On Monday’s show Keith spoke about Brexit; child safety online; the first Galway History Festival and GRET open day

Galway Bay fm newsroom – There is concern in the south-Galway area that another flooding event will happen before a flood relief solution is implemented.

Heavy rain over the weekend sparked concern among the local community that the project is taking too long.

The current timeline for the flood relief project is running about a year behind and it’s not hoped to have flood relief solutions in place until 2023.

Minister of State for Natural Resources, Seán Canney, says geo technical models for the Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme have been completed and the project is ready to move ahead to full design.

The models are based on surface water and ground testing.

Locals are calling on the county council and OPW to get on top of delays to see how other parts of the process can be streamlined.

David Murray from South Galway Flood Relief Committee told Galway Talks that it’s important that the community knows that work is progressing. To hear more, tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Supreme Court is in session in Galway for the first time ever today.

The court is sitting at the Aula Maxima at NUI Galway – the first time the Supreme Court is sitting outside a courthouse, since it returned to the Four Courts in 1932.

The court also launched its first annual report to mark the historical occasion.

The report shows a ten per cent increase in new appeals to the court in 2018 and also finds that the waiting time for an appeal to be heard in the Supreme Court has fallen from 5 years to just one year.

The court will sit at NUI Galway for another two days, as part of an effort to increase transparency about its work.

Tomorrow, it will give judgment on businessman Denis O’Brien’s appeal against the dismissal of his action, over statements made in the Dáil in 2015 about his banking affairs.

On Wednesday, the court will hear an appeal about whether An Bord Pleanála breached its legal obligations in the way it approved the first phase of Apple’s planned data centre in Athenry.

The court will also hold a number of seminars with members of the legal profession and students of law at NUIG.

Speaking at NUIG, Chief Justice Frank Clarke says going forward, the court intends to sit outside Dublin once a year. Tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour for more…

Division 1 Football League
Tuam Stars 0-9 Mountbellew/Moylough 0-8
Caherlistrane 3-11 Salthill-Knocknacarra 3-6
Killannin 0-12 An Spideal 0-6

Division 2 Football League
Cortoon Shamrocks 1-9 An Cheathrú Rua 0-6
Kilconly 2-8 Barna 2-6
Oranmore-Maree 2-12 Moycullen 1-10
Oilein Arann 0-13 St. James 0-9

Division 3 Football League
Corofin 1-10 Dunmore MacHales 0-12
Clonbur 1-7 Headford 0-10
Monivea-Abbey 3-16 Killererin 2-5

Division 4 Football League
Glenamaddy 3-19 Fr Griffins/Éire Óg 1-4
Williamstown 3-17 Renvyle 1-5
St Brendan’s 1-10 Caltra 1-5

Intermediate Hurling League Semi-Finals

Meelick-Eyrecourt W/O Oranmore-Maree
Sylane 1-8 Carnmore 0-9

John Dunne Cup

Annaghdown 0-9 Kilkerrin-Clonberne 0-4

Challoner Trophies U21 A Hurling Championship Final 2018

Clarinbridge 0-18 Ardrahan 0-7

Challoner Trophies U21A1 Hurling Championship

Meelick-Eyrecourt 1-14 Oranmore-Maree 0-8 Kilconieron 3-15 Michael Cusacks 2-10

Challoner Trophies U21B Hurling Championship

Cappataggle 4-14 Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 3-11

Galway Bay fm newsroom- Gardaí and emergency services are warning motorists to slow down and take extra care on motorways in Galway today following a spate of collisions in the past hour.

There was a collision on the M18 southbound between J18 Rathmorrissey and J17 Kilternan and traffic is slow as a result.

Emergency services are also dealing with three separate single vehicle collisions on the M6 Galway-Dublin motorway.

The first one is eastbound at J18 Rathmorrissey, and there are two between J16 Loughrea and J15 Ballinasloe, one on each side of the motorway.

No-one has been seriously injured in any of the collisions.

Extreme caution is needed on the motorway with slippery conditions reported following hail showers.

Heffernan and McNeela Claim League Titles

Sunday saw two great battles in Claregalway Handball Club to wrap up two of the County’s Adult 4-Wall Divisions.

The first game was the Division 3 final between two newcomers to the league, Keith Greally (Claregalway) and Seamus Heffernan (Salthill). After pulling away to a confident start to a 6-2 lead, Heffernan turned on the style to bring the game back to 6-6.

The game was filled with hand outs as both men refused to give an inch. After an eventual breakthrough from the stalemate, Greally used his first time-out to slow down Heffernan with him leading 7-10.

The break worked and Greally pulled it back to 11-11. But the Claregalway man responded with some improved serves to pull clear despite Greally’s best attempts. Heffernan however, was the more aggressive & finished the first game out 21-14.

Heffernan raced in to a 10-2 lead in the second game as Greally continued to chase down every ball. Defensive shot followed by defensive shot, every set-up shot was met with an answer, but the eventual kills low in to both corners allowed Heffernan claim the victory in his first year of league competition with the final scoreline of 21-14, 21-14.

The Division 1 final saw the County Junior C Champion Mike Dillon (Michéal Breathnach) up against Jack McNeela (Moycullen) who was fresh back from the International Colleges Championships in America.

From the first shot, the ball never flew above a height of 2 inches on the serve with both players using power and precision to make their serves and returns count. Unfortunately for Dillon, McNeela’s time in America stood well to him and he pulled away to have a strong win in the first game of 21-7.

The second game wouldn’t be so easy for the Moycullen man, with Dillon really turning on the style. In a game filled with handouts, they were deadlocked at 6-6. However, McNeela’s precise kill shots helped him gain an 8-14 lead.

After a quick timeout, Dillon returned to the alley with a fresh focus but after a game of kills and sidewall spinners, McNeela eventually won with a scoreline of 21-7, 21-10.

This saw the end of the league that began in August 2018 and saw over 250 competitive games played in the County. Many thanks to our title sponsor RITEWAY ENGINEERING of Galway for their support and to all the players who engaged with the league.

All that remains to be decided is the Division 2 title on St Patrick’s weekend between Joe O’Connell (Claregalway) and Cathal Ó Conghaile (Inis Oírr) in what promises to be another cracker of a match.

Successful start to Mulkerrins’ Title Defence

Martin Mulkerrins progressed to the quarter finals of the O’Neills Senior Singles Championship with a routine 21-5 21-13 victory over Kerry’s Dominick Lynch. The Moycullen man enjoyed a fast start as he sought to bounce back from his tie break defeat to Robbie McCarthy at the Nationals. He eased to the first game before the experienced Lynch fought back in the second. Mulkerrins was able to pull way and seal a deserved victory.

The number two seed will be delighted to progress in straight games as Clare’s Colin Crehan suffered a shock defeat in the first round while last year’s beaten finalist Charly Shanks survived a scare to beat Ger Coonan of Tipperary.

The Galway man now faces Wexford’s Gavin Buggy in the quarter finals next weekend as he aims to move one step closer to defending his All-Ireland crown. If he wins that game, he could face McCarthy in the semi-finals in what would be a repeat of their Nationals game.

County Doubles Championships

Last weekend, six county doubles champions were crowned. Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Cian O’Conghaile continued their fine partnership. The pair won the All-Ireland 60×30 Championships last year and will now progress to the Connacht semi-finals. Moycullen’s Seamus Conneely and Conor Noone also claimed a county title as the Galway winners now progress to face Sligo or Leitrim opposition.

U21 Doubles: Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Cian O Conghaile dft Oisín Ó Cualáin and Peter Donoghue 21-7, 21-13

Junior Doubles: Seamus Conneely and Conor Noone dft Kevin Craddock and Declan Connaughton 21-15 21-14

Junior C Doubles: Paul Conneely and Fiachra Mulkerrins dft Mike Dillon and Aengus Ó Fatharta 21-16, 21-16

Masters B Doubles: Joe Connell and Tommy Duggan dft Domhnall Ó Céidigh and Máirtín Ó Biadha 21-9,14-6 inj

Junior B Doubles: Naoise O Flatharta & Mairtín Seoighe dft Martin Lalor and John Lalor 21-19, 21-13

Silver Masters B Doubles: Morgan Duggan & Graham Casburn dft Keith Donnellan and Mairtin O’Coisleaha 21-13 21-10

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans have been approved for a microbrewery on Inishbofin.

The application led by Coleman King involves a change of use of part of an agricultural barn at Middlequarter.

A Natura Impact Statement was lodged as part of the application.

County planners have attached seven conditions.

One states the operation of the development is to be carried out so that no injurious affection is caused to adjoining properties.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A major construction conference at GMIT tomorrow is to debate a range of topics from the national development plan to the post Grenfell Tower quality commission report.

The annual international construction management day conference will get underway at the Dublin Road campus tomorrow morning.

Now in its ninth year, the event brings together national and international experts, and academics in the construction, built environment and property sectors.

Fourteen expert speakers from Ireland and the United Kingdom will take part.

Dr Martin Taggart who is Chair of the conference says the Irish construction sector’s prospects and its skill shortages will also be debated.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Respond Housing Association has been granted permission for a community house at Fairgreen Heights in Tuam.

The decision to approve the controversial application follows an appeal to An Bord Pleanála involving up to 11 parties.

Concerns included the suitability of the location and traffic concerns. For more on this story tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A group of Galway community groups are coming together tomorrow to promote health and well-being on the county’s islands.

Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative which sees a series of health events take place on the Aran Islands and Inishbofin.

Free activities and resources on all the islands will include pulse and blood pressure checks, healthy cooking tips, yoga and sexual health education.

The first event in the series took place on Inis Oírr last Wednesday and the next one will be held at Comharchumann Forbatha Árann on Inis Mór tomorrow from 11am to 3pm and 7pm-9pm.

The event will then take place on Thursday at Coláiste Naomh Eoin on Inis Meáin from 11am to 3pm with the final gathering at the Inishbofin Community Centre on March 20th from 11am-3pm.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Two new government grant-aided angling boats have launched at Clonbur Angling Centre.

The boats were purchased with funding of 4 thousand euro from Island Fisheries Ireland’s Angling Development funding scheme to improve access to fishing on Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.

Clonbur Angling Centre is a private business which provides a self-catering package to anglers from angling boats and equipment to village and lakeshore accommodation.

The boats are 19 foot in length and will add to the centre’s existing fleet.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A new housing development could be built in Turloughmore.

Maria L Flynn has applied for planning permission for 24 detached houses with garages, street lighting, footpaths and open space at Lackaghbeg.

The development would be connected to the existing private treatment plant and polishing filter which also serves the Flynns of Lackagh site.

A decision is due from the county council in April.

What a glorious weekend it proved for Ballinasloe RFC as all eyes were on the Sportsground for the 2 Girls Connacht Cup finals on Sunday. First up was the U16 girls who faced a strong combined Portumna/Loughrea side. The game remained tight and scoreless for much of the first half with a huge defensive effort from Portumna/Loughrea but that wasn’t to last. After spending much of the half in Portumna’s 22, Ballinasloe’s Joann Curley powered over from a massive forwards drive to touch down for the first. Another try was added by Clodagh Powell to bring the score to 10 – 0 at half time.
The Ballinasloe girls picked up where they left off after the break with 2 more trys added by Avril Deely and a conversion by Joann Curley to finish 22-0. The win topped off a sensational undefeated season for these girls having already won the U16 League title. They were led by their management team of Dermot Frehill, Noel Gavin, Mike McCann, Mark Harrigan, Annmarie McCann & Sinéad Manning.

The U18 decider saw two sides meet in the culmination of a friendly rivalry stretching a number of years. Ballinasloe took on Westport RFC just a week after they also met in the U18 League final replay which was won by the Ballinasloe side and this game again lived up to the billing in an exciting game of free-flowing rugby. Ballinasloe went into a 12-0 lead with tries from Aoibheann Reilly and Alisha Manning, but true to form, Westport fought back with 2 tries to level it at 12-12. However, Ballinasloe was able to find another gear as Irish international Béibhinn Parsons ran in four brilliant tries, along with a try from Kate O’Meara while Alisha Manning also added her second. The scoreline was consistently added to from the kicking tee with another great performance from Meabh Deely. Westport never gave up, playing right to the final whistle and powered over for two more tries, but it was Ballinasloe’s day as they won out 50-24.
The girls’ success is a testament to their management who have brought them up through the grades for the last 6 years. They are Stephen Reilly, Dermot Tierney, Gearoid Finneran, Ann Conlon, Andrew Mannion, Rita O’Hara, Fionnuala Reilly & Tommy Grehan.

Both teams were cheered on by a huge Ballinasloe contingent of family and loyal followers led by Ballinasloe RFC President Tom Horkan with cups and medals presented by Connacht Rugby President Mossy Moran.

Pete Foley and his Galway Black Dragon Kickboxing Club were recently honoured at a Civic Reception by Galway County Council for the clubs many National and International achievements throughout 2018 which saw them in action all over Ireland, the UK, Germany, France & Italy.
This was a huge honour for Kilkenny native Pete who is now an adopted son of Galway.

23 year old Monivea native Brendan Kenny, who trains and fights out of the White Tiger Martial Arts Club in Castlebar under the guidance of Damien Gormley won the highly prestigious Irish Open title at the weekend in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. The competition saw just over 4000 competitors come from all over the world and en route to the final, Brendan defeated opponents from Spain, UK, Finland and Hungary. In the 79kg final Brendan took on an Austrian opponent last Saturday in what was billed ‘The Night of Champions’ finals, and will be broadcast on Eir Sport on the 19^th of March. A convincing win for the Galway fighter is a great start to the year as he now sets his sights on the Kickboxing Ireland National Championships later on this month. A win in this event will see Kenny qualify to compete in the WAKO World Championships at the end of 2019. He will also compete in Croatia at the University Combat Games in August.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Gardai say the coastguard was deployed this afternoon as a precautionary measure only, after a pair of shoes were discovered at Nimmo’s Pier.

It’s understood a member of the public raised the alarm.

Gardaí examined camera footage for the area and a search was co-ordinated with emergency services as a precaution.

Gardai say nobody was seen entering the water.

Galway RNLI conducted a search of the waterways in the city this afternoon as part of the operation and will continue the search tomorrow.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are plans to change retail space in Tuam into apartments.

JFC Manufacturing Company Limited is seeking planning permission to convert the use of first floor space from retail and a coffee shop to 17 apartments close to Abbeytrinity.

A decision is due from the county council in April.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway county council is inviting T.I.I., Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to attend this month’s meeting.

It follows concerns among councillors regarding the growing number of observations made by the T.I.I. about developments on roads recently declassified from national to regional.

Loughrea area councillor Joe Byrne says observations are still being made on what are now regional roads, and absolute clarity is needed.

He argued regional roads should not have restricted status and the matter is creating huge problems for people seeking planning permission on regional routes.

Fellow Loughrea area councillor Jimmy McClearn has queried if there is a scenario where county Galway is getting excessive observations, as he understood such levels are not being made on other secondary routes.

Councillor Michael Fahy suggested the T.I.I. attends this month’s meeting to explain the situation.

Director of Services Jim Cullen says he couldn’t comment on the statutory authority of the T.I.I. as regards regional roads but he will look into it.

Councillor Byrne says it’s making life extremely difficult for local people seeking planning permission.

Sean Cronin has been dropped from the Ireland rugby squad for the upcoming Six Nations matches against France and Wales. Ulster hooker Rob Herring instead comes into the group alongside Niall Scannell and captain Rory Best. Leinster’s Ross Byrne has been recalled with Jack Carty, Joey Carbery and Johnny Sexton the other out-halves. Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Beirne, CJ Stander and Jordan Larmour are fit after missing the win over Italy. Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion also returns but Robbie Henshaw remains out with a leg injury.

Ireland squad:

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster-Captain)
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster)
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack McGrath (St Marys College/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Ulster)
Sean O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht)
Rhys Ruddock (Lansdowne/Leinster)
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)

Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)
Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster)
Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster)
John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster)
Tom Farrell (Coolmine/Connacht)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster)
Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster).

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Self-catering accommodation owners, managers and agents are being urged to attend an information event in the city next week about new legislation.

Last year, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy announced that all short-term let properties in Ireland would require specific planning permission.

The Irish Self Catering Federation says this could have major ramifications for the economy and tourism in Galway.

An information and networking event to discuss the proposed changes will take place from 7pm to 9pm next Monday at the Maldron Hotel at Sandy Road in the city.