Month: July 2008

A CONVICTED killer who was caught with two bars of cannabis resin has been jailed for two years, one suspended.

Michael Nihill (33), formerly of Church Drive, Clarecastle, was con- victed in 2001 of the manslaughter of Mikie Shannon, who died in a row at Lysaght’s laneway, Ennis, on April 2, 2000. Nihill has served his sentence for that offence.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Nihill admitted possession of can- nabis resin for the purpose of sale or supply, at Limerick Road, Ennis, on July 1, 2006.

Garda Eric Stafford told the court that a garda surveillance operation was in place on the date in question. As part of this, gardai searched the driver and passenger of a car, but

found nothing.

They then searched the car and found two bars of a brown substance hidden in the boot. Analysis of the substance showed that it was canna- bis resin.

Gardai then carried out a search of a house, where they found eight packets of self-sealing plastic bags, a digital weighing scales and €1,060 cash in a holdall bag in a bedroom wardrobe.

‘The accused was interviewed. He indicated he had these two bars of cannabis resin for his own use. He said it was easier to buy it in large amounts,” said the garda.

The court was told the value of the drugs seized was €3,500.

Garda Stafford said Nihill had sev- eral previous convictions, including two for possession of drugs. He was also convicted of manslaughter and

jailed for eight years in 2001.

Defence barrister Michael Collins said his client had endeavoured to plead guilty to the charge in the dis- trict court, but jurisdiction had been declined.

Referring to the manslaughter con- viction, he explained that his client and another man had been charged with murder, after they attacked someone who had bullied them at school.

“The case went to trial. He was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years,’ said Mr Collins.

He said that his client was in a re- lationship and his partner gave birth to a baby girl just eight weeks ago. Nihill’s girlfriend told the court she lives with him in Corofin and she would probably have to give up her job if he went to jail.

Mr Collins said the offence before the court happened two years ago and his client hadn’t got into trouble since, adding, “given his previous offences he is a man who could find trouble if he looked for it”.

He said that Nihill worked as a plasterer until recently and has at- tended Narcotics Anonymous.

He asked for the commencement of any prison sentence to be postponed, because of his client’s personal cir- cumstances.

Judge Carroll Moran said that pos- session of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply was very serious.

“We are told incessantly it is an of- fence to be dealt with severely. I have to impose an immediate prison sen- tence. I may defer it,” he said.

He imposed a two year jail term, one suspended, and deferred its com- mencement until October 1.

IN THE immediate moments after the final whistle, a couple of things spring to the mind of Gerald Mc- Carthy. The battling quality of Clare and what he described as the “lucky” substitutions Cork executed.

But if Clare battled, then Cork went to war for the second week in a row and came out unscathed or unscratched and as for those substi- tutions, there was nothing fortunate about them. Two goals from the bench merely highlights the strength

of the Cork panel.

“I think we were lucky in that some of the substitutions we made worked out for us, they gave us a lift, so we’re happy to win. But in fairness, it was a real fight to the end.

‘Sometimes they [the substitutions] come off. We had a few tired bod- ies out there and two or three other lads could have come off as well. Fellas were just tired and it’s a hard ask to play two championship games in a week. Some lads played Under 21 during the week on top of that, so that’s three games in a week.

“It was said last week that it was too much for fellas and it is. The GAA is asking too much of these lads. They might think that because they are young, these lads can keep going but these big games take a lot out of you. It shouldn’t be allowed, playing three championship games in a week. The GAA needs to take a look at that.”

He looks back at Clare’s start and says they were hungry for posses- sion, that they were frenzied in their desire to clean up whatever ball was breaking and says that Clare’s open- ing goal was like a kick in the gut.

“Tt [Barry Nugent’s] was of the soft variety and it set us back. We were eight points down at half time and we equated it to last Saturday night when our backs were to the wall and we told them we hadn’t played.

“We weren’t winning the breaks. Clare absolutely cleaned us out on the breaks in the first half. It looked like our legs were heavy and we just weren’t reacting to the breaking ball. We tried to lift them an they came out very strong at the start of the sec- ond half and we got a very important goal. The players just can’t do it the

easy route. We didn’t play in the first half, quite obviously. We were a lit- tle worried about how the lads would react to the hard game we had last Saturday because they had such lit- tle time to recover. Then we didn’t hit the ground running.

“But in fairness to Clare, it was a very gutsy performance from them to take the lead and then when we came back so strong they took an- other five-point lead. We had to think very deep to win it.”

True, but that’s of little consolation to Clare.

YOU can huff and you can puff and you can blow Cork down, but the problem, as Clare discovered on Sunday, is getting them to stay there.

Cork it seems, just don’t know when they are beaten. They refuse to recoginse the sensation. Clare tried everything. They built up formidable leads. They scored two goals. They leathered into Cork around the mid- dle and limited the influence of a stellar half back line.

But Cork would not go away. Ben O’Connor kept running and popping

over points. Cork made the game wider and more open. Gerald McCa- rthy released substitutes like Kieran Murphy and Neil Ronan to telling effect. They looked lost but Cork found a way. Some teams will not be denied.

Another chorus of the Banks was striking up outside, just as Clare manager Mike McNamara wiped his palm across his face. This one re- PO Rvaeltba

“I think it’s probably the most heartbreaking defeat I’ve suffered as a manager or indeed as a manage- ment team. Realistically, we left the

match behind us,” said McNamara standing in the tunnel under the old stand. “We should have at least snatched a draw in the dying stages. It would have been wonderful to have another cut at it. But that wasn’t to be. That’s for another day”.

Clare knew Cork would launch a major offensive in the second half. McNamara though felt his side could have adjusted their gameplan accord- ingly to stifle the rebels

“We knew they were come any- way, he continued. “They proved that last week. We probably predicted a change was going to happen around

half time or shortly afterwards. On the day we couldn’t manage them in the second half. We’d enough lead going into the second half to maybe slow it down, slow up the game a Iit- tle bit and we didn’t do that, and we paid a big price”.

Again Clare were guilty of poor shooting on Sunday, hitting 12 BLO LoE

“Tt’s something we’ll have to look at. It’s something that has destroyed our season, going back to the Mun- Ster final,’ said the Scariff man,

“We had 45 chances in the Munster Final and we only scored 42-44%.

Something the same again. But we’ll have to look at it again. We’ll really have to look at it as part of our game, which gave us major problems. If we can correct that then we’re a match for the best”.

Television replays later showed that Clare should have been awarded a penalty when Diarmuid O’Suillivan held Niall Gilligan’s hurley, prevent- ing him from striking.

But McNamara isn’t the type to offer up cheap excuses. He said, “Referees don’t win and lose games for you. But I suppose on days like today, you could look at all those things, if you want to make excuses. But realistically we were beaten by a very, very good Cork team in one of the greatest games of hurling I have witnessed. We really won’t bring the referee into it. On another day we might have got em’. But that’s not an issue. Christ, they’ve an awful job to do and who am I to criticise them”’.

And McNamara remained proud of the part his team played in an en- thralling contest.

‘“We’re very proud of the way the team played. We’re disappointed in defeat but someone actually had to lose that game today. I’m sure Cork would have felt the same as we do. They would have been heartbroken if we managed to get a late goal or the couple of points at the end”

“Its one of those days. Its one of the great days in Thurles. Its what ignites us all. I don’t know how ye saw it but I think its one of the greatest games of hurling its been my privilege to see. It’s heartbreaking in itself. We can only saw now that we hope that Cork team do themselves proud and do us proud by going onto greater Wenner eaciae

McNamara tipped Waterford man- aged by his “buddy Davy” to go all the way in September. Asked if he would like to give it another go next year, McNamara said, with a smile that suggested otherwise, “Oh I’m moving on. I have my boat and my fishing rod and you never know. Maybe they’II retire me. I’m not sure, I’m not sure”.

The ship may have docked for an- other year, but, rest assured, plenty on board will want the captain back.

THERE’RE not many who can swal- low the bitter pill with a smile on their face – fewer still who can pause while licking their wounds and offer a good word for their conqueror. But that was the scene in the chat-rooms and blogs on the internet this week- end. But maybe we were set up for a fall. One Clare supported had ob- viously eating absolutely all of the optimism pies before throw in as he predicting not just a Banner victory but a good old fashioned hockeying for the Rebels.

“Cork have already shot their load

and will not hang with the Banner for the full seventy minutes,” comment- ed Osceola on AnFearRua.com.

‘Memories of the Munster final still loom large, what better way to erase them – the half back line looks solid and the forwards could finally come good… Clare 2-24 Cork 1-15.”

If only supporter optimism could fuel a hurling team.

After the final whistle however, the Cork bloggers were uncharacteristi- cally humble in victory while the neutrals pointed to “hurling” and “the championship” as being the real winners. Now there’s some cold ofeynen Koya m

‘The game was won pure and sim- ple on the bench. Cork have the subs to bring on and we don’t. It’s just that simple. People will blame the wides Clare had but if you don’t have a go you can’t score,’ said Give Em Tim- ber. “The strength in depth in the Cork panel was the killer punch from a Clare point of view.

‘They even had 15 subs on standby to Clare’s 10. That statistic on its own speaks volumes.”

“Clare could have won it but I think for the Championships sake it was best that Cork came through,’ said Qwerty. “They will obviously give Kilkenny a decent game. To my

mind the Cork/Kilkenny semi-final is the All-Ireland Final.”

Meanwhile, all was quiet on the Clare corner over on boards.ie, but the thoughts of the Rebel posters have already turning to Kilkenny and one major piece surgery of the own starting line-up.

“We need to drop the Rock and move Gardiner in his place and bring Cadogan on at right half back,” post- re Cod aliiouaur-rmeyeieny

“If Cork can hold them in the first half and not give away a silly lead like the past two games I can see them having a chance but if they give away a lead I can’t see KK giving

away a lead like Galway and Clare did.”

Last word to Clare poster Turfcut- ae

“Living proof that despite the dark- ness and despair in the Saffron and Blue corner, we’re still the supporters with best craic. “Fair play to Cork, they took their chances, we didn’t.

‘Perhaps D Murphy didn’t help us but he didn’t help Cork a few times either,’ said Turfcutter.

‘Hope to see ye all in Lisdoonvarna for September. The farmers are back in popularity with the girls up there… the bit of land is handy again. Up the By Teneo ae

MILTOWN have made some decent strides this year at Under 21 level and have been rewarded with the op- portunity of making a final. Corofin stand in their way and they should have a big say in how this one devel- ops at Ennistymon on Saturday.

Miltown will be looking to the likes of Shane Curtin, Gearoid Hynes, Joe Curtin and Enda O’Gorman to propel them to victory but Corofin scored freely in over-coming Clooney-Quin earlier this month.

That day two weeks back they rat- tled in three goals and if they can pro- duce a similar goal fest on Saturday, they will be hard beaten. Miltown

also racked up 2-11 in their defeat of Kildysart so all signs point to a high scoring and entertaining encounter.

The second semi final also prom- ises to produce some good football. Lissycasey will take on Clondegad at Clareabbey in a game that is also set to take place on Saturday.

Garry Brennan will look to anchor his side at midfield while closer to goal, Paudge McMahon will look to emulate the form he showed in scor- ing nine points to help Clondegad edge into this semi final.

With local bragging rights at stake, Lissycasey will also be keen to en- sure thay put in a quality display and if they can curb Brennan and McMa- hon, they could edge it.

ANOTHER step along the way to bringing Clare closer to claiming a spot in their second successive AlIl- Ireland final. That’s the way Clare are regarding this win over Antrim. While it’s the common sense ap- proach of one game at a time, there is no denying that the true wish is there to rid the ghosts of last year’s final defeat at the hands of Derry. Winning the Division 2 league fi- nal was a significant step on that re- covery ladder and now securing the semi-final spot has Clare’s top side another rung on the way with just 60

minutes and Laois between the Ban- ner and that second last spot with the last step obviously being Deirdre Murphy taking to the first step of the Hogan Stand on September 14.

‘“That’s the hope and dream but the team will settle down now to prepar- ing for that challange’, according to team manager Colm Hanley. “We were happy with the performance at the weekend but what has been better is that we have had more of a chal- lange on the way to this semi-final and with every outing we have im- proved as a unit”.

Antrim put up a stiff challange to the Banner on Sunday and had just one point between the teams with just 10 minutes remaining. “Yes it was a real test of the team’s charac- ter but they have steadied themselves this year and in sticking to the game plan don’t panic and have hurled clever out of the tight situations this year. That’s what really seems to have stood to them since last year, we have learned the hard way to hurl to the end and never give up. With still room for improvement and the squad still not fully fit this for the moment is a nice place to be in.”

THE race for the Clare Cup heats up this week as four out of the six re- maining fixtures in the top three d1- visions have relevance to the fight for the four semi-final places.

In Division 1, leaders Sixmileb- ridge will top the group if they can overcome Crusheen but even if they lose, they could still guarantee a spot in the penultimate stages if either Cratloe or Newmarket-on-Fergus lose to Clooney-Quin or Clarecastle respectively. The only game at the

weekend saw St Joseph’s record a comprehensive victory over Eire Og, relegating the Ennis side in the proc- ess along with Kilmaley.

The sole remaining fixture in Divi- sion 2A — Inagh/Kilnamona v Scariff – has connotations at both ends of the table with the Combo topping the di- vision if they win and thus claiming the semi-final spot while a win for a revitalised Scariff would guarantee a relegation play-off with neighbours Whitegate to see who will join Kil- lanena in Division 2B next year. Tulla were the big winners at the weekend

as they completed their fifth succes- sive league victory to jump to the summit and gain promotion but it will all depend on the Combo’s last outing to decide the group.

In Division 2B Clonlara secured the top spot with a four point win over Feakle, thus becoming the first Clare Cup semi-finalist while the other winners at the weekend, Ogonnelloe and Broadford will have to wait until Wednesday to realise their fate when Smith O’Briens take on Corofin. A win for the East Clare side would guarantee promotion but a draw or

defeat would mean a three way play- off to see who gains promotion.

In Division 3, Ennistymon and Clarecastle will contest the interme- diate league final after both won at the weekend with Ennistymon guar- anteeing the Magpies place after a late goal saw them surprise Meelick.

The Division 4 final between Eire Og and Newmarket-on-Fergus’ sec- ond strings is fixed for Sixmilebridge on Saturday while in Division 5, Bal- lyea will play Sixmilebridge’s third team in the first of the semi-finals in Clareabbey on the same day.

ST JOSEPH’S Secured their division one status with this remarkable win that condemns Eire Og to relegation.

This was must win for both teams with both hovering dangerously close to the bottom of the table be- fore throw in.

Level at half time, Joseph’s pulled away in spectacular fashion. Goals from Paul Dullghan and Sean Mc- Mahon put Barefield seven points clear by the 39th minute. Dullaghan pounced again for Barefield’s fourth goal in the 44th minute, by which time the Eire Og challenge had well and truly expired.

The end was slow and painful for the townies. Joseph’s took full ad- vantage of their collapse, hitting their opponents for seven points in the final quarter.

Barefield impressed in midfield where Kevin Dilleen and Conor Has- sett covered a lot of ground and con- tributed ten points. Ken Kennedy was

again the lynchpin at centre back and McMahon is adjusting well to life at full forward. Strong enough to cause a bit of bother under the high ball, McMahon exhibited a sure touch when the ball came in hard and low.

Manager Kevin Kennedy can be pleased too that his side never eased up despite the blatantly one-sided nature of the contest in the closing NE TLoe

The second half was the stuff of nightmares for Eire Og. They con- ceded and 3-12 and scored just two points. The townies drop down a lev- el, but of more pressing concern will be the psychological damage inflict- ed ahead of the club’s make or break championship clash with Kilmaley.

It started promisingly for Eire Og. Danny Russell’s struck two points from placed balls either side of a free from Hassett. Russell was then involved as his swift handpass set up Cathal Whelan for a goal in the 6th eepeeleikon

Hassett (2) and Russell traded points

before McMahon forced an opening for Michael Cullinan to strike a goal on the 15th minute.

Dullaghan’s point put Joseph’s 1-4 1-3 ahead. Tadgh McNamara’s point levelled it and points from Hassett and Adrian Flaherty ensured a half time score of 1-5 1-5. Barefield were soon in charge after the re-start. Kennedy hit over a point before Dullaghan poked a goal in the 37th minute as the Eire Og full back line dithered over Marty O’Regan’s clear- ance. Still, it was nothing compared to the destruction about to be visited upon Eire Og.

McMahon turned Whelan and fired a goal in the 39th minute. Even at this stage, and Barefield ahead by seven points, Eire Og looked shot of one

Hassett, Dilleen and McMahon added three points before Dullaghan rifled in his second goal, to leave 4-9 1-6 ahead.

The townies were done for. Damien Kennedy picked of four late points.

Hassett and Dilleen added a couple more. Eire Og’s sole response came from Ronan Cooney who scored two late points.

A GROUP of talented young musi- cians have been presented with bur- saries, through the Shannon Music Project.

Clare County Council’s Arts Of- fice provided the bursaries for the 13 musicians to attend the Ennis Guitar and Rock School workshops in Shan- non last week. The recipients were Simon O’Donnell, Frank Goggin, Natasha Miller, David Park, Andrew Park, Garry Mc Kee, Patrick Collins,

Barry Shannon, Lindsay Carroll, Pa- draig Bambury, Steven Rainsford, Chris Quigley and Elsa Mann.

The Shannon Music Project (SMP) is a Clare Youth Service project based in Shannon. It provides young people aged between 15 and 25 with opportunities to get involved in musi- cal events and avail of practice space and high quality musical equipment.

The project is run by a committee of young people who are supported by the Shannon youth workers.

The SMP has been running for over

10 years and this year received fund- ing from Clare VEC and Shannon Community Grant Scheme to help with equipment purchases.

The project has organised bands nights, acoustic performances and competitions in Shannon and also liaises with Ennis Music Project for similar events and workshops.

‘This is a great opportunity to work with community groups in Shan- non. We have worked previously with Clare Youth Service Ennis and now we hope to further develop the

partnership between the Arts Office and the Clare Youth Service here in Shannon,” said Tara Connaghan, Traditional Arts Co-ordinator based bom) ercbeyeCeyee

“T am delighted to see Clare Arts Office come on board with the work the music project is doing in Shan- non. The funding provided for these workshops is of great benefit to the young people involved and no doubt will help them further their own in- dividual skills,’ said Shannon Youth Worker, Cathal Dillon.

A SEVERE shortage of burial spaces in Shannon and surrounding areas is leading to huge concerns among lo- cals, who are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire graves for their JEVOOBE BLE

Three cemeteries in the area may not be extended, due to the presence of archaeological remains.

That was the view expressed last week by Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe, who raised the issue at a Shannon electoral area meeting.

He asked were extensions to Bal- lysheen, Clonlohan and Bunratty graveyards held up due to archaeo- logical issues.

In response to his query, Acting Senior Executive Officer with Clare County Council’s water services Myles Carey clarified the issue.

In a written response, the council offical said that the Clonlohan cem- etery was deemed unsuitable for extension, due to the presence of ar- chaeological remains in the area of WRK Ae

He said that an archaeological as- sessment had been carried out at Ballysheen and had been forwarded to the National Monuments Section AW OCG M RoLON LMAO) KOM AUDIKO

He pointed out that an archaeologi- cal assessment is to be carried out at Bunratty burial ground and suitable firms are currently being sourced for this work.

“We have a major problem with burial grounds. I believe it is all over the county. Bunratty is completely full, Ballysheen is full and I think Oi CoyelCo)sk: tem iwaeel mrerer

“It is being held up by the National Monuments Section. We will just

have to break down these barriers,’ said Councillor Crowe.

He said that a site was available for the extension of the cemetery in Bunratty for a number of years, but the plans did not proceed.

“The one thing communities have is their graveyard. It’s very, very wrong,” he said.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, these ar- eas have grown so much. They have no place to bury their loved ones. Some people have had to moved out of the area to get a graveyard,” he added.

Councillor Pat McMahon (FF) agreed with Councillor Crowe.

“It’s absolutely crazy where you have voluntary groups putting in a lot of work and obstacles are being put in place. These are voluntary groups. They are doing magnificent work and are being hindered by depart-

ment rules. People get so frustrated,” he said.

SCR VCCMO erm asses DO MONT M Or velIOR Newmarket-on-Fergus, has found it difficult to get a grave, despite living there for 20 years.

Councillor Gerry Flynn added that IIlaunamanagh graveyard was al- eee aUOUE

“Tt is at a critical stage now. I don’t know hoe many spaces are left. It is pretty limited. They are putting the onus on community groups. If we can’t provide for people who have died, we are going down a very bad road,” he added.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) pointed out that the areas in question were fortunate to have archaeology and this must be pre- served. However the importance of balancing this with people’s needs was critical.