CLARE hurling is bracing itself for an exodus of leading club players from the county over the next few weeks as they avail of a mid-season break from senior championship ac- tivity to ply their hurling trade in the North American Championship.
That’s what one leading club player told
PARTEEN may have beaten Broad- ford twice in last season’s champion- ship, but they’ll remember Broadford for a very different reason this term — Glenomora Park may well have sounded the death knell of their championship hopes as they were taken apart by a rampant Whitegate team on a balmy Saturday after- noon.
Both sides needed something from this game after first round losses, but it was Whitegate who steamed to victory to finally ignite their cham- pionship challenge after a shock first round exit to Ennistymon.
It was over at half-time really as Whitegate built up a 2-9 to 0-6 lead, having slipped into an early two- point deficit after Colm Quinn and Dara Yelverton found the range for Parteen.
However, Whitegate never really looked back once they settled with points from George Waterstone and Brendan Bugler by the sev- enth minute. Then goals from Pat Minogue and George Waterstone in the ninth and 22nd minutes effective- ly killed Parteen’s challenge.
Minogue profited from clever play by Terence Fahy to score the first, while Waterstone’s was a brilliant individual effort when he slalomed past three Parteen defenders to put Whitegate on the high road.
There was more to come from Wa- terstone and company in the second half, while before the break Terence Fahy, Eric Minogue and Stephen Malone extended their lead to nine points.
By this stage Parteen had lost their most potent forward Dara Yelverton
with a hand injury, while their last point of the first half came from Ivan Conway in the 17th minute.
It got no better for Parteen in the second half as Whitegate piled on the misery, outscoring their opponents by 2-11 to 1-1 over the half hour. The
first goal came five minutes in when Waterstone again sauntered through the Parteen defence and hammered to the net.
Ivan Conway hit back with a goal for Parteen inside 30 seconds, but any hopes that this strike might kickstart
a storming comeback were quickly extinguished inside another 30 sec- onds when Terence Fahy kicked to the net from close range.
From there on it was a canter, while Parteen’s misery was completed when sub Padraig O’Doherty was
red carded.
Whitegate reeled off seven unan- swered points from Terence Fahy, Pat Minogue, Brendan Bugler (2), Michael O’Brien (2) and Raymond CFT TIE
James Long registered Parteen’s last score in the 52nd minute but before the end Whitegate moved through the gears once more to score four more points before the end.
Whitegate’s championship 1s final- ly up and running, even though they now face an 11-week hibernation.
Arrests after break-ins
HIGH noon in the intermediate ver- sion of the “Group of Death’ as Kil- lanena began the campaign in positive fashion to take an early lead in the pool. It wasn’t exactly a performance that will send the rest of the cham- pionship into a frenzy but in such a competitive group, securing victory by whatever means necessary is the most important aspect that Killanena will take from this game.
Bogged down for the first 35 min- utes of this tie, Killanena finally came to life to brush aside Sixmilebridge’s challenge, hitting seven points in the remainder as the Bridge faded under the energy sapping sun.
With both centre-backs Enda Col- lins and Stiofan Fitzpatrick domi- nating throughout, it was only when Mark Flaherty was switched from corner-forward to centre-forward that Killanena found that extra gear and that was essentially the differ- ence as the Bridge had no such tar- getman in their front six.
This was a far different Bridge team from the one that had beaten Killanena at the same stage of last year’s championship on their way to contesting the intermediate decider, with only half the side still remain- ing. Instead, the Bridge’s second string had to rely on a new crop of young players to lead the way and along with the experience of Stiofan Fitzpatrick, David O’Meara, Keith Walker, Kevin Phelan, Christy Grif- fin, Declan Murphy, Joe and Mike O’Halloran and Tommy Liddy, they certainly matched Killanena for al- most forty minutes.
The scrapiness of the game suited the Bridge better and while Killanena hit 14 wides over the hour, the Bridge just kept plugging away before their challenge eventually faded.
The opening half went blow for blow, with the sides level on five oc- casions by the 24th minute before Killanena finally found some leeway with a three point unanswered burst through Alan McNamara, Mikey Noone and Liam McNamara to lead
by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.
Incidentally, that first half was also noted for the surprising lapse in freetaking with Mark Flaherty and Tommy Liddy’s normally unerring accuracy from placed balls suffering under the midday sun.
Killanena almost caught the Bridge napping immediately after the re- start when Ronan Flaherty raided down the left flank before handpass- ing to Liam McNamara but his shot for goal to thunder off the crossbar to frustrate Killanena further. Two more wides followed for the north Clare side and the Bridge took ad- vantage of that lapse to level up the game for the sixth time by the 35th minute through Tommy Liddy and a great score from Ronan Mullane.
That was to be their last real say in the game as they opted to go for goals when picking off points would have been much more beneficial and once Killanena switched county sen- ior Flaherty out to the forty, they be- gan to regain control. Two Flaherty frees and an Alan McNamara point
in a four minute spell began the surge and while Liddy again con- verted a free in the 43rd to put just two between the sides, it was to be their final score of the game.
Instead, Killanena piled on the pressure and while the wides contin- ued to hamper them, their constant shooting eventually yielded further points from Fintan McNamara, Mark Flaherty and a superb long range ef- fort from Enda Collins to give them a five point cushion.
Sixmilebridge should have grabbed a lifeline when Declan Murphy picked out Joe O’ Halloran unmarked at the back post with five minutes remaining but the corner-forward struck his shot into the ground and Killanena cleared the danger, finally cementing the win with a Liam Mc- Namara 64th minute point.
Not only was it a great start to the championship for Killanena but as the sides were due to play in the Clare Cup this weekend, the game also doubled up as a league and championship game, with the victory
putting Killanena on top of both ta- bles.
SERIOUS questions have been raised over plans by Doolin couple, John and Helen Browne to develop a vistor centre at the Pol an I[on- ain cave which contains one of the world’s largest free hanging stalac- tites.
This follows an appeal to An Bord Pleanala from An Taisce, the Pol an Jonain Action Group and the owners of the rival Ailwee Cave over Clare County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the visitor centre at Pol an Jonain.
In his appeal, An Taisce’s Herit-
age Officer, Ian Lumley said that the applicants have failed to justify the development and the council did not evaluate the application in an inte- grated manner by properly evaluat- ing cumulative impact.
‘Even if the water pollution issues were deemed to be resolved, there is a multiplicity of impacts including traffic generation and physical and visual impact of the proposed struc- tures and parking area.
“The fundamental difficulty of this application is that it completely un- dermines the entire basis on which the previous permission was granted which is that there would be no direct
visitor access of facilities to the site, the visitors being directed through a mini bus service via Doolin.
Mr Lumley states that the appli- cants failed to demonstrate that the park ‘n’ ride from Doolin was not workable.
In its appeal, the Pol an Ionain Action Group asks how could the planning authority which rejected a proposal on four very strong points of planning regulation in 2008 now grant full permission for a similar proposal one year later?”’
“We appeal to Bord Pleanala to try and understand the element of injustice we have had to endure as
participants in the planning proc- ess. While we regard the granting of permission in 2005 as a tragedy, we recognise the conditions laid down by Bord Pleanala limited impacts.”
The action group ask that the ap- peals board uphold the appeal and that all the reasons for refusal of permission in 2008 be upheld; all of our points of our objection to the council are soundly reasoned based on planning regulation and prec- edent and that An Bord Pleanala should uphold its own conditions of permission granted in 2005.
A decision on the appeal is expect- ed later this year.
A POLISH man accused of punching another man in the face has had the charge dismissed after his legal team argued there was an issue with iden- WUAYAU Item OslomeL UU Toy U LE
Polish native Cezary Pachucy (27), of Bri na Sionna, Shannon, was accused of assaulting Cristian Du- mitrescu, in Shannon last year.
Mr Dumitrescu told Ennis District Court that he was walking towards his apartment in Shannon at 9.40pm on April 20, 2008. He said he saw two men and they were “zig zagging. I didn’t know if they were drunk or having fun. Their behaviour looked suspicious to me.”
‘“T couldn’t avoid them really. It was too late. One of them, who was a tall guy, he basically threw his fist into
my nose without any reason. He also said a bad word,” he said.
He said he was afraid that he would be further assaulted and continued on to his apartment, before reporting the matter at Shannon Garda Station. He said that he was brought by gardai to the town centre and he spotted the two men in Supermac’s. “I indicated to gardai these were the guys. Only one of them assaulted me,’ he said.
However defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said that her client denies hitting Mr Dumitrescu. She said the complainant took part in an “infor- mal identity parade” and never point- ed out the defendant to gardai.
He replied, “I pointed out exactly to the guy who hit me.”
Garda Gary Farrell told the court that Mr Dumitrescu had a red mark on his face when he arrived at the
garda station that evening. “I decided to take Cristian with me to find these males and identify them,” he said.
Ms Godfrey told the court that the garda had no notes in his notebook of the accused being pointed out by the complainant. She said there was a doubt in the case. “We are not say- ing this man wasn’t attacked. We are saying my client didn’t attack him,” she said.
Judge Joseph Mangan said the court has to be extremely cautious. “That is one of the cornerstones of crimi- nal law. There have been, in the past, extraordinary miscarriages of justice in relation to mis-identification. The evidence is too vague to identify the defendant positively,’ he said.
He said he was left with a doubt, “not the strongest doubt I’ve ever had, but I have to dismiss.”
MEMBERS of the Travelling com- munity who claim they were dis- criminated against in pubs in Ennis have taken a case “to assert their rights as normal citizens of Ireland to entry to licensed premises,’ accord- ing to their solicitor.
A total of nine cases are being taken against four public houses, under the Equal Status Act, at Ennis District Court. The Travellers claim that they were discriminated against in that they were refused service because they were members of the Travelling community and are seek- ing redress. A ruling on the case will be delivered next month, after Judge Joseph Mangan heard evidence over three days in court.
James Keenan, of 30 Childers Road, Ennis, is taking four cases – against Knox’s, Tom Steele’s, The Li- brary Bar and O’Halloran’s Bar. His cousin John Mongan, of 1 Drumbig- gle Road, Ennis, is taking three cases – against Tom Steele’s, The Library Bar and O’Halloran’s Bar, relating to incidents on November 8 last year.
Their wives, Theresa Keenan and Anne Marie Mongan, are taking one
case each against O’Halloran’s Bar. However, the pubs deny the allega- tions and are contesting the claims being made by the Travellers.
Previously in court, staff from three of the pubs gave evidence and refuted the allegations. Last week, staff from O’Halloran’s bar gave evidence. Liam McCannon said he was working in the bar that evening. He said that Mr Keenan was served by another member of staff. How- ever, when Mr Mongan ordered four drinks from him, he refused to serve him. Asked why he refused to serve him, he replied, ““Because he caused trouble in the bar before. It would have been roughly four years ago.”
He said on that occasion, Mr Mon- gan and others became “boisterous and loud” and Mr Mongan knocked over a table of glasses with his hands. He said he was “100 per cent” certain it was the same Mr Mongan who is taking the case against his bar.
The owner of the bar, Michael O’Halloran, told the court that Trav- ellers are served on his premises. “We have ‘Travellers every week- end, even last weekend. Anybody is served once people sit down and behave themselves and don’t misbe-
have,’ he said.
Making submissions on_ behalf of the Travellers, solicitor Andrew Darcy said his clients “are not here before the court solely for the redress of compensation. They wish to as- sert their rights as normal citizens of Ireland to entry to licensed premises. They have been subjected on numer- ous occasions to refusals in licensed premises in Ennis. They decided on this occasion to take a stance. They like to be treated as normal, equal people as they should be entitled,’ |aTemcy- HOR
He said that James Keenan was re- fused in Knox’s bar “because he is a member of the Travelling commu- nity.” He denied an assertion by staff at Knox’s that Mr Keenan had caused trouble there previously.
He said that Mr Keenan and Mr Mongan then went to Tom Steele’s bar, where “they were discriminated against again.” They then went to The Library Bar where they were not served “without good reason and jus- tification.”
He said that the two men and their wives then went to O’Halloran’s Bar where they were again refused ClenNece
However, Stephen Nicholas, solici- tor for Knox’s Bar, pointed out that the premises “do not discriminate against members of the Travelling community.” He said that a garda who was called to the pub that night recognised several members of the Travelling community drinking there. “The only people who are re- fused drink are those who are drunk or those barred previously. Of course, the underage are not served either,” he said. He said that Mr Keenan had caused trouble there previously and that was the reason he was not served on November 8.
John Rynne, solicitor for Tom Steele’s bar, said, ““To say they were not served because they are mem- bers of the Travelling community is an outrageous allegation. There are Travellers served in that bar every day of the week.” He said the family- run premises was strictly operated. ‘Any customer is entitled to a drink and if they are behaving themselves they will get it,” he said.
Daragh Hassett, solicitor for The Library Bar, told the court, “There are reputations at stake on both sides. There is money at stake. These cases Nom lorelelmpesleyelea’A
‘James Keenan and John Mongan played the system beautifully. They called gardai to each pub. They have told you it’s about taking stands. Most certainly it’s about money. If they wanted to take a stand, they would have gone down to the garda station the following day,” he said.
‘Both their wives submitted claims to Gerry Quinn (The Library Bar), but they were subsequently with- drawn because they couldn’t get their story right. If there’s anybody who concocted stories here it’s the plain- tiffs, from the beginning, middle and end,” he said.
William Cahir, —_—s representing O’Halloran’s Bar, said the premises was well-run and well established and said, “A publican has a right to protect his premises, a right to refuse people who have misbehaved on the premises on previous occasions. Mr O’Halloran dealt with the matter as expeditiously as possible in consid- eration of the gardai and the public.”
ST FLANNAN’S College, Ennis and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla have been part of a groundbreak- ing educational programme which brings teenagers and retired people together in the classroom.
The programme, which has been successfully operating for the past ten years, originated from NUI Gal- way’s Adult and Continuing Educa- tion Office and is the first of its kind in Ireland and Europe.
Through weekly art, music, drama and creative writing workshops, the Living Scenes programme allows teenagers and older adults to learn together, share experiences and build bonds of mutual respect and under- standing.
A strong emphasis is placed on the holistic development of the partici- pants, promoting equality, personal development and confidence build- ing in both the younger and older adults.
The innovative programme was first piloted in Galway City’s Presen- tation Secondary School in 1999, and quickly became established in as part of its transition year. Living Scenes has since developed and expanded through partnerships between NUI Galway and secondary schools from Galway, Cork and Mayo.
In the course of its ten year history, the programme has been instrumen- tal in cultivating a strong relation- ship between the university and schools, older and younger adults, and has a key objective of promoting the school as a focal point for com- munity regeneration.
NUI Galway’s Dr Mary Surlis is the Living Scenes programme di-
rector, and has been involved since its inception. She maintains that at a time when there is a serious ero- sion of social fabric in Irish society, Living Scenes aims to respond to the growing need for communication and trust in both the school and in the local community.
“What we are trying to do is to regenerate relationships both in
schools and communities and, per- haps more importantly, between our older and our younger generations,’ she explained.
Extensive research has been carried out by Dr Surlis on Living Scenes to evaluate the project in a develop- mental curricular capacity and to identify its contribution in an overall educational context.
Dr Surlis says, “The findings of this research have implications for policy makers, as well as school and com- munity groups.”
THE precarious nature of this year’s Garry Cup meant that every final round game had implications at both ends of the table. This one was no different, albeit that Clondegad’s win over St Senan’s on Tuesday evening ensured their place in the knock- out stages. However, with four other sides on six points and O’Curry’s lagging just one point behind, a win for the home side would have at least ensured their Division two status for another year.
As it turned out, Clondegad’s strong finish to the tie earned them
top spot in the division and relegated O’Curry’s in the process but it was the individual performances of Pad- dy O’Connell and Cormac Murphy that essentially lifted Clondegad to victory.
Murphy was immense throughout in the centre of the field, a fact that was magnified even more by the loss of Ger Quinlan who had got injured that day playing for the county in a challenge while O’Connell proved a rock at full-back, curbing the in- flunce of Michael Carmody who ap- peared to be running the show early on.
The home side were O-5 to O-2
ahead by the turn of the first quar- ter, with Eoin Troy scoring a brace of frees either side of Michael Carmo- dy’s point for O’Curry’s while Clon- degad could only reply with a Paudge McMahon free and a Rory Clohessy point in that period.
O’Connell’s. switch was crucial though and it helped Clondegad grab a foothold in the match when Kieran Browne pointed in the 18th minute followed soon afterwards by a superb Gary Brennan point from almost on the endline. Eoin Troy and Kieran Browne traded scores ap- proaching the finish of the half but it was O’Curry’s who would have the
last say when Carmody pointed right on the stroke of half-time to give the home side a two point advantage at ORT rone ay
Needing the points more, O’Curry’s continued where they left off on the restart with another brace from Eoin Troy pushing them O-9 to O-6 in front. However, it was to prove their final score of the game as Clonde- gad started to turn the screw around the centre and O’Curry’s ran out of steam.
The score that proved the catalyst for Clondegad’s revival came at the turn of the final quarter when a swift passing move involving Kenneth Kelly and Paudge McMahon ended up with Francie Neylon who goaled from close range. Bouyed by that score, Clondegad upped it another gear and only ten minutes from time, Eoin Griffin gave them the lead for the first time in the match.
However, the decisive score that came only minutes later was worthy of winning any game when Paudge McMahon raided down the flank and fended off several challenges be- fore rifling the ball to the net from an acute angle. That score sucked the life out of O’Curry’s and it al- lowed Clondegad, and McMahon in particular to pile more misery on the home side, as he kicked the final two points of the game. A win that gives Clondegad pole position for the semi-finals while subjecting a luck- less O’Curry’s to their second suc- cessive relegation.
THE family of a Newmarket-on- Fergus baby who died suddenly a year ago has raised €18,000 in his memory.
15-month-old Aaron Smith died from cot death in April of last year. His heartbroken parents Richie and Therese have decided to help others in a similar situation to themselves and set about raising money for the Irish Sudden Infant Death Associa- tion (ISIDA).
With the help of EI Electronics in Shannon, along with a large circle of family and friends, they raised the money, through a race night at the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon.
Therese’s sister Lesley Kennedy explained the idea behind raising the THe) IAA
“There was nothing wrong with Aaron. They were just told it was a cot death. There was no explana- tion,’ she said.
“It was difficult for everybody. We felt if we organised a fundraiser, it would make people aware of it and of how it happens. We approached EI Electronics because they are involved in race nights. They were very keen to help and we got a great response, ’ she said.
While €18,000 was raised, con- tributions are still being made. “We just want people to be aware of it. It happens,’ she added.
She said that while Aaron’s parents are devastated, they are trying their best to get on with their lives.
“They are coping. They still have bad days but they are just fantastic. If he was sick, you could cope with
it, knowing there was a reason. It shouldn’t happen,” she said.
She said that everyone holds very fond memories of baby Aaron, who was Richie’s and Therese’s pride and joy. “Aaron was a dote. He was a lovely little boy and had a lovely head of blond hair. Everyone was shocked by his death,” said Lesley Kennedy.
She paid tribute, in particular, to the people of Newmarket-on-Fergus, who supported the Smiths both in the aftermath of baby Aaron’s death and also through the fundraiser.
“The people of Newmarket were just fantastic and gave us great sup- port,” said Ms Kennedy.
ISIDA provides support to families bereaved by the sudden death of an infant or young child and to others affected by it. It promotes research into the causes and prevention of
Sudden Infant Death. Its national helpline is 1850 391 391.