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THE top event at Galway Track on Thursday night was race number ten for A2 graded runners and when the traps rose the trap four runner Every Ones Fancy was first to emerge. As expected he went in search of the rail berth but was held off on the run to the bend by the white jacketed Crag- brien Magic who led by a length from Flintstone Man with Guaire Motion a close third along the rail as they entered the back straight.

Down the back the order remained unchanged until Guaire Motion went for a daring run along the rail at the third bend but he was cut off by Cragbrien Magic forcing home to check and lose valuable ground as

the Martin Cronin/Jack Markham of Ennis owned Cragbrien Magic went clear for a three length success in a time of 29.58

The the Hennellys Bar And Off Li- cence A5 525 First Round Heats were also big on the eleven race card.

The concluding heat developed into a match from halfway with the Claire Donoughue owned Larchill Lite staying on tenaciously to keep out the dogged Millymay by a neck in 30.08.

In race number two the first of the night’s contests over the minimum trip saw the John Clune of Ballan- ruan owned Burren Magic (Micks Magic-Cable Sal) open his account at the first time of asking as he de- feated Attykitt Rainbow (T6) by a

length in 18.18.

The Geraldine Ryan of Kilrush owned Ferryside Miss (Droopys Vieri-Cranky Criss) ran out a deter- mined winner of the fourth contest for A4 graders over the standard 525 yard journey as she held of all chal- lengers to record a half length vic- tory over Clonreddan Lark with the fast finishing Bodyshop Direct just a further length adrift in third place in a time of 29.63.

The third contest for S6 graded sprinters was run in an absolute downpour that seemed to commence in tandem with the traps opening. But it failed to stop the Master Colm/ Oran Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Ler Thisinthat finally record his maiden success as he defeated the

trap one runner Miss The Story by 1&1/2 lengths in 18.57.

The winner a son of Bucks Honcho and Moveen Dream was winning for the first time in ten attempts and he was away in second place as Miss The Story broke in her usual smart style but the winner readily went past at the opening corner and was always in control from that point to the line.

The concluding sprint of the night was named in honour of Mrs Eileen Gallery who was celebrating her eightieth birthday at the stadium with a wide circle of relatives and friends and the S3 graded contest was a cracker. The Michael Purtill owned Tarbrook Henry showed superb pace to the bend into the teeth of a gale as he came clear to defeat Presixty-

three by 2 lengths in 18.03. The son of Larkhill Jo and Tarbrook Kerry was away smartly and led by two lengths racing to the opening corner and once he grabbed the rail berth as he swung out of the back straight the only question was how far as he gal- loped to success.

The bumper was a graded contest over the 525 yard journey and racing down the back Got Derailed led by a length from Woodgift Supreme as the red jacketed Welton Sue began to close along the inside rail. As the rounded the penultimate corner the Eugene McNamara trained Welton Sue slipped through on the rail and the son of Roanokee and Glassford Dawn went clear for a 4é&1/4 length success over Got Derailed in 30.17.

WITH the older age categories of the Clare Juvenile Handball League now under way, last Thursday evening saw the start of the Under 11 age groups.

In action on the night were three Clooney teams held at the handball complex in Clooney. With action commencing at 6.00pm, Clooney | got off to a flying start when they overcame a very formidable Clooney 3 team on a 55 to 31 score line.

Next saw a real battle between Clooney 2 & 3 respectively with the former coming out on top to claim the win on a 52 to 45 scoreline.

Last but not least, Clooney 1, con- sisting of Fergal & Natasha Cough- lan, Barry Loughnane, Tadgh Shana- han, Emily Moloney and Luke Keane claimed full honours on the night by

claiming victory over Clooney 2 on a 57 to 45 scoreline.

In the under 13 A section, Tulla overcame Kilkishen on a scoreline of 60 to 45, while in the B Category Clooney | were victorious in their two matches, while Tuamgraney de- feated Tulla in their match on a win- ning score of 60 to 40.

Kilkishen 1 came out on top in an all club affair by defeating both Kil- kishen2 and Kilkishen 3 teams. Tua- mgraney also got the better of Kilk- ishen 2 team and ran off winners on a 60 to 19 scoreline.

Finally, but not least there was great news in The Munster Clare Schools Competion which was held at Tulla last Sunday, when Clare retained the A & B titles respectively. This is great news for Juvenile Handball in Clare and proves that handball is still strong at this level.

THE keynote address to the Bord na nOg Convention in the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Thursday night by chairman Sean O’Halloran carried with it a veiled attack on high profile county managers who have criticised underage hurling in the county.

And, it could be that Ger Loughnane was the main target in the line of O’Halloran’s fire, given that earlier this year the former Clare manager lowered his blade on underage struc- tures in Clare.

“When you see a coach with an under 14 team and he’s putting fellas over hurdles and he’s running long laps,’ said Loughnane in a broadside before Galway’s All-Ireland qualifier against Clare in Cusack Park.

‘“There’s no staged development here in Clare. When young lads go from under 14, the next thing they’re

doing senior training. Next thing they’re totally pissed off with this kind of stuff.

“IT see a coach in north Clare and I saw a team he’d been coaching for three years and a least half of them were holding the hurley with the wrong hand on top. This is madness. There is no supervision whatsoever so how are you going to have devel- opment,” added Loughnane.

It wasn’t his first time to launch a scathing attack on underage struc- tures in the county, as he famously told The Clare People in 2005 that “they’re running off games. I think it’s absolutely scandalous that an un- der 14 club team beaten in the cham- pionship in May will not be playing again until next year. It’s a complete joke.

“The worst thing is this — the hurl- ing officer, who is elected in Clare, can be totally incompetent and has

been for the past 10 or 15 years and yet this officer is elected year after year just because he wants a position on the executive.” ;

Two years on, the Bord na nOg Con- vention was when Sean O’Halloran hit back. “It is regrettable in the high- est echelons of team management see fit to castigate underage hurling in this county on a regular basis,” he said in his annual report.

‘Their undoubted ability and exper- tise would be much better served by adopting a more proactive approach to the promotion and development of our games at this tender age.

O’ Halloran the evoked an old Irish proverb when saying “Mar a deir- eann an sean-fhocail ‘Is are scath a

ye]

chéile a mhaireann na daoine’.

VOLUNTEERISM within coaching and management structures operated by Bord na nOg Iomaint could be at an end, because key men involved with county teams are being in dan- ger of being enticed “more lucrative” opportunities at club level.

Chairman Sean O’ Halloran praised the outstanding contributions made by those involved with the various underage teams, but warned that it can no longer be expected to give of their time for nothing.

“Development Squads and associ- ated County teams continue to be an integral part of the

Board’s rea ata La Coreae noted O’Halloran in his address to Con- vention. “A huge amount of time and effort 1s put in by the respective men- tors and even though we didn’t have the same success as in 2006, there are reasons for optimism.

“East Clare U-l6s were defeated in the Munster Divisional Final af- ter a replay, while the U-15s won the Shield in the Carrigdoun Tourna- ment. The U-14s didn’t qualify for the knockout states of the Tony For- ristal Tournament. Credit for these squads must go to Gerry O’Connor, Donal Moloney, P. J. Kelliher, Ea- mon Fennessy, Alan Cunningham, Brendan McNamara, Pat ‘Taaffe, Sean Sheehan, Sean Chaplin, Tomas Kelly, Pat McNamara, Donal Mc- Grath and Eoin Ruane.

“It is important to note these men-

tors do this work in a totally voluntary capacity and this has to be acknowl- edged. However, the time has come when these volunteers will have to receive some form of remuneration to cover out of pocket expenses.

“It has become increasingly diffi- cult to acquire the services of those people as many of them have drifted into the club scene which is more lucrative. Surely a percentage of the monies acquired by coaching and games should be specifically directed towards squads,’ added O’ Halloran.

The chairman also highlight- ed the need for further coaching initiatives.’ The whole area of coach- ing needs to be looked as the number of Games Promotion Officer (GPQOs) in the county who, despite doing Tro- jan work, is not sufficient to cover the demands of primary and post prima- ry schools.

‘Furthermore, many clubs could benefit from the services of those GPOs on a temporary basis in con- junction with the own coaching of- ficer to put proper coaching struc- tures in place.

“A clearly defined coaching policy for respective age groups would be of enormous benefit to clubs as it would bring equality and uniformity. The county’s allocation of funding accrued from use of Croke Park by rugby and soccer could be utilised in the whole area of games promotion and development,” he added.

THE future of Clare’s traditional arts took centre stage last night when peo- ple from all over the county gathered for the third meeting of the Clare Traditional Arts Forum.

The time for talking was over as the enthusiastic group made provisions to assist individuals and organisa- tions in working together on shared projects of interest.

The aim of the forum was to put those involved in the traditional arts in the county in a stronger position

for accessing funding at local and na- tional levels.

Clare people involved or interested in the traditional arts were urged to consolidate the future development of the sector by attending last night’s meeting in the Old Ground Hotel, Spay AvESe

The forum, which was established in 2006, aims to strengthen Clare’s musical tradition by assisting indi- viduals and organisations to work to- gether on shared projects of interest, thereby putting them in a stronger position for accessing funding at lo-

cal and national level.

“While previous meetings have proven to be a great avenue for dis- cussion of issues and ideas, this meeting and future meetings will be focused on putting these ideas into action. Some of these actions are already underway so it is, therefore, important that anyone interested in assisting or facilitating actions would be in attendance in Ennis this evening,’ said Tara Connaghan, Traditional Arts Co-ordinator, Clare County Council.

According to Ms. Connaghan, “The

forum has been set up by the Arts Office of Clare County Council with support from the Arts Council of Ire- land. The role of the Arts Office is to organise meetings, offer support, advice and assistance as required. The forum members determine the activities of the forum.

“The Clare Traditional Arts Forum will open up various opportunities for the traditional arts in Clare where people can get support for ideas or projects they want to undertake,” she added.

The benefits of traditional arts fo- rums and networks are widely known and can be seen in various commun1- ties throughout Ireland. For exam- ple, the Roscommon Traditional Arts Forum – the first of its kind in Ireland – has undertaken various projects including the transmission of tradi- tional arts in primary schools and the production of marketing brochures and an on-line archive.

All traditional musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers, festival or- ganisers, promoters, traditional arts organisations and anyone involved or interested in the traditional arts attended the meeting facilitated by Margaret O’Sullivan of Key Cul- aubeed

THE Irish Beef Sector is set to lose as much as €100 million should a proposal contained in the review of the CAP, known as the “health check” come about.

Commissioner Fischer Boel has proposed to increase the compulso- ry modulation levy from its current level of five per cent to 13 per cent by 2013.

This proposed move has led to an- ery responses from the IFA.

“While the commission is suggest- ing that part of this cut-back in fund- ing of the EU Single Payment could be recycled to some farmers, this is far from clear, and such ‘rural de-

velopment’ and ‘agri-environment’ measures are likely to impose ad- ditional costs on farmers,’ said IFA National President, Padraig Walshe.

‘In addition to the cut in the Single Payment due to the increase in the modulation levy, many farmers most dependent on the Single Payment for their incomes, particularly cattle and sheep farmers, would also lose out from the proposal to switch from the current individual farmer payment, based on his past level of production, to an average payment across all the land of the country.”

Speaking on the issue, the Minis- ter for Agriculture, Mary Cough- lan, was more positive, saying that the CAP Health Check provide an

ideal opportunity to reduce the ad- ministrative burdens on farmers by simplifying the requirements of the Single Payments System and cross- compliance.

The minister said she had serious concerns about the commission’s pro- posal to increase the rate of compul- sory modulation. Noting that Ireland had shown its strong commitment to rural development through very sub- stantial national exchequer funding, she said she did not see the merit of Supporting rural development at the expense of direct payments to farm- ers, especially at a time when farm- ers were still adapting to the impact of decoupling.

Coughlan also expressed scep-

ticism about the suggestion that changing from a historic to a flat rate model of payment would simplify the Single Payment system and she emphasised that she had no plans to do so in Ireland.

On milk quotas, she stressed the need for careful analysis before any final decisions are taken and said that she was undertaking a consulta- tion process with key stakeholders in Ireland on this important issue.

“Tam optimistic that we can find a practical and useful outcome that de- livers real simplification and assists our farmers to take advantage of the opportunities offered by decoupling and by stronger dairy markets,’ she said.

SPEAKING following a study tour to Italy in association with An Bord Bia, Clare farmer and Chairperson of ICMSA’s Beef and Committee, Martin McMahon, said that the Ital- ian market currently presents valu- able and worthwhile opportunity to increase the value of Irish weanlings and must be developed to its maxi- mum potential.

Following visits to a number of feedlots and discussions with many Italian farmers, many of whom are already buying Irish weanlings, Mc- Mahon said that the prices received for Italian cattle are well above the Irish price with some farmers receiv- ing up to €3.60 per kg liveweight.

Given these prices, Italian farmers assured the ICMSA Chairman that they will buy a lot of Irish weanlings if they can get the appropriate type of cattle and would not hesitate to pay a premium price to Irish sellers.

McMahon said that the Italian buy- ers were pleased with the cattle from Ireland this year, but he warned that if we were to develop this market, it is important that suckler farmers produce cattle to Italian specifica- tions.

“If this 1s to be achieved, the role that Bord Bia and Teagasc will have to play is informing farmers on the type of cattle required for this mar- ket in order to achieve maximum value,” he said.

“At a difficult time of low margins

for suckler farmers, the Italian wean- ling market certainly provides an op- portunity to enhance suckler farmer income and it must be pursued.”

Meanwhile, Clare dairy farmers will have the opportunity to meet leading New Zealand fertility ex- pert, Scott McDougall, at a special meeting on dairy breeding and fer- tility in the Radisson SAS, Limerick on Thursday, December 13.

Scott McDougall, who leads the re- search and development team at the Animal Health Centre in the heart of New Zealand’s dairying territory, will be joined on the platform by some of Ireland’s foremost authori- ties on breeding and fertility of live- stock.

The high-powered panel includes

Par Dillon and John Mee from Moorepark, Michael Diskin from Teagasc Athenry and Teagasc dairy specialist, George Ramsbottom. Doreen Corridan from Dairygold AI as well as Mark Crowe and Finbar Mulligan from UCD will also par- ticipate.

The meeting runs from 9.15am to 4pm. Clare farmers unable to attend the Limerick meeting can go to a meeting featuring the same panel in the Silversprings Moran Hotel, Cork on Wednesday, December 12 at the same starting time.

To reserve a place at either meeting, contact Event Plus at 01 2302591, e- mail info@eventplus.ie. Registration fee, which including lunch and cof- fee, 1s €55.

TWO Clare artists have just repre- sented Ireland at a major internation- al art fair. SOFA Chicago attracts some of the world’s leading galler- ies and collectors and Nicola Henley and Kathleen Moroney both did ex- ceptionally well.

Nicola creates textile art from her studio in Tuamgraney where she is inspired by birds and their relation- ship with the sea and the sky. She spends a good deal of time studying and drawing their movements before making her textile pieces. Using a combination of dying, painting and screen printing cotton calico, she tex- tures her work with materials such as Japanese paper and silk stitching.

Ceramicist Kathleen Moroney was also a big hit at the Chicago fair. Her two-part ceramic forms are made from slipcast tinted stoneware. El- egantly simple, her work is inspired

by the Japanese appreciation of space. She is based in Kilkishen and recently became involved in an art project in the newly refurbished art- ists studio spaces in Tulla.

With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to discover the work of these two inspi- rational artists. Both have just been featured in the

AN AVERAGE crowd showed up on Thursday night in Galway and they saw Ballyheane Queen get away fast- est in the fourth 525 yards Tiermana Fly in trap three wasn’t far behind and took over off the second bend as Fast Fit Enda in trap six moved into third spot. From here these two led the way right up to the line where the Noel Moroney of West Clare owned Tiermana held off Ballyheane Queen by a length in a time of 29.58. Fast Fit Enda was seven lengths back for third spot.

Pat Hogans of Quilty owned Tro- mora Promise in trap five and Keith Bumblebee in trap two shared the

lead up to the first bend in the sixth race over 525 yards. Tromora took a tumble here and this left Bumblebee in front down the back straight. From here the Paul Burke trained Keith Bumblebee ran on to beat trap three Finch Hill by over six lengths in a time of 29.96.

Fastest time of the night came from the David Browne of Kilrush owned Burnpark Duke who came in as a re- serve in the tenth race and took this from trap one.

Trap five Glenbrack Ali was the leader here from the start and kept going until off the last bend where Burnpark who was in second spot all the way launched a challenge and took over on the run for the line to

score by just over a length in a time of 29.09.

Glanbrack was second with Ash- field Romeo nearly five lengths back for third.

Trainer on form on the night was was Kinvara owner John McDonagh who notched up a fine double as his Cables Bluebell and Kiowa came in on the night. Bluebell kicked off this in the second race over 325 yards as this lady led from start to finish to get her first win on her third start.

It was the same story for Cable Kio- wa in trap four in the eighth over 525 yards as this lady made all to take this one in a time of 29.93.

Kieran Connolly was on the mark in the fifth race over 325 yards as his

Caislean Dubh got back into the win- ning groove. Coming away well from trap two this fellow showed some good early pace and led from here to beat trap three Roscahill Rocket by just under four lengths in a time of 18.17.

A trap to line effort came about in the seventh race as the Rose Kelly trained Mi Hercules made all to im- pressively take this 525. Breaking fast from trap two his fellow was always in control and ran on to beat trap one Pass The Lady by over nine lengths in a time of 29.31.

A real strong performance came from the Davy Curtin trained Glean- nrue Amy ran on very powerfully to take the ninth race over 525 yards.

Rineen Beauty in trap five led early here but was passed along the back straight by trap four Cracking Mal. Going into the third bend the strong running Gleannrue burst between these to in game fashion and from here she ran on to beat trap six Cork- er Hill by nearly four lengths in a time of 29.36.

Seamus Fahy was on the mark in the bumper over 550 yards as his Corporate Legend in trap two took this to keep his excellent career record going. Taking the lead off the second bend this fellow shrugged off the challenge of trap one Light Paws White and ran on from here to beat her by three and a half lengths in a time of 30.67.

THE Cheltenham Gold Cup may still be over three months away but March 14 is already the most eagerly antici- pated day of the new National Hunt season following Denman’s stunning victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Just a week after his stablemate Kauto Star re-affirmed his position as the best chaser in these islands, Paul Nicholls’ giant seven year-old threw down a gauntlet to the cham- pion that will not be accepted until the two stars clash on the second Fri- day in March.

Carrying top weight of Ilst 12Ibs on soft ground on his first start of the season, the 5/1 chance was expected to need the outing and seemed to face a big task at the weights to emulate the likes of Burrough Hill Lad and Arkle who had previously carried top weight to victory in the prestig- ious early season handicap.

However, last season’s impressive Sun Alliance winner looked a more mature horse in the parade ring and, despite his fitness doubts, he was prominent from the early stages of the 3 IA mile contest under Sam SW steyeer-hy

Once the fast-improving son of Pre- senting assumed control on the far side of the track, he always looked the likely winner as most of his rivals began to struggle, and he came home the hugely impressive eleven lengths winner from Dream Alliance with Character Building and Madison Du Berlais making up the places.

The Willie Mullins trained Snowy Morning was sent off the well-backed 9/2 favourite but he got no further than the seventh fence where he was a faller under Tony McCoy.

Although it was difficult not to get carried away by such an authoritative display, it must be remembered that if Denman is to be considered a gen-

uine Gold Cup contender, he was en- titled to win the Hennessy off a mark of 161 as Kauto Star sill remains the standard bearer on a mark of 179.

Most bookmakers cannot separate the two Paul Nicholls trained horses as 2/1 favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and they will not meet before the Festival as Kauto Star heads to Kempton Park for the King George while Denman will travel to Leopardstown for the Lexus Chase during the Christmas period.

It was business as usual for trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie at Newbury after Inglis Drev- er won the Long Distance Hurdle for the third time despite having to con- tend with another new stable jockey.

After Galway jockeys, Graham Lee and Paddy Brennan, had parted company with the Johnson stable, it was the turn of Cork jockey Denis O’Regan to develop a_ successful association with the World Hurdle champion and the 15/8 favourite only had to be pushed out by O’Regan to register a comfortable four lengths winning margin over Special Envoy.

It was the turn of some Champion Hurdle contenders to make their mark at Newcastle on Saturday where Harchibald was attempting to win his second Fighting Fifth Hurdle since 2004.

Having made an encouraging re- turn to action on the all-weather at Dundalk last month, Noel Meade was quite confident of a return to the Harchibald of old and the eight year- old did not disappoint the Meath trainer under a supremely confident ride from the irrepressible Paul Car- UMS

Having seized the initiative with a fine jump at the last, the controver- sial son of Perugino only had to be kidded home by the stylish Carberry who produced the 4/1 chance with his usual brilliant timing to beat Al Eile and Katchit.