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Friday – Filius Meus Music for Good Friday

By
Kate Robinson
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filius meus

Filius Meus Music for Good Friday
Friday, March 30 @ 5pm
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Tickets €15/€13.50 concession or €6 for students

COLLEGIUM with ADRIAN MANTU (cello) directed by MARK DULEY

Mark Duley has once again devised a programme for this special day.

The title of the concert – the cry of the bereaved parent – is elucidated in complementary settings of prophetic Old Testament scripture.

Mary’s lament for her son dead upon the cross is foreshadowed in David’s grief at the death in battle of his son Absalom, and Rachel’s weeping in Ramah for her lost children.

Hear choral works around this theme from the 16th, 17th and 21st centuries.

All are welcome!

Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 38) – Thursday, 29th March 

By
Darren Kelly
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It has been an interesting day, enlightening maybe, but certainly one that makes you take stock ahead of the summer.  I cover Ladies GAA as my primary job.  Yesterday, still in March, the Galway senior camogie manager resigned! 

Now when I started writing this diary, I said I’d be honest and I don’t intend changing now.  When I take the journalist hat off, it’s just damn frustrating!  We’re going to have a fifth manager in just over three years.

There were rumours flying around all week.  There was talk of players not being happy.  Talk of trainers not up to standard.  Talk that the board weren’t fully happy with him.  Nobody can be certain what the reason is.  Maybe he decided enough was enough himself.  But Tony O’Donovan is gone.

Before I decided to start writing on this subject, I needed to think for a moment.  Is it wise for me to stir the pot if you will?  Am I jeopardising future relationships?  Will it make my job awkward come the summer?  And then it hit me!

Last year, an ex-manager, someone on his behalf, or a club official, went to the Irish Examiner with a copy of an email sent out following his dismissal.  Yesterday, a statement was sent to the Connacht Tribune confirming today’s news.  And last Sunday, a club manager refused to do a post-match interview.

Now, in all three situations, those responsible are perfectly entitled to make those decisions.  And I’ve no issue with the club manager.  I have a great relationship with that person and understand why a post-match interview wasn’t appealing.

But last time I checked, I’m the person who goes to camogie matches in Galway!  I’m the person who’ll try get coverage of the club championships!  I’m the person who’s battled for 10 years to try and get camogie a fair spot among mainstream media!  And I still update their Facebook page three years after I stepped down as PRO!

But nobody phoned me or emailed me with the statement that went to the Irish Examiner last year.  I didn’t get yesterday’s statement until I went looking for it.  And that’s three consecutive Galway managers I’ve found out were finished their posts through a third party.

I’ve also had to deal with some players trying to dodge pre and post-match interviews which can be infuriating.  Now that doesn’t happen too often and most of them, especially the older ones who’ve been there since I started covering the game in 2008, are brilliant.

But in recent years, I’ve started to feel like somebody somewhere thinks they are doing me a favour.  I only get paid for being at matches.  I don’t have to go to training sessions to get extra material!

I’m not interested in playing some blame game about whose fault this latest resignation is.  I look forward to the new appointment and wish the new manager and the squad the best of luck ahead of the summer.  And the talent is there to win the O’Duffy Cup.  I’ve been saying that every year!

But as an entity, Galway camogie now has to grow up!  Regardless whose fault this is, the pressure is now on to win the All-Ireland!  And dare I say it, what happens if we don’t?

The players will be questioned after a mid-season change saw another managerial casualty.  The board will be questioned as one of the main reasons for last December’s top table changes was the previous executive’s relationship with the departed managerial team.

And I might have to start asking myself questions?  Do I give up a Thursday night at home to go do prearranged interviews and then feel like I’ve to beg for some of them?  Do I turn down a club hurling game to make sure that a camogie match gets the coverage it deserves?

Am I going to bother with post-match interviews if I’m going to be kept waiting half an hour or told to ‘Go Away From Me Will You?’  Am I going to keep assisting in updating Facebook or should I just leave it and let them find a proper PRO?

https://twitter.com/kygonjinn/status/979407151092256768

I didn’t smoke today but by, I felt like one.  And I know I might ruffle some feathers with this piece.  Maybe I’m in the wrong.  But covering Galway camogie isn’t fun anymore and maybe after 10 years, I need to take a break.

I won’t this year as I want them to succeed and I hope we’re in Croke Park in September and that Sarah Dervan lifts the O’Duffy Cup over her head.  If any player deserves it, she does.

But I feel that if covering Galway camogie still feels like a chore at the end of the season, then maybe it’s time to put the microphone away, focus on something else and give someone else a go.  Would be a shame because I loved telling the story.

Darren

Nine out of ten recorded rapes in Ireland end in…nothing

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway Daily news four arrested over Galway City robbery

Following on from yesterday’s ruling in the high-profile Belfast rape trial – in which four men were cleared of all charges relating to the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman – it seems that similar results are the norm in sexual offence cases in Ireland.

Statistics from the Central Statistics Office and the Irish Courts system show that 90% of recorded rapes and sexual assaults end in something other than a conviction.

Although sentences for rape are getting longer, careful analysis reveals a very low proportion of alleged sexual offenders make it to the point of conviction in order to be sentenced.

There is a large discrepancy between incidents recorded by the Gardaí and resolved court cases.

There were 2,110 reported rapes and sexual assaults in Ireland in 2015 (the most recent year for which court data is available).

Of these, 1,479 found their way to the Central Criminal Court, and just over a third (750) were actually resolved. A few may have gone to the Circuit Court (in 2008, 134 sexual offences were dealt with there), but even adding 150 court cases leaves 1,210 reported rapes and sexual assaults that weren’t resolved in court.

And these numbers aren’t unusual; similar discrepancies pop up year after year. But this gap is only present in sexual offences.

By contrast, in 2015 the Central Criminal Court resolved 31 murder cases with only 29 offences recorded that year (some resolved cases were likely from the previous year), and 7 manslaughter cases with only 4 offences recorded that year.

There is a huge backlog of unresolved rapes that simply doesn’t exist for other types of violent crime.

This may be in part because of lengthy delays in prosecuting rapes, but should be explored further.

Sheer volume could also be a factor. In 2015, there were 839 cases of violent crimes resolved in the Central Criminal Court, of which 750 (89%) were rapes and sexual assaults.

The justice system may be poorly equipped for such a large number of these incidents.

Aside from the huge difference in volume between sexual offences and other violent crimes, the wide discrepancy between incoming and resolved offences is unusual —
all crimes other than rape and sexual assault have very small gaps between the two.

But the story gets even murkier following the 750 resolved cases through the Central Criminal Court.

Central Criminal Court Cases

“Resolved” means all cases that ended, whether or not they resulted in a conviction.

This includes cases where there is not enough evidence to prosecute (nolle prosecui), or even cases where the accused died during proceedings.

In 2015, rape and sexual assaults were the least likely of all violent crimes in the Central Criminal Court to go to trial.

Fewer than half of rape cases and only 40 percent of sexual assaults resulted in a trial, compared to nearly three quarters of murder cases.

And this wasn’t because more defendants of these cases pled guilty — sexual offences are towards the lower end of the pack for guilty pleas as well.

Rather, rape and sexual assault offences are in the top three for nolle prosequi cases — those which were dropped by the prosecution — and are the top two for cases that are taken into consideration (offences that are not prosecuted separately but added to the sentencing for a different offence).

They are also the top cases in which the accused died before going to trial.

This could be due to long delays in reporting offences caused by a cultural environment where admitting sexual abuse is often considered shameful or taboo.

Nearly one in five sexual assault cases ended because the accused died prematurely — six times the number of murder defendants who died during court proceedings.

These somewhat unusual endings for rape and sexual assault cases mean that fewer of those cases go to trial.

Trial Outcomes

But when they do go to trial, what happens?

Sexual assaults have one of the highest conviction rates at 78.5 percent, while rape is middle-of-the-road at 54.8 percent.

This means that only around one out of every two people on trial for rape gets convicted.

Most of the rest of the defendants in rape cases are acquitted or their offence is taken into consideration.

In fact, rapes and sexual assaults make up two of only three types of violent crimes that were taken into consideration in 2015.

Going back to all rape cases resolved in court – including the ones that went to trial – the conviction rate is 25 percent.

So of all the people who end up in court for rape, only one in four gets convicted.

This is less than half the conviction rate for murders and manslaughters, and even lower than the rate for sexual assaults (31 percent).

And once convicted, sentencing is confusing at best, with partial and full suspensions of imprisonment that may soon become irrelevant.

Rape is the only offence for which a sentence was fully suspended – and the second highest in partially suspended imprisonments.

And although the maximum penalty for rape in Ireland is life imprisonment, none of the sentences handed out in 2015 were for life.

Yearly Trends

So how does 2015 compare with other years?

In terms of case resolution, there was a marked increase in the number of rape cases going to trial in 2014, as well as a large drop in the number of cases taken into consideration.

In 2013 there was a steep decline in the number of guilty pleas – perhaps due to stricter sentencing. And the slow rise in nolle prosequi cases had dipped by 2015.

Overall it seems that the proportion of rape cases being prosecuted is gradually climbing.

Rape trial outcomes have also changed over the last couple of years, with a 75 percent acquittal rate in 2013 dropping to 42 percent in 2015.

The conviction rate has also steadily increased, from only 17 percent in 2013 to 54 percent in 2015.

So although the general trend leans in favour of the courts taking a more serious view of rape cases, it may take a while to see the results.

Ultimately, out of the 2,110 recorded rapes and sexual assaults in 2015, only 10% of alleged offenders will see any jail time.

This is a lot of data to absorb.

But looking at the numbers can help us understand why decisions like the one made in Belfast yesterday are regular occurrences – and whether we as a society can live with that.

Crime in Galway rises 10 percent in 2017

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts Man sent to trial charged with pulling knife on Garda

The number of recorded criminal offences in Galway went up by 10 percent in 2017 according to the latest crime figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

A total of 16,708 criminal offences were recorded by Gardaí in 2017, up from 15,125 the year before.

Incidents of rape and sexual assault rose by 12% from 109 recorded offences in 2016 to 122 last year.

While there was a 20% increase in the number of assaults causing harm, and the amount of threats against someone’s life went up staggeringly by nearly two thirds.

However there was only a single homicide recorded in all of 2017 and no incidents of dangerous driving causing death.

Theft accounted for the largest number of offences in any category with more than 2,100 in last year, up 12.5% from 1,900 in 2016.

Burglaries saw a 30% increase across Galway; while the number of burglaries, hijackings, and extortion attempts went up 150%.

The number of public disorder and other social conduct offences remained mostly the same, changing by less than half a percent in 2017.

However within that category incidents involving disorderly conduct and liquor licences both saw declines, by more than half in the case of the liquor licences.

Additionally, 2017 also saw a slight decline of one and a half percent in the number of drug offences across Galway.

Galway TD says Taoiseach is ‘out of his depth’ on housing crisis

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily Controversial plans to rename Galway City landmarks

Catherine Connolly TD has called on the government to declare a national emergency in relation to the housing crisis.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, she said that the Taoiseach’s comments earlier today about the crisis being ‘frustrating’ proves that he is ‘out of his depth’.

“The figures aren’t frustrating. The figures are an absolute scandal,” said Deputy Connolly.

“We should all be ashamed, but particularly the government, that’s leaving the housing to the market. And so, if we declare an emergency, Minister, that should determine the type of solutions that we seek rather than the one that ye have been seeking. And it was the same with Deputy Alan Kelly, it was the same with Deputy Coveney and now you again in relation to the market.”

Deputy Connolly said that she did not blame the Minister for all of the problems, but that the problems weface in housing are as a result of successive governments refusal to intervene in the markets.

“The market is allowed to destroy people’s lives, it’s allowed to destroy the concept of a house as a home, and so  in two years and two months I’ve been here, I’ve seen all the tinkering, you’ve accused us of being caught up in an ideological slant and we don’t see the wood from the trees. And here we are directly as a result of your policy and we have almost 10,000 people homeless. And of that, a 40% increase in the last month – you know the figures – but I’m going to say them for the record.

“9,807 and 3,755 of them are children – now really, is that not a national emergency? Is that not a point where we all should say ‘oh God, we can’t go on like this, it’s time to see what we can do’?” said the independent Galway West TD.

She also criticised HAP and said that this time last year there were 182 adults without a home in Galway, and this month there are 237 homeless, and that last year there were 63 children homeless, and that has risen to 146.

“Isn’t that a major, major emergency?” she asked the Minister.

 

ATHLETICS: CORPORATE 5K TEAM CHALLENGE COMING TO GALWAY 

By
Darren Kelly
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The Grant Thornton Corporate 5K Team Challenge will come to Galway next April when it kicks off the series at Ballybrit racecourse.  This will be the first year that the GT5K series will take place in Galway and will be followed by further events in Cork, Belfast and Dublin. 

Companies can enter a team of four in the three available categories – male, female and mixed.  The official score for each team is determined by the recorded times of the registered team members with accurate chip timing for all participants.

The GT5K series is organised by the national governing body, Athletics Ireland, and they encourage social running amongst the business communities in the four cities helping to improve the health and wellness of the workforce and building team spirit.

The Galway race takes place on Thursday, 12th April at 7pm and teams can enter for €100.  Trophies will be presented for the top three teams in each of the three categories.  Entries close the proceeding Monday (9th April) and all entrants will receive a technical t-shirt and goody bag.

In its seventh year, the GT5K series will also visit three other cities before September.  Cork will be the hosts on June 13th before teams take to Belfast City Airport eight days later.  And on Wednesday, 5th September, the challenge will take place around Dublin’s iconic docklands.

2018’s chosen charity is Simon Communities which is an organisation based in eight locations around Ireland tackling all forms of homelessness supported by a National Office.

They have been providing services in Ireland for almost 50 years and deliver support and service to over 11,000 people and families throughout Ireland who experience homelessness every year.

For further details, check Grant Thornton’s official website and if anybody wants to enter, they can click HERE or email roisinhorgan@athleticsireland.ie

 

High turnout at #IBelieveHer rally in Galway City

By
Michael Malone
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#IBELIEVEHER galway

Galwegians have protested in the city in solidarity with victims of sexual assault following yesterday’s verdict in the trial of Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison in Belfast.

Similar rallies are taking place in Cork, Derry, Carlow, Belfast, Dublin and Limerick.

All four men were found not guilty, however the the treatment of the complainant over the long high-profile trial has been heavilty criticised.

The North’s legal system which allows high-profile trials of this kind to be played out in public has also been criticised.

 

 

GALWAY LGFA: Galway Clubs to Compete in Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta 

By
Darren Kelly
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Nine Galway clubs will take part in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s very first Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta on Easter Monday (2nd April). 

In association with championship sponsors TG4, Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta will see under 12 girls from 22 clubs and schools all over Ireland pit their wits against each other and mingle with some of Ladies Football’s leading stars.

Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta is part of the LGFA’s ongoing initiatives to celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge.  And on Monday, clubs and schools from Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Dublin, Meath, Mayo, Kildare and Cork will get the chance to play on the hallowed Croke Park sod.

The LGFA’s official retail partner and National League sponsor Lidl will also provide lunches to the competing teams.

Lidl will also assist with the coordination of the day through the provision of mentor bibs and the presence of Lidl ambassadors.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to mark Bliain na Gaeilge, we are gathering together 22 teams with Irish-speaking backgrounds,” said LGFA CEO Helen O’Rourke on their official website.

“This is another exciting initiative for our Association and we are very much looking forward to welcoming these young players to Croke Park.

“The ongoing celebrations of Bliain na Gaeilge are very important to us and this unique event at Croke Park will celebrate the Irish language through the medium of Ladies Gaelic Football.

“TG4 are very proud to be associated with this initiative with the LGFA,” said TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coistealbha.

“2018 is Bliain na Gaeilge and next Monday is a fantastic opportunity for young girls representing Gaeltacht Clubs and schools from all over the country to grace the hallowed turf of Croke Park, speaking the Irish Language.”

The Galway clubs competing are:

An Spidéal, Naomh Anna, Carna, Bearna, Mícheál Breathnach, Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe, Grainne Mhaoile, An Cheathrú Rua and Annaghdown.

Fancy joining this year’s skinny dip in Galway for Children’s Cancer Charity?

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily skinny dip
Registration for the ninth annual Dip in the Nip which will take place on May 7th at a beach in Galway is now open!  The location will be disclosed to participants closer to the event.

Hundreds of brave Galwegians have stripped off to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean since 2009, raising thousands of euro for Hand in Hand – the Children’s Cancer Charity in Galway.

The charity’s Dip in the Nip event raises vital funds which allows it to provide families across Ireland with the support they need at the most difficult time imaginable.

Hundreds of participants will gather together on a beach, shedding clothes – and legging it into the North Atlantic. The Dip in the Nip was the world’s first skinny dip for charity.

Dip for yourself, for loved ones, or for those you’ve lost. Whatever your reason, join thousands of others who have peeled off – and take part in the Hand in Hand Dip in the Nip 2018 and raise vital funds to help families across the country.

When cancer marks us, we need life-affirming moments and a way to find cheer amidst the doom and gloom. If you’ve done a Dip before, you will have experienced the wonderful sense of joy and carefree-ness it brings. If not, come along and live it for yourself!

Date: May 7th, 2018

Registration will begin at 7 am

Location: A secret beach in Galway

To register, please contact Hand in Hand via Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HandinHandWest or email laura@handinhand.ie

Registration is free, a minimum donation/fundraising amount of €50 is encouraged.

GALWAY BOXING: GABRIEL DOSSEN DENIED EUROPEAN BOXING MEDAL 

By
Darren Kelly
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Galway’s Gabriel Dossen suffered an agonising loss today as his European under 22 Boxing Dreams ended at the quarter-final stage. 

The Olympic Boxing Club fighter suffered a split decision loss to Georgia’s Giorgi Kharabadze in Romania this afternoon.

Dossen was slight favourites following his World and European Youth bronze medals in 2016 and 2017 but Kharabadze also carried a strong reputation having previously won a continental junior gold medal.

The first round was very tight when Dossen trying to keep at arm’s length but the Georgian got on top in the early stages of Round Two before Dossen mounted a comeback.

It looked like the 18-year-old Galwegian was in the driving seat in the final round but Kharabadze did just enough with a late flurry to convince the majority of the five judges that he deserved to advance to the semi-finals.

While disappointed, it hasn’t been a bad effort from Dossen who was forced to move up to the 75kg middleweight division after a weights mix-up prior to January’s national championship.  His victory qualifying him for the Europeans means he’ll have options in the year ahead.

The recognised welterweight has four Irish titles and will aim to get back into the 69kg bracket before attempting to win his first Elite crown in November.  And success there will allow him compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.

Ireland will bring home at least two medals from the event as Amy Broadhurst and Aoife O’Rourke have reached the final four in the 60kg and 75kg categories respectively.

Two gold medals for Galway restaurants at Restaurant Association Awards

By
Michael Malone
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GALWAY DAILY restaurant a

Kai Restaurant on Sea Road and Dela Restaurant on Dominick Street have taken home gold at this years Restaurant Association of Ireland awards that were held in Roscommon on Tuesday evening.

Kai Restaurant was crowned Best Restaurant in Galway and its owner and head chef Jess Murphy won the Best Chef award for Galway on the night.

The Best Manager award went to Mags Bohan of Dela Restaurant which has become famous for its organic produce from their own farm.

Both restaurants are located in Galway’s westend which has become one of the best places to eat and drink in Galway.

The neighbourhood which encourages people to cross the bridge, is home to award winning restaurants, gastropubs and retailers.

Using local suppliers such as Gannet Fish, Heterichs Pork and of Bradys Butchers for beef all paired with Dela’s own organice farm grown produce, Jimmys raw milk from Tuam and fresh leaves and veggies from LoughBourra Fram, its is easy to see why people are crossing the bridge into Galways oldest quarter.

GALWAY GAA: “The current players aren’t fearful of Dublin” – BLAKE

By
Darren Kelly
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28 June 2009; Diarmuid Blake, Galway. GAA Football Connacht Senior Championship Semi-Final, Sligo v Galway, Markievicz Park, Sligo. Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

Former Galway footballer Diarmuid Blake doesn’t believe Galway have any fear of Dublin ahead of this Sunday’s National Football League Final in Croke Park. 

Blake never suffered defeat to the Metropolitans during his 10-year playing career between 2003 and 2013 and 2013 and its 2001 since Dublin last scored a victory over Galway.

However, the last meeting in Croke Park between the two saw Dublin prevail 0-13 to 1-6 in the 1993 league in a contest that had current managers Jim Gavin and Kevin Walsh involved as players.

And their last meeting in a National Final was in 1983 when Dublin beat Galway 1-10 to 1-8 in an All-Ireland Final that saw four players dismissed.

“The current players aren’t fearful of Dublin and are kind of relishing the chance to play against that blue jersey and in front of Hill 16,” said Blake to Jason Byrne in The Irish Sun.  “They’ll start where they left off (in Pearse Stadium).

“The undercurrent was aggressive and Dublin came out hard for the second half, but ­Galway didn’t back down. They won’t back down on Sunday either.”

That Pearse Stadium clash was their most recent meeting that finish 0-13 apiece two weeks ago.  Referee Joe McQuillan hand out eight yellow cards.  And Dublin selector Jason Sherlock received an eight-week ban for an altercation with Galway’s Barry McHugh.

“You can see that Galway are unified. They are all backing each other up and they seem very tight-knit,” added the Milltown man.  “You don’t hear anything from inside the camp and they don’t seem to be intimidated by anybody.

“Confidence is growing within them and they aren’t nervous on the ball. They are back in Division 1 and they believe they should be where they are.”

Dublin followed that draw by losing to Monaghan in Croke Park last Sunday but many neutrals are preparing for a potential backlash.  Tyrone held the All-Ireland champions to a draw on Jones Road in 2017 only to be blitzed 2-17 to 0-11 when they meet again in the summer.

“For sure there’s a danger and you would wonder what would happen after that and where it would leave them,” concluded Blake.  “You could say we will be beaten out the gate, but I don’t think so. Why change a winning formula?

“This year nobody has really broken us down, we have been very comfortable and our goal hasn’t really been threatened that much at all.”

Galway meet Dublin this Sunday (1st April) in the Allianz National Football League Final.  The game throws-in at 4pm in Croke Park.

GALWAY GAA: “I just lost interest and got over it” – TALTY 

By
Darren Kelly
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GAA Fixtures

Former Galway footballer Brian Talty is in the unique position of analysing Galway and Dublin having played a big part with both counties over the years. 

Talty played for Galway when they last won the National League beating Roscommon in 1981 and was on the field when the Tribesmen last faced Dublin in a National Final – the infamous 1983 All-Ireland Football Final.

Four players were sent-off as Dublin won 1-10 to 1-8.  Galway’s Tomas Tierney saw the line as did Ray Hazley, Ciaran Duff and Brian Mullins for Dublin.  Mullins went following a punch at Talty and another incident in the tunnel resulted in the Tuam Stars man not returning for the second half.

“When you reflect back,” said Talty to Pat Nolan in the Irish Mirror.  “It’s done and dusted and when you get to a certain age, having an All-Ireland medal doesn’t make that big a difference but at the time it was a huge thing and very disappointing the way it went, particularly losing it first of all.

“You had friends on both sides but that’s the way it goes. Myself and Kieran Duff would be best friends now.”

Talty transferred from Tuam Stars to Parnells in 1983 and became involved in the Dublin set-up over the years including being part of Paul Caffrey’s senior set-up with Duff between 2004 and 2008.

He never faced Galway during that period but did see two Dublin teams he was involved with fall to the Tribesmen.  In 2002, both the minors and under 21s lost All-Ireland finals to the maroon and white.

However, when John O’Mahony stepped down as Galway senior manager in 2004 after winning two All-Ireland titles, Talty applied for the position and was disappointed to lose out to Mayo’s Peter Ford.

“They gave it to Peter Ford so I wasn’t overly happy that it was given to another Mayo man again,” said Talty to Nolan in the Irish Mirror.  “Maybe they thought they’d continue that and continue being successful but after that then I just lost interest and got over it.

“It was a lot of travelling to be done at that stage and I had a young family as well so I didn’t go for it after that.”

Talty hopes Galway do prevail in Sunday’s National League decider but expects the All-Ireland champions to bring their best display of the year thinking they’ll want to improve on the 0-13 apiece draw between the teams on March 18th.

“Dublin have done it to a lot of teams that have come up and I don’t think Dublin would be too happy with their performance against Galway in the League match in Pearse Stadium,” concluded Talty.  “I’d be expecting to see as good a Dublin team out as possible on Sunday which is a huge challenge for Galway.

“Absolutely, I hope Galway are going to win.

“They’ve done brilliantly in the League this year. To think at the start of the League, everybody would have thought Galway were going to be relegated.”

Galway meet Dublin this Sunday (1st April) in the Allianz National Football League Final.  Throw-in at Croke Park is 4pm.

GALWAY CAMOGIE: TONY O’DONOVAN STEPS DOWN AS SENIOR MANAGER 

By
Darren Kelly
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(Photo – Connacht Tribune)

Tony O’Donovan has stepped down as Galway senior camogie manager after just four months in charge.  As reported in Thursday’s Connacht Tribune, O’Donovan agreed to step away from the position with immediate effect following an in-depth review of the 2018 Littlewoods Camogie League season.

After falling to Cork in their opening game, the Tribeswomen picked up three consecutive wins over Tipperary, Offaly and Wexford.  But their campaign ended on March 11th when they went down to Kilkenny in the league semi-final.

A spokesperson for the County Board did confirm when contacted by Galway Daily that O’Donovan has stepped down from his role as senior manager but that no new appointment has been made.  They will release a statement on the matter later today.

O’Donovan led Galway’s under 16s to All-Ireland glory in 2016 and 2017 as well as managing Oranmore/Maree to the 2017 county senior league after two promotions from junior and intermediate in 2013 and 2014.

According to a statement released by O’Donovan, he “has agreed to take up an exciting new role within the county as Galway Camogie Coaching Officer.  Tony will work in tandem with Youth Development Officer Brian Griffin in developing structures that will continue to bring improved uniformity and direction in coaching county wide.”

O’Donovan also “thanked the chairman Gerry Hennelly and the committee for their continued support and complimented the board for their endeavors and ideas in developing camogie at both club and county level.

“Tony thanked the outgoing management team for all the work in preparation of the team and expressed his enjoyment working with such an elite and dedicated group of players and extended his best wishes to the squad and to the returning players from Sarsfields and Athenry going forward together in pursuit of the O’Duffy Cup.”

Galway camogie are now searching for their fourth manager since Tony Ward stepped down in December 2015.  Ollie Bergin and Mark Dunne oversaw the senior team in 2016 and 2017 respectively before O’Donovan took over the reins just last November.

The new manager will have plenty of time to prepare as Galway don’t see action again until they begin their All-Ireland campaign against Clare on the weekend ending June 10th.

Comórtas Pitseáilte Físín Féile Idirnáisiúnta Scannán an Daingean buaite ag ‘Ciúnas’

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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Tristan Heanue 'A Break in the Clouds'

Tá an Comórtas Pitseáilte Físín a bhí ar siúl i Féile Idirnáisiúnta Scannán an Daingin buaite ag ‘Ciúnas’ le Tristan Heanue.

Is comórtas bliantúil é an Comórtas Pitseáilte Físín atá ar siúl i Féile Idirnáisiúnta Scannán an Daingin ó 2011. Tá an Comórtas seo dírithe agus an aidhm is mó atá leis ná scannánóirí a spreagadh an scannánaíocht a dhéanamh trí Gaeilge.

Tá Féile Idirnáisiúnta Scannán an Daingin ar an bhfód anois ó 2007 agus é ag dul ó neart go neart chuile bliain le réimse leathan scannánóirí ag baint tairbhe as an deireadh seachtaine iontach agus iad ag bualadh le chéile.

Bhí sé ar siúl an deireadh seachtaine seo chaite agus is ar an Domhnaigh an 25ú lá de Mí an Mhárta roimh an scannán dúnadh na Féile a dheineadar ‘Ciúnas’ a ainmniú mar an scannán buaite ón Comórtas Fisín.

Bhí ceathrar iomaitheoirí eile roghnaithe ach b’é ‘Ciúnas’ a bhuaigh amach is amach sa deireadh. Na h-iomaitheoirí eile a bhí roghnaithe don Comórtas ná:

Sharon Ní Chuilibín – Gormlaith
Eamonn Norris – Coimhlint
Coleen Grace Herlihy – Well Well
Sinéad Ralston – Gnáth Yvonne

Dúchasach ó Chonamara é Tristan Heanue atá ar bís leis an toradh ón deireadh seachtaine agus beidh ‘Ciúnas’ á léiriú ag Éamonn O’ Cualáin, buaiteoir IFTA.

“Taim chomh sásta leis an bua. Bhí an smaoineamh agam don scannán seo le blianta beag anuas agus mothúchán iontach é fios a bheith agam go mbeidh an scannán á dhéanamh an bliain seo.”

“Is é Féile Scannán an Daingin ceann do na féilte is fearr liom. Thugadar tacaíocht do m’oibre i gcónaí síos tríd na blianta agus táim fíor bhuíoch an deis a fháil chun an scannán seo a dhéanamh in éineacht leo.”

“Is é ‘Ciúnas’ an t-ainm ar an scannán agus an scéal bainteach leis ná is faoi beirt atá ag tabhairt chuairt ar iníon leo san oispidéal taréis iarracht a dhein sí lámh a chur ina bhás féin.”

“Tháinig an smaoineamh ó cruinní a chonaiceas idir clann istigh in ionad cóireáile agus mé ag tabhairt cuairt ar chara liom.”

Tristan Heanue ag Comórtas Físín sa Daingin

Tá Tristan fós bainteach leis an ciorcad féilte agus beidh an scannán atá aige faoi láthair ‘A Break in the Clouds’, á taibhiú ar an teilifís don céad uair i gceann cúpla lá.

Beidh ‘A Break in the Clouds’ ar siúl ar RTE 2 ar an tarna lá de Mí Aibreán. Taréis sin beidh Tristan Heanue á leanúint leis ag obair ar script dá príomhscannán agus tá scripteanna aige do dhá ghearrscannán eile gur mian leis a dhéanamh i gceann cúpla bliana.

Tá an príomhpáirt ag Tristan Heanue i príomhscannán Paddy Slattery ‘The Broken Law of Attraction’ a mbeidh á scannánú an Samhraidh seo.

“Thosaigh mé ag aisteoireacht go déanach agus mé i mo thriocadaí ach is rud a theastaigh uaim a dhéanamh i gconaí.”

Beidh bliain gnóthach agus fuinneamhaic, ag Tristan leis na tógraí ar fad a mbeidh ar bun aige ach tá sé ag tnúth leis go mór mór taréis an comórtas físín sa Daingin a bheith buaite aige.

 

Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 37) – Wednesday, 28th March 

By
Darren Kelly
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Well my arrogance yesterday is definitely getting the better of me today.  It looks like the mild cravings I was dismissing in Tuesday’s entry have decided to strike back and have being an irritation today. 

No, I haven’t been punching walls or firing out wild mood swings (well, the slow internet did get one or two shouts).  But they’ve been testing my metal today.

I haven’t had Nicorettes and I’m not running to the shop to get Wrigleys every time I’ve a craving.  We’ve chess tonight and I’ll get some then.  But they cravings have been annoying me.

https://twitter.com/ThabaTheThang/status/979033838146936832

There was one thing I meant to write about for some time and that was my extra tiredness especially at night time but it’s the stand out feature from the last five weeks.

Maybe it’s just to do with the fact that I’m used to going to bed at a decent hour now (Oh how many a boss tried to encourage me to that over the years).  But in recent weeks, I’ve found myself really struggling and I have the light out very quickly.

Also, my deep sleep (bar the starting to become habitual overnight toilets breaks) is still there in the morning where the last thing I want is to move from my comfortable state.  I’m grand when I sit up aor get out of bed.  But I have noticed I do get tired very quickly in the evening.

Of course, it might have nothing to do with giving up cigarettes and it could be just coming off the back of another crazy weekend.  We did a lot of miles last weekend but so far, just a trek to Clonberne on Sunday is planned.  Now that could change.  But a reduced Bank Holiday workout will be no harm.

It’s our first night back at chess since Friday’s disappointment but Easter weeks tend to be relaxed.  If anything, we get more work done.  But with competition over, it loses its spark.  We’ll still be training and club championship will resume after the holidays.  But thoughts have turned to next season.

We’ve a great club with 47 children participating.  The numbers have never been higher.  But bar a few individual successes, we’ve no titles to show for the year.  Five main teams drew a blank.  It’s our second year without winning overall though so hopefully it’s third time lucky after the summer.

I didn’t realise until I started the diary that the daily entries would conclude along with the end of Lent.  I did steal six days at the start but included my Sundays so Easter will have a special feel about it this year.  There’ll be a feeling of accomplishment even if we have another 10 weeks before parking this column.

Otherwise, today hasn’t been a hectic day.  Bit of paperwork, a few articles and one or two other enquiries.  Have some plans for next week which I’ll discuss in one of the weekly entries.  But after everything that’s happened recently, we’ll take a quiet day.  Have some chess to teach.  Chat tomorrow.

Darren

CONNACHT RUGBY: SIX NATIONS AND TRIPLE CROWN TROPHIES TOURNG THE PROVINCE 

By
Darren Kelly
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Following Ireland’s remarkable Grand Slam achievements, the Six Nations and Triple Crown trophies are touring the country and will be in Connacht for one week starting tomorrow (Thursday, 29th March). 

Over the following seven days, the silverware will be on display at 24 events including this Saturday’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final between Connacht and Gloucester.

Various Easter Camps and the Women’s Cup Final in the Sportsground on Sunday will also welcome the trophies.  And there will be numerous trips to clubs around the province.

Dunmore will be the key Galway venue on Friday before it takes a trip around the rest of the county from Tuesday.  Details are shown below.

Connacht face Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final this Saturday (31st March).  The game kicks-off in the Sportsground at 1pm.

Six Nations and Triple Crown Trophies Connacht Tour (Galway Dates): 

Friday 30th March 
Dunmore RFC – 5pm, Dunmore RFC Grounds

Saturday 31st March 
European Challenge Cup Quarter-Final – Connacht v Gloucester

Sunday 1st April 
Connacht Women’s Cup & Plate Finals in the Sportsground – Clan Bar
1pm Castlebar v Tuam/Galwegians Plate Final
3pm Buccaneers v NUIG Cup Final

Tuesday 3rd April 
Oughterard RFC – 12pm, Oughterard RFC
Connemara RFC – 2.30pm, Connemara RFC Clubhouse
An Ghaeltacht RFC – 5.30pm, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, Carraroe
Galway City (Connacht Hotel) – 8pm, NUIG RFC, Galway Bay, Corinthians RFC, OLBC RFC, Galwegians RFC

Wednesday 4th April 
Corrib RFC – 12pm, Corrib RFC Clubhouse
Tuam RFC – 2.30pm, Tuam RFC Clubhouse
Monivea RFC – 5.30pm, Monivea RFC Venue TBC
Loughrea RFC – 8pm, Loughrea Hotel

Thursday 5th April 
Gort RFC – 12pm, Sullivan’s Hotel
Portumna RFC – 2.30pm, Venue TBC
Ballinasloe RFC – 5pm, Ballinasloe RFC Clubhouse

Eighth Amendment Referendum to take place on May 25th

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily vote referendum date

The Irish people will go to the polls on May 25th to decide whether to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said earlier: “We’re delivering on the Taoiseach’s commitment that he made on his first day in office, to give the people of Ireland their say on this deeply personal and private and matter by this summer and we have now arrived at a point where we can and we will.

“Eoghan [Murphy] has just set the polling date – the referendum will take place on the 25th of May. I want to encourage everybody to make sure that they can exercise their franchise and to follow Eoghan’s advice in terms of ensuring you are registered to vote.”

The date being set comes on the same day as the publication of the draft heads of legislation to allow for abortion in certain circumstances if the 8th Amendment is removed from the Constitution.

This was widely welcomed, with Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald saying that it is important that the public have a sense of what will come before the Oireachtas in the event of the 8th Amendment being removed.

“However, the legislation cannot come before the Oireachtas unless we first remove the 8th Amendment and therefore it is now important that all those who want to see this happen put their shoulder to the wheel in this campaign in order to get the right result,” she said.

Campaigning for the referendum will last for eight weeks.

GALWAY GAA: “IT’S REALLY GREAT FOR THE GROUP” – WALSH 

By
Darren Kelly
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Relegation favourites before action began, Galway have ripped up the form book topping the Division One group stages as one of only two unbeaten teams in the country before they get ready to meet Dublin in Croke Park this Sunday.

The Tribesmen haven’t lost to the All-Ireland champions since 2001 but their meeting on March 18th in Pearse Stadium was a first in seven years.  Dublin were only beginning their journey that’s yielded five All-Ireland titles and the National Football League Final will be another step up for Galway.

With All-Ireland winning coach Paddy Tally added to the backroom team, Kevin Walsh’s charges have become known for defensive ‘ugly’ football.  But the Tyrone man has been instrumental in creating a unit who’ve only conceded 1-80 while striking 4-94 the other end.

“The biggest thing is that lads are understanding what we’re doing,” said attacker Shane Walsh at the League Final photo call in Croke Park.  “When you put a system in place it’s alright to say ‘that’s the system of play’, but do lads understand the system?

“But you buy into it and you keep learning all the time. That’s the big one for me. I’m understanding it better and the group as a whole is understanding more and more the structures we have in place and the process that we’re following.”

Shane Walsh has struck 0-16 for Galway during their seven games and has been a key player around the half-forward line.  He acknowledges Tally has been an influence but said that Kevin Walsh has been gradually introducing a new system since his arrival in 2015.

“He (Tally) is a different voice,” added the Kilkerrin/Clonberne player who was part of Ireland’s International Rules panel in November. “We had the same set-up for last three years, so a different voice is good. And Paddy brings his own experience, he has been around the block a while, right back to Tyrone in 2003 when they won their first All-Ireland.

“I know Kevin is there four years now and we are starting to gain the understanding as we go along. The first year of playing the tides were turning with some lads leaving and some coming and it took those first few years to get the group together.”

Galway have only won once in Croke Park since their last All-Ireland triumph in 2001 when they beat Kildare in the Division Two decider last year.  Now they are part of the main event in Croke Park’s double header and Shane Walsh is relishing playing among such a sizeable crowd.

“It will be like the welcome we gave them in Pearse Stadium, we will expect something similar in Croke Park,” concluded Walsh.  “It is going to be a difficult occasion for us because it will be our first time in a Division 1 final as a group and we’re playing the All-Ireland champions in Croke Park.

“But we can only concentrate on ourselves really, we can’t be worrying about Dublin. You often see teams going out to play Dublin and they are beaten before they go out.”

Galway take on Dublin in the Allianz National Football League Final this Sunday (1st April).  Throw-in at Croke Park is 4pm.

Mayor of Chicago to get Honorary Doctorate from NUI Galway

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily chicago mayor

An Honorary Degree will be conferred on Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago and former White House Chief of Staff, at a ceremony in NUI Galway on Tuesday 3 April.

NUI Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, speaking in advance of the conferring ceremony, said:  “The cities of Galway and Chicago are twinned as Sister Cities for over twenty-one years.

“Since then a strong and dynamic relationship has developed bringing social, cultural, educational and economic benefits and reflecting the many personal and professional links between our two great cities.

“In honouring Mayor Emanuel, we as a University signal what we value. We recognise not only these ties which bind Galway and Chicago in our role as Galway’s University. We also signal the importance of public service, of acting locally with global impact, and of democracy, sanctuary and freedom – in the world and for the world.”

Rahm Emanuel is the 55th mayor of Chicago. He has led the passage of budgets containing reforms and investments to solidify Chicago’s financial future.

He has successfully enacted numerous education reforms including lengthening the school day and year, creating universal full-day kindergarten and making Chicago the first big city in the country to offer free community college to all high school students who graduate with at least a B average.

Under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, Chicago has led economic reforms which have seen the city become more attractive for companies and, foreign direct investment. Chicago is in the midst of an $8 billion infrastructure modernization to strengthen the city’s roads, rails and runways.

Before becoming Mayor, he was the White House Chief of Staff in the Obama administration and served three terms in the US House of Representatives representing Chicago’s 5th District. Prior to his election to Congress, he was a key member of the Clinton White House from 1993 to 1998, rising to senior adviser to the President for policy and strategy. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981 and received a master’s degree in speech and communication from Northwestern University.

Mayor Emanuel was conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) and joins the ranks of previous honorary alumni which include, among many others, Nelson Mandela, Hilary Clinton, Cyril Ramaphosa, Enya, Anjelica Huston, and Margaret Atwood.

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