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KILMALEY established themselves as the kingpins of Clare camogie after another successful year on the playing field. For the second year in succession, they captured the senior championship and there was also much promise for the future as their minor team also secured a champi- onship for the second time in three years.

However, unlike 2008, they didn’t have it all their own way this year. Newmarket managed to break Kil- maley’s stranglehold of domestic titles with a win over the defending champions at the second attempt. Two high intensity matches could have gone either way but after losing out in both the league and champi- onship finals last year, Newmarket’s added determination saw them re- gain the coveted title.

Unfortunately for the Newmarket Blues, that victory only inspired Kil- maley to re-evaluate their position and refocus for the championship and they duly responded by gaining revenge over their great rivals at the semi-final stage by 3-8 to 2-9 to set up a unique final against an emerging Sixmulebridge side.

The final itself was a dour affair that Kilmaley eventually edged by O- 7 to O-5 in Clarecastle but although defeat was Sixmilebridge’s lot on the day, their potential indicates that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. After all, they have dominated the underage scene in recent years, compiling an impres- sive haul of titles in 2007 (Under 11 ground camogie), Under 12A, Under 14A, Feile, Under 16A and Minor B) and 2008 (Under 11 ground camogie, Feile, Under 16A and Minor A) and with leaders like 16 year old Chloe Morey who was deservedly awarded the Clare FM Player of the Match award at the county final, it seems

only a matter of time before they are back on the winners podium.

2009 was also noteworthy for the introduction of The Glenorma Shield Senior B Competition, donated by the Broadford club. Indeed, it was fit- ting that in the first year, Broadford would make it to the final, however on the day they were comprehensive- ly beaten by Clooney/Quin, inspired by Clare camogie captain Deirdre AY Logo) ens

Due to the unanimous support of

the clubs involved, the Intermediate Loy oaolo1H U8 CO) MCLE RV oLO MAYA 100 MERE CoMmECT: BO NTS structure as 2008. All the teams played each other on a round robin basis for the championship and it proved to be an extremely tight divi- sion with only a point or two divid- ing the top teams. The top four teams entered into the championship semi- finals while the next four entered the shield semi-finals.

There was only one score divid- ing the teams in the two semi-finals.

Corofin had a one point victory over St Josephs while Kilkishen advanced thanks to an extra-time goal against Truagh. Kilkishen, after the disap- pointment of last year’s champion- ship semi-final defeat, eventually took the honours after a great final against last year’s beaten finalists Corofin played in front of a huge crowd in Tulla.

In the Intermediate shield semi finals, Clarecastle overcame White- gate and Scariff managed to see off

neighbours Ogonnelloe. The transfer of Carina Roseingrave from Kilna- mona to Clarecastle proved to be a great asset to Clarecastle and she was instrumental in their final win against Scariff to take the shield.

The Junior League went the way of Feakle who took the honours from Inagh. It was also an important year for Crusheen who entered their first adult team and had two wins against St. Josephs and Eire Og that was not enough for them to reach the final. In the Junior Championship, Inagh got over their disappointment of their league final defeat when they beat Feakle in the semi-final and Killane- na in the final.

So what of 2010? Can Kilmaley make it three-in-a-row? Can New- market build on their league title? Will another year prove beneficial to Sixmilebridge’s young squad? Can Clooney finally make the break- through on the back of their senior B title or will Kilnamona bounce back after a two year absense?

The answer will be revealed in due course but one thing is for certain, it promises to be the most competi- tive senior championship in quite a number of years.

AS Waterford senior hurling manag- er, David Fitzgerald will be trying to plot the downfall of his native county in this year’s Munster senior hurling Semi-final, but at the same time he’ll be trying to plot a successful senior championship year back home in OK

All because the two-time All-Ire- land winner and three-time All Star is set to operate a dual management/ coaching mandate in 2010, having committed to throwing in his lot with Inagh/Kilnamona for a second successive year.

The Waterford supremo linked up with Inagh/Kilnamona last year after Waterford’s exit from the All-Ireland race at the semi-final stage, but club insiders have told The Clare People that Fitzgerald will be with Inagh/ Kilnamona from the word go this

year.

And, Fitzgerald won’t be alone, as former Clare senior camogie manag- er Bertie Sherlock from Toomevara, is also a member of the Iangh/Kilna- mona backroom team for the coming season as they bid to make the big breakthrough at senior champion-

ship level. It will be Inagh/Kilnamona’s third championship season, following

their formation in late 2007 when the Inagh and Kilnamona clubs joined forces under the one banner. In 2008 they got off to a flier when beating reigning county champions Tulla in the first round and went on to reach the knockout stages before being beaten by St Joseph’s Door-a-Bare- field in the quarter-final. Last year they reached the same stage before being edged out by Kilmaley.

AFTER two years of fundraising, the first 50 of the 200 volunteers with the Building of Hope Project have arrived in Kenya.

Fr Martin Keane is pictured laying the foundation stone for the training centre which the Clare volunteers will build over the next eight weeks.

Celebrating Mass for the newly arrived volunteers on Sunday, Fr Martin told them that the founda- tions were made not just of sand and mortar, but of the hope that will help rebuild lives.

The Cranny priest ministers to the poorest of Mombasa’s people in his parish of Migombani.

The centre will be a place where they aquire work skills and qualifi- cations which can rescue them from a life of degradation and hunger.

THE issues of fixtures will be ad- dressed at the upcoming Ladies Football convention. According to the Secretary, Michael Fitzpatrick, fixtures continue to be a problem, particularly at minor level.

“Again this competition [minor] did not finish until November because some clubs did not stick to the fixture plan,” he points out in his report that will be delivered at the annual con- vention on Tuesday.

He said he feels the Junior A cham-

pionship should be played before the B, the intermediate before the junior and senior before the intermediate.

He added that the fixtures com- mittee must look at rule 339 of the official guide of 2007 or rule 347 of 2009, which states ‘A team failing to fulfil a championship fixture may forefit its place in the competition and the game may be awarded to its opponents.”

He also pointed out that the team is liable to a suspension of six months. “As we are on rules another which we may have to look at for 2010 is

rule 156 of 2007 which states that the county committee may fine a club for not attending county board meetings.”

In his report, the secretary points out that some clubs are inclined to play unregistered players at under- age. “This is a very dangerous habit, as if a player should receive an injury and are not registered, they are not covered.”

As part of his report, he will also go through, in detail, the on field mat- ters of ladies football in Clare, which experienced a very successful year.

A CASE alleging VAT fraud relating to amounts totalling €1.55 million will take three weeks to hear in the circuit court.

Derek Floyd (36), of 21 Lower Main Street, Tulla, is facing 41 charges, on dates between March 2001 and January 2004.

He is facing 14 charges of failing to remit bi-monthly VAT returns; 12 charges of claiming VAT repay-

ments which he was not entitled to; 11 charges of making false tax returns and four charges of mak- ing incorrect VAT returns. At Killa- loe District Court in September, Mr Floyd was returned for trial to the circuit court.

Stephen Coughlan, BL for the State, told Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday (Monday) that the case would take three weeks to hear.

Defence counsel Pat Whyms BL, applied for an adjournment. He said

it was a “very complicated case of alleged VAT fraud.”

He said there were 5,000 docu- ments and 15 volumes in the book of evidence.

Mr Whyms said that a forensic ac- countant has provided reports and the defence was not yet ready for the case to be heard.

He said the case had been in the district court for a year, prior to be- ing sent forward to the circuit court.

Judge Gerald Keyes said the case

should be heard at a special sitting of the court, given that it would take such a length of time.

He adjourned it to the next callo- ver of the circuit court, when a date is expected to be fixed for the trial.

A MAN WHO admitted dealing drugs to his friends has been handed a six-month suspended jail term.

Stephen Keane (19), of Main Street, Corofin, admitted possession of cannabis in Corofin on November 20, 2008.

He was also convicted of posses- sion of drugs for the purpose of sale oy mei bn 8) OAV

When the case was heard in the dis- trict court in November, Mr Keane’s solicitor said, “He will say he would gather money and buy drugs from somebody further up the ladder. He would have it and deal it out to his friends. He never made any money out of it.”

He said his client was an apprentice carpenter, but the business he was working with folded. He then went back to school. “Living in a small village, something like that is going to have an impact on him. This is a very serious conviction for this man

to have against him.”

“It was between him and his friends. He was not out on the street corner selling drugs,” said the solicitor.

The case was adjourned until last week, for preparation of a probation report.

At Ennis District Court on Friday,

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a six- month jail term. He suspended this on condition that the accused enter a bond to be of good behaviour for two years. He imposed a fine of €300.

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) has renewed its warning for road us- ers to take extra care for the rest of the week as Met Eireann is advising that driving conditions will remain treacherous.

Severe frost is forecast and there is also the risk of ice on un-treated surfaces, along with the risk of some freezing fog.

Road users are urged to check weath- er and traffic reports before setting off on a journey. In particular,they should heed any garda advice urging them not to make any unnecessary journeys.

The RSA has the following advice for drivers in snow or icy conditions; elt takes longer to stop a vehicle on icy roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. eManoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration. eClear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass. eRemove all snow from your vehicle before starting your journey. eSnow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. eft can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver. eUse the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. eSelect a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through lore) OTOKSE *lo brake on ice or snow without

locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, using the clutch smoothly and allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.

eRemember that heavy snowfall

will reduce visibility. Use dipped headlights and decrease speed smoothly.

eWatch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high END Se

eCheck tyres, including spare wheel, to ensure minimum tread depth of

1.6mm and correct tyre pressure. eCheck your owner’s manual

and find out if your vehicle has

any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your eleaanntee

If your vehicle begins to skid you Should;

eldentify the cause — It is either too much braking, too much steering, too much acceleration or a combina- tion of one or all of these.

eRemove the cause — gently and

yee Corel ev ays

elf your car has ABS, it will not skid under braking. If ABS is activated, keep your foot on the brake and steer around whatever caused you to ley eeN Coe

elf your car does not have ABS and starts to skid on the brakes, pump the brake pedal very fast (Cadence Braking) and steer around whatever caused you to brake.

elf your vehicle skids and slews side- ways – turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease

off the accelerator at the same time. eAvoid over-correction with too much steering.

eBe ready for a secondary skid.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcy- clists are advised;

elf a journey cannot be avoided, be extremely careful as frost and ice have made walking on footpaths very dangerous

eVisibility is reduced in snowy condition so wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly.

eCyclists should ensure their bike has the required solid white light to the front and a red solid light to the rear.

eWear an approved helmet and consider clear eye protection. ¢Motorcyclists/cyclists should

not compromise their safety by their ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions. Cancel your journey or take alternative transport. ¢eMotorcyclists should avoid wearing a dark visor in any bad light

ey ste taCeyetse

¢Remember other road users may not ‘expect’ you and could therefore comprise your safety

For more information the RSA’s publication Severe Weather Advice for Road Users can be downloaded from the RSA’s website www.rsa. ie/Home/upload/File/Homepage/ Severe _Weather_advice_road_us- ers_ET pdf _To check weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie.

NACH deas an rud Gaeilge a ch- loisteail 1 rith an lae? Is brea Lom bheith sa siopa no ag an teach ol agus piosa beag Gaeilge a said, fiu amhain ‘go raibh maith agat’ no ‘le do thoil’. Ta sé nios fearr nuair a fhaigheann ta an fhreagra ar ais 1 nGaeilge. Is mor an trua é dar liom nach bhfuil nios mo daoine ag baint usaid as an teanga. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil nios mo na cupla focal agat, ach is deas an rud é 1ad a usaid go laethiuil. Ceithre bliain 6 shin ni raibh moran Gaeilge agam féin ach anois taim ag iarraidh an teanga a usaid chomh minic agus is féidir liom. Is fior go raibh sé ria- chtanach agus tabhachtach dom 6 thaobh na fostaiochta de go mbeadh Gaeilge maith agam, agus mar sin chuir mé isteach na huaireanta ag staidéar agus ag éisteacht le Raidio na Gaeltachta agus ag breathnu ar TG4. Ach ar deireadh bhi mé lan sas- ta liom féin agus anois taim in ann comhra le daoine 1 nGaeilge agus altanna a scriobh!! (Nil mo chuid grammadach ro mhaith ach tagann feabhas air gach 1a!)

Ma thogann daoine an t-am chun an teanga a fhoghlaim agus é a usaid

nios mo 1 rith an tsaoil, gheobhaidh siad nios moO meas don teanga agus nios mo tuiscint ar ar bhféiniulacht chulturtha. Ta baint ag an teanga le cuid mhaith den saol na tire seo. Ta an Gaeilge an tabhachtach 6 thaobh Stair na tire, 6 thaobh na tireolaio- chta agus moran den litriocht (Béarla agus Gaeilge) a thainig On tir seo. Is fior go raibh fadhbanna mora ann sna blianta seo caite leis an modh muinte a bhi sna scoileanna. Chuir an Roinn Oideachais an iomarca béim ar scriobhnoireacht agus ar léitheoireacht; nior thug siad a dothain meas don caint agus sin cuid de na lochtanna is measa a bhi ann. Foghlaimionn daoine an teanga 1 bh- fad nios fearr nuair ata siad ag baint usaid as go laethiuil mar cuid den caint agus comhra. Tagann na focail chugat go nadurtha nuair ata siad a usaid agat 1 gcomhra nadurtha. Sin an sli ina bhfuaireamar Béarla mar phaisti. Ni raibh orainn an litriocht a fhoghlaim ar dtus, bhiomar in ann caint ar dts agus 1 ndairire bhi sé sin nios tabhachtai duinn na an litriocht ag an am. Is é an caint agus an com- hra an modh cumarsaide 1s éifeachtai chun teanga a fhoghlaim agus mar sin ma thogaimid an t-am chun piosa

Gaeilge a usaid go laethitil tiocfaidh meas, forbairt agus fid amhain gra don teanga orainn.

Mar a duirt mé cheana, ta an Gaeilge ar fail duinn 1 ngach ait. Ta sé 4 usaid ag daoine in ainmneacha, 1 dtireolaiocht na tire agus 1 stair agus béaloideas na tire. O thaobh ainmneacha de, ta toir ag an bpo- bal ar ainmneacha Gaeilge sa la ata inniu ann. Céad bliain 6 shin ni raibh an meas céanna ag an bpobal ar ainmneacha mar Shean, Sinéad agus Daithi. De réir na tuairisceain daonairimh 6 1911 ni raibh ach 145 daoine leis an ainm Sean sa tir, bhi nios lu na 65 de Sinéads sa tir agus ni raibh ach 17 daoine da raibh ainm Daithi orthu! I rith an bhfichiu haois thosaigh daoine ag baint usaid as na hainmneacha Gaelacha agus anois ta meas mor ag tuismitheoiri ar an lea- gan Gaeilge de ainmneacha.

Caithimid ar dteanga a choimead beo do na gluinte amach romhainn. Ta sé tabhachtach nach mbeimid caillte mar tir beag 1 ndomhain mor aonchinealach. Chonaic mé piosa grafitti sa tuaisceart le déanai, duirt sé, ‘Is fearr Gaeilge briste na Béarla cliste’, b’fhéidir nach naontaim go hiom1an le sin ach ta rud éigin ann.

LISA Garry, a former pupil of En- nis Community College who is now studying primary teaching at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, was the recipient of one of the 87 scholar- ships for third level education award- ed last week by the Bank of Ireland.

Valued at over €1 million, the scholarships allow students who face economic, social or physical barriers an opportunity to access third level education. A total of 662 scholar- ships, ranging in value from €3,000 to €40,000 per annum, has been awarded by the Bank’s Millennium Scholars Trust. Established in 2000, the Scholars Trust has provided a fund of €12.5 million and was the largest single millennium _initia- tive from either the State or private sources.

Announcing this year’s awards, Bank of Ireland Chief Executive Richie Boucher, said it was an hon- our for them to enable hundreds of men and women change their lives through a decade of educational op- portunity.

“All of these students have exper1- enced significant obstacles such as

social disadvantage, financial hard- ship or serious disability. However, what they all have in common is the belief that education will provide them with the opportunity to move beyond their current circumstances and create opportunities that were previously only a dream. Already, over half of these students have grad- uated becoming positive role models for others in their communities, an impact which will be sustained long beyond the life of the programme.”

The majority of scholarship ap- plications were from those seeking to enter third level education direct from school. However, 100 scholar- ships went to mature students, an- other 100 to existing college students struggling to stay in third level due to funding issues and 70 to people with a disability.

The trust also made an exceptional provision for talented new emerging artists and over the ten years has ena- bled students attend such prestigious colleges as Juilliard School in New York and RADA and Goldsmiths College in London. 16 per cent of the 662 scholarships were allocated to Students of dance, drama/film, music and the visual arts.

AN action plan aimed at harnessing the industrial and tourism potential of the Shannon Estuary is among a series of measures outlined in the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017.

The strategy has been unanimous- ly approved by members of Clare County Council following a year- long review process and will be on public display in two weeks before going through a 10-week public con- sultation period.

Once approved, the plan will pave the way for the zoning of over 700 hectares of land for marine related industry at locations along the Shan- non Estuary, the provision of electric vehicle charge points throughout the county, the implementation of the county’s first wind energy strategy, the development of an inventory of community, social and cultural fa- cilities and a requirement for all new buildings and houses to have a low level access shower and toilet on the ground floor.

The draft development plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable develop- ment of the functional area of Clare County Council. When adopted, the six year blueprint will replace the 2005 development plan and it will be the sixth such plan since 1964.

Welcoming the unanimous adop- tion of the draft plan Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said its primary goal was to position the county as a driver for local and re- gional growth through harnessing the potential of its unique location, quality of life, natural resources and other competitive advantages.

“Ultimately, the plan seeks to make Clare a better place to live in, work and visit,” he said.

Commenting on the proposed zon-

ing of large tracts of land along the Shannon Estuary, County Manager Tom Coughlan said that because of its deep water, shelter and other natu- ral advantages, the estuary is a sig- nificant potential asset for the county

and for the first time the Draft De- velopment Plan introduces a chapter aimed at developing the Estuary for various economic and recreational one

In addition to this, Mr Coughlan

said that the draft plan introduced new policies in relation to economic development and enterprise in the county including in rural areas. “The draft plan has a strong empha- sis on renewable energy production,

storage and distribution and, for the first time, contains a separate Wind Energy Strategy aimed at further tapping into the potential of the sig- nificant wind resources of the county subject to the normal environmental safeguards. The plan also includes for the first time a chapter dealing specifically with rural development and natural resources.”

Among the other measures outlined in the draft plan are; e A proposal that all new buildings and houses will be required to have a low level access shower and toilet. This measure 1s aimed at ensuring the lifetime adaptability of homes in particular those that would be in ex- cess of the minimum requirements of the current building regulations and will prevent the need for expen- sive retrofitting in many cases. e A record of protected structures for the county which would include photographs and descriptions of over 500 buildings and structures already protected and a further 200 that are proposed for protection. e A proposal that in future certain developments will be required to provide facilities to allow for charg- ing of electric cars and vehicles e A strategic flood risk assess- ment to be carried out in light of new guidelines issued to planning PLbLOeLe)w LBL

The draft plan will be on display in public offices, libraries and on the internet at www.clarecoco.ie within the coming weeks. Public exhibi- tions and various stakeholder meet- ings will also be held around the county and written submissions will lorem UO Net Koxeb