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PROMOTING from’ within has served Clarecastle well. Two county titles in the last four years, testifies to that.

After landing the championship in 2005 during his two years as man- ager, Ger Ward stepped aside in 2007 for Fergie Tuohy. Then in 2008 the baton returned to Tommy Howard who was a county final winning manager in 2003.

Managers come and managers go, but the transition is always a smooth one. In Clarecastle, you shouldn’t confuse change with upheaval.

Every year there are plenty of strong candidates. But when one is selected to lead, the club coalesces around a common goal — winning the cham- ey Coyetsieul oy

There isn’t time for factions or rivalry. Unity, manager Tommy Howard agrees, has been a source of strength for the club.

“We don’t have major showdowns or votes at the beginning of the year”, says Howard, “At the beginning of the year, I indicated an interest in being involved, and the club seemed to be happy to accept me. When it comes to my time to give it up, someone else will pick up the baton

and go. That’s just the way it seems to happen. It’s healthy for the club as well, in fairness.”

Being able to select from such a deep pool gives a Clarecastle formi- dable edge off the pitch. New man- agers, having played for the club, are already attuned to the fierce expecta- tion to win.

Howard, manager when the mag- pies won their 10th county title in 2003, understands this can be a dou- ble-edged sword.

“I think Clarecastle would be known as being parochial to say the least. There is great pride and great passion in the place. Playing for your club and being involved as a mentor is seen as a great honour. It brings pressure. The expectation is always high from the supporters and that’s part of the enjoyment of it as well. It’s an honour to be involved and to be able to give it time and to have a

go at it. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t and you have to live with the consequences.”

2007 was a year when that didn’t go to plan. After beating Wolfe Tones in the quarter final, Clarecastle were outmaneuvered and, dare you say it, outfought by Tulla in the semi final.

‘To get to the semi final was a great achievement in one respect. Tulla went on and they won the champion- ship, so they proved to be credible champions. They beat everyone they had to beat along the way and they did it with a bit of style.”

Howard 1s concerned that Clarecas- tle have “leaked goals at critical stag- es” in the Clare Cup. More pressing though, are the injuries to key players like Derek Quinn. The club’s leading marksmen will miss the group stages due to a serious ankle injury.

Darragh Moloney, another forward from whom much is expected is una-

vailable, but for different reasons. He is preparing for his Leaving Cert.

“Derek Quinn would be massive loss to any setup. In a county where good forwards are a rare commodity, he’s a massive loss to us, massive’’.

Clarecastle’s opponents in group 3 include old rivals Kilmaley and Eire Og. The game against the townies sees Howard pit his wits against his brother in-law and Eire Og manager, John Russell.

“Whatever way that falls. I’m sure they will be a bit of ribbing, wheth- er I was involved or not’, laughs Howard.

Not that there is much time for fun and games. The serious business be- gins now.

BUSINESSES on the Tulla Road may seek compensation from En- nis Town Council once construction work in the area is complete.

The May meeting of Ennis Town Council also heard that Tulla Road residents are living in a “Checkpoint Oita BCoMME AY Lom IAUE- LB CONTE

Speaking last Wednesday, Inde- pendent councillor Frankie Neylon said, “Businesses on the Tulla Road weren’t identified as being open. Pat Fitzpatrick has had to lay off staff. Pat Quinn’s business is down 80 per cent. When the bridge is complete, either the council or CIE will have to look at providing compensation for these businesses.”

CUlr Johnny Flynn (FG) said frus- tration in the area was mounting.

“We have taken an absolute ham- mering over this. East of the bridge, it’s a bit like Checkpoint Charlie. It’s bad for business.”

Cllr Tom Glynn (FF) said some businesses faced closure. “Could the work be done at night? We see it being done in America, Dublin, even back in west Clare. We have a

stretch of 50 metres – surely it could be done.”

He continued, “Some _ businesses are talking about going down the legal route. Can we consult now and can we try to help out young business people who are surely at risk?”

The Tulla road will remain closed until June 2 to allow for the raising of the Corrovorrin bridge and the upgrading of the foul sewer infra- structure. For the subsequent 25 days from June 3 to June 27, a single-lane closure will apply daily between 10am and 4pm.

New working arrangements were expected to come into effect over the weekend. Town Engineer Tom Tiernan stated work on a roundabout at the entrance to the Roslevan shop- ping centre should be “substantially completed” by June 2.

Mr Tiernan said that 72 signs had been erected in Ennis, alerting driv- ers to the closure. He added, “Ideally it would be great to have focused activity, over 24 hours. There are procurement procedures that need to be overcome. It might have been easier had a local contractor been in- volved.”

EAST Clare councillors have made impassioned calls to have measures put in place to stop Traveller groups setting up camp on the bog road be- tween Kilkishen and Tulla.

Cllr Joe Carey (FG) told a meeting of the Scariff Area Committee of the council last week that tempers were flaring since a large group of Trav- ellers parked up on the side of the road for the second time in less than cimeecennisey

‘This happens twice or three times

every year and we have to do some- thing to stop it. Local people are in- timidated and afraid to drive down that road because of the sheer number of caravans and there are children and vans out on the road every day. There will be a serious accident if we don’t do something.”

The councillor said that recently a local landowner “took the law into his own hands and went down and confronted them. He shouldn’t have done it but that’s the level of frustra- tion that people feel.”

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said there was

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a serious public health issue here with so many people parked up there with no toilets and no running water. When previous groups left, they left the place in an awful state behind them. We have to fine them for lit- tering – that’s what would happen anyone else.”

ClUlr Colm Wiley (FF) said that it is “hard to do anything while they are there but when they move off we should make sure no new groups can park up”.

Senior engineer Sean Lenihan told the meeting that he had been in con-

tact with the gardai.

“They have the power to move them on but that just sends them up the road. It’s not council policy to bank up ditches or put in boulders because if you do that in one place, then peo- ple want you to do it wherever there are encampments,” he said.

Mr Lenihan said that the council is “actively pursuing” litter offences on the bog road.

Councilors agree that if the group had not moved off by this week, they would seek an emergency meeting with the gardai.

THE finish ceremony of the Rally d’Italia Sardegna the sixth round of the World Rally Championship which took place alongside Porto Cervo’s Marina in Sardinia on May Reidee

Saw world rally champions Se- bastien Loeb/Daniel Elena claim the top prize in their Citroen C4. This result takes the reigning champion’s total to a record 40 world rally wins and sees them move to within three points behind of 2008 championship leader Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen.

This sixth round of the 15 rally series was the first European gravel fixture of the season. Based in the north east of Sardinia, the three day event was characterised by tough narrow tracks south of Olbia. Com- petitors tackled 17 speed tests cov- ering 344.73km. Despite heavy rain before the start, the rally itself was dry, although cloudy skies ensured temperatures were cooler than ex- pected.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team finished second and third in the rally and they retain the lead in both the manufacturer’s and driver’s standings in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtin- en claimed second in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, with Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikka Anttila third in a similar car. Ford preserves its seven point advantage in the manufacturers series while Hirvonen is three points ahead in the drivers title.

Donegal driver Shaun Gallagher maintains his second place in the Junior World Rally Championship after finishing fourth in Sardinia driving his Motorsport Ireland spon- sored Citroen C2.

The Irishman shares second place with 16 championship, alongside Po- land’s Michal Kosciuszko. Many of the car’s suffered mechanical diffi- culties brought on by the conditions including World Rally Team Ire- land’s car which suffered a break in the rear anti-roll bar and a flat tyre.

The next round takes place in Greece next weekend May 30th.

O’BRIEN’S Sandwich Bar, Ennis, is getting geared up for The Clare 10k 2008.

Proprietor of the sandwich bar, Kathleen O’Brien, has announced that they will be the sole provider of water for participants in the 2008 event.

O’Brien’s water will be available along the route at the water station outside The Auburn Lodge Hotel on the Gort Road. This is just past the halfway mark and has provided much needed refreshment for run-

ners and walkers alike over the past two years.

There will also be water available in Lees Road when competitors re- enter the complex.

Staff from O’Brien’s will be on hand on the day to distribute the wa- ter.

Kathleen O’Brien, owner of the Salthouse Lane store, said, ““We are delighted to be involved with The Clare 10k and to be supporting such a worthwhile charity.”

The store, which opened its doors over seven years ago, offers a full range of O’Brien’s products includ-

ing a popular juice bar, where cus- tomers can enjoy a range of freshly squeezed juices and made to order smoothies.

O’Brien’s has more than 300 stores providing the healthy fast food op- tion in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada.

O’Brien’s aim to serve only the highest quality food and drink to customers and strives to offer a wide variety of fresh, natural and tasty food served by helpful and friendly Nee

The Ennis store has consistently achieved elite store status for stand-

ards from O’Brien’s head office in Dublin and received awards for the premium coffee quality from suppli- er Deemac, where it achieved one of there top awards in the country.

For more information on O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar visit www.obriensca- tering.com.

CLARE Fianna Fail TD, Timmy Dooley has performed a u-turn on the loss of Clare’s mammography service, claiming that travelling for the service to Limerick and Galway is now the best outcome for Clare (eyenles tb

In his maiden speech to the Dail last July, Deputy Dooley said he was deeply unhappy over the decision to end the mammography service at NKR eroloeye

“The genesis of this service was

based on the efforts of a local group of women who raised funds to put the equipment in place. Without con- sultation, however, the HSE proposes to end the service. This shows a great lack of understanding of the volun- tary sector and an arrogance on the part of the HSE.

“The HSE has not put forward a credible service plan to cater for the women of Clare in Limerick and Cre Ne

“They have done nothing to pro- vide reassurances that a centre of ex- cellence will be established and this

adds to the suffering of people who are already in very vulnerable situ- ations.”

But speaking on the same issue in the Dail last week, Deputy Dooley said he had sympathy with people in areas that are losing cancer services.

“When I first learned that Ennis General Hospital would lose its mam- mography services, I was deeply con- cerned but when I sought the advice of clinicians and consultants, it was clear that the best outcome from the patients’ point of view was to travel to either Limerick or Galway.

‘The reason is that enough patients were not using the service in Ennis to keep the skill levels of those uti- lising the equipment up to speed or to keep the system or the machinery calibrated.”

Speaking last year, Professor Ra- jnish Gupta, HSE Mid-West Director of Cancer Care Services, said, “The decision to discontinue mammogra- phy in Ennis is driven by the need to provide the best possible clinical practice.

“The time came to bite the bullet. Centres where less than 1,000 mam-

mograms are being done in a year do not provide the volume of work necessary for the maintenance of the required level of professional skills,” he added.

Consultant radiologist, Dr Paul Hession said “The benefits of this change are that the people of Clare can be assured that the service is in line with international best practice and subject to all the checks and bal- ances that ensure such a unit fulfils its remit. A standalone unit in Ennis would not have these benefits and protections.”

LIAM Cleary of Liam Cleary Mo- tors in Ennis and Roche (Ireland) Ltd may know more about the mak- ing of motors and managing motor neurones than making music, but that hasn’t stopped them helping Tul- la comhaltas to make the 2008 Clare County Fleadh one of the best yet.

The two businesses are backing the east Clare music makers to stage the event.

“We are so grateful to them for their support. This couldn’t happen without them,’ said Helen Mulqueen, PRO for the fleadh committee.

Tulla comhaltas was established in September 1957 and went on to host the county fleadh cheoil in 1958.

Which makes it highly appropriate that the town is hosting the 2008 Clare County Fleadh on the 50th an- niversary of that event.

At a fun-packed event last week, the programme was unveiled for Fleadh Cheoiul an Chlair an Tulach 2008 which runs from June 18 to 22.

Along with more than 80 competi- tions there will be public concerts, live music in pubs in the village and all the craic associated with the im- portant music event.

On Wednesday, June 18, there will be a launch of the archive dvd and cd at the courthouse at 8.30pm. Re- freshments will be served and ad- mission is free.

On Thursday, the courthouse is the venue for the fleadh concert at 8pm.

Among the performers will be Brian Rooney, Brian McNamara, Tim Col- lins with Mick Conneely, Lorraine O’Brien and Eoin O’Neill, and this will also feature the official open- ing of the fleadh by Senator Labhras O’Murchu.

Friday sees the launch of a tradi- tional Irish music cd by Senator Lab- hras O’Murchu.

Local concertina player Kate Mc- Namara launches her first cd at Minogues Bar at 9pm

On Saturday, there will be a fleadh céili with Andrew McNamara and friends in Minogues Bar, Tulla, at 10pm. Admission is <8. At llam on Sunday the Fleadh Aifreann will be said and at lpm there’s a singing session with Robbie McMahon at Teach OI. Sunday is also the day to enjoy the gala open air concert with the Tulla and Kilfenora Céili Bands at 7pm. It will also feature guests, Aiden Vaughan and half-set, brush dancers and sean nos dancers. All set dancers are invited to come and kick up their heels in informal sessions in pubs around town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

DURING his inaugural address in Carron last October, Mike McNa- mara outlined that the necessity for Clare to compete again in Munster would be his main priority. In almost every interview since, he has reiter- ated that intent, even using shock words like ‘embarrassed’, ‘decimat- ed’ and ‘hammered’ to demonstrate Clare’s slide down the provincial lad- der since their last Munster triumph in 1998.

McNamara has never been a sup- porter of the qualifiers group system. In his eyes, it devalues the provincial championship and provides counties with a soft backdoor option to fall back on. Clare’s ability to express themselves in Munster again is his prime objective and he is fully fo- cused on attaining that goal starting with the Waterford game on Sunday.

Still, there were barriers to break down first. A rebuilding process had to be undertaken, both to revive the players’ flagging confidence and en- sure the supporters would be back on side after a turbulent 2007 campaign. New players had to be introduced and the existing ones required reassur- ance that the ship was heading in the right direction and although the Wa-

terford Crystal and National League campaigns weren’t groundbreaking in terms of either performance or re- sults, the public realised that the new set-up needed time to gel.

As the June | D-Day has drawn inexorably closer, optimism has in fact permeated around the county. Increasing reports of Waterford in- juries and the reintegration of Tony Carmody, Diarmuid McMahon and Tony Griffin into the set-up have gal- vanised support, and confidence has gathered momentum ahead of the GuGrEsneeltoe

In saying that, it would be fool- ish to swallow every report of Wa- terford’s demise wholeheartedly. Certainly, they have a number of injuries but perhaps not to the extent that Justin McCarthy would have everyone believe. According to the Waterford camp, Eoin Murphy, Eoin Kelly, Paul Flynn, Dan Shanahan, Ken McGrath, Seamus Prendergast, Stephen Molumphy, Kevin Moran, Aidan Kearney and Tony Browne are all doubtful or certain to miss the Clare game. Admittedly, Murphy, McGrath and Flynn will miss the tie but expect the majority of the others to play at least some part against the Banner.

For Clare, Declan O’Rourke’s bro-

ken finger sustained against Galway OTMSLUNICE DA SUUMCME-DUIDAMMel (om eNbeemOleNs and Niall Gilligan is a serious doubt as his neck injury has not responded to treatment as much as the manage- ment had hoped.

Going on recent challenge matches against Offaly, Dublin and Galway, Clare still need to iron out a few creases with their main stumbling block in front of the posts. Goal scor- ing has certainly been a problem for Clare in the past, particularly in the big championship games. Just recall the All-Ireland quarter-final against Limerick last year or the 2006 AIl- Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny when clear-cut goal opportunities were not taken and Clare went on to lose. In fact, in the Munster and All- Ireland series over the past four sea- sons, Clare have only managed seven goals in 13 games, a dismal record when you compare that to Water- ford’s haul of 30 goals in 14 games in the same period. Unquestionably, Clare will need goals if they are to overcome Waterford.

Clare’s huge number of wides in the league is also a concern but again perhaps that can be put down to some inexperience and a growing under- standing amongst the players.

The final dilemma is the uncertain-

ty of the back six. Clare’s defensive solidity has been the basis of their successes since the early 90’s and it was always up front that was a cause of concern. That is not to say they now seem porous at the back – far from it but as previous campaigns have highlighted, there needs to be a settled backline for Clare to prosper. The variables are endless – Conor Plunkett or Gerry Quinn at centre- back, Darragh Clancy or Frank Lo- han at full-back or does Plunkett or Quinn revert to full-back, thus releas- ing Lohan to the corner alongside ei- ther Gerry O’Grady or Tadgh Keogh. Even on the wings, Mike McNamara has experimented with six different players in the league with Clancy, Quinn, Brendan Bugler, Pat Don- nellan, Tommy Holland and even James McInerney being tried in the positions in an effort to find the right blend. That tinkering with positions was expected but it is hoped that by now, McNamara finally knows his ooh mSID.©

For Clare to win, a number of fac- tors have to go in their favour. For all the new faces that have appeared this season, Clare’s side on Sunday will be predominantly made up of expe- rience and going on that alone, it is felt that there is at least one massive

performance in this team. Whether it will be on Sunday is another issue as Waterford’s pedigree is undoubted with three Munster championships and a league title in the last six years. Nevertheless, a lot of this Waterford team have been around a long time and their frustration at not making the All-Ireland breakthrough has certainly frustrated them. Add in the potential injuries to key players and it could make for a very interesting encounter but Waterford are Munster champions for a reason.

Mike McNamara has been circling June | in his diary since the draw was made in October. He has repeatedly underlined the date’s importance to Clare’s future development and as a result, he is fully aware that his first season will be judged predominatly on their performance on Sunday. As Munster champions, Waterford are the benchmark and Clare will need to play out of their skins if they are to dethrone them this weekend. Any- thing less and Clare will be travel- ling down the well-worn path of the qualifiers system once more.

SPORTING achievement comes in every shape. From the brutal speed of the sprinters to the sheer physical wartare of front-row rugby, victory in sport is a beautiful lady with many reece

Never was this more in evidence than in Ballyvaughan on Saturday. At 7.17pm the last of the Challenge Marathon walkers made their way through the finish line at the Burren Coast Hotel.

Aching beyond pain, they finished their ordeal with pride and honour. Standing straight with chests out, their joy was just as sweet as the six mile runners who completed their race almost 10 hours earlier.

Launched at 9am by Hollywood actor Brendan Gleeson, the walk- ers were welcomed into port by the encouraging words of Fr Des, with news of Cardiff and rugby ringing in the salty air.

“All the ingredients for a great spec-

tacle were there; the atmosphere, the weather, the people — it all clicked to- gether on the day,” said Gerry Reidy of the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Sitley

“We had a lot of runners who were taking on the six mile course and they would have been finished in 35 or 40 minutes. But at the same time we had walkers who completed the full marathon an it would have taken then more than eight hours to finish altogether. But that was their chal- antexonee

More than 850 people actually took part in the marathon. The number would have been greater had it not been for the rail strike in Cork which kept a number of people away.

“When you think of last February, we were aiming for 300 back then and to get three times that amount was fantastic. Everyone up there was impressed, even a lot of the locals who would never have walked the route before were gobsmacked,’ con- WNEOM OEM

“We will review everything that happened, but I feel that when we do have a look at the event we will de- cide to host it again next year.

“We had Fr Des Forde acting as commentator for the day at the finish line, he was keeping the whole thing going. And of course we had Brendan Gleeson there to stat the event which We TOS NO BE:ROLm

“We had an army of volunteers out during the day and the support we got from local people and from the sponsors was fantastic.”

GARDAL are investigating the possi- bility that a fire that extensively dam- aged a house 1n Ennis at the weekend is linked to a Traveller feud.

The fire broke out at a house in Shalee Drive, Cloughleigh, on Satur- day night. Emergency services were called to the scene at 11.20pm and brought the blaze under control after some time.

No-one was injured in the incident and gardai say that no-one was in the house at the time.

Gardai have confirmed that the cause of the fire is being investigated and are appealing for any possible witnesses to come forward.

A garda spokesman has confirmed that one theory being pursued 1s that the incident is part of ongoing feud in the town.

Over the past few weeks, gardai have voiced concerns that ‘innocent’ members of the public may become embroiled in the feud between two ie Deebe bony

Senior gardai have also expressed fears that the feud would escalate further and are actively monitor- ing the situation, following a recent flare-up.

Five members of three families are currently before the courts on charges relating to several incidents around Ennis earlier this month.

The blaze occurred just days after the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh appealed for those involved in the ongoing feud to desist.

In an interview with