If the Clare hurlers once turned their season round by convening to drink Davy Fitzgerald’s MiWadi, maybe the same trick will work with Kool-Aid.

Former Clare hurler Tony Griffin will take part in a panel discussion next Saturday during the GAA’s second national Health & Wellbeing Conference in Croke Park. In 2011, Tony and Karl Swan set up the Soar Foundation, with its central belief that within all young people is greatness.

Ballyea caused a shock at Cusack Park on Saturday, defeating 2010 and 2011 champions Crusheen in the Clare SHC quarter-final.

Brendan Bugler showed off his accordion-playing skills in the Clare dressing room as they celebrated their outstanding All-Ireland SHC triumph over Cork last night.

Some of the Clare players who soldiered after the ‘97 All-Ireland final victory recall the ‘famine years’.

Clare 1-32 Laois 0-15

Highlights include Liz Bonnin on tigers and the final episode of Game of Thrones.

Building, building, building, that’s Clare hurling over the last few years under Davy Fitzgerald, according to midfielder Nicky O’Connell, as a new generation of top-class hurlers are coming through.

Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty says Henry Shefflin doesn’t as yet know if his ankle operation has been a success.

People are being encouraged to consider giving, instead of giving up, for the New Year.

Last night’s GAA-GPA Opel All Star hurling awards served up plenty of surprises with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny’s representation one less than runners-up Galway while Munster winners Tipperary had no player on the team.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games opened tonight in a dramatic and moving ceremony that had starring roles for the Queen and Professor Stephen Hawking.

John Conlon insists the maturing process is over and that Clare’s time is now as they chase a Munster hurling championship breakthrough.

THE first thing that hits you whenever Ger Hartmann is in the room is the energy.

Manager Paul Coggins is convinced that London's long-awaited Championship win over Fermanagh on Saturday will not be a flash in the pan.

GER LOUGHNANE has launched a blistering attack on former Clare players Tony Griffin and Tony Carmody, accusing the former attacking pair of letting their county down.

A book about the ups and downs of a hurling club in Co Clare has been shortlisted for the William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year.

PAUL FLANAGAN has been busying himself with hurling duties in recent months, but last Monday week offered a diversion for the Clare minor captain.

THERE is a seismic shift occurring in the realms of the GAA.

THE GAA journalist’s dream of a team that is open and frank with the media winning an All-Ireland, would finally put to bed the myth (confined to the GAA) that honestly proclaiming your feelings and ambitions would certainly lead to your demise.

FORMER Clare All Stars Niall Gilligan and Tony Griffin may have a change of heart about their decision to retire from inter-county hurling after producing sparkling performances over the weekend.

IT HAS been a highly encouraging week in the face of the economic recession, with the Irish Derby sponsorship secured and the continuation of two other classics confirmed.

CLARE’S spectacular All-Ireland U21 championship glory last year has many in the county expecting an immediate upsurge in the fortunes of the senior side.

All-Ireland winner Niall Gilligan has turned down an initial approach to link up with the Clare senior hurling panel for the 2010 campaign.

ALL-IRELAND winner Niall Gilligan has turned down an initial approach to link up with the Clare senior hurling panel for the 2010 campaign.

New Clare senior hurling manager Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin has issued the call to former county hurlers Tony Griffin and Gerry Quinn to return to the Banner County squad for 2010.

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 GAA chairman Michael O’Neill has vowed to put measures in place to ensure that there is no repeat of the bitter dispute that led to Mike McNamara’s resignation as the county’s senior hurling team manager.

All-Ireland winner Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin is set to be named Clare senior hurling boss following the resignation of Mike McNamara and his management team last night.

ALL-IRELAND winner Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin is set to be named Clare senior hurling boss following the resignation of Mike McNamara and his management team last night.

MIKE McNAMARA remains in situ as Clare senior hurling manager following last night’s lengthy meeting with his players – but sources within the Banner County expect McNamara to walk away in the next day or two.

CORK’S Ronan Curran has urged the Clare hurlers to reach a quick compromise in their row with boss Mike McNamara.

A CLARE player delegation led by captain Brian O’Connell look set to meet with county board chiefs within the next 48 hours to outline their opposition to the retention of manager Mike McNamara for the 2010 season.

THE dispute between players and management in Clare has claimed its first victim with former All Star Tony Griffin retiring from intercounty hurling.

Clare 2-24 Wexford 2-18

IT’S SAID a team reflects the personality of its manager; this All-Ireland SHC qualifier offered diametrically opposing arguments on that particular hypothesis. On the one hand, offering proof positive was Galway.

Clare 1-11 Galway 2-18

WELCOME to the minefield, that will be the reaction of the Clare public to Galway’s hurlers for their All-Ireland qualifier in Ennis this evening.

The build-up to tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC second phase qualifier in Ennis may have been overshadowed by the suspension of Galway Hurling Board chairman Miko Ryan, but Galway have received a timely boost with Damien Hayes' inclusion in the team.

PUSHING the favourites to the absolute limit after having faced the prospect of a heavy defeat was of even less consolation to gallant Clare in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday when they were drawn against Galway in the qualifiers.

Clare 1-22 Tipperary 3-18

IT WOULD be a major shock were Clare to beat Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow in much the same way as they caught Waterford off guard at this venue 12 months ago.

BEFORE we get into any details, I want to address something here in general terms, namely the lack of buzz around the championship this year.