Basque smash and grab for impressive Connacht

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

After a torrid period of narrow defeats Connacht lifted the gloom in Bayonne last Saturday evening with a surprise 35-21 victory away to the high flying Basque side. The westerners built up an early lead, withstood a strong fightback and finished with two well taken tries in the final ten minutes to take a memorable victory.

Eric Elwood’s European hopes ended in December with back to back defeat to Harlequins but Saturday’s victory will be a huge boost to his side’s confidence after a tough run of nine straight defeats in recent months.

Caltra Cuans go for Junior All-Ireland glory this Sunday

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

This Sunday in Mullahoran in Cavan at 2pm, the Caltra Cuans ladies football team will face St. Enda’s (Tyrone) in the All-Ireland Junior final replay.

Disjointed Galway seniors go down to Maughan’s NUIG

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

We decided last Sunday for a change of scenery to travel out the Curragh line and cut across via Belclare to Tuam Stadium rather than the usual N17 route, for the FBD clash between NUIG and Galway.

And that decision provided the most excitement of the day for me and my two young passengers, which says something about the football, as it turned the 20-mile journey into a near rally driving experience - trying to avoid the all too numerous potholes.

Gorman explores all possibilities in bright sporting future

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

January is always an interesting time to focus the mind for those with a sporting persuasion. The start of a New Year brings fresh possibilities and they are precisely what Dora Gorman is thinking about now. Sure 2010 was peppered with critical contests in World Cups, European Championships, and All Ireland minor finals, but when there is so much to look forward to the present matters a great deal.

No Basque-ing in glory for frustrated Connacht as they head to Bayonne

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

The frustration continues for Connacht after last Thursday’s one-point loss away to the Dragons. It was yet another tight game which slipped away from the Westerners, who haven’t won in the Magners League since September.

Former Galway minor captain heads off to play AFL

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Anyone who watched the documentary “Departure Day” last Monday night on RTÉ will be well aware of the vast numbers of young men from GAA backgrounds who are heading away for new life and work opportunities in both Canada and Australia.

Armstrong’s goals seal Galway victory

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Every sporting journey must start somewhere, and last Sunday in Enniscrone, Tomás Ó Flatharta’s reign with Galway got off to a winning start, which is always a positive.

New Blade Conneely aims to cut a dash

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Every young footballer craves a shot at the glory game in England. Over the past two and a half years Seamus Conneely absorbed all the lessons that life in the League of Ireland brings, but now is an appropriate time to start inking a new chapter in his sporting tale.

Connacht enter Dragons’ den for third game in eleven days

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Connacht’s New Year’s tussle with Leinster marked the first time this season that they lost by more than 12 points. Until Saturday they had not found themselves down and out late in a game at any point this season but the 22-point bonus point victory really didn’t flatter a slick Leinster. They now face a third game in 11 days tonight (Thursday) away to the Dragons (7:00PM).

AIL returns with round of previously postponed fixtures

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The All Ireland League resumes this Saturday a week earlier than planned with a full programme of postponed fixtures from December taking place. Two big games are down for decision in Galway with Galwegians and Corinthians determined to start the new year on the right foot.

For Galwegians, the focus is on avoiding the bottom of Division 1B and a relegation play off. They currently sit in last place four points adrift of UCC having won just one from five so far this season. The Cork side visit Crowley Park on Saturday in what is a crucial fixture for both clubs.

Declan Meehan announces his retirement from inter-county football

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

One of Galway’s best and favourite footballers for the past fifteen years, Declan Meehan announced his retirement on Tuesday night. He informed team manager Tomás Ó Flatharta of his decision at training in Loughgeorge.

FBD League action kicks off this Sunday

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The winter training ban for inter-county footballers and hurlers is officially over, even though some counties did not seem to know it was in place in the first instance; and the first bit of competitive action of 2011 in Connacht kicks off this weekend with the start of the FBD league.

The Galway senior football panel kick off their campaign under the new management of Tomás Ó Flatharta, and his selectors Seán Óg De Paor and Martin McNamara when they travel to Enniscrone to play Sligo at 2pm.

Galway footballers name three captains for 2011

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The Galway footballers will have three captains for the coming season.

Salthill’s Finian Hanley, Corofin’s Kieran Fitzgerald, and last year’s captain, Michael Meehan will share the role this year.

Connacht fall short again

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

It was a familiar feeling at the Sportsground on Monday evening as Munster reasserted their dominance over Connacht with a typically defiant victory over their western neighbours.

2010 — The year that was in local GAA

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Clarinbridge county hurling champions
Droichead An Chlairín won their first county senior title back in 2001, and nine years later they were back on the winner’s podium again, after overcoming Loughrea in a tense replay in a thronged Kenny Park.

Droichead An Chlairín won their first county senior title back in 2001, and nine years later they were back on the winner’s podium again, after overcoming Loughrea in a tense replay in a thronged Kenny Park.

Straw and thaw key to Munster clash going ahead

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Despite the big freeze Connacht are expecting the St Stephen’s Day Magners League clash with Munster to go ahead at the Sportsground. Weather forecasts suggest a thaw on Christmas Day and the straw which helped prevent the frost setting in for Friday night’s clash with Harlequins has been put down again and for the moment at least appears to be working according to Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly.

The Club by Christy O’Connor is one of the best sports books of the year

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Around this time of year, especially with the weather conditions as they have been, and the Christmas holidays just around the corner, we should make some space to catch up on some reading time.

I will save you some shopping time here, as a book that I just finished last weekend and can highly recommend is The Club by Christy O’ Connor who is a GAA sports writer with the Sunday Times.

Annual John Joyce Sevens on St Stephen’s Day at Salthill

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

The annual John Joyce Memorial Sevens, will be held at Arus Bóthar na Trá on St Stephen’s Day.

United season tickets the ideal stocking filler

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Galway United season tickets remain on sale this week at just €99. Season ticket forms are available from, and can be returned to, O'Briens Newsagents, William Street, Galway; Claddagh and Celtic Jewellers, Quay Street, Galway; The Square Inn, Athenry, and O'Briens Hardware, Main Street, Loughrea.

GUST will have a season ticket stand at the Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road on Thursday between 6.00pm - 9.00pm. For further information, contact Ronan at (087) 6972823. Tommy Shields, Athenry, was the winner of the December "Maroon Army" members draw. Tommy won €500, with Nora Flaherty, Shantalla, and Ronan Coleman, Newbridge, winning the runners-up prizes of €100.

Home win becomes a must for Connacht belief

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

A home win has become a major priority for Connacht when they host Harlequins in tomorrow’s return European match at the Galway Sportsground (7pm).

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.