•Three fighters from the Point Blank Gym in Parkmore faced off against their counterparts from the Top Pro Kilkenny Club for the Tribal Warfare Shield. Benjamin "Son of Life" Davis showed his speed when he knocked out Ger Coady with a lightening fast left straight, sending the ex-kickboxer to the canvas. Tom "The Catastrophe" Kelly had a war with Mick Timmins until early in the second round Kelly pounded Timmins until the referee stepped in, while Kevin Moran was able to get a dominant position and a technical knock out over Ray Dowd to make it a triple victory for the home fighters. Other Galwaymen on the card included Dave King who held off the early onslought of Swedish fighter Johan Vedenius to take a win in the second round by disqualification when the giant Swede inadvertantly broke the rules. Young Kiran Singh made short work of Dublin fighter Brian Kenny, taking only a shade over a minute to finish his opponent with a rear naked choke, while Tim Murphy increased Point Blank's spoils by bringing the featherweight title to Galway, defeating the Northern Irish Featherweight Champion Jonny Dooey. The main event saw Headford man Alan "The Cannon" Hannon give his all against his supremely talented opponent Martin "The Heat" Begley and midway through the second round Hannon secured a head and arm choke to submit the game northern fighter for the win.
•Tyrone’s victory over Kerry in Croke Park saved Boylesports €500,000 as GAA punters shyed away from Tyrone despite generous odds. And once again Kerry are the early 2009 All-Ireland favourites with Tyrone at 7/2 to reclaim Sam Maguire. The Dubs are 5/1 with Cork at 12/1, followed by Galway at 20/1, as is Mayo.
• Young up and coming Athenry star David O’Brien won the €7,500 euro Derby Class with the only double clear in a highly taxing event at the international horse show in Ulster.
O’Brien won the final round of the Fahy Sales League in Claregalway earlier this year and has been proving himself in show after show in recent months, and this result will rank as a highlight of a successful year.
Galway Golf Club: Men’s 18 hole singles stableford, Ray Smith (6 ) 38; Ray Molloy (8 ) 38; Gross, Martin Ruane (4 ) 31;Tony Burke (14 ) 38; Frank Holland (8 ) 37; Ronan Neacy (14 ) 36; Joey Costello (6 ) 36; Donal Joyce (15 ) 36; John Nolan (7 ) 36; John Royliston (10 ) 36; Christie Mullins (11 ) 36.
Oughterard Golf Club: Ladies 18 hole stroke, Ann Kavanagh (27 ) 73; Colette Kelleher (27 ) 74; Gross,Niamh Keogh (13 ) 90; Bridie O’ Brien (35 ) 74; Category A, Bridget Walsh (16 ) 75; Monica Power (20 ) 75; Category B, Margaret O’ Neill (21 ) 75; Teresa Butler (26 ) 75; Category C, Ann Walsh (36 ) 80; Claire O’ Keane (34 ) 80; Nine hole, Monica McKenna (24 ) 47. Men’s 18 hole singles stableford, Michael Darcy (4 ) 66; Pat Egan (19 ) 66; Gross, Aidan Grimes (6 ) 73; Malachy Glynn (10 ) 68; Cat A, John MacAlliney (13 ) 68; Cat B, Pat Kelly (14 ) 68; Cat C, Willie Duddy (20 ) 70. Open Day Competition, Mike Joyce (19 ) 39; Diarmuid Cawley (10 ) 36; Tim Mullins (8 ) 34.
Portumna Golf Club: Autumn Trophy for Men’s Golfer of the year, Mike Keyes (12 ) 44; Ger Donnellan (15 ) 40;Gross Brendan Naughton (9 ) 30; John Cormican (18 ) 39; Seniors, Pauric Purcell (18 ) 35; Hole in one, Des Clarke on the 10th par 3.
The Murphy Matchplay Trophy was won this year by new kid on the block Ger Brehony. Playing off an 18 handicap, he beat veteran golfer Mike Keyes, 5 and 4, denying Keyes a third in a row.
The club foursomes was won by Francis McClearn and Mike Glynn, beating Brian McDermott and Ray Lawless in a tightly-contested match.
Portumna Ladies 18 hole stableford, Marie Jo Kelly 36; Annette Cahalan 35; Olivia O`Mara 35.
Galway Bay Golf Resort: Men, Alan Bundschu (11 ) 42; Mark Kelly 10 ) 36; Eugene Devaney (17 ) 36.Ladies, Nano Gough (22 ) 41; Patricia Melville (23 ) 40; Fiona O'Driscoll (18 ) 36.
