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IN THE greater scheme of things this year, the merit of the McGrath Cup has yet to be valued. By the time the championship comes around, if Clare have bounced out of Division 4, maybe we’ll look back at this cold and wet month of January and say the tournament provided the perfect launch pad for Frank Doherty.

On the flipside, should Clare linger along the fat midriff of the lowest rung on the ladder, the McGrath Cup will drift into the shadow of insig- nificance.

Time and results will tell and for now, all we have are the past four games to linger on. Without Cork or Kerry competing, the competition was open up for the likes of Clare to take advantage and that’s what

they’ve done. As Frank Doherty has been saying since the UCC game at Miltown just after Christmas, com- petitive games are worth any number of training sessions and reaching the final was more important than win- ub bayean |

But the manner in which Clare overcame Limerick, Doherty says, was of huge significance.

“I’ve seen us play a lot better than that and maybe the occasion got to lads, maybe there were some nerves, but we showed spirit there at the end. And maybe that’s a spirit that wasn’t there before. I’m delighted for the lads that we won because the opportunity of getting silverware doesn’t come about too often. It’s a great result be- cause Limerick had their homework done, they stopped us playing down the middle but we hung in.”

Doherty was speaking out in the middle of the field and at his back Michael O’Shea was lifting the Mc- GCre-tism Other

Just after the final whistle sounded, Doherty clambered onto the pitch, slapped his players and told them it would be the “first of many.” It’s that positive thinking that has seeped into the attitude this year.

“This win is going to stand to lads,” he said. ““We’re unbeaten in ’08 and that’s something we’ll take. You saw a good crowd of supporters showing up here and they saw a team with heart and soul. Maybe it wasn’t the greatest game, but Clare can play better. Four games in four week- ends might have taken its toll, but we freshened things up. Colm Dillon came on and livened things.

“I thought we dominated things in

the second-half and drove at Lim- erick. We got the bit of luck, David [Tubridy] is a cool customer and he knows where the net is. We practice penalties and if we don’t get another for the rest of the year, then it’s al- ready paid off.”

And the incident that led to that eae IAYAs

“Ah,” Doherty smiles, “the ref had a great game. Fair play.” Enough said.

At the other end of the field, Mick- ey Ned O’Sullivan stands beneath the dressing-room balcony and has a different opinion on the penalty. O’Sullivan is one of football’s great thinkers and you can imaging him dissecting the incident — and the wider implications it might have on football — on his long drive back to Kenmare.

“T didn’t think it was a penalty,” he

says straight up. “It was very, very unfair. Football 1s now becoming about referees and it should be about players. I mean, that [the incident that led to the penalty] was a 50-50 ball.

‘“That’s how we coach a goalkeeper to come out for a ball. My job is to coach and I’m not going to criticise the referee, but it was a mickey- mouse decision. We train hard and it’s difficult to lose like that. I won’t blame the referee though — we had our chances and we didn’t take them.”

He drifts back to the dressing room, the incident still swirling in his head. O’Sullivan has seen enough though to realise that a McGrath Cup doesn’t make a spring.

Doherty realises that too. He knows Clare have just reached the foot of the mountain. Getting to Base Camp One is the next step.

ALLEGATIONS that a war was threatened between locals in Kilmi- hil and Polish people living in the vil- lage were heard in court last week.

The suggestion that a local man pledged to start up a war between the Irish and the Polish was made at Kil- kee District Court on Tuesday.

The revelations came in the case of Robert Jernokow (22), formerly of Church Street, Kilmihil, who plead- ed guilty to possession of a knife and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, at Main Street, Kilmihil, on August 13, 2006.

Garda Paddy Coughlan told Kilkee District Court that Jernokow was in-

volved in an altercation with locals from Kilmihil, at 3.20am.

“In a pub earlier, a dispute arose over a game of pool. They decided to take matters into their own hands,” said the garda.

He said that the accused held “the sharp side” of a knife to the throat of a local man, for five seconds.

Garda Coughlan said the accused told gardai he had previously carried out a job on a house nearby and knew there was a knife in the front garden of the house.

“He didn’t have the knife in the pub. He acquired it after the initial row, he said.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said there had been an incident be-

tween Polish individuals and a local family in Kilmhil previously.

Garda Coughlan said that while he was aware there had been a previous incident, it had not been reported to gardai.

Mr O’Kelly said that his client and a number of other Polish men rented a house and a local family resented this. The solicitor said his client would allege that a member of the lo- cal family threatened to kill “all the Polish in the house”’.

Mr O’Kelly said the accused would say that the door of the house had been kicked in. In July 2006, he said a member of the local family had said he was “going to kill us and start a war between the Polish and

the Irish.”

Mr O’Kelly said his client came to Ireland to work in July 2006.

He said he was living in the house in Kilmihil just one week when the windows were broken and the door was kicked in. He said he had been intimidated twice by a local man.

He said his client heard that another Polish man had been hit by a local man and he “snapped.”

‘He knew the knife had been in the garden he had been working on. He got the knife and produced it and said he wanted no further trouble. It was a very foolish thing to do. He didn’t have the experience to go to gardai. He felt if he gave a stern, strict warn- ing to people that would be the end

of it,’ he said.

‘He couldn’t stand the intimidation in Kilmihil any longer so he moved to Limerick. He has no wish to return to Kilmihil,’ said the solicitor.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardai made enquiries of the Polish police, who said that Jer- nakow was known to them in relation to several thefts, breaking and enter- ing, punishable threats, damaging property, forgery of a document and causing bodily injury.

Judge Mangan jailed him for six months for the knife offence and six weeks for the public order matter, both sentences to run concurrently. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

STUDENTS and staff at Scariff Community College are this week celebrating the talent that is spilling over from the school.

National art titles, handball titles, construction and fund-raising chal- lenges and an adventure to Barcelona are just some of the exciting things going on in the school.

When the Applied Leaving Certifi- cate students decided they would do a construction project for their ex- ams, they took on one which would be of practical use to their school.

They came up with the idea of erecting a poly tunnel in the grounds of the school which could be used

like an extra classroom for agricul- tural science students.

The determined dozen had to source the materials, raise the funds to buy it and then erect it.

The tunnel will be used by the stu- dents to grow vegetables and other crops as well as to bring on graftings and cuttings as part of their agricul- tural science course.

As well as providing space for the ovuescau: Reeve som A OCcmm REDON OSIM BON mmerelubOLE towards the school’s bid to win back their Green Schools Flag.

“It’s an extremely practical project which will be of great benefit to their fellow students on the agricultural science course,’ a school spokesman Sr HKOe

While the applied leaving certs are busy digging and building, 37 other students are busy packing their suit- cases for a school trip to Barcelona.

The transition year students are off to the Spanish city to hear Spanish spoken first hand, to look at the ar- chitecture and the museums and to enjoy cultural differences including tasty tapas.

Sporting winners are not forgotten in Scariff either. First year student, Paddy Fitzgerald, took gold recently in the Munster 60 x 30 schools hand- ball competition.

The school itself 1s sponsoring gear for transition year students, Aisling Fitzgerald and Sarah O’Donnell who are into the FBD National Fi-

nal Handball Trials representing schools.

Last but certainly not least in terms of community college pride, is 13- year old Abbie Koomans-Reilly, who took first place in the Energy Effi- ciency for Clare art competition.

Abbie was presented with her prize at a special ceremony by the Mayor of Ennis, Tommy Brennan.

THERE have been obituaries aplen- ty, but Kieren Fallon has vowed to re- turn to racing despite being handed down a worldwide ban of 18 months by French racing’s regulatory author- ity, Galop.

And the controversial but gifted Ballinruan man has looked to fellow legend Lester Piggott for inspiration as he faces into a suspension that will keep off the track until August 2009.

A defiant Fallon spoke about his fu- ture in the sport after his 18-month suspension for failing a dope test at DISFUAS UN CoM EO UEAU MeO NNER MSELere by France Galop.

“It’s just a little setback,” he said. “It’s not a tragedy. Far from it. There’s no doubt [ll bounce back.

It’s very silly of people to talk of re- tirement. I’m young at heart and have many years left. I’ use the duration of the ban to get back on track, and when I do come back I’l! be stronger, both mentally and physically.”

“Jerry Bailey’s career didn’t take off until he was 40, and some of the best American jockeys have come back from drugs bans to compete – and win – at the highest level.

“In Britain, Lester Piggott returned to win a Breeders’ Cup at the age of 54. ’’m 42 – but I don’t feel it. I don’t have many miles on the clock – I’ve been riding good horses for the past 10 years – and I can ride until I am mae

Ironically, Piggott’s comeback was prompted by then Ballydoyle maes- tro, Vincent O’Brien who coaxed

him out or retirement after he served a jail sentence in England for tax evasion.

Now, current bearer of the flame in Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien and his paymasters, Coolmore Stud, are re- maining tight lipped on Fallon’s fu- ture as stable jockey.

“This is a personal matter for Ki- eren and for us there is no change. We will continue to use the best available on the day, as before,” Coolmore spokesman Richard Hen- ry revealed after the suspension was handed down.

In December, Fallon was cleared of race-fixing charges that had stopped him racing for 17 months in Britain after a judge threw out the case for lack of evidence. Now, Fallon has spoken for the first time on the ordeal

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‘From the very first day after my arrest, the three years leading up to the trial were a nightmare for me. But when you consider that my life has been effectively been on hold since September 2004, I’m sure I can get through another 18 months, and hopefully I can turn it around.”

A WEST Clare solicitor has said a decision by a judge to forfeit a de- fendant’s bail should be challenged in the High Court.

The comment was made in the case of a 19-year-old Limerick man charged in connection with a road traffic accident in Kilkee on June 30, 2007.

When the case was called at Kilkee

District Court last Tuesday, solicitor Gearoid Williams said he was acting as agent for Limerick solicitor Ted McCarthy who could not attend as he was in Limerick Circuit Court at the same time. He sought an adjourn- ment.

Judge Joseph Mangan remarked, “This is the fourth adjournment. Does Mr McCarthy have any assist- “0 wae

Mr Williams said he did not know,

adding that Mr McCarthy is “nor- mally very organised”.

The judge told him the case was preemptory against the defendant, who was not in court.

He said he was forfeiting the bail and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused.

The solicitor pointed out that the accused had been in court on every other occasion and had contacted the gardai last Monday – the day before

the court sitting.

Mr Williams said, “I think that matter should be challenged in the High Court.

“If I (accused) am not here and you are forfeiting the bail, you are not giving me the opportunity to say why I’m not here. Failure to appear could be caused by anything.”

Judge Mangan replied, “That’s a very interesting argument. The High Court might be interested in hearing

it.”

Mr Williams said it was “Mr Mc- Carthy’s call.”

“If you are up for having no light on your bike, would you take the same view if the court fined you in your absence?” asked the judge.

The solicitor replied, “The question of forfeiture of your bail does not arise unless an application is made.”

Judge Mangan said, “It’s for the Four Courts.”

CALLS have been made for a resi- dent garda to fight the drugs scourge in east Clare.

Cllr Pat Hayes asked that a member of the force trained in drug detec- tion be assigned to the area to help prevent young people from becom- ing embroiled in the evil trade. The councillor was speaking at a meeting of the Scariff Area Committee of the county council, to which a senior garda officer had been invited.

Superintendent Tony Kennelly was attending the meeting to discuss crime in east Clare.

He told councillors that “while there is a drugs problem in east

Clare, just like anywhere else nowa- days, the worst thing we could do is create a scare situation. There is not a huge problem in east Clare but the area 1S close to Limerick, Ennis and Galway which allows access.”

The superintendent said that gardai are about to embark on a programme of talks for schools on the dangers of orbs

“Drug abuse is a social problem and where young people get involved, out attitude is to try to avoid criminal- ising them the first time. We have recourse instead to options like the junior liason officer programme.

Cllr Hayes said that it would be “very important that we get a garda based in east Clare. The people who

are dealing drugs don’t see this as a social problem – they see it as a busi- en

Cllr Joe Cooney supported Cllr Hayes’ call and added that “parents are very concerned about the issue but a lot of the time they don’t know how to explain it to their children because they don’t know anything about drugs. Would it be possible for gardai to arrange a talk aimed at eyes vaee

Supt Kennelly said he would pro- vide a speaker if any parents or com- munity groups are interested.

He also updated councillors on oth- er crime issues in the area and told the meeting that it’s believed that a gang which came to east Clare from

outside the east Clare area to commit a spate of burglaries have now been caught. He also told councillors that measures which have been put in place to tackle speeding by “boy rac- ers’ 1S proving effective.

‘We set up operations to deal with this problem because east Clare was being targeted. We’re helped with a change in legislation which allows us to seize their cars if they don’t com- ply.”

The superintendent said that the overall picture for crime levels in east Clare spells good news.

“Normally at this time of year with the dark evenings, we would see a spike in crime rates but that hasn’t been the case,” he said.

AN 82-year-old woman died af- ter falling and cutting her leg, the Coroner’s Court in Ennis heard last week.

Joanna Talty died at her home near

Kilkee in September 2007. County Coroner Isobel O’ Dea returned a ver- dict of accidental death caused by hy- povolemic shock, due to hemorrhage associated with a cut to the leg.

Ms Talty’s body was discovered near the gate of the garden of her

house by her daughter-in-law, Mary Talty. In her deposition to the court, Mary Talty said she had called to Joanna Talty’s house after she had heard the phone ringing out.

Ms ‘Talty’s son, Patrick Talty, told the court that he had visited his moth-

er the day the incident occurred.

He said, “I remember Friday, De- cember 28. I was with my mother in the garden in her house. I went milk- ing the cows at 2pm. I didn’t see her NA Coy mn o0t- |

Garda Mary O’Neill told the court

that when she was called to the house, she saw the body of Joanna Talty in an enclosed garden. She said Ms Tal- ty had suffered a cut to the leg.

Ms O’Dea and Inspector John Galvin both extended their sympathy to the family of Joanna Talty.

A YOUNG motorist who a garda saw ‘executing sharp turns’ in a Kilkee carpark has been convicted of care- less driving.

Brendan Behan (20), a trainee me- chanic, of Donoughboy, Kilkee, was charged, arising out of an incident on the evening of June 3, 2007.

Garda Gary Laide told Kilkee Dis- trict Court last Tuesday that Behan was “executing sharp turns” in the East End carpark at Dough, Kilkee.

“There was lots of gravel being thrown up and he was braking heav-

ily. There were lots of cars parked in the carpark and children walking. It was dangerous,’ he said.

He accepted there were “no wheel- ies’ but added “there were sharp athe knee

Defending solicitor Joe Chambers said his client would say “there was no risk to anybody. There was grav- el moved but it wasn’t in a reckless manner.”

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how long did the incident last and was told by the garda “no more than 30 seconds.”

He imposed a fine of €1,000.

PRIMARY school children from all over north Clare and south Galway are returning to school this month with a new and exciting subject light- ing up the curriculum. Hundreds of children from nine schools through- out the region are getting their teeth into anew course which teaches them all about the landscape, ecology and rich history of the Burren.

The Eco-Beo – My Burren Herit- age education programme, which is being delivered by Burrenbeo, with Support from the Burren Connect Project, will take place between Jan- uary and June of this year.

Specially trained experts will offer children the chance to explore the animals, plants, monuments, land- scape and culture of the Burren in a fun and friendly classroom atmos-

je) aster

The Eco-Beo concept was original- ly developed by Burrenbeo, which rolled out the programme to six Bur- ren schools in 2004.

‘“Burrenbeo has worked for the last five years to support the development of new education models that will help people understand how impor- tant it is to conserve what’s left of Ireland’s special places like the Bur- ren,’ said Ann O’Connor of Burren- beo.

‘“Eco-Beo is a unique course be- cause it immerses children in their local heritage over a period of months, adopts new technologies and top educators to do so.”

Course tutors, including Gordan D’arcy, Zena Hoctor and Brendan Dunford, all of whom are experts in their individual areas, will deliver the modules.

Students will also be taken on Bur- ren field trips, where they will have the opportunity to explore the region first hand and put their new-found knowledge to the test. As well as ex- citing field trips and class lectures, Burrenbeo utilises new technology and interactivity as a basis for effec- tive education.

“We hope to find new ways to roll out virtual classrooms to support learners and encourage users to learn through participation and experi- mentation. In a way it’s like subvert- ing the screen that so dominates chil- dren’s lives today,” continued Ann.

‘We hope that through our work lo- cal children will take ownership of their heritage and reconnect with na- ture and the Burren – a place that has to be Ireland’s most perfect learning STOMANRO ev ee tole

Primary school children from Kin-

vara, Kilnaboy, New Quay, Corofin, Kilfenora, Doorus, Kilshanny, Tub- ber and Boston will all take part in this years programme while Bur- renbeo and the Burren Connect Project are actively seeking funding to extend the course to other Burren schools in 2008 and 2009.

To learn more about this and the other work of Burrenbeo check out Wwww.burrenbeo.com, e-mail info@burrenbeo.com or contact the Burren Connect programme Carol Gleeson at cgleeson@burren.ie or 065 7072296.

THE County Coroner has described as a “great pity” a fishing trip by a eroup of friends that ended with the death of a Polish man.

Isobel O’Dea was speaking at the inquest into the death of Dariucz Dzikowski. Mr Dzikowski died af- ter he was swept from rocks on the coastline at Kilkee on October 28, 2007.

Ms O’Dea said weather conditions on the day were particularly bad. She said, “My recollection of the day is that it was a pretty miserable one. It was a great pity that people went fishing. I would like to pay tribute to the rescue services who went out in those conditions.”

Ms O’Dea returned a verdict of death by drowning as result of fish- ing off the rocks near Kilkee.

In giving her decision, Ms O’Dea

said, “I am aware that there is a lack of witnesses in the court, but I am satisfied there is no foul play.”

No members of Mr Dzikowski’s family or any of the witnesses present at the time of the accident were present in the Coroner’s Court in Ennis last Wednesday.

Ms O’Dea said she was aware there had been difficulty contacting wit- nesses and that the Polish embassy was anxious to get a death certificate. She said she would be writing to the Polish embassy to appraise them of the situation.

Inspector John Galvin read to the court the deposition of the deceased’s brother-in-law, Wojech Wilk. He described how Mr Dzikowski was swept into the sea. “It was a Sunday afternoon and we went fishing down past the Pollock holes in Kilkee. I was with Dariucz and our friends, Jan Krsten and Adam Kurzalkowsk1.

At about 1.30pm, a wave hit Dariucz and brought him into the sea. Adam threw him a lifejacket but we couldn’t see him.”

Tony O’Mahony of the Shannon Helicopter Rescue Service told the court, “We located the body within 10 minutes and we administered CPR immediately.”

Garda John Reidy told the court that at 1.40pm on the day of the in- cident he had received a report that a person had fallen into the sea near Kilkee golf club.

‘I searched the area and could not see anyone or find anyone who could help. I realised that the accident had occurred on the cliffs at the far side. I resumed the search there.”

Mr Dzikowski was airlifted to En- nis and was pronounced dead at En- nis General Hospital. Inspector John Galvin extended his sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Dzikowsk1.