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AER LINGUS plans to enter an ex- tensive codeshare partnership with Star Alliance carrier United Airlines from November has been welcomed by the Shannon Airport Authority as a major boost for the mid-west.

The codeshare, which will cover the Irish airline’s services from Shannon to Boston, Chicago and New York, will provide access to and from the west of Ireland for 200 new destina-

tions across the United States.

United Airlines will also sell seats on Aer Lingus’ transatlantic serv- ices, thereby offering Shannon as a destination from these US cities.

Commenting on the development, Shannon Airport Director Martin Moroney said that the partnership brings another major US airline to the Shannon market and will also consolidate the Aer Lingus winter schedule at Shannon.

“This is very exciting news for

Shannon Airport and this region as it opens up significant new markets across the United States, with the al- liance ensuring one-stop access to over 200 new destinations in the US. OW evi ie-U em or-DusCUir-DUhmBneNOhMEceRonn the full-onset this year of Open Skies and is another boost following the Aer Lingus deal with JetBlue Air- ways Corp earlier this year that will allow customers to book a single res- ervation between Ireland and more than 40 continental US destinations.

‘Both these alliances by Aer Lingus are complemented by the market- ing fund for west of Ireland tourism, aimed at stimulating and promoting a strong identity in the US, so these deals couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Mr Moroney.

“This development brings signifi- cant marketing benefits to Shannon and its hinterland and raises Shan- non’s profile throughout the travel industry in the United States,” said Mr Moloney.

THE newly elected President of Lim- erick Chamber of Commerce 1s not only living in Clare but has identified a closer working relationship with the Banner County as a key factor in driving the future development of the mid-west Region.

Sean Lally, whose home is in Bun- ratty, 18S managing partner of the Clarion Hotel in Limerick and he succeeded Shannon Airport Author- ity member and Westpark business campus Director, Reg Freake to the Presidency.

Speaking about his upcoming year in office, Mr. Lally said one of his priorities will be to highlight the many positive aspects of the Limer- ick Shannon region from both a busi- ness and tourism perspective.

“In spite of tales of economic slow down we are seeing unprecedented levels of construction taking place in the region.

“The Shannon ‘Tunnel Project, linking Clare and Limerick at an estimated cost of €500m, is due for completion within the next two years and is the largest infrastructural de- velopment ever commissioned by the State outside the capital.”

“Throughout the year we will con- tinue to highlight critical areas that will always remain top of our agen- da. This includes priorities such as

the completion of the upgrading of the N18 to Galway by 2010 to en- sure our vision of an economic cor- ridor between Galway and Limerick becomes a reality. The urgent need for improved connectivity to Foynes Port; greater priority to be given to the completion of the Atlantic Road Corridor and the motorway from Limerick to Dublin to be delivered and completed by 2010 as prom- ised.”

“Shannon Airport is a key contribu- tor to the economic prosperity of the region. With 3.6 million passengers passing through it last year it is the second busiest airport in the state. Shannon still reports to the Dublin Airport Authority, a situation which is clearly unsatisfactory if Shannon is to compete in an aviation market that is highly competitive.”

A native of Galway, Sean Lally joined the Board of Limerick Cham- ber in 2006 and 1s also a member of the Irish Hotels Federation and is a Director of Meet Limerick Shannon Conference and Sports Bureau.

He worked in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis during the early 90s and his wife Eliane is from Bunratty where his two children Oisin (9) and Cao- imhe (4) attend the local Wells pri- mary school.

GULLIVER IRELAND, the owner of one of Ireland’s longest estab- lished travel websites, Golreland. com, announced yesterday that it has relaunched the website to consolidate its positioning as the largest tourist accommodation website on the is- land of Ireland.

Gulliver Ireland, Ireland’s leading cost effective provider of reserva-

tions and tourism information, 1s part of FEXCO.

The Golreland.com website will handle a projected 55,000 domestic and overseas bookings this year, which equates to almost 200,000 bednights. Traffic to the new website during the first four weeks increased by 15 per cent compared with last year, which is attributed to better visibility on search engines. Golre- land.com was ranked in the Top 15

Travel and Airlines Market in the newly published “The Net Behaviour Report’ on Irish internet usage.

The website has a new ‘look and feel’, featuring more travel informa- tion on ‘things to see and do’ and offering a wider spread of tourist ac- commodation, approximately 8,000 properties, which is more than any other Irish tourism-related website.

The overhaul of the website’s con- tent, which has a significant regional

focus including regional landing pages for all counties, will continue throughout the year. The new web- site allows tourism business owners to sell their properties better than ever by including detailed premises and local information, photographs and the option of enhanced listings. It delivers booking availability in every county on the island and across all accommodation categories. “People booking accommodation

are booking an experience. To sell effectively online, you have to show your customers the kind of experi- ences they can have.

They urge businesses to take ad- vantage of the new Golreland.com website and show up to 120,000 visi- tors every week at the height of the tourist season what you have and what is around you,’ said Dr Stew- art Stephens, Managing Director of Gulliver Ireland.

AN ENNIS woman was one of 17 people from throughout Ireland to qualify with a diploma in hypno- therapy over the weekend.

Ennis woman Johanna Tracy be- came the first Clare woman to be presented with a Practitioner’s Di- ploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy by the Irish Hypnotherapy Association at a ceremony in Galway on Sunday.

She will now begin to practice hyp- nosis throughout the county.

“So far I haven’t come across too many sceptics but I have come across people who fear it. Some people as- sociate what I do with stage hypno- sis; these people don’t want to be made to do something against their will. But they are thinking of hypno- tists who are more like comedians.”

“lm already a qualified psycho- therapist and a life and business coach and | thought that this might be helpful for clients. It’s very good for building confidence, helping with

phobias, giving up cigarettes and los- ing weight. It’s good for children who have problems with bed wetting or nail biting or things like that, or for teenagers for confidence building.

‘This course was all about learning how to hypnotise people and helping them to achieve different goals in their own life. Hypnosis is about the power of suggestion, it’s nothing to do with sleeping.

“It’s actually concentrated con- scienceness. People would see them- selves doing something that they would love to do but can’t. Once they picture doing it in their sub-con- scious mind, then they are better able to do it in reality.”

She warns that hypnosis will not always work for everyone.

“It really depends on how much a person wants to work on it. We can’t hypnotise the cigarettes out of them, they have to want to give up and have a real desire. The more they use their imagination the more successful they will be.”

will be updated imminently by letter in relation to the approach by a party interested in acquiring our flagship station.

“Our obligation in relation to any potential transaction is first and fore- most to both shareholders and staff we will not be making any public comment on this matter until they have been communicated with.”

Asked to comment on the situation at the weekend, the station’s found- ing chief executive, Caimin Jones said: “Clare FM should clarify the current situation unless there is some compelling reason to prevent them.

For example, if they are engaged in sensitive negotiations with another consortium, then the absence of a statement might be understandable. “Otherwise, a clear statement to shareholders and the general public is essential. A media company which asks probing questions of other peo-

ple and organisations risks losing credibility by remaining silent on its own affairs when these matters are clearly of public interest. With no information or discussion forthcom- ing, the station is also putting its own news and current affairs service in an invidious position.”

A shareholder in the station, Mr Jones said that he welcomed the pro- posed sale to Radio Kerry.

“It 1s disappointing that the deal appears to have come unstuck,” he ene m

“I felt that Radio Kerry and Clare FM were a good fit. Their values, broadcasting culture and commit- ment to serving their communities are broadly similar. These issues will undoubtedly be considered by many shareholders should any new offer be made for Clare FM.

“In general, Clare FM has fulfilled its original objectives and several broadcasters continue to produce good programmes. However, the station is at a crossroads and needs an injection of ideas, energy and creativity. Despite the increasingly competitive radio environment, the station must win back listeners. The key to this in Clare is to reinforce the “Clareness” and individuality of the station and not become a bland clone of the latest passing media fashion.

“Somebody in Irish local radio broadcasting needs to have the cour- age to tear up the current programme schedules and devise new ones. The schedule of programmes on Clare FM and other stations 1s more or less the same as it was when the station was founded nearly 20 years ago.”

SATURDAY night’s card at Galway featured three semi finals of the Bal- lyea GAA Club A3 525 Buster Stake and in the opening heatm the the Mrs Mary Jones owned Lingrawn Ram- bler got back on the winners rostrum as he satyed on strongly to defeat Crafty Classico by a half a length in PRS

In the second heat all six runners Came away as one with the reserve Outback Maverick just holding a fractional advantage rounding the Opening two bends. But it was Cal- lums Honcho who railed well turn- ing in before getting the better of Leonies Aoife by a neck in 29.54.

The concluding heat saw the good recent form of the Ann Maire Mc- Grath kennel continue as her repre- sentetive Saints Above (Blackjack Tom-Mi Viva) powered home seven lengths clear of her rivals in a time of 29.22. The final is down for deci- sion on Friday night and officers of the Ballyea Club are expecting a big turnout for the occasion which sees €1,200 going to the winner.

In the eigth contest over the 550 yard trip for A4 graders, Tiermana Rosie (T5) stormed up the home straight to record a victory for owner Noel Moroney of Ennis in a time of a OPz

The tenth contest at the Collage

Road venue on Thursday night was an A4 graded 550 and the Master Michael Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Enda needed no second in- vitation as he went clear for a 1&3/4 length victory in 30.86

The fourth event was an N2 graded 525 in which a wholesale punt on the trap one runner Cracking Spirit went west when he ran wide off the open- ing corner allowing the trap six run- ner Inagh Mal slip through to lead by a length turning down the back. Racing past halfway the Michael McGuane of Inagh owned Inagh Mal had extended his advantage to three lengths over Ms Firesparker who closed slightly as they began the swing for home but Inagh Mal (Droopys Maldini-Inagh Spice) drew away up the straight to win in 29.70

The concluding contest of the night which was an A2 contest also went the way of the Browne family from Cree where from traps Torpais Mai (14) and Burnpark Tracy (T3) were away best and they disputed the lead on the run to the opening corner but Burnpark Tracy was in control up front as she came clear for a three length success in 29.50

Clare’s only winner on Friday night came in the eight race – an A4 event — where up the straight, the P.J O’Halloran trained Wood Sweet came clear to win by a length and a half in 29.59.

CLARE County Council has ex- pressed “serious reservations” about the first ever hotel proposed for Sixmilebridge.

Gerard and Martha Kearney lodged plans for the construction of an hotel on Sixmilebridge’s Main Street ear- lier this year.

Their consultants state that the Kearneys wish to transform an un- sightly fuel merchants and commer- cial yard into a development that will enhance the town.

However, revised plans will have to be lodged if it is to secure planning eau NUIT (OOF

The council, requesting revised plans, states that it welcomes the development of a modern hotel facil- ity within the centre of Sixmilebri- dge but has serious concerns about the proposed development under a number of headings.”

Specifically the council says it is not satisfied that the design and lay- out 1S appropriate for the prominent location of the site within the heart of an Architectural Conservation Area and fronting the Owengraney River.

The council said the proposed de- velopment would not be permitted and a significant alteration in layout

and design was required and this could involve a new planning appli- cation.

“The development of this piece of land in isolation to the undeveloped zoned land immediately to the west is contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.

The council panners also main- tained that the proposal represented “piecemeal and haphazard develop- nates laee

“It is the view of the council that these lands should be developed to- gether to form one comprehensive development which links to both sides of the town.

The council also point out that the development represents “over-devel- opment of the site’, and will result in significant overshadowing and over- bearing of the adjacent properties to the west fronting Main Street.

Expressing concerns over the project, local resident, Anne Casey States, “I believe that the mass and scaling of the proposed hotel is ex- cessive in relation to the site area and the construction of a three sto- rey structure in close proximity to the rear of my property will result in a serious reduction of natural light and leave the rear of my house over- shadowed during long periods of the or hae

THE champagne flowed amid the glitz and glamour of the foyer of the West County Hotel on Saturday night – and this was even before the official proceedings of the night kicked off.

It was the prologue to Avenue Unit- ed’s big party to celebrate 25 years that took the form of a champagne reception.

As the bottles were uncorked, there were Samba dancers on hand to add a little bit extra colour to the occa- sion.

Then the long night that stretched

into the late morning hours began in the Liam McCarthy Suite.

It all took place 25 years to the day that Avenue United was established – it was 12 April, 1983 and time had now raced on to 12 April 2008.

The maiden voyage was in Mickey Kerins’ bar in Lifford with a meet- ing chaired by Gerard ‘Paddlers’ O’Grady from Marian Avenue. What to call the club was one of the most important items on the agenda. Some said Marian Rovers, the mouthful of Boreen Rambling Rovers had a few supporters, but in the end Avenue United was adopted unanimously.

Paddlers lives in Mayo now, but just as he journeyed down to the old town for the launch of Ollie Byrnes’

EARLIER this year, Colin Lynch met and addressed the 2008 Clare minor panel for the first time. Af- ter the meeting had finished, the panel and management had decided on their goal for the year. The aim would be Croke Park. Anything less would be interpreted as an opportu- nity lost and just by mentioning the country’s top stadium, this group had already lifted expectations in Clare football.

Michael Considine looks back over the past few months and says that all the negativity that has surrounded football in this county is unneces- sary, but he believes it’s up to those involved at the coalface to rid Clare of that mindset.

“We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves in Clare,’ says Considine. ‘“We’ve got to raise the bar and that’s down to ourselves. Clare teams have to be going out wanting to get to Munster finals, wanting to get to All Ireland quarter finals. Until we start thinking that we’re good enough to raise the bar and until we get rid of that negativity we’re never going to 20 forward.”

Look across the country and you’ll find that no team at this level has pre- pared better. Considine, along with James Murrihy and Colm Collins have covered all bases. Former Ker- ry goalkeeper Declan O’ Keeffe was brought in to add another dimension to goalkeeping training, Collins has been involved in improving fitness since the beginning of October and all players have had ongoing access to training facilities over the past seven months.

So far, over 50 sessions have been logged and according to Considine, every player has shown application and dedication.

“We sat down back in September and October and decided that we were going to put pride back in the jersey. For too long lads have been getting it too easy. When they go out in championship games with 10 min- utes to go they’re blowing up, they’re hiding.

‘“That’s one thing that we can guar- antee – that the 15 guys who go out against Kerry in Cusack Park will have earned their Clare shirt.”

Though it’s Kerry, the objective doesn’t shift. Play well and progress. Despite the safety net that exists — the team that loses on Wednesday goes

into a Munster Final playoff, with the first game scheduled for April 16 — Considine says that Clare are go- ing out to win at all costs tomorrow night.

“T don’t buy into this theory that it doesn’t matter if we win on Wednes- day. My view is that we’re going out to beat Kerry and I believe we’re good enough to beat Kerry.

“The bottom line is we’ve put in a savage effort. Just think about tt: 50 sessions since October 5. These young fellas have given their hearts and souls to the county jersey and if you base it on the fact that you get out of it what you put in, then we’re in with more than a fighting chance.”

Undoubtedly, a Kerry scalp — on the back of the Under 21 win over Kerry last year — would provide growing

evidence that a core group of tal- ented players are coming through the grades. Ensuring they remain inter- ested and ensuring the incentives ex- ist then becomes the aim.

“We’ve got to make it attractive for players. We’ve got to have a profes- sional set-up and fellas have to be looked after. I can’t complain with the minor set-up, because anything we ve asked for we got it.

“But to keep moving forward the right structures have to be in place. There was a lot of talk about the Un- der 15 set-up this year. No mentor moved from the Under 14 to Under 15 SO we’ve a new Set-up coming in who don’t really know the players and it means the players aren’t as comfort- able. ““What happens then is you can lose three or four players through the

net and that’s not good enough. You have to keep the continuity. Once you’ve a relationship built up, you stay with them and move up along the line.”

With a reasonably tight base of players to work with, the directive given to potential dual players to chose between hurling and football could have had a negative effect on preparations. Considine rolled with it though.

“The [minor] hurling management made their decision that lads would have to make their choice. My think- ing on it is that lads should have the opportunity to play both codes up to minor. I think in a county like Clare if we had lost some of those lads [dual players], it would have been a serious blow to our team.

‘Now, I’m sure that them three guys are a loss to the hurling side, but good luck to the hurling management, they stuck to their beliefs and they believe they’re in contention for All Ireland honours. If that pans out, then they’ Il have been proved right.”

Last year, Considine watched from the sideline as his Clare side were beaten by Limerick after a replay. A dozen of that team are in conten- tion to start this year. Stronger, wiser and just as focused. A win tomor- row night would be reward in itself for Clare’s persistence and effort. A win that could be the first step on that road to Croke Park.

CUSACK PARK will hold no fear for Kerry minor manager John Kennedy. As the Clare senior football manag- er for three seasons this decade, he familarised himself with every blade of grass at Clare headquarters and although this is his first competitive return since he left the post in Octo- ber 2005, the memories of his time in Clare are still vivid.

“IT had some good days and some

bad ones in Cusack Park” recalls the former All-Ireland winner, “but I must say looking back on my three years in Clare that we put in a big effort – Dave Loughman, Frankie Griffin and myself. There are some great people there. We had a certain amount of success and there were a few disappointing performances also, but it’s always nice to go back and meet guys that I knew on a regu- lar basis and return to familiar sur- roundings. I made great friendships

in my time there and certainly that’s what sport is about. Winning is one thing but I suppose it’s the friend- ships you make and the contacts and they are there forever and it’s in years to come that they will become more important.”

Although Kennedy admits that he doesn’t know too much about the current Clare minor side, through his Banner contacts, he knows the man- agement well and considers Michael Considine and his team among the

best in the country.

“You’re always confident but cau- tious. I would know James Murrihy particularly well and also Michael Considine. These guys are as good as you’ll get anywhere and I’m not just saying that because it’s Clare. They prepare professionally and I know they are putting in a big effort. They have played a huge number of challenges games and in terms of preparations, they won’t be found ween bate

“We’re ready for a real tough bat- tle against Clare because we played them last year in a challenge and pipped us by a point and quite a number of those are underage this year. You’d know by the approach they had that day that they have left no stone unturned and this will be no different. So we’re certainly treating Clare with respect. We are expect- ing areal battle and we are certainly not looking beyond Cusack Park on Wednesday evening.”