The Clare Echo 15/02/2018

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HERE COME THE GIRLS

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15 Feb 2018

Ennis hospital faces new cuts STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

Orlaith Cullinan, Niamh Carrucan and Katie Connole at the Burren Gaels victory social at the Falls Hotel Photo by Willie O’Reilly

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HE future of the Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis Hospital is in question with revelations that it could be in line to lose its seven-day service.

Dr Michael Harty TD has told the Dáil he understands that the Medical Assessment Unit at Ennis Hospital is to close at weekends and the seven-day service will be reduced to five days.

Speaking at Leaders Questions Dr Harty told the Taoiseach this has much more to do with medical politics than the delivery of care to patients: “Effectively, it is a failure of the group to deploy resources properly.

“Considering that the Mid Western

Hospital Group is unable to open its own medical assessment unit on weekdays, not to mind weekends, it defies logic that it would now propose to close the only seven-day medical assessment unit within the region, namely, that in Ennis.

“This will curtail services within the hospital in Ennis but it will also transfer considerable pressure to the accident and emergency services in Limerick,” he added.

Weddings in Co Clare

SEE OUR 12-PAGE FEATURE INSIDE

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Index JOBS BOOST IN CLARE

4

KILRUSH PITCHES

6

ENNIS HOSPITAL

7

RECRUITMENTS

9

WEDDING GUIDE

15-26

SPORT

36-37

MOTORING

28-33

CLASSIFIEDS

39

GET IN TOUCH

Inside The Clare Echo FEATURE: PAGE 15-26

Your complete wedding guide

NEWS: PAGE 4

This week we have a special 12-page wedding guide, bringing you some tips on destinations and preparations. We also have a wonderful feature with soon-to-be celbrant John Burns

SPORT: PAGE 36

Clare footballers held in the Park

28 new jobs for Shannon

Clare head into a two-week break having left another win on the pitch. Despite losing a man early in the second half, Clare could have won this game.

Martin Daly reports

More good news on the jobs front in Shannon has emerged this week after UJet announced they will be setting up a European hub in Clare

RECEPTION

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: monica@clareecho.ie

EDITOR Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: editor@clareecho.ie

NEWSDESK Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie

NOTES Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

SALES Telephone: 065 671 9021

Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie ger.naughton@clareecho.ie

l TOUGH WORK: Members of the recently formed Ennis girls rugby team in action in Listowel

Clare has fourth highest divorce rate in Ireland ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

PLACE AN

ADVERT To learn how we can promote your business call us on 065 671 9021 or email ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie.

C

LARE has the fourth highest divorce rate in the country, according to a report in The Irish Examiner earlier this week.

The Examiner analysed the latest figures from the Courts Service and found that Carlow had the highest national divorce rate.

The report states that Clare’s divorce rate is “well above the national average”, with 107 divorces granted in 2016.

Two annulments and 26 judicial separations were also granted in Clare that year.

The nationwide figure for divorce

rate works out at 87.4 per cent per 100,000 of population.

A total of 4,162 divorces were recorded in 2016, a slight decrease on the 2015 figure of 4,290.

There were 585 marriages in Clare in 2016, according to CSO figures.

Six of these were same sex marriages (three male couples and three female couples), while the rest accounted for opposite sex marriages.

Visit www.irishexaminer.com for the full story.

Photo by Helen McQuillan

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

28 new jobs for Shannon as UJet sets up Euro hub

ELAINE TUBRIDY

T

news@clareecho.ie

HERE’S up to 30 new jobs coming down the line for Shannon as aircraft modification specialist UJet Group is about to merge with American company STS Component Solutions.

STS UJet will establish a European Hub at Shannon Free Zone, leading to the creation of 28 jobs at the Shannon operations over the next two years.

Making the announcement, STS UJet President Mark Robertson said: “We are delighted to be expanding our operation to Shannon Free Zone.

“Our new facilities provide us with the space to grow and expand into the future. Within two years we expect to more than double our workforce to 50 people, which currently stands at 22 people.

“Our customers currently include 15 of the world’s top aviation leasing companies among them AerCap, Avalon, Dubai Aerospace, BBAM and airlines such as TUI fly and Globus operating for S7 Airlines. As the

l IN THE HOTSEAT: L-R (back) Aidan O’Leary ,STS UJET, Alan Dunne,STS UJET, John Drysdale, Commercial Properties Shannon Group, (front) Ray O’Driscoll, Commercial Properties Shannon Group, Rita Meehan, Commercial Properties Shannon Group and Mark Robertson, President, STS UJet. Photo by Arthur Ellis

Home Help cuts in Clare are ‘disgrace’ says Cllr Mckee STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE General Election candidate Councillor Mike McKee has described the revelation that over the last two years the HSE has cut Home Help hours in Clare by almost 19,000 hours as “shameful”.

In 2015 Clare received 212,098 HSE home help hours but in 2017 it received 193,583 hours. (Excluding Home Care hours which help an older person to be cared for in their own home.)

Councilor Mike McKee said:“The cut to Home Help hours in Clare, by 19,000 hours is shameful of the HSE and a clear signal from the Government that they want to privatise the Home Help service by promoting private home care to people and families requiring Home Help for their loved ones.”

“It has been estimated in an analysis by Care Alliance Ireland, on home care supports by the HSE 2008-2016, that approximately 10 hours per week is the average number of hours provided to people who need home help.

So this shamefully means that on average over the last two year’s 1,900 weeks of help was cut from the most vulnerable in our communities.”

“Instead of cutting Home Help hours the Government needs to increase them to help people remain in their homes and give them every opportunity to remain independent for as long as possible.”

Councilor Mike McKee added; “Clarecare operates the Home Help Service in Clare on behalf of the HSE. This essential service mainly assists older people, but also provides support to families in stress, and helps people with disabilities,” “Home Help is essential for people in rural Clare especially for people living alone who depend on their carer and don’t have anyone else calling to see them.”

“Without home help more of our older people are forced into long-term care in nursing homes supported by the Nursing Homes Scheme. But, this privatization of Home Help care is by effect causing more strain on the health service.”

Councilor McKee concluded; “It is long recognised that by remaining in their homes and communities people have a better standard of living, so the Government needs to put the services in place to allow this to happen.”

region’s premier FAA/EASA 145 approved aircraft interior repair shop we are looking forward to offering our existing and new customers an extended range of new services through our parent company STS Group.”

STS Component Solutions is a division of STS Aviation Group, which currently offer materials management, engineering services, technical support, original equipment manufacturer distribution, and supply chain management solutions to the aerospace industry based in Florida.

The company will now offer its growing global customer base robust Aircraft Interior refurbishment and modification services including, full cabin reconfiguration, aircraft seats and support services.

Commenting on the new venture, Shannon Commercial Properties Managing Director Ray O’Driscoll said: “We are delighted to have been able to provide the property solutions that STS UJet needs to grow.

The company are taking newly refurbished facilities totalling 38,000 sq ft in Shannon Free Zone.

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

ADVERTISING

5

6 NEWS

Kilrush development will improve ‘quality of life’

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

STUART HOLLY

M

editor@clareecho.ie

AYOR of Clare, Councillor Tom McNamara, today (Friday, 9 February 2018) officially opened new integrated playing pitches at the Active Kilrush Sports Complex in Kilrush.

The €200,000 project, which has been funded by Clare County Council, involves the development of a 1.6 hectare field to the latest design standards to accommodate a maximum size GAA pitch and 2 soccer pitches.

Sports, recreation and leisure facilities at the Sports Complex and throughout Kilrush are owned and developed by Clare County Council and maintained and managed under the Active Kilrush brand. They include an all weather pitch, 3 soccer pitches, GAA pitch, playground suitable for children and teenagers, a 400m Running Track used by local athletic clubs and schools, and on site changing

l OPENING: Mayor McNamara and Minister Pat Breen point the way as the new integrated pitches in Kilrush are opened

Photo by Eamon Ward

rooms which are scheduled to be upgraded in the near future.

“Clare County Council is making significant, positive strides towards delivering a wide range of top class sports and leisure amenities throughout Clare,” said

Cllr Tom McNamara, Mayor of Clare.

The Mayor continued, “It is important the recreational needs of the wider public are met and that the Local Authority continues to explore new ways of increasing participation levels in sport and recre-

ation across Clare. The opening of these new playing pitches is especially welcome news considering they coincide with the opening of a newly refurbished gymnasium at Active Ennis Leisure Complex and a 3G all-weather playing pitch at Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road.”

Cllr Gerry Flynn, Chair of the Social Development SPC, said the development of new recreation facilities in Clare has the potential to contribute significantly to “an improved quality of life for everyone who lives in and visits County Clare.”

“I warmly welcome the investment made in the Active Kilrush Sports Complex which already plays a vital role in terms of promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle, driving community development and integration, and delivering a boost to the local economy,” he added.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said the Active Kilrush Sports Complex is a key component of Local Authority’s approach to enhancing the range and quality of recreational infrastructure in Clare.

l AT YOUR SERVICE: Francis and John Brennan are looking for Clare businesses to feature on their RTÉ show for its upcoming 11th series

Brennan brothers on lookout in Clare RTÉ’s At Your Service are on the lookout for hospitality businesses in the County Clare area to star in the new series of the show.

The popular programme, now in its 11th series has featured many of the County’s businesses in the past including the historic ‘Spa Well’s’ in Lisdoonvarna which will be broadcast in a few months’ time.

This year the producers are on the lookout for different and unusual projects as well as hotels, guesthouses, B&B’s caravan parks, self-catering cottages.

“If you’re thinking of diversifying, e.g. opening a shop, tearoom or other start-up business with a catering or hospitality element, please get in touch if you think the Brennan’s could help” a spokesperson from Waddell Media commented.

The Brennan’s bring years of experience

of running a successful hotel and hope to inspire others to up their game and bring in new business.

Their advice covers all areas; they look at staffing, analyse catering arrangements and suggest new menus. They inspect every room and advice about redecoration (both inside and out) and they look for new ways to exploit the less obvious aspects of each property.

While Francis Brennan conducts the main inspection and devises an overall strategy, his brother John looks at money issues and explores new marketing opportunities and suggest ways to develop in the future.

For more information, contact: atyourserviceseries11@gmail.com or call 0864077224 to receive an application form by post.

NEWS 7

Ennis expected to lose 7-day assessment unit THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

D

OCTOR Michael Harty TD has told the Dáil this week he understands that the Medical Assessment Unit at Ennis Hospital is to close at weekends and the seven-day service will be reduced to five-day.

Speaking at Leaders Questions Dr. Harty told the Taoiseach this has much more to do with medical politics than the delivery of care to patients: “Effectively, it is a failure of the group to deploy resources properly.

“Considering that the Mid Western Hospital Group is unable to open its own medical assessment unit on weekdays, not to mind weekends, it defies logic that it would now propose to close the only seven-day medical assessment unit within the region, namely, that in Ennis.

“This will curtail services within the hospital in Ennis but it will also transfer considerable pressure to the accident and emergency services in Limerick because the patients who would occupy the medical assessment unit beds will now end up in the regional hospital in Limerick.

“Medical assessment units are part of the integration of the primary and secondary care elements of our health service,

l RESOURCE FEARS: Dr Michael Harty (inset) says that the move from a seven-day to a five-day service in Ennis will put huge pressure on Limerick Hospital

Katrina up for IFTA WITH only two days to go until the IFTAs, we’ve got all of our fingers and toes crossed for Clare filmmaker Katrina Costello (pictured above).

Her drama documentary, The Silver Branch, has been nominated for the Best Irish Feature Documentary Award and we bet it will win hand’s down.

“I’m honoured and humbled, it took me five years to make this film and this nomination is a gratifying acknowledgement of its worthiness in Irish Film,” Katrina said.

The Silver Branch grew out of Katrina’s desire to give our unique Irish landscape and the stories of our agrarian culture a place in modern society.

Katrina follows farmer Patrick Mc Cormack, who also happens to be a storyteller, poet, an agrarian philosopher and a visionary.

“Our relationship with food and the land has changed, we buy food cheaply and packaged nicely and farmers are squeezed commercially into intense farming methods – which is more about yield and quantity.

“However, I have been fortunate enough to share some time with some of Clare’s unique stronghold of traditional farmers,” Katrina added.

Katrina and her husband Ken live in Lahinch, where they run Sea Fever Productions together.

Head along to The Silver Branch screening in glor, Ennis on Sunday, April 15 at 4pm.

and discontinuing them will break that continuity,” Dr. Harty said.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded: “I have never been fully comfortable with the idea of crudely dividing hospitals into model 3 and model 2 categories because different hospitals have different roles in different places. The hospital in Roscommon may have a very different role from the hospitals in Ennis or Nenagh, although they are all model 2 hospitals. Roscommon hospital, as the Deputy knows, has never been busier. It has seen major additions to its functions and patient numbers in recent years.”

UL Hospitals Group responded in a statement by saying a review is currently being carried out but insisted no decision has yet been made.

The statement read: “UL Hospitals Group regularly undertakes reviews of services provided across all hospital sites to ensure they are fit for purpose, address a specific patient need and are the best use of finite resources. A review is being carried out into the weekend opening of the Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis Hospital, however no decision has been made at this time.”

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Your guide to this weekend’s Run Clare event in Lahinch It’s the second event in the Run Clare series this Sunday and we bring you all you need to know

T

HE RUN CLARE series continues this weekend in Lahinch and The Clare Echo can’t wait to see its competitors in action as they ramp up the miles.

The organisers have some info for participants to help the first event run smoothly.

It takes part in Lahinch, Co Clare.

Please remember to bring the race number you received in Barefield to check into this event. You will be charged €2 administration fee for replacing lost numbers.

The race starts at 1pm and check in opens at 11am at Seaworld on the prom front. It wlll close at 12:30.

Parking is available at The Golf and Leisure Hotel (near the church) and also on the prom (you will have to pay to park on the prom).

Please carpool as much as possible and be respectful of our neighbours

when parking.

There are toilets at Seaworld and there will be portaloos at the start line at the upper car park is on the main Miltown road, approx 400 meters after the church, where we ask to convene until race is ready to go to avoid disrupting traffic.

They will not wait for late comers.

You MUST wear your race number on your front on race day and keep it for subsequent races as you will have to ‘check in’ at each event so organisers know you have participated in order to be eligible for the finishers medal in Tuamgraney in April.

The race is run on open roads.

Please follow the stewards’ instructions and be careful.

There will be water and fruit at the finish line so please use the bins provided to discard all rubbish.

Look out for The Clare Echo and be sure to say hello.

Clare Echo is proud THE

partner of Run Clare Series WATCH OUT FOR OUR PHOTOGRAPHER THIS WEEKEND

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lBAREFIELD: Sharon Quinn and Róisin O’Holloran Photo by Katie McNeill

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Clare Recruitment

RECRUITMENT

9

10 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

THE NOTEBOOK

I

T’S been a frosty February so far so a little trip to sunnier climes couldn’t come fast enough! I’m off to Tenerife this week for a some well needed vitamin D and a bit of heat on the bones after a busy fortnight.

Ailbhe and I were delighted to attend the Xposé Benefit Awards where I presented my good friend James Patrice with the Best Male TV Star award and rubbed shoulders with none other than Caitlyn Jenner of all people! It was a great night and congrats to all the deserving winners!

I was delighted to witness the stunning new SS18 col-

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE CLARE

lection from Irish Iconic Designer Louise Kennedy at the R.H.A gallery last week and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

A stunning mixture of classic pieces with bright and floaty numbers. I also caught up with some of the other budding chefs along with the new judge Rachel Allen last week to launch the brand new season of The Restaurant which will air on TV3 Wednesday 21st February at 9pm.

I am so excited to join forc- lTASTY: The launch of TV3’s The Restaurant

es with Knight and Day Jewellery as an ambassador for their new beautiful collection for another season. It is such a wonderful brand and the creative team behind this new lookbook shoot were second to none. A joy to work with.

BEO has been on the GO and we took our day of selfcare to the Rebel County last weekend. I met Cork Camogie Star and mental health awareness ambassador Ashling Thompson for the first

time. What an inspirational lady and what a turn out!

Next stop, Dublin and Laois.

It’s so great to meet so many ladies looking to improve their health and well-being across the country.

I’m delighted to see the Marty Party continue on Dancing with the Stars but as the competition heats up the votes become more and more crucial.

Don’t forget to vote for our resident twinkle toes!

Top 5 Beauty treatments available in Co Clare SALT GLOW BODY BODY EXFOLIATION AT THE BEAUTIQUE

1

Check in to Ennis town’s little haven for a detoxifying salt-exfoliating treatment with sea salt and aromatic oil designed to remove dull skin and refine the skin texture, leaving you velvety and soft.

2

HD BROWS AT BODYTREATS BEAUTY SALON

There is only one place in Clare for Brows in my opinion and that’s to Orla in Bodytreats, Ennistymon. Her ability to shape and frame your face will leave you feeling like a new woman!

SKINCEUTICALS SM PEEL AT LASERDERM CLINIC

3

I love this brand and this treatment is designed to minimize the appearance of surface lines, smooth rough skin texture, aid in clearing acne, and help fade hyper pigmentation due to sun damage.

Yes please to all of the above!

4

PEVONIA MASSAGE FOR MUMS-TO-BE AT THE SPA AT DROMOLAND

If ever a massage was needed!! Pregnancy demands it and this specially tailored safe full body massage is just what the doctor ordered for all those new unexpected aches and pains.

NATURAL SEAWEED BATH AT THE THALASSOTHERAPY CENTRE KILKEE

5

The benefits of seaweed are endless so why not bathe in heated seawater and freshly harvested seaweed to ease those tires muscles (also ideal for skin ailments).

lSISTER ACT: Ailbhe and I were delighted to attend the Xposé Benefit Awards where I presented my good friend James Patrice with the Best Male TV star award

COLUMNIST 11

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

HAPPENINGS DOOLIN RUSSELL MEMORIAL WEEKEND Take a trip to the traditional music capital of Ireland and immerse yourself in a weekend of music, song and dance from the 22nd-26th February. See michorussellweekend.ie for the full programme and more info.

FOIL, ARMS & HOG @ GLÓR, ENNIS Looking for a night of humour packed with punch, YouTube sensastions Foil Arms and Hog will not disappoint.

Catch them in glór for their brand new show OinK Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February at 8pm.

Tickets €25 at glór.

COVET IN CLARE

SHINE BRIGHT From statement pieces to fun bright Spring/Summer colours to lift any mood, Knight and Day’s brand new jewellery collection (above) is fabulous and available in Carraig Donn now.

GYM BUNNY I-Spy Fitness, Lifestyle and Yoga Clothing: Stretchy, comfortable and affordable...this new Irish brand fronted by a mother and daughter duo who are passionate about easy, stylish fitness wear is just the fitspo you need! See i-spy. ie for more.

DR WHO? Dr Hauschka, that’s who! This range of natural skincare is such a gorgeous treat.

I’ve recently been using the Blacktorn Toning Body OIL which supports elasticity and helps minimise the appearance of stretch marks. €20.25 available at most health food stores.

MARK IT Calling all mums and expectant mums...milestones should be marked and these fun cards will help you document and cherish those special moments forever. Available at littleones.ie or Little Ones in Ennis.

WIGGLE WAGGLE Unfortunately I won’t be wiggling in this Wiggle skirt any time soon but a girl can window shop! I love this whole look from Willow.ie. The skirt (€84.00) will take you anywhere this Spring/Summer. J’adore!

5 MILE COASTAL RUN LAHINCH The next step in the Run Clare series following on from the Resolution Run challenge takes place on Sunday 18th February.

The coastal run will take you on the scenic five mile route of Lahinch at 1pm.

See runclare.com for more.

lLEGENDARY: The Doolin Russell Memorial Weekend will take place from February 22

12 SUPPORT LOCAL

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

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

Double delight right on your own doorstep Customers come first when you stop into Annette’s and Inhouse

lBEST OF NEIGHBOURS: Annette Daffy, with Triona Nagle and Alan Cunningham from Inhouse

W

HY travel out of town to visit Annette’s Boutique and In House on the Limerick Road, we hear you ask? Well, why wouldn’t you? With nearly 50 years’ experience between them, they are the experts in their respective fields.

Annette Daffy has been catering for her clients since 1990 and has built up a loyal customer base over the years.

“It’s nice to know your customers and we have a great customer base built up over the last 28 years. People come back all the time and we have a personal relationship at this stage and I know what my customer likes,” Annette said.

Customers are so loyal to Alan Cunningham and Triona Nagle of InHouse interior furnishings, their children come back to the store to decorate their own houses.

“We get a lot of repeat business. I suppose when we deal with people, they see the service we offer and the quality we have so they come back to us again,” Alan added.

The trio all strongly believe in the importance of shopping local, with InHouse interiors employing local fitters and curtain makers.

Annette concurred with this and said that it’s very important for local businesses to use each other’s services.

“I think it’s essential that we support each other, it is really essential especially in this day and age that people shop local.

“I wouldn’t dream of buying outside, because everything is available in Ennis and surrounds plus it’s good that people support each other,” Annette said.

Annette’s Boutique offers a stunning range of top brands including Badoo, Kate

Cooper, Naya, Cecil, Marble and Personal furniture mirrors, lamps, clocks and soft furChoice. nishings.

She offers outfits for smart casual day/ They stock all of the top quality brands inevening, mother of the bride, wedding cluding Sanderson, Clarke & Clarke, Harleguests, special occasions and commuquin and Prestigious. nion dresses.

She carries sizes between 8 “We’ve an interior design service and 24, so every shape and that we offer, we have interior HOW TO size is catered for. designers that call in here and She also stocks the FIND US consult with the staff and go beautiful Knight and Day jewellery range, for Annette’s Boutique and Inhouse through stuff with them. We which our very own do call out services where are situated on the old Limerick Clare Echo ‘Love Road between The West County and they can bring samples Clare’ columnist AoiClarecastle Roundabout. and books at a time to suit bhin Garrihy is a brand To contact Annette’s, call the customer if the shop ambassador.

065 68 41466. hours don’t suit the custom“It works quite well beTo contact the team at cause when people are er,” Alan said.

Inhouse, call buying their outfits for wed065 68 49736.

Aside from the great service dings and they automatically and stunning product ranges, are drawn to the knight and d a y because they need jewellery to match, so one of the best things about visiting Anone compliments the other,” Annette added. nette’s Boutique and InHouse is the free InHouse can cater for every possible style parking. imaginable, with hundreds upon hundreds of Customers can park up and browse the materials to choose from. racks at their leisure, without the worry of a They offer custom made curtains and blinds with everything made to measure, as meter running outside. well as stocking a wide range of occasional Trust us, it’s worth the journey.

l SUPPLIER: Annette’s stock Knight & Day, worn here by Aoibhín Garrihy

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 13

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

‘Lent’ a time to get back on track

F

OR me the season of Lent is an attitude of honesty and humility and a time where I reflect on where I find God in my life. But Lent is also an attitude of relief and joy, knowing that our sins have been forgiven, that we have the chance as Pope Francis said, “To get back on track” and that our slate has been wiped clean as we seek to serve our God with our lives. These next weeks of Lent are a time for us to look deep into our hearts, to think about our lives and how we have been living them. If people want to temporarily give up certain things for Lent as a sign of love for God, that’s fine. But what Christ is really concerned about is what’s in our hearts. Resolve this Lent to be emptied out, to make room in your heart and soul for God to bring about great work in you for the good of yourself and others especially those most in need in our world.

What I have found in reflecting on my life especially during times like Lent is that I find God in helping others. On one of these occasions of finding God I remember one cold morning when I worked with the Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity on the streets of Calcutta, I went to Sealdah Railway station to reserve my ticket for a short holiday to Darjeeling to follow the footsteps so to speak of the journey of Mother Teresa’s beginnings. It was cold, foggy weather which was unusual for Calcutta. My taxi dropped me near the station and I tried to go inside to the ticket counter.

Suddenly, I saw a middle aged woman, trying to get relief from the cold with a torn blanket, lying on the ground at the entrance of the toilet area. She was suffering from leprosy and the fingers of her hands were falling off, and one of her feet was also falling off and hanging by its sinews and she was trembling from the cold. She was trying to cover her body with the torn blanket so that no one would see her deformity or her leprosy, but she failed every time to do it.

She wished for someone to come and help her. So many people

passed by her, but no one helped.

I forgot all about the cold and I was whispering to myself, “God, why are you giving so much pain to this beautiful woman? Why are you not helping her?”

Then I suddenly realised that God sent me to help this person and I quickly ran to help her cover her body.

She was barely able to whisper the words, “thank you”. I lifted her, cradled her in my arms and carried her to the front of the station through the crowds and flagged down a taxi and the taxi driver seeing our predicament sped through the streets of Calcutta waving a red flag or handkerchief out the side window of his car so that we could get to the Mother Teresa’s house called Kali-ghat which was also known as the house of the dying.

I found out in our journey from Sealdah Railway station to the house of the dying that her name was Mara. On that journey she told me her life’s story which sadly is the story of many women and girl children in our world and it was a story of abject poverty, abuse and horror. By the end of the taxi journey I didn’t know whether it was me helping her or her helping me in the way she was profoundly thankful for me been there in her hour of need.

I carried her from the taxi among the throng of people on the streets of Calcutta into Mother Teresa’s house of the dying called Kali-ghat. I cleared a spot for her on one of the beds. I was standing near her feet and as the Mother Teresa sister’s cleaned her and cared for her along with a close friend of mine Fr. Eamon Kelly from Donegal who was at that time working with the sisters in Kaligath, I couldn’t help notice or stop looking at the fact that half her left foot was missing. It had been completely eaten away by maggots and as Fr. Eamon and the sisters cleaned it many more maggots were taken out. The bones were sticking out of her foot and some of these had even been worn away because Mara had used her foot to drag her self along because she couldn’t walk in her condition.

The foot was eventually amputated that day and Mara died a few days later surrounded by much love and prayers from Fr. Eamon, myself and many of the Mother Teresa sisters present in Kali-ghat.

It might not be a big thing for everybody, but it changed me a lot.

God gave me the dream to help the poor and those in need in our community and in our world. I realized that a dream is one thing, but trying to achieve it is another thing altogether. From that day, I promised myself, whatever it may take, I will help lots of people to live in a more caring and loving world if I can. I am still doing my best to try and do that but I need help and I need your help and at the end of the day we all need one another’s help. I have at times failed miserably to live up to that ideal that I set myself back then and I have let family and friends down at times and for that I am always truly sorry for, but its important to keep trying and not to quit and that is what I will continue to try and do going forward on this journey called life.

The serenity prayer has helped me greatly with that.

I find God all the time when I am helping others in need. I would like everybody, if you see anybody who requires help, don’t just pass by. Try to give possible help to them.

Maybe God sent you to help them. Maybe during our prayer and reflections during this Lent that’s where we will truly find God in those situations where we are helping those most in need!

EMPOWERMENT

Jesus tells us that Lent is a time of self-denial, a time to give up something, a time to repent. But Jesus isn’t concerned with you giving up chocolate or not listening to your favourite song; he’s concerned with what’s going on in our hearts. Lent is that man who stood in the back of the temple, looked down at the ground and prayed.

“Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Lent is a time for us to be like that man, to give up our sinful habits, our sinful attitudes, to repent and to stand before God and

SAINT: Mother Teresa

to ask him to forgive us, to wash our sins away, and to empower us to turn away from our sinful past and to live new lives that are dedicated to God and to helping and loving others especially those in our societies who genuinely need our help and care.

REPAINT AND THIN NO MORE!

Paddy, the painter, often would thin his paint so it would go further. So when the Church decided to do some deferred maintenance, Paddy was able to put in the low bid, and got the job. As always, he secretly thinned his paint way down with turpentine to save on costs and make more of a profit for himself. One day while he was up on the scaffolding -- the job almost finished -- he heard a horrendous clap of thunder, and the sky opened and it lashed rain. The downpour washed the thinned paint off the church and knocked Paddy off his scaffold and onto the lawn among the gravestones and puddles of thinned and worthless paint. Paddy knew this was a warning from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried: “Oh, God! Forgive me! I am sorry for thinning the paint. What should I do?” And from the thunder, a mighty voice said out loud: “REPAINT! REPAINT! AND THIN NO MORE!”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, always remember that each one

of us has a purpose and a place in the world. Each of us experiences pain, tiredness, loss, sadness, joyfulness, love, and hope and many other feelings and emotions associated with our human conditions.

If we look more intently this Lent at the people we encounter on a typical day, we will see who they truly are, persons loved by God and an opportunity for us to love God in them. Regardless of appearance or situation, the woman, man, or child before you each of the days of our lives are brimming with holy possibility.

Consider that you are gazing into the eyes of God and understand that Jesus comes to us in many faces and places and its there we will find God in our lives.

Try doing something good to make things better for yourself and those in genuine need of love and care in our families, our communities and our world. Therefore during Lent we should as the poet William Arthur Ward said, Fast from fear; Feast on Faith!

Fast from despair; Feed on hope!

Fast from depressing news; Feed on prayer! Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude! Fast from anger and worry; Feed on patience!

Fast from negative unkind thinking; Feast on kind and positive thinking! Fast from bitterness; Feed on love and forgiveness! Fast from words that wound; Feast on words that heal and give real Life!

Fast from gravity; Feast on joy and humour!

Happy Lent everyone.

14 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS

SUCCESS FOR HARDY ENNIS TRACK RUNNERS In arctic snowy conditions the athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters made their way to Clarinbridge Sunday the 11th of February for the Irish Life Health Juvenile B Cross Country Championships.

Ennis Track took silver for the U11 Girls for their club and county. A super race for Clodagh Carey 16th, Jenny Cernova 18th, Tara Carey 19th, Sheena Kerins 36th, Amy Ryan 39th, Tori Deasy 64th. This was followed by Gold for the Ennis Track U13 Girls for their club and county. Fantastic running from Ellen Mannion 2nd, Grace Rynne 22nd, Alma Griffin 27th, Nicole Keane 41st, Ruth Leyden 50th and Neasa Ni Lachtnain 53rd.

Not to be outdone the U15 Girls brought home Gold for their club and county also. A superb race for Aisling Healy 3rd, Carla Griffin 11th, Eva Carey 12th, and Roise NiLactnain 18th.

Ennis Track Athletic Club were also named the 2017 Cross Country B Club of the year. A spectacular end to the Cross Country Running Season for 2017.

BANNER LADIES RACE NIGHT The Banner Ladies Football Club are holding a Race Night on Friday, March 2nd in The Woodstock Hotel. We are hoping that this event will enable us to raise much needed funds as we solely rely on our own fundraising to run the club which is such a valuable resource to the girls in the community.

The Banner Ladies have been in existence since 1994 and have had tremendous success down through the years including winning the last 7 senior County Leagues and 7 County Championship titles in a row.

They also won the All Ireland 7’s Competition in Dublin last September.

ENNIS MACRA NA FEIRME ARE BALLERS Ennis Macra na Feirme (pictured right) took part in the Clare Macra na Feirme Basketball final recently in St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield GAA headquarters in Gurteen, Doora. The Club defeated Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Macra by 14 points to 4 in a hard fought game.

Chairman of Ennis Macra, Cillian Griffey stated that ‘There is always good healthy rivalry between the two clubs and all members eagerly anticipate the final every year. Our team played with great passion and determination and most of all enjoyed the event.

Participation in Macra’s sports competitions contributes to members’ health and wellbeing and offers a further means of socialising with people of a similar age.’

If any young person would like to join the organisation, we would encourage them to visit the Facebook page by searching ‘Ennis Macra’ . Ennis Macra’s next club meeting takes place this Friday at 8pm in Lucas bar.

New members always welcome.

l HISTORY MAKERS: (L - R) Kate O’Connor, Niamh Hogan, Ella Holly, Ava Rochford

ENNIS GAELSCOIL SWIMMERS MAKE HISTORY Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog made history when they became the first ever Clare primary school to win a team event at the Irish Minor Schools Championship last Sunday in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.

The senior team of Ella Holly, Ava Rochford, Niamh Hogan and Kate O’Connor produced a huge 8 second PB when storming to the 200 metre medley relay. They then backed this up with an excellent bronze in the 200 metre freestyle relay later in the day.

The Gaelscoil were not the only medal winning team from Clare on the day though. The National School from Ennis were not to be outdone when their boys team of Leo Liu, Ronan Kilroy, Bruno Sanchez-Soto and Stephen Wang brought home the silver and bronze medals from their two events on the day. It capped off what was a record breaking weekend for Clare schools who were competing against Ireland’s swimming elite at primary school level.

In the individual events Ava Rochford from Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog won silver in the U12 50 metre freestyle in an excellent time of 29.28 seconds. And Leo Liu brought home bronze in the U11 50 metre backstroke in a time of 37.50 seconds. Gold Medals: Girls 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Ella Holly, Ava Rochford, Niamh Hogan, Kate O’Connor) – 2.34.72 mins. Silver Medals: Boys 11-12 200 metre medley relay (Leo Liu, Ronan Kilroy, Stephen Wang, Bruno Sanchez-Soto) – 2.36.94 mins. Ava Rochford – U12 50 Metre Freestyle – 29.28 seconds.

Bronze Medals: Boys 11-12 200 metre freestyle relay (Team same as above) – 2.16.47 minutes Girls 11-12 200 metre freestyle relay (Team same as above) – 2.18.82 minutesLeo Liu – U11 50 Metre Backstroke – 47.50 seconds.

ENNIS TIDY TOWNS Ennis Tidy Towns met first thing in the New Year to build on their record breaking success of 2017 when a record 8 awards were won in the National Tidy Town’s competition. Ennis narrowly missed out on the top prize by one point to Birdhill, Co. Tipperary.

This was down to the tremendous work by volunteers and the various agencies, organisations and community groups in the town.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the National Tidy Towns Competition and Ennis are going to do everything in their power to scoop the top prize!

At the recent AGM Cormac McCarthy was elected Chairman.

Ennis Tidy Towns are actively looking for new volunteers and groups to partner with on projects for inclusion in our May submission.

Ennis Tidy Towns first major project is the Spring Biodiversity Lecture series which takes place every Wednesday from 7-8pm in Waterpark House on Drumbiggle Road starting on 21st February with renowned artist and wildlife expert Gordon D’Arcy. These events are free and all are welcome to attend.

In addition we will be hosting a series of workshops to help develop our 3 year plan but more information will come on this in the coming weeks.

CONTINUED PAGE 27

WEDDINGS

InClare WE EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE HEN PARTIES

Meet the vice pricipal with a vocation for ministry

We reveal local picture perfect backdrops

A modern Hen do more class, less sass

H l ELEGANT: Spa retreats are a popular option with Hen parties

EN party season is well and truly in full swing, with spa days remaining a popular choice for brides and their nearest and dearest. Relaxing and pampering with a glass of prosecco in hand is a foolproof way to please all the girls, and avoids the possible awkwardness of a night on the town with your future mother-in-law.

Hen packages usually include one treatment per person – or a few for the stressed-out bride – plus full access to the spa facility.

The day can be finished off with a lavish dinner, evening cocktails or star gazing from an outdoor hot tub.

What better way to spoil the bride before the big day?

But before you pack your bikinis and head to cloud nine, read these tips on how to organise a hen party spa day and ensure it runs smoothly.

SPA DON’TS:

1

Assume your spa must take place in the daytime...

While spa days are very popular hen party packages, many spas also offer evening hen parties. What could be better than relaxing in the spa, enjoying a lavish dinner and wine with friends and capping the night off with cocktails and gossip in the hot tub?

riVer SPa

2

at the fallS hotel, enniStYMon

3 4 5

Involve the bride in the details... This day is all about friendship, and it’s a nice gesture to have the guests chip in for the bride’s treatments. Don’t involve her in the planning of the spa day. This is her time to forget about the stress of organising big events.

& aQua Centre relax and unwind with our range of

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Bathing Ceremonies Exfoliation Treatments Facials Body Wraps & Floats Massage

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our Spa guESTS alSo havE Full uSE oF our aqua CEnTrE and ThE FolloWing FaCiliTiES:

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Relax, Revive, Restore

Book at the last minute... Because a hen party is likely a large group, some spas may be fully booked.

Start planning the hen party as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

riverspa@fallshotel.ie

Forget to ask for a discount... Large group bookings are often entitled to a small 10 to 15 per cent discount so the organiser should be sure to double-check this when booking the party.

Get too rowdy... Chances are there will be other guests at the spa during the hen party. While the hens may find the embarrassing party games just hilarious, some guests may not share their sense of humour. If the spa offers a private area for larger groups, the group should book it and let their inner teenagers run wild!

SPA DO’S:

1 2

Bring the right number... An ideal hen party at the spa will consist of eight to 12 friends. Any more and things may get a little crowded.

Book group treatments... Most spas have facilities for couple’s massages, so the bride and maid of honour can enjoy a treatment together. Many spas also offer manicure and pedicure stations, so several girls can be pampered and bond at the same time.

3 4

Turn your phone off... Brides should use this time to really bond with their besties and make new memories – those emails and texts can wait.

Have a plan... The hen party organiser should make sure all the details are planned, such as who is having treatments, who has paid and what time is dinner. It pays to plan in advance, especially when the group will want to relax as soon as they set foot in the spa.

5

Research...

Some spas are just too small to accommodate large groups, so a tiny boutique spa hotel might not be the best place for a hen party. If unsure, ask.

WEDDING GUIDE 17

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Woodlands HOUSE HOTEL & SPA

Arrivals in the Garden Vintage Tea Cups Chivari Chairs Complimentary Gold Settings

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It’s Miller time Bohemien hair’s a spring classic SPRING wedding hairstyles are all about that soft, romantic feel. Think Sienna Miller bohemian rather than J-Lo glam, for the season of new beginnings, new life and blooming gardens.

Your first stop should be soft waves cascading over your shoulders.

Nothing is more romantic and timeless than flowing locks. But this may not be for you if your curls tend to droop or if you want your hair up out of your face.

If you would prefer an up do, keep that relaxed feel by pinning up your curls at the nape of your neck. Go for loose plaits and flowing strands, rather than a slick bee-hive.

The final step is to add some flowers to your hairstyle. There are countless ways of doing this and it is the perfect nod to the spring season.

If you’re going for the all-out bohemian look, consider wearing a crown of spring flowers and greenery.

For a more subtle approach, choose flowers with small petals and pin them into your up-do.

Or if you like to keep things simple, pick a flower from your bouquet and tuck it behind your ear. Beautiful.

Sienna Miller rocking the bohemian look

Plan your perfect wedding day at the Old Ground with Jenny McCarthy SUNDAY, FEB 18, 1PM-5PM THE Flynn family owned Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is inviting engaged couples, together with their friends and families to join celebrity photographer Jenny McCarthy and the hotel’s expert wedding team for an exclusive afternoon of inspiration and style at their Wedding Workshop in the hotel’s newly renovated ballroom on Sunday, February 18th from 1 to 5pm.

Following a hugely significant €300,000 makeover, the special event will see the Old Ground’s refurbished Banner Banqueting room officially unveiled. The beautifully refurbished room combines the warmth of a country house with the luxury of a contemporary Irish hotel, offering soon-to-be brides and grooms a space to rival Ireland’s finest wedding venues.

The Old Ground is delighted to partner with wedding photographer Jenny McCarthy (far right), one of Ireland’s most sought-after wedding photographers, who will present her impressive Bride Guide workshop on the day, where she will share her wealth of knowledge with guests on how to make their wedding day magical, from posing tips for photos, to advice on what to splurge or save on.

Jenny has captured the special moments at weddings of Ireland’s much-loved celebrities

including Pippa O’Connor and Suzanne Jackson.

A selection of wedding exhibitors will be also on hand throughout the afternoon, providing couples with one-to-one advice on everything from stunning floral arrangements to romantic music to set the tone on their big day.

A mini fashion show will provide inspiration for the perfect wedding looks

for ladies; with Ennis Bridal Boutique showcasing exquisite bridal gowns; while Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom and stylish guests will be catered for by County Boutique.

Steeped in history and tradition, the four star Old Ground Hotel is located in the heart of Ennis and right on the doorstep of the breath taking Cliffs of Moher and Wild Atlantic Way, boasting immacu-

late private gardens which provide an enchanting backdrop for a perfect wedding day.

Mary Gleeson, General Manager of the Old Ground said, “Over the years countless brides and grooms have chosen to let the Flynn family take care of them on their special day. Our wedding team will be on hand on February 18th to share their expertise with couples in the planning stages, and discuss the range of packages available to them. The team at the Old Ground is committed to making your dream wedding come to life by ensuring that every detail is executed to absolute perfection, and our newly renovated Banner Banqueting room is the ideal space to celebrate with loved ones and create memories to last a lifetime.”

The Old Ground Wedding Workshop on February 18th, with Jenny McCarthy presenting her Bride Guide at 2pm, is free to attend and anyone planning their big day is invited. For more on the event and weddings at the Old Ground Hotel visit www.flynnhotels.com/Old_ Ground_Hotel_Ennis or call (065) 6828127.

THE OLD GROUND HOTEL WEDDING WORKSHOP SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18TH – 1.00 TO 5.00PM Featuring Jenny McCarthy of The Bride Guide Join the team at the Old Ground Hotel and Jenny McCarthy for a Wedding Workshop with tips and advice on all things wedding.

LAUNCHING OUR NEW LOOK BANNER SUITE FOLLOWING A MAJOR REFURBISHMENT.

Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland “Let our family look after yours”

8656 2018 Old Ground Wedding Showcase Advert_260x152.indd 1

T: +353 65 6828127 E: sales@oldgroundhotel.ie www.FlynnHotels.com

01/02/2018 17:08

Get power out of your flowers Questions you should consider asking your florist for the perfect wedding CHOOSING suppliers for your wedding is tricky. They are responsible for creating a day you’ll remember forever, but you only get to meet them once or twice before the big day. So it’s very important that you know what you want from them.

When it comes to the florist responsible for your bouquet – and all the other flowers, plus, in some cases, extra decoration – these are the things you should be asking them.

Are you available on the day of the wedding? This is of course the first question you should ask ALL your potential suppliers.

What sort of reviews do you have? This is a question you can answer yourself with a bit of internet research.

Most florists will have reviews on Google, Facebook, or wedding websites like Hitched.

Have you done a wedding at our venue before? If so, maybe they have some suggestions for what arrangements would suit the venue?

What flowers are in season? There’s no point getting your heart set on peonies if they’re just not available – check with the florist, they’re the expert.

Do you provide additional accessories? Some florists just do flowers, while other florists offer all kinds of additional pieces of decorations.

Can I see some arrangements you’ve done in a similar style/colour scheme as the one we want? Go to your potential florist with some pictures of flower arrangements that you like.

What style of bouquet will match my dress? Always show your florist a picture of your wedding dress so they know what style they’re working with.

1 2 3 4 5 6

7

Honeymoon prize up for grabs...

AT TREACY’S West County Conference & Leisure Hotel, we understand that this is a special time and our ambition is to create one of the most amazing days of your lives.

Our amazing Wedding Honeymoon giveaway in association with Travel Counsellors, offers you a once in a lifetime opportunity to win your dream honeymoon, compliments of Treacy’s West County Conference & Leisure Hotel. All you have to do is book your wedding with us in 2018-2020 to be in with a chance to win.

We have completed our newly award nominated Boru’s terraced garden. We, along with our award winning designers, have created a beautiful space that offers unrivalled photo opportunities on your big day.

For generations, Treacy’s West County Conference & Leisure Hotel has offered couples the most versatile wedding venue in Clare catering for gatherings up to 500 guests.

We have a team dedicated to making sure you enjoy the most amazing day of your lives. Led by our head chef who delivers

GLITZY: The glorious top table at Treacy’s West County delicious food, our banqueting team is skilled in making everything run smoothly and our wedding planner will assist in personalising all the details of your special day.

Our stunning Ballroom radiates elegance, grandeur and style, illuminated by magnificent chandeliers enhancing the décor and atmosphere of your wedding ballroom. Our mood lighting can be adapted

to match your colour scheme.

Our bridal suite is a tranquil retreat that has been refurbished offering a kingsize bed, beautiful room décor, living room, flatscreen tv and minibar. The bridal suite boasts a stunning bathroom with shower, Jacuzzi and LED lighting.

Book an appointment with our experienced planner and let us create the day you thought you could only dream of.

‘I have a

Rice College vice principal John Burns on delving into the world of wedding ministry STUART HOLLY

T

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

HE summer of 2018 will be a memorable one for John Burns; turning 50, becoming a marriage celebrant and - as if that wasn’t enough - getting married himself all before the end of July. Oh my, my.

The Rice College vice principal has had a unique life path, to put it mildly. A Kilkee native, John’s future was seemingly mapped out when he entered St Patrick’s College, Maynooth as a trainee priest in 1990. But John had other plans.

“I just decided that’s not where I wanted to be,” John told The Clare Echo. “I thought at the time the Church needed to widen its appeal to people.”

In 1993, having weighed up his options and deciding he wouldn’t commit to a life of solitude, John set off on a journey that included working for Hertz car hire in Germany, in nursing homes in London, teaching in Ballyshannon, Donegal and finally

settling in Ennis.

John can now be considered one of Clare’s most well-known secondary school figure heads. The Rice College Vice Principal has been 23 years in the Ennis school, where he has also developed a highly reputable study centre attended by students from across the county since this writer’s days in St Flannan’s.

And now the former trainee priest has come full circle by becoming a confirmed wedding minister, albeit outside the realms of the Catholic Church this time. However John says his strong faith has remained and was a factor in his decision to go into ministry.

“I’ve always felt a sense of vocation into ministry – that’s always been the case – although it turns out that’s not with the Roman Catholic Church. Since I left there in ’93, that desire within me has always been there and in the past number of years it has grown,” he explains.

“I have tremendous faith in God. I have tremendous belief in the accessibility of what I call the Divine, from our point of view. I think there are more avenues to connect with God than just the Catholic

l LEARNING A NEW TRADE: John Burns, Vice Principal at Rice College, will now also be a wedding minister. We visited him at Rice College last week Photo by Katie McNeill

vocation for ministry’

‘‘

Church. I think what the Catholic Church does, it does very well. It represents Christ and the gospels. But nowadays there are large groups of people who feel disenfranchised from the Church and are looking for some way to connect with the Divine.

“I took on this course from which I will graduate in July, which will qualify me as an interfaith minister, or a celebrant, and that will allow me to carry out wedding

ceremonies, civil ceremonies, civil unions, same sex partnerships, baby namings and funerals. I’ve always wanted to be in that realm – and I’ll be offering somewhere different and hopefully somewhere people can go for their sacred ceremonies.

“I will have a licence from the HSE so I can carry out all the legal aspects of weddings also so people won’t have to go to a registry office. It can all be done in their ven-

‘‘

l LOVE IS IN THE AIR: John in Paris with his fiancé Tom Gleeson in Paris, where they got engaged last year

[Being a celebrant] is not going to replace what I do at the moment - I adore what I do.

Not one day here is the same in the last 13 years

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ue, which is usually a hotel but doesn’t have to be. But these ceremonies are designed, mainly, by the couple themselves. We don’t have the same prohibitions that churches might have.”

John also revealed that, although he won’t be fully qualified until July, he is already taking bookings, including from former students of his. John also stressed that he feels privileged to work with a very caring team of teachers, great students and shares a vision of leadership with a progressive Principal.

“What I’m going into is not going to replace what I do at the moment – I adore what I do.

Not one day here is the same in the last 13 years of management.

“This other thing, is answering this thing within me, which is a vocational call. I feel there’s a place for me in the world to assist people who want to get married, who may want to have their funeral, who want to have their baby naming done but maybe not done in a traditional church setting.”

John’s ordination ceremony will take place in July after which time he’ll be licenced to carry out ceremonies in Ireland – but one ceremony he won’t be able to preside over is his own wedding day.

John revealed that he will marry his partner of four years, Tom Gleeson in The Old Ground Hotel in late July, after the pair were engaged at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. “I thought it was the romantic thing to do,” smiles John “I will qualify as an interfaith minister on July 21, and on July 28 I’ll be getting married.

And the previous May I’ll be 50. It’s all come together in the one year!”

John will go on honeymoon to Vietnam and Cambodia before returning to answer his call.

John adds. “I’m just delighted I’m living in a time where it doesn’t seem to matter anymore what your orientation is and it’s one of the main reasons I didn’t stay in the original training program in Maynooth. I knew this was part of my life.

“I don’t know if I could have lived with that tension in my life. I would not have been authentic. Where I am now is much more comfortable.”

John will be a celebrant under the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation (OSIF). For more information visit Legalcivilceremoniesireland. com or call John on 087 276 6338.

Top 5 wedding photo backdrops Aoibhín Garrihy reveals her top spots

Abbey: Set in the heart of the Burren…this early 13th Century monastery 1inCorcomroe its ruined raw state, needs no embellishment and makes for a stunning majestic set-

ting for your wedding ceremony or that epic photo. You will also capture stunning images on the limestone flags of the surrounding rugged landscape

Castle: Overlooking the Aran Islands and the quaint village of Doolin, 2Doonagore Doonagore Castle is nestled on a height and provides a picturesque focal point for a

bride and groom taking a casual stroll towards wedded bliss!

Coast Road: I always remember seeing this shot and thinking what a beautiful 3Cathair, place for a “first look”. This beautiful couple, Eamon and Cliona, arranged to meet on the

Coast Road, overlooking the ocean, prior to the ceremony, to settle the nerves and it made for the cutest picture.

of Moher: Are you even married in 4Cliffs Clare without a token shot at the Cliffs of

Moher?! With views this good it’s hard to say no. Avoid the hustle and bustle of the visitor centre and access the Cliffs from Nagle’s car park in Liscannor. It’s worth the trek up believe me!

of Killaloe: Is there anything more 5Lakes tranquil than the stillness of a lake? Arrive

by boat and you’ve got “Notebook” romance status right there! Wait until evening for that beautiful light and you’ve got the perfect Kodak moment.

WEDDING GUIDE 25

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

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Don’t miss a gold chance

Rings will be your lasting momento

THERE’S so much to do when it comes to planning a wedding. The dress, the food, the cake, the band, the ceremony, and let’s not forget the wedding favours.

With so much to think about, it can be easy to overlook the one thing that will constantly remind you of your big day; the wedding rings.

It seems pretty obvious, but make sure your wedding ring compliments your engagement ring. If you have a white gold engagement ring, for example, it’s probably best to stick with the same metal for the ‘I do’ rings. You might also have to consider shaping the wedding ring to match the engagement ring so they

both fit together nicely.

A lot of couples inherit rings for their wedding, but they don’t always suit the blushing couple’s sense of style. Fear not, because there is a way around this without ditching the heirlooms. Why not melt down the ring and incorporate it into two new rings? That way, both people can have a piece of the heirloom and the family is kept happy.

Everyone wins!

A lovely trend that’s around at the moment is getting your significant other’s finger print engraved on the inside of the wedding rings. We love this and it certainly beats getting their name tattooed on your chest.

One final tip: Don’t feel obliged to purchase identical wedding rings. You may have different taste from your partner and after all, it’s important to retain your own sense of style in your new union.

COMMUNITY 27

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Community

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

l CHAMPIONS: Pictured Burren Gaels - Clare Intermediate Ladies Football Champions of 2017 with their victory medals

Photo by WIllie O’Reilly

WEST/NORTH CLARE BREATH AND BLOOD Burren College of Art is pleased to host a live art performance and installation, ‘Breath and Blood’, by Irish artists, Alastair MacLennan and Sandra Corrigan Breathnach. The performance will take place in the Gallery from 6pm onward on Thursday, March 1 and the installation will continue in the Gallery and Newtown Castle from March 1-29.

‘Breath and Blood’ is an exhibition/installation of drawings, video, sound and live art performance, looking at the cyclical nature of life and regeneration that occurs within it. The audience is invited to view this as a possible aspect of mind, where nurturing growth and new energies can allow one to expand and renew one’s awareness of being.Contact: Lisa Newman lisa@burrencollege.ie 065 7077200 https://www.burrencollege.ie/

EAST CLARE CIUNAS CENTRE Ciúnas Centre in East Clare opened its doors in 2009 to provide affordable hands on therapies and counselling to family carers, the elderly, those with disabilities, special needs and long term illness. It was founded by a small group of family carers/therapists, themselves experiencing the unrelenting stresses of providing long term care to their loved ones. A not for profit charity, Ciunas Centre is very reliant on the generosity of donors who enable us to continue offering affordable services to those in need in our communities. We would therefore very much appreciate your support during our church gate collections 17th & 18th February.

For more information on our services or to make an

St Marys AC athletes flew the flag for the West Clare club at the weekend The Juvenile Munster indoor u9-u12 competition was held at the indoor arena in Nenagh, Left to right: Eoin soffe 60m finalist; Sean Fennell gold in the shot putt silver in long jump 4th in high jump &60m; Clara Miniter gold in shot putt; Gemma Galvin bronze in 600m; Sean Clara & Gemma will now go on and compete for their first time at the All Ireland indoor championships which will be held in AIT athlone in March

appointment please contact 061 924 837.

ZEN EXHIBITION The Scariff Library Gallery will later this month host a thought provoking exhibition titled “Sakura - A Brand New Day” featuring work by international visual artist, Zen. The Romanian born painter’s exhi-

bition of graphic art and miniature objects illustrates the passage of the seasons.

According to the Clare County Arts Office, “Zen was a prodigious child born in 1955 to an intellectual family in Romania. His early academic and intellectual ties with France and the French language, made him develop up to now a love for variety

in different cultures. His talent for painting and sharing the freedom of expression bonded his love for diversity with many other international links.”

“Sakura - A Brand New Day” runs from the 26 February to 24 March at Scariff Library Gallery. For further details please contact Isa on 0892493082.

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

AWESOME ARONA lSOPHISTICATED: The Arona picks up the small but sophisticated vibe of the Ibiza and runs with it

Seat’s Arona proves us wrong about small SUVs ROAD TEST: SEAT ARONA

I

’LL admit it — I am the Grinch of small SUVs and crossovers. Like Dr Seuss’ grumbly, green, Christmas-hating character, I get grumpy about small wannabe-4x4s. I’ve always been one to say that if you want a small car, buy a small car. If you want a small SUV, buy a small car and a cheap old Land Rover Defender with the spare change. However, just as even the Grinch’s heart was eventually melted by the magic of Christmas, so I too have thawed a bit when it comes to small SUVs of late. Why? Because at long last the breed is improving.

That is exemplified no better than by this, the Seat Arona. Based on the recently-launched Ibiza and its brand, spanking, new MQB-A0 platform and chassis, the Arona picks up the small but sophisticated vibe of the Ibiza and runs with it. The styling is a little quiet and arguably a touch predictable (aside from the nice touch of the contract-colour roof and the stylised X-logo stamped into the rear pillar) but it’s still handsome, and reasonably well proportioned.

Sit inside, and the cabin is basically that from the Ibiza, just set half-an-inch taller.

Nothing wrong with that, to be honest — the overall quality levels are nothing short of excellent, even if one or two of the plastics are a bit sub-par. Comfort, thanks to supportive front seats, is very good, but there is a slight lack of rear legroom, in spite of the fact that the Ibiza is one of the roomiest of small hatchbacks. I think it’s a perception thing — you’re pleasantly surprised by the space in the Ibiza because

you see it as a small car, but slightly disappointed by the room in the Arona, because you perceive it as a big 4x4.

It is big in the boot, though, which is a very good thing. The packaging miracle that is the Volkswagen Group MQB-A0 platform means that the Arona is packing a 400-litre boot, which is around 50-litres better than the class average. That’s significant, because it makes the Arona potentially practical as transport for a growing family, whereas rivals can often struggle when you try loading them up fully.

Back up the front, our Xcellence-spec test car came with the huge and hugely impressive eight-inch ‘Media System Plus’ touchscreen (never underestimate the ability of a good touchscreen to lift the ambience of a vehicle interior), as well as dual-zone climate control, active cruise control, blind spot monitor, and a reversing camera.

On the engine front, the Arona is playing a blinder by using the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine in 115hp form. We’ve driven this engine in so many other VW Group products from Golf to A1 to Karoq and found it impressive and enjoyable every time. One small issue though — here in the Arona it seems thirstier than usual.

We racked up an average of 7.0-litres per 100km (40mpg) compared to Seat’s claim of 4.8-litres per 100km (58mpg). It’s not disastrously thirsty or anything, but normally we’d expect to see low-sixes economy (in l/100km terms, high-forties mpg). Needs a little more running-in perhaps?

It is a delightful engine to drive, regardless of thirst, revving easily and enthusiastically, and responding with a sweet three-cylinder thrum when pressed hard (ah, perhaps we’ve found the source of the

excessive fuel consumption — my right foot).

Handling-wise, the Arona again picks up the Ibiza’s baton by being smooth and accurate, with nicely weighted steering. It flows easily on a demanding road, and cruises on a main road with tolerable (if not exceptional) refinement and comfort. Engine noises at a cruise are low (another benefit of going back to petrol) while the ride quality, although fairly firm, is acceptable when it comes to ironing our the worst excesses of Irish road surfaces. It’s certainly one of the better small SUVs to drive, even if that’s not saying a lot, and it treads a well-judged line between the sharp-steering-poor-ride of the Kia Stonic and the pillow-ride-slacksteering of the Citroen C3 Aircross. As with most recent Seat products, it looks, feels and operates like a quality item.

Is that enough to overturn my anti-smallSUV prejudice? Mostly, yes, but that needs the caveat of you needing to take a good, long, hard look at the value end of things. A basic Arona, costs as little as €17,995 which is pretty sharp pricing. Our test car, with all its toys, clocked in at a much more serious €27,591 which is base Skoda Karoq price (and the Karoq is very well equipped as standard…) not to mention you could get a 1.2 TSI Leon Estate SE for the same price, which is a far more spacious and practical family car.

Still, taken as what it is — a smart-looking, sharp-driving, small SUV, the Arona’s looking pretty impressive, even to a Grinch like me…

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Seat Arona 1.0 TSI 115hp Xcellence manual Price: €27,591 as tested. Arona range starts from €17,995.

Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Body style: five-door crossover CO2 emissions: 113g/km (Band A4, €200 per annum) Combined economy: 58mpg (4.8 litres/100km) Top speed: 182km/h 0-100km/h: 10.0 seconds Power: 115hp at 5,000- to 5,500rpm Torque: 200Nm at 2,000- to 3,500rpm Boot space: 400 litres rear seats up; 823 litres rear seats down EuroNCAP safety rating: Fivestar; 95 per cent adult; 80 per cent child; 77 per cent pedestrian; 60 per cent safety assist

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THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

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Make

Model

Varient

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Year

Make

Model

Varient

Colour

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

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Jazz Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Focus Focus Focus Kuga Focus C-Max Focus Focus E-Class Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Mondeo Focus Ka Focus Fiesta Qashqai Kuga Kuga Mondeo Fiesta Kuga Civic Kuga Focus Mondeo Fiesta Focus Kuga Focus Mondeo Transit Connect C4 Grand Picasso I40 Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Sportage Civic Tourer Fiesta Mondeo Focus Focus Focus I40 Fiesta Focus Focus Focus Mondeo Focus Focus C-Max Astra Transit Connect Jetta Focus C-Max Focus Jazz Fiesta Fiesta Mondeo

1.3 I VTEC ES 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Titanium 60 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.5 TD Style 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.5 TDCI Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.5 TDCI C-Max Zetec 95 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.5 TD Style 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 220 Diesel Bluetec SE Automatic 4 Door 1.5 Diesel Zetec 75 PS 5 Door 1.5 Diesel Zetec 75 PS 5 Door 1.5 Diesel Titanium 75 PS 5 Door 1.5 TDCI Zetec 120 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 95 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.2 Petrol Edge 69 PS 3 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 120 PS 6Speed 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.5 DSL XE E6 5 Door 2.0 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 2.0 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec Argento 60 PS 3 Door 2.0 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.4 I VTEC Sport 100 PS 5 Door 2.0 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Zetec 95 PS 6 Speed 5 Door 1.5 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.5 Diesel Zetec 75 PS 5 Door 1.5 TD Zetec 95 PS 6 Speed 5 Door 2.0 TD Titanium 120 PS 5 Door 1.6TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 Diesel Style 115 PS 5 Door 1.6 Van Trend 95 PS 4 Door 1.6 HDI Exclusive 120PS 5 Door 1.7 Diesel Executive 4 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.7 Diesel EXL 115BHP 5 Door 1.6 I-Dtec Excecutive 5 Door 1.0 Titanium 100 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 115 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.7 Diesel Executive Plus 4 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 115 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Van 95 PS 3 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI C-Max Edition 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 CDTI SE 110 PS 4 Door 1.6 TDCI Trend SW Base 75 PS 3 Door 2.0 TDI Highline 110BHP 4 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI C-Max Edition 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI My Edition 95 PS 4 Door 1.2 I VTEC SE 5 Door 1.5 Diesel Zetec 75 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 115 PS 5 Door

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1.6 TDCI My Edition 95 PS 4 Door 1.6 TDCI Graphite 115 PS 5 Door 1.8 DID Instyle 116 BHP 5 Door 1.6 TDI Highline 105 BHP 4 Door 1.25 Petrol Zetec 60 PS 5 Door 1.5 TDCI 75 PS 5 Door 1.6 Diesel My Editon 95 PS 5 Door 1.0 Petrol Zetec 65 PS 5 Door 1.5 TDCI 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 Diesel My Edition 95 PS 5 Door 1.2 Petrol Trendline 60HP 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 95 PS 5 Door 1.7 Diesel Executive 4 Door 1.6 I-Dtec ES 5 Door 1.6 TDCI C-Max Active 95 PS 5 Door 2.0 TDCI Titanium 140 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDI Trendline 105HP 5 Door 1.3 Petrol Comfort 75 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDC Titanium 115 PS 5 Door 1.25 Petrol 60 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Edge 95 PS 4 Door 1.25 Petrol 60 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 95 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDC Style 109 PS 4 Door 2.0 TDCI Titanium 138 BHP 5 Door 2.0 TDC Style 115 PS 4 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 108 BHP 5 Door 1.25 Petrol Style 60 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 108 BHP 5 Door 2.0 TDCI Zetec 136 PS 5 Door 2.2 Diesel Commerical 4WD 3 Door 1.25 Petrol Style 82 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 90 PS 5 Door 1.6 TDCI Style 90 PS 5 Door 1.4 Petrol S 5 Door 1.5 DCI Monaco Coupe 85 PS 3 Door 1.2 Petrol Sport 70 BHP 5 Door 1.6 Diesel Style 90 PS 5 Door 1.8 TDCI Titanium 113 BHP 3 Door 1.5 DCI Privilege 110 BHP 5 Door 1.6 Petrol Comfort 102 BHP 4 Door 1.6 TDCI Zetec 109 BHP 5 Door 1.6 Petrol C-Max Active 5 Door 1.6 Petrol Zetec 110 PS 4 Door 1.6 Petrol LX 110 PS 5 Door 1.4 VTI Estate 95 BHP 5 Door 1.2 Petrol Club 16V 3 Door 2.0 Diesel Luna 4 Door 1.6 Petrol Zetec 5 Door 1.8 Diesel Zetec 6 Speed 5 Door 1.4 Petrol LX 4 Door 1.6 Petrol NT Ghia 115 PS 4 Door 1.6 Petrol NT Ghia 115 PS 4 Door

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CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT Eddie Rynne 086-2712210

Tony Roche 086-8342649

James Hehir 086-1727844

MOTORING 30

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Motoring News

Vision X is Skoda’s new concept car

S

KODA is presenting an outlook on the further development of their model range, with the hybrid study Skoda Vision X. The concept of the urban crossover transfers the characteristic features of Skoda’s successful SUV models, to another vehicle segment. The Skoda Vision X is celebrating its world premiere at the International Motor Show 2018, in Geneva.

With its compact proportions, the Skoda Vision X is presented as the ideal companion for an active, urban lifestyle. Precise lines and clear surface contours characterise the exterior and highlight the dynamic character of the FlexGreen-painted hybrid study.

A roof in contrasting Anthracite gives a sporty design. In addition, distinctive bumpers, sporty side sills, a large panoramic glass roof and 20inch alloy wheels create a powerful look. The sharp design is inspired by traditional Czech glasswork.

The interior of the Skoda Vision X

defines a fundamentally new design language for the Czech brand. The wide, ergonomically contoured dashboard with freestanding colour display dominates the visual impression in the interior. The infotainment and connectivity services can be accessed quickly and intuitively via the screen. Illuminated elements made of cut crystal glass in conjunction with the colour display create atmospheric lighting effects.

The Skoda Vision X is the Czech automobile manufacturer’s vision of a modern crossover. By adding a third model to the successful SUV family, Skoda will be expanding their range of models with a focus on the fast-growing SUV segment, which is a cornerstone of Skoda’s Strategy 2025. By 2025, Skoda Auto will have brought out plug-in hybrid vehicles in addition to all-electric cars. Then, every fourth vehicle the brand delivers worldwide will have a plug-in hybrid or purely electric powertrain.

Renault ZOE

100% Electric / 400km NEDC Range

ZERO % APR ZERO B.I.K. Tax ZERO Emissions

Visit our open week from 12th-17th February Model shown: ZOE Dynamique Nav R90 Z.E.40 starting RRP €27,490*. Finance example Zoe Expression Nav R90. RRP €23,490*. Deposit €8,550. Term 60 monthly payments of €249. APR 0%. Total cost of credit €0 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Offer exclusive to Renault Bank. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes. *RRPs shown are after VRT relief and maximum SEAI grant of €5,000 available to private purchasers.

HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie

Book a test-drive

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THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

QUALITY USED CAR SALE Serviced YEAR 2017

172 172 172 171 171 171 171

2016

161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161

2015

152 151 151 152 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151

Warrantied

Valeted

MAKE AND MODEL

COLOUR

MILEAGE

PRICE €

PRIUS HYBRID PLUG IN AVENSIS 1.6 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA C-HR 1.2T LUNA PETROL COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA

Grey Silver Bronze Silver Silver Silver Bronze

4000 8500 9000 25500 16500 26500 14000

34,950 25,950 21,950 22,950 19,950 19,950 19,950

RAV 2.0 D4D LUNA 2WD Red RAV 2.0 D4D LUNA 2WD Red RAV 2.0 D4D LUNA 2WD Bronze AVENSIS 1.6 D4D LUNA Silver AURIS HYBRID AUTO LUNA ESTATE Bronze COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA Black COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA Black AURIS 1.4 D4D LUNA Silver AURIS 1.2T LUNA PETROL Red AURIS 1.2T LUNA PETROL Silver YARIS 1.4 D4D LUNA Bronze YARIS 1.0 LUNA Silver

60000 55000 103000 36000 27500 70000 54000 27500 35000 28000 25000 38000

24,950 24,950 23,950 20,950 18,950 18,950 18,950 17,950 17,950 15,950 13,950

COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA AVENSIS 2.0 D4D LUNA AVENSIS 2.0 D4D AURA COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D AURA AURIS 1.4 D4D SOL AURIS 1.4 D4D SOL AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.33 AURA PETROL AURIS 1.33 AURA PETROL YARIS 1.33 LUNA PETROL YARIS 1.0 LUNA YARIS 1.0 LUNA

50000 93200 75000 50000 65000 58000 73200 64000 18100 54000 64000 19500 34500 53500 30000 33000

16,950 16,950 16,950 16,950 16,950 15,950 17,950 17,950 16,950 15,950 15,950 15,950 15,950 12,950 11,950 11,950

Silver Grey Bronze Silver Black Bronze Black Bronze Bronze Black Silver Silver Grey Bronze Blue Silver

SOLD

YEAR 2014

142 142 142 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141

2013

131 131 131

2012

2012 2011

2011 2011 2011 2010

2010 2008

2008

NCT’d

Irish Owned

MAKE AND MODEL

COLOUR

MILEAGE

PRICE €

RAV 2.0 D4D AURA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.33 LUNA PETROL AVENSIS 2.0 D4D ICON AVENSIS 2.0 D4D AURA COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA AURIS 1.4 D4D TERRA NISSAN QASHQAI 1.2 PETROL

Blue Silver Blue Red Grey Bronze Bronze Grey Bronze Silver Silver

81000 77000 11000mls 52800mls 61000 52800 99800 110000 57200 95100 104000

20,950 13,950 14,950 16,950 16,950 14,950 13,950 13,950 13,950 13,950 15,950

COROLLA 1.4 D4D LUNA COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA HYUNDAI ix35 AUTO DIESEL

Black Black Black

127000 122000 101000

11,950 10,950 16,950

COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA

Blue

140000

9,950

COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA COROLLA 1.4 D4D TERRA MAZDA 3 1.6 DIESEL

Grey Black Black

174000 215000 99500

10,950 9,950 9,950

AVENSIS 2.0 D4D STRATA

Silver

210000

8,950

RAV 2.0 DIESEL AUTO 4x4

Black

135000

6,950

*PRICES QUOTED ARE STRAIGHT DEAL PRICES WITH NO TRADE IN

Avail Now Our EXCELLENT Finance Offers. Terms & Conditions Apply.

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

MOTORING 32

Motoring News

HONDA’S NEW CIVIC DIESEL FINALLY ARRIVES

T

HE tenth-generation Honda Civic Diesel is the latest addition to the Honda Civic family in Ireland. With prices starting from just €25,550 ex works the all new Civic Diesel is now available with a highly competitive offer for all cars registered before the 31st of March including a free Honda Civic Diesel service plan and one year’s free road tax, all available at 3.9 per cent PCP. The new Civic 1.6 i-DTEC Diesel is completely re-designed and re-engineered and epitomises Honda’s innovative spirit and quest for technical excellence. The result is a car created with a unique personality and sporty soul, it is exciting to drive, refined, comfortable and sophisticated.

The comprehensively revised 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine for the all-new Honda Civic range, offers an outstanding combination of performance and efficiency. The development objective for this engine upgrade was to deliver an athletic response and agile feeling for the driver, greater refinement through precision technologies, and lower levels of NOx emissions.

The four-cylinder 1,597cc i-DTEC diesel engine provides maximum power of 120hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 300Nm at 2,000 rpm, powering the Civic from zero to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. CO2 emissions (under the updated NEDC test conditions) are from 93 g/km when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

Combined fuel economy figures under the updated test conditions are 3.5l/100 km, or better than 70mpg.

The improvements to the 1.6-litre diesel include enhancements to reduce cylinder friction, improve the efficiency of NOx conversion, and to further develop the driveability of the car.

Honda’s engineers have employed new production processes, introduced different materials, and sourced next-generation components to deliver a comprehensively-revised engine.

In line with Honda’s ‘Safety for Everyone’ philosophy, Honda SENSING is also available on the Civic Diesel as standard. Honda

SENSING is among the most comprehensive suites of safety technologies in its class. It uses a combination of radar and camera information, plus a host of hightech sensors to warn and assist the driver in potentially dangerous scenarios.

The Honda SENSING suite of active safety technologies includes; Collision Mitigation Braking System; Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Road Departure Mitigation; Lane Keeping Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control; Traffic Sign Recognition; Intelligent Speed Limiter, and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.

John Saunders Sales and Marketing Director for Universal Honda said that “Honda has managed to create the cleanest most efficient Civic Diesel ever with outstanding performance and unrivalled fuel economy.

While diesel was the only tax effective option for customers for the last number of years, it’s proposition has changed and it now represents a clean and efficient value for money option that other fuel or electric power-trains simply can’t deliver. The addition of this amazing new engine gives our Civic customers a fantastic choice between our award winning turbo VTEC petrol engines and a modern clean efficient diesel engine, it is just a case of deciding which one suits your lifestyle better.”

The difference between spending and investing at Frank Hogan.

Up to**

€4,0a0g0 e Scrapp EcoGrant

0% HP finance* extended until Feb 28th.

You don’t just buy a Volkswagen Van. You invest in your business. With 0% HP Finance across the range, now’s the time to give yours an asset it can really depend on. Plus, scrap any Euro 1-4 diesel car or van and you’ll get a Scrappage EcoGrant of up to €4,000 towards the cost of a new Caddy, Transporter or Crafter.

For a 24 hour test drive visit Frank Hogan Ltd. Dublin Road, Limerick

Tel: 061 416000

www.frankhoganvolkswagen.ie

*Typical Finance Example (HP): Caddy PV TDI 75HP M5F. OTRP €18,265. Deposit / Part Exchange €5,701. 36 monthly payments of €349. Total cost of credit €0.00. Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a business hire purchase agreement. Volkswagen Bank GmbH Branch Ireland is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. ** Terms and conditions apply. Scrappage EcoGrant of €2,000 incl. VAT on Caddy and €4,000 incl. VAT on Transporter and Crafter. California and Amarok are excluded from EcoGrant offer.

Please contact your local Volkswagen dealer for full details.

NEWS 33

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY OF THE CLARE ECHO

WEST CLARE Centra, Kildysart, The Square, Kildysart Declan Casey, Labasheeda Declan Meaney’s Shop, Cree Doohans Foodstore, Main Street, Kildysart Fitzpatrick‘s Costcutter, Kilmihil Hayes Shop, Doonbeg Johnstons Centra, Kilmihil Jones’ SuperValu, Miltown Malbay Keanes Bar & Grocery Shop, Carrigaholt Kelly Bros, Ballynacally Leonard Vaughan, Service Station, Miltown Malbay Mace, O'Connell St, Dough, Kilkee McGrath’s Food Store, Connolly McInerney's Shop, Mountrivers, Doonbeg Morrissey’s Post Office & Shop, Kilmurry McMahon Neylon’s, Texaco, Kilmurry McMahon Nolans Deli, 49 O' Curry Street, Kilkee O’Brien’s Country Store, Kilmaley O’Dwyer’s Shop & Post Office, Quilty Post Office, Carrigaholt Queally's SuperValu, Frances Street, Kilrush Sheedy’s Londis – Top Shop, Darragh T. Powers Shop/Fuel Station, Knockera Talty’s Store, Lissycasey Tesco Supermarket, Ennis Rd, Kilrush The Corner Shop, Henry Street, Kilrush The Irish Shop, O'Curry Street, Kilkee The Leisure Centre, Frances Street, Kilrush Topaz Filling Station, Quilty Vaughan’s Filling Station, Cooraclare Whelan’s Mace Shop, Ennis Road, Kilrush Whelan’s Shop, Main St, Doonbeg

SOUTH EAST CLARE Bonner’s Bar, O’Briensbridge Bourke’s Newsagents & Grocery, Mountshannon Canny’s Bar, Shop & Filling Station, Killanena Centra Clarecastle, Creggaunnahilla, Clarecastle Centra Scarriff, Main Street, The Square, Scarriff Corbett‘s, Main Street, Quin Crowe’s Grocers, Ministers Cross, Sixmilebridge Crowe‘s Supermarket, 1 Clós Na, Quin Daybreak, Crusheen Dunnes Stores, Shannon EUROSPAR, Ennis Rd, Newmarket Gala Clarecastle, Kildysart Rd, Clarecastle Great Gas - Stritch's, Filling Station, Killaloe Iceland, Shannon MACE Shannon, Shannon MACE, Ardnacrusha (Barry’s), Parkroe, Ardnacrusha Maxol Service Station, Clareabbey, Clarecastle McDermott's Xpress Stop, Lakyle, Whitegate Moloney Thos, Fairgreen, Broadford Moloney‘s Store – Day –Today, Gurrane, Feakle Nyland’s Gala Topaz Filling Station, Tuamgraney O'Flynn‘s Centra, Sixmilebridge O'Halloran's, Church Road, Tulla Smith’s’ General Store, Feakle SPAR, Newmarket SuperValu Killaloe – Queally, Convent Hill, Shantraud, Killaloe SuperValu Tulla - Lyons/Donlon's, Main St, Tulla TEXACO Express, Skycourt Shopping Centre, Shannon The Country Store, Main Street, Broadford The Forge General Store, 1 Convent Hill, Shantraud, Killaloe Tim Crowe’s –Gala, The Green, Sixmilebridge Topaz, Tullyvaraga, Shannon Tracy’s Foodstore, Whitegate Ward’s Shop, Patrick St, Clare Commons WH Smith Book Store, Shannon Airport Whelan's Food Store and Newsagent, Church Street, Killaloe

NORTH CLARE ALDI, Ennistymon Centra Corofin, Main Street, Corofin Centra Lahinch, Lahinch Hassett’s Daybreak, Main St, Lahinch Hogan’s Shop, Corofin Howley’s Supermarkets, Main Street, Kilfenora Lakefield Service Station, Ennis Road, Corofin Liscannor Service Station, Liscannor MACE, Church Street, Rathbaun, Lisdoonvarna MACE, Inagh Mooney's Filling Station, Ballyvaughan O’Gorman’s Express Stop, Kilfenora O'Callaghan’s Daybreak, Main Street, Corofin Rynne’s Shop, Inagh Spar, Ballyvaughan Spar, Main St, Ennistymon Spar, The Square, Rathbaun, Lisdoonvarna SuperValu - Fitzpatrick's, Ennistymon ENNIS Applegreen, Limerick Road Coots Xpress Stop Shop, Kilrush Road, Ennis Costcutter/Tierneys, Knockanoura, Ennis Donnellan’s Centra, Loughville, Ennis Dunnes Stores, Ennis Town Centre Eason, 2 Bank Pl, Clonroad Beg, Ennis Elmo Spar, Limerick Road, Ennis Fitzpatrick’s (O'Brien’s), Knockanoura, Tulla Road, Ennis Heaslip’s, 34 O'Connell Street, Ennis Hogan‘s, Exl Shop, Gort Road, Ennis Hogan’s Foodstore, Inver Service Station, Gort Road, Ennis Hogan’s Mace, Lahinch Road, Ennis Kelly's Corner Shop, Lifford, Ennis Liddy’s Costcutter , Roslevan Shopping Centre, Ennis Liddy’s Costcutter, Mill Rd, Cloughleigh, Ennis Lynch's Centra, Gort Road, Lifford MACE (O’Sullivan & Hansbury), Kilrush Rd, Cahircalla Beg, Ennis Mary Kelly, Hallmark, 28 O'Connell Street, Ennis Moloney's Shop, O'Connell Street, Ennis O'Brien’s Gala, Drumbiggle, Ennis O'Brien’s Shop, Clancy Park, Ennis O'Connor’s Newsagent, 19 Lower Market St, Ennis O'Dowd's Convenient Store, 68 Turnpike Rd, Clonroad Beg, Ennis O'Keefe's Inver Service Station, Tulla Road, Ennis Paper Chase, 4 Ennis Town Centre, Ennis RE Store, Limerick Road, Ennis Rory Kenny, Showgrounds, Ennis Ryan’s Centra Ennis, Clonroadmore, Ennis Spar, Lifford Tesco Superstore, Francis Street, Ennis The Abbey News Agency, Abbey St, Lifford Western Service Station – Daybreak, Quinn Road, Ennis GORT Coughlin's Centra, George’s Street, Gort Minihan's SuperValu, Church Street, Gort News & Views, Bridge street, Gort P.J. Hawkins, George’s Street, Gort Spar, Cloone, Gort

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

Property

Property review of 2017 T

HE county council was a significant player in the property market in 2017, as it increased its stock of second-hand homes for social housing.

Price growth rates maintained the same levels as in 2015 and 2016.

There was a strong demand for properties below the €150,000 mark.

Cash-rich investors snapped up three-bedroom semis and apartments, for their capital appreciation potential and strengthening rents.

Rents were up: two-bedroom apartments fetched €700 a month, compared with €550 a year ago.

Likewise, the rent on

a three-bedroom semi jumped from €750 month in 2016, to as much as €900 a month last year.

“Demand is high and the environment is good”, says Diarmuid McMahon, of agent Sherry FitzGerald McMahon. “In the summer we had a five-bedroom, detached house in the Gort na MBláth estate, in Ennis, that was valued at €275,000 and attracted multiple bidders.

It sold quickly for €295,000.

“We’ve seen few new developments as banks have deemed anything outside the main cities high-risk.

It’s been individual houses rather large estates to date.

Prices are now reaching an economical level for new building in County Clare.”

PROPERTY 35

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

74 O'Connell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare Phone: (065) 684 0200

O’SULLIVAN HURLEY

LAND FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION

87.27 Acres (Folio CE22033) Shanaway Road Ennis, Co. Clare Price: AMV €450,000 at The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare 2nd March 2018 12:00pm

Located on the Shanaway Road, one of Ennis’ premiere residential areas, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley are delighted to offer for auction, circa 87.27 acres with vehicular access onto the Shanaway Road. The lands slope gradually from road level to the Inch River, Ennis is 2km, Shannon 22km. PSL No. 002295 Solicitor: Paul O’Brien, McMahon O’Brien Tynan, Mill House, Henry Street, Limerick 061-315100 Agent: Cormac O’ Sullivan cormac@dngosullivanhurley.com

36 SPORT

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Clare slip up against Cavan in icy weather Ladies Football Division 2: Clare 3-5 Cavan 3-9 in Doonbeg

TRISHIA DONNELLAN

T

HE Clare Ladies v Cavan match was only one of two NFL division 2 matches to take place at the weekend due to wintery snow and icy conditions.

Clare recorded their second defeat in a row to the Ulster side, Clare 3-5, Cavan 3-9, while Waterford enjoyed a double score win over Laois 4-10 to 2-5.

Clare management made 3 changes to the starting team that lost to Waterford the previous week with All Ireland Minor B winner, Aine Keane getting the nod ahead of the injured Grainne Nolan.

Clare started brightly when Ciara Hickey beat the goalkeeper in the opening minutes but as was the case throughout the match, Clare was unable to build momentum as Cavan quickly scored a goal of their own.

An Ailish Considine free put the Banner side ahead but the Brefini lead grew quickly to see them ahead by three 1-4 to 1-7 by the turn of the first

quarter. Clare kept pace with Cavan and drew level when Sarah Bohannon, who intercepted the ball in midfield, passed off to Roisin Looney to set up Ailish Considine, who finished to the net. The sides were still all square at the 26th minute, Clare 2-1, Cavan 1-4 when Cavan again raided the Clare net.

Ciara Hickey clawed one back but Cavan added 5 more points to lead at the break Clare 2-2, Cavan 2-9.

Clare was expecting the aid of the breeze to start the second half, but got a shower of snow and hailstones instead.

Clare was unfazed by the weather and had created several scoring chances; the best of which saw Niamh O’Dea set up Becky Mahon who fisted the ball past the keeper to close the gap to 3 points, Clare 3-2, Cavan 2-9.

Mahon came on to replace the injured Laurie Ryan who took a serious hit towards the end of the first half.

However, Cavan countered again with another goal at the Clare end.

l COLD BATTLE: Clare’s Tara Kelly shields the ball from Cavan’s Aisling Sheridan in the close-fought battle in Doonbeg last weekend

The backs tightened up and Cavan was without another score for the next 10 minutes while Caoimhe Harvey, Ailish Considine and Niamh O’Dea added points for the home side.

It was not enough however and the final score was Clare 3-5, Cavan 3-10.

Clare has a bye next weekend and then head to Laois on the 25th February.

Clare: Ciara Harvey (West Clare Gaels ), Roisin Considine (Liscannor), Laurie Ryan-captain (Banner), Amanda Mulcair (St Joseph’s D/Barefield),

Louise Woods (Banner Ladies), Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels ), Laura Egan (Kilmihil), Tara Kelly (Cúil Gaels), Roisin Looney (Cooraclare), Orla Devitt (Eire Óg), Niamh O’Dea (Banner Ladies) (01), Sarah Bohannon (Cúil Gaels), Aine Keane (Miltown), Ciara Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane) (1-1), Ailish Considine (Kilmihil) (1-2, 1f). Subs: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels) (0-1) for A. Mulcair (20 min), Becky Mahon (Kilmihil) (1-0) for L. Ryan (injured) (40 min), Caitriona Callinan (Kilmihil) for C. Hickey, (40

min), Kayleigh McCormack (Burren Gaels) for S. Bohannon (48 min), Aisling Reidy (Doora Barefield) for T. Kelly (54 min).

Sligo: Holly Lynch, Rachel Doonan, Laura Fitzpatrick, Joanne Moore, Orla Smith, Sinead Greene, Neasa Byrd, Sinead O’Sullivan, Mona Sheridan, Beth Farrelly McGee, Aisling Doonan, Ciara Finnegan, Catriona Smith, Bronagh Sheridan, Aisling Sheridan.

Referee: Keith Delahunty

Knockout hurling in sight JAMES MULVIHILL

C

LARE host Munster Champions Cork in the third round of the Allianz Hurling League this Sunday. The Banner men have made a great start to this campaign with victories over Tipperary and Kilkenny and will secure a place in the knock-out stages with a win over the Rebels this weekend.

The management team of Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor have received a welcome boost with the return of Jamie Shanahan, Paul Flanagan and Bobby Duggan to full-time training. In terms of how Clare may line up, Donal Tuohy is likely to retain the goal-keeping position as he is playing very well at the moment. However at this stage of the competition, game time may be given to Pa Kelly, Andrew Fahy or Ronan Taaffe. Conor Cleary has been solid at Full-Back and should retain his jersey with Jack

Browne and Patrick O’Connor in the corners, Eoin Quirke and Oisin O’Brien will be in contention but likely to be on the bench. Rory Hayes continues to recover from injury. David McInerney is likely to be at centre back with David Fitzgerald, Seadna Morey, Michael O’Malley, Jason McCarthy and Gearoid O’Connell battling for positions in the half-back line. Diarmuid Ryan is unlikely to feature this weekend as he will be lining out for Ard Scoil Ris in the Harty Cup Final against Midleton CBS on Saturday.

Colm Galvin and Tony Kelly are likely to be the midfield partnership for the third game in a row. There is healthy competition for places in the forward division with the likes of David Reidy, John Conlon, Cathal Malone, Shane O’Donnell and Podge Collins likely to start, with Conor McGrath and Peter Duggan in contention for a starting place. I would like to see Niall Deasy and Ian Galvin given more game time to impress ahead of the Munster Championship.

Cork need a victory to stay in the

‘‘

We have forwards with pace, Clare must run at the Cork defence any time they get possession and try to create goal chances

‘‘

Hurling

hunt for a place in the knock-out stages. They have forwards that can hurt any defence on their day with the likes of Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane, Alan Cadogan and Shane Kingston.

The Banner’s defence needs to be solid to nullify the influence of the Cork attack. Tim O’Mahony is playing very well at centre back, but he has not yet come up against a forward who has serious pace.

We have forwards with pace, Clare must run at the Cork defence any time they get possession and try to create goal chances.

Cork’s defence in recent years has been suspect and Clare will be looking to exploit that in the early stages of this game.

The Banner men shot eighteen wides against Kilkenny and their shooting will need to improve a lot to stand any chance of winning this contest. Cork supporters will travel in big numbers expecting a win from their team.

Kanturk won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship at Croke

Park recently with Anthony Nash and Lorcan McLoughlin playing a big part in that success they will return to the county team full of confidence.

Expect a great atmosphere in Ennis this weekend as Clare will be looking to make home advantage count.

The Banner men travel to Wexford and Waterford in their remaining games of this campaign and a victory against the Rebels will give the team huge confidence going forward as they will qualify for the Quarter-Finals and that gives the management team an opportunity to experiment.

It promises to be a fascinating game with both teams looking to get a victory which could prove vital by the end of this campaign. Clare will go into this game as slight favourites and playing at home could swing it for them.

Round 3: February 18th, Clare v Cork, Cusack Park, @ 2pm.

Verdict: Clare

SPORT 37

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Martin Daly GAA ANALYSIS

With another draw under the Clare footballers’ belts, Martin Daly looks at the flashpoints from a match that saw a 14-man second half Clare fight back

Free-taking bedlam may have cost Clare the win Clare 0-11 Tipperary 0-11

National Football League Division 2 at Cusack Park

T

HIS match will be remembered for an unfortunate sideline incident; but don’t let that overshadow that we learnt more about this Clare side in their draw against Tipperary than we have done so far this season.

Clare have now left two home games behind them and will be forced to take a scalp from one of their away games – Down and Cork – to be in with a chance of survival in Division 2. Otherwise, the final home game against Louth could be a dead rubber.

FIGHT Yes, the draw against Tipp is another point lost. However with newly-blooded players still in their bedding-in period; there are gains from the weekend. These lads are not short on fight.

Clare have shown massive character in coming back. They got a nice trimming last week against Meath and heads were down so you needed to come back strong to get something out of the match, even if it was only a good performance, so I suppose there’s two ways of looking at it; you could say they’ve picked themselves up by getting a good point against Tipperary.

POINT LOST But if you were at the game and saw the last 10 minutes, it was a good opportunity to take away an extra point.

Home wins are vital; the likes of Cavan and Tipperary are games you need to be capitalising on. They left the Cavan game behind and it looks like they’ve left the Tipperary game behind them too.

Even though our record with Tipp hasn’t been great, we needed to be getting two points in this game. Even though we were a man down in the second half, all in all there were chances near the end to get the win but we failed to do so. When you get an opportunity to win games, which Clare had, it’s nice to be able to take it.

Failure to be clinical was a factor again.

Between a scuppered chance at the death

INCIDENT: Tubridy heads for an early shower after receiving a black card and (inset) Jamie Malone holds his head after his red card

Photos by Martin Connolly for Sweeney and difficulties from frees, Clare had their opportunities.

FREE-TAKING BEDLAM Something I found very strange – in the first half Clare went through four free takers.They started with Kilian Roche, the goalkeeper, and when he hit his wide they went and tried Gary Brennan, followed by Cathal O Connor, and they ended up with Keelan Sexton. They had two or three opportunities, and it took two or three free takers to end up with no result. And the same happened at the end of the game.

Okay, Keelan Sexton was left on the long

frees and he got a cracker to tie the game but he missed a shorter one a few minutes later.

It’s just a pity the management haven’t that put to bed. Colm is with this bunch a long time, he should know who his top two are at this stage. If your free-taker has an off day – and it does happen – you move onto your backup after he’s missed two or three. But we seemed to go through four in the first half, if not five. That’s too many to be playing around with at this stage.

FRESH LEGS Now, there’s a two-week break. The

ground will be very heavy and they’re after three games in a row. Even though we have blooded a couple of players, we’ve lost a few this season so we’re relying on the same 20 odd guys to go out on the field again in two weeks.

That they’re rested is important. They’ll probably do a lot of video analysis which is probably more beneficial than going out onto the field and flogging lads – and that they were down to 14 men and finished the stronger against Tipp shows that their fitness actually seems to be very good.

It’s now about getting freshness right.

HEAT OF THE MOMENT I think people feel that Jamie Malone’s red card was over the top. We know the Tipperary mentor got concussed but there was no argy bargy afterwards, the mentor himself was calm about the whole thing but the linesman himself came in and made the meal of it and then Jamie got the red card.

Jamie’s not that type of player – he leaves his aggression on the field and doesn’t cause trouble so it’s a pity it happened to him. In the heat of a moment tempers can rise; having been on the sideline myself, at times it’s hard to sit in the dugout with passions getting a hold of you. I think moreso, this was an accident.

He did bang into him, tried to grab the ball off him, but it was a freak accident.

UP TO DOWN Down got a great win at the weekend.

They’re up in Newry. They’re known traditionally to be an excellent football team – but they blow hot and cold. The travelling is going to play a factor in it. I think if we had Down at home – we beat them last season – we’d be confident but it’s going to be more difficult up there.

Clare showed great pride and passion last weekend to bounce back from Meath – and we were down a man – so they should go to Down with a pep in our step.

We’re going to find it tough, but now that we’ve dropped points in Cusack Park, we need to find a win away from home to stay in Division 2, so no better place to do it than Down.

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

THURSDAY, FEB 15 2018

Your Horoscopes February 15

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1 Ship’s officer reeling on sub (5) 2 Drinks for children (4) 3 Females sailed up the creek (6) 4 Frenchman’s refusal to accept a foreigner as emperor (8) 5 Customers, cold and silent, getting upset (7) 6 Inflammation from chin to ribs?

(10) 9 Date tree is transplanted in springtime (10) 12 A bit of a change for show team (8) 14 Rural building — one with no exceptions (3,4) 16 Less sensitive issue of

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16 Less sensitive issue of periodical (6) 19 Nick, getting out of bed, is distressed (3,2) 20 Money for Johnny the singer (4)

2

1 Traffic hold-up near Cork? (10) 7 Untidy trees I’d put somewhere else (7) 8 A lot of lions were nosy, so we hear (5) 10 Sisters finding some men unsatisfactory (4) 11 Wasn’t led astray in swampy areas (8) 13 Bird with bishop in West Bank city (6) 15 Prophet endlessly devouring American dessert (6) 17 Was found folded (6,2) 18 Drunk embracing central Glasgow resident, say (4) 21 Opening hours for animal (5) 22 Damned bishop didn’t run out (7)

6. Eamon Taaffe 7. 1971 8. Three 9. Gerard Mallinson 10. Peggy

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The Clare Echo Crossword

IT’S time to try a new attitude -- or maybe an old one that fits you really well. Start looking forward enthusiastically, with your awesome pioneering spirit. Your positive energy may start a ripple effect that spreads out all around you.

One way to get things going is to stop thinking and take direct action.

13

Pisces

YOU’RE the link connecting some group of people, the one who began it all and still keeps it stuck like superglue. For now, there’s a great chance for your network to both strengthen and expand. Organise a gathering to celebrate the past, present, and future of the gang -- you’re just the one to do it.

difficult - just lso an ideal

Aquarius

17

Capricorn

7 8 9 10

YOUR personal inspiration can really motivate others to a remarkable degree for the time being. It’s lovely for your more timid people to see how you’re dealing with life -- using that optimistic spirit, big heart, and courageous attitude.

0) re

Sagittarius

TRUST your intuition and you can start to see the good luck flow your way. Others may be in a more logical mood, but your instincts are enmeshed with your personal fortune for the time being. Suddenly everything and everyone is calling for your attention, and you should certainly tune in and see what’s going on.

S

Scorpio

21

Libra

4 5 6

e

YOU kind of have to plan in order to be spontaneous, and that’s precisely what you ought to be doing right now. Build plenty of wiggle room options into your schedule -- and make way for random awesomeness. If you’re really ready to go with the flow, it may take you to some pretty amazing places.

y

THINGS are getting exciting! Your travel plans are shaping up today (you are making some, right?), or maybe you’re getting invited to all the right parties, or maybe new romantic prospects appear that are worth further exploration. Wherever you’re going, be sure to wear your dancing shoes.

nk

YOU’RE always there to step in when others bail out without warning. Staying late at work or picking something up for a friend could cramp your own style, but your caring nature means you’re always willing. What you get in return might involve delayed gratification, so it’s important to treat yourself right for now.

) ut

Virgo

1. Traffic cop 2. Sonnie 3. Kilmihil 4. Wing 5. Sixmilebridge

Leo

3

5)

Cancer

2

6) ta

LOOK out for some cool, brainy action relating to your relationships today. Someone special is finally more or less on the same page, and it could be a sweet development. Now that you’re both seeing things the same way, it could be that a partnership -- or a new depth -- is close at hand.

s?

AN UNEXPECTED meeting might shake you up a bit -- this encounter just seems so coincidental. Is it really? It could be that the universe is goading you into taking a new look at a belief or an idea represented by this big event. Let it unfold naturally and see what happens.

MOVING at great speed isn’t your typical mode, but for now, you’re getting somewhat ahead of yourself. You’re full of hot ideas and big schemes, and this is definitely good but you need to work on them some more before taking action. You need to keep pushing against adversity. Take your time and you pick up some unexpected assistance.

Patrick Joseph “Pat” McDonald who won a gold medal in the 1920 Olympics. What was his day job?

Vet, Traffic cop, Teacher Michael Murphy competed in the 3,000m Steeplechase at the 1932 Olympics. What was his nickname?

Paddy, Speedy, Sonnie Edel Murphy will line out for the Six Nations this weekend.

Which ladies football club did she play for?

Wolfe Tones, Kilmihil, Éire Óg In what position does Eimear Considine play?

Lock, Wing, Fullback What club does all star winner Chloe Morey play for?

Sixmilebridge, Newmarket, Ruan Which Clare legend scored the winning goal in the 1995 All Ireland?

Eamon Taaffe, Brian Lohan, Jamesie O’Connor What year was Davy Fitz born?

1971, 1973, 1975 How many railway cup medals has Ger Loughnane won?

Three, Two, One Keith Wood’s middle names?

Gerard Mallinson, John William, John James What’s Marty Morrissey’s mammy’s name?

Peggy, Mary, Bridie

o

IT’S time to try a new attitude -- or maybe an old one that fits you really well. Start looking forward enthusiastically, with your awesome pioneering spirit. Your positive energy may start a ripple effect that spreads out all around you. One way to get things going is to stop thinking and take direct action.

GET ready to branch out, try new activities and discover some wonderful things in odd places. Your brains, ideas, and feelings are all expanding outward, filling up your life with all kinds of positive energy and new possibilities.

The more you express yourself -- the more you can spread your great energy.

ult - just n ideal

CLARE SPORT LEGENDS

Gemini

Taurus

Aries

The Clare Echo Quiz

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