Category: Sport

A CLARE inventor and businessman, who has sold his revolutionary glasses to some of the world top golfers, including Tiger Woods, will this month launch his patented Smart Vision Method in Ireland.

Kilmaley native, Tony McMahon, has returned to Ireland after spending 26 years living in America and will launch the Smart Vision Method In Clare later this month. The key element of the method is a pair of specially designed glasses which work to limit and focus the golfers view during a swing.

The idea for the glasses came from Tony’s childhood in west Clare, when he used to train horses with his father and noticed how much calmer and more focussed the glasses made them.

“The idea came to me that maybe there could be some advantages to limiting and focussing a golfers view – in the same way as we did with the horse all those years ago,” he said.

“The glasses work by getting rid of the information that you don’t need which allows you to focus on the information that is really important for playing golf. There are too many things going on for someone who is learning golf. They are expected to line up their body, get into the correct posture, develop their golf swing and then hit the ball.

“The method breaks it down to one skill at a time. You put on the glasses and get your body position right. Then you graduate up to the quarter swing and then the half swing before you getup to the full swing.”

Along with the use of the glasses the method includes a number of oneto-one coaching sessions designed to allow golfers to get to know how best to use the glasses.

“The whole idea is not that people would be using the glasses on the gold course – it that they would train themselves so that they wouldn’t need to wear the glasses anymore,” continued Tony.

“After using the method for half an hours of more, in blocks of 10 minute session, it begins to get ingrained in your brain. To learn a new skill and keep that information for life can be done in about 21 days – and then that is there forever. Proper coaching is important because the last thing that they want is to pick up bad habits so I like to coach the people myself – but I would hope to open up a series of trained coaches all around the country to teach people about the method.

“It like learning to ride a bike you can’t learn how to ride a bike by reading a book. But once you learn how to cycle you can cycle for any length on any bike.”

Kilrush Shamrocks 0-11 – Shannon Gaels 1-08 at Cooraclare

IT WAS the result that neither side wanted but in the cold light of day, it was possibly the fairest outcome of what was overall an entertaining encounter. Perhaps it wasn’t the most glamourous of end-of-year prizes but Kilrush and Shannon Gaels played as if it was the main decider in Cusack Park, such was the desire to finish the year on a high.

Essentially, both sides could pick through the bones of where this game could have been won or lost. Shannon Gaels led for over three-quarters of the contest but still had to scramble for a 62nd minute Sean Reynolds 40 metre equalising point.

On the flip side, Kilrush will probably feel that they had done enough after kicking four points without reply late on to usurp the lead for the first time in over 30 minutes but where their real regret will lie is that they were unable to pass goalkeeper Keith Ryan over the hour.

Ryan was simply immense for the Gaels, making three top class saves to keep his side in the contest, with the highlight being his 52nd minute smothering body block that denied Ruaidhri O’Connor a certain goal. Indeed, goal chances were to play a major part in proceeedings, with Kilrush guilty of wasting five golden opportunities.

However, it was Shannon Gaels who would have the first sight at goal in the fifth minute amidst a very bright start that saw John Paul O’Neill, Bryan Cunningham and Shane Tubridy hoist them to a three point advantage. Noel Kennedy picked out O’Neill whose shot beat goalkeeper Tony Burke but was kept out by the legs of Niall Gilbride.

Kilrush finally found their feet and in the next 15 minutes, they would kick five points without reply with their lively full-forward line of Stephen Sweeney, Owen Tarrant and Ruaidhri O’Connor beginning to cause major headaches for the Gaels’ rearguard. It should have been more too as after points from O’Connor and Padjo McGrath, Tarrant pulled a shot just wide of the goal. Four minutes later, the full-forward turned provider for the onrushing Sweeney whose stinging effort was excellently tipped over by Ryan.

A Jim Young free finally gave Kilrush the lead in the 22nd minute but the one man wall in the Gaels goal continued to frustrate them. In the 24th minute an O’Connor shot appeared destined for the top corner of the net, only for Ryan to get a hand to it and tip the ball onto the post while a minute later, Tarrant came raiding once more but opted for power over placement and his effort flew over the crossbar to give his side a 0-5 to 0-3 25th minute advantage.

That plethora of missed chances was magnified when against the run of play, Shannon Gaels would show them the way to goal two minutes later. Again Noel Kennedy and John Paul O’Neill combined but this time the full-forward was prevented a goalscoring opportunity and was deservedly given a penalty that captain John Neylon duly disptached.

With that, the Gaels began to motor once more, with Kennedy and O’Neill adding points before the interval to hand them an unlikely 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead.

Kilrush needed a spark to reignite their flame and it came in the form of substitutes Peadar McMahon and Donal O’Sullivan who would make a decided difference in the second period. Progress was slow initially as the Gaels were able to match what the Shams could throw at them, despite another goal chance for Sweeney that went straight at Ryan. However, as the half wore on, the Gaels tired and Kilrush used that opportunity to slowly reel them in during the final quarter.

Of course, realising that the goal option was pointless, especially after Ryan’s breathtaking 52nd minute save from O’Connor, Kilrush cleverly took their chances over the bar after getting the ball rolling in the 48th minute through Sweeney.

With five minutes remaining, two points still separated the sides but as fatigue set in, the Gaels also lost their discipline as Peadar McMahon gladly converted three late frees to snatch the lead in the 59th minute.

In truth, the Gaels didn’t look like they could muster up an equaliser but in a last gasp attack John Neylon and Fergal Kenny did the spadework for Sean Reynolds to unleash a 40 metre final punt that just about stayed inside the left post.

With that, the final whistle sounded and while both managers looked for extra-time, the subsequent intermediate final meant that there was no time for that to happen and the sides must do it all over again.

CLARE begin their Oscar Traynor campaign with a tricky looking first round tie against the Limerick League in Jackman Park, Limerick tomorrow night (kickoff 7.30pm)

Clare have been pitted in the same group as last year and after their game against Limerick will face a home tie against Galway. Former Rineanna Rovers, Shannon Olympic and Bunratty manager Colm Ryan is the man tasked with guiding Clare into the knockout stages. Ryan is joined on the coaching ticket by Avenue United stalwart John O’Malley and CDSL Munster delegate, Thomas Leahy.

Avenue United’s David Russell will captain a Clare side that will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the outcome of last year’s game between the same sides at the County Grounds. On that occasion, Limerick eased to a 3-2 victory. The visitors took the lead through Pike Rovers’ prolific marksman Alan Barry. Stephen Hickey equalized for Clare but Limerick gradually asserted their authority with goals from Barry and former League of Ireland player Brian Cleary. Damien O’Rourke bagged a late consolation goal for Clare.

Going by the quality of Limerick’s squad alone, Clare face a formidable task. Manager Aidan Ryan has assembled a panel again sprinkled with the heavyweights of the club scene in Limerick. Former Limerick FC striker John Tierney will offer a serious threat to Clare alongside Pike Rovers clubmates Alan Barry and Jonathon Grant. Janesboro, who currently occupy third place in the KBO Premier League provide four players while there is also a strong presence from Fairview Rangers and Carew Park.

Clare warmed up for the Oscar Traynor with a 1-1 challenge game against Hermitage while a side that featured numerous changes at half time eventually went down 4-1 in a friendly tie against the Limerick Desmond league.

CDSL Chairman and former Oscar Traynor manager Donie Garrihy, oversaw a the final training session in Lees Road on Sunday.

Organisation and concentration will be key to Clare’s chances in Limerick tomorrow night. If the visitors can limit their opponent’s ability to engineer chances from wide areas then the creative abilities and pace of Eoin Glynn, Colin Ryan and David McCarthy could cause plenty of problems for Limerick. The Clare squad selected for the Limerick game is as follows: John Healy (Avenue Utd) Joe Burke (Hermitage) David Russell (Avenue Utd) (Capt) Matty Nugent (Avenue Utd) Simon Cuddy (Avenue Utd) Darren Murphy (Bridge Utd) Darren Cullinan (Newmarket Celtic) Ritchie Fitzgerald (Hermitage) Shane Daniels (EnnisTown Rock) Con Collins (Avenue Utd) Packie Darcy (Lifford) Daryl Eade (EnnisTown Rock) Eoin Glynn (EnnisTown Rock) Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic) Colin Ryan (Newmarket Celtic) Jay Regan (Shannon Olympic) Lunga Balman (Lifford) David McCarthy (Avenue Utd) Gary Collins (Newmarket Celtic) Ryan Boyle (Lifford)

Tubber 0-11 – Crusheen 0-06 at Cusack Park, Ennis

A BETTER balanced and physically stronger Tubber side overcame a spirited challenge from Crusheen’s third string side to secure the Junior B hurling league title. Both sides who lost at the semi final stage of the championship met in Corofin on Saturday with Tubber strongly fancied to take the laurels.

Crusheen started without the services of three key players Conor O Brien, Paul O Donnell and Keith Lenihan due to injury as Padraic O Malley opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. Declan Ryan who ended the game with six points, two from play opened Tubber’s account after five minutes. Over the course of the hour each score was hard won with Tubber benefitting from continuous Crusheen fouling and poor shot selection.

Niall Kearney and Edward Fogarty (free) responded for Crusheen as Ryan did likewise for Tubber. Ger Brohan and Damian Quinn was also on target with a point each to leave the winners (0-7) to (0-5) ahead at the break. Crusheen brought on two substitutes for the second half restart and Tubber were most fortunate not to concede at least one goal in the opening five minutes of the new half as Crusheen had three clear goal opportunities through the efforts of Ni- all Kearney, Alan Griffin and Philip O Donnell but spurned each chance.

Tubber rallied with points from Ryan and Paddy O Connor as Crusheen despite ample possession could not create scores thanks to a strong Tubber rearguard. Evan O Donoghue and Ryan rounded off the winners scoring as Niall Griffin managed a late consolation point for Crusheen whose third team has been promoted in the junior b league in the last two years. Tubber, will for their successful efforts be plying their trade in the junior A league next season.

Best for Tubber were Cathal O Grady, Oliver Taaffe, Francis McCormack, Mark Waters, Shane Mc- Mahon, Micheal Kelly, Declan Ryan, Ger Brohan and Damian Quinn. Crusheen had strong displays from the excellent Darren O Connor at corner back, John Hanrahan, Emmet O Connor, Ethan O Donnell, Edward Fogarty, Niall Griffin and Youen Horner.

After the game Irish officer of clare county board Tom Burke presented the Junior B league hurling cup to Tubber captain Cyril Cunningham.

Tubber
Cathal OGrady, Dermot Taaffe, Oliver Taaffe, Mark

Waters, Micheal Kelly, Shane McMahon, Kevin Conroy, Francis McCormack, Cyril Cunningham, Declan Ryan (0-6), David Fogarty, Damian Quinn (0-1), Ger Brohan (0-2), David Conroy, Nigel Naughton.

Subs
Paddy OConnor (0-1) for Conroy, Evan O Donoghue (0-1) for Nigel Naughton.

Crusheen
John Hanrahan, Darren OConnor, Emmet O Connor, Eoin Ryan, Enda OBrien, Damian Murphy, Edward Fogarty (0-2), Ethan ODonnell, Philip O Donnell, Padraic OMalley (0-1), Niall Griffin (0-1), Alan Griffin, Niall Kearney (0-1), SeanWeir (0-1), Brendan Keehan.

Subs
Youen Horner for Alan Griffin, Paul O Donnell for Keehan, Raymond Hassett for Murphy, Damian OConnor for Kearney Anthony Rodgers for OBrien.

Referee
John Dolan (Clarecastle)

Lifford 6 – Newmarket Celtic 2 at The County Grounds, Doora

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St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 2-7 – Wolfe Tones 0-7 at Cusack Park, Ennis

WHEN Faughs ended 40 years of western rule when bringing Jack Daly east in 1994, a feature of that landmark campaign was Kieran O’Neill’s gut-wrenching runs from midfield.

If ever there was a case for like father like son, it was on Sunday as Alan O’Neill was his old man incarnate as he ran and kicked a standalone team from The Parish into their first county football final in 113 years.

Back then it was the Doora Raparees – on this day it was two raps of O’Neill’s right boot that produced wonder goals and completed St Josephs’ remarkable journey from relegation candidates to county finalists.

The first came 14 minutes into the game that put The Parish 1-1 to 0-1 ahead and in control, the second with nine minutes of normal time left killed the game and catapulted them into dreamland.

And, thoroughly deserved was this triumph too, because it was St Joseph’s who rose to the challenge on this penultimate round tie in a big way, while the Shannon men flopped – the second time in four years they’ve failed to take their quarterfinal form into a semi-final clash in Cusack Park.

Back then it was a driven Lissycasey who ended their hopes – St Joseph’s were certainly cut from the same cloth on this day because the combination of O’Neill’s goals and their point-taking ability from play elevated them onto a different class and proved far too much for a Tones side that miss-fired badly in front of goal.

Proof of the Tones’ problems came with the substitution of frontline forwards Gary Leahy and Kevin Cahill in the second half. Stephen Mona- ghan and Daniel Gallery also failed to score from play, as other than Chris Dunning’s 23rd minute effort all their scores came from frees.

Measured against St Josephs’ 2-5 from play, this was a miss-match, with The Parish cruising to the final frontier in a canter not seen in the club since the hurlers were in their pomp from 1998 to 2001.

A tense opening saw the sides miss chances before Daniel Gallery landed a 45 in the third minute, but St Josephs’ ability to score from play was showcased in the tenth minute when Enda Lyons and Cathal O’Sullivan teed up Cathal Duggan for a point.

There was more to come, with Alan O’Neill’s 60-yard run through the heart of a retreating Tones defence the stuff of legend, especially when he finished it off by drilling low to the net from 14 yards.

St Joseph’s never looked back with Cathal O’Sullivan, David O’Brien and Kevin Dilleen landing fine points from play, while O’Brien also stroked over a free from the hands to give his side a double-scores lead of 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

The Tones were lethargic – despite Patsy Keyes’ best efforts at midfield – and just about stayed afloat when Stephen Monaghan landed two frees either side of a fine point from play by Chris Dunning.

The introduction of Aaron Cunningham at half-time did give them some impetus, but still, two Mona- ghan frees was all they had to show for the first 15 minutes of the half, while the difference in class between the sides was personified in the 37th minute when mercurial play-maker Colm Mullen ghosted up the shed side and arced a great point over the bar at the Stamer Park end of the field.

The Tones did have a chance to peg it back to a two-point game in the 50th minute but Monaghan missed an easy free, while inside a minute another surge by O’Neill settled the game. This time he thundered forward, latched on to a Paul Dullaghan pass and blasted low to the net once more.

You could say it was exhibition stuff when Enda Lyons floated over a great point in the 52nd minute to but St Joseph’s 2-7 to 0-6 clear and on the high road to the most significant win in their football history.

Hurling bluebloods in the stand and shed were even bellowing as The Parish navigated through seven minutes of injury time to reach the Promised Land of a county final.

Football GUBU you could call it, given where they were after their opening two championship games and four points down 25 minutes into their third game.

Back from the dead, you could say.

Richly deserved though.

Avenue United 2 – Moher Celtic 0 at The County Grounds, Doora

IT was a magnificent achievement for this Moher Celtic team to reach the final frontier of the under 13 cup for the first time. In three seasons they’ve come from Division 4 to the top flight and in this final against the bluebloods of Avenue Utd they put up a titanic struggle before bowing out by a couple of goals in the second half.

There was nothing between the sides in the first half with both defences coping with any attacks that came their way, with Avenue coming closest to breaking the deadlock just before the interval when Anthony Lacey stretched to tip Patrick McDaid’s effort over the bar.

The second half followed a similar pattern before Tomás Hehir broke the deadlock 14 minutes from time with a free kick, while Avenue sealed their victory with a second from Mark McAuliffe six minutes from time.

Moher Celtic kept trying to the end though, forcing Paddy Honan into making a brilliant save from a goalbound effort from midfielder Ciaran Buckley.

TO say that St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield have navigated under the radar to reach a county final is putting it mildly, but their cover was well and truly blown by this command performance.

Underdogs beforehand they swept to a comprehensive victory that some afficionados in maroon could scarcely believe – those on the outside that is, because within the lair of the team they felt it coming as selector Kieran Kelleher explained afterwards.

“Even after losing the first two games in the championship there was ambition in this team,” he revealed seconds after their six-point win. “Before the Shannon Gaels game we had a challenge against Monaleen and the lads played well on that day and seemed to get more focused and get more of a drive in them.

“We knuckled down against Shan- non Gaels and got a good win. The lads have worked hard over the last month – they are a great bunch of lads and the just rewards are here today. We told them there was no point coming into a semi-final and not playing well. We had to go the whole way,” he added.

They were listening, especially Alan O’Neill, whose addition to the team in recent games has been one of the catalysts for a football uprising in The Parish not seen since the Doora Rapparees marked the cententary of the 1798 Rebellion by beating the storied Ennis Dals in the final.

“Alan came into us late, the fact that he’s involved in hurling and football in the parish and with the county, we didn’t want to bring him in too early. He came in very fresh and he has been a real driving force for us,” revealed Kelleher.

“The two goals were top class. He carried the ball 80 yards for that goal – the determination in him was something his father used to do, to inspired those around him and drag people into the game. It showed that if we ran at them we could open them up. The second goal was huge too because it came at a time when we were making a few mistakes and needed it to get over the line.

“It’s great to be there. We haven’t looked at Kilmurry yet but record is second to none. What they’ve achieved over the last few years is remarkable. Apart from winning seniors, a Munster club and contesting an All-Ireland they were going for six-in-a-row in under 21 a few years back.”

Who stopped them? St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield of course.

Éire Óg 0-17 – Parteen 1-09 at Shannon

ÉIRE ÓG are only 60 minutes away from an eagerly anticipated return to the top tier after eventually seeing off the challenge of Parteen on Saturday. Granted, they made hard work of it at times and can’t claim to have produced their most effective display of the championship but after two knock-out defeats in as many years, getting over the line by any means possible was the Ennis side’s only concern.

In truth, it was their superior firepower and strength-in-depth that essentially won the day after Joe O’Connor’s 42nd minute goal had gained parity for Parteen. Danny Russell’s frees along with a blistering five minutes from former county senior Barry Nugent regained control for the Townies while county minor Shane O’Donnell simply tortured the Parteen defence upon his introduc tion in the 41st minute. The fact that Éire Óg had the luxury of bringing on All-Ireland intermediate winner Ronan Keane and Munster minor winner O’Donnell only further emphasised the superior strength of their squad.

Parteen had no such selection headaches and while they were infinitely better than their previous outing against Ruan, poor shooting cost them dearly. Up against the best forward division in the championship, Parteen needed big performances from their leaders and a clinical edge to upset the odds. Six first half wides against the breeze was decisive and while their tactic of playing the impressive Darragh Yelverton as a sweeper as well as some of their short puck-outs did disrupt the flow of Éire Óg for long periods, they needed to take every available scoring opportunity.

Parteen did have a great start against the conditions when surging 0-3 to 0-1 clear by the eleventh minute thanks to scores from Paraic O’Connor, Martin Moroney and Ivan Conway.

Éire Óg settled, mainly through the unerring free-taking of Danny Russell who picked off four of his side’s opening six scores to secure a 0-6 to 0-4 turnaround by the 19th minute. By the half’s end, there were three points in the difference at 0-8 to 0-5 and Parteen would have been satis- fied to have held the Townies with the wind to come.

Noel Whelan opened the second half scoring after only 30 seconds to extend it to a four point game but it was Parteen who crept back into the tie, with county minor Martin Moroney central to that charge.

After Ivan Conway’s 33rd minute point, Moroney would cut the deficit further and in the 42nd minute, pro- duced a mazy solo run through the heart of the Éire Óg defence to set up the equalising goal. There was a large element of fortune involved as well as his shot for goal rebounded off the body of an Éire Óg defender and fell into the path of Joe O’Connor who doubled to the net.

Éire Óg needed leaders and while Mark Fitzgerald was inspired throughout, who better than Barry Nugent to take up the mantle over the next five minutes. It was as if he had an X-Men-like magnetic force for leather as the ball was drawn to his hand on five separate occasions, yielding four successive scores. First he earned a free for Russell to convert and then hit three points in as many minutes to push his side clear once more.

If that wasn’t problematic enough for the previously miserly Parteen defence, substitute Shane O’Donnell came on to terrorise them thereafter, earning three frees for Danny Russell to arrow over the crossbar as Parteen ran out of steam. Having successfully avoided this potentially tricky banana skin, the Townies will take some stopping now.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-22 – Tubber 0-16 at Clarecastle

THE Blues don’t really want to be here, but on this display they can’t be accused of not wanting to embrace what is effectively a chase for ninth place in the county senior pecking order in 2011.

It was their energy and urgency even the passion displayed by Darren O’Connor when venting his frustration about being substituted early in the second half – that helped sweep them to this comfortable 12-point success on Saturday afternoon.

The job of journeywork that was advancing to the semi-final was really done by half-time as they moved 1- 11 to 0-11 clear when playing against the strong breeze, an advantage that enabled them to gradually turn the screw in the second half as Tubber’s challenge gradually petered out.

A 1-11 haul by Colin Ryan led the way for the Blues, with his 19th minute goal from a 21-yard free driving his side 1-9 to 0-7 clear of a game Tubber side that stayed competitive thanks to Blaine Earley’s accuracy.

The sides were level on four occasions inside the first ten minutes, with Earley hitting three points for Tubber in addition to Shane O’Connor’s opener while Enda Barrett, Martin O’Hanlon and Colin Ryan (2) were on the mark for the Blues.

Indeed it was the Blues’ greater spread of scorers that showed up the difference between the two sides – Anthony Kilmartin, Enda Kelly, Eoin Hayes David Barrett and Shane O’Brien, not to mind the free scoring Colin Ryan that kept them in front all through the half.

Seven points without reply in the first 15 minutes after half-time killed the game as the Blues moved 1-18 to 0-11 ahead, with Anthony Kilmar tin, Shane O’Brien, David Barrett, Stephen Kelly and Colin Ryan (3) on the mark.

Clive Earley grabbed Tubber’s first point of the half in the 47th minute, but they were restricted to only five in the half while Newmarket matched their first half tally of 1-11 in cruising to victory.

Three points in row between the 50th and 55th minute via Blaine Earley (2) and Patrick O’Connor left only seven between the sides but the Blues cranked up once more with a strong a strong finish that was embellished when Anthony Kilmartin slammed to the net in the final minute.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Kieran Devitt, Shane O’Brien, Stephen Kelly (0-1), Padraig Gilmartin, Darren O’Connor, James

McInerney, Enda Barrett (0-1), Martin O’Hanlon (0-3), Eoin O’Brien, Shane O’Brien (0-2), David Barrett (0-2), Enda Kelly (0-1), Eoin Hayes (0-1), Anthony Kilmartin (1-2), Colin Ryan (1-10, 1-6f, two 65).

Subs
Alan Barrett for O’Connor, JimMcInerney for Hayes, Sean O’Connor for Stephen Kelly, James Liddy for Enda Kelly

Tubber
RonanTaaffe, Eoin Ruane, Mark Earley, John O’Connor, Fergal O’Grady, Patrick O’Connor (03f), Conor Earley, Clive Earley (0-2), Ger O’Connor, David O’Donoghue (0-1), Shane O’Connor (0-1), Nigel O’Donoghue, Dara O’Connor, Justin McMahon (0-1), Blaine Earley (0-8, 6f).

Subs
Tommy Lee for Dara O’Connor.

Man of the Match
Colin Ryan (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield)