First off, congratulations to Paul Madden and his senior footballers who defeated a stubborn Clondegad in the park this past Sunday to qualify for the senior football championship semi-finals where they play last year’s intermediate champions, Corofin, during the weekend of Oct 15/16th.

Plus, our senior hurlers led the club stalwart, Liam Corry, come up against the might of Sixmilebridge in a titanic battle this coming Sunday in the senor hurling championship semi-finals, again in the park at 2.30 pm. Best of luck to Liam and his team!

To date, we have featured the manager, Keith Molloy, the effervescent Niall O’Connor and the rookie, Andrew McElwee in our build up to the Clare Junior A hurling championship final this Saturday in Tulla at 1.30 pm (confirmed overnight). In today’s spotlight is another veteran from our 2018 winning team, Rory Gallagher.

Rory Gallagher letting the ball into the forwards early

Rory (affectionately known as Gally) has a long-standing member of Eire Og hurling teams, always willing to step up when asked. Rory has a sweet left sided strike that baffles opponents and sees him regularly in the scoring column with a few points to his name from the middle third of the park. Plus, Rory is a bubbly, witty and amiable fella with a quick quip (see below). Away from the Clonroad, he is following in the family tradition of being a successful optician in the Eye Care Centre in the Square in Ennis. No “you need to get your eyes tested ref” from Rory (sorry – bad pun I know ☹).

Rory scoring a point against Clarecastle in the semi-final

Expect to see Rory bursting forward from the middle of the park supporting the forwards in Tulla next Saturday at 1.30 pm, so let’s get out and support Rory & the lads. Here’s Rory Gallagher -

1. Name – Rory Gallagher

2. Position – Midfield

3. Occupation/Career – Optician

4. Date of Birth/Age – 33

5. Where were you born – Galway University Hospital

6. When did you start hurling – age 4 in the garden

7. Biggest influence on your career to date – Chris Kenny

8. When did you start playing with Eire Og – 6 years of age

9. Cups/trophies to date - Marsh cup champion 2010, lenmac champ, ground hurling U11,

10. Munster football U15 champion with the school, 2018 junior a champion & U14 a champion

11. Have you played for Clare/intercounty – not yet still waiting for Lohan to turn up to the junior games

13. Favorite thing about Eire Og – Community

14. What other sports have/do you play (besides hurling)- football, a bit of golf

15. What's your favorite TV show/film- cobra kai, obo with a shotgun

16. Favorite music – a bit of everything

17. Favorite meal - spag boll

18. What 3 people, alive or dead, would you invite for a drink & why – Ger Loughnane, Matthew McConaughey, and Anthony Daly so we could chat about the ‘90's

19. What would you change about the current GAA & why - nothing

20. What are your hobbies and interests outside the GAA – walks on the beach, and 17th century French Poetry

22. What's the best piece of advice you ever received – Get stuck in

23. What's your favorite sporting memory – the Undertaker’s Wrestlmania streak

24. In 5 years’, time I hope to be – running my own cult

Rory in action in the earlier rounds