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LAST week the county A doubles juvenile champonships took place at various venues in the county and culminated with the finals on Satur- day and Sunday in Clarecastle and Clooney.

On Saturday in Clarecastle, it was extra busy as the under 11 league commenced. Three teams took part in a round robin fixture namely Clarecastle A & B and Tuamgraney. All the youngsters who participated on the day showed great potential for the game which is an advantage and encouraging for Clare handball. Clarecastle A bt Clarecastle B by 72- 59 and then they beat Tuamgraney OAL

At the same venue two county dou- bles finals were contested, namely the under 12 A and under 14 A. First up was the under 12 competition in which Fergal and Natasha Coughlan of Clooney took on Padraig McNa- mara and Sean Cotter of O’Callaghan Mills. This contest went down to the wire before the O’Callaghan’s Mills pair won the decisive third game by 15-12.

The under 14 A final was more clearcut with Barry Nash and Patrick Fitzgerald of Tuamgraney beating Colin Crehan and Pat McMahon of O’Callaghan’s Mills on a 15-13, 15-8 scoreline.

The under 13 final was an all

O’Callaghan’s Mills affair, with Sean Donnellan and Ciaran Cooney scor- ing a 15-13 and 15-6 win over Jacob Loughnane and Pat O’Brien.

Second up on the card was the un- der 15 A Doubles final which was contested between Evan Corbett and Niall Bolton of Tulla and Keith Hog- an and Orlaith Duggan of Clooney. It went the Tulla pair’s way on a 21-16, 21-10 scoreline.

The final contest of the day saw the big guns of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Chris Ryan and Liam Clancy take on home favourites Ryan O’Neill and Joe Clune.

The Clooney pair held the early advantage until the scales tipped in Newmarket’s favour when Chris Ryan stepped up a gear to clinch the first game on a 21-17 scoreline.

They then added the second on a 21-15 scoreline to clinch the title. The under 16 doubles final was post- poned due to illness of one of the fey anh olein Key Ece

On the adult scene, Shane and Ciaran Walsh of Tuamgraney pro- gressed in the Junior B provincial championships with a well deserved win over Tipperary.

Clare’s John Nihill of Clooney re- ceived a walkover aganist his oppo- nent and proceeds to the next round in the Masters B singles champion- ships when he takes on John Mc- Donagh from Cork in his semi-final Coe

FIGURES released yesterday show that the numbers travelling on the Aer Lingus Belfast-Heathrow route last year fell 22 per cent short of the numbers that travelled on the Heath- row route from Shannon in 2007.

Provisional statistics released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that 257,953 passengers travelled on the Heathrow-Belfast route from January 18 to the end of December.

This compares to the 331,882 pas- sengers on the Shannon-Heathrow route in 2007, which was a 10,594 increase on the 2006 figures.

Last month, Aer Lingus announced the restoration of the Shannon-Hea- throw route from mid-March with a AWA CoROL BIANCO Mis (CSe

Responding to the figures, local county councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said she was not surprised by the figures but the damage Aer Lin- gus did to the region in withdrawing the route was unquantifiable.

“Aer Lingus put a lot of effort into

marketing the Belfast-Heathrow route and the airline was selling tick- ets for £5 which never happened on the Shannon-Heathrow route,’ she SP HLG

The figures indicate that Cork airport was the greatest benefici- ary from the Aer Lingus decision to withdraw the Shannon-Heathrow service with 517,110 travelling on the

Cork-Heathrow route last year com- pared to 470,643 in 2007.

The Belfast-Heathrow _ statistics show that the numbers have been steadily declining since the summer when seasonal factors and the eco- nomic downturn are taken into ac- ore) uh elm

24,817 passengers used the service in September; 24,528 in October; 20,347 in November and 18,967 in December.

Speaking after the restoration of the Shannon-Heathrow service last month, Aer Lingus worker, Brian Slattery said that the company deci- sion to transfer the slots to Belfast “was misguided. It was a bad com- mercial decision. Common _ sense had to prevail and we now need the public support to make these routes AIO Oe ie

He said the restoration of the route was “never mentioned by Aer Lingus management” in the negotiations to achieve cost cutting at Shannon.

2008 will go down in the annals of the club as the year of the breakthrough at senior level — the culmination of a long road travelled since the club had its maiden voyage in 1994.

Under manager Joe Reidy, trainer Gerry Keane and selection commit- tee JJ O’Dea, Patricia Ryan, Dr. Paul McKenna and Pat Crotty the senior team laid down a marker very early on that they meant business.

Undefeated in the senior league the team progressed to a final victory over West Clare Gaels and team cap- tain Michelle Delaney became the first Banner Ladies player to lift a Clare senior trophy.

More was to come however with the club remaining undefeated through- out the Eleven-A-Side Championship which culminated with a Banner La- dies victory over Fergus Rovers on a 4-5 to 2-2 score line.

The Banner Ladies then entered the All Ireland Intermediate Sevens Championship and despite not hav- ing the services of their Clare county panellists the team went all the way to the All Ireland Shield final and were decidedly unlucky to lose to

Cork divisional side Beara on a 4-4 to 4-6 score line.

But best was served last with the crowning glory of the senior county final win over West Clare Gaels. In the group stages victories were

Secured over Miltown, West Clare Gaels and Cooraclare to earn a sem1- final spot. Crusheen were the semi- final opponents and the Banner la- dies emerged victorious on a 4-15 to 3-4 score line.

The club had reached only its sec- ond senior final ever and this time there was to be no regrets as the Banner Ladies overcame final op- ponents West Clare Gaels by 2-10 to Q-8. It was a magnificent sight to see

Michelle Delaney raise the county championship trophy in the spiritual home of Clare ladies football in Co- Oe A elu

TWO Miltown Malbay couples have called for a doctor’s surgery to be closed down as soon as possible.

James and Pauline McMahon and Brendan and Doreen Hughes of Ballard Road made the call as part of their appeal against a decision to grant a two-year planning permis- sion to Dr Maura O’Meara.

Dr O’Meara secured planning re- tention for the surgery from Clare County Council in the face of local Opposition.

In their appeal, the objectors state that the decision to grant a permis- sion “seems to have been made, not on good planning practice but on the grounds that a medical centre was in Operation and was necessary.

“We are of the opinion that if this medical centre is allowed to operate for a further two years, then it will be almost impossible to close down. A commercial enterprise of this nature is not suitable for a wholly residen- tial area. We strongly object to this development even on a temporary basis.”

They also claim that the develop- ment has already interfered with

their quality of life and ask that it be closed as soon as possible.

“This objection is not of a personal nature. We have no desire to harm the practice of either doctor nor to interfere with the medical care of the patients. We feel that the medi- cal centre is located in the wrong place and will devalue properties to the point where they will become un- saleable. The estate is not designed nor laid out to cater for the volume of traffic that would be generated by such an operation.”

The planner’s report noted a sub- mission from Maura O’Meara stat- ing “that this was the only building suitable to her needs as a doctor’s surgery, which was bought after much searching in the area”.

The planner stated, “While I do have some concerns in relation to the location of the surgery this far from the village, I note that such facilities are needed to serve both the village and the rural hinterland.”

The council granted planning per- mission on the basis that the proposed development would not seriously in- jure the amenities of the area.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

The Banner raised once more in 2008

A CLAREMAN who is to be hon- oured as part of the Muintir an Chlair celebrations of 50 years in business has said he was “stunned’ to be nominated.

Martin Corry a native of Cree, now living in Lucan in Dublin has been working with the association for all of those 50 years, as well as be- ing involved in promoting the Irish language, scouting groups, active re- tirement groups, the pastoral council and fund-raising for good causes.

Now retired, Martin has been stud- ying for a degree in Celtic and Irish studies and enjoys walking, having trekked in Peru two years ago and having walked the 144 miles of the Mid Clare Way to raise cash for a fel- low Clare citizen, Sr Ethel Normoyle, who runs the Missionvale Centre in South Africa.

‘IT was stunned and honoured to be nominated, considering the calibre of people who have been given the award before me. I’ve been involved in a lot of things but as a member of a team,’ said Martin.

The presentation will take place on January 28 at Muintir an Chlair’s an- nual dinner in the Red Cow.

Also being honoured on the night 1s musician, Frank Custy, who will be given a Hall of Fame award.

Attending the 50th birthday cel- ebrations will be more than 200 members of the association as well as patron, Bishop Willie Walshe and

the Deputy Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Se one

An invitation has also been sent to all surviving former Clare Person of the Year award winners.

During the year, the association has been involved in a number of ac- tivities including the raising €4,000 for the palliative care section at En- nistymon Hospital and €1,400 for Sr Normoyle – also a former recipient of the Clare Person of the Year award

– through a table quiz.

The association meets on the sec- ond Thursday of every month in the Garda Club in Harrington Street and new members are always welcome.

FEARS have been expressed that the Clare County Board’s desire to em- brace technology through having an up-to-date website could lead to the board being held to ransom by un- scrupulous web designers.

That was the claim made by county board secretary Pat Fitzgerald af- ter Wolfe Tones delegate Joe Kelly requested that for the coming sea- son up-to-date league tables posted weekly on claregaa.ie.

However, in response Fitzgerald pointed out that this could prove too costly in the short-term, while he also claimed that handing over the responsibility for updating the web- site to an outside authority could ex- pose the board to longterm financial loss.

“My concern is that if you hand something like that to a company

that in two years time it could cost this board about €10,000,” said Fit- zgerald.

“Tt would be irresponsible for me to

put a board or a group in the future in the hands of somebody that can hold you to ransom. Our view, it 1s a bit over the top to give that money

to build the software, but it does give you independence, it does give the Clare County Board jurisdiction over their future going forward.

“We could hand over control of it to an outside body who in my opin- ion, when they get it all up and run- ning, could charge telephone figures. It would be irresponsible for us as a board to allow that to happen,” he added.

The new Clare GAA website only went online early last year, but since then has had many teething prob- lems. The site fails to provide contact details and information relating to club secretaries, something that was included in the original claregaa.ie site that was taken down off the web last year.

THE Cliffs of Moher have been picked to represent Ireland in a bid to find the new seven wonders of nature – beating the Burren to the precious nomination.

The north Clare tourist attraction is among the 261 global beauty spots which were chosen following an online public vote run by a private Swiss organisation.

The cliffs will compete for a place in the top seven with well-known at- tractions such as the Grand Canyon, Ayers Rock and the Amazon rain forest.

“It is not surprising given the glo- bal recognition factor of the cliffs. They have been used by other Irish brands for promotion and as an icon- ic view of Ireland,” said a spokesper- son from the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

The 214-metre-high sea cliffs were the most visited natural attraction in Ireland in 2007 with almost one mil- lion visitors.

The Cliffs of Moher have already passed the first knockout round of competition, surviving when nomi- nated sites were narrowed down from 400 to 261. The Burren, which made it into the last 400, was cut during this process.

Considerable controversy has sur- rounded the voting method as the

organisers allowed entrants to pur- chase additional votes through a text-messaging service.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), which awards World Her- itage status to historical sites world- wide, has reportedly pulled out of supporting the awards because of the controversy.

An Irish advertising campaign to promote voting for the cliffs was be- ing planned following the announce- ment. The list will be narrowed down to 77 by public vote over the next seven months. Votes can be cast at Www.new/wonders.com.

Meanwhile, Clare County Council yesterday backed a proposal to have the Burren included as a World Her- itage Site. Currently, there are only two Irish heritage sites on the pres- tigious Unesco World Heritage List

A report by acting senior planner at Clare County Council, John Bradley, went before the council at yester- days meeting describing the Burren as having the requisite designations and potential to meet the stringent requirements of Unesco World Her- itage status.

Ireland’s current UNISCO sites and Bru na Boinne in Meath and Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast.

AN BORD Pleanala has cast doubt over plans to provide a crematorium for Shannon by stating that it could be a public health concern and exac- erbate the risk of flooding.

Last year, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael county councillors combined to contravene the South Clare Plan and grant planning permission to the project by 26 votes to 1. The two directors of the company behind the plan are former councillors, Sean Hillery (FF) and Tony McMahon Csi6)}

Independent Shannon-based coun- cillor, Gerry Flynn was the only dis- senting voice in the debate and resi- dents of Gleann an Oir appealed the

decision to An Bord Pleanala on the basis that it would “disturb the natu- ral environment and was not in keep- ing with the character of the area”.

They also claimed that there were no proposals to “deal with or mini- mise the impact of additional traffic in the vicinity of the proposed devel- ey eyeeto nian

Along with the residents appeal- ing the decision, Cllr Flynn also ap- pealed the ruling while Donnacha Minogue from Nenagh and Rod McAuliffe from Clarinbridge, Co Galway also lodged appeals.

Now, in a letter throwing question marks over the project, An Bord Pleanala wrote to the parties con- cerned to state that it is not satisfied that the proposed development might

not be a risk to public health through flooding, or exacerabte the risk of flooding on these lands.

The appeals board raised its con- cerns having regard to the proposed percolation area, the low-lying na- ture of the appeal site and the pattern of drainage in the area as well as its proximity to the Shannon estuary and associated flood embankments.

Responding to the letter, the coun- cil stated it carried out an assessment of the area and found that there was “sufficient land available to accom- modate an adequately sized percola- tion area or polishing filter”.

“The council’s decision in recom- mending a grant of permission was considered to satisfactorily address the shortfalls of the application.”

THE recent devastating job cuts an- nounced by Dell in Limerick will be brought into sharp focus in a com- prehensive economic strategy docu- ment currently being prepared in the mid-west region.

The Mid-West Regional Author- ity (MWRA), in conjunction with Shannon Development, Forfas, other regional agencies, the wider business community and Local Government, is preparing the Regional Economic Strategy for the Mid West.

According to Mr. Liam Conneally, Director of the MWRA, “The strat- egy document will provide a policy platform for the region’s economic development over the next decade and how it can position itself higher up the economic value chain. It is designed to inform and guide other agencies in jobs creation initiatives in the Limerick/Shannon gateway and wider mid-west region.”

Meanwhile, Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Develop- ment, said that “immediately, and over the medium term, we will be doing everything we can to enable Limerick and the regional economy recover from this severe blow”.

“These job losses will have a se- vere impact on the economy of this region. Shannon Development, as the regional development agency, will work with Dell and with the IDA and other relevant agencies and bodies, to assist in every way we can

in developing alternative options.” he Se nLGe

Meanwhile, Industrial Develop- ment Agency Chief Executive Barry O’Leary has downplayed Defence Minister Willie O’Dea’s claims that there could be 750 new Dell jobs in the company’s Limerick plant, say- ing it was “wrong to speculate about numbers. Minister O’Dea had said

the IDA was talking to Dell, and came up with a plan for a bid to cre- ate 750 jobs at the plant. We’re in dis- cussions with Dell about the Raheen facility.” he said.

And IBEC in the mid-west has called for the launch of a “business viability fund” to support enterprises exposed to the sterling currency cri- sis and worsening credit conditions.

“As the country’s largest exporter and the region’s largest employer, the decision to scale back operations comes as a hammer blow ,’ said IBEC Regional President Dr Maria

Hinfelaar.