The Clare Echo 23/07/26

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Cllr Howard harassed by ‘disturbing’ phone calls

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A group of competitors prepare to show their horses at the successful Clarecastle Show last weekend. For more photos, see p10

Photo by Tom Micks

More jobs to take off in Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

RYANAIR are set to make a significant announcement to benefit the Shannon region.

Senior management from Ryanair will join Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke (FG) at Shannon Airport today (Thursday) where between 300-400 new jobs are

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forecast to be announced along with details of further investment by the airline in Co Clare.

Last month in the Dáil, Minister Burke teased a “significant announcement” that hundreds of new jobs were on the cards in Shannon from a leading Irishborn company. No new routes are expected to arise from the additional investment from Ryanair.

FEMALE politicians including Cllr Mary Howard (FG) have gone to the Gardaí over a co-ordinated campaign of “disturbing” and “horrendous” phone calls this week.

Cllr Howard confirmed to The Clare Echo that she made a report to An Garda Síochána in Ennis on Wednesday morning after receiving a “horrendous phone call” from “a very sick individual” on Tuesday evening.

Up to thirty female Fine Gael councillors have received phone calls since Sunday night by a male individual. No threats were made to any of the

women but the conversation has been described as “totally and wholly inappropriate”. It is understood the same man has been behind the calls.

Fine Gael headquarters are now looking into the matter along with An Garda Síochána.

“When someone phones you it is a different level, it is a violation, it was in the evening time and you get this horrendous phone call,” Cllr Howard told The Clare Echo. On what was said over the phone, Cllr Howard commented, “the conversation was totally and wholly inappropriate”.

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) Photo by John O’Neill

Full story p6

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lGroup of set dancers hit the floor at Céili at the Crossroads Festival at Clarecastle last weekend

Photo by: Tom Micks

Corofin’s Cilléin Mullins, Marc O’Loughlin and Luke Neylon celebrate after beating Waterford side Stradbally in the Munster IFC Mickey Guilfoyle, Robert Clancy and Brian Pyne supporting Clare during the Oscar Traynor (Munster region) quarter-final vs Kerry in Frank Healy Park Photo by Joe Buckley club quarter-final. It was the last involvement of the season for Crusheen’s Mullins who departs for Australia.

Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

Councillors encounter gridlock in Mountshannon lion was attempts get Blake’s Corner update Overto300 new Ryanair jobs on

actually a ‘friendly mouse’ the cards for Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ELECTED members of

by Dearbhla Parry McMahon by Páraic have now discovered from Ryanair. that was a deer. “I’m not saying news@clareecho.ie páraic@clareecho.ie Clare County Council are the ‘lion’ is in a beautiful Ryanair for certain that it is a lion, but Infact November, encountering their own dog, with does look to have a mane KILLALOE GARDAÍ have Newfoundland announced thea itaddivery snazzy haircut, named and a long tail. Some people gridlock attempts to are get solvedinthe mystery of ato make RYANAIR tion of four new routes ‘Mouse’. Hats off to the even think that someone reported clarity on the‘lion-like’ status ofanimal plans in jobsguards an- forfrom Shannon Ma- have shaved their dog clearing all of thisto might the woodsatraffic of significant East Clare. to alleviate congesnouncement in Shannon drid, Poznań, Rome and up I think this is one of the as a joke,” O’Reilly remarked Reported sightings and tion at Blake’s Corner. stories along that will the time, a comment which today (Thursday).

Warsaw with atreitfootage of aonpotential Three weeks from thelion humorous go downerating in the lore of our turned out to be true. emerged last weekforwith Minister their previously High Court dismissing anEnterprise, county”. announced plans to have “At a time when AI imagery reports made to Gardaí.

Tourism and Employapplication to bring a judicial The video was captured by and confusion as to whether However, once on the ment,against Peter Forest Burke (FG) is a truck fourthdriver basedwho aircraft in content is real or fake review challenge the a passing online scene in Woodpark to announce the Chief Operating proposed purhad beenShannon. hauling timber.

It is so rampant, it fell on the Park in compulsory Mountshannon, any creation of between to 400shows new Mouse Officerwalking of Ryanair, Jason in Killaloe Station to into guards chase order the trace of for the lion Ennistywas300 gone woodsMcGuinness and disappearing. and to establish jobs during a were visit to the Clare said it investigate repgarda investigators monand inner relief road, elected Forest manager John the true facts,” Deputy Crowe unable got toonstuck confi rmin whether Thursday. resented a O’Reilly €345m investmembers their lGRIDLOCK: Blake’s Corner said harvesters working explained.lJOB ROUTES: More the identity of animal was by Hethe will be injoined se-thatsite efforts to source further ment. on the had spotted the MunicipalRyanair jobs onyou the cards in fact a lion.

They reported “The outcome High District, can formation from top table niorthemanagement of“lion” Ry- before, In of a the statement to The but only from that “enquiries were carried Court case in relation to the have a reply for next week”. of Clare County Council. anair.

Shannon Airport Clare Echo, Clare TD new routes in and out of a distance and assumed out” accordingly. inner relief road at Blake’s it Director Kirby confirmed a In aGardaí statement last will be the setting for the Cathal Crowe a(FF) de-would Shannon, the scale in released Killaloe have Corner, it said it dismissed reply be furnished for of the month the that Highthe announcement where Ry-review sincefollowing confi rmed scribed it asallow“game changinvestment which Ryanair judicial project the meeting.

Court ruling, so-called lionthe was in fact a to con- ing” for Shannon Airport. anair areCouncil expected will beinner announcing ing the project to proceed. Is Ennistymon’s relief will be saidNewfoundland they “in dog named firm partnership details of a significant “This position, is a very signifigame changing for Shanthat the definitive ” road is intended to address whose coat and with‘Mouse’ Transport Infrastructure investment in the Midcant investment in Shannon Airport and the operhe asked. notorious traffic congestion tail (TII)” had been shaved to Ireland would proceed West that in- non ations there.

Director of Airport Services and of aatrealiBlake’s Corner.

The scheme resemble that of ofregion a lion.

“The will to the next stages the N67/ cludeInner creation of over sationCarmel of theKirpotential of theThis investment video ofthea Relief lion-like Transportation, includes construction of is an N85recent Ennistymon animal roaming around the by offered the 300 jobs. play an evenbridge investment littleairport detail to when a new upstreaminofthe the very fuRoad project.

These stages inwoods in East Clare is in fact replying, Last month Dáil, “I more significant in in- Conway will come back toroleMichael Bridge, peture of Shannon Airport”. clude design devel-inathe thedetailed very Minister friendly Mouse, you in the daysaviation. on it destrianisation of the existBurke a coming ternational opment, conclusiondog of who land isteased Newfoundland with correspondence”. ingofbridge, and public realm “significant announceThe announcement a acquisition delightedand withplanning his recentfor viral Moreof surprisingly the of improvements.

A CPO was that hundreds significantwas number new the video construction phase. clip”.ment” lackcards of reaction elected approved by An Bord Pleanánew Cathal jobs were jobs from will be very welcome TD, Crowe At Clare Monday’s meeting ofon the Billairport Slatteryitself la inbut June 2022, however the (FF)County told inThe Clare Cllr Echo,amembers.

Shannon from leading Cllr to the Clare Council, “I have motion process was paused as the re“Like many I to was (FG) stated,also Irish-born company.

Shane Talty (FF)people, referred to athe surrounding intrigued by on the exact question sultwill of a judicial review until the amused project’sand mention in thethe down Exact details on the communities which reported sighting of a lion in as Cllr Talty has asked for our the High Court decision. monthly management report. roles are expected to be benefit from the influx of Mountshannon. The guards

unveiled at Thursday’s announcement.

No new routes are expected to arise from the additional investment

these new highly skilled employees.

He added, “Whilst this announcement is not expected to directly create

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, 2, 2026 2026 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, JulJul 23,

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Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Health Minister includes Clare trio on new Mid-West planning board

By Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

HEALTH MINISTER, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) has announced the make-up of the MidWest Health Planning Board.

Former Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Glen Dimplex Group, Seán O’Driscoll has been appointed as Chair of the Mid West Health Planning Board.

Minister Carroll MacNeill in March when announcing plans for a new hospital for the Mid-West which is to be located in Limerick, also outlined her intention to create a new planning board to develop a plan for healthcare services for the region including investment in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals.

The group will also be tasked with discussing issues like the number of beds and timeline for the new hospital development.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Minister said the board will provide strategic direction and oversight on the development of a Mid-West Service and Infrastructure Plan for the region.

O’Driscoll will serve as Chair but the Board does have Clare represen-

lREPRESENTATIVE: Lissycasey native and consultant in construction and engineering, Alma Kelly, has been appointed to the board

tation. Dr Terry Hennessy, former Clinical Director of Ennis Hospital resides in Co Clare and will offer his insights to the group.

Lissycasey native Alma Kelly, a consultant in the construction and engineering group for legal firm Arthur Cox has been appointed to the board.

Alma is the daughter of the late PJ, one of Clare’s most distinguished politicians. Lahinch based John

Wall will serve as Patient & Service User Council Representative on the board.

Membership of the Board also consists of Sheila McGuinness (HSE National Services), Joe Hoare (HSE National Director: Capital Delivery), Dr Sean Fleming (HSE National Clinical Lead, Acute Medicine Programme), Des Carville (Financing and Capital Markets Expertise), Professor James Paul O’Neill (Con-

sultant Clinician Otolaryngology Surgeon), Mairead Greene (Director of Nursing Older Persons), Patricia O’Gorman (Regional Nurse Lead), Dr. Catherine Peters (Regional Clinical Director) and Sandra Broderick (Regional Executive Officer).

The Board will focus on how services can be organised across hospital, community, primary care, and pre-hospital services.

This includes looking at how care can be provided closer to home, where appropriate, how pressure on University Hospital Limerick (UHL) can be reduced, and how existing and future locations can best work together for the whole region.

The Board is charged with overseeing the development of a credible roadmap for safe, accessible and sustainable healthcare in the MidWest, ensuring that decisions are informed by evidence, with regional input, and the needs of patients and communities.

The Health Planning Board will build on work already underway across the region, including the expansion of bed capacity at University Hospital Limerick, the acquisition of the Raheen site, and

the ongoing implementation of the Government’s blended approach to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recommendations.

The Board will begin its work in September and finalise the delivery of the Service and Infrastructure Plan for the Mid-West within nine months. Following the publication of the Plan, the HSE will develop and deliver on an implementation plan to advance the work of the Health Planning Board.

Following the announcement, Minister Carroll MacNeill stated, “People in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary need a long-term solution for improved healthcare – quality care close to home – that meets the needs of the people of the region, irrespective of their geography.

We had a positive development with the purchase of the site at Raheen in March of this year and today’s announcement is the next step in our work to bring care closer to home for the people and patients of the region”.

Positive steps made at Clareabbey wastewater treatment plant

By Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

INTERIM and long-term projects to increase capacity at Clareabbey wastewater treatment plant are progressing.

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that planning is continuing for a major upgrade of the Clareabbey plant, with the project now at the Preliminary Business Case and Concept Design stage.

An interim upgrade to increase capacity of the existing treatment plant is scheduled for delivery within the next two years.

Current capacity issues at the plant has blocked one third of Ennis from future housing and commercial development.

Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG) welcomed confirmation from Uisce Éireann regarding the interim and long-term projects.

"I have received confirmation that an interim upgrade to increase the capacity of the existing treatment plant is progressing and is currently scheduled for delivery within the next two years, subject to the necessary design work, approvals and construction," he stated.

Deputy Cooney added, "This is an important step as it will provide additional wastewater treatment capacity to support future housing and economic development while the larger long-term upgrade is being progressed."

He said the long-term project is intended to meet the area's future wastewater treatment needs, although, as a significant capital investment, it remains subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines process,

statutory approvals and funding arrangements.

"Increasing wastewater capacity at Clareabbey is one of the most important infrastructure priorities for County Clare.

Without adequate capacity, it becomes much more difficult to deliver the homes, jobs and investment that communities need”.

"I also welcome confirmation that Uisce Éireann is progressing innovation measures to improve the performance of the existing treatment infrastructure while the interim upgrade is being delivered.

Every effort to maximise existing capacity is important”.

Deputy Cooney said it was encouraging to see progress on several fronts but stressed that momentum must be maintained.

"While there is still a considerable amount of work ahead, it is positive to see that both the interim and long-term solutions are moving forward.

I will continue to work closely with Uisce Éireann and the relevant Ministers to ensure these projects remain a priority and that progress is maintained at every stage."

He added: "Clare needs the infrastructure to support sustainable growth, and I will continue pressing for the investment needed to deliver that”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

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Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Cllr Howard makes report to Gardaí after 'horrendous phone call from sick individual

By Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

FINE GAEL female elected representatives including Cllr Mary Howard (FG) have reported harassment to An Garda Síochána after receiving “disturbing” phone calls this week.

Up to thirty female Fine Gael councillors have received phone calls since Sunday night by a male individual.

No threats were made to any of the women but the conversation has been described as “totally and wholly inappropriate”.

It is understood the same man has been behind the calls.

On Tuesday evening, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) was watering the plants in her garden in Ennis when she received a call “from a very sick individual”.

After speaking with the man, the former Mayor of Ennis hung up the phone but then received an abundance of follow-up calls from the same unknown number which she did not answer.

She reported the matter to An Garda Síochána on Wednesday morning.

Female councillors who were subject to the phonecalls are work-

ing together to tackle the matter with Fine Gael headquarters now looking into the matter along with An Garda Síochána.

On what was said over the phone, Cllr Howard commented, “the conversation was totally and wholly inappropriate”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Howard stated, “As an elected councillor I believe engaging with members of public is one of most important parts of my role.

I welcome calls, emails, messages from constituents seeking assistance or wishing to discuss issues affecting our community, however I am deeply disappointed to have received a number of inappropriate phone calls.

I believe no elected representative should have to tolerate harassment for carrying out their duties.

It is particularly concerning that these calls are targeting Fine Gale female councillors.

Regardless of political affiliation, gender or background, every public representative deserves to be treated with respect and should be able to serve community without fear of intimidation or abuse”.

She continued, “This behaviour has no place in our democracy, ro-

l Cllr Mary Howard (FG) received a number of phone calls from the 'sick individual' calling the conversation 'totally inappropriate' Photo: John O’Neill

bust debate and differing political opinions are both welcome and necessary, however this type of harassment crosses a clear line and risks discouraging people particularly women from entering public life.

I remain fully committed to rep-

resenting the people of Clare with professionalism, integrity and respect.

I will not allow the actions from a small number of individuals to deter me from carrying out my duties.

I’d also encourage anyone who experiences harassment in public

life to report it to the appropriate channels.

We must all work together to ensure politics remains a place where people can work together safely and without fear”.

Politicians have unfortunately become accustomed to online abuse but receiving a phone call of this nature shook Cllr Howard.

“In my very early days in politics I got peculiar phonecalls but nothing like this and nothing as disturbing as this”.

“This crossed a line, they thought it was appropriate to phone me as opposed to being a faceless wonder on social media,” she stated.

Cllr Howard admitted she does not engage with individuals operating fake accounts or hiding behind pseudonyms online.

“When someone phones you it is a different level, it is a violation, it was in the evening time and you get this horrendous phone call”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

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Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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HSE squandors €800k on failed hospital bid for St Flannan's college green space

By Gordon Deegan

By Gordon Deegan

news@clareecho.ie

news@clareecho.ie

THE HSE spent over €825,000 (incl VAT) on professional fees on its failed planning application to secure planning permission for a €25m community hospital for Catholic Church-owned green space at St Flannan’s College in Ennis.

Last December, An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) refused planning permission to the HSE for the 100 bed hospital at the end of a three year plus long planning battle dating back to August 2022.

The planning application had the Board of Management and teaching staff at St Flannan’s College at loggerheads with the local Catholic diocese and Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan who had agreed to sell the diocesan-owned school green space to the HSE for the hospital development.

Celebrated Clare All-Ireland winning hurlers amongst St Flannan’s College staff, 2024 All Ireland hurling winning captain, Tony Kelly, double All-Ireland winner with Clare from the 1990s and hurling pundit, Jamesie O’Connor and key member of the 2013 Clare All-Ireland winning team, Brendan Bugler appended their names to a 75 strong group staff objection to the planned hospital.

The HSE confirmed in April that it intends to re-apply for planning permission for a hospital at the site.

However, figures provided by the HSE in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request show that the HSE spent €828,968 on professional fees concerning the failed planning application.

The figures show that Van Dyke Architects received €340,243 for its work on the proj-

Clare mother: 'I try get through the day without one of my sons dying'

lPlanning permission refused for a community hospital on college grounds

ect while Douglas Carroll received €138,110 for its electrical and mechanical engineering work on the project.

The figures also show that D. Fallon consulting engineers received €89,176.

Asked if the costs associated with the failed planning application are now a write-off, a spokesman for HSE Capital & Estates said: “The costs incurred to date have not been written off as the HSE intends to reuse the vast majority of the design scheme as initially developed for the new planning permission application also."

In their objection, the St Flannan's College staff told the Council that the hospital proposal “will have a seriously negative impact on the student population of St Flannan’s College”.

They stated that “St Flannan’s College is the only school in the town with the potential to expand if needed.

We believe that it would be incredibly short sighted were the lands to be taken away from any future development.”

A WORKING mother has told a court that she ‘lost the plot’ after a drug dealer told her that her sons’ drug debt would be wiped if she followed him into the toilets at a filling station.

At the Family Law Court, the Clare woman said that after that incident she never again paid a drug debt incurred by her two sons, who are both addicts.

The woman said, “Every single day, there are drug dealers at the door. I am a nice person but I feel that I am getting angrier and angrier at the drug dealers on the door”.

The woman said that she used to work two jobs to pay off her sons' drug debts.

Recalling the petrol station incident, she said, “When I went to pay one drug dealer at a petrol station and he said to me ‘I will write the debt off if you come into the toilets with me’ I lost the plot”.

She said, “They know that I don’t pay anymore. The threats are becoming more threatening”.

Asked by Judge Adrian Harris has she reported the threats to the GardaÍ, the woman said that one of the men to give threats is being investigated for serious crime and a senior Garda told her that “We can’t keep you safe if you make the statement”.

The mother was seeking a Protection Order against her two adult sons who livein the family home and remain in active addition.

In her statement seeking the Protection

Orders, the woman said that “I live in fear every day that I will find one of my sons dead and I can’t cope with this anymore”.

She said, “I go to work every day not knowing what I am going to come home to”.

The woman said that she suffers from stress constantly. The mother said that her sons “are fabulous sons when they are not in addiction”.

The woman said, “My home has been subjected to constant intimidation from drug dealers and I have had threats to burn my house down, to rape me, my windows have been broken numerous times and my front door has been broken in”.

She said, “Both my sons fight violently with each other as they are drunk on a daily basis - I can’t separate two men fighting”.

The woman said that “I want my sons to find peace because they are so loved but despite all my efforts over the years I still live in fear”.

The woman said that “the trauma I live with is absolutely heart-breaking” and she said she never thought it would come to this."

She said, “I don’t live anymore - I just walk around trying to get through the day without one of my sons dying”.

Addressing Judge Harris, the woman said, “Please help me. I no longer feel at peace in my daily life”.

The woman said that she was not seeking a Barring Order against her sons at this time.

If the two men breach the Protection Order they can be arrested without warrant by Gardaí.

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Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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'Welcome to Quin Day' supports fast growing community

by Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

QUIN Community Progress Group will launch their first ‘Welcome to Quin Day’ on July 31st, encouraging people to get involved in the growing community and support the new group.

The organisation was formed “to future proof our parish and ensure that we’re community centred”, according to committee member Siobhán O’Sullivan, who spoke to The Clare Echo about the need for the group in the area.

The Quin Community Progress Group has been formed as a single umbrella organisation for the multitude of clubs and societies in the village.

Quin is home to over 50 different clubs and organisations. Siobhán says that the new group has helped to make things run smoother in the village.

"We have 19 members now on our committee and every one of those groups is now represented on our central committee. Everything is fed back to them.

It’s all transparent and everyone knows what everyone is doing in the parish”, the Quin woman explains.

As a committee member, Siobhán is looking forward to the Welcome to Quin Day on the 31st, funds for which will be raised at a table quiz on July 24th in The Monk’s Well.

“Through the Community Progress Group, we have reached out to every single society. There will be a barbecue and music and all the stands for all the clubs will be on display”.

The Quin woman notes that the once qui-

lFAMILY DAY: The event will see clubs set up at Quin Hall from 6pm - 9pm

et village has grown fast in recent years and recognises the role the community group can play in helping people to integrate.

“We have so many new housing estates in Quin, I think we have six more developments on the cards. We’re a fast growing population.

A wide variety of clubs are based in Quin, all of which will be represented on the 31st including “the rowing club, the sailing club, yoga, active retirement, snooker, Foróige, childcare, there’s a multitude, I’m only hitting off some of them. It’s a very active community”, Siobhán explains.

Quin Community Progress Group are looking forward to the event on the 31st and are encouraging people from across the area to come out, enjoy the festivities and support the organisation going forward.

Clubs and societies will be set up in The Quin Hall from 6pm-9pm on the 31st and the BBQ will take place at the same time.

Admission is €10 per family for the BBQ.

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Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Family fun at Clarecastle show ATHBHREITHNIÚ NÁISIÚNTA AR LUASTEORAINNEACHA; CÉIM 2 – CUR CHUN FEIDHME LUASTEORAINNEACHA LIMISTÉIR FHOIRGNITHE AGUS UIRBIGH AGUS LAGHDÚ LUASTEORAINNEACHA AR CHODANNA DEN R458, DEN R352 AGUS DEN R445 De réir alt 9 den Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 2004, arna leasú le hailt 53 go 56 den Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre agus um Bóithre, 2023, agus le hailt 6 go 10 den Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 2024, ullmhaíodh Dréacht-Fhodhlíthe Luasteorainneacha Speisialta Chomhairle Contae an Chláir 2026 agus beidh siad ar fáil lena n-iniúchadh le linn gnáthuaireanta oifige ó Luan go hAoine ón gCéadaoin an 29 Iúil 2026 go dtí an Luan an 31 Lúnasa 2026 (agus an dá dháta sin san áireamh) ag na láithreacha seo a leanas; •

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Glacfar le haighneachtaí agus le tuairimí go dtí 5pm Dé Luain an 31 Lúnas.

l FAMILY DAY: Top left going clockwise, Tom Burke with daughter Ailbhe and poppy the dog, Grace McEnery, winner with Dad Muiris, Peggy with granddaughter Alice, cousins Sarah O'Sullivan, Sophie O'Sullivan, Gracie Garry, Casey family, David and Stephanie with Leon and Milly

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONTRACTOR LED BUY AND RENEW SCHEME VACANT AND DERELICT RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO BE RE-PURPOSED FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL HOUSING TO CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Clare County Council is seeking expressions of interest from Builders, Trades People and Contractors for the provision of eligible properties as part of the Contractor Led Buy and Renew scheme, to be re-purposed for social housing purposes in the towns and villages in County Clare.

Contractor Led Buy and Renew Scheme properties to be considered must meet the following criteria: (a) Located in an area where there is a need for social housing. (b) Must be on the Local Authority Derelict Sites Register or be a site or property which meets the definition of a derelict site per s3 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990.

(Evidence in the form of a report and photographs must accompany project submissions).

lCatherine Mungoven with cones with Damien O'Donohue with dog Jake(inset)

(c) Must have been vacant as a residence for a continuous period of two or more years at the 31st December 2025. If the property proposed for return to use is an ‘over the shop’ property an ongoing commercial occupancy within the property is permitted. (d) Housing Design Standards should at a minimum meet the requirements and criteria set out in the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage publication, ‘Design manual for Quality Housing’ and ‘Employer’s Requirements for Detail Design of Quality Housing’ insofar as is possible, taking into consideration limitations presented by existing constraints and exemptions (such as provided for with regard to historic structures and conservation of historic fabric) and other relevant statutory planning and construction standards including current Building Regulations.

All submissions made under this expression of interest will be considered.

Please note that Clare County Council are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please forward any proposals for consideration under this scheme to Mr. Michael Canny, Housing Department, Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare or email mcanny@clarecoco.ie Clare County Council is not obliged to purchase any housing scheme or land submitted as part of this process.

11

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Ennis News

Trees 'pose a danger' to drivers Parnell Street potholes need addressing pulling out onto Lahinch Rd

by Michael Fitzgerald

by Michael Fitzgerald

DANGEROUS trees at the Lahinch Road exit of the Shanballa Estate in Ennis are posing a risk to drivers, a cllr has claimed.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) explained the issue at the July meeting of the Ennis Municipal district, highlighting the danger of drivers pulling out onto the busy main road with impaired vision due to the overgrown trees.

At the meeting, cllr Colleran Molloy asked that “the trees on the Lahinch Rd at the exit of the Shanballa Estate be cut back as they are impeding sight lines and pose a danger”.

The large housing estate is located next to the N85 national route, one of the county’s busiest roads which links Ennis and Lahinch.

A reply was issued by Acting Senior Executive Planner, Tadhg McNamara, on behalf of Clare County Council. The planner stated that “Clare County Council is examining the various planning permissions for the overall development, in so far as they relate to the estate entrance and the houses directly adjoining the Lahinch Road. This review will determine next steps”.

Speaking at the meeting, Colleran Molloy called the reply an “interesting response”, and stressed that the issue requires urgent action as it is in the interest of public safety.

Further highlighting the issue, the cllr stated that the

TOWN centre roads in Ennis are in need of repair, according to newly elected Cathaoirleach of Ennis MD cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF).

In what was his first meeting as chair, the Clarecastle cllr stated that he had received several pieces of correspondence in relation to potholes in the county town and in Parnell Street Carpark.

At the July meeting of Ennis Municipal District, the cllr put forward the motion that “This meeting respectfully requests the Ennis Municipal District Team to conduct a survey of the town centre roads and address any potholes as needed.

I have received numerous concerns regarding the road through the Parnell Street Carpark”. The motion was seconded by cllr Pat Daly (FF).

In response, Acting Senior Executive Engineer for Clare County Council, issued a reply to the mo-

news@clareecho.ie

news@clareecho.ie

lBLIND SPOT CONCERNS: Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy raised concerns about overgrown trees

trees “pose a danger out there. You can’t see traffic if you’re pulling out yet the response is saying the local authority is going to check the planning and see what conditions show.

All I can say is that the trees are posing an existing danger right now so I hope whatever response comes from the local authority whether directly or indirectly addresses this quickly”, the former Mayor of Ennis added.

The motion was noted by members of the district, with the council expected to determine the next course of action following the completion of its planning review.

tion which stated that “Ennis MD are currently progressing the 2026 Schedule of Municipal District Works programme, particularly the 2026 Restoration Improvement and Restoration Maintenance works associated with the regional and local roads within the MD. The Parnell Street Carpark road has been identified under this year’s Restoration Improvement fund and is due for structural improvement works in the form of a surface overlay in Q4 of this year”.

“General road maintenance associated with road defects including potholes are logged and recorded via the Ennis MD CRM database and are scheduled for remedial works accordingly as resources allow in terms of their priority."

Cllr Guilfoyle stated that he welcomed the reply as he concluded the motion.

Steps taken towards Abbey Court footpath review

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

A REVIEW of footpath conditions in the Abbey Court Estate in Ennis will be carried out in the coming weeks, following a successful motion by cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF).

The Clarecastle based cllr put forward a motion calling for the review at the July meeting of Ennis MD in Clare County Council headquarters.

In the motion, the Ennis LEA representative requested that “the executive arrange a formal review of footpaths within the Abbey

Court Estate.

The purpose of this review is to assess current conditions against relevant safety and accessibility standards, and to ensure that any necessary maintenance is progressed without delay in the interest of health and safety”.

Roads in the estate have also been criticised by residents due to several potholes in need of attention.

On behalf of the local authority, Acting Senior Executive Engineer Donnagh Murphy made a reply to the motion, pledging that “A survey of the existing footpath infrastructure and its compliance in terms of accessibility will be carried out over the coming weeks”.

“Ennis MD have met and liaised

lCllr Tom O'Callaghan (FF) inforced the importance of footpaths being maintained in the Abbey Court estate

with members of the Abbeycourt and Abbeyville Residents Associations in recent times to identify and improve safety measures within the respective estate areas.

Any localised areas in disrepair will be scheduled for remedial works accordingly”, it continued.

At the meeting, cllr O’Callaghan expressed that he welcomed the reply and added that “This is basically to do with the Abbey Court estate.

I’m asking the executive to carry out a review for the health and safety of all residents”, the Clarecastle man added.

The cllr also asked that depressions in the estate’s road that have the potential to cause injury or pose a risk to health and safety of residents be addressed.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) spoke in support of his party colleague’s motion, adding that “It’s important that the footpaths are maintained”.

12

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

North Clare News

State to spend €16.6m on new Burren interpretative centre for Burren village of Corofin

By Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

THE STATE is to spend an estimated €16.6m (ex VAT) on a new interpretative centre for the Burren National Park (BNP) in the Burren village of Corofin.

This follows the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage seeking tenders for an Architect or Engineer Led Integrated Design Team to complete the project which was granted planning permission

by Clare Co Council in January 2024.

The tender states that the project “will offer economic benefits to the area in the form of local employment and tourism and will also lead to regeneration of Corofin through the development of indigenous industries.”

The move comes 25 years after the State was forced to demolish its ill-fated Mullaghmore interpretive centre in the nearby Burren Na-

tional Park.

The controversy over the original visitor centre and a scaled down proposal caused major divisions in the local community.

The row also resulted in fundamental changes to Irish planning laws following a Supreme Court ruling that Government agencies could not be exempt from planning laws.

The demolition of the original centre in 2001 followed a successful battle by the Burren Action Group in opposing the €5.1m Government plan.

The new tender documentation states that the maximum budget for the proposed works (including design fees, capital contributions, fees for statutory approvals and 10% contingency) is expected to be €16.62 million.

The tender documentation states that it is aiming for construction to commence in March 2027 and be complete by March 2029.

lThe new interpretative centre is proposed to be in the Burren village of Corofin, near the Burren National Park (above)

The indicative ‘hand-over’ of the building will take place between March 2029 to 2030.

The new scheme involves the demolition of Riverview Buildings at Corofin and in its place, construct the one storey visitor centre.

The brief states that the project should support opportunities for Sustainable Tourism where a frequent, scheduled shuttle bus service will transport visitors from the

Water restrictions and hosepipe ban extended in North Clare

by Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

OVERNIGHT water restrictions have been extended in North Clare while a hosepipe ban has been introduced for the entire county.

Restrictions on water use have been in place for parts of North Clare since Thursday night and Uisce Éireann have confirmed this will remain in place until Wednesday when a further review will be held.

Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon, Fanore, Doolin, Kilfenora, Kilshanny, Lahinch, Liscannor and Lisdoonvarna have had overnight restrictions in place since last Thursday.

Following an operational assessment on Monday morning, Uisce Éireann have extended the restrictions until Wednesday when a further assessment will take place.

As reported by The Clare Echo last week, reservoirs have been running low in North Clare with St Brigid's Well running dry on one occassion while the country's most visited out-

door tourism attraction The Cliffs of Moher was at risk of having to close due to the scarce water supply.

An increased use of water during the current warm of spell of weather has led to Uisce Éireann’s supplies being used faster than the water can be treated and stored in local reservoirs.

In North Clare, targeted tankering operations continue to replenish treated water reservoirs and support local water supplies and customers in areas where we are seeing increased demand for water.

All counties in Ireland will be subject to a water conservation order from Friday until Wednesday August 26th.

The nationwide extension of the hosepipe ban is being introduced by Uisce Éireann to help protect public water supplies now and in the months ahead for homes, businesses, farms, hospitals, vulnerable customers and essential services.

The recent hot weather predicted to continue, combined with low rainfall, is driving exceptionally high

demand and intensifying pressure on water sources and treated drinking water supplies.

The Order prohibits the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus for activities such as watering a garden, cleaning a private motor vehicle, cleaning a private leisure boat, filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, filling or maintaining a domestic pond, excluding fish ponds, and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where required for commercial purposes.

Darragh Conneely, Operations Manager, Uisce Éireann renewed his appeal to communities across Clare to support the conservation measures.

"Water is a hugely precious resource, and it is important we all play our part to conserve water. Simple steps taken at home, in the garden and at work can make a real difference in protecting supply during this time”.

new Visitor Centre to the National Park.

The brief also states that the Visitor Centre “should provide dynamic interpretation of the Burren’s unique geology, geomorphology and ecology in an appealing and understandable way that highlights both its scientific and aesthetic elements and accommodates people of all ages and abilities”.

It adds that the Visitor Centre

“will also provide learning spaces and opportunities for outdoor interpretation.

In a submission concerning the scheme that was granted planning permission in January 2024, retired Government Minister, Tony Killeen raised concerns over the site selection and the chaos and undue hardship caused to locals and farmers at the BNP due to the absence of visitor parking there.

Mr Killeen is a resident of nearby Kilnaboy in the Burren and was a prominent supporter of plans to provide visitor facilities at the Burren National Park.

He stated: “What a missed opportunity it would be if NPWS were to spend a huge amount of tax-payers’ money to provide a second rate centre in the wrong location of the village.”

Mr Killeen stated that the NPWS is proposing 70 parking spaces at the visitor centre.

13

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

North Clare Agricultural Show celebrates jubilee anniversary

By Erika Sanger news@clareecho.ie

THE COROFIN North Clare Agricultural Show kicks off its 75th anniversary this Saturday, July 25, with familiar and new events to mark the celebratory occasion.

One of the longest running agricultural shows in County Clare, this year’s jubilee will be great fun for children and families, with a range of fun activities throughout the day.

Future farmers will love to see the rare cattle breed, enjoy the alpacas and study the vintage farm equipment.

Future firefighters can check out the fire engine from the Ennis Fire Department.

FREE children’s entertainment begins at noon, including two magic shows at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.

Bouncy castles, face-painting, balloon modelling, a sand pit and lots of children’s games will be enjoyed.

Perhaps families will enter the family pooch in the dog show that afternoon.

Or children may want to kick up their heels with mom and dad at the Jive with Senan Workshop at noon, followed by the tunes of local Trad Musicians and Step-dancers at 12.30pm.

We will have lively dance music from Bernie and Friends from 2-5pm.

To cap off the family fun, there will be a tug-o-war and a sheaf-throwing competition – a throwback to the first Show, when sheaf

throwing was a featured activity.

Of course, the heart of the Show is the animal and agricultural classes. In the hall, the gardeners, bakers, crafters, amateur photographers and others will display their talents in a multitude of classes.

There will also be educational workshops

by The Vegetable Society of Ireland and a poultry farmer on how to ‘Grow or Rear your own’ to reduce your carbon footprint.

If you partake in the workshop, you can bring home your planted vegetable masterpiece with you.

Don’t forget to stop by the ever-popular Vintage Tea Room, which offers a cornucopia of homemade sweet treats, and tea in a china cup, adds a bit of class to your gastronomic experience!

Tickets to the Show’s Monster Raffle with five super prizes worth over €1,000 will be on sale throughout the day or online at www.corofinnorthclareagriculturalshow.ie.

The Corofin Show has long played an important role in North Clare community life.

It began in 1948 as a project of the Corofin Young Farmers’ Club, with horse jumping and driving competitions.

It was reported that ‘a big crowd enjoyed every minute’ of the Show.

Many a Corofin man and woman contributed over the years to make the Show the success it is today.

lJUBLIATIONS: The Corofin show is one of the longest running agricultural shows in the county and has something for everyone on the day

14

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Kildysart Show 'like a festival weekend'

By Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

BILLED as ‘the best in the west’, preparations are ramping up for the Kildysart Agricultural Show which has been described as “like a festival weekend” for the village.

For what will be the 82nd year of the show, the action takes place on Sunday August 2nd. There will be a wide variety of classes between equine, show jumping, cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and dogs.

The well-established indoor section will have displays of flowers, horticulture, turf, photography, baking, jam making, honey, eggs, arts and crafts.

This year will also see a new competition in memory of Bridie Meaney in the baking section.

Bar facilities will be in situ on the field allowing people to catch-up with a café on the hill giving another location to chat while a combine harvester will be on display in our extensive vintage section.

Peter Donnellan is in his twenty sixth year as Chairman of the Kildysart Show. Preparing for the show is a twelve month job, he admitted.

“I’m involved since I was fifteen years of age, I’m in my seventies now, this will be my twenty sixth year as Chairman, it is a fair stint.

In the history of the show, Mick

Hogan was the Chair before me, he was our local veterinary surgeon, I took over in 2000”.

He recalled, “I was stepping in back in 1999 because he was sick, I became Chairman in 2000, in 2001 we had the foot and mouth so we had to cancel all shows. We’re going from strength to strength”.

Whether it’s horses or classes, there’s “a great feature,” the Chairman outlined. The Kildysart Show Estuary Way Brood Mare Championship has a prize fund of €4000 and all entries will get a free service whether they win or lose ranging in value from €500 to €800.

The Shannonside Pony League is another highlight and this has been running for the bones of fifty years, he calculated.

Looking ahead to the upcoming show, Peter stated, “Our exhibition hall is unreal, I travel to a lot of shows north and south of the country but the amount of flowers, needle craft work, home baking is something else”.

He continued, “We’re blessed with the weather, last year the crowd doubled because we went back to the Sunday, it is a family day out for people."

Community support in Kildysart has helped to build up the show, Peter noted.

“We’re blessed with the community and sponsors, the church gate

collection is wonderful the way people stand by you, if they miss that they will leave something in to you or drop it in the post.

We hold the show on brilliant land owned by the McMahon, Finn and Cleary families which is looking out on the Shannon, we’ve a wonderful committee, our staff are starting to age but we’ve a young crew coming on board”.

This support is evident in the volunteerism, he flagged. “The GAA has been a great help and volunteering to do the gates, we need it.

There was a lot of traffic last year, you need plenty of stewards on duty, it is a lovely site overlooking the Shannon”.

Committee members receive great backing from their families, Peter said. “I’m Chairman but my wife and son help out, it is the same with all the families.

They all come on board. We have a big committee, as Chairman you have to listen to everyone because everyone has to have a say, I’m not a dictator, you can’t hold a gun to anyone’s head, you can’t force anyone to do anything.

It is a long aul day to start at 9am and be at it until 6pm or 7pm, it is all for a good cause and it is great for the parish, the shops and pubs get a business lift, it is like a festival weekend”.

lAbove: Back Row (L to R) Owen O’Connell, Liam Finn, Marie Finn, Sinéad Finn, Bridget Donnellan, Sarah Donnellan, Zoe Nagle,Willie Nagle and Gary Brooks.Middle Row (L to R) Eamonn Murphy, Pat Custy, John Joe Cleary, Kathleen McMahon, Claire Brooks, Joseph Grace, Gearoid O’Connell, Thomas Finn, Gerard Grace and Keith Ranalow.

Front Row (L to R) Patricia Donnellan, Fiona Hardy, Phyllis Cleary, Dan O’Connell, Peter Donnellan, Noel McMahon,Bridget Garry, Gerard Hannon, Paddy Donnellan and Paul Cusack. lBelow: (L to R) Noel McMahon (Treasurer), Peter Donnellan (Chairperson) and Dan O’Connell (Secretary)

15

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

West Clare News

Shortage of EV Clare Native to 'work closely with community' for Gas Reserve Project chargers harming

By Erika Sanger news@clareecho.ie

GAS NETWORKS Ireland has announced the appointment of John Ginnane as Community Liaison Officer for the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER) project.

A native of Kildysart, John brings deep local knowledge, strong community ties, and decades of experience working with local organisations and residents.

Highly respected in the Kildysart area, John has been actively involved in a wide range of community initiatives, including the Playground Committee, local GAA Club, Parish Councill, the Board of Management at the National School and is the current Chairperson of the Kildysart Community Centre.

Professionally, John has over 35 years’ experience working with ESB at Moneypoint Generating Station,

John Ginnane is Community Liaison Officer for SGER project

where he developed a strong reputation for reliability, clear communication, and working effectively with stakeholders.

As Community Liaison Officer, John will act as the main point of contact between Gas Networks Ireland and the local community.

He will be regularly present in the area, meeting residents, attending local events, and ensuring that information about the SGER project

is shared openly, while also bringing community feedback to the project team.

Speaking about his appointment, John Ginnane said: “I’m pleased to take on this role and to work closely with the local community.

Open communication and trust are very important to me, and I look forward to engaging with people, listening to their views, and ensuring their voices are heard throughout the project.”

Gas Networks Ireland said the appointment reflects its commitment to ongoing dialogue with the communities living closest to the proposed development.

Community members who wish to speak with John or have queries about the SGER project can contact him directly at: johnginnane@gasnetworks.ie

West Clare tourism

By Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

A CRITICAL shortage of EV chargers in tourist destinations is causing mass frustration amongst visitors to the county, a West Clare cllr has outlined.

Cllr Shane Talty (FF) called on Clare County Council at its July sitting to “urgently roll out a plan for enhanced availability of public EV charging facilities.

Particularly around our tourist destinations where visitors are left battling over scarce EV chargers” Cllr Talty voiced his concern over the issue, noting that “The ZEVI programme started in 2022 and we are now four years into it with no discernible change in available public charging points.

While the national conversation promotes the change to EV vehicles for financial rewards, those

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choosing domestic holidays in Ireland, staying in Airbnb’s or smaller boutique hotels that haven't been retrofitted, are finding themselves very frustrated by the lack of public chargers”, the Ennistymon man outlined.

Newly elected Cathaoirleach, cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said, “throughout the county electric car sales, have nearly doubled since the crisis in February.

We only have two chargers in Miltown Malbay and sometimes they don’t work, which is a major challenge. It’s a public necessity."

Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) acknowledging the difficulties faced by the hospitality sector as a result of the shortage. “We recently had guests staying at a hotel in Fanore that had to send guests to travel down to Lahinch to get their cars charged."

16

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Shannon News

Community Games pays tribute to National Delegate

By Erika Sanger news@clareecho.ie

CLARE Community Games would like to pay tribute to Graham Meakins, Vice President and National Delegate, who passed away earlier this week.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his sons Vincent and Stuart and their families, including great grandchildren.

Graham and his late wife Rose were key figures in getting Community Games established in Shannon in the 1970's before they moved to the Sixmilebridge-Kilmurry area where they contributed greatly in helping the area win many national awards.

Graham served on the County Executive as Assistant Treasurer from 1994 to 2013, where he assisted Rose, who served as Treasurer during that time.

He was responsible for all the medals and awards along with all the Community Games gear, in-

cluding various tents, which he took meticulous care of during his tenure.

In 1995 up until recently he served as Clare's delegate to National and he served on a multitude of National Advisory Committees over a long period where his wisdom and quiet persuasive powers no doubt helped to drive change and bring Community Games forward.

On County Athletics Finals day, he was always on hand to present the Meakins Family Shield to the 3rd place parade winners, before he got to work in the results tent.

He knew the rules inside out and was occasionally called upon to resolve appeals.

He was presented with a Hall of Fame award at the 2007 Clare Community Games All Star event in recognition of his many years of service.

Then in 2018 both Graham and Rose were acknowledged as being

Huge credit is due to Graham for his substantial voluntary contribution to the establishment and running of Clare Community Games over 50 plus years.

He will be sorely missed by all those in the Community Games who had the good fortune to know him.

lAll Star Award Event 2024 with other Community Games volunteers

including current Chairperson, Rob Stephen, former Secretary, Lianda d'Auria, former Treasurer, Triona O'Gorman and former Chairperson, Paula Byrne O'Connell the driving force behind the Clare Community Games All Star awards since its inception in 1978.

In 2022, in his eighties, he stepped in as Chairperson of the County Executive to ensure that

Clare could affiliate and he remained on in 2023 as Vice Chairperson before his election as Vice President in 2024, to join his long time friend, Cecilia O'Sullivan, current President.

lPresenting Meakins Shield to Doora-Barefield for 3rd place in Parade

Ennis developer lodges plans 'Outright ban' of e-scooters still on the cards says Hartigan for 39 houses in Shannon

By Michael Fitzgerald

By Michael Fitzgerald

news@clareecho.ie

news@clareecho.ie

“AN OUTRIGHT BAN” is still on the cards for e-scooter users in Ireland, a Clare cllr has noted.

Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF) spoke to The Clare Echo about her positive reaction to the government’s decision to ban anyone under the age of 18 from using e-scooters.

At a meeting of government officials including An Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) and Tánaiste Simon Harris (FG), Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly revealed that over 1400 e-scooters had been seized so far this year.

Cllr Hartigan stated that she was “delighted” by the government’s decision, adding that “I think they've become an increasing danger on our roads and especially for young people."

The Shannon LEA representative highlighted that the additional measures introduced by government would help to increase the safety of road users, saying “I think the most important thing with it is that the high visibility jackets and helmets are now going to be mandatory for all e-scooter users."

l'INCREASING DANGER': An outright ban on e-scooters in Ireland may come into affect according to Cllr Rachel Hartigan (inset)

Elected as Ireland’s youngest county councillor in 2024, Hartigan says she has received a number of complaints about unsafe e-scooter use in her Shannon constituency.

"I have received plenty of complaints in my own area, a lot of complaints about them driving on rural roads with no high visibility gear on them, no high vis jackets or helmets or anything like that”.

“It is a criminal matter if someone is driving in an unsafe manner or operating any kind of motorised vehicle in an unsafe manner

on the road.

They do need to follow the same rules of the road as the rest of us”, the cllr added.

“I think a system that could come in would see those users of the e-scooters require licensing and registration.

It would actually make the roads a lot safer without necessarily introducing an outright ban. That’s not to say that down the line I wouldn't be in favor of an outright ban on these vehicles altogether”, Hartigan continued.

WOODHAVEN Developments Ltd have applied for planning permission to construct 39 houses in Smithstown, Shannon.

The Ennis construction firm has been involved in numerous developments across Clare in recent years and is planning to construct a mixed residential development adjacent to the Bóthar an Aerfoirt road in the county’s second town.

The homebuilders lodged plans with Clare County Council for the construction of a mixed residential development consisting of 27 two storey houses, six two storey houses and six single storey houses.

Pedestrian connectivity is also planned for the site. An archaeological assessment carried out as part of the planning process found that “there is a very low risk of uncovering archaeological material in this area and further archaeological work should be considered unnecessary”.

Due to the proposed development’s proximity to River Fergus and River Shannon Estuaries SPAs, a Natura Impact Statement accompanies the planning application.

The statement found that the construction of the development could have “indirect water quality impacts

and the potential introduction or spread of invasive species.

These potential impacts arise due to the indirect hydrological connection between the site and the Shannon Estuary via the Urlan Beg Stream and associated drainage infrastructure”.

A design statement included in the planning application highlights the economic importance of Shannon to the greater Midwest as an industrial and population centre.

Criticisms of the proliferation of Woodhaven developments in Clare are noted in the design statement, which outlines “The Planning Authority have previously noted that the Woodhaven Development house design concept is broadly similar to schemes permitted in Ennis, Shannon, Crusheen and Tulla.

While we totally dispute this, the concept of previous designs have led to the bringing of a home design to the market and keeping our developments for private sales at a competitive price for the first time house buyer”.

Clare County Council has given the 3rd of September as its date to make a decision on the development. Submissions and objections can be made up until the 13th of August.

17

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

South East Clare Show gearing up for crowds of 3000

by Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

OVER 3,000 people are expected to attend the South East Clare Show which takes place in Bridgetown this Sunday.

Returning for its thirty sixth year, the South East Clare Show has developed a strong reputation and attracts entries from all over the country with crowds coming from Clare, Limerick and Tipperary to enjoy the programme of activities.

Organisers have said the Show “offers a true glimpse of rural life” with everything from pedigree livestock to home baking proudly on display.

Apart from the hotly contested classes for horses, ponies, cattle, horticulture, home produce, vintage and dogs, additional activities also include live music with a dance floor, free children’s entertainment, trade stands, pet farm, tug of war and a live raffle.

Across twenty acres on land owned by the Tony and Grainne Moynihan, Michael and Gertrude Clancy, Margaret Keenihan and family, the Show continues to be hugely popular.

There is €10,000 in prize money on offer in the cattle section. “We have more than eighty cattle entered so far, it promises to be one of the strongest displays of top cattle,” explained PRO Rachel Moloney.

The commercial section will have four calf classes with €600 the prize per class. In the pedigree section, there is two big classes, The South East Clare Show Pedigree Interbreed Calf Champion (€650) and the South East Clare Show Bonny Baby Pedigree Interbreed Calf Champion (€650).

l'A TRUE GLIMPSE': From livestock to home baking, the South East Clare Show keeps tradition alive, giving visitors an authentic view into rural life in Clare

One of the show’s highlights is the Three Year Old Filly All Ireland Championship qualifier. “We have fifteen qualifiers and exhibitors from all over Ireland will travel to Bridgetown to compete for the €3000 prize fund,” Rachel outlined.

There is a €5,000 prize in the South East Clare Broodmare Championship. She expected the Dog Show to continue to be “a big attraction”, it will have fourteen classes with entries accepted from 12pm.

In memory of the O’Rahilly sisters from Bridgetown, there will be a new competition for most appropriately dressed person. Entry is free but attendees could win between €100 to €250.

Also on the day there will be a live raffle where prizes include a commercial heifer worth €2000, a one night’s stay in Clifden, a €250 voucher for The Piper’s Inn and a voucher for O’Connell’s Menswear. The Bunda Brothers will also be making an appearance with their food truck.

A primary school teacher, Rachel is on her second year of the committee. The Ardnacrusha woman joins Rosemary Stewart (secretary), Pat Hayes (Chairman), Conor Hayes and Ger Pearse on the committee.

“Last year we were very successful with over 3000 people from all parts of Clare, Tipperary and Limerick, we’re in a good location across the border and we’re aiming for the same again.

I’ve loved being involved, we have a great committee that work together really well, it is a great way to meet people and get involved”.

18

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Gort & South Galway

Let's celebrate together in Gort Fresh new work ahead for The Cash Shop

by Erika Sanger

Portrait illustrations with Esther Blodau as part of an ongoing community art project

by Erika Sanger

Something special is happening in Market Square on Friday 24th July, and we'd love to see you there! We're celebrating the arrival of the YEATS–GREGORY EXPLORER Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, while also shining a light on the amazing community spirit that makes Gort such a wonderful place to live and visit.

Bring your family, friends and your neighbours. Come for the market, stay for the music, and celebrate the true meaning of community.

Huge thanks to all the local groups that worked together to make this happen. Burren Lowlands, Gort Business Network, Gort Town Team, Gort Tourist Office, Gort Tidy Towns, Gort Arts and our active community members.

Together, let's show what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision for its future. See you in the square!

AUGUST and September will welcome exciting new art at The Cash Shop in Bridge Street, Gort.

From 15 - 29 August 2026 a series of paintings by Roland Mahon using only stencil and spray paint on canvas has been executed after a visit to Cairo this year.

The works are rooted in the unexpected architecture of Egypt.

Mahon's practice is a quiet interrogation of space, memory, and the unseen narratives embedded within contemporary culture.

His work aims to distil complex cultural moments into minimalist, evocative visual essays.

By balancing formal composition with a documentary sensibility, he invites the viewer to slow down, look beneath the surface, and engage with the quiet, overlooked dialogues that define

news@clareecho.ie

Makers Market | 10am–4pm Alongside the Gort Friday Market, discover beautiful locally made fine art & prints, Handwoven Fibre art, natural dyed textiles, upcycled jewellery, gorgeous candles, soaps and more. Meet talented local makers, support small businesses and find something truly unique made right here in Gort Inse Guaire.

What's On? 11:30am: Community Welcome & MC 12:00pm: Children’s Adventure Map launch with Martina Carey 12:15pm: Music with Seán O'Neill & Clare

lMEET YOU IN THE SQUARE: On Friday July 24 for Gort market and more

news@clareecho.ie

modern existence.

Roland Mahon is a Dublin-based visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker whose multi-disciplinary practice bridges the worlds of fine art, documentary, and creative direction.

His archival work has earned recognition, including selection for the 192nd Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) Annual Exhibition.

Opening reception: Saturday 15 August 1-3pm From 5 September - 5 December 2026 work presented in Command & Control is from a series exploring the symbolic representation of power.

Animals have always been used in warfare. Predators often appear as signifiers of state or military power, and horses and dogs, in particular, have a long history of weaponisation.

In a contemporary context, such animals are utilised in policing and the ex-

ercise of state control.

Dogs, as dual signifiers of loyalty and threat, are also actively used to enforce state terror and deployed as instruments of torture.

As such, these works are an attempt to question the continued proliferation of the language of force and the symbolic and actual exercise of social control.

Conor McGrady is an artist from the north of Ireland.

He has exhibited internationally, with one-person exhibitions in New York, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta and Zagreb, Croatia.

His first solo museum exhibition, Entering the Control Zone, took place at the Museum of Fine Art, Split, Croatia in 2021.

As Dean of Academic Affairs at Burren College of Art, he lives and works in the Burren, Ireland.

Opening reception: Saturday 5 September 1-3pm

Commemoration honours Irish men & women who died in past wars

By Páraic McMahon páraic@clareecho.ie

IRISH MEN and women who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations Peacekeeping were honoured in a moving remembrance ceremony.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Helen Ogbu (LAB), and Elected Members of Galway City Council participated in the ceremony to honour the Irish men and women who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations Peacekeeping, at the Galway City ceremony for the National Day of Commemoration in the University of Galway.

This ceremony marks the 16th time Galway City Council has hosted this Remembrance Ceremony, which took place in conjunction with the Defence Forces and University of Galway. The Ceremony was attended by members of the Defence Forces, ex-servicemen’s organisations, religious leaders, community representatives, next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service, and members of the community.

The Ceremony commenced with Defence Forces taking up position, and the Mayor Ogbu, the Elected Members of Galway City Council, Director of Corporate Development, Galway City Council Helen Kilroy, lPAYING RESPECT: Michael D Higgins with wife Sabina remembering all those who died in past was or on service with the United Nations

Former President of Ireland, Micheal D Higgins and wife Sabina , TD Sean Kyne (FG) and the officiating representatives of the Faith Traditions entering in procession.

Ailish Rohan, Senior Executive Officer, Galway City Council, opened the Ceremony with an invitation to remember all those who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. Multi-faith prayers and readings of commemoration were then led by Right Reverend Monsignor Peter Rabbitte, Mr Obey Shanya Elders, United Church Galway, Shelia Garrity, Humanist Celebrant; Very Rev’d Lynda Peilow, Provost of Tuam, and Iman Ibrahim Michéal Noonan, Galway Islamic Society.

Mayor Ogbu laid a wreath at a commem-

orative plaque to honour those who died in past wars or on service at home or abroad.

James Larkin on behalf of Galway Great War Memorial laid a wreath for the Galway men and women who lost their lives and Mr John Coyle, Honorary Consul of Belgium laid a wreath. This was followed by a minute’s silence.

The National Flag was hoisted to full mast

by LT Conor O’ Brein accompanied by a roll of drums. The Ceremony concluded with Mr. Frank Naughton, Soloist, singing a poignant rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by St. Patrick’s Brass Band and conducted by Mr. Ken O'Connor.

19

Thursday, July 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

GREEN CLARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY CLEAN IRELAND RECYCLING

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Gum Litter Taskforce hits the road to raise responsible gum disposal awareness

By Erika Sanger news@clareecho.ie

THE GUM Litter Taskforce (GLT), in partnership with Clare County Council and Kilrush Tidy Towns, made a stop of its 2026 Summer Roadshow at Kilrush Farmers Market on Friday July 17, promoting responsible gum disposal, cleaner communities and greater awareness of Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.

The visit came as research from the Gum Litter Taskforce reveals that littering is now viewed as socially unacceptable by more than 4 in 5 (82%) young people.

However, almost 1 in

4 young people still do not regard chewing gum as litter, highlighting the need for continued education and awareness.

Encouragingly, more than 9 in 10 people (92%) now report properly disposing of their chewing gum – the highest level recorded since the campaign began in 2007.

Welcoming the campaign to Clare, Councillor Michael Shannon and Chairperson of West Clare Municipal District said: "Keeping Clare’s streets, parks and public spaces clean requires a collective effort.

Campaigns such as the Gum Litter Taskforce help raise awareness of

BIN IT: The Gum Litter Taskforce Summer Roadshow stops at Kilrush Farmers Market to promote responsible gum disposal

the impact of littering while reducing the need for costly gum removal works.

By encouraging people to bin their gum when they're done, we can all play a role in creating

cleaner, more attractive communities and supporting a more sustainable approach to waste

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management."

Avril Donlon, Gum Litter Campaign Manager at Food Drink Ireland, added: "This latest research shows real progress, with more young people recognising that littering is unacceptable and taking action.

Our focus remains on making responsible gum disposal the norm and continuing to build on the positive behaviours we are seeing across communities nationwide."

Anne Sheeran, Corporate Affairs Manager at Mars Wrigley, said: “We at Mars Wrigley are proud to support the Gum Litter Taskforce as part of our broader commitment to responsible

business and sustainability.

This campaign is delivering measurable change and helping to shape positive habits, with more people choosing to bin their gum and encouraging others to do the same.

Through continued collaboration, we can build on this progress and further reduce gum litter in our communities.”

The Summer Roadshow will visit locations nationwide throughout June, July and August, while the Bin It! programme will return to schools from October.

Educational resources are available at www. gumlittertaskforce.ie.

20

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, July 23, 2026

Business

Business

Time machine lands at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park to celebrate 100 Years of HB ice cream

FÓGRA FAISNÉISE POIBLÍ SCÉIM FAOISIMH TUILTE BHAILE SHIONAINNE AGUS A PHURLÁIN AN ROGHA ROGHNAITHE ÉIRITHEACH IMEACHT COMHAIRLIÚCHÁIN PHOIBLÍ Ionad:

Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Bóthar an Aerfoirt, Sionainn, Co. an Chláir, V14 NH97.

Dáta:

Déardaoin – an 30 Iúil 2026.

Am:

4pm – 8pm.

Tá cur chun feidhme Scéim Faoisimh Tuilte Bhaile Shionainne agus a Phurláin á chur ar aghaidh ag Comhairle Contae an Chláir, i gcomhar le hOifig na nOibreacha Poiblí agus le Grúpa Aerfort na Sionna. Áireofar leis an scéim oibreacha a dhéanamh feadh Inbhear na Sionainne agus feadh roinnt craobh-aibhneacha laistigh de Bhaile Shionainne agus de na heastáit thionsclaíocha. Tugtar cuireadh do pháirtithe leasmhara freastal ar imeacht comhairliúcháin phoiblí a bheidh ar siúl Déardaoin an 30 Iúil ó 4pm – 8pm ag Treacys Oakwood Hotel i Sionainn. Beidh ionadaithe ó Chomhairle Contae an Chláir, ó Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí agus ó Tetra Tech ar fáil chun ceisteanna a fhreagairt.

I gcás daoine aonair nach mbeidh in ann freastal ar an imeacht i bpearsa, beidh mionsonraí ar fáil freisin ar shuíomh Gréasáin an tionscadail ag www.shannontownandenvironsfrs.com.

Is é cuspóir an imeachta deis a thabhairt do pháirtithe leasmhara a dtuairimí a thabhairt ar na roghanna roghnaithe éiritheacha atá á mbreithniú. Is féidir aon bharúlacha/tuairimí a thabhairt ag an imeacht nó is féidir iad a chur ar aghaidh chuig shannonfrs@tetratech.com

lHAZELBROOK HOUSE: Home to the Hughes family, producers of HB ice cream, Hazelbrook House can be found in Bunratty Folk Park

By Erika Sanger news@clareecho.ie

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park played host to the HB Time Machine on Saturday, July 18, with a specially created pop-up exhibit celebrating 100 years of HB Ice Cream.

Bunratty is already home to the original Hazelbrook House, the very heart of the dairy farm where the Hughes family produced the first HB ice cream.

Faced with demolition in 1996 due to expanding business needs at the Rathfarnham plant, Hazelbrook House was saved thanks to the vision of Ms Jean Thompson, of Premier Dairies, who approached Shannon Heritage to preserve the building, identifying Bunratty Folk Park as the ideal new home.

The house was deconstructed stone by stone, transported to Bunratty on numbered pallets, and rebuilt on site, with construction commencing in October 2000.

Following recent refurbishment and redecoration, Hazelbrook House now stands proudly within the Folk Park, open for visitors to explore and learn about its fascinating history.

Running from 10am to 5pm and included as part of general admission to the park, the HB Time Machine took visitors on a journey through three immersive zones on Saturday.

These zones provided visitors with an immersive rewind through a century of HB, showcasing the posters, products and moments, as well as featuring Interactive Fun where members of the public could share, play and celebrate their own favourite HB memories.

Visitors were also able to capture the Perfect HB Moment with a vibrant, branded photo backdrop, as well as enjoying a bespoke sampling counter where HB brand ambassadors served up fan-favourite products.

Speaking ahead of the event, General Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Michael Ahern, said, “Bunratty is already home to Hazelbrook House, the birthplace of HB ice cream, so it feels only fitting that we bring the HB Time Machine here to mark this incredible 100-year milestone.

“Visitors will get to walk through a century of memories in the Time Machine and then see the very house where it all began. It's a wonderful, tangible piece of Irish social history, and we're delighted to be able to bring these two stories together for families this July.”

NASC LÁITHREÁN GRÉASÁIN

FOIRM AISEOLAS AR LÍNE

PUBLIC INFORMATION NOTICE

NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT REVIEW; PHASE 2 – IMPLEMENTATION OF BUILT UP AND URBAN SPEED LIMITS AND REDUCTION OF SPEED LIMITS ON SECTIONS OF THE R458, R352 & R445 In accordance with Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 as amended by Sections 53 to 56 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act, 2023, and Sections 6 to 10 of the Road Traffic Act, 2024 the Draft Clare County Council Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws 2026 have been prepared and will be available for inspection during normal office hours Monday to Friday from Wednesday July 29th, 2026 to Monday August 31st, 2026 (both dates inclusive) at the following locations;

SHANNON TOWN & ENVIRONS FLOOD RELIEF SCHEME EMERGING PREFERRED OPTION PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT NO.3 Venue:

Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Airport Road, Shannon, Co Clare V14 NH97.

Date:

Thursday – 30th July 2026.

Time:

4pm – 8pm.

Clare County Council in conjunction with the OPW and Shannon Airport Group are progressing the implementation of the Shannon Town & Environs Flood Relief Scheme.

The scheme is to include for works along the Shannon Estuary as well as a number of tributaries within Shannon town and the industrial estates. Interested parties are invited to attend a public consultation event to be held on Thursday 30th July from 4pm – 8pm at Treacys Oakwood Hotel in Shannon. Representatives of Clare County Council, the OPW and Tetra Tech will be available to answer queries.

For individuals who may not be able to attend in person details will also be available on the project website at www.shannontownandenvironsfrs.com The purpose of the event is to allow interested parties the opportunity to offer their views on the emerging preferred option being considered. Any comments/observations can be provided at the event or forwarded to shannonfrs@tetratech.com

• Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare • Each Clare County Council Municipal District and Area Office • and online at www.clarecoco.ie Submissions/observations on the Draft Special Speed Limits may be made in writing; • through the Clare County Council consultation portal; yoursay.clarecoco.ie/speed-limitreview-2026 • to the Administrative Officer, Roads and Transportation Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare • by email to roads@clarecoco.ie The latest date for receipt of submissions and observations is before 5:00 p.m. on Monday August 31st 2026.

WEBSITE LINK

ONLINE FEEDBACK FORM

21

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

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Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Sixteen set off in chase of the Canon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SIXTEEN clubs enter the championship arena as the chase to lift the Canon Hamilton hits into gear this weekend.

Regarded as one of the most open and competitive senior hurling championships in the country, the vast majority of clubs in action harbour genuine aspirations of emulating Éire Óg which adds to the intrigue and excitement.

Each game this weekend brings its own narrative such as the two East Clare derbies, the grudge games and more.

It’s just under 70 years since Éire Óg won back to back senior hurling championships, repeating such an act is far from easy in Clare. Since the dawn of the millennium, only three clubs have done a two in row, namely Crusheen (2010/11), Sixmilebridge (2019/20) and Ballyea (2021/22).

Robbie Hogan was in charge of that Ballyea side who claimed the Canon Hamilton in successive seasons, he’s in his third stint in the hotseat. They face Inagh/ Kilnamona on Friday evening in a mouth-watering opener which forms part of the fiercely tight Group 1. Having missed out in the semi-finals last season, Ballyea will be eager to bounce back, they the class of Tony Kelly in their ranks with the addition of former Clare minors Evan Cleary and Dara Kennedy. Inagh/Kilnamona have for a long time promised a lot but emerging from Group 1 would be a clear sign that this could be their season to deliver. Seán Rynne comes in off the back of a breakthrough year for Clare and he will be accompanied

by David Fitzgerald, Keith White, James Hegarty Aidan McCarthy and Conner Hegarty.

Group 1’s other pairing sees 2023 winners Clonlara face a youthful St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield who are more than capable of an upset. Donal Madden has put a focus on adding youth to his side during the Clare Cup but there’s no better example of a fresh-faced outfit than The Parish. Successive quarter-final exits have sharpened the appetite for Clon while Doora/ Barefield will be anxious to show their worth in the top tier.

O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge is the setting for the first of the East Clare derbies. Scariff who impressed in the Clare Cup and just missed out on silverware when losing the decider to O’Callaghans Mills face off with Broadford in Group 2. Mark Rodgers will make his first appearance of the year for Donal Moloney’s side and he is joined in attack by his

younger brother, the ever-impressive Paul. It is a familiar setting for Broadford boss Paddy Meehan and the ground he knows so well Group 1: Ballyea Inagh/ Kilnamona Clonlara St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield Group 2: Éire Óg Crusheen Scariff Broadford

Group 3: Clooney/Quin Cratloe Feakle O’Callaghans Mills Group 4: Kilmaley Newmarketon-Fergus Wolfe Tones Sixmilebridge

from his lengthy stint as Sixmilebridge Chairman and prior to that as senior manager guiding them to win the Clare SHC in 2002.

Champions Éire Óg begin the defence of their title against Crusheen in Gurteen on Saturday evening. It is the first time the sides have met since the 2015 championship where Crusheen prevailed 1-17 0-16 in the third round. The tide of dominance has shifted between the sides since then, Éire Óg qualifying for ten successive quarter-finals from the following year onwards while Crusheen have struggled for consistency and will look to back up their 2024 run to the county final.

O’Callaghans Mills hold a remarkable unbeaten run so far this year, they are the only senior team in Clare yet to lose a game following the conclusion of the league and indeed they haven’t a lost a game in the county since their relegation in 2024. Nobody would take greater satisfaction than Feakle in ending that run when they face off in a Cusack Park double-header on Saturday evening. Both sides are likely to be without key players, Aidan O’Gorman and Conn Smyth could be missing from either defence.

Completing the double bill is the

clash of Clooney/Quin and Cratloe.

For Fergal Lynch he’ll manage his beloved Clooney/Quin against a side he won football championships with in 2013 and 2014. That won’t form part of his thinking with the promising side looking to get going after last year’s run to the county final. Brimming with talent in a lineup that includes Peter Duggan, Jack O’Neill, Ryan Taylor, Seán McNamara. Matthew Corbett and Darragh Keogh, they certainly have the ability to put themselves in contention. Cratloe have plenty of experience to pull from, they last contested the final in 2019, Alan Neville was manager then and is back for a second run. They added youth to their side last year as they finished third in a competitive group but will pack a punch thanks to Diarmuid Ryan, Jamie Moylan, Conor McGrath, Daire Neville, Podge Collins and Cathal McInerney.

Group 4 pits together local rivals and one of the championship favourites. Kilmaley may be geographically detatched from Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge and Wolfe Tones but they won’t lack for motivation when facing either side. Their journey begins this Friday evening in Ruan against Newmarket-on-Fergus. It will also be a campaign where Brian Culbert faces off with his native Sixmilebridge for the second year running, the difference this year is he patrols the line against John O’Meara, the man he was coach to as The Bridge claimed glory in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Newmarket-on-Fergus just about survived relegation last season, their run also included defeat to Wolfe Tones, the Shannon side brimming with plenty of Clare representation in their squad and bolstered by the return of former Clare minor and U21 hurler Ben O’Gorman.

PICTURED: Éire Óg players with the title last year. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

23

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

Townies tee up defense

by Gearóid Howley news@clareecho.ie

FOR the first time in almost four decades, Éire Óg set out their campaign as reigning champions - with that comes a target on their back.

Talk of back-to-back titles won’t be entertained by the Townies. After just one win in the Clare Cup, the reigning champs suffered relegation from the league’s top tier, finishing bottom of Division 1B. Their early season struggles were justified by a late return to training after a prolonged season that headed into the depths of the winter.

“We went back a week out from our first game in the Clare Cup against Kilmaley and that brought its own challenges because we were clearly well behind the curve, and the reality is we’re just about catching up now,” outlined manager Gerry O’Connor “We had a poor run in the Clare Cup by our standards, we got relegated, but we got an opportunity to look at some new players as well. The Munster championship I think finished up in the first week of December, but you need a mental break as much as a physical break away from it, so we just decided to park things until the end of March.”

O’Connor’s management has seen some alterations. Liam Cronin bows out; S&C coach Owen Tarrant has also left the set-up. Entering the void is Kieran McDermott, a leading figure in restructuring the underage systems for Clare hurling development squads who has also been involved with UL and Mungret. Newtownshandrum’s Cathal O’Brien who was part of Ben O’Connor’s Cork ticket and was involved with Newmarket-on-Fergus last season replaces Tarrant.

O’Connor is adamant that the balancing act of both codes is a good complaint to have. “We’ve got into the rhythm of it now over the last five or six

years, particularly as we’ll call them the mature dual players, the likes of Ciarán Russell, Aaron Fitzgerald, Darren O’Brien, David McNamara, Oran Cahill and Jarlath Collins, those lads’ bodies are so resilient now to the rhythm of going every second week that they don’t see it as a challenge at all.

“We’re very lucky in Éire Óg that the football management led

by Shane Daniels are exemplary in terms of how they communicate and in terms of how agreeable and how open and honest the conversations are”.

A target will naturally be placed on the Ennis club’s backs after they ended a 35-year wait for the Canon Hamilton last season, although they aren’t feeling any added pressure.

“We approach the championship with the same attitude every year, and that is with our priority of not to get relegated because it’s such a seriously competitive and a brilliant championship.

“Our attitude has always been to try and win that first game, get a performance and get out of the group.

He continued, “We drew great inspiration from seeing Feakle win the championship in 2024, for us there was definitely a realisation there that we’re able to match any team, and if we perform, get a bit of luck and go on a run anything can happen.

“But every other team will be thinking the way Éire Óg are thinking. That’s the reality, and the beauty, and the competitiveness of the Clare senior hurling championship.”

Shane O’Donnell called time on his Clare career following their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Limerick, but he will be available to the Townies for the club campaign. “Shane closed

l HELPING HAND: Éire Óg dual player, Oran Cahill

one chapter there two weeks ago up in Croke Park, but we’d like to think that he’s turning a few pages in the next chapter with us for the next couple of weeks at least”.

O’Connor, alongside Scariff ’s Donal Moloney, is one of the managers that the 2024 Hurler of the Year would have played under at inter-county level. The pairing were in charge of Clare’s senior hurlers from 2017 to 2019, but they will be in opposite dugouts for the round two clash between their respective sides. “We met Donal a couple of years ago as well down in the Bridge and people missed a huge photo opportunity that day because we parked our cars up beside each other and walked in our respective colours, but nobody took much notice,” he jokingly recalled.

“Donal and myself go back a long way, and I think Scariff and Éire Óg both set up very similarly because of the amount of work that we’ve done together and the amount of similarities in our styles of play.

“That’s going to be an interesting challenge inside in the Park in a couple of weeks’ time for sure”.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE Management Team: Gerry O’Connor (manager), Ronan Keane (coach), John Russell (coach), Kieran McDermott (coach), Cathal O’Brien (S&C) Captain: David Reidy Key Player: Shane O’Donnell One to Watch: Niall Doyle Fresh Blood: Niall Doyle, Luke Vaughan Departure Gate: Michael Moloney (emigrated), Niall McMahon (regraded), Aidan McGrath (regraded).

Treatment Table: Gavin Cooney (achilles) Titles won: 16 (1890 as Ennis Faughs, 1911 & 1941 as Ennis, 1914, 1915, 1924, 1929, 1934 as Ennis Dalcassians, 1928 as Ennis/Clarecastle, 1956, 1957, 1966, 1980, 1982, 1990, 2025 as Éire Óg) Last year’s run: Won the Clare SHC for first time in 35 years.

Schedule of games:

Round 1 vs Crusheen on Saturday July 25th in Gurteen at 15:00 Round 2 vs Scariff on Saturday August 8th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosog at 16:00 Round 3 vs Broadford on Sunday August 23rd in Shannon at 13:00

Championship power ranking (1 = unlikely winners, 10 = strong contenders): 9

24

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

O’Grady wants improvement AT A GLANCE

by Gearóid Howley news@clareecho.ie

CRUSHEEN’s championship will commence against the reigning champions Éire Óg as they try to rewrite the wrongs of what was a disappointing 2025 campaign.

Gerry O’Grady made his first adult appearance for his native Crusheen in 1999, and after an astounding 26 years sporting the red and white jersey, he swapped it for the bainisteoir bib at the beginning of the year.

“It’s continuous learning, there’s nothing to really fall back on outside of what I suppose I would have learned as a player from different managers over the years, but as I work through the season it is a constant learning curve for me,” he told The Clare Echo.

Also in the role of club Chairman, O’Grady admitted that when the opportunity arose to jump straight into management his familiarity with the panel was a particular selling point. “I felt last year was probably going to be my last year in terms of playing. It’s a good group of lads and that was probably the main thing, that I wanted to stay working with them.”

Beaten county finalists in 2023, Crusheen come up against the holders of the Canon Hamilton, Éire Óg, in their championship opener before they face off with Broadford and Scariff. “For us it’s

an opportunity at the very best team in the county to see where we are versus them”.

“Scariff beat us in the quarter-final in the league and were unlucky to not win that out, and they still have Mark Rodgers to come into their team so they’ll be a formidable challenge. Broadford are a very good team as well and similarly have a lot of young players, you see Niall O’Farrell having a great year this year with the county and then Eoghan Gunning captaining the U20s team as well, with the likes of those they’ll be a challenge for us.”

O’Grady, who was Crusheen captain when they completed the backto-back in 2010 and 2011, was inside the white lines last year as they failed to advance from the group stages. “It was narrow margins in two of them games, a lot went right in some respects last year, but we just came outside the wrong side of those couple of games against Sixmilebridge and against Clonlara.

When we went back this year it was trying to make improvements or try and find improvements from what we didn’t do so well last year, we’ll see in the next few weeks if we’ve solved some of those problems”.

Breffni Horner is the blood and bandages’ most notable absentee ahead of the campaign, with defender Luke Hayes and Ian O’Brien also based in the UK. They have been boosted by the recent return

from Australia of Cilléin Mullins who had been abroad since their exit from last year’s championship.

Operating from a limited playing pool, O’Grady emphasised the importance of holding onto the core of their squad for such a lengthy period. “We have a small playing pool, but it is what it is, and you just have to get on with, for each of those age cohorts you’re just kind of pushing them and pulling them and encouraging them to stay involved to build that group. I think we’ve done it reasonably well in recent years,” he said, adding, “It’s very important to have the likes of Donal Tuohy and Cian Dillon in terms of the experience they bring, they’re both All-Ireland winners and bring that inter-county experience which helps with the preparation and leadership that they show.”

(hand) Titles won: None Last season’s run: Failed to qualify from the group Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Scariff on Friday July 24 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 19:00 Round 2 vs Crusheen on Sunday August 9th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg at 14:00 Round 3 vs Éire Óg on Sunday August 23rd in Shannon at 13:00 Championship power ranking 5

Injury worries for Broadford

by Gearoid Howley news@clareecho.ie

HAVING missed out on the quarter-finals by the narrowest of margins in the last two years, Broadford know there will be little room for error as another demanding championship campaign awaits.

For the second time in three seasons, Broadford are drawn in the same group as rivals Scariff. The East Clare derby takes place this Friday in Sixmilebridge, a familiar stomping ground for their manager Paddy Meehan. “It’s a local derby so it takes on a life of its own, we played them a few years ago and we were probably seven or eight points up at half-time and didn’t hold on.

“With the two Rodgers’ they’ve a formidable forward line, they’ve a very strong half-forward line with Keelan Hartigan, he’s a major player and playing really well at the moment. They’re strong all over the place,

Treatment table: N/A Titles won: 2 (2010, 2011) Last season’s run: Failed to qualify from the group Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Éire Óg on Saturday July 25th in Gurteen at 15:00 Round 2 vs Broadford on Sunday August 9th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg at 14:00 Round 3 vs Scariff on Sunday August 23rd in Dr Daly Park, Tulla at 13:00 Championship power ranking (1 = unlikely winners, 10 = strong contenders): 6

PICTURED: Crusheen captain, Diarmuid Mullins Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE Management: Paddy Meehan (manager), Ger Hickey (coach), Ian Doyle (coach), PJ Moroney (selector), Martin Conlon (S&C) Captain: Paurig Taylor Key Player: Niall O’Farrell One to Watch: Cormac Gunning Fresh Blood: Cormac Gunning, Daniel Greene Departure Gate: Cathal Chaplin (regraded), Craig Chaplin (regraded), Oisin Kavanagh (regraded), Cian O’Brien (regraded) Treatment Table: Paurig Taylor

Management Team: Gerry O’Grady (manager), Colm Fitzgerald (coach), Alan Brigdale, Shaun Dillon, Daniel Liddy (selectors), Alan Griffin (S&C), Donal Wylde, Seán Culligan (stats), Tom Culligan (kitman) Captain: Diarmuid Mullins Key Player: Donal Tuohy One to Watch: Riain O’Donnell Fresh Blood: Riain O’Donnell, Alex Guilfoyle Departure Gate: Breffni Horner (emigrated), Luke Hayes (emigrated), Ian O’Brien (emigrated), Gerry O’Grady (retired)

they were beaten in the Clare Cup final and that went to extra-time and could have went either way. There’s no doubt about it they’ll be seen as contenders,” he told The Clare Echo.

Just a week out from the beginning of the championship, Broadford suffered a major blow with their captain Paurig Taylor picking up a broken hand in training last Wednesday evening.

Another dilemma facing Meehan is whether to play Niall O’Farrell in attack or defence. Following his exploits in attack during last year’s club championship, where he shot 4-30 across just three games, Niall O’Farrell earned a call-up to the Clare senior panel. “Niall is a forward all his life, he’d never played in the backs until Brian Lohan decided he wanted a half-back or a centre-back. There’s no doubt about it that he played very well and was one of their most consistent players all through the season”.

AT A GLANCE

Management: Donal Moloney (Manager), Conor McNamara (coach), Michael Long (selector), Ross Horan (coach/selector), Ger Rodgers (coaches/selectors), Padraig Brody (selector), Mikey Kiely (S&C), Ciara Magill (physio), Adrian Whelan (physio), Kieran Jones (Analysis), Shane Moroney (Logistics) Captain: Mark Rodgers Key Player: Mark Rodgers

One to Watch: Paul Rodgers Fresh Blood: Paul Rodgers, Michael Vaughan, Luke Madden, Daniel Treacy Departure Gate: Sean Hartigan (regraded), Jack Ryan (regraded), Sean Minogue (regraded), Rory Ryan (regraded), Seamus McCaul (regraded) Treatment Table: None Titles won: 5 (1907, 1917, 1946, 1952, 1953)

Last season’s run: Failed to qualify from group, defeated Corofin in relegation semi-final.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Broadford on Friday July 24 in O’Garney Park at 19:00 Round 2 vs Éire Óg on Saturday August 8 in Páirc Chíosóg at 16:00 Round 3 vs Crusheen on Sunday August 23 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla at 13:00 Championship power ranking 7

Scariff blood new recruits

by Gearoid Howley news@clareecho.ie

HAVING reached the Clare Cup final, Scariff enter the championship with renewed confidence after surviving a difficult campaign last season.

Scariff were edged out in that final by O’Callaghan’s Mills after extra-time and manager Donal Moloney has been pleased with their progress. “We’d to use a lot of players in the Clare Cup because of long-term injuries at that time and it gave

a lot of guys a lot of exposure...overall we’re very happy with how the lads have played this year.”

When looking at Scariff, two names that immediately jump off the page are Mark Rodgers and, in his maiden season, Paul Rod-

gers. The East Clare outfit have also been boosted by the return of defender Daniel Treacy, who was unavailable last year while in Australia. They begin with a local derby clash against Broadford this Friday.

“Scariff against Broadford has always got a rich history, we met two years ago, and it was a tremendous battle. We fought back to get a draw, there’s never much between us and I don’t expect any different come Friday evening.”

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

AT A GLANCE

Management: Ger Conway (manager), Colm Callinan (coach), Brian Murphy (S&C), Dermot Gleeson (selector), Ger Hanrahan (selector) Captain: Shane McGrath Key player: Shane McGrath One to watch: Owen McGann Fresh blood: Tom Moloney, Finn Minogue; Departures Gate: None Treatment table: Conn Smyth (hamstring), Fiachra Donnellan (knee) Titles won: 7 (1935, 1938, 1939, 1940,

1944, 1988, 2024) Last year’s run: Lost in the quarter final to Clooney/Quin Schedule of games: Round 1 v O’Callaghans Mills on Saturday July 25th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg at 16:00 Round 2 v Clooney/Quin on Sunday August 9th at 15:30 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Round 3 v Cratloe on Saturday August 22nd at 14:00 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Championship power ranking: 7

Feakle won’t look past opener

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FEAKLE’s championship winning run of two seasons ago has inspired all clubs in the already open Clare SHC that success is within their grasp but the East Clare side have their attention fixed on navigating “a nightmare of a group”.

As they prepare to get their challenge for championship honours underway the champions of 2024, Feakle are firmly focused on their opening round clash with East Clare neighbours O’Callaghans Mills.

“We are not looking past the opening round and our clash with O’Callaghans Mills. The Mills are the form team in Clare, they haven’t been beaten in the county yet this year. They are the Clare Cup champions, having won the intermediate title last year.

Our whole focus is on this game”, commented team manager Ger Conway.

Conway was at the helm when Feakle won the Canon Hamilton two seasons ago. He is very pleased to see a number of East Clare clubs are challenging for senior honours.

“East Clare is the home of hurling in Clare.

Our win in the championship two years ago has given great hope to all. It showed that it can be done even if you are working from a small population base”.

He told The Clare Echo, “The Clare championship is a tough competition to win. It’s fiercely competitive and any of the 16 teams involved could come out on top. Very few would not have genuine hopes of getting there. With a small bit of luck every team can have genuine hopes of getting through.

In a knockout competition anything can happen, a hop of the ball, a referee’s decision, an in-

jury can have a bearing”.

Ger acknowledges, “It’s a nightmare of a group really and all four will believe that they can qualify. Right now each will be targeting the opening game and looking no further. The first round loser will be on the back foot and suddenly there will be mention of relegation.”

Staying injury free is key to a good run in the championship according to Feakle’s manager. “We were very lucky in that regard two years ago in that we went through the campaign without any major injury.”

A vital player for Feakle is Shane McGrath who is the side’s captain this year and all opponents will agree that key to overcoming Feakle is limiting McGrath’s contribution, something that is easier said than done.

The availability of inter county stars Eibhear Quilligan and Adam Hogan adds huge experience to a side that will also be looking to Eoin Tuohy, Oisin Donnellan who led them to the Canon Hamilton in 2024 and Steven Conway to mention but a few.

Doubts remain about whether or not Conn Smyth will be fit to take his place for this weekend’s opener. A towering figure at centre back, Smyth had been part of Clare’s extended panel up until this year and has had his injury issues over the past two years.

A plus for Feakle is that they have a fairly settled side with the majority of the title winning team of 2024 still filling key roles. Their first round clash with O’Callaghans Mills is arousing huge attention and opinions appear to be fairly evenly divided as to who is likely to come out on top.

PICTURED: Adam Hogan. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE

Management: Alan Neville (manager), Joe McGrath (coach/ selector), Conor Earley (coach/selector), Sean Ryan (coach/selector), Ollie Moran (coach/selector); Morgan Moloney (coach) Gearoid Ryan (goalkeeping coach), David McClure (S&C), David Foley (stats) and Ger Casey (stats).

Captain: Shane Gleeson Key player: Diarmuid Ryan

One to watch: Jake Moylan Fresh blood: None Departures Gate: Liam Markham Treatment table: Podge Collins (hamstring), David Collins (medial ligament), Tadhg Lohan (hand).

Titles won: 2 (2009 and 2014) Last year’s run: failed to get out of the group Schedule of games: Round 1 v Clooney/

Quin on Saturday July 25th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis at 18:00 Round 2 v O’Callaghans Mills on Saturday August 8th in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 18:00 Round 3 v Feakle on Saturday August 22nd at 14:00 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Championship power ranking: 6

‘Huge challenge’ for Cratloe

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

CRATLOE contested six finals in 11 seasons but seven years on from their last appearance in a Clare SHC decider, their manager says “we need to be realistic about where we are”.

If an experienced management team is the key to championship success, then Cratloe are already on the right road. Alan Neville from Clare’s All-Ireland winning sides of 1995 and 1997 is the team manager, they last reached the decider in 2019 during his first stint as manager.

He has a backroom team that includes Tipperary native and long-time Cratloe resident Joe McGrath who has tasted success coaching UL and Cratloe sides. Ollie Moran, who managed Offaly’s senior hurlers in 2019 and won an All Star in 2007 during his 13-year Limerick senior hurling career, joins the management as does Seán Ryan. Former manager Conor Earley is also part of the coaching ticket with ex-goalkeeper Gearoid Ryan.

Already this season they have led the club to the Division 2 hurling league title, a strong second half showing helping them to account for Tulla a fort-

night ago.

While Clarecastle native Neville is delighted with the recent league title win, he is adamant that his charges are facing “a huge challenge and we are not looking past this game.

They were in the county final last year and they will want to go better this time while our priority is to get over this game. We must be realistic about where we are. We are in a group that contains last year’s finalists, along with the winners from the previous year and last year’s Munster intermediate finalists. They all have huge pedigrees. We simply can’t look beyond this one.”

Like his fellow managers in this group, Neville believes that “ you are nearly in a knockout situation if you lose the first round”.

The Cratloe boss believes that “Clare clubs are as competitive as anywhere in

Munster. Heading into this week and the start of the championship teams are biting at the bit after training hard for the past three or four months”.

Asked if it is difficult to manage a team with a number of dual players he told The Clare Echo “the age profile of players determines a lot. We have about five that are over 30, we have ten that are 27 or under. Lads are used to the schedule now. We go with whatever players are available. We are at the stage that the workload, even if demanding is manageable”.

David Collins and Tadhg Lohan are both ruled out for the opening round while it will be nearer match time before a final decision is made on the availability of one of their more experienced players, Podge Collins.

Former Clare players Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath have both recovered from injury and they are set to be in the starting line up at the weekend.

Another vastly experienced player, London based Liam Markham is not involved this year.

PICTURED: Rian Considine.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

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Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

‘Last year means nothing’

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

REACHING a first county final in eight years in 2025 “means nothing” for Clooney/Quin as they prepare to set sail on a new Clare SHC campaign.

It begins this Saturday against Cratloe in Cusack Park. They last met in the Clare SHC in August 2023 when Clooney/Quin were 5-12 0-13 winners.

Fergal Lynch is in his third season as Clooney/ Quin senior manager. He said, “there is pressure on every team in the group. Cratloe have huge experience and they have a lot more medals that we have and that will carry a lot. Feakle are recent winners of the title and the have huge experience. O’Callaghans Mills are on the crest of a wave after winning the intermediate title last year and the Clare Cup just a few weeks ago. It looks like a very tight group and it’s hard to predict who will come out. There will be pressure on every team in all of their group matches”.

An All-Ireland medal winner with Clare in 2013, the Clooney/Quin manager was speaking ahead of the opening rounds in all adult championships this weekend. Of course he wants his beloved club to win next week and to win subsequent games but he says victory in the opening round “is not the be all and end all. Teams have lost the opening round before and gone on to contest the final and win the championship”.

The Quin national school principal went on to say his club is “not looking past phase one which is the group stage. Step one in that phase is our game with Cratloe and getting as good a performance as we can. If we can do that, the result will take care of itself ”.

Asked if the pressure is greater because of the fact that they contested the final last year he told The Clare Echo, “last year means nothing, it’s over. This is a totally new championship and we are preparing accordingly. We need a lot of things to go right to win a first round”.

Lynch continued, “getting the right blend with experienced players and young guys coming through is a key ingredient. Mixing the experienced players who are in their late twenties and early thirties with those coming out of minor is a task. The talent is there and we need to work hard to make sure we are getting the best out of all of our players”.

The manager went on to say “there is a proud tra-

AT A GLANCE

Management: Fergal Lynch (manager), Francis Browne (coach), Derek Quinn (coach), Cyril Crowe (selector).

Captain: Jimmy Corry Key player: Peter Duggan One to watch: Matthew Corbett Fresh blood: Donnacha O’Donovan, Donnacha Mahon Departure Gate: None Treatment table: John Cahill (ankle), Darragh McNamara (groin), Jerry O’Connor (shoulder).

Mills hope to ride the wave

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

O’CALLAGHANS Mills make their return to senior hurling after a year-long stint in the second tier.

Whether they can extend their run into championship will be the test for the Mills. Since their disappointing loss in the Munster intermediate final in November, O’Callaghans Mills haven’t lost a game.

In nine outings in the Clare Cup, they won eight and drew one on

their way to being crowned senior league champions a fortnight ago when they defeated Scariff.

Experience provided by Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney, Bryan Donnellan and Aidan Fawl is complemented by young players like Seanie Boyce, Liam Murphy, and Niall Melody.

Team manager Seán Doyle believes that Group 3 is the toughest along with Group 1 (Clonlara, Inagh/Kilnamona, Ballyea and St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield). “We are

under no illusions as to what we are facing. Feakle won the title two years ago, Clooney/Quin were in the final last year and Cratloe have won the title in the not too distant past”.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Feakle, Sean is awaiting news in relation to the injuries. Gary Cooney is a long term injury while a final decision on the fitness of Aidan Fawl and Aidan O’Gorman won’t be made until later in the week but they are doubtful.

l Seán McNamara Photo by Gerard O’Neill dition in our club and all our supporters and club members want a good team to follow and to get enjoyment from them. They got that last year. There are really good people working in the club led by current club chairman Tony Duggan and they have put huge effort into developing the club over the last twenty years. The club has developed hugely in terms of facilities and developing a bond with the community”, the manager, whose late father Des spearheaded many of the developments, said.

Ahead of this weekend’s opening championship tie, Fergal and his management team have some injury concerns and they are unlikely to be able to make a final decision on their starting team until nearer match time.

What is certain is that they will be looking to inter county men Peter Duggan, Ryan Taylor, John Conneally, and Jack O’Neill to lead the charge. In addition Cillian Duggan, Evan Maxted, Darragh Keogh and Matthew Corbett are others they will be looking to for leadership.

There are many players pressing for a place in the matchday squad and few clubs have produced as many underage talented players in modern times as Clooney/Quin. However, as the manager said, getting the right blend is key. If Fergal and his backroom team can manage to do that then Clooney/ Quin could well be on the road to going a step further than last year.

Titles won: 1 (1942) Last year’s run: Beaten finalists Schedule of games: Round 1 v Cratloe on Saturday July 25th in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis at 18:00 Round 2 v Feakle on Sunday August 9th at 15:30 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Round 3 v O’Callaghans Mills on Saturday August 22nd in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 14:00 Championship power ranking: 8

AT A GLANCE Management: Sean Doyle (Manager), Patsy O’Donnell (selector), P.J. O’Connell (selector), Robbie Madden (selector), Joe Cooney (selector), Brendan Egan (S&C), Donie Whelan (Physio) Captain: Aidan O’Gorman Vice captain: Jacob Loughnane Key player: Aidan Fawl One to watch: Niall Melody Fresh blood: Liam Murphy, Ciaran Cooney.

Departures Gate: None Treatment table: Gary Cooney (ankle), Aidan

O’Gorman (groin), Aidan Fawl (ankle); Ciaran Cooney (hamstring) Titles: 8 (1904, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1918, 1923. 1932, 1937 Last year’s run: Premier intermediate champions Schedule of games: Round 1 v Feakle on Saturday July 25 in Páirc Chíosóg at 16:00 Round 2 v Cratloe on Saturday August 8th in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 18:00 Round 3 v Clooney/Quin on Saturday August 22 in O’Garney Park, at 14:00 Power ranking: 7

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

Injury-time pain fuels Kilmaley’s motivational gain

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

Brian Culbert would be totally forgiven for trying to investigate who is putting pins in a voodoo doll of him and his Kilmaley side as by this stage, it’s almost gone too far.

After all, three injury-time exits, one more dramatic than the next, would have been sufficient to derail most sides from their dreams of county senior glory.

In his first season in 2023, Kilmaley appeared to be destined for a converted place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, only to be sucker-punched

by Feakle substitute Gary Guilfoyle to fire the last four points and pip Kilmaley to the post. That would be surpassed by an iconic last gasp Conor McGrath point from right in front of the Kilmaley dug-out in the final group game twelve months later that saw Cratloe extend their season by the minimum on score difference at Kilmaley’s expense.

Last year’s semi-final was perhaps the most difficult pill to swallow for Kilmaley as they led Éire Óg entering the final ten minutes, only to see Danny Russell grab the last three points to prevail at the death and go on to bridge a 35 year gap to their last county senior honours.

And yet, Sixmilebridge native Culbert doesn’t hold any bitterness or injustice, more an admirable determination to try and better their lot and luck this time around. “That’s sport at the

end of the day as it doesn’t really matter how close you come, it’s all about the result. As I said to the lads last week, Éire Óg have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years and were definitely the most consistent last year to win it. I think they’ve either been in a quarter-final, semi-final or final every year for the last decade so they fully deserved their championship last year.

“An Éire Óg championship win ultimately means that the other 15 teams lost so it really doesn’t matter how close you come within games, at the end of the day Éire Óg are the only ones that can put their hands up and say that they deserved to win it last year and everyone else, regardless of whether you got to the semi-final or final you still lost. So it’s back to drawing board again for this year and just try and work that small bit harder and try and catch Éire Óg this year”.

So does he get that sense that his players are prepared to leave no stone unturned this summer? “Every year brings its own pressures but for the older lads they definitely will be relishing another shot. I mean we’re approaching this Friday like it is a county final and I’m sure that Newmarket are going to be the same. We’ll treat every game like that and see where it gets us but definitely there is a greater want there each year that you have to do more. And look, this year mightn’t be the year either.

This time next year, they might

realise again that they’ve got to go a bit harder for 2027”.

The qualification process certainly doesn’t get any easier as Kilmaley are embroiled in a derby triumvirate of Sixmilebridge, Wolfe Tones and of course this Friday’s opponents Newmarket-on-Fergus in Ruan (7pm).

“In a way every game in that group is a derby as there are plenty of links between all the teams and a bit of history and loads of excitement to every fixture. And while some people will pick teams as favourites to come out of the group, I really do feel that every team is capable of beating each other. We’re only focusing on Newmarket thogh because they’ve a very, very good team and they may have been in the relegation last year but two years earlier they topped a group involving Cratloe and Clooney-Quin and we just caught

by Crusheen in the quarter-finals.

“A lot of that team are still there and you can sprinkle in the few county Under 20’s that they had this year and they’re going to be a serious challenge. Traditionally they’ve always been strong which means that regardless of injuries and the personnel that they have, you know you’re going to get 100% against Newmarket. So we’re going to have to be on our game from the outset, that’s for definite”.

PICTURED: Kilmaley captain, Mikey O’Malley Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE Management: Patrick O’Neill (manager), Aidan Fitzgerald (selector), Cathal Blood (selector), John McDonagh (selector), Killian Malone (coach), Fiona Kennedy (physio) Captain: Maccon Byrne Key player: Jamie Stack One to watch: Ronan Fitzpatrick Fresh blood: N/A Departures Gate: Joe McGann (emigrated), Dale Masterson (transferred) Treatment table: Cian Burke (ankle) Titles won: 0

Last year’s run: Knocked out in the quarter-finals by rivals Ennistymon Schedule of games: Rd1 vs Wolfe Tones on Saturday July 19th in Cusack Park at 17:00 Rd2 vs Kilmurry Ibrickane on Friday August 1st in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay 19:00 Rd3 vs St Joseph’s Miltown on Sunday August 17th in Cusack Park at 14:00 Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 5

28

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

New challenge for the Bridge

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

If there’s a tinge of Déjà Vu in the air in Sixmilebridge, it’s because they’ve been here before.

13 years ago (the significance of the number 13 being another eerie omen), the club brought in a fresh-faced manager John O’Meara with the priority of ushering in a new generation of young players (backed by a historic fivein-a-row of County Under 16A crowns) to a senior side that had contested a county final two years ago.

That assimilation process proved swifter than anticipated as the young guns hit the ground sprinting to dethrone neighbours Newmarket-on-Fergus to garner a first Canon Hamilton title in 11 years before going on to accumulate five senior crowns in eight years.

After six years at the helm and three Canon Hamilton trophies in the cabinet in 2013, ’15 and ’17, O’Meara stepped down at the end of 2018 but the golden generation would go on to produce two more county triumphs in 2019 and ’20 under Tim Crowe and Davy Fitzgerald.

Subsequently, Tommy Liddy and Stiofan Fitzpatrick managed to squeeze one last compelling run to a final out of the ageless wonders in 2024 but with Sixmilebridge winning a first Minor A since that aforementioned last crop in 2011, the stark realisation that another velvet revolution of youth was required meant that there was only

one man for the job.

“The club asked me if I was interested in taking the team again,” began the returning John O’Meara after guiding Kiladangan to only their second ever Tipperary Senior success in his debut season in 2023.

“I had just finished up with Kiladangan after committing to doing three years with them so from my perspective, I’d have a closeness to a lot of those players over a long number of years so I said I’d go for it”.

So what about comparisons between his last administration and this one?

“It’s two very different eras first of all. I mean we had an unbelievable crop of players that came through together the last time and won five titles for a finish in eight years and luckily enough there are a share of those still playing. But I suppose the same process still applies in some regard as last year we won a really, really competitive Minor A Championship, our first in 13 or 14 years and we also won an U15A Championship.

“We have to make sure and develop them properly into senior and that we’re looking to the future, that’s something that we had experienced of from our previous time in charge and we’d be hoping to do again in the next number of years”.

Looking ahead to a group that includes Kilmaley, Wolfe Tones and Newmarket-on-Fergus, he adds, “We’re fully aware of the challenge that’s ahead of us.

But that’s what we prepared for so we’ll be giving it a good go”.

AT A GLANCE

Management: John O’Meara (Manager); Tadgh Keogh, Aidan Quilligan, Kieran Bermingham, Paul Fitzpatrick (Coaches); Kyle Kelly (S&C): Tom Cregan (Physio); Pat Keane (Logistics); Aidan O’Connor, Jamesie Hassett (Kitmen); Danny Reddan, Ronan O’Shea, Pa Punch, Sean Lynch, Stephen Fleming (Stats) Captain: Brian Corry Key Player: Cathal Malone One to Watch: Mark Sheedy Fresh Blood: Calum Phelan, Jack O’Halloran, Rory Chaplin, Stephen Gavin, Mark Mullins Departure Gate: None Treatment: None

Titles Won: 15 (1977, ’79, ’83, ’84, ’89, ’92, ’93, ’95, 2000, ’02, ’13, ’15, ’17, ’19, ‘20) Last season’s run: Beaten by Brian Culbert’s Kilmaley in quarter-final Schedule Round 1 v Wolfe Tones at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir, Cratloe (Saturday, July 25th) 1pm Round 2 v Newmarket-on-Fergus at Dr. Daly Park, Tulla (Saturday, August 8th) 1pm Round 3 v Kilmaley at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis (Sunday, August 23rd) 3.30pm Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 6

Blues look to ignite flame

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

NOT since a certain All-Ireland senior winning Tipperary manager provided the winning touch to help them over the line for a relieving first senior crown in 31 years have Newmarket-on-Fergus looked outside the county for inspiration.

Indeed, Liam Sheedy’s influence and, more pointedly, psychological influence was wholly needed to finally break their Canon Hamilton trophy hoodoo. And therefore following back-to-back group exits and even an unwanted relegation scare last year, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Blues would go further afield once more to try and work the oracle of getting them back to the right side of the

championship shake-up.

In steps Mike Cummins, a Galway native who knows first-hand of what it was like to not exactly make the most of a period of dominance as his Gort side were in a similar boat to Newmarket in the late noughties and early teens.

Sandiwiched between dominant eras of Portumna and St. Thomas’, unfortunately Gort lost more finals than they won in that period, a kindred spirit that perhaps proved a factor in his decision to come on board in Newmarket-on-Fergus.

“I knew Newmarket were a big club and probably looking in from Galway, there seemed to be a lot of potential and therefore I thought I could do something with them so that was the real carrot I sup-

pose. Look, Newmarket no more than ourselves in Gort would like to have won more when we felt we were on top in the early part of the last decade but it doesn’t always work out like that. County championship are not easily won”.

So what were his impressions of Newmarket before he took the job? “It was the strength of their forwards that really caught the eye first. There’s some great attacking talent there and good experience throughout the side too and then you add in the likes of Evan Crimmins, Dara McInerney, Luke Hayes, Damien Lyne and Sean McInerney, we’ve five or six young lads coming into it this year so we’re trying to integrate them into it.”

His Newmarket education has had to be swift though as aided by locals Kenneth Arthur, Darren Duggan and Christy Ryan, Cummins feels that he and Newmarket are ready to embrace their derby filled pool.

“Oh I’m well tuned into the derby elements and links by now and of course I have some great lads with me in the management that have proven invaluable to me so far and very knowledgeable as well. There were a good few things that we were working on in the Clare Cup and probably like every other team, we were missing four or five different lads every day between injury, lads gone with the Clare U20s and even holidays so we got to really see everyone available to us over the campaign which was great for a new management.

“In the first few matches, I was only finding my feet but I quickly got to know the players and their character and capabilities in the wins and even the semi-final defeat.

“We feel that they’re in good shape so hopefully we can bring a bit of a spark back to Newmarket again this year”.

That flame will have to be ignited from the outset though as Kilmaley are up first in Ruan on Friday evening (7pm), a strong force with a lot to prove themselves following last year’s agonisingly semi-final reverse at the death to eventual champions Éire Óg.

“Look, we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a massive battle for us because Kilmaley are well seasoned now.

I think it’s Brian Culbert’s fourth year with them so they’re well on their way and ferocious in the tackle so we need to match that and go out and do our job.

“Everyone last year did their best to try and steer the ship but obviously it just didn’t work out so we’re out to try and put things right this year again. Bringing a bit of consistency back to Newmarket in the championship has to be our main aim.”

PICTURED: Newmarket-on-Fergus full back Jack Enright. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

AT A GLANCE

Management: Mike Cummins (Manag-

er); Kenneth Arthur (Selector/Logistics); Darren Duggan, Derek Clancy, Christy Ryan (Selectors); Fearghal Lawlor (S&C); Mike Clancy, Shane O’Leary, Shane Corcoran (Stats); Micheál O’Leary, Darragh Jones (Kitmen) Joint-Captains: Éanna Crimmins, Peter Power Key Player: Éanna Crimmins One to Watch: Dara McInerney Fresh Blood: Dara McInerney, Evan Crimmins, Luke Hayes, Sean McInerney Departure Gate: Colin Ryan, Seán O’Connor, Noel Frawley, Seadhna Liddy (all regraded).

Treatment Table: None Titles Won: 23 (1912, ’16, ’25, ’26, ’27, ’30, ’31, ’36, ’55, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’81, 2012) Last season’s run: Surprisingly ended up in relegation play-offs following winless group campaign.

Schedule

Round 1 v Kilmaley at Ruan (Friday, July 24th) 7pm Round 2 v Sixmilebridge at Dr. Daly Park, Tulla (Saturday, August 8) 1pm Round 3 v Wolfe Tones in Broadford (Sunday, August 23) 3.30pm Championship power ranking 7

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

Barry is Keane to set the right derby Tones

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

AT A GLANCE Management: Barry Keane (Manager); Alan Cunningham, Paul O’Shea, Paul Hogan (Coaches/Selectors); John Kearney (Goalkeeping Coach); Eoghan Wallace (S&C); Clem Nihill (Physio); Shane Purcell, Conor Casey (Stats); Tommy O’Rourke (Kitman) Captain: Evan O’Gorman Key Player: Aron Shanagher One to Watch: Ben O’Gorman Fresh Blood: Kevin Hanley, Ben O’Gorman Departure Gate: Stephen Donnellan (Abroad) Treatment Table: None

Titles Won: 2 (1996, 2006) Last season’s run: Just missed out on quarter-finals on head-tohead Schedule Round 1 v Sixmilebridge at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir, Cratloe (Saturday, July 25th) 1pm Round 2 v Kilmaley at Clarecastle GAA (Saturday, August 8th) 2pm Round 3 v Newmarket-on-Fergus at Glenomra Park, Broadford (Sunday, August 23rd) 3.30pm Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 5

A SECOND season back in the top tier is the chance for Wolfe Tones to take the scalps of their neighbours and show their worth at senior level.

You don’t have to dust down the managerial playbook to decipher that maintaining an upward trajectory in their development graph is patently the aim of every manager. However, considering Wolfe Tones’ seesaw form over the last two decades since last lifting the Canon Hamilton trophy, it has never been as pivotal for the Shannon side to finally provide some consistent optimism.

After all, not since their last return from a brief vacation at intermediate level in 2015 and ’16 had the Tones last put incremental higher championship finishes back-to-back but after another momentum-fuelled surge to soar to the Paddy Browne Cup in 2024, last year’s trepidatious senior reunion would turn out to be a hugely encouraging jolt of confidence for manager Barry Keane and his management team.

That may be seem strange as Wolfe Tones were heartbreakingly edged out on score difference in what would have been their first quarter-final in three years.

However, the mere fact that they were disappointed to only eke out a battling draw with defending champions Feakle in their first outing only demonstrates the ambition within the camp.

That potential would surface just in time to spectacularly

banishing Newmarket-on-Fergus into the relegation play-offs thanks to an unanswered eight point final flourish and it’s that late blitz that has provided the perfect platform to build on for the 2026 version.

“In the cold light of day when we sat back and reviewed the year ourselves, we were disappointed. I mean in the first day out against Feakle, both teams probably felt that they could have gotten the win and we definitely felt that we could but the next day out against Éire Óg, even for myself as a manager, we took some amount of learnings out of it because they [Éire Óg] were just outstanding and ultimately we just weren’t ready for what was coming at us.

“However, our second half performance against Newmarket was outstanding and, in a way, it was a real launchpad for us as well, knowing that we can perform.

“Hopefully we can bring that mindset into our opening game on Saturday but of course there are fine margins as well as for as good as we were against Newmarket, the Éire Óg result was tough to take so it’s about finding that consistency now in 2026”.

What may help that path to uniformity of performance is the fact that Wolfe Tones are grouped with their noisy neighbours Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus.

“Since the inter-county lads have come back in, there has been a great drive again but no player needs any extra moti-

vation when the draw put us in with Newmarket and the ‘Bridge again. The familiarity adds to it as well as players from all three clubs would have maybe gone to school together or worked together so those local rivalries have definitely focused us in a way. I mean we were disappointed with our league campaign so the draw came at a good time because it kind of got lads back on track as they could see that they needed to be ready for what was coming down the tracks.”

Indeed, Keane has his own familial links with Sixmilebridge that will only be ramped up ahead of Saturday’s opening showdown in Cratloe at 1pm.

“We haven’t met the ‘Bridge in a couple of years and their record against us when we have met hasn’t been good for us as they’ve been us comfortable twice in the last two meetings.

Even to this day, the ‘Bridge still have a serious mix of youth and experience with plenty of current and past inter-county players and loads of young players coming through that are probably going to be itching to get going.

They may be going through a bit of transition but they always have good hurlers so no matter what team we face from the ‘Bridge, it’s going to be a huge challenge. So that’s why from the draw, we’ve been very much honing in on the ‘Bridge and everyone is looking forward to Saturday now”. .

PICTURED: Darragh Lohan Photo by Gerard O’Neill

30

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Parish must be fearless

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

TWO thirds of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield team will be under 21, with youth comes a sense of fearlessness which The Parish need to tap into.

There are championships, then there are championships within championships. That’s perhaps evidenced most by a treacherous Group 1 that sees title contenders Ballyea, Clonlara and Inagh/Kilnamona all gunning for the Canon Hamilton trophy whereas for a fresh-faced St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, any scalp would be a step in the right direction.

After all, since bouncing back to the top flight following intermediate success in 2022, three consecutive winless group campaigns have made the threat of championship relegation much more pertinent than championship elation.

Consequently, having been handed a draw of three teams that the Parish arguably would have avoided if they could have handpicked it themselves, breaking that unwanted group record doesn’t get any easier for Damien Kennedy and his management team in their second season either. The Parish’s biggest ongoing issue is that for all their emerging talent, they always seem a young squad that lacks an experienced spine to help assimilate them to senior level.

“You need that experience especially with the amount of young players coming through. Unfortunately last year we lost the two Hannans [Tom and Jack] and this year we saw Cian Barron play for New York and we’re also after losing Darragh O’Shea who has gone to the US following a work promotion. He might be available to us later in the championship but for the moment he’s a massive loss because he’s 26 or 27 now and was last year’s senior football captain so he’s the type of player needed to backbone the team.

“We’ve lots of talent in this panel, it’s just that the majority are very young at the top level. The bottom line is that we have to get the best from what we have but at the same time we know exactly who Clonlara are, what they’ve done and who they’ve got.

We know Inagh/Kilnamona and the conveyor belt of talent that they possess and we’re all well aware of Ballyea, a hugely successful club with a vast amount of experience. So we‘re fully aware what’s in front of us but we’re just going to have to go and give the best account of ourselves,” Kennedy told The Clare Echo.

The latest chapter of that development path commences in Shannon on Saturday evening when fac-

AT A GLANCE

Management: Damien Kennedy (Manager); Damien Ryan (Coach); Sean Duggan, Sean Flynn, Tommy Lee, David Morrissey (Selectors); Michael Frawley (S&C): Cathal O’Sullivan (Physio); Sean Conroy (Kit Man); Kevin Frehill, Stephen Twomey (Stats); David Culligan (Video) Captain: Adam Mungovan Key Player: Davie Conroy One to Watch: Graham Ball Fresh Blood: Graham Ball, Cian Breslin, Leon Talty Departure Gate: Cian Barron (abroad), Darra-

AT A GLANCE Management: Eugene Cullinan (Manager); Matthew Shannon, Alan Griffin, Dermot Lynch, Noel Hehir (Coaches/Selectors); Victor O’Riordan (S&C); Shane O’Connell (Medical/Physio); Sasanka Are (Analysis & Stats); Brian Vaughan, Enda O’Rourke (Kitmen & Support) Captain: Aidan McCarthy Key Player: Aidan McCarthy One to Watch: Jack Mescall Fresh Blood: Jack O’Connor, Frank Roughan Departure Gate: None Treatment Table: Conner

Hegarty (hamstring) Titles Won: 3 (1902, ’03, ’08 all as Kilnamona) Last season’s run: Éire Óg exacted revenge with a statement quarter-final victory.

Schedule Round 1 v Ballyea at Cusack Park, Ennis (Friday, July 24) 7pm Round 2 v Doora/Barefield at Ruan (Saturday, August 8) 5pm Round 3 v Clonlara at Cusack Park (Saturday, Aug 22) 4.30pm Championship power ranking (1=weak/unlikely winners, 10=strong contenders): 8

l Defender Ian Williams Photo by Gerard O’Neill ing 2023 champions Clonlara (6pm). And having almost pulled off an opening shock against Crusheen in last year’s opener, Kennedy and Co. will be gunning to produce a similar rallying call this weekend.

“We knew at the full-time whistle against Crusheen last year that the result would haunt us and it did.

They are the thin margins in the senior championship, that first round win is crucial as if you can get off the mark with a win, you can then begin to play with a bit of freedom, knowing that another is probably going to get you through to the next stage.

“There’s probably going to be a lot expected from the likes of Tom [O’Connor] and Graham [Ball] following their brilliant Munster and All-Ireland Under 20 successes this year but you have to be realistic too and remember that Graham is only 18 and Tom is just 19. In fact, two-thirds of our team will be under the age of 21 so we’re under no illusion as to where we are in the pecking order and what’s expected of us but there’s a way bigger picture in Barefield than just gunning for a quarter or semi-final. It really isn’t all about that, it’s more about development and ultimately keeping this group together to the age of 24 or 25 as if you continue to lose players for whatever reasons, you’ll be back to square one.

“We know that we’ll be totally written off in this group and from the achievements of the other three, that’s understandable. But for us, the youth excuse can only be thrown around so often so our players are going to have to grow up quickly and realise that we can’t keep going around in circles.” gh O’Shea (emigrated); Jarlath Colleran (Retired) Treatment Table: Darragh Ball (MCL), Eoin ‘Ogie’ Fanning (Hamstring) Titles Won: 5 (1954, 1958, 1998, 1999, 2001) Last season’s run: Defeated Corofin in relegation Play-Off Final Schedule Round 1 v Clonlara at Wolfe Tones GAA, Shannon (Saturday, July 25th) 6pm Round 2 v Inagh-Kinamona at Ruan (Saturday, August 8th) 5pm Round 3 v Ballyea at Fr. Murphy Memorial Park Newmarket (Saturday, August 22nd) 4.30pm Championship power ranking: 4

No more tough luck for Inamona?

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

The motivation behind Eugene Cullinan’s return as manager for a second stint mirrors Inagh/Kinamona’s mood - unfinished business.

After all, having led his native club closer than anyone to a first senior title since Kilnamona ruled the land 118 years ago by reaching the 2021 decider, Cullinan is determined to surpass that feat.

“In 2021, we had a tough luck sto-

ry with the county final and there have been another few since so when the opportunity arose, we said we’d go for it again”.

That ‘tough luck’ story from the 2021 county final was of course at the hands of Ballyea who as fate would have it Cullinan’s first opponents in Cusack Park this Friday (7pm).

“It’s definitely fate that we’re meeting Ballyea in the first round and the great man himself Robbie [Hogan] is also back in charge of them as well.”

“You’re definitely going to find out after the first game where you are anyway as Ballyea, as we know only two well ourselves, are some team and have won four titles in the last ten years so we know how tough it’s going to be on Friday night.

“We know what we have to do, we need three really good performances just to even get out of the group. Our work-rate has to be high and our efficiency has to be high. Everything needs to be spot on from the start”.

31

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

Clon looking for luck

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

Having seen their reign explode into life with a much coveted return of the Canon Hamilton trophy for the first time in 15 years in 2023, it initially seemed the start of a bright new chapter for Clonlara.

Back-to-back quarter-final exits since though have halted any thoughts of a dynasty and approaching season number five at the helm, manager Donal Madden felt that he had to take the temperature of the group before embarking on another campaign.

“After four years in charge, you’d question whether the guys would have the hunger and the willingness to really go at it again and that ultimately they wouldn’t be sick of the management or need a fresh voice or thing like that. But we’ve been blown away by the effort of the guys since January in terms of their commitment, enthusiasm and energy and being straight up, the lads are really up for it this year,” he told The Clare Echo.

l Michael Collins Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Backed by that ringing endorsement, the next task was to bolster their squad as while the stars aligned perfected for Clon in the 2023 campaign, a succession of injuries to key protagonists in the intervening period have severely hampered their progress at the business end of the championship.

“You need a bit of luck and last year for the quarter-final against Ballyea, we were down quite a number of players. Micheál O’Loughlin, David Fitzgerald and

AT A GLANCE

John Conlon were huge losses while Ian Galvin broke his thumb after about 10 or 15 minutes and Kieran Galvin went off with a serious quad injury so without reaching for excuses, you simply can’t be losing five players of that quality in such a big game.

And yet we were still extremely competitive.

“The previous year at the same stage against Sixmilebridge, Dylan McMahon broke his leg only 10 or 15 minutes into the game.

“Having said all that though, despite those setbacks and challenges, every day we went out, we were still really competitive.”

So how has the new recruitment policy fare so far? “We brought in nine of last year’s minors and we exposed them to the Clare Cup. They’re really good guys that have brought a real freshness and energy to the whole group so we’re really happy with the way the Clare Cup went.

“Our policy really as a club is to try and bring in

Management: Donal Madden (Manager); Paul Browne, Niall Hogan, Conor Hynes (Coaches); Evan Condon (Goalkeeping Coach); Mike Stritch (Selectors); Adrian O’Brien, Niamh Power (S&C); Johnny McGuiness (Kit Man) Captain: Colm Galvin

two or three new players to the senior panel every year. I mean the likes of John [Conlon], Colm [Galvin] and these guys aren’t going to last forever so we’ve got to as a club maintain our senior status and keep adding new talent to the panel each year for that sole purpose”.

Madden’s men and opponents St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield will be longingly eyeing up an opening victory in Shannon on Saturday evening (6pm). “Doora/ Barefield’s underage is absolutely on fire and there are some really, really strong players coming through.

‘Winning is about momentum...if you lose that first round, then you know you’re in trouble then to be honest because every round after that is knock-out.

“So everyone knows that the first round is vital and all 16 teams will be gunning for a result but of course not all of them can get it. Let’s just hope that we’re one of them”.

Key Player: Ian Galvin One to Watch: Jamie O’Connell Fresh Blood: Sam Barrett, Cian Begley, Luke Collins, Mark Hogan, Jamie McMahon, Ger Powell, Ben Power Departure Gate: Paraic O’Loughlin (Emigrated) Treatment Table: None Titles Won: 3 (1919, 2008, 2023) Last season’s run: Quarter-Finalists

Schedule Round 1 v St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Wolfe Tones GAA, Shannon (Saturday, July 25th) 6pm Round 2 v Ballyea at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir, Cratloe (Sunday, August 9th) 1pm Round 3 v Inagh-Kilnamona at Cusack Park, Ennis (Saturday, August 22) 4.30pm Championship power ranking: 8

(Hamstring), Evan Cleary (Shoulder), Aaron Griffin (Knee) AT A GLANCE Titles Won: 4 (2016, ’18, ’21, ‘22) Management: Robbie Hogan (Man-

Hogan embraces group of death

by Gearóid Howley news@clareecho.ie

BALLYEA have predominantly blazed a trail over the last decade since their remarkable senior hurling title breakthrough in 2016.

Four titles in seven seasons, three under the watch of Robbie Hogan, carved out a veritable duopoly with Sixmilebridge to share eight consecutive Canon Hamilton crowns evenly between 2015 and 2022.

Since then, Ballyea have developed an unwanted run of three opening round championship defeats which resulted in back-toback group exits before bouncing back superbly last year for the start of Hogan’s third stint as manager to eventually reach the last four.

However, in such an Avengers-like superpower group with 2023 champions Clonlara, perennial title-chasers Inagh/Kilnamona and 2022 intermediate winners St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, suddenly a first round win takes on a whole new precedence.

“We’re actually the seeded team

in the group which is supposed to be a reward,” commented manager Robbie Hogan with a wry smile.

“But the reward we got was to be grouped with two of the favourites for the competition plus a very, very good, young and talented Doora/ Barefield team.

“For us, game number one is Inagh/Kilnamona and there’s a huge amount at stake in that so it’s real shoulder to the wheel time now as you simply have to hit the ground running or else you could find yourself in quicksand very quickly”.

With Inagh/Kilnamona seeking revenge for their 2021 County Final reverse to Ballyea, whoever wins in Zmmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg will receive a major leg up in the unquestionable ‘Group of Death’.

With up to half of the players that featured in the 2021 senior decider between the same pair now departed the scene, a new injection of fresh talent is always welcomed

by Hogan and Co. “A senior team is constantly evolving. As sure as two or three leave, two or three more

young players enter the scene and that’s just the way the club works.

“Our inter-county players like Dan Costelloe with the Under 20s have really brought a bounce back into the set-up and the older players like Jack [Browne], Paul {Flanagan] and Tony [Kelly] feed off that energy and vice versa those experienced players impart nuggets of information that can help the younger lads. So it’s a two way swing which is great for the younger lads coming through”.

PICTURED: Cian Kirby

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ager); Andrew Fahey, Alan Duggan (Coaches); Raymond O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Jude Quinlivan (Selectors); Shane McNamara (S&C); Kieran Connelly (Physio); Cillian Moylan (Kitman) Captain: Gearoid O’Connell Key Player: Tony Kelly One to Watch: Dara Kennedy Fresh Blood: Evan Cleary, Conor Hill, Dara Kennedy, Eoin O’Connor Departures Gate: None Treatment Table: Dara Kennedy

Last season: Semi-final Schedule Round 1 v Inagh-Kilnamona at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg Ennis (Friday, July 24th) 7pm Round 2 v Clonlara at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir Cratloe (Sunday, August 9th) 1pm Round 3 v St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Fr. Murphy Memorial Park Newmarket-on-Fergus (Saturday, August 22nd) 4.30pm Championship power ranking: 7

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Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Intermediate teams profiled GROUP 1: Whitegate Management: Niall Hayes (manager), Cathal O’Byrne (coach), Dermot Hayes (selector), George Waterstone (selector).

Joint captains: Eoin Quirke and Ciaran Keenan Key Player: Conor Whelan One to watch: Jake Gibbons Fresh blood: Jake Gibbons, Leo Bogenberger Departures Gate: Patrick Burke, Ciaran Quinn (regraded), Cian McDermott (regraded), Michael Heffernan (regraded), Harry Bogenberger (regraded) Treatment table: None Titles won: 7 (1939 as Mountshannon, 1942 as Mountshannon, 1959, 1984, 1992, 2009, 2013 Last season’s run: Semi-finals where they were defeated by Clarecastle 3-17 1-8.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Sixmilebridge on Sunday July 26th at 13:00 in The Evicted Field, Bodyke Round 2 vs Tubber on Friday August 7th at 19:00 in Gurteen Round 3 - bye Round 4 vs Parteen/Meelick on Sunday September 6th at 13:00 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Round 5 vs Corofin on Sunday September 13th at 13:00 in Gurteen Championship power ranking: 7 Niall Hayes (manager): “Our minimum objective is to beat Sixmilebridge in the first round, then try beat Tubber in the second round and see where we lie after that when we have a break for a few weeks before facing Parteen/ Meelick and Corofin.”

Corofin Management: Dave Hannan (manager), Ronnie Meere (coach/ selector), Donnchadh Kelleher (selector)(, Kevin Kelleher (selector), Luke O’Loughlin (selector), Gerry Hanrahan (selector) Captain: Gearoid Kelly Key Player: Diarmuid Cahill One to watch: Seanan Kirby Fresh blood: Oisin Tierney, Fionn Clancy (returned from Australia), Eoin Davoren (returned from Australia) Departures Gate: Killian O’Connor (emigrated), Seán

Corofin’s Gearoid Kelly and (inset) Tubber’s Ronan Monahan in action against Clarecastle Photos by Gerard O’Neill

O’Brien (emigrated), regradings.

Treatment table: Conor Leen (hamstring), James Organ (ankle) Titles won: 3 (1991, 2002, 2023) Last season’s run: Relegated from Clare SHC after two year stint in the top tier.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Tubber on Friday July 24th at 19:00 in Clarecastle Round 2 - bye Round 3 vs Parteen/Meelick on Sunday August 23rd at 13:00 in Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus Round 4 vs Sixmilebridge on Sunday September 6th at 13:00 in Gurteen Round 5 vs Whitegate on Sunday September 13th at 13:00 in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge Championship power ranking: 7 Dave Hannan (manager): “We’ve played a few challenge matches and training has been very positive. The lads are raring to go after the disappointment of being relegated, they have all stepped up and are really trying to get back up.

The flip side is playing football and hurling is tough on the players but they are managing it fair well as a

small dual club, it is tough going but they embrace it”.

“Facing Tubber first is a great game to focus the minds for a lot of the players. They know what is coming with the Burren derby, they are a big strong physical team, it will be a tough opener”.

Parteen/Meelick Management: Aaron Devane (manager), Mark Boland (selector), Nathan Fox (selector), David O’Sullivan (selector), Martin Reale (S&C), Jason O’Reilly (S&C), Captain: Darragh McDermott Key Player: Jack Kirwan One to watch: Gavin Marshall Fresh blood: Gavin Marshall, Dylan O’Connell, Joe Maxwell, Cormac Barry, Departures Gate: Nathan Fox (injured) Treatment table: None Titles won: 1 (1956 as Parteen) Last season’s run: Failed to get out of the group stages Schedule of games: Round 1 - bye Round 2 vs Sixmilebridge on Friday August 7th at 19:00 in Shannon Round 3 vs Corofin on Sunday August 23rd at 13:00 in Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus Round 4 vs Whitegate on Sunday September 6th at 13:00 in Dr Daly Park, Tulla Round 5 vs Tubber on Sunday September 13th at 13:00 in Shannon Championship power ranking: 6 Aaron Devane (manager): “This Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (PIHC) is going to be a good opportunity for all the clubs, there’s no weak teams and it is very even, our first round will be key. I can see it in Tipperary since the PIHC has come in, it has strengthened the hurling across the board”.

Tubber Management: Pat Taaffe (manager), Gavin Keary (coach), Michael Coen (selector), Paschal Lee (selector), Rosaleen Monahan (medical), Podge Haugh (S&C).

Captain: Patrick O’Connor Key Player: Ronan Monahan One to watch: Macauley Brennan Fresh blood: Aidan McNamara (returned from Austalia), Cathal McNamara, Oisin McNamara, Departures Gate: Mark Earley (regraded).

Treatment table: Senan Dunford (foot), Joey Droney (ankle/groin) Titles won: 2 (1972, 1976) Last season’s run: Exited in the quarter-finals with a 4-19 0-22 loss to Clarecastle.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Corofin on Friday July 24th at 19:00 in Clarecastle Round 2 s Whitegate on Friday August 7th at 19:00 in Gurteen Round 3 vs Sixmilebridge on Saturday August 22nd at 18:00 in Clooney/Quin Round 4 - bye Round 5 vs Parteen/Meelick on Sunday September 13th at 13:00 in Shannon Championship power ranking: 8 Pat Taaffe (manager): “Preparations have went well, we had to wait for Gavin Keary to come back from the Galway U20s, he wasn’t with us full-time while he was involved with them but he’s with us fully now. Our numbers are small in Tubber so it is hard to get really good sessions but what the lads

have done, they have done well.

“We’re starting off against Corofin, they are coming down from senior and they played in Division 1 of the Clare Cup... They will be the favourites”.

Sixmilebridge Management: Adrian Chaplin (manager), Sean Chaplin (coach/ selector), Michael O’Halloran (coach/selector), Danny Morey (coach) Captain: Adam Breen Key Player: Caimin Morey One to watch: Stephen Gavin Fresh blood: Calum Phelan, Jack O’Halloran, Rory Chaplin, Stephen Gavin, Mark Mullins, Derek Fahy (regraded), Brian Carey (regraded), Barry Fitzpatrick (regraded) Departures: Aidan Quilligan (retired), Dylan Downes (emigrated), Cathaoir Agnew (transferred) Treatment: Barry Fitzpatrick (knee) Titles won: 5 (1951, 1957 as Cappagh, 1971, 1988, 1990) Last season: Didn’t make it out of the group stages Schedule: Round 1 vs Whitegate on Sunday July 26 at 13:00 in Bodyke Round 2 vs Parteen/Meelick on Friday August 7th at 19:00 in Shannon Round 3 vs Tubber on Saturday August 22nd at 18:00 in Clooney/ Quin Round 4 vs Corofin on Sunday September 6th at 13:00 in Gurteen Round 5 - bye Championship power ranking: 5

33

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

as championship commences GROUP 2: Clarecastle Management: Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin (manager), Donagh Murphy (coach), Martin Sheedy (selector), Stephen Sheedy (selector), Anthony Daly (selector), Trevor Slattery (S&C).

Captain: Colin Brigdale Fresh blood: Tom Slattery, Cian O’Dell, Jack Ellingstrad, Niall Galvin, Lee Brack Departures Gate: Josh Brack (injury) Treatment table: Oisin Whelan (hamstring), Rory O’Connell (US), Cian Galvin (hamstring) Titles won: 1 (1931) Last season’s run: Made the inaugural Clare PIHC final but lost out to O’Callaghans Mills 2-19 1-17 Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Tulla on Thursday July 23rd at 19:00 in Gurteen Round 2 vs Smith O’Briens on Saturday August 8th at 18:00 in Glenomra Park, Broadford Round 3 - bye Round 4 vs Bodyke on Sunday September 6th at 15:30 in Páirc Michael Ui hEithir, Cratloe Round 5 vs Ruan on Sunday September 13th at 15:00 in Inagh Championship power ranking: 9 Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin: “We’re a year older and hopefully a year more mature. We were up and down last year, we started okay then we nosedived but we picked ourselves up and were beaten by a more experienced O’Callaghans Mills team in the final. The Mills have proven they are at senior level and should remain there, they were unlucky not to win the Munster club and have won the Clare Cup already this year. That is the level we’re trying to get to”.

“You couldn’t pay attention to the favourites tag because we’ve been so inconsistent last year with two wins and two losses in the group stages alone. We have to get more consistent and we have a huge task first against Tulla.

“We’ve added Anthony Daly and Stephen Sheedy to the management full-time this year...They bring different traits, we’re very lucky to have them involved .

Ruan Management: Leon Quirke (manager), Francis O’Halloran

(coach), Mike Daffy (coach), Patrick Roughan (coach), Martin Conlan (S&C), Gearoid Roughan (selector), Pat Meaney (selector) Captain: Pa O’Gorman and Ryan Power Key Player: Frankie Lyons One to watch: Diarmuid Hastings Fresh blood: Joe Meaney, Aodhan Naughton, Sam Kelly, Diarmuid Hastings, Piaras Ó Sé (back from travels) Departures Gate: Daniel Guinane, Jamie Ryan, Tom O’Halloran, Conor Wynne, Daire Corey (all regraded) Treatment table: Killian Ryan (knee), Ashley Brohan (groin), Daniel McInerney (hamstring), Pa O’Gorman (back).

Titles won: 5 (1940, 1948, 1950 with Dysart), 1978, 2012) Last season’s run: Eliminated by winners O’Callaghans Mills Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Smith O’Briens on Sunday July 26th at 13:00 in Meelick Round 2 - bye Round 3 vs Bodyke on Sunday, Aug 23 at 14:00 in Clooney/Quin Round 4 vs Tulla on Sunday September 6th at 15:30 in Newmarket-on-Fergus Round 5 vs Clarecastle on Sunday September 13th at 15:00 in Inagh Championship power ranking: 8 Leon Quirke, manager, “Winning the league has us on a bit of a high, we haven’t won something at adult level since 2012 so the league was a huge priority for us and it’s always nice to win something no matter the level. We need to be playing at a higher level in the league and we got the bonus of a trophy”.

“We’ve been knocked out by the last three winners in the championship.

The intermediate championship is so competitive now and there is nothing between any team in it, we want to make a breakthrough but our focus is on the group and trying to come out of it because anybody could come out and any team could miss out”.

Bodyke Management: Colin Molloy (manager), Michael Sheehy (coach/ selector), Oisin Molloy (selector), Johnny Healy (selector) Captain: Éanna Doyle One to watch: Cormac Doyle Fresh blood: Seanie Wiley, Willie

Barry Hennessy: “I’m very confident in our group of players, I’m not saying we’ll win it out but I’m confident with the playing group we have. People will look at our league results and make assumptions but we were missing six or seven players every game with ads doing exams and travelling.

“We’re very young... We don’t have too many lads on the wrong side of 30. It is very much a group still growing and developing”.

Eddie Bourke is ruled out for Rd1 for Smith O’Briens Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Fitzgerald, Paddy McNamara, Oisin Slattery.

Departures Gate: Ciaran Hickey & Tadhg Kilkenny (regraded) Treatment table: Ronan Fitzmaurice (hamstring).

Titles won: 5 (1932, 1936, 1946, 1969, 1996) Last season’s run: Defeated Killanena in the relegation final.

Schedule of games: Round 1 - bye Round 2 vs Tulla on Saturday Aug 8th at 13:00 in Clonlara Round 3 vs Ruan Sunday August 23rd at 14:00 in Clooney/Quin Round 4 vs Clarecastle on Sunday September 6th at 15:30 in Cratloe Round 5 vs Smith O’Briens on Sunday September 13th at 15:00 in Glenomra Park, Broadford Championship power ranking: 5 Colin Molloy (manager), “We’ve added personnel to our squad this year which was needed, we were lacking strength in depth so it’s good to have that, training is going well but you don’t really know where you are till the first game and we’ll assess after that”.

Smith O’Briens Management: Barry Hennessy (manager), Mark McInerney (coach), Brendan Foley (selector), Cian Maloney (selector), Shane Kirwan (selector), Derek Conway (selector), Craig Moloney (selector) Captain: Cathal Stritch Key Player: Mike Gough One to watch: Conor Geraghty Fresh blood: Darragh Rosney, Sam Flaherty, Brendan Minogue, Conor Geraghty Departures Gate: Sean McMahon (in Canada for first three rounds), Cian Maloney (retired).

Treatment table: Eddie Bourke (thumb), Micheál Ryan, Dwayne Sheedy, David O’Shea.

Titles won: 2 (2004, 2021) Last season’s run: Won the Clare IHC to secure promotion.

Schedule of games: Round 1 vs Ruan on Sunday July 26th at 13:00 in Meelick Round 2 vs Clarecastle on Saturday August 8th at 18:00 in Glenomra Park, Broadford Round 3 vs Tulla on Sunday August 23rd at 16:00 in Whitegate Round 4 - bye Round 5 vs Bodyke on Sunday September 13th at 15:00 in Broadford Championship power ranking: 5

Tulla Management: Brian Quinn (manager), Colin Lynch (coach), Stephen Cusack (S&C), Brian Lynch (selector), Karl Quinn (selector) Captain: David McInerney Key Player: David McInerney One to Watch: Cathal Culloo Fresh blood: David McInerney, Cathal Culloo Departures Gate: David Meehan,

Niall Bolton, Treatment: Tony Leyden (hamstring), Feargal Kearney (finger).

Titles won: 1 (1979) Last year’s run: Knocked out in the quarter-finals to Ruan with a last minute Shane Punch goal.

Schedule of Games: Round 1 vs Clarecastle on Thursday July 23rd at 19:00 in Gurteen Round 2 vs Bodyke on Saturday August 8th at 14:00 in Clonlara Round 3 vs Smith O’Briens on Aug 23 at 16:00 in Whitegate Round 4 vs Ruan on Sunday September 6th at 15:30 in Newmarket-on-Fergus Power rankings: 8 Brian Quinn (manager): “It is a tough one to start off, Clarecastle have a good bit of experience from their run to the final last year. It will be a big test for us and we’re looking forward to it. Overall, it is a tough group ...we’ll get nothing easy”.

34

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Madden pinpoints consistency as big challenge for 2027

by Seamus Hayes CLARE senior football manager Paul Madden has pinpointed consistency as the biggest challenge facing his charges for a second season at the helm, Madden’s end of year report was issued to club delegates earlier this month.

In a detailed written report to Clare GAA, senior football manager Paul Madden said “undoubtedly, the overriding feeling at the end of the 2026 campaign, from a results perspective, is one of disappointment.

Throughout our first six months together as a group, while it may seem difficult to explain this as we wanted more, there have been several positives and signs of what the group can achieve. From a management perspective it must be said that the players, including those on the initial panel, who committed to Clare football in 2026 all wanted to represent their County and gave everything they had by way of attitude and effort and they must be commended for this.

“As a Management team we are acutely aware that Clare football needs to be better. We acknowledge, on completing an extensive end of year review, that improvements can be made moving forward. What is very clear is the desire to be better from a players and management

perspective is evident. On a personal note I would like to thank the Management and Support Group for their loyalty, honesty and work throughout the campaign”.

The manager’s report was read to the board meeting on Tuesday by chairman Kieran Keating.

At the outset the manager listed his management and support team of Kieran Murphy (coach), Ger Quinlan (Selector), Shane Daniels (Selector), Antoine Mobian (S&C Coach), Megan Downes (Support S&C), Bernard Power (GK Coach), Aine Moloney (Physio), Ger Crotty (Physio), Dr. Ronan Flynn (Team Doctor), Paul Flanagan (Sports Psychologist), Nicole Shaw (Nutritionist), Paddy Smyth (Liaison Officer) Kieran McDermott (Video), Jim Marinan (Kit), Mark Collins (Kit), Morgan Rowland (Kit), John Hehir (Stats), Niall Connolly (Stats), Gary Duggan (Stats), Kieran Donnolly (Stats) and Diarmuid Whelan (Stats /Video).

Madden recalled, “The general support and well wishes received on my appointment as manager of the senior football team from the people of Clare was certainly very encouraging. As a Clare man taking on this role, one which I am hugely proud to have, I was acutely aware the learning curve would be steep and unforgiving at times. Without question senior inter county management was going to be a big step up and a chal-

lenge. The first, and most important role as an incoming manager, was to appoint a management team in a relatively short period of time. From the onset I felt critical to putting a team together was to gather a group of people who were hard working, diligent and, most importantly, wanted to be there for the benefit of Clare football”.

Open dialogue has existed with club managers, he said. “It was always my intention to invite a large group of players into the initial set up. The purpose of this was to give our club players the belief that playing well in local league and championships would not go unnoticed.

Critical in this process was an open dialogue with club managers, one which was maintained throughout the 2026 campaign. Without progressive clubs and good club players we will never have good County players one leads to the other, albeit, it is a huge step up from a conditioning and skill level perspective”.

Clare’s first collective session took place on November 22nd in Caherlohan before beginning the McGrath Cup on January 2nd and the National Footbal League on January 24th.

“We then had a singular focus on our Munster semi-final meeting with All Ireland champions Kerry in Cusack Park on April 25 . While we acquitted ourselves well in the overall context of the game the end result was still a

loss which can never be viewed as a positive for Clare football”.

The manager went on to say “The Tailteann Cup, our first time in this competition, represented a chance for us to compete on another National stage. Unfortunately, we lost to Offaly in Round 1 and again to Longford in Round 2 which ultimately ended our season at the end of May. It is definitely a major frustration that we exited this competition early”.

He added, “throughout the last six months we have developed great relationships with the many volunteers that work for the betterment of Clare GAA” and he went on to thank each of those adding that “relations with Brian Lohan, the Clare senior hurling management and squad have been excellent throughout this campaign and reinforce the fact that we are a very proud dual County striving to be the best we can. For Clare football the ambition is to play in big games in the future and we need not look further than our hurlers for inspiration in this regard. We wish Brian and his squad all the best in the upcoming All Ireland semi-final.

Madden praised Chair of Coiste na nÓg Peil Joe Considine and his officers for “excellent work putting frameworks in place for Clare underage football for 2026 and beyond”.

He described minor manager Joe Hayes and U20 manager Dermot Coughlan as “two of the very best

ambassadors for Clare Football. Both have coached and managed their respective teams with great distinction and are providing real professional environments for players to develop and become future Clare senior football stars. Dermot and I have worked particularly well this term and have used each other as constant soundbites on how we can progress the talent pool of players forward for the benefit of Clare Football into the future. Football aside the way Dermot led his management team and his young group of players at the time of the tragic passing of Jack Boddy (RIP), a member of the Clare football family, can never be understated, a true sign of fantastic leadership”.

Concluding his report, Madden stated, “from a management perspective, we are bitterly disappointed with our results this term. Despite several positive moments, on the training ground and in matches throughout our first campaign consistency has been our biggest challenge and one which I believe we can improve on in 2027 and beyond. We do not take for granted the roles we have been given in Clare football and we will endeavour to work as hard as we can to justify our appointments and progress this talented group forward”.

Ennistymon taste O’Gorman Cup glory for second time

by Seamus Hayes ENNISTYMON bridged an eleven year gap capturing the O’Gorman Cup with an eight point win over Kildysart.

Ennistymon 0-18 Kildysart 0-10 Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg.

Friday’s win marked only the second time that Ennistymon have won the competition which commemorates the memory of former Doonbeg and Clare GAA official John O’Gorman.

Inaugurated in 2006 when Lissycasey became the first winners, this was the 21st running of the competition which is organised and run

by Doonbeg GAA member Michael Neenan.

The competition is played without inter county senior players who featured in the championship which meant that Ennistymon were without Cillian and Brendy Rouine and Josh Vaughan while Kildysart lined out without Emmet McMahon.

A combination of injuries and holidays meant that Kildysart were also without a number of players that will be expected to be in their championship line up. These included Fergal

Guinnane, Keith O’Connor and Luke McGrath to mention a few.

Both sides will be facing off in the third round of the Clare SFC on August 29th in Cooraclare, a showdown which is lively to have a big bearing on who qualifies from Group 2.

For Kildysart this final came just seven days after their narrow loss to Clondegad in the Garry Cup final.

The first half proved to be an evenly contested affair and just the minimum separated the sides at the break with the winners leading on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-6.

Joe Concannon led the scoring honours and he finished the game with 0-8 to his name, a tally that included one two pointer and three frees.

Midfielder Mark Kelleher produced a strong performance which led to him being awarded the man of the match. He contributed 0-2 of their tally while Michael Davenport landed 0-3 for Declan Downes’ side.

After the game Doonbeg official Michael Neenan presented the O’Gorman cup to the winning captain, Eoin Rouine and he also presented the man of the match award to Mark Kelleher.

Ennistymon: Noel Sexton; Brian McNamara, Darragh Conneally, Sean O’Driscoll; Daniel Brody, Sean Con-

neally, Tiernan Hogan (0-2, 1tp); Mark Kelleher (0-2), Eoin Rouine; Sean Rouine, Eoin Marrinan, Joe Concannon (0-8, 1tp, 3f); Michael Davenport (0-3), Darren McNamara (0-1), Niall Canavan (0-2, tp); Subs: Joe Casey for S. O’Driscoll; Paudie Considine for N. Canavan; Conor Morrissey for N. Sexton; Jody McMahon for E. Marrinan; John Murphy for D. Brody; Kildysart: Aidan O’Loughlin; Shane Casey, Shane McNeilis, Cillian Kelly; Darragh Murtagh, Conor Moloney, Oisin Coyle; Danny Moloney, Kieran O’Brien (0-1); Diarmuid O’Donnell (03, 1tp), Jamie Evans (0-2) Jack Cotter (0-1); Conal Casey (0-1), Conor Cusack, Colm Finnucane; Subs: Harrison Scanlan for C. Kelly (inj); Rory McMahon for S. McNeilis; James Casey for O. Coyle; Liam Casey (0-2, tp ) for C. Casey; T. J. O’Donoghue for A. O’Loughlin; Referee: Pat Keane (Lissycasey)

Eoin Rouine, Ennistymon captain accepts the O’Gorman Cup from Michael Neenan Photo by Seamus McQuaid

35

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

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Sport

Callinan receives lifetime achievement award from GPA

by Páraic McMahon CLARECASTLE’S John Callinan has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

Callinan and six time All-Ireland winner with Cork’s camogie side Fiona O’Driscoll were presented with the accolades at the annual legends lunch held in Croke Park last Friday.

Joining him in Croke Park were proud Magpies, two time All-Ireland winning Clare captain Anthony Daly, former Mayor of Clare Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), past Clarecastle chairman Niall Tuohy and former

Editor of The Clare People, Emmet Moloney.

Both Callinan and O’Driscoll were recognised for their contributions to gaelic games spanning decades including their decorated playing careers and a continued commitment to developing and promoting Gaelic games long after retirement.

A two-time National Hurling League winner with Clare in 1977 and 1978, John enjoyed a distinguished inter-county career. He won three Railway Cup medals with Munster and was honoured with All Star awards in 1979 and 1981.

At club level, John won Clare

SHC titles with Clarecastle in 1986 and 1987.

His contribution to Gaelic games has extended far beyond his playing days. He has remained deeply involved in Clare GAA, serving in a range of leadership and administrative roles, including as Clare’s representative on Munster Council and as a member of the Clare County Board Executive. He has also continued to support his beloved Clarecastle club and underage hurling within the county, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the development of the game.

Strong Clare connection powers Limerick to All-Ireland glory again

by Páraic McMahon SHANNON’s Alan Cunningham was part of the management which steered Limerick’s hurlers to a sixth All-Ireland SHC title since 2018.

Limerick powered past the challenge of Galway with Cian Lynch captaining the Shannonsiders to glory on a score of 1-29 1-18.

A key member of John Kiely’s management during their dominant era has been Cunningham.

The former principal of St Caimin’s Community School has been part of the Limerick management since 2017.

Prior to this, Alan coached Na Piarsaigh to win their first and only All-Ireland club title in 2016.

A former Clare hurler, he was the first Wolfe Tones clubman to line out at minor, U21 and senior level for his county.

With the Clare cause, he has been coach to Clare’s senior hurlers on two occasions, first during Anthony Daly’s tenure reaching two All-Ireland semi-finals and again under Mike McNamara when Clare reached the 2008 Munster final. He also served as a coach to Eamon Fennessy for the Clare minor hurlers in 2014.

He was coach of the Offaly senior hurlers when Ollie Baker was in charge of the Faithful County in 2012 and 2013.

Alan will be back on the sideline this weekend but as part of the Wolfe Tones senior hurling management. He guided their return to the senior ranks with intermediate success in 2024.

Before this, he was in charge when they won their maiden senior title in 1996 and further back he led the club to Féile success in 1987.

Central to the Limerick dominance has been their coach, Paul Kinnerk. Kinnerk’s parents are from West Clare, his mother hails from Kilkee and is father is from Doonbeg, they reside in Cratloe.

Paul was coach of the Clare senior hurlers who won the

All-Ireland SHC in 2013 and coached the county’s U21 hurlers to win three Munster and All-Ireland U21 titles from 2012 to 2014 following on from their Munster minor success in 2010. His hurling coaching career began in Clare and has prospered ever since.

Kinnerk formerly taught at St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon where Cunningham recommended him to Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor when they were looking for a coach to the Clare minor hurlers..

John Callinan accepts his award from GPA CEO Tom Parsons and President, Donal Óg Cusack Photo by Michael Keane

Joe Collins enters management with West Utd Joe Collins during his playing days with Galway Utd

by Páraic McMahon

Alan Cunningham Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ENNIS’ Joe Collins has been appointed as the new manager of West Utd. A two-time Oscar Traynor winner with Clare in 2016 and 2017, Collins has taken charge of his former club who commenced pre-season training last week.

Subsequent to his time with Donie Garrihy’s side and Ennis Town FC, Joe represented both Galway

Utd and Treaty Utd in the League of Ireland.

His move to Galway followed a successful twoyear playing stint with West Utd and he linked up with former teammate Alan Murphy who was manager of the Tribesmen.

Collins left Treaty in November 2022, he made 44 appearances which included two assists and scored one memorable goal that saw Treaty United defeat

Cork City at Turners Cross in July 2021.

From here, he moved to Barcelona and played at a semi-professional level. The thirty two year old returned to Galway three years ago where he joined a very successful Salthill Devon Junior Team and played his last game for Salthill in their recent Connacht Cup Final Win.

36

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Four Lahinch members chase South glory & Kinsella wins captain’s prize in Kilrush

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

TWELVE months ago there were great scenes of celebration at Lahinch golf club when club member Jonathan Keane was crowned South of Ireland amateur golf champion.

Huge crowds are expected at the famed golf club this week as the cream of amateur golfers in Ireland and many parts of Europe and the U.S.A. compete for the oldest trophy in amateur golf, the 2026 final set for Sunday afternoon.

Always a huge attraction, there is added interest this year because of the upcoming Walker Cup competition which will take place at Lahinch in September.

After this week’s competition the five automatic team members will be confirmed and many of those taking part in ‘the South’ will be hoping to impress the selectors and

get the call up.

Title holder Jonathan Keane is one of four club members taking part in the competition. Aaron McNulty, Stephen Loftus and Danny Lyne are the other club members competing.

West Munster pennant for Lahinch ladies: Lahinch ladies were crowned Munster West champions at Limerick golf club on Sunday. The Valerie Shannon and Aedin McCarthy managed side defeated Castletroy in the morning semi-final and followed this with victory over Tralee in the afternoon’s final.

Aideen Walsh, Sarah Cunningham, Jenny Hennessy, Chloe Ryan and Niamh O’Dwyer were the members of the winning team.

There was disappointment for the men’s senior cup team as they lost out to Roscrea, in a match which also took place at

Limerick.

Dromoland Golf Club: Niamh McDermott with 37 points won the ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Dromoland last week . She had one to spare over Cora O’Toole.

The ladies 18 hole standalone competition was won by Joan Dunne with 38 points from Mary O’Donnell O’Brien with 37.

The men’s 18 hole strokeplay competition was won by Alfred Jones with 68 and he won on a count back from Eoin Keane. Brian Shally won the gross with 74 while the category for those with handicaps of 20 and over was won by Gerry O’Gorman with 72.

Ennis Golf Club: The Bell trophy, sponsored by Cummins Garage, was played for at Ennis last week when the winner was Enda Burns (19) with 64. He won on a count back from Gerry

O’Connor (22).

Daire Meehan won the gross with 76 while the category winners were Damian Pilkington (13) with 66, Michael Cooney (16) with 66, Martin Coffey (21) with 67 and Paul O’Leary (27) with 68.

Last week’s senior ladies competition was won

by Judith Brassil, Martina Corbett and Mary Murray with 49.2.

In the ladies July medal, an 18 hole strokeplay singles competition the winner of the silver category was Rose Enright (18) with 72 from Suzanne Deane (15) with 76.

Peggy Costello (21) with 69 nett won the bronze medal from Louise Guilfoyle (34) with 70 nett.

The ladies 9 hole stableford competition was won by Marian Irwin (21) with 22 points and she won by a point from Margaret Flanagan (19) .

Flan Downes (13) with 40 points was the winner

of the Martin Ward Golf sponsored Friday open singles.

The Ladies minor foursomes team defeated Ballyneety on Thursday at Ennis. They qualify for the Munster West final against Ballyheigue on August 8 at Roscrea at 10.30am.

Spanish Point Golf Club: The weekly ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Spanish Point was won by Carol Akroyd with 35 points. She had one to spare over Jenny O’Neill with third spot filled by Emer McCarthy with 31 points.

Kilrush Golf Club: Lady Captain Mary Lyons’ prize was played for at Kilrush last week when Fiona Kinsella (12) emerged as the winner with 65. She won on a countback from Celia O’Grady (30).

Anne Gallagher (13) won the gross with 85 while the nines were won

Carey elected Chair of Ennis/Clarecastle coursing club

By Michael Maher

FORMER Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) was elected as the new Chairman of the Ennis/Clarecastle coursing club.

In what is viewed as a big boost for the club, Carey was elected to the post as the club’s AGM held in Clarecastle Community Hall. He retired from public life in August 2024 due to health reasons.

In his address he said he was honoured to be elected as Chairman of a proud club with a great reputation. He said focus turns to the annual meeting which place on October 3rd and 4th.

The Carey family have a long tradition of support for Ennis/ Clarecastle Club with Joe’s late father Donal serving as an officer of the club over the years.

With Galway race week just over a week away, last Friday night’s card was dominated by sponsored competitions.

The opening round heats of both the On Faya Galway Oaks generously sponsored by Peter Mulrooney of the On Faya Kennels and the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2 525 Stake generously sponsored by the

Flaherty Family. Both stakes produced some excellent racing with the Brian Robinson owned and trained Avenue Queenwho taking the honours in the Merlin Bar A2 Bitch Stake in March this year now staking a claim to be the Canine ‘Galway Girl’ by setting the standard in the On Faya Galway Oaks scoring in 28.89.

In heat five of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2 525, Heathlawn Ruby was away well heat with Salsa Firs also prominent as they races towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend, Heathlawn Ruby led narrowly from Salsa Fire with Breaghmore Dice in third place as they entered the back straight.

Racing past the halfway mark the Johnny Burke of Tubber owned Salsa Fire moved to the head of affairs on the outside as Jasmine Coco began to creep closer also. Exiting the back straight Salsa Fire (Grangeview Ten & Sporting Charity) began to ease away as Jasmine Coco continued to stay on well but Salsa Fire had four lengths to spare at the line in 29.32.

Saturday night’s Galway card

Tommy Considine with the Carey brothers, Joe and Donal

featured more stakes action with the opening round heats of both the Martin Fahy Memorial A4 525 generously sponsored by the Fahy Family and the Horan Family Syndicate A6 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by the Horan Family dominating the card.

In the opening heat of the Horan Family A6 525 Sweepstake Kiltartan Chosen came away well in the centre of the track and showing good pace led from Poppy’s Oreo and Rockmount Kismet raising towards the opening bend.

Tracking well around the opening two bends, Kiltartan Chosen extended his advantage to over five lengths as he passed halfway where Rockmount Kismet took over in pursuit with Poppy’s Oreo dropping to third place. Approaching the home bend the leader began to paddle as the Shane Flanagan of Ennis owned Rockmount Kismet (Dromana Bucko & Coronation) began to close on the inner with every stride before lading right on the line for a short head success in 29.41.

by Edel Crowley and Martina Walsh.

The lady captain’s 9 hole competition was won

by Loretta Browne with 33 from Nora Breen with 36.

The Shannon Ferries men’s open singles at Kilrush was won by Michael Shannon Snr (22) with 44 points. Tom Browne (1) won the gross with 34 points.

East Clare Golf Club: Last week’s ladies Wednesday competition at East Clare was won by Mary Dinan, Liz McMahon and Breda O’Loghlin from Helen Conway, Sue Whiting and Eimear O’ Halloran.

The senior men’s competition was won by Noel Earley, Batt Skehan and Seamus O’Dwyer from Ger Lenihan, Dave Condren and Pat Duggan with third place filled by Dominic Stuart, Tadhg Murphy and Gerry O’Brien.

Thursday’s mixed scramble was won by Evelyn O’Brien, Mary Farrell and Brian Corry with second place filled by Mary Jo Minogue, Terry Coughlan and Paul Husband.

East Clare Golf Club is having an Open Week with Mens and Ladies competitions. It will run from Monday next July 27 until August 3. To secure a tee time call 061-921322 or book online at [www. eastclaregolf](http://www. eastclaregolf) club.com.

Shannon Golf Club: The Calcul International sponsored three person full scramble was won on a countback by Allan, David and Tony Fitzgerald with 57.

Sunday’s men’s green tee challenge was won

by Declan O’Brien (15) with 39 points from Alan McCoy (13) with a similar score.

Monday’s men’s open singles, sponsored by TJMB Ltd was won by Paul McNamara (23) with 40 points from Ben O’Neill (18) with 36 points with John Geary (18) in third place with 35 points followed by Anthony McNamara (16) with 34 points. Damian Casey (+1) won the gross with 36 points.

Thursday’s mixed scotch foursomes, spon-

sored by Chemifloc Ltd, was won by Terry and Lisa O’Neill with 47 points and they had two to spare over Anna Keely and Gerard Butler..

The seniors team of four sponsored by Gihan’s Restaurant was won by Thomas Nelson, Tom Fox, Mary Fitzgibbon and Dee O’Connell with 98 points.

The Sean Hillery Pharmacists sponsored team of four (any combination), was won by Liam Leahy, Fergus Coughlan, Christy Moylan and Donal Walsh with 91 points.

Winners of the Thomond Tyres sponsored team of 4 modified scramble were Eoin Collins, David Ryan, Derek Enright and Conor McMahon with 105 points.

Woodstock Golf Club: The Specsavers Ennis July medal was the men’s competition at Woodstock last week when Adrian Kearney (12) was the winner with 66 while the gross was won by Ray Keogh (5) with 77.

Category 2 (11 to 18) was won by Kenneth Warren (12) with 68 from Mike Hogan (16) with 70 while category 3 (19 +) was won

by Denis Ryan (20) with 71.

Anne Kilker with 39 points won the ladies singles competition at Woodstock last week.

The Eileen Murphy foursomes was won by Mary Morgan and Mags Nash with 44 points and they will representWoodstock at Cork Golf Club in September.

Gort Golf Club: Ray Dolan’s captain’s prizes were played for at Gort last weekend when Michael Cahill (15) emerged as the overall winner with 130.

The gross was won by Tony Finnegan (4) with 151.

The captain’s prize to the juniors was a stableford competition which was won by Colin Fahey (22) with 42 points.

The captain’s prize to the ladies was also a stableford competition which was won by Charlotte Kelly (28) with 41 points. The gross was won by Hannah McInerney (5) with 29 points.

37

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38

Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Planning CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Planning Ref: P25/60716 Development Description: the construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works Location: Skehanagh, Clarecastle, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Jonathan & Michelle Griffey have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P25/60716. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case

of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL INISHDEA, BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Adrian King intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKANIRA, DARRAGH, ENNIS, CO CLARE

Take notice that Eanna McInerney & Elaine Keatinge intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, SEA HAVEN, STATION ROAD, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that M. Pollock intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain the rear annex building which is auxiliary to the main dwelling house along with

associated site works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCORICK, BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Marina Keane intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a private dwelling house with basement garage and treatment clinic, complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae

an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKANEADEN, KILFENORA, CO CLARE. V95 DX85 Take notice that the Representatives of the late Mr & Mrs Martin and Mary Conway intend to apply for permission to RETAIN: 1. The garage attached to the dwelling house ; 2. The increased rear porch; 3.

The altered fenestration and elevations resulting from these changes; 4. The detached garage and all associated and ancillary site works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to

Notices AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12 LICENSING (IRELAND) ACT, 1833, SECTION 6 INTOXICATING LIQUOR ACT, 1960, SECTION 29 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER OF A LICENCE HYDRO HOSPITALITY LIMITED - APPLICANT TAKE NOTICE that the above named Applicant of Bog Road, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare V95 86W4, intends to apply to the sitting of the Annual Licensing Court to be held at the Court at Ennis on the 25th day of September 2026 at 10.30 a.m. being the District Court of the said Court Area for the TRANSFER to the Applicant of the Publican’s Licence (7 day ordinary) attached to the premises known as the Hydro Hotel situate at Main Street, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, in the court area and district aforesaid.

Dated this 21st day of July 2026 Signed: O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors Solicitors for Applicant, Market Square, Kilrush, Co. Clare.

To: The District Court Clerk, District Court Office, Courthouse, Ennis, Co. Clare.

And: The Superintendent, Garda Siochana, Ennis Garda Station, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 TR83 And: The Fire Officer, Clare Fire Station, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare And: National Environmental Health Service, Health Service Executive, Unit 6 Quin Road Business Park, Quin Road, Ennis, Co. Clare

AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT COURT AREA OF KILRUSH DISTRICT NO. 12 PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935 TAKE NOTICE that an Application will be made by us the undersigned Solicitors on behalf of Gerard Haugh(Ennis) Limited, having its registered office at O’Curry Street, Kilkee, in the County of Clare, to the District Judge sitting at Kilrush District Court on Tuesday the 15th day of September 2026 at 10.30 a.m., being the Annual Licencing Court, for Renewal of a Public Dancing Licence in respect of the premises known as Loop, Myles Creek, O’Curry Street, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

Dated this 17th day of July 2026 Signed: O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors, Solicitors for the Applicant Market Square Kilrush Co. Clare To: The District Court Clerk, District Court Office, Courthouse, Ennis, Co. Clare.

And: The Superintendent, Garda Siochana, Ennis Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare.

And: The Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12 PUBLIC DANCE HALLS ACT, 1935 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC DANCE LICENCE HYDRO HOSPITALITY LIMITED - APPLICANT TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant, Hydro Hospitality Limited of Bog Road, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare V95 86W4, intends to apply to the District Court at Ennis District Court on the 25th of September 2026 at 10.30am for the grant of an Annual Dance Licence at the Hydro Hotel, situate at Main Street, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare in the court area and district aforesaid, for public dancing.

Dated this 21st day of July, 2026 Signed: O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors , Solicitors for Applicant, Market Square, Kilrush, Co. Clare To: The District Court Clerk, District Court Office, Courthouse, Ennis, Co. Clare.

And: The Superintendent, Garda Siochana, Ennis Garda Station, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 TR83 And: The Fire Officer, Clare Fire Station, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare

the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONEYOGAN SOUTH, LAHINCH, CO CLARE. Take notice that Lahinch Custom Woodcrafts Ltd. intends to apply for permission to build a Workshop with staff welfare facilities, create necessary associated parking/turning area, internal access road, install a wastewater treatment unit, create a new entrance onto the public road & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. FURTHER INFORMATION/REVISED PLANS FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Planning Reference P26/29; Permission to build a New Dwelling House , install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at Ballytigue, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. Take notice that Sean Neville has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P26/29. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae and Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not late than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE CO. COUNCIL LACKAREAGH, KILNABOY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Sean Howard intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a loose house for a sick animal and associated site works at the above address.

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

CLARE CO. COUNCIL DERREEN, MULLAGH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Damien & Elaine Crowe intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a slatted unit and associated site works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL COOLMEEN, LABASHEEDA, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ben Cleary & Helena Coffey intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

39

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jul 23, 2026

PUZZLE

PUZZLE

THIS THISWEEKS WEEKS PUZZLES PUZZLES Jul NOV23 24th

SUDOKU

10/8/2020

Almanac

3

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Commander

9

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Humanly

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Germanium

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ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

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

How to play

7

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2

Undemanding

1

4

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

Salamanders

5

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3

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7

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8

WORD SEARCH

39

5

THURSDAY, NOV 24 2022

B B 5A =6

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10/8/2020

The Clare Echo Crossword

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1 Memento (8) 1 Pottery oven (4) 2 North African country (5) 3 Endearing (8) 4 Soak (6) 9 Hug (7) 5 Cook in an oven (5) 10 Assisted (5) 6 Nomadic Arab (7) 11 Employees (5) 12 Material for violin strings (6) 7 Terminates (4) 8 Perplex (6) 14 Young cat (6) 13 Magnificent (8) 16 Root vegetable (6) 15 Prickly plant (7) 19 Silly laugh (6) 17 Northern Ireland (6) 21 Push roughly (5) 18 Tyrant (6) 24 Go in (5) 20 Eat gluttonously (5) 25 Feign (7) 22 Last Greek letter (5) 26 Cooked egg dish (8) 23 Nought (4) 27 Difficult (4)

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Supporting Journalism in Clare

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