Motorsport Ireland has launched a new code of conduct called RESPECT to make the sport more inclusive and enjoyable for its drivers, official, and supporters.

The RESPECT concept was first mentioned by Motorsport Ireland CEO Leo Hassett at the Motorsport Ireland Lunch of Champions where he outlined his vision for 2019. This initiative is the latest of his commitments to have been enacted upon.

Mr Hassett said: “RESPECT is a code of conduct for all motorsport activities run under Motorsport Ireland’s remit and is designed to create a positive atmosphere both on and off the track through improving relationships between competitors and volunteer officials.

“I am enthusiastic about officially launching RESPECT, which is a key component to making our sport more accessible, fairer and enjoyable for everyone in the motorsport family. The campaign is aimed not only at competitors and officials, but also race organisers, team members, parents, and supporters. It is based on seven simple yet solid values, with the first letter of each value combined spelling the word respect.”

The values encapsulated in RESPECT are:

Relationships – What kind of relationship do we want between officials, marshals, volunteers and competitors? We need to cultivate relationships based on mutual respect and support to ensure that everyone feels valued.

Everyone – We all count. Respect is given to everyone, from the most senior officials, to the newest trainees. We should be judged on how we treat everyone, no matter who they are, or at the level they are involved at.

Support – Support your volunteers, marshals, officials and competitors. This means making sure that they are listened to. Their feedback has value, and they need to know it. Give volunteers and officials the tools they need to do their job. When a good job is done, let them know and congratulate them, when mistakes are made, provide them with the support they need and encourage them to learn and move on. Provide an environment that is positive and free from intimidation and bullying.

Please and thank you – Because they really are the magic words! Saying thank you and showing sincere appreciation shows respect.

Encourage – Help every volunteer and competitor to grow and develop to their full potential. Be a coach, be a mentor. Make them become better than they thought they could be, and better still, help them become better than you.

Care – Care about your fellow volunteers and competitors. Try to know as many names as possible. If someone doesn’t turn up, find out why, don’t just leave it to the next time you may or may not see them.

Treat – Treat people how they want to be treated, not how you want to be treated.

Motorsport Ireland are looking forward to a positive reaction to their initiative over the course of the year.

Vhi reveal new finisher t-shirt for all participants in 2019

Run stronger together at the largest all female event of its kind in the world on June 2nd 2019!

A group of women came together in Dublin on Monday to launch the 2019 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.  The event, now in its 37th year, will take place on Bank Holiday Sunday 2rd June 2019 at 2pm.  Over 30,000 women are expected to walk, jog and run the 10K route starting in Fitzwilliam Square and finishing on Baggot St.

The Garrihy sisters Aoibhín, Ailbhe and Doireann along with mum, Clare, broadcaster Georgie Crawford, fitness enthusiast Leanne Moore, Today FM presenter Pamela Joyce and Dublin Ladies Footballer Nicole Owens will make up the 2019 Vhi Squad and are calling on women all around the country to run stronger together and join them at the largest all female event of its kind in the world this June!

In an exciting addition to this year’s event, Vhi has revealed a brand-new finisher t-shirt which will be presented to each participant upon completion of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. Vhi is also reintroducing the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Member Reward whereby Vhi customers who have paid the €25 entry fee for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2019 can claim a €25 reward using Snap & Send in the Vhi app.

The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon will have an increased postal entry offering this year, giving women all over the country the opportunity to receive their race number by post.  Anyone entering before April 30th will be able to choose the postal entry option, subject to availability.  There will also be a number of pick-up points in Dublin and around the country in May, where participants can collect their race number.

Galway women can enter TODAY at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie. Postal applications forms are also available in The Herald every Wednesday and Saturday.

Kathy Endersen, CEO, Women’s Mini Marathon, said; “It’s an exciting year for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.  We are delighted to confirm that we are increasing our postal entry option this year.  We had a fantastic reaction from participants when we first offered a limited postal offering in 2018, and I’ve no doubt it will prove even more popular this year. 

“The Women’s Mini Marathon is now in its 37th year.  Since the event began in 1983, over one million women have taken part, and I would like to thank and applaud the women of Ireland for continuing to support and enjoy this special event.  We look forward to once again welcoming women from all over the country and abroad to Dublin city this June bank holiday Sunday”.

Speaking at the launch, Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications, Vhi said;

“2019 marks Vhi’s fifth year as title sponsor of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. We are proud to be part of this wonderful event and in 2019 we are introducing a brand-new finisher t-shirt to celebrate every woman that crosses the finish line and reward their participation.

“At Vhi we are committed to helping our customers live longer, stronger, healthier lives and our partnership with the Women’s Mini Marathon helps us to deliver this.  We are delighted to announce that in 2019 we will be reintroducing the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Member Reward. Vhi customers who have paid the €25 entry fee for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2019 can claim a €25 reward using Snap & Send in the Vhi app.

“We want to encourage women across Galway to run stronger together on June 2rd and enjoy the benefits of exercise, while raising money for their chosen cause and ultimately, having a great day out!”

Commenting on her role on the Vhi Squad, Doireann Garrihy said,

“We are delighted to be back for the 2019 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. This will be the third year Ailbhe and I have taken part and it will be great to have Aoibhín by our side this time around. As for mum, she was bitten by the bug last year and has already started training! 

“The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a very special event. What I love about it is that everyone has different reason for taking part whether its fitness related, to raise funds for a cause close to your heart or just to enjoy a day out with your sisters, mum, family and friends.

“Whatever your reason, joining 30,000 women to walk, jog or run the streets of Dublin in the biggest event of its kind, is very powerful. We run stronger together and want everyone to join us at the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon on June 2nd”. 

For further information visit www.Vhiwomensminimarathon.ie or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vhiwomensminimarathon or twitter @VhiWmm / #VhiWmm.

Rowing Ireland are committed to the 20×20 campaign which is an all-inclusive movement to shift Ireland’s cultural perception of women’s sport by 2020 with:

• a 20% increase in media coverage of women in sport
• a 20% increase in female participation at all levels of sport
• a 20% increase in attendance at women’s games and events

Rowing Ireland pledge to continue to:

·         To give opportunities and support to girls in sport.

·         We will continue to insure equality between our male and female athletes.

·         Give greater visibility to our female athletes

We currently have a number of hugely successful Women in Sport Initiatives underway. Get Going..Get Rowing was originally started as a Women in Sport Campaign to increase participation numbers amongst Primary and Secondary School Girls. This programmes has exploded with tremendous success and this year we aim to have 35,000 students take part. As part of the programme students are given the opportunity to take part in a #Blitzit event to showcase their hard work and dedication to the programme.

We also work closely with clubs and sports partnerships to insure every opportunity is there to increase participation levels amongst girls and women. We work together with sports partnerships to deliver Women’s Indoor Rowing Programmes and we have helped clubs to run social rowing for women to begin to engage in the sport. Through initiatives such as these our 100+ clubs have been able to grow the number of women at club level both competitive and non-competitive members and most clubs have a 50/50 split of men and women competing and on committees.  

Rowing Ireland have over 12 Senior High Performance Female Athletes in training for International, World and Olympic success. This is a staggering number of female athletes to have at the highest level of the sport and a true manifestation of the hard work all at Rowing Ireland have put in to increase the numbers of women in the sport at all levels. At the forefront of our High Performance Team is Sanita Puspure, a shining example of how hard work and dedication will accomplish all of your dreams as long as you are consistent, persistent and most importantly dominant. She is an outstanding idol for girls and woman of all ages to look up to and we are so proud of all that she has achieved. A mother, a wife, a daughter, a student and an athlete -a true inspiration.

This International Women’s Day (Friday March 8th) 20×20 will be asking Irish clubs to #ShowYourStripes and pledge one action to grow girls and women in sport. 

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway-based medtech firm Aerogen has secured a 30 million euro loan from the European Investment Bank for a major expansion.

The city-based drug delivery company, originally founded in Moycullen in 1997, hopes to expand its manufacturing facilities and research activities.

It produces aerosol drug delivery systems – which have been used by over 7 million patients in 75 locations around the world.

The company, which currently employs about 150 people, says it now also expects to create a further 50 jobs following approval for the loan.

The loan is the first direct lending to a medtech company under the EIB’s Irish corporate financing initiative.

Aerogen has been growing at a rate of 25 per cent over the last decade and reported record revenue of 55 million in 2017. For more on this story tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

On Friday’s show Keith spoke with Mike Swan and Paul Duffy regarding the Fire Service and Galway RNLI Lifeboat he also spoke with Councillor Terry O’Flaherty about the Ballybane Neighbor Center, Ann Rabbitte about the decrease in the defence and Guard forces and the Tribune Headlines from Dave O’Connell.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans have been submitted for a new housing development near Rahoon in the city.

Mary Grehan and Pat McGrath have applied for planning permission and outline permission for 8 new houses at Circular Road.

A decision is due from the city council in April (9/4).

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Senator Maura Hopkins has highlighted the need for public lighting in part of Creagh in Ballinasloe, and is seeking government funding for it.

She says she has serious safety concerns for pedestrians along the R446 at Kilgarve, from the Dubarry Shoe Factory to Dolan’s Service station.

Senator Hopkins says the volume of traffic and pedestrians in the pooly lit area presents a serious accident risk.

For more, tune into Galway Bay fm news at 5….

Galway Bay fm newsroom – An Bord Pleanala has issued its opinion that an application for a major new housing development in Moneyduff in Oranmore can be submitted.

It’s after the higher planning authority reviewed preliminary plans submitted as part of the initial consultation phase.

The project led by Arlum Limited would involve 156 houses and 56 apartments, a creche and all associated site development works.

An Bord Pleanala states that it does fall under the criteria for strategic housing.

It’s part of new legislation that means applications of more than 100 homes or 200 student bed places can be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanala rather than going through the local authority.

Handball Fixtures – Mulkerrins in Quarter Final action and All-Ireland semi-finals

O’Neills Senior Singles Quarter Final

Martin Mulkerrins v Gavin Buggy (Wexford)

Defending All-Ireland champion Martin Mulkerrins faces Wexford’s Gavin Buggy in Cullohill, Laois this afternoon (Saturday) in the last of the O’Neills All Ireland 4 Wall Championship Mens Singles. The Moycullen man had little trouble in beating Kerry’s Dominick Lynch in the last round while Buggy earned a walkover after his opponent Michael Gregan pulled out. Mulkerrins is aiming to become the first Connaught player to defend the title and the carrot of a possible rematch with Robbie McCarthy, who defeated the number two seed in the Irish Nationals, should help Mulkerrins come through. Only 3 of the quarter finals will be played after Armagh’s Charlie Shanks was forced to withdraw yesterday, handing a walkover to Patrick Funchion from Kilkenny.

40×20 Senior Single Semi-Finals

On International Women’s Day, Niamh Heffernan travelled to Tyrone and beat home player Mairead Fox in straight games. She will face Amber Nolan of Clare or old rival Leah Doyle in the final. There are seven more players aiming to reach All-Ireland finals this weekend with Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Seamus Conneely among those in action.

Friday March 8th – Ladies Minor Singles: Niamh Heffernan v Mairead Fox (Tyrone) 21-7 21-8

Saturday March 9th –Moycullen 12 noon
Diamond Masters A Singles: Martin Conneely v Thomas Maguire (Antrim)

Emerald Masters B Singles: Brendan McNeela v Sean McNally (Down)

O-70s: Morgan Darcy v Seamus Graham (Antrim)

Silver Masters B Singles: Seamus McRory (Tyrone) v Kieran Hanley
Ladies Junior Singles: Caitlin Conway (Tyrone) v Eimear Ni Biadha

Sunday 10th March –Gortnamona Belfast
U21s Dean Fox (Antrim) v Diarmuid Mulkerrins

Junior Singles: Jordan O Neill v Seamus Conneely

GAA Handball 40×20 All Ireland Juvenile Championship Semi Finals

Galway are represented in nine different age grades in the All-Ireland semi finals as Connacht players come up against their Ulster counterparts. Mikey Kelly, Emma Kinane and Sadhbh Ni Fhlaithearta are among those in the hunt for an All-Ireland final place.

Sunday 10^th March – Claregalway                        

GU14D Galway (Leah Ni Mhainnin/Cliodhna Ni Chonghaile) v Monaghan (Aoibheann McCluskey/Fiona Flood)

GU16D Galway (Eadaoin Nic Dhonnacha/Skylyn Ni Mhaille) v Monaghan (Eithne Boyle/Sarah Laverty)

GU15D Galway (Amanda Ni Bhradaigh/Meabh Ni Chualain) v Tyrone (Aoibheann Daly/Aoibheann Gallagher)

GU16S Galway (Sadhbh Ni Fhlaithearta) v Tyrone (Clodagh Munroe)

BU15D Galway (Cathal& Dara Ó Laoire) v Cavan (Matthew Smith/Cormac Flynn)

Abbeyknockmoy, Galway at 12noon

GU14SGalway (Emma Kinane) v Tyrone (Dearbhail Fox)

BU14D Galway (Sean Stafford/Ewan Hynes) v Cavan (Oliver McCrystal/Adam McKenna)

BU16S Galway (Mikey Kelly) v Monaghan (Tiernan O’Rourke)

BU16D Galway (David Donohoe/Liam Davoren) v Tyrone (Jack Darcy/Conor Owens)

Killimor’s Colm O Meara will be in charge of the Sligo hurlers on Sunday when they take on Longford in the Division 3B League final in the Connacht GAA Centre at 2.30pm. In an intriguing twist of fate, O’Meara was actually the manager of Longford last year, in 2017 he was involved with the Ahascragh-Fohenagh hurlers alongside the late Tony Keady and in 2005 he led London to victory in the inaugural Nicky Rackard Cup. Sunday’s game will see Sligo and Longford return for a quick re-match after Sligo won by 3-16 to 0-3 in the final round of group games last Sunday to make ir four wins out of four in the division. Keith Raymond scored 3-2 for Sligo as they powered to an easy win.

Sligo hurler’s 2019 results under Colm O’Meara:

Round 1 – Sligo 2-14 Fermanagh 1-16

Round 2 – Sligo 2-14 Leitrim 0-19

Round 3 – Sligo 4-19 Cavan 2-6

Round 4 – Sligo 3-16 Longford 0-3

2019 ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3B FINAL: SLIGO v LONGFORD, CONNACHT GAA CENTRE, BEKAN, 2.30 Sunday

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Hundreds of homes and businesses across Galway are still without power this morning following last night’s severe thunder and lightening storm

The storm caused power surges and temporary outages across the country around 3 and 4am while the cuts are longer term in a large number of areas

The ESB says crews are out and about and they hope to have power restored to all affected areas of Galway by lunchtime

In the city Salthill is worst affected with 100 homes without power and the estimated restore time is 12.45pm

In the county Athenry is the most affected with 200 homes without electricity and an estimated restore time of 11.30am, followed by Ballygar where 74 homes have no electricity and the estimated restore time is 12.30pm

In Gort 50 premises have no power and the estimated restore time is 11.45am

In Ballinasloe Creagh is the most seriously impacted with 67 households affected and an estimated restore time of 11.15am

Connemara was also hit by the early morning storm and the worst affected areas are Screeb with 43 premises affected and Spiddal with 35 and an estimated restore time of 12.15

As well as all the areas just mentioned there are smal numbers of homes without power in Cornamona, Clonbur, Clifden, Claregalway, Turloughmore and Headford. Tune in to galway Bay fm news on the hour for updates…

United drew a blank for the first time this season as a Dean O’Halloran strike twenty minutes from time was the difference between the sides when league leaders Bray Wanderers ran out 1-0 winners at Eamonn Deacy Park last night.

Wanderers goal came shortly after the halfway point of the second half when Richie Purdy played a short ball to McGlade who let fly from just shy of 25 yards, drawing a save from Werner. McGlade delivered the resulting corner and Dean O’Halloran touched it in at the back post to put the visitors ahead. United tried to get back into the game and created pressure at times, but opportunities were at a premium. Ten minutes from time, Barry chipped in behind the defence for Kelly, but he shot wide with Cantwell in close attention.

After the game Mike Rafferty got the thoughts of United manager Alan Murphy…

United will look to get back to winning ways against Longford Town next weekend at City Calling Stadium on Saturday night. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

Galway United: Werner; Horgan (Gamarra 79), Murphy, Walsh, Hannon; Higgins, Nugent; Kelly (Waweru 87), Barry, Doherty (Melody 62); Faherty

Bray Wanderers: Sava; Barnett, Cantwell, Heaney, Keegan, O’Halloran, Doyle, McGlade, Daly (McCann 87), Nolan, Purdy

Attendance: 1,216

Photos and match details courtesy of Vinny O’Connor

The Ireland Under-20s secured the Six Nations title with a round still to play after dethroning defending champions France with a 31-29 win in front of a sell-out 8,008 crowd at Irish Independent Park in Cork last night. There were 3 Connacht lads involved in the Irish effort – hooker Dylan Tierney Martin from Corinthians (pictured), second row Niall Murray from Buccaneers and replacement Ryan Lomas from Galwegians.

Earning Ireland’s first U-20 Six Nations crown since 2010, Noel McNamara’s youngsters made it four wins out of four and took advantage of Wales’ surprise 27-20 loss to bottom side Scotland. Man-of-the-match Josh Wycherley crossed for two tries, his replacement Callum Reid also touched down and out-half Ben Healy, who started in place of the injured Harry Byrne, finished with a brilliant 16-point haul.

Healy’s opposite number Louis Carbonel was in inspirational form for France, scoring two tries and kicking nine points. Converted tries from Jean-Baptiste Gros and Carbonel had them 14-13 ahead at half-time, cancelling out Ireland’s early 10-point lead from prop Wycherley’s 13th-minute try.

The Ireland U-20s were missing two of their key man from the opening three rounds – injured captain David Hawkshaw and top scorer Byrne – but showed the greater accuracy and intent in the second period, maintaining a high pace which the visitors struggled to cope with. Two Healy penalties sandwiched a Carbonel effort as the home side moved back in front at 19-17.

Wycherley and Reid crucially piled over either side of Carbonel’s 64th-minute breakaway score, establishing a 31-22 advantage, and although French replacement Kevin Viallard snatched a last-minute try, Ireland were able to win a final turnover from a maul and set up a shot at a Grand Slam against Wales in Colwyn Bay next Friday night (kick-off 7.05pm).

A solid first lineout tackle from Ireland’s stand-in skipper Charlie Ryan, followed by a John Hodnett carry, led to Healy’s well-struck opening fourth-minute penalty from just inside the French 22. The visitors piled forward from a Paul Boudehent break, but their decision to go for the corner from a penalty backfired as Jordan Joseph knocked on on the ground.

As the pace quickened, Jake Flannery’s lovely delayed pass sent first-time starter Sean French through a gap and up towards France’s 22 with Healy in support to keep the move going. The forwards pressed closer in and were rewarded with Wycherley plunging over just to the right of the posts. Healy converted to open up a 10-point gap but les Bleuets wasted little time in responding.

Carbonel, one of seven of the French team involved in Top 14 action last week, broke the defensive line, linked with number 8 Joseph who was taken down by French’s tap tackle but got the ball away for supporting loosehead Gros to ground the ball to the left of the posts. After Carbonel converted, Jonathan Wren led Ireland’s response with a twinkle-toed break up the left touchline.

Pressure on the Irish lineout, combined with a missed touch finder by Healy, gave France a foothold early in the second quarter, and they profited as they caught Ireland out wide with Carbonel sending Alexandre de Nardi dancing along the left touchline and taking the full-back’s return pass to run in a well-crafted try which he converted for a 14-10 lead.

Florent Vanverberghe went off his feet at a 30thminute ruck, allowing Healy to drill home a 38-metre kick and make it a one-point game. Ireland had a big let-off when de Nardi, racing onto a Carbonel grubber kick past the try-line, knocked on in the act of scoring. The home defence stood firm late on – including the great sight of the diminutive Craig Casey driving back the 18-stone Joseph in a tackle.

Cork favourite French stormed forward in the final minute of the first half, but could not connect with a support runner and France turned around with the slimmest of advantages. Referee Adam Leal kept his yellow card in his pocket despite France leaking three penalties close to their try-line on the restart, scrumhalf Casey going closest as he appeared to be high-tackled by Boudehent.

Ireland deservedly regained the lead with Healy’s close-range penalty, yet an ill-advised offload from Scott Penny in his own 22 gave France the opportunity to force a scrum penalty and Carbonel landed the central three-pointer. Healy hit back just a couple of minutes later for a 19-17 lead, rewarding the attacking efforts of Casey, Dylan Tierney-Martin and newly-introduced debutant Ryan Baird.

The hosts hit the hour mark 26-17 to the good, French captain Arthur Vincent erring with a forward pass in his own 22 and Healy got over the gain-line from the scrum, the pack working their way up to the posts where Wycherley proved unstoppable again from a close-in ruck. Healy’s extras put nine points between the sides, only for Carbonel to lift his side with a try straight from an Irish ruck which saw the ball squirt free.

Back came McNamara’s tireless charges, half-backs Healy and Casey unlocking the defence with some sharp running that brought the table toppers right back up to the French whitewash. The forwards seized the initiative with Banbridge clubman Reid repeating Wycherley’s trick in driving over from a ruck. Healy’s conversion from the left bounced back off the near post, and Casey had to come off with a suspected ankle injury.

The minutes were ticking by until resilient France found something once more in attack, splitting open the Irish midfield and a well-timed pass sent the fresh-legged Viallard over to the left of the posts despite Cormac Foley’s best attempts to hold him up. Despite Carbonel converting to make it a two-point deficit, last year’s champions were thwarted on the edge of their 22 as Ireland ensured they will receive the trophy in Wales next week.

The U-20 Six Nations table shows that Ireland, lying on 18 points, cannot be caught heading into the final round. France, who are also the reigning World champions, are second on 12 points following their second loss of the campaign, with England (11 points) and Wales (10) on two wins apiece as well.

IRELAND U-20: Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster); Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster), Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster), Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster); Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster); Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Scott Penny (UCD/Leinster), John Hodnett (UCC/Munster).

Replacements used: Callum Reid (Banbridge/Ulster) for Wycherley (38 mins-half-time, blood sub), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) for Murray (52), John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster) for Tierney-Martin, Reid for Wycherley, Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster) for Flannery (all 66), Cormac Foley (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) for Casey (68), Flannery for Kernohan (73). Not used: Ryan Lomas (Galwegians/Connacht), David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster), James McCarthy (UL Bohemians/Munster).

FRANCE U-20: Alexandre de Nardi (Stade Montois); Vincent Pinto (Section Paloise), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier RC) (capt), Julien Delbouis (Stade Francais Paris), Matthis Lebel (Stade Toulousain); Louis Carbonel (RC Toulon), Quentin Delord (Lyon OU); Jean-Baptiste Gros (RC Toulon), Rayne Barka (Section Paloise), Alex Burin (SU Agen), Gauthier Maravat (SU Agen), Florent Vanverberghe (RC Toulon), Paul Boudehent (Stade Rochelais), Sacha Zegueur (US Oyonnax), Jordan Joseph (Racing 92).

Replacements used: Maxence Lemardelet (AS Clermont Auvergne) for Boudehent (46 mins), Eli Eglaine (FC Grenoble) for Gros, Giorgi Beria (AS Clermont Auvergne) for Burin (both 54), Loris Zarantonello (US Montauban) for Barka, Mathieu Smaili (RC Toulon) for Delbouis, Adrien Warion (Provence Rugby) for Vanverberghe (all 66), Kevin Viallard (AS Clermont Auvergne) for Delord (75). Not used: Ethan Dumortier (Lyon OU).

Referee: Adam Leal (England)

Report courtesy of irishrugby.ie

Galway county stars Shauna Molloy (St Fursey’s Headford) and Louise Ward (Kilkerrin Clonberne) of University of Limerick will go up against Sarah Gormally (Kilkerrin Clonberne) and Aine McDonagh (Maigh Cuilinn) of UCD in an intriguing O’Connor Cup Ladies Football final at 4pm today in Grangegorman. UCD edged out UCC with a late goal in a thrilling semi-final yesterday while UL were much too good for Queens as they qualified for the final for the 6th year in a row.

NUIG ladies were beaten in the O’Connor Shield final by DCU yesterday, while GMIT’s ladies won the Donaghy Cup for only the second time after beating Marino Institute in DIT by 6-13 to 1-13.

University of Limerick 7-16 Queens Belfast 2-9

UL team v QUB: C Moore (Cork); Shauna Molloy (Galway), C McGrath (Waterford), A Kelleher (Cork); Louise Ward (Galway), L Ryan (Clare), J Cregg (Roscommon); S Kelly (Cork), F McHale (Mayo); R Delee (Limerick), E Needham (Mayo), S Howley (Mayo); H O’Donoghue (Kerry), E Scally (Cork), R Howard (Tipperary). Subs: E Fitzpatrick (Tipperary) for Needham (40), F Tagney (Kerry) for Howley (40), O O’Dwyer (Tipperary) for Cregg (46), S Murphy (Kerry) for Scally (50), A Healy (Laois) for McGrath (50).

UCD 2-7 UCC 1-9

UCD team v UCC: L Bruggner (Kerry); K McGrath (Waterford), Sarah Gormally (Galway), R Flynn (Mayo); N Carr (Donegal), N Collins (Dublin), M Byrne (Dublin); M Lambe (Dublin), T O’Sullivan (Dublin); A Murphy (Kerry), Aine McDonagh (Galway), L McCartan (Westmeath); C Mohan (Monaghan), D Beirne (Leitrim), K Boyce Jordan (Westmeath).

Subs: C Foxe (Wexford) for Mohan (29), A O’Reilly (Kerry) for Boyce Jordan (51).

Galway Bay fm newsroom – LIDL has submitted a plan to expand its Oranmore base.

The German supermarket is based at Carraig Láir Shopping Centre.

The proposed development would include the extension of the gross floor space of the licensed Lidl unit at ground floor level.

There would also be an increase of the net retail sales area and associated internal reconfiguration of the existing ground floor shopping centre layout.

County planners are due to make a decision in April

91 Team Ireland athletes – including five from Co. Galway – have arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Taking place between 14-21 March, Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the largest sporting and humanitarian event in the world this year. Supported by a volunteer management team of 39, the 91-strong Team Ireland will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 countries at the Games. With 350 family and friends also making the trip to support their loved ones, Ireland is set to be one of the best supported nations at the Games. Second only to the United States, this wealth of encouragement is certain to give Team Ireland the edge as they step up to compete.

The Co. Galway athletes will represent Team Ireland in five sports. Matthew Brennan, aged 35 from Ardrahan, will compete in bocce; Katie Dillon, aged 27 from Ballinasloe, will compete in athletics; Simon Lowry, aged 27 from Loughrea, will compete in golf; Aine McDermott (pictured above), aged 24 from Athenry, will compete in bowling; and Michelle O’Keane aged 36 from Galway city will represent her country in kayaking. Emma Barrett, aged 21 from Ennis, who trains with Team South Galway, will compete in aquatics.

The Co. Galway athletes are joined by fellow Team Ireland athletes from right across the island of Ireland, who will compete in a total of 12 sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, swimming and table tennis. Team Ireland will prepare for their World Games experience with a visit to Dubai as part of the Host Town programme. During this time, the athletes have an opportunity to acclimatise to their surroundings with a range of cultural events and activities before the official Opening Ceremony on Thursday 14 March.

The Opening Ceremony, which will take place at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium, is set to be a spectacular celebration of humanity at its best. More than 40,000 spectators will witness 170 nations take place in a celebratory parade, with the athletes being accompanied by a number of international celebrities including singer and Special Olympics Global Ambassador, Nicole Scherzinger. The World Games run until 21 March. Team Ireland will compete in 12 different Olympic style sports at the World Games, with a total of 24 counties represented on Team Ireland.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Last night’s storm caused thousands of power outages across Galway, with ESB crews spending the day carrying out repair works

The electricity supply company says it hopes to have all areas of Galway up and running again by 10 tonight at the latest

The storm caused power surges and temporary outages across the country around 3 and 4am while the cuts are longer term in a large number of areas

This tea-time the areas worst affected are Creagh, Glenamaddy, Gort, Athenry and Ballygar and it’s hoped all will have power restored by 7pm at the latest

Pockets of Connemara are still without power with Recess still badly affected

In the city a large number of homes and businesses in the Salthill area have no power supply, with an estimated restore time of 10 tonight

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Irish Water, working in partnership with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is working to restore the water supply in the Moycullen and Knocknacarra areas following a burst pipe.

The severe overnight lightening storm damaged the pumps at the Clifton Hill Water Pumping Station.

This damage in turn caused the rising water main on the Letteragh Road to burst.

The areas affected include Moycullen and Knocknacarra – north of the Western Distributor Road – while areas of Barna may experience low water pressure.

Crews have been on the ground all day and work is continuing.

It’s expected the repair will be completed late tonight and water will begin to be restored tomorrow morning.

Full water service may take some time to return as the water refills the network.

The Rise ‘N’ Smile Crew have all you need to get the job done this week with T. J. O ‘Mahony, DIY & Trade, Oranmore. Join Alan & Ollie each morning from 6.30am for the T.J. O’Mahony 20 minute challenge. Have your guestimate at the ready and you could win a €100 T.J. O’Mahony voucher. We’ll have an end of week bonus of a €250 voucher for one of our winners.

Sick of getting stuck in traffic? Is it holding you up getting your work done? Take the TJ O’Mahony 20 minute challenge and phone your order to the TJ Hotline on 1800 401 401.  The 20 minute promise will have you in and out of their shop and yard within 20 minutes so that you can get back working on your project.

If you want building materials or DIY TJ O Mahony’s will get you in and out within 20 minutes. They will even throw in a free coffee while you wait. With two locations – at Deerpark, Oranmore and Gort they are well placed outside of the city to accommodate trades people.

To highlight the 20 minute promise, the TJ O Mahony’s vintage Bedford Truck, will be parked up at various locations around their catchment areas in Galway this week. Keep and eye out for it!

Formally Coens Hardware, it is now owned by TJ O’Mahony one of Ireland’s best known names in Builders Providers and Hardware stores.  TJ O’Mahony  supply in excess of 35,000 product lines to a wide range of customers including trade professionals, specialist tradesmen, house building companies, construction companies, property development and maintenance companies, DIY and retail customers.

They stock all the leading and recognised brands in timber, building materials, plumbing & heating and bathroom products, tools, paint & decor and a wide range of DIY products.

T J O’Mahony is a long established and well respected business which has won many prestigious industry awards over the years. Their friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated staff are always on hand to help and are committed to maintaining the highest standards in service for all our valued customers. As they say at TJ O’Mahony – “we are Serious about Service”.   For more details click HERE

James also known as Jimmy Lyons

Cleaghmore, Ballinasloe.  Reposing at Grenham’s Funeral Home, Ballinasloe, tomorrow Monday from 5.  Removal at 8 to St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe.  Mass for Jimmy Lyons on Tuesday at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Killure Cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Children’s Liver Disease Ireland and Cancer Care West. 

Marian Hegarty

45 Tudor Lawn and formerly of Greenfields, Newcastle.  Reposing at her home, 45 Tudor Lawn, Newcastle tomorrow Monday from 5 until 8.  Removal on Tuesday to Galway Cathedral for mass for Marian Hegarty at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Rahoon Cemetery. 

Tommy Sullivan

Moneymore, Oranmore.  Reposing at Tearmann Mhuire within the grounds of Oranmore Church tomorrow Monday from 5.  Removal at 7 to Oranmore Church.  Mass for Tommy Sullivan on Tuesday at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Oranmore Church.  Donations, if desired, to Croí.

Brother Rembert Martin Brennan

Partician Brothers, Kingston and formerly of Clogh, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.  Reposing at Patrician Monastery, Kingston tomorrow Monday from 5 until 7.  Removal on Tuesday to the Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road for mass for Brother Rembert Martin Brennan at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Rahoon Cemetery. 

Ita Owens nee O’Kelly

Salthill.  Reposing at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, this evening from 5.  Removal at 6.30 to Christ the King Church, Salthill.  Mass for Ita Owens tomorrow Monday at 12.  Private cremation to follow. 

Annie Duffy nee Larkin

Eyrecourt, Ballinasloe.  Reposing at her son Dermot and Mary’s residence, Chapel Lane, Eyrecourt, today from 3 until 8.  Mass for Annie Duffy tomorrow Monday at 12 in Eyrecourt Church.  Funeral afterwards to Meelick Cemetery. 

Patrick also known as Patsy Hanrahan

Ramore, Killimor, Ballinasloe.  Reposing at St. Joseph’s Centre, Killimor today from 4.30 until 7.  Private removal tomorrow Monday to St. Joseph’s Church, Killimor, for mass for Patsy Hanrahan at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Killimor Old Cemetery.   

Mollie Wood nee Hughes

Newbridge, Ballinasloe and formerly of Ballinlass, Mountbellew and Bristol, England.  Mass for Mollie Wood today at 1 in St. Mary’s Church, Mountbellew.  Funeral afterwards to the New Cemetery, Mountbellew.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Galway Hospice. 

Dean Brown

Lagan Bank Road, Belfast and Carraig Geal, Loughrea.  Funeral cortege arriving at St. Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea today from mass for Dean Brown at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Mount Pleasant Cemetery.