!!! NEWSFLASH !!!

Historic vote at EGM gives mandate for purchase of Convent Grounds

Friday 9th Feb 2007, a members EGM voted to endorse the proposal for our club to prepare to bid for the Convent Grounds in Kilcoursey when they are placed for auction before Easter of this year. If the club is successful in its bid, we will be able to centralise all playing, training and social facilities at one site.

Initial plans for the site would include two full size pitches, two junior/training pitches, an all weather pitch, new club rooms, training facilities and extensive parking facilities.

To fund the proposed bid, the executive has been authorised to sell the existing pitch and grounds at Parc Brid, Marian Square. A decision on the possible sale of the GAA Social Centre will be taken at a later date .

!!!CALLING DUBLIN, LONDON, NEW YORK, AUSTRALIA, WHEREVER ................!!!

We need sponsors!

Clara Bord na nOg and Clara Girls Football are running a Race Night at Mullingar Greyhound Track on Saturday March 31st 2007. Sponsors are actively being sought for race sponsorship and race card sponsorship.

We are appealing for sponsors both close to home and from those many miles away!

Why not club together to sponsor a "Clara Exiles Race", or prepare an advertisement to wish Clara club, family and friends success for the year ahead?

Why not include a photo of friends/family with a message to the folks back home?

If you would like to help out , sponsorship of a race is €600, one page race card advertisement is €300, half page €150, quarter page €75. Please contact Andrew Dignam at andrew.dignam@gmail.com for further details

St. Stephen's Day Charity Tribute Match

Most of the Players, Club officials,family and friends who attended and participated in the St.Stephen's Day Charity Tribute match in honour of Donal O'Coinin

John Tierney, Tony Dalton and Mark Daly

Paul Rabbette and Aiden Stewart feeling the pace

An Clarach 0-09 An Rod 2-06 SFC Final Sunday 8th October 2006, O'Connor Park Although beaten on the day, Clara footballers can stand tall and feel proud of their commitment and display. In a tough uncompomising game, Clara gave their best in every quarter. Conditions meant the game would be scrappy at times, but Clara matched their opponents and more in competing for every ball. On the day, some better distribution and the accuracy of the boot of Niall McNamee for Rhode was the slight edge. Many have remarked on the progress of our senior team this year, and on todays display it is right to feel hopeful for success in the next few seasons.   U16 FC Saturday 7th October 2006, Durrow Clara 0-10 St.Vincents 0-06 Click on images to enlarge A superb determined display saw Clara overcome St.Vincents to advance to meet Rhode in the U16 FC final. Having maintained the advantage by at least a point from midway through the first half, Clara fought bravely for possession and defended well. Clara were certainly the hungrier for the victory, and eventually ran out clear winners by 4 points. MFC Semi-Final Clara vs Rhode Saturday 30th Sept 2006, Durrow As the final whistle sounded at last Saturday's minor football semi-final in Durrow Clara players and supporters could only wonder at how they managed to lose a game they dominated throughout. In a low scoring game Clara players gave their all with Gary Slammon and Paul Mitchell paticularly impressive in defence. However it was at the other end of the field where Lady Luck deserted Clara completely as they shot wide after wide including some very scorable frees. This game should really have been over at half time such was Clara's dominance. But it was not to be. Rhode clawed their way back into the game and with the sides level nearing full time Offaly Minor Ken Casey produced a moment of magic and scored an absolutely magnificent point to put Rhode into the lead at the vital moment and Clara unfortunately out of the championship. Team: John Rickard, Gary Slammon, Conor Willis, Michael Clancy, Kevin Fredericks, Paul Mitchell, Graham Guilfoyle, Paul Deehan, Lorcan Hiney, Nigel Monaghan, Sean Kelly, Darren Coughlan, Caomhan Sheridan, Andrew Cushen, Pa Smith. Subs used; Lee Dunne, Oisin Robbins, Shane Cornally SFC Semi-final O'Connor Park Sun 24th Sept 2006 CLARA 1-09 SHAMROCKS 0-10 Clara brushed aside last years beaten finalists Shamrocks in a hardfought but fair match at O'Connor Park. The Clara lads started brightly with a couple of points to no reply within the first few minutes. The match was played at a good pace with Clara getting the heavy hits in early. Shamrocks seemed to be knocked back from early on, and couldnt find any rhythm going forward as the inspired selection of Tony Dalton in a sweeping role across the halfback line took its toll. Clara were intense in their tackling and closing down of Shamrocks possesion. Clara went into the interval with a lead of seven points to three, with John Reynolds and Thomas Deehan sharing the points scored. Shamrocks opened the scoring straight from the interval with a well taken point, But within minutes John Reynolds stretched the lead again with a goal from a penalty. Shamrocks made some postional changes to counter act the influence of Dalton and the impressive Stephen Deehan at the start of the second half and this sparked a second half revival. The introduction of Niall Bryant seemed to be swinging the momentum for the Shamrocks forward lines, as they notched up five points. However Clara didnt lose focus and continued to fight for the spoils with the Clara backs holding tight with the "Mighty" Joe Quinn in particular having an outstanding game. Thomas Deehan also managed to peg in another point to relieve some of the pressure. Clara had few clear chances in the second half, the best of which fell to John O'Hara who was denied by the woodwork. Shamrocks continued to press, squeezing out another two points to get within a point of Clara. But Clara sensed the desperation and with one eye on a place in the final, they showed great composure in smothering the Shamrock onslaught before killing off the game with a late point. Clara can now look forward to a county final on October 8th against the hot favourites Rhode. But Clara will be glad to go in as underdogs, as Rhode carry the weight of expectation and perhaps over-confidence.   U16 FC Semi-final Replay Clara 3-11 St. Vincents 2-7. Another epic encounter saw Clara U16 footballers share the spoils yet again with St. Vincents. After two matches the sides have still not been separated. Another replay is yet to be rescheduled. Team; R. Minnock, J. Flattery, J. Ledwith, R. Slammon, P.Kelly, O. Robbins, C. Sheridan (0-2) (Capt), G. Guilfoyle (1-0), D. Scanlon, S. Cunningham, A. Cushen (0-2), H.Mitchell (0-1), J. Deehan (0-3), G. Keegan (1-0), D. Coughlan, (1-2), Subs: A. Ngo (0-1), A.Finnamore, D. Newman, Adam Flynn, Aaron Flynn, K. Fleming, C. Lynam, L. Fitzgerald, B. Cushen, A. Mullen, K. Mannion, R. Mitchell.

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