Category: Sport

CLARE GAA has to get its financial affairs in order – that was the stark admission delivered by board treasurer Bernard Keane to club delegates last Tuesday when he “put on record” that were the county financially “is not good enough”.

The treasurer made his comments when revealing that county board income strands have been hit right across the board, a fact, he says, that threatens to become worse in 2012 “if we keep going the way we’re going”.

It was revealed that expenditure on county teams was reduced by € 145,000 in 2001, but those savings were swallowed up by plummeting income returns in areas such as county final attendances and intercounty fixtures.

“In all the seven schedules of income this year, we’re down on every one of them. Equally our gates were very, very disappointing, both our local gates, county games and indeed our county finals,” revealed Keane.

“So all in all, the report that comes back won’t make for very pleasant reading. On top of that we had a meeting with our own auditors, reviewing the past year and more importantly trying to project for 2012.

“Taking into account our present position and teams going forward and with Caherlohan (new Clare training headquarters) coming on we are going to be in an awful lot worse position next year if we keep going the way we’re going.

“Hence the problem, we need to generate more finance, other than the regular forms of finance that we’re doing. We are going to have to get our heads around that, as a board and as a unit and as an association in county Clare, because what we’re doing at the moment, unfortunately, is not going to be enough.

“Where we are at the moment is not good enough. I want to put that on the record here tonight,” Keane added.

Continuing, the county board treas- urer said that the onus was on everyone involved in the GAA in Clare to improve this financial situation.

“I think at this stage it’s about generating greater revenue as a unit,” he said. “Individually Pat Fitzgerald, Michael O’Neill or anyone won’t be able to generate the type of money that we need. As unit, both within the clubs and within the county board we will have to come up with new ways to generate money.

“The county board fundraising draw is one of the only means we have of generating money – that didn’t really materialise, even though I would thank the Newmarkets and the Cratloes and other clubs that really put their shoulder to the wheel, but there were an awful lot of other clubs didn’t. If they had it would have been a great help to us at this moment in time. That didn’t happen,” he added.

RAISING the standard of Clare football lies with the implementation of a new Bord na nÓg blueprint for the game and clubs embracing coaching initiatives being pioneered by the Clare County Board – not with the employment of extra full-time coaches.

That was the message sounded out by board officials to clubs around the county as the debate over the state of Clare football that has raged over the course of the last three county board meetings was aired once more at the West County Hotel last Tuesday.

“There is some myth that the Clare County Baord is suddenly going to find a lot of money and hire ten coaches,” said board secretary Pat Fitzgerald in pouring cold water on a proposal that more football coaches will be hired.

He was responding to Doonbeg delegate, Michael Neenan, who said that there were “only one and a half coaches for football”.

“It is important to deal with this one and a half coaches,” said Fitzgerald. “Galway was mentioned the other night. Who is paying for these coaches (in Galway). It’s the clubs. If clubs (of Clare) want to do that – they can do that,” he added.

“Forget your one and a half coaches,” said board chairman, Michael O’Neill. “Forget about it. You have coaches in every club in this county capable of coaching. Get them involved. Move on Michael (Neenan). Move on. There are coaches in place,” he added.

Last month it was revealed that the only full-time coaches employed by the Clare County Board who were involved in football coaching were John Enright and Ronan Keane, who divides his time between hurling and football in the Ennis area.

Continuing, Mr Fitzgerald said “the money isn’t there” to employ extra coaches. “The only way we will move from where we are is in a critical mass situation. What I mean by that is that clubs will go into schools and appoint a liaison officer who will to talk with schools and put coaches in there.

“In the development squads alone this year Clare county Board spent € 34,000. We have € 330,000 put into underage games this year. Bernard (Keane) will give you the financial situation and I can tell you, it’s backwards and downwards we are going.

“As far as I am concerned clubs will have to come on board. If clubs want coaches I’m sure Eamon (Fennessy) and Sean (Chaplin) will organise the coaching courses.

It is going to have come that way. If you were to get ten coaches at € 35,000 ahead, that’s € 350,000,” he added.

“The clubs have to take on more coaching courses,” said coaching officer, Eamonn Fennessy. “There is outstanding work being done by Sean Chaplin. Time and money is being spent on football at underage,” he added.

“There is a massive amount being done in coaching and games. It comes from everyone in this room, it comes from every club as to what they are doing in their clubs,” said Michael O’Neill.

“I know times are tough and there are a lot of constraints on people – but we just have to get more and more people involved in our clubs and for some of those people to get into the schools and coach, because the coaching is not being done in the schools now. It might have been done five, ten and 15 years ago, but it’s not being done because there are far more constraints on teachers now,” he added.

Clonlara 2-11 – Clondegad 2-07 at Gurteen

IN the end it came down to many things – the infusion of youth, tactical switches and a final flourish that carried Clonlara to an historic first ever adult football championship title.

In the process they took a wrecking ball to Clondegad’s dream of an intermediate/junior double. This dream was very much alive for Clondegad at the three-quarter stage – in fact, they were living it as a contribution of 1-6 from full-forward Colm Quinlivan had steered them into a three-point lead.

They had the advantage of the breeze and having hit back from the concession of a freak goal two minutes into the second half had reeled off four points in a row to take command of proceedings.

But this was a game of many twists, in what had to be the most entertaining Junior B decider in many years, complete with 22 scores before Clonlara celebrated another blow for east Clare football at the death after hitting 1-4 without reply in the closing ten minutes.

They had made the better start, hitting four points from play inside the first ten minutes via Nicky O’Connell, Cormac O’Donovan, Brian ‘Gooch’ Woods and Barry O’Connell to help them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.

Clondegad had stayed in touch with two Colm Quinlivan frees, but there was much more to come as the burly full-forward went about winning this county final on his own. He tacked on his third pointed free in the 14th minute, before driving a penalty to the net a minute later after Liam Deasy had been fouled.

Then after Barry O’Connell and Ger O’Connell had hit back with points by the 21st minute Quinlivan turned provider for Clondegad’s second goal, this time floating a free to the edge of the square that was gathered by Liam Deasy and slammed to the net to give his side a 2-3 to 0-6 interval lead.

All of Clonlara’s points had come from play and it was this ability that ultimately carried them past the challenge of a Clondegad side that could only manage 1-1 from play over the hour.

A lucky break in the 32nd got Clonlara back into proceedings when Ronan Carey’s speculative effort bounced on the edge of the square, then hit the crossbar before cannoning to the net off the back of luckless Clondegad keeper Kenneth Breen.

When Nicky O’Connell flashed over a point a minute later it looked as if Clonlara would take over – this eventually happened but only after some radical surgery to the team in response to a flurry of points via three Quinlivan frees and an effort from play by Liam Deasy had put Clondegad 2-7 to 0-7 clear.

Minors Cathal O’Connor and Colm Galvin were thrown in; John Conlon moved out from full-back and midfielder Ger O’Connell started running from deep at a retreating Clondegad defence.

The effects were stunning. Cathal O’Connell grabbed points in the 50th and 51st minutes to leave only a point in it. Then in the 57th minute a sweeping move was finished to the net by Colm Galvin after he took a final pass from Barry O’Connell to put Clonlara 2-9 to 2-7 clear.

Clondegad were out on their feet, with the insurance points coming from the O’Connells, Nicky and Ger, in injury time as Clonlara closed in on history and moved up to the Junior A ranks.

Clare League 1 – Roscommon League 0 at The County Grounds, Doora

LAST year Clare reached the semifinal of this competition and were unlucky losers against Kilkenny in that penultimate round tie – this year it’s a case of starting from scratch with no survivors from that side.

However, it was certainly a case of a good start being half the work as the county side – managed by Alfonso D’Auria who is assisted by Dave Kerin and Keith Flynn – got their 2011/2012 Inter-League Youths campaign off to a winning start on Sunday.

The winning goal came 15 minutes into the second half when Dara Kerin’s corner was headed home by Niall Pender for the only goal of the game.

Clare were full value for the win that was built on a solid team performance, with the familiarity between the Avenue players in the starting 11 – they made up eight of the team – being key to the impressive display.

Indeed, they could have won by more than the lone goal. Donal O’Halloran was unlucky in the first half when his drive from 30 yeards seemed to be destined for the net only to hit the post.

The winning start now sets up Clare to challenge strongly to come out of the group and reach the knockout stages. Next up will be the Galway League at an away venue in three weeks time.

Clare League
Nathan Murray (Avenue United), Dean D’Auria (Avenue United), Paddy O’Malley (Avenue United), Kaylan O’Loughlin (Avenue United), Mark Hehir (Bridge United), Donal O’Halloran (Avenue United), Conor O’Brien (Avenue United), Sean Corry (Avenue United), Dara Kerin (Avenue United), Niall Pender (St Pat’s Kilmihil), Emmanuel Abadeyi (Ennis Town Rock)

Subs
Simon McDonagh (Manus Celtic), Raymond Esedebe (EnnisTown Rock), NickyTomasi (Ennis Town Rock).

THE ANNUAL GAA Handball AllStar Awards function will take place in the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday November 19th. The AllStars (in 15 seperate categories) are selected on a provincial basis, with with all four provincial winners in each category nominated for the national awards, which will be announced on the night.

Three Clare handballers were selected as Munster All-Stars as recognition of their success in 2011 Diarmaid Nash (Player of the Year), Pat Donnellan (Masters Player of the Year) and Tommy Hegarty (Official of the Year).

Tuamgraney clubman Nash had a stellar year in 2011, winning the Munster Senior Singles, All-Ireland Intermediate Singles and Doubles and the All-Ireland 3rd level colleges Open Singles titles as well as finishing runner-up in the Irish Nationals.

Scariff native Nash, who is also an inter-county hurler of note having represented Clare on underage teams right up to Minor and Under 21, faces stiff competition if he is to take the national award, the other nominees being Paul Brady (Cavan & Ulster), Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath and Leinster) and Dessie Keegan (Mayo and Connacht).

Pat Donnellan won Munster and All-Ireland titles in both Singles and Doubles this year, winning both Golden Masters B titles in the big alley. His selection as Munster Masters Player of the Year also made mention of his continued dedication to hand- ball at adult and juvenile level, particularly in his club, Kilkishen.

Clarecastle man Tommy Hegarty is a former County Board Secretary and is the current Treasurer and Leagues Secretary. Tommy receives the Munster Official of the Year award as a “key administration figure in his own club and county, where he is well known for his tremendous efficiency, and has done so for many years. Coordinated and ran one the most successful Feile competitions ever in 2010. In addition to club and county level, he is a delegate to the Munster handball council. This award is justification for all the time, hardwork and dedication he puts in as a very committed official of handball”.

The AGM of Clare County Handball Board was held recently and there were changes at the ‘top table’ as Willie Roche stepped aside as treasurer and will be replaced by Tommy Hegarty. Roche continues in his role as Chairman of the Munster Handball Council while Newmarket’s Michael Hogan was elected to the position of Secretary, replacing Padraic Garvey.

Matthew McMahon continues as County Chairman and Shane Walsh as PRO and the other new face on the Board’s executive is Kilrush’s Jason Ryan (Assisstant Secretary). The County Adult Handball Leagues will resume for the 2011-12 season in the coming weeks, clubs are reminded to forward final entry lists to Tommy Hegarty immediately.

WHERE the FAI Junior Cup is concerned, Avenue United are the bluebloods – thank God for that, Clare Soccer League officials must have been thinking on Sunday as they reflected on a bleak day for the county in the biggest knockout tournament in Europe.

All because, The Avenue apart, all the remaining Clare clubs who saw action on the day bowed out at the third round stage in the Clare/Kerry/ Desmond area section of blue riband of the junior game.

Worse still, three of the defeats came at home, with Manus Celtic, Ennis Town Rock and Newmarket Celtic failing to use the advantage of home comforts as all three went down to Limerick opposition.

Manus fare worst of all, going down 6-1 to Broadford, Ennis Town Rock came off second best by 3-1 to Newcastlewest, while Newmarket Celtic were pipped 3-2 by Ballingarry in a five goal thriller.

Bunratty/Cratloe made the long journey to the west Kerry Gaeltacht to take on Dingle Bay Rovers. The sides were level 2-2 after extra time, but the home side advanced when winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

That left Avenue to carry the Clare flag as they made the journey to Tral- ee a profitable one as they beat Classic FC 3-1. Classic had beaten Killarney Celtic in the previous round, but Avenue were full value for the win.

The opened the scoring through after 25 minutes when David Smythe’s corner was fumbled to the net by the Classic keeper. The Tralee side got back on terms from a penalty on 35 minutes but second half goals from Mikey Mahony and Sean Corry sealed Avenue’s win on the road.

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Con Collins, David Russell, Mattie Nugent, David Herlihy, Barry Nugent, Gary Flynn, David Smythe, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahony. Subs Sean Corry for Mahoney, Shane Browne for Barry Nugent, Paddy O’Malley for Flynn.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 5-06 – Sixmilebridge 3-03 at Éire Óg Grounds, Ennis

THE Blues had nine points to spare in this Cla re People sponsored decider on Sunday afternoon, thereby denying their neighbours Sixmilebridge an historic minor hurling/minor camogie winning weekend.

It may have taken Newmarket 14 minutes to get off the mark, but when it came it was a goal that put them on their way to the title, giving them a lead they never looked like surrendering.

The ‘Bridge had been camped in the Newmarket half for much of the early exchanges, but all they had to show for it was a pointed free, before they were hit for the goal that teed up the Blues

Eimear Murray blocked the first shot from Kate O’Neill and the loose ball was sent to the back of the ‘Bridge net by Caroline Feehily. Niki Kaiser then converted a free and when Laura McMahon goaled to put the Blues 2-1 to 0-1 clear, the writing looked to be on the wall for the ‘Bridge.

Maire McGrath pulled back a point for the ‘Bridge in the 18

Clarecastle 3-09 – Meelick 1-05 at Fr Murphy Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus

SECOND HALF goals from Niamh Daly and Elaine Lyons proved crucial as Clarecastle who just reformed their Ladies Football Club earlier this year claimed the Junior B Shield Championship title when they overcame Meelickt on Sunday.

The winners who led by two points at half time registered their opening score in the fifth minute when impressive midfielder Zelma Power saw her 35m free take a deflection to the net from a Meelick defender. At the end of the first quarter Clarecastle had pushed 1-4 to no score ahead thanks to points from Power, Sharon Quinn (2) and Niamh Daly but then Meelick came storming in to the match.

Full forward Suzie Harnett scored a fine goal in the eighteenth and further points followed from Claire Dolan and Katie Moore (2). During this time Clarecastle just registered a single point thanks to their top scorer Elaine Lyons. However, despite Meelicks comeback it was the magpies who led 1-5 to 1-3 when Alan Hehir blew the half time whistle.

It was all Clarecastle in the second half. They had added a further 2-2 similar to the opening half before South East Clare side twice troubled the umpire for a white flag. Niamh Daly 1-1, Elaine Lyons 1-1, Charlene Reynolds 0-1 and Sharon Quinn were the winners second half scorers.

Clarecastle were well served on the day by Sinead Reidy, Jane Scanlon, Ruth O’Gorman, Elaine Lyons, Sharon Quinn and Niamh Daly while Zelma Power was their stand out player. Brid Walsh had a fine game between the posts for Meelick while Emma Scanlon, Claire Dolan, Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore, Dionne O’Sullivan and Christine Gibbons all played their part.

After the game Clarecastle captain, Claire O’Loughlin was presented with Shield by Co. Board Chairman, Johnny Hayes.

Clarecastle
Sinead Reidy, Claire O’Loughlin (capt.), Grainne Lynch, Liz. Murphy, Maria Lyons, Jane Scanlon, Niamh Keogh, Zelma Power 1-1, Marie Lynch, Rochelle Broderick, Charlene Reynods 0-1, Ruth O’Gorman 0-1, Elaine Lyons 1-2, Sharon Quinn 0-3, Niamh Daly 1-1.

Subs
Catherine Curran for N. Keogh, Sinead Frawley for L. Murphy,Alison Shortt for T. O’Gorman, Catriona Reynolds for N. Daly,Aisling Frawley for R. Broderick. Management: Eoin Brennan, Dave Mullen, MaryTorpey, Declan Clohessy.

Meelick
BridWalsh, Mairead Gavin, Sarah Daly, Mairead Broggy, Sharon Neville (joint captain), Emma Scanlon, Christine Howard, Claire Dolan 0-1, Zara Hehir, Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore (joint captain) 0-2, Dionne O’Sullivan 0-1, Christine Gibbons 0-1, Susie Harnett 1-0, Stacey Hehir.

Sub
Jean O’Reilly for M. Gavin. Management: Robin O’Connell, Brendan Healy.

Referee
Alan Hehir (WolfeTones)

IT WAS A football filled weekend for Clare’s Ladies U11, U13 and U15 development squads, who were all in action last Saturday. The U11s under the care of coordinator Gordon Drummy (Kilrush) with Pat Keane (Miltowm), Tara Kelly (Shannon Gaels) and Linda Russel fielded three teams in the PJ O’Halloran competition which was also attended by teams from Galway, Kerry and Tipperary, two hundred and ten girls overall. Tipperary won the plate, Galway took the Shield and Clare defeated Kerry in a super game of football to take the Cup. The PJ O’Halloran is one of the key events in the development calendar and always well attended by Intercounty development teams and was conducted at the Kilrush Shamrocks and Moneypoint pitches in Kilrush. Clare Development Officer Michael Murphy must be commended for organising the event again this year, and parents did a fantastic job of providing food for all the visitors in the clubhouse, not a small task. U11 Panel: Banner Ladies:Albina Aliu, Erona Aliu, Grace Copley, Ciara Corbett, Eabha Keane, Leah Morgan, Laoise Ryan, OlivaTouhy. Clooney-Quin: Rachel Beg, Mary Connelly, Michelle Meere. Coolmeen : Emma McMahon. Cooraclare: Caoimhe Corry, Megan Downes, Megan Garry, Alana Hehir, Sarah Looney, Kayla Morrissey, Sarah Morrissey. Doonbeg: Ciara Breen, Niamh Keane, Roisin Kelly, Orla O’Mahoney. Doorabarefield: Emer Hanranhan,Amy Lenihan, Laura McDonal, Aine Moloney, Niamh O’Keefe,Abby O’Connell, Aisling Reidy, Leah Ryan, Chloe , J Towey. Fergus Rovers:Alana Hanranhan, Lauren Hill,Aine Slattery, Eimear Stephens. Kilmihil: Catriona Callinan, Ciara Lernihan. Kilrush: Lucy Bermingham, Mykayla Kelleher, Lizanne O’Brien,Abigael Drummy,Aoife Drummy. Liscannor: Lisa Conneely, Karen Hillery, Aoife Nagle. Miltown: Megan Brennan, Caoimhe Carmody,Aoife Hehir,Aimee Keane, Emer Keane. Newmarket-On_Fergus:Alice Sheedy, Mary Enright,Tara O’Neill. Shannon Gaels: Mairead Grogan,Tara Kelly,WillowSwire, BiancaTully. West Clare Gaels:Aoife Lynch, Fidelma Marrinan, Michelle Marrinan, Sarah Marrinan.WolfeTones: Jenifer Ryan, Meave McInerney. The U12 Development Squad will travel to Thurles this Saturday 12th Nov. to play in the Tipperary hosted development blitz and will display their skills against Cork, Tipp, Waterford and Limerick teams. The U12s had a great run in the recent Michael Cullinan competition winning over Galway, Tipperary and drawing with Kerry before the event was washed out and prematurely ended. The Clare U13 development squad also had a fruitful day out in a Mun

ster development programme fix- ture with the Kingdom. The event was conducted at the Killimer GAA pitches who kindly facilitated the fixture at short notice. Two Clare teams got a great run against four Kerry teams and brought in wins in four out of seven mini-matches. The U13s squad will compete next in the Munster U13 development blitz in Rathkeale on Nov 19th which is the culmination of the twelve week programme. Ladies football clubs from all over Clare will then be invited to send girls born in 1998 to attend the Clare U14 trials which will be conducted during the three week Marian Keane Tournament, starting on Nov. 26th. The U15 development programme conclusion was reached when they went to Fermoy last Saturday with two teams and won six games out of six, a great achievement. The event was attended by teams from Clare, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. Coordinator Joe Downes (Cooraclare) with Edel Carmody (Fergus Rovers), Sharon Malone (Eire Og), Annmarie Callinan and Roisin Garry (Kilmihil) will be looking forward to conducting the U16 trials after a brief break. Details to be announced.

AFTER SUCH a historic day and match for Pat O’Rourke and his fellow Meelick clubmen one could have expected to find a very stressed and distraught losing manager. However this was not the case and instead this experienced mentor was brimming with pride both for his club and the panel of players who had just served him so well for sixty minutes against a superior Kerry outfit Dromid Pearses.

“I thought our performance out there today was absolutely excellent. We kept our heads throughout the game. We never dropped them. We played a good style of football and fought hard in every position on the field.

“Bearing in mind that Dromid Pearses are everybody’s’ favourites to go on and win this All-Ireland title I felt we did very well. It was always going to be a very difficult challenge but overall I thought we tried our best and put it up to them.”

The final margin of nine points was probably a bit unfair on Meelick who battled on for the duration of the contest and he first half in particular pleased O’Rourke but the concession of such a vital score was always going to make it an uphill struggle after the restart.

“The first half was great apart from the very soft goal we let in. It was very disappointing as we had fought our way back into contention before that but what can you do.

“Overall I don’t think it would have altered the final result. They are a super team and at the end of the day it would have been awful hard to beat them the way they especially played in the second half.”

A glimpse of hurt was evident in his voice but again this pain was swiftly moved away from and transformed into a positive.

“Clare was the main aim for us this year and we won that championship. We have to be delighted with that. Of course then a game in Munster was a huge bonus for the whole club. The lads really enjoyed it and were looking forward to it.

“The year though still isn’t over for us. We now have to prepare for a league final next weekend. This was definitely a very good work out for us today. Even for next year games like this give you great experience and preparation.

“We will be facing far better opposition in the 2012 championship and if all things go well next weekend we might be up in division three in the league as well.

“Last year when we got promoted a division we were afraid we wouldn’t win a game but now we have managed to reach another final. It’s been a great year.”