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IT was a day for hurling in Corofin on Saturday. Hundred of young sharp shooters from six clubs turned out to show their stuff and prove once again that hurling is alive and well in north ETc

Teams representing Ruan, Crush- een, Lisdoonvarna, Corofin, Kilna- mona and Inagh all competed in the first ever North Clare Hurling Cham- pionship. The competition took shape through the course of the year, developing from a few challenge matches into a fully fledged regional competition.

There was much to play for on Sat- urday with a Cup, Shield and Plaque all up for grabs for the winning Rere betsy

Home side Corofin took the Burren Cup, seeing off a spirited Kilnamona side in the final. Tubber/Crusheen beat an enthusiastic Lisdoonvarna side to take the Plaque while Inagh beat off Ruan to win the Shield.

“The competition was a= great success. We had a situation where there was no hurling being played in Corofin once the teams had been knocked out of their competitions. I rang around some of the local clubs to try and arrange a challenge and it seemed that there were playing little hurling up there too,” said organiser Vincent Maloney, of Corofin GAA Sitios

“They were mad to get involved. Within a week we had five match- es played, and it just took off from there.”

The popularity of hurling has been spreading in north Clare in recent years with young people becoming involved in the sport in traditionally football areas such as Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna.

“The interest is there from the young people but they need match- es. A lot of the north Clare teams would tend to be knocked out at an early stage of the championships and that leaves them with no matches throughout most of the summer,’ continued Vincent.

“There are a lot of people in north Clare who are putting in great efforts to keep hurling alive in the area. Peter Casey has hundreds of kids playing hurling in Lisdoonvarna and Alex Ferguson would not be more professional.

‘Johnny O’ Rourke did the same for Inagh years ago and there are people in every club doing the same. I must thank Corofin GAA Club and John Malone for managing the tournament on the day, Gerry Quinn who pre- sented the medals, Ambrose Hagney for his refereeing and all the manag- ers and trainers for all the teams who took part.”

Saturday’s competition was such a success that it now looks likely to be- come an annual event with Ennisty- mon and Clonbonny set to join from next year.

A KILRUSH town councillor has questioned central governments pri- orities when it comes to providing essential services to the people of west Clare.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said that by law the people of Kil- rush are entitled to a public lavatory, but a laboratory for the nearest acute hospital does not seem to be a neces- sity.

The Kilrush town councillor also questioned why a busy Accident and Emergency service and a mammog- raphy unit was not considered a ne-

cessity, when an under utilised public toilet was an essential requirement.

“You are entitled to a lavatory but not a laboratory,” she said.

Cllr McMahon Jones was compar- ing the stark realities of government policies that threatens 24-hour Ac- cident and Emergency Care at Ennis General Hospital and the closure of the busy laboratory at the hospital.

“You are not entitled to breast screening in Ennis because the government could not be bothered spending money on it,” she said.

In contrast a public toilet must be provided in Kilrush town, at a cost of €34,000, according to Cllr McMa-

hon Jones.

This public amenity is underused and brings in just €2,000 to the council coffers every year.

This is €32,000 of taxpayers mon- ey going down the toilet according to the annoyed councillor.

It is compulsory for the super loo to be provided by local authorities, whether or not it is covering its own cost when people spend a penny.

“We are entitled to a public toilet, paid for by the tax payers, but we are not entitled to a mammography unit paid for by the people of Clare, an A&E, a laboratory, or even a basic hospital,” she said.

“You will not have a hospital in 20 months time, but don’t worry you will have a toilet – at great expense to the taxpayer,” she warned.

Cllr McMahon Jones has been sup- ported by her council colleagues in her call for Minister for Health Mary Harney and CEO of the HSE Professor Brendan Drumm to be in- formed of the councils concerns at the withdrawal of breast screening services and laboratory facilities at Ennis General Hospital. A second letter, proposed by Cllr Deirdre Cul- ligan (Ind) is asking for clarification from Proff Drumm as to the future of A&E at the county hospital.

MINISTER of State, Tony Killeen, has received assurances from the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection that all produce entering the EU must meet standards equivalent to those re- quired of community producers.

The response follows Minister Kil- leen’s representation on behalf of a number of Clare farmers who had expressed concern over the standard of Brazilian beef imports.

“Minister Mary Coughlan and Mr Markos Kyprianou confirmed that

EU policy requires that third coun- Daves bee] ole )u KO) mr-DObONT-D mm oyueye LUC Kmppe ete! standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, EU member States,’ ex- plained Minister Killeen.

“As regards traceability and con- trols of residues of veterinary medi- cines, the commissioner said that the purpose of EU legislation is not to impose on exporting third countries a system of guarantees that is equal to the EU system, but that the export- ing country provides guarantees that are equivalent to EU standards.

“Commissioner Kyprianou pointed out that his service is committed to

protecting the health of European consumers and livestock.

“The commissioner also assured Minister Coughlan that the Commis- sion will not hesitate to take appro- priate protection measures if a prod- uct, imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market represents a risk for the health of ECX consumers, livestock or plants.

‘Tam also aware of a similar assur- ance to members of the Dail in Sep- tember 2006 by a senior commission official.”

In a letter this week to Minister Killeen, the Minister for Agriculture and Food stated, “I have consistently

expressed the view that Irish farmers deserve fair play in the market place. At EU level I have advocated that produce imported from third coun- tries must meet standards equivalent to those required of community pro- ducers. In the interests of our pro- ducers and consumers | will continue to adopt this approach.”

Concern have been raised by all of the Irish farming organisations in recent months over the safety of Brazilian beef. Foot and Mouth dis- ease 1S widespread in many areas of Brazil and fears have been raised of spreading the disease through the importation of infected animals.

CLARE’S connections with the Shell to Sea organisation were strength- ened over the weekend with a large crowd turning out in Doolin for the second traditional concert in support of the organisation. The concert took place in the Russell Cultural Centre in Doolin and was the main fundraising for the organisation in Clare this year. A number of high profile local musi- cians including Davy Spillane, Jackie Daly, Ado Morris, Michael Hynes, Peter Griffin, Terry Bingham and Yvonne Casey, all offered their services for the evening. A similarly success- ful fundraising concert took place in Doolin in the summer of 2005. Clare has one of the strongest local branches of the Shell to Sea organi- sation, with membership in the coun- ty now fourth highest in the country

after Galway, Dublin and Mayo.

Other local traditional musicians who entertained the crowd in Doolin included Kevin Griffin, Danny Burke, Ogie Doyle, Ted Mc Cormack, Peadar O’Reilly, Eimer Howley, Gerry Shan- non, Ger Hoyne, Tess Mc Govern, Geraldine and Shane Mc Gowan, Ian Lambe, Niall Sheedy

and Paul Stafford. Meanwhile, a good number of Clare people will travel to Bellanaboy this Fri- day, September 12, to take part in a sit- down protest outside the gates of the Shell

facility. According to local spokesperson, Sean

Harrington, the pur-

pose of this demon-

stration is to highlight,

“the natural resources

of Ireland which have

been given away to Shell, Statoil and

others in a deal that means we pay the

market rate to the multi-nationals for what should be ours.”

THERE is anger and frustration among the rank and file of the sol- diers of destiny in Clare and along the west coast, with some long serv- ing members of the Fianna Fail party proposing to resign if “things do not change”.

A motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach was unanimously passed by the Ennis No | Cumman last week, by members who just months before canvassed for the party lead- er.

Now with the Aer Lingus crisis pointing to an uncertain future for the economy of the future and the death knell sounding in the distance for A and E services at Ennis Gen- eral Hospital, the grass roots of the main Government party are begin- ning to revolt.

Former Ennis Town Councillor Michael Guilfoyle, who proposed the motion of no confidence, said, “If things don’t sort themselves out I’ll be gone.”

The Ennis man, who has been a member of the party for 35 years,

said, “I defended Bertie at the doors before the election and when we needed Bertie he wasn’t to be found.

‘There was no one reason (for the motion), just years of frustration for people like myself who feel we are no longer being listened to.”

Ennis Town Councillor Tom Glynn (FF) said most people felt there was now a Sell out of the west but he did not feel resigning from the party was the way forward for him despite his erowing frustration.

“I think you are better off fighting from within than without. They can

ignore me even more from without,’ he said.

Meanwhile “angry and frustrated” Fianna Fail councillors from Burton Port in Donegal to Caherciveen in Kerry gathered in Oranmore to dis- cuss how they would ensure that the Aer Lingus crisis remained on the Government’s agenda.

Organised by Clare councillors Pat Daly, Peter Considine and Bernard Hanrahan, the 60 to 70 councillors in attendance set up the Fianna Fail Western Councillors’ Alliance.

“We believe that the Programme

for Government is not being rolled out in an even manner,’ Cllr Consti- dine told

MACRA NA FEIRME’S national president, Catherine Buckley be- lieves education is the way forward in farming.

Speaking at the launch of the Tea- gasc programme for Adult and Life Long Learning she said providing “the best possible educational oppor- tunities to farmers would be the key to giving Irish agriculture a competi- tive advantage in the future.”

The Macra president pointed out that her organisation had long been involved in campaigning for 1im- provements in agricultural educa-

tion standards and she welcomed the fact that the existing 180 hour course will, in the coming year, be replaced with the new advanced certificate in agriculture. “While the new course will require a greater commitment from participants, it will leave them far better equipped to deal with the demands of modern farming. This new course will create a pathway for young farmers to acquire a broader and more life-long agricultural edu- cation,’ she said.

Ms Buckley pointed out that while it was vital that Teagasc continued to develop top-class specialised cours- es targeted at full-time farmers, she

said that Macra also fully supported the provision of agricultural training courses to part-time farmers or those who could not attend agricultural college.

“The responsibilities and pressures on so called part-time farmers are just as onerous as those on farmers with no off-farm employment and it is important for the future of the industry that this category of farmer has access to properly structured training,’ she said.

The leader of the young farmers’ or- ganisation said that in addition to the formal courses offered by Teagasc, the importance of various discussion

group Sessions, also facilitated by the organisation, should not be under-es- UbeereInoren

“In the last 12 months, Macra has established a number of specialised discussion groups for young farmers around the country which are facili- tated by professional Teagasc advis- ae

“The demand for this type of edu- cational opportunity has been huge as it provides a chance for young like-minded farmers to meet and net- work with others in the industry, and in turn assists them in making bet- ter decisions in relation to the future growth of their business,’ she said.

AN EAST Clare man has won his planning battle to secure planning permission for a home for the carer of his 16-year daughter who has cer- ebral palsy.

Mike Keegan from Caher in east Clare has secured planning retention for the home despite Clare County Council refusing permission and an An Bord Pleanala inspector recom- mending refusal.

According to the appeal lodged by

Mr Keegan, he is the single parent of the girl who is also a wheelchair isto

The inspector’s report states that Mr Keegan obtained planning per- mission for the main house and then built a small annexe with a view for retention as a carer’s annexe.

The report states: “In terms of be- ing injurious to the amenities of oth- er residential property in the vicinity, the nearest neighbour is 90m away and cannot see anything of the an- nex. The annexe and the main house

are both owned by Mr Keegan and will always be both functionally and physically linked together.”

Mr Keegan lodged letters of support from a senior clinical psychologist at the Health Service Executive West, a senior occupational therapist at Clare Children’s Services, a coordinator of East Clare Community Support Ltd, a coordinator of the Disabled People of Clare and a network support of- ficer with Clare Network of People with Disabilities in Ireland.

The council refused permission last

March to the development stating that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would seriously in- jure the amenities of other residential properties in the vicinity.

The inspector recommended that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would create an undesirable density of development, presenting an overcrowded and dis- orderly appearance thereby seriously injuring the amenities of other resi-

dential properties in the vicinity.

However, the board disregarded the inspector’s recommendation stating that the carer’s annexe proposed for retention was generally compatible with the policies in the development plan and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.

As aresult, the appeals board ruled that having regard to the nature of the building, it 1s considered that the proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of prop- erty in the vicinity.

SPARKS will fly as members of an Ennis dance school prepare to head to America to take on the world’s best.

Ten members of Sparks dance school will travel to Los Angeles next year to compete in World Dance Excellence – an international festival for young dancers.

The ten students, who range in age from 7 to 25, have been selected for the Irish team that will compete at the event, which takes place in the Californian city in March 2008.

The competition is sure to be in- tense with dancers from 50 states in America and 15 countries around

the world taking part. Team Ireland comprises students from Dublin and Belfast.

The hard work starts now for the students who will be taking their dancing skills to the streets of Ennis in search of sponsorship.

A number of fundraising events are already in the pipeline to help the students on their way to LA.

Sparks eymnrrertoyen Lourdes O’Donoghue said she is delighted that the students from the school have been selected on Team Ireland for the second year in a row.

Sparks has been in existence for 12 years in Ennis and is firmly es- tablished as one of the premier dance schools in Ireland.

In that time Sparks students have regularly competed in national and international finals, amassing a glit- tering array of prizes along the way.

The school has ten All-Ireland first place wins, three second place world titles and numerous other individual and pairs titles to its name.

Sparks hip-hop dance school is the only modern dance school in Clare doing exams for all ages in hip hop and freestyle.

Lourdes O’ Donoghue is a qualified dance instructor and judge, and has a team of student champions at hip hop, freestyle and funky tap.

Away from competitive action, the school has become a fixture on the Christmas panto scene, regularly

collaborating with the Ennis based Pantaloons group.

The Sparks team and instructors that will travel to Los Angeles to compete at World Dance Excellence are: Aidan Walsh (7), Barefield Na- tional School; Ava Mahony (18) Colaiste Mhuire; Saoirse Mulcahy (7) Ennis National School; Maeve Curry (20) Knapogue Castle; Ha- zel Grassie (15) Gort Community College; Wilson Chung (18) Peter Marks; Hazel O’ Doherty (21) Limer- ick Institute of Technology; Oskarina O’Sullivan (10) Clarecastle National School; Lauren O’Shea (12) Knocka- nean National School; Laura Jane Allis (25) Sparks Instructor; Lourdes O’ Donoghue (Sparks Principal).

THE CPSSL will be running U8 and U1O blitzes at the following locations this Friday Night: Fern Celtic’s pitch and Ennistymon CBS from 6.30pm to 8pm and Lees Road Astro Turf from 6pm to 7pm. There will be close to 80 kids in action at each venue, along with parents, and spervisors.

SW sviM es molomabesbevrercmustaulr DUN me Vols the next three weeks at different ven- ex

Secondly, Monday night at 7pm and

8pm. The start of the FAI Regional Emerging Talent Programme will take place at the Auburn Lodge.

This is a education/training pro- gramme for the highest standard players in the Limerick/Clare/North Tipp region between the ages of 14 and 17.

Clare is represented by 10 players and head coaches in the centre are Declan Farmer and myself.

The centre is based at Lees Road every monday night from 7pm to O9pm from September 24 to March

oF

You are more than welcome to at- tend information night – and then maybe we can plan some regular media coverage of the center, player profiles, coach profiles, match fea- tures, etc over the course of the train- ing schedule.

The FAI Regional Centres are the next step from Kennedy Cup and are the foundations of our underage international squads and eventually will act as a source of the majority of the Eircom League players.

ENNIS Town Council has rejected plans by a housing association to se- cure planning permission for a five storey apartment block adjacent to Ennis Tennis and Badmintion Club.

Earlier this year, Cluid Housing As- sociation lodged plans to construct 21 one bedroom apartments and six two bedroom apartments.

However, the proposal prompted stiff opposition from the Ennis Ten- nis and Badminton Club and local

residents with the tennis club raising child protection concerns.

In its objection, the Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club states: “With a large junior membership, the club has rigorous child protection schemes. Consequently, units with views over- looking children at play is of serious concern to all members.”

In a comprehensive refusal, the council has stated that the scale, massing, height and excessive site coverage would result in over-devel- opment of the restricted site.

The council also concluded that the proposal would compete visu- ally with the Cornmarket building and Waterville House, would detract from the character for the setting of Waterville House

Officials also ruled that it failed to respect its context and contravene the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

“The proposed development would adversely affect the setting of the protected structure and would be contrary to the proper planning

and sustainable development of the area.”

The council also refused planning permission after ruling that the site coverage, scale, massing, height and proximity would constitute over development, would result in over- looking and over-shadowing of adja- cent residential buildings and would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity.

“The proposed development there- fore would materially contravene a policy of the Ennis and Environs

Development Plan 2003 and the zon- ing objective for the area which 1s to protect residential amenity.”

The council also refused planning due to the proposal’s “layout and den- sity and consequent lack of private Open space to serve the residential units would result in a sub-standard form of development which would seriously injure the amenity of future occupants”.

It is now open to Cluid Housing Association to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.