Search Results for 'Liam Mellows'

In 1791, a French writer, in his impressions of Galway wrote, “In August, hurling begins to be played. Each team is divided into three sections – 'L’arriere' of back guards the goal and seeks to stop the ball from passing through. Another group is in front to prevent the enemy’s ball from coming back from that end, that is the middle; the third group called the whip is 'sur le terrain' [on the ground]. The game of hurling is 'Behine' and the place they play – Turlough. The ball is cow’s hair, very compact and covered with leather. The spectators are on the ground about – the majority dancing. The sides are distinguished by the colour of their caps. It is terrifying to see the way they rush into each other to force the ball to pass under the goal.”

When physio John Butler unlocked the door of a modest rented room in Galway in January 2001, he did so without a grand plan, a marketing budget, or the reassurance of a bank manager’s blessing. The rent was low. The equipment was basic. The future was uncertain. What he did have, though he may not have known it at the time, was resilience forged by hardship, hands trained by instinct and experience, and a belief—shared by a few crucial others—that honest work, done properly, would always find its way.

For the fourth time, including replays, neighbours Loughrea and St Thomas’ will go toe-to-toe for Galway hurling’s biggest prize on Saturday evening in Pearse Stadium (6pm). And if history tells us anything, the margins will once again be razor thin.

It is most definitely crunch time this weekend as the final rounds of both the Senior B and Intermediate hurling championships take place with twelve games taking place across the county. The vast majority will have serious consequences for the teams involved.

Perhaps because the threat of relegation has been removed from the clubs participating in Senior B - which will be reclassified as Premier Intermediate in 2026 - there were notably higher scores per team than normal with an average of just over 24 points per team in round one, with Ahascragh/Fohenagh (39) and Kilnadeema/Leitrim (31) leading the way.

Due to Galway’s much-anticipated participation in the All-Ireland senior camogie final in Croke Park on Sunday, the senior club matches will be taking place on Friday evening and Saturday only, with reigning champions Loughrea expected to kick off proceedings in Group 2 with a win when they take on Kilconieron in Ballinasloe.

Below is a group-by-group preview of the Senior A and B hurling competitions, and a few predictions on each group.

Sinn Fein’s Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell, wants the statue of Liam Mellows cleaned before Easter Rising commemorations this weekend.

The Fianna Fail 1916 Easter Commemorations will take place on Sunday next, with the annual Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Forster Street at 11am, followed by a parade and wreath laying at the Liam Mellows statue in Eyre Square.