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IT WAS a big strike for the small man. Inagh and Kilnamona joined forces once more on Sunday and took the catapult to Newmarket-on- Fergus.

David and Goliath stuff. Hard work and belief won through in the end and when the game was done with, the amalgamation had their first ever Under-21 A title.

Newmarket were striving to be- come only the second club ever to secure four titles on the trot — Feakle

did it back in the *80s — but in the end their firepower ran out.

The second half of this game had everything. The champions surging ahead, the underdogs fighting back. Another surge by Newmarket before Inagh/Kilnamona finally got their teeth around the game and rattled off six points in the last ten minutes. Newmarket had only a point to show for the closing stages of the final, before Bernard Gaffney whipped in a bullet from 21-yards. It was saved by Inagh/Kilnamona captain Patrick Kelly in the goal, but David Barrett

flicked the return into the net.

It was a one point game and injury time had just begun. In truth, Inagh/ Kilnamona never looked like leaving it behind them once they flourished in the final quarter but it was breath- less stuff all around.

As a crowd was gathering on the field to see Kelly collect the trophy, County Board chairman Michael McDonagh gushed, “this must be the best game of hurling we’ve seen all season.”

He was right. Out on the field, with the crowd spilling all around him,

Paddy McGuane — who had a major hand in Kilnamona winning the C ti- tle earlier in the weekend — said the day should be seen as a shot in the arm for the smaller clubs of Clare.

“They [smaller clubs] have play- ers of the highest standard and when they can join together, they can put in displays of this quality. Just because a club is low on numbers doesn’t mean they don’t have players as good as those from the strongly populated clubs.”

It should point the way forward for the senior championship to come.

Nothing was taken for granted by the amalgamation as they marched through the season. Step by step until the annexed the big gun on Sunday.

Crusheen were the other big win- ners of the weekend. After a strong start, Broadford died away in the Under 21B final and Crusheen took it easily in the end.

MEDICAL experts who assessed Patrick O’Dwyer in the months following the killing of his sister, reached conflicting conclusions.

The Director of the Central Men- tal Hospital, Dr Harry Kennedy — a forensic psychiatrist — who gave evi- dence on behalf of the prosecution, said the accused did not suffer from a mental disorder at the time of the killing.

In contrast, three medical experts, tendered by the defence, concluded

that he did suffer from a mental dis- order at the time.

Dr Joan Moroney, a _ consultant neurologist, said Patrick reported a history of blackouts, some of which were related to alcohol consumption.

Dr Moroney, who gave evidence on behalf of the defence last Tuesday, said the accused would experience “spinning in his head and everything would go dark. He also reported staring episodes when he wouldn’t be fully aware of his surroundings, which would last 30 to 40 seconds.”

She said that for two days after the

party at his parents’ home, he felt depressed and began to think of su1- cide. “If there was a rope in the ga- rage he would have hanged himself. He wanted to go and bash his brains out. He thought his sister was going to stop him. He wanted to stop her before she stopped him.”

“The overall consensus would be that Patrick probably did have an epilepsy syndrome, emanating from the left hand side of his brain,’ she concluded.

She said he would be “less likely to have a fit during alcohol consump-

tion, but more likely to have a seizure in the 24 to 48 hours after.” Consultant psychiatrist Dr Cleo Van Velsen told the trial she concluded that the accused suffered from “de- personalisation disorder.” She said this disorder could be linked to his premature birth. She expressed the view that if Patrick had been on his own on the night of the killing, he “might have killed himself.” Another consultant psychiatrist, Dr Paul O’Connell agreed with Dr Van Velsen’s conclusions. “I think that depersonalisation disorder nearly

entirely captures the symptoms,” he SrHLOe

However, Dr Harry Kennedy told the trial he believed the accused suf- fered from a “severe alcohol prob- lem.” He said that on the day of the killing, he was overcome with “pro- found feelings of shame and embar- rassment” as a result of a drunken episode the previous Saturday night.

Dr Kennedy said he did not find any evidence of a “depersonalisation disorder” or epilepsy, as had been described by the other medical ex- ea Re

A QUARTER of a century is a long time to spend in any job but, for Some, it can be more of a vocation than an occupation.

The service of north Clare bus driver PJ Vaughan was celebrated in the Pery Hotel in Limerick last week as he was presented with a special award to mark his dedication over the last 25 years at the Clare, Tipper- ary and Limerick Part-Time School Bus Drivers Awards.

PJ was presented with a watch for his long-time service award by Des

Tallon, manager of human resources at Broadstone, along with Miriam Flynn, regional manager and Rory Moylan, chief clerk of the School Transport Office in Limerick.

A special award in recognition of his service was given to PJ, who had completed 25 years’ service as a Clea oe

PJ was first appointed as school bus driver in 1981.

He began by covering the Lisdoon- varna Post Primary Centre until, in 2001, the Ballyvaughan National school was also included on his route.

Nearly 50 students travel with PJ each day, 28 post-primary pupils on the secondary route and 14 pupils on the primary route.

Meanwhile, a number of school bus drivers from Clare were also award- ed safety certificates for their driving records at the ceremony.

In total, 16 of the 23 part-time

school bus drivers in Clare qualified with an excellent safety record. The main objective of the Bus Fireann Safe Driving Awards 1s to highlight and recognise Bus Eireann drivers who have achieved an excel- lent safety record.

Safety and reliability are key issues in delivering a good public transport service and Bus Eireann invests sig- nificantly in the area of driver train- ing, both for regular drivers and school bus drivers.

Safe Driving Awards are presented on an annual basis to drivers who have been accident-free for that par- ticular year.

Each successful driver receives a certificate and an award of €100, in recognition of their safety record.

In addition, drivers who achieve a five-year accident-free record also receive a special badge of honour.

CLARE legend Seamus Clancy has claimed that the county’s football- ers aren’t making the most out of the Paidi O Sé factor and he believes the former Kerry manager took the job TNO Od E:Duomr:| mBeCoMAYanO)a tom ADS ELoe

Speaking to a Sunday newspaper over the weekend, Clare’s only foot-

ball All Star also said a number of Clare footballers are still not pulling their weight.

“It comes down to the players. Some of them are just happy to get on the team. There’s a serious lack of collective will to succeed in Clare. There are a number of lads who are great and busting a gut for the cause but they’re in the minority.”

He said when he heard O Sé was taking over, he thought the county’s footballers would be “knocking on his door to get into his squad. But that didn’t happen. If I was 25 I’d be bursting my arse to impress Paidi be- cause he’d bring out the best in me and the team. He’s proven that.”

Clancy’s comments come after Clare failed to secure Division 3

football next year by finishing in the bottom half of their league group. Now, Clancy believes that Clare struck for a big-name manager a number of years too early. “Bringing in a man at the top wasn’t the right thing to do. Paidi should have been brought into Clare in five years time when there has been a good develop- ment structure firmly in place. When

you have that and a good team com- ing together the time would have been right for someone like Paidi to get the very best out of them.

‘When I was with Clare I was lucky because there were 25 lads who were willing to do everything for the team. When we went out on the field, we went out together. But you can’t say that about Clare now.”

A BUSKER who got arrested after his bodhran was stolen in Ennis told a judge he was “sorry for enjoying Pad- dy’s Day”’.

Ralph Perkins of Rinbow Cottage, Cadamstown, Birr, was before En- nis District Court on a Public Order Charge after being arrested during the

festivities in the town on March 17.

He told the court, “All I was doing was playing and busking and because I didn’t move on immediately the garda told me to, he shackled me and I was arrested.”

Perkins told Judge Joseph Mangan that he believed the guard was “out of order. I wasn’t doing any harm. I was just enjoying Paddy’s Day.”

The defendant added that he “missed a session” because of being locked in a cell after being arrested.

Perkins said that he had earlier had his bodhran stolen while playing on the streets of Ennis.

“All I said to him (the garda) was, why don’t you do your job and find my bodhran?”

Judge Mangan said that “what con-

cerns me, is how you plan to celebrate NM Cle gener: hae

The garda due to prosecute the case against Perkins was not in court.

Asked by Judge Mangan whether he would like to apply to the court for a direction, Inspector Michael Gal- lagher said he would. Judge Mangan struck out the charge against Perkins, who bowed and thanked the court.

A KILRUSH town councillor has called for the embargo on recruit- ment under the FAS Job Initiative Scheme to be lifted.

Councillor Tom Clyne (Ind) said that 15 people in Kilrush, who are employed under the scheme, have grave concerns regarding the future of the project.

The programme provides full-time employment for people over 35, who are unemployed for five years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that period.

The main purpose of the pro- gramme is to assist long-term un-

employed people, in preparation for work opportunities, through train- ing.

Basic work carried out under the scheme includes grass cutting, stone building, litter gathering, flower pot- ting and bedding and painting.

“We recently lost two employees from the scheme and now the viabil- ity of the scheme is a great concern to the employees who remain on it. If it is the Government’s plan to phase out this scheme, it will have a knock- on effect on the extended families of the 15 people who stand to lose their jobs,” said Cllr Clyne.

“Over a long number of years, Kilrush has encountered social and

economic decline in the form of population loss and erosion of its in- dustrial and service base. Kilrush is now suffering from considerable so- cial disadvantage in the form of high unemployment,’ he added.

He pointed out that despite these negatives, the town is progressive, mainly due to the input from FAS over the past number of years.

“It still has considerable poten- tial to develop through the people employed on the Job Initiative Pro- eae 00000 ComMmN OLomnCT-BLOD

“IT am asking you as a council for help and support to change the proc- ess regarding the recruitment under the FAS scheme,” added the council-

oe

Councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) endorsed this fellow councillor’s motion.

“FAS have been very good over the years, with the Tidy Towns, the Walled Garden and the maintenance of local cemeteries etc,” he said.

“FAS stood by the Council and the people of Kilrush in the very dark days. The hand of FAS is every- where. We wouldn’t have the Vande- leur Walled Garden, were it not for FAS,” he said.

He proposed that a copy of Cllr Clyne’s motion be sent to all County Councillors, along with Junior Min- ister Tony Killeen.

LIFFORD played the Tipperary League in an under 16 friendly over the Easter break and it was the Clare side that emerged victorious on a 1-0 scoreline.

Lifford took the lead in the first half through Toni Lagan. Naomi Carroll hit a rasper of a shot which the keep- er parried. Lagan was lurking in the area and was quickest to react. She pounced on the loose ball, making no mistake from close range.

Lagan and Lifford came close to doubling their lead a few minutes later. She was one on one with the keeper who made a good save.

Captain Cathy Hayes and Niamh O’Dea were outstanding at the heart of the Lifford defence — in the cen- tre half and sweeper positions re- spectively. Laurie Ryan, Caitriona Hennessy and Ashling Darcy were equally as outstanding for the away side.

THE Republic of Ireland schools

team participated in the Celtic Na- tionals Schools’ Championship fea- turing Scotland and Wales and fin- ished in top spot.

There was Clare interest in the form of Naomi Carroll who started against Scotland and come on as a 35th minute substitute against Wales. Maria McMahon also made the squad but had to withdraw due to injury

IRELAND have failed to qualify for the Elite Phase of the under 19

Championships after losing to France in their final group two match.

It started off brightly for the Irish, recording two 1-0 victories over Por- tugal and then the Netherlands with Aine O’Gorman and Diane Caldwell netting the all-decisive winners.

Ireland faced France in their final eroup encounter and with France’s superior goal difference Ireland knew they needed to take all 3 points. De- spite putting in a brave performance they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, both of the goals coming in the first half.

Each of the group winners takes their place in the finals in Iceland along with the best runners up. Ire- land completed their group in second place with six points and were denied the latter spot by Italy, who qualify with 7 points.

Jennifer Critchley of Lifford was on the squad and played a part in all three games.

She was in the starting line up against Portugal and the Netherlands and she came on as a half time sub- stitute in the game against France.

THE Catholic Church is set to be- come one of the main local players in property development and specu- lation in the county if its ambitious rezoning plans are realised.

As part of the review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, the Killaloe Diocesan Trust has made submissions in relation to six sepa- rate properties it owns in Ennis.

If the diocese is successful in its plans, it will add millions of euro onto the value of its various land

holdings.

The most ambitious proposal re- lates to the site of the Ennis resi- dence of the Bishop of Killaloe.

The trust is seeking to have the eight-acre site rezoned from ‘other Settlement land’, which allows lm- ited development, to ‘mixed use — residential, commercial and retail’ and retain the ‘open space’ section.

In the planner’s response, it points out that the site is an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and the dwelling, Westbourne House, is a protected structure.

With the proposed relocation of Ennis National School and the con- sequent rezoning last year of 85 acres of diocesan-owned land, the diocese stands to realise €30 mil- lion.

In its submission, the Diocesan Trust has requested the council to retain the rezoning of the site at Ashline.

The trust has also requested the council to rezone lands at Station Road, containing the Old Burren cinema, the Maria Assumpta Hall, the Scout Hall and some open space

in the vicinity of the Cathedral to one of the council’s strategic *Pro- posal Sites’. The land is already Zoned community and town centre and the Diocesan Trust is seeking that the ‘Proposal Site’ be zoned to include community, office and com- mercial uses.

The trust is also seeking that the site at Cloughleigh Primary School be rezoned from community to another ‘Proposal Site’ to include community, office and commercial tone

In response to the rezoning re-

quests, the council states that the land at Station Road, including the Scout Hall and the Maria Assumpta Hall, is within the town centre boundary and the proposed uses are appropriate to town centre zoning.

In relation to the Cloughleigh Pri- mary School site, the council’s plan- ners state that “although land in the Western Residential Development Area is earmarked for a new school, in reviewing the plan, it may be ap- propriate to consider whether the community use of the site should be KoA eB UOLore Mae

TOWN councillors in Kilrush felt “snubbed” when they were left off the invitation list for the official launch of the CCTV cameras in the John Paul housing estate.

That was according to Councillor Colie Sweeney (Ind), who last week said he was entitled to be told why he and his fellow councillors were not asked to attend the switch-on of the cameras in February.

He said that the town clerk, town manager and local superintendent were all invited, as was the Mayor, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman. However he said many of the elected members

were unhappy they were not aware it was taking place.

“Many of the elected members felt snubbed and slighted when we were not invited to the official launch of the CCTV initiative. Can you offer us an explanation why we were left off the official list of invitees?” he asked, at the monthly meeting of Kil- rush Town Council last Thursday.

“I was under the impression that this council represented all the areas of Kilrush. I really am at a loss for words to know why all the elected members failed to get invited to a town council initiative?” he added.

Town Clerk Fiona Mooney said the event wasn’t so much a launch,

rather a press event. Superintendent Joe McKeown, who was head of the Kilrush garda district at the time, was invited along for the photograph opportunity.

“They have been live since Decem- ber,” she said.

She pointed out that councillors were sent a letter, in the aftermath of the event taking place, apologising that they weren’t invited.

Cllr Sweeney replied, snubbed, living in the area.”

Ms Mooney said there was no in- tention to snub anybody and mem- bers will be sent press releases in advance of future events.

Cllr Tom Prendeville said he was

“IT felt

asked by locals in the town why he had “kept away” from the opening, after photographs of the event ap- peared in the local media.

He said he accepted that the town clerk is “‘a busy lady” and that she did not intend to cause offence.

“It 1s very important that public representatives would be _ treated with the utmost of respect. I know it was an oversight. It appeared as if we stayed away,” he said.

Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “It was a bit embarrassing to be deputy mayor and not be invited, but sure we will get over it. It was an oversight.”

Cllr Sweeney then said he accepted it was an oversight.

FAI chief executive John Delaney laid out the vision for underage soc- cer in Clare saying such programmes would a true reflection of the work carried out by the FAI. In his first visit as FAI supremo to Ennis Dela- ney officially kick started the proc- ess that will eventually see a full time County Development Officer appointed to Clare.

The officer will co-ordinate the development of soccer at grassroots level by working closely with clubs, schools, Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council.

Addressing league officials, play- ers, politicians and coaches Dela- ney outlined the vast level of work carried out by the sport’s govern- ing body. In total the FAI caters for 450,000 people a week. The number of coaches now stands at 17,500. By the end of 2007 it is anticipated that a 100 technical staff will bee in situ at the FAI’s new centre of excellence in Abbotstown.

He hailed the work being done by local volunteers as “extraordi-

nary’ and also heaped praise on the achievements of Clare’s Oscar Traynor team.

Speaking after wards Delaney ex- plained how the County Develop- ment Officer would lead to more fo- cused player development.

He said, “That individual will work with the club, the kids, schools devel- oping a mass participation level. The best players will come through at the top. Their role is very much based on getting participation and tackling anti-social issues like obesity, alco- hol abuse/ drug usage, getting girls active in the game. By doing that, the better players will come through always, but soccer in this country is not about the elite level, it’s about participation for everybody who lives TbO MO etemexelbbeL nm aes

Delaney has strong Clare connec- tions. His wife Emer is from Ennis. He counts Clare’s unforgettable All- Ireland win in 1995 as among his fa- vorite sporting moments.

“My wife is from Ennis. Her father was Paddy O’Dea, I think he played football for Clare. Her first cousins were Seamus and Colm Clancy who

won that famous game in 1992 when they won that Munster football final. Her aunty Kitty played in the Kil- fenora Ceili band. My father’s moth- er was a Darcy from Ennis. I used to spend two or three months of my summers in Kilkee. Every summer we’d go to Kilkee for maybe 16 or 17 years of my life. Probably one of my most memorable days outside of soccer would have been 1995 when Clare won the All-Ireland. I was there with Emer, her brothers and her mother and Dad. That was a fantas- tic day. In terms of a sporting occa- sion, to see Clare win an All-Ireland, I don’t think they’d won one since 1914. They’d won the Munster final in 1932 but got beaten by Kilkenny. I think when they won in 1914 Michael O’Hehir’s father was the manager”.

On qualification for the Euro- pean Championships the former St Michaels clubman was cautiously optimistic. He believes the public must be patient.

“You must remember we were a fourth seed going into the group so that means you should finish fourth de facto. That’s not what we are aim-

ing to do. I think everybody should realize we are in transition from where we were. Some of the older players have retired since 2002. I’m very much encouraged by, like I think everybody in the country is, by young Hunt, he scored again for Reading today, Shane Long, Paul McShane, Kevin Doyle, young Darren Gibson who is at Manchester United and on loan at Antwerp, Terry Dixon at Spurs, Billy Clarke from Cork who’s with Ipswich, young McCarthy who’s with Hamilton his grandfather was from Donegal. I think there are a lot of very good players coming through. I think patience is required as we bring those players through. The omens are good”’.