This article is from page 3 of the 2013-09-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE Clare jersey is the fashion accessory of the season, with hundreds of names on the waiting list for the en-trend clothing item and reports of some shops selling as many as six jerseys a minute.
Last evening (Monday) Elvery’s Sport, Ennis, reported that there were at least 200 names on the list for the stock of jerseys due in later today (Tuesday).
“There has been a huge impact on sales in the last three to four weeks,” said assistant manager Trisha Howard.
While there are some Clare tee shirts, jackets and hoodies still available it is the jersey, both saffron and blue and the new pink ones that are selling out in their droves.
More pink jerseys are due in later in the week, but those hoping to have number one on their back will be without a goalkeeper’s jersey until after the match as they are not going into production again until after Sunday.
“We are completely sold out,” said Bernie Chapman of Lifestyle Sports in Ennis, who is expecting a delivery by special courier on Wednesday.
“They will be gone before they even hit the floor,” she said explaining that with the waiting list well over 40 they have stopped taking names so to avoid disappointment.
“Every second customer is looking for a jersey. We counted the number of people looking for the jersey today and in one minute six people asked for a jersey,” she said.
Ramona Gleeson of All Stars Sports on the Quin Road, Ennis, had just returned from Dublin last evening (Monday) with a van full of jerseys and tee shirts when The Clare People called.
“I went four times in the last two weeks because I couldn’t wait for them to be delivered. I would have a load sold by the time they would be delivered.
“I have to go again on Friday,” said the woman who also has “pages and pages of waiting lists”.
She also brought some goalkeeper jerseys to Clare yesterday, as there will be no more available until after the All Ireland.
Tommy O’Donnell in Ennis has been providing sportswear and equipment to the people of Clare for decades, and he is also reporting a busy few weeks.
“We are tipping along,” he said not giving too much away.
He explained that while they shop sells out of the prized jersey every few days, the stock is usually back the following day.
Asked to compare the build up to 1995 he explained it was difficult “as there are less people in Ireland now and less people in Clare, but exciting nonetheless!”