Moroney's Bar

No matter who you speak to on the street, in the pub, outside the church or in the supermarkets in Clare the question is the same, have you got a ticket for Saturday's All Ireland Hurling replay. It's nearly three weeks since that epic draw and while everyone has been on a high for the last two weeks that has turned to frustration this week in the hunt for that elusive ticket.

Everyone one expected that with no minor game before the main event that there would be extra tickets available but the opposite has been the case. From talking to people in Eire Og, Clarecastle, Ballyea and Inagh-Kilnamona the allocation to the clubs has been considerable less than for the drawn game.In the case of Eire Og they have received 47 tickets less for Saturday and the big question on everyone's lips is why ? Where are the tickets going… Read more

All Ireland U21 Final Thurles 14th Sept Clare 2-28 Antrim 0-11

This was a truly unusual feeling for Clare supporters being the hottest of favourites to land back-to-back Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under 21 hurling titles and they didn't disappoint with a superb exhibition of point taking from play and place balls. The Banner County led throughout,held a 2-16 to 0-04 interval advantage with Eire Og club mates Davy O'Halloran (Man Of Match) and Shane O'Donnell netting their goals. Clare opened up a 22-point lead inside seven minutes of the restart and this allowed Joint Managers Gerry O Connor and Donal Moloney to take of seniors stars Tony Kelly, Paidge Collins, Colm Galvin and David McInerney.

It was a superb family occasion with a official attendance given of 11,148 but with U 16 allowed in free the true attendance was nearer to the 18,000 mark.Even before the final whistle was blown thousands… Read more

What a week for The Banner County.Following on from our fantastic result in the All Ireland Hurling Final coming back fro the brink there was more fantastic news for the county on Monday morning last when Ennis was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre for the fifth time in the 55-year history of the National Tidy Towns Competition. The result was announced by Mr. Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the 2013 National Super Valu Tidy Towns Awards Ceremony in Dublin and is a unbelievable achievement from the hard working committee members of Ennis Tidy Towns.

Ennis has won this year’s Midwest Regional Award and has also retained the Clare County Award for the 15th successive year while it has received its 13th Gold Medal in as many years.The town was amongst 10 towns to receive a Tourism Towns Award, a category sponsored by Failte Ireland.… Read more

All Ireland Hurling Final 8th Sept Clare 0-25 Cork 3-16

The All Ireland Hurling Final of 2013 had everything,fantastic hurling,superb score, unbelievable levels of fitness from both teams and what can only be described as a magical finish from Domhnall O Donovan to salvage a well deserved draw for The Banner. Having lead from the very first minute at various times by 3,4 and 5 points and four points up with 62 mins on the clock it looked like Clare were going to win their fourth All Ireland.However in the space of two minutes Conor Lehane and a Pa Cronin goal had Cork level. In the build up to Cork's third goal an attempted shot for a point from substitute Cathal McInerney (on for Darach Honan 61 mins) came back off the crossbar and Paidge Collins went to kick the rebound to the net but Anthony Nash saved and from the… Read more

The exodus has begun from the county with upwards on 35,000 Banner fans expected to descend on Jones Road tomorrow for the eagerly waited All Ireland Hurling Final against Jimmy Barry Murphy's Cork boys. It is 16 years since we have had an all Munster All Ireland Hurling final when Clare beat Tipperary in a repeat of the Munster Final thanks to a last minute point from Jamesie O Connor. While The Rebels won ( Cork 0-23 Clare 0-15) when these teams met on 23rd June in the first round of the Munster Championship many GAA experts put this down to an over confidence on the part of this Clare team but this was more exuberance on the part of these young hurlers who play with no fear.This will be the fifth meeting between the teams this year but previous clashes will count for nothing when the two teams line… Read more

Grant me ,O Lord, a Hurler's skill

With strength of arm and speed of limb,

A cunning eye for flight of ball,

And luck to catch it where'ere it fall,

My my stroke be steady,my aim be true,

My actions manly,my misses few,

And no matter way way the game may go,

May I rest in friendship with every foe,

When the final whistle for me is blown,

And I stand at last at God's judgement throne,

Mat the Great Referee when He calls my name say:

You hurled like a man and you played the game.

Good Wishes from all at Moroney's to Davy and the Clare Team this weekend.

COME ON THE BANNER

Last Tuesday one of ENNISLUSC staunchest members Frankie Woods celebrated hid 50th birthday on the island of Maderia. Well if he couldn't celebrated it at home what better place for our sun worshipping Frankie to enjoy this auspicious occasion than with a beer and the rays beating down.

Frankie is on a three year assignment in The Hague and has already a year completed. Next week will see some of Frankie's friends head over for a few days and no doubt reminisce and celebrate the big 50 in style. Congratulations and Best Wishes Frankie from all your friends at MORONEYS and ENNISLUSC. MARCHING ON TOGETHER

U21 All Ireland U21 Hurling S/F Thurles Sat 24th: Clare 1-16 Galway 0-07

The dream continues for Clare hurling fans with the U21 into their 2nd consecutive All Ireland to follow their senior counterparts and they will meet surprise packets Antrim in the Final on Saturday 14th Sept with thrown in at 5pm in Thurles. While the first half was one to be forgot for hurling purists with the Clare shooting eight wides to Galways seven and the score standing at 0-05 to 0-03 in Clare favour the second half was what we have come to expect from theses talents young Banner Boys. Clare started with four seniors(Tony Kelly, David McInerney, Colm Galvin and Podge Collins) who togged against Limerick but none of the senior stars shone in the first half.Full-back David McInerney was the most positive but he was the one caught for all three Galway points in the opening… Read more

The Ennis Leeds United Supporters Club held their Annual AGM in Moroney's following the live televised game vs Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday afternoon. Secretary Paul Nihill outlined some of the highlights of the year and the success of the 3rd running of The Mike Mac Golf Classic. This was followed by Treasurer Johnny Moroney who said the finances were in a very healthy state and that €2,000 would be going to Cahercalla Hospice following the golf classic. All outgoing officers were elected en block and then it was open to the floor for questions.

The question of new club gear was raised and it was proposed that we check out the cost of polo tops and rain gear with a view to the club subsidizing them.It was proposed that the club's first trip would be to the Middlesboro game on Saturday 23rd Nov as the new Ryanair route from Liverpool would… Read more

All Ireland Senior Hurling S/F Clare 1-22 Limerick 0-18

What a day in Croke Park for the Clare supporters who though outnumber in a crowd of 62,962 were never found wanting in their vocal support for a truly masterful display by Davy Fitz's boys.The general consensus from the Clare supporters before thrown in was that we were well capable of winning but that it would take a huge performance. This we got in spades from this wonderful group of hurlers who from the first puck laid down a maker with a whirlwind start following captain's Pat Donnellan opening point following a brilliant Colin Ryan pass. After ten minutes Clare lead 1-03 to 0-01 with wing back Pat O Conner scoring a superb point and Pat Kelly making a fantastic save from live wire Limerick corner forward Graham Mulcahy.

At this stage Limerick's full forward and free taker Declan Hannon had missed… Read more

Well know Ennis Garda and ex League Of Ireland referee Martin O Brien has been chosen to take part in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force based in Cyprus. Martin is a member of the Ennis Traffic Corp and his duties for the year will include maintaining the buffers zone between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces. The UNFICYP is one of the longest UN peacekeeping missions being set up in 1964 to prevent fighting between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring back stability to the area.

This is a great honour for Martin and tributes were recently paid to him in the Ennis District Court by Judge Patrick Durcan citing his selection as a reflection of his high qualities as a garda. Tonight in Moroneys there will be a chance to wish OB well before he flys to Cyprus (tomorrow evening from Dublin Airport) when… Read more

With a week to go to the eagerly anticipated All Ireland Hurling S/F between Clare and Limerick the talk around town and in the pubs is all about the game. With this in mind Moroney's have decided to run a FREE predict the score competition with a prize of 14 pints of Guinness, Budweiser, Carling or Heineken for the winner. One can either sign the sheets in the bar, log on to our Facebook page or put the score up on our website guestbook. COME ON THE BANNER

It was a great night at the Galway Greyhound Stadium yesterday evening for Sean Heeney who trained Bunnow Glory to a emphatic 6.75 length victory in the Fundraising For The Dogs A2 Final in a superb time of 29.07. More important to Sean were the generous odds of 3-1 he availed of with the bookies and once the traps were lifted Glory was home and hosed for Sean and co owner Patrick Cronin long before the finish. On the night Tony (Camo) Quinn who is also involved with Sean in the ownership of their other consistent tracker Cahercalla Risk was there to lend his support and relieve the bookies of some cash also. On arriving back to town the lads adjourned to Moroney's to celebrate their success and of course give some slagging to the locals as opposed to being on the receiving end as is often the case. Congratulations… Read more

Munster U21 Hurling Final Clare 1-17 Tipperary 2-10

On a beautiful evening for hurling and on the best hurling field in the land Clare won back to back U21 titles when the defeated favourites Tipperary on their home turf. The young Banner boys were too quick and slick for a Tipp team that failed to score from play in the first half and relied on the Silvermines star Jason Forde for the bulk of their scores. On the day he scored 2-07 and without doubt is a player we'll be hearing lots about in the years to come. However Clare mentors Gerry O Connor and Donal Moloney who have been with this group of players since their U14 days had their team in tip top form and their positional changes before throw in had a bearing on the game. Davy O Halloran (Eire Og) replaced Daire Keane(Kilmaley) and Aron Cunningham… Read more

All Ireland Senior Hurling Q-F Clare 1-23 Galway 2-14

It's not often we have days like this in Thurles but Clare supporters were in jubilant form leaving the home of hurling after Davy and his management staff master minded a super victory over The Tribesmen. Tactically playing captain Pat Donnellan in the sweeper role behind debutant Conor Ryan put the shackles on Galway star Joe Canning and this went a long way in driving The Banner too a famous victory. However it must the said this was a superb team performance with each player giving his all and substitutes Fergal Lynch and Nicky O Connell both chipping in with points when introduced.

This is Clare's third victory on the trot in the qualifiers and they now face near neighbours and Munster Champions Limerick in Croke Park on Sunday 18th August in what is surely going to be a fantastic occasion. Clare… Read more

On Sunday next 28th July the Clare senior hurlers will take on near neighbours Galway in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Q/F at the home of hurling (Thurles) with throw in at 4pm. Now The Banner are 70 minutes away from a All Ireland S/F but they have a major task on their hands in upsetting The Tribesmen. With Galway playing well below par vs Laois and Dublin and Clare on the receiving end of a drubbing from The Rebels it's a game that extremely hard to call. Even the bookies find them hard to separate with Paddy Power quoting Galway at 5/6 and Clare 11/10.

If you can't get to Thurles for the game you can see it live on the 4 screens in Moroney's with finger food served at half time and a trad session to follow at 6pm so a evening not to be missed. COME ON THE… Read more

Last week during the heatwave local painter and Moroney's regular Eddie Hayes gave a new lease of life to the front of the pub with a full paint job. As everyone knows Eddie is a real character and he was regaling all the locals and tourists alike with stories while applying the paint. Now there were more than a few half truths there but what a job Eddie did despite all the interruptions that no doubt must he instigated himself.Well done Eddie on a top class from all your friends in Moroney's.

Ennis has become the first town in Ireland (Dublin is the only city)to be awarded the International Purple Flag which is a tremendous achievement for the Banner capital town. Now I hear you say what is a Purple Flag and how does it benefit the town in the long term. Well the Purple Flag proves Ennis to be the friendliest town in Ireland along with Excellence in appeal and Management of town centres in the evening and at night.

Brian O’Neill, chairman of Promote Ennis, said: “We are delighted to be the first town in Ireland accredited with the prestigious international Purple Flag award proving Ennis claim to be the Friendliest Town in Ireland. It is a huge honour and credit to the town, the people of Ennis and Clare and our dynamic working group – a collaboration incorporating the Ennis business community, Ennis Town Council, Shannon Development and Ennis Gardai.… Read more

It was a magical moment last Saturday evening in Belgium for Keith Whyte when he broke the Irish 100K record when finishing second in the Night Of Flanders race. The 33 year old Ennis native clocked 7hrs 3 mins for the ultra distance and in doing so knocked two minutes off the previous best set in South Korea in 2006 by Fermanagh's Thomas McGuire. This achievement is all the more astounding when one thinks that Keith only took up running in 2007 with Ennis Track and and is now a established Irish International on the Ultra running circuit while also holding down a full time job with Pat Foudy & Daughter Tyre Centre, Pound Lane,just off The Mill Road in Ennis.

Keith who is the current European No 1 is now hoping to compete at the World Championships in South Africa in October if selected for the Irish team. To mark… Read more

Last evening in the Ennis Civic Offices traders from the farmers market,the regular Friday & Saturday markets and shopkeepers gathered together to hear proposals for the upgrade of a new market area for the town.The power point presentation was made by Richard Rice (Healy & Partners Architects Limerick) and focused on the market transferring to Lysaght's Lane and to the Lower Market St area with traffic closed off from the roundabout. Proposals for a covered area with power and water points for traders were outlined as is the case in the Limerick Milk Market.

As was stressed from the outset these were only initial proposals with the local council wanting to hear traders fears and opinions as this plan was very much in it's infancy. When opened to the floor for discussion Market Street publican John Quinn said that Lysaght's Lane was a gem in the town and he praised… Read more