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ROCK Rovers moved to the top of the first division with a hard fought victory over Shannon Olympic on Sunday.

The two sides are level on 13 points apiece but Rovers sit top with two games in hand on their nearest ri- vals.

The win stretches Rock’s unbeaten league record to five games. It’s a

record Rock did well to keep intact after a tough and desperately hard fought game. This was a battle in every sense of the word, made so by the heavy, muddy conditions.

Following rain and the schedul- ing of a youths fixture on the same surface the night before, Olympics home ground resembled a mud bath, making any sort of lead all the more prized.

Leading 2-1 at half time, the visi-

tors extended their lead courtesy of Stephen Hickey’s 53rd minute pen- alty. Olympic hammered away in search of a breakthrough. It even- tually arrived with two minutes re- maining. Rock had just enough left in the tank to hold out.

The Clare Cup holders spent most of the first quarter on the back foot as Olympic made a fast start. Despite pinning Rock back inside their own half, Olympic created few clear cut

chances and were punished by their opponents on the break.

The energetic David Considine picked put Dean Gardiner on the left wing in the 22nd minute. Gardiner cut inside and he finished at the sec- ond time of asking to give Rock the lead.

The goal gave greater urgency to Olympic. The home side saw one low shot clatter against the post before scoring a deserved equaliser. Ray

Quigley created a yard just inside the 18-yard box and flashed a shot past Rock goalkeeper Leonard Keane.

With Hickey and particularly Marty McLoughlin in lively form upfront, Rock possessed a sharp cutting edge. McLoughlin was involved in teeing up Gardiner for Rock’s second goal, a powerfully struck shot from the edge of the area.

Rock will have been disappointed not to go in further ahead at the break. First, appeals for a penalty were waved away and later Hickey saw a goal disallowed for handball.

Olympic, playing with an attitude that augers well for the remainder of the season, made an excellent start to the second half and should have drawn level.

Shannon Olympic were denied by an outstanding save from Keane be- fore the rebound was fired over from close range.

The turning point arrived moments later. McLoughlin was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box from a Rock free kick. The decision was hotly contested by Olympic. Hickey buried the spot kick to make it 3-1.

Back came Olympic. Jason Regan linked well Richie Hanley and Ray Quigley, playing, at times, some ex- cellent football.

Rock had their own big perform- ers in defence in Shane Daniels and Keane. Rock’s rearguard was finally breached when Olympic scrambled home a late goal. 3-2 it ended. It’s getting tight at the top.

A CLARE businessman is leading Ireland’s biggest ever foreign trade mission to Asia – as he accompanies Taoiseach Brain Cowen for a week long mission in Japan.

Paul Neville, Managing Director of Ennistymon based company Data Display, arrived in Japan yesterday to research the Japanese concept of lean manufacturing.

The company, which employs some 130 people at it’s headquarters in En- nistymon, last week announced the opening of a new facility in Holland. The new 15,000 square foot factory in Rotterdam was opened in conjunc- tion with partners of the company, and will handle product distribution and maintenance.

In total, Data Displays now em- ploys 230 people in Ireland, Ameri- ca, France and Portugal.

Company founder and chairman, Kevin Neville, said that despite mak- ing a small operating loss in 2008 and reducing staff to a temporary four day week, that the order book is full for the year ahead.

“We are pretty well spread out which is a good thing but last year was difficult because of the weak dollar and the sterling situation. It 1s tight at the moment, there is no doubt about it but it going to be a very tough year,’ he said.

“We have always wanted to keep a broad base in places where we manu- factured and the markets that we sold

into. It was a grand plan to protect us against an economic slump. Of course all countries are suffering at the moment so it 1s very difficult to Aeros Lm

“Our aim has always been to spend more than 10 per cent of our turno- ver on research and development and that has worked as a good strategy so far.”

While much of the business from the business sector has dried up, Data Display has a number of large

contracts with national governments who will continue to invest in infra- structure during the downturn.

The company has deals with trans- port bodies worldwide, including an €8 million contract with the Nation- al Roads Authority to provide signs on all Irish motorways.

Data Display is also completing a major deal for signs in the French Metro system and has just completed work on a tram and railway system in Holland.

Although still a company director, Kevin retired as hands on manager of Data Display last year. The company is now being managed by his son Paul, while his daughter Anne Marie is head of sales.

THE draw for this year’s Prego Menswear Clare Cup was made in Shannon last night with only half of the Premier Division sides avoid- ing tricky first round ties. The draw, which took place in the sponsors’ retail unit in the Skycourt Shopping Centre, attracted a sizeable crowd as all 40 league teams were placed in the hat for the pairing of the first two rounds. Newmarket Celtic, Rinean- na Rovers, Burren Utd, Lifford and Corofin Harps all were drawn put in Round one but crucially avoided each other.

The tie that raised the biggest reac- tion from the crowd was the second round meeting of Premier Division title rivals Avenue Utd and Bunratty, the only guaranteed all-Premier en- counter. Ennis side Avenue were the 2007 champions while four times champions and last year’s finalists Bunratty are currently flying high at the top of the league so one major power has to fall here.

Current holders Rock Rovers, who are currently top of the First Division received a bye to the second round and have to wait to see who will emerge from the pairing of Third Division outfit Corofin B and Second Divison side Manus Celtic A.

There are also potential second round Premier Division ties between Moher Celtic and Lifford A, who first have to see off the challenge of current Third Division leaders Bun- ratty B while last year’s Premier D1- vision champions Newmarket Celtic will have to overcome First Divison strugglers Kilrush Rangers if they are to set up a local derby against Sixmulebridge side Bridge Utd.

Round one fixtures are due to be played on the first Sunday in Febru- ary with the second round scheduled to take place over two weekends on February 15 and 22.

THE racing season is once more coming under the spell of Tubber jockey Derek O’Connor. His latest feats on the saddle came over Christ- mas when he rode the massive total of ten winners throughout the festive period.

Four of those came on the track — including Leopardstown, Limerick, Tramore and Navan – while the re- maining six came, amazingly, at one meeting in Dromohane, just outside Mallow in County Cork.

There was an historic element to his six winners at the Cork course, as O’Connor became only the third jockey to complete such a feat. On the day, O’Connor had ten rides and his 60% success rate meant he was pleased on his way back to Clare while those who backed him on the day were just as happy.

“Anybody who’d been on me that day would have left with a smile on their face for sure,” he said on Mon- day. “It was a great day definitely. But I’d great support as well from trainers and owners and when you think about it, you wouldn’t be able to manage something like that with- out that kind of support.”

JS Oyobeu oom abNOM Yee D) maelemssQuomcitce nificant considering he had been out of action for six weeks after he dislo- cated his shoulder at Roscommon on November 2.

“I’m delighted with the way things have gone since I came back,’ he added. “The season is only a couple of months old and I’ve been missing for a fair chunk of that but after the

Christmas run I’m up to 20 winners, which is decent enough for this time of year.”

The highlight of that Christmas run came at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day when he landed the €30,000 Bumper.

‘There was a bit of pressure going into that one. A packed house and big purse and an important race, but thankfully everything went right and we got the result we were looking for.”

O’Connor will remain on the point

to point circuit for the coming weeks and months in a bid to continue the winning streak he has built up and maintain the Christmas momentum.

“It’s the point to points that I’m in- terested in really. That’s what I’ll be concentrating on for the next while

and hopefully Pl be able to build on the Christmas form.”

AT a blustery and bitterly cold Doo- lin, Burren United managed to get the better of Rineanna Rovers thanks to a 15th minute goal from striker Pat Nagle and some solid work from captain Kevin Danaher.

Despite owning most of the pos- session, Rineanna never managed to threaten Eric Cahalane in the Burren goals as his back four remained solid throughout the game.

It meant that the Nagle goal after a quarter of an hour was looking like stealing the points for the North Clare side but they couldn’t allow themselves the opportunity of resting

on that lead — particularly consider- ing the amount of possession their opposition enjoyed.

Still, Burren could have edged fur- ther ahead when two decent opportu- nities fell to substitute Ghat Marine. He got behind the Rineanna defence on both occasions but didn’t manage to hit the net.

This was in contrast to Nagle’s ear- lier opportunity. He was put through expertly by Daniel Carey and Nagle managed to round the ‘keeper and slot the ball calmly to the net.

The goal definitely roused Rinean- na and from there they tried to wres- tle something from a game that was high on tempo and commitment. A

couple of yellow cards were flashed throughout the contest as both sides went at each other with vigour.

It’s an important win for Burren, considering the three teams direct- ly below them failed to win at the weekend.

With a couple of games in hand, it also means they’re in a position to further propel themselves up the table.

It’s a disappointing result for a R1- neanna side that had hoped to jump a couple of places in the table, but they were without the services of eight regulars and took to the field with a somewhat makeshift side.

Still, the points go to Burren and

deservedly so for their dedication and ability to convert in front of goal.

A MIRROR image of Bunratty’s duel with Moher Celtic as Lifford kept up the pressure on the leaders by pre- vailing against Corofin on away soil.

If Bunratty had the tough task of fac- ing second from bottom Moher Celt- ic in Liscannor, then Lifford’s jour- ney was just as tricky as they took on bottom placed side Corofin and like their tithe chasing counterparts had

to endure a nervy first three-quarters before eventually seeing off their op- ee slo sling

In the end, it had to take a moment of brilliance to decide this encoun- ter, just as it seemed that Corofin had

done enough to secure a valuable point. The decisive goal came in the 70th minute when Scott Hennessy raided down the right and drilled a cross to the always dangerous David McCarthy. With his back to goal, McCarthy spun with one touch be- fore rifling to the net.

It was a huge relief to Lifford who had been frustrated for long peri- ods by the home side. Corofin were strong in defence and until the goal, they were more than a match for the second placed side. However, when you are down at the bottom of the table, lady luck often deserts a side and so it proved for Corofin, who are still the only team in the division yet to record a win. They will take great heart from this display though and will have to be equally as stubborn this weekend when Avenue come to town.

However, at the other end Lifford are still hanging on to Bunratty’s coat-tails, waiting for the leaders to slip. It doesn’t look like happening on current form but it’s important to keep up the pressure anyway.

BRIDGE Celtic survived a strong second half comeback to see off the challenge of Bridge United on Sun-

day

Celtic raced into a three goal first half lead but let their guard slip after the break.

United, who are loitering around

the lower reaches of the table, forced their way back into contention with two early goals. Only a late Barry O’Connell ensured all three points for the home side.

The win sees Celtic climb into fourth place level on points with third place Avenue and seven behind league leaders Bunratty.

With Ger O’Connell and Daniel

Aherne still to return to the fold, Celtic will hope they can maintain their recent run of good form.

A win looked a foregone conclu- sion on Sunday after the home side completely dominated the first half. Shane Byrne opened the scoring for Celtic who doubled their advantage through Kieran Aherne’s goal soon Nilo

Wesley Flemming knocked in the third goal as Celtic rubberstamped their authority on the first half.

But Celtic aren’t the first team and they certainly won’t be the last to rest ONO eloi Dum E-1UNus) KEN AKo) UOT @Detcam: Meese nce manding lead.

The job was by no means complete. United regrouped for the second half and a converted penalty made it 3-1.

A shock really looked on the cards when Kieran Aherne put through his own net to reduce Celtic’s lead to one with 20 minutes still to play.

Celtic manager Johnny Flynn made a few changes to his side and they had the desired effect. Celtic kept United at bay and Barry O’Connell popped up to seal the victory with a late goal.

A good win for Celtic but equally encouraging will be the performance of debutant Tommy Lynch. Lynch was part of the Clonlara team that won the Clare senior hurling cham- pionship and he looks set to play an important role in the remainder of Celtic’s season.

Next up for the east Clare side is a home encounter next Sunday against second place Lifford.

IN excess of 20 juvenile handball players from Clare took part in the annual Munster Juvenile Handball Open hosted by the Liscarroll Hand- ball Club.

In all, almost 60 players from In- ver in Galway to Waterford took part in this prestigious juvenile handball competition, which concluded on New Year’s Day.

This tournament is always very popular as it prepares the young play- ers for the upcoming juvenile provin- cial championships which by the way commence in late January this year and it also gives a good indication of who’s who in the juvenile circuit.

As always Clare had a strong entry in both the under 13 and under 15 categories and hopes were high from all the followers that Clare would produce not one but two champi- ons, a feat that has not been repeated since the very first open was held in 1996 when Adrian Kelly and Seamus Lawlor of Clare took the honours in the under 13 and under 15 competi- tions respectively.

In the under 13 category, of the eight quarter finalists, five of them

were from Clare, namely, Colin Crehan, Colin Corbett, Barry Nash, Owen Tuohy and Paddy Fitzgerald. This shows how strong Clare juve- nile handball is at present and what the future lies in store for Clare Handball.

In the semi-final Colin Crehan of the Mills fought off a very brave challenge from Colin Corbett of Tul- la to win on a 15-13, 15-12 scoreline. In the other semi-final Barry Nash of Tuamgraney beat Martina McMahon

of Cappagh 15-10, 15-6 which set the scene for an all Clare final.

The final proved to be exciting fi- nale to a fantastic competition with both players giving it their all to claim top prize. Both players showed great agility and prowess but in the end it was young Nash who walked away with the title on a 15-13, 15-13 scoreline.

In the under 15 category, all eyes and hopes were now on young Jamie Lynch of the Mills who was as they

say the last man standing when it came to the quarter finals, but he didn’t stop there and reached the fi- nal in emphatic form.

In the final he was up against the favourite in Michael O’Connor of Leixlip in Kildare.

From the start young Lynch showed great match intelligence and outwit- ted and outclassed his opponent. He did not relinquish during the match at any stage and claimed the title on

a 15-12, 15-1 scoreline.

THE Clare hurling team has been strengthened with news that both Niall Gilligan and Colin Lynch will play for the county team in 2009. Manager Mike McNamara con- firmed that both former All-Stars have given at least another year’s commitment to the county. He was speaking following Clare’s five- point win over IT Tralee at Meelick on Sunday – a game which Clare fin- ished with 13 men as a result of new rules from the GAA which stipulate that following a yellow card, a player must leave the field of play. Speaking of the decision of Lynch and Gilligan to commit for ’09, Mc-

Namara said it paints a bright picture for the county.

“Tm happy that all of last year’s panel with the exception of Frank Lohan have committed for at least another year and that added to the emerging talent looks for a very, very bright future,’ he told The Clare People. “The bar is very, very high and we have to stand up there and stand up to the challenges.”

On the new rules, while acknowl- edging the need for some, he said others were unnecessary.

“I suppose some of the new rules have to come into play — tackles around the head and abuse of offi- cials but after that there is very little wrong with hurling. Why tinker with

a game that is studded with excite- ment and passion and aggression and everything that is good in it? I don’t think there is any need to tinker with hurling. Can you imagine some of those rules in the ferocity of a Mun- ster championship game?”

Speaking on Monday, Clare foot- ball manager Frank Doherty echoed McNamara’s comments and said that asking players to adhere to the rules having just returned to training was a step too far.

“The whole thing is crazy,’ he said. “On one hand they’re telling us not to train until January and then they expect us to come in a couple of days later and adhere to these new rules. It makes no sense.

‘Lads have been playing this game since they were eight and ten years of age and to expect them to change the way they play overnight is ask- ing a lot. If they want us to take these changes seriously, then they should give us proper time to adapt.

“Gaelic football can be a great game when it’s played properly but you can’t take the physical aspect out of it. Otherwise lads will be back to kicking a soccer ball.”

ONE prominent Ennis pub plans to beat the bust by drastically cutting alcohol prices.

In a move aimed at stimulating business in the traditionally quiet month of January, the cost of a drink at the Queen’s Hotel is set to fall by 30 per cent.

The price reduction will be in ef- fect until the end of January. “We had a reasonable Christmas and we wanted to give something back. It 1s

something we wanted to do to try and stimulate the market,’ said a spokes- man for the Queen’s.

He added, “As everyone knows Jan- uary 1s typically a quiet month and, given the worries that are out there are the moment we expect to be qui- eter than normal.”

Job losses and the effects of the credit crunch mean consumers are likely to be more cautious about how they spend their money.

“You’re getting a situation where people are going out less. People are

worried about credit card bills. You might have a household where there is one less job. So this year is going to be harder. But we think that this will stimulate more business,” said the spokesperson

The move may be good news for consumers but it may spark a price war in the Ennis bar trade that could potentially make for a very competi- tive business environment.

“It certainly will be very competi- tive around Ennis, that’s for sure. By taking these kind of actions there is

the possibility that you could cre- ate a price war,’ added the Queen’s spokesperson.

The move by the Queen’s comes a month after the Vintner’s Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintner’s Association announced a year long freeze on drink prices.

At the time, the VFI and the LVA said they urging members to intro- duce the price scheme “in light of the deteriorating economic situation and the growing pressure on consumer spending”.