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AVENUE United face off against some of the best teams in the coun- try this week when they compete in the fifth international Umbro Galway Citi}

The Ennis club have been drawn against Templeogue United, Salt- hill Devon and the Gawlay District League in Group A in the under 13 section of the competition.

The tournament will take place at Drom Soccer Park, home of Salthill Devon FC, in Galway City and will run from August 5-8. The Galway Cup is aimed at talented soccer play- ers from 12 to 17 years of age. It at- tracts teams from the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and Europe, as well as a strong rep- resentation of Irish clubs. The aim of the Galway Cup is to bring inter- national class teams together to test them against quality opposition to develop their skills.

Thousands of spectators are ex- pected from Ireland and overseas to capture the action in Drom Soccer Park. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate each day.

“The Galway Cup is now in its fifth

successive year and is considered one of the leading underage soccer competitions around the globe’, said Liam Brady, FAI. “This tournament offers the FAI and overseas repre- sentatives the opportunity to assess players who are on the fringe of the international squad. It also gives the best of our home grown talent a real opportunity to perform at the high- est levels and showcase their ability in front of scouts from the UK and Ireland.”

The Failte Ireland Elite U13 Group includes the first Mexican entrant to the cup from Mexico, Sports Clinic which is associated with Cruz Azul, one of the top Mexican sides. Other teams include the Donegal School Boys, Athlone, North Tipperary, St. Kevins Boys, F.C. Carlow and Gal- way. Salthill Devon enters into this Elite section having won the Galway & District League Cup, and the Con- nacht Cup in 2008-2009.

Fiona Monaghan, General Man- ager Failte Ireland West Region, said, “Failte Ireland is delighted to partner with the Umbro Galway Cup as sponsor of the U13 Elite Tourna- ment. The Umbro Galway Cup is one of the key events on the sporting

calendar in the West of Ireland and has gained strong international rec- ognition since its inception five years ago. Failte Ireland West region has positioned itself as the outdoor and activity region of Ireland and this sponsorship is in line with our stra- tegic goals. The Umbro Galway Cup is a great opportunity to promote the West Region as a destination for sporting events combined with activ- ity based holidays to a wide audience and to showcase Galway as a fam- ily friendly holiday destination with plenty to do for all ages. We look forward to welcoming the players and their families both from home and overseas to Galway in early Au- gust”.

This year Lifestyle Sports and Fail- te Ireland have signed up as “Elite Group” sponsors. Lifestyle Sports will be sponsoring the UI5 Elite competition which includes the FAI Emerging Talent Squad and leading UK clubs such as Sunderland, Ful- ham, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Aberdeen. Cherry Orchard and St. Joseph’s Boys will represent the DDSL and leading Norwegian Club, Valerenga will also compete for the UI15 Elite Cup.

FEARS for jobs and services were raised afresh at Aer Lingus in Shan- non this week, with news that the airline are looking at ways to save another €130 million in spending cuts.

Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington revealed the need for more savings at a meeting involving pilots who want to see the Shannon/New York route restored.

He told pilots of the need for more cuts after they offered to work free for a month if the airline would re-

Store the Shannon route, and the Dublin San Francisco route.

Further changes are thought to be on the way with the company’s in- coming chief executive, Christopher Mueller due to join the airline on September 1, a full month ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today said that the news that Aer Lingus is working ona plan to target costs, including trans- atlantic services, will be a worry to the mid-west region.

Deputy Carey said, “The airline industry is facing a difficult period,

and Aer Lingus is no exception. But what I would ask is that key services and routes are safeguarded from any cost cutting measures. In particu- lar, the transatlantic services from Shannon have served Ireland and the mid- west well for generations. These routes are very important for business and tourism. I believe that once the US economy begins to pull out of recession, Ireland’s connec- tivity will again be a major factor in attracting inward investment to the mid-west region.”

He added, “We cannot allow deci- sions to be made now in a knee-jerk

fashion that will affect the region in the long run. I would hope in their current financial re-assessments that Aer Lingus management has learned from the Shannon-Heathrow affair. Those flights were pulled as a result of short-term thinking and now that the route has been returned, it has proved financially viable. Transat- lantic routes are profitable, if mar- keted and timetabled in the right manner. These routes are vital for business interests in the region.” The Mid West Regional Author- ity has pledged that the airport and tourism development are to remain

at the top of their agenda for the coming year.

Newly elected chairman Cllr Leo Walsh (FG) said that the authority is “determined to get on with its work” despite the threat of being scrapped under the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua.

“We are involved in a big push in promoting tourism whether it 1s bringing visitors in through Shan- non or growing domestic tourism, and we are currently looking at ini- tiatives at Lough Derg, for example, that will be great for people who are interested in boating and fishing.”

Clare Shell protester jailed

that they will not be operating the Government drugs dispensing scheme.

A spokesperson for Tulla Phar- macy said they would not be co- operating with the HSE, while at Keating’s Pharmacy in Corbally said they would also be opting out of the scheme.

“Our name may be on the list of pharmacies operating the scheme

but we advised the HSE directly, and then through our union, that we wouldn’t be participating,” a spokesman for the pharmacy said. ‘These are divide and conquer tac- tics,” he said.

Sean Collins Pharmacy in Killa- loe is listed and will be operating the scheme.

“It’s a difficult situation. How do you tell Mrs Murphy, who comes in every month for her blood pressure tablets, that this month you won’t be dispensing them?” a spokesman Sree

The other east Clare pharmacy on the HSE list, the Green Cross in Killaloe could not be contacted to confirm whether or not they will be participating in the scheme.

Meanwhile Age Action Ireland is urging all older people who are on regular medication to take steps, as a matter of priority, to ensure they are not adversely affected by the pharmacist’s dispute.

“It is important that older people act to ensure that the dispute does not impact on their supply of med1- cation,’ Age Action spokesman,

Eamon Timmins said. “For people in rural areas it may mean organis- ing a lift to the pharmacist and ar- ranging transport to an alternative pharmacist. We would urge fami- lies and neighbours to help those who do not have public transport.”

The group is also advising that people, in parts of the country Where the HSE is _ establishing its own pharmacies to meet local needs, should also make themselves aware of the location of these serv- ices at www.hse.ie or by phoning the HSE information line 1850 24

1850.

‘But it is important that people do not put off this decision until the day they go to fill their prescrip- tion; act today to ensure you can continue normally with your medi- cation,’ Mr Timmins said.

Age Action has also urged the HSE to ensure that its contingency plans prioritise older people who are house-bound and/or live in re- mote rural areas without public transport. He has also urged both sides to recommence talks so that a solution can be found.

CLARE’S championship challenge came to a grinding halt on Satur- day as an experienced Wexford side eased to a comfortable victory in east Clare. Essentially this was a straight semi-final play-off as both sides had started the day on level points in the eroup, the 2007 All-Ireland champi- ons led from start to finish and gave Clare another hurling lesson of the standard required at the top level. Wexford’s smooth interplay and scoring ability up front were the main differences between the sides and Clare, aside from a gritty second quarter, were never allowed to settle into their stride. The margin could have been greater too only for anoth- er superb display from centre-back Deirdre Murphy who never threw in the towel at any stage and in truth, the entire defensive unit coped admi- rably considering that the game was predominantly played in their half. Clare were also tactically naive, especially in the first half with the aid of a stiff breeze that blew to- wards Tuamgraney as they opted to use Claire Commane as a third mid- fielder. While it did work to an extent as the Corofin player gathered a lot of possession, it also took away any threat close to goal as the majority of Clare’s supply went straight down the centre to the spare Wexford player. In a period when Clare were firmly on top and battling to get back into the game, this was hurling suicide and seemed an impulsive tactic to Wexford’s bright start of five un- answered points. Also if Clare had

rehearsed it beforehand, they would have surely been drilled to play eve- rything down the wings and keep the ball away from the spare player at full-back.

Clare did manage to score their only three scores of the game through Sharon O’Loughlin (2) and Fiona Lafferty during this period but with the majority of the forward line below par, essentially they needed a goal to instill some belief but in truth, it never looked like coming due to Wexford’s extra defender.

Instead, Wexford simply soaked up the pressure, weathered the storm and tacked on a brace of points before the breakthrough to lead by O-7 to O-3. With the stong breeze to come, Wex- ford would have been quite content

with their lofty position but it was only when Michelle Hearne weaved through the Clare defence for Wex- ford’s first goal in the 39th minute that Clare’s heads finally began to drop. The home side received sev- eral warning signs on the restart with Josie Dwyer’s pull going just wide of the post, Katrina Parrock’s effort grazing the top of the crossbar while Una Leacy’s shot was saved by Clare goalkeeper Denise Lynch. However she could do nothing about the goal as Parrock attracted several defend- ers before offloading to Hearne who shipped a tackle before rifling to the net from close range.

That goal sucked the life out of Clare’s challenge and for the remain- der, it was damage limitation stuff

for the home side who rarely got out of their own half. Five more points would be added before Wexford’s second goal, a carbon copy of the first as substitute Lenny Holohan played in the unmarked Parrock to goal in the 56th minute. Clare prayed for the final whistle but had to en- dure a brace of Kate Kelly points first before realising that eventuality as Wexford march on to a semi-final meeting with defedning champions Cork.

Hardly the way Clare would have wanted to end their campaign but it was never expected to be anything other than a difficult first season back at the top level.

How they actually take those les- sons on board will be much more

significant for Clare’s long term de- velopment.

THE death has occurred of one of Ireland’s most respected medical professionals, Dr Harry Counihan.

A former chairman of the Rich- mond Hospital, Dr Counihan was the son of Molly and Dr JH Counihan, a former GP in Ennis. His uncle Dick was also a doctor in Kil-

Mets ep

Born in 1918, Dr

Counihan was educat- ed at Clongowes Col- lege and UCD medical school and in 1946, was appointed consult- ant phyisician to the Richmond — Hospital. He was a founder mem- ber of the Consultative Council of Tuberculo- sis at a time when the condition was rampant in Ireland.

In an extensive and distinguished medical career, Dr Counihan was also a former President of the Royal Academy of Medicine and the Irish Tuberculosis Society and Vice Presi- dent of the Medical Council at its in- auguration in 1974.

As well as making an important contribution to the health service in Ireland, Dr Counihan also played a key role in developing health serv- ices in Iraq.

In the early 1980s, he became med- ical director of the Parc-run Ibn Al- Bitar Hospital in Baghdad.

He was a founder member of the Rehab institute and in 1999 was named as one of the People of the ETc lye tlie

Dr Counihan was also actively in- volved with the Irish Medical Or-

ganisation and worked as editor of the Irish Medical Journal.

Dr Counihan died peacefully at St Vin- cent’s LORRY Hospital, Dublin, sur- rounded by his family and in the excellent care of the staff.

He was the beloved husband of the late Eileen and loving fa- ther of Mary, Claire, Joan, Henry, Eileen

and the late Michael, Catherine and Jane; loving grandfather of Matthew, Martha and James (McGann), Neil, Tom, John and Joe (Bailes), Conor, Rachel and Alice (McKinney), Clodagh and Harry (Counihan), Roger, Georgia and Rosie (Kelly).

He will be sadly missed by his sis- ters and brothers; Sr Mary (Loreto), Dr Frank, Roger, Honor and Ruth, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, sister-in-law, extended family, rela- OAVor er LGM BU (ONO KS

CONFUSION reins over the final Cusack Cup relegation spot after Liscannor failed to show for their play-off with Shannon Gaels on Sat- urday, citing the reason that score difference should be used to decide promotion and relegation issues.

At the March meeting of the Clare County Board, it was agreed that the score difference rule would be implemented for league competi- tions. However, when both Shannon Gaels and Liscannor finished their Clare Cup campaigns on four points, the county board arranged for a rel- egation play-off to be played even though Liscannor had a superior score difference of 26 points.

The fixture was scheduled for last Saturday at Quilty but only Shannon Gaels fielded. Referee John Brew began proceedings and subsequently awarded the Gaels a walkover.

However, speaking to

THREE out of every 10 farmers in the protected Burren region intend to wind up their businesses and stop farming over the next number of years.

This is according to the first ever major survey of farm activity in the area, published this week by the Bur- renBeo Trust. The survey, which was compiled from more 240 individual interviews undertaken over the last year, shows that only 72 per cent of interviewees intended to continue farming in the area into the future.

The survey also showed that only a

small amount of farm families, just under 8 per cent, gained directly from the millions of tourists who visit the area every year. While tourism was an issue which divided the respond- ents, most respondents agreed that a way should be found to share the spoils of Burren tourism amongst all the people of the area.

There were many positive elements to the survey with the farmers large- ly agreeing that farmers needed to be involved in any future planning about the Burren area and that farm- ers were central to the projection of the fragile Burren environment.

“One of the BurrenBeo Trusts core

objectives is to engage farming fami- lies and local communities in the de- cision-making processes affecting the Burren,” said Brendan Dunford, founder of BurrenBeo and head of the BurrenLIFE farming for conver- sation organisation.

“This objective derives from our conviction that any future manage- ment plan for the Burren must be built on real and meaningful local in- put, enabling the people of the Bur- ren to play a greater role in defining, participating in, and benefiting from the sustainable future development of their landscape. It also addresses one of the most common complaints

from Burren farm families — that they rarely have any real say in how their region is being managed.

“The findings of the survey are very positive and a cause for great optimism. Burren farmers are proud to live and work in the Burren, are appreciative of the area’s unique at- tributes and are anxious and enthusi- astic about being involved in shaping the future of this place, their home.”

The survey was coordinated by Kathy Walsh and undertaken in partnership by the Burrenbeo Trust in conjunction with the Burren IFA and with the support of the Heritage Council.

BISHOP Willie Walsh has described one of Clare’s best known GAA fig- ures, Fr Michael McNamara, as a great priest and a man who worked miracles that perhaps we don’t rec- Oya nV Aon

A priest for 40 years and a former coach to the senior Clare hurling team and County Board chairman, Fr McNamara (64) died suddenly ETI MSY IRUIROE NAM (cle) ©

At a packed St Peter and St Paul Cathedral Church in Ennis last Tues- day, Dr Walsh led the tributes to his friend who served as parish priest to the parish of Doora-Barefield.

Bishop Walsh described as a dev- astating blow that “Fr Michael’s 40 years of generous and wonderful priesthood has come to a sudden end”’.

“All of us who are privileged to know him are deeply saddened. We will miss him greatly, but he will be missed most of all by his family whom he loved so much and from whom he received so much love.”

Describing Fr McNamara as “a truly good priest. We pray that this generous life may inspire all of us to try in our own frailty to walk in his footsteps.

“There is a sense of incredulous-

ness, a sense that it has happened too soon, despite 40 years of generous and wonderful priesthood, there is a sense that Fr Michael had so much more to give.

“There have been so many lovely tributes paid to him in recent days. Maybe the loveliest one came from a family who had to part with one of their lovely daughters after a long illness five years ago. Both parents said to me on different occasions ‘we could never have survived that time without the love and support of Fr Michael’.

Dr Walsh described Fr McNamara as “a man of many parts”.

“He was first of all a people’s man. He had a wonderful interest and capacity to relate to everyone, the young, the old, rich and poor, the close friends and the casual ac- quaintance. He was happy and he was at ease with people. In spite of the heavy burden of work in recent years, he always seemed to have time to chat and indeed always seemed to have plenty to chat about.

“Somehow, you always felt good after a chat with Michael — he saw only the good in each one of us. That is what made him such a community builder to which you the people of Doora Barefield will testify.

“He was a man of the people. He

was a family man. He had an ex- traordinary attachment to his family and to his native Kilmaley

“Michael was a man of faith. Michael was a man who was always comfortable with his faith.

“A priest friend who occasionally holidayed with Michael and shared a room said that he never went to bed without kneeling at his bedside to pray and didn’t get up without kneel- ing and praying at his bedside again — there aren’t many of us who can make that claim.”

Bishop Walsh also recounted how, each Thursday, he and a group of priests would meet for a prayer meet- ing.

“Michael was the most loyal mem- ber of us all. We met for an hour or so and we prayed and chatted about the readings. He had that extra in- sight into those readings and how they might apply to our lives today.”

Describing Fr McNamara as “a man truly of faith — a man of hope of joy’, Bishop Walsh said he could never recall Michael in bad form — “even if the situation seemed hope- less, he always seemed to see the hopeful part.”

THERE has been a huge increase in the number of cases coming before the Employment Appeals Tribunal and multiple job losses are poised to ensure this trend continues.

That’s according to Gearoid Howard, a Shannon-based solicitor who specialises in employment law.

He said that employees are becom- ing increasingly aware of their rights in the workplace, and as a result, the Appeals Tribunals workload has in- creased significantly. It takes up to 40 weeks for cases to be heard, on

average, while the vast majority of cases are swung in the favour of em- ployees.

“A lot of the time, people feel they have been selected unfairly for re- dundancy. That accounts for a lot of cases before the Employment Ap- peals Tribunals. At the moment I am being asked for advice from people about that from employers and em- ployees,”’ said Mr Howard.

“Times are tough. Employees are becoming a lot more sophisticated and educated than they used to be. They are looking for their avenues of redress. It is very difficult from an

employers’ point of view,” he said.

The trend, traditionally, for disgrun- tled employees was to take cases to the Employment Appeals Tribunal, but this has changed somewhat. “

The usual avenue was the Employ- ment Appeals Tribunal, but more often than not now people are going to the Equality Tribunal,” said Mr Howard.

The Appeals Tribunal calculates what the winner in a case is entitled to, through a mathematical computa- tion. However, the Equality Tribunal is not subject to the same limitations. ‘That is the stark reality for employ-

ees,’ said Mr Howard.

As the number of cases before tri- bunals is increasing, Mr Howard has noticed one trend. “In my own expe- rience, the success rate is 95 per cent for employees,” he said.

“Many years ago, an employer would have only come to me when they received a date for a tribunal, but now I am finding I am being ap- proached earlier in the process. Em- ployers are aware of the process,” he added.

The downturn in the economy has played a critical role in the increase in demand for tribunals of this na-

ture.

me WTKom ELON MNO Com Iloroems Kem MED OMB Ele past. You could leave one job today and get another tomorrow. The eco- nomic climate has changed dramati- cally and competition for jobs is phe- nomenal,” said Mr Howard.

He said that cashflow problems have also filtered through and create huge issues. “I have employers who have let people go months ago and they are still waiting to receive re- bate from the social insurance fund. When it turns to the Government to refund, that refund is taking a very long time,” said Mr Howard.