NOTABLE ABSENTEES FAIL TO DIM ENTHUSIASM FOR CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Willie Mullins, once the lead- ing amateur jockey, now the leading National Hunt Train- er in Ireland; Gordon Elliott, once a decent amateur jock- ey himself, now challenging Willie Mullins’ domination of the Irish NH racing scene; the Cheltenham Festival, once the Mecca for NH racing fans from Ireland and the UK, always the Mecca for NH racing fans from Ireland and the UK.

The intense competition between Mullins and Elliott, which has lit up the NH train- er’ championship in Ireland this season, will move across the water next week, as Elliott attempts to dislodge Mullins from his perch at the top of the Cheltenham trainers tree. Mul- lins has been champion trainer at the festival for the last four seasons, but the loss of some of his best horses through in- jury, and the departure of the Gigginstown Stud horses from his stables last autumn, has left him looking a little vulner- able, both at home and abroad. Understated in all his public comments, Mullins’ quiet ex- terior masks a fierce competi- tor, and Elliott knows he has a battle on his hands to secure his first trainer’s championship at home, and in his attempt to

Lam's one departing hope is Connacht’s qualification for Champions Cup

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Connacht celebrated a fourth win in a row with a 33-3 trouncing of Zebre - their longest sequence of wins this season - to continue their momentum towards their seasonal goal of Champions Cup rugby.

Tralee next up for hurlers after facile win over Laois

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Following their facile 3-31 to 1-11 victory over Laois last weekend at Pearse Stadium, the Galway hurlers head to Tralee to take on Kerry (2pm) on Sunday in round four of the league.

Footballers' inconsistent form is costing points

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

The Galway footballers left a valuable league point or two behind them at the weekend when they went down to Meath in Navan by 1-13 to 0-15 in round four of the NFL.

The visitors led by three points with 10 minutes remaining after producing some good football, but they did not push on and a late Meath goal scuppered their chances of collecting any points.

Championship opens for U21 footballers

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

The Galway U21 footballers are down to play Leitrim in the 2017 Championship this Saturday in Tuam Stadium (3pm).

Supermac's produce the goods to qualify for first All Ireland final

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Supermac's, in their first seasonof interfirms hurling, are closing in All Ireland glory after securing a nine-point victory over a fancied H&MV side in UL.

Galwegians forced to settle for a draw

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Galwegians and play-off hopefuls Old Wesley played out a low-scoring but entertaining 7-7 draw in Glenina on Saturday.

Sarsfields suffer defeat by a goal

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

A goal separated Sarsfields of Galway and Slaughtneil of Derry, 1-10 to 0-11, at the end of an absorbing AIB All-Ireland Camogie Senior Club Championship final at Croke Park last weekend.

Keegan looking to bounce back on the double

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

A hectic SSE Airtricity League premier division weekend beckons for Galway United, who face Finn Harps at Ballybofey on Friday (8pm) before returning to Eamonn Deacy Park action against Shamrock Rovers on Monday (7pm).

Moycullen confident of another win on the road

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

SSE Airtricity Moycullen men's basketball are on the road this weekend as they head to Limerick to play Radisson BLU UL Eagles on Saturday (7.30pm).

Sports shorts

Thu, Mar 09, 2017

Tiebreak heartache for handballers
Galway handballers missed out on All Ireland finals after heartbreaking defeats in tiebreakers. One more point was all Martin Mulkerrins needed to progress to this year's final. Having won the first game, he was 20-13 ahead in the second, but Westmeath's reigning three-in-a-row champion hit his purple patch just at the right time, defended match point twice, and produced some irretrievable serving to take the second 21-20. Robbie McCarty went on to win on a 11-21, 21-20, 21-11 scoreline. There was no joy either for Michael Breathnach's Ciana Ní Churraoin in the ladies' senior semi final, losing out in the tiebreaker to Limerick's Martina McMahon.

Galway handballers missed out on All Ireland finals after heartbreaking defeats in tiebreakers. One more point was all Martin Mulkerrins needed to progress to this year's final. Having won the first game, he was 20-13 ahead in the second, but Westmeath's reigning three-in-a-row champion hit his purple patch just at the right time, defended match point twice, and produced some irretrievable serving to take the second 21-20. Robbie McCarty went on to win on a 11-21, 21-20, 21-11 scoreline. There was no joy either for Michael Breathnach's Ciana Ní Churraoin in the ladies' senior semi final, losing out in the tiebreaker to Limerick's Martina McMahon.

Top three picks of the week

Wed, Mar 08, 2017

It is FA Cup quarter-final weekend which means there are only four matches in the Premier League.

Galway handballers facing tough All Ireland semi finals

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Two Galway handballers contest All Ireland semi-finals at Kingscourt, Cavan, on Saturday.

Moycullen's Martin Mulkerrins will face Westmeath's Robbie McCarty (3pm), while Ciana Ni Churraoin meets Limerick's Martina McMahon (3pm).

Joy for Colaiste na Coiribe

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Galway's Colaiste na Coiribe received the reward they deserved for a superb season when they claimed the All Ireland Schools Under 16 C Boys League title, winnng out by eight over St Mary’s College, Dundalk.

Hurlers should be too far strong for Laois

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Following their disappointing and costly defeat to Wexford two weeks ago in Pearse Stadium, the Galway hurlers are expected to be far too strong for Laois this Sunday (2pm) at the same venue.

The bookies have Galway down at 1/33 to win in Salthill, with the visitors available at 11/1 which tells you all you need to know about people's expectations.

Sarsfields strive for glory

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Sarsfields Camogie Club will be aiming for their first All Ireland camogie title this Sunday when they clash with Slaughtneil from Derry at Croke Park in the AIB All-Ireland Camogie Club Senior Championship final (3.15pm).

Footballers focus on Meath as three in a row beckons

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

It has been quite a while since any Galway senior football team won three league games on the trot. However, there is an opportunity to do just that this weekend when Galway take on Meath this Sunday in Navan (2pm) in round four of the NFL.

Moycullen host basketball pacesetters

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Another daunting task faces SSE Airtricity Moycullen on Saturday evening (7pm) when they return to the NUIG Kingfisher to host leaders Templeogue.

Having faced Griffith Swords Thunder, who share top spot with Templeogue, last weekend in Dublin, this game will once again test Moycullen's resources as they head towards the end of the season.

Students target podium finish intervarsities

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

NUIG is sending strong teams to this Saturday's Intervarsities Cross Country Championships at the national cross country course in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Men’s captain Andrew O Donnghaile will be targeting a top 10 finish in the 8km race, while Aisling Joyce and Niamh Hennelly are also expected to feature prominently in the ladies' event over 5km. And if NUIG are looking to be on the podium, they will also need strong runs from squad members Colm Kirke and Michelle Maher.

United must respond in Cork to opening day loss, urges Keegan

Thu, Mar 02, 2017

Losing the first game of the season at Eamonn Deacy Park was a disappointment, but tough challenges arrive thick and fast in the League of Ireland, according to manager Shane Keegan.

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