GAA officials expect almost 30,000 patrons to flock through the turnstiles for this weekend’s four high-profile Allianz NHL fixtures.

Clare County Board may change their club championship format mid-campaign to alleviate mounting pressure on fixtures in the wake of Sunday’s drawn All-Ireland SHC final.

It’s a race against time for Clare’s Aaron Cunningham as he battles to be fit for Sunday week’s All-Ireland senior hurling final against Cork and then the All-Ireland U21 hurling final against Antrim six days later.

Talking to the men directly involved, there are a couple of common themes when it comes to the factors that have led to a renaissance at underage hurling in the counties of Clare and Limerick — and a reasonable amount of divergence.

Clare County Board chairman Michael McDonagh believes the Banner are in the throes of a golden spell, with Wednesday night’s U21 provincial success adding further lustre.

Michael McDonagh of the St Joseph’s Miltown club was elected as the new Clare County Board chairman at last night’s annual convention in Ennis.

The Grand Slam of Munster hurling titles has only ever been done once, in 2005 by Cork.

History is in the making at Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow as Tipperary target a first Electric Ireland Munster MHC success since 2007.

AN initiative that promises to free up prison spaces and court time, reduce re-offending and rehabilitate people will be presented to a range of interested parties in the Dáil today.

THERE was frost on the ground in Clare yesterday morning, a genuine feel of Christmas in the air as Ger O’Loughlin headed off to his day job as Director of Sales with the Burke Shipping Group.

CLARE’S All-Ireland U-21 winning manager John Minogue claims some of the gloss has been taken off a landmark season because of the bitter dispute that led to Mike McNamara’s resignation as senior boss.

DUBLIN senior hurling manager Anthony Daly has hailed the imminent appointment of Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin in his native Clare.

THE FIRST thing to say was how fantastic to see Plan B going up in lights at Croke Park again yesterday.