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REMEMBER Ballyvaughan? The side that made a dramatic introduc- tion to senior football last year with a shock win over county finalists Eire Og last year. Well, they were largely overlooked in terms of quali- fication for the knock-out stages in a group consisting of county champi- ons Kilmurry Ibrickane and two of last year’s quarter-finalists but on Sunday, they demonstrated that they were not there make up the numbers with a character-filled display against Ennistymon.

Full of hunger and self-belief, Bal- lyvaughan eventually romped to a double scores victory with the help of some astute substitutions. To win by seven points was an impressive feat in itself but Ballyvaughan did so by kicking 12 points from play while also holding Ennistymon to only two points from play over the hour.

Much like their triumph of the Townies last season, Ballyvaughan refused to adhere to the script. This was meant to be Ennistymon’s crowning achievement. A_ battling victory over Wolfe Tones in round one at the same venue set themselves up for another tilt at the business end of the championship but aside from a battling second quarter, they were

very disappointing. Backed by a bur- geoning underage system, the Under 21A finalists had a decent blend of youth and experience but for the ma- jority, they were stuck to the ground.

Ballyvaughan, meanwhile, had nothing to lose. After falling to Kil- murry Ibrickane in their opening tie, another defeat here would have put them out of the running but they

would have targetted this derby from the draw and threw everything into this game in a bid to overturn last year’s result.

From the outset, Ballyvaughan took the game to their neighbours, pulling four points clear by the 12th minute with points from Kevin Carrucan (2), Stevie Hynes and a John Martyn free and also had three wides in the

same period.

Ennistymon even had an extra player around the middle of the field with Lawrence Healy roving from his full-forward berth but it took them 17 minutes to open their ac- count through Sean McConigley. That score did give them confidence though and while Ballyvaughan mis- fired, Ennistymon thought they had weathered the storm by pulling level by the break with further scores from Brian Conway and Joe Dowling (2).

The second period began in seesaw fashion with Carrucan and Conway Swapping points by the 38th minute but once Carrucan grabbed his fourth point of the game at the turn of the final quarter, Ballyvaughan upped the ante once more. Aided by several changes to their forward line, Ballyvaughan kicked five further un- answered points by the 54th minute, three from substitutes Jason McDon- agh, Tomas Francis and the lively Jack Queally.

Ennistymon had no answer to Bal- lyvaughan’s charge and their heads dropped all too easily after Mc- Conigley’s flick towards goal was acrobatically saved by goalkeeper Damien McNamara.

Instead, Ballyvaughan piled on the misery with McDonagh adding two more points to his tally as they eased

up to victory and open up the group once more. Another win over Wolfe Tones and Ballyvaughan’s meteoric rise through the ranks could reach new heights. They won’t be written off again, that’s for sure.

that there was “strong sup- port” for the call for staff to occupy the plant.

“We had a long meeting with staff and that was one of the suggestions which had strong support. On con- sideration, it was decided that they would not go ahead with this plan. The reason that staff feel strongly

enough to stage a sit in is that they don’t trust what they are being told. Long before the announcement last week, it was known that there would be this number of jobs here after the cuts. But management employed this shock and awe tactic of saying all the jobs would go, just so people would be grateful for what they got.”

Both unions have said they will continue to explore all avenues to resolve the current dispute prior to taking industrial action.

While the company has indicated it is willing to keep an additional 160 jobs at the Shannon plant, on top of the 80 initially indicated, it employed over 600 workers up until late last year and up to 1,000 at one stage.

It is also offering redundancy terms worth a fraction of previous pack- ene

“We must save as many jobs as pos- sible,’ Ms O’Donnell said after an- nouncing the decision to ballot for industrial action. “But we also need far better terms for anyone facing redundancy in the present bleak en-

vironment.

“Workers at the plant are extremely apprehensive about the future and it is far from clear what the manage- ment agenda for the plant is. We re- quire a full and frank disclosure of all the options with them.”

TEEU Regional Secretary Pat Keane said, “We are all committed to doing everything possible to keep these highly skilled jobs in Shannon. The mid-west cannot afford to lose more jobs in manufacturing.

“We will exhaust every avenue to resolve the dispute locally, if we can, and use all the avenues open to us prior to taking industrial action, pro- vided that management adhere to lo- cal procedures. So far they have been far readier to talk to the media than to their own employees and unions.”

THERE was a 1966 Clare registered Mustang parked up outside Shana- han McNamara Park on Saturday – however, it wasn’t the only display of a different vintage in Doonbeg on the day.

Cooraclare and Kilrush also dipped into their past – unhappy history from Cooraclare’s point of view as they crashed to a defeat that had all the hallmarks and failings of their un- happy years from 2005 to ‘08; happy history for the Shams as they showed that tradition still counts for a lot on championship afternoons.

In many ways we should have seen it coming – Cooraclare are better as underdogs as they proved against Eire Og, Doonbeg and Kilmurry Ibrickane recently.

Kilrush, meanwhile, haven’t been beaten by Cooraclare at champion- ship level since 1986 – they always expect to beat Cooraclare and so it proved here as a storming finish to the first half gave them a six-point half-time cushion that they defended doggedly in the second half to get home by the minimum margin.

It had looked promising for Co- oraclare early on as they raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after seven minutes thanks to points from Cathal Lillis (2) and Michael Kelly, but they failed to score for the rest of the half as the Shams eventually made hay thanks

to Jim Young’s dominance in the full-forward line.

Peadar McMahon had opened the scoring with a free in the second minute but they had to wait until the 12th for their second when Eoghan O’Kelly landed a fine effort from 50 yards out on the right wing.

However, the real spark came in the 25th minute when Chris Dixon’s long delivery was brilliantly fielded with one hand by Jim Young 12 yards from goal – from there he turned and blasted to the net to put the Shams

1-2 to O-3 ahead.

The game was then turned on its head when four more points fol- lowed in the next five minutes from Brendan Crowley, Peadar McMahon (2) and Jim Young to give the Shams were 1-6 to 0-3 lead at the break.

Kilrush were dominating all over the field, while Young and Donal O’Sullivan at midfield the standout performers. Cooraclare, meanwhile, were reeling and slipped seven adrift three minutes into the second half when Peadar McMahon fired over

his third pointed free.

This was a far cry from the per- formance that swept them to the Cu- sack Cup title two weeks ago – the in- tensity and energy just wasn’t there.

They did manage to claw their way back into contention with pointed frees from Mark Tubridy (3) and Ca- thal Lillis to pull it back to a 1-7 to Q-7 game by the 40th minute. How- ever, a Peadar McMahon free in the 46th proved to be the crucial score and the difference between the sides as Cooraclare piled on the pressure

in the closing ten minutes.

Further points from Lillis (2) and Tubridy brought the margin down to the minimum entering injury time, but the Shams were not to be denied the victory that now puts them in pole position in Group 3 with three points from two games.

The 1966 Mustang was probably a Kilrush car too.

A HIGH court bail application for the man accused of murdering Leslie Kenny in Kilrush almost two weeks ago will be made next Monday, a court heard yesterday.

Brendan O’Sullivan (24), of 10 O’Gorman Street, Kilrush, is charged with murdering Mr Kenny (26), con- trary to common law, at O’Gorman Street, on the morning of Wednesday, July 29 last. The defendant has been in custody since the date Mr Kenny was shot dead in the front garden of a house at O’Gorman Street.

During his second appearance be- fore Ennis District Court last week, Mr O’Sullivan was further remanded in custody, to appear in court again next Monday. On that date, the court was told that a bail application would be made to the High Court yesterday (Monday).

However, in court yesterday, de- fence solicitor Patrick Moylan said that application will not now be made until next Monday, at Cloverhill Courthouse. He said he was inform- ing the court that his client would be appearing in the High Court next Monday and therefore would not be in a position to attend the District Sous

The solicitor said that his client had been in custody in Limerick prison and has now been moved to Clover- hill prison, in advance of the High Court bail application.

Inspector Michael Gallagher, pros-

ecuting, pointed out that it was his understanding that the higher court would take precedence.

Mr O’Sullivan will appear before the High Court on Monday and is ex- pected to appear again at the District Court in Ennis on Monday week.

At his initial court hearing, Ennis District Court heard that in reply to charge after caution, Mr O’Sullivan said, “I didn’t intend to do this. I was trying to protect my family.”

His legal team told that court hear- ing that the accused would be fully defending the charge. His lawyers also revealed that an independent autopsy has been carried out, at the request of the defence. State Patholo- gist Professor Marie Cassidy has car- ried out a post mortem, at the request of the State.

CLARE farmers are facing financial ruin this winter as one of the wettest Summers on record has stunted grass growth and now looks likely to cause a severe feed shortage this winter.

Indeed, reports from around the county indicate that some animals are still being housed in sheds at night in particularly wet areas.

According to figures released last week by Met Eireann, Shannon Air- port experienced its wettest July for more than 50 years, with twice the average rainfall being recorded.

“The weather has made the situ- ation very difficult for farmers al- ready this year, with grass growth well behind all year long. The land is as wet now, in August, as it usually is in mid-winter,’ said Clare IFA chair- man, Michael Lynch.

“Grass growth has been disastrous this year. Besides a short spurt in June, it has been behind all year and is putting farmers under real pres- sure.”

According to Mr Lynch, farmers have begun to offload stock in the last number of weeks as the weather means that they won’t have enough fodder to feed them this winter.

“The heavy rainfall has affected all of Clare but there are some areas where cattle have had to be rehoused and put back inside – which is un- thinkable,” continued Mr Lynch.

“We have seen farmers selling stock much, much earlier than they

normally would because of the fear of a lack of grass. It is essential for Clare farmers that the weather im- proves. A lot of farmers are counting on a good August to allow them to make their second cut of silage. ‘The first cut 1s already very light in a lot of areas and if the second cut is not better, then there could be ser1- ous problems. This is costing farm- ers money all over the place and it’s going to get worse unless the weather

improves drastically.”

According to Met Eireann, the wet July was caused by a series of Atlan- tic depressions tracking over Ireland. Despite the rain, there was some con- solation for sun-seekers, with higher than average sunshine also being re- corded at Shannon Airport.

Despite the record rainfall, Clare was spared the worst of the weather. Newport in County Mayo recorded a record 42mm of rain in a one-hour

spell last month, with Dublin Air- port’s wettest ever day long rainfall on record.

The Valentia Observatory also re- corded its wettest July since records began in the area in 1866.

PLANNING permission to Hutch- inson 3G to construct a 120 ft high mast on Woodcock Hill near Cratloe has been refused due to fears that it would endanger or interfere with the safety of aircraft and pose a risk of a major accident taking place.

In making the decision, Clare County Council took into account an objection lodged against the develop- ment by the Irish Aviation Authority (CFV.

Earlier this year, Hutchinson 3G lodged plans for the development. The site is to provide broadband cov- erage in the residential areas, com- mercial premises and traffic routes around Sixmilebridge.

The six radio dishes on the mast were also required to connect with National Broadband Scheme sites in the west of Ireland.

In its decision, the council stated that it is considered that the proposed development would endanger or in- terfere with the safety of aircraft or the safe and efficient navigation and would pose a risk of a major accident occurring.

The proposed development is there-

fore contrary to the proper planning and development of the area

In its submission, Tom Cooney of the IAA Corporate Affairs stated that the proposed structure — which is 710 metres from Woodcock Hill Radar – will adversely affect the pro- pogation of signals trasmitted and received by Woodcock Hill radar.

He said: “The existing mast struc- tures on Woodcock Hill already in- troduce significant azimuth errors. Locating this mast at the proposed site will exacerbate an already sub- standard situation.

He added: “It 1s the opinion of the [AA that this structure will adversely impact on the operation of our Wood- cock Hill radar. Accordingly, we recommend that the council refuse planning permission for the mast.”

Hutchinson 3G told the council that the site will be the main transmission link for national broadband sites in the western region with six radio link dishes proposed.

Hutchinson stated that the appli- cation clearly demonstrates that the proposed development is required as part of the rollout of the broadband network under the National Broad- band Scheme.

A COMBINATION of factors is playing a role in extra pressure being exerted on Clare Haven.

The organisation provides support to female victims of physical and emotional abuse at its facility in En- nis and also at its outreach centres across the county.

As the organisation’s figures show that the numbers of women requir- ing help has increased significantly, Services Manager Denise Dunne says that an increased level of aware- ness has played a role.

Ms Dunne said that the statistics have increased, right across the board.

‘There is a combination of things. We have been doing a lot of aware- ness raising. We have been call- ing to doctors’ surgeries and health centres with our leaflets and posters. We have increased awareness of our service. The downturn in the econo- my has also played a role. We have a lot of women coming to us who are not well off,’ said Ms Dunne.

“I don’t think domestic violence has increased. I’m hoping people’s awareness has increased and people are less tolerant of it,’ she said.

Women visit the centre due to a number of reasons, such as emo- tional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse or social abuse.

“It covers not just physical abuse. It would be mostly physical abuse for those who come into the refuge. Peo- ple only come to the refuge as a last resort,’ said Ms Dunne.

Clare Haven engages in a number of initiatives, one of which 1s a pilot pro- gramme in schools and youthreach centres. The sessions are educational and the feedback from teachers and students alike has been positive.

“The more we can educate people around violence in general, the bet- ter,’ said Ms Dunne.

Many women seeking help from Clare Haven turn up at the refuge with their children. “If it’s danger-

ous to be at home, they will take the children with them. Lately we see a lot of older women coming in. Finan- cially, they wouldn’t have the means to alternative accommodation. A lot of the time, women are coming to the refuge waiting for a barring or- der, protection order or safety order (taken out in court),” she said.

While the majority of women visit- ing Clare Haven have been abused by their partners, others are abused by

their grown-up children.

She said that alcohol and drugs may play a role in abuse, but is not the only factor. “Certainly if alcohol and drugs are involved, it might exacer- bate the violence. It doesn’t cause it. We have plenty of clients coming in where the partner doesn’t abuse alco- hol or drugs,’ she added.

Plenty of events to dig during Heritage Week

CLARECASTLE and _ Kilmaley joined Sixmilebridge and Newmar- ket in the Minor A semi-finals at the weekend when they accounted for Eire Og and Inagh/Kilnamona respectively in their quarter-final clashes. Clarecastle had five points to spare in their local derby with the Ennis side, with Clare minor Aaron Considine grabbing 1-10 in the 1-17 to 2-09 victory.

Leading from the outset, Clarecas- tle got an early boost when Consid- ine soloed through for a goal in the Sth minute to lead by I-2 to 0-1. He followed up with a free but Eire Og grabbed a lifeline in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Philly Walsh’s long free ended up in the Clarecastle net.

The Magpies reocvered well from that setback to pull four points clear once more but Eire Og refused to lie down and in the 27th minute, claimed a second major when a goamouth scramble was finished to the net.

Again Clarecastle responded im- mediately though with late points from Niall Quinn and Considine to lead by 1-10 to 2-04 at the break.

The second period was a seesaw af- fair with both sides going point for point for the majority as Clarecastle held a five point lead approaching the finish.

They still had to endure a nervy final few minutes before finally se- curing victory and had goalkeeper Jamie Coughlan to thank for an ex- cellent point blank save in the 56th minute.

Meanwhile, in Monday evening’s quarter-final, a Daire Keane goal in the 28th minute proved the dif- ference as Kilmaley knocked out defending champions Inagh/Kilna- mona on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-14. That goal turned the game on it’s head as Kilmaley took a 1-5 to 0-6 lead into the interval and they held that slender advantage until the final minutes when a brace of points en- sured victory.

Kilmaley will now meet Newmar- ket-on-Fergus in the last four while last year’s finalists Sixmilebridge renew acquaintances with Clarecas- tle in the other semi-final in what is a repeat of last year’s minor league nue

HISTORY will be made in north Clare this September as all three secondary level schools in Ennisty- mon will begin the school year with female principals for the first time Vole

This follows the appointment last week of Ann Tuohy as principal of the Christian Brothers’ Secondary School in the town – the first female principal appointed in the schools ROI (erase) ae

Ms Tuohy will replace current prin- cipal Michael Concannon who will retire this September after 40 years of service to the school.

Indeed, Mr Concannon was only the second lay teacher to be appointed to the school following the appointment of its first non Christian Brother prin- cipal, Michael Mulqueeny, in 1995.

This news follows the confirmation last May of Mary Joyce’s appointed as the official successor to former principal Enda Byrt at the Ennisty- mon Vocational. Ms Joyce, who has filled the role of acting principal for the previous 12 months, was the first full-time female principal appointed at the Ennistymon Vocational School in its 52 years history.

Mr Byrt, who is a former Irish international basketball coach, fin- ished his many years of service to the school last year and has returned to America where he coached basket- ball for a time in the 1990s.

Ms Tuohy and Ms Joyce are joined

by Ennistymon Scoil Mhuire princi- pal, Seosaimhin Ui Dhomhnallain, completing a full sweep of the main jobs in local secondary school edu- cation by women.

Scoil Mhuire has a long standing tradition of appointing a female prin- cipal to the all girls school.

As a Moy native, Ms Tuohy is no stranger to the area and 1s a past pu- pil of Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon. She brings a wealth of experience to the role having thought for years at St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon

A spokesman for the school wel- comed Mrs Tuohy back home to north Clare.

“Both the staff and pupils of En- nistymon CBS welcome her to the

Monastery and wish her well in her new post,’ said the spokesman.

‘The school has often been referred to as a ‘small school’ but it was re- cently listed as 17th for students at- tending university in the national league of graduates attending uni- versity.

“Despite its size, the school offers a wide selection of subjects and the number of business people, academ- ics, farmers and sports people is greatly beyond proportion to the size of the school. For this the teaching staff and past principals must take a large share of the credit.”