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terday that the loss “is not an issue of concern” to the company.

The losses – which follow a surplus

of €5,800 in 2007 – have been ab-

sorbed by the company’s accumulat-

ed surplus, which stood at €106,110 at the start of 2008. At year end, this was reduced to €39,781.

Last April, the Health Service Ex- ecutive (HSE) ended 24-hour A&E services at Ennis and Nenagh Gen- eral Hospitals in spite of protests from GPs.

Since then, there has been a 22 per cent increase in calls to Shannon- doc’s Ennis service between 8pm and 8am while calls to the Nenagh service increased by 33 per cent.

Mr Maher said, “There have been operational difficulties, but we have worked around them and have had the flexibility to deal with any is- sues. We are coping well enough.

The service has been helped by the HSE providing an additional doctor in Ennis and Nenagh between 8pm and 2am since April.”

Last year, it cost €6.1 million to provide the Shannondoc service and the company’s greatest source of funding came from the HSE, which increased its contribution from €4.3 million to €4.6 million.

Mr Maher said, “The worry big con- cern for next year is that our funding will be cut and the impact that will have on services. We have become embedded in the health service in the region.”

Shannondoc’ provides primary medical cover for GPs during out-

of-surgery hours for the mid-west, excluding Limerick city.

Last year the service dealt with 95,217 calls. This represented an in- crease of 5.7 per cent on calls in 2007 and the area to show the highest in- crease was Kilrush at 25 per cent.

The director’s report recorded that, for the first time, the number of pa- tients dealt with by doctors has de- creased, if only very slightly at 340 eT (oNlhSe

The service employs 134 staff made up of 43 drivers, 51 medical staff and 40 in administration with employ- ment costs increasing by eight per cent from €3.8 million to €4.2 mil- lion

TRICK-OR-TREAT. A phrase that aptly summed up Whitegate’s Hal- loween adventure on Saturday as they followed the well worn path of Clooney/Quin, Clonlara and Broad- ford into the latter stages of the pro- visional intermediate championship.

The trick for Whitegate was mani- fold, beginning with the Munster Council’s decision to take the game out of Whitegate to the enclosed con- fines of neighbours Scariff, a venue that has been a veritable graveyard for the club over the past two years. It also refers to the county’s unwel- come tradition of only leaving a week between the county final and the Munster campaign, insufficient time really to prepare for such an im- portant competition.

Add in the fact that Whitegate tend to start slowly and this could have been a a real Halloween horrorshow for the east Clare side. Crucially though, through the ever depend-

able George Waterstone, who again scored all of Whitegate’s four first- half points for the second week in succession, the county champions only found themselves two points in arrears at the break at 0-6 to 0-4.

With the wind at their backs, Tip- perary champions Davins_ should have been cruising by half-time but while they were dominant for long periods through centre-back anchor Lee Mackey and the running of William O’Dwyer and Noel Butler, their inability to turn possession into scores repeatedly frustrated them. As did the dogged performances from Whitegate’s John Bugler, Thomas eC) I EiCe Mr TiOMMWF:lKo nice) etee

The treat duly arrived with a storm- ing second-half display from the home side who, in keeping with the festive day, appeared like a side pos- sessed as they threw off the shackles of a below par opening period.

The Davins two point advantage was wiped out after only four minutes when the impressive John Minogue

and a Waterstone free gained parity for their side and from the puck-out, Thomas Holland put Whitegate into the lead for the first time with an in- spirational score from halfway.

Now brimming with confidence, Whitegate proceeded to haunt the Davins with their half-back line of Thomas Holland, Brendan Bugler and Jason Malone again proving to be Whitegate’s strongest line by cut- ting off the South Tipperary side’s supply to their front six.

It forced the Tipperary champions back and allowed Whitegate to lay siege on the opposition goals as Wa- terstone converted another free be- fore Stephen Malone completed the purple patch with a goal in the 37th minute.

It came out of nothing really as Carrick Davins full-back Richard McGrath beat Malone to the ball in the right corner, only to dig his hur- ley into the heavy surface. Malone did the rest by gathering possession and ghosting past the remaining de-

fenders before hammering the ball past goalkeeper Ed McGrath.

Not having scored in the half while conceding an unanswered 1-6, that goal proved to be the death knell for Carrick Davins, who all too easily dropped their heads after that. Mikey Cronin secured their first point in 16 minutes through a free in the 40th minute but by now, Whitegate were rampant and further points from Wa- terstone and captain Patrick Minogue saw them pull 1-10 to 0-7 clear by the turn of the final quarter.

In an effort to regain a foothold in the game, the Davins brought back Shane Butler as a third midfielder but that tactic only played in White- gate’s hands even further as former county senior Thomas Holland now had a free reign in the half-back line to sweep up any danger that Carrick would pose.

An Jan Fahy lineball and another Waterstone effort cancelled out the Davins mini-revolt of two Cronin frees, with the final nail in the Tip-

perary champions’ coffin coming when Lee Mackey blazed a 20 me- tre free over the bar instead of at the intended target before substitute Michael O’Brien finished the scoring for the home side.

A typically spirited fightback en- Sured there were no real scares for the east Clare side on this occasion but the celebration bonfires are still burning strong as Whitegate march on to another home tie for the sem1- jnbOr-N IS

Gavin is well known aan his time with De Dannan and has worked

with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

However, their concert at the Old Ground Hotel on Sunday, November 8, as part of the Ennis Trad Festival, brings the pair together for a rare joint appearance.

Festival Chairman, John Rynne ex- plained that the concert promises to be one of the highlights of the week- Koyatemy oyueyeaucbeebeates

He said, “Tony McMahon who is from here in town, an accordion player. Frankie 1s a fiddle player, of De Dannan fame, RTE producer, he’s done all that sort of thing. The two of them, they are like lions of the trad1- tion, if you like. They are two very long established big names. You have the Noel Hills, the Matt Molloys, the Chieftains, Frankie Gavin and Tony McMahon, Christy Moore, Donal

Lunny, they’re the big names.”

Rynne added, ““They’re doing a duet together and I haven’t found anybody else, apart from myself, who’s actual- ly heard them doing a duet together, playing together. They’ve both been in all sorts of arrangements and done all sorts of concerts and shows and television and every sort of thing. Individually they’re extremely well known and regarded. But as a combi- nation they’ve been rarely heard. So it should be really special.”

Ennis native Tony McMahon’s con- tribution to Irish folk music, both as a broadcaster and as one of Ireland’s most remarkable musicians, has been singular and unmatched. His music has been variously described as both transporting and transforming.

Sharing the stage on this night will be Galway fiddler Frankie Gavin.

Frankie who hails from Corrandul- la, has recorded 16 albums with De Dannan as well as a number of solo albums, and three collaborations: one a tribute to Joe Cooley entitled

THE contest for the highly sought after Clare vacancy on the GAA’s influential Central Council commit- tee is set to boil down to a two-horse race between two former members of the Munster Counc1l.

MEMBERS of Clare’s All-Ireland winning under-21 team will lend their support to the Irish Wheelchair Association’s (IWA) annual Angel campaign in Ennis today.

The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) will also be on hand at the official launch, which takes place at 2pm in the Temple Gate Hotel.

The Angel campaign runs through- out November when IWA Angel Pins and Angel Pencils will be sold na- tionwide for €2.

All funds raised will help to fund Services for the 20,000 members throughout Ireland.

Commenting on the launch, Berna- dette O’Rourke, Community Employ- ment Supervisor, IWA, Ennis, said the

funds raised from the Angel cam- paign are “vital” in allowing the [WA to maintain services throughout Clare.

“It’s vital. We receive funding from the HSE and FAS but it does require a lot to keep the service going.

“We have buses going here in Ennis and all over Clare. If you’re picking someone up in west Clare that means bringing them to an outreach centre in Spanish Point. The main thing is is that people are getting out of their homes to socialise.”

She added, “It’s not just the out- reach service we are providing. We are facilitating personal assistants to help people in their homes. These might be people they know, people from their area. There is a whole personal and social side to it. We are providing assisted living services

throughout Clare.”

The Irish Wheelchair Associa- tion was founded in 1960 by a small group of wheelchair users commit- ted to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities in Ireland. Almost 50 years on IWA provides services nationally, including 60 re- Source and outreach centres; assisted living services; motoring advice, as- sessment and tuition; youth services; training and education; respite and holidays; wheelchair sales and rent- al; peer counselling and sport.

The IWA aims to achieve greater independence, freedom and choice for people living with a disability.

Speaking about this year’s cam- paign, CEO Kathleen McLoughlin commented, “Our annual Angel campaign allows us to generate the

funds to provide essential resources and services to many people with disabilities. Our members rely on us for essential services, such as, per- sonal assistants to support them in their daily living.

“In these tight times, with reduced funding sources, we are doing our very best to avoid cutting the serv- ices we provide to our members in their own homes and in the commu- nity. We are asking the general pub- lic to support our essential work by buying these lovely angel pins and pencils.”

The pins are distributed courtesy of DPD Ireland, the national courier service. For further details or to do- nate online, contact the Irish Wheel- chair Association on 065 68 44150 ennis@iwa.ie or angles@1wa.ie

EAST Clare has never been behind when it comes to being generous in a good cause and with Christmas loom- ing large, organisers of the Shoebox Appeal are hoping that people local- ly will come up trumps again.

Every year, thousand of shoeboxes, filled with toys, warm clothes, toilet- ries and sweets, are shipped to chil- dren around the world.

The gaily wrapped boxes are the only Christmas presents these chil- dren see, living as they do in war- torn countries or in third-world areas devastated by famine and disease.

Under the auspices of the Samari- tan’s Purse organisation, Operation Christmas Child – also know as the Shoebox Appeal – brings a bit of cheer into the lives of the children involved.

In east Clare, Joanne Allen is gear- ing up to collect boxes from the gen- erous people in Scariff while a sepa- rate shoebox appeal is under way in Tulla.

Joanne got involved with the appeal after her daughter Rachel started do-

ing it in school.

‘People are very generous when it comes to making up boxes. We have one collection at the school and we are also asking anyone who wants to fill a box to drop it into Bane’s Gift Shop,” said Joanne.

The numbers taking part in the ap- peal has been rising steadily, despite the recession. “We got 150 boxes from the school alone last year which was fantastic,’ she Joanne.

As well as co-ordinating the col- lection of boxes in the Scariff area, Joanne works in the warehouse in Ennis, checking the boxes and pre- paring them for the onward journey.

Asked about criticism which claims that project organisers are plac- ing religious literature in the boxes, Joanne says that this is not the case. “The boxes have to be checked to be sure that the contents are suit- able for the age group and within the guidelines but once that is done, they are sealed and sent off. There is no literature put in them and they are given to children of every religious background. What does happen is that nuns and priests who travel to

where the children are to give them their gifts also give them a leaflet on the story of the first Christmas or some other religious story if it’s ap- propriate. The Samaritan’s Purse is a religious organisation – they make no secret of that. And if I was a child be- ing handed a lovely box all wrapped up, and a sheet of paper at the same time, I know which one Id be inter- ested in.”

Anyone in the Scariff area who would like to make up a box is asked to drop it into Bane’s Gift Shop be- fore Saturday, November 7.

Ennis co-ordinator of the appeal and east Clare man, Louis Duffy, told

LEGENDARY ‘Tulla walker and dancer, Kitty Leyden, is to feature as one of the contestants on this week’s ‘Jig Gig’ programme.

T na G have started another 13 part series of the popular show and Kitty said she was “delighted” to be asked to take part.

“T got the shock of my life when they rang me and said I had been nominated – I thought they were cod- ing me. But they called back and I had to go to Jury’s in Limerick first to dance for them to see would I get through to the next round.”

Kitty made it through the Limer- ick try-outs and was asked to go to Dublin to the RTE studios where the filming would take place.

“T was delighted – I didn’t get any further in the competition than that but I got to take part and I had a love- ly time in Dublin. I always wanted to see RTE and I got to meet all of the newsreaders and the cast of Fair City – | really enjoyed it.”

The episode featuring Kitty danc- ing will be screened this Sunday, November 9

A LEADING expert on the Burren has called on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley (GP), to consult with the people of the Burren before pushing forward in seeking World Heritage Status for the area.

The Green Party leader yesterday announced a new tentative list of po- tential Irish nominees to the World Heritage List which included the Burren and six other possible loca- tions.

Speaking yesterday, the manager of the BurrenLIFE Project and found- ing member of the BurrenBEO Trust,

Brendan Dunford, said that the local people needed to be consulted to avoid hostility to the project arising because of a lack of information.

“The important thing about this process 1s what happens next – the real challenge will come when they try and push this project forward,” said Mr Dunford.

‘In contrast to Ireland’s two other World Heritage Sites, the Burren is a relatively densely occupied area and this whole thing will require a lot of engagement with the people.

‘“BurrenBEO did a survey last year on this subject and it revealed that most people didn’t know much about

the World Heritage status. There was curiosity but not necessarily hostil- ity and most people wanted to know nee) Ree

Speaking at yesterday’s announce- ment, Mr Gormley said that the “World Heritage List has evolved considerably since its inception and it is now much more difficult to meet the UNESCO requirements for in- scription.”

Yesterday news was welcomed by the Mayor of Clare, Tony Mulcahy (FG), who said it could be a real tourist draw for the county.

“By securing World Heritage Site Status, the Burren would benefit from

a wider international profile and, as a result, would experience an increase in visitor numbers,” he said.

‘Furthermore, such status would ensure the conservation of the fragile landscape and its habitats for future generations.”

The Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment is inviting comments on the draft new tentative list to be made to it’s office before the end of the year.

AVENUE United have been scoring goals for fun in the Premier Division, which in turn has propelled them to the top of the table, taking 18 points from their opening six fixtures. So it was highly anticipated that they would put the visitors to the sword on a wet and miserable day at Lees Road.

From the outset Avenue had all the possession and went in search of an early goal to try and kill off the fix- ture. Avenue were trying to play a one-touch passing game but the pitch and weather conditions were always working against them.

Sean O’Meara had the first gilt edged opportunity when he was put through on goal but Tommy Quinn saved expertly to divert the goal bound shot around the post.

Avenue were applying a lot of pres- sure from set pieces but the Newcas- tlewest defence stood tall and were first to every ball. After the first 15 minutes had passed it was evident that Newcastlewest’s game plan was to stifle the free flowing football of Avenue United.

Although Avenue had the ball at their disposal for most of the match, there was always a concern that New- castlewest could strike a blow on the counter attack.

When Newcastlewest broke, the ball was constantly spread to the left flank where a waiting Tomas Quilli- gan would dart past the back line and try weave his way in on goal.

The ferocious tenacity of Gary Flynn in the middle of the park en- sured that these chances were few and far between. Another low cross from Sean O’Meara was met by Adrian

McDonagh, but once again Quinn thwarted the Avenue attack with a fantastic reflex save, when a goal looked almost certain. David Smyth wrangled his way past every obstacle when the ball was displayed in front of him, and Newcastlewest couldn’t cope with his lightning pace.

At the closing stages of the first- half Smyth dashed down the left hand side and delivered a spectacu- lar cross that really should have been converted by David Herlihy.

The second-half started in the Same fashion as the first, with Av-

enue looking to pounce from the emphatic Smyth, who had a real foothold on the game. Full back Shay Lyons couldn’t contain Smyth and he received a booking for his troubles early into the second half. Earlier fears proved right when Avenue lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, Newcastlewest on the counter attack found Tony Quaid with a long ball, who in turn pulled it back for Quil- ligan to score an absolute peach of a goal. Quilligan had floated in from the left side of the pitch, had spot- ted Barry O’Donnell of his line and

lobbed him from 30 yards out.

A goal worthy of deciding any game, Newcastlewest achieved what they had set out to do and put men behind the ball to ensure Avenue didn’t find an equaliser. Avenue were desperate for a goal and even the in- dustrial movement of Smyth couldn’t breach Tommy Quinn’s goal. Having to resort to long-range efforts it nev- er looked as Avenue would find the equaliser. As the contest came to a close Newcastlewest almost doubled their advantage when Jason Cum- mins got put through one on one with O’Donnell but Cummins struck the foot of the post.

As the final whistle was blown a look of despair was engraved on the Avenue teams faces. Avenue were able to score eight goals last week, but fired blanks today. The team thats steam rolling over its competi- tors in the Premier Division finds themselves out of the FAI Junior Cup already. Have no doubts though, an Avenue team of this class will bounce back.

KILLALOE has been a ‘foodie’ destination for many years, but this week will see the opening of what may well become another jewel in the crown of gourmet delights in the town.

Nine years as a chef with the famed Cherry Tree restaurant and many awards later, Mark Anderson is due to open his own business in Killaloe in partnership with his fiancee, Go- sia Bublewicz.

When Gravitas, Purveyors of Fine Foods, opens this week it will be the latest in a number of gourmet and ar- tisan shops to open in Killaloe with one aim in common, to bring excel- lent produce to customers without

fleecing them.

“IT want to have the kind of shop we knew when we were young, somewhere you could go in and buy fresh fish, poultry and other produce. That kind of place, where quality mattered, has been lost to us and it needs to be brought back. But organ- ic doesn’t have to mean expensive, we re very aware of that. ”

The shop will stock carefully sourced fresh fish, organic and free range poultry, ready meals which will be cooked in the kitchen behind the shop and home-produced sauces and chowder.

Mark and Gosia will still keep up the fish stall they have been running in the farmers’ market on Sundays. “It’s a more relaxed way to talk to

our customers and it’s well support- ed, so why stop?” Mark said.

Gravitas will open in Bridge Street and not far away, on Royal Parade, Andrew Lofthouse is seeing custom grow for his wine store and Italian deli, Ponte Vecchio.

He agrees with Mark that people “want good food at reasonable pric- es. Andrew, who grew up in Italy, supplies specially-sourced Italian gourmet delights and customers who drop in to buy their hams and cheese usually can’t resist the temptation to sit and sip a great coffee or a glass of Nero d’Avola.

Keeping it in the family, Laura Kilkenny, who trained under Mark in The Cherry Tree, is feeding east Clare with her artisan breads, cakes,

quiches and other tempting morsels from The Wooden Spoon on Con- vent Hill.

“We try to supply food that is tasty, healthy and a bit different. People are becoming more concerned with what they eat. I have customers who come from as far away as Nenagh. One comes to buy for herself and brings a list of orders from her friends and neighbours. People are coming to Killaloe now to shop for good food and good ingredients.”