Local rivalry will ensure intense league battle

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Connacht rivals Galwegians and Buccaneers clash on Saturday in the AIB League division one at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm).

Connacht rugby fixtures

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Saturday, Junior League Division 2 South Section, Buccaneers v Galwegians; Sunday; Junior League Division 1A: Corrib v Castlebar; Ballina v Corinthians. Connacht Junior Cup, Westport v UCG ; Gort v Monivea; Creggs v Sligo; Galwegians v West Offaly Loughrea v Dunmore Carrick v OLBC. Monday: Connacht Tribune Schools Junior Cup, Colaiste Iognaid v Sligo Grammer Annacotty; St Joseph’s, Galway v St Muiredachs; Clifden CS v Marist College; Garbally College v St Marys Ballygar.

Connacht let it slip late

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Come the end of the season and Connacht could well be left to rue this winnable Magners League fixture against the visiting Scarlets.

Moycullen advance to National Cup final over local rivals Titans

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Never was the phrase ‘defence wins championships’ more appropriate than on Saturday when An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen, staged a magnificent late recovery over local rivals Titans in the National Cup semi-final in Castleisland.

Double victory for Maree

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

A great weekend for Galway basketball was complete late Saturday night in Castleisland Kerry, when Maree advanced to two National Cup finals.

Jump shot

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

•All-Ireland Schools’ Cup semi-finals: U-16 A Girls, Calasanctius Oranmore were pipped 50 -49 by St Joseph’s Abbeyfeale, despite taking an early lead. Calasanctius struggled with the size of the Tipperary girls and were down by six at half time, but started to get the better of Abbeyfeale under the basket. Ciara Newell’s shooting brought the Oranmore side within touching distance, but Abbeyfeale just held out.

Wegians and Buccs advance

Thu, Jan 15, 2009

Galwegians, semi-finalists last year, ensured they continued their advance in this year’s AIB Cup with a 14 - 3 win over division three outfit Nenagh Ormond.

Galway’s youngsters will find Leitrim a stern challenge

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

At the outset of 2008 as Galway football entered a decisive new chapter, the Connacht FBD League was utilised intelligently. Liam Sammon's approach saw Galway embrace the challenges with the required passion and zeal to book the considerable bounty of a trip to New York that awaits the winners.

New era for Connacht women’s soccer

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

The first Connacht women’s soccer tournament kicks off this weekend in what is seen as a major step forward for the game in the west.

Galway teams square up in basketball cup showdown

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

In an impressive reflection of the current strength of Galway basketball, local teams, An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen and Titans go head to head in the division one National Basketball Cup on Saturday in Castleisland.

Top Irish players visit Moycullen

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

Eight of the country’s top handballers will compete in a special two-day invitational tournament in the county this weekend.

Moycullen Handball Club is hosting the event which promises to be a post Christmas feast of handball on Saturday and Sunday.

Forget those post-Christmas blues and get back on the road again

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

I always feel a little sad taking down the tree on "Little Christmas".

Setanta Ireland launches GAA schedule for 2009

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

Setanta Ireland announced its provisional list of live and deferred games for the National Football and Hurling Leagues this week.

The history of the GAA on TG4

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

TG4 has launched a major new 10-part television documentary series chronicling the social and cultural history of the GAA.

SPORTS SHORTS

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

•FAI chief executive John Delaney will turn the first sod on the new Oughterard Association Football Club sports facilities on Thursday week. The new sports pitches and facilities are located at New Village, Oughterard. Phase one - the construction of the first natural grass pitch and ground works for the 10 acre site - has commenced and will cost €650,000. In order to raise the estimated total costs of €1.5 million for the full site development, OAFC is hosting a pitchmaker draw on St Patrick’s Day 2009. Prizes include a sporty Mazda 2 car, boat and trailer, €2,000 Marks & Spencer voucher, €1,000 holiday voucher, and laptop. Tickets for the draw are €50 and are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 085-1000 074.

•Bookmaker Boylesports has produced a series of odds looking forward to 2009. In soccer, the Republic of Ireland are 33/1 to beat Italy, not once but twice, and Trap’s Army are 2/1 to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. On the domestic scene, Derry are 7/1 to win the League of Ireland, while in England you can now get 20/1 on Arsenal winning the Premier League. In GAA, the Dubs are 5/1 to win their first All-Ireland since 1995, while Tipp are 11/2 to take Kilkenny’s crown. Corofin are 5/1 to win AIB Club Football Championship, while Galway are 18/1to win Sam Maguire. Padraig Harrington is 9/4 to win any Major in the next 12 months with a fit again Tiger Woods at 1/2 to do likewise, while young Rory McIlroy is even money to win any tour event. In rugby, Munster are 10/3 for European glory once again, while Ireland are 7/2 to win the Six Nations. The Lions are 15/8 to win the series in South Africa.

Connacht look to extend fine home form against Scarlets

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

Connacht return to their home ground tomorrow night, looking to extend their strong home record when they host the visiting Scarlets (6.30pm).

Thornton returns to form

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

Almost 900 runners and walkers competed in the scenic Fields of Athenry 10k Road Race on St Stephen’s Day, which was won by Gary Thornton of Galway City Harriers and Catherine Conway from Mayo AC.

RUGBY SHORTS

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

•One of the province’s youngest rugby clubs, Oughterard RFC, is promoting a pitch development fundraiser. The winner of the €100 ticket, which is limited to 500, will receive two tickets to the Lions Tour, including flights to South Africa, accommodation for 18 nights, tickets to the three test matches and the emerging Sprinkboks, plus €1 ,000 spending money. Second prize is a top of the range 42” flat screen TV, while there are 23 official Lions jerseys also up for grabs. Contact Paul Fogarty 086-6489427. The draw takes place on February 14.

•Connacht currently have a number of tickets available for the European Challenge Cup game against London Irish at the Madjeski Stadium on Saturday week. The tickets, which cost £25 for adults and £8 for children, are for a section in the East Stand which is being reserved for Connacht fans. Details are available by contacting Connacht Rugby commercial and marketing manager Fiona Keys - [email protected] or 091-561568. Any unsold tickets will be sent back on next Monday, January 12.

Moycullen ride their luck

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen 91

Titans defeat national champs

Thu, Jan 08, 2009

Titans extended their nine-game winning streak with a 14-point victory over the current National Cup and League Champions Tolka Rovers in North Dublin on Sunday afternoon.

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