The Clare People Archive

TWO of the brightest young talents in Clare ladies amateur golf, Sarah Cunningham and Ciara Pender were in action for Munster in Girls Inter- provincial at Bangor last week.

Over the three days, Cunningham played in six games, in both four- somes and singles. She took three points out of a possible six from matches against Ulster, Connacht and Leinster opposition. Pender palyed in four matches, takes two points out of a possible four.

However, Munster’s hope of win- ning the title really perished on the first day when they went down by 7-1 to defending champions Ulster. Indeed, Ulster were in imperious form all week, claiming the title for the fourth year in a row on the back of further victories over Leinster and Connacht.

Ulster beat Leinster on day two by

6 1/2 to 1 1/2, while they finished off the competition in style on their home ground by whitewashing Con- nacht on a scoreline of 8-0.

Meanwhile, Cunningham, who is a scholarship student in St Patrick’s College in Maynooth played solidly all week. On day two she teamed up with Laura McCarthy in the four- somes to beat Connacht’s Hannah O’Connor and Sarah Helly by 4 & 3. Then in the afternoon singles she beat Carmel O’Connor by 5 & 4. Pender beat Leah Kerr by 7 & 6.

In the final day, Munster scored a 7-1 win over Leinster, with Cun- ningham playing her part when her- self and Laura McCarthy beat Carla Reynolds and Patrice Delaney 2 &l, while in the afternoon singles Pender scoreda one hole victory over Rebec- cas Mulholland.

Both Cunningham and Pender were on the Ennis team that won the All- Ireland senior cup last year.

HEATHER Nolan’s accident couldn’t have come at a worse time. As one of Ireland’s most promising golfers, the Shannon native was gearing up for a summer of European Tour dates until a unfortunate accident caused her to shatter her elbow into ten pieces.

“I was running to my car to go golf- ing but I slipped and fell on a speed

bump and landed directly on my left elbow.” explained the 24 year old Shannon golf Club member.

“It just shattered the bone. The specialist said it was left in about 10 pieces. I’d never injured it before and the pain was incredible.”

It was particularly disappointing for Nolan as she had just been called up to the Team Ireland Trust in March and had received a €7,000 grant in

preparation for the European ‘Tour. This setback now means that she will have a several week lay-off in a bid to heal the elbow and will have to endure a tedious reabilitation pro- gramme before resuming her career.

“I was down in the dumps for the last few days but now I’m focusing on getting well as soon as possible and getting back playing golf. It’s going to be a long, hard process. My target

is the summer but the physios prob- ably think differently.”

The only upside of such an unfor- tunate incident is that she still has the backing of the Team Ireland Golf Trust who have reinforced their com- mitment to the Clare native despite her serious injury and have offered the services of the Irish Sports Coun- cil’s extensive team of physiothera- pists and doctors to aid her recovery.

CLARE’S ladies football season be- gins in earnest this Sunday when the county team face their first acid test against Down in the Suzuki National league semi-final.

Clare’s performance in this game will be a good barometer as to whether or not further progress has been achieved this year in the devel- opment of the county panel. Should Clare win on Sunday not only will the team gain a place in the Division 2 final against either Waterford or Donegal (which will be televised live on TG4) but they will also be guar- anteed a place in Division | of the Suzuki league for the 2009 season as both finalists are automatically pro- moted.

Manager Deirdre Murphy has brought Clare a long way since she took over the reins in January 2006.

In 2005 Clare had failed to fulfil some fixtures but upon her appoint- ment Deirdre and her management team set about reversing the fortunes of the Clare county team and had success in winning the Munster Jun- ior championship and the 2006 Su- Zuki Division 3 league in her maiden year.

The aim for 2007 was to be com- petitive in Division 2 of the national league and to make every effort to secure the newly created Intermedi- ate championship or at least a final place. While they succeeded in their league ambitions they again came up agonisingly short of reaching Croke Park with again a single point semi final loss to another eventual winner ateatee

The All Ireland Intermediate championship title is the obvious fo- cus of Clare’s ambition in 2008 but Sunday’s game will be an important stepping stone in the development of the squad. Down operate as a senior county for championship purposes and have been mixing it with the best of Ulster teams at this level for a

number of years. While they will be favourites to progress against their intermediate rated rivals, Down will still enter this game with caution as they will realise that Clare are a team with ambition this year.

In their four games to date in the 2008 series Down have had good wins over Fermanagh, Tipperary and Longford while they drew away to Donegal. They’ve also scored a massive 12-54 in their four games to date in the current league so clearly they are ateam on form. Defensively Down have conceded 7-23 and Clare will hope to exploit their tendency to concede goals even when dominat- ing games.

Clare should have their strongest panel for selection on Sunday and it will be interesting to see the first fif- teen. Clare’s defence has been shaky at times but the return to the squad of Sinéad Eustace of Coolmeen and also the Banner’s Sarah Hoey mak- ing herself available for selection should help matters in this depart- ment as the season progresses. Vital to Clare’s success however will be a

fully fit Tammy Hehir and ex-Gal- way star Michelle Delaney is another player who could have a major influ- ence in determining Sunday’s out- come. She’s easily playing her best football in years and is really making an impression in the county scene this year.

Sunday’s encounter has all the in- eredients of a thriller with a big prize at stake for the winners and if Clare play to their full potential they have every chance of overcoming their northern opponents

FIANNA Fail TD Timmy Dooley has welcomed the sanctioning of some €10 million in funding sup- ports for schools and pre-schools in disadvantaged areas.

The funding comes under the Dor- mant Accounts Fund and the Rapid Leverage Fund and will enable up to 100 schools designated under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme to

achieve Digital School Status, the upgrading of facilities in up to 200 feeder pre-schools for DEIS schools, and the continuation of the library enhancement programme in up to 130 DEIS schools.

A proportion of the funding will also be directly sanctioned to 20 DEIS Limerick schools, to enable them to remain open after hours, at weekends and during holidays.

“This funding will support three main measures in DEIS schools in

Clare and all over the country. All DEIS schools will soon be informed how they can apply for funding un- der these schemes.”

With regard to the Library En- hancement Scheme, schools who have already applied for funding under the first round of funding last year will now have their application reviewed, the Deputy was told.

“There were so many applications first time around that there are a number of outstanding applications.”

has learned that Clare County Council has contracted the CM International group to pub- lish a Clare County Enterprise Strat- egy detailing a new way forward for business and enterprise in the county.

This strategy, which will be pub- lished next month, includes at its core a co-operative approach to de- velopment involving both the Uni- versity of Limerick and the National University of Ireland in Galway.

The report came before the Strate- gic Initiatives and External Affairs Committee of NUI, Galway last ete

“The report came before my sub- committee detailing information from Clare County Council recom- mending enterprise strategies for County Clare. Basically what is pro- posed is that Clare County Council co-ordinate all the major organisa- tion in the area including the County Development Board, RRD, NUI Gal- way, UL and anyone with the inter- ested in enterprise,” said Cllr Martin Lafferty (IND), who is a member of

the governing body of NUI, Galway.

“The idea is to form a committee to develop enterprise in the county. They are looking specifically at in- creasing the quality and quantity of research and development, increas- ing innovation and the quality and adaptability of the labour force.

“Clare County Council wouldn’t have the expertise for this kind of project but they are looking to co- ordinate the expertise that is avail- able in the area. They are lucky that we are sitting here between the two universities, one in Limerick and one in Galway. Galway university have a close relationship in Clare County Council and will be carrying out this initiative on their behalf.

“We have a number of organisa- tions already in Clare like Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland and the County Development Board it- self.

In the minutes recorded for last week’s meeting of NUI, Galway’s Strategic Initiatives and External Af- fairs Committee commitments were given for the university to take a “leadership” role in the process.

A commitment was also given, in principle, to share intelligence with their client base in the county and to “define and elaborate the scope, role of an R&D transfer facility in the area of bio-medical engineering” in the county.

EUROPE must allow for Irish fish producers a freer hand for the pro- duction of farmed fish and shell fish or the industry faces a troubled future. Addressing the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee in Brussels on Thursday, the IFA’s Aquaculture Executive Secretary, Richie Flynn, said that the EU strat- egy to support a sustainable fish and shellfish farming sector was vital to redress the balance of seafood im- ports into the community.

Mr Flynn was speaking at a special hearing of the Parliament on the Sit- uation and Perspectives of the Aqua- culture Sector.

“We are all aware of the growing importance of food production and food security. We see growing num- bers of health professionals urging consumers to eat more seafood as a matter of priority to promote the development of mind and body and prevent modern diseases,’ he said.

“We see a rise in interest in food that is sustainable, organic, eco- friendly and convenient. All of these factors have contributed to an ever- erowing demand from European consumers for more and more qual- ity seafood.

“We know how to grow fish and Shellfish in Europe. We have dec- ades of European experience, avail- able waters, the right climate and the

world’s most advanced technology.

“EU Aquaculture produces 1.5 mil- lion tonnes of seafood and supports 80,000 jobs. Yet the community to- day still imports almost 50 per cent of its seafood needs. Aquaculture worldwide – in Asia, South America and elsewhere – is the fastest grow- ing food sector in the world.

“But here in Europe we are in dan- ger of starving in a land of plenty. Our Aquaculture sector is stagnant. Production in some sections of the industry is actually falling. Small and medium enterprises are facing CHUM Ee UN Laon

Mr Flynn said that MEPs visiting fish farms in the west of Ireland over Easter had seen first hand the value

and potential of farming salmon, mussels, oysters, trout and cod and the future opportunities to farm dif- ferent kinds of fish in the deep, clean waters of the Atlantic ocean on the EU’s western extremities.

“The Parliament has a hugely im- portant role in ensuring that the de- velopment of aquaculture in Europe is led by common-sense legislation, practical research and development and a recognition that our valuable sea and freshwater resources must be used efficiently for food production,” he continued.

“The EU Strategy being developed by the commission must release the potential of the aquaculture sector, not restrict it.”

has learned that the taxi used in the shooting was found abandoned in Shannon that evening.

At least 15 shots were fired at six houses on St Ita’s Street in the St Mary’s Park estate in Limerick, at around teatime last Tuesday.

The gunman opened fire with a high powered machine gun.

The car, which had earlier been sto- len in Dublin, was found in the Cro- nan estate in Shannon, a short time after the incident in Limerick.

‘The car was subsequently techni-

cally examined and nothing of a sub- Stantial nature was found on it,” said a garda source. Gardai are trying to establish why the car was abandoned homey er beueleyee

The multiple attacks prompted widespread concern that the incident would lead to further tensions be- tween rival gangs in Limerick city.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the garda commissioner an- nounced that members of the Emer- gency Response Unit would be de- ployed to the city.

“IT am asking a unit of the Emer- gency Response Unit to come here to Limerick in the next few days to take up duty here to augment the armed patrols that are already in place,” said Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

He said the ERU would be deployed in known trouble spots in the city.

ADDICTION is being glamourised, the head of the mid-west’s new coun- selling institute has warned.

The Minister for State at the De- partment of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey offi- cially launched the National Coun- selling Institute of Ireland, which is now based in the mid-west.

The launch ceremony at the insti- tute’s new premises at the National Technological Park in Limerick also marked the announcement of the start of four new professional degree courses which will get underway in the autumn.

These include a BA in Counselling Studies and Psychometric Testing, BA in Youth and Counselling stud- ies, BA in Counselling Skills and Addiction Studies, and a BA in Adult Guidance Studies.

“There is a red alert warning sign across all classes in our community regarding addictions which needs to be addressed,” said the President of the NCIT, Maria Carmody

‘In today’s celebrity society, addic- tions are being glamorised in the me- dia through pop stars, fashion idols, film and television stars, creating the very dangerous impression particu- larly among young people that this is fashionable, trendy or acceptable.”

SHERRY FitzGerald McMahon has a number of excellent commercial properties on its books at present, including a landmark office building at Quin Road Business Park, which would be ideal as corporate head- quarters. With 337.2 sq.m. (3,630 sq.ft.) of floor space, this bright, modern accommodation is fully fit-

ted.

According to Paddy Darmody of Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, * What we have here is a prime location to the front of park with adjoining oc- cupiers including Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd., Decibel & Univer- sal Business Systems.

The accommodation is laid out over two floors and is fitted to a high standard including air condition-

ing. Accommodation comprises a reception area, six principal offices, a comms room, canteen and WCs” . This premises is close to Ennis town centre and the lease terms are negoti- able.

Across the road in the Clare Marts complex Paddy Darmody has a light industrial warehouse on his books. There’s 230 sq.m. (2,475 sq.ft.) of floor space and a_ secure yard of some 180 sq.m. (1,940 sq.ft.). This unit is suitable for many uses. The lease term is 4 years 9 months and rent is €20,000 per annum (exclu- SAVE

Those seeking a shop unit in Ennis should take a look at the two-storey shop unit at Harvey’s Quay.

Said Darmody, “With its central lo- cation, just 110 yards form O’Connell Square, extensive shop frontage and generous floor space of 2,400 sq. ft., this premises is ideal as a retail out- ae

This property is for sale or let. The asking price is circa €1.1 million or to rent it’s €50,000 per annum.

THE traditional selling period for holiday homes is fast approaching and as yet, agents specialising in this market are unsure whether or not the downturn in the property market will spread its tentacles to the coastal aoe

Aine Hussey of Sherry FitzGerald Hussey Madden, Ennistymon, is relatively upbeat about the prospects

for 2008.

“After a disappointing last quarter in 2007, 2008 kicked off with an un- expected but most welcome strong start, with a high volume of sales for the first quarter of our financial year.

This strong start may have been due to people holding off until the stamp duty issue was resolved in the Budget.

She added, “most of our sales early this year have been to people moving

permanently to the north and west Clare area. From Easter onwards is traditionally the start of the holiday home sales and we have found that the rate of enquiries has increased ten fold since St Patrick’s weekend, particularly for the popular costal villages of Lahinch, Doolin, Liscan- nor and Spanish Point with some strong offers already on the table. “The buyer profile of recent years doesn’t seem to be changing, with

the majority of our enquiries gen- erated by prospective buyers from Limerick, Dublin and the Midlands. However, despite the weakening sterling, we have increased our UK client base both for permanent and holiday homes”.

Holiday home purchasers in 2007 were waiting for adjustments in the markets including stamp duty before moving on second homes, now that the criteria’s have been met we see

strong demand for the 2008 season.

Asked which properties are cur- rently drawing attention, Aine said, “The School Road development of 77 homes continue to sell from plans and as usual there is strong demand for properties with sea views”.

All told, Aine is feeling confident and anticipates that the Clare coastal market will remain resilient in 2008.

“We are looking forward to a busy summer season.’