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FOR saffron and blue supporters it was a venture into the unknown — a first All-Ireland Under 21 final for them as well as for Clare as a hurl- ing county.

And, as with all dawns there was excitement — it was new and some- thing different and that’s why Clare Supporters out-numbered their Kil- kenny counterparts by two or three to one.

It was 1995 and ’97 all over again — and like those years Clare support- ers expected.

“We’re definitely going to do it,” said Michael Brennan from Killaloe beforehand.

‘“We’re not up here just to make up the numbers and become anoth- er mouse killed by the Cats. These players have bottle and that’s what will win them their medals. Kilken- ny won’t know what has hit them.”

James Murphy from Ennis was more cautious, but still confident. “It’s going to be a tough one. There is no denying that. There are two great teams fighting for this honour and I can’t see more than a couple of scores separating them at the end. It might even be a draw. Clare by one or two I’d say!”

Murphy nailed it and seconds after the final whistle, he and thousands of others were storming the field. “Amazing, absolutely unreal,’ ex- claimed Barry Corbett from Cloon- OMe “It was a brilliant performance from all of them but especially Tuo- hy and the full-back line. Conlon up front as well. The serious discipline the whole team showed entitled us to this win,’ he added.

He echoed the thoughts of all eve- ryone in saffron and blue, as the Clare Shout, for so long silent ech- oed around Croke Park for the first time in a dozen years.

“The Cats couldn’t stop Clare making history. Great win,” roared Stephen McNamara from Kilmaley, before more Clare Shouts again ech- oed around him.

And, like 95 there was talk of Bid- dy Early too — the curse that’s been a crutch to bear in recent years was banished once more.

And, in its place was a bright new era with a nod to the past achieve- ments of Clare teams made by Inagh farmer Tom Mackey when he pro- claimed loudly to everyone around him that “there’ll be no goats milked for the week”.

Ennis will be made for walking

WITH threats of “you will never get your hands on the cup’, talks of changing handicaps and discus- sions of one team’s inability to play in windy conditions, the “Friendship Cup” tournament began with good humour on Wednesday last.

The friendly jibes were given and taken well as a group of west Clare golfers took on the Americans in the first of the friendly competitions to be held in the county.

The brainchild of one of the found- ers of the Ibrickane Golf Society, which was formed in 2007, the com- petition forges links with a New York golf society – Cuchulainn Golf

Society.

Last year the team of golfers took their good humour banter to North Carolina for the inaugural competi- ntOyee

This year the American team, made up mostly of Irish Americans, are experiencing west Clare hospitality and for the first time ever all of the members played Clare courses.

Incoming captain of the Ibrickane Golf Society, and the captain of the Clare team, Evan Talty from Quilty explained that the competition and the arrival of the ten members of the New York team has captured the im- agination of the locality.

“It has got a lot of local publicity. A lot of people are asking about it and

showing an interest,’ he said.

Current captain of the society and founding member of the group Eoghan O’Loughlin paid tribute to the local businesses who also got be- hind the event and saw its potential.

‘Next year we will have up to 15 or 16 going with us, there is such an in- terest in it now. It will probably reach a team of 20 coming back and over alternative years,’ he said.

Paddy Cartel, Treasurer of the Cu- culainn Society added, “We are life long friends through this.”

Cavan-born Paul Donoghue paid tribute to the hospitality the group has received since arriving in west Clare. “The Bellbridge has been very good to us,” he added.

Sean Clarke was equally posi- tive about his visit to west Clare. He maintained that the group even brought the fine weather. “From the time we lived here we remembered that there was always good weather in September when we had to go back to school, that is why we picked September to come.’ Usually the Americans play golf from the begin- ning of April to the end of October.

The Ibrickane Golf Society is al- ready planning the return trip state- side next year to defend the cup.

NEWMARKET Celtic move up to second in the Premier league ta- ble after defeating holders Bunratty last week. After a good win against Rock Rovers the previous Sunday, Newmarket were full of confidence coming into this match. Therefore it wasn’t much of a suprise when they got off to a fantastic start. In the opening five minutes, they managed to grab the lead. John Paul Healy the Newmarket midfielder provided the goal scoring finish. This was the end result of some very direct build up play that Bunratty just could not seem to cope with. Their defence obviously were still not fully awake and warmed up but unfortunately for them Newmarket were not planning on hanging around. They wanted to press home their power and strengths from the very kick off. Bunratty now really had it all to do. Going behind so early meant that attack now had to be their best form of defence and they had to try and pull one back. However their negative position got even worse when Newmarket dou- bled their advantage after 20 min- utes. Again the goal was the result of some lapse defending. A deep cross

into the box failed to be cleared and after a number of attempts to get the ball away, it was deflected by John Ryan into his own net. This was Bun- ratty’s final nail in their already half lowered coffin. For the remainder of the first half, both sides had half chances but nothing really material- ised as Bunratty went in at half time

with it all to do. The second half con- tinued in a similar fashion. Bunratty tried to exert as much pressure as possible with an effort by Pat Twom- ey being one of the best chances they managed to create. Unfortunately for him and his team, his first control let him down and he could not punish the Newmarket defence. Newmarket

did not sit back either with Healy and Feeley in particular looking the most likely to increasing their lead even more. As the game came to a close Bunratty really tried their hardest but it was not going to be their day. Newmarket had sealed this win after an excellent opening period and they never looked back from this to inflict defending champions Bunratty to their first defeat of the season.

A DIFFERENT take on that Modest Mouse album: good news for people who like good news. Yes, the Funk- tion Room — the North Clare disco/ social night that pops it’s head up sporadically, like a meercat on the prairie — is back. Funky tunes and vinyl records are the order of the ab hea al

This time, it brings its nomadic ways to Lahinch, specifically roam- ing to the Claremont Hotel this Thursday, September 10. As has be- come the custom, Tokin White Boy will provide the backbone to the night. Afterall, Tokin is the resident DJ. But there’s also flesh on those

bones, in the form of DJ R Steady, guest for the evening and travelling all the way from Cork.

The designated charitable cause 1s Aware, the national organisation that provides support through depression to individuals affected by the condi- tion, as well as concerned family and friends.

“Over the past few years, we have focused on a number of causes local- ly and throughout Clare,” explains Roisin Ni Ghairbhith, one of the or- ganisers of the event. “Last time, in June, we raised in excess of €1,000 for Friends of Ennistymon Hospital. This time we’re raising funds for a great cause, Aware. The night also coincides with Daisy Day, Aware’s

annual largest fundraiser. That takes place form September 10 to 12 so it all ties in well.”

A night of upbeat tunes and funky music are promised, along with a dance off, which is sure to draw a niche crowd. “The dance off is some- thing we’re all looking forward to,” continued Miss Ni Ghairbhith. “So, in setting the right atmosphere, we want people to dress up and dance their tights and socks off. It’s going to be fun and it’s going to a worthy charity.” Aware offer a number of services in Clare and beyond, includ- ing support groups across the coun- try, a loCall helpline open 365 days a year (1890 303 302), email support service and free information service.

The organisation also works to cre- ate greater public awareness of the nature and impact of depression via its secondary schools awareness pro- gramme, Beat the Blues, and other community awareness programmes.

‘‘Aware relies on public support and fundraising for more than 80 per cent of its funding each year,” added Miss Ni Ghairbhith.

“So come out and support this great cause.” Doors for the Funktion Room open at 11pm this Thursday at the Claremont Hotel, Lahinch. Ad- mission €8.

THIS was a repeat of last year’s coun- ty final that was played in Cooraclare — conditions were much more benign on that occasion, but the result was the same as the standardbearers of senior football in the county record- ed a nine-point win.

However, the margin of victory flat- ters them somewhat — a brilliant dis- play by Aoife Davoren between the sticks and a forward line that availed of their chances much better than the Gaels was the difference between the sides.

The Gaels had the edge in the first half, but only managed to build up a Q-7 to 1-3 interval lead when playing with the gale. County intermediate star Majella Griffin was their main scoring threat in the half and landed three points, but it was Sonya Ma- her’s goal that gave the champions a real tonic when playing against the strong breeze.

And once Niamh O’ Dea (2) and N1- amh Keane chipped in with points, they were well on the way to frank- ing last year’s county final form against their very keen rivals from Kilkee and the peninsula beyond.

West Clare Gaels adopted a sweep- er policy when playing against the wind in the second half — to coun- teract this The Banner Ladies started shooting from distance, with county

intermediate captain Louise Henchy first to profit when landing two long range points early in the half to edge The Banner 1-5 to O-7 ahead.

When Naomi Carroll added two

points and Louise Henchy followed up with a goal in the 40th minute from a free kick it was The Banner’s day — they had maximised their scor- ing chances while West Clare Gaels

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A Katie Geoghegan goal from a penalty gave them renewed hope of getting back into the game put once Niamh Keane goal effort was de-

flected to the net for The Banner’s for their third goal they were in cruise control.

Their storming second half display was crowned when Sonya Maher soc- cer a brilliant individual effort near the end, while Katie Cahill rounded off and industrious display with a couple of points, with Naomi Carroll also on the mark before the end.

Locals mourn loss of tragic teen

AFTER a very impressive perform- ance in this semi-final, Sixmilebri- dge progress to yet another Minor A hurling final. From the throw-in the men in yellow and blue always seemed to be the likely winners of this entertaining encounter.

It was Conor O’Gorman of Clare- castle who opened the scoring with

a well taken point. However, it did not take long for the “Bridge to re- spond. In the following five minutes two wonderful points from the excel- lent Alan Mulready, an effort from Timmy Crowe and a cracking goal by corner-forward Jamie Shanahan stole the lead from the Magpies and left the score at 1-3 to 0-1.

They never really looked back from this lightning start, even though with

eight minutes on the clock Clarecas- tle were given some hope when cen- tre forward Niall Quinn picked out Aaron Considine with a well judged pass. He then bypassed a number of Sixmulebridge defenders and blasted the ball into the net. Clarecastle cer- tainly were not preparing to give up without a fight.

For the next 20 minutes or so the ‘Bridge restored their dominance on

the scoreboard with four of their for- wards contributing to a seven point haul. Clarecastle managed to grab another three points and this left Sixmilebridge leading 1-10 to 1-4 at ne Vee abe tlon

Only for a number of missed frees and some poor long-range shooting this margin could have been far big- ger. The second-half continued as the first with Clarecastle unable to con-

tain the fast and tricky forwards of their opponents.

Between the 37th and 47th minute they secured another five scores and confirmed their hold on the game. Even though they did not score again until injury-time from a °65 taken by Jamie O’Gorman the end result was never really in question.

The final chance for Clarecastle came when they were awarded a 20m free. The crowd’s excitement increased as the Magpies’ netmind- er Jamie Coughlan ran up the field almost Davy Fitz-like, hoping that he could turn this placed ball into a much needed goal.

Unfortunately for him the ‘Bridge were never going to let the sliotar cross their line again and with this failed attempt Clarecastle’s partici- pation in the Minor A hurling Cham- pionship ended for 2009. Sixmileb- ridge march on after this eight-point victory and now only Kilmaley stand in their way of adding another title to their trophy cabinet.

THE biggest sports story in Clare this past generation undoubtedly oc- curred a few poc fadas away from Cusack Park last Tuesday – the day the old champ Muhammad Ali land- ed another knockout blow as Ennis and Clare welcomed him home as one of their own.

Hard to beat “The Greatest’, but the Clare Under 21 hurlers could land their own knockout blow to mighty Kilkenny on Sunday by adopting

as their own the mission statement of Muhammad Ali and the Alltech Group that were behind “The Great- est’ decision to raise the banner for his Irish ancestry.

OW atctamenvicKy (Oye Mniecincseeles el mpechercamelecam pe Ennis on more than one occasion last Tuesday as Alltech’s president, Dr Pearse Lyons, plugged the worldwide educational fund being promoted jointly by Ali and his biotechnology company.

“We want young people to be the best they can possibly be at whatever

they do,” said Dr Lyons to nods of approval from Ali.

Apply that theory to the Clare Un- der 21 hurlers and they have a chance of making their own piece of sport- ing history by landing a first ever All-Ireland Under 21 title.

That’s what it could take to win the title – Kilkenny are going for their fourth All-Ireland title in seven years and their 12th in all. Hurling in Kil- kenny has never had it so good.

Save the three outstanding per- formances of the Clare Under 21s

this term, Clare hurling never had it so bad at adult level.

However, being the best they can possibly be would make it Clare’s greatest hurling year since ‘98 when the curse of Jimmy Cooney’s whistle came between the county and anoth- er All-Ireland.

Or could it have been Biddy Early up to her old tricks again – the same day Muhammad Ali was in town, another one of Clare’s finest, Edna O’Brien, was on RTE telling the world how around 100 years ago

one WB Yeats was seen wandering around Feakle looking for Biddy Early and the meaning of it all.

Maybe Yeats had the curse lifted back then that helped Clare land the All-Ireland in ‘14. Maybe by talk- ing about it, the ‘Country Girl’ from Tuamgraney has lifted the modern day curse.

Something that could bring Mu- hammad’s mission statement of Clare being “the best they can pos- sibly be” alive.

It would be a great knockout blow.

IF Electric Picnic was the entertain- ment highlight of the weekend, then this was it’s antithesis. Contrary to traditional derbies between this pair and the perilous consequences for the loser, this was far from electric and can only be considered a picnic in the manner that Scariff served up this victory on a plate for local rivals Tulla.

Perhaps that is a little unfair on the 2007 champions who were certainly up for this encounter and could only beat what is put in front of them, but even though they eventually eased to victory, they still had too many poor misses to call this an emphatic per- formance.

On the flip side, Scariff looked woe- fully disinterested and in what was arguably their worst showing in re- cent years, have hit a worrying sticky patch at the worst possible time. The same old failings that have hampered their championship hopes against In- agh/Kilnamona and Clonlara resur- faced, with a lack of firepower and an inability to break even in the midfield sector frustrating them once more.

They started brightly enough, grabbing the opening two points of the afternoon through Damien O’Grady and a Ross Horan free but that was as good as it would get for Mark McKenna’s side over the hour. Instead, three unanswered points from Andrew Quinn (2) and Danny O’Halloran edged Tulla in front for the first time and despite being pegged back through another Horan free soon afterwards, Tulla slipped through the gears to hit another five points without reply in eight minutes to establish a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage.

Scariff were only to score one more point for the remainder of the half, inevitably through Horan but by that stage, they were really up against it,

now trailing by 0-10 to 0-04 at the break.

On the restart, Scariff’s new mid- field pairing of Conor McNamara

and Michael Scanlan fared a little better and it allowed Ross Horan to pull a point back in the 36th minute. However, Tulla soon regained su-

premacy and along with a plethora of wides, they slowly killed off any hopes of a Scariff fightback with further points from Kieran Brennan, Andrew Quinn (2) and the lively Raymond Stewart by the turn of the nUOE Nae [UE Du nom

By now, the fight was all but quenched in Scariff and it allowed Tulla to ease up to their first victory of the campaign, with the 11 point final margin probably flattering to Scariff overall.

Tulla now march towards the Sen- ior B championship whereas Scariff face the slippery slope of a relegation dogfight. Totally contrasting outlooks that’s a bit like comparing Electric Picnic to the the annual Roscommon Lamb festival.