Search Results for 'National league'

Following two consecutive defeats to Meath and Donegal, the upcoming game against Laois on March 1 takes on greater significance for the Galway footballers.

A crunch top-of-the-table clash between local basketball outfit Maree and Swords Thunder takes place on Saturday in Calasanctius College (7.45pm).

Oh to have a crystal ball to see what fortunes lie ahead for Mayo football in 2014. One thing for sure, one Mayo club — Kiltane have a superb chance to claim one of the early pieces of silverware when they take on Truagh of Monaghan in the All-Ireland intermediate final in Croke Park on February 9, a feat my own club Charlestown should have accomplished last season but for some calamitous decisions when they were coasting against eventual winners Cookstown of Tyrone in the All- Ireland semi final. Kiltane were simply brilliant last Sunday. If you were to tell me before the game that star attacker Mikey Sweeney and Tommy “Goals” Conroy were not going to score against Clyda Rovers, I would have re-mortgaged the house on Clyda.

Maree remain top of the men’s National League division one following a comfortable 83-60 defeat of Cork’s Blue Demons on Saturday night in Calasanctius.

Galway WFC travel to Dublin this Sunday to take on Shamrock Rovers in the second group game in this year’s Bus Éireann WNL Cup.

•The Galway Ladies are up and running this year in preparation for the forthcoming National League with hopes of promotion to division one. The ladies resumed training under manager Barry Downey after the Christmas break in preparation for the first game away to Kildare early next month. The Galway Ladies Football AGM takes place on Tuesday January 28 at 8pm. Venue to be confirmed.

Now that 2013 has almost gone to the history books it is time to reflect on the year that nearly was. The Mayo senior team played their first game against Leitrim in the FBD league on January 13. Little did we know back then what the year was about to unfold. Mayo’s National League campaign was not of the consistent variety and after a convincing win at home to Kerry on February 3 we became expectant again. That was followed by four consecutive losses to Tyrone, Dublin, Down, and Kildare. The Tyrone game was a crushing defeat, Stephen O’Neill’s last gasp penalty winning for the red hand. Mayo were given a taste of Stephen Cluxton’s ability in the league game in Croke Park in March, the Dubs convincing winners; Bernard Brogan was unmarkable the same night. Worrying for Mayo were the losses to Down and Kildare, two games they should have won. Mayo were now in real danger of being relegated and had to beat All- Ireland Champions Donegal in Castlebar and then travel away to Cork to try to complete a miraculous escape. What was of great concern was the lack of goal chances and goals, Keith Higgins’ goal against Tyrone the only attempt to hit the net in five matches. Michael Conroy bettered that stat with a soccer-style finish against Donegal in a game in which Barry Moran was in superb form. Mayo well and truly ground out a result in Cork, winning by the slimmest of Margins 0-11 to 0-10 to achieve their goal of staying in division one of the league. It was a complete bonus that they sneaked into a league semi-final and had another big game in Croker against the Dubs. Confidence may not have been too high after Dublin easily won the league semi-final by 2-16 to 0-16. Bernard Brogan was untouchable in the first league encounter, Paul Mannion the star of the semi-final scoring 1-04. It really was amazing Mayo got to a league semi final despite losing four games on the spin while staring relegation in the face. Two goals in eight matches had to be a very worrying stat for James Horan and his management.

In-form Galway WFC host league leaders Raheny United in the final National League game before Christmas.

In-form Galway WFC host league leaders Raheny United in the final National League game before Christmas.

Galway's JM & L Titans, the only locally-based side still in the men's National Shield competition, take on Blue Demons tomorrow evening in Cappagh Park, Knocknacarra (8pm).