Clare FM Sideline View Friday April 3rd

0:00Hello and welcome to Clara Femmes' sideline view, it's Derek Lynch with you this evening. Coming up on the show, we look ahead to Sunday's national hurling league division 1B final has Claire take on Dublin at the TUS-Gerick grounds. Claire's minor hurlers and under 24 potters are both in action this evening, will hear from the minor management, and coming up after the show, we will be live in Ratkeel for Claire's under 24 potters against Lemric. It's another busy weekend of local soccer action. Alan Troy would have Greyhound focus, and we also have our latest more than a club episode where the focus is on Claire Castle GAA Club. Tammy Gellfile joins us to look ahead to an Easter Sunday showdown at the TUS-Gerick grounds as Claire take on Dublin in the national league division 1B final. We've been hearing some of the rumblings from the camp there the last while, the lads keeping the car as nice and close to the chess tummy, which I suppose, as Claire supporters, everybody will be delighted with, and a big game ahead to set the tone for a fortnight later. It is, yeah, I suppose it's been three weeks since our last game, so I suppose there's

1:04been a way under their warm weather training, and they probably started out with every injuries that they may have had, or that three weeks give them that opportunity to put a good place to work in. So, you know, I would expect that, you know, there will be all guns blazing on Sunday in the GAA grounds. I can't see why there wouldn't be. And again, if it's not full strength, I'd say it would be because there wouldn't risk a guy with an injury, but I think there will probably go championship team as near as possible. Is it interesting, or do you read anything into the different approach this year? Because traditionally, I suppose, under Brian, the warm weather training camp was behind and done big like, and, you know, this thing of a sports performance coach, we hadn't really seen it. Tony Griffins in this year now, and I just asked Brian after the game ball and carried out that night about Tony, and he was singing his prayers as obviously, but kind of got the feeling he was saying, you know, we said we'd try it out. So there's just something a little different being thrown at it this year.

2:05Yeah, I suppose when you're in a job, you know, for, you know, five, five, six years, I suppose, you know, a new vice, questions, up things, maybe a different approach than you've done it before. And, you know, I think the warm weather training came down to economics. It was cheaper to go at the port, including than it was to go to Fort Island or whatever above in Dublin there. So that was down to economics. So, you know, it was an old brand, or I suppose, in fact, that, you know, I don't, I don't think it was any sort of a holiday in investor commerce under Brian Lawman in Portugal. So, you know, they would have got a great opportunity to put, you know, put things together, you know, pokeouts, you know, different, different aspects that they made us. Or maybe it would be rushing after a normal transition. But I think the opportunity of that three weeks, I think they made good use of this. And very much the messaging from both David Reedian, Mark Rogers, who have been kind of speaking ahead of this final at the, at the various media events that were held.

3:08It's kind of very unified behind the idea of standards. They don't feel that they met their own standards last year. And that's kind of the metric that they've been going after, that collective body of work that's, that's called standards. Yeah. And again, look at that. When you have the caliber of players that are available, that, that care team, you know, everquiddigan, Connor Cleary, David McIlonely, John Conlon, I mean, they wouldn't, they won't accept anything only the highest standards. And that's, you know, something that's most good teams or winning teams aspire to, but also for the young guys that came in, I think, you know, the experience that they would have gathered from training and training with those, you know, can only be a positive, you know, going forward. And but yeah, I think, look, last year, look, we all know, you know, coming up this time, last year, the things weren't looking in our favor with injuries or form was incorrect. This year, you know, I suppose we had, I won't say the luxury, but, you know, the, the,

4:11the benefit of division won't be was that we, we could afford to give more players a chance. It wasn't the control of 1A. And I think the fair mentors, you know, used that very wisely. And as a result, you know, just looking through the panel, I think, you know, they've, they've probably covered themselves in more positions with, with backup players. Now, all players want to play, but only 15 can play at a time. So it's about build and depth and also with one night to the future as well, you know, blood and these players. So I think it has been a very positive lead campaign. And I would hope and expect that Claire would go on and, you know, win us. We don't win that silverware too, too often. So I think, you know, that's where the management will approach it. I was interested in today. We're really talking about those new ads coming into the panel. And he was saying they're not just coming in to sit there in awe of the lads that have all our little medals in their back pocket. They're coming in to take whatever jersey's hanging up behind them and try and get it for themselves. So like, there's a confidence and a bit of a bonus and a court about these young that's coming through as well, which is what you want to see.

5:11It is. It's not going to mean going in the certain, the show quite by in the car or, you know, you need to, you need to make an amp yourself. And I think you know, the likes of, you know, Dylan MacMahon, Naila Farrell, you know, and Ronan Killroy, you know, all those players have said and don't for Jack Kerwin, Shane Lee, and they've all put their hands up. And while if they don't, if they're not selected, they will be disappointed for, you know, in the knowledge that, you know, it's called upon that they have something very, very positive to offer. And given the dynamic of board teams having already been promoted. And I know, and I don't want to say it's just silver around the line, but like that target of going up has been achieved. Will that lend itself into maybe a more open game here? Or is it a case of board teams will try and look at implementing one or two little things that they're thinking about ahead of championship? Well, I think they probably have, yes, they will have one eye in it, but they're born to be the B.R. and Indol, I think the opportunity, the fact that we're playing Dublin, Dublin and Lindsner team, you know, who we won't be meeting

6:15until later on, hopefully, in an all-outland series, gives them that opportunity to go and have a goal. You know, because I think that's last weekend, you know, the four finals, you know, each of those counties get an opportunity to win silverware and crawlpark. You know, you can tell me that that didn't mean a whole lot to where they are out at the moment in general. And especially, you know, going forward. So if we could top it up with silverware, that would be great. But I believe that they will be going all out to win this. We have two weeks into the month of championship. And by that stage, you know, hopefully that, you know, the team and the structure will be taking care. And I've not asked Peter Quidi and his management team are going to be sitting in the stand somewhere in Limerick on Sunday. Do you think Brian Lohan and Kenan and the leds are going to be in any way conscious of that fact? Or can you afford at this stage, or does everybody know everything about you anyway, or can you afford to hold back any little thing?

7:16No, I think the way the way the way the game has gone and the way it's been analyzed and dissected. And, you know, you can't. And I think, you know, any manager would take what he sees as their value, but you're not knowing full well that while it may not be up there 100% championship level come two weeks time. You know, there won't be an inch last or game. Emerging will have to be fought for. So, you know, I mean, you need to steal yourself. And again, that's what the talk about it was. Will we be coming in under the fact that we didn't have the game that the division 180 and Ted, I actually think that, you know, a fresher might be better in the sense that, and again, you know, we have a lot of experience there. So I'm sure, you know, they won't be fooled by what their displays and division would be. I think they know and the M all year is them and for that for strong against

8:18waterward and what your championship game demands. And as I said, you, we've loads of experience there. So I don't see the gal being dropped any bit on on some there. Yeah, interesting one ahead for sure. And hopefully the weather will play ball as well. That game starts at 145. I will have commentary as ever here on clear FM. Well, ahead of Sunday's game, Claire FM's Derek Dormer has been speaking with Banner Stahlward to David Reedy, who began by reflecting on his own year today's look back to the year. And again, it's more last year you're kind of looking back at him. It's been a fantastic year with the club and we got we got the county title that we we wanted and we were trying for a long time. And we had to had a good run in one certain again, came up, came up with a cool bit short. I suppose after that, I did get a break. I got a good six, six, seven weeks and I even managed to get it into ten relief there for a week in 2026. Well, so again, I have no complaints. I can see a bit of a talent. The listeners want to know that. No, no, I have.

9:18But yeah, and again, came back from that in January. It didn't it was it was head down work to do and trying to get back to the standards that we want in the camp in 2024. When we won the alert, we won the National League. And for me, I always believed that that winning is is a habit like, you know, you get on a run and you keep winning matches this year. We didn't want to be in division one, obviously, but the air was promotion. That's got we're in a final. In a final, David, be it soccer, come on, it doesn't matter. You want to win us? Yeah, we're all competitive and I suppose, I suppose internally we're looking at standards. And if we get the standards to where we want that, that'll be the number one target. And then when we get that, as you said, winning is a momentum. So we'll be going out to win the league final and not out about it. And try and continue the momentum we've got throughout the division won't be league. And we've had a couple of competitive games there and again, again, stuggling the league final is going to be no difference. They're only building from strength from the first game out against us.

10:19And form like you can't turn it on just like the late switch. I mean, last year, we did dreadfully campaign and into the monster championship. And it never ignited. There was patches where we were brilliant, the second half against Cork and so on. You know, to bury the late company, it was always chasing our tails. Whereas this year, we just seem to be in a better place. Yeah, I suppose when you look back last year, like a lot of lights had a long, long year and again, when you get to the Ireland stages and you pick up niggas, you're going straight into the club campaign and you're kind of playing through big injuries. And then by the end of the year, you're kind of chasing your tail at that stage and trying to get right for 2025. And we never got our full complement on the field together. Again, every team goes through injuries when you have a number of guys in a number of key positions injured. It's probably disappointing. But again, this year, we've kept injuries. It's so far, so good. So yeah, we're building nicely. And then if you look back at the division, we'll be leading to mount

11:23the new players that made debuts, that KKM time has been massive. And they're pushing the more experienced players. Throw every day, every trend as well, which is, which is great to see. And for you being one of the most experienced players at this stage, Canon Hamilton, Windon Captain, Ireland medalist, you know, you, you've all done to see those young players coming in and you know what it was like when you started off, it isn't easy coming in to set up where you could be in awe of the player beside you. Yeah, I suppose when you look at the couple of younger lights, I mean, that are probably 19, 18 or 19 is the youngest and they've probably looked up and when they were 13, 14, as old as senior players, when fairness that they put that aside after the first transition and kind of got back back to work, they're only in the camp for one reason. And that's to get a place in the panel and in the team and in fairness to them, they're doing that, they're pushing big time, big time. When you, when you look at the, the, the championship, right,

12:27what for the first, but we haven't to like a good record in the opening game for the last, even when we won the other end, we lost the opening game. Like we seem to have to bounce back when we have done, but it's such a crucial game to get those two points on the board. And it is this time home game. Get a home game and we're going to, I suppose we won't, we're only looking at the first game. And again, like if you look at the full monster campaign as a, as a, as a whole, you can't, you can't do it all because you, you've too much to try and take in, try and analyze, try and prepare tactically far. So then we're only looking at one game and, and again, that's why for that home, massive clear, probably full house, and hopefully in the sunshine, but the battle that they're going to give, like we weren't happy with last year's campaign, what we probably weren't happy with last year's campaign. They, like, they've been on their records and that they want to win one star. And so again, they're going to come fire and brimstone into, into

13:30who's a partner in it. So it's going to be a massive game, a massive challenge, and it's going to be something to get excited for. Am I right in saying, am I right in saying that that's the only metal you haven't got to is a monster seeing a championship medal? Possibly, yeah, yes, I mean, you have the club, you have the National League, you have the Ireland, you have, you know, so, I mean, it's 1998 since clear, one of monster champions, just 28 years. I mean, you don't even remember 98. You couldn't, you only, it got soon. But I probably still bring you back to where I say first, like if you look at the full campaign as a whole, there's too much to go after. So we have to take a game by game and, again, and again, that's what we're going to do. We're going to have water in the tank and that's, that's all that's on our minds. And so we say, we play a dog in this weekend, we get, get through that, and then we recoup, recoup for one game, and one game only. And it'll be our monster final. Does the fact that you lost a one last year in March practice, that of any relevance

14:33is the revenge in the mind, or is it just a new year new campaign? It's not that, it doesn't make a difference. That's the gun that's last year. If you're looking back at last year, you're doing something wrong. Yes, we look back at things that we did right, and did things that we did wrong to make ourselves better, but no, it's a full new year, and we have to analyze what law for what they've done this year, and again, what we've done this year, and again, go after it. So finally, I know that I'm looking for, as key shares it sounds, you really do have to take this one game in literally one half of the time. That's it, that's it. And again, that that starts at train and the Tuesday after, after league final, that it's won't, won't focus, and won't focus only. Then it's Claire's David Reedy. They're speaking with Derek Dormer ahead of Sunday's game. We also heard from Mac Rogers and Dublin's Roland Hayes on Monday evening show. So those interviews are available to listen back to on our website, Claire.fm. We are back shortly here on sideline view.

15:33Now, delighted to be joined by the Claire minor hurling manager, Gerald Connellas. They get their campaign underway this Friday evening. Gerald, suppose you've been waiting in the wings for a while. I think to get this game underway, always good to have a championship opener. Yeah, it is. It feels like that. So we're waiting for ages since, as well as last year's our final boss. It's amazing how quick it comes around as well. You know, once you're kind of in the middle of train and for last couple of months. And once we had our trials there in December, and you finally just go out in January. And then it's just, it's just a quick 10 to 12 weeks than after that. You know, so not the lights have been excellent. You know, we've kind of pushed them hard. They're a real coach with group. You know, so, and yeah, we've seen real, real improvements with them as we've gone along for the last couple of months. And from your own perspective, having had last year in that bonus stores, babe, that was the process then maybe of the off season a little bit easier that you had gone through it before. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, one hundred percent of this pretty green. We think into the start of my tenure last year, you know,

16:36so having day in and on and on last year was a massive help, you know, with the structures and the timings of the sessions. And you know, the plan for challenge matches all that was, I thought he had a great idea of what they were in the time. And so look, we've kind of added to what we would have learned last year as we went along. You know, so no, it was look as we went along as well as we it became easier. And yeah, this year it's kind of we had to break. Once we had the Ireland over which we went back to basically watching, watching the lads play the younger age games, the school games and club, club championship games. So you're just looking at every player you can. And I think we ended up trolling over 80 players, you know, in December. So we really did have a good look at what talent we had in the county. And there's a lot of it. So yeah, it was a good process. And I suppose that something maybe people forget at minor level that the challenges for it will say yourself and Terrence at 20 would be just massively different in the time of life.

17:37These young lads are at what their schedule is like, maybe from September to December and how you have to work around all this. Yeah, absolutely. And like you really have to be aware of their children are low, they're training loads, they're playing schools, hurling, club hurling, some from playing football as well. And to that, some play soccer, rugby, it's magic, you know, so they're being dragged everywhere. It's just you really have to be aware of how much they're doing. And in fairness to our lads, our physios and instances, you know, they, you know, you take real guidance from those areas and just to make sure that you have, you have monitored those, those players, when you eventually do get your squad and how, and how you can deal with them because look, these lads, they're not robots, you know, they need to be able to be, be able to train consistently, you know, and at a high enough level, we'd also want to come with us. So yeah, it like avoiding injury and making sure that we manage a lot of huge. It's interesting, you're off and start like that you're taking your lead from the medical backroom team that's involved with you, that they're nearly dictating or not dictating,

18:39but advising you as to when players can go like that wasn't always the case. Suppose that's been a real development in the modern game that, you know, you're really being led by the science behind us. Yeah, absolutely. And a lot of it is feedback from players as well. You know, they use an app, a RIPT app, or a IPT app, that's, you know, they're telling us how they feel after a session, you know, how their legs are, their bodies, how they're mentally feeling. You know, so we get all that information and it's a very important for SNC and it's not the whole SNC group, they're by Conor Shannon, you know, they really have a case or that system really, really well to get information from the players and look, it's probably my job then in management to push the players to make sure that they're doing this correctly, you know, so we can get that feedback and monitor how they are mentally and physically, which is really important as young leds, because as you said, they have enough luck going on outside of hurling, you know, and there's more to life than hurling as well, you know, it's nice to be able to talk to the players in a one-on-one and see,

19:40you know, you're not feeling well or, you know, you show there that you're not, you know, mentally in a right state at the moment, you know, so you can have a good, good chat with the leds to see how they are. So, yeah, it's all a process, Derek, and it's really interesting how it has kind of changed as the years have gone on and, like, getting this information from players and then, like, the leds do jump tests before training to make sure that they're able for a full session and it's actually, you know, me, I'm just certain as I'm going and I find it fascinating and really interesting and these guys are the experts or I'd be foolish enough to listen to them. Absolutely. Tell us then about maybe any changes to your background team. You know, not really. We obviously last evening moved on, so he had his tenure done at minor level for, you know, he was so successful in what he told him. He'd probably go down as one of the great drivers on their age coaches, you know, that's ever been there from his success. It's not only us, but we call them as well, you know, so he's moved on and Denise Lynch moved on as well as a golden coach.

20:42She had a baby, which, so to Denise, hope it all to go well. Yeah, so no, we've had the same crew with me since under 16. So this is actually our sixth year together with the leds who, when we originally took to pair 16s, got five years ago. So, you know, to be at the whole lanter, all those leds were grace who we have real understanding of what we're doing and the roles that each member management has, you know, and that's really important and look, we're able to be not critical, but we're able to be honest with each other with lose and hate either, you know, so it's a really good environment to be around. Fantastic. And then within your group, your squad of players, have you had much turnover from last year? Yeah, it's a big turnover there every year, you know, like we as well as out of the 30, it's four we have now. I think it's nine of the original squad from last year and four would have started both. Like, once we came in in January, once we had our squad picked,

21:42like, it's square one, back to square one for these leds who were there last year, you know. You have to, it's so important for these leds to earn the right to wear a carer jersey and, yeah, and just because you're on a squad year before or you start to year before, you know, you, you, you're back in those leds who are hungry to get in the head here, you know. So that's, it just builds competition and, you know, it's a massive respect towards a jersey that's, if you do get it, it's, you really have earned it, you know. But are you seeing now like this? You're getting a very, very consistent level of the metrics these leds are hitting when they come from development squads to what is their first big inter-county experience? Yeah, really every group is different. Like you have, you, you could have a smaller squad coming through from under 16 or you could have a taller, lar, lar, enjoy it, every group is different. So we kind of have to cater to that player that we get as well, you know, from, from the Clare 16s up, like that's what my advantage the year before is that I had and last year's minor group, I had to make Clare 16s.

22:44So we knew what we had really from positionally, you know, the leds knew us. So that transition was really seamless, you know. So this has been different because we didn't really know the leds came true from under 16 because of, we were flat out with the miners last year. So this is a new group they have to get to know us and we have to get to know them. So that was, that process has been a lot slower than it would have been year before, you know. But at that again, that, that has been a real interesting part as well getting to know these leds and, you know, eventually what you're hoping is to, for them to earn your trust and, and they earn your trust. You know, so it's, it's a good combination of learning who they are and what makes them take as a Clare. Toft that will test coming now Friday night. I'll be it if you're a young fella going out into simple stadium. That's where you want to be holding his indoors venues. So toss up on and put a lovely surround, I suppose, to make your step up. Yeah, it's lovely. Like we trained there last night. And we said to them, you know, like all these leds from when they were on the 14, 15, 16, they were went down to watch these.

23:46You know, the minor teams playing down the turdless and so looking off for Clare that we've, we've been pretty successful getting the finals and semi-finals and winning one, you know, which is unreal. So these leds have come up, have come up in that environment of going down and supporting a minor group. And now they're the boys know who are in that position and I suppose they're the lead for the next onto players coming through. You know, so if you can't take that for granted and they don't, you know, they've, they've really, you know, really trained hard and, you know, we've, we've pushed them and, and it's amazing. How much they improve from week to week and and month to month, you know, so when we've seen that with this crew and not I know they're all looking forward to it. And so that's why they trained is to play games and to have a game. It's a bit of a tape is a perfect start. And how are we all love success? And we all live and breed off at a times like I suppose it's more so a sign of success when you're looking at this year's 20 group in particular. And you're looking at all and going, you're looking at all and kill while you're looking at Jamie Milen and you're looking at the journey. They came on that these lads are just starting and that's probably the ultimate success really.

24:49Yeah, it is the ultimate success. You know, it's like the whole point of I suppose being involved into development system is, you know, for these lads to move on to the next level. Like I know it's great to turn on and say, you know, we want to win an early minor, you know, of course we do. That's why we're going into it. But like at the end of the day, our job as a minor management team and group is to make these lads better, better players, better people on and off the fields and tactically more aware. So the wind to do go on to the next level in the 20s and whatever level even as high club level, you know, they're going back and they're really, really good players that understand tactically what a team or a new manager wants to do. You know, so look, that's our job to make and make them better people and and just when they do move on to whatever level they get to and that they are, they are ready to attack that level that they're, that they're asked to play. And the very best to look to Jeremy and the crew in Tarlis this evening. We'll be keeping you posted on that one throughout this evening's commentary of the under 20 football from rat keel.

25:52Now, next up here on sideline view, we're looking ahead tomorrow is a fairly packed card for local soccer this weekend. We have Monster Junior Cup, FBI Junior Cup and lots and lots of domestic action as well, which we will get to in due course. And Jim met him with us to look ahead to us, Jim will focus maybe on Jackman Parcon Saturday evening, Ashling and a Cotty versus new market Celtic. I was just doing a bit of research there. This is only a chance for the market to reach their third ever Monster Junior Final. Their first since 2016. I think the other one was back around the 80s direction. So a huge afternoon and an evening all around for the club. I mean, this is eagerly awaited by people both in clear and in limbic as well. I think that no market have an excellent chance of getting to the final. And as you said that the last time they were in the final, they were beaten by you regionally. If I remember rightly by a golden hill, that was just after they had won the FBI Junior Cup.

26:52So market this year has shown an incredible resilience. And while Ashling are a decent site and they knocked out the bridge in the last round. Ashling are managed by Declan Farmer, very, very highly qualified and experienced coach. And has a decent site. However, the word is that since the bridge game, one of his players has picked up an injury and he won't have recovered. This man, it would be quite a kind of heartland would be quite important to Ashling up front. And if you can't test no market at the back, you really are in a bad space for one to the better world. The game will be tight. There's no doubt about that. Ashling Declan Farmer will know plenty about no market and we'll have watched them quite a number of times over the last number of weeks. And he will have come up with some kind of a system defensively and all of that. But it's the fact that no market can defend so well, our sole resilient and then can hit you on the break and get that vital goal.

27:55And then they're capable of shutting up shop again. So I think no market, I would imagine there'll be a right good crowd in it, the game in Jackman Park. The pitch there is always in top condition. And as long as the weather is kind and Saturday night, I think we'll have an excellent game. And I think no market will qualify for the final. Yeah, the Declan Farmer element to this obviously we know his clear connections. And maybe the way the game has gone, it's very hard to keep secrets anyway. But the little bit of insight on others that he may have on what is I suppose an evolving new market Celtics squad. Do you expect that to play into us? It will. I mean, he has thought out that he will be very aware. I'd say he could actually probably pick the no market team. He would know that much about them. And he'd probably decide that basically what he has to do is make sure that they don't concede an early goal to no market. And that they put a pressure on how the company at the back to see can they break down the no market defense, which is normally very, very well organized and get that vital goal.

28:59Maybe before half time or whatever, I can see the game being very, very tight. And I can see very, very little between the two sides. And whoever will win. And I think it will be no market. There'll only be a goal or two in it. Yeah. And of course that is the last big itch for no market to scratch in terms of the cups that they can win. We know that FEO we know opened up so many other competitions that they won consequently as well. And then, you know, the monster junior, the one that they just haven't had over the line. And so huge, huge carrot for them this weekend to get back to the final. And we wish them all the best in that seven o'clock on Saturday evening for that one down in Jackman Park. At the Craig then Jim obviously on Saturday as well. This is the refincter. Tolla made the trip down last time didn't get their game this time. They're home in the Craig against St. Highters at half six. They are indeed and from what I gather from talking to the people at St. Highters, they do feel that they're in for a hiding here a little bit. Tolla at home very, very well organized, very strong. And I think tolla will advance in this game and probably have a little bit to spare as well.

30:06But probably be quite a good crowd up there. And maybe there might be a slightly bit of a sour taste by Tolla in the fact that they traveled down to West Limerick and the game didn't go ahead. But I don't think it is the blame of St. Highters. They did feel that the pitch while there was water on it should have been all right. And the referee made that decision to follow them. But I think tolla will advance. And I think that the way the draw is going, I think tolla have a great chance of getting it down to the knockout. The final stages of the FAI this year as well. Sticking with the FAI Junior Cup in the game also that was rescheduled from the last day. It's on the Shannon Road. This time, Sunday morning, Bridge United and Shannon Hibbs. Sorry, afternoon, two o'clock kickoff for that one. The low kick derby element here, but as well as Bridge in maybe a stronger vein of form. Yes, indeed. I mean, the bridge will fancy their chances. Shannon Hibbs wouldn't be quite as experienced. First of all, as the bridge. And I think home advantage will swing it for the bridge.

31:06They definitely have their eye on having a more successful season and picking up some bit of silverware, whether it'll be the clear league or the clear cop. The FAI did like a good run on that as well. However, unfortunately, if they win on Sunday and no matter which of the two of them win, there is a way to do marketing the next round. And that isn't something that should be looking forward to too much, maybe. Absolutely not. No right. The Maloney hardware premier division then for Avenue, I guess it's a case of while the cats away. They'll hope that they'll be able to close the gap on the leaders to just paraphrase that old one there at least raw to take on fair green Celtic at half-tints on the morning. Four points off the lead at the moment. This could bring them back to it in one, but obviously they'll lose on the games and hand. Yes, indeed, but I mean, I would imagine that Avenue will feel that points in the bag are far better than, you know, hope for fair green not happen a very good season. I felt at the start the season that fair green would be a force and would have a decent season.

32:10However, they've had some difficulties and they've lost a number of players. You'd have to imagine while this will be a local Darby and fair green will not give anything away free. That Avenue will be capable and will want to pick up the three points. The other game in the premier of the season is Shannon Towne play Killrush Rangers. And for me, Towne would appear to slightly have the better side and the stronger side. And I think while Killrush are really struggling, how to see them getting anything out of this game. So a town went there. And then in the first division, Derek, then we have Matt Aseltic versus Mount Shannon. I think Mount Shannon could win that. Bon Rati are playing Connolly and Bon Rati should win that. And then Shannon will be playing fair green Celtic. And then on Friday, Derek, we have the Women's Cup semi-finals. And it starts play more Celtic at the county ground to kick off there on Friday at seven. You'd have to fancy more than that. Very good. And those games in the second and third division. I don't think whether it's promised overly hectic this weekend.

33:14So maybe keep an eye out for a venue changes and maybe some games that may get pulled later on. We'll see how all that goes. I hope to clear soccer, Facebook page and CDSL.ie for more on that. But for now to you, Matt, and thanks very much. Alan Troy joins us now for this week's Greyhound Focus. Player FM's Greyhound Focus with Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Enjoy top-class racing at the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial each Saturday night and check out our dinner or group packages. A very good evening. A welcome to this week's Greyhound Focus. Flyers, Penny is proven to be an exciting prospect for taller bracks, column fistjurled and the Flyers Racing Syndicate. Having won five or four six competitive starts, this daughter of signities and Penny Lane Shoeba impressed all that were in attendance at Galberg Greyhound Stadium with a commanding 12 and a half length victory in the first round heats of the Palm Academy Memorial A5 sweepstake. She stopped the clock in 29-21. And also on Friday evening, the first round heats of the Galwyn novice N2 sprints sweepstake commenced and Cascade tore Julia obliged in Heat 2 for Ballye's Jack Brown in 1942.

34:23He's trained by Jack's father, John, and is a homebred son of Dramana Boko and Cascade Phantom. That's all for this week folks. Player FM's Greyhound Focus with Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Enjoy top-class racing at the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial each Saturday night and check out our dinner or group packages. Alan, thanks very much indeed for that. Up next is our next episode of More Than a Club where we shine the spotlight on Claire Castle. This feature, More Than a Club, is funded by Commissioner Nehmann with the television license fee. Now in the latest part of our club focus series, delighted to have representatives of Claire Castle G.A. Clubwood is in studio. Facilities manager Nile Tuhey and the newly elected chair in Olivia Hickey. Guys, thanks so much for coming in to us to have a chat. Olivia, I'll start with yourself because I suppose off the bat, a historic moment for Claire Castle G.A. to elect a female chair.

35:25From your own point of view, what did you make of getting that title? But I suppose I was looking forward to it. If I did get it, it was the way to put it. I just kind of put my name out there and I said, is there any appetite for a female chair? I suppose I wasn't looking to make any great changes in the club, but to help progress the club as it's already been moving. You know, there's been great strides and great work done especially with Nile who is our former chair. So it was to kind of keep that moment in moving. So I suppose for me it was great to have the opportunity and also to see that the community had faith in me to do so. What was your previous connection that are involved with the club that kind of said I go forward here? I was registered at the club for two years and I was also coaching Komogi and LGFA there in the underage as well for the last few years. So I suppose there was a lot of exposure to the club, my children go to the club. And I just thought, you know, what a great way to give back to the community and to volunteer and to help keep the club moving.

36:29I suppose to have had that previous grounding then I know it's obviously very early in your tenure, but was that a comfort blanket that you weren't coming into a completely unknown scenario? Yes, I suppose to know the workings of it and to see how it was being managed. And you know, just the various different roles, there's a great group of people from the executive down to all of the volunteers and they all move as a community within a community. And I just thought, you know, it's such a nice thing to see and to try and keep that moving and positivity going. Now speaking of community, I suppose within the Takasal G.A. community, the name too, he is synonymous obviously. And it does probably no need for me to ask your own background or involvement in Takasal G.A. I imagine this kind of startling the crib for you, does. I was sure I didn't know any better. We lived across from Kerabi, my mother is still there. And there's a stone straw across the road. And as a young fellow, I've been over there watching my brothers play in a way, a holler in a football and everything.

37:29I think I was conscripted onto the grounds committee at about ten. I'd say I caught in grass and trying to find slithers and I didn't know any better. And I suppose that's the beauty of a club like Kerabi because the sense again if it is okay, it's in an urban setting in inverter commas insofar as you're just below the town. But there still is that massively rural family connect an element to it. It's like every other village in the county or in the country, the G.A. is a big part of every community. And there are people who are involved in lots of different organizations and identify in lots of different organizations. But the bulk of the people of the workers are associated with the G.A. and Clarcastle. If we were to draw a line from the Clarcastle that was there when you first started collecting slithers and as you brilliantly put it conscripted onto the grounds committee, to the Clarcastle that's there now, both in terms of numbers and facilities and I suppose demands on the volunteers which we'll touch on. It must be night and day, is it?

38:29It is, it's night and day, but we're no different than any other club around the place improvements have come on board. New people have come on board, I suppose. Borne Ryan, our farmer, secretary used to say you were a blow-in. If all of your grandparents weren't born, they can go out and it was probably taught the house and the key road. We're full of blow-ins and thankfully so Mrs. Navin, a bigotour used to call us, shoelers. You were walking in, you weren't parted as set up. But Clarcastle is full of shoelers now and we're indebted to them. Yeah, and I don't know if you like on that, as the facilities grow and we'll touch on some of the developments in a while, but so to do the demands, I suppose, and that need for a big team around you. That's a thing, isn't it? Still trying to find people to have that time. Yeah, very much so and I suppose the thing is that it's a fantastic facility to have. But it takes a lot to maintain it and I suppose Nile has been pivotal with that in organising people and getting the help there.

39:32And I suppose the one thing that's happened since I've started as well as other people contacting me saying, if you need me to do anything. So I'm kind of pulling off that and you know that good faith and that good will, because that's what it's all about to get the community involved. Even if they don't play the sport themselves, but they enjoy watching it. And just to have that experience of helping to maintain the facility. So you know, it's all really about community and that good faith there and just keeping that positivity going. No matter whether a team is doing well, middling, not so well, it's the community that comes together regardless. But I suppose you hit on a good point there, that element of the GA being more about the more than the 15 players that go on the field or three lads on the sideline. And we'll get into some of the initiatives that you've developed. I know that there was a fantastic Irish culture night down there in recent weeks as well. And all that comes with it from a GA perspective. But there is a place for everybody here. There is. Absolutely. And the thing is that I suppose the more we promote that, you know, the more people want to come.

40:33And that's the main thing it's about having a place where people can go, because you know the world is getting bigger. And everything is getting bigger. And sometimes people need a community to be able to slot into whether they're local or not. I suppose for me, I'm originally from town. I moved to Claire Castle 16 years ago. I married a Claire Castle man. But you know, it's just, it's that sense of community and being involved in it and the volunteering as well. You know, as I always go back to the saying is my father said, no matter where you are in the world, it takes a village. And it's the community around you sometimes that'll be closer to you than your own family at times when they're spread across the world. And it is so true. So definitely to rely on the local community but to make everyone welcome in all, you know, in all capacities from young to older. And on that and that evening that we speak about, it was held up upstairs there in the clubhouse for people that know it like that. That cultural element, it seemed to be in a night that a lot of people had a lot of praise for. Yes. And I think it was a great idea to bring it around and to have it.

41:35Within the community and to have it at the club and to be able to facilitate it there. Because it is part of our heritage. The Irish language is very much part of the G.A. culture as well. So it's about promoting that and bringing that back in. And also supporting those who want to enjoy the language. And you want to enjoy the music and the culture. And so, you know, it was something that was nice to have and to be able to facilitate. And now, that explosion of numbers at the club of St. and recent years, I know it transcends both underage and adult. Because I think you're feeling more adult teams maybe know than you would have had in previous years, which is a real dedication, I suppose, to the ones that want to get involved in the club. But as we say, with that comes challenges. It's a fantastic challenge to have. Obviously, you put it, it still is a challenge. I, yeah, look, we take on any challenge. I think we've 841 members last year. It's groaning, groan and groan. Pre-covid, we probably had 500. You know, I suppose, covid affected people in so many different ways.

42:35But the people in the village looked around and saw 40 acres at the disposal where they weren't able to get outside of the pill. So they looked at the village, they looked at the club and said, geez, we have something here. How can we get part of this? Yeah, and I, but that's an interesting point as well, because a lot of clubs I spoke into and this goes across both Urban and Rural, right? Is that, and I've seen it myself firsthand in our own Orden Club at home. Not everybody wants to be or can be an Alster, but everybody wants to be a part of it. And they want to have some role to play within the team, whether that's June or ABC or whoever many more letters, the alphabet, we can go down through. So catering for them is brilliant as well, because they get attached to the club and maybe a year or two is time. They're a treasure, they're a PR role, they're some kind of an officer. I suppose it's true to say that the GA isn't for everyone, but the GA is there for everyone. And it's up to you to put your lava sauce there and say,

43:35how can I be of assistance? And the door is open. We've, I think it's 54, something like 54 teams between underage ladies, football, Khmurge and Hurlan. You know, we operate under one club model. We've been doing that without formally doing it for 10 years. So there's only one checkbook down there. So we don't have an underage treasure, ladies treasure, football or Hurlan treasure is the one checkbook down there. So we all have to make use out of all of the facilities and we all are equal down there. Yeah, we'll speak more to Divya about that in just a second, because obviously this integration thing is coming down the tracks at a fair rate of knots. But you've this lovely title of facilities manager and anybody that has gone down and been around to our castle can see that it would rival anything in a provincial or indeed a national sense at times. But I think the 10 acres 4G pitch down there has been a revelation. Talked was a little bit about how that came to be, I suppose, and just how much it has grown in terms of demand.

44:36Yes, I suppose we're very lucky historically in Kerkassen that we are blessed with ingenious people down there and hard workers and what 40 acres that are at our disposal at the moment is down to the hard work and vision of people in the 50s and 60s and 70s. Now, as a youngful, I remember gone upset, cannons popped to the veins field. Then we were out of Mrs. Lynch's pump field. Then we went over to Clarabi in the midiaries. We've never actually officially opened Clarabi yet. And we're across the road in our new facility 20 years and we haven't opened that. And I suppose the reason for that is we're not ready yet. Do you know, we still have plans there at the moment. We have two juvenile pitches. We have two sand-based pitches. And then we have the Ryan's field. And we also have the Asteroff. So maybe five years ago, six years ago,

45:38when Rash was announcing that it was going to leave in the village, there was a kind of a borcery set up by Rash to see how best they could leave their legacy in the village and various different organizations. Put forward proposals to Jörg Kahld, the MD at the time of what best footprint to leave behind in the village and the Gia were blessed with articulate and intelligent visionaries at the time and we put forward a proposal of a 4G Asteroff pitch. That would have came about by a survey of our own members, what we would like to see. So previously we had bought 10 acres and we didn't have the price of it. But we knew that we couldn't afford not to buy it. So we got alone and we bought the 10 acres and we said what do we want to do? And our vision was a tenet, an Asteroff, Rash came on board and decided to help us dare to dream.

46:39So we got the seed capital and we were fortunate enough then that we hold of this IIP scheme and we applied for that and we were very fortunate. We got some funds from outside of Europe and that led us build the facility we have where still focused on the next trench that we have been approved for more funding. So there was more developments there when we put in the stand and other set of dress rooms and a shopper we probably opened the place. We even often. Makes the sound so easy. But I have to say, if I'm not mistaken, the first couple of fixtures in there was a demographed cup game with Claire and Clark and then it was Claire and Limerick and the Hulling and I just remember being dared vote nights at those games and looking around with all the ads with the Magpie high-viz jackets on them. There was such a sense of pride that this was something that G were offering to the county. So I think there's hardly been a free slot there since, has there? Well, you'll have to talk to the judge who broke free slots. Sorry, available slots.

47:40I've got to refresh that chair. It is a busy place and we're fortunate that we have Claire G as anchor tenants. We give them first refusal. So it's great to see us bring down the young fillet there and you'll see Tony Kelly there today. You could see Gary Brennan or whoever down there, you know, you've top class holders and footballers and ladies, footballers and gumogies down there and we're very proud to be able to offer that to the county of Claire. Fantastic. Olivia, we mentioned there the one club model and I suppose it's something that's invoked. Oh, I suppose you could say now the 2027 deadline and Mary McElise and her committee and all the rest of it, but it sounds like Claire Castler kind of a step ahead of what will ever be coming down the road because that's what you're, that's what you're aiming, that's your vision and has been for quite some time. Yeah, so I suppose when I started in the club, it was very much the one club model was embedded already, even in how we approach the membership. So everything was was pretty much in place, so it was just about keeping that and moving it forward

48:42and now we're lining it. I suppose what's going to come down the line with the integration or, you know, I suppose is, you know, how it's going to look as a GA model as well. But I suppose what the club we're trying to do at the time was to have something in place so that it's not a shock to the system. So all we're doing is implementing any changes that will probably be smaller rather than bigger. So it's something that I suppose it'll just be great to have it kind of all put together, because even from a registration viewpoint with Ferrin and things like that, it'll just make a big difference. Yeah, and it's something that a lot of clubs that have kind of moved towards that model have been saying that as well, like that, you know, even for, I suppose book and pictures for training or fundraising, it's just a bit more coordinate in that. Well, I suppose this one club model wasn't talked about when we adopted a result of a sense of fairness. If you had a parent with a boy and a girl, we were charging extra to play ladies football and Kamogi,

49:45and the boy who could play Holden and football was being charged less, and we said, that's not fair. So the club decided to take the hit and all children treated equally no matter what it cost us to the different organizations. But it would be help from our funding point of view, if the head offices in Crock Park decided that our model wasn't a bad idea to where to go. But also, if you had imagined from a fundraising point of view to have it more streamlined, because like rather than the same shopkeeper been asked twice in a week to support the ladies club and support the men's club, and suddenly they sent cheese with every meal on them, so enough given. It's supporting the club, that's it. Yeah, and I suppose, you know, not just a particular team, the club. And you know, that is something that has been looked at, I suppose, we have a fundraising committee who are pulling together so that we have a fundraising policy there that will allow for that as well, so that it's for the club, and that we're not supposed constantly going.

50:45We're asking the community all of the time to help out with their time, and then their money as well. So I suppose things like that, once everything is integrated, but I suppose for us, it's been something that has been done all along, so it's just to kind of build on that. And with the facilities we have, like we're grateful in the fact that the community are there, and they've supported us for so long, so anyway that we can give back as well. And that was the one thing as well, with the idea of the one club model, and having, having I suppose, just a straightforward flash rate with regards to membership, and was very important as well for the community. Well, it sounds like a huge, exciting time for you to be coming into this position, because all the new lights were shunned on the grass pitch there as well, for the McGraw Cup game of Claire and Kerry in January as well. So that's now another string in the boy, I suppose, and listening to all that Niles outline there in terms of developments, and that positivity that's there, like as chair, to be center of a fantastic place to be. I suppose it is. I suppose I'm not myself personally.

51:46I'm never very comfortable being the center of attention. I normally like to be in the background, and getting the moving parts moving, and just keeping them moving, I suppose. That was a bit of a shock, as you know, I was quite excited, and then it was like, oh god, people are looking for me. So, because that was the big thing for me, was that I'm not a front and center person. So, for me, it was more so about helping the club, and maintaining, there's been a very consistent approach with the development of it. There's a team there, you know, at the very, very top, there's a team, and we all have our own parts to play in it. And, you know, that's something that will continue. I'm not looking to change that. That's absolutely the heart of the club. The people of the club are the heart of the club, whether they're a player, whether they're a volunteer, whether they're on the exec wherever they are. I'm just excited to be a part of it, and to keep it moving, the way it has been, because Niles Shoes are very big shoes to fill. I have to say, but I'm not quite there yet,

52:48but he's been teaching me as much as he can, and imparting as much information. And, you know, it is something that I'm just looking forward to maintaining and progressing through the year. Fantastic. Well, to the board, thanks for coming to have a chat with us and the best of luck for the season ahead. This feature, more than a club, is funded by Commission Nomad, with the television license fee. And thanks to Niles and Olivia for their time on this week's more than a club, and we will have lots more to talk to over the coming weeks. That's where we have to leave it though. For this week's show, but coming up after the break, we'll be live from Ratkeel, as Claire take on Limerick and the monster under 20 football championship. The helicopter is ready just outside the doors. I better run. Stay tuned. I'll talk to you shortly.