completion.

Working in tandem with local landowners and communities, he expected that the pilot phase of the project would be delivered by 2025 and the entire scheme by 2029. He believed it would result in “a wonderful piece of infrastructure for the county”.

Reasons for the lack of progress on the Ennis to Lahinch scheme were requested by Cllr Flynn, “this hasn’t progressed further since 2006 and 2007”.

Difficulties may arise along the route from Ennis to Kilrush and Kilkee, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) felt. “It would be brilliant to have another amenity to draw people into the county,” she stated. “I would like to see things progressing a small bit so we know the opportunity has not gone away. Everyone wants to be out walking, cycling, staying fit and healthy”.

TOYS ● CHRISTMAS ● CLEANING SUPPLIES ● HOUSEHOLD ● ELECTRICAL ● PET ● PPE

€10.00

2 For €10

€5.99

€16.00

€18.50

2 For €12 Mix & Match

€6.99

2 For €12 Mix & Match

€6.99

Multi-Buy

€29.99

€15.99

Powerbanks from

€6.00

€34.99

€6

€ ADDRESS

OPENING HOURS

UNITS D & E, BALLYMALEY RETAIL PARK, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95 HN77

WWW.HOMESAVERS.IE

MON 9-8

FRI 9-10

TUE 9-9

SAT 9-7

WED 9-9

SUN 10-7

THU 9-10

4 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Carrigoran House residents get 500 letters from students PÁRAIC MCMAHON

N

paraic@clareecho.ie

URSING home residents in Co Clare have been given a lift by some of the youngest members of the county's population.

As part of An Post's Community Focus plan, free postage to nursing and care homes has been in operation for the past week.

When the words "Freepost" are written in capital letters on an envelope in place of a stamp, An Post will deliver any cards or letters posted to or sent by residents completely free of charge.

Carrigoran House in Newmarket-on-Fergus has received over 500 letters in the past week from local primary and secondary schools with hampers and sweets also delivered. St Caimins Community School in Shannon were the first to send in letters to

the residents with multiple schools following in their path.

Activity co-ordinator at Carrigoran, Paula McCarthy said the letters have given all residents a visible lift. "They were talking to each

other about who got a letter from who, the age of the people sending the letters, great conversations sparked up and it put smiles on their faces. It's great, they love it and they are excited to see who it is from, they read it

l UPLIFTING: Students sent cards, letters and sweets

Photo courtesy of Carrigoran House

Healthy Meal Packs are now available in Clare Order online

www.vigour.ie

VALUE PACKS

straight away and they're mad to write back, they feel obliged to write back and would hate to leave them without a reply".

She highlighted the importance of the communication. "Residents can only have window visits with their families, it is better than the last time but there is a connection missing.

“It is very important for them, it lets them forget about COVID for a while and all the talk about it, they're well informed and listen to the news, the letters from the children gets them out of the daily routine of listening to COVID-19 on the news and get to talk about something else and see what is going on in the children's lives and see what is going on in school and what their hobbies are, it is a great distraction for them, to connect with someone else is very important for them".

Personalised letters eject a lot of meaning, the Clarecastle woman explained. She also outlined that it is not just the residents who are benefiting from the gesture. "It is about connecting the young and the old".

'Phenomenal' increase in Clare businesses getting ready to retail online PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

THE amount of Clare businesses preparing to trade online has been described as "phenomenal".

Following an unprecedented seven months for businesses, a surge in the amount of personnel availing of training from the Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to gain an insight in trading online has been noted.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Clare County Council Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Head of Enterprise with Clare LEO, Padraic McEl-

wee confirmed that €1.4m in COVID supports had been issued by the LEO. 397 applicants for the business continuity voucher had been approved totalling at €679,000, this sees businesses avail of expert advice to improve their product.

Demand for the trading online voucher from Clare LEO has been "phenomenally successful," he admitted. 223 applicants have been approved working out at €558,000. "In a normal year we would approve between thirty to thirty two businesses".

Training programmes run by the LEO are booked out until November with 1,815 participants signing up. 302 businesses in the county have been assisted through mentoring supports with a total fund of €105,000 for that.

All about me - €22 Any 3 Fit Food Meals Any 3 Everest Products Thrive with 5 - €35 Any 5 Fit Food Meals Any 5 Everest Products All in One - €65 Any 10 Fit Food Meals Any 5 Everest Porridge Pots Any 5 Everest Snack Products

Unit 16, Tracklands Business Park, V95DD73, Clonroadmore, Ennis, Co Clare

l BROWSE: The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a lot of Clare retailers move their business online

From

From

€899

From

From

€575

€599

€649

iPhone 11

iPhone 12

From

€649

iPhone XS Max

€475

iPhone XS

iPhone 8 + From

€399 From

€279

€179

AirPod 2

iPhone X

iPhone XR

iPhone SE

From

From

€699

AirPod Pro

From

€449

From

From

€375

€375

iPhone 8

From

€275

iPhone 7 + iPhone 7

Massive Range of Samsung Phones in stock from €99

8th Gen iPad

From

€299

Clares Leading Tech Store Large Selection of New Laptops from €299

Gaming Consoles from €229 €449

€239

Ninebot eKickScooter Zing E8 by Segway

€729

€549

€259

Ninebot eKickScooter Zing E10 by Segway

Ninebot E22E KickScooter by Segway

Ninebot E25E KickScooter by Segway

Ninebot E45E KickScooter by Segway

We have a huge range of Speakers, Gaming Headsets, Fitbits,Smart Speakers, Firesticks & much, much more in store!!

Order online @ www.MunsterTechCentre.ie or Call in Store

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Doonbeg locals staying tightlipped as America goes to polls PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

A

MERICAN voters will decide on Tuesday whether West Clare hotelier Donald Trump remains in the White House or if Joe Biden will replace him as US President.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 70 million people had cast their ballots in the presidential election. A tally from the US Elections Project noted that this was over half the total turnout of the 2016 election when the Republican candidate defeated former First Lady Hilary Clinton.

There appears to be a record-breaking pace in the tally which could potentially lead to the highest voter turnout in percentage terms in more than a century.

In 2014, Donald Trump purchased a five star golf resort in Doonbeg which is now named

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland. Since he took over, a €5m redesign of the golf course has been unveiled while planning headaches have been a constant as the Trumps struggled to build coastal protection works at Doughmore.

At the peak of the season, 305 people are employed at the West Clare resort with the investment of

the Trump family deeply appreciated by the people of Doonbeg.

The late parish priest, Fr Joe Haugh famously told this paper that there was a place in heaven for Donald Trump. Mr Trump sent a letter of condolence to the Haugh family in May of this year following Fr Joe’s death.

His Vice President, Mike Pence, remarkably also has links to the

lPOLITICS: Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, Doonbeg

Photo by Arthur Ellis

long village.

Pence’s great-grandmother hails from Doonbeg while his distant cousin Hugh McNally runs Morrissey’s Pub in the village noted for its exploits on the football field and annual drama festival.

Democratic challenger, Joe Biden also has Irish links but none in the Banner County. His great-grandfather, James Finnegan, emigrated from Louth as a child, in 1850. All eight of his great-great-grandparents on his mother’s side were born in Ireland during, the first half of the 19th century. On his father’s side, two great-grandparents were also born in Ireland.

Involved in US politics since the 1970s, the Pennsylvania man was most notably Vice President to Barack Obama and was a Senator from 1973 to 2009. He has regularly quoted the poetry of Seamus Heaney in public addresses. He is marginally ahead of Trump according to the latest polls.

Talk of the US Presidential election is not dominating the conver-

sation in Doonbeg this week. One business owner told The Clare Echo that the political event had been “forgotten” in the village given current Level 5 restrictions on account of COVID-19 and the ensuing stress it has caused for various enterprises.

“We’d prefer not to get involved in the politics but what I will say is the Trump family have made a fantastic investment in Doonbeg and have brought jobs to West Clare which have become very scarce,” one local publican told The Clare Echo.

Locals are very appreciative of the investment and jobs held in the area largely due to the continued support of the Trump family.

They are also reticent to speak on the record when it comes to US politics after receiving ‘hurtful’ backlash online and through letters over the past year for praising the input of the Trump family to the West Clare economy.

FOR MORE SEE PG 18

UL Field Hospital closes down early PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

AN INTERMEDIATE care facility at the University of Limerick has closed earlier than anticipated.

On Friday, UL Hospitals Group confirmed that the field hospital at UL had closed following five months of providing step-down rehabilitative care for nonCOVID-19 patients.

Speaking at a meeting of Clare County Council in September, CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan stated that the facility would remain in operation until November. Discharges of patients from the ICF have been ongoing.

All ULHG staff who were redeployed to the temporary hospital facility in early June will be initially reassigned to University Hospital Limerick to support the phased opening of a new 14-bed block at the region's main acute hospital. Seven of the beds opened on Friday with the remaining beds to be opened over the coming days.

Approximately 188 patients availed of rehabilitation at the ICF from June to October with rostered 24-7 cover provided by a workforce of some 70 UL Hospitals Group personnel.

Yvonne Young, Assistant Director of

Nursing at the ICF, said "the ICF was more than a mere unit. It was something truly special—a hospital without doors, with the patient at the centre of a multidisciplinary team in which everyone had a voice. It was a very open facility in layout, and in spirit, where the ethos at all times was kindness. I've never experienced anything quite like it, and I feel the staff benefited as much as the patients. I'm hopeful that we can learn from this model of care for the benefit of all our hospitals".

Professor Paul Burke, Chief Academic Officer of UL Hospitals Group and Vice Dean of Health Sciences at UL, was executive lead on the ICF project. "The model of joint care in the ICF, provided by the different AHS groups in conjunction with doctors and nurses, is a model that I hope will be retained in UL Hospitals.”

l SHUT: The UL Field Hospital

Photo by Sean Curtin True Media

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.

ENNIS Ensemble Classes:

ENNISTYMON

The Noteables – Working on modern music through vocal and instrumentation LyriX – A vocal group concentrating on modern arrangements.

Junior Trad Group – be part of a trad group working on composition and arrangements.

Creative Hub – Weekly meetings on Saturdays in Shannon and Ennis working on creative music in a group setting.

SHANNON

KILKEE

Kids Ceol

Offered in person or digitally to National Schools. Helping children through creative musical approaches in a fun and educational way.

Teens Ceol

KILLALOE

ONLINE

Recording Studio

The state of the art MGCE studio in Ennis is available for hire to rehearse or record. You can also learn music technology and production, mixing and mastering techniques in studio in a hands on environment with expert Musician Educators.

Working with Secondary schools on a range of aspects such as Wellbeing, Music tech and production, Composition and creativity.

At a time when we need it most, we offer music to the children and young people of Co. Clare helping with Wellbeing, creativity and interaction. Be part of a positive environment where the children and young people are at the fore.

Performance opportunities and music camps throughout the year both online and in person.

CONTACT: info@musicgenerationclare.ie FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR CLASS

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Ryanair and Aer Lingus issue further setback for Shannon PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

TARK warnings for the future of both Shannon and Cork Airport were voiced by leading airline officials on Wednesday.

Neither Aer Lingus or Ryanair will be reopening their bases at Shannon Airport in 2021 at the earliest, unless restrictions are eased, both airlines have stated.

Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson revealed there was a “reasonable chance” that the airline would never reopen its bases at Shannon and Cork Airports and believed that their initial closures could have been minimised.

Wilson criticised the approach of NPHET in responding to the pandemic. He claimed they have made the wrong calls when it came to nursing homes, meat factories, face coverings and international travel.

Aer Lingus told the committee meeting that they were unlikely to change their approach at Shannon Airport before next February. Much of the airline’s fleet is currently being put in storage in Spain.

Donal Moriarity, chief corporate affairs officer with Aer Lingus said they had planned

to recommence Shannon to Heathrow in December but that will now not go ahead.

He said it is now hoped that route along with Shannon-Boston, and Shannon-JFK will resume in April but acknowledged that was dependent on a significant easing of restrictions.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) noted that the inability for either airline to express long-term commitments for Shannon was a serious blow. “We

were under the understanding that there was a glimmer of hope that we would see these iconic planes back up in the sky over Shannon but now, we know that will not be the case”.

“Those who depend on that vital link to Heathrow, one of the great airports of the continent, will be devastated. It’s a huge blow to Ryanair and Aer Lingus workers, to Shannon workers and to all of us here in the Shannon region and across the Midwest,” the

lCLOSED FOR BUSINESS: Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson

New Clare Gift Card launched CIAN O’BROIN

I

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

N A bid to support and drive the local economy, Ennis Chamber have launched the shop local, 'Clare Gift Card'.

Outlining that every €10 spent locally is worth €24 to the local economy, Ennis Chamber have stressed the message has never been as important. The Clare Gift Card can only be used in Co Clare.

Details on operation of the gift card has been outsourced to One4All. As of Friday evening, over 50

lLOCAL: Businesses in Ennistymon have signed up to the initiative

businesses across the county have signed up to accept the Clare Gift Card with much more tipped to follow suit following the launch on Friday.

Members of the Clare public can purchase the gift card via the Ennis Chamber website or at post offices in Kilrush, Ennistymon, Clonroadmore (Ennis), Bank Place (Ennis) and Lower Market St (Ennis).

Employers can reward employees with up to €500 in Clare Gift Cards completely tax-free under the Small Benefits Exemptions Scheme.

The reward will be exempt from Income Tax, Universal Social Charge (USC) and employee and employers PRSI, saving employers and employees money.

CEO of Ennis Chamber, Margaret O'Brien stated, "2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult year for many local businesses, especially those who have suffered long periods where they have not been allowed trade due to COVID-19 restrictions. The idea behind this Shop Local Clare Gift Card is simple. It provides an opportunity for local people and employers to back local businesses, which in turn boosts the local economy and helps sustain local jobs".

If you are a retailer or local businesses looking to sign up to Clare Gift Card, contact Marjorie McCann, Retail Business Development Manager at E: mmccann@one4all.ie Mobile: 086 815 2338 or Patrick Hogan, Retail Development Manager at E: phogan@one4all.ie Mobile: 086 0122212

Meelick native added.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine described Ryanair’s decision to temporarily halt all flights from Shannon and Cork as “extremely disappointing”. She called for an urgent financial lifeline for Shannon Airport and a support package for the aviation sector in the National Economic Plan to be announced next month.

It means Shannon Airport will be without scheduled services for a month. “As an Island nation, aviation is a crucial part of our economy and therefore our economic recovery.

“The industry is in a crisis not witnessed in our lifetime. If it is to revive and recover, the aviation sector needs a financial lifeline to resuscitate it. The National Economic Plan is due to be published next month and we would hope that it will provide the vital financial support for this ailing sector.

“In the absence of a vaccine, the new European Traffic Light system, presents a glimmer of hope, supported by common approach to testing. Once testing protocols are agreed we will be ready to roll out testing at the airport and believe it will be an important element in restoring public confidence to travel again,” Mary added.

She confirmed that Shannon Airport will remain open to service cargo, general aviation, transit business and to facilitate hangar movements.

BALLYCAR NS OPENS BRAND NEW ASD UNIT

lNEW LEAF: Pupils and staff of Ballycar National School plant a Cherry Blossom tree in the grounds of the school to mark the official opening of the Cherry Blossom ASD Class in the school. Ballycar NS is a co-ed school situated about 3km from Newmarket-on-Fergus

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Stolen car found after two decades PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

A

VEHICLE stolen 22 years ago has been recovered from the water in Broadford.

An Garda Síochána have confirmed that their water unit was in Broadford recently where they recovered and brought to the surface a vehicle that was stolen in 1998.

Gardaí in Killaloe had spoken with a local fisherman who picked up an image on sonar equipment which put the wheels in motion for

the investigation.

Members of the Water Unit were brought to the location by the fisherman. Further enquiries are to be made following the recovery of the vehicle.

lCOLD CASE: (below) The

vehicle was found in Broadford

'Anti-social behaviour can no longer be tolerated' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

A SIZEABLE increase in the amount of complaints relating to tenants of Council owned property has been observed thus far in 2020.

Up to September, 220 complaints had been lodged with Clare County Council regarding tenants of local authority housing. A total of 139 complaints were issued for all of 2019 which has prompted the commencement of a review into the estate management function. A housing high level steering group is being led by the Council to "deliver an integrated, multi-agency approach to housing provision, sustainability and to consider the impact on socio economic development of communities in the county," Director of Services, Anne Haugh confirmed.

Additional resources and increased funding for the housing department was sought by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) at a recent meeting of the County Council. He stated that there are 2,513 local authority tenants in the county at present and believed "the Council no longer has suffi-

cient resources to manage the existing tenancies". The Shannon representative felt COVID-19 was not a contributory factor to the rise in complaints.

An exasperation of the problems has developed in the past 30 months, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) maintained. "Some people who knew they couldn't be evicted have really terrorised their neighbours," he commented.Residents are "afraid" of being seen with public representatives due to "repercussions", Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) outlined.

"It is not good for the mental health of children where residents are afraid to let them play in green areas," she said. Similar views were expressed by Cllr Mark Nestor (FF), "Some people that make the complaints are fearful of what may happen to them. It is very important that the message is sent out that if you are in receipt of local authority housing, anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated".

Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling said they are considering establishing a dedicated unit for the topic.

"When it gets to the stage of calling the Gardaí it is often too late, we need to manage sensitivities and have an ongoing relationship with the residents so that we just don't call out when there is a complaint. “

Washed up dolphin is not Dingle’s Fungie IT HAS been confirmed that a dolphin washed up on Doughmore Beach this week is not Dingle’s beloved friend, writes Elaine Tubridy.

A local was walking on the strand at Trump International Hotel and Golf resort when he made the unfortunate discovery.

Naturally, his first thought was that it could be Fungie, the bottlenose dolphin who has been missing from the Kerry coast for the last couple of weeks.

He reported the find to two Gardaí who were patrolling the beach.

CEO of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Dr Simon Berrow confirmed to The Clare Echo that the washed up dolphin was in fact a Common dolphin and therefore could not be Fungie.

He commented that it was difficult to

know what killed the adult male Common dolphin.

Two more Common dolphins washed up at Carrowmore, Doonbeg and Lahinch over the weekend.

Dr Berrow noted that Common dolphins are the most frequently stranded dolphins and that 2020 is a record year for strandings.

2019 previously held the record for strandings.

Fungie first ap-

peared in Dingle harbour in the autumn of 1983 and decided to make the west Kerry town his home.

In 2019, he was named the oldest solitary dolphin in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The search for Fungie has been stood down, but there is no doubt the people of Dingle will be keeping an eye on the horizon, hoping he will come home.

lSAD: A dolphin washed up on Doughmore beach

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Current system for Draft plan identifies Marts 'is madness' future stops on Ennis to Limerick rail line PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LARE politicians are seeking an amendment to Level 5 restrictions to enable Marts to remain open.

Under Level 5 restrictions, which were implemented, buyers have not been permitted access to sale rings at livestock marts. The online bidding system that has been put in use by livestock marts crashed on Saturday, causing disruption for farmers who are trying to sell their livestock. Other farmers have cautioned that it will lead to a reduction in the price of cattle.

On Saturday morning, Sixmilebridge Mart was unable to operate online for a period "due to inadequate internet infrastructure," Deputy Michael McNamara stated. He believed the decision to close marts and move cattle sales online was "counterproductive and ill-considered".

Speaking in the Dáil last week, the Clare TD warned that the decision will lead to more

contacts occurring with farmers wanting to inspect animals in person before making a purchase.

"The whole move to online is not the panacea it has been presented as, even clothes shops like Patrick Bourke Menswear in Ennis are distraught at what is happening because once you go online you are driving business out of the country".

Cllr Alan O'Callaghan (FF) visited Sixmilebridge Mart on Saturday and has called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConlague (FF) to reverse the decision implemented by the Government. "I think it is shocking, some people are here to buy cows they would be in and gone, other people would be in to buy heifers and would be in and gone, it would be well controlled. I think it is madness and awful to see a facility like this closed at the minute".

He flagged that at this time of years sales from the Marts represent "the only income" for several farmers. "The farmers cannot survive buying something that is live, that moves around and eats grass trying to buy it online without physically seeing the animal.

It is disappointing," the Kilmurry representative added.

THREE additional stops have been proposed for the Ennis to Limerick railway line in a plan that also highlights a potential rail link for Shannon Airport, writes Páraic McMahon.

Iarnród Éireann in a response to the National Transport Authority's draft transport strategy for the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan area have submitted the three proposals.

As part of this reponse, Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade has include potential stops at the Parkway servicing UL, Moyross for residents in the area and LIT students and one stop in Clare at Cratloe that is being viewed as a potential park and ride location.

A potential rail link to Shannon Airport is also included in the plan. Cllr John Crowe (FG) is not optimistic that this will materialise, "There are two sterilised rail links to Shannon, they are there for a good number of years.

I don't think it will happen in our lifetime, 92% of the flights in Ireland are coming into Dublin and they haven't a rail link so what hope have we".

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Pat O'Gorman (FF) criticised the lack of engagement between the NTA and councillors on the plan.

He said the planned rail link was hin-

dering individuals from getting planning permission in Cratloe, Bunratty and Sixmilebridge.

Should the Shannon Airport rail link come to fruition, Bunratty must be included on the route "to accommodate tourists" Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) flagged.

Director of Service with Clare County Council, Liam Conneally confirmed that the rail link can be changed as part of the County Development Review.

He recalled that it was the subject of "a very detailed and costly study" by the MidWest Authority in 2007.

"If we are to change it in favour of another route it would require an equally comprehensive study to show it is workable and suitable".

lRIGHT TRACK: Irish Rail may add new stops to Clare routes

ENNIS MAN APPOINTED CONSUL

lGET MOO-VING: The online bidding system that has been put in use by livestock marts crashed on Saturday

lCONGRATS: Ennis native Liam Moloney has been appointed Honorary Consul for the Republic of Slovenia. A past pupil of St Flannan’s College, Liam has been running his legal practice in Naas for the past 21 years. He still gets down regularly to his home county to visit family and friends. He is also a big Clare Hurling and Football supporter.

“I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Honorary Consul for Slovenia. I look forward to further developing greater co-operation between Slovenia and Ireland in the areas of Trade, Tourism and Investment,” said Liam

LOCAL NEWS 11

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

‘Ridiculous’ amount of road repairs needed PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

THE amount of repairs required on the R483 from Kilrush to Cooraclare have been labelled "ridiculous" by one county councillor, writes Páraic McMahon.

Detail on the schedule of repairs completed by Clare County Council by date carried out along the water main on the R483 from Kilrush to Cooraclare were queried by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) at a recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Further information sought included the total metres of water main and road network repaired, the total cost charged to Irish Water associated with the repair of the main

and roads infrastructural repair. An update from Irish Water on the allocation of funds to replace "the perished asbestos main" also formed part of Lynch's motion. Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) seconded the proposal.

In a written response, senior engineer Cyril Feeney detailed that the matter was forwarded to Irish Water with no update provided at the time of the meeting.

"It was deliberately worded so that Clare County Council would reply, we should have the answer to this one," Cllr Lynch replied.

He outlined that flooding on surrounding land occurs when the water main leaks. "We have a serious issue with how Irish Water is funded. People are concerned, there is a lot of breaks in the line, people are taking to social media and talking to the papers".

He felt the amount of repairs needed on the road were "ridiculous".

l CHAPEL GATES: The Kilrush to Cooraclare road is causing concern among locals

Storm water blockages to be removed in Clonlara

More traffic calming on Bóthar na Rinne unlikely

DRAINAGE blockages deemed to be fuelling flooding problems in Coolistiege, Clonlara are to be examined by Clare County Council staff, writes Páraic McMahon.

It follows a recent motion by Cllr Michael Begley (IND) to a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. He asked that blocked storm water drainage on the Castle Road and its junction with the L-3064 at Coolisteige be dealt with "to prevent flooding of the junction and private property".

Senior executive engineer, Aidan O'Rourke in response said the matter would be examined "to determine the issue here and blockages identified will be removed as soon as possible".

Cllr Begley expressed his hope that works would be completed "sooner rather than later" with the motion seconded by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF).

ADDITIONAL traffic calming measures are unlikely to be implemented on Bóthar na Rinne in Shannon, writes Páraic McMahon.

Speed controls were installed on the road approaching both Tradaree and Cluain Airne from St Patrick's Comprehensive School in recent years but further measures have been sought in months gone by from residents.

An appeal for speed reductions was lodged by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.

"This is the only road leading into and out of both areas and residents feel that cars are driving too fast with children playing in that area," she stated.

Examination of the route was completed before and after installation of the measures, senior executive engineer Aidan O'Rourke responded. These assessments found the alterations "to have been successful in controlling speed" but acknowledged the area highlighted by the Shannon councillor was further along the road.

O'Rourke outlined that a speed survey would be carried out to determine if issues persisted.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr McGettigan commented, "I know there is already speed reductions in one side, it would be nice to see it on the other side".

"I remember when it was put in that there was an outcry from the people," Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) recalled in seconding the motion. "The end product wasn't what was envisaged originally," he flagged.

Boola road a candidate for future improvement FURTHER road improvement works are likely on public roads in Meelick as part of the local improvement scheme (LIS), staff in the Shannon Municipal District office of Clare County Council have said, writes Páraic McMahon.

Surface repairs and drainage to the midsection of the public road at Boola in Meelick were sought by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) at a recent meeting of the Shannon MD. His proposal was seconded by Cllr John Crowe (FG).

A seal will be carried out at the location in 2020, senior engineer Aidan O'Rourke confirmed. The lower section of the road underwent drainage and road improvement works in 2018.

O'Rourke highlighted, "The road is a candidate for future drainage and surface improvements subject to quantum of grant funding in future years and it would be hoped to continue the works further along this road".

VMS signs to be installed in Carrigaholt DRIVER feedback signs are planned to be installed in Carrigaholt by the end of this year, writes Páraic McMahon.

An update on the provision of driver feedback signs in the village of Carrigaholt was brought before the last meeting of the West Clare Municipal District by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG).

Senior executive engineer, Alan Kennelly confirmed that the local authority was hopeful of erecting the signs in the near future.

"While speeding is one of the leading causes of death on our roads and driver feedback signs are a very successful traffic calming initiative, driver feedback signs are not a mandatory requirement".

Kennelly flagged that the installation of such signs are expensive and those already in place tended to be as a result of coun-

cillors setting aside some of their General Municipal Allocation (GMA). He confirmed that Cllr Keating had agreed to put some of his GMA towards the Carrigaholt signs subsequently allowing them to be ready by this year.

"Carrigaholt is now attracting a high volume of tourists and the driver feedback signs are urgently required," Cllr Keating stated.

"Farming is a major way of life in the peninsula, a big number of agricultural contractors are passing the village," he flagged. Of his GMA contribution, Keating remarked, "Money is never the problem when it comes to safety". Support for the motion was issued by Cllr Shane Talty (FF).

l MOTOR SAFETY: Carrigahot village

Sewerage causing smell in Meelick A CLARE councillor has admitted he had to "run out" of Meelick due to the smell from a water treatment plant, writes Páraic McMahon.

Irish Water have been requested to detail the current state of wastewater treatment infrastructure in Meelick. 'Particular problems' prevail at the facilities at Ballycannon Heights and Elton Court, Cllr Pat O'Gorman (FF) flagged. He believed there was scope to "bring all the wastewater from Meelick and connect to the Limerick main drainage at Knockalisheen".

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr O'Gorman noted that sewerage problems at Meelick had been "ongoing for years". He added, "I went down to visit it one evening and had to run out of it. The smell coming out of the treatment plant going around the houses would knock you".

He claimed that Meelick was "like a forgotten village". O'Gorman stated, "There is a playing field right up against it in Ballycannon Heights. It is like third world stuff what we are dealing with. It is something that has to be dealt with".

Cllr Michael Begley (IND) spoke in favour of the motion.

"The development of the Knockalisheen to Roche's Cross does include upgrade of rising main which will only come to the docking point for the LNDR which will leave it 400m short to pick up problems in Meelick," he cautioned.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

25 jobs created as Shannon chosen for exida’s European centre of excellence Pà RAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

hannon has been selected as the location for the establishment of a European Centre of Excellence by exida which will create 25 jobs in the process.

Certification, lifecycle engineering, and lifecycle-based knowledge product firm exida specialises in safety-critical/high availability automation systems, control system cybersecurity, and alarm management.

In what is the first virtually managed investment for a regional location during COVID-19, ex-

ida has announced 25 new jobs for Shannon as part of a move to create a European Centre of Excellence. The roles will be created over the next five years.

Initial hiring has already been completed, Iwan van Beurden, Director of exida IRL confirmed.

"Our plans are to bring the total staff count up to 25 in the next three to five years. “This staff will allow us to expand our software development capability and resource EU projects. The process of setting up a new office completely virtually was quite smooth, IDA Ireland was there to help and provided excellent support through many net meetings".

Claiming to have performed more process control safety certifi-

cations than any other company in the world, exida's main offices are located in Pennsylvania and Munich with subsidiary offices in Abu Dhabi, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom CEO of exida, Chris O'Brien outlined, "There were several factors that led to choosing Ireland for this expansion including; proximity to European customers, strong local talent pool to recruit from, support from IDA Ireland, and the country's proven track record for foreign direct investment".

Funding from the Irish Government through IDA Ireland supported the project. TĂĄnaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar (FG)

DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

stated, "This will bring 25 highly skilled jobs to the Mid-West over the next 3-5 years. exida is a world leader in a highly specialist field and it will be a welcome addition to the business ecosystem in the region."

Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland explained, "Due to travel restrictions imposed following the global outbreak of COVID-19, the US-based team at exida experienced Shannon and the Mid West's unique value proposition and pro-business environment, through IDA Ireland's Remote Site Visit hub". exida provides certification, services, assessments, and tools to Automation, Automotive, Robotics, and Machinery equipment manufacturers as well as Pharma-

McGettigan seeks installation of CCTV for ‘anti-social hotspots’ PĂ RAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

l75 CHEERS: Shannon Airport and American Airlines joined to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first scheduled transatlantic commercial passenger flight from the US to an Irish land airport. Pictured are Mary Considine, CEO Shannon Group and Shirley Carroll, Regional Manager oneworld Alliance Hubs, Europe

Photo by Arthur Ellis

ceutical, Chemical, Petro-Chemical, Oil & Gas, Subsea, Metals and Mining, Pulp & Paper, and Power Utilities customers.

Senator Martin Conway commented: “Shannon’s selection as a centre of excellence speaks volumes about the resources, facilities and talent here in Clare. “This investment is testament to the local infrastructure and services, but primarily is a vote of confidence the high quality and highly qualified workers we have here. “Our proximity to European customers, support from IDA Ireland and our country’s proven track record for foreign direct investment also played a strong role in attracting this huge opportunity.�

SHANNON councillors have appealed for the installation of CCTV at "anti-social hotspots" in the town.

Efforts "to promote safe communities and reduce anti-social behaviour" within Shannon town are ongoing, officials within Clare County Council have stated.

The local authority said it will continue to liaise with An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna.

At the most recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) sought increased engagement between the local authority and GardaĂ­ regarding "anti-social hotspots with the view of putting up CCTV in areas in order to quell complaints of anti-social behaviour".

Her motion was seconded by Cllr Gerry Fly-

nn (IND).

Senior executive officer, Jason Murphy in response to McGettigan's motion described the area as "complex".

He suggested approaches such as community development programmes and initiatives to promote awareness and change behaviour as alternatives to CCTV. Since September 2018, he outlined that the Data Protection Commissioner had been carrying out audits of community based CCTV with outputs continually monitored.

McGettigan had previously flagged that the rubbish at housing estates was accumulating due to the lack of outlets for young people.

Â

TAKE AWAY COCKTAILS

Each Cocktail Bottle Serves 4

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Our children

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

E

VENTS have happened recently that give a person pause to wonder about what life is really all about and I am not just talking about the dreaded Coronavirus.

Recently the complete lack of clarity regarding the Mother and Baby Homes legislation has caused considerable anger and upset amongst many people especially the Survivors.

Although some clarity has now been brought forward I was in tears writing this thought and maybe it's because of the current lockdown but I can't stop thinking about all the children who lost their lives in so many Mother and Babies homes in Ireland especially the 796 babies that died in Tuam from 1925 to 1960 and the 1,024 babies that died in Sean Ross Abbey in Co. Tipperary from 1931 to 1960.

And probably many more buried in unmarked graves around our country. May all of those little beautiful children and angels and indeed all babies who were so inhumanely and cruelly denied a life on this earth rest in peace in heaven forever.

Thinking of all their Mother's at this time too. Thinking of children who have died all around our world because of neglect or lack of love and care or because of those in power and authority who ruled with iron fists rather than with gentle, accepting and caring hearts.

It's such a sad world we live in at times and not just in the past.

There is a lot of sadness in our lives this present day when we look at situations such as homelessness, direct provision, war, famine, hate speech, diseases of all sorts, walls, racism, oppression, lack of traveller accommodation, poverty, hunger, thirst, abuse, austerity, eviction, inequality, lack of love, lack of respect, lackluster healthcare systems.

Thinking and praying for all those hearts that are breaking because of the injustice of not knowing who they are because of what happened to them in the past.

As the saying goes, "For evil to exist in this world all it takes is for good people to remain quiet"!

My heart also goes out to all the parents and families of children that have been killed, lost and marooned during various natural disasters because of climate change conditions, and all children in our world who have been brutally murdered in wars and disagreements.

Listening to and watching the various news programmes in

recent times over the last number of years and reading the reports of what is happening to our young children and our youth in our beautiful country and world makes me wonder, "what life is really all about?" Urgent action needs to happen now to address child and youth poverty in our country and world.

There can be no delays or excuses. Our children have only one future and the future must happen for them now or we will have lost many of them before tomorrow even comes.

I feel that if the issue is not addressed immediately, especially as we start our second week of our six week lockdown, child poverty will further continue to blight and destroy children’s lives into the future.

The number of children experiencing poverty, hunger and social exclusion in Ireland and in our world is appalling and it is a damning reflection of poor policy choices and decisions. Child poverty is not inevitable; it is often a result of an agenda that protects and favours the wealthiest to the detriment of the most vulnerable in society and those who have the least to give. It is simply unacceptable that children now represent almost 40% of all people in consistent poverty in our country of Ireland.

Too many children are going to bed hungry and living in households struggling on inadequate incomes or little or no incomes at all. In effect too many children are being denied a childhood.

Is our conscience gone?

I have worked for the NGO sector in many parts of the world for close on three decades now and continue to do so in many parts of Africa.

We struggle to raise our budget each year and even more so this year because of the ill effects of the Coronavirus which has almost totally wiped out our fundraising events and donations so that we might be able to pay our African staff their very small and in some cases modest salaries and run programs that make the world operate a little better, a little kinder.

We struggle because fundraising is not in our DNA. Somehow talking about asking for money, even to help children and people like the children we work with and for seems difficult.

The current economic crisis and enforced austerity is ruining the lives of many and our small businesses, companies, communi-

ty, clubs and charity projects and organizations are put at so much risk.

In fact many small businesses, community projects, clubs and charities have had to close down never to open again. At this time, we need to dig deep and stand up for the future of our greatest treasure – our children - on whose shoulders we have already put our future existence.

Let's take every opportunity to do something special with our loved ones, especially our children because life is short and we must do all we can to protect them and give them real hope for the future, for they are our future. Today, please remember the children in need in our world and in our country of Ireland especially during these strange times of the Coronavirus.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, please look after your greatest treasure which is your children as this is a crucial time during this dreadful Coronavirus time for them and for us and for all our children in Ireland and in our world.

If we believe in the goodness of one another and in the true sense of community and care and genuine love for another then we will do whatever we can to help, care, support and love everyone as much as we humanly can for there are a lot of people and especially children in need in our county, our country and our world!

I pray now for children in our communities who live without either of their parents: children whose parents have died, children removed from their parents as a result of abuse or neglect, children that have been abandoned or have experienced being unloved and uncared for and children who have run away from home.

You care for these little ones God, and not one of them is lost from your sight. Guide, guard and protect these children. Comfort each one who feels unloved, unwanted, uncared for and afraid.

Give wisdom to people especially those in power who make decisions about children’s lives that they will make a difference for good in children’s lives.

Empower those who care for them to be loving, caring, trustworthy and compassionate. Instil in our government leaders a passion and a will to protect the most vulnerable especially our children.

We also pray for parents and children who have been wrongly separated, that you will end their agony and help them to be reunited. We pray this prayer for everyone’s needs but especially for our children and the world’s children that they may be cared for, loved and given the chance and right to life that every child deserves. Amen.

FEATURES 13

WELL DONE, JOHN

l GREAT ACHIEVEMENT: Local man John O'Gorman ran

the 26.2 miles of the virtual Dublin Marathon in and around Kilfenora at the wekend. A respected member of the Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare Athletic Club and running The Marathon in aid of the Clare Crusaders, John was helped along the way in the company of some of his athletic friends and finished in a very respectable time of around 3 hours and 17 minutes. "It was great to see so many locals and some athletic friends at the finish line to congratulate and say well done to John," said Brendan Cusack

Family Resource Centres promote Covid-19 advice STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

S THE country gets to grips with level five restrictions, Family Resource Centres in Clare will continue to play a vital role in promoting important Covid-19 public safety recommendations and advice amongst harder-to-reach communities in the build up to Halloween.

That’s according to the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF), who this week launched a new report outlining the historical, current, and potential future development of the National Family Resource Centre Programme.

Clare Cashman, Chairperson of FRCNF said: “Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the four Family Resource Centres in Clare have played a key role working on the ground supporting communities. As we have seen in recent weeks, the Covid-19 crisis has not gone away, and the work of Family Resource Centres is critical as the country moves to tighter restrictions.

"Coming up to Halloween, people in Clare will be tempted to socialise, to let their children have a “normal” Halloween celebration or let their guard fall which may inadvertently result in the spread of Covid-19.

"A key focus for FRCs over the next few weeks will be to help make sure that the public health guidelines and upto-date restrictions are communicated effectively with all members of society.

The FRCNF has launched the ‘Our Story’ report. The Report locates the work of Family Resources Centres within current Government policy and demonstrates how the centres work with individuals, families and communities responding to locally identified needs.

As part of the FRCNF report published last week, the FRCNF launched a new digital toolkit aimed at equipping Family Resource Centres with online resources to support communities to stay safe this Halloween by following Covid-19 guidelines.

The Family Resource Centre programme has been in operation for over 25 years. Further information is available at www.familyresource.ie.

14 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Two nominations for Kilnamona's Ni Ghríofa in Irish Book Awards PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LARE poet and author Doireann Ní Ghríofa's bestselling debut A Ghost In The Throat has secured two nominations in the forthcoming Irish Book Awards.

Doireann's debut prose book finds the eighteenth-century poet Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill haunting the life of a contemporary

young mother, prompting her to turn detective.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Kilnamona writer said she was "astonished and delighted" with the early reception for the book.

It has been nominated in the Odgers Berndtson Ireland Non-Fiction Book of the Year in association with the Business Post category alongside Beyond the Red Tape'a book by state pathologist Marie Cassidy and Here's the Story the memoir of former President of Ireland Mary McAleese.

A Ghost in the Throat is also in

the running for TheJournal.ie Best Irish Published Book of the Year.

"Since A Ghost in the Throat was published in the middle of the pandemic, I didn't really know what to expect, but I've been astonished and delighted by how many readers have contacted me to say that they loved it.

“It was even more of a surprise to hear that it has been nominated for not one, but two Irish Book Awards. I'm very grateful to Tramp Press, and to all the readers who have given this book such a great welcome," Ni Ghríofa stated.

Louise Mac is a Wide Eyed Lady SIXMILEBRIDGE native Louise McMahon is releasing Wide Eyed Lady on October 30th, 2020. The song, originally recorded in 2008, has been remixed and remastered, featuring The Pogue's Terry Woods on banjo, mandolin and veillette, writes Cian O’Broin.

The song highlights the beginning of an unwarranted anxiety disorder that Lou struggles with.

Inspired by youth and naivety, Wide Eyed Lady is a real story from Lou's teenage years where she was saddened to watch a fellow-alumni succumb to the dark forces of addiction due to running with the wrong crowd.

On the reason for remastering and rereleasing, Louise states, "I'm of that age group where, when I was staring out, social media wasn't really a thing. It was all about trying to work

with musicians or celebrities.

You had to make demos as opposed to having a professionally finished product. I remember making demos, trying to get in contact with management companies and record labels to represent you. I was of that era.

“I feel a bit unlucky, had I been born a little bit later, I could have done it the independent way where I wouldn't have to rely on anyone else to say yes or no. I wanted to revisit the track from my original EP. They never got the release they deserved."

As espoused by Bernard Clarke, on The Blue of the Night radio show RTE Lyric fm "the song moves from panic to empathy".

Thematically this piece explores the darkness in an emotional minor key, the concepts are woven together by Lou's penchant

lADDICTION: Louise

McMahon’s new single for the eery in a storytelling style similar to dark Irish myths, tales and folklore.

Wide Eyed Lady video is scheduled for digital release on October 30th, 2020.

The single for Wide Eyed Lady will be on sale Tuesday November 10th but is available now for pre-order on iTunes and Pre-Save on Spotify. For any further information, please email: angielemonpr@gmail.com

Co-Founder of Tramp Press, Lisa Coen expressed her delight at Doireann receiving two nominations. "We knew as soon as we read Doireann's manuscript that we had the chance to publish something very special, and we're delighted to see Doireann's ambition and talent being recognised and celebrated.

It's a shame there is no party this year, so we will be dressing up at home and raising a glass to Doireann instead".

lDELIGHTED: Doireann Ní Ghríofa

Sit down and enjoy a Cuppa Tea CIAN O’BROIN

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

CUPPA Tea Tv are launching Youth in Music 30 on November 1st, which will take the form of an online live music event featuring young artists from Ireland and abroad.

The event, organised by Damian O’ Rourke, has been set up to support youth mental health organisation Jigsaw and to provide a platform for young musicians to express themselves on a bigger stage.

On the beginning of the project, Damian remarks, “Kids would practice at home in their bedrooms. To have a place to come to, where they can play their songs in front of people is great. Obviously, they are too young for pubs. I had them playing at coffee shops in Shannon and Ennis. Some would sing to a backing track; some would play an instrument and some would perform their own songs in front of parents and other kids.

There is a nice little supportive crowd there.”

The transition from weekly in person performances to a virtual platform is one that Damian hopes to mark with essential charity work.

Damian recalls always having an awareness of mental health issues. Their motive is to help young people dealing with mental health issues and Damian admits that now is as tough a time as any, particularly with

the impact of Covid. Damian feels that now is a fitting time to support the organisation.

On Friday, October 30th, Cuppa Tea Tv will premiere a video from Jigsaw talking about where the money generated from the online event will go towards. A donation link will be provided in the description of each live performance.

Damian totals a tally of 15 or 16 acts on the day, bringing an exciting mix of ‘trad, folk, modern music and good craic.’ Parents will be given access to the Cuppa Tea Tv page and will be able to stream from the comfort of their homes. Youth in Music 30 will feature artists from Australia, Dubai, Dublin and several from both Clare and Limerick. A schedule will be released online on Thursday October 29th, Damian informs.

On the importance of supporting youth, music and a vital mental health service, Damian concludes, “It’s important to support young people. When I was a young fella, I didn’t talk about my emotions at all. I didn’t feel comfortable doing it.

“This organisation is there so that for young people that do feel like talking, it’s good to have that support there. These guys are able to tease out what’s going on in their head and make them feel better about expressing themselves. The more young people do that, they are going into their life with a nice platform to deal with things and they have the tools to deal with it. It never stops, we are always going to be hit with something.”

FEATURES 15

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

GREEN CLARE

12 O’Clock Hills investment a success CIAN O’BROIN

P

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ATSY Neville and the 12 O’ Clock Hills Committee have industriously engineered a number of environmentally friendly tourist attractions within the Kilkishen

area.

Committee founder, Patsy Neville, talks to The Clare Echo about the humble beginnings of the committee, its growing success throughout the years, the benefit of several sources of funding as well as some of the more pressing environmental and anti-social issues faced by the committee today.

The committee consists of a dozen members from Kilkishen, Kilmurry and Sixmilebridge. The group originally formed in 2014, following the opening of two trails to the public: one 5km heritage trail and a second 8km trail on the upper hills. Since then, through arduous efforts and effective funding, the 12 O’ Clock Hills has become an immensely popular tourist destination, particularly during Covid-19. “When we started off first, we didn’t really have a scrap. It started off with church gate collections. What we do regularly now is we organise hill walking events. The biggest one would be the 30k we organised from Killaloe onto Broadford and then the 12 O’ Clock Hills. One of our regular walker’s family sponsored the sundial compass. Going back into olden times, there were no clocks and when the sun came between the 12 O’ Clock Hills at a point in day around noon time, they could set their sundial using that mark,�

Patsy tells.

Some of the other undertakings carried out by the committee were the installation of boardwalks on the muddy sections of the trails in order to reduce surface erosion.

Funding here was provided by CLDC. Further along, in conjunction with the Heritage Council, funding was secured for restoring stonework on Crag Bridge. A fairy trail was developed 2km from a car park, allowing for families and children to walk to the facilities. Funding here was provided by St. Francis Credit Union in Ennis. A 13k trail was developed on an additional hill to accommodate long distance walkers and Patsy admits that this trail has had an excellent uptake from the local and wider communities.

Patsy states, “At the moment now, we are after qualifying for a second Heritage grant from the Heritage Council. We are going to restore a place we call Mary-Anne’s Old Stone House. We always ask our walkers did they pop down to Mary-Anne’s for a cup of tea. Mary-Anne is long since gone out of there. She was there up until 1955 or so. It was in about 2011 when a tree fell on top of the house. We are in the process of restoring it and bringing it back to what it looked

like back then. We have a contractor, and we have an architect. We have a stonemason too who is currently on that job and hopefully that will be finished by the end of November in order to qualify for Covid-19 funding.�

Patsy points to a number of salient issues that have come to the committee’s attention at the 12 O’ Clock Hills. The first, is the use of scramblers along the trails which is having a negative impact on the trails. “After all our hard work, these bikers come along, and they root up the track and it’s not very nice. We would hope that these scramblers would find different places to go rather than the 12 O’ Clock Hills,� Patsy concedes. The second issue felt by the committee is that of dogs being led along the trail off their leads.

Patsy alludes to the serious nature of this carelessness, which resulted in the death of three sheep on landowner’s farms adjacent to one of the walkways. “The message going out here, is that anyone bringing dogs to the facility would be in control of their dog at all times by having them on a lead,� Patsy states. The final issue is that of environmental waste. Dumping on the hills has been evidenced by the committee.

On a final note, Patsy offers some advice on visiting the 12 O’ Clock Hills throughout the lockdown, “We would like to ask people visiting to adhere to social distancing. Be

aware that we are getting increased numbers now. It can be a bit testing. The best time to come is Monday to Friday. Saturdays and Sundays as well as Bank Holidays can be crazy busy.�

Anyone interested in helping out with the 12 O’ Clock Hills Committee can contact Patsy through their Facebook Page. New members from the community and further afield are warmly welcomed, Patsy tells.

lFAIRY LETTERS: The Guardian of the Forest wishes to thank the children for their beautiful Wish Letters which were of a very high standard. The message from him is that your wishes and hopes will will come to pass and do have a lovely Halloween

16 HALLOWEEN

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WE ASKED you to send us some of your scariest Halloween snaps and you did not disappoint.

The Clare Echo editor Stuart Holly was found hiding under his desk and claimed he was too scared to open any more emails! Kudos to the kids of Clare for coming up with some seriously spooky costumes.

Halloween is a little different this year with

trick or treating off the list of activities, but that doesn’t mean all fun is completely banned.

Gather the family together and carve a pumkin, play a game of snap apple or watch a scary movie. Most importantly, remember to follow the government’s Covid-19 guidelines. We will be back celebrating Halloween the old fashioned way before we know it.

lSCARY: Josh and Kyle Hehir from Inagh get into the spooky spirit

lBOO: Sarah Mockler (8) dressed up as an evil fairy and Caoimhe Mockler (9) dressed as a zombie for Halloween

lZOMBIES: Cian and Ava Carrigg from Ballyea are scare ready

lMONSTER: Jennifer Quirke sent in this photo of her son Josh (8) in a scary skeleton costume

HALLOWEEN 17

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

lSPOOKY: Tadhg Hassett (11), Dáithí Ryan, Croídhia Hassett (10) , Séadna Ryan (9), Fiadh Hassett (5) and Grace Ryan (5)

lTOO CUTE: Mikayla Cauley from Ennis all dressed up for her first Halloween

lGHOUL: Faye Tuohy (7) dressed up as a dead nurse

lHAUNTED: Alison Casey (7) and her brother Luke Casey (3) from Ennis

18 COLUMNISTS

Opinion

Irish Americans will be key decider EOIN NEYLON Politics

W

E FIND ourselves in the final stretch going into the US Presidential election after what seems like a decade of campaigning. In truth, the drawn out, convoluted electoral system in the US means that, by now, there is little campaigning left to do for either candidate.There are very few undecided voters left who will make their way to the polls on election day. In fact, early voting this year has seen an unprecedented response with some counties in US states reporting more people early voting in this election than had voted in total four years ago. But as Americans decide between incumbent Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden, there are a few things we already know. Firstly, the gap between the candidates is narrowing, much like it did between Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016. This has given a boon to Trump supporters but there is a key difference this time.

In 2016, the gap between the candidates was narrowing, however, according to all polls, there were still far more undecided voters this time four years ago. This means that, while the numbers are narrowing, there simply are not enough people left to decide to back Trump in order to swing the vote in his favour. This is all assuming though that the polls are right.

The perception went out that the polls got it wrong last time, but this is not true. The poll tracker had the candidates almost neck and neck heading into polling day with Clinton still marginally ahead. On election day, she did win the popular vote, thereby demonstrating that the polls were indeed accurate. However, given the Electoral College system in use in the US, Trump carried enough states to win the Oval Office. The Doonbeg Hotel owner though knows that this time is different. He is no longer the outsider that might shake things up. He has proven himself more adept at filling ‘the swamp’ that he had promised to drain in his first term. The railroading through of the appointment to the Supreme Court of Amy Coney Barrett this past week underlines that fact. Appointing a lifetime judge just days ahead of the election, to appease evangelical voters, smacks of the cronyism he heartily decries himself.

Furthermore, Biden is a very different candidate to Clinton. He has a wider appeal, arguably and as a vice president, he is seen as proven

in the art of diplomacy and leadership. Clinton, as a secretary of state had some claims to those marks of experience too, but US voters appeared not to give her the credit for her time in that office, most notably for the Benghazi incident. There’s no apparent scandal with Biden either, unlike Clinton and the private email server last time around. The issues that could potentially have tripped up Biden, namely his age and cognitive capacity, he shares with his opponent. Therefore, the Republicans are failing to land any knockout blows on the Democratic nominee by pursuing a strategy of highlighting any of Biden’s gaffs. Trump simply has too many himself.

It seems that this US election will once more see the Irish American vote as a key decider, much like it had been in much of the late 20th century. Large sections of that voting block migrated from Democrat to Republican last time out, mainly motivated by the economy. The largely middle-class group will be asking themselves if they are better off now than four years ago under Trump’s premiership. A campaign, Irish for Biden, launched last week in Carlingford, Co Louth, keen to highlight the Democrat’s proud Irish roots from that town.

Biden has often spoken of his love for these shores. On one trip to Ireland, upon entering a Irish pub that was in full flow, Biden overheard a Secret Service agent enquire from another, “Where the hell are we?”.

Overhearing the question, Biden turned to the agent and simply retorted, “We’re in Paradise man!”.

In fact, his Secret Service codename is Celtic. On the other hand, outside of talking up his Co Clare hotel, Trump’s main point of reference to Ireland during his time in the White House was to label us a tax haven and to note how he wanted US multinationals to relocated from Ireland back to the USA. With pollsters confident that Biden is in a commanding position going down the homestretch, the only worry for the Democrats remains; are there any silent Trump supporters left out there. An odd thing to worry about such a boorish loudmouth President.

Suffice to say, I have got my mind made up who I want to win. It is in Ireland’s best interest if one of our proud descendants receives the bowl of shamrock from Taoiseach Michéal Martin next St Patrick’s Day. Let Mr Trump get back to promoting tourism in West Clare!

THURSDAY, OCT 29 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

Sport Clare Echo THE

29-10-20

pg20

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

Hehir hopes to bring English Derby home to Inagh TRAP six awaits Coolavanny Chick in the Star Sports Bookmakers & ARC English Greyhound Derby this Saturday - getting there stands out as “the pinnacle” for trainer Noel Hehir, writes Páraic McMahon.

Regarded in the highest esteem by leading Irish handlers, Inagh’s Noel Hehir has bred the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Toms Delight Chick to be considered a ‘superstar bitch’.

For the past six weeks, Noel has been based at Nottingham with travel restrictions ensuring he has had to stay there for as long as Coolavanny Chick has re-

mained in the competition.

He has been staying at the Alford kennels of the Geelo racing team which is headed by owner Nic Brereton and trainer Carl Perry.

“It is great to be there, the week is going well so far and she is ready to go,” Hehir said of how the last few days of preparation have went.

“As anyone would say it means the world but it actually does mean the world.

To get to an English Derby Final an awful lot has to go right, you have to have the dog and an awful lot has to go right in the preparation.

Week in week out you have niggles here and there but

GreyhounD friends of limerick

stadium

IRISH ST. LEGER

Starts this Saturday 31st October RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

tune in every Monday from 7pm

talking leger With ian fortune, tommy lyons and special guests

grireland.ie/talkingdogs

Barking Buzz customers can watch the action live on www.BarkingBuzz.ie or download the iOS or Android app on grireland.ie/apps CHECK TALKING DOGS OR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MORE LEGER UPDATES

www.limerickgreyhoundstadium.ie

you have to treat them and get them all right and back for the next day. I’m absolutely thrilled to be there,” Noel told The Clare Echo.

Reaching his first Derby final is regarded as “the pinnacle” by Hehir who tasted success in the Irish Derby previously alongside Pat Curtin.

He is content with the form of Coolavanny Chick. “She is coming to the boil. We had a few little niggles with her after Saturday night but I had the physio working with her on Monday, we’re working on her all week and

by Saturday I expect her to be ready”.

Physio is a weekly routine for the dog. “You would have to be massaging and getting into all the trigger points and making sure everything is in working or-

der, that is normal enough”.

Noel is pleased that Coolavanny Chick has been drawn in trap six for the Derby Final. “I’m happy with that, the draw has been good. She’s in trap six for the fifth week in a row. She is a natural wide seed so she would automatically get trap six being the only wide seed left in the competition”.

With a history stretching back to 1927, the English Greyhound Derby Final is deemed the most prestigious race in the British greyhound racing calendar.

The Clare support will not be in Nottingham in body this weekend but most definitely in spirit.

Hehir outlined, “The one man that is really missing out is Michael O’Leary, he would have had a plane load coming for it. That is the

way it is and nothing can be done about. We’re lucky to have any Derby the way the situation is”.

Two individuals in particular will weigh on Noel’s mind in the moments leading up to the race. “A great friend of mine and a man I would never have known anything about a greyhound for but Michael McGuane, a neighbour of mine at home.

The travelling would be too much for him at this stage, I know he is wishing us the best of luck. My little boy Oisin always comes to Shelbourne Park with me on Saturday night, he can’t figure out why he can’t be here with me, but for the COVID he would be here but he is the lucky charm at home and we’ll be home to him soon hopefully with the Cup”.

Another milestone for Ennis/Clarecastle club WHEN Noel Hehir places Coolavanny Chick (pictured) in trap six on Saturday night for the English Greyhound Derby Final, it will mark another milestone in the history of Ennis/ Clarecastle Coursing Club.

Considered as one of the hardest working members of the club, Noel’s name does not roll off the tongue in English greyhound racing circles but it holds high esteem across the water.

Secretary of the club, Johnnie Moroney recalled that Coolavanny Chick started her career by winning the members stake at their annual meeting in 2019. Newhall Missile owned by Chairman of the Club, Noel Coote and the late Colin Barry went on to win the Consolation Irish Derby in 2018, he too was a winner of the clubs members stake.

John Browne who trained Newhall Missle is another member of the club, he hails from Cree while his dad the late Michael Browne won the Track Irish Oaks with Burnpark Sally in 1984.

Lifelong members of the club, the Quinn family from Lower Market St in Ennis tasted success in 1950 with Cahercalla Rebellion winning the Irish Oaks in coursing. The Gallerys of Rockmount in Ennis are another family with a long association with the Club, they were Champion Stakes Winners in Clonmel with Kilone Oak in 1987 and Cillowen Glory in 1995.

Two time All-Ireland winning captain, Anthony Daly is also a member of the club. Success came his way in 2002 with Murtys Gang winning the Irish Coursing Derby for ATM Syndicate which included Anthony, Tom Howard and

Michael Daly.

The following year the Club made it a one/two in The Irish Coursing Derby with Danaghers Best winning for Eric Moloney. Veteran member and President Gerry Moloney bred Sidaz Jack and was owned by Denis Torpey, the winner of the 2012 English Derby.

Coolavanny Chick will be well supported by many in Clare to be in the winners enclosure on Saturday.

Noel Hehir is a handler with a hugely successful record, his greatest success came in 2008 with co-owners Pat Curtin & Margaret Montgomerie winning the Irish Track Greyhound Derby with Shelbourne Aston.

pg 21

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Clare fail at possession game Puckout strategy top of agenda for Lohan & co

l WELL BEATEN: Shane O’Donnell in Clare’s full forward line was living off scraps and this will need to be rectified

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Darach Honan’s

I

T’S the hope that kills you.

Going into yesterday’s game, most in Clare felt that we had little to no chance of beating Limerick.

As defending league and Munster champions they are rightly fancied as the top team in the country. Clare, having suffered the loss of marquee forwards Peter Duggan and John Conlon as well as Colm Galvin, came with lower expectations. Without these players we worried about where our scores would come from.

But Clare came out in the first half and gave a defiant display, inspired by a virtuoso performance from Tony Kelly. Tony was named at midfield but was moved into corner forward from

CHAMPIONSHIP ANALYSIS the start. Limerick were forced to play an unfamiliar full backline and Brian Lohan identified this as an area to target by pushing Tony inside to be marked by Barry Nash. Tony has been a superb hurler for club and county for years now, but this stands out to me as the best I have seen him play.

His movement was excellent, and Limerick could not stick with him. When we won primary possession in the forwards Tony was able to run off the shoulder for the pass. If put in those positions higher up the field, he rarely misses, and it was a joy to watch him. Clare will regret not being ahead at the half as I felt they did play better of the two sides early on.

We kept Limerick in the game initially through poor discipline.

We were too quick to foul in the backs. Most of the Limerick scores in the first half came from frees and Clare made it too easy for Aaron Gillane to rack up the scores from the dead ball. There were many times, particularly in the first half, where there was no danger and Clare had bodies around the ball, only to give away silly frees. At this level, poor discipline will be punished.

With the sides level at halftime, Clare fans dared to hope that an upset was on the cards. After six unanswered points to begin the second half, they will have feared the worst again though.

Limerick built an unassailable lead, based on domination of our puckouts. This was an area for concern in the first half, but our inability to win possession was further exposed when playing against the wind. It was clear that Eibhear Quilligan was trying to secure possession from our puckouts by going short and fast as soon as the ball went dead. However, the ref was not

allowing this and continuously called him back each time. When Limerick were given the chance to set up defensively, Eibhear was forced to go long.

Limerick have an extremely strong half backline and our half forwards were not able to win primary possession from them.

The Limerick half forward line of Hayes, Morrissey and Hegarty were able to get back and pick up the breaks from our puckouts.

Such is their athleticism and skill, they were capable of converting this possession to create scoring chances.

The number one thing for management to address going forward will be our puckouts.

They will need to work on a strategy to give us options whether they be to go short, medium, or long. Contrast Limerick’s puckouts with Clare’s: Limerick lined up with four defenders across their 21-yard line each looking for the ball short.

This forced Diarmuid Ryan and David Fitzgerald to stay closer to the Limerick goal and left space for the Limerick half forward

line to run into. They were able to win possession easier from their own puckouts as we were not able to crowd them out in the same way that they did to us.

Limerick’s dominance of this middle third was the platform for their victory. Once they won possession in this area, they used the ball very well. They did not have many wides as they worked the ball to a free man, who had the ability to score himself or supply good ball to the forwards.

It was notable that Tom Morrissey and particularly Geariod Hegarty were finding oceans of space in the middle of the field.

Stephen O’Halloran and Seadna Morey were betwixt and between as to whether they should follow their men out or sit and offer cover. They were caught in no man’s land as the delivery from the Limerick players was so good that they bypassed our half backline or else threw it over the bar themselves.

Brian will have to decide whether these lads should push up on their men or else rely on our wing forwards to do more defending. The Limerick half forward line contributed 12 points as well as while delivering great ball to their inside line.

In contrast, our full forward line was living off scraps. Shane O’Donnell and Ryan Taylor did well with the possession they had. Shane was fouled and handed off some scores to Tony while Ryan took a goal and a point clinically. We will need to get a lot more from our forwards though and Brian and management will have to ensure we are more competitive in the middle third to improve our supply to our attackers.

Clare will have a bruised ego after a hammering from Limerick for the second year in a row.

However, they must regroup and refocus. There is a backdoor there and the team will improve the more games they play. There are noticeable areas where management can identify and implement strategies to get more out of the team, particularly the full forward line, and they will work on that over the next two weeks.

Brian Lohan and the squad will need to use this time wisely to make improvements and give us hope for a successful 2020.

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 22

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

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP: MUNSTER QUARTER-FINAL Compiled by Páraic McMahon

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Limerick 0-36 Clare 1-23 Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles

LIMERICK Frees For: 16 (9/7) Wides: 11 (5/6) Scores from Play: 0-26 Spread of Scorers: 11 Top Scorer: Aaron Gillane (0-12, 9f, 1’65) Own Puck-Outs won: 19 from 30 (63%) CLARE Frees For: 14 (6/8) Wides: 6 (3/3) Scores from Play: 1-14 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Tony Kelly (0-17, 9f) Own Puck-Outs won: 23 from 47 (49%)

PLAYER WATCH - SHANE O’DONNELL Possessions - 11 (6/5) Passes - 5 (1/4) Dispossessed - 2 (2/0) Short - 5 Shots - 1 Hurley pass - 1 (1/0) Scores - 0 Handpass - 4 (0/4) Wides - 1 Tackles - 5 Frees won - 5 (4/1) Turnovers - 3

JOHN KIELY, LIMERICK MANAGER “At half-time I was not the best pleased with the level of intensity we brought to the game, our use of the ball, we weren’t on the money at that stage and I would have been concerned because give it fifteen or twenty minutes and you expect to find your rhythm, at that stage Clare were after bouncing back with three points before the break to bring it to 0-15 apiece, we had gone 0-15 0-12 up and should have pushed on but it went the other way around. We addressed those concerns at half-time and got the first five scores after the break, that gave us a good platform and our hurling was a lot crisper and sharper” “Trends will emerge, after a few weeks we will see what is happening. The puckouts are an issue because they are coming very fast and maybe if a full stadium the referee needs to buy themselves time before they blow the whistle and here they can scan and take everything in much easier so as a result the puckout comes faster, I know he blew Clare up for quick puckouts at some stage but they were very quick. I think we will end up with the ball in play a lot longer during the course of the game and quicker resets. If you look at all the other sports, soccer in particular the scoring has gone up in those sports, maybe it will be a trend in hurling, maybe there is less pressure on the player”.

“The buzz was there this morning, we could all feel it, more so today than ever because we realised how privileged we were to have an opportunity to play. Everything was as normal apart from the fact that there was nobody here, the nerves, the excitement, the anticipation of what you might not have thought of that might happen, the players will still be much more satisfied as individuals on both cases because they got to play this game today. I’m sure the people at home got enjoyment of being able to sit down at home and be able to watch a championship match, especially the older people in the population, they would have taken great solace of being able to watch their team and other teams play. My own parents will be watching games every Saturday and Sunday, it is absolutely worth it, unfortunately it has to be the way it is. Who knows in December things might be better, we’ve seen great improvement in the reproductive rate, the hospitalisations are down, a slight drop in intensive care, there are lots of factors beginning to turn in all of our favours and hopefully in two weeks we’ll be in a better place again”.

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER “It’s disappointing, immediately after half-time the five points that they got put us on the back foot and made defending their goal easier for them in the second half. We depend on Tony a lot, when Tony produces it he is a once in a generation player, he is really good. I wouldn’t fault any of their players for their spirit and effort, we came up against a really good team”.

“I thought their full-back line was a little bit too comfortable in that second half when they got that five point cushion at the start, they could sit deeper. They have quality and good players all over the field, physically they are very strong with a good spirit about them”.

Tony Kelly’s sensational performance wasn’t enough and (inset) Diarmuid Ryan in action Photos by Gerard O’Neill

pg 23

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Senior camogie season on line Juniors

C

LARE’S senior camogie side are in must win territory as they welcome Dublin to Fr McNamara Park this weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

With both sides having lost to Tipperary, an All-Ireland quarter-final place is up for grabs when they meet on Saturday

afternoon.

In their opening outing, Clare were left reeling when last year’s beaten semi-finalists Tipperary rattled off ten points in succession on their way to recording a 0-20 1-08 win, Eimear Kelly getting their consolation goal in the dying moments.

It wasn’t as convincing for

Tipperary on Sunday when Cait Devane contributed 1-06 as they overcame Dublin 1-13 0-11.

Experienced trio Chloe Morey, Niamh O’Dea and Susan Vaughan are all said to be pressing for inclusion in Clare’s starting team having been introduced from the bench in the

opening round.

Whether Ger O’Connell and his management team opt for further changes remains to be seen. Clare Hehir is expected to continue in defence alongside Ciara Doyle and Roisin McMahon but changes to the make-up of the Banner’s attack is expected.

gutted as year ends off pitch PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

David Reidy and goal-scorer Ryan Taylor were starved of possession for much of Sunday’s 10-point defeat to the Treaty County

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

CLARE’S Junior camogie side will not have the opportunity to conclude their All-Ireland campaign this year.

Over the weekend, the Camogie Association confirmed that the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate and Premier Junior Championships would be restructured. It followed a directive from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media surrounding the continuation of the inter-county championships in line with public health advice.

Subsequently, counties are only able to field one team in the All-Ireland competitions resulting in ten ‘second teams’ being eliminated including the Clare Juniors.

A spokesperson for the Camogie Association stated, “We appreciate that this news will come as a great disappointment to all players, management teams and volunteers involved with the teams affected, who have trained and prepared for many weeks to compete in this year’s competitions. These steps have been taken however to ensure compliance with Government direction and that our games can continue during the current COVID-19 restrictions across the island of Ireland”.

Joint manager of the Clare side, Ann-Marie McGann admitted, “It is not the way we expected our year to end. To say the girls are gutted is putting it mildly, but health comes first”.

Having recorded a first round win over Offaly, Clare were due to play Wexford last weekend where a victory would have sealed their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals for the second year in a row.

The county panel had been training for the championship since January of this year.

Gort complete Christmas Hamper comp SEAMUS HAYES ON THE FAIRWAYS

THE introduction of level 5 restrictions in an effort to stop the spread of

COVID-19 has resulted in the closure of all golf clubs until the end of November.

Golfers throughout the country have expressed their disappointment at this decision which has come after a particularly busy time for clubs, all of whom benefited from an influx of new

members over the past couple of months.

Before the latest closure last week, some clubs managed to complete a busy schedule of competitions The ladies of Gort golf club played their annual Christmas hampers competition when Charlotte Kelly (32)

emerged as the winner of the 18 hole stableford event with 45 points from Bernie Browne (26) with 44 points.

Patricia Callinan (36) was third with 39 points while Siobhan Forde (12) won the gross with 27 points.

In the 9 hole competition Anne Connolly (31) won

with 21 points from Sandra Broderick (35) with 16 points.

In the Halloween Surprise competition the winner was Evelyn Fahey (37) with 92 from Marcella Killeen (26) with 89. Carmel Joyce (25) was third with 89 followed

by Teresa Mahon (27) with

86, Ann Nolan (23) with 85, Anne Connolly (29) with 83, Patricia Callinan (35) with 82, Ena Furey (39) with 81, Petra O’Connor (23) with 79 and Charlotte Kelly (28) with 73.

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 24

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

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Clare keep Division 2 status Compiled by Páraic Mc Mahon

Clare 1-13 Armagh 1-18 Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles

CLARE Frees For: 18 (10/8) Wides: 7 (5/2) Scores from Play: 1-05 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Eoin Cleary (0-08, 6f) Own Kick-Outs won: 20 from 26 (77%)

ARMAGH Frees For: 15 (6/9) Wides: 7 (3/4) Scores from Play: 1-13 Spread of Scorers: 10 Top Scorer: Rian O’Neill (0-06, 4f, 1’45) Own Kick-Outs won: 17 from 20 (85%) PLAYER WATCH - EOGHAN COLLINS (corner back) Possessions - 16 (8/8) Tackles - 6 (3/3) Interceptions - 2 (0/2) Turnovers - 1 (1/0 Frees won - 0 Frees lost - 1

Passes - 16 Short - 16 Long - 0 Handpass - 14 Foot pass - 2

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

KIERAN MCGEENEY, ARMAGH MANAGER “We seem to be making hard work of it, we went into two four- or fivepoint leads but gave them both away. It was always going to be nervy, we knew the quality of Clare’s forward line from past experiences. We came down here to win and go up to Division 1 but like everything in life you have to be careful what you wish for, we’re going to go up against the big boys from now on and the mistakes we made today will be punished”.

“At the beginning of the year we knew that if we make mistakes against the big teams it will cost us in the championship, we want to be in the first division to learn those lessons. Roscommon and Cavan have come up and down, Roscommon have been Connacht champions two years out of three, we know that is where we need to be playing to go further in the championship”.

COLM COLLINS, CLARE MANAGER “We didn’t start strong, we started very slow and we let them ahead, the goal was a mirror image of what we were doing, we were just not awake but we came back well from that and played very well in the next two quarters, a couple of silly errors cost us at the end”.

“It was only really when the final whistle went that we were checking phones, I thought with ten minutes to go we were in a great position to win the match but we made a couple of basic errors that cost us but that’s it. It was a good game, fair play to Armagh they’ve gone up and are where they are on merit”.

“There will be a lot of lessons learned from today but a lot of positives, we showed a lot of heart, we started slowly and came back to play really good, you have to be very proud of the lads. We were expecting this game to go down to the wire but we made it a bit easy for them at the end with the ball that was turned over”.

“It was very important with the change in regulations that we retained our status and thankfully we did, we’re there on merit, there is no hiding place in Division 2 and thankfully we’re up there”.

Eoghan Collins against Armagh

Photo Gerard O’Neill

League intensity has Clare primed for Championship PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE V TIPPERARY Sunday 1pm, Thurles

C

LARE football boss, Colm Collins expects their recent Allianz National Football League encounters will have the Banner primed for Sunday’s Munster championship quarter-final with Tipperary.

Fresh from maintaining their Division 2 status following a win over Fermanagh and defeat to Armagh, Clare begin their provincial bid on Sunday travelling to Semple Stadium. “I’d much prefer to have games of this quality preparing for cham-

pionship, we’re delighted with that and going into Sunday as well prepared as we are”.

Colm Collins is behind Brian Cody and Mickey Harte as the third longest-serving inter-county manager in the GAA at present but Sunday will mark the first instance that he comes up against Tipperary in the Munster SFC. “We’ve always had very tight games with Tipperary and we expect nothing different this time,” the Kilmihil native said of what he expects from the men from the Premier County.

He is of the view that Clare are entering the Munster championship in a solid place with Gary Brennan, Jamie Malone and Podge Collins all returning to the panel while Aaron Fitzgerald has recovered from in-

Colm Collins on the sideline last weekend

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

jury.

There is a psychological lift with the returnees plus the boost of maintaining their place in Division 2.

“It was very important with the change in regulations that we retained our status and thankfully we did, we’re there on merit, there is no hiding place in Division 2 and thankfully we’re up there”.

Focus is primarily on Tipperary but reflecting on their League campaign, Colm indicated where the Banner need to improve if they have desires of playing Division 1 football. “I think that the two one point losses that we had against Laois and Westmeath were the key here, we didn’t perform in both games and we ended up losing whereas a point either way would have put us in a better position. To close

out the games is the thing.

“Division 2 is very competitive, there is very little between all the teams in it and it’s a fantastic division, coming down to the last day and playing the last match and you could be promoted or relegated where else would you get it, we’re delighted to still be in Division 2, even though we lost the game it’s been good preparation for next Sunday which is all we’re thinking about”.

Collins has been around the block so far as inter-county management is concerned but having managed to avoid Kerry on their side of the draw, the possibilities of reaching a Munster Final are greater. Throw in the fact that this is knockout football and the stakes become much higher for the Banner County.

pg 25

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Clare great Hayes finds himself in opposing camp PÁRAIC MCMAHON

J

paraic@clareecho.ie

UST under three years after calling time on his long career between the posts for the Clare footballers, Joe Hayes finds himself in the opposing camp as the Munster senior football championship commences this weekend.

Hayes first joined the Clare senior football panel in 2001 and was forced to retire with a hip injury in November 2017. Former teammate Gary Brennan referred to Hayes as “Mr Clare Football” when his retirement was announced, having to face off with Brennan and his county is a difficult task for the die-hard supporter.

“I’m a Clare man through and through, always have been and always will be. For seventy four or seventy five minutes on Sunday I have to get out of that mentality, I’ve supported the boys all year, I went to their Laois game pre-COVID, I watched the Armagh game on Saturday and was cheering for them, that will never go away but it is the nature of where I am, I’m on a different side

of the fence for seventy five minutes on Sunday,” the Lissycasey native told The Clare Echo.

Last September saw Joe join David Power’s management team with Tipperary which also includes Dublin’s 1995 All-Ireland winner Paddy Christie and Charlie McGeever who managed Clonmel Commercials to Munster club success in 2015. “It would be unusual enough coming up against my own. I knew it could have been a possibility when I got involved with Tipp but you can’t dwell on it, it is a game of football and it is Munster championship, you can’t worry about sentiment going into this”.

Having coached Limerick club Monaleen and the Garda College in the Sigerson Cup, Hayes had an appetite to become involved with an inter-county side. “It got to a stage where I wanted to dip my toes into a county setup, the opportunity arose and I took it. Any of the lads involved in county teams would tell you the commitment is hot and heavy, it is what I wanted to do”.

Similarities exist between Tipperary and Clare when it comes to the sporting scene, the Garda admitted.

“Hurling is probably both

Joe Hayes in his Banner days

county’s number one sport and there is no point saying it isn’t. You’ve seen how competitive Division 2 football has been for Clare, Tipp were Division 2 up until last year. Hurling is the county’s number one game”.

For the first time since 2000, there will be no qualifiers in the All-Ireland SFC which will heighten pressure on teams. “There’s no backdoor for the first time in a long time. Because of circumstances with COVID, this is the way the GAA have decided to go, it is a straight knockout and is back to only having one crack and see

Photo James Crombie / INPHO

how it goes. It’s hard to see how the League will stand to both teams, it was outstanding that Clare stayed up but with five minutes to go on Saturday you were thinking they could have been in Division 1 if results had went their way and they stayed ahead. Tipp on the other hand were fighting to stay up and we ended up finishing in mid-table but we were under a bit of pressure for a while. I don’t think either team have hit the heights that they are capable of since we’ve went back training, it will be interesting to see what type of performances

the teams come up with on Sunday”.

Another alteration which Joe described as “a different kind of preparation” has been the short window between league and championship. “When you finish the League every year you nearly have three or four weeks before you go into the championship, some counties were getting six or seven weeks, the way it is now it is just constant, between challenge matches and the league this will be the fourth week on the trot for most teams. You play at the weekend, you review it the next

night at training and try fix the stuff you weren’t happy with it, on the Friday you go through your tactics for the weekend ahead and you’re playing again.

“The preparation is different, you don’t really have the time to dive into the physical side of things, you don’t have the same time to sort out your problems or work on stuff you have been working on, you’re very much trying to cram a few things together but it is the same for every team. Usually you have three or four weeks to prepare for a championship game and the team you are facing, this time Clare and Tipp both have seven days to start looking at opposition videos and analysis, it is the same for every team, no team has an advantage or disadvantage in that regard,” the Toomevara resident added.

Joe will be on the sideline in Semple Stadium on Sunday, he expects relations to stay cordial but admits as maor foirne he may not be at the same pace as former teammate Enda Coughlan.

“I’m the maor foirne so I’ll be on the field, I’ll be running around I might not be running as fast as Enda will be running but I’ll be there in some capacity”.

Captain Cleary at the ready SEAMUS HAYES

Eoin Cleary in action at the weekend

Photo Gerard O’Neill

EOIN Cleary will take to the field in his first championship outing as Clare captain on Sunday without the backing of the Banner Roar.

As the Clare senior footballers finalise preparations for their Munster senior championship meeting with Tipperary at Semple Stadium in Thurles, team captain Cleary believes “it will be a real nip and tuck affair. That has been the case over the years when Clare and Tipperary meet”.

“An interesting game” is expected by the St Josephs Miltown clubman. “We both know each other well after the last few years when there has only been a kick

of a ball between us”.

Based in Limerick as a Garda, Eoin doesn’t believe Tipperary have an edge due to the game being held on home soil in Semple Stadium. “We have played in Thurles before and we are familiar with the ground.

They might see it as an advantage. We had a good win over them in a crucial league tie there last year.

That was a real nip and tuck game and there was only a kick of a ball in it. We had to claw our way back after they had started well”.

Buoyed by the retention of their Division 2 status, Cleary said the defeat to Armagh was a disappointment. “It was in our own hands. At the end of the day we saw how disappointed Cavan were to have been relegated. We can count ourselves somewhat fortu-

nate to have stayed up in the end but thankfully results went our way on the day”.

Both Clare and Tipperary have the same objectives for the Munster championship, he believed. “Tipperary have the same ambitions as us in that they want to get to the Munster final but they won’t be looking past Sunday’s fixture. You can’t look past the next game. You must take each game as it comes.

“We knew we had to beat Fermanagh and Armagh to get promotion but, unfortunately, we only won one of those games. We know that we need a big performance on Sunday to get a result,” he admitted.

Training has been lifted with the presence of Gary Brennan, Jamie Malone and Podge Collins have re-

joined the panel, men who “don’t owe Clare anything”.

“We are aware that Tipperary have strengthened their panel also. They have a got a few additions which will give them confidence.

We will have to be at the top of our game to get a result”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the centre-forward acknowledged that the recent club campaigns has acclimatised players to behind closed doors competitive matches.

“While it would be nice to have the roar of the Clare crowd to spur you on down the home straight, we have got used to this following the club championship. We miss the atmosphere and our supporters have always given us a great lift. The club season gave us a bit of an introduction to this”.

Clare Echo THE

29-10-20

pg 26

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

KICK OFF FOR CLARE LADIES ‘This year has been full of surprises’

Nolan looks to build on club success INJURY may limit the involvement of Grainne Nolan as Clare begin their TG4 All-Ireland intermediate ladies football championship on Sunday but she is determined to play a part as they renew rivalries with Kildare, writes Páraic McMahon.

Although she is only 23, Grainne is in her seventh season with the county panel and is one of the survivors from the 2016 side that suffered All-Ireland final defeat to the Lilywhites.

“There are a few of us that would have played against them in the All-Ireland final of 2016, it would be in the back of their minds but that was four years ago and panels have changed hugely. We’re not focused too much on them, we know what they are like and that they are a very good team, we just have to focus on ourselves and what we can do, hopefully the result will go our way.”

Commitment is the main factor according to Grainne leading to the high turnover of players at inter-county level. “When I first started playing in 2014 I don’t think the calendar was as long, we would have started in December or January, now you’re meeting up in October, some girls might not be able to commit, they might be working in Dublin or up the country, commitment is the main reason why girls don’t stick at it”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Ennis attacker expressed the hope that coming into the county campaign off the back of winning the club championship with the Banner Ladies will stand to several of their players. “This year has been a year of surprises, for a while I don’t think people thought we would get out to the pitch at all back in May but then the club went ahead and we really enjoyed that this year.

“We had a great year, thank God the club went our way this year, we were unlucky a few weeks ago in the Munster but we had a great performance. Usually after the club campaign you hang up the boots for a few months but you don’t really have that time off this year, we’re going straight into championship again which is a unique experience but I’m always happy to go out on the football field and represent Clare whenever I can.”

Another alteration to their preparations include the drop in temperatures. “It is a weird time, it is a lot colder at training this time of year than it would be in May, June, July or August but every county is on the same boat and we can’t complain.”

An Achilles injury may hinder the extent of Grainne’s involvement on Sunday but she is determined to play a part.

“I’ve a niggle in my Achilles which came on in the club championship, I got through the club championship okay so I’m hoping to just manage it, I’m not able to train as much as I’d like to but I’m taking nights off when I have to, rest and recovery is very important. I’m looking forward to the game and hoping to play some part in it.”

Having the ability to train and meet with teammates for sessions is something she is keen “to take full advantage of” but away from the field, the NUIG science graduate is applying for jobs and honing her culinary skills.

“I’m doing a lot of cooking and baking, I’m more following Mam at this stage, she is the head chef at home, I’m only helping her out. During the summer it was easier to pass the time with the weather, you could go for walks and stuff. It’s getting harder this time which is why I’m applying for all the jobs”.

Grainne Nolan sporting Clare’s new jersey in Kilmihil at last week’s press night Photo by Gerard O’Neill

pg 27

29-10-20

Clare Echo THE

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

‘We hope to bring people joy and light’ says Harvey PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

N ABILITY to lift communities is a trait of the GAA’s which has been forgotten by sections of the Irish public criticising the continuation of inter-county games, Clare ladies footballer Caoimhe Harvey has said.

Clare’s intermediate ladies footballers begin their All-Ireland campaign this Sunday in Banagher with Caoimhe Harvey expected to play a key role for James Murrihy’s charges.

Dissenting voices slamming the allowance of inter-county games to proceed has frustrated Caoimhe and inter-county players across the country. “There’s pros and cons to every situation, you could read articles until the cows come home, if the group of players are minding themselves. People are really putting the GAA down, I understand businesses are closed, a lot of business owners are going through an extremely tough time and seeing the GAA is still going ahead can be very tough for them but not a lot of cases have come out of the GAA and that is down to protocols put in place.

“I wouldn’t call us elite in any shape or form but there is definitely a level of responsibility on

each person within a group and that is the same for any person in any workplace or anywhere, it is down to every individual and what they can do, we are gone back into a Level 5 lockdown but I’d rather be watching GAA on a Saturday or Sunday instead of God only knows what I’d have to watch instead. It is great to see the GAA back”.

She is adamant that a safe environment exists at inter-county training. “I’d be worried about COVID but it is great to have an outlet. The only time we’re in contact with each other is when we’re in full matchplay and full games, we don’t meet each other outside of that, we’re sticking to all the regulations, I know I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t going to be safe”.

As Ireland entered a second lockdown, memories of the GAA’s role in running charity fundraisers earlier in the year for groups and charities appeared to have been forgotten. The efforts had not vanished from the mind of Harvey nor her bank balance. “Back in June I must have given €400 or €500 like most other people to different charities through GAA fundraisers. With Clare, we raised €11,000 for four charities within our communities that might need the funds. People seem to have forgot that what GAA clubs really bring is they bring communities together, in the toughest of times it is the GAA that brings you out of it”.

The Querrin native added, “Ire-

land is known for the GAA, we send our sympathies to all the business owners that have had to close again but we hope we bring them joy and light at the end of the tunnel with the GAA”.

Caoimhe is appreciative of the fact that her 5km radius from home is also in one of the scenic parts of West Clare. “I could be stuck in the city centre but I’m not.

I look out and I see the River Shannon every morning, there mightn’t be a house for one kilometre but we’re blessed to have our five kilometre radius where we are”.

Her first year on the intermediate panel saw Clare then managed by Neil Moynihan lose out to Kildare in the All-Ireland final. “We lost to them in 2016 and in then in 2018 we had them in championship and only beat them by a small margin.

It can go either way, there is a rivalry between us, we just want to get back to Croke Park and back to our best”.

Sunday’s tie may be an opening round but the stakes are high as the AIB employee highlighted. “If we don’t show up against Kildare then the championship is more or less over. We’ll know after that game where we are and how we’re set. We have a fantastic group of players, we just have to go out and play football. At the end of the day we can only play fifteen on fifteen, you can have all the tactics in the world but if the ball is there and it’s going into the back of the net that’s

Caoimhe Harvey in action for Clare

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

where it should be going”.

Concluding the club championship before the inter-county got underway was a unique experience in what Caoimhe described as “a year of uncertainty for a lot of people”. “It was a shock for a lot of people for West Clare Gaels to have got to a county final, we are

just focused on Clare but it was definitely weird playing club before county but the club was great and it was great for the girls to get to properly perform with our clubs because it was something we didn’t get to do over the years. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to go but everything happens for a reason”.

Shannon gets ladies ready for winter football WITH a condensed window of time to prepare for the All-Ireland series, the emphasis has been on building up speed as opposed to stamina with the Clare ladies footballers, writes Páraic McMahon.

Sport scientist Conor Shannon (pictured *Burren Eye Photography) is in his second year with James Murrihy’s intermediate side.

The return of inter-county sport will have positive effects, the UL graduate believes.

“It is great for the girls’ mental and physical health to have this to go to and to keep them going.”

Injury prevention remains the primary objective as the management continue their preparations. “We have had a club championship so players will have accrued some minutes from that which is important. Managing players is a tricky task and making sure they are ready to play as best we can and hopefully avoid as many injuries.”

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Lisdoonvarna native highlighted the differences between commencing an inter-county campaign in the summer and the winter. “The

winter and summer game in physiological terms are similar enough, it will be a tougher slog on heavier pitches so a more aerobic base is important and being able to get through the 60 minutes.

The big focus I’ve worked on is getting their speed in check, that is very important at all times of year and also from an injury perspective, micro-dosing that speed element is very important because you’re avoiding risk of injury but also trying to improve your performance.”

“In April if we had championship in July the focus is more on building the base, now we have a couple of weeks trying to hit our peak so it is more short, sharp stuff over a longer

style of running,” Conor outlined.

When sporting teams commenced training after the first lockdown this year, a spike in lower hamstring injuries were observed with Brian Enright of The Cryotherapy Clinic calculating it as an 80 per cent increase. Avoiding injuries is proving to be a challenge for the Clare ladies, Shannon acknowledged with seven of their 32 woman panel out of action. “Trying to keep everyone fit and on the field is a tricky task, we don’t have access to gym environments which is a problem in itself.”

Cooraclare’s Keeva Corry is among the injured, having damaged her cruciate ligament, the same injury which brought Conor into the coaching sphere. “James gave me a call when he heard about the cruciate, the Limerick U20s came off the back of it, every cloud has a silver lining.”

Recently appointed as a GDO with Laois GAA, his duties are primarily focused on coaching but he is hopeful to engage with the county development squads from a skills and performance perspective.

Coaching is an avenue the St Breckans clubman is keen to explore further in the coming years. “You can’t beat the feeling of playing, I knew that from the year I was out with my cruciate. Coaching was a nice distraction, it’s nice to have something to fall back onto when I do hang up the boots.”

TG4 ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE LADIES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Group 4 Round 1: Clare v Kildare on 01/11/20 in Banagher at 1pm Group 4 Round 2: Clare v Laois on 08/11/20 in Clonmel at 1pm Group 4 Round 3: Clare v Sligo on 15/11/20. Time and venue TBC

28 CLASSIFIEDS

ACCOUNTANCY

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

CAR REPAIRS

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Kellys Garage

Miltown Chimney Cleaning Open Fires, Stoves & Ranges All areas covered Call Pearse on 085 1187811 (PPE Used)

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Covering Co.Clare Open Fires, Stoves and Ranges.

Allard Cleaners, Est. 1965 (085) 2457077

CAR REPAIRS

STORAGE

 �

Â?

Â?

JOB VACANCY JOB VACANCY AVAILABLE FOR A CHILDCARE PROFESSIONAL/EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR TO WORK PART-TIME 2 MORNINGS PER WEEK AT TINY TOTS MONTESSORI/ PRESCHOOL ENNIS. LEVEL 6 QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED. CONTACT DONNA 086 1952606

. TAR & CHIP DRIVEWAYS . GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS . NEW DRIVEWAYS . INDIAN SANDSTONE PATIOS . GARDEN SERVICES . GARDEN PATHWAYS . BRICKLAYING AND WALLING . WOODEN FENCING . NEW LAWNS . PATIO PAVING . NATURAL STONE PATIOS . BLOCK PAVING

PAINTING

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

CONTACT PAT DONNELLAN

Telephone: 061 574163 Mobile: 083 1049148 Email: info@allseasonsdriveways.ie

PLUMBING / HEATING COVERING CO.CLARE Installations and Maintenance Call Seamus Allard on (085) 2457077

references available

www.allseasonsdriveways.ie

FIREWOOD ENNIS FIREWOOD

Anthony

089 490 8307

KILN DRIED HARDWOOD FIREWOOD

CONTACT: JASON ON 087 9203652

office@be4you.ie Cleaning -

Less than 20% moisture content Clean,dry,premium quality fuel. Type :Birch Large bags â‚Ź12 (20kg approx) Nets â‚Ź6.50 (9kg approx) Kiln dried Kindling â‚Ź3.50 per net (2.7kg approx) Stocked all year round.

Home Deliveries across Clare From Monday - Saturday

. WELDING & WOODEN DESIGNS & FITTING SERVICE . DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL . WROUGHT IRON & TIMBER GATES & RAILINGS . CAR TRAILERS . SECURITY GRILLES . GARDEN SEATS . HOT DIP GALVANISED . MOBILE WELDING REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE . VAN WORK AVAILABLE WITH ROOFRACK & TRAILER TO TRANSPORT YOUR NEEDS . POWERWASHING We carry out all kinds handy work professionally

. DRIVEWAY RESTORATION ...

Fully insured

HOME GARDEN AND INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE WELDING AND GATES

Regular daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly Once-off deep cleaning After builders Before / After party Holiday Houses

Ironing Advanced carpet and upholstery cleaning Power washing

- backyards, footpaths, driveways, sheds, houses, walls

Fully registered and insured

Car wash on your property Handyman Services Garden maintenance Painting

... and many more

086 8875361 patkdonnellan@gmail.com

SLATES QUARRY SLATES FOR SALE Along with ridge tiles Call 087 2967560 or 086 1252833

TURF/FIREWOOD BAGS OF TURF & SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Free delivery - Call 086 8343527

TURF GOOD DRY TURF FOR SALE 10x6 loads or smaller - Can deliver Contact Tom on 087 2309664

PLANNING 29

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

PLANNING NOTICES Clare County Council, Sunset House, Strand Line, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Claire & Grattan Evans for planning permission to demolish existing front porch and rear extension and to construct new front and rear extensions to the existing dwelling along with other alterations to the house and all associated site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning 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, Ballintlea South, Cratloe, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Kiran Kingra & Damien Browne for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house to include a pre-school facility, access road, site entrance, private garage, on-site wastewater treatment system and all other associated site works at the above address.

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

A submission or observation in relation to the application

may be made 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, Dromore, Ruan, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Michael Daly & Rebecca O’Donoghue for planning permission to demolish existing agricultural storage shed and to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, site entrance, onsite wastewater treatment system, and all other associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made 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 Kells, Corofin, Co. Clare Take notice that Ronan & Janine Howard are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to renovate and extend an existing cottage, construct a private garage, new entrance and driveway and install a new

wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council Cahercannavan, Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Cathal & Siobhan Daly are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council 18 Limerick Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Take notice that Sinead Madden, intend to apply for Planning Permission to (a) Retain renovations, alterations and extension to existing dwelling (b) Complete renovations, alterations and extension to existing dwelling, 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 5 Inis Fail, Shannon, Co. Clare Take notice that Jennifer & Stephan Teeling-Lynch, intend to apply for planning permission for alterations & extensions to existing dwelling house, 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 Knockanimana, 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 beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application.

Clare County Council Ballyloughnane, Ogonnelloe, Co. Clare Planning Permission is sought by Grainne Quigley and Matthew O’Brien for the construction of a new two storey detached house,

a single storey detached garage, a waste water treatment and disposal system, a bored well, a new site entrance and all associated works. at Ballyloughnane, Ogonnelloe, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council Ballyvonnavaun, Clarecastle Co Clare Permission sought to construct a dwelling house, domestic garage, vehicular entrance, effluent treatment system including all associated site works and services at above address, Applicant – Darragh Duggan.

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 Co Council, during it’s public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

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

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Clare County Council, Seafield, Quilty, Co. Clare Take notice that C. McNamara intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter and extend her existing dwelling house. The works involve the following; a) to construct a new single storey extension b) to alter the internal floor layout c) to relocate the site entrance along with associated site works at the above address.

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

Clare Co Council Ballyvonnavaun, Clarecastle.

Co. Clare Permission sought to construct a dwelling house, domestic garage, vehicular entrance, effluent treatment system including all associated site works and services at above address, Applicant’s – Cathal Duggan and Faye Quirke.

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 Co Council, during it’s public opening

THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING. ST. JUDE. Most Holy Apostle St. Jude faithful servant & friend of Jesus. The Church honours & invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of matters almost despaired of. Pray for me I am so helpless & alone. Make use I implore you of that particular privilege given to you, to bring speedy help where help is almost despaired of.

Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation & help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations & sufferings & that I may praise God with you & all the Elect forever. I promise O Blessed St. Jude to be ever mindful of this great favour to always honour you as my special & powerful patron & to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

This prayer must be said for 9 consecutive days & published immediately & in 3 days the favour will be granted.

make your experience even better.

30 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

Best Daily Word Search

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES OCT 29 Best Daily Word Search: 25 May 2020

urchase (7)

6

8

7

3

4

1

2

3 4 5

7

8

4

5 2 9

8

6

1

7

9

6

6 1 5

3

2

3

1

1

3 5

9 4

6

8

9

7

8

3

4

6

2

9 8

7 5

7 2

3 1

4

00:11

5

5/25/2020

Save

Reveal

Solution

The Clare Echo Crossword ACROSS

1/1

DOWN

2020 1.Cattleman (7) CROSSWORD ANSWERS 1.Soft Italian cheese (7) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY 5.Famous English diarist 2.Cold (5) We have recently updated our Privacy Policy that California residents may have. Click here 8 9 (5)to include additional rights 3.Very ugly (7) (//www.arkadium.com/privacy-policy-california/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=arena&utm_content=policy) to learn more. By 8.Managed (5) Accept 4.Dwell (6) using this site, you agree to Arkadium’s Privacy and Cookie Policy. (//www.arkadium.com/privacy-policy/?

9.Breed of cat (7) Best Daily Word Search - 25 May Solve (/games/best-daily-word-search/? utm_medium=referral&utm_source=arena&utm_content=policy) 5.Tartan cloth (5) 10 11 10.Glandl in (7) D the t neck 20200525) 2019 G fC d 6.Foretell (7) https://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/games/best-daily-word-search/#!202005 11.Condescend (5) t - just 7.Gloss (5) 12.Appraise (6) 12 13 14 15 16 13.The entertainment busi14.Part of the foot (6) ness (7) 17 18.Angry (5) 15.Around-the-clock (7) 18 19 20 21 20.Ruffian (anag) (7) 22.Canadian province (7) 16.Flawless (7) 17.Scared (6) 23.Commerce (5) 22 23 18.Abyss (5) 24.Labyrinths (5) 19.Feudal subjects (5) 25.Initial payment for a purchase (7) 21.Accumulate (5) 24 25 B

A

22

L

W

H

R O

C

18

D

E

R

T

S

F

19

20

12 1

13

S

U

R O

T

H

Y

P

O

P

C O

I

I

N

R

A

2

U

N

A

E

S

14

3

H

N

15

D

11

I

D

9

S

A

4

R

D

E

M

F

A

21

F

I

R E

S

T

E

I

I

I

E

P

16

L

5

P

G N

D

A M E

E

E

T

C

C

D

I

C

R

E

I

I

O

I

E

E

S

S

S

17

T

10 8

S

O

E

S

E

R

E

6

P

H

Y

7

S

71 Lower Parnell Street, Ennis

(065) 6840880

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 4pm - late, Fri to Sun: 12 Noon - late. /DominosEnnis Call

dominos.ie

@Dominos_ROI Pop in

Tap the app

1/

not too difficult - just .

S

T

23

R

H

A

P

O

A

E

S

E

I

OFFER ENDS NOV 30 2020

25

*From the menu or create your own up to 4 toppings. Extra charge for premium bases and extra toppings

F

ALL WEEK SPECIAL ANY LARGE PIZZA €13.99 COLLECTION/DELIVERED

S

7

E

6

I

5

Z

4

S

3

M A

2

24

1

May 2020

Check

)

Clear

(5)

Whist

9

Solitaire

2

Pontoon

siness (7)

S G P F R O J F T P F U E S R

1

Pinochle Pontoon

O E R H C U E W L Y B R O O E Software © 2017 crossword-compiler.com

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

Poker

Piquet Rummy Snap Poker

L K W P O N T O O N F F K T K

ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

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

6

T C H Q C X K Z J O R A F O

Piquet Newmarket

2

N F U R K L R B P P

How to play

5

I

I

E

9

3

9

T H E A

I

6

7

A E M K J S Q K R D A P N

Hearts Newmarket Pinochle Napoleon

4

C N E

7

1

I

4

3

8

C C C

9

5

5

I

7

8

A B P R K T

4

9

I

Hearts

Faro Napoleon

5

7

R R U C Y A C N C F T Q S O G

2

Faro Euchre

1

4

E T E R D V M A O B P U X C D

5

Euchre Cribbage

8

6

I

5

2

Z U B W L E L E N H

4

Bridge Cribbage

3

I

4

8

E S U

Bridge

9

4

P B S B W D E C E B L T Q L R

3

1

A B Z B Y C V H O N Y O J E B

2

8

2

N O J A F U A R U M M Y P S B

1

Bezique Bezique Blackjack Blackjack

4

7

Q X O A T

1

6

Baccarat Baccarat

5

I

Z E B N

3

S R W G V V R T A

I

9

E U Q

How to play

I

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

B

1/1

I

1/1

A M K E

SUDOKU

5/25/2020

6

WORD SEARCH

Card Games

QUIZ 31

THURSDAY, OCT 29 2020

The Clare Echo Quiz GORT QUIZ

is the name of the popular 1What woods and park in Gort?

Cúl park Coole Park Cool Park

Lady Gregory is one of the most 2 famous historical Gort residents having lived at the park mentioned

above. What is the name of the wellknown theatre she co-founded in Dublin?

Gaiety Theatre The Abbey Theatre Smock Alley Theatre

Kilmacduagh monastery near Gort 5 is home to the tallest round tower in Ireland.

True False

founded Kilmacduagh monas6Who tery?

St. Ciarán St. Mary St. Colman

source of the Gort River is in 7The the Slieve Aughty mountains.

True False

For a time famed poet W.B yeats Princess Grace of Monaco once 3 lived in a tower house known as 8 stayed in which Gort hotel ?

Thoor Ballylee just outside Gort.

4

W.B Yeats wrote a poem about Coole park in Gort called the ‘The Wild Swans at Coole’. In that poem how many swans does he say are “Upon the brimming water among the stones”?

11 27 59

9

What was the population of Gort as of the last census?

l Lady Gregory is one of the most famous historical Gort residents

having lived at the park mentioned above. What is the name of the wellknown theatre she co-founded in Dublin?

1549 2994 4501

10

The building where Claddagh opticians in Gort is now was once the saddler’s shop of Edward Treston, the man who made the first standardized Sliothar.

True False

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. St. Colman 7. True 8. Glynns Hotel (No longer trading) 9.2994 10. True

1923 1925 1929

Sullivan’s Hotel Glynns Hotel (No longer trading) The Lady Gregory Hotel

ANSWERS

1. Coole Park 2. The Abbey Theatre 3. 1923 4. 59 5. True

During his time there he won his Nobel Prize in literature. What year did he win that prize?

Last weeks Answers * Writing on Kayak missing . Paddle missing on Kayak (left) . Part of wall missing . Window missing in Background

* Writing on Kayak missing (left) . Wellies on grass missing . Poll in water missing

Clare v Limerick

photo by Gerard O’Neill