Best of luck to our U16 Footballers who will face Coolmeen/Kildysart on this Saturday in Lissycasey (please note change of venue) at 12 noon in the replay of the Co. Div.3 Football Final. After the thrills and excitement of the drawn final, supporters will be expecting more drama this weekend. The question is: which team will have learned most from the Cusack Park encounter? Let’s hope the answer is ‘Clooney/Quin’!

Clooney/Quin U14 Hurlers may have missed out on a place in the Co. semi-final following their agonising 3-6 to 1-10 play-off defeat to Newmarket-on Fergus last weekend, but they have qualified for the Shield Final. Tulla are our opponents in this one and the final is fixed for Tommy Daly Park at 6pm on this Friday evening ahead of the Clare Cup game between the same two clubs that gets underway at 7pm. While not always getting the deserved results, this team has been playing some fantastic hurling in the 2012 campaign. We urge all CQ supporters heading to the senior match to travel over early and give your support to the U14s as well.

There was a great turnout in Quin on Monday morning for the Laura Colleram memorial walk in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis unit in the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick. Despite the poor weather forecast a large crowd gathered at Quin hall to participate in the walk. The thunderous showers of rain that fell on the walkers as they made their journey never dampened their spirits. All walkers were greeted with a warn cup of tea on their return to the hall. Thanks to all those who participated in the walk and all those who help in organizing and making the event a success.

The replay of the U16 Div.3 Football Final is scheduled for Saturday May 19th when Clooney/Quin and Colmeen/Kildysart will again do battle.

Our U14 Hurlers put in an excellent performance against Ballyea last Friday before eventually losing by 3-13 to 2-11. Following the results from all of Friday’s matches, Ballyea, Corofin/Ruan and Scariff/Ogonnelloe have now qualified for the semi-finals. Clooney/Quin and Newmarket have finished on equal points and will meet on this Friday evening in a play-off to join the other three. It was agreed to toss for venue for this tie and The Blues got the lucky call. Consequently, the play-off match will take place in Newmarket with a throw-in time of 7pm. These two sides are very evenly matched, and, of course, it was a late goal that gave the visitors a share of the spoils when the teams met at Hennessy Park at the start of the campaign. It’s unlikely that there will be much between the sides this week either.  So, a sizeable travelling support might make the difference!

County Finals are meant to be dramatic events. They should contain a high level of skill, outstanding goalkeeping, honesty of effort and the result should be in the balance right up to the final whistle. At Cusack Park on Monday evening all the boxes were ticked! Clooney/Quin and Coolmeen/Kildysart served up a thriller in the Co. U16 Div.3 Football Final. And the large attendance is already looking forward to the replay as 60 minutes was not long enough to separate these two sides.

The amalgamation started in whirlwind fashion and within the first 8 minutes Ben Cleary had 2 points on the board, they had registered 3 wides and Michael Culligan had denied them a certain goal. C/Q weathered the early storm and then came roaring back into the game in the 9^th minute when Michael Corry brought the first of three outstanding saves from Adam Carig in the Coolmeen/Kildysart goal. Conor Grogan converted the resultant ’45. It was then David Sheehy’s turn to test Carig, but again the goalie came out on top. Inspired by their net minder, Coolmeen/Kildysart went on the attack and two points in the 19^th minute from Cian Murphy and Ben Cleary again stretched their lead to 3 points. C/Q responded. Corry gave a good pass to the advancing Ruadhan Dunne who was taken down 30m from goal. Grogan pointed. With 23 mins on the clock, Davy O’Brien broke through the defence but his shot was again saved by the ever alert Carig. Midfielder Cian Murphy then finished off a good move with a point from play. The energetic Michael Corry kicked a fine point from the right wing before Cleary rounded off the first half scoring with a pointed free in the 29^th minute. This left Coolmeen/Kildysart leading on a score of 0-6 to 0-3 at the short whistle.

The lead was extended to 4 points when Murphy landed his 2^nd point just 3 mins. into the 2^nd period. Conor Grogan, who was now having a major influence on the game, kicked point No.4 for his side. Cian Slattery brought off a super save after 41 mins. before Murphy again split the posts to make it 0-8 to 0-4 as we approached the final quarter. Michael Corry won a free on the right wing which was sent in to the danger area by David Sheehy. With three defenders and the goalie attempting to deal with the dropping ball, it was C/Q’s Davy O’Brien who rose highest to fist the ball to the net. The vociferous Green and Red band of supporters were now on their feet in the stand. Game on! The Coolmeen/Kildysart defence were put under enormous pressure as Clooney/Quin went after an equalising point that duly arrived in the 51^st minute. Davy O’Brien won the free and Conor Grogan scored it. The next 9 minutes were dominated by Clooney/Quin as wave after wave of attack only yielded two agonizing wides from Grogan and Eanna Barry off a very stubborn defence. There was still time for Coolmeen/Kildysart to take the title and one last attack saw Ben Cleary’s effort from the left wing just shave the outside of the C/Q upright. Reiteoir, John Brew, blew the final whistle and while both sets of players looked dejected at having to settle for the ‘Fair Result’, they will all look forward to the replay with optimism.

Final Score: Clooney/Quin 1-5 Coolmeen/Kildysart 0-8.

Cian Slattery was solid in the C/Q goal and made that one crucial save in the 2^nd half. Luke McCarthy and Michael Culligan are two young men that don’t take a step backwards, as they attacked every ball that entered their area and are the type of defenders that forwards don’t like! No team can be competitive without a good halfback line and in Brian Kelly, Alex Maguire, Conor Ryan and replacement Fergal Coughlan we had a very good line that worked tirelessly in this area and did so as a unit. Midfield in the vast expanse of Cusack Park, in a 13-a-side game and against quality opponents can be very demanding. So full credit to Ruadhan Dunne and Eanna Barry who were a great help to their defence in the early stages, dominated their territory in the 2^nd half and finished very strongly with darting runs at the opposition. Rory Corbett used his physique to win a lot of high ball and distributed it well. On his opposite wing, Michael Corry was a thorn in the Coolmeen/Kildysart defence all evening. Conor Grogan was wearing the No.11 jersey but seemed to cover every blade of grass and showed his sublime football skills throughout the match. David Sheehy did much good work in front of goal while his strike partner, Davy O’Brien got the all-important goal and won frees at crucial times.

Clooney/Quin: Cian Slattery, Luke McCarthy, Michael Culligan, Brian Kelly, Alex Maguire, Conor Ryan, Ruadhan Dunne, Eanna Barry, Rory Corbett, Conor Grogan(0-4), Michael Corry(0-1),David Sheehy, Davy O’Brien(1-0).  Subs: Fergal Coughlan (for Ryan 25mins.) Douglas Reddan, Colm Farrell, Cillian Donovan.

Coolmeen/Kildysart: Adam Carig, Alan Normoyle, Rory McMahon, Mark Meaney, Darragh Cleary, Shane Ryan, Gary Meaney, Cian Murphy, Sean Wallace, Oisin Coyle, Kevin McMahon, Ben Cleary, Barry Crehan. Subs: Eric Scanlon, Robert Neenan, David Clancy, Michael McMahon, Cormac Guinnane, Mervyn Ryan, Conor Donnellan.

Our U16 Footballers are through to the Co. Final following victory in last Monday’s semi-final when they overcame Naomh Eoin/O’Curry’s in a thrilling encounter on a score line of 4-6 to 1-9. Their opponents in the final will be another amalgamation in the form of Coolmeen/Kildysart. Details of this fixture are not yet available but will be added to the club website as soon as they are. In the meantime, get the flags out!                                                    

Our U14 Hurlers will head to Ballyea this Friday for their final group match in the championship with their season still very much alive. A place in the U14B semi-final remains within their grasp despite suffering a narrow defeat to Corofin/Ruan last week. The team played some excellent hurling in that game and led most of the way before eventually being reeled in by the physically stronger North Clare amalgamation. Clooney/Quin held a 1-5 to 1-3 half-time lead with the goal coming from Alan Culligan following good support play from Conor Sheehy and Patrick Meade. Entering the final quarter, the sides were deadlocked at 1-7 to 2-4 but Corofin/Ruan finished the stronger, hitting 2-2 in the final 12 mins. to take the spoils on a 4-6 to 1-8 score line.

Ballyea are the form team in this year’s championship and are going to finish on top of the group while Clooney/Quin’s fate will not be known until after the results of all the final round of matches come in. Friday evening’s match has a 7:00pm throw-in.

Congratulations to Alan Culligan, who is the 2012 Clooney/Quin U14 Hurling Skills Champion. Alan showed great composure and accuracy to take the club title on Sunday evening. He now goes forward to represent the club in the County Final in Clarecastle on this Saturday morning at 11:00am and we all wish Alan the best of luck.

Our U14 Hurlers will put their unbeaten home record on the line on Friday evening when they entertain Corofin/Ruan in Round 4 of the championship. The North Clare amalgamation sit one point ahead of Clooney/Quin in the table and our boys will need to be at their best to get a favourable result. This match has a 7:00pm start.

Coolmeen will be the venue on Monday when Clooney/Quin take on Naomh Eoin/O’Curry’s in the semi-final of the County Div. 3 Football Championship in a match that gets underway at 7:00pm. This is our 3rd successive year at this stage of the competition, but a place in the final has so far eluded us. Best of Luck to the boys!

We are currently looking to recruit a number of people to assist in our primary schools coaching program. This involves working on established coaching structures with coaches who are already involved with our local schools.

The coaching will take place during school hours over a number of days each week. It present an ideal opportunity for younger club members with team management aspirations in the future. 

Further details can be obtained from Ger O'Halloran, Minor Club Coaching Officer on 0872798022

Clooney/Quin U14s got a memorial weekend for the club off to the best possible start when they secured their first win of the campaign with a victory over near-neighbours Tulla at Mick Hennessy Memorial Park on Friday evening.

A pointed free from Clooney/Quin’s Alan Culligan in the 2^nd minute of play was cancelled out 6 mins later by a like score from Tulla’s Seán McNamara. The home side restored their lead when Culligan pointed his second free after 12 mins. Tulla levelled once again with a fine point from play from impressive midfielder, David Meehan. Tulla were now enjoying superiority around the middle of the field and Meehan provided the pass for Patrick O’Mahony to fire to the Clooney/Quin net to give the visitors a 1-2 to 0-2 lead after 22 mins.

This score seemed to spur on the home team and Alan Culligan was unlucky to see his pile-driver go narrowly wide of the Tulla goal. A well-struck free by Tadhg Shanahan found Patrick Meade who crossed to Seán Burke and Seán gave the goalie no chance from close range. The score was tied for the third time. Shanahan and Culligan added two more points from placed balls to leave the home side leading on the score of 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time.

This game was decided in the 3^rd quarter when Clooney/Quin dominated and scored 5 points from play through Conor O’Brien (2) Patrick Meade (2) and Cian Keogh, with Eibhin Dunne and Colin Lynch the main providers for those opportunities. Tulla’s sole reply was a point from a Shane Hunt ’65 after 46 mins. Scores were difficult to come by in the final quarter with the only score in this period coming from Conor O’Brien – his 3^rd point from play - to leave the final score: Clooney/Quin 1-10  Tulla 1-3

Colin Lynch was outstanding in a very tight Clooney/Quin defence while the C/Q forward division combined very well as a unit as evidenced by the spread of scores.

Tulla had fine performances from Cillian Dunworth in goal, Shane Hunt in defence and midfielders David Meehan and Austin McInerney.

Clooney/Quin: Darragh Ryan;MarkFahy,Barry Loughnane,Colin Lynch;Cian Keogh(0-1),Tadhg Shanahan(0-1),Brendan Dolan;Harry McCarthy,Daniel Griffin;Patrick Meade(0-2),Alan Culligan(0-3),Conor Sheehy;Conor O’Brien(0-3),Eibhin Dunne,Seán Burke(1-0).

Tulla: Cillian Dunworth;Kevin Caulfield,Daniel Landers,Fergal Kearney;Owen Shanahan,Shane Hunt(0-1),Aaron O’Halloran;David Meehan(0-1),Austin McInerney;Seán McNamara(0-1),Colm Noonan,Ronan Harrisson;Patrick O’Mahony(1-0),Conor McCarthy,Ronan Molloy.

Local derbies always add a little spice to championship matches, even at U14 level! So, when our neighbours and good friends in Tulla come to Mick Hennessy Memorial Park on this Friday for Round 3 of the U14 Championship both sides will know each other fairly well. Many of our players are classmates and good friends with their Tulla counterparts. Many of the parents supporting each team from the sidelines are related. What will be more important on the day? Bragging rights? Or the two championship points on offer? Both teams are seeking their first win, though Clooney/Quin has registered our first point on the table following the draw with Newmarket. Despite an excellent performance last week, our boys went down narrowly to Scariff/Ogonnelloe. Another entertaining encounter is anticipated this week in a match that gets underway at 7pm.

Clooney/Quin U16 Footballers are through to the semi-final of the Co. Div. 3 Football Championship following a comfortable 4-9 to 1-7 victory over Doonbeg last weekend.

To all Clooney Quin GAA Club Members:

As some of you may have seen in the media or heard on the Pat Kenny Radio One show, Clooney Quin GAA has launched a new initiative to give Club members even more value for their membership fee.

Businesses in Clare have joined up with Clooney Quin GAA club to provide valuable discounts to its members. A list of the expanding discounts is contained below.

Get out there and support our supporters!

_______________________________________________

Below is the letter received by all club members:

Thank you for paying membership and your 2012 membership card is enclosed. The club has agreed a series of discounts for club members in 2012. Details of participating outlets to date are as follows:

The Clare Inn Health and Fitness Club -
12 Month Membership €300 Save €120         3 Month Membership €100 Save €50
10 Passes €30 Save €70                                  Contact Amy or Bryan on 061-700178

Club Dangan and CD2
10% off the purchase of Casuals (Non-sale stock)    
20% off any purchase over €100 (Non-sale stock)

The Grove Bar&Restaurant
10% off all Main Courses every day              10% off Breakfast every day
Additional arrangements for party occasions. See website.

Contact Donnagh Vaughan 086814488 or The Grove 065 6893280

Ozone health and fitness limited

Unit 10 block B, Quin Rd Business Pk Ennis Co Clare 065 6842607

Student Rate for all Clooney Quin GAA club members : Student passes : 10 passes for €50.

€299 per year or direct debit €4.99 per week plus €60 euro upfront.

 
Safeway Tyres Upper Market St., Ennis
FREE 4-Wheel alignment when you spend €150 or more with us.
Contact Michael McGrath 6828544.

BumbleBee Creations
30 personalised full colour print Napkins for the price of 20 or
Medium sized personalised Photo Frame for the price of a small size.

Contact Mary McCarthy 065 -6827558 087 9371074

Rainbow Cleaners, Francis St., Ennis.
10% off on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Contact Yvonne Flanagan.6825410 www.rainbow-cleaners.net

 Tommy O'Donnell Sports, 3 Abbey St., Ennis
10% off all purchases over €50

Contact Tommy on 6829982

Corbetts Man Shop, Tulla
10% Discount on all purchases

Contact Micheál on 6835434

Fitness boxing Ireland

 Classes male or female Student rate €6 per session for all Clooney Quin GAA members

 Contact Michael O'Halloran Quin Rd Business Park 9(overhead Ozone) Ennis 0863629810

Please note that further outlets are expected to participate. Details of these will be available on the web site www.clooneyquingaa.ie and click on the logo.

Full terms and conditions for all participants are available on the club web site.

Seán Earls                               Michael McNamara             Haulie Hannon

Cathaoirleach                          Rúnai.                                      Cisteoir

April 2012.

Clooney/Quin U14 Hurlers will travel to Ogonnelloe on this Friday to take on the Scariff/Ogonnelloe amalgamation in Round 2 of the championship. The East Clare side lost to Ballyea last weekend and will be anxious to get some points on the board in their first home game. While our boys had to be content with a draw last time out when Newmarket snatched that late goal, they will travel in determined mood this week to collect two points. Throw-in will be at 6:30pm.

Clooney/Quin U16 Footballers secured their third win of the campaign on Easter Monday with a hard earned victory over Kilmihil on a score line of 2-5 to 1-4. Their next assignment is in Doonbeg this coming Monday where they take on the home side in the hope of cementing a semi-final berth. The experienced management team of Brian O’Neill, Peter Sheehy and Liam Conneally will certainly not be taking this task lightly as they are well aware that a ‘Magpies’ team still harbouring their own aspirations of a place in the knockout stages will not be easily beaten. Throw-in will be at 7pm.

Our U12 Boys will participate in both the County Hurling and Football Leagues again this year. We will field two teams with a maximum of 11-a-side in both codes. While the hurling league is scheduled to commence in June, the football action will get underway this weekend when we host Miltown Malbay on Sunday evening. The games will get underway at 6:00pm in Mick Hennessey Memorial Park.

The senior camogie girls have made it to the league semi final afthe beating Wolfe Tones on Sunday last in Shannon. The girls put up a very strong performance against the Shannon side. The final score was  Clooney/Quin 5.14 Wolfe Tones 3 points. Clooney Quin will play one of the top two teams on the other side of the league.

Team : 1.  Sheelagh Daffy,  2.  Siobhain Lee,  3.  Aisling Hannon,  4.  Amy Colleran,  5.  Jessica O'Neill,  6.  Orlaith Duggan,  7.  Christine Colleran,  8,  Edwina O'Brien,  9.  Kelly MacLean,  10.  Marie Halpin,  11.  Deirdre Murphy,  12.  Jenny Costelloe,  13.  Lorraine Ryan,  14.  Claire Ryan,  15.  Sarah Doyle  subs. Aisling Corbett for Lorraine Ryan, Marie Begley for Sarah Doyle, Laura Costelloe for Aisling Hannon,  Meghan Kitson for Jenny Costelloe,  Siobhan McCarthy for Kelly MacLean, Hannah O'Brien

Scorers were Claire Ryan (2.8) Deirdre Murphy (1.3) Sarah Doyle (1 goal) Lorraine Ryan (1 goal) Meghan Kitson  (1 point) Edwina O'Brien (1 point) Kelly MacLean (1 point)

The County U14 Hurling Championship gets underway this weekend and the Clooney/Quin boys start off their campaign with a home game against neighbours, Newmarket-on-Fergus. The squad has prepared well for this difficult opening assignment under the guidance of the coaches, Derek Ryan and Fergal Lynch and the backroom team of Trish Buckley, Tom Meade and John Culligan. Note that this match has been re-fixed for Easter Monday in Hennessey Memorial Park at 5:30pm. Please come along and support!

Our U16 Footballers continue their quest for a place in the knockout stages of the championship on Easter Monday when they have home advantage for their Round 5 clash with Kilmihil. The old saying that ‘goals win games’ held true for the boys last week when they hit the net 6 times to score a fine 6-5 to 1-8 victory over table-toppers, Coolmeen. So, a trip to the club grounds on Monday evening would be the perfect way for all CQ followers to round off an action-packed GAA weekend! Throw-in will be at 6:45pm.

It was a tremendous showing once again from Clooney/Quin at the Scór na bPáistí Co. Finals in Cois na hAbhna on Sunday last. We had entries in 6 of the 8 categories, winning 3 of these to gain the accolade of the most successful club!

First out of the blocks were our Figure Dancing group of Aoife Guilfoyle, Eoin Guilfoyle, Karen O’Sullivan and Joanna O’Sullivan. They were fantastic! And the adjudicators agreed by awarding them gold medals. This made it a hat trick of titles for their coach, Marie Guilfoyle, following successes in 2010 and 2011.

There was an obvious sense of pride on the face of our Senior Club Chairman, Seán Earls, when Anthony O’Donnell, with guitar accompaniment, belted out our club anthem, ‘Spancilhill’ in the Solo Singing competition. Well Done Anthony!

We are very grateful to Ms. Crea Philips in Scoil na Mainistreach who prepared our two music groups. They both gave a fine account of themselves in a very competitive category. The ‘Green’ team members were: Oisin Egan, Michelle Meere, Hannah Conneally, Ulick O’Sullivan and Leah O’Neill. The ‘Red’ team comprised of Brianna Fennel, Colin Liddy, Paul Hogan, Aishling McMahon and Anthony O’Donnell.

Our next stage performance came from our Novelty Act. The story of ‘An Important Visitor’ was acted out on stage in expert fashion by a cast comprising of Cathal Browne, Leah O’Neill, Ulick O’Sullivan and Paul Hogan. They beat off stiff opposition to take our second set of gold medals. In so doing, they brought this title back to the club for the 2^nd time in 3 years.

We were delighted to have our first ever entry in the Set Dancing competition. We were thrilled with the performance! And we were overjoyed with the result! Our first time entrants took the gold medals in a very high class field. Congratulations to Hannah Conneally, Cadhla O’Keeffe,  Muireann Griffin, Seoda O’Keeffe, Pierce Griffin, Conal Egan, Donagh O’Sullivan and Cormac Egan.

Our two quiz teams put up a sterling performance but were pipped for the title. Well Done to the ‘Green’ team of Ulick O’Sullivan, Oisin Egan and Anthony O’Donnell and the ‘Red’ team of Paul Hogan, Cathal Browne and Eoghan O’Brien.

Finally, a big ‘Thank You’ to the parents who made a big effort to get the girls and boys to Cois na hAbhna in what was a fairly hectic weekend of activities for many of them. You have done Clooney/Quin proud!

Many of our juvenile players will head to Ennis on Sunday to represent the club, but will be leaving their regular GAA kitbags at home!

Scór na bPáistí time has come around again, and, girls and boys from the primary schools will take to the stage in Cois na hAbhna in the annual GAA Talent Competition. Proceedings will get underway at 5pm and an enjoyable evening's entertainment is guaranteed. So, please come along and support our acts!