The annual Game-A-Thon is making its return to Galway later this month to raise money for Cancer Care West.
Dungeons and Donut Hobby and Board Game shop is hosting a 25 hour marathon of games and activities this October 27 from midday on.
Just some of what’s planned for the day is Old West nerf gunslinger duels, Golden nugget Russian roulette, BANG the dice game tournament, Colt express tournament, Huge Mr Listers Quiz Shoot out, and Painting competition
And throughout the day there’ll be plenty of people around for an Open Play from their massive library of board games.
As might be obvious the theme of this year’s Game-A-Thon is the Western.
Over the past three years this gaming event has raised €18,000 for local people suffering from cancer and their families at Cancer Care West.
Owner of Dungeons and Donuts Ronan Murphy said: “We are looking for volunteers who would like to spend the whole 25 hours gaming and are willing to seek sponsorship for this great charity.”
If someone wants to volunteer for the event or help raise money they can contact the the organisers at dungeonsanddonutsgalway@gmail.com or in store.
“If you don’t feel like you’re up to gaming for 25 hours that’s no problem we have plenty of fun games to play and planned activities to win some cool prizes,” Ronan said,
“And of course you can just come on in and donate ‘a few dollars more’ to the cause.”
Salthill Hotel Senior Hurling Championship – Friday, 28th September 2018
Killimordaly 1-17 Ballinderreen 1-12
Darren Kelly in Duggan Park
I was driving home last Monday evening (1st October) and I nearly sent the car into a ditch on the Ballinasloe to Roscommon road listening to ‘Over the Line’ on Galway Bay FM.
The lads were having a good debate about the senior hurling championship, the number of teams in the top tier and audit findings in a press-free room.
Firstly, let’s just state I was in complete agreement – that the senior championship is an exciting format, there are too many teams (at least six too many) playing senior hurling and we won’t be talking about any financial issues until they are released to the public.
It wasn’t what the lads were saying that nearly caused me to have a car crash. It’s what they weren’t saying!
Eventually, it was brought up about the lack of floodlight facilities in the county and one even chimed in saying wouldn’t it be great if there was floodlights in Tuam.
Yes, Tuam should have floodlights! So, should Athenry! And while I want to say Pearse Stadium, the residents don’t them in Salthill so it should be left well enough alone.
But what is the point in having a conversation about floodlights in other venues when there is a perfectly good ground in the county with that facility.
In fairness to the lads, they were talking about inter county games and were perfectly right as Ballinasloe probably wouldn’t be in a position to stage National League or Leinster championship games at the moment. But nobody asked in this discussion, why not?
Now, some will start speculating but I’ve no interest in doing that. The question I’d like to ask now is what is going to happen when Galway GAA finish dealing with more immediate matters?
The Development Advocates for Tuam Stadium (DAFTS) have been doing amazing work in raising funds to “support the future and further development of Tuam Stadium as a major centre for playing GAA games at all levels.”
They shouldn’t have to be doing it on their own, as it seems to be, but I look forward to seeing Tuam realise their ambitions. While some of my neighbours mightn’t agree, Tuam is the ‘Home of Football’ and this should have been a priority after Pearse Stadium was completed.
It’s unfair not to mention the good work done to enhance Pearse Stadium and Kenny Park but when the lights arrived in 2014, the goalposts changed and Ballinasloe should have been a major priority! And it’s about time this was highlighted!
I’m not expecting Galway verses Offaly in the Leinster championship in the immediate future. The terracing needs to be finished and other work needs to be done. But they could start with introducing a few more club championship games into the evening slot.
You can’t beat the late-night atmosphere that comes with sporting occasions. Just ask Connacht Rugby fans, or Dublin or Waterford hurling supporters who play the majority of their domestic championships under lights.
I’m not suggesting Galway does that and I am a traditionalist in regards senior semi-finals and final should be played on a Sunday afternoon. But it’s a big sporting county that needs four top quality venues. In the beginning of 2018, the county under 21 football final was played in Bekan, in Co. Mayo!
A few more double headers and it’s something that could catch on. The finals can stay in Pearse Stadium. We witnessed Killimordaly beat Ballinderreen last Friday night in a straight shoot-out with a sizeable crowd and nobody was complaining about having a weekend off.
And the crowds that have packed in for the underage hurling finals haven’t left disappointed with their evening’s entertainment.
When everything settles down in Galway (on the field and otherwise), Tuam and Ballinasloe should be given full support in becoming the arenas older generations talk about fondly from a bygone era.
And next time, there need an on-air discussion about grounds in Co. Galway, let’s have a conversation about whey these grounds aren’t up to scratch in 2018 and what needs to be done.
We don’t need to waste time talking about who has the lights. Because at the moment, Galway GAA them! And until Galway GAA starts taking advantage of them, we’re wasting time, and money, talking about elsewhere.
Salthill Hotel Promenade Galway Senior Hurling Championship – Friday, 28th September 2018
Killimordaly 1-17 Ballinderreen 1-12
Darren Kelly in Duggan Park
Under the lights, Killimordaly won this crucial shoot-out to book their place into the play-offs and a meeting with Athenry on Sunday (7th October).
Liam Donoghue’s team were three behind approaching half-time before getting back on terms. And when Brian Burke struck a 42nd minute penalty, Killimordaly were 1-14 to 1-8 leaders.
As little as it currently means, this has been a progressive year for Ballinderreen who were only promoted in 2017. They earned their right to play an effective play-off in the final round of group matches.
Killimordaly made the better start going 0-5 to 0-1 ahead on 11 minutes. Burke got his first, Jack Fitzpatrick the second before another Burke brace and Tomas Madden gave them their four-point cushion. But Ballinderreen weren’t relenting from their work load and got back into contention.
Roy Lane contributed a brace before Burke made it 0-6 to 0-3 on 13 minutes. However, after Lane brought his tally to three, Ballinderreen made the breakthrough. Kevin Lane came in from the right and Sean Coen was perfectly placed to deflect the ball into the net.
Scores for Sean and Niall Coen, and Kevin Lane had Ballinderreen in control leading 1-7 to 0-7 on 24 minutes. But Killimordaly struck three important points before half-time through Burke (2) and Creaven. And within two minutes of the restart, Burke added two more.
Kevin Lane reduced arrears but Burke and Eanna Ryan replied. And on 43 minutes, Burke hit the net but two Niall Coen points for Ballinderreen meant this game wasn’t over yet. Ryan and Burke restored the six-point cushion, Kieran Ryan split the posts but Burke completed his evening’s work with another free.
Roy Lane had an effort deflected while Ryan forced a superb save from Padraig Daly as Ballinderreen couldn’t find a way through. On 65 minutes, full back Colm Meehan’s free sailed over the crossbar to leave five between them in the end.
Scorers – Killimordaly: Brian Burke 1-12 (10 frees, 1-0 penalty), Eanna Ryan 0-2, Jack Fitzpatrick 0-1, Tomas Madden 0-1, Paul Creaven 0-1.
Scorers – Ballinderreen: Sean Coen 1-1, Roy Lane 0-3 (two frees), Niall Coen 0-3, Kevin Lane 0-2 (both frees), Shane Larkin 0-1, Kieran Ryan 0-1, Colm Meehan 0-1 (free).
Killimordaly: Padraig Daly; Alan Lawless, Conor Daly, Andrew Daly; David Skehill, Declan Connolly, Paul Concannon; Jack Fitzpatrick, David Concannon; Brian Concannon, Tomas Madden, Brian Burke; Paul Creaven, Eanna Ryan, Darragh Cooney.
Subs used: Paul Madden for Cooney (45 mins), Declan Lally for P Concannon (60 mins).
Ballinderreen: Michael Kelly; Robert Lane, Colm Meehan, Brendan Burke; Sean Collins, Kieran Gill, Kieran Meehan; Roy Lane, Cathal Gill; Kieran Ryan, Shane Larkin, Niall Coen; Sean Coen, David O’Connor, Kevin Lane.
Subs used: Daire O’Brien for O’Connor (54 mins), Conor Meehan for Collins (60 mins).
Two thirds of the winners at the Connacht finals of the Irish Pub Awards announced this week were from Galway.
Galway city and county between them took home six awards out of nine categories.
Five of the winners were in Galway city and one was out in Connemara.
An Pucán, on Forster Street was named the Innovative Pub in Connacht this year, while The Quays Bar was declared to be the Best Music Pub in the region.
The Best Outdoor Space is at Carroll’s Bar on Dominick Street with its famous Beer Garden.
Where the inexplicable sight of a double-bus is actually a fully functional pizza restaurant, the Crust Bucket, which is currently shortlisted for Best Takeaway Pizza in Ireland.
Head out to Connemara to find the Best Tourist Pub at Lowry’s Bar on Market Street in Clifden
The Best Newcomer to the pub scene is the 1520 Bar on Quay Street, attached to the Residence Hotel.
We recently described 1520 as having “an old-fahioned look” but with an “energetic vibe” and plenty to feast the eye on.
For the Most Outstanding Customer Service, stop by John Keogh’s The Lockkeeper on Dominick street.
In 2017, John Keoghs was named as one of Irelands top three gastro pubs, Highly Commended in the Yes Chef Awards and as Ireland’s Newcomer Restaurant in the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Awards.
John Keogh’s The Lockkeeper, An Púcán, and Lowry’s are all big winners on the Irish pub scene. At the 2017 Connacht Awards they took home two apiece.
The Connacht winners of the Irish Pub Awards were announced at Maxwell’s Pub in Claremorris, Co. Mayo on Tuesday evening.
The awards are jointly run by the Vinters Federation of Ireland and the Licenced Vintners Association of Ireland.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, President of Vintner’s Federation of Ireland Padraic McCann said:
“The Irish Pub is at the heart of every town and village and it is where locals gather to meet friends and neighbours for good food and craic.”
“It is where tourists meet locals and enjoy Irish hospitality at its best.”
Mr McCann also said that pubs are a major source of employment in Ireland and that these awards show what pubs can offer to the modern customer.
All the winners from the Regional level will now advance to the National finals of the Irish Pub Awards.
Winners in each category, and an overall Best Pub in Ireland will be named at the RDS Concert Hall on November 21.
People seem to just drive better in the West, as Clifden consistently has the best results for the driving test of any centre in Ireland.
Over the past ten years, the Clifden test centre was the only one in the country to make it into the top ten highest pass rates every year.
Last year the pass rate for people taking the driving test in the Clidfen test centre was 64.46%, well above the national average of 52.9%.
The lowest its pass rate has fallen in the past decade was in 2009, where 59.5% of people taking the test in West Galway passed, still far higher than the average rate of 51.8% that year.
The Irish Examiner conducted a ten year study of pass rates at the RSA’s 50 test centres around Ireland that have published their test results.
It found that pass rates tend to be far higher in the West, with Sligo, Roscommon, and Ennis all making into the top ten in eight out of ten years.
And though it didn’t make it into the top ten as often as Clifden, Sligo had the highest average pass rate over the ten year study.
The highest average pass rates over the ten years were in Sligo (67.7%), followed by Ennis (67.3%), and then Clifden at 64%.
The average national pass rate when spread over ten years is 53.9%
On the other some of the worst posted results were at test centres in and around Dublin.
Finglas and Tallagh centres have had among the very lowest pass rates every year since 2008, with neither rising above the national average.
Naas, Raheny, and Rathagar have both appeared in the lowest performing test centres eight times since 2008.
Raheny and Rathgar swapped the lowest spot on the list back and forth between each other five times in the ten years.
The centre at Rathgar, which closed in 2017, had the lowest average pass rate over the past decade at 41%.
So the message is, the closer you are to the Atlantic, the better the chance of passing your driving test.
Four Galway clubs will represent Connacht in the AIG Cups and Shield Finals which take place this weekend (October 4th – 7th).
Galway are the defending champions in the AIG Senior Cup which is the blue riband event of the club season.
Ireland international Ronan Mullarney, who performed strongly on his Irish debut at this year’s Home Internationals, is the star player for the title-holders, who beat Limerick in last year’s final at Carton House to win their third All-Ireland.
Armed with the same five players who propelled them to victory in 2017, Galway retained their Connacht crown as Luke O’Neill, Liam Nolan and Ronan Mullarney took the top three matches.
Portmarnock, featuring Ireland international Conor Purcell, will be Galway’s semi-final opponents as they seek a first title since 2011. Royal Portrush face Dungarvan in the other contest.
Athenry’s teenage star Allan Hill, helped to spearhead the club’s challenge in the AIG Barton Shield. Hill played for Connacht at the Men’s Interprovincial Championship in August. He will be without stablemate David Kitt who is travelling to Argentina to represent Ireland at the Youth Olympics.
They’ll meet four-time winners Clandeboye in the semi-final while Dundalk take on Kinsale.
All four clubs vying for the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield are chasing their first green pennant in this competition and Connacht kingpins Tuam play Hermitage, who came through Leinster. Kinsale play Ulster champions Lisburn in the other semi-final.
Tuam’s mix of youth and experience proved to have no equal as they overcame Castlebar and final opponents, Carrick-on-Shannon in the Connacht Final.
And in the extremely competitive AIG Junior Cup, Portumna will take on Elm Park while favourites Clonmel face Fortwilliam.
Portumna were crowned Connacht Champions following their respective semi-final and final wins over Ballinrobe and Roscommon. Their more experienced side kept putting on the pressure in the final with Damien Burke, Michael Flanagan and Sam Murphy getting the required three points.
Following two practice days at Thurles, the main action gets underway on Thursday 4th October with the semi-finals of the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield and the AIG Barton Shield. Play concludes on Sunday with finals of the AIG Junior Cup and the AIG Senior Cup.
Fixtures:
Thursday, 4th October 2018
AIG Barton Shield Semi-Final – ATHENRY vs Clandeboye (8.40am)
Friday, 5th October 2018
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Semi-Final – TUAM vs Hermitage (9.20am)
AIG BARTON SHIELD FINAL (10.15am)
Saturday, 6th October 2018
AIG Senior Cup Semi-Final – GALWAY vs Portmarnock (9.20am)
AIG Junior Cup Semi-Final – PORTUMNA vs Elm Park (11.05am)
Connacht will hope to bounce back from their 20-3 loss to Leinster last Saturday (29th September) when they travel to Ulster in the Guinness PRO14 championship.
The Kingspan Stadium in Ravenhill is a venue where the visitors haven’t prevailed in 11 previous meetings since the Magners League and regular competition between the Celtic Nations began in 2007.
Last October (2017), Connacht lost this fixture 16-8 but responded with a 44-16 thrashing in the Sportsground two months later scoring five tries.
After Munster’s 64-7 demolition over Ulster in the last round, Andy Friend’s charges will sense this is a golden opportunity to finally break that losing streak but the hosts welcome back Ireland captain Rory Best and winger Jacob Stockdale for this game.
That being said, with Ulster’s performance at a low ebb (they only qualified for the Champions Cup through a play-off), Connacht will feel they are on a par.
“It’s such a good game,” said Ultan Dillane who scored two tries in last December’s victory. “Everyone in the squad absolutely buzzes about it (and) loves these games. They’re the best games of the season really. Just the competition that there is between players and just what’ there to be taken with a win.
“This Friday is no different. We’re really excited to hopefully perform this weekend. Up in Ravenhill, a place we haven’t won in I don’t know how long – not since I’ve been in the club. It’s really exciting what could be and hopefully it will.
“I think we just need to keep taking our lesson and good things will come. It’s no way going to be an easy game this weekend.
“It’s going to be real tough battle. they’ll have to take their lessons from the game they had last weekend. So, they’re going to put out the strongest team they can and we’re hoping they do.”
Connacht face Ulster in their next fixture of the 2018-19 Guinness PRO14 Championship on Friday, 5th October. Kick-off at Ravenhill is 7.35pm.
💬 | "They're the best games of the season and this Friday should be no different."@Ultan_Dillane looks ahead to Friday's trip to Belfast and what they can take from last weekend's opening interpro #StrongerInGreenpic.twitter.com/hvc1o1JBZo
It’s very unlikely that Fijian winger Sevu Reece will be joining Connacht in November after he pleaded guilty to assault towards his girlfriend in a New Zealand court.
The 21-year-old was heavily intoxicated on July 1st (2018) when he admitted assaulting his girlfriend in Hamilton.
A New Zealand court fined Reece and discharged him with conviction in Hamilton District Court. According to the New Zealand Herald, Judge Denise Clark acknowledged that a charge would have ended his planned move to Ireland.
However, while not commenting presently on the matter, the IRFU and Connacht Rugby are expected to pull out of the deal, agreed in May, that would see the Waikato player, join the Western Province.
Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are aware of media reports concerning Sevu Reece and his recent court appearance,” said the province in a released statement on Monday. “We are currently seeking to clarify information around the situation prior to commenting further on the matter.
Despite the victim having ‘forgiven’ Reece and the player undergoing counselling after getting a $750 for emotional harm, the Irish governing bodies are not likely to proceed with the transfer.
After the Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding Belfast Rape Trial concluded in April, their contracts were cancelled.
Following a review, conducted in the aftermath of recent court proceedings,” said an IRFU statement at the time. “The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have revoked the contracts of Patrick Jackson and Stuart Olding with immediate effect.
“In arriving at this decision, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby acknowledge our responsibility and commitment to the core values of the game – respect, inclusivity and integrity.
Should his move be cancelled, it will be a major financial blow for Reece who scored six tries in his last eight games and was the second highest scorer in the Mitre 10 Cup.
But his atonement probably won’t be enough as Irish Rugby is conscious of a tarnished public view following recent controversies and a possible backlash should they proceed with this deal.
Beidh ranganna Capoeira ar siúl i gceann seachtaine i Bóthar na Trá.
Tá Yvonne Ní Laife i bhfeighil na ranganna Capoeira a bheas ag tosnú go luath in Árus Bóthar na Trá (Dr. Mannix Rd, in aice le Stáid Phiaras.)
Labhair Yvonne le Galway Daily faoi céard go díreach atá i gceist le Capoeira.
“Is spórt í Capoeira a tháinig chun cinn in aimsir na sclábhaithe sa Bhraisíl 500 bliain ó shin. Thosaigh mé féin Capoeira sa bhliain 2000 agus anois is mise an chéad Instrutora (múinteoir) Éireannach sa spórt,” a dúirt sí.
“Imrítear Capoeira idir bheirt, le neart ciceanna, bealaigh éalaithe, bealaigh chun do chomrádaí a leagan nó éalú uathu, gluaiseachtaí gleacaíochta ar nós rothaí cairte, lámhsheasamh, srl.
“Foghlaimíonn tú an chaoi le do mhéacan féin a iompar, le bogadh thart go héadrom, an chaoi le n-éalú ó chiceanna. Eiríonn tú láidir agus solúbtha – ach ní gá duit a bheith mar seo chun teacht ag na ranganna mar go gcuirtear fáilte roimh cách!”
Lean Yvonne léi agus í ag míniú an próséis,
“Tagann feabhas ar do radharc forimeallach agus do chuid scileanna frithghníomhaíochta, agus déantar an ealaíon mhíleata seo uilig le ceol chun cur leis an spraoi.”
Beidh na ranganna ar siúl óna 8-9 chuile Chéadaoin, thuas staighre in Árus Bóthar na Trá (Dr Mannix Rd, in aice le Stáid Phiaras.) Cosnaíonn ranganna aonaracha €10 ach má íocann tú ar an gcúrsa iomlán as seo go dtí an Nollaig, beidh lascaine ar fáil agus an 11 rang ar €80.
“Rud éigin difriúl atá ann chun triail a bhaint as!” a dúirt Yvonne, “agus aireoidh tú an difríocht roimh na Nollag!”
Is féidir níos mó eolas a fháil faoi na ranganna agus Capoeira é féin trí súil a chaitheamh ar an leathanach Facebook atá ag Yvonne, Capoeira Galway – Salthill.
Rugby coaches from across Connacht are invited to attend an upcoming event hosted by one of the world’s most renowned coaching consultant and sport scientists on Tuesday, 16th October. (2018)
‘Coaching Better Everyday’is a 90-minute interactive lecture by Dr. Wade Gilbert who will share his principles and strategies based on over 25 years experience in the field.
Connacht Rugby are delighted to Welcome coaching consultant and sports scientist Wade Gilbert to present to Connacht coaches this October.
Coaching Better every day Connacht Hotel Galway Tuesday 16th October 19:30 -… https://t.co/DiafNMOi1n
Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and sport scientist, as well as an award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno.
He has been involved in sport and coaching his entire life. His experience as a competitive multi-sport athlete and coach across a variety of sports fuels his passion for helping coaches and sport organizations enhance the quality of coaching and coach development.
Gilbert has conducted coaching workshops around the world spanning all competitive levels and in just about every sport imaginable.
In addition to authoring the highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season and over 100 scientific publications, he was the lead author for the USOC Quality Coaching Framework and also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Sport Coaching Journal.
The principles and strategies shared in this interactive lecture are based on lessons learned from over 25 years of studying, teaching, and working with some of the most successful coaches around the world, including coach of the 20th century John Wooden.
Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce its continued partnership with Ronan Daly Jermyn. The firm has been a long standing official legal advisor for the club.
“We’re delighted to renew our partnership with RDJ,” said Brian Mahony, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Connacht Rugby. “As Official Legal Partner to Connacht Rugby, RDJ provide us with invaluable support in our day to day operations.
📝 | Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce its continued partnership with @RonanDalyJermyn who will act as our Official Legal Partner.
“The expert counsel at RDJ gives us the ability and confidence to focus on our core business of growing the sport in the province.’’
Ronan Daly Jermyn is one of Ireland’s leading full-service law firms and the only top 10 law firm with a regional presence. With offices in Galway, Cork, Dublin, and London, the firm offers market-leading expertise with the benefit of local access.
This Saturday (6th October), almost 5,000 runners, joggers, walkers and spectators will descend on Galway City for the annual Run Galway Bay 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon which starts and finishes at Nimmo’s Pier, The Claddagh.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is the announcement that the 1972 Olympic Marathon Champion Frank Shorter (US) will be lining up in the 10k along with his wife Michelle.
Frank Shorter is the USA’s most prolific long-distance runner, taking gold in the 1972 Olympic Marathon and silver in the 1976 Olympic Marathon. Also making the trip this year is Irish Olympian Caitriona Jennings who will be chasing her first win in Galway for the Half Marathon.
The event has also attracted the interest of the Irish Cross-Country Skiing Team who will, for the second year, set the marathon route alight on their roller skis.
Included in that lineup is Irish Olympian Thomas Maloney-Westgaard the Norwegian native with Galway roots who will defend his title as fastest roller skier on the day.
Galway connected Winter Olympic’s hopeful Thomas Maloney Westgaard
The popularity of the event has surpassed all expectations with the full marathon selling out in July, followed by the 10k and Half Marathon, which sold out at the end of August.
International Appeal
Participants travel from all over the world to enjoy the fast, flat and fun route along the stunning shores of Galway Bay. Many are making the trip to Galway especially for the event, including teams from the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, the US and Australia to name but a few.
Closer to home, hundreds of athletes from across Ireland will travel to Galway to enjoy the race day experience of this iconic sporting event on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Home Grown Heroes
Included in the line-up for the 10k this year are Mayor of the City of Galway Councillor Niall McNeilis and local TD Hildegarde Naughton.
Galway West TD HildegardeNaughton and Noirin Ni Chongaile
Also, taking part in the 10k is young Dubliner James Casserly, who has cerebral palsy and juvenile arthritis, he will be pushed in his chair around the course by his dad and supported by his mum and aunties, all to raise funds for Barretstown.
Returning to Run Galway Bay for a second year are a 200 strong team from Eir who will participate across all distances in support of their chosen charity, Special Olympics. Joining the team from Eir is Special Olympics Ireland CEO, Matt English as well as athlete Aoife Beston.
Also, participating in the event are a team of staff from TG4 including Director General Alan Esslemon.
Many of the teams and individuals participating in Run Galway Bay use the event to generate support for their own charitable causes, raising vast amounts of funds for supports and services both here in Galway and further afield.
Local Feel and Friendly Vibe
“We are looking forward to a fantastic race day on Saturday.,” said Race Director Ray O’Connor. “Run Galway Bay has grown in size and popularity over the past number of years.
“The spectacular route, the support on the course and the welcome the athletes get when they come to Galway are all very special and just some of the many reasons people return to take on their own personal running challenge with us each year.
Despite the numbers growing each year and a truly international field, the event continues to retain its local feel and friendly vibe, something that we are very proud to deliver. People come for the run and stay for the fun that the lively streets of the City of the Tribes offer post-race.”
Run Galway Bay gets underway at 8:30am with the Full Marathon, the 10k will start at 10:30am and the Half Marathon will start at 12:15pm. Roads will be closed Westbound only from 8am to 2:30pm along the race route of Grattan Rd and Salthill Promenade for the duration of the event.
With such a large entry into this year’s event, participants and spectators are advised to arrive early to the race start line at Nimmos Pier. The winner of the Marathon and 10K are expected by 11:05 am with the winner of the Half Marathon expected by 1:20pm.
Run Galway Bay has been taking place for 16 years, the route starts at Nimmo’s Pier and takes runners up Grattan Rd, towards Salthill, running on closed roads to Gentian Hill, they make a dead turn and continue down the back of the golf club running on the promenade back to South Park and finishing at Nimmos Pier.
10k is one lap, the Half Marathon is 2 laps plus one loop of South Park at the start, the Marathon is 4 laps plus two loops of South Park at the start.
Run Ireland is the main sponsor of Run Galway Bay with Super Subs, Irish Pride, Elvery’s Intersport, City Chiropractic, Ocean Fitness, Nature Valley, Highland Spring, Lucozade Sport, Tri Talking Sport, Galway Bay Hotel and The Quays Bar all partners to the event.
The Druid Theatre has announced that it’s been forced to pull its planned, international production from the programme for Galway 2020.
The world renowned theatre company said that it was no longer able to go ahead with the production that it had planned due to “loss of time, significant budget cuts, and communication issues.”
Prior to this, The Druid had planned to stage a production entitled Middle Island, inspired by the novella and play by Colm Tóibín, Testament.
The story would have been about Mary’s life after the death of her son Jesus.
According to the Irish Times, the Druid Theatre has confirmed that it is not pulling out of Galway 2020 altogether.
Artistic Director Garry Hynes says that it intends to work with the organisation to fund a different, as yet unidentified project.
In a tweet this morning the theatre company repeated that it fully intends to continue participating in the Capital of Culture project.
To clarify a news report this morning, we have been forced to withdraw the Middle Island project, but we continue to work actively with @galway2020 to identify an alternative project.
Galway 2020 has been rocked by many issues since the departure of Creative Director Chris Baldwin in May, whose replacement still hasn’t been named.
CEO Hannah Kiely also resigned from Galway 2020 last month, and was replaced yesterday by Patricia Philbin, a senior executive with Galway city council.
There have been concerns about the project’s €46 million budget for some time, as Galway county council have said that they will only be able to supply €2 million, compared to the €6 million that was budgeted from them.
A group of some 20 other artistic groups including Macnas, Galway Film Fleadh, Bluteapot have expressed similar concerns as the Druid about their funding.
They are due to meet with the chief executives of Galway City and County councils this week to discuss their concerns.
Of the €46 million budget for Galway 2020 outlined in the bid book, the group fears that as little as half of that might be raised.
The Druid production
The collaboration with Corsica and the Welsh company Theatre Cymru would have involved a trip by sea to Inis Meain from Ros a Mhíl.
Druid actress Marie Mullen would have led a cast of ten professional actors and 20 members of the local community across the water in this flagship project.
Speaking at the opening of Richard III in the Abbey Theatre, Ms Hynes said Druid Theatre is committed to making sure Galway 2020 is a success.
She added that the company has been in touch with the Chairperson of Galway 2020 and are discussing their next move.
It’s understood that Druid Theatre had been working on Middle Island for two years before changes to their budget forced them to drop the project.
Portumna Golf Club are currently competing in the All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes Final (Wednesday, 3rd October) after defeating Lee Valley 4-1 in Tuesday’s semi-final.
The event, taking place in Milltown Golf Club saw the Connacht champions prevail in their openign encounter and they take on Ballybofey & Stranlorar.
Congratulations to the Portumna Golf Club Team, who won the Irish Mixed Foursomes Connacht Final on Saturday. Well done to all! #portumnagcpic.twitter.com/GJ1mWT8Ht5
There were wins for James McLoughlin and Rachel Madden, Damien Burke and Mary McElroy and Padraic Cahalan and Anne Fahey as the Connacht champions Portumna eased past Cork side Lee Valley.
The final got underway this morning at the Dublin venue at 9.30am.
Results:
Tuesday 2nd October 2018
Portumna 4 Lee Valley 1
(Portumna names first)
J McLoughlin (0) & R Madden (22) bt J Galway (1) & C O’Callaghan (19) 3&2; G Lynch (6) & B Kilmartin (19) halved with J Murray (2) & P O’Sullivan (18); D Burke (4) & M McElroy (17) bt J Boyd (4) & C O’Sullivan (16) 3&2; P Cahalan (12) & A Fahey (13) bt John O’Neill (1) & Jane O’Neill (21) 2 holes; A Page (15) & C Cunningham (13) halved with I Bohane (+1) & R Driscoll (20).
Ballybofey & Stranorlar 3.5 Craddockstown 1.5
(B&S names first)
F Wilson (10) & D Devaney (11) bt A McLoughlin (8) & J Fitzgerald (18) 5&4; J McMenamin (8) & S Maloney (18) lost to E Porter (6) & R Murphy (16) 3&2; T Griffen (8) & M McHugh (15) bt J Byrne (4) & M Hourigan (22) 2&1; E Bradley (14) & M McConnell (10) by G Higgins (5) & M Bradshaw (17) 3&2; S Carlin (10) & J Stewart (19) halved with K O’Brien (6) & S Hegarty (16).
Fixtures:
Final
Wednesday 3rd October 2018
Portumna v Ballybofey & Stranorlar
J McLoughlin (0) & R Madden (22) v T Griffen (8) M McHugh (15)
G Lynch (6) & B Kilmartin (19) v F Wilson (10) & D Devaney (11)
D Burke (4) & M McElroy (17) v J McMenamin (8) & S Maloney (18)
P Cahalan (12) & A Fahey (13) v E Bradley (14) & M McConnell (10)
G Brehony (14) & M Kelly (13) v S Carlin (10) & J Stewart (19)
Storm Ali brought the strongest winds ever recorded at Met Eireann’s weather station on the coast of Galway at Mace Head.
During the height of Storm Ali, gusts as strong as 142km/hr were recorded at the Mace Head Weather Station.
These are the strongest winds recorded by the station in the 14 years since it opened in 2004.
Storm Ali hit Ireland on September 19 and caused chaos through Galway, downing countless trees and causing travel chaos, leaving thousands without power, and taking one life.
Elvira Feraii, who had only just arrived from Switzerland to learn English, lost her life at Claddaghduff when the wind caught her caravan and carried it over a cliff.
Another man, electrician Mathew Campbell from Belfast, was killed when a tree fell on him and his colleague while they were performing work for the Northern Ireland Water Utility.
The storm knocked out power across the city and county; at its worst there were nearly 20,000 homes and businesses in Galway without power.
Though many were still in the dark the next day the ESB rose to extremely difficult circumstances and restored full power by the end of Thursday.
The Irish Times reports that Met Eireann’s monthly weather report describes a “cool, dry” month that took a dramatic turn for the worse halfway through September.
There was a Status Orange Weather Warning in place for Galway and 12 other counties on Wednesday morning, with the rest of the country getting a Yellow Warning.
Seven counties saw the Yellow warning stay in place across Thursday when Storm Bronagh brought heavy winds and rain as it cut across the south of Ireland on its way to the UK.
The semi-finals of the 2018 Galway Daily Camogie All-Stars saw the 51 remaining nominees whittled down to 30 ahead of today’s (Wednesday) finals.
Twelve Galway contenders qualified for the final – Sarah Healy, Sarah Dervan, Lorraine Ryan, Heather Cooney, Tara Kenny, Shauna Healy, Niamh McGrath, Aoife Donohue, Ailish O’Reilly, Caitriona Cormican, Niamh Kilkenny, Carrie Dolan.
Galway lead the list of counties with 12 players remaining followed by Cork (9), Kilkenny (6), Waterford (2) and Tipperary (1). Clare, Down, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick and Offaly saw their final nominees depart.
The adjudicators were called into making one decision in Group 4 of the Defenders section – and they sided with Claire Phelan over Catherine Foley.
Those unlucky to be eliminated included Niamh Mulcahy (Limerick), Denise Gaule (Kilkenny), Niamh Mallon (Down) and Orla O’Dwyer (Tipperary).
The finals will see eight groups. The remaining two goalkeepers will battle head-to-head for one place. And there will be seven groups containing four players each across the other three categories (three defenders, one midfielder, three forwards).
The top two from each of these groups will make the team along with the goalkeeper and the players were seeded based on the semi-final results.
So, join us in deciding our team of the year. All ties will be decided by our adjudication committee and we look forward to seeing what 15 players make the final cut on Thursday (4th October).
Semi-Final Results
GOALKEEPER
SARAH HEALY (Galway) – 57%, AOIFE MURRAY (Cork) – 35%, Emma Kavanagh (Kilkenny) – 8%
2018 GALWAY DAILY CAMOGIE ALL-STARS
THE FINAL! – Goalkeeper – 1/1
We are picking our All-Ireland Team of the Year. Pick your favourite from the list below
A major step forward has been made for the people of Kilrickle in securing a steady water supply as tenders are almost ready to go out.
Tenders for installing the East Galway village’s group water scheme will be issued next month to invite contractors.
Galway East TD Sean Canney confirmed that the tender documents are almost ready to go out, with just some small finalisations to be made.
This development comes after a recent meeting between Kilrickle Group Water Scheme, Cappataggle Group Water Scheme, Galway County Council, and the design team.
Kilrickle has been without a reliable public water supply of its for more than three decades, with homes in the area relying on wells and rainwater tanks.
Earlier this year the Cappataggle Group Water Scheme agreed to provide a water supply for Kilrickle while it was going without.
Deputy Canney said: “This is a very important milestone in the progression of this project and when completed will provide a top quality water supply to the people who have waited for so many years to obtain a water supply.”
“The scheme will include bringing a water supply to all of the homes and farms in Kilrickle who do not have a water supply at present. The design will also include a supply to the Kilcooley area including Kilcooley National School.”
After the tender process, a contractor will be appointed to carry out the works.
Roughly 200 in the East Galway village need a water connection.
Funding for the project is being provided the Department of Housing and Local Government.
The government has announced that a plebiscite in Galway to decide if the people want a directly elected Mayor will not take place until 2021.
The vote in Galway has been pushed back by two years to take place after the upcoming merger of the city and county councils.
It was previously announced that Galway would vote with Cork, Limerick, and Waterford next May whether they would like a directly elected Mayor with executive powers.
The plebiscites in the other three cities will proceed as planned next year.
A similar question about having such a Mayor for Dublin will be put to a Citizens’ Assembly next year.
The plebiscite will ask residents of Galway if they wish to replace out current, symbolic role of Mayor with an elected office with much expanded powers.
Making the announcement last week Minister of State for Local Government John Phelan suggested that the Mayor could hold many of the powers that currently reside with the Chief Executive.
The current Mayor of Galway, Niall McNelis, holds a ceremonial position but otherwise has no more power than any other city councillor.
Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton and Green Party candidate for Galway Eamon Ryan have both expressed their support for the idea.
It was one of several measures to further local government outlined by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in a package to extend the supply and confidence agreement with Fianna Fáil.
