The late Michael Chambers The death took place of Michael Chambers from Cooraclare, who was one of the country's best-known sportsmen prior to sustaining a serious injury many years ago. A native of Clonfineen Cree, he was a former inter county footballer and a former Munster junior rugby player. Michael had been confined to a wheelchair for the past thirty years following a road traffic accident. Michael played Gaelic football at all levels for his native Cooraclare and for Clare while he also made a major impact in junior rugby with Ennis as a result of which he was capped at junior level by Munster. Indeed he was targeted by a number of senior clubs in Limerick who wanted him to join their squads. He won a juvenile championship medal with Cooraclare in 1959 and a Cusack Cup medal with the club in 1966. He won championship medals in London, New York and Chicago. In the early eighties he was a guest of honour at the Claremen's Association dinner in New York. In the eighties Michael researched and wrote the history of Cooraclare GAA. The Milesians, for which he won a GAA McNamee award. He was very involved in parish activities and, for many years, was responsible for the production of the parish newsletter while he organised the bicentenary celebrations in the parish in 2000. Up to recently, he ran a successful printing business from his home. Long time friend Martin Queally addressed the congregation during Michael's funeral mass at packed St Senan's Church in Cooraclare. He recalled Michael's sporting achievements and his involvement in many aspects of parish life. He spoke of the impact Michael made on all who knew him, partiuculary those who had been paralyses as a result of an accident and this was also referred to by the chief celebrant at the funeral mass, Fr Pat Carmody, PP, Cooraclare. "He inspired all those who came in contact with him," he said. They also spoke of the support he received from a wide selection of friends and there was a special mention for his life long friend Jack Hogan. Fr Carmody was assisted by Fr Ger Nash, Fr Jerry Carey and Fr Michael Collins. Members of Cooraclare GAA, Clare GAA and Ennis RFC formed a guard of honour at the removal of remains from St Senan's funeral home to St Senan's church. He was buried in the family vault in Kilmacduane graveyard. Michael is survived by his mother Mary, his brothers; Mattie (New York). Tom, Senan and Paul (Ennis) and his sisters; Eileen (Kildare), Kathleen and Maura (Dublin). He was predeceased by his father Michael, a member of the Clare County Council for many years. Courtesy of The Clare Champion 19 May 2006 Tweet

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