Gillie given new lease of life

In the well-produced programme for the recent Clare county senior hurling final the date of birth for Niall Gilligan was given as 12/8/1986.

An error, perhaps, but certainly a portent.

Born a decade earlier, a year before Sixmilebridge won their first Clare senior title, Gilligan has been playing this season more like a 27-year-old in his prime than the 37-year-old veteran in his twilight hurling years.