Search Results for 'Sean Gallagher'

An electorate fatigued by years of unrelenting economic bad news and grinding austerity; disenchanted with the Government’s failure to tackle the failings of the political system and engage in meaningful reform; the lack of a coherent alternative from an Opposition that has, at its heart, a party still tainted by its role in the economic crash and still toxic for many; a surge in support for ‘Others’ manifesting itself in both opinion polls and local election results.

The Irish Association for Supported Employment (IASE) has called for businesses in Mayo to participate in the sixth annual National Supported Employment Week (22 to 28 April). Job Shadow Day (24 April) is the highlight of the week and will see hundreds of people with disabilities shadow a workplace mentor as he or she goes about a normal working day.

Youth work and volunteering will come under the spotlight when the No Name Club honours its adult volunteers at a special celebration tomorrow, Saturday June 30.

Even without a couple of the hills at the start of the traditional 10k course, the Balla 8k proved to be a stern test. After a fast downhill start, the field hit a wall of reality as they headed up over the railway bridge in the first kilometre. Winner Matt Bidwell led Roger Barrett all the way to the finish, but could never really relax as Roger maintained the pressure just seconds behind. Sean Gallagher and Anto Devanney had their own battle for third until Anto went to the front in the closing stages.

Conditions were good for the third Annual Kilmovee 10k on Saturday afternoon. There was a record turnout of runners and walkers, with 406 finishers.

Early last year when Labour decided to hold this year’s centenary conference in Galway, they could not have foreseen just how different the picture would be. They had just been elected into power along with Fine Gael on a tidal wave of dissent against the incumbent incompetents. They had elected many new TDs, bright young things whom it seemed had lots to offer the party in this new coalition. Here in Galway, we provided two of them — Derek Nolan and Colm Keaveney — and they represented a refreshing change, and in the Seanad, Lorraine Higgins has also been groomed for greater things. Happy days for Labour in Government and in Galway.

THE RENMORE Panto is a staple fixture of Galway’s festive season and Peter Kennedy is a staple fixture of the Renmore Panto. This year’s offering is Aladdin and, as always, Kennedy has both written the script and plays the role of Panto Dame.

Ballina Athletic Club athletes travelled to Sligo Racecourse last week for the even ages and senior cross country championships and acquitted themselves very well. Emma Loftus ran a brilliant race in the u14 girls 3,000m race and finished in ninth place overall out of a field of 130 athletes, and took home a bronze medal in the process. Emma is eligible to run in the same age again next year. Hugh Armstrong, who competed in the European and World Mountain Running championships during the year, competed in the u18 boys 6,000m race and finished in eigth place overall to take home a bronze medal also. Maria Reilly was leading the u12 girls race until she had to pull out due to injury. Bridget Mills ran very well in the same competition, as did Cormac MacDermott in the u12 boys race. The u18 boys team of Hugh Armstrong, Cian Mulrooney, Jonathan Deane, and Ciaran Treacy performed very well and finished in sixth place overall. Roger Barrett was the first Mayo man home in the senior competition when he finished in 32nd place overall. His club mates Michael Canty, Sean Gallagher, and Tommy Neville competed also as members of the Mayo Intercounties Team. The uneven ages and novice championships takes place in the Curragh on Sunday next, December 11.

The annual home countries Masters International Cross Country championships took place on Saturday at Bellahouston Park near Glasgow. Once again the Irish team finished in overall second place to England - winners for the umpteenth time. The event took place in very difficult conditions - rain, mud, and high winds.

The sense of relief is palpable this week as the October Bank Holiday rolls in and finally, the 2011 Irish presidential election campaign comes to a close. For better or worse we have now elected our new president and whatever political elections, by-elections, local or national arise in the next seven years, all going well, we won't have to worry about who will occupy the Áras for that period at least.