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Connacht stalwart Michael Swift captured the Player of the Year award at the province’s annual awards evening.

Kia Motors Ireland has teamed up with one of Ireland’s young rugby talents, Leinster and Ireland player Sean O’Brien who will promote the Kia brand and drive a new Kia Sportage over the coming two years.

The recent success of Mayo football at u21 level was recognised this week with four Mayo players making the cut and being named among the best 15 players to have played in the u21 championship over the past five years since 2005. Those who made the grade were Keith Higgins, who captained Mayo to their All Ireland u21 championship success in 2006, Pearse Hanley, Aidan O’Shea, and Tom Parsons. In the time period for selection Mayo won four Connacht titles in a row from 2006 to 2009 and an All Ireland title in 2006 all under the guidance of the management team of Pat Holmes, Noel Connelly, and Mícheál Collins. In 2010, Ray Dempsey took over the team and brought them to a Connacht final where they were narrowly beaten by Roscommon in the final.

I was walking to Mass last Sunday morning when a friend stopped me in my tracks to give me the dreadful news of the untimely and tragic deaths of Ger Feeney and Donal McEllin. It was news that left me devastated and for a moment I wasn’t sure whether I would carry on to Mass or not. But I did and it offered me an opportunity to reflect and think about both men. This undoubtedly was one of Castlebar’s saddest weeks in a long time, and God knows we have had a few sad occasions in recent times. Both men possessed big personalities and were hugely popular locally and throughout the county. They were also influential figures in the daily happenings of the Castlebar Mitchell’s GAA club, Ger as a coach/ manager of several teams down through the years and Donal as a do-gooder whenever required. Time spent in the company of either man was always memorable, usually enlightening and occasionally full of incident! Throughout this past week we have gathered at different times and locations to reminisce about both men. Judging by the enormous crowds witnessed at both men’s funerals it is remarkable how their sudden passing resonated with so many. Ger was also revered in the history of Ballintubber football and I have heard many these past few days talk about his incredible strength, energy, fearlessness and manliness when donning the colours of Ballintubber. Of course he lined out with Mayo and is one of a few who has the distinction of winning All -Ireland medals at both minor and under- 21 level. It was well known that Ger idolised his family and was enormously proud of their many achievements. He was particularly proud of the fact that both Castlebar Mitchell’s and Ballintubber had made it through to this year’s senior final. In his house he couldn’t lose as both Alan and Richard are playing with the Mitchels and nephew John is lining out with Ballintubber. Also, Alan and cousin John are both captains on their respective teams. In fact Ger even had a specially commissioned jersey made of both teams’ colours for the final.

Henry Shefflin, who is nominated for a ninth successive time, will be hoping to surpass the record jointly held by his fellow county-man DJ Carey and Kerry football legend Pat Spillane, whom he joined on nine awards last year. The seven-time All-Ireland senior hurling medal winner is one of 11 Kilkenny players nominated for awards this year, just one fewer than last year’s 12 nominees. Shefflin’s Kilkenny team-mate Tommy Walsh, who has seven awards to his name, received his eighth successive nomination.

Michael Bradley's seven years as Connacht Rugby's director of coaching was rewarded in Wales this week.

All Ireland SFC qualifier

16 year old Michael Drennan of Loughboy, Kilkenny has just been signed up by soccer giants Aston Villa. Drennan will join the club who made stars out of Peter Crouch and Garth Barry.

Connacht captain John Muldoon and hooker Sean Cronin have been selected on Declan Kidney’s Irish squad for their summer tour to New Zealand.

Galway United have encountered plenty of bother at the Showgrounds, and Saturday's contest against Sligo Rovers promises to be particularly revealing.