Intensive Clare

Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship draw panel discussions
Monday’s draw for the 2025 Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship threw up some intriguing battles as all ten teams prepare for the August 15th start.
But what were the teams’ response?

Well, after the draw, group representatives from all ten participants were split into their respective groups to discuss their own hopes and the strength of their four other group opponents.

On the first round table, Truagh Clonlara’s County and Munster Senior Club winning Joint-Captain Ellen Horgan was joined by Tulla’s Lorraine O’Loughlin, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield Manager John O’Connor and players Caoimhe Lally from Newmarket-on-Fergus and Scariff-Ogonnelloe’s Aoife Power.

Then for Group 2, Inagh-Kilnamona Manager Eugene Foudy played down his side’s chances alongside Kilmaley’s Caoimhe Carmody, Lily McMahon from Clarecastle/Ballyea, Mike Baker representing Kilkishen and Feakle-Killanena Chairperson Ollie Noone.

"I’m getting so worried about Clare now that it wouldn’t surprise me if Shane O’Donnell lined out on Sunday at the edge of the square"

0:00 - 6:03 - Intro

6:03 - 33:29 - It’s make-or-break for both Clare and Louth this Sunday when they face off in a winner-takes-all showdown for a place in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Preliminary Quarter-Finals a week later. Everything you need to know about this pivotal clash is right here as Kieran Madigan and 'Louth and Proud' Podcast host Dan Bannon debate the plusses and minuses of the two sides of the divide.

33:29-1.00:13 - Skorts, sombreros, no it’s not the fashion section of Intensive Clare but an in-depth discussion with former Clare selector Ann-Marie McGann and freelance reporter Derek Dormer on Saturday’s Shannonside derby All-Ireland Camogie Championship double header in Ennis. The Under 23’s won but Clare's flagship side could only share the spoils with Limerick in what were crunch ties in their respective campaigns.

1.00:13 - 1.22:22 - What a weekend it was recently for Kevin Sammon who first guided Roscommon to the Nicky Rackard Cup in Croke Park before also helping the Clare minor hurlers to a fourth successive All-ireland Semi-Final in Thurles 24 hours later. Kevin reflects on the Rossies breakthrough and elevation to the Christy Ring Cup for 2026 while also looking forward to this Sunday’s last four minor clash with Cork in Semple Stadium at 1pm.

1.22:22 - Heartbreak for Brian Culbert’s Celtic Challenge side in their All-Ireland decider against Dublin but hope springs eternal that the marquee minor side can make amends this weekend. Clare’s ladies footballers made the arduous trip to Wexford on Sunday to take on their hosts in a group decider. Both sides are already through to the All-Ireland Intermediate LGFA Championship Quarter-Finals so there’s the carrot of home advantage for the winner. There’s a badminton tournament in Ennis Tennis and Badminton club this Sunday while three Banner natives are also part of Ireland’s Womens Rugby World Cup preparations

Intensive Clare joined forces with Clare Camogie to conduct this year’s Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship draw live in Fr. McNamara Park. Join Eoin Brennan, James Lynch, Clare Camogie PRO Brid MacNamara and Fixtures Secretary Ann Marsh McMahon as the groups are decided for this year’s race for the McMahon Cup.

This is part one of three Intensive Clare podcasts this week which will include the regular magazine show on Tuesday evening while on Thursday stay tuned to this channel for further discussions on the Clare Senior Camogie Championship draw with representatives from all ten participating clubs.

’I’ll probably get arrested but they would be very, very pleasurable handcuffs’

0:00 - 9:18 - Intro

9:18 - 22:37 - Former Munster and Ireland International Marcus Horan joins Eoin and James to reflect on Munster’s heartbreaking penalty shoot-out URC loss to the Sharks in Durban at the weekend. With several players retiring and a new coach on the way for next season, what do Munster have to do to bounce back?

22:37 - 32:25 - Ten Ennis/Kilrush players were called into Munster’s Senior Women’s training squad for the coming season, with Ennis/Kilrush Head Coach Gareth O’Hanlon praising his players who are making the step up to AIL for the 2025/26 season. He also outlines their current preparations and new signing prospects.

32:25 - 55:54 - The only way was up for the Clare senior footballers after their flooring Down defeat and despite the loss of five key players, there would be a rousing Banner backlash from Peter Keane’s side according to Kieran Madigan who eagerly awaits the All-Ireland Group Stage decider against Louth on neutral soil in a fortnight's time.

55:54 - 1.04:47 - While the male footballers had a moral victory, their female equivalents had a superb actual win over Offaly to put one foot in the All-ireland Intermediate LGFA Championship Quarter-Finals. An extremely young Banner side scored five goals in a clinical performance according to freelance reporter Evan Greer who also looked forward to their group decider against Wexford in two weeks time.

1.04:47 - 1.15:03 - It’s all on the line for Clare Camogie this Saturday as the Under 23’s and seniors hosts Limerick in a Shannonside All-Ireland Championship double from 12 noon. Also on the line is Derek Dormer’s dinner for Monday evening, having promised to eat his hat if Limerick are to prevail, with Ann-Marie McGann more than willing to serve up his appetising headgear.

1.15:03 - There were All-Ireland Hurling Championship successes for six Clare players representing London, Roscommon and New York as well as Kevin Sammon who managed Roscommon to Nicky Rackard glory before joining up with the Clare minor 24 hours later for their superb derby victory over Galway to advance to the last four for the fourth consecutive season.

An All-Ireland Minor title is also on offer for the 40 strong Celtic Challenge hurlers who take on Dublin in the Division 2 Final in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles this Saturday (12pm).

There’s an award for Eimear Considine, a spectacular tennis tournament in Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club while Ogonnelloe swap their hurleys for clubs for their golf classic. The Clare Cup Adult Hurling League Quarter-Finals also take place this Friday.

“There’s word that they’re all going back and going to give it one final lash so that’s very positive.”

0:00 - 7:09 - Intro

7:09 - 18:01 - Clare’s hopes of gaining a Munster Senior B Ladies Football title and bringing momentum into this weekend’s All-Ireland Intermediate Championship opener against Offaly didn’t exactly go to plan last Sunday. However, as coach/selector David O’Brien admits, their entire preparations have been geared towards this weekend.

18:01 - 36:27 - Brian Lohan’s senior hurlers finished their championship campaign on a high with an away victory over Munster finalists Limerick. Joe Cahill and Pa Kelly reflect on Sunday’s last hurrah, 2025 in general, a peek ahead to next year along with recent contrasting fortunes at Under 20 and Minor levels.

36:27 - 1.00:21 - Clare began their All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship campaign with a gritty victory over Wexford. Ann-Marie McGann and Camogie Buddha Derek Dormer discuss John Carmody’s side’s progress and their upcoming derby against Limerick.

1.00:21 - 1.22:44 - Newmarket Celtic soared to a historic 20th Clare Cup title on Saturday, edging out first time finalists by the minimum in a tense wrestle for supremacy. Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy discuss that season finale along with play-off wins for Kilrush Rangers and Connolly Celtic as the summer transfer window opens in the county.

1.22:44 - 1.46:42 - Having been Down for the last week, Kieran Madigan is infused with renewed optimism ahead of the Clare footballers penultimate All-Ireland Senior Football Group clash away to Monaghan this Sunday along with assessing last week’s club championship draws.

1.46:42 - Noel McNamara’s Bordeaux power to European glory, Munster need some bite against the Sharks in South Africa and Gabriel Kehinde is back on the international scene.

“You have more hair than Pep but maybe the stress of a few seasons in charge will change that”

0:00 - 6:52 - Intro

6:52 - 34:42 - Saturday throws up a historic Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Final between Newmarket Celtic and Tulla United in Frank Healy Park at 5pm. Respective managers Eoin O’Brien and Mike Moloney join Eoin and James in the studio to look ahead to the decider, assess their seasons and also discuss the current health of Clare soccer.

34:42 - 56:07 - Avenue United’s Premier Division title retention plus major promotion/relegation play-offs are to the fore for Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy who also make their Clare Cup Final predictions. Dean is also looking for a new job.

56:07 - 1.13:50 - Clare commence their All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship campaign at home to Wexford this Saturday (2pm) in what could be the pivotal tie of the entire competition. Former selector Ann-Marie McGann and Freelance reporter Derek Dormer discuss Clare’s chances of reaching a first All-ireland Quarter-Final since 2020.

1.13:50 - 1.33:44 - Kieran Madigan joined the lads to reflect on a sombre Sunday start to the All-ireland series for Clare’s minor and senior footballers, with the latter’s 17 point defeat to Down on home soil being particularly alarming ahead of tough ties to come against Monaghan and Louth.

1.33:44 - Clare relinquish the Liam MacCarthy Cup but have plenty of pride to play for in Sunday’s Shannonside derby; there’s provincial silverware on the line for the flagship ladies footballers who take on Limerick in the Munster Senior B Final in Mallow on Sunday (12pm); honours were already given out at Under 15 camogie and Under 16 ladies football levels; Clare’s interests in the Women’s League of Ireland increases; Munster need more bite against Sharks while there are fundraisers for Ennis Rugby Club, Ogonnelloe Hurling Club and Kilfenora Boxing Club

‘As a team they were more ‘last of the summer wine’ than the first wine of the summer’

0:00 - 8:37 - Intro

8:37 - 33:29 - Having been devastatingly floored by Tipperary in another dramatic Munster Senior Hurling Championship derby showdown, Clare will look to exact full revenge on the Premier County this Wednesday when vying for Munster Under 20 honours according to hurling analyst Joe Cahill

33:29 - 1.03:39 - Clare’s footballing focus rests squarely on the All-Ireland series in both senior and minor, with both commencing this Sunday afternoon. Kieran Madigan previews the Banner’s flagship opening clash with Down while reviewing the minors Munster exit against Kerry on Monday and their ability to bounce back immediately for a trip to Sligo.

1.03:39 - 1.27:47 - Shannon Hibs edged a frantic Friday finale to snatch the Second Division crown while it’s between Avenue United and Bridge United for the Premier Division honours this Sunday, just two of the topics discussed by Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy as the promotion and relegation play-offs are still to be completed.

1.27:47 - 1.37:57 -Update on the Women’s League of Ireland along with a review of Clare’s Munster Senior B final group game against Kerry including an interview with manager Graham Shine and the Banner’s boost to an All-Ireland Under 14A LGFA Championship semi-final derby with Galway.

1.37:57 - Munster hold off Ulster to keep their European dreams alive; Grainne Burke and Lyndsay Clarke represent Ireland at Under 20 level while Kilfenora Boxing Club are hosting a tournament in aid of the Joe Slattery Future Care Fund on Saturday week in Ennistymon.

“I haven’t played since I killed those swans’’

0:00 - 8:51 - Intro

8:51 - 38:19 - A double Munster Football Final whammy for Clare at the weekend as the seniors and minors were defeated in contrasting circumstances against Kerry and Tipperary respectively. Former Clare manager and All-Ireland winner with his native Kerry John Kennedy rejoined Kieran Madigan to reflect on both games as well as look forward to the All-Ireland series.

38:19 - 51:13 - With so much uncertainty surrounding Clare’s treatment table, Eoin and James put the focus on opponents Tipperary for this Saturday’s make-or-break Munster Senior Hurling Championship showdown in Ennis (6pm), with Tipperary Star journalist Enda Treacy who is based in Clare, looking at both sides of the divide along with previewing the concluding stages of the Munster Under 20 Championship.

51:13 - 1.16:40 - Bridge United and Shannon Town secured underage cup honours while the adult CDSL leagues are down to the final fortnight as outlined by Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy who tee up a fascinating finale in all four divisions as the race to avoid relegation and gain silverware or promotion intensifies to unprecedented heights.

1.16:40 - 1.31:55 - East Clare Golf Club is currently on a membership drive, with head of their marketing committee Nick Ryan joining Eoin and James to reflect on over 30 years of play & development for the club as they plan ahead for the future.

1.31:55 - A hugely successful weekend for Clare Ladies Football as their flagship side advanced to the Munster Senior B Final with a game to spare, the Under 14’s advance to an All-ireland Platinum Quarter-Final against Derry this weekend and the minors retained their Munster Minor B title. The minor hurlers unfortunately bowed out of Munster but still have an All-ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final to come. Noel McNamara’s Bordeaux-Bègles qualified for the Rugby Champions Cup decider; Clare’s absence from the starting line-ups in the Women’s League of Ireland was reflected in their side’s scores while Gabriel Kehinde is building towards the much-anticpated outdoor sprinting season.

“He’s probably like a listed building at the moment, he’s so untouchable”

0:00 - 7:37 - Intro

7:37 - 42:20 - Clare’s flagship footballers will contest their third successive Munster Senior Final against Kerry this Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium, with former Clare manager and All-Ireland winner with his native county John Kennedy joining Kieran Madigan to assess both sides’ strengths and weaknesses. Kieran also discusses a bizarre Munster Minor tie between Tipperary and Clare on Monday evening.

42:20 - 101:29 - Clare suffered their first Munster Senior Hurling Championship set-back on Sunday when falling to a fresh Waterford in Walsh Park. Pa Kelly and Joe Cahill reflect on the tie and look forward to a must-win game against Tipperary while pivotal ties for the Under 20’s and minors are also previewed.

101:29-1.29:35 - Newmarket Celtic and Tulla United will contest this year’s Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Final on May 24th but before then the shake-up for league honours and relegation avoidance take precedence as discussed by Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy.

1.29:35 - A winning start to the Munster Senior B LGFA Championship for Clare’s first team allied to a Munster Minor B Final against Tipperary this Saturday are looked at along with Clare’s involvement with UL Bohs and Edel McMahon and Aoife Corey’s appearances for Ireland in the Womens Six Nations concluder against Scotland.

“It was a Good Friday but turned out to be a great Sunday”0:00 - 6:08 - Intro

6:08 - 30:36 - Clare’s resurrection to snatch a remarkable draw with Cork in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship opener on Sunday is discussed with Joe Cahill and Pa Kelly who assess a real rollercoaster tie along with Clare’s quick turnaround to travel to Waterford this Sunday.

30:36 - 40:39 - With Waterford only making their championship bow this Sunday, Eoin and James get the Deise view with Waterford born Broadcaster and Commentator Oisín Langan who looks at the Walsh Park factor ahead of two home matches in six days against Clare and Limerick.

40:39-1.04:31 - The Clare senior footballers commenced a memorable weekend in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg when holding off neighbours Tipperary to advance to their third successive Munster Senior decider against Kerry. Kieran Madigan looks back on Saturday’s up and down performance against the Premier along with taking in Clare’s U20 and U17 campaigns.

1.04:31 - 1.27:46 - Avenue United blew the Premier Division race wide open last Saturday but with titles, promotion and relegation issues raging across all four divisions along with this weekend’s Clare Cup Semi-Finals, CDSL pair Dean Russell and Paul Kennedy run the rule over another hectic week of soccer action.

1.27:46 - Clare exit the Munster Senior Camogie Championship but commence the provincial Senior B LGFA race this weekend. Munster falter in the URC but Edel McMahon returns to captain Ireland to 6Nations success over Wales. Adult LGFA League titles for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, Fergus Rovers, Cúil Gaels and Corofin are discussed alongside Féile hurling wins for Sixmilebridge, Éire Óg and Banner.