GAA heroics
We were greatly saddened to lose that incredible exponent of football, the talented Noel Tierney (83 ) on November 11. But we enjoyed the coming together of two football heroes at his tribute party. We can only imagine the celebrations that surrounded Noel Tierney, for so long the only Galway 'Footballer of the Year'.
Yes, there is a Meehan and a Donnellan in the history books but when Paul Conroy came into the room unannounced with the Footballer of the Year Award. Well, mission accomplished. One could hear the applause all the way from Milltown.
Imagine, Paul Conroy scored two goals and sixteen points while lining out at midfield for Galway in the 2024 campaign. Conroy was joined by Rob Finnerty, John Maher, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid and Johnny McGrath on the All Stars selection. Oh we'll remember it all right.
What a fantastic piece of hurling history to start the year - St Thomas' 0-18 O'Loughlin Gaels 0-17. What an extraordinary second All-Ireland Club win.
First, they secured an equalling sixth consecutive county senior hurling title. Followed by an epic victory over Ballygunner in a thrilling All Ireland semi-final, before magnificently capping it all by edging out O'Loughlin Gaels in a heart-pumping final.
And what about the brilliant match winning point from a near impossible angle, way out on the touchline surrounded by the world and his wife. Oh Eanna Burke, take a bow. Just wonderful.
But fast forward to October, a Galway hurling final without St. Thomas'. Your six-year-old son or daughter never saw the likes of it, never.
But there was drama. Cappatagle saw off the champions in the semi-final and lived to contest the county final against Loughrea. Loughrea lost the All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final by one point 0-17 to 0-16 to Na Fianna.
An Cheathru Rua were the only Galway club to secure men's provincial honours when defeating Ballymote in the Connacht Junior Championship final in Tuam.
The All-Ireland Club Football Final between Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Kilmacud Crokes in Croke Park was played on Saturday, December 14. Kilkerrin-Clonberne had no bother really, winning 0-13 to 0-9.
But better, it was the Galway team's fourth in a row. It was 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time and Kilkerrin-Clonberne started and finished in complete control of the ball and the game.
We were delighted that Sarsfields won yet another Camogie All-Ireland on Sunday, December 15, 1-17 to 0-6 for Truagh/Clonlara from Clare.
Niamh McGrath told us that it was "undoubtedly the most special yet". Incredibly, Sarsfields played in eight finals winning four and all in the space of nine years. A wonderful day for the McGraths that included the two men, the 'Hopper' and Ruadhán.
Rugby successes
Connacht's first outing of the new season on Saturday, September 21 was called "a riveting rollercoaster" against Munster below in Limerick. It finished 35-33. 15,705 spectators watched the lead change seven times in a breathless contest. Munster the winners.
But a week later we played the Sharks from South Africa and enjoyed a spectacular second-half revival and a 36-30 scoreline and five more tries.
Congrats to Denis Buckley on his 250th game for Connacht. The Roscommon man is a great piece of stuff, and he probably has a good deal more to give. Imagine, he has scrummed down with his friends Finlay Bealham and man-of-the-match Dave Heffernan a total of 36 times.
And I suppose you spotted where Argentina pipped world champions South Africa 29-28 in Santiago del Estero and upset the world order of pecking, with the world champions losing to New Zealand 38-30 and Australia 67-27.
Now what? Ireland are top of the world table with Australia just peeping into the top ten! Happy times what ya think? Couldn't find Wales in the top ten. Unusual that.
Then the Ireland Women's side beat the defending World Cup Champions New Zealand 29-27 at the WXV Tournament in Vancouver. There were six team members from Leinster, four from Munster, two from Ulster, and two from England.
And just the one from Connacht, Edel McMahon. She was the captain and played for 48 minutes! It's all about the detail, you know yourself.
But then we had to stomach the sudden death of one of the greatest of the great, the passing of Aidan Higgins. Terrible, Higgy gone! He died suddenly on Sunday, September 22.
Interestingly, the ashes of Larry Cheevers were spread on Galway Bay on Monday, September 30. All the Cheevers clan - John, Tom, Adele and all the extensions came from far and wide for the finale. Truly two of the very best laid to rest. Sad.
Then we learn that the larger than life Roscommon footballer Adrian O'Sullivan passed away. A Sigerson Cup expert and a wonderful servant to the University of Galway, he'll be remembered.
Which reminds us that the rugby club of the same college had a big celebration to honour their 150th anniversary on Saturday, October 12 (the same date as the IRFU ). As you might expect, a big crowd attended.
Ciaran Fitzgerald and Mick Molloy were there. Joeen and Cass would have been well pleased. Yerra Lex himself would also be pleased, could raise a smile even.
And one of our most promising, Hugh Gavin, won his first cap for Connacht against Leinster in the Sportsground on Saturday, October 19. That is after excelling with the Irish Under 20s and touring with the Emerging Irish side.
And Corinthians have news. Well you never! They have an active membership that includes four brothers from three families. Yes, twelve of them! The good times.
They're good too. They are Bryan, Sean, Dara and David Walsh. Cormac, Domhnall, Ferdia and Seaghán O Braonain. Reuben, Julian, Max and Jonathan Flynn. Impressive.
Hard to blame Keith Wood of Garryowen for not beating Terenure in the Energia League. After all, he did supply three players to help the cause, Gordon Wood, Tom Wood and Alex Wood. And Gordon added a try to his club tally.
Irish Rugby International Noel Mannion received the Hall of Fame Award at the County Galway Sports Stars of the Year.
Bangor RFC came south to play 'Wegians in the AIL.
The Mick Cass Lunch was on. As you might expect the place was jammers. But there was no match. The weather was truly awful. We didn't mind. Cass was all smiles. We were indoors.
Two men who gave great service to Connacht and Ireland in their day were Mick Molloy and John O'Driscoll and they were there.
Ciaran Smyth came over from Corinthians.
The new young men about town, Erc Dunne and Carl Blake, kept a watchful eye and Dick O'Hanlon and John Connolly all contributed. Michael Deacy took the biscuit with the speech of the day.
Tiernan O'Halloran played his last game for Connacht on Saturday, May 18 vs the Stormers and that was after 238 caps and 48 tries with 4,898 in attendance. He left the pitch after 62 minutes and he could now look forward to a well-earned retirement but 'that's what he thinks'.
The Connemara Blacks are not the perennial Junior club champions in Connacht rugby in cup and league by chance. Wait till the latest winner of the Boot Award Henry O'Toole arrives at Tiernan's door, you know yourself.
By the way Tiernan made the best break on the night. The nature of the man.
'Tis in the genes, that's it. It is good to see Hugh Gavin and Matthew Devine accept contracts with Connacht Rugby. Both are well equipped following in the footsteps of their dads Barry Gavin and Mike Devine.
Saying goodbye to some of the best
Martin Horgan left us suddenly. Martin, a soccer advocate and in particular, a schools soccer enthusiast, died suddenly and he hadn't even remotely finished his organisational work with the schools game.
Then we were shocked to hear of the death of Billy Lawless, one of the mainstays of Irish rowing. He was only 73-years-old when he passed away. He enjoyed a transatlantic reputation while looking after the undocumented Irish in the USA.
Then, in the same breath, on November 8, Judy Greene died. She supported Galway sport with great generosity and a wide variety of interests.
Kevin Thornton passed away on Saturday, November 30. Considered by most as the most athletic and most talented of all. The Bish teacher made his mark first in hurling, then tennis and all the other disciplines followed.
In August of 1975, Galway defeated Roscommon in Hyde Park to win the first ever Connacht ILGA title. And to mark the 50th anniversary of the Association, both the Galway and Roscommon Gaelic Football teams were introduced to the crowd.
We are reminded of that because only days ago in this month of December, we mourn the death of sportsman and businessman Joe Hanley who became the first ever sponsor of Galway LGFA when he presented a set of jerseys to the Galway captain, Rosemary Divilly.
But the amount of time and energy he devoted to Galway United was phenomenal. Joe was always hands on. Rest well Joe.
Congratulations are in order
The Michael's minder, Tom Nally, gathered the faithful into the Galway Rowing Club from near and far to celebrate his fifty years in business. A lot of oul guff given they said, not half as bad as the oul guff that the poor man had to listen to.
Congratulations are in order to Aoife Donohue for her nomination for the GPA Camogie Player of the Year award. And congrats to Goalkeeper Sarah Healy on her nomination for the team of the year. There were ten others nominated for the team of the year, Dervla Higgins, Rachael Hanniffy, Roisin Black, Ciara Hickey, Aine Keane, Aoife Donohue (the same Aoife ), Niamh Kilkenny, Carrie Dolan, Niamh McPeake and Niamh Mallon. We are very pleased to join Brian Molloy in offering our congratulations.
Congratulations also to our All-Stars Kate Geraghty, Nicola Ward, Ailbhe Davoren and Olivia Divily.
We were delighted to learn that Micheal Donoghue has been appointed by the County Board to take charge of the County hurlers for a four-year term. He will be joined by Franny Forde, Noel Larkin and Eamon O'Shea. All three served under Henry Sheflin last year.
Welcome home Michael.
Galway Basketball Coach Paul O'Brien has been reappointed as head coach of the Irish under 16 Girls Squad for the coming season. He will serve as head coach of Maigh Cuilinn's men's side after a three year stint with the University of Galway.
The Irish under 20 relay that included Stephen Mannion (Athenry AC ) and Sean Doggett (South Galway AC ) made the final of the World Championships in Lima recently. They set a new Irish record in the 4x400m.
Big congrats to Gerry Riordan, Gerry Nihill, Mary Rockall, Joe Naughton and Serge Bruzzi who were all inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Galway Area Basketball Board.
University of Galway Athletics club had a historic overall team win at the IUAA Intervarsity Cross Country Championships at the UCC Sports Grounds in Cork. Fiona Everard took top prize for the second year in a row and Thomas McStay was the top Galway finisher in the men's race.
And a good friend of the university athletic club, Murt Coleman, organised a big thank you for Padraic Griffin, the Irish Athletics big wig for services rendered. Few, if any, gave more in his day. An extraordinary legend.
Kate Dillon of Ougtherard GC was named on the Irish squad that played Wales at Rosslare on the last weekend in March.
John Fallon, the well-known local scribe of rugby and most other sporting interests, was elected the (20th ) chairman of the Rugby Writers of Ireland. John also heads up Media West (Ireland ), a freelance news and sports organisation based in Galway. The Rugby Writers appointment, (a big honour ), is a two-year assignment.
Jimmy Cranny is still being honoured and respected with the 33rd Jimmy Cranny Memorial Gala being held in Limerick. Hats off to Galway Swimming Club.
The St Michael's minder Tom Nally looked good on the tele. Pa Boyle would be pleased. Wouldn't anyone be pleased. Congrats Tom on another good job done. He received the GAA President's Prize for the West of Ireland with former GAA President Larry McCarthy doing the honours.
The FAl inducted Nono McHugh into their Hall of Fame in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Irish football. Nono is only the sixth woman to receive this award. She was the first captain of the women's national team. Wasn't she a great camogie player too?
Included in the People of the Year Awards of 2024 is the Oranmore camogie team of 1974 that won Galway's first club All-Ireland. Among those celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the win were Nono McHugh, Margaret Murphy, Grace Divilly, Bridgie Hanley and Rosemary Divilly.
The University of Galway Registrar Dr. Patrick O'Leary who lives in Moycullen was a World Anti-Doping Agency Observer at the Para-Olympics in Paris. Big responsibility.
The heroes that brought us to Croker
The GAA readied themselves for the Round Robin stages. Galway were to play Armagh and Dublin would play Mayo.
Galway saw off Donegal in the football quarter-final in Croke Park and they looked good. Although Galway were the refreshing winners, it was a tight enough gap.
It was the first time in 90 years (1934 ) that Galway had the better of the Dubs in the championship. We thought of Mick Higgins and Ned Mulholland and the rest of them.
Three times we were invited to Croke Park to contest All-Ireland Finals. And we were ready too.
But three times we came home in the silent bus. We lost the All Ireland Men's Football Final, the Ladies' Football Final and the Camogie final. And ya know, we could have won all three.
School success
The Jes won the Costello Cup and the Palmer Cup to make it a great start to the year. The Jes also won the All-Ireland National School Badminton Championships in the month of March. Well done to Leon Carr, James Coll, Andrew Cunningham and Ethan Davenport.
And the Jes Girls won the Willow Cup Swimming Contest and the Jes Boys took the runners up spot for the Boys events. Willow Park Junior School issued the invitations. Ten schools participated.
Masterful Mulkerrins
Moycullen's Martin Mulkerrins prevailed against top ranked Lucho Cordovato to take the Hall of Fame title which sees the Galway handballer reclaim the tour's number 1 seeding.
After further competition in Salt lake City, Mulkerrins is now the current World Singles champion or as the American compere might say as he goes to the middle of the ring (in a manner of speaking ) Mulkerrins the undisputed champion of the world or words to that effect.
Golf in Galway going strong
Kate Dillon of Oughterard Golf Club has been selected on the eight member of the under 18 Girl's panel and the eight strong Boy's panel features two Galway golfers: Rory Gallagher of Galway Bay and Isaac Oliver of Ballinasloe Golf Club.
It is a great pleasure to applaud young golfer Aodhan Fitzgerald of Curragreen, Roscam on winning his fourth consecutive Irish Open title. He already won the under 8, under 9, under 10, and now the under 11 title. The big win was at Mount Wolseley in Carlow.
There was another celebration in Galway Golf Club to send young Liam Nolan on his way in his big adventure of joining the professional ranks.
Galway watersports
Galway's newest rowing club is called Cumann Ramaiocht Cholaiste na Coiribe. They showed their opposition a thing or two when competing in a number of races at the National championships including the Men's and Women's Junior 16s and Junior 18s in singles, doubles and quads. The lrish Rowing President Neville Maxwell was clearly pleased to pose with the new arrivals.
Owen Diviney had a happy visit to Boston to retrace his steps and compete in the Head of the Charles. Owen recalled his great feat when winning his most famous race in Boston 30 years ago.
Coach Paddy Lally is probably enjoying a quiet smile for himself.
Back in January, The Tribes WPC retained the under 17 Girls Irish Cup beating St. Vincents 6-3. The Corrib WPC retained the under 17 Boys Irish cup 13-6.
Galway Bay Sailing Club was awarded the prestigious Sailing Club of the Year title at the 2023 Irish Sailing Awards in Howth Yacht Club in March 2024.
130 of the hardies showed up for the Galway Bay Swim on Saturday, June 20. The Boss man in Cancer Care West, Richard Flaherty, said the event was worth €1.65 million to the Cancer organisation.
And help comes from all over, such as Oranmore Maree Coastal Rescue and the Ciaran Oliver Galway Bay Boats Tours. Brian Thornton keeps an eye on proceedings since the very first Bay swim and we all go home happy.
John Shortt (Bluefin Swimming Club ) set a new Irish Senior and Junior record for 200m backstroke at the Irish Open Championship at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
The President of Rowing Ireland, Galwayman Neville Maxwell watched with great satisfaction at the Bish and the Jes giving their all in the Men's Junior 8s Irish Championship final.
In the tightest of finishes Bish won by how much? By a bow ball.
What?
OK, Bish won by 0.1 of a second.
And just for good measure Ross Bradley and Martin Siltanen won the Junior Pairs, the first time in 19 years. I'd say the Rowing President smiled the whole way home, great racing and remembering the standing ovation the Jes generously afforded the Bish.
Galway Swimming club hosted the 88th Annual Prom swims, main stays of the swimming season since 1933.
Galway swimmer John Shortt, a member of the Bluebell Swimming club in Kilcornan, won a hat-trick of gold medals in Bangor that confirmed his Irish number one spot in the backstroke.
And to what appeared like a permanent retirement we return to the extraordinary story of Siobhan McCrohan. Seven years later she has a change of heart. Without funding from Sports Ireland or Rowing Ireland all her costs have been self funded including purchasing a new boat so her club the Tribesmen Rowing Club who set up a crowd funding page on gofundme.com And so a world champion is born.
Welcome home Siobhan, come in from the cold.
Soccer
Salthill Devon clinched a third Premier Division title in succession. It would make Billy Shaw sit up.
Maree Oranmore qualified for a first ever Connacht Junior Cup but lost out to Castlebar Celtic.
Galway United Women retained the Avenir Sports All-Ireland Cup following a penalty shootout over Shamrock Rovers. Canadian Jamie Erickson slotted the winner.
Julie Ann Russell made a spectacular return to international football for the Republic of Ireland.
Killannin native Niamh Fahy made her return too.
Congratulations to Julie Ann Russell of Galway United the PFA Ireland Women's player of the year and Eve Dossen of Galway United for Team of the year.
Congrats too to Brendan Clarke on being selected as the best goalkeeper in the country. Clarke will play for Galway United again next season.
