•The Oughterard Association Football Club will launch its Pitchmaker Draw on Sunday in the Connemara Gateway Hotel at 4pm. The event promises to be an entertaining afternoon and will provide all who attend with the opportunity to get an insight on club developments, as well as meeting with management and coaches. The Pitckmaker Draw will take place on St Patrick’s Day next year with the grand prize being a top of the range sporty Mazda2 three-door car. There is also a host of other prizes including a boat and trailer, holiday voucher, shopping spree, and a high- tech laptop. All proceeds raised through the draw will go towards funding new sports pitches and associated facilities at New Village, Oughterard. Tickets cost €50 each and will be available next week from the fundraising committee, club members or by calling 085-1000074. Chairperson Paul Silke says “The Pitchmaker draw is a chance for Oughterard and the wider community to support this fundraising initiative. Not only will it develop the sporting facilities in our locality, but those who support the draw will be in with a chance of winning a new Mazda2 car as a well as host of other prizes.”
•A fresh northerly breeze made for perfect sailing conditions on the bay last Sunday for races three and four in the McSwiggans October League. In class one, all boats had a clean start with That's Life crossing the line bang on the gun, followed by Quelle Surprise just to windward. That's Life held the lead until the windward mark when Catalpa gained the front spot, and the two boats jostled for the lead until a late gybe for Catalpa allowed That's Life to take out a small lead which they held till the end.In class two, Rhocodar led off with Silver Foam in hot pursuit followed by Golden Eagle and Sandrine. Cormac Furey, who at 11-years-old was the youngest helmsman in the fleet, skilfully handled Rhocodar on the downwind legs. To his delight and that of his younger sister Rhona, Rhocodar dominated the race from start to finish. The second race was similar to the first with That's Life maintaining their lead throughout to win the race with Catalpa crossing in second. Rhocodar again led the Class 2 fleet away while Silver Foam finished second.
•Oranmore/Maree were the winners of the annual Bearna/Na Forbacha u-10 hurling tournament finals for the first time.In its 14th year, the tournament culminated in this year’s decider between the winners and Salthill/Knocknacarra.Oranmore/Maree’s Stiofáin Ó Cuimin sent a rocket into the net after catching a great ball in from Rian Ó Meachair halfway through the first half, leaving them 1-1 to 0-1 up at the break. Salthill/Knocknacarra refused to lie down, but even Sean Ó Ceallaigh and Sean Ó Meachair’s best efforts could not get by Oranmore/Maree’s goalie and captain Caoimhin De Búrca, who pulled off a fantastic save from a 20m free to keep his team ahead. The writing was finally on the trophy with the final puck off the ball, when Adam Ó H’anfaidh scored a second for Oranmore/Maree, giving them a much deserved 2-2 to 0-2 win. In the Shield final were Rathún/An Caisleán Nua secured their second title in four years, overcoming An Spidéal by 3-1 to 0-2.
