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AS tense and full-blooded a first round tie as you are ever likely to witness in Quilty on Friday evening as Liscannor had to utilise all of last year’s experience to carve out a point. And a draw was probably the fairest result as neither side really deserved to lose but certainly Kilrush will feel that they had enough chances to win this tie long before the final whistle.

The Shams’ superior intensity in the first half constantly disrupted Liscan- nor’s flow, especially after Liscannor talisman Brian Considine had to be withdrawn with a rerecurrance of a hamstring injury but although Kiul- rush led by O-5 to O-3 at the break, it should have been far greater. What would have frustrated Kilrush most was not the quantity of first half wides, incidentally six of those in all, but the manner of the misses as at least four of those it seemed were easier to score than miss. Consider- ing that Kilrush’s full-forward line seemed to have the edge, Liscan- nor would have felt relieved to have only gone in two points behind at the usrehe

It went blow for blow early on though. Liscannor’s Kieran Consid- ine opened the scoring with a free in the third minute that was cancelled out by Jim Young only two minutes later before Peadar McMahon con- verted a free to put Kilrush 0-2 to O-1 ahead by the seventh minute. How-

ever, depsite their impressive open- ing, they also had kicked four wides by this stage and added to the loss of Brian Considine for Liscannor, Kilrush would have felt confident of building on that lead.

However, credit Liscannor for not panicking, and moving Niall Consid- ine to midfield, they dug deep and in- deed it was Considine who set up the equalising score for Alan Clohessy at the end of the first quarter.

Two more wides were to follow for Kilrush but they did regain the lead in the 18th minute when Patrick Mc-

Grath converted a free, this time off the ground after he had failed with a previous effort. And they doubled that advantage only three minutes later when Matthew Maloney gath- ered a kick-out and fed the onrush- ing Paddy Clancy who could have gone for goal but was content to take a point.

The tension moved up a few notches as three Kilrush players were yellow carded in quick succession for some hefty challenges but on the score- board, the Shams held firm after K1- eran Considine and Peadar McMa-

hon swapped frees before the break to earn Kilrush a O-5 to O-3 half-time advantage.

It would get better for Kilrush on the restart when Peadar McMahon pointed within a minute. However, true to form, Liscannor didn’t drop their heads and soon rallied, even- tually gaining parity by the 4lst minute with a Ronan Slattery free, a great passing move that was started and finished by Dara Blake and a huge free from Kieran Considine that brought the crowd in the stand KOM Oslo pup oom

However, Kilrush hit back in style only a minute later with a flowing passing move of their own, moving through Maloney, Young, Brendan Crowley and finally Peadar McMa- hon who struck a great leading point. Alan Daly followed up with a poor wide and Niall Considine and Chris Dixon entered the referee’s book be- fore Alan Clohessy levelled the game up with a free in the 50th minute.

With the game in the balance, Kil- rush should have done better with a counter-attack when John Kelly fed the overlapping Matthew Maloney who bore down on goal but he dillied and dallied before offloading across the box and the danger was cleared. Kilrush made amends with a superb Peadar McMahon free in the 57th minute that dissected the posts but when leaders were needed, Liscannor had them in abundance, epitomised by the equalising score that came af-

ter Ronan Slattery raided up the left and kicked a pinpoint crossfield pass to Dara Blake who dummied inside and put over the bar.

There was still time for some his- trionics and a brace of red cards for Ronan Slattery and Alan Daly who needlessly got caught up in the tense drama late on that took the sting out of the on-field action and hastened the inevitability of the spoils being shared.

ENNIS’ status as one of Ireland’s ti- diest towns was reaffirmed yesterday when the County Clare capital won a second major prize in just over a iste @

Ennis was named as Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre, at Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition.

The winning entrants were drawn from winners of the 2008 Tidy Towns competition and the Super Valu Best Kept Town Awards in Northern Ire- land.

The Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment and the NIAC initiated the Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competi- tion in 1995 to help raise the profile of both the Tidy Towns and Northern Ireland’s “Best Kept” competitions, and so help to improve the standard of towns and villages across the 1s- land of Ireland.

Ennis was marked against strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appear- ance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment.

Minister of State Tony Killeen commented that Ennis’ award suc- cess could not have been accom- plished without the support of the wider community.

The Junior Agriculture Minister said, “Ireland’s Best Kept Town com- petition provides members of the lo- cal community with the opportunity

to show their pride in their respective towns and villages. It is evident from Ennis’ outstanding success in this year’s competition that the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place is very much alive in the county capi- tal’.

“Despite the huge volumes of peo- ple that live in and visit Ennis, it has successfully managed to retain its unique heritage, charm and tidy ap- pearance,’ he added.

Miss Doreen Muskett MBE, Presi- dent of the Northern Ireland Amen- ity Council said, “We are delighted for Newcastle in taking the overall title, and well done to Loughgall, Ennis and Glenties for their success

in this year’s competition. Judging is never an easy task when you are comparing the best towns and vil- lages across Ireland, but there is a very healthy and good natured spirit of competition among the entrants.”

This is the second time in over a week Ennis has been recognized as one of Ireland’s best-kept towns.

Last week, Ennis was named as the second cleanest town in Ireland in the latest Irish Anti Business Against Litter IBAL) survey.

THIS was a game of two keepers. Outstanding performance by Pe- ter O’Dwyer and Breckan’s Daniel Collins was all that illuminated an otherwise dull opening to this year’s intermediate championship in En- nistymon on Saturday evening.

As the twilight began to close in from Lahinch, both men remained eagle-eyed and produced a string of outstanding saves. In truth the match was a fairly one sided affair with Breckan’s having much the better of the proceedings until a last gasp comeback from Kilmurry put some respectability on the score.

Breckan’s raced into a comfort- able lead with points from Denis O’ Driscoll, Conor Cormican and two from Pat Nagle putting some clear breathing space between the sides. But Kilmurry struck back, with Paul O’Dwyer breaking a ball to the on- rushing Thomas O’Connor who go- aled to put the westerners right back in contention.

Seamus Lynch and Pat Nagle traded points before Peter O’ Dwyer stepped up with two saves to keep Ibrickane in touching distance.

The first was right out of the top drawer. O’Driscoll found Darragh Considine whose curling shot looked a certain goal until O’Dwyer some- how got a finger to it. On the stroke of half time he saved well again at the feet of the onrushing Mikey Keating.

Breckan’s stole ahead in the open- ing minutes of the second half with points O’Driscoll and Greg O’Leary before Nagle converted a penalty when the impressive Cormican was hauled down in the box.

The match looked all but over as

a contest, and when Paul O’Dwyer crashed a penalty onto the post after 15 minutes the writing was on the wall. Points from Stephen Tierney and Nagle stretch Breckan’s lead Stephen Lynch got Kilmurry moving eNeee DOE

But the last 10 minutes would be- long to Collins. First he tipped a rasping goal bound shot from Tho- mas O’Connor over the bar before producing the save of the match to deny substitute Barry Lynch what looked a certain goal.

A goal then would have leveled the match as points from O’Connor, Sea- mus Murphy and Lynch had put Kil- murry within touching distance of the north Clare men. But that would have been rough justice for St Breck- an’s, who looked the stronger outfit throughout and capped the match with a last minute point from the free scoring Pat Nagle.

A JUDGE left his bench after a pris- oner lashed out during a district court sitting in Ennis on Thursday. Several prison officers and gardai restrained the young man, who lashed out af- ter a young woman approached him from the body of the court, at Shan- non District Court, sitting in Ennis courthouse.

As he was being restrained, the young man in his 20s — with an ad- dress in Shannon — screamed at gardai, while the girl also lashed out and roared, “Get off my brother.” The young woman was immediately taken from the courtroom by gardai, while the man — who was in court, charged with motoring offences — was taken back to the cell by prison eno ne

Judge Joseph Mangan left the bench while the incident was taking place and returned to the courtroom after calm had been restored. A short time later, Inspector Tom Kennedy, pros- ecuting, asked that the young man’s

case be adjourned for a month. The defendant’s solicitor said his client was involved in the fracas and was “in a very highly elated and aggres- sive state’. Judge Mangan adjourned the case until July 16 next.

This was the second time that the same courtroom was the scene of chaos in recent weeks. Five weeks ago, three prison officers ended up in hospital with injuries after a prisoner lashed out and attacked them, also during a Shannon District Court sit- ting in Ennis.

One officer sustained a broken arm and was bitten, another received head and shoulder injuries and was detained overnight in hospital, while a third sustained a badly swollen wrist. The incident occurred after a 30-year-old prisoner – in custody at Limerick prison – became irate.

It took several prison officers and gardai to control the man, who was handcuffed, as he lashed out both physically and verbally outside the courtroom and later in the holding AI eCey ace b race

A MASTERFUL display from Ger- ry Kelly inspired Kildysart to victory over Michael Cusacks on Saturday.

Kelly kicked six terrific points from play as Kildysart edged past Cusacks in a closely contested and high qual- ity encounter at Clareabbey. Kelly also played the crucial role in the goal that ultimately proved the dif- ference between the sides.

Just two points separated the teams when Kelly curled a free that dropped below the posts, and, with assistance from Brian Sullivan’s waving arm, travelled to the back of the net.

Christy Clancy’s point a minute later gave Kildysart a six point cush- ion and it looked like they had finally broke clear from a determined and impressively mobile Cusacks side. fel aey

Cusacks, like they had done throughout, stuck doggedly to the task at hand. Urged on by Pat Hynes and Niall Hehir, the north Clare side pared Kildysart’s lead back to three points.

But despite the threat posed by the pacy Neil Quinn, who contrib- uted a sparkling O-6 over the hour, Kildysart finished strongly enough to take all two points.

A brisk and entertaining first half offered convincing evidence of both side’s championship — credentilas. Barely 30 seconds had elapsed when Kelly stroked over his first point of the day. Micheal Jordan replied with a point for Cusacks three minutes ltoe

The blueprint of the game was set. Kildysart edging ahead. Cusacks reeling them back in. The sides were level on seven occasions in the first eee

Playing with the wind, Kildysart’s forwards won plenty of possession. Points followed from Christy Clancy, Noel O’Grady and another sweet strike from Kelly. But Cusack’s dy- namic full forward line was causing problems for Kildysart. Jordan point- ed before Neil Quinn converted two frees to tie the game O-4 O-4 in the 15th minute.

Quinn waltzed through for a great point in the 21st minute but two points from Kelly and a rousing effort from Eoin Kelly ensured Kildysart led 0-8 Q-7 at half time.

Kildysart made an excellent start to the second half with Shane McNeelis storming through for a point. Jordan replied with a fine left foot point for Cusacks. Kelly rounded off a patient build up with a point as Kildysart

edged 0-10 0-8 clear.

The crucial goal arrived in the 42nd minute and was swiftly followed by a point from Christy Clancy. That put Kildysart 1-12 0-9 ahead but Cusacks weren’t about to give up. Hynes and Hehir pointed before Quinn struck his sixth point of the day. Hynes’ free cut Kildysart’s lead to two but Kelly had the last say to see his side home.

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IT was the same old story for the intermediate side in The Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. As they showed in large chunks of this game, they were certainly good enough to win this semi-final but a lack of serious preparation, backing and a coopera- tion from all sides again conspired to hamper Clare’s challenge. That is of no fault of the players or management who commited to Clare’s second side and gave it their all but really unless the county takes the competition seriously, Clare will always be the bridesmaids at this level.

Like other counties, Clare should treat this championship as a feeder side for the senior squad, using sen- ior substitutes that aren’t on the 30 man squad and more of the Under 21 squad, and that way it would be of infinitely more benefit to the county going forward as it would provide players with the opportunity to rep- resent their county on big champion- ship days.

Take the appearance of Nicky O’Connell and Darach Honan as a prime example. While the support in the stands wasn’t exactly heaving, many did come to have a glimpse at the Clonlara duo’s progress after last year’s senior championship suc- cess and they weren’t disappointed as O’Connell produced an immense display at centre-back for the side while Honan’s cameo appearance at full-forward suggests he may finally be back to his best after a prolonged NO bs entce

The most frustrating aspect of this game was that Clare could have actually won the game had events gone slightly differently. The Ban- ner began in fine form, going 0-6 to O-2 in front by the tenth minute with O’Connell grabbing three (two frees), Sean Chaplin converting a

brace of frees and Peter O’ Brien add- ing the other.

However, Cork’s main threat came in the form of full-forward Luke Farrell who singlehandedly dragged Cork back into this game, scoring three points to get the Rebels to within one before he took advantage of a Clare defensive error to grab the opening goal of the game in the 25th minute.

Going firmly against the run of play, it was a significant blow to Clare, particularly as Clare were frustrated

by two good smothering saves by Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash from Padraig Hickey and Clive Earley.

By half-time, Cork held a 1-10 to 0-11 point advantage but on the balance of play, Clare would have been optimsitic for the second pe- riod. In an effort to regain control, Clare brought out Blaine Earley as a third midfielder and they were soon level with another Chaplin free and a trademark monster score from O’Connell.

Je yuspeter-bel

Ring and Cormac

O’Donovan swapped points by the end of the final quarter but that was as good as it would get for Clare as they visably tired and a fresher Cork side, aided by a flurry of substitutes, resumed control. They tacked on a further five points in a ten minute period to put some daylight between the sides while Clare’s only oppor- tunity came by way of substitute Darach Honan whose effort hit the side netting.

Cork finally put the result to bed in the 56th minute and again it was

Farrell who did the damage, raiding down the right wing before deliver- ing a cross that eventually broke to Maurice O’Sullivan to pull to the net. Clare did reply with a goal of their own only seconds later when Cormac O’Donovan burst through the centre of the Cork defence before somehow kicking to the net after his shot was hooked but it was too little too late as Cork marched on to the final.

So it’s back to the drawing board again for Clare but hopefully the county board can redevelop the county’s interest in the competition and not just provide different col- oured chalk.

TWO youths who broke into cars in Cratloe Woods last year had gone off the rails at the time, their solicitors told a court.

One of them pleaded guilty to four charges, while the other pleaded guilty to two charges.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Shan- non District Court that the two were

together when they committed the offences.

Detective Garda Stephen Ryan told the court that people would leave their cars to go for a walk or run and would return to find that a window had been broken and items taken. He said the incidents happened over a four to five month period. He said that one of the accused was respon- sible for taking €920 worth of prop-

erty, while the other was responsible for property worth €150.

Dt Gda Ryan said that a witness saw them leaving the scene – on a motorbike – of the last car that had been broken into. The motorbike was tracked down to one of the accused.

The court was told that neither youth has any previous convictions. Both recently completed the Leaving Certificate and they intend to study a

year-long course.

The accused who was responsible for the €150 worth of property gave the money to the court, through his solicitor. The solicitor said that his client “went off the rails” due to do- mestic issues.

The other youth’s solicitor said he “has gone off the rails a small bit” but he would pay €920 in compensa- tion at a later date.

“What they did was absolute stu- pidity. Of what was taken, they never kept anything. It was madness. I ap- preciate the public have to be pro- tected, but I’d ask you to give him a chance,’ he said to Judge Joseph Mangan.

The judge adjourned the case for three months and said, “Anything not fully in order that day, we are talking custodial.”

IT’S a case of “beware the wounded animal’ this Wednesday for Clare as first round victims Waterford travel to Ennis in search of revenge. Clare certainly rode their luck in a last gasp 1-12 to O-14 victory over the Deise in Fraher Field, Dungarvan in April but with a back-door system in place for the first round losers, it al- most seemed inevitable that it would be Waterford to re-emerge as Clare’s opponents for this week’s semi-final.

As the last meeting between the sides demonstrated, there will be little between them on Wednes- day and really it is all about which side has learned the most from the last encounter. Despite edging that game, Clare didn’t perform to their

undoubted potential that night but perhaps that can be put down to first day nerves and the incessant rain that made conditions quite treacher- O)USd ere

However, Clare’s biggest dilemma this year has been their tendency to play more as individuals rather than as a team, a somewhat inevitable re- sult of being the best players at their clubs. It is particularly up front that this has hurt Clare as individual greed to take on a shot overrides the need to find a team-mate in a better position, resulting in a total of fifteen wides in the first game. Still, Clare have had eight weeks to rectify that fraility along with tackling (excuse the pun) the problem of needless in- discipline that almost cost Clare last ebeslemelULM

It is envisaged though that the per- sonnel may stay the same for Clare this week, with perhaps only a few alterations to positions. That said, main forward Conor McGrath needs more support in the scoring stakes if Clare are to survive here as Wa- terford will be targetting the Cratloe player after his 1-7 haul in the quar- ter-final. Daire Keane did chip in with two storming points from the wing but they need the likes of Gary Guilfoyle, Aaron Considine, David O’Halloran and Eoin Hanrahan to share the load.

Waterford’s half-forward duo of Paudric Mahony and_ Brian O’Halloran were the chief cause of concern for Clare in the quarter-fi- nals, scoring three points apiece and they tacked on a further 1-6 between

them in the play-off against Limerick at the beginning of May. That added to the leadership of Martin O’Neill who almost singlehandedly beat GUE Tcceeyn We eve s0Ue, sLN0Ur: clei elo dom clen ond half display in Dungarvan, scor- ing eight points makes Waterford a dangerous opponent, particularly as they will need no motivation to take on Clare after their previous meet- ing.

Still, with home advantage, the confidence gained from the last game and the huge carrot of playing in a Munster final, this is a unique opportunity that Clare cannot afford to pass up. And in the right frame of mind, they should grasp that oppor- tunity here.

A MAN has been convicted of bur- gling a house in Kilrush, in a case that centered on a fingerprint which was found at the scene.

Bartosz Ksiazkiewicz (24), of Cui- snace, Cappagh, Kilrush, had denied a charge of burgling a house at Clo- verhill, Moyadda, Kilrush, in June 2008.

The case was heard in court in April and was adjourned for a deci- sion by Judge Joseph Mangan.

He said in court last week that he was convicting the accused and im- posed a three-month jail sentence. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

During the hearing of the case, a woman told the court that when she returned to her home at Moyadda, Kilrush on the date in question, she

initially did not realise the house had been burgled, “as there were no visu- al signs at the time.”

However, she later realised that a computer, camera and mobile phone were missing. No damage had been caused.

She said the defendant was known to her husband and he had been in her house previously.

A garda who examined fingerprints found at the scene told the court that one of four prints examined matched a fingerprint taken from the ac- Corer

The defendant told the court he had visited the house in question quite often. Asked how his fingerprint was found on the window frame, he said he did not know, but that it may be because he had opened the window. He said he did not break into the house.