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BRIDGE Celtic progressed to the next round of the Munster Junior Cup after a 3-1 victory over local ri- vals Shannon Olympic.

It was always going to be difficult for the Shannon men considering they were missing Six or seven reg- ular starters but it was an ideal op- portunity to use the cup to give some of the squad players good match practice. They will certainly have gained much need experience after this loss.

The first-half was a very even af- fair with both sides creating chances. Both goalies were under severe pres- Sure as teams continued to press and attack. The first goal came after 30 minutes. Suprisingly it was Olym- pic who edged in front with a well taken goal by striker John Keogh.

This goal in many ways led to their downfall and for two main reasons. Firstly, it encouraged them to sit back a little bit more and they were never going to keep the Bridge out for the remaining 60 minutes.

Secondly, this initial goal _ re- PMU MYA OU ECeeXoIUCLO ME A eCoME-NE-Dm00 MM OLo)0 MB NO MEN Ele Bridge players’ heads. This was the wake up call they needed to kick them into action and that is exactly what they did in the second-half.

The Bridge pushed on and seized control of the game and it was inevi- table they would equalise.

Their goal came after 55 minutes from a dangerous 1n swinging corner kick. Kevin McEvoy flicked it on to striker Paul McEvoy who finished the move off expertly. A fantastic strike which turned the game on its head.

From here on in the Shannon men

died. They had been hoping to hold on but that plan had to be scrapped. What will really annoy them is the manner they went on to lose this game. They were under pressure from some good build up play but it was two basic goalkeeping errors that allowed the Bridge to get their second and third goals.

The first of these came after 70 minutes when O’Connor in the Shan- non goal spilt a well hit strike and Ger O’Riordan was first to react and blasted the ball into the net. This tap in gave them the lead.

Five minutes later and O’Connor must have been feeling a sense of déja vu when he once again let a shot out of his grasp. This time it was Ger O’Connell, the man who replaced O’Riordan, to get on the end of this goalkeeping error. He too cooly placed the ball into the net and ended

the game scoring with this effort. Shannon tried and tried and did cre- ate one or two half chances but they could not get back into the game. It was too late. The damage had been done and they were eliminated from the cup at the first round.

First sight the focus of short story competition

WITH Lifford A rooted firmly to the foot of the Premier Division table, a huge performance was on the cards to restore some much needed confi- dence.

Lifford are normally associated with being in contention for the title, however, this year they are in a Se- rious rough patch and have not cap- tured a single point from their open- ing four league games.

Limerick side Askeaton were fully aware of this ahead of their journey to Cassidy Park and looked to capi- talise on a dodgy defence that has been breached an astonishing 13 times in those four outings.

The first-half was a dull and weary affair with neither team creating any real opportunities. Mike O’Connell found himself with space down the left flank for Askeaton on more than one occasion but was unable to de- liver an end product.

In the first 45 minutes Lifford failed to test Danny Fitzgerald in the Askeaton goal and it looked as though the visitors from Limerick would leave victorious with Lifford playing some stagnant football.

Lifford should have grabbed a goal just before the break when Scott Hennessy made a clever run down the left touchline and crossed to TJ Abisomo, who failed to connect with a ball that should really have been planted in the back of the net.

This encounter was an intense phys- ical battle and its effects were shown throughout the match with Stephen O’Halloran having to limp off at the beginning of the second-half.

Lifford began to string together a few passes and were able to exert some pressure on the Askeaton de- fence that had previously remained untested.

Roberto Pinto was a handful for the centre-backs all afternoon and he came close to giving Lifford the lead with a free kick that was fired just over the crossbar.

Pinto was deployed as Lifford’s target man with Abisomo living off the breaking ball he created. Ten minutes into the second-half, Scott Hennessy delivered a floating free kick from central midfield which was glanced across goal by Pinto and headed home with real conviction by Abisomo, who made amends for ear- lier misses.

The game began to open up from here, with Hennessy able to carve up

the opposing defence with intelligent passes and good execution from set plays. It only took five minutes for Lifford to double their advantage with Hennessy spraying the ball out to the right wing for Ryan Boyle to chase, the latter then beat two play- ers and fizzed the ball across the goal mouth but was unable to get the touch it deserved.

Liam Meaney was still able to col- lect the ball and cross to the near post where Pinto was unmarked and never in doubt of missing from that range.

Moments later Boyle again found himself with space down the right for Lifford and was darting towards

the box until he was brought down by Robert Whelan who in turn was booked for his troubles.

Hennessy once again delivered a killer ball which was volleyed past the despairing Danny Fitzgerald by Gary McNaboe. At this stage of the match Lifford held a firm grip over proceedings and were display- ing some fine football until Mike O’Connell finished superbly with a well placed header past Mike Heath on the counter attack for the away team.

Twenty minutes were still on the clock and Askeaton were given a glimmer of hope by O’Connell’s

goal, but a huge task was still at hand if they were to overturn a two goal deficit.

Lifford began to look more limited on the ball as the second-half drew on, but Askeaton could not find a way past Heath who pulled of a fine save from a deflected shot.

On the stroke of the 90th minute, Mike Fitzgibbon played a through ball over the Lifford back four for striker Ray Foley to chase but Ha- mad Kuku was able to sweep back and clear the ball for a corner.

Left-back Brian Corrigan, who had been solid all afternoon, dispatched the corner towards the back post where Dave Kenwick was lurking unmarked and nodded home for the visitors. Five minutes of injury-time were announced and panic was en- graved on all the home sides’ faces as the Limerick team heaped men deep into Lifford territory in a vain search of an equaliser that wasn’t to come.

At the sound of the final whistle Lifford were able to draw a sigh of relief and hopefully build on this hard fought win.

Treaty poses threat to the economy

A PERFORMANCE built on hard work, commitment and some ex- cellent score-taking saw Kilmaley crowned Minor A champions in Cu- sack Park on Saturday evening.

With match favourites Sixmilebri- dge two points ahead and in the as- cendancy, Kilmaley were forced to dig deep in the final quarter to claim the club’s third ever Minor A title.

After struggling to create oppor- tunities in a tense second-half, Kil- maley rattled off four unanswered points to storm into the lead.

Pre-match favourites Sixmilebri- dge were left to rue eight-second half wides as they suffered their second straight loss in the minor A decider after last year’s defeat to Inagh/Kil- namona.

Yet while the Bridge’s errant shoot- ing was a factor, just as important was the tenacity of Kilmaley’s defending, exemplified best by the performances of Colin McGuane at centre back and Niall McGuane at corner back.

Dara Keane was Kilmaley’s top scorer on the day with nine points. The corner forward stepped up to the plate when his side really needed it during a nervy final quarter.

There was plenty too to admire about the Bridge with the perform- ances of Shane Golden, Pa Sheehan, Timmy Crowe and Seadhna Morey catching the eye.

It all made for an engrossing 60 minutes of hurling in Cusack Park.

The first half whizzed by in a blur of quality scores and urgent tackling from both sides.

Kilmaley got off to a great start with points from a Dara Keane free and a great strike from Killian Mc- Namara.

The Bridge settled into their stride and hit the front through points from Pa Sheehan, Shane Golden and two

superb strikes from Timmy Crowe.

Keane, Kilmaley’s liveliest pres- ence in attack, shot three points on the trot between the 19th and 25th minute, to nudge Kilmaley O-7 0-5 ahead at half time.

As Pa Sheehan and _ Cathal O’Connor gained the edge around midfield The Bridge wrestled back control of the game after the break.

Sheehan slotted over a free before a point from Jamie O’Gorman tied the game in the 34th minute.

By now the Bridge were well on top and their superiority was underlined with Shane Golden striking over two points to put them 0-9 0-7 ahead.

It should have been more but the Bridge were having problems hitting the target.

If the first-half had showcased scor- ing prowess then the second half was a testament to the virtues of hook- ing, blocking and closing down. But despite their resilience in defence, things weren’t quite happening for Kilmaley further up the field.

All that changed in the 46th minute when Keane converted a free for Kilmaley’s first point of the second half. Just a point separated the teams and Kilmaley, buoyed on by a large and very vocal bunch of supporters, lifted their performance.

Keane picked of a point from a dif- ficult angle before Michael O’Neill landed an inspirational point from the left touchline to send his side into the lead.

There was greater vigour about Kilmaley’s forward play now and the scores kept coming. Enda Finnucane signed his name to the scoresheet with a huge effort and Keane con- verted a free to leave Kilmaley 0-12 Q-9 ahead. With five minutes left, Sheehan struck over a monster free from halfway.

As the Bridge poured forward, Kil- maley’s backs defended like their

lives depended on it. O’Neill’s injury time clearance eventually lifted the siege as Ger Hickey’s full time whis- tle sparked huge celebration among Kilmaley’s players and supporters.

Sixmilebridge will be disappointed but having tasted success at under 12, under 14 and under 21, already this season and with finals at under 15 and under 16 still to come, the club’s status as the dominant force in Clare underage hurling remains intact.

Saturday, however, belonged to this season’s deserving minor A champi- ons Kilmaley.

CONCERNS about the welfare of animals on a farm in west Clare have been aired in court, by a veterinary inspector.

After a court heard that animals on the farm were thin and hungry and were confined by an electric fence, the farmer undertook to rectify the situation within two months.

Patrick Shannon (55), of Carrowna- calla South, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to four charges of cruelly ill-treating animals.

Veterinary inspector Vincent Lam- bert told Kilrush District Court that inspections were carried out on the defendant’s farm on a number of oc- casions late last year.

‘He has been visited on his farm since 2003 in relation to welfare of animals kept on the farm,” he said.

‘“T have observed a deterioration of

the situation,” he added.

He said that the animals were con- fined by an electric fence, while the animals were very thin and hungry.

“Over a period of time, we have served notices on Mr Shannon. He has failed to comply,’ he said. For instance, he said, Mr Shannon had been asked not to confine the ani- mals by an electric fence, while he had also been advised to reduce stock numbers on his farm.

During one visit, on September 23 last year, he said the animals were being strip grazed, confined by an electric fence. “The animals were empty looking. They were lowing for feed. We discussed the situation with Mr Shannon. He failed to appreci- ate the situation, that animals were suffering. We advised him to reduce numbers and clean out the sheds and prepare for winter storage,” he said.

He said he visited the farm again

on October 7, when the animals were on bare ground. “They were on their knees, in an attempt to reach grass outside the electric fence. They were in danger of shock from the electric fence,” he said.

Further visits took place on Novem- ber 12 and 19, but issues remained. The animals were still confined and were on their knees, trying to get ac- cess to grass.

Defence solicitor Michael Ryan said his client was sincere but mis- guided and Mr Lambert agreed with Wen Ke

“He had strongly held views. He might not have appreciated the se- riousness of the matter or the dete- rioration the animals had suffered,’ said Mr Ryan.

He said his client’s family had op- erated the farm, which was “a prime holding” of over 80 acres, for more than 100 years. “He had views which

we may not agree with, on the ecol- ogy of the farm. He hadn’t used fer- tiliser on the farm for 12 years. He didn’t agree with it,” he said.

He said his client had had a prob- lem with a neighbour and this had been on his mind a lot. He said the accused would undertake to cease strip grazing with immediate effect, indefinitely, while he would no long- er use an electric fence.

“He would go about tagging and testing of the animals, with a view to disposing of all 35 animals,” he CrHG

“The primary concern should be for the animals,’ said the solicitor.

He said the defendant would give an undertaking to rectify the situa- tion within two months.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the case for two months and said, ‘He has a problem if everything isn’t done in two months’ time.”

THE developers of a retail park in Shannon have confirmed that their €60 million proposal will not have a negative economic impact on the town centre.

Earlier this year, the council stated that it would not be favourably dis- posed towards granting planning permission for the park.

In the latest tranche of information lodged with the council in support of the plan, Greenband Investment Ltd and Sean Halpin state that the retail park will generate €33 million a year in turnover.

The project plans to create 600 new jobs between construction and serv- ices when it becomes operational and includes a retail warehouse park for bulky household goods, discount

food store and neighbourhood centre to include a small convenience store, pharmacy, bookmakers and_hair- dressers.

The development will create 250 direct jobs, 200 indirect jobs and a further 180 jobs during the construc- tion phase.

The applicants have now lodged substantial information to allay the fears of the council.

Their application states that, over- all, Shannon is not performing for a town of its size and is not compara- ble to the other two major town cen- tres in the local retail hierachy.

“The shopping centre falls short in terms of the quantity and quality of retail floorspace and of its wider so- cial economic role than other town centres organically build up over time. The proposed development will serve the local need in south Clare for 1m- proved retail facilities and introduce competition into this particular area

“Regionally, it will help to strength- en retailing in Clare. It will provide a new form of retail in Shannon and will not have a negative impact on the town centre because there is suf- ficient growth in expenditure to ac- commodate the proposed retail park

“The proposed development would not have an adverse impact on the town centre and would actually represent a beneficial, quality, modern addition to comparison retailing in the town as a whole, which would support the wider strategy to maintain the town’s status as a regional centre.”

The council had stated that it has serious reservations about the pro- posed development having regard to the safety, nature and mix of retail uses having regard to its location; traffic safety and the provision of Services.

A JUDGE has been asked to dis- qualify himself from hearing a pub- lic order case, after reference was made to a defendant’s record, prior to the hearing of the case.

At Kilrush District Court, solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly applied for free legal aid for his client, who was charged with two offences under the Public Order Act.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked what the allegations were. Superintend- ent Michael Comyns, prosecuting, said it would be alleged that the ac- cused urinated against the door of a premises and was very intoxicated.

The judge then asked, “Are there any particular exceptional circum-

stances in the case that I should know about?”

Supt Comyns said there weren’t. The judge then asked was the de- fendant at risk (of going to prison). Supt Comyns replied, “He would be. He has a number of previous.”

Mr O’Kelly then said, “The court has been told this man has a number of previous convictions, before hear- ing of the case. I must ask the court to stand aside and another judge hear this case.”

Judge Mangan then granted free legal aid and adjourned the case for hearing at a later date.

Mr O’Kelly asked, “Are you dis- qualifying yourself from the case, Judge?” to which Judge Mangan re- plied, “Yes.”

MAKING a will won’t kill you, but not making it will cause a lot of unec- essary trouble and possible financial loss for your successors.

And yet, it is estimated that half of all adults have not made a will and only 20 per cent of business owners have decided who will inherit their businesses when they die.

This leads to more family disputes over inheritance and succession with the sale and division of estates result- ing in a significant share of the pro-

ceeds being consumed by legal costs.

You don’t have to make a will but it makes good sense to leave your af- fairs in good order for those who sur- vive you. It is a sad, but inevitable fact of life that many people die under the age of 30 – yet a very small number of them may even have thought about making a will.

If you make a will, you decide who gets what after your death. You can also decide who doesn’t benefit as you can minimise the impact of capital ac- quisitions tax on your beneficiaries.

If you don’t make a will, your next

of kin will inherit your estate. If you are not married, have outlived your parents and have no children, the Government could be the ultimate ANON lol a

In many cases, the people who ben- efit from your life’s work may be peo- ple you may not have wished to bene- fit from your death. If you don’t make a will, it’s possible the wrong people may be your legal successors.

You get to choose, but only if you take the right action at the right time. The right action is to seek advice from a solicitor and the right time 1s now.

A GARDA investigation into the misappropriation of thousands of euro in rents 1s “complex”, a court has been told.

The comment was made, as the State was granted an extension of time for preparation of the Book of Evidence in the case of a property agent, who is accused of 61 charges, in connection with the misappropria- tion of almost €80,000 in rents.

Fiona Lillis (36), of Lisduff, New- market-on-Fergus, is accused of 49 theft charges and 12 charges of de- ception, in relation to €76,540, be- tween December 17, 2007 and Sep- tember 30, 2008.

The charges relate to the owners of six properties. She is facing 45 theft charges and four charges of deception in relation to one prop- erty owner Richard Dineen, totalling €59,570, relating to rent and rental deposits for accommodation at Kin- cora Apartments, Shannon.

Another six charges – three theft charges and three deception charges – relate to Adrian Kelly, in relation to a property at Dun na Manach, Quin. The other six charges relate to Kin- cora Apartments, Shannon.

Ms Lillis appeared in court initial- ly in July and the case was adjourned to last Thursday. On Thursday, In- spector John Galvin, prosecuting, said that the book of evidence was not ready. He asked for a two-month adjournment.

However, defending solicitor Ca1- triona Carmody said, “This has been going on since July. My application is that it be adjourned peremptory against the State.”

Inspector Galvin said, “It’s a com- plex matter. It will take time.”

Judge Joseph Mangan extended time for service of the book of evi- dence and adjourned the case for two months.

A SIX-MONTH jail term has been handed down to a woman who plead- ed guilty to charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Acct.

Cora Mulqueen (35), of Kincora Apartments, Shannon, pleaded guilty to altering a Department of Social and Family Affairs cheque and three other offences, arising out of an inci- dent in December 2007.

Shannon District Court was told previously that Ms Mulqueen was a chronic heroin addict and had been unsuccessful in her attempts to give up the drug.

Her solicitor, Caitriona Carmody, said that her client has now moved away from Shannon and is off her- oon

Judge Joseph Mangan said the pro- bation report in the case was “very negative” and imposed a six-month jail term. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.