Carmel Broderick nee Hynes

Kilcrimple, Gort.  Arriving at St. Columba’s Church, Kilbeacanty tomorrow tuesday for prayers at 5.  Mass for Carmel Broderick on Wednesday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Rakerin cemetery.  House private tomorrow Tuesday and family flowers only, by request.

Yvonne Walsh nee Shields

Whitestrand Road and formerly of Dalysfort Road, Salthill.  Reposing at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Ave this evening from 5 until 7.  Removal tomorrow Tuesday to St. Mary’s Church, Claddagh for mass for Yvonne Walsh at 11.  Private cremation to follow.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations if desired to Galway Hospice.

John Coleman Kelly

Tyrone, Kilcolgan.  Reposing at Corless Funeral Home, Kinvara this evening from 5 until 7.  Mass for John Coleman Kelly tomorrow Tuesday at 1 at St. Colman’s Church Ballinderreen.  Funeral afterwards to Drumacoo Cemetery.

Richard Murphy

Clarke Street, Athenry.  Arriving at  Church of the Assumption, Athenry for mass for Richard Murphy tomorrow Tuesday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to New Cemetery Athenry.

Margaret Tierney nee Mullins

Gortard, Clarinbridge.  Reposing at Suaimhneas on the grounds of Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clarinbridge this evening from 6.  Removal at 8 to adjoining church.  Mass for Margaret Tierney tomorrow Tuesday at 1.  Funeral afterwards to local cemetery.

John Gillespie

Yewland Green, Renmore and formerly of Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal.  Reposing at Áras Naofa in the grounds of St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Renmore, this evening from 5.  Removal at 7 to adjoining church.  Mass for John Gillespie tomorrow Tuesday at 12.  Reposing again at the Cunnea’s family home in Dooey, Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal tomorrow Tuesday evening until 11.  Removal on Wednesday to arrive for mass for John Gillespie at 11 in St. Columba’s Church, Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal.  Funeral afterwards to local cemetery.

International Relays

Irish Junior Relay 4x100m squad, who qualified for World Juniors, with Jack Dempsey of GCH on right and David Murphy Aaron Sexton and David McDonald.

Jack Dempsey of Galway City Harriers competed on the Irish squad who were successful in getting the 4x100m Relay qualifying standard for the World Youth Championships, in a meeting in Mannheim, Germany last Saturday. The Irish squad clocked a National record of 40.30 seconds with Dempsey along with Aaron Sexton, David McDonald and David Murphy all combining brilliantly to secure the standard

Tailteann Games

Robert McDonnell of Colaiste na Coiribe/GCH winner of the Tailteann games 400m Schools event, who has been selected for the Irish Schools team

The prestigious schools interprovincial track and field event Tailteann Games, was held last Saturday in Dublin, and featured many of Galway’s top track and field athletes.

Robert McDonnell of GCH took pride of place, as he won the 400 metres well, in 50.73, for Colaiste Na Coiribe.  Emma Moore of Presentation Athenry was second in the Girls 800m, while Seren O’Toole of Ballinrobe and GCH was also second, over 300m Hurdles.  All three athletes now qualify for the Schools International to be held in July in Scotland. There were other good results via Chloe Casey of St Raphael’s Loughrea was third in the Discus, while Eimear Rowe of Mercy Tuam placed fourth in the 300metres.

National League

The National Track and Field League was held in sweltering conditions in Templemore, Tipperary on Sunday last, with GCH, Galway Ladies and Galway Men’s teams all taking part in Round One of the competition.

Galway City Harriers Men’s team topped their pool in the Premier Division with a fantastic team display orchestrated by manager Cliff Jennings. Their performance included event double wins by Sean Breathnach in the Shot Putt and Weight for Distance throws, and by Cillin Greene who was first home in both 100m and 200m sprints. The squad also had second place finishes via Brendan Staunton in Discus, James Frizzell over 800m, Henrique Novokolata in the Triple Jump, Talon Thompson second in the Steeplechase, and strong performances elsewhere including Neill Keane over 1500m

Galway Ladies team finished fourth overall in the Premier Division, with highlights including a win for Aisling Joyce in the 1500m, a first and second place for team manager  Sarah Finnegan in the 100m Hurdles and Triple Jump, and second places for Cathy McKenna in the Javelin, Maeve Curley in the Walk, and Sinead Treacy over 200m.

Galway County men’s team were a very respectable third overall in Division One, led by managers Sean McDermott and Michael Tobin, there were some outstanding performances by the likes of Brendan Lynch, who won the 400m Hurdles and was second Dion both Triple Jump and Long Jump, Jerry Keary, who was victorious in the High Jump, as was the evergreen Tommy Farragher in the Hammer throw. Ronnie Warde was runner up over 100m and also competed well in the Shot Putt, and Damien O’Boyle also took second in a new event for him in the 3k Walk.

All three Galway teams will aim to qualify for the final now, with the second and final qualifying round to be held July 8th in Athlone.

Other results

Athletics Ireland president Georgina Drumm with men’s runners, Eskander Turki of Monaghan Town Runners, 3rd place, Freddie Keron, Raheny Shamrocks, 1st place, Brendan McDonnell of Galway City Harriers, 2nd place, after the Irish Runner 5 Mile at the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Brendan McDonnell of GCH took second place at the highly competitive Irish Runner 5 Mile at the Phoenix Park in Dublin at the weekend. McDonnell clocked 25.16 to finish just behind Freddy Sittuk of Raheny

GCH Junior athletes Thomas McStay and Aaron Brennan travelled to the UK to compete in the University of Birmingham series of races, with McStay clocking a sub four-minute 1500m time and a solid 8.45 personal best for 3000m, and Brennan running a PB of 8.52 over the 3k distance

Fixtures

National Championships

This weekend sees the start of the National Track and Field championships programme, with two events to be held in Tullamore.

On Saturday June 30th, the Juniors and U23s take place in Tullamore, with many Galway athletes competing including Cillin Greene in 100/200m, Aisling Joyce in middle distance, James Frizzell (800/1500m), Jonah Erugo 200/400m, Nicole King (400m), Jerry Keary in High Jump and Sinead Treacy over 200m all likely to feature.

On Sunday July 1st, the National Paired Juvenile team events for Under 9s, 10s and 11s takes centre stage, along with the u9-11 Relays and the U12 and 13 Field events

Castlegar Track and Field Tribal games

Castlegar AC’s Tribal Games takes place Saturday 30th June next in Merlin Woods City Park in Doughiska. The track and field event features Ireland richest grass mile, and includes competitions for Juvenile and adult athletes. The event starts at 5pm on the day.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – NUI Galway Students’ Union has filed a case against Galway student accommodation provider, Cúirt na Coiribe, through the Residential Tenancies Board.

The Students’ Union says Cúirt na Coribe increased its average rates by 18% for the coming academic year

The decision to file the case follows last month’s passing of Sinn Fein TD Eoin Ó Broin’s Private Members Bill, The Residential Tenancies – Student Rents, Rights and Protections – Bill 2018

Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh, Students’ Union President says they will represent a 2017/18 tenant of Cúirt na Coiribe who was a victim of the 18% rent increase.

He says NUIG cannot become an elitist University only accessible to those who can afford to absorb the ever rising cost of rent.

The Galway Baybes set hearts racing in Donegal last Friday and Saturday when they took on the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra, their second ever ultra cycling endurance race.  The team of riders, all members of Galway Triathlon Club set a new course record for the 555k distance, winning the women’s four person category in a time of 19 hours and 24 minutes.

Less than 12 months after their record-breaking performance in the 2,250km Race Around Ireland the team had one focus in mind when starting out on the 555k bike race at 3pm on Friday from Ballyraine Halls, to ride as hard and as fast as they could for a long as they could and get to the finish line in the quickest time possible.

The team of riders Bríd Ní Neachtain, Karen Cassidy Joanne Murphy and Marie Boyle, were supported by a crew of six on the road; Jonathan Gibson, Padraic Benson, Pat Dirrane, Patrick Mc Nicholas, Pat Dowd & Michael Casserly with lots of support at home and abroad following the tracker and ‘dot watching’ in eager anticipation of a great performance by the team. Spurred on by the support and the almost perfect racing conditions in Donegal the team gave it everything they had to bring home the win and the record to Galway.

With two other four-person female teams in the category, Skyway Moynalty and Virginia Vellobellas along with thirty-eight men’s four-person teams, the Galway Baybes put their mark on the race within the first hour recording a 34kph average before hitting the undulating climbs and hills up around the Inishowen Peninsula on stage one of the race.

By the halfway point the Baybes had been racing for 9 hours and 30 minutes and had built up a comfortable lead over their nearest rivals. In the closing stage of the race the team not content with just winning their category, dug deep to reel in a 19 minute course record. Pushing right to the last second it was Marie Boyle originally from Gweedore, Donegal who crossed the line sealing the course record and win for the team.

There was much excitement, emotion and elation on the finish line for the team of riders and crew who delivered a superb performance, pushing their minds and bodies to the max from the get-go. The sense of camaraderie in the team and the support for each other on and off the road was immense, the focus, commitment and determination shone through from start to finish.

Speaking about the next challenge ‘We have nothing planned for the moment, we have had a whirlwind 10 months with one win and two records from two races, we are going to enjoy the summer and support our two riders and three crew members who will race at IRONMAN Barcelona in October, then we’ll look at the options for the next adventure and hopefully in the meantime will have inspired a few more ladies to take up endurance racing’.

You can follow the Galway Baybes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @galwaybaybes

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

It’s hoped additional bus services from Galway to An Cheathrú Rua will come on stream from September.

That’s according to Galway West Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív who says the services have been promised as a result of intense negotiations.

Under the current system, the last bus leaves Galway at 6 o’clock in the evening.

Tune into the news at 4pm for more on this story…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Lifeguard services will be provided at popular seaside locations across Galway as the heatwave continues.

Director of Services Alan Farrell told today’s meeting of Galway County Council that although the local authority does not normally have cover in June, arrangements have been put in place for the dry weather spell.

His comments followed the approval of a report recommending a contribution towards the operation of Irish Water Safety in accordance with Section 67 of the Local Government Act.

Tuam area councillor Mary Hoade said an important message needs to be sent to parents to ensure there is adult supervision as young people take to the water during the hot weather.

Loughrea area councillor Joe Byrne said people need to respect the water and ensure lifebelts are not removed from waterside locations when they are needed to save lives.

More on this on FYI Galway from 5…

Here is another chance to hear Galway Bay FM’s Commentary of the TG4 Connacht Ladies Senior Football Final In McHale Park. Galway winning the CBE Cup on a final score of Galway 0-17 Mayo 1-12.

Commentary from Darren Kelly

Here is the Full Time Match Report From Darren Kelly

Following the Full Time whistle, Darren spoke to Galway Manager Stephen Glennon

Darren also spoke to Player Of The Match And Galway Captain Tracey Leonard

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Independent Councillor James Charity will lead a delegation from the N84 Upgrade Campaign to meet with the Minister for Transport at Leinster House tomorrow afternoon. (26/6)

Campaigners will meet Transport Minister Shane Ross and Minister for the Environment Denis Naughton to highlight the condition of the Headford Road/Curraghline as well as present a petition signed by over 1,000 road users.

While Road resurfacing works are currently due to take place on the N84, members of the group say much more needs to be done in order to make the road safe for motorists.

Galway County Council submitted a proposal for road widening and the installation of a hard shoulder in 2015, however the project has not been advanced.

The campaign says official TII figures show the road is currently operating at over 120 per cent capacity.

Cllr Charity says the current state of the road means emergency vehicles cannot effectively attend incidents as motorists are unable to pull in to let them pass.

Week 11 of our Monday night sports quiz ‘On the Verge’ saw Hartes Bar Glenamaddy go very close to the Top Four with a final score of 120 points.

The team was (l-r) Frank Fox, Brendan Raftery, Jarlath O’Neill and Gerry Haslam (capt)

Listen back here…

The Hartes Bar Team That Scored 120 Points on On The Verge

On The Verge Top 4 Leader board (After Eleven Rounds)

1. Dessie O’Briens – 151 Points
2. Sherrys Bar – 142 Points
3. The Earl Inn – 136 Points
4. Broderick’s – 129 Points

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Students at NUI Galway are the focus of a court application against the result of the abortion referendum.

The High Court is due to hear separate applications this morning from three people seeking to challenge the result of the referendum on the 8th Amendment.

Last month, the people of Ireland voted emphatically for the eight amendment of the constitution to be repealed.

But three Irish citizens are seeking to challenge the result through the courts.

Charles Byrne, a musician with an address in Drogheda claims hundreds of students in NUI Galway weren’t properly registered.

Joanna Jordan of Upper Gleanageary Road in Dún Laoghaire claims thousands of Irish citizens were paid to return to vote.

And Ciarán Tracey, a retired public servant from Leitrim Village, claims an alleged omission from the State’s info campaign affected the outcome.

There isn’t an automatic right to have such challenges heard in the High Court.

For one to be allowed, the applicant must prove there is evidence that the issues being complained about materially affected the result.

Those arguments will be put forward later this morning.

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

A legal challenge to a renewable energy test facility off the coast of Connemara is to be fast-tracked in the Commercial Court.

The legal action is challenging a decision by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government granting permission to the Marine Institute to construct and operate an electricity generating station off the coast of Spiddal.

A teacher from Páirc in Spiddal is bringing a Judicial Review proceedings against the Minister claiming that the decision is contrary to EU law.

The action by Maire Ní Mhurnin is being opposed by the Minister.

The matter will return before the court in November..

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

An open evening will take place tomorrow  to discuss the development plan for the Cill Chiaráin area of Connemara.

The 5 year plan is being developed by Údaras na Gaeltachta.

Coiste Jabanna do Iorrais Aithneach is hosting tomorrow’s event at which locals will have the opportunity to voice their ideas for the plan.

The meeting will take place in Cill Chiaráin Community Centre from 7 to 8pm.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Sligo County Councillor Rosaleen O’ Grady has been elected the new chair of the HSE Regional Health Forum West.

The Fianna Fail Councillor succeeds party colleague and Tuam district Councillor Mary Hoade in the position.

Membership of the 40 member forum, which meets to discuss matters relating to health services across the west/north-west, includes 3 Galway city councillors and 5 county councillors.

Councillor Mary Hoade wished her replacement well and noted that Galway is facing significant problems – particularly capacity issues at UHG and inadequate home care services.

More at 5

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Councillors have approved a proposal for the construction of a food and innovation campus within the existing Teagasc Mellows base in Athenry.

The BIA Innovator Campus will involve three buildings with a two-storey learning centre called ‘BIA Eolas’.

This will have four single storey co-working food laboratories for food innovation and product development.

There will also be nine incubation units as well as a high potential start-up space.

Acting County CEO Kevin Kelly told councillors there will be a requirement for funding with a recommendation to come before the council in due course.

Director of Services Alan Farrell says it’s hoped the project will be delivered in 2019.

More at 5

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The City Joint Policing Committee is supporting the provision of thermal imaging cameras in the city to help with rescue efforts for people who enter the water.

Superintendent Kevin Gately and Mike Swan of Galway RNLI gave a presentation to members of the committee this week. (25/6)

They explained the necessity for thermal cameras at The Claddagh or Fisheries Tower and on the Harbour Company building at the Docks.

They explained that the location a person enters the water in the city has huge implications for where exactly they will end up.

Mike Swan, who has been with Galway Lifeboat for more than 20 years, says there is ‘golden hour’ after someone enters the water, where rescue teams have about 60 minutes to make a successful rescue.

The cost of the specialist thermal cameras is thought to be in the region of 20 thousand euro, with 5 thousand euro already allocated in the city’s annual Budget.

Several members of the JPC including Mayor Niall McNelis and Councillor Frank Fahey explained they have personal experiences of tragic loss in the water and lauded the merits of the rescue teams.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The HSE has admitted that new orthopaedic surgery theatres planned for Merlin Park are taking a lot longer to build than expected.

The matter was raised at last evening’s meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum West.

The theatres at Merlin Park were shut down last year due to a leaking roof – and while one theatre has since re-opened, patient lists continue to grow.

Last evening’s meeting of the Regional Health Forum West heard that there are now almost six thousand people on outpatient waiting lists.

The HSE plans to build new modular theatres at Merlin Park to relieve the pressure – but Councillor Padraig Conneely wanted to know why the process is taking so long.

For more on this story, tune into Galway Bay fm news at 9….

Tommy Byrnes

formerly of Cois Abhainn, Lowville, Ahascragh and Mountbellew Nursing Home.  Reposing at St. Patrick’s Funeral Home, Fohenagh this evening from 5.  Removal at 8 to St. Cuan’s Church, Ahascragh.  Mass for Tommy Byrnes tomorrow Thursday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Ahascragh New Cemetery.

Patrick John also known as Johnny Ryan

Carrowreagh West, Ballyglunin, Tuam and formerly of Munster Avenue.  Reposing at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue this evening from 5.  Removal at 7 to St. Ignatius Church, Sea Road.  Mass for Johnny Ryan tomorrow Thursday at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Rahoon Cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.

Pat Mulroy

3 Railway View, Ballydavid, Athenry and formerly of Glenisland, Castlebar.  Reposing at Gardiner’s Funeral Home, Athenry this evening from 5 until 8.  Cortege arriving at Church of the Assumption, Athenry tomorrow  Thursday at 11:45 for mass for Pat Mulroy at 12.  Funeral afterwards to New Cemetery, Athenry.

Seán Nestor

Russelstown, Milltown.  Mass for Seán Nestor today at 11 in St. Joseph’s Church, Milltown.  Funeral afterwards to Addergoole Cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Palliative Care.

Bridie Murphy nee Burke

Parkview Drive, Tuam. Reposing at Grogan’s Funeral Home, Tuam this evening from 6.  Removal at 8 to Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam. Mass for Bridie Murphy tomorrow Thursday at 11. Funeral afterwards to Tuam Cemetery.  House private, by request.

Athenry’s David Kitt is in a strong position going into today’s second round of the Irish Boys amateur open at Belvoir Park. His opening round of 68 has him at -3 just one shot off the leaders Joshua Robinson from Lisburn and Theo Boulet from France. Galway’s Liam Nolan is also in contention following a level par 71 that has him in twelfth place on his own, four shots off the lead. Nolan tees off at 3.16 this afternoon while Kitt has an earlier tee off time of 10.15. Other Galway golfers in action this afternoon are Darren Leufer of Athenry at 9.16, Allan Hill from Athenry at 10.37, Cathal Cunningham from Galway Bay at 1.48, Gavin Keogh from Galway at 2.21 and Sam Murphy from Portumna who will tee off at 2.32.

Round 1 Scores

Galway Scores In Bold

67 T Boulet (France); J Robinson (Lisburn)

68 D Kitt (Athenry); R Carvill (Warrenpoint); H Islam (England)

69 J McCabe (Roganstown); O Maguire (Slieve Russell); A Davies (Wales)

70 J Byrne (Baltinglass); S Dowling (The Island); S Burrell (Spain)

71 L Nolan (Galway)

72 R Goodyear (England); E Shipp (Headfort); B Pierleoni (England); D West (England); C French (Carton House); S Doyle (Black Bush)

73 D Raher (Dungarvan); D Leufer (Athenry); C Denvir (Elm Park); D Li (Germany); T McKibbin (Holywood); S Miller (Clandeboye); D Gurr (England); J Brady (Rosslare); D Keating (Seapoint); C Murtagh (Balcarrick); S O’Brien (Nenagh); A d’Aurelle de Paladines (France); C Byrne (Strabane); G Keogh (Galway); A Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown); H Archer (France); M Kennedy (Royal Dublin)

74 M Deasy (Bantry Bay); R McNelis (Fintona); K Morrison (Greenacres); C Rabbette (Esker Hills); D Rochford (Bray); G Herlihy (Castle); B Beaumont (Bangor); N Trey (France); A Marshall (Lisburn); S Carroll (Castle Dargan); J Hill (Galgorm Castle); P McNelis (Fintona)

75 J Shellard (Lisburn); A Blair (Scrabo); P Naughton (Limerick); K Rafferty (Dundalk); H Arnold (England); C Glennon (Glasson); A Greville (Wales); T Plunkett (Crover House); C Dunn (Foyle); J Black (Lisburn); J Rooney (Co Armagh); A Flynn (Dun Laoghaire); P Beauvy (France)

76 O O’Driscoll (Golf Clementader Paris); A Smith (Mullingar); E Rowe (Tandragee); S Irwin (Killeen); L Keyes (Dun Laoghaire); E McArthur (Massereene); E Sullivan (Carton House); A Naughton (Grange Castle Golf club); D Connolly (Castle Dargan); P Conroy (Enniscorthy); L Mitchell (Knock); J Egan (Muskerry); T Higgins (Roscommon); J Mackin (Dundalk); E O’Shaughnessy (Muskerry); C Dawson (Tramore)

77 J Doherty (Carton House); J O’Riordan (Dungarvan); A Carroll (Citywest Resort); N Kirwan (Mount Juliet); S Jones (Belvoir Park); B Phipps (Ardee); T Smyth (Castle); K Robinson (Castlewarden); B Crawford (Greenacres); A Hill (Athenry); R Cowhey (Elm Park); R Galligan (Elm Park); J Hull (England); N Van Caneghem (France)

78 D Twomey (Elm Park); A Doyle (Silverwood); P Greene (Holywood); I Halpin (Cahir Park); S Kearns (Elm Park); J Boles (Charleville); C Hickey (Dooks); S Leonard (Mitchelstown)

79 C Cooley (Belvoir Park); S Walker (Roscommon); R McCrory (Lurgan); K Honer (Roganstown); R Goodall (Royal Portrush); P Arundel (England); K Patton (Lisburn)

80 J Duffy (Buncrana Golf Club); D Marshall (Naas); C Cunningham (Galway Bay); D Kelly (Cill Dara); O Reilly (Newlands); E Murphy (Dundalk); D Lynch (Clonmel)

81 L Abom (Edmondstown); P Byrne (Ballybunion); M McCormack (Mullingar); K McArdle (Powerscourt); J Connolly (Lahinch); O Twomey (The Island); J Brown (The Heath); T Stout (Royal Belfast)

82 E McGrath (Athlone); B McCarthy (Kinsale); S Murphy (Portumna)

83 S Murtagh (Mullingar); S Whelan (Royal Tara); S Downes (Royal Dublin); J Napier (Scrabo); D Mulligan (Laytown & Bettystown); D Boden (Belvoir Park); M Fitzgibbon (Portmarnock)

84 A Collins (Laytown & Bettystown); D O’Malley (Black Bush); A Doherty (Carton House); D Keery (Shandon Park Golf Club)

85 M Troy (Dungarvan); C Connell (Newlands)

86 T Kelly (Royal Dublin); C Steel (Spain)

87 L Travers (Ardee); S Young (Fintona); D Carton (New Forest)

WD A Bocquet (France)

RTD P Taylor (Tandragee)

It’s a busy day of international basketball for the Ireland senior women’s and men’s teams today, with both squads in action at their respective FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Cork and San Marino.

For the Ireland senior women’s team, a strong bounce back is needed later this evening at the Mardyke Arena UCC, as they look to take the spoils against Luxembourg in a must-win group game clash at 6.15pm.

The women in green lost out to Norway in a gripping clash at the Arena in Cork last night, and head coach Mark Scannell admitted that they have a lot of work to do ahead of this evening’s clash with Luxembourg.

“Norway were a very good team,” he said. “They shot the ball really well, they didn’t miss too much and they have two or three really top class pros who hurt us an awful lot. We have a lot of work to do in the next 24 hours to try and get this right or it will be a short tournament for us.”

Over in San Marino meanwhile, the Ireland senior men’s team had a rest day on the opening game of the championships, having been drawn in the smaller group of three teams. They got to watch their rivals, Andorra and Malta, go head-to-head on Tuesday though, in a clash that Malta won.

Ireland now face Malta today at 2pm Irish time, and will be hoping to get their campaign off to a winning start ahead of meeting 2016 silver medallists Andorra on Thursday.

Malta will be no easy task for the Irish though as, with a win over Andorra already under their belts, they will be looking for a win against Ireland to see them top the group. This year’s squad also sees the addition of a huge inside presence to their team in Samuel Deguara – a 7’6 center who plays professionally in Thailand – while returning to the Malta team are shooting guard David Bugeja and forward Tevin Falzon, the former averaging 15.6 points per game and the latter averaging 14.8 points and 15.0 rebounds per game in 2016.

Looking ahead to the clash, Irish Senior Men’s Head Coach Pete Strickland weighed in on the Irish team’s progress: “Our preparation has been good, we have one more practice before the game and we’ll look to sew up our concepts.”

MEN’S GAMES – SAN MARINO

Wednesday, June 27th

Men’s Group Games

Malta v Ireland, 2pm

WOMEN’S GAMES – MARDYKE ARENA UCC

Wednesday, June 27^th

Women’s Group Games

Ireland v Luxembourg, 6.15pm