Month: October 2011

Categories
Sport

Blues bridge eight-year gap with ease

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-14 – O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-05 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

EXPERIENCE at the highest level was the decisive factor in this the first of two county final victories for Newmarket at the weekend. Having lost last year’s decider to double champions Crusheen, the Blues were back with a vengeance, with former seniors Michael McInerney, Dominic McMahon, Brian ‘Beano’ McMahon and captain Brian Clancy guiding their side to a first Junior A title in eight years.

The Mills themselves have been knocking on the door repeatedly in the knock-out stages these past few years but they can have few complaints after failing to take their chances, particularly in terms of goal opportunities over the hour.

As the 16 scores to six total emphasises, Newmarket were the sharper and more clinical side throughout, with an unanswered tally of 1-5 by the end of the opening quarter setting the tone for the win.

Mill’s full-forward Damien O’Connell opened the scoring in the first minute but they would have to take a backseat as Newmarket ruthlessly replied with a 16 minute purple patch. Michael McInerney and Dominic McMahon were both to the fore in that flurry of points while McInerney also set up Shane Liddy for the opening goal in the tenth minute.

That goal was cruel on the Mills particularly after they had just spurned a glorious chance of their own at the other end when Rory Neville picked out fellow corner-forward Cathal McKeogh at the back post but his shot was excellently blocked by the body of Shane Kelliher.

McKeogh did make up for that miss when starting O’Callaghan’s Mills second quarter fightback but further scores from Michael McInerney and Shane Liddy limited the half-time damage at 1-7 to 0-4.

Liddy’s frees also pushed his side further ahead on the resumption before the Mills were handed a lifeline. A goalmouth scramble in the 37th minute allowed substitute Aidan O’Gorman pull through a crowd of players to the net and gathering momentum, they also had two further goal chances that might have altered the narrative of this decider.

Expert defending from Clancy and McMahon ensured that didn’t happen though and after literally weathering the storm, Newmarket finished strongly by outscoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 in the final quarter.

There were goal chances aplenty for either side as the game became more open and fragmented, with Michael McInerney central to the two that fell Newmarket’s way. In the 50th minute, his delivery over the top saw Dominic McMahon beat goalkeeper James Hook to the ball to pull to the net while two minutes later the imposing forward would see his rasping shot canon off the butt of the post to safety.

With only minutes remaining, Newmarket held an eleven point lead but the Mills never threw in the towel and goal efforts for McKeogh and substitute Enda McNamara had to be endured before Newmarket would finally realise their title dream at the second attempt.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Ian Mulcahy (7), Seamus Meehan (7), Brian Clancy (8), Shane Kelliher (8), Paudie Hayes (7), Brian McMahon (8), Darren Cullinan (7), Neil Ryan (7) (0-1), Niall Enright (7), Martin Frawley (6), Paul McInerney (7), Michael McInerney (9) (0-3), Dominic McMahon (8) (1-3), Gerry Hannon (7) (0-2), Shane Liddy (7) (1-5 3f)

Sub
LiamClancy (6) for Frawley (47 mins)

O’Callaghan’s Mills
James Hook (7), Michael McGrath (8), Barry Heffernan (7), Ollie Nash (7), Brendan Hannon (7) (0-1f), Conor Cooney (7), Darren Cooney (8), Noel Nash (6), John McGrath (7), Paul Murphy (6), Robbie Madden (7) (0-1), Ian Donnellan (6), Rory Neville (6), Damien O’Connell (7) (0-1), Cathal McKeogh (7) (0-2)

Subs
Aidan O’Gorman (7) (1-0) for Donnellan (24 mins), Enda McNamara for O’Connell (52 mins), Eoin McInerney for McGrath (52 mins)

Man of the Match
Michael McInerney (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora/

Categories
Sport

Title travels to north Clare

Lisca nnor 1-4 West Cla r e Gaels 1-3 At Hennessy Memor ia l Pa r k, Milt own Ma lbay THE INCLEMENT weather and heavy conditions underfoot meant that this decider was dominated by the defences of Liscannor and West Clare Gaels.

The final started with Liscannor taking the play to their opponents and before long Emer Hillary had laid off a lovely pass to Aishling Torpey who opened the scoring for the northerners. Liscannor were more assertive in the first quarter but against the run of play, Ailish Brew goaled for the Gaels.

Midfielders Shauna Harvey and Collette Keniry kept pushing the at- tack, setting Rachel Clancy free to put the Gaels 1-1 to 0-1 ahead. Despite several Liscannor attacks involving Martina Scales, Sharon Roche and Katie Considine, it took another ten minutes for the next score to register and it was Siobhan Marrinan who oblidged for West Clare Gaels.

After 25 minutes, up and coming Under 13 Katie Considine set free a very industrious Aishling Torpey to take her second point of the game for Liscannor, just before they went in for the break at 1-2 to 0-2 in favour of the ladies from the Corca Baiscinn.

On the resumption, Aishling Torpey had only one thing on her mind but was prevented from goaling, winning a penalty in the process and levelling the game herself at 12. Player-of-the-Match Torpey ran the West Clare Gaels defence ragged in the third quarter, picking off two valuable points in succession to push them two points clear by the 48th minutes, where they would stay until the end.

Liscannor
Aoife Shannon,Therese Shannon, Sinead Considine, Roisin Rouine, Roisin Considine, Fiona Considine, Sarah Clair, Martina Scales, Emer Hillery, Sharon Roche,AishlingTorpey (1-4, 1f, 1-0 pen), Mairead Healy, Katie Considine, Clionadh Considine, Moira O’Donoghue, Niamh Fitzhenry, Sinead Shannon, Elaine Shannon,Aisling Nagle, Sarah Leigh.

Management
Marie Considine, Emma Slattery, Yvonne Flaherty,Anna O’ Connor and Ciara Slattery.

West Clare Gaels
SineadTevlin, Brid Foran, Grainne Harvey, Lauren Keane, Mary Beth Downes, Marie Foran, Emma McMahon, Shauna Harvey, Collette Keniry, Lauren McMahon (Capt), Ailish Brew(1-0), Rachel Clancy (0-1), Shauna Melican, Ciara Lynch, Siobhan Marrinan (0-1)

Subs
Caoimhe Harvey (0-1), Naoise Murray,Amy Keane, Rose Marrinan, Naoise Murray, Michaela Lynch, Becky Madigan

Categories
Sport

Lifford prepare to mark cup success

THE victorious Lifford league and cup double winning team of 1975/76 will be the focus of celebrations when the club marks its 50th anniversary on Saturday night.

Club members past and present will gather in the Auburn Lodge Hotel to recall memories of the club’s half a century in existence.

The mid-seventies is regarded, as a golden period in the club’s long history and a special presentation will be made to members of Lifford’s double winning team on the night.

“We’re hoping for a big night to mark the 50th and the focus will be on the double winning team”, said long serving club member John O’Neill.

The club was set up in 1961 a year before the formation of the first Clare soccer league. It grew out of the ashes of another club – Ennis United – whose members played in the Limerick District Soccer League. Lifford’s founding members includ- ed Michael O’Gorman, Frank McInerney, Jimmy Coughlan, Noel Bane and Declan and Freddy Ensko. Both Michael O’Gorman and Frank McInerney were also centrally involved in setting up the Clare soccer league in 1962. Lifford played its first game in autumn of that year and under the captaincy of Syl Cosgrove, claimed the Fergus Cup in 1963. O’Neill explained that another cup victory was secured in 1968 when Lifford played under the name of Rockmount. The seventies saw Lifford enjoy a sustained period of success at adult and youths level. “The 70s were the highpoint for the club. We were always competitive”, said O’Neill. The emergence of Avenue United in 1983 presented a new challenge and new rivalry to Lifford. The club established a schoolboy’s section in 1984 with a Ladies team following in 1988. Lifford produced a number of schoolboy internationals including Gary Flynn and Alan Brooks. The Ladies team too provided a conveyor belt of talent to Irish teams. Lifford ladies also enjoyed a spectacular period of success from the early nineties onwards, winning numerous county and national titles.

For 31 years Lifford played their home games at land on the site of Our Lady’s Hospital before moving in 2007 to Cassidy Park, a € 500,000 development in Drumcliffe.

Premier league and cup success has eluded Lifford since the seventies but with the establishment of the club’s new underage academy, O’Neill is confident about the club’s future.

“We’ve come close to winning it (league) a few times but we’re well set up for the future. We have 30 kids signed up for the academy. Things are moving on”.

Lifford’s 50th Anniversary night takes place at the Auburn Lodge, Hotel Ennis on October 29. There will be a performance on the night from 12 piece orchestra, the West Coast Big Band.

Categories
Sport

Coole scoreline for Gort side

Coole FC 6 – Inch Crusaders 1 at The County Grounds, Doora

COOLE FC captured their second trophy this year with an emphatic victory over Inch Crusaders in the final of the second division league cup at the County Grounds on Sunday.

Last season’s third division league champions led by just a goal at half time but produced a storming second half display to take the trophy back to Gort.

Weather conditions were far from ideal but just like the victorious Gort hurlers, Coole FC didn’t let the heavy rain undermine their performance.

The County Grounds had been due to host the meeting between Clare and Galway in the Oscar Traynor Cup on Saturday but that was called off due to rain shortly before kick off.

However the pitch was deemed playable on Sunday morning where Inch and Coole met with the prize of some early season silverware on offer.

And it was the Gort based club who made the early breakthrough when Kyle McCarthy scored the game’s opening goal. The former Oscar Traynor panelist found the net with well-hit 20 yard strike.

Coole were ahead at the break be- fore a deluge of goals early in the second half set them on the road to victory. McCarthy’s strike partner, Danilo Bento grabbed two goals in the space of five minutes to leave Inch with a mountain to climb.

McCarthy then brought his tally for the game to two, when he converted from the penalty spot. Managers Barry McCarry and Stephen Cunniffe emptied the Coole bench as the goals continued to rain in. Substitute Liam Papendorf got his name on the scoresheet with a well-executed volley with fellow sub Savio Morentes also finding the net. Midfielder David Cahill played an instrumental role in Coole’s success, setting up three of his side’s goals. Padraig Talty struck Crusader’s lone response before Coole captain Eoin Glynn lifted the trophy.

Coole FC
Abner Cordielo, Gary Morrissey, Alex Brocard,Aidan O’Boyle,Wanderson Lasouta, Padraig Landers, David Cahill,Alan Mannion, Eoin Glynn, Kyle McCarthy, Danilo Bento

Subs
Dave Franklin, Stephen Quinn, Savio Morentes, Liam Papendorf, LeoVercnea,Anthony Coppinger

Inch Crusaders
Andy O’Flynn, DavidTalty, Thomas O’Doherty, Dean Rickter, Mark Connellan, SeanTalty,Alan Clerkin, Brian McDonnell, Padraig Talty, James Rynne,Thiago Santanna

Subs
Conor Neylon for Santanna, ColmRyan for McDonnell, Rory Killeen for Rynne

Categories
News

New byelaws for the market

NEW byelaws aimed at improving the operation and safety of the Ennis Market have been introduced in the town.

It follows confirmation from Ennis Town Council that an appeal against the new casual trading byelaws had been withdrawn.

Earlier this month, Town Manager Ger Dollard told a meeting of Ennis Town Council that the byelaws, which had been due to come into effect on October 1, could be the subject of a legal challenge.

In a statement on Friday, the council confirmed that the appeal had been withdrawn at Ennis District Court. The matter had been adjourned to Friday for consideration by the District Justice.

The byelaws provide for a revised layout for stalls at the market so as to improve general safety and operating arrangements.

Town Clerk Leonard Cleary, stated “The market is a very important part of Ennis town and is a key part of retail activity in the area. We wish people to enjoy the market experience to the maximum possible and it has been clear that the byelaws which had been in place since 1988 needed to be reviewed to reflect modern day requirements. We look forward to working with the traders on the full implementation of the byelaws so that the operation of the market can be improved in the interests of shoppers and market traders.”

The statement continues, “Ennis Town Council has major plans for the redevelopment of the entire market area and it is hoped to progress these plans in consultation with the various stakeholders when the current economic environment improves.”

Councillors voted through the byelaws at the July meeting of Ennis Town Council following two lengthy periods of public consultation.

A controversial proposal that would have allowed for the towing away of cars parked in trading spaces on trading days was removed from the final draft.

Categories
News

Brassil ‘astonished’ by DPP file on expenses

A CLARE election candidate who failed to furnish expenses statements to the Standards in Public Office Commission has told The Clare People

Categories
News

Appeal to be heard in December

AN APPEAL in relation to the sentences handed down to two Ennis men for the manslaughter of schoolteacher Brian Casey almost two years ago will take place in December.

Last year, Harry Dinan and his nephew Kevin Dinan were jailed for five and four years respectively for the manslaughter of Brian Casey (26), who was set upon and attacked on a street in Ennis on St Stephen’s night in 2009.

After the sentences were handed down at Ennis Circuit Court in November 2010, the DPP lodged an appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal on the grounds of “undue leniency”.

The appeal will be heard on December 5, at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Dublin.

In the aftermath of the sentences being handed down, The Clare People revealed that an appeal was being recommended, on the grounds that the sentences were too lenient.

“A case report is being referred to the DPP to consider the leniency of the sentence. There will be a recommendation that the leniency be looked at,” a well-placed source close to the prosecution told The Clare People at the time.

Judge Carroll Moran handed down the sentences at Ennis Circuit Court, after hearing that both Harry Dinan, of Waterpark Heights, Ennis, and Kevin Dinan, of Clarehill, Clarecastle, had several previous convictions.

Harry Dinan – who had 64 previous convictions – was on temporary release at the time of the attack, having received a four-month sentence in October 2009 for motoring offences.

Kevin Dinan – who had 17 previous convictions – was on bail at the time of the attack on Mr Casey, having pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen property, in the Circuit Court, five months earlier.

The sentencing hearing was told that Mr Casey, from Lissycasey, was entirely blameless and had “no hand, act or part” in a row that broke out between two groups at O’Connell Square, Ennis, on St Stephen’s night in 2009. His only role, the court was told, was to pick up a friend who had been knocked to the ground in a melee.

As he stood outside Carraig Donn department store with his hands in his pockets shortly before midnight, Mr Casey was struck in the face by Harry Dinan. He fell backwards onto the street. He was then punched repeatedly by Kevin Dinan.

Mr Casey was unconscious. He never regained consciousness and died in hospital two days later.

The row had broken out between two groups and was brought under control by bouncers who were working nearby. The attacks on Mr Casey were described by the prosecution as “unprovoked and cowardly”.

Judge Carroll Moran described Mr Casey’s death as “completely unnecessary” and said that while the two defendants hadn’t intended to kill him, they had intended to harm him.

He said Mr Casey had been unable to defend himself.

He jailed Harry Dinan for five years and imposed a four-year sentence on Kevin Dinan.

“I can’t pass a sentence and throw away the key, so to speak. I’m conscious of that,” he said.

Categories
News

Laura’s set for marathon challenge in Dublin

AN INAGH woman is on the countdown to a marathon challenge she is undertaking next week.

Laura Gunter will represent Clare in the Dublin City Marathon next Monday.

Laura, who is a clerical officer in the Chief Superintendent’s office at Ennis Garda Station, was chosen from 16 Clare contenders to take part in the event. The competition was run by Spar and Laura was chosen as Clare’s Spartan.

Among the criteria for those interested in getting involved was that participants hadn’t run before. Laura fitted the criteria and took on the challenge with great enthusiasm. One Startan was chosen from every county in Ireland.

“The competition was advertised in June. They were looking for people who hadn’t run before. I was interviewed. They picked one from each county. This will be a first marathon for everyone,” said Laura.

A 16-week training plan was put in place by Karl Henry from RTÉ’s Operation Transformation and Laura followed this every step of the way. She has trained four times a week and has combined short runs with longer sessions, the longest of which was 20 miles.

She is tapering down this week in the run-up to the big event and is looking forward to taking part in the marathon next week.

“A lot of the others are injured. Thankfully I’m not,” she said.

Laura did most of the training by herself, but received good guidance from her family. Her father and brother have run marathons in the past and offered great inspiration.

She has developed a love of running and intends to keep it up. “I love it. I will sign up for smaller runs. I can’t wait for the run now. It’s like waiting for Christmas. All of my family and friends will be on different parts of the route,” she said.

The competition between the 26 Spartans will be decided through voting. Laura is looking for votes, on www.spar.ie. Votes should be cast by tonight (Tuesday).

Categories
News

‘Misfiring oil burner’ temporarily closes school

OVER 600 children had to leave school early on Friday after problems emerged with a “misfiring oil burner” at Ennis National School.

The school was temporarily closed for a period on the day due to concerns over the school’s 38-year-old heating system.

An inspection of air quality carried out on Friday revealed no abnormal levels of dioxins. Parents were informed by text of the issue at around 11am and were asked to collect children.

The school has apologised to parents and pupils for any inconvenience caused.

A statement posted on the school’s website read, “Ennis National School apologises for any inconvenience caused to pupils, parents and staff as a result of the temporary closure of the school today. This action was taken due to concerns about a misfiring oil burner. Checks taken this afternoon by an independent consultant, have verified that the air quality within the school is as normal.”

The statement continued, “Depart- ment of Education and Science officials have confirmed that funding will be provided to replace the oil burner during the mid-term break.”

The school re-opened as normal yesterday. Deputy principal Tom Glynn said electric and gas heaters were being used to provide heat in the building.

He said the school hoped to have a new boiler installed after the upcoming mid term break. He explained that air quality tests had returned a “perfect reading” and that the decision to close the school was taken in the interest of health and safety. “With something like an oil fire burner you can’t take any chances,” he added.

Mr Glynn said the school has car ried out remedial work on the burner, which was installed at the school in 1973.

He said there have been no reports of injury or ill health since Friday. “We’ve had no complaints from anybody,” he added.

The school is due to move from its present location on Kilrush Road to a new site at Ashline.

Mr Glynn said the school’s board of management hope to receive the green light from the Department of Education and Skills in November to begin the tendering process. It is anticipated that work would then begin in February and be completed within 18 months.

In addition to 32 classrooms, the building will include rooms for a reading class, special education teachers and library.

The building will have an energy rating and a level of disability access, which is ahead of current regulations. Facilities for sport will include a full-size sports hall with dressing rooms and a playing pitch.

Categories
News

Kilmihil man injured in Portugal

THE community of Kilmihil is rallying around the family of Declan O’Shea, who is in a serious condition in hospital in Portugal after an accident while on holidays.

The 35-year-old fell from a third storey balcony at an apartment and was taken to hospital in Faro. He was later airlifted to a hospital in Lisbon, where his family has rushed to his bedside. A huge crowd attended Mass for him in Kilmihil at the weekend, which wasofficiated by local parish priest Fr Peter O’Loughlin.

Mr O’Shea, who is married, was understood to be attending a rally with two friends in Portugal when the freak accident occurred, last Friday week.

He is a prominent full-back on the Kilmihil senior football team and won a Senior ‘B’ county championship medal with his club two years ago. He has represented Clare in football at minor and under-21 levels.

He is a son of Oliver and Doris O’Shea, from Lack West, Kilmihil. He has worked as a mechanic in Kilrush, having spent some time living in Australia a number of years ago.