Category: Sport

CALLS for Clare GAA administrators to come down hard on clubs and individuals who abuse referees will be sounded out at this Thursday night’s Clare GAA Convention, with the Clare Referees Administration Committee leading the charge against the perpetrators of abuse.

The report submitted to the Convention by the referee’s body says that “the abuse of referees has to be severely dealt with at all times and all our referees have to be protected and get the support they deserve”.

In returning to a theme that has been familiar to Convention in recent times, the report says that the scourge of abuse comes between the committee and the recruitment of new referees.

“This is an area I have great concern over, because when we manage to get a group of candidates in a room to do the foundation course and have completed it, on every occasion we find that all our efforts count for naught as a result of abuse,” it says.

“Everyone wants a referee for their game, but no one gives the beginner a chance to develop. The referee is expected to know all the rules from the very first game he does, and there is very little tolerance for mistakes.

“The abuse factor has an even deeper knock-on effect because as referees administrator for the county and charged with responsibility of recruitment of new referees, it has become increasingly more difficult to convince someone to become a knight of the whistle.

“The amount of abuse being di rected at new referees in games is seriously damaging our effectiveness in recruiting referees and is turning them away from refereeing. We have some very competent referees in Clare and they can hold their own with the best in the country.

“We also have some referees in our ranks at the moment, who are showing good potential and everything should be done to allow these to develop and progress to the stage where we will be able to avail of their services right across the whole spectrum of refereeing in Clare.”

Continuing, the report says, “The promotion of refereeing and recruitment throughout the county has come a long way over the past number of years. This needs to be broadened and developed more and the members of the County Executive have a major role to play in this.

“I firmly believe that there are lots more potential referees in the county if they were given the right signals and encouragement.

“It is most important that the perpetrators of the abuse of referees are dealt with in a manner, which will clearly show that this will not be tolerated at any level and I appeal to all clubs, team coaches and supporters to give the ref a chance.”

In 2011 the Clare Referees Administration Committee consisted of five members – County Administrator and chairman Ger Hoey, Michael O’Regan, Michael McGann, Ger Lyons and Seanie McMahon.

Limerick FC 5 – Cobh Ramblers 0 at Jackman Park, limerick

MANAGER Declan Farmer moved his Limerick U19s team further clear at the top of the Under 19 National League Southern Division with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over their closest rivals, Cobh Ramblers. Their presence at the top of the table has been bolstered greatly by the presence of Clare players including Steven McGann, Sean O’Callaghan, Rob Shier and Fatmadh Dunisha.

Cobh started brightly and could have scored early in the game, but for fleeting periods Limerick FC totally dominated this match. The home side opened the scoring after good play up the left by Limerick’s left back Anthony O’Donnell, who passed inside to centre forward Colin Daly and his perfect through-ball played to his fellow centre forward Cian Collins in who scored from a tight angle. After 20 minutes Limerick were two up: the impressive Colin Daly again put Cian Collins through and he put the ball across goal for wide-right centre forward Darragh Rainsford to tap in at the far post. Steven McGann dominated centre midfield closing down and not allowing any space for both of Cobh Ramblers centre midfielders David Curran, Dillon McNamara.

Five minutes into the second half Limerick FC took full control of the game with the third goal. A ball over the top appeared to be running through to Cobh Ramblers Goalkeeper Shane Hallahan, but as the keeper hesitated and Darragh Rainsford stole the ball to square to Col- lins who had the simple task of stroking the ball into the empty net. The visitors had a chance to get back in the game but Cobh’s centre forward Dan Santry’s header was taken off the line by Barry Sheedy.

After 20 minutes Cian Collins rounded off a ‘man of the match’ performance as he scored two in the space of a minute. On both occasions he beat the offside trap to go one-on-one with Cohb Ramblers goalkeeper Shane Hallahan and on both occasions he finished with great composure. Cobh Ramblers pushed for a consolation but came up against an outstanding defence of Stephen Walsh in goal protected by a back four of Alex Scully, Andrew Cowpar, Sean O’Callaghan and Anthony O’Donnell, who fully deserved their clean sheet.

Declan Farmer’s Limerick FC U19’s team, has developed into the form team in this division with an average of three goals per game and now four points clear of Cobh Ramblers at the top of the table.

Limerick FC

THE current state of Cusack Park is set to come up for debate at Thursday night’s gathering of the county’s Gaels, with the St Joseph’s Miltown and Sixmilebridge clubs leading the charge for the seat of Clare GAA.

These two clubs have tabled motions relating to Cusack Park, which this year celebrates 75 years as the home of Clare GAA – a landmark anniversary that was also marked by a decision by Croke Park authorities to downgrade its status by reducing the ground capacity to an all-time low of 14,864.

The first general motion on the Convention Clár comes from St Joseph’s Miltown, with their longtime county board delegate and Cusack Park loyalist, Noel Walsh set to speak on behalf of the club.

St Joseph’s want Clare County Board chairman, Michael O’Neill to “appoint a sub-committee at the first County Committee meeting in 2012 to deal with the report that has re- duced the capacity of Cusack Park”.

In addition to this, the motion calls this new sub-committee of the board “to take in all aspects” of the report which was commissioned by Croke Park and carried out Slattery & Company and make “particular reference to the re-construction of the main stand”. St Joseph’s also want any new Cusack Park sub-committee to “report to the County Committee in three months” with it’s findings and recommendations.

Meanwhile, motion number 38 on the Convention Clár from Sixmilebridge says that “when finances allow, Cusack Park be given a facelift beginning with dressing rooms, showers, toilet facilities etc.”.

The motion could be inspired from Sixmilebridge’s own experience from their county senior hurling final against Crusheen in October when there were no hot showers available after the game.

Inagh/Kilnamona will table a motion calling for an electronic scoreboard to be installed at Cusack Park.

THE CLARE Ladies Football Under 14 trials, which are run in conjunction with the Marian Keane Memorial Cup, were played out over the last three weeks and concluded this weekend at Clarecastle. 65 girls were called to attend the trials and included players who had participated in the Under 13 twelve week development program, any other interested 13 year olds and a selection of Under 12 development squad members.

The trials were well attended in very adverse weather conditions showing a massive interest in representing Clare in gaelic football. Four teams played for the Marian Keane Memorial Cup, which was accepted for her team by captain Chloe Moloney and the Shield which was accepted by captain Katie Considine for her team.

Trudy Davenport, chairperson of Doora/Barefield Ladies Football Club presented the Cup, Shield and medals for every participant.

Mentors Eimear Considine, Aine Kelly, Johnny Hayes and Alan Copley wish to thank all the players, their parents and their clubs for participating in the trials.

The panel will be selected in early January and will reassemble on Sunday, January 15 in preparation for the Under 14B Munster Championship which begins on Saturday, March 3, with fixtures to be confirmed.

CLARE GAA will be obliged to have a county board meeting every month of the year, with one notable exception to this rule – the month in which the annual County Convention takes place.

That will be the way of the future if the St Joseph’s Miltown club has it’s way when tabling a motion at this Thursday’s Convention calling for the Clare GAA by-laws pertaining to county board meetings to be amended.

The move has its genesis in the fact that after Clare’s exit from the AllIreland series in both hurling and football in late June, it wasn’t until September that a full meeting of the Clare County Board took place.

This state of affairs won’t be allowed to occur in the future if the St Joseph’s motion which says “Meetings of the Co. Committee will be held each month with one exception of the month in which the convention is held” wins the backing of a majority of clubs in the county.

St Joseph’s motion also goes further, calling on the Clare Gaels to give their support for a raft of other changes to the structures, procedures and practices that govern monthly and special county board meetings.

The west Clare club is calling for “agenda for meetings to be made available a minimum of five days before meetings”. In addition to this St Joseph’s will put forward a number of other recommendations.

“A special meeting may be called on the written request of at least four clubs from different parishes, who shall specify in their request, the reason for which the meeting is being called.

“Three days notice of ordinary meetings must be given, but in the case of a special meeting, two days shall be sufficient. Secretaries of particular sub-committees, with the approval of their chairman, may call a special meeting if deemed necessary.

“The secretary of a particular committee shall be obliged to summon a meeting provided the chairman is satisfied that the subject matter is in order. Three members shall be the quorum for all other committees, with the exception of the disciplinary committee,” the motion continues.

Meanwhile, Sixmilebridge are set to table a motion calling for six monthly meetings to be held annually. At these meetings they say the “county chairman, secretary and board delegates and manager for the most senior team in the club” be present.

“At each meeting one hour should be devoted to dealing with football matters and one hour to hurling matters. The duration of the meeting to be three hours, with the final hour for general business discussion,” the motion adds.

OUTOING County Underage PRO Alan Copley is poised to take up the role as Chairman of Clare Ladies Football at this evening’s (Tuesday) annual convention in The West County Hotel.

The Banner Ladies delegate is expected to succeed outgoing chairman Johnny Hayes who served in the role for the last four years in what was his second term at the helm.

Fergus Rovers clubman Hayes announced his decision to step down at the November board meeting and with the only other nominee, Mary Keane not standing for the position, Alan Copley is anticipated to take up the appointment while also continuing as County Underage PRO.

Outgoing Secretary Michael Fitzpatrick is the only nominee for his position as is outgoing Development Officer Michael Edwards Murphy (Kilrush) but there will definitely be a change of treasurer after Coolmeen’s long-serving county finance officer Christy O’Connor announced his intention to step down from the position recently.

Mary Kenny (Coolmeen), Colette Corry (Shannon Gaels), Johnny Hill (Fergus Rovers) and Bernie Brennan (Banner Ladies) have all been nominated for the vacancy but no clear frontrunner has yet been singled out.

There are several nominees for Vice-Chairperson (Davy Browne, Doonbeg, Johnny Hayes, Fergus Rovers and Trudy Davenport, Doora/Barefield), Assistant Secretary (James Lafferty, Bernie Kelly, Edel Conway and Trudy Davenport), Assistant Treasurer (Colette Corry, Mary Kenny, Edel Meaney, Deidre Jordan and James Lafferty) while outgoing Adult PRO Mary Keane is again nominated for the position as is Kilmihil’s Kay Considine.

There could also be changes to the overall structure of the domestic adult championships if Fergus Rovers and Doonbeg’s motions are passed on Tuesday.

Fergus Rovers’ motion proposes ‘that a review of the junior, intermediate and senior championship takes place.

At present, there are only three teams in the intermediate grade. More games are needed to have a meaningful competition.’

Doonbeg will look to take the issue a step further when proposing that Junior A and Intermediate teams be combined for next year’s championship.

On the committee front, Fergus Rovers have submitted a request to set up a PRO committee for the coming year while Doora/Barefield have done likewise on the fixtures front.

Doora/Barefield have also tabled motions to administer a designated night for ladies football matches as well as dividing development squads into two regions, one for west Clare and the other in the Ennis urban area.

The Clare Ladies Football AGM will take place in The West County Hotel in Ennis at 7pm this evening (Tuesday) and all clubs are requested to have two delegates present.

Cola ist e Mhuir e 3-4 Scoil Mhuir e & Ide, Newca st lewest 0-4 at Knockader r y, Limer ick COLAISTE Mhuire ensured that a Munster Cup would be heading back to Ennis at the weekend after a convincing win over SMI. Newcastlewest. Played on Saturday in near perfect conditions, the first half was largely dominated by both defences and scores were at a premium.

The first score of the game was a pointed free from Jane Flanagan in the tenth minute which was soon followed by a goal from impressive midfielder Leigh-Anne McMahon after a goalmouth scramble. Colaiste Mhuire had the majority of the possession in this first half but scores were hard to come by. SMI defended well with Karen O Leary and Julia Kennedy excelling and were rewarded with a point from play by Sarah Corbett leaving the half time score at 1-1 to 0-1 to Colaiste Mhuire. For the leaders, captain Leigh-Anne McMahon played well in midfield with Jane Flanagan supporting well throughout for the Ennis side.

SMI had a better start to the second half with another point from play however the Colaiste girls were soon into their stride. Jane Flanagan scored their second goal directly from a 45 and followed this with a cracking point after breaking from the halfway line. SMI fought back and were rewarded with two points without reply. However, Caoimhe Hoey put the result beyond doubt when she scored a brilliant goal. Fitness and determination were key requirements in this Munster final. This was displayed by the entire Clare team including all five subs who came on in the second half. SMI continued to attack with Laura Walshe and Aisleigh Normoyle but Colaiste defenders Siobhan McCarthy, Sarah Redmond and Aisling McMahon kept the score to one further point. Aoife O’Connor, the Colaiste goalie had a solid performance while Ria Flanagan kept the SMI defender Siobhan McMahon busy. Colaiste finished the game with two more pointed frees to seal the merited victory and deliver Munster glory for the county.

Colaiste Mhuire
Aoife O’Connor, Ria Flanagan, Niamh O’Donnell , Siobhan McCarthy ,Aisling McMahon ,Aoife Sheehan , Jane Flanagan (1-3, 2f), Leigh-Anne McMahon (1-0) (capt.), Lauren O’Donoghue, Sarah Redmond (0-1), Rebecca Windall, Eimear Neilan, Caoimhe Hoey (1-0)

Scoil Mhuire agus Ide
Mary Quilligan,Yvonne Lee, Siobhan McMahon,Aisleigh Normoyle, Jenny Hannon,Aoife O’Sullivan,Karen O’Leary, Sarah Corbett, Laura Walshe, Julia Kennedy,Abbey Butler, Liz Carmody, Emily Upton

Referee
Ger O’Dowd (Limerick)

LAST week it Ennisman Luke O’Dea who was the toast of Munster rugby on his debut when he crashed over for a try in the province’s victory for Edinburgh in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 league.

This week it was the turn of the father figure of Clare rugby, Marcus Horan, as he reached the landmark of 200 appearances for the province in Saturday’s clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

It may have ended in 19-13 defeat for Munster ahead of their crunch back-to-back Heineken Cup games against Scarlets in Thomond Park, but it was still Horan’s day as the legendary front row from Clonlara joined a select club of players in the province.

“Having played and worked with Marcus, I’ve seen the work ethic and application he brings to the game,” said another 200-club member Anthony Foley in tribute to his fellow Clareman.

“He’s been doing that week in week out over the past 13 seasons. Remember too he’s had his share of time out with illness and injury. We recognise the test of endurance he’s had to face,” added Foley.

St Ma r y’s Nenagh 1-12 St Fla nna n’s College 1-08 at Bur gess GAA Gr ounds, Tipper a r y IT SEEMED for long periods as if nothing could separate these sides as they entered the final minute of this replay on level terms once more. Indeed, it took the intervention of a 16th man to finally send the title Nenagh’s way in what was one of the most bizarre finishes in the competition’s history.

Intrigued? Well, Brid Quinn’s superb 59th minute solo and point edged Nenagh in front for the first time in 35 minutes but true to form, Niki Kaiser-led St Flannan’s were not about to give up without one hell of a fight. The Newmarket starlet’s injury-time shot for goal was somehow tipped away for a ’45, one which the unerring Kaiser would have put over in her sleep to send the game into a deserved period of extra-time.

Instead, the scorekeeper’s miscalculation, whether intentionally or not, gave St Mary’s an extra point on the scoreboard, thus lulling St Flannan’s into the false presumption of being two points down and thus needing a goal. As a result, instead of Kaiser taking a equalising point, influential centre-back Aoife Keane was nominated to drop the ’45 into the square in search of a goal. A move that ultimately proved fruitless as Nenagh eventually cleared and even managed to goal with the last move of the game on the counter-attack.

It was an exceedingly cruel way for the Ennis side to exit the championship and after 120 minutes of compelling action, both sides deserved to battle it out further in extra-time. After all, St Flannan’s had somehow recovered from an uncharacteristically sluggish start to lead for the majority of the second half, with Niki Kaiser imperious throughout in grabbing all of her side’s scores.

But perversely, perhaps that overreliance on the 16 year old was part of the reason St Flannan’s found themselves in such a precarious position late on. In the drawn game, four others had chipped in with a combined total of 3-1 but on this occasion, the scoring duties were solely left to Niki Kaiser who had to endure a lot of punishment from Nenagh in the process. Instead, St Mary’s, backed by a more balanced scoring division, proved the more rounded threat, with six different players sharing the scoring duties.

That threat was most felt early on as the home side hit the ground running to open up a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage by the 12th minute, with Brid Quinn leading the charge. St Flannan’s were stuck to the ground but by bringing out Kaiser to the wing, they did finally gain a foothold in the game.

Also instrumental in that comeback was the Kilnamona half-back duo of Aoife Keane and Sinead Quinn, with the latter in particular halting Nenagh’s charge. Four more Niki Kaiser points, allied to Nenagh’s seven wind-assisted wides and a superb reflex save by St Flannan’s goalkeeper Suzy O’Shea saw the away side only trail by two at the break at 0-7 to 0-5.

That advantage was cancelled out only five minutes after the restart when Niki Kaiser’s 30 metre pull was fumbled by goalkeeper Ciara Holohan. Inspired by this, two further frees from the Newmarket senior pushed the Ennis side 1-7 to 0-8 clear by the 39th minute.

Inevitably however, the home side came charging back once more with main performers Brid Quinn and Tara Kennedy gaining parity by the turn of the final quarter to set up another grandstand finish.

And it didn’t disappoint either as Niki Kaiser earned and converted a 51st minute free to give her side the edge only for Ciara McGrath and Brid Quinn to turn the tie on it’s head again by the 59th minute.

At this stage, the scoreboard was correct but what would happen between then and St Flannan’s injurytime ’45 can only be answered by the scorekeeper as the final minutes played out to it’s cruel end.

Had that been St Flannan’s final act of the year, it would have been trully heartbreaking. However, with an All-Ireland quarter-final to come in January, St Flannan’s still have another opportunity to display their undoubted, true potential. Whether against 15 or 16.

St Mary’s Nenagh
Ciara Holohan (Burgess-Duharra), Rachel Kennedy (Silvermines), Roisin Ryan (Moneygall), Mary Walsh (Kilruane),Alanah Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg),Aisling Cremin (Burgess-Duharra), Paula Kelly (Silvermines), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess-Duharra) (0-2), Leah McKeogh (Portroe),Aileen Duggan (Nenagh Éire Óg) (0-1), Brid Quinn (Silvermines) (0-5 1f, 1’45), Ciara McGrath (Nenagh Éíre Óg) (1-1), Claire Kearns (Burgess-Duharra), Sarah Cunneen (Silvermines) (0-1),Tara Kennedy (Burgess-Duharra) (0-2)

IN A detailed Clare Senior Camogie Report compiled by selector Sinead Donovan, a dramatic year in which there was a change of management midway through the season was honestly reflected.

“Season 2010/11 was a moderately successful season despite management changes mid-season. In all 34 players were involved in the Clare panel throughout the season. With what would be considered bad results in the league and Munster Final, the team overcame these set-backs to perform well in the All Ireland Series. Clare finished fifth with two wins from seven including a first win over Tipperary at senior level. Although aiming to achieve more wins, the panel of players performed extremely well in a number of games; specifically against Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford.

“With the confidence and belief gained following these performances during the championship the future looks bright for Clare Camogie at senior level. The key to further success next season will most certainly be the migration of a very successful minor team to the senior set-up while maintaining the current experience within the squad and increasing the intensity levels in training.”

Aided by statistics of player training attendance records from April to July that averaged only 52% and only six players with an 80% training record or over, individual perform- ances were examined before outlining the challenges for the incoming senior management team of John Carmody (Kilmaley), Flan McInerney (Sixmilebridge), Trisha O’Grady (Newmarket-on-Fergus) and Peter Casey (The Burren) and Patricia McCarthy (Inagh).

“Certainly the biggest challenge will be maintaining full panel commitment for the entire season. With those players who have leaving certificate and college exams in addition to those working weekends, it becomes difficult for those players to commit fully during this time.

“The challenge will be to ensure there is sufficient numbers outside these girls to ensure healthy numbers can be maintained so the quality of training sessions does not suffer. This is important to ensure continuity and tempo at training during one of the critical stages prior to the start of the championship.

“Another challenge will be balancing the girls’ club commitments and those of other sports with the county teams’ schedule. This certainly proved a problem during last season with many players displaying signs of fatigue during the championship series.

“It would be beneficial if an agree- ment could be reached with all clubs as to their expectations of their county players with respect to training and match involvement. This is vital to ensure players are in the best condition possible for competitive matches and also to keep injuries to a minimum.

“In summary 2010/11 was a season where the Clare Senior team saw glimpses of what was possible. With a core group of dedicated and experienced players, a very talented minor team emerging and following a very successful club season in Clare Camogie, it is certain there is a group of players capable of achieving a break- through season for the Clare Senior Camogie in 2011/12”