Coming up on the show

We will look ahead to a huge afternoon for Clare soccer with Avenue United and Bridge United hoping to reach the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

The annual fundraising poker classic in aid of Clare football is on this weekend, we will hear from former manager Colm Collins about that and a chat on the new FRC rules with just over a week to go to the start of the National Leagues.

St Flannan's are hoping to reach the TUS Dr Harty Cup final after a brilliant win over Midleton, we will reflect on that with Tony Kelly, we will hear about opposition to the move charging U16's entry to National League fixtures and a few other bits too

It's hoped West Clare is in line for a jobs boost following the announcement of a major new offshore wind project.

Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta is planning to build a 30 turbine wind farm off the coast of Clare and Galway and is promising a community benefit fund of €70m over the next 20 years.

The local works will also involve an electrical compensation compound at Ballymacrinan near Killimer and a construction compound at Killard, Doonbeg, where a 68.5km sea cable will make landfall.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Councillor Rita McInerney says its vital communities in this county see the benefits.

Pen has been put to paper for the completion of a major infrastructure project in South-East Clare. Limerick City and County Council has signed a €31m contract with Wills Brothers LTD to construct the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road. The works will involve a new 2.1km urban dual carriageway, pedestrian, and cycling facilities and improvements to existing roads and is expected to complete within two years. Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District Pat O'Gorman is hopeful the route can be extended thereafter.

A Clare hotelier is optimistic the proposals in the Programme for Government are an indication of a shift in focus away from FDI and towards helping indigenous companies. Included in the draft, are promises to change the VAT rate for food, entertainment and hairdressing businesses, which would be implemented as part of budget 2026. The Department of Finance estimates the cost of reducing the rate from 13.5% to 9% would be €545 million per year. Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock and Clare Tourism Advisory Forum Chair, Sean Lally, says recent budget surpluses have enabled the country to absorb this.

The Circus Ponies Experience will be an unforgettable showcase celebrating the vibrant energy, music, and nostalgia of the 1990s.

You can prepare for a dazzling visual and auditory feast, igniting an explosion of colour, energy, and nostalgia.

It will be taking place at Glór on the 31st of January at 8 PM.

To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by lead singer, Moira Murrihy and lead guitarist, Ross Whyatt.

Photo (c): Clare FM

Israel says it has formally signed a ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza after last minute disputes.

The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says his security cabinet and then the government will now meet to ratify the agreement.

It's due to come into effect on Sunday, involving the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Professor of Politics at DCU, Donnacha Ó Beacháin, and former Clare footballer who is behind Clare Gaels for Gaza, Gordon Kelly.

Photo (c) by 200mm from Getty Images Signature via Canva

A Clare-based former ASTI President has lambasted the Programme for Government for being "scant on detail" when it comes to resolving the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland is claiming that the Programme for Government "fails to provide a real commitment to addressing the teacher shortage crisis" which it claims is the "number one threat" to the education system".

The Programme states that one of the ways the incoming Government intends to support schools is by reducing the 19:1 primary school Pupil Teacher Ratio at primary level but teachers' organisations have criticised the pledge for a lack of detail as well as a failure to address the issue at secondary level.

Former ASTI President and St. Joseph's Kilkee Community College teacher Geraldine O'Brien has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons poor morale, disagreements over the curriculum and better opportunities abroad are prompting teachers to "vote with their feet".

A wrap around support programme for teenage parents in Clare is to be evolved into a new service for young parents.

The move by the Teen Parent Support Programme comes in response to the changing needs of at-risk families.

At a recent special event 25 years of the Teen Parent Support Programme was celebrated after it has supported approximately 10,000 women and men, across ten counties.

The celebration event was accompanied by the launch of the new Young Parents Support Programme.

You can get in contact with Ruth using her email: [email protected], or her number: 086 0271147

To find out more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Ruth Culligan from the Clare based Young Parents Support Programme.

Photo (c): Clare FM

For the third episode of the village tour, Alan Morrissey paid a visit to Kildysart.

With the village tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county.

By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener.

The World Fitness & Bodybuilding Championship was held in Tokyo from December 16th to 19th.

Shannon bodybuilder Ewelina Hrynkiewicz Kucybala proudly secured a bronze medal!

She joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to share more about her achievement.

Photo(C): Clare FM