Category: Sport

THE current state of Cusack Park is set to come up for debate at Thursday night’s gathering of the county’s Gaels, with the St Joseph’s Miltown and Sixmilebridge clubs leading the charge for the seat of Clare GAA.

These two clubs have tabled motions relating to Cusack Park, which this year celebrates 75 years as the home of Clare GAA – a landmark anniversary that was also marked by a decision by Croke Park authorities to downgrade its status by reducing the ground capacity to an all-time low of 14,864.

The first general motion on the Convention Clár comes from St Joseph’s Miltown, with their longtime county board delegate and Cusack Park loyalist, Noel Walsh set to speak on behalf of the club.

St Joseph’s want Clare County Board chairman, Michael O’Neill to “appoint a sub-committee at the first County Committee meeting in 2012 to deal with the report that has re- duced the capacity of Cusack Park”.

In addition to this, the motion calls this new sub-committee of the board “to take in all aspects” of the report which was commissioned by Croke Park and carried out Slattery & Company and make “particular reference to the re-construction of the main stand”. St Joseph’s also want any new Cusack Park sub-committee to “report to the County Committee in three months” with it’s findings and recommendations.

Meanwhile, motion number 38 on the Convention Clár from Sixmilebridge says that “when finances allow, Cusack Park be given a facelift beginning with dressing rooms, showers, toilet facilities etc.”.

The motion could be inspired from Sixmilebridge’s own experience from their county senior hurling final against Crusheen in October when there were no hot showers available after the game.

Inagh/Kilnamona will table a motion calling for an electronic scoreboard to be installed at Cusack Park.

THE CLARE Ladies Football Under 14 trials, which are run in conjunction with the Marian Keane Memorial Cup, were played out over the last three weeks and concluded this weekend at Clarecastle. 65 girls were called to attend the trials and included players who had participated in the Under 13 twelve week development program, any other interested 13 year olds and a selection of Under 12 development squad members.

The trials were well attended in very adverse weather conditions showing a massive interest in representing Clare in gaelic football. Four teams played for the Marian Keane Memorial Cup, which was accepted for her team by captain Chloe Moloney and the Shield which was accepted by captain Katie Considine for her team.

Trudy Davenport, chairperson of Doora/Barefield Ladies Football Club presented the Cup, Shield and medals for every participant.

Mentors Eimear Considine, Aine Kelly, Johnny Hayes and Alan Copley wish to thank all the players, their parents and their clubs for participating in the trials.

The panel will be selected in early January and will reassemble on Sunday, January 15 in preparation for the Under 14B Munster Championship which begins on Saturday, March 3, with fixtures to be confirmed.

CLARE GAA will be obliged to have a county board meeting every month of the year, with one notable exception to this rule – the month in which the annual County Convention takes place.

That will be the way of the future if the St Joseph’s Miltown club has it’s way when tabling a motion at this Thursday’s Convention calling for the Clare GAA by-laws pertaining to county board meetings to be amended.

The move has its genesis in the fact that after Clare’s exit from the AllIreland series in both hurling and football in late June, it wasn’t until September that a full meeting of the Clare County Board took place.

This state of affairs won’t be allowed to occur in the future if the St Joseph’s motion which says “Meetings of the Co. Committee will be held each month with one exception of the month in which the convention is held” wins the backing of a majority of clubs in the county.

St Joseph’s motion also goes further, calling on the Clare Gaels to give their support for a raft of other changes to the structures, procedures and practices that govern monthly and special county board meetings.

The west Clare club is calling for “agenda for meetings to be made available a minimum of five days before meetings”. In addition to this St Joseph’s will put forward a number of other recommendations.

“A special meeting may be called on the written request of at least four clubs from different parishes, who shall specify in their request, the reason for which the meeting is being called.

“Three days notice of ordinary meetings must be given, but in the case of a special meeting, two days shall be sufficient. Secretaries of particular sub-committees, with the approval of their chairman, may call a special meeting if deemed necessary.

“The secretary of a particular committee shall be obliged to summon a meeting provided the chairman is satisfied that the subject matter is in order. Three members shall be the quorum for all other committees, with the exception of the disciplinary committee,” the motion continues.

Meanwhile, Sixmilebridge are set to table a motion calling for six monthly meetings to be held annually. At these meetings they say the “county chairman, secretary and board delegates and manager for the most senior team in the club” be present.

“At each meeting one hour should be devoted to dealing with football matters and one hour to hurling matters. The duration of the meeting to be three hours, with the final hour for general business discussion,” the motion adds.

OUTOING County Underage PRO Alan Copley is poised to take up the role as Chairman of Clare Ladies Football at this evening’s (Tuesday) annual convention in The West County Hotel.

The Banner Ladies delegate is expected to succeed outgoing chairman Johnny Hayes who served in the role for the last four years in what was his second term at the helm.

Fergus Rovers clubman Hayes announced his decision to step down at the November board meeting and with the only other nominee, Mary Keane not standing for the position, Alan Copley is anticipated to take up the appointment while also continuing as County Underage PRO.

Outgoing Secretary Michael Fitzpatrick is the only nominee for his position as is outgoing Development Officer Michael Edwards Murphy (Kilrush) but there will definitely be a change of treasurer after Coolmeen’s long-serving county finance officer Christy O’Connor announced his intention to step down from the position recently.

Mary Kenny (Coolmeen), Colette Corry (Shannon Gaels), Johnny Hill (Fergus Rovers) and Bernie Brennan (Banner Ladies) have all been nominated for the vacancy but no clear frontrunner has yet been singled out.

There are several nominees for Vice-Chairperson (Davy Browne, Doonbeg, Johnny Hayes, Fergus Rovers and Trudy Davenport, Doora/Barefield), Assistant Secretary (James Lafferty, Bernie Kelly, Edel Conway and Trudy Davenport), Assistant Treasurer (Colette Corry, Mary Kenny, Edel Meaney, Deidre Jordan and James Lafferty) while outgoing Adult PRO Mary Keane is again nominated for the position as is Kilmihil’s Kay Considine.

There could also be changes to the overall structure of the domestic adult championships if Fergus Rovers and Doonbeg’s motions are passed on Tuesday.

Fergus Rovers’ motion proposes ‘that a review of the junior, intermediate and senior championship takes place.

At present, there are only three teams in the intermediate grade. More games are needed to have a meaningful competition.’

Doonbeg will look to take the issue a step further when proposing that Junior A and Intermediate teams be combined for next year’s championship.

On the committee front, Fergus Rovers have submitted a request to set up a PRO committee for the coming year while Doora/Barefield have done likewise on the fixtures front.

Doora/Barefield have also tabled motions to administer a designated night for ladies football matches as well as dividing development squads into two regions, one for west Clare and the other in the Ennis urban area.

The Clare Ladies Football AGM will take place in The West County Hotel in Ennis at 7pm this evening (Tuesday) and all clubs are requested to have two delegates present.

WHEN Noelle Comyn’s name was announced as Clare Senior Ladies Football Manager at a specially convened meeting of the county board on Tuesday, there was universal approval from the floor.

After all, during her lengthy playing career in both Clare and Dublin, she constantly strove for perfection and was the epitome of what a county player should be. Whether winning nine county senior championships for Fergus Rovers; National Leagues, Munster senior and All-Ireland junior and senior B titles for Clare or more recently when finally capturing an All-Ireland senior crown with Dublin as well as county, provincial and national clubs championships with Ballyboden St Enda’s, the former All-Star was never less than one hundred per cent committed to the cause and promises to carry that attitude into management as well.

“Saying yes was not a simple or easy decision but having taken the job, I am ready to commit to the task and have accepted the responsibility of such a role. We will focus on devoting all our energies and commitment that are required to make a success of the task ahead.

“I have been out of the cutting edge from a player’s perspective since August 2010 having sustained a serious injury and following up with a double blow earlier this year when I ruptured a second cruciate. But I have taken it all on board, stayed positive and am now four months post op and back jogging straight lines. That maybe doesn’t sound much to some but for me personally, I’m over the worst and mentally tougher and stronger in my thoughts about sport and life.

“Going from being a player to being a manager is a big responsibility nowadays. As a player you are protected and you only have yourself to look after for all the extra work involved in preparation and diet but as a manager, you are responsible to coordinate all of these aspects for your squad and apply the appropriate measures required.

“Management is something that has always been part of my plans but up to now it was not possible as I have had to put all my energies into ex- tending my playing career and overcoming injuries. I believe in playing at the top level for as long as you can if your mind and body allows, while your thoughts will develop on how you would like to see things move towards the next step of your career.

“I am still in players mode but can also relate to the overall bigger picture of managing an inter-county team and what is required to make them develop as a team and as individuals.

“I am currently involved with Trinity College ladies team which has brought its own set of responsibilities in dealing with players. I have been considerably driven as a player and hope to bring some of these qualities to the Clare set-up, while also being practical in that everybody is different.

“Having spoken recently to another current young inter-county manager, one can never replace the will and desire to represent at the cutting edge but for those who dare to venture outside the zone, the next best thing is to be a leader in a different capacity.”

With the former dual star also based in Dublin, there is the added learning curve of commuting from the capital on a regular basis but she is quick to quash any problems in that regard either, even offering a light hearted solution.

“Who knows maybe Dalo can schedule his Dublin hurling sessions around the Clare ladies to share responsibilities of traveling.”

So what are her initial aspirations for her native county?

“The National League commences on February 5 versus Waterford in a very strong Division 2 that also includes Mayo, Kerry, Galway, Tipp, Cavan and Fermanagh. So there is no time for sitting back as this is a very strong and competitive division and will provide us with an opportunity to play against some of the top teams in the country, These games will hopefully benefit us going into the championship campaign. We will be looking to retain our Division 2 status which will not be an easy task.

“All in all we will be looking for everybody to be the best they can possibly be, starting with the players who will commit, the backroom team, county board and everybody who will contribute or influence the path of ladies football in a county which has a earned a massive respect both on and off the field. As a quote from a very important person in life states:

“Excellence is caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, expecting more than others think is possible”

If Noelle’s opening gambit as manager is anything to go by, Clare ladies football is indeed in safe hands.

REGRETS. There are a few, given that Clare’s brave assaults on All-Ireland minor honours came up agonisingly short in 2010 and 2011.

But Tony Kelly doesn’t dwell too long on those regrets as he looks forward with confidence to the under 21 and senior challenges that lie ahead, while always remembering some stirring days in the minor ranks.

“At the beginning if someone had told me that I’d have two Munster medals in two years, I’d have bitten their hand off,” he says.

And, it’s no wonder, for the Ballyea clubman has been Clare’s star per- former over those two years. Midfield on the 2010 Munster winning team, midfield and captain in 2011 as he emulated his clubmate Paul Flanagan who was captain in 2010.

“We set out at the start the year to retain Munster,” he says, “but the aim for the overall year was to go one better than 2010 and try and win the All-Ireland.

“Other teams in Munster were probably thinking that Clare won the Munster final in 2010 and they won’t win another one, but winning it again proved that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

“There were about nine of us on the panel from the previous year and management were looking to us to motivate the team this year and help the new lads along – there wasn’t that much extra pressure put on us. We were just told to go out and hurl. We’re just as motivated because we knew that if we came out of Munster we would have a chance of winning the All-Ireland.

“What’s the highlight of the year? It was definitely going down to Thurles and beating Tipperary. They came up to Cusack Park the previous year and were favourites, but we beat them. It was said that it was a once off and that Tipp didn’t take the game seriously – going down to Thurles and beating them was great and it really set us up to retain Munster.”

When the job was done against Waterford, attention then turned to the All-Ireland – time for those regrets again as a great opportunity was lost, agonisingly so at the death of the semi-final.

“We knew that Galway were one of the best teams in Ireland,” says Kelly.

“We knew that whoever won the Clare/Galway match were probably going to go on and win the All-Ireland.

“Being honest, we thought we had the game won when we were three points up. I suppose it was a lack of concentration that cost us in the end with that goal going in, while when it came to extra time they were physically stronger than us. We had no complaints in extra time but that lack of concentration in extra-time got the better of us.”

But with that the regrets about AllIreland opportunities lost are over, all because of what Clare minor hurling’s historic achievements in 2010/11.

“The two years were very successful and contesting an All-Ireland final and semi-final has been a huge achievement as regards Clare hurling. Things are looking good for the future.”

Tony Kelly is that future.

St Ma r y’s Nenagh 1-12 St Fla nna n’s College 1-08 at Bur gess GAA Gr ounds, Tipper a r y IT SEEMED for long periods as if nothing could separate these sides as they entered the final minute of this replay on level terms once more. Indeed, it took the intervention of a 16th man to finally send the title Nenagh’s way in what was one of the most bizarre finishes in the competition’s history.

Intrigued? Well, Brid Quinn’s superb 59th minute solo and point edged Nenagh in front for the first time in 35 minutes but true to form, Niki Kaiser-led St Flannan’s were not about to give up without one hell of a fight. The Newmarket starlet’s injury-time shot for goal was somehow tipped away for a ’45, one which the unerring Kaiser would have put over in her sleep to send the game into a deserved period of extra-time.

Instead, the scorekeeper’s miscalculation, whether intentionally or not, gave St Mary’s an extra point on the scoreboard, thus lulling St Flannan’s into the false presumption of being two points down and thus needing a goal. As a result, instead of Kaiser taking a equalising point, influential centre-back Aoife Keane was nominated to drop the ’45 into the square in search of a goal. A move that ultimately proved fruitless as Nenagh eventually cleared and even managed to goal with the last move of the game on the counter-attack.

It was an exceedingly cruel way for the Ennis side to exit the championship and after 120 minutes of compelling action, both sides deserved to battle it out further in extra-time. After all, St Flannan’s had somehow recovered from an uncharacteristically sluggish start to lead for the majority of the second half, with Niki Kaiser imperious throughout in grabbing all of her side’s scores.

But perversely, perhaps that overreliance on the 16 year old was part of the reason St Flannan’s found themselves in such a precarious position late on. In the drawn game, four others had chipped in with a combined total of 3-1 but on this occasion, the scoring duties were solely left to Niki Kaiser who had to endure a lot of punishment from Nenagh in the process. Instead, St Mary’s, backed by a more balanced scoring division, proved the more rounded threat, with six different players sharing the scoring duties.

That threat was most felt early on as the home side hit the ground running to open up a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage by the 12th minute, with Brid Quinn leading the charge. St Flannan’s were stuck to the ground but by bringing out Kaiser to the wing, they did finally gain a foothold in the game.

Also instrumental in that comeback was the Kilnamona half-back duo of Aoife Keane and Sinead Quinn, with the latter in particular halting Nenagh’s charge. Four more Niki Kaiser points, allied to Nenagh’s seven wind-assisted wides and a superb reflex save by St Flannan’s goalkeeper Suzy O’Shea saw the away side only trail by two at the break at 0-7 to 0-5.

That advantage was cancelled out only five minutes after the restart when Niki Kaiser’s 30 metre pull was fumbled by goalkeeper Ciara Holohan. Inspired by this, two further frees from the Newmarket senior pushed the Ennis side 1-7 to 0-8 clear by the 39th minute.

Inevitably however, the home side came charging back once more with main performers Brid Quinn and Tara Kennedy gaining parity by the turn of the final quarter to set up another grandstand finish.

And it didn’t disappoint either as Niki Kaiser earned and converted a 51st minute free to give her side the edge only for Ciara McGrath and Brid Quinn to turn the tie on it’s head again by the 59th minute.

At this stage, the scoreboard was correct but what would happen between then and St Flannan’s injurytime ’45 can only be answered by the scorekeeper as the final minutes played out to it’s cruel end.

Had that been St Flannan’s final act of the year, it would have been trully heartbreaking. However, with an All-Ireland quarter-final to come in January, St Flannan’s still have another opportunity to display their undoubted, true potential. Whether against 15 or 16.

St Mary’s Nenagh
Ciara Holohan (Burgess-Duharra), Rachel Kennedy (Silvermines), Roisin Ryan (Moneygall), Mary Walsh (Kilruane),Alanah Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg),Aisling Cremin (Burgess-Duharra), Paula Kelly (Silvermines), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess-Duharra) (0-2), Leah McKeogh (Portroe),Aileen Duggan (Nenagh Éire Óg) (0-1), Brid Quinn (Silvermines) (0-5 1f, 1’45), Ciara McGrath (Nenagh Éíre Óg) (1-1), Claire Kearns (Burgess-Duharra), Sarah Cunneen (Silvermines) (0-1),Tara Kennedy (Burgess-Duharra) (0-2)

IN A detailed Clare Senior Camogie Report compiled by selector Sinead Donovan, a dramatic year in which there was a change of management midway through the season was honestly reflected.

“Season 2010/11 was a moderately successful season despite management changes mid-season. In all 34 players were involved in the Clare panel throughout the season. With what would be considered bad results in the league and Munster Final, the team overcame these set-backs to perform well in the All Ireland Series. Clare finished fifth with two wins from seven including a first win over Tipperary at senior level. Although aiming to achieve more wins, the panel of players performed extremely well in a number of games; specifically against Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford.

“With the confidence and belief gained following these performances during the championship the future looks bright for Clare Camogie at senior level. The key to further success next season will most certainly be the migration of a very successful minor team to the senior set-up while maintaining the current experience within the squad and increasing the intensity levels in training.”

Aided by statistics of player training attendance records from April to July that averaged only 52% and only six players with an 80% training record or over, individual perform- ances were examined before outlining the challenges for the incoming senior management team of John Carmody (Kilmaley), Flan McInerney (Sixmilebridge), Trisha O’Grady (Newmarket-on-Fergus) and Peter Casey (The Burren) and Patricia McCarthy (Inagh).

“Certainly the biggest challenge will be maintaining full panel commitment for the entire season. With those players who have leaving certificate and college exams in addition to those working weekends, it becomes difficult for those players to commit fully during this time.

“The challenge will be to ensure there is sufficient numbers outside these girls to ensure healthy numbers can be maintained so the quality of training sessions does not suffer. This is important to ensure continuity and tempo at training during one of the critical stages prior to the start of the championship.

“Another challenge will be balancing the girls’ club commitments and those of other sports with the county teams’ schedule. This certainly proved a problem during last season with many players displaying signs of fatigue during the championship series.

“It would be beneficial if an agree- ment could be reached with all clubs as to their expectations of their county players with respect to training and match involvement. This is vital to ensure players are in the best condition possible for competitive matches and also to keep injuries to a minimum.

“In summary 2010/11 was a season where the Clare Senior team saw glimpses of what was possible. With a core group of dedicated and experienced players, a very talented minor team emerging and following a very successful club season in Clare Camogie, it is certain there is a group of players capable of achieving a break- through season for the Clare Senior Camogie in 2011/12”

LOOKING TO the future was the main thread emanating from the Bord na nÓg Peil annual convention on Tuesday evening in The West County Hotel. Along with launching Clare Football’s Development Pathway that saw six new Under 14 divisional sides set up as well as Under 14 and 15 Regional and County Development squads, the AGM also embraced the recommendations of the recent Juvenile Football Club Forum that has paved the way forward for Clare football.

A new look Bord na nÓg Peil executive was also unveiled. Doonbeg’s John Smith assumed the position of chairman after outgoing chairman Billy Archbold had served the maximum five year term. However, there were also changes at vice-chair where St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield candidate Sean Lyons filled the role vacated by John Smith, and at PRO where Kilkee’s Jane Larkin replaced Anne Hayes who withdrew her candidacy just before the vote was taken, amidst allegations of pre-election canvassing on her opponent’s behalf. It was a claim that was vehemently denied by both St Senan’s Kilkee delegate Dominic O’Shea as well as Larkin herself who contemplated withdrawing her nomination as well over the allegation.

“If there is an impression out there”, stressed Kilkee delegate Dominic O’Shea, “ that there was a canvass done on behalf of Kilkee for Jane’s name to be put forward for the position of PRO, I can guarantee that is mistaken because we haven’t. The only reason that Jane Larkin is going forward for this position is not because somebody else is in that position but because it is something that she has expressed an interest in doing.

“And it’s not in any way a reflection of the way that Anne Hayes has done her job in the last year or over the last number of years. Everybody knows that Anne has worked tirelessly for the GAA and we feel the same way about that in Kilkee. There is only one reason that Jane is going forward for this job and that is becuase she is enthusiastic about doing it. There was no blanket canvass done by anyone in Kilkee and I can guarantee that one hundred per cent. So in the interest of democracy, we would love Anne to put her name forward for a vote to be taken by the delegates here tonight.”

The outgoing PRO repeatedly refused the request and after an appeal by chairman John Smith, Jane Larkin eventually agreed to accept the post.

Incoming chairman Smith in his inaugural speech, called on the clubs to aid Clare football’s cause in the wake of the forward thinking forum.

“This year we are embracing the forum which Eamon Keane set up. I think the recommendations that have come out of that forum are certainly a blueprint for Bord na nÓg to carry us forward. I think a lot of good work has been done with the divisional squads, the work with the colleges has been also done by John Enright where they are competing now at the top level. You have North Clare and West Clare who are competing at a high level and that is only going to be good for football in Clare.

“Before I was living in Clare, I came from Meath where football was very strong as you all know. My father was secretary of the club for years so I grew up with it. Football is like a religion to most of us and without football I don’t know where we would be. But we are depending on the clubs to carry us forward as well. And that came out in the forum. It’s important that clubs get in behind this, get coaches in and get the training because that’s the only way we are going to continue to grow in football in Clare. So I will do my best as chairman of Bord na nÓg Peil to carry us forward and to implement the recommendations of the forum.”

“PINCH ME,” says Sean Stack. “This is not happening. This team has come from absolutely no where.”

Sean Stack has brought them there – it’s no wonder captain Kieran Bermingham has just bellowed from Semple Stadium’s Ard Comhairle that “he’s the greatest man to walk in the gates of Na Piarsaigh. He’s Sean Stack. He’s a legend”.

He was before this day, from his days as a swashbuckling centre-back with Clare and his beloved ‘Bridge. “We won’t compare it to the ‘Bridge,” he says of club he won seven county titles and a Munster with in a 20something year career. “The ‘Bridge are the ‘Bridge to me and always will be, but his is a very special day and let’s savour it,” he adds.

And why not, given the journey Stack has brought them on since that 2009 county final defeat to Adare. Stack sifts through the stops on the journey like the teacher he is working out a lesson plan.

“Take us back to when we played Croom in the first round of the championship in Limerick and now we’re Munster champions,” he says. “No one would have dared to dream that even.

“We were lucky to get over Croom, but they’re serious, serious guys and they buy into everything they’re told and asked to do and they improved and improved and improved. To beat Crusheen, a serious team, I really stand back and admire them. To win a contest like that makes it all the more special.

“The final (2009) against Adare. Sad day. Twenty four months ago and to get a huge cheer from everybody there, having scored our third point in the hour and the hour almost up and we down 17 at the time. To come from that to this. I mean, is it happening? I don’t know if it is happening. It has to sink in. It’s dreamland.”

It’s happened alright, just as Stack sensed it might when wishing out loud after the drawn game that “maybe the tide is turning in our favour”. It did, especially in the final 15 minutes when Na Piarsaigh scored 17 without reply.

“Crusheen have a 45-minute spell in a match and then they start running out of petrol a bit,” he says. “That came to the fore the last day when they were tested by us. In last quarter of an hour the last day we were unlucky to draw the match – they realised that and we were very much adamant to grind it out as much as we could until that 45-minute spell was over.

“When they took off Davie Forde it was a bad sign for them and a huge lift to the opposition to see their main source of energy going off the pitch. That was a turning point.

“We had more on the bench and we knew that, but you have to be in the contest to bring them off the bench. Adrian Breen is seasoned and he was very disappointed not to be on the team today and he played brilliantly when he came in,” he adds.

As did those around him as Na Piarsaigh completed a remarkable year that has brought them county titles at under 14, Féile na nGael, under 16, minor, senior league and championship and now the Munster club.

“It’s a city club and how many city clubs are left in Ireland that are GAA strongholds, says Stack with pride. “Galway has been emptied for years, Cork is emptying out, thanks be to God we have Kilkenny and we’re hoping that we’ll start a new trend in the city.

“All we can do is work in our part of it and we’re working seriously hard there. There are great men in the club, men from rural origins, urban origins and they’re all dug in with kids from the age of six upwards.

“We’ll get our heads around the All-Ireland semi-final. We’re going to have a right rattle at this for the week, we’ll see after Christmas where it takes us.”