Month: September 2008

THIS only confirmed what most peo- ple already knew. That Cratloe are a real emerging force in Clare hurling and now that they have finally made the breakthrough, they won’t want to stop at just a quarter-final place.

Due to the restructuring of the championship last year, their 2006 senior B win was somewhat devalued but they thrived in the senior cham- pionship to come within a whisker of the quarter-finals at the first attempt.

Ultimately a final round defeat to Kilmaley halted their quarter-final hopes but after an encouraging Clare Cup campaign this year, only acham- pionship quarter-final place would be sufficient for their young side.

And so it came down to this game, a meeting of last year’s surprise pack- age against the heirs to their throne with nothing but a win sufficient for the north Clare side to remain in the championship.

With their lives on the line, Corofin finally produced the type of battling spirit that propelled them into last year’s quarter-final but although they troubled Cratloe for long periods, it wasn’t enough to knock the east Clare side off their focus.

As ever, Corofin’s backs and mid- field were solid, led by county senior Dara Clancy who had an outstand- ing hour at centre-back but too few of their forwards excelled and that, added to Cratloe’s all-round better balance was the reason the east Clare side emerged with the two valuable points.

Damian Browne, and a star turn from county minors Conor McGrath did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard, with a combined total of 1-10 from Cratloe’s 1-16 but they also had impressive displays from full-back Barry Duggan, who held Corofin’s main threat Kevin Heag- ney scoreless, and Michael Hawes at centre-back who swept up con- tinually around the back-line to keep Sei eloeme i onuemenmse-le.e

Cratloe couldn’t have had a better start either, as they sprinted into a O- 5 to 0-0 lead by the 13th minute with Damian Browne (3), Aidan Browne and Barry Gleeson all pointing for the Blues and at this stage, it ap- peared as if it would be a rout.

However, Corofin shuffled the pack and bringing Dara Clancy to centre- back in a switch with Gerry Quinn, the north Clare side finally settled. Five unanswered points followed, SIPUMSDITSMMALNO Moye: eom PKOeemPODELeCornAr-DI midfielder Dara Shannon which was added to by Killian Neylon (2) and Ollie O’Loughlin.

Now level, it was Cratloe’s turn to shake up their line-up as they pushed Damian Browne to centre-forward,

Martin “Ogie’ Murphy to the wing and Aidan Browne to midfield. It had the desired effect as Aidan Browne and Sean Collins both pointed in in- jury-time to give their side a 0-7 to Q-5 half-time advantage.

The second period started in see- saw fashion as the sides traded points four times in the first fifteen minutes. At this stage, Jonathan Reidy was as- signed to curb Clancy’s influence

but still, they couldn’t halt his domi- nance and finally, they introduced James Enright to do the job. If noth- ing else, Enright’s robust style did have an effect and from that, Cratloe gained a foothold on the game. Two Damian Browne points and one from Sean Collins pushed the leaders 0-14 to 0-9 in front by the 53rd minute and it seemed as if they would see out the win from here.

Still, Corofin are nothing if not bat- tlers and two minutes later, Kevin Heagney was held and Corofin were awarded a 21 yard free which Clancy smashed to the net to give Corofin re- newed hope at 0-14 to 1-9.

It set up a nervous finish but Cratloe were spared their late jitters by their two minors Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath who stood up to the plate in the final moments. First, sub-

stitute McInerney picked off a superb point from an acute angle in the right corner and only a minute later, Mc- Grath weaved his way through the Corofin defence to place the ball past goalkeeper John Williams to restore Cratloe’s six point advantage.

This was still some fight left in Corofin though and when a hurley was thrown at Gerry Quinn — now operating in the forward line — as he was about to shoot, Ger Hoey award- ed Corofin another 21 yard free.

Clancy again stepped up to take it but although this effort was just as powerful, goalkeeper Sean Hawes produced an outstanding full-length save to deny him.

There was still time for another point apiece but there was no deny- ing Cratloe this result and they held out for the crucial win. And they got an added bonus too as news filtered through of Tubber’s surprise defeat of St Joseph’s, a result that leaves both Doora/Barefield and Craltoe level at the top of the group, with only a toss of a coin to decide who tops the group.

has learned.

This is despite a number of ground- breaking developments made in the provision of integrated education in Gort over the past decade and the ad- mission by the Minister for Integra- tion Conor Lenihan, earlier this year that the village was a blueprint for successful integration in Ireland.

Founder of the Gort Brazilian As- sociation, Frank Murray has said that the best method for integrating

children is in one class, despite calls from Fine Gael last month for chil- dren to be segregated.

“The best method is to keep the kids together. The schools here in Gort have had no guidance on this issue and have had to figure it out themselves. There were no guide- lines in place here when the Brazil- lans started coming here ten years ago or more, so the teachers here de- veloped a groundbreaking system of their own,” said Mr Murray.

‘After the argument on segregation and apartheid a few weeks ago that cause such a storm, the government response was that research was being carried out on the issue. But I con- tacted all of the schools in Gort, be-

cause they are cutting edge in terms of integration policy, and no one had come near them.

“You have to wonder about the money that is being spent on this re- search and how effective it is going to be if they don’t consult the main players involved in integration in Ire- land.”

According to the Gort Brazilian Association, if a scenario 1s handled incorrectly it can actually lead to an increase 1n racism instead of integra- nln

“It can sometimes cause conflict with local parents if they fell that their kids are being held back, espe- cially in secondary school. That is a situation which can cause friction in

the community and can lead to rac- ism,’ continued Mr Murray.

“Tt is an awful strain on the teach- ers, they are the forgotten people in this situation. We had thought that the numbers of migrant children at- tending the primary schools here would go down this year because of the economic situation but they have been overwhelming.

‘That was a surprise, it shows how difficult it is to be on top of this situ- ation which is changing all the time. Because of this it’s a bigger shame that the people doing these surveys do not see fit to contact the teachers in Gort who have made some great innovations over the last ten years.”

THE Department of Education is analysing the structures in place at Ennis Community College for teach- ing new students for whom English is a second language.

Department officials visited the school in May as part of nationwide research project to see how it is adapting to the influx of internation- al students. The school caters for 430 students, 78 of which are foreign.

That number has jumped from just two in 2000. Patricia Murray, teacher of English as an Additional Language (EAL) co-ordinator at Ennis Com-

munity College, said the experience has been rewarding for both students and teachers.

“We presently have 78, the growth has been rapid and has required ad- justments on behalf of the teachers and other staff.”

She added “However, the influx of EAL students has contributed to the diverse culture in the school; given the opportunity to ‘learn’ from each other about different countries, cul- tures, languages and systems in our ever shrinking world. Teaching stu- dents with little or no English has proven challenging for the teaching staff, but has given great rewards in

terms of achievement”.

The resource department in the school give extra tuition to EAL stu- dents and support teachers in their subject areas, in many classes team teaching has been incorporated to help the students.

‘““We are very proud of the diversity of cultures that exist in our school community,” said Mrs Murray

“In recognition of this our students painted and framed their national flags. The flags were placed on the wall facing the main entrance the school.”

A multicultural evening orgainsed each year by students and teachers

is another method aimed at bridging the language gap.

“All in all, the whole school has benefited in terms of fostering, un- derstanding and appreciation of all the varied cultures that now make up the Ireland of the future,’ said Mrs Mylene ears

A lack of English does at times re- strict older students capabilities par- ticularly where technical subjects are eeieouiee

School principal Matt Power said, “There is a language barrier when it comes to taking exams in subjects like woodwork and technical draw- ing. Many would definitely do bet- ter if they had better understanding of English. That would only apply to students who are later entrants into the school system. It’s not an 1s- sue with students in first year.’ The breakdown of countries represented at Ennis Community College is as follows;

Nigeria (9); Kenya (1); South Af- rica; (5) ;Ghana (5); Czech Repub- lic (3 ); Poland (10); Slovakia (10); UK (2); Germany (3); Lithuania (6); Brazil (7); China (1); Philippines (2) Zimbabwe (1); Macedonia (1); Rus- sia (1).

MORE interpretators are needed to help children and their parents adapt to life in Irish schools, accord- ing to the Teachers Union of Ireland Oued}

Bernie Ruane, Vice-President of the TUI, said the lack of interpreta- tors means misunderstandings and ill-discipline are inevitable.

‘“T read a lot in the papers that there

are always plenty of interpreters in our courts, but if we had a few more available for our schools, maybe we wouldn’t be seeing all these prob- lems in the court,” said Mrs Ruane. “Meetings between parents and teachers can be difficult and when there is a language barrier. Problems can arise and it can lead to ill disci- pline. There is no integration system for education in Ireland. There is no planning. It’s all very piece-meal.”

Mrs Ruane, a teacher at St Patrick’s Comprehensive College, Shannon, said parents are being let down by the government. “There are kids coming into a completely new environment and they are not providing them with anything. The resources to cope are not being provided to schools”.

Mrs Ruane said comments by made by Fine Gael Education spokesper- son Brian Hayes about segregating students were not helpful.

“We don’t support the idea of segre- gation, we would prefer to see more resources allocated for English tui- tion for smaller groups and individu- als. Doing it in a classroom environ- ment sometimes means that other students are being held back, because you are repeating lessons.”

Mrs Ruane also said “serious” health and safety issues were emerg- ing in woodwork rooms and science labs.

THE Clare Area branch of Alcohol- ics Anonymous (AA) is holding the 19th annual Clare Area Convention at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis from October 3 to 5.

The primary aim of Alcoholics Anonymous is to help members, through mutual support, to achieve and maintain sobriety, and to carry our message to the still suffering al- coholic.

SRoYer:hiapasleyccmssr-vimmAycompesveleleys meester and women worldwide, through the

help of the unique fellowship of Al- coholics Anonymous are demon- strating by their personal example that alcoholism as an illness can be treated.

AA members share their experi- ence with anyone seeking help witha drinking problem; they give person- to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source.

The AA Twelve Steps programme is the suggested format for recovery from alcoholism.

It offers the chance to develop a

satisfying life without alcohol. This programme is discussed at AA group meetings. Open speaker meetings are open to alcoholics and non-alco- holics.

At speaker meetings, AA members “tell their stories”. They describe their experiences with alcohol, how they came to AA, and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcohol- ics Anonymous.

Open discussion meetings are where one member speaks briefly about his or her drinking experience, and then leads a discussion on AA recovery or

any drinking-related problem any- one brings up. Closed meetings are for AAs or anyone who may have a drinking problem.

Closed discussion meetings are conducted just as open discussions are, but for alcoholics or prospective AAs only. Step meetings involve dis- cussion of one of the Twelve Steps.

The organisation does not keep membership records or release in- formation on members but it is esti- mated that there are over 750 groups and more that 13,000 members in Ireland, north and south.

IT started off as a bit of friendly ban- ter between old friends yet ten years on the rivalry remains as keen as oe

Avenue Ramblers and the Chelsea Supporter’s club have been playing for the Marian Avenue Cup for al- most a decade.

The rivalry has always been a friendly one and the game has al- ways been about highlighting the good work of a particular charity or cause. The results have swayed back and forth and each side has enjoyed their share of the bragging rights.

The latest chapter unfolds in the Fair Green in October when the sides

meet to mark the fixture’s tenth anni- versary. The winners will play Moro- ney’s Bar in the final for the cup.

Jacko McMahon lives in Marian Avenue and has been involved with the fixture from the start, donning the jersey of Avenue Ramblers.

He’s already on the lookout for play- ers who have been involved down the years and is calling on them to lace up their boots again.

“There are a lot of guys out there that would have played in the last ten years. I’ll be hoping to get them out on the pitch again,’ explained Jacko.

The game may have originated as a kick-around between friends, but aligned to the fun of competition, is a more serious side. Over the years,

the game has raised money for a wide variety of charity groups and organisations, both local and nation- al, including Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and local adult education projects.

“Tt sort of started off like that,’ ex- plained Jacko. ““We wanted to raise a bit of money for charity. Over the years we’ve raised a bit for different groups. The lads have always been generous about it. The game is al- ways a bit of craic, but its good there has been that part to it too.”

Side by side with Jacko on the foot- ball and the fundraising front, has been Jim McMahon. Jim, like Jacko has been involved with the fixture from the start, but on the pitch, Jim

wears the blue of the Chelsea Sup- porters Club.

Jim recently took on the Reeks Challenge – climbing ten peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry – to raise money for St Luke’s Hospi- tal, Dublin. As part of the fundrais- ing drive, Avenue Ramblers took on the Chelsea Supporters Club. It was close that day with the Ramblers just edging it on penalties. Both sides are already looking forward to the re- match.

ENNIS councillor Frankie Neylon says he has received countywide sup- port ahead of a public meeting on the future of Cusack Park, to be held in Ennis tomorrow night.

Councillor Neylon said the meeting, which takes place at 8.30pm in the West County hotel, was organised to address “growing concern” about the ownership of Cusack Park.

Cllr Neylon (Ind) says the title deeds for the grounds are in the name of the people of Ennis and not the County Board.

A letter written in 1935 by the En- nis Dalcassians Club states that the club “acquired” the grounds. The let- ter also states that the “grounds be-

long to the people of Ennis”’.

The councillor says he is also aware of other documents that further strengthen his assertion that when the Eire Og club left Cusack Park in 1959, the maintenance deeds were transferred to the County Board.

‘They never transferred the owner- ship to the County Board, it was just the maintenance” said Cllr Neylon.

Cllr Neylon refused to rule out the possibility of taking legal action, if the ownership issue was not re- solved.

“I have been getting calls from people around Clare. I’d say around 80 per cent of them are big GAA supporters. They see Cusack Park as the home of Michael Cusack and the GAA in Clare. It’s a case of re-

minding the County Board that Cu- sack Park is owned by the people. We want to get that in writing. If we don’t get that, we might have look at other options like going down the le- gal route.”

Cllr Neylon continued, “There are other letters in existance and I know there are other documents, legal documents, that prove that Cusack Park does not belong to the County Board.”

Last December the Aisling Chiosoig partnership offered to purchase Cu- sack Park (10 Acres) for €84.4M.

The proposed deal would see Clare GAA purchase a new site on the Quin Road. Aisling Chiosoig would prepare the site up to foundation lev- el, cover planning and legal costs and

any unforeseen expenses that accrue from the proposed deal.

The sale however is subject to the re-zoning of Cusack Park for re-de- velopment purposes and planning approval for the Quin Road site.

Cllr Neylon said, “This isn’t about opposing the re-zoning. The issue of ownership has raised its head again. There is a growing concern out there. Brendan Vaughan, when he was chairman of the County Board tried to purchase the deeds for the board, and he wasn’t successful. But he did acquire the deeds of behalf of the people of Ennis.

“Tm not worried if we get six or 600 people at the meeting, its about straightening out the ownership is- sue’, said Clir Neylon.

MEMBERS of the Ennis Chess Club will travel to Greece in October to represent Ireland at the European Club Chess Championships.

The eight strong team of Ray Quinn, Kieran O’Brien, Gerry Casey, Lorcan O’ Toole, Gawain Jones, John Cassidy, Mick Larter and Jan Sodo- ma, will compete against Europe’s best over seven days from October 17 to 24. The tournament will be staged in the Greek town of Kalithea and brings together the continent’s top grandmasters. Ennis will be flying the flag for Ireland in Greece along with Dublin club Phibsboro.

It isn’t the first time that the Ennis

chess club has competed at this level. The club will be aiming to replicate the success of last year when finish- ing in a highly creditable second place, in it’s category, at the Euro- pean Championships in Italy.

John Cassidy was part of the team that travelled to Italy. He acknowl- edges a stiff challenge awaits the team in Greece but is hoping Ennis can again compete with the best.

“It’s going to be very tough alright, we know that from last year,’ he SIBKeAI SLO

“But we’re lucky in the sense that we’ve got come very good players. Jan Sodoma, 1s one of the new lads. He’s from the Czech republic and he plays to a very high standard. The

teams that will be there are of a very high standard. We’re looking for- ward to it alright.”

He added, “Lorcan is originally from Galway and he has been play- ing with us for a good while now. Gawain, was in school in Flannans here for a few years. He’s only 18, but he’s already a grandmaster. We have some good players going with us over there.”

There was touch of good fortune about Ennis’ qualification attempts for Greece. Ennis were granted a place after three teams that finished higher ahead of them at the National Championship’s in Dublin in June, BLASTN KeAL A

John explained, ““We were asked to

fill in and take the spot in Greece and we were happy to do so. It is ourselves and Phibsboro from Dublinwho’ll be representing Ireland.”

Ennis will warm up for the Euro- pean Championships by competing at the Galway Chess Tournament on October 4.

A series of table quizzes are also being planned in advance of Octo- ber’s trip to Greece. The next one takes place in Brandon’s Bar, Ennis on Thursday October 2 at 9pm. The cost of entry is ©20 per team.

Good prizes, finger food and raffle on the night and all are welcome to attend. The Ennis Chess Club meets in Brandon’s Bar every ‘Tuesday night.

FARMERS in north and west Clare are being offered a second chance at a formal education with a new free course to be hosted in Ennistymon. With an uncertain future for both the farming and construction sectors, it’s hoped that a number of locals will take the opportunity to broaden their own levels of skills.

The new course is aimed at people who have not completed their Leav- ing Certificate and who feel at a dis- advantage when seeking off-farm employment.

The new 30 hour Career Op- tions course is being provided free

of charge by the North Clare Farm Family Support Service.

It is aimed at low income farmers and family members who are seek- ing part-time employment, those who have recently been made redundant and those who would like to move on from their present employment.

A key component of the course will be one-to-one advice. Guidance counsellors will carry out an assess- ment of participants interests and abilities and identify the most suit- able job opportunities as well as edu- cation and upskilling courses.

Participants will also come away armed with a top class CV which will make them stand out from other

job applicants in a competitive and UbSdaLKey ODO NTSaN LO lONw eet-NU Colm

Furthermore, they will learn how to improve their interview skills which will give them an edge in getting that job or promotion.

Rural Development Officer and course organiser Gerry McDonagh says that the course will also help participants to discover the skills that are unique to them.

‘Many farmers underestimate their range of skills, believing that they do not have those skills required by employers.

“Yet skills such as tractor driving, machinery maintenance, upkeep of buildings, dealing with government

departments such as _ agriculture, maintaining farm records, indeed farm management in general are all important transferable skills,’ he SrNLOE

“While a farmer or family member may have never worked outside the farm, nonetheless they already have the basics upon which to build new skills.”

The course will commence on Oc- tober 13.

A limited number of places re- main which will be filled on a first come, first served basis. To book a place, contact Gerry McDonagh im- mediately on 065 7072467 or 086 COL AO OR

AFTER last year’s stroll through the Burren guided by the wonderful voices of the Lismourahaun Choir, this years Burren Ramble is going to let the land do the talking for itself.

This year’s ramble, which is the main annual fundraising event for the local RNLI, will take place in s1- lence. The theme of this year’s walk is ‘Peace and Contentment’ and or- ganisers are hoping that the families and loved ones of those affected by tragedy at sea will come and take Ova mON MO NomAVo Ole

“The idea is for people to come along and make a few bob for the lifeboats – but more than that we

are hoping that this year the ramble will be a more spiritual event. The theme of our walk this year is peace and contentment, and we are giving a chance to people who have lost someone to quietly walk and have a listen to the rivers,’ said organiser Joe Queally.

“At this time of the year there are more rivers coming up every day and there is great peace in all the sounds of the Burren. We hope that this place might just give people one minutes peace away from their darkness. If it does that then the whole thing has ee M OUP OLUaeNE Con

“In the RNLI, our first mission is to save lives, but our second mission is to try and bring some comfort to

people when a loved one has been lost. A recovery isn’t a joyful event, but it can bring great comfort to the family of the person who 1s lost, and that is very important.”

The walk begins at Fanore Church and will take in some of the Burren’s most spectacular scenery.

“We will be going up by the Cahir River and every step you take you will hear a different sound if you lis- ten for it. We will be starting regis- tration from St Patrick’s Church at 12 pm, and we are asking people while they are waiting for the walk to take off to sit in silence and listen to the river,’ continued Joe.

“The walk will start at lpm and we hope that this year’s walk will be

in silence. As we go into the moun- tain, as the wind starts to blow, every breeze will bring a different sound. As we get up around 800 feet over Galway Bay it will be the experience of a lifetime.”

The Burren Ramble takes place this Sunday, September 21. More in- formation or sponsorship cards are available from Joe on 087 6260301. All walkers are welcome, with or without sponsorship cards.