Brandywell awaits tomorrow
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
While league football is more of a gruelling marathon than a sprint the occasional injection of pace can have drastic implications. Galway United’s four match unbeaten dash has put a spring in their step, and is why manager Ian Foster believes tomorrow’s trip to the Brandywell for an encounter with high flying Derry City should be relished.
“It will be a decent test for us because they’re a decent side, they’ll be competing to be champions and we’re under no illusion how tough it’s going to be. But the lads have got points on the board and what we have done is give themselves the right to go and have a right go at Derry.”
Read more ...Mervue host high flying Shelbourne
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
It has been a bittersweet few days for Mervue United. The pleasure and joy of last Friday’s stirring away success at Gortakeegan was diluted somewhat by last Monday’s League Cup reversal at Drom.
Read more ...Reality bites
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
Went to Omagh last Saturday night for the Tyrone v Derry game, it’s no joke of a trip from the city of the tribes and took the guts of four hours.
Read more ...St Paul’s Oughterard in All Ireland final
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
These are exciting days to be a student or staff member in St Paul’s in Oughterard as they face into their first ever All-Ireland final at B level this Saturday in Carrick-On-Shannon at 2pm.
Read more ...Hurlers face Tipperary at Pearse Stadium
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
Two restorative victories mean hope is coursing through Galway’s system again, but with challenges arriving thick and fast there is little time to reflect on the positive recent tidings. Wins over Munster opposition usually satisfy, and the manner in which Galway eked out results against Limerick and Waterford certainly augurs well. Nonetheless a frenetic spring schedule ensures Galway must be primed for another battle this Sunday when Tipperary enter Salthill for a match that ought to be revealing.
Read more ...Connacht back in Sportsground action
Thu, Apr 02, 2009
Connacht take on the Dragons at the Sportsground on Friday night (6:30) hoping to halt a recent poor run of form and build some much needed momentum for their European Challenge Cup semi final the following week.
Read more ...Vital Connacht derby at Terryland tomorrow
Thu, Mar 26, 2009
A string of interesting sub plots ensure tomorrow’s Terryland Park encounter between Galway United and Sligo Rovers ought to be tasty. The shock table toppers against the surprise basement boys, Alan Keane’s return to the ground in which he served with distinction, and the television cameras in attendance will ensure intrigue is attached to the affair.
Read more ...Monaghan next on Mervue’s agenda
Thu, Mar 26, 2009
Throughout the years Gortakeegan has been a venue in which the most illustrious clubs in the country have suffered, and the League of Ireland’s latest arrival, Mervue United, make the trek to the venue on the outskirts of Monaghan town forearmed and forewarned.
With a point on the board following last Friday’s stalemate with Finn Harps, Mervue have reason to be confident as Monaghan have surprisingly struggled in the opening weeks. The Harps match confirmed that Mervue can operate at this level, particularly as their minds were focused on the considerable task by manager Johnny Glynn.
Read more ...Old Connacht foes clash again
Thu, Mar 26, 2009
After the NFL game in James Stephens Park in Ballina last Sunday, where Mayo and Dublin had just drawn in a dull, tedious, error-ridden pile of manure, I got chatting to a few local Maors and Ballina club men.
Read more ...Hurlers go to Waterford on Sunday
Thu, Mar 26, 2009
Two minutes from time, and the evenly matched teams were deadlocked. The momentum was with Limerick, Galway appeared to be ailing, when suddenly the maroons showed the pluck and perseverance that John McItyre demanded. Joe Canning strolled out the field, nailed a free, manufactured another and closed the game with a second strike that rescued the situation.
It is strange what kind of a soothing effect a tight and tense win can have, and the conversations in Galway’s warm down in the corner of the town goal were peppered with enthusiasm. Dealing with lofty expectations is part and parcel of a Galway hurler’s existence, but any triumph chiselled out in difficult circumstances is valued.
Read more ...Muldoon wants an Edinburgh win
Thu, Mar 26, 2009
Connacht travel to Murrayfield this Friday looking for a rare away win in the Magners League when they take on Edinburgh in the national stadium at 7:30pm. Michael Bradley’s men have suffered a number of narrow defeats in recent rounds and are currently 11 points adrift at the bottom of the table.
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Galway go to Carlisle Grounds full of confidence
Thu, Mar 19, 2009
Emboldened by a shock but satisfying start to the season Galway United will venture to the Carlisle Grounds tomorrow searching for a third straight win. Considering it took Galway until July to pocket nine points last season reveals how dramatic this burst of spring enterprise has been.
Read more ...Mervue host Harps at Terryland
Thu, Mar 19, 2009
League football can be a grind when results aren’t agreeable so Mervue United will be especially eager to arrest a losing sequence at Terryland Park tomorrow night. That Finn Harps, in the Premier Division last year, are the visitors merely adds to the task.
Read more ...Meehan machine destroys Donegal
Thu, Mar 19, 2009
It was a pleasure to have been in Pearse Stadium last Sunday to watch the brilliant display of forward play by Caltra’s Michael Meehan.
Read more ...Testing trip to Derry
Thu, Mar 19, 2009
Liam Sammon and his team will know that they face a big step up in class and intensity this Sunday when they face Derry in Maghera. Donegal were like sheep in an abattoir in the first half last Sunday, however Derry are a completely different proposition.
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