Clarecastle will go into this summer's Clare SHC determined to land the Banner County's blue riband hurling prize for the first time since 2005. Whether the Magpies can work the oracle remains to be seen, but one man who's wishing them all the best is Brian Marrinan, proprietor of proud club sponsor Marrinan Construction. Clarecastle's 2007 bid for county senior hurling honours ended in disbelief bordering on dismay when they were beaten by 1-13 to 0-9 by surprise packets Tulla at the semi-final stage in Cusack Park in early October. It was a shock result, though also a fair one. Having dethroned holders Wolfe Tones with a stunning 1-8 to 0-10 win at the quarter-final stage a fortnight earlier (courtesy of a 39th-minute Ken Ralph goal), the Magpies had established themselves as many people's competition favorites but their run would come to an unexpected and abrupt end which once again underlined the competitive nature of hurling in this neck of the woods. Thus, having fallen marginally short in '07, the Black & Whites approach this year's Clare SHC with an air of steely resolve. The target is simple: to set the record straight; to secure vindication by re-establishing themselves as one of the frontrunners of the ancient code in the Banner County; and to reclaim the coveted all-county crown for the twelfth time. Clarecastle last captured the Clare SHC in 2005. That '05 success was achieved with a magnificent 0-9 to 0-7 defeat of Wolfe Tones in a low-scoring but entertaining final on Sunday October 23. Goalkeeper John Casey made a string of inspired saves that day, none more crucial than his injury-time block on a goalbound Declan O'Rourke shot, which would have tipped the result the other way. On such moments of individual brilliance, history is etched. Defeat to Ballygunner in the Munster club championship took nothing away from Clarecastle's eleventh county SHC triumph, which was secured by the following personnel: J Casey; G Canny, M Sheedy, M McNamara; J O'Connor, C Plunkett, O Plunkett; J Pyne (0-1), J Clancy, D Scanlan; S Sheedy, T Kearse (0-3); D Quinn (0-4), E Flynn, S Moloney (0-1) Sub: A O'Loughlin. It was Clarecastle's second county success in three years and the win galvanised their status as the team to beat in Clare. They had beaten Ballyea in '03 to take the spoils for the tenth time. Established in 1887, Clarecastle has, over the years, been home to many greats of hurling. These include All-Ireland-winning captain and former county manager Anthony Daly, the Sheedy's, the O'Loughlins and current county selector Fergal Tuohy. Jonathan Clancy and Conor Plunkett are amongst the Magpies best-known current exponents. As in every county throughout Ireland, the 2008 championship season in Clare will tell its own unique and fascinating story. Many clubs hope to feature prominently when the closing chapters are being penned, but there can only be one ultimate conqueror in each championship. Clarecastle see themselves as genuine contenders and few would argue with that, even if the Banner County's senior hurling championship is amongst the closest-fought and most difficult of all to win. As one of the club's most loyal sponsors, Brian Marrinan has his fingers crossed that the Magpies will script a story of joy. Brian is founder and proprietor of Marrinan Construction, a company that shares Clarecastle's pedigree and acumen in the fields of professionalism, quality and success. Thus, the partnership between Clarecastle GAA and Marrinan Construction is a logical and uncanny one. Marrinan Construction is headquartered in Lissycasey and was established by Brian approximately five years ago. A building and demolition-contracting firm that specialises in industrial and commercial work (shop units, offices, factories etc.), predominantly within the boundaries of County Clare, Marrinan Construction was working on the Business Elevation Park on Clon Road in Ennis at the time of writing. Brian provides direct employment to a crew of seven as well as a large number of subcontractors. Clarecastle stalwart and current vice-chairman Niall Tuohy is a former employee and it was through this connection that Marrinan Construction's sponsorship of the Magpies came to be. Brian explains: Niall worked with me for a while and he's an avid Clarecastle clubman. I sponsored them and was delighted to be associated with them when they won the senior county championship in 2005. I was involved as a sponsor again last year, but unfortunately they got caught out in the semi-final. Brian himself is originally from Cooraclare and keeps an eye on the local hurling scene as well as the county team. He's also a huge rugby fan which is pretty much par for the course on the banks of the Shannon. He's worked in construction since he was 17 and is pleased that his company affords him the opportunity to show some support to the local sporting community. Tweet

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