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ALL is quiet in the defending cham- pions camp at the moment. The pro- longed winter recess has seemingly done little to rebuild their confidence as this game ultimately proved. Put simply, this was the sort of game that last year Bunratty would have etched out a 1-O win. However, their current fragile state ensured that this was not the case on Sunday as from a po- tentially winning position, the home side were hit for three goals inside the last 20 minutes.

A lack of confidence is something that Bridge Utd are certainly not af- flicted with as they maintained their title challenge at the other end of the table. They won this game because realistically they just wanted it more and while the scoreline perhaps flat- tered them slightly, their hunger epitomised by the likes of Adrian Whyte, Jonathon Downes, Derek Fahy and Trevor Maxwell deservedly extended their current unbeaten run to seven games.

In saying that, they certainly had to ride their luck before finally get-

ting on top in this encounter. The first-half, while slow to start, was predominantly controlled by the home side but they were unable to convert that dominance into goals. It took 22 minutes for the first real opportunity of the game but when it arrived, it almost opened the flood- gates. Iwo slick one-two’s between Shane Purcell and Ryan Kelly down the right wing finished with a teasing cross from the winger that had to be dealt with by the Sixmilebridge de- fence and subsequent efforts from Pa Twomey and Daithi O’Connell were all somehow scrambled away.

Bridge United did have two glori- ous chances of their own late in the half through Jonathon Downes and Greg Deegan but in the main, it was Bunratty who looked the most likely to open the scoring, empitomised in the 40th minute when a Pat Twomey effort agonisingly went the wrong side of the post.

The holders did finally break the deadlock after the break but ironi- cally it came during Bridge United’s most productive period of the game. A free from the left wing broke to

Daithi O’Connell whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Paul Tuohy and Ryan Kelly was the first to react to slip the rebound to the net.

The tithe winning Bunratty would have used that advantage to tighten their grip on the game and secure the points but such an eventuality did not materialise this time around. Instead, once a momentary lapse of concentration allowed Greg Deegan to waltz through the centre of the defence and chip goalkeeper Enda McNamara in the 72nd minute, Bun- ratty switched to vulnerable mode and were subsequently punished for their fragility.

Only five minutes later, Mark Cul- bert slipped in Trevor Maxwell to flick over McNamara for the lead and the final blow came in the 8lst minute when Derek Fahy shrugged off a tackle before rifling to the top corner of the net from outside the box.

Those hammer blows sent shock- waves through the champions and it would only get worse for the home side when Terry Duggan was dis- missed for two yellow cards inside a

pep eeLbikon

In the space of nine minutes, Bun- ratty’s world had completely turned and as Avenue Utd continue to set the pace at the top, it is Bridge Unit- ed and not the defending champions who look the most likely to make a meaningful stab at halting the runa- way leaders on current form.

Gort nun recalls Haitian friends

IT NOW lies in ruins on the streets of Port-au-Prince, a concrete grave for countless nameless souls, but three years ago it was a happy home for a group of Burren travellers on a mission from Ireland to Haiti.

In July of 2006, Sr De Lourdes Fahy and four students from Gort

Community School were the guests of Concern in Haiti. While there they made friends, and saw firsthand the work done in one of the poorest countries in the world.

They were joined in Port-au-Prince by a group of Haitian teenagers, or their “twins” as they were called. Since the earthquake, Sr Fahy has spent much of her time trying to

track down her lost Haitian friends.

“My own twin’s name was Cas- sandra, and all she wanted to be was a lawyer so she could help her poor people. I’d love to know where she is right now. We haven’t heard what has happened to any of the twins who became our friends when we visited over there. We don’t know if they were killed or not,’ she said.

‘‘T haven’t been able to contact any- one over there. I have been searching for information on the internet and I was able to get some information on some of the people that we knew.

“The students really enjoyed their time over there. They had great fun and slept on the roof of the hostel where we were staying. That hostel is now rubble.”

Even before the earthquake, most people in Haiti lived in poverty.

“The conditions that we saw over there were atrocious even then. There was terrible, terrible poverty. We vis- ited all of the poorest parts, especial- ly one area of Port-au-Prince which was called San Martin. The whole area was terribly poor but the people were So nice,’ continued Sr Fahy.

‘That whole area of the city was to- tally neglected. To me, it seemed that the government over there was very inept, useless really. It was also a dangerous place, gangs would roam the streets every night but most of the crime over there was fuelled by pov- erty, aS well as corruption and bad government.

“Concern have done excellent work over there. They set up a lot of water purification projects and run a clinic which looks after HIV patients and a school which they set up.” To donate to Haiti, visit www.concern.net.

KILMALEY established themselves as the kingpins of Clare camogie after another successful year on the playing field. For the second year in succession, they captured the senior championship and there was also much promise for the future as their minor team also secured a champi- onship for the second time in three years.

However, unlike 2008, they didn’t have it all their own way this year. Newmarket managed to break Kil- maley’s stranglehold of domestic titles with a win over the defending champions at the second attempt. Two high intensity matches could have gone either way but after losing out in both the league and champi- onship finals last year, Newmarket’s added determination saw them re- gain the coveted title.

Unfortunately for the Newmarket Blues, that victory only inspired Kil- maley to re-evaluate their position and refocus for the championship and they duly responded by gaining revenge over their great rivals at the semi-final stage by 3-8 to 2-9 to set up a unique final against an emerging Sixmulebridge side.

The final itself was a dour affair that Kilmaley eventually edged by O- 7 to O-5 in Clarecastle but although defeat was Sixmilebridge’s lot on the day, their potential indicates that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. After all, they have dominated the underage scene in recent years, compiling an impres- sive haul of titles in 2007 (Under 11 ground camogie), Under 12A, Under 14A, Feile, Under 16A and Minor B) and 2008 (Under 11 ground camogie, Feile, Under 16A and Minor A) and with leaders like 16 year old Chloe Morey who was deservedly awarded the Clare FM Player of the Match award at the county final, it seems

only a matter of time before they are back on the winners podium.

2009 was also noteworthy for the introduction of The Glenorma Shield Senior B Competition, donated by the Broadford club. Indeed, it was fit- ting that in the first year, Broadford would make it to the final, however on the day they were comprehensive- ly beaten by Clooney/Quin, inspired by Clare camogie captain Deirdre AY Logo) ens

Due to the unanimous support of

the clubs involved, the Intermediate Loy oaolo1H U8 CO) MCLE RV oLO MAYA 100 MERE CoMmECT: BO NTS structure as 2008. All the teams played each other on a round robin basis for the championship and it proved to be an extremely tight divi- sion with only a point or two divid- ing the top teams. The top four teams entered into the championship semi- finals while the next four entered the shield semi-finals.

There was only one score divid- ing the teams in the two semi-finals.

Corofin had a one point victory over St Josephs while Kilkishen advanced thanks to an extra-time goal against Truagh. Kilkishen, after the disap- pointment of last year’s champion- ship semi-final defeat, eventually took the honours after a great final against last year’s beaten finalists Corofin played in front of a huge crowd in Tulla.

In the Intermediate shield semi finals, Clarecastle overcame White- gate and Scariff managed to see off

neighbours Ogonnelloe. The transfer of Carina Roseingrave from Kilna- mona to Clarecastle proved to be a great asset to Clarecastle and she was instrumental in their final win against Scariff to take the shield.

The Junior League went the way of Feakle who took the honours from Inagh. It was also an important year for Crusheen who entered their first adult team and had two wins against St. Josephs and Eire Og that was not enough for them to reach the final. In the Junior Championship, Inagh got over their disappointment of their league final defeat when they beat Feakle in the semi-final and Killane- na in the final.

So what of 2010? Can Kilmaley make it three-in-a-row? Can New- market build on their league title? Will another year prove beneficial to Sixmilebridge’s young squad? Can Clooney finally make the break- through on the back of their senior B title or will Kilnamona bounce back after a two year absense?

The answer will be revealed in due course but one thing is for certain, it promises to be the most competi- tive senior championship in quite a number of years.

AS Waterford senior hurling manag- er, David Fitzgerald will be trying to plot the downfall of his native county in this year’s Munster senior hurling Semi-final, but at the same time he’ll be trying to plot a successful senior championship year back home in OK

All because the two-time All-Ire- land winner and three-time All Star is set to operate a dual management/ coaching mandate in 2010, having committed to throwing in his lot with Inagh/Kilnamona for a second successive year.

The Waterford supremo linked up with Inagh/Kilnamona last year after Waterford’s exit from the All-Ireland race at the semi-final stage, but club insiders have told The Clare People that Fitzgerald will be with Inagh/ Kilnamona from the word go this

year.

And, Fitzgerald won’t be alone, as former Clare senior camogie manag- er Bertie Sherlock from Toomevara, is also a member of the Iangh/Kilna- mona backroom team for the coming season as they bid to make the big breakthrough at senior champion-

ship level. It will be Inagh/Kilnamona’s third championship season, following

their formation in late 2007 when the Inagh and Kilnamona clubs joined forces under the one banner. In 2008 they got off to a flier when beating reigning county champions Tulla in the first round and went on to reach the knockout stages before being beaten by St Joseph’s Door-a-Bare- field in the quarter-final. Last year they reached the same stage before being edged out by Kilmaley.

THE issues of fixtures will be ad- dressed at the upcoming Ladies Football convention. According to the Secretary, Michael Fitzpatrick, fixtures continue to be a problem, particularly at minor level.

“Again this competition [minor] did not finish until November because some clubs did not stick to the fixture plan,” he points out in his report that will be delivered at the annual con- vention on Tuesday.

He said he feels the Junior A cham-

pionship should be played before the B, the intermediate before the junior and senior before the intermediate.

He added that the fixtures com- mittee must look at rule 339 of the official guide of 2007 or rule 347 of 2009, which states ‘A team failing to fulfil a championship fixture may forefit its place in the competition and the game may be awarded to its opponents.”

He also pointed out that the team is liable to a suspension of six months. “As we are on rules another which we may have to look at for 2010 is

rule 156 of 2007 which states that the county committee may fine a club for not attending county board meetings.”

In his report, the secretary points out that some clubs are inclined to play unregistered players at under- age. “This is a very dangerous habit, as if a player should receive an injury and are not registered, they are not covered.”

As part of his report, he will also go through, in detail, the on field mat- ters of ladies football in Clare, which experienced a very successful year.

THE value of an insightful analyst is immeasurable. That’s why in the lead up to Kilmurry Ibrickane’s All-Ire- land quarter-final clash with Tir Cho- naill Gaels in the Emerald Grounds in Ruislip this weekend, Paul Hehir’s vast knowledge into both sides can- not be overestimated.

For the uninitiated, Hehir has played at the highest level for both Clare and London, was part of the all conquering Doonbeg side that cap- tured several county titles at the turn of the century as well as a Munster crown in 1998. He has also played a sizeable part of his career for Lon- don side Tara also with brother Sen- an, picking up a London and British championship in 2003. Add in the fact that he played against Tir Cho- naill Gaels in this year’s league final and also represented Doonbeg in the 2008 Clare senior championship and it’s abundantly clear that there is no better judge of this game than Hehir.

First to the strengths and weakness- es of Tir Chonaill Gaels.

“Basically they are a just a well or- ganised club and the best run club in London to be honest with you. They have a good backroom staff with regards to the people running the club and have just got the commit- ment from the players really. Their strength mainly lies with their work- rate coming from the back. Their backs are very good and very tidy and they have a good strong mid- field. Basically the only thing they would be lacking really would be a panel of players. They have got a good 13 or 14 good players whereas the Kilmurry lads would have a good bench which will proably be decisive I reckon on the day.”

Having won four out of the last five London championships, the Gaels have ample experience of All-Ireland

quarter-finals but have been rather

unfortunate not to have advanced further, mainly due to a lack of belief according to Hehir.

“It’s a combination of things re- ally. What it really comes down to, just as in the county team, is whether they believe collectively that they can actually beat a team from home. They have come close in the last few years and it’s never easy for a team that comes over to London whether it’s inter-county or a club match and it would be good for London football in general if they did pull off a shock. Although It wouldn’t really be much of a shock in London because they are a good club team. They have got great backs, a good midfield and as I have said three or four decent for- wards. They are also full of inter-

county experience with lads from Roscommon, Leitrim and Donegal, guys who have played at the highest level back home but it’s just about be- lieving that they can win.”

Kilmurry Ibrickane’s chances of advancing to the semi-final stage have been made all the more difficult by the fact that they will have to take on the perennial London champions in their own back yard, a daunting prospect as Hehir outlines from per- sonal experience.

“Coming over to London is never easy for any team. I know that myself when I came over with Clare. You somehow have it in the back of your head that they are still only based in London and that you should be beat- ing them but any team that comes

over to London never has it handy.”

Still when pushed for a verdict, he gives a slight nod to Kilmurry Ibrickane on their strength of their overall squad.

“IT mean there is no taking away from what Kilmurry Ibrickane have achieved. I think they have only been beaten once in the last two years which says a lot for the quality they have. They have a great youth devel- Opment system coming through and it seems to have extended to the sen- ior team. They have great old heads of Johnny Daly, Odran O’Dwyer and Peter and Michael O’Dwyer as well and then there is the new breed coming through with the likes of Enda Coughlan and Mark McCarthy. There is a great combination and they

seem to mix it very well going all the way up to Micheal McDermott at the atosbene

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a great game in fairness. They are two good footballing sides, two tough teams and at the end of the day, it’s just going to come down to who wants it more and overall I think that Kilmurry Ibrickane might edge it purely on the strength of the bench they have, despite the massive dent that Odran O’Dwyer’s injury will have.”

TEAM coach Liam McHale takes the subs who saw no action for some exercise, while selector James Foran is with those who had game time for some stretches, while Micheal Mc- Dermott stands in between the two different groups and reflects on a very indifferent day.

‘Few positives,” he says cutting to the chase. “It wasn’t a good enough performance for the Clare public coming into Cooraclare to see what Clare football is going to be about in 2010.

“It wasn’t a good performance — we can’t hide behind anything. The one thing that disappointed me the most, and we’ve been working on it a lot in training, is creating goal chances. We never looked like threatening the goal there and maybe it’s a lack of belief in players.”

Some early doom and gloom then, before McDermott reminds himself that Clare are only two weeks into their season, and University College Cork are at it since the start of the new academic year last October.

‘They were much fitter than us, but the purpose of today was that even though it was a losing situation, we have learned a lot. The most impor- tant match we’re facing into was not this McGrath Cup game but the first league game against Wicklow on /eoje)abe- ba aae)

“This was a bigtime learning ex- perience — it was an opportunity for fellas to show that they were of in- ter-county standard, that they going to be ready for the type of game we wanted to play, that they were going to be ready for a battle.

“We learned a lot today and from

that point of view this was beneficial, but we know that we have a hell of a lot of work to do and two weeks training that we’ve had isn’t going to change that.

“Our use of the ball, or forward play was weak and there weren’t enough guys showing for the ball and hungry enough to win it. We started extremely well for ten or 15 minutes but then ran out of steam and the level of fitness was poor. But listen, fitness 1s something you can work on, but football is the most important thing to get right as well.”

And, to get those frontline players on sabbatical, or on Kilmurry Ibrick- ane duty back into the fold by Febru- aoe

“T would like, depending on what’s going to happen with Kilmurry Ibrickane next Sunday — we don’t want to look beyond that but I’d like to have some of those players avail- able for the Wicklow game,” he says

“We need those two points on the board — it’s our first home match of the season and we need to win it. We have a hell of a lot of work to do, but this is where it starts in the next cou- ple of months is going to be vital as regards the future of Clare football for 2010.

“It’s going to be a tough three weeks. We have learned a lot about individual players; we’ve learned a lot about the team as a unit and it’s about getting things right for three weeks and if we come out with two points in Cusack Park against Wick- low in three weeks time, today will all have been worthwhile.”

A MAIDEN voyage for the good ship Clare under Micheal McDer- mott, Liam McHale and James Foran, but more than that, it was also a maiden voyage for Clare under the new experimental rules in place for the duration of the McGrath Cup and National League.

And, thanks to those new rules implemented by Kerry official John Lynch, Clare can always say that they at least enjoyed one victory on the day — the tag of being more au fait with the rules than their UCC op- ponents.

All because UCC were pulled up on five occasions for handpasses that were given without the closed fist, while Clare only infringed this rule once over the hour. As for the mark, there was a noticeable lack of high fielding on the day, but Clare did edge this stat too by 2-1 thanks to Alan Clohessy and Gary Brennan catching kickouts in the first half.

Still, despite this hollow victory, Clare manager Micheal McDermott believes the mark idea, though good in principle is doomed to failure, gamesmanship even. “The mark is something that I don’t think will

work,’ he says.

“Teams will get clever and there will be more breaking ball than field- ing in the middle of the field. The idea is good to try and introduce high fielding, but I think more teams will concentrate on trying to break the ball to make sure a guy doesn’t catch it and you’re going to be back to the same old situation again.

“But the mark is there for the league and we’ll have to work with it. When you win the mark, you are waiting for the whistle, rather than using the ball quickly. When you do that you give the opposition a chance to fun- nel back. We have no problem with the rule being in place. We have to learn to use the ball quickly when we make a mark. That’s something we have to work on.”

As for the fist pass, the work looks already done. “We were good on the fist pass,” says McDermott, giving the rule the thumbs up. “We worked hard on the fist pass in training, whereas UCC suffered from it be- cause it’s not in place for the Siger- son Cup. But the advantage we got in the game was something we didn’t punish.”

You can’t win them all, one sup- poses.

CLARE senior hurling manager Ger O’Loughlin has called for patience from supporters as he looks to step up the rebuilding process to make Clare a serious force in hurling once rae) Kor

O’Loughlin was speaking after his side claimed victory in their opening game of the year against college side WIT and in a frank assessment, the two time All-Star winner feels that this is a three year development plan due to the low average age and inex- perience of the current squad.

“It’s a very young panel and I hon- estly do believe that this set-up will be three years before we will actu- ally see how good they are going to be. I hope people have the patience because we have only something like five lads over 25 so you can’t expect miracles.”

Clare’s All-Ireland Under 21 suc- cess has brought renewed hope to the county after a disastrous year at senior level but despite calling up a large percentage of that Under 21 squad, assilimilating them to senior hurling will take time according to O’ Loughlin.

“There are new lads on the scene and you could see there today how enthusiastic they were. They wanted to be on there, they were trying hard, they were hooking and blocking and as I say we will all learn as we’re go- ing along I presume.”

Next up for Clare will be a quarter- final clash with All-Ireland finalists and Munster champions Tipperary in what will be a repeat of last year’s final. Clare have played the Premier on five competitive occasions over the last two years, with their only victory coming in last year’s Wa- terford Crystal Cup in Ogonnelloe; Clare’s first senior trophy in eleven years. That game will now take place next Tuesday evening, January 26th in Borrisoleigh at 8pm but for O’Loughlin, game time is still his main motivation at the moment.

‘These matches are great if the weather can improve because you could see there that this 1s what we were lacking there today. We have Six or seven sessions done on the physical side of it and you can even see that the lads were able to hold out there for the 62 or 63 minutes but we need more hurling.”