The Clare People Archive

FOR years, a Clare tradition has swept through St Munchin’s College, one of Limerick’s main rugby nurs- eries. Keith Wood, Anthony Foley and most recently, Clonlara’s current Irish international Marcus Horan have all graced the rugby fields for the school.

It continues to grow and develop and this week, ten Clare players will line out for the school in the quarter- final of the Avonmore Mile Munster Senior Schools Cup quarter-final.

They take on strong Cork opposi- tion in the form of Pres but according to Clare’s Donal Madden, part of the backroom team, they’ll hope to re- turn with their cup hopes still alive.

“It’s never easy going to Cork and taking on Pres in their own back yard and we’ll have our work cut-out, but we re confident of coming away with a result.”

There’s further influence seeping through the college as all bar two of the Junior side, who are taking ad- vantage of the backdoor system, are from Clare.

The side went down to PBC at Clif- ford Park last Friday, but it’s not the end of their involvement in the com-

petition. That game threw up one of the most entertaining games in schools rugby all year in what was a forward-dominated contest — one they eventually lost by three points, eee

It wasn’t until mid-way in the sec- ond half that PCB pulled away, when the pack set-up a scoring opportunity that they took full advantage of.

That game was also noted for the impressive play by the Ryan triplets. Evan and Gavin both play in the sec- ond row while Darren operates as scrum half with all three doubling up on their sporting interests and play- ing football and hurling for Meelick.

The three form part of the 13 Clare players who started that game.

Their father, Ray, 1s yet one more Clare link in the Munchins chain and he lined out for the school, playing for the senior side in the early 80s.

And there are further Clare links to this year’s sides with a strong rep- resentation from the county on the backroom teams of both the senior and junior sides.

THE College championship season began in earnest last week when the Fitzgibbon and Ryan Cups got un- derway. Top of the bill was undoubt- edly the clash of WIT and UL in the so-called Group of Death which also includes last year’s winners LIT.

Despite being a dour affair played in less than favourable conditions, 2006 champions WIT came away with all the points with Kilkenny senior panelist TJ Reid the hero scor- ing O-7 in their O-11 to O-6 victory.

Clare were well respresented in the game with Conor Cooney (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Patrick Kel- ly (Clarecastle) and Ger Griffey (Clarecastle) all starting for the win- ners while Peter O’Brien (Ogonnel- loe) was introduced for UL midway through the second half. The Lim- erick side also had to do without the services of the injured Brendan Bu- gler (Whitegate).

In Group B, CIT were four point winners over last year’s finalists NUIG but the Cork side were far more impressive than the 1-16 to 1-12 scoreline suggests. Newtownshan- drum duo Ryan Clifford and Cathal Naughton did most of the damage se- curing I-13 between them and NUIG had no answer to the forward power, especially after losing their captain and centre-back Martin Ryan after only 15 minutes.

Five Clare players were on show for the Galway side with the O’ Donovan twins Domhnall and Cormac return- ing to action after Clonlara’s narrow defeat to Tommy Larkins and the NUIG side also included Cian Dillon (Crusheen), Colin Ryan (Newmar- ket-on-Fergus) who scored five frees and his clubmate David Barrett who managed an impressive tally of four points from play.

In Group C, UCC secured a com- fortable 0-16 to O-8 victory over the Garda College with Sixmilebridge’s

Aidan Quilligan heavily prominent from centre-back. The Garda college depended largely on Eoin McGrath’s (Waterford) frees but the Banner were also represented in the side by Brendan McMahon (Crusheen), Kevin Dilleen (St Josephs Doora/ Barefield) and Eire Og’s Barry Nu- gent who grabbed two points.

In Group D, UCD easily accounted for UUJ in their 3-18 to 0-10 point win with Kilkenny’s Maurice Nolan amassing 1-10 of that total.

This week’s fixtures sees poten- tiallty the game of the group stages when WIT host 2007 winners LIT on Wednesday. Between them, these sides have dominated the prestigious colleges Cup in recent years with WIT winning three and LIT win- ning two out of the last five Fitzgib- bon titles and a cracking game is expected.

Holders LIT who knocked out Clare

in the Waterford Crystal Competi- tion a few weeks back have a host of inter-county stars with Joe Canning (Galway), Niall Healy (Galway), Willie Hyland (Laois) and Shane Maher (Tipperary) in their ranks. Davy Fitzgerald’s side is also well represented by Clare players includ- ing Enda Collins (Killanena), Gary O’Connell (Wolfe Tones), Jonathan Clancy (Clarecastle), James MclIn- erney (Newmarket-on Fergus) and Bernard Gaffney (Newmarket-on- Fergus) who are all expected to fea- Ub Ken

Clare midfielder Jonathan Clancy is one of the most experienced in the LIT side having won two Fitzgib- bon medals in three years. Winner of a Higher Education All-Star last year in their run to the title, Clancy feels that despite the loss of several key players this year, the potential of the Freshers coming through this

year makes them a strong candidate to complete a successful defence of their title.

“We lost Jackie Tyrell, Kieran Murphy, Shane McGrath and Conor O’Mahony. These lads were starting even on their county teams so there was a gap there all right but I think we have enough young players com- ing through to fill the gap.

“I think the squad is good enough to win it again. We have a lot of strong players still there, a shell of a panel of seven or eight that were there last year and a lot of new lads coming in and we seem to be bonding well to- gether.”

With the benefit of a game last week, WIT have the chance to se- cure top spot with a win on home turf on Wednesday but they will be up against it against a well marshalled LIT who made a clean sweep of the HIgher Education honours last year.

In Group B NUIG have to beat DIT to stay in this year’s competition and because they retained the majority of last year’s team, they should have too much for the Dublin side. In Groups C and D , the Garda College and UUJ are in a similar predicament when they take on Connaught Hurl- ing League finalists GMIT and St Pats respectively, both needing wins to survive.

This week also sees the commence- ment of the Sigerson Cup, third level football’s premier competition. The full results and fixtures are as fol- O45

IT WAS the biggest celebration in Lissycasey GAA club history – the night they honoured the storied year that was 2007 when they swept away the major honours in Clare senior football.

Of course the high came when they annexed the senior football title for the first time, a success over Eire Og that was followed two weeks later a maiden victory in the Cusack Cup when they beat Doonbeg in a tem- pestuous encounter.

And there was more – 2007 also saw Lissycasey win the Minor B championship and Division 5 league, the medals for which were also pre- sented on the night by guest of hon- our, double All-Ireland winner with

Galway and Tuam Star, Jarlath Fal- lon. The 2006 O’Gorman Cup med- als were also presented.

Master of ceremonies on the night was former club secretary, Seamus Hayes, while each medal presenta- tion to members of the senior team took place to a backdrop of footage from Lissycasey’s march to the Jack Daly Cup.

Over 400 people attended the func- tion in The West County Hotel, with the county board represented by chairman Michael O’Neill, vice- chairman Johnny Hill and secretary Pat Fitzgearld.

A special presentation was made to former county board chairman, Michael McDonagh, while county final referee Michael Talty from Kil- murry Ibrickane was also honoured

with a presentation.

THE 14th annual Clare Community and Sports awards were held in the West County Hotel on Friday night with a large crowd of over 300 peo- ple in attendence. Organised by the Clare Vocational Education Com- mittee, the ceremony rewarded vari- ous people from all aspects of Clare society who excelled in their particu- lar fields in 2007.

The biggest winner on the night was Clooney’s William Loughnane who along with his award for his Special Olympic achievements was also presented with the Overall Per- sonality of the Year award. William won six gold medals and a bronze in six different disciplines for Gymnas- tics in last year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai and has deservingly received many accolades and awards since for his momentus accomplishments.

In all, 17 awards were presented during the night. Tulla hurler Brian Quinn won the hurling award for his part in Tulla’s first county champion- ship win in 74 years and the subse-

quent run to the Munster final. Cathal Hill picked up the football award for his impressive displays in Lissyca- sey’s double winning season. Claire Commane’s player of the match dis- play in the All-Ireland junior final as well as being Clare’s top scorer in the championship saw her win the cam- ogie award while West Clare Gaels captain Marie Kelly was presented with the Ladies Football award after leading her side to the All-Ireland Junior Club Final.

Other sporting winners were the Ennis Ladies ‘Team for their National Senior Cup win, Avenue Utd School- boys for their domination of the local Soccer scene, Veronica Colleran for her victories in cross country, Derek O’Connor for his record breaking point to point season, Christopher Ryan for his achievements in swim- ming, Marie O’Connor for her five medals at the World ‘Transplant Games and Louise Woods who picked up the Young Sports Person- ality award for her talents in a multi- tude of sports.

The community awards went to Fr Donagh O’ Meara for his involvement

in Kilkee, Seamus Spaight for his contribution to Meelick GAA, Joe Garrihy for his work in Lisdoonvar- na and John and Emma Hanrahan for their tireless work in Labasheeda.

AS a multi-national supermarket chain prepares to open on the out- Skirts of Kilrush, the local Chamber of Commerce has plans in place to ensure the future of the town centre.

On February 24, Tesco will open its doors on the Ennis Road, with free car parking provided to its shoppers.

From next Monday, however, shop- pers will also be able to avail of free parking in the town centre, as 23 businesses in the town provide a Parking Refund Scheme.

The Kilrush Parking Refund Scheme stipulates that customers and motorists who spend a specified amount in the participating business- es will be entitled, on proving their parking cost, to either a €1 refund or

a free parking scratch disc.

The scheme will apply to Kilrush Town Council’s dual system of pay parking, including scratch parking discs and street parking meters.

Work on this initiative began un- der former chamber president Karen Whelan and will be brought to fruition by the new chairman, Paul Coady.

“The objective of the scheme is to encourage customers to shop in Kil- rush and enjoy a refund of their park- ing cost,” he said.

Kilrush Town Council supported the initiative by altering the street metres to provide ticket counterfoils.

Shoppers who use the street metres will hand over the ticket counterfoil to participating businesses (upon paying for purchases) and will re-

ceive a €1 coin refund or free scratch disc. Similarly, shoppers who have a scratch disc will need to retain the scratched disc and the receipt of pur- chase to hand over to the participat- ing business on their next visit.

Town Clerk, Fiona Mooney said, “The chamber should be praised for its initiative. However, it must be pointed out that the Kilrush Town Council parking byelaws will remain in place between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

“Valid parking tickets and discs must also be displayed during these Wb enone

Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr. Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “It 1s marvellous to see Kilrush Chamber and its members actively encouraging the people of west Clare to shop local.”

THE CLARE lake where the body of a murdered Limerick teenager was found was the site of a fishing com- petition in his memory on Sunday. Mary Kelly, mother of 17-year- old Richard ‘Happy’ Kelly, put up a bronze trophy for the competition as a way of thanking the fishermen who

snagged his skeletal remains and brought her 20 months of uncertainty to a close.

Mary Kelly vowed she would nev- er go to see Lough Bridget where her son’s remains – which had been weighed down with a concrete block – were found.

Gardai believe the young father may have been murdered after fall-

ing foul of a Limerick gang lord be- cause he stole a car containing gang drugs and ammunition.

Members of the Kelly family at- tended the fishing competition on Mary’s behalf.

“I will never go back there (Lough Bridget) but it was our luck that the fishermen went there that weekend,” she said. “I will never forget the 20

months I waited for news of Happy. Now I’m waiting to get justice for my son,” she said.

Mary said the organising of the competition and the presentation of the trophy – a bronze of fishermen in a boat – is a way of letting the anglers know what they did for her family.

The two anglers who snagged the Limerick teenager’s remains were

among those who took part in what is hoped will become and annual competition.

Happy went missing on April 26, 2006 and might never have been found except for the fishermen’s ex- pedition last November.

In a twist of fate, one of the anglers who found Happy’s remains is an ac- quaintance of the Kelly family.

SHANNON ~~ Development has launched a major domestic tourism marketing campaign aimed at entic- ing Irish visitors to holiday in Coun- ty Clare, at the Holiday World travel show in Dublin.

The campaign will involve an ex- tensive marketing, advertising and PR campaign to increase the coun- ty’s share of the national domestic tourism market.

Meanwhile, Failte Ireland, the na- tional tourism development author- ity, and Tourism Ireland, the body re- sponsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas, met with the tour- ism industry interests in the Shan- non region last week to outline their plans for developing and promoting tourism in the region over the 2008 season.

Attending the meeting Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Failte Ireland, said they plan to “almost double investment in new and ex- isting tourist attractions and related infrastructure and to provide more practical business supports to tour- ism enterprises.’

Mr Quinn said that in light of inter- national economic challenges, cond1- tions in 2008 could be more difficult than those of recent years.

Referring to the recent announce-

ment by Ministers Seamus Brennan and Noel Dempsey regarding the Shannon Airport Catchment Plan, Tourism Ireland Chief Executive Paul O’ Toole said that an additional €3 million had been provided to pro- mote tourism to the West of Ireland in the post-Open Skies era.

“Tourism Ireland, together with Shannon Development and the Failte Ireland regions, has formed a work- ing group to agree a marketing plan for the Catchment Area; this plan will be implemented as soon as possible. It will aim to highlight the many at- tractions of the Shannon Airport Catchment Area in our core markets, to show how easy it is to get there from overseas and to showcase the good holiday value available from the tourism industry in the area.”

Meanwhile, the Western Develop- ment Commission (WDC) has out- lined how rural communities can tap into the potential of ecotour- ism. Addressing the Greenbox All Island Ecotourism Conference, Gil- lian Buckley, WDC Chief Executive, outlined the WDC’s experience of developing the Greenbox, Ireland’s only ecotourism destination, and told delegates how communities could use the WDC Model of Rural Devel- opment to help develop ecotourism and other innovative projects in their local area.

IT was back to Thursday nights at the stadium last week where the feature was the Student Nurses Voulenteer- ing Abroad 575 that took place on the eighth race of the card. Top prize went to the Noel Mullins trained Ballingown Boy who produced a good finish in testing conditions. The outside runners were fastest away here and off the first bend trap five Donail Blueboy shaded the lead.

At the third bend, Ballingown shot to the front and despite the renewed attempt of Donail the Mullins trained tracker ran on to beat him by a length in a time of 31.99.

The strong running Burnpark Pad- dy in trap three ran on for third spot just under three lengths back.

John Fitzgerald of Kilrush was on the mark in the third race over 325 yards as his Ler Thisnthat made all to take this. Coming away well from trap three, this fellow was chased all the way by trap five Crannagh Jim but he held him off on the run to the line by just under a length in a time of 18.32.

Donies Dasher for Ann Carey of Cooraclare came away fastest and led up to the first turn in the fourth race over 525 yards followed by trap two Maxical owned by Michael Browne of Kilrush who took over off the second bend. From here the Browne owned tracker was always in control and ran on win by just over two lengths in a time of 29.74.

Owen Treston’s All Time Classic got back into the swing of things in

the tenth race as she notched up her fifteenth victory here with a decent performance. Got Derailed for Frank Browne of Quin in trap six was the early leader here but Classic was hot on his heels and led down the back straight and win in a time of 29.50.

The best wine was saved until last as the Michael Downes of Killa- loe trained Sloanes Beauty kept her excellent run of form going when making all in the bumper over 525 yards. Coming away fast from trap two, she pulled away quickly as there were some traffic problems with the placed greyhounds.

From here on, she was never getting caught and ran on to beat trap three Millview Roy by four lengths in a time of 29.43.

Friday night’s card at Galway fea- tured the three semi-finals of the UCG A4 575 which came late in the card on this very cold night. The track here was rated slow for the entire night as a result of the condi- tions.

Fastest of these was the Tom Fit- zgerald trained Black Bush who got back into winning ways when taking heat two of this.

Pat Curtin got into the winners en- closure as his Tullagower Blue took the third race over 525. Taking the lead into the last bend, this fellow ran on to win by just over a length in a time of 30.12 (-0.30).

The Semi Finals of the €30,000 Green Lane Pet Foods 525 came down for decision on Saturday Night Where connections of the 12 runners as well as the 12 Schools attached to

the greyhounds waited anxiously for the heats that came in the 8th and 9th races on the card.

Tyrur Taco owned by P.J.Fahy was the slight favourite here and things looked tough for him after a slow start from trap four.

Here trap two Carhugar Bobsie led up to the opening turn followed by trap one Clonfeigh Nikita for own- ers Johnie Maher Kilmaley and Noel

Gavin of Ballyea who took over at the second turn. Along the back straight Tyrur moved up into third spot and then exploded with pace to go right up to the leaders.

The door was shut here however, as Clonfiegh stayed at the front but Tyrur steered a wide course off the last bend and on the run to the line he powered up to snatch victory from Clonfeigh by a neck in a time

of 29.14.

Carhugar stayed on for third spot to get his Quin owners and trainer Michael Downes of Killaloe a sec- Oe OVE TKcmmebeNelolmBEOMelomEDeT-UE

THE late Dr Brendan O’Regan’s work and commitment to regional development and cross-cultural ex- changes have been second to none and have won him numerous acco- lades including the ‘Commander of the British Empire’ (CBE) award for his contribution to peace.

In 1984 he was voted “Clareman of the Year” and in 1995 he was made “Freeman of the City of Limerick”.

In 2000 Dr O’Regan was awarded the “Peace Dove” by Co-operation Ireland in recognition of his contri- bution to promoting understanding and respect between the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Dr O’Regan has also received nu- merous doctorates from Academic Institutions around Ireland. In 1978, he was conferred Doctor of Laws by the National University of Ire- land with a particular mention of

his “originality, courage and innova- tion”.

In 1999, Dr O’Regan was awarded a Doctorate of Laws by the Queen’s University of Belfast for “his achievements as a peacemaker and as an industrial visionary’, while the University of Limerick recently hon- oured him for his work with the Irish Peace Institute and the development of the Shannon region.

Last year, An ‘Taoiseach Bertie Ahern launched a Clare County Council exhibition celebrating Dr O’Regan’s life which went on dis- play at the deValera library in En- nis and the Sean Lemass library in Shannon.

mY be Bradley said the plan’s objective was “to bring life to the town centre in Shannon and to bring new invest- ments and opportunities. It’s hoped to attract major investors into the area. It’s not a short-term fix. This vision is for a 10- to 15-year period.” Asked what the spin-off for the town would be, the senior planner said that, in the short term, it was “creating an economy and we very much want to link in with the airport and try to obtain a slice of the airport market which at present bypasses the Kena tee He believes the promised 1,000 jobs are most likely to be in the services, information economy and financial

services sectors.

He revealed that there were “al- ready commitments from three large interested parties to create a number of jobs in the short term, apart from the construction jobs that will be in- volved”.

The public has two weeks to make their suggestions to their local repre- sentatives, before the elected mem- bers consider incorporating the lands involved into a variation to the local area plan.

After that, formal submissions can be made through the planning proc- ess. Almost 140 people attended the briefing to hear details of the plan about which they had previously been asked to make suggestions.

Hugh Murray said that the “main preoccupation of the public submis- sions was to create a living town cen- tre with mixed use”.

The plan for the 90-acre town cen- tre development will involve a pro- posal to create up to 1,000 jobs over an extended time frame of up to 10- 15 years.

Among the proposals set out in the newly drafted master plan is the provision of a new main street, pedestrianised shopping precinct, town square, Civic Arts Centre, ho- tel, three-hectare civic park, primary school, medical care facility, school of enterprise and a light rail link.