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DURING the Celtic Tiger era prop- erty prices in Quin grew exponen- tially. But, those days have gone and even in trendy Quin you can now find some great property bargains.

The pick of the crop this week is on the books with Costelloe Estate Agents. It’s a detached bungalow located in Arbutus Grove, occupy- ing a half acre site, priced at just €285,000.

Arbutus Grove is situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Quin, opposite the post office and overlooking the church.

According to selling agent Noel Moore, “This is a truly well laid out family home with very generous ac- commodation and it is right beside all the key amenities in Quin village, yet the site is private.

The 135.45 square metres (1458 square feet) of internal space com- prises an entrance porch leading into the entrance hall, a good sized sit- ting room, a kitchen/breakfast room, family room, family bathroom, and there are four double bedrooms, with the master bedroom en-suite.

In addition there is a detached ga- rage that incorporates a utility room and WC.

The house occupies a very attrac- tive site with mature gardens. The front and rear, featuring trees, ex- tensive shrubbery, flowerbeds and a

patio area.

“While this property does require some refurbishment and redecora- tion, at this asking price it is an abso- lute bargain buy,” said Noel.

For further information contact

Costelloe Estate Agents on 065 6821299.

WITH just six weeks to polling day it is believed that Fianna Fail are preparing to enter another candi- date into the race for a seat on Clare County Council.

The party’s headquarters are ex- pected to ratify Shannon pharmacist Shane Hillery as a candidate for the newly expanded Shannon electoral area.

With a strong local political pedi- gree, the son of outgoing town coun- cillor and former county councillor Sean Hillery, it is hoped that the father of two will get the nod from headquarters.

Mr Hillery spent his early life in Sixmulebridge before moving to Shannon and opening his own phar- macy in the Shannon Shopping Cen- tre 18 years ago.

Although his current address is out- side the electoral area, Fianna Fail are hoping his strong business pres- ence in Shannon and the strong fam- TUNA et-bo elem ADU MEoLO1ED Roam O0losO0 MEN Olomoy.@0 0:1 seat in the six seater area.

Married to Ennis woman Valerie Normoyle they have two children.

While Fianna Fail is considering entering a new candidate into the lo- cal election race, the party has lost its MEP candidate for the North West area.

In what was a shock to many, sitting MEP Sean O Neachtain announced his intention not to run for re-elec- tion on Raidio na Gaeltachta, having

being ratified by the party in Mayo just week’s ago.

On Sunday former European Par- liament President Pat Cox launched the election campaign of Independ- ent Marian Harkin MEP.

“Times were too serious, and the stakes too high, to allow policy myths to displace or replace policy substance in public debate during the European Parliament Election,’ he said.

Meanwhile Republican Sinn Féin is considering running a candidate in the North Clare area, having origi- nally considered a candidate for En- nis West.

The party will meet on Thursday night to consider putting forward a candidate for the county council elections.

It is believed well-known member Paddy Kenneally is to consider run- ning for the party in the new five-seat

area.

The Crusheen man said, “The ap- palling treatment that Clare has suf- fered at the hands of the Fianna Fail and Green coalition must be raised with the local election candidates on doorsteps throughout the county.”

IT’S advantage Avenue United B in the race for the second division championship after Sunday’s win over Lifford B.

Richie O’Grady’s goal six min- utes from full time sealed a win that pushes Avenue four points clear of Lifford at the top of the league.

The victory also ensured Avenue’s promotion to division one and three more points from their final game against Rhine Rovers will guaran- tee that Ben Mulcaire’s side go up as champions.

O’Grady’s goal also inflicted on Lifford their first defeat of the season while at the same extended Avenue’s unbeaten league record to 17 games.

Lifford B, meanwhile, are not yet assured of their place in division one for next season.

They are three points ahead of third placed Rhine Rovers but will need to secure four points from their final two games against Sporting Ennisty- mon and Kilmaley in order to ensure promotion.

Sunday’s local derby was fiercely contested, if a little low on quality and goalmouth incident. Though the game never spilled over into anything nasty, referee Michael Rock was still forced to issue five yellow cards, four to Lifford and one to Avenue.

Cassidy Park was no place for the faint hearted.

Keith Dormer, Albert Hardiman

and Gary Seery kept it tight at the back for Avenue. Likewise Adrian Walsh, Marty O’Regan and Mark Whelan for Lifford.

Both sides lined up with five players across midfield. In such a condensed area, players were allowed pre- cious little time on the ball and the first half unfolded as a full-blooded

drama of hard tackles and thumped clearances.

Pumped up by their stunning cup win over Newmarket Celtic, Lif- ford’s best chance of the half arrived in the 26th minute when Eddie Kil- leen dispossessed Seery and laid off to Francis Franks. Franks’ crossed to McDonagh who lifted his shot nar-

rowly over the bar.

McDonagh and Darren Daly had other chances for Lifford but at the break the sides were level 0-0. Liam Meeney’s right wing cross, six min- utes after the re-start, picked out Mannion at the back post but the midfielder saw his half volley held by Avenue goalie Cillian Culligan.

Killeen fizzed another effort straight at Culligan minutes later. Avenue weathered the storm and gradually took a grip on the game.

Cian Griffin, lively on the left flank, fizzed a half volley that was held by Lifford goalie Joe Burke.

Then Michael Dinan crossed to Richie O’Grady who squared to Conor O’Brien who’s stabbed effort had Burke scrambling.

By now, Avenue were well on top and the goal arrived from their best move of the game. Hardiman pushed a fine pass to Dinan on the right. The midfielder squared to O’Grady who finished from close range.

BALLYEA kept their championship hopes alive by the skin of their teeth on Sunday morning as a last gasp Gary Brennan goal earned them a dramatic reprieve. A Daire Keane free for Kilmaley deep into injury time appeared to have been enough to finally see off Ballyea’s challenge but they had one last sting in their tail when Niall Keane’s long free into the square first broke to Don Flannery whose pull was partially blocked, only for Gary Brennan to react the quickest to finish to the net.

It was a bitter pill for Kilmaley to swallow, especially considering that they were six points clear by the 41st minute but in many ways, they were the architects of their own downfall.

Instead of killing off the game, they sat back and invited Ballyea onto them and tired legs resulting in indiscipline gave Ballyea a renewed window of opportunity that they eventually grasped.

There were some contentious deci- sions towards the finish but with the crowd totally immersed in the drama, the tension was heightened on the field as the tie reached it’s dramatic and ultimately fitting conclusion. Both sides had their moments over the hour with Ballyea’s haltf-back line and midfield bossing the open- ing half, despite facing the breeze that blow towards the clubhouse.

It meant that Kilmaley only led by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break, with Kilma- ley’s Michael O’Neill proving a con- stant irritant to the Ballyea defence, hitting 1-1 of that total with the goal coming in the 17th minute when John Cabey’s ball inside was fumbled by goalkeeper Seamus Doohan.

With only O’Neill, John Cabey and the impressive Noel Casey propping them up in the first period, Kilmaley were fortunate to hold that three point advantage into the interval as Ballyea hit nine wides against the conditions but on the restart, Kilmaley finally

began to assert themselves.

Chief marksman throughout the championship, Daire Keane came to life and along with the lively O’ Neill, they tacked on a brace of points each with only Gary Brennan replying for Ballyea as Kilmaley opened up a 1-

7 to 0-4 lead with less than twenty minutes remaining.

However, Ballyea got themselves back into the game through placed balls, although their recovery was slow and tense. The first signs of a fightback came when Declan Keane

was fouled and Francie O’Reilly stepped up to take the resulting 20 metre free but his effort was tapped over the bar by goalkeeper Bryan O’ Loughlin.

A Niall Keane free followed soon afterwards to cut the deficit to four

and the crowd were also left gasping when a Gary Brennan shot from close range was though to have gone past goalkeeper O’Loughlin but in fact, his effort was just left of the post.

Ballyea kept up the pressure though and after Don Flannery hit a huge point from distance, Niall Keane converted another free to claw it back to two points.

Not having scored in over twenty minutes, Kilmaley finally lifted the siege when Daire Keane pointed a free after being fouled himself in the 63rd minute but there was still time for one last attack and when Cathal O’Connor was fouled on the *45, Bal- lyea finally got themselves out of jail with that Gary Brennan goal.

It was to prove the final puck of the game and with the sides due to meet again this weekend, Kilmaley will pray that this late laspe won’t come back to bite them.

JUST as the three quarters point of this final was passing, Sixmilebridge pulled the trigger and rattled home 1- 2 in less than three minutes.

Before this, the teams were locked together at 0-9 each and once that deluge of scores rained down from the Bridge’s front six, Crusheen couldn’t react or, more accurately, they weren’t allowed react.

For the remaining 15 minutes, Sixmuilebridge — who hadn’t won this competition since 2003 — defended with serious authority. They allowed Crusheen just one more score, a point from Conor O’ Donnell a minute into injury time.

That Crusheen played most of the final 20 minutes of the game swith- out scoring wasn’t entirely surpris- ing. They went through a similar drought in the opening half, failing to put a score on the board from the 17th minute until just after the re- eae

It typified the game and in fairness, the real beauty of the hurling over the hour lay in the sound defening of both sides. Strong and fair chal- lenges, effective hooking and hard blocking pockmarked the evening in Clarecastle and in the end, it was Sixmulebridge’s forward line tha picked most locks through their op- posite defence.

They opened up a quick two- point lead with a score from Barry O’Connor along with a free, half way out the field, from Caimin Mo- rey. But from there, Crusheen settled into the momentum of the game, found their rhythm and blasted off five unanswered points with Joseph Meaney orchestrating and executing the bulk.

After his side’s fifth score, though,

the Sixmilebridge defence really closed for business and though Ci- aran O’Donnell’s presence at centre back for Crusheen was immense in that opening half hour, neither he nor his colleagues could prevent Sixmi- lebridge going in at half time two points to the good.

Speaking after the game, Sean Stack, Sixmilebridge manager said

he was pleased with the first half and content to lead by two but waiting for the game to resume and with the wind to come for Crusheen, it was easy to speculate that Sixmilebridge may not have made the most of their dominance of the final 10 minutes of Werle nee

When Crusheen started with a blaze of scores, that theory was bolstered

but Stack knows his team far better than us sideline speculators.

With thirteen minutes of the game to come, the best move of the game arrived and produced the defining moment. All evening it looked as if Declan Morey could open up at any moment and in possession on the right wing, he dropped his shoulder and headed for goal. Having sla-

lomed past a handful of Crusheen de- fenders he let fly from 20 yards out. In the first half, a similar shot from Morey was brillianlty saved from Donal Touhy but this time, Morey’s precision was flawless.

His shot nestled in the top corner of the net and at last, Sixmilebridge had some daylight. Crucially, they immediately followed up with two more points, a 65 from Caimin Mo- rey and a lovely point from substitute who showed sublime control of the ball before firing over from a tight enough angle.

Lynch’s point meant Sixmilebridge scored three off the bench, a tidy haul in a game that at times, looked like an extra score or two could make all the difference. In the last ten, Sixmi- lebridge tacked on a smattering of points and eased their way over the line. A soft enough finish to a game that never lacked intensity or heat and a result that will be celebrated with zeal in the Bridge.

WHEN Richard Moloney threw the ball in to start what was his first sen- ior inter-county fixture there were only 43 customers who had paid their way into Cusack Park — that was a commentary on the level of interest in this tie and the current plight of senior football in the county.

The stay away supporters and those present knew this was going to be a nothing game — a final day away for the exiles, a day for Clare to hoover up two National League points and end what has been a depressing cam- paign on a winning note.

That about sums up what happened — apart from an early spurt from Lon- don when a fourth minute goal from Enda Gallagher gave them 1-1 to O-1 lead this was a one-sided miss-match as Clare strolled to a facile win.

Then manner in which Clare hit back after Gallagher’s goal was a telling portent of things to come — straight from the kick-off they worked the ball down the field and a slick move in the final phase of the field involving Enda Coughlan, Michael O’Shea and David Tubridy yielded a goal within 35 seconds of London’s shock opener.

Tubridy slammed the ball to the empty net on his way to a top-scor- ing tally of 1-5 as Clare ran riot for the rest of the game. Indeed, but for some very wayward shooting which contributed to 13 wides over the 70 minutes the gap would have been much bigger than the 20 points that separated them at the end.

They’d stretched it to seven points by half-time — points by David Tubri- dy (4), Enda Coughlan and Michael O’Shea had them 1-7 to I-1 ahead by the 20 minute mark before an Enda Coughlan goal on 23 minutes and points by Michael O’Shea and Tim-

my Ryan brought their tally for the half to 2-9.

London did rally towards half-time thanks to three Kevin Downes points to raise their total to 1-5, but any hope that the revival would continue after the break was quickly quashed by an avalanche of Clare points.

Timmy Ryan, David Russell, Enda Coughlan and Liam Markham had points within five minutes of the re- start as the game degenerated into nothing other than a _ slow-paced training game a panel of players might have after a three-hour physi- cal session.

London were dreadful, so much so that it was hard to credit that they had beaten Waterford earlier in the cam- paign. They only managed one point in the half, an injury time effort from Kevin Downes.

Clare, meanwhile, racked up 1-11 in the half. The flurry of points at

the start of the half was taken on by substitute Cathal O’Connor who grabbed a brace by the 44th minute, while Sean Collins finally got his eye in when knocking over two by the 56th minute.

By this stage London were offer- ing no resistance and were finally put out of their misery by Richard Molo- ney’s final whistle — however, before it came Clare notched up a further 1- 6 in the final ten minutes.

Enda Coughlan grabbed four points, Liam Markham and David Tubridy got the others while Gary Brennan goal with virtually the last kick of the game.

THOUSANDS of euros worth of dam- age has been caused to classrooms and facilities following a break-in at Ennis National School last week.

Vandals struck in the early hours of Thursday morning, forcing their way into five classrooms and destroying property.

Classrooms for students in first, sec- ond and third class were hit. School principal, Gary Stack said rubbish bins were emptied around in the rooms and major damage was caused to doors and windows.

“There was a stroke of evil about this,” said Mr Stack. *““They emptied bins around the place. As well as that, they went around the rooms and pulled out books and left the rooms in an awful condition. They broke two windows. It looked like they used an iron bar to force themselves in.”

This latest incident marks the 11th time in the past year that the schools has been subject to a break-in.

“It’s strange, we had a break in dur- ing Holy Week last year. They’ve been happening almost one a month over the past year. It is very disheart- ening for the caretaker and all the staff when things like this happen.”

Gardai in Ennis confirmed yester- day that they have questioned three people in relation to the incident.

SELLING agents Sherry FitzGerald, Shannon, tell us that this property 1s presented for sale in absolutely pris- tine condition, with high quality and stylish finishes throughout.

Gort nanUll was the first recognised ECO scheme in County Clare and was completed in late 2007. Built to very high specifications, it has a heat recovery ventilation system ensuring the indoor air is renewed regularly,

removing contaminants and smells, whilst recovering warmth and trans- ferring it to the fresh incoming air.

The 105 sq.m (1,130sq.ft) house has gas central heating and the attic, which is accessed via a Stira stairs, has been converted into a home gym/ office.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, kitchen/dining room, utility room, guest WC, family bath- room and three bedrooms, one of which 1s ensuite, as well as the con-

verted attic.

No. 18 comes to the market in walk in condition, tastefully decorated throughout with an option to pur- chase fully furnished if desired.

For further information, telephone 061 361905 or visit www.sherryfitz. ile

A GOAL three minutes from time by Gearoid O’Brien proved the differ- ence between Kilrush and St Joseph’s and capped a thrilling afternoon of football on Saturday in Cooraclare.

Kilrush began like a dream, grab- bing the opening score and goal of the game after Cathal Carrig buried inside the opening minute.

They gained plenty of momentum from that and pushed on to stretch

the lead to seven points, scoring a second goal with barely five minutes on the clock.

But this didn’t halt the fight from St Joseph’s, who plugged away and be- gan to close the gap.

It would have happened faster only for a brilliant save from Mikey Shan- non in the Kilrush goal after Eoin Conroy blasted for the net.

Two minutes later, though, St Joseph’s did grab their first goal after Diarmuid Barron latched onto a long

dropping ball to steer to the net.

Shortly after Rory Brennan pointed to tie things up at 2-1 to 1-4.

With the game flowing nicely, St Joseph’s moved a step closer to win- ning after Ross McCarthy clinched their second goal, picking up a nice pass from David Conroy. Now, just before the break, St Joseph’s led for the first-time in the game.

But straight after the turn-around, Kilrush hit a serious purple patch and inside the first four minutes of the half, they had regained the lead after hitting 1-4: two points from O’Brien, one from John Kelliher and a goal from Conor Ellis.

They now led by four points, on a scoreline of 3-6 to 2-5, but it always felt like this one was going to go the distance.

And so it proved.

St Joseph’s, once more, showed great character to battle back into the game and with time ticking towards the hour mark, it looked like their second comeback was going to win WSO ENYA

It didn’t, though: O’Brien stepped up and rattled home to send Kilrush through after a game of huge tension ANIemorColraneonle

LADY Luck did not smile on Clare in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday when the Banner men’s determined second-half fightback fell short of forcing a draw after Frank Doher- ty’s side had whittled away Leitrim’s eight point half-time lead to three.

Aided by the breeze Clare out- scored Leitrim by 1-6 to O-4 in the second 35 minutes, but they also hit a number of bad wides which allowed the home team off the hook when they were on the rack for long peri- ods.

This victory edged Leitrim into third place on the Division Four NFL table behind promoted sides Antrim and Sligo.

For Clare a disappointing league continues, with only the lowly Car- low, London and Kilkenny beneath them in the basement division.

Goals by Colin Clarke in the 13th minute, and Shane Canning 15 min- utes later, were undoubtedly the turn- ing points in the game.

Two Leitrim players, Ray Cox and Gary McCloskey, and Clare’s David Russell were dismissed for yellow card offences in the first half.

The hosts took the lead in the fifth minute when Ray Cox shot over from play after Barry McWeeney sent a ball in from midfield.

James Glancy tapped over a free three minutes later to double the lead, after Cox had been fouled by Martin McMahon.

And the Clare defence was split wide open in the 13th minute, allow- ing Colin Clarke to solo through for 20 metres before firing to the net.

Leitrim’s Ray Cox was sent for an early shower two minutes later after he was yellow carded for a foul.

Shortly afterwards Clare finally opened their account when Frank O’Dea skilfully pointed a 20 metre sideline kick.

Gary Brennan then finished off a good Banner move by fisting over in the 17th minute.

Clare should have got on _ level terms two minutes later but unfortu- nately Michael O’Shea blazed a goal chance inches wide.

Leitrim’s advantage was cut to two points in the 20th minute when Enda Coughlan pointed after receiving a pass from Michael O’Shea.

That score was negated two min- utes later when Brendan Gallagher was fouled and James Glancy slotted over the resultant free.

Colin Clarke stretched Leitrim’s lead a minute later when pointing after being put through by Tomas Beirne.

And things got worse for Clare in the 25th minute, when David Rus- sell’s foul on James Glancy led to the Banner player’s dismissal on a yellow card and Clancy’s point from

the free.

A chink of light shone two minutes later when a second Leitrim player, Gary McCloskey, was given his marching orders for a foul.

Once more, though, the home team upped the ante for their opponents, Shane Canning firing home a second goal in the 28th minute after latching onto a free that came in over the top of the Clare defence.

It looked bleak for Clare as Leitrim led by 2-5 to O-3 at the break, and the situation worsened when Dermot Reynolds increased that advantage within 30 seconds of the restart with a point.

However, Clare signalled that a fightback could be on the cards over the next seven minutes as Timmy Ryan and Michael O’Shea notched a point each.

seroma nee VUN am encKenoemmmatsns lead to nine points by the 47th minute, James Glancy pointing after a pass from Dermot Reynolds and then turning provider for sub Declan Maxwell to do likewise.

But Clare then dominated the ex- changes for the remainder of the game.

A well-taken Garry Brennan goal in the 49th minute, after he eluded his marker Tomas Beirne, had the

Banner’s spirited comeback really motoring.

Over the next 14 minutes Clare bossed the match and closed the gap on their opponents to just three points after Timmy Ryan, Enda Coughlan and Brennan fired over in turn.

With just five minutes on the clock James Glancy pointed a free after be- ing fouled himself, for Leitrim’s first score in 18 minutes.

That steadied the nerves of a home crowd which had been displaying signs of anxiety for a considerable length of time.

Clare hit back within the space of a minute when David Tubridy split the Leitrim posts with a well-struck free from the 45 metre line.

Sadly, neither side managed to score in the five further minutes of play, and Clare were still a goal adrift as referee Declan Corcoran blew the final whistle, leaving Frank Doher- ty’s team mired near the bottom of Division 4.