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AMONG the joy that rattled among the management and players out on the grass in Cusack Park was a definite feeling that the victory over Donegal and the silverware secured would act as a spring to further suc- cess.

The championship remained in the front of the mind of Clare captain Louise Henchy and manager Deirdre Murphy.

“What we want is the champion- ship,’ said Murphy. We want to get to Croke Park. When we started out

in the league we said we would keep working for the championship and that’s still the aim.”

Henchy, too, was unswerving in her view that greater things could lie in store.

“We want to keep on winning but today was great,’ she said. “We knew Donegal were strong so we had to up it against them. We struggled at times, around the middle especially but the minute we got the ball into our forwards we looked dangerous. We knew if we could keep ball going in we would get scores.”

David Browne is tucked away in a

corner of the field as Henchy is walk- ing up the steps to collect the trophy and emotionally, he says he’s stuck for words to put perspective on the 200

“I’m delighted for the girls because for the past few years, football has been in the doldrums in Clare. Fair play to Deirdre [Murphy]. She came in three years ago and we got on board with her and things have taken off.

“We lifted the siege and a lot of the girls who weren’t there a few years ago have come back and fair play to them and it’s days like this that it’s all about.

“It was a tough game there at the end and it was touch and go for a while. But we wanted to win it. We knew we were getting Division | sta- tus next year but we wanted to go up as champions. This day is great for football in the county and hopefully we can go on from here.”

His fellow selector David O’Brien said Clare recognised early on they would have to work hard to win. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game but when we heard it was on in Cusack Park, that gave us a boost.

“We didn’t give them many chances but we spoke about it all year. Once they have the ball, everybody filters back and that’s how we played. We worked very hard, but the goal is to win the championship.”

The first step has been taken now and the journey continues.

PSYCHIATRIC services in Clare are coming under pressure as a com- bination of staff shortages and indus- trial action by psychiatric nurses has left many of the county’s psychiatric facilities “unsafe”’.

SIPTU National Nursing Official, Louise O’Reilly says her union and the Psychiatric Nurses Association are likely to escalate their dispute when the joint strike meets later today.

The dispute 1s over a compensation scheme for members injured as the result of assaults at work.

The work to rule action already un- dertaken by the nurses has impacted on Clare, a county with a psychiatric nursing shortfall of between 16 to 20 LOD RNTorSe

The nursing shortage in the county has been attributed to a difficulty in recruitment. This problem had been solved with overtime in the past and the good will of the staff.

An average of six to seven psychi- atric nurses work overtime in Clare everyday. This number reached an

all-time high of 17 on one occasion.

Work to rule means that staff are now being redirected from the com- munity services to cover in patient services in the county as the posi- tions affected by the nurse shortages and sick leave go unfilled.

A source close to the service said the staff welfare and patient safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

“The vulnerable groups who rely OMAN oMON EDEN DIMM Ms onnOlNomYo better than this – nurses likewise want jobs, not overtime. Under- staffing also jeopardises safety for patients and staff alike. That is why SIPTU members rejected the ‘gener- ous’ HSE compensation scheme for injuries suffered as the result of as- sault at work by 91 per cent,” said Ms O’Reilly.

“It was a very clear message to the HSE but it still does not seem to have registered with them. Our members have given us a very clear mandate and we remain strong and deter- mined to secure a decent scheme which does not treat nurses as sec- ond-class citizens.”

MAKING banners for a Banner fes- tival is what youngsters are up to this week in Mountshannon.

Weve @ barca busCe(oJmmmatom sColiOVGUU MBB ITO MELOr tion of artists Nicola Henley and Melanie Jones, are twenty school children aged between nine and 12 from Mountshannon and Whitegate.

Their job is to prepare the silk- screen printed banners which will adorn the streets of the village for the up-coming Iniscealtra Festival of the Art from May 23 to June 1.

“They’re making a very fine job of it – the banners are beautiful and we look forward to seeing them hung for the festival,” said Nicola.

The banners will have plenty to

shout about this year as the festival has a programme full of spectacle and colour with something for eve- ryone.

The official opening of the week long festival by Theo Dorgan, re- nowned poet, writer, broadcaster and member of Aosdana and the Arts Council takes place on May 24.

With music, drama and dance per- formances from local and visiting eroups, some of the highlights of this year’s festival include musical performances by Eoin O’Neill, Orla Harrington and John Feely to name Ulm: IB AYA

There will be film night, a free storytelling family event and an art exhibition which will be opened by well known artist Charles Harper.

The Fishbowl Youth Group will present an acoustic evening of enter- tainment; music, poetry, prose and dance in a candle-lit café style set- ting. Visiting German students and young people from The Alfa Project school will work with artists to cre- ate a sculptural riverside installation for the festival on the river bank from Scariff Harbour to Lough Derg.

Also planned are a ceili with The Four Courts Ceili Band, weekend classes and workshops in sean nos dancing, traditional music and sing- ing and adding some cultural variety, an African drumming workshop.

Also being launched during the festival is ‘Does It Grow Corn?’, the feasibility study to determine the need for a new community/arts cen-

tre for Mountshannon.

One of the most unusual events will be the family boat building course. Families – or groups – get to build a real wooden boat over the bank holi- day weekend and then take it home. The boats will be assembled from pre-cut kits under the supervision of two experienced boat builders. All the boats made will be launched at the harbour, communally, at the end of the weekend.

More details of the line up of events will feature in

A DIALYSIS unit for the mid-west has met yet another hurdle as an anonymous objector has opposed planning permission being granted to the new facility.

According to the Irish Kidney As- sociation (IKA), the unit would al- leviate the stress now suffered by patients forced to travel outside the mid-west for the life saving dialysis treatment.

Between 16 and 20 patients travel from the Limerick, Clare and Tip- perary area to Galway three times a

week for essential dialysis.

Eight patients from Clare make their way to the commercial unit in Ballybritt every week, while 16 at- tend the Mid Western Regional Hos- pital Limerick, which is now running at capacity.

There are currently 17 people in the mid-west on the waiting list for COU ASISE

Treasurer of the Clare branch of the IKA, Peggy Eustace said that the kidney support group offered the HSE the prefab it has used for dialy- sis in Tullamore to use in Limerick until it had upgraded the unit at the

regional hospital as promised.

The HSE refused this offer, she said and so Clare patients are now relying on the unit proposed for the River- side Retail Park on the Dock Road in Limerick.

In a letter dated April 24, an objec- tion to the proposal by the commer- cial company Fresenius Medical Care (Ireland) Limited was revived from a Mallow based solicitors’ company representing Hookford Limited.

Hookford Limited main activity is registered aS management activities of holding companies.

The objection is made up of three

main parts including concerns about site suitability.

The objection states that the site contains a number of retail units and “the medical usage of this site is not appropriate and would not be in ac- cordance with good planning”.

The objection also stated that the proposed facility would be best co- located on a health care campus or on an individual dedicated site.

The objectors pointed out that the sewer facilities for the existing devel- opment on the site are inadequate.

The IKA said it was “saddened” by the objection.

The support group has concerns that following a further six weeks delay due to the objection, that an appeal of a planning decision to An Board Pleanala would end the pros- pects of these patients returning to Limerick for dialysis for at least an- other year.

In a statement the Irish Kidney A ssociation said: “There are three other Dialysis Units in the country not on a hospital campus and they did not object to their planning ap- plications.”

It asked Hookford Limited to with- draw its objection.

THE minor hurling management have dramatically invited Cratloe duo Liam Markham and Cathal McInerney back into the Clare panel for the upcoming Munster semi-final against All-Ireland champions Tip- ares It follows Clare’s impressive display against Cork in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship first round on Wednesday.

Dual county players Markham and McInerney, along with fellow

clubmate Conor Ryan left the squad earlier in the year when asked by the hurling management to choose either football or hurling.

However, after Clare were knocked out of this year’s Munster Minor football championship by Limerick, manager PJ Fitzpatrick and his team reviewed the situation and invited both players back into the set-up. In effect, it adds another dimension to the Clare team ahead of their crunch UeCereL BUSTA LHS MOBO) eoe-T as

“They’re great additions to the squad,” said selector Gerry Kennedy.

‘And the thing is, the players believe in a team effort right down to the last vere

“On top of the return of the lads, we re also hopeful that Eoghan Mad- den and Brian Hehir will also be back from injury for the next game.”

Clare’s battling 2-17 to 2-16 victory over All-Ireland finalists Cork was fully merited and while Kennedy is delighted with the win, he says Clare have to continue to focus for the challenge of double Munster and All-Ireland champions Tipperary on tt ioay

“T think a win 1s always a good thing and the fact that we haven’t won a first round in so long is a bonus. It’s important for the team to win and the victory in Pairc Ui Chaoimh should improve team morale and spirit any- eA

“We’re delighted to have got over the first round but we will have to sit down now and prepare for the next game which will be equally tough if not tougher.

“At the end of the day, Tipperary are going for three All-Ireland’s in- a-row and four Munster titles in-a-

Ke) Aa

In preparation for the Tipperary game, Clare have organised a chal- lenge with Offaly this Wednesday, with further challenge matches in prospect after the completion of the Leaving Certificate.

Liam Markham and Cathal MclIn- erney will rejoin the squad in White- gate on Wednesday for that Offaly challenge and with Eoghan Madden and Brian Hehir expected to return in the coming weeks, Clare are con- tinuing to move in the right direc- nt)

EMPLOYERS lobby group IBEC, has welcomed the statement from the independent Referendum Commis- sion that there are no changes in the Lisbon Treaty with regard to tax. IBEC Regional Director Chris O’Donovan said the Treaty clarifies the position on tax, and confirms that every country in the EU has a veto over decisions in this area. Speaking at the launch of the Ref- erendum Commission’s information campaign, Chairman Mr Justice Jarfhlaith O’Neill said it was their view that the present veto on taxation will continue.

“One of the main reasons IBEC is calling for a yes vote, is that Ireland’s veto on tax issues is secure. This was a significant achievement for Irish negotiators, who protected national interests in the years of debate that led to the Lisbon Reform Treaty,” continued Mr O’Donovan.

‘The Treaty will create a more ef- fective, democratic and transparent EU, that works harder, smarter and performs better’, he said.

IBEC also welcomed the launch of the Referendum Commission’s infor- mation campaign, which will include the distribution of two million cop- ies of a guide to the treaty to every home in the country.

A NEW club for teenagers in Scariff is giving youngsters a chance to let it all out and to learn forms of self-ex- pression they might never otherwise sa

Youth Express, a spin-off from the Every Moment Counts youth club, allows younger members to get to- gether, play music, talk to each other and learn new crafts and other crea- tive carry-on.

At their meetings between 7pm and 9pm behind Brian and Joe’s Café,

the young girls – for girls they all are – are creating a stained glass mosa- ic under the tutorship of Natalie El Baba.

The project is funded by the Arts Section of Clare County Council and the finished stained glass will be put on display during the Iniscealtra Fes- Mee

Learning expression through dance and music is also on the cards for the 13 to 17 year olds.

“This is a place where they can express themselves in an informal way which is impossible for them

in school,’ said youth worker Tracy Boyle

“They are all learning from each other.”

For Youth Express member Re- becca Doyle the club nights are a chance to “do stuff we like to do and talk about things – share our experi- Co Neren ae

Una Moir says the club is “about being there for each other and sup- porting each other”.

Elli Ford-Elliot says that the club is “the only place we can really open up to people – it’s a chance to talk

things out and it’s confidential”.

Catriona Godbold says it’s “a great way to make friends” while Emma- Lee Talbot says the club night are “really great and good fun”.

Youth leader Sam Talbot says the club “allows the girls to express their feelings freely in a safe environ- jeatoslmae

Next on the club’s activity list are belly dancing classes – which will also be open to mums and guard- lans – and the “Cop On” programme, which deals with the topic of not get- ting yourself known to the gardai.

OVER 200 people paid tribute to the memory of a well-known Clare busi- nessman and supported a number of worthy causes at the second annual John Burke Commemorative Ball, hosted by the Armada Hotel in Span- ish Point on Sunday night.

The evening was a glamorous oc- casion with the newly extended hotel taking on a 1940’s style “Casablanca’ theme and transformed into a picture of that glamorous era by Fun Ireland, the well-known Limerick event man- Poses MUU EEE

The evening commenced with a champagne and cocktail reception, followed by a five-course banquet in the ocean-view Atlantic suite, with entertainment by the Irish Rat Pack.

Last year’s event raised €46,000 for local charities and this year’s funds will be divided between the palliative care team at Milford Hos- pice and the Miltown Resource Cen-

tre, which hosts many worthwhile local groups such as senior citizens, Youthreach and library facilities.

One of the highlights of the evening was the auction carried out by well- known local Clare auctioneer, Cor- mac O’Sullivan.

Among the many items donated by generous sponsors was a top-of-the- range gents’ Rolex watch from the sports submarine range donated by Keanes jewellers of Limerick, Kil- larney and Cork.

The auction created quite a stir and excited guests watched in anticipa- tion when Cormac finally struck the hammer at €5,500.

Thanking all the sponsors and guests for their support, commit- tee member John Burke said he was grateful to the event sponsors and to everyone who attended the ball.

“We are delighted to be able to make a sizable donation to local charities and to make a positive dif- ference to their lives,” he said.

THE loss of the Shannon-Heathrow service has contributed to Shannon Airport suffering a six per cent drop in passenger traffic for the first quar- ter this year, new figures reveal.

Aer Lingus ended its Shannon- Heathrow service in January, with the consequent estimated loss of 331,000 passengers this year.

Low-cost airline Ryanair has in- creased its frequency and routes to London airports. However, Airport Director, Martin Moroney said that short-haul traffic numbers had suf- fered, due to the loss of the Heathrow

Tos ais eon

In the figures released, the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) confirmed that, from January to March, term1- nal traffic was at 569,000.

This is a six per cent reduction on the previous year. Transit totals for the same period were down by five per cent to 91,500.

In a statement, the SAA blamed the “single digit percentage drop in the first quarter due to recent airline route decisions,’ while it expressed confidence for the remainder of 2008 season, due to indications of increased traffic growth.

The SAA confirmed that terminal

traffic for the month of March de- creased by two per cent compared to the 2007 figure, with over 226,000 passengers using the airport, along with 28,400 transit passengers.

The authority also stated that tran- sit figures were reduced by 8,000 largely due to the decline in pas- senger numbers on combined Shan- non/Dublin transatlantic services as a result of “open skies’.

Mr Moroney said that a downturn in traffic had been expected due to a number of factors.

In relation to short haul, Mr Mo- roney said that the new Air France service is performing well with high

load factors, albeit with less capac- ity and frequency than the Heathrow service had offered.

‘A downturn in transatlantic traffic had been expected this year due to the effects of “Open Skies’ which are in fact in place since the beginning of the Winter 2007/8 schedule,’ said Mr Moroney.

“The recent confirmation by Aer Lingus of year-round commitment to their Shannon transatlantic routes was a welcome development, as was the announcement of additional pro- motional funding aimed at support- ing traffic development on all trans- atlantic routes to Shannon.”

IT’S taken almost ten years to be- come a reality but the determination of a few people backed by a whole community was being celebrated in Tulla at the weekend.

The people of Tulla came out to see the official opening of their new soc- cer pitches and clubhouse, on what was once a bog field in Cragg.

The aim to get a facility, which is second to none started with Christ- mas raffles 10 years ago.

€3 a ticket didn’t seem a lot at the time, but over 10 years the raffle brought in €100,000.

Five years into the plan, the pitch committee found a piece of land to suit the purpose and their ambitions were helped along with some fund- ing from the National Lottery.

“That was great but we still had €750,000 to fundraise,’ said Tulla United’s Michael Moloney.

“But all credit to Denis Cory, Mike Hoey, Stephan Brady and the com- mittee. They were the people who worked all the way to make this a re- ality and the people of Tulla were so generous and supportive. There was unbelievable work done but it would never have happened without Denis and the committee,” said Michael.

200 people linked to the club sup- ported the development, committing €20 a month to a club draw for three and a half years.

And there were also thousandaires, coffee mornings and sponsored all- sorts to boost the fund.

The result is two of the finest sand- based pitches anywhere in the coun- try, one which is floodlit.

There is a clubhouse which will allow players to change in comfort, space for meetings to take place, gear to be stored and a proper park- ing facility.

For the 100 under age and 50 adult players, it makes all the difference.

The facilities were officially opened by John Delaney, CEO of the FAI on Saturday after a dedicated Mass and parade through the town, led by the Tulla Pipe Band.

“This is a shining example of what community spirit can do,” said Michael.

‘“We’re hoping now that these fa- cilities will act as a magnet for peo- ple who want to play the game and for people who don’t have a club and we’ll be focusing on blitzes for the seven to Il age group, getting more youngsters involved. Now we have these facilities we can do these things,” said Michael.