Month: June 2009

CLARE accounted for six per cent of the fines and penalties imposed for cigarette smuggling and the illegal sale of tobacco, according to figures released by the Revenue Commis- sioners. The figures, published as part of the Revenue Commissioners de- faulter’s list, show that the market in illegal tobacco is spread right across

Ireland. Fines and court penalties were imposed in 1] counties, with Dublin having the highest number of fines and penalties imposed with 43 per cent of convictions secured. Louth, with 11 per cent of penalties imposed, also showed a high involve- ment in the lucrative trade in illegal tobacco.

Kerry was third highest county where penalties were imposed with

8.5 per cent of the national figure. Clare, Wexford, Limerick and Gal- way each had six per cent of the total number of penalties imposed, while Kilkenny, Cavan, Waterford and Kil- dare were on three per cent.

While the figures showed the geo- graphic spread of the market, which is estimated to cost the exchequer €500m every year in lost revenue, it also showed that that the average

fine for cigarette smuggling and the selling of illegal cigarettes was just oOo

A spokesperson for the Irish Tobac- co Manufactures Advisory Commit- tee (ITMAC) stated, “These figures reflect both the widespread growth in the profitable trade of illegal tobacco and the urgent need for increased penalties to act as a deterrent to en- sure this illicit trade is stopped.

‘Because Ireland has the most ex- pensive cigarette price in Europe, we are an attractive destination for smug- glers. This evidence highlights that with continued insufficient penalties, Ireland will remain a smuggler’s par- adise. ITMAC will continue to work together with all stakeholders to find solutions to combat this growth in the illegal trade of cigarettes,” the spokesman said.

PILLARS of the local community in the Kilmihil area have come out in support of Aonghus Coughlan’s contentious plans for a windfarm at RST tile

The local GAA club and the Kilmi- hil branch of the Irish Farmers’ Asso- ciation (IFA) are two of the organisa- tions that have outlined their support for the planning application.

In his submission, Dick Pilkington

of Kilmihil IFA told Clare County Council: “We believe the site at Kil- tumper is suitable for the proposed development and that the wind farm will make a valuable contribution to- wards providing clean green energy.

“We also support Mr Coughlan’s effort to develop alternative land use on his farmlands, in the current economic climate, it 1s essential that Opportunities such as these are made available to young farmers. We en- courage the generation of renewable

energy on this site and see this as a positive and progressive develop- neon

In a separate submission, Pat Quin- livan, chairman of Kilmihil GAA club confirmed that the club fully backed the project and encouraged such endeavours in the local com- munity.

“Any additional economic activity in the local economy community 1s welcomed along with the obvious benefits to the environment.”

Local soccer club, St Pat’s AFC has also lodged a submission expressing its support for the local initiative.

Hilary Gleeson, Rural Development Officer with the Clare Local Devel- opment Company also offered sup- port and recommended the project as a positive development in the area.

‘The wind turbine project is a posi- tive step in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and creating a cleaner environment using a renewable en- ergy source. Farming in west Clare

requires some type of extra income to keep farmers on the land and both with the economic decline and the falling farm incomes, this project is an ideal opportunity to stimulate work and inject income into the local economy.

“The project will create employ- ment and income for a young west Clare farmer and also jobs in both the construction and maintenance of the project,” the submission con- cluded.

A MAJOR step has been taken by Ennis National School in securing the go-ahead for a new school after a 10 year struggle.

This follows the Ennis primary school securing planning permission to construct a new 32-class school building at Ashline on the Kilrush Rd — one kilometre from the current site.

School Board of Management member, Larry Brennan said that he hopes that the students will be enter- ing the new school building for the

2011-12 school year in September 2011. The granting of the permis- sion coincides with the retirement of school principal, Gary Stack who has fought for the new school over the past 10 years. A special mass and dinner was held over the weekend in Ennis to mark Mr Stack’s retirement after 28 years in the post.

Paying tribute yesterday to Mr Stack, chairman of the school board of management, David Casey said: “Under Gary, the school has had a unique ethos where pupils, staff, principal and parents have been one big happy family and for the person

who takes over, it will be a major challenge to keep that friendly open atmosphere.”

Mr Casey said that despite all the difficulties in seeking a new school, Gary never lost that the focus of his responsibilities was to the children of the school.

Mr Casey said that he was very happy that planning permission has been secured for the new school.

Larry Brennan said that the ten- ders on the design team for the new school are expected shortly.

Mr Brennan said that the design team will be in the unique position

of having a planning permission for a school.

He said that the Department of Education timetable provides for the construction of a school within four years of the appointment of a design team.

However, Mr Brennan said that he expects the timescale to be much shorter due to the work done already with the co-operation of Ennis par- ish and the Killaloe Diocesan Trust in securing planning permission.

Mr Brennan said that he expects the new school to be open by 2011.

The school has 17 prefabs strewn

throughout the grounds and the plan- ning application was lodged to fast- track plans.

In rezoning the site, the town coun- cil delivered a windfall to the Dio- cese of Killaloe two years ago by rezoning 85 acres of land where the diocese 1s proposing to construct 590 houses over time.

In June of last year, parents with- drew their students for one day last June to protest at the continuing fail- ure of the Department of Education to fund a new school building and 1,000 people took to the streets of Ennis in a march.

CLARE County Council has been brought to court, accused of al- lowing water untreated for the bug cryptosporidium into the Ennis wa- ter system.

The case is being brought by the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) against the council in relation to a five-month period last year.

The council is accused of breach- ing an EPA directive to cease the practice of allowing water to bypass a new temporary treatment plant for cryptosporidium, between May | to October 21 last year.

Solicitor for Clare County Council

Marina Keane told Ennis District Court on Thursday that there was consent to adjourn the case until September.

“The parties require an adjourn- ment for the purpose of setting up a meeting to narrow the issues,” she said. Judge Joseph Mangan agreed to the adjournment.

€15 MILLION is to be invested by the European Commission and Irish Government in retraining the 1,900 Dell workers who will lose their jobs this year – in what could become the biggest retraining venture ever un- (Saki coon beMs elom Kota (DEE

SAME room. Same result. Same fat purple bruise. 11 months ago Brian O’Connell walked into the narrow kitchen under the Mackey Stand in the Gaelic Grounds to face the media after Clare’s defeat to Tipperary in the Munster final. His forehead was marked by a big purple bruise.

On Sunday, O’Connell returned to that same room to offer his thoughts on another Clare defeat at the hands of Tipperary. Again he wore the scars of battle. Another bulging pur- ple bruise, caused, as O’Connell ex- plained, by a dropping sliotar, he lost in the sunshine.

O’Connell had no complaints last July. But on Sunday, after a battling second half display, the Clare captain believed his side deserved at least a draw for their efforts.

“It was kind of a game of two halves. We came from six points

down at the start of the second half. We could have come away with a draw. A draw would have been justi- fied’, said O’Connell.

The Wolfe Tones club man admit- ted that Clare’s poor start made tat- ters of their pre-match game plan but added that the players never gave up hope.

“The plan was not to give them a start but obviously that didn’t work out too well. They got a good lead and after that we were just trying to peg it back, peg it back. In the second half we gave them a couple of more points again’, he said,

O’Connell added, “But credit to ourselves, we kept on digging in and its something we talked about, that if we got a goal conceded against us or a couple of scores then we’d keep on digging in. We really pushed them to the end. I suppose the match that they had kind of stood to them. They had a bit more in them. But we’ll build

on today”.

Agreeing that Clare’s re-modelled half back line stemmed the influence of the Tipperary attack in a superior second half display, O’Connell said that Sunday’s game was about show- ing pride in the jersey

“In our own county, we’ve been knocked. Our heart has been ques- tioned. That’s all we wanted out of today. To prove that we have heart and we love playing for Clare. It’s a joy for us to wear our jersey. When that was questioned, we had to come out with answers today. We tried our best to come out and represent the jersey as best we could”, he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Je yuspeter-bel

Ring and Cormac

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

edged 0-10 0-8 clear.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The match looked all but over as

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

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

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