Category: Uncategorized

CONTRASTING results from last year but Carlow won’t complain. An early set-back by Clare who travelled to Dr Cullen Park saw go under by five points and spiral into relegation Kouser

They then went on to only win one league game in a dismal campaign and looked on the Clare game as the beginning of the slide. But twelve months since that game, Carlow are a completely different side under new manager Paul Bealin.

The former Dublin All-Ireland win- ner has transformed the flagging side into a more determined outfit, epito- mised by a victory over his former side, Wexford, in the O’Byrne Cup before a inspirational performance to draw against Dublin in the sem1- final.

A change of venue – Cusack Park fell foul of the weather – and trech- erous conditions couldn’t halt their progress on Sunday as they turned what looked like a perilous situation into a memorable victory.

After the game, Bealin gave his players a warm down in the centre of the field before relaying his thoughts on the league opener.

“They showed a great bit of spirit and character and I think there’s a

little bit of pride back in the jersey,” he said.

“It’s going in the right direction and they showed that more and more, especially team spirit and team mo- ee NCon

“We are not going to get carried away because we have only won one match, the equivlalent to what we won last year in the league – so we will have to build on that.”

It all looked grim for Bealin’s side seven minutes into the second half when substitute Brian Farrell was sent off for a high tackle on Stephen Hickey. At that stage, Carlow were already two points down and Bealin concedes that if Clare had kept their discipline, it might have been a dif- KROES ON LE

“Don’t forget Clare had the breeze behind them in the scond half, but in those conditions, it certainly would have been an uphill battle. But we tried to keep our discipline. I would be diappointed that any of our play- ers were sent off. I didn’t see the in- cident and I know that’s a cliché that most managers use but I actually didn’t see it.

“Look, we are just happy that we came back at them and this time last year Clare beat us by four or five at home and so it’s a revenge game and that’s what it was.”

Bealin admits that he initially con- sidered the change of venue as a Clare tactic to unsettle his side but whatever the venue, he was also con- scious of his side’s need to consist- ently perform in the league after an impressive O’ Byrne Cup run.

“This year, Carlow competed in the O’Byrne Cup, they beat Wexford, they matched Dublin and Dublin beat them well the second day but it wasn’t about the O’ Byrne Cup today. It was about team spirit, perform- ances, discipline, tackling properly, workrate, intensity and they showed all those aspects of the game today.

‘And they needed to show it in the conditions out there because travel- ling to Cusack Park thinking it was there and then having to come here, we probably used it and said ‘look, they are bringing us down here for a reason’ and I suppose we thought that Cusack Park was alright but we did learn that the conditions were atrocious.

“All things considered, we’re de- lighted to get the game out of the way and to have won it and got off to a great start was a bonus.”

FAMILIES in Inagh and Gort are returning to their homes this week following a month of intensive flood- ing which trapped a number of peo- ple in their homes for days at a time throughout January.

Pressure 1s mounting on local au- thorities in both Clare and Galway to tackle problem areas such as Drum- cullaun in Inagh and Tierneevan on the outskirts of Gort.

Rising waters cut off two families of Mullins’ in Drumcullaun at vari- ous times throughout January. The area was flooded for a total of 10 days throughout January, with mem-

bers of the Mullins family trapped either inside their home or away from their home for days at a time.

“If they are stuck outside of the house when the flood comes, they have to go and stay with relations or friends, but if they are inside the house when it floods, they’re trapped there, end of story,” said Inagh-based County Councillor Flan Garvey (FP).

“They have just returned to their homes but who knows when the next flood will come. Besides the incon- venience to the families, what if there was an emergency? There would be no way of reaching them.

“They can be trapped there for

three or four days at a time.”

Clare County Council has agreed to examine the situation but warned that a solution to the flooding could be both time-consuming and expen- sive.

“It is an expensive thing but as far as lam concerned the Mullins family are entitled to access to their homes the same as any other family. They pay their taxes the same as anyone else. A solution has to be found,” continued Cllr Garvey.

Meanwhile, Galway County Coun- cil are examining the possibility of opening a relief road to facilitate lo- cal people in the townland of Tiern- eevan near Gort who were marooned

as aresult of the recent flooding.

According to former Fianna Fail councillor, Michael ‘Stroke’ Fahy (IND), a relief road is available to allow families affected by the flood- ing to access Gort, but this cannot be done until insurance issues are sorted out between the landowner and Gal- way County Council.

Cllr Fahy returned to active service for Galway County Council in De- cember after spending seven months in prison after he was found guilty of misappropriating council funds and attempted theft last May in Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

Cllr Fahy (56) is the longest serving member of Galway County Council.

IRISH language group, Glor hInse has won first prize, €50,000, in the annual Glor na nGael awards.

Comharchumann Rath Cairn, County Meath, won the second prize of €12,500, while Cumann Forbar- tha Ghaoth Dobhair, came in third place, winning €7,500.

Praising the work of Glor na hInse, Glor na nGael director, Lorcan Mac Gabhann, described the commit- tee as an example for Irish groups throughout the country.

“The committee enjoys broad rep-

resentation from the community and uses an effective planning system. The adjudicators were particularly impressed its strategic plan and the work arising from it,” he said.

Mr Mac Gabhann said the win re- flected the strong gaelic movement that existed in Ennis. He said

‘“T congratulate the people of Ennis and Clare for this Glor na nGael win, achieving first place in the competi- tion for the third time, a feat achieved only once before.”

“Ennis enjoys a strong Irish gaels- coil movement. As well as that, the committee manages to exert influ-

ence on all the schools in the area through drama, debating and other major events.

“There has been significant growth in participation of Ogras. From the start of the year till the end, young people are supported through Féile na hInse, schools’ drama and a sum- mer camp.

He praised the large number of events organised by Glor na Gael throughout the year. He said, “A large number of events are also or- ganised for adults such as a reading circle and public lectures.

“The Irish language is central to

other cultural events such as an Flea- dh Nua. The committee received particular praise for organising Fili an Chlair.

“The committee is working suc- cessfully with the state sector, par- ticularly with Clare County Council and has achieved much. A demand for state services in Irish 1s advanced and encouraged.”

In total, Glor na nGael announced awards to the value of €141,950, giving recognition the work being carried out by many committees to promote the Irish language at home ~NOlemr-lesKers(en

THE Ennis General Hospital Devel- opment Committee is in the black following a very busy year for the lobby group.

According to the accounts present- ed to last week’s AGM of the com- mittee, the group has carried over €8,804 from last year.

Its treasurer, Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey (FG), told the meeting that the

committee spent a total of €19,576.

Last year proved a busy and expen- sive year for the committee as it cam- paigned during the general election campaign for commitments to the future of the hospital and organised a protest rally for the streets of Ennis.

The greatest expense for the group was media advertising which totaled €7,951.

This included the cost of advertis- ing in the four local newspapers and

the local radio station.

Printing costs came to €4,151, which did not include car stickers, the cost of which was sponsored.

Postage costs for 2007 came to €3,520, public relations cost €300, Clare Cancer Concern was afforded €800, photography €1,098, the pub- lic health alliance €50 and bank charges came to €117.

The hospital committee raised most of its fund from church gate collec-

tions totalling €6,843.

Sales of the lobby group’s CD raised €5,/41, with further donations reaching €1,550.

The collection on the day of the hospital rally came to €2,800.

In total, the committee raised em eres

A carry-over of €10,646 from the previous year saw all the bills paid and the books in good stead for the Ley eaBNTSaA orb

LAST YEAR, Clare travelled to Dr Cullen Park in the league opener, played well. When Carlow moved through the gears in the second-half, Clare responded and came home e100 MAA n OE

It was Clare’s highlight of the year

and already, even without the league beginning, they’ve eclipsed last year’s achievements.

On Sunday, Carlow come to Ennis in the reverse fixture and Clare will expect a similar performance and re- sult to that of 2007. Crucially, they will also expect and should continue their winning habit throughout the

league.

Despite Carlow’s draw with Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup and despite Paul Bealin’s introduction and a fresh at- titude in ther panel, Clare won’t have any serious reservations about the Carlow challenge. Dublin took them down at the weekend in the O’ Byrne Cup replay with a weak side and had

eight points to spare in the process.

The starting 15 against Carlow will hold the most interest from a Clare perspective. The back four should remain the same from the McGrath Cup final and Niall Considine — who wasn’t available for selection on Sun- day — should come in at wing-back, possibly at the expense of Jimmy yeah

Gordon Kelly has done enough at centre-back to keep the jersey. He’s been one of the county’s most con- sistent players over the past two years and he provides the spine Frank Do- herty needs.

During the McGrath Cup campaign, Clare have tried to coax a handful of players back onto the panel. So far, they haven’t budged but a slice of success in January will provide more bargaining power.

Garry Brennan will push for se- lection on Sunday, but the feeling is that Clare will stay with the midfield of Darragh Kelly and Frank O’Dea — though O’Dea picked up a knock to the back against Limerick.

Clare need Brennan and one other player pushing for a second midfield spot while Brennan also provides an option closer to goal. David Russell, of course, would provide the pres- ence needed in the middle but he was used effectively against Limerick — in his first start of the year — as, es- sentially, a third midfielder. Joe Hay- es could have used him more from his kickouts and whenever he did, particularly late on, Russell revelled. Though he’s been with the panel for less than a month, he already looks fit and sharp.

If Clare need some competition for

midfield places, then they also need two more forwards of inter-county standard. Michael O’Shea is an ob- vious starter on the 40 and Stephen Hickey has held his place throughout the McGrath Cup.

David ‘Tubridy has one corner locked up and Rory Donnelly might get the other. If not, Hickey could move to the corner, opening other options out the field.

The real decision comes at full-for- ward. Before Sunday, the feeling here is that Timmy Ryan was ahead in Clare’s pecking order but once more, Colm Dillon came on and made an immediate impact.

While both provide obvious pres- ence and height — thus increasing depth and penetration — they each bring different qualities to the table. Dillon is arguably better in the air and has a strong relationship with Tubridy. Ryan is the more rounded footballer but still lacks match sharp- ness. It’s a close call, but Ryan will Start.

Sean Collins, Keith Whelan, Fintan Conway, the Larkins and John Hayes will also have contributions to make and Doherty hasn’t been afraid to make fast personnel decisions during elses. 00a len

It’s a dog-eared cliché to state that Clare must win their home games, but a five from five start to the season is within Clare’s grasp.

CLARE’S county manager has ad- mitted that Clare County Council will “have to up our game consider- ably” if it 1s to reach the targets set for it in the first report on the Provi- sion and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland, 2006 – 2007.

Alec Fleming said that while the re- port was favourable in many respects the council has a lot of improvement works to carry out.

He said that the three areas re- quiring improvement included the upgrading of the county’s treatment plants, the operation and mainte- nance of the water schemes and the

monitoring of the water sources.

All of this will require more staff and money; money the manager said he does not have.

Clare County Council, like other local authorities, no longer receive 100 per cent of the capital fund- ing required for such projects. This means that the council must find €80 million from its own coffers.

While such money is collectable through levies, the county manager fears that such funding will be dif- ficult to find.

“IT welcome the report. It brings out issues. They are serious issues and they have to be addressed urgently and quickly,” he said.

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the report gives an overall favourable report to the drinking water in Clare, while highlighting a few serious concerns.

The EPA was particularly con- cerned with the low level of compli- ance with the trihalomethanes stand- ard at 88 per cent.

Trihalomethanes remains on the surface of the water when it is treat- ed only with disinfection rather than UI Kouce

Supplies in Ennis, Ennistymon, West Clare New and West Clare Old reported concentrations that were unacceptably high.

The standards for trihalomethanes

are tightening later this year, making this a number one concern.

Compliance with the indicator par- amedic values was above the nation- al average in water supplies in Clare, but there was a notable improvement required in the iron concentration in the water.

Water supplies in Clare were fully compliant with 23 of the 26 chemi- cal standards, with just one failure to meet fluoride standard and two fail- ures to meet lead standards recorded. Compliance with water regulations for the county were above national average at 98.2 per cent although concerns were expressed about the Ennis town supply.

For the report the EPA analysed 529 check and 54 audit samples dur- ihnteaA 0) Oley

Although private group’ water schemes in Clare were generally of a higher quality than those in the ma- jority of local authorities, the report found that there was still a number of quality deficient schemes dur- ing 2006 whether three or the 11 schemes monitored contaminated. Two of these were also contaminated during 2005. Compliance with the coliform bacteria parametric value in private group water schemes re- mained problematic and dropped from 63 per cent compliance in 2005 to 58 per cent in 2006.

BAREFIELD National School con- tinued their push for green school status last week with events focusing on healthy eating.

Barefield has been a green flag school since 2002 and since that time staff and students have really embraced the programme.

There are seven steps in the pro- gramme. The school must set up a green school committee, carry out a green review and decide on an ac- tion plan for the school. All progress must be monitored, measured and evaluated. Then green schools pro- eramme is also incorporated into

school curriculum work.

The school must also involve and inform the local community and cre- ate a green code before being award- ed full green flag status.

So far the school has made great strides and received recognition for work done on litter and waste man- agement, energy and water.

Ata presentation on Friday, students presented a report on the progress so far. Last year the school initiated a healthy lifestyle programme with the help of all teachers, pupils and parents. Students are encouraged to bring healthy lunches to school and the programme is to form a major part of the school’s push for green

flag status in the coming years.

Other projects undertaken include the reporting of leaking and dripping taps and compiling surveys on water conservation.

School principal Paddy Conroy praised the enthusiasm of students and teachers.

He said, “Well done to all of the school and a special thank you to all the teachers in every single class and all your help and patience in helping the school with the all the different projects. We also got great support and advice from the environmental section of Clare County Council”.

The green schools programme is an international education programme,

which helps students to recognise the importance of environmental issues and take them more seriously in their personal and home lives. In Ireland the programme is administered by An Taisce.

The Green Schools initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in Ireland in 1997. Eleven award ceremonies are being held this month. Over 2,000 Irish schools are registered for the pro- eramme, representing over 49 per cent of all the schools in the coun- a7

Barefield National School is hop- ings to achieve green school status by 2009.

AN TAISCE came under fire yes- terday after it appealed to An Bord Pleanala a ruling by Clare County Council to give the go-ahead for a home beside the Western Rail Cor- ridor.

The national trust has lodged the appeal — the only instance it has ap- pealed a decision relating to a one- off home in Clare in the past year —in spite of Iarnrod Eireann having no objection against the proposal.

Last month, Clare County Council eranted outline planning permission to Monica McMahon to construct one home at Bearnafunshin, Barefield. _In the planning process, larnrod Eireann initially had reservations due to the proximity of the home to the Ennis-Galway rail-line which is oLeSUITSMGUDUReIILOMAmUNOscau-lelsrem

Green Party councillor, Brian Meaney said, “I believe that the functions that An Taisce carry out are necessary, but intervening in a case like this — when the compe- tent authority, Iarnrod Eireann sees

no problem — damages An Taisce’s crest ae

“Iarnrod Eireann adopts a very hard line when developments en- croach very close to the rail line and you would think if Iarnré6d Eireann didn’t have a problem, An Taisce shouldn’t.

“IT would have to question if this is a good use of An Taisce’s resources and time and there are other develop- ments that it could be concentrating

on.”

In its appeal, an Taisce state, “It is submitted that notwithstanding the alleviation of the concerns by Jarnrod Eireann on the impact of the proposal of the operation of the upgraded railway crossing, the pro- posal because of its location, would be of poor residential amenity qual- ity because of its proximity to the level crossing.

“While historically, all across the country, there are railway crossing keepers’ houses and houses already existing in proximity to railway cross- ings, outside of urban areas, the gen- eral principle should be maintained of restricting development in proximity to railways crossings for reasons for residential amenity, particularly in this case, since no site specific need has been advanced for development of this kind, and there are alternative development locations.”

An Taisce conceded that the rail company no longer objected to the eben

AS THE crowd filtered out of Co- oraclare and the emotion of a late penalty faded, it was easier to draw a clearer picture of the game. Some improvements, some things to work One

James Hanrahan, Clare selector and a link to the great days of Clare football, provided a slice of the half- empty/half-full reaction.

A good finish, but a below par per- formance.

“Tt didn’t look like we were going to do it at the end, and I’m pleased that we dug out the win. But we had a lot of possession and we didn’t use it. That was very frustrating.”

As expected, Limerick provided a bulkier challenge and Hanrahan says the step-up was noticeable.

“It was a lot more physical. It goes to show that there’s a big difference between colleges and inter-county. The lads were up against older fellas who were a lot stronger and at times

it took us a while to get going.

“We played bad but we won. That’s all you can say really and it might be character-building to do that, but there’s no way we’ll win if we play like that against Carlow next week. Carlow are going to be a major step- up in class again and we have to 1m- priove from today. We struggled at times, but defended well.”

He returns once more to the clos- ing stages of the game and Clare’s refusal to give-in

“We haven’t been under pressure in the last three games and we were under fair pressure today. We came through, which was the main thing. The lads kept battling – that was promising — but we won’t get carried AE Ale

that the council

was surprised that a blockage of this

size could result in such a problem with the water supply.

He said the weather also played a

part in the water problems.

The age of the system also made it more vulnerable, with Mr Tiernan admitting that the council expected the new water system to be in place lea IO

The new, permanent system, 1s ex- pected to be up and running in Feb- ruary next year.

“The supply is more vulnerable be- cause it does not have a fully fledged multi stage treatment process,” said Mr Tiernan.

While the most recent tests of the supply show that traces of the E-coli are no longer present, residents of En- nis, Clarecastle, Barefield, Crusheen and surrounding areas are warned to continue boiling the water which is to be consumed.

A number of clear water tests must be recorded to the satisfaction of the HSE before the boil notice is lifted.

Residents are advised to boil all water for human consumption, in- cluding food preparation and brush- bOTeaa Kore ee