Month: February 2008

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to judge this Clare team on Sunday’s perform- ance. Simply because of the early sending off of Clare’s David Barrett, the game was tainted as a real con- test and only came to life when Tony Og Regan was dismissed early in the second half to even up the numbers. Still, by that stage, Clare were al- ready 13 points in arrears so while the points were never in question, it was only a matter of how Clare would respond against the odds.

It was a pity really as the game promised to be a real test of both side’s progress to date and the fact that it was not a dirty game makes the three dismissals something of a joke. Unfortunately for the Banner, this was a missed opportunity that could have been beneficial going forward but with Laois next on the list, Clare might have to wait until the Limerick game in the Gaelic Grounds to truly evaluate their development.

That’s in no way designed to dis- miss Laois who have been an emerg- ing side over the past few years. However, if Clare are to be taken seriously this year, they will have to put up a big score against the strug-

gling midlanders.

Laois manager Damien Fox has transformed their fortunes since tak- ing over last year. They completed their initial aim by winning Division 2 last year but despite some good performances, they went out in a dif- ficult qualifier group. Only six points separated Clare and Laois in Portlao- ise last year in the qualifiers but you also have to consider that Clare had WM ACCP eK emant-lam cw eetvu ues! by the weather.

Nevertheless, since then Damien Fox’s good work is unravelling all around him with the news that three dual players are opting for football over hurling this year. Cahir Healy, one of last year’s biggest perform- ers along with John O’Loughlin and Darren Rooney are gone but there is still plenty of talented youth emerg- ing in the county. LIT’s Willie Hy- land and UL’s Matthew Whelan should be well known to Clare due to their Waterford Crystal and Fitz- gibbon involvement while forward James Young is always amongst the top scorers of the championship each year.

Clare need to iron out a few prob- lems of their own first and despite the numerical disadvantage, Mike McNamara would have gained some added knowledge on his player’s ability to respond under pressure. In that regard, the full back line leaked

plenty on Sunday and were unable to deal with Galway’s full forward line which scored 1-10 from play. They also leaked another goal with a first half penalty. Changes were eventual- ly made and they looked more secure in the latter stages but they can’t af- ford to give the Laois forwards sim1- lar freedom on Sunday.

Further injuries to Brendan Bugler and Conor McMahon didn’t help matters while David Barrett will be suspended this weekend. With an- other six possible starters (Gerry O’Grady, Alan Markham, Diarmuid McMahon, Derek Quinn, Tony Grif- fin and Bernard Gaffney) still miss- ing for various reasons, it will be a test of the squad’s depth for the Laois game.

Nothing less than a victory will do however as Clare need to get their league campaign underway in a posi- tive fashion. Expect Laois to throw everything at Clare for the first twenty minutes but if the Banner can get on top early, they should look to repeat Limerick’s dismantling of the midlands side last Sunday.

That is if the referee allows fifteen players to remain on the field.

ANY chance of making it out of Di- vision 4 rests on this game. Clare, simply, have to win and while the wider picture says that promotion isn’t a necessity this year, a positive result at the weekend is essential if interest levels are to be retained. An- ybody from a county outside of Clare may find it strange, but history has told us that Clare footballers leave a shaky football panel faster than rats SEN oare Sb ON Gb rears) oul Oy

But maybe that attitude is slowly evaporating and if so, then that’s more positive than any top two fin- ish in the league. Under Frank Do- herty, there has been application and dedication and while the results went right in the McGrath Cup, they haven’t followed suit in the league.

Clare were dealt two openers that tested their mettle. They failed both challenges. Should they go down against Antrim on Saturday, then the league is over and the backdoor TImsy ele

But Clare have already secured one advantage. Back in the bad old days of Clare football, the players felt al-

ienated by the board — and we’re not talking of a Cork breakdown here. Multiply that by ten. Simple things were overlooked. Player’s basic ex- penses were cast aside. They paid for their own boots. There was no water in the showers.

If the Cork boys were faced with those obstacles, they’d probably have followed the younger O’Halpins en masse to Australia long ago.

Anyway, the current crop don’t have those worries to occupy their heads. This week, the board made sure the Antrim game goes ahead on Saturday. Antrim made some moves to have it played on Sunday, giving their players the Saturday to make the journey. They don’t have that benefit now.

It might be a logistical advantage, but it’s an advantage all the same and Clare have to capitalise on that. Last week we said that Barry Grogan had to be curtailed if Clare were to stand a chance. He scored O-8 on Satur- day and cut Clare to ribbons. This week, we say Paddy Cunningham is the man to smother. He impressed when he came on against Wicklow in Aughrim and scored 1-3 in the sec- ond half — a game that Antrim won, signalling their potential — and he controlled the attack at the weekend when Kilkenny were hammered by

Antrim.

From a Clare perspective, the re- turned Ger Quinlan provides some needed physical presence in midfield but without the suspended Niall Con- sidine, the half-back line lacks some forward penetration.

Against Antrim, it mightn’t be such a bad thing. Clare will have to tight- en up defensively and for once, stand up and be counted.

IT IS true to say that football in Clare again finds itself in troubled waters – this only a couple of weeks after real hope was floating around big ball country that a new era could be at hand.

The mood of positivity that wrapped itself around the county’s footballers came on the back of the county’s first McGrath Cup success in six years. Suddenly, in the wake of two very disappointing league performances against Carlow and Tipperary, the time for a reality check is here and now.

It’s going to be a very long haul back up the ladder for Clare football, probably one that won’t be achieved by many of the current generation of inter-county players.

And, it will take infrastructural change as well. No new trainer/man- ager/management team can wave a magic wand and wish away Clare’s football ills. The structures have to change whereby footballers in Clare are getting more games.

Success won’t come in the short- term – it will be a longterm thing and players and management should realise that. Looking at their history books might even teach them a thing or two, give them some confidence even, as they face into the Antrim game and sterner challenges that lie ahead against Offaly and Wicklow.

When John Maughan came to Clare in 1990, his first league game in charge was against Tipperary and Clare went down just as badly as they did last Saturday. They lost their sec- ond game too.

“We set ourselves the target of win- ning a couple of games in the league and we did that in the latter stages of the competition. It was the road to success,’ recalled Maughan.

Clare have to believe, even in the darkness of defeat to Carlow and Tipperary that they can go down a similar road. If they don’t Clare foot- ball will consigned to Divsion 4 for a while yet.

It’s up to the players, because there’s only so much that management can do. Many players were highly critical of the Paidi O Sé regime last year, wrongly blaming bad management for bad performances.

There’s been good management since November, with training up to five nights a week. Bad performances can’t be blamed on bad management now. It’s up to the players now.

THERE was an air of gloom around Ardfinnan on Saturday afternoon for anyone in the Clare corner — some of those who made the journey were just standing around afterwards and talking in hushed tones.

You didn’t need to hear them, be- cause their body language said it all. They had started out the National League campaign with a pep in their step after the successful McGrath Cup campaign — they had hope for the future, but it was replaced by a feeling of hopelessness come 4pm on SY TAU KOE Ds

“Not now lads,’ was manager Frank Doherty’s stay-away sound- bite to the press as they closed in for a few words after the game. Instead, Doherty held in powder for the dress- ing room and his player’s ears only.

While there was anger welling

within Clare after the final whistle of the Carlow game, it was replaced here by something sombre. Manager, selectors and players just walked off the field resigned to the fact that they’re rooted to the bottom of foot- ball’s basement with London and OT ath

Captain Michael O’Shea, whose goal in the eighth minute should have teed Clare up victory was dumb- founded by it all. “After we scored 1- 2 without reply we seemed to change tactics. We seemed to fall apart,’ he PHO

‘The second half we just didn’t play at all. We won very little around the middle of the field and found it very hard up front and gave away a few handy frees. They kept popping them over and we just couldn’t haul them back for a finish.

“It’s not good enough to come any- where near the top of Division 4. We

started well and even for the 20 min- utes before half-time we had plenty of possession to pull away if we made it count on the scoreboard. We just didn’t seem to click up front.

“Eighty per cent of the breaks, we probably lost them and it cost us the game. If you don’t win around the middle of the field, you’re in serious trouble and we didn’t win around the middle. It’s hard to put a finger on it, whether it was lads not getting in there or just being unlucky. At the end of the day it’s up to every half- forward and half-back to get in there and get the breaks. We just didn’t do dake ne

They’ ll have to start doing it against Antrim or the losing streak will con- tinue next Saturday.

CLARE hurler and cancer fund- raiser Tony Griffin has been named the 2007 Clare People/Darren Hayes Sportstar of the Year. Griffin, from Ballyea, was awarded the top prize in recognition of his epic cycle across Canada last summer as part of his fundraising efforts to help in the fight against cancer.

Griffin edged out William Loughnane, Ciara Pender and Mar- cus Horan for the top prize, which includes the use of a Mitsubishi car for the year. A phenomenal number of votes were cast by the public and these were tallied alongside the vote of the Clare People sports team and sponsor Darren Hayes of Hayes En- nis in order to choose the overall BUONO Cede

Speaking from Canada on Monday, Griffin said he was delighted with the award.

“It’s an amazing honour,” he said. “TI looked at the eleven other names who were up for the Sportstar of the Year and there were some very de- serving athletes up there. I’m hum- bled to win it.”

At the moment, Griffin is nearing the end of his studies at Dalhouse University in Nova Scotia and once hie end of year exams are completed,

he will return to Clare on a full-time basis. A thesis concerning the af- fect mood has on pain — including daily laboratory tests involving will- ing participants and freezing water – takes up most of his waking hours but thoughts of hurling and Tony

Griffin Foundation plans are always in the background.

“Tl be finished my exams in April and the plan is to return home on April 17. I might take a short break but then it’s straight back into hurling mecpnepe tee

“It’s been snowing solidly here for the past while and I’ve been told that it’s the hardest snow for about two decades. It means that finding a place to hurl is a challenge. Last week, the snow began disappearing so myself and a guy from Gort went out onto

the soccer field for a few pucks, but soon enough it started to snow again. So the hurling has been curtailed for a while.”

He says he was heartened on hear- ing Clare’s result against Galway on Sunday.

‘““My mother phoned me a few min- utes after the full-time whistle blew and it was great to hear Clare scored so much. I think things are positive in the Clare hurling camp at the mo- ment. I was fortunate enough to have a look at the set-up when I was home in the winter and it’s fantastic. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it again.”

To date, over €450,000 has been raised by Griffin with three major charities reaping the awards. All money raised is split equally be- tween the Ovarian Cancer Canada, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society.

“People in Clare were extremely responsive to the project from day one, but even after the publicity has died down, they’re still supporting the Tony Griffin Foundation and that’s great to see. I’d like to thank deloyen mre 0 0 ae

AGREEMENT on a site for the pro- posed new Doolin Search and Rescue Headquarters could soon be reached, according to Minister of State Tony Ono

Minister Killeen confirmed that a meeting between the Office of Pub- lic Works, Clare County Council and the Irish Coast Guard is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 28.

“The provision of new accommo- dation for the Coast Guard Services in Doolin continues to be a top pri- ority for the Office of Public Works. The Department of Transport, mean- while, has also expressed its desire to see the project progressed,’ ex- plained Minister Killeen.

“The view of the OPW is that the

location of the new Coastguard facil- ities should tie in with Clare County Council’s preferred option for the development of a new pier and ticket office in Doolin. Following my in- tervention with Munister Eamon O’Cuiv last November, the €10mil- lion pier development is being pro- eressed.”

Minister Killeen said he was con- fident the construction of the new headquarters would follow quickly once a suitable site had been ac- quired.

“The OPW has repeatedly stressed that the construction process, includ- ing building design, planning per- mission application and tendering, will be proceeded with as quickly as possible. I am hopeful that the up- coming meeting will move the proc- ess forward,’ he said.

LOCAL Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley says he is encouraged by the response of Ennis Town Council to his request for urgent improvements to be carried out at the Tulla Road.

“The condition of Tulla Road is fast becoming a safety issue because of the amount of motorists using it on a regular basis, including local chil- dren going to school,” he said.

‘“T have been contacted by a number of people who live in the area and- who have expressed their frustration about the condition of the road and the delay in its upgrading.”

“*T have been in touch with the town engineer and I am encouraged by the level of progress being made.”

“Construction on a new roundabout and pedestrian crossing 1s expected to begin shortly at The Grove. The roundabout and pedestrian cross- ing are to be provided by a private developer in association with a new distributor road which the developer is providing and which goes North from the same junction along side The Grove development site.”

“Progress is also being made with regard to the widening and raising of

the bridge. The Town Engineer told me that the Council is now in a posi- tion to initiate planning procedures to raise the bridge deck and reduce the risk of large vehicles colliding with the bridge. It is also proposed to widen the bridge to facilitate pe- destrian and cycle facilities on the South side of the Tulla Road.

“It is hoped that the improvements will be carried out before the rail line becomes operational in 2009,” Deputy Dooley added.

“The Tulla Road between the en- trance to Gort na Blath and the by- pass itself 1s within the by-pass con- tractors site and so the entire area is to be restored in association with the by-pass over the next few months.”

“There are land acquisition issues with the proposed roundabout at Oakleigh Wood and a Compulsory Purchase Order is currently being processed.”

“IT understand the frustrations of residents living in the area and I re- layed their concerns to the Council. I am hopeful that the improvement works already underway and those due to commence shortly will relieve the inconvenience currently being imposed on them,” he concluded.

TWO Clare schools have received funding under the CLAR Primary School Enhancement Scheme which will enable them develop outdoor recreational facilities.

Connolly N.S. in the parish of Kilmaley and Drumdigus N.S. in Gr rtiva ae Elerme-lermrseohiee! €7,500, enabling a total value of works amounting to €20,000 to be carried out.

Meanwhile, Gaelscoil Na Bhfili in Gort has received funding of €5,031 allowing for works totalling €6,/07 to be carried out. This brings the to- tal funding approved nationally un- der the Scheme to over €5.4million with 808 schools being assisted since pavers

Commenting on the CLAR Scheme, Clare Junior Minister Kil- leen said that hundreds of primary school children in Clare were now benefiting from new equipment and improved facilities.

“We all know that good play fa- cilities in schools are absolutely necessary, so I am delighted that the schoolchildren of Connolly and Kil- murry McMahon are going to benefit from this scheme.”

The Junior Environment and En- ergy Minister explained that the scheme had already brought sig- nificant improvements to outdoor play facilities at schools in Ballyea, Cloonanaha, Clondegad, Knockerra, Doonbeg, Baltard and Dangan N.S.

“The type of projects being funded at rural primary schools in CLAR

areas include cover grassing/tarmac- adam of play areas, the supply of goal posts, nets and basketball hoops, as well as other recreational facilities for outdoor play areas,’ he said.

Under the Primary School Outdoor Play Facilities Enhancement Scheme, CLAR and the Department of Edu- cation and Science fund 75 per cent of the cost, supplemented by a 25 per cent contribution from local sources up to a maximum of €10,000.

Expenditure in excess of €10,000 must be funded entirely from lo- cal sources. Under the CLAR pro- gramme, a further €lmillion is be- ing provided for the scheme by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which match- es €lmillion from the Department of Education and Science.

reporter, Bernie English will be trav- elling with them to bring back first

hand reports of the sterling work be- ing done by Clare volunteers.

“We’re absolutely delighted. The building is fully plastered, the second coat of paint is going on inside and everyone is working flat out to have everything ready,” said Olive Halpin, one of the project organisers.

The 32 volunteers who are leaving from Cork on Thursday will be fol- lowed next week by Bishop of Killa- loe, Willie Walsh, who will perform the official opening.

On the ground, volunteers are con- tinuing to make heroic efforts, both as a group and as individuals, said Olive.

‘The bus picks the volunteers up at 6.30am and they hardly stop all day”, said Olive.

“They’re tired but we’re having great craic and what is being done

here is incredible. People have given rom releree lee

Some volunteers are even reluctant to go home once their time is done. Plumber, Gerry Leonard from Ruan has opted to stay another ten days to fit the bathrooms once the tilers have finished.

Meanwhile, the group preparing to leave on Friday will be leaving room in their suitcases – for toys for the children.

‘“We’ve been given a donation of toys to boring out because Sr Ethel starts now to prepare for Christmas with the children,’ said fellow organ- iser, Maureen McCarthy.

When the Lissycasey nun arrived in Missionvale more than twenty years ago, she had no buildings to work from and instead began reading to the children of the shanty towns un-

Clara ueee

Since then, the centre has grown and now feeds in excess of 2,000 people a day, provides schooling for the children of the township and brings what medical help is available to the many who have contracted the AIDS virus, which is pandemic in South Africa.

The new hospice will not only care for people in the terminal stages of the disease but will also be a health education centre, to help people man- age their health.

CONTENTIOUS plans by a Galway- based company to construct a four- storey apartment block overlooking the 13th century Franciscan abbey in Ennis have been turned down.

An Bord Pleanala has upheld an Ennis Town Council decision that the development would detract from the special character and setting of the monument due to its scale, height and proximity to the abbey.

Four years ago, in the face of local opposition, Dwellblin Construction Ltd secured planning permission for 46 residential units on the site.

Last year the company lodged plans to construct the four storey apart-

ment block in the open space of the original development, adding 13 two bedroom apartments and one three bedroom townhouse.

Clare GAA County Board emerged as the most outspoken opponent against the scheme, despite not op- posing two previous planning appli- cations adjacent to the Abbey site.

In its appeal to An Bord Pleanala, Dwellblin argued that the height of the new block was consistent with the height of permitted development else- where on the appeal site and would not result in the material alteration or demolition of structures forming part of the Abbey monument. The devel- opers also claimed that the proposal would not have adverse implications

for the archaeological heritage.

The appeals board inspector rec- ommended that planning permission be refused and the board subsequent- ly ruled that the development would seriously detract from Ennis Friary. The board found that the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The board also refused planning permission having regard to the site configuration, its generally narrow width and location adjoining a pro- tected structure. It stated that the proposal would represent an over development by reasons of exces- sive density, poor aspect and limited functionality of public open space

and shortfall in car parking.

The board order read: “The pro- posed development would, therefore, provide a poor standard of amenity to future residents, seriously injure the amenities of property in the vi- cinity and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable develop- ment of the area.”

The board also ruled that, having regard to the scale of the proposed development and the consequent de- mand for car parking provision, that the proposed development would give rise to on-street parking and tend to create serious traffic conges- tion which would endanger public safety by reason of obstruction of road users.