Beagh native Declan Diviney has been formally co-opted to Galway County Council to fill the seat left vacant following the death of Michael ‘Stroke’ Fahy.
Councillor Diviney is the former Director of Elections for the late Councillor Fahy and is a farmer.
At a meeting of the county council in Maam Cross today, Councillor Gerry Finnerty proposed Declan Diviney to be co-opted to the council and this was seconded by his party colleague, Martina Kinane.
Tune into the Galway Bay fm news for more on this story…
Three legends of World Snooker, 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty, 1985 World Champion Dennis Taylor and Master of the trick shot John Virgo will be in at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe on Saturday the 18th of May for what is certain to be a night of fun and a bit of snooker thrown in.
Looking forward to the night is Ollie Turner and he spoke to Ken Doherty on Saturday.
On Saturday 27th April the Aldi Community Games 1st
Round Connaught Finals took place in Ballinasloe Co Galway. Over 80 teams in 22
different events, including Badminton, Basketball, Chess Draughts, Indoor
Soccer, Mini Rugby and Table Tennis were played off with the winners qualifying
to represent Connaught at the Aldi Community Games National Finals in UL from
the 24th to the 26th May.
The following Competitions took place in Ballinasloe, the Shearwater Hotel (Chess and Draughts), Emerald Ballroom (Badminton), Ballinasloe RFC (Mini Rugby), Scoil Mhuire (Basketball and Table Tennis), Kiltormer Community Centre (Indoor Soccer) and Maree Community Centre (Basketball).
A huge thanks from Connaught and Galway Community
Games to all who allowed the Connaught Committee the use of their fine venues.
Thanks also to Mary Shields, Kevin Larkin, Tomas
Waters, Darren Kelly, John McKenna, Conal Duffy, Declan Regan and Declan
McKeon who coordinated all the events,
Appreciation is also extended to the officials, the
Catering, Tony and his Presentation Team, John, Margaret, Anne and Damien,
Margaret Bolton, and Rachel and the Secretarial and Results Team, the
Photographers, Anthony and Breda, Michelle who posted the results as they came
in on the Galway and Connaught Facebook pages, The National Directors who
attended, Tony Lee National Deputy President, Tanya Kelly, Activities Director
and Gerry McGuiness member of National Board of Directors.
To all who helped and supported on the day, the
Connaught and Galway Community Games committee led by Connaught Chairperson
Carmel Greally, Thank you, A special word of thanks to and
congratulations to all the young people who travelled from all five counties in
Connaught to participate, their parents and managers, Well Done to everyone,
2019
Connaught Aldi Community Games Results first Round
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A series of meetings will be held around the county in the coming days to discuss the findings of an Irish language plan survey.
The meetings are led by the Eachreidh Language Planning Committee.
The first in the series will take place this evening at 8 in Carnmore Community Centre.
This will be followed by a meeting at Annaghdown National School tomorrow (May 1) at 8pm.
The final in the series will take place at Claregalway College on Thursday at 8pm.
The 2019 Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals were launched
today in Dublin – with all four provinces involved in the race for glory.
Representatives from all eight counties participating were present
in the capital for a photo-shoot at Poolbeg beach in Dublin, before returning
to The Croke Park Hotel for media interviews.
There are two double-headers pencilled in for next weekend, with
the Division 3 and 4 Finals fixed for St Tiernach’s Park in Clones on Saturday,
followed by the Division 1 and 2 Finals at Parnell Park on Sunday.
All eyes will be firmly fixed on Parnell Park as TG4 Munster
Senior Championship holders Cork and Connacht Champions Galway battle it out
for Division 1 glory.
Cork are chasing a 12th Division 1 title, while Galway go in
search of their maiden crown.
Cork won back-to-back Division 1 titles in 2005 and 2006,
four-in-a-row from 2008-2011, and in incredible five-in-a-row from 2013-2017.
Beaten semi-finalists against Mayo last year, Ephie Fitzgerald’s
Cork return to the final for the first time since defeating Donegal at Parnell
Park two years ago.
For Galway, this is a first Division 1 decider since losing out to
Cork in a 2015 replay at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Galway, now managed by Tim Rabbitte, also finished as Division 1
runners-up in 2010, 2007, 2005 and 1979, and the current crop will be determined
to create history.
The Cork-Galway clash will have a 4pm throw-in at Parnell Park,
and that eagerly-anticipated fixture will be preceded by the Division 2
showpiece involving Munster rivals Kerry and Waterford (2pm).
Kerry will be hoping to bounce back to the top flight at the first
attempt following relegation in 2018, but they’ll face stiff opposition from a
Waterford side that has made steady progress in recent years.
This will be Waterford’s first appearance in a League Final since
winning the Division 3 title after a replay against Tipperary in 2016.
For Kerry, it’s a first taste of a League decider since their 2013
success against Galway.
Before that double-bill in the capital on Sunday, St Tiernach’s
Park in Clones will host a double-header on Saturday.
At 2pm, it’s the Division 4 decider between Ulster rivals Antrim
and Fermanagh, with both sides chasing silverware and promotion to the third
tier.
Antrim were beaten Division 4 Finalists in 2016 and 2014, with
Fermanagh appearing in a League Final for the first time since losing the
Division 3 decider to Clare in 2011.
In Division 3 at 4pm, it’s the meeting of Meath and Sligo, with
Meath looking to go one step further after losing out to Wexford in the 2018
decider.
Sligo will hope to win a third Division 3 title, with their last
success achieved against Waterford four years ago.
The prize on offer for the winners of the Division 3 Final is
promotion to Division 2 for 2020.
Speaking at the launch of the Lidl National Football League
Finals, Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Marie Hickey commented:
“We have witnessed some incredible football throughout the 2019 Lidl National
Leagues and now the time has come to crown our champions across the four
divisions.
“The introduction of our live-streaming has brought our game to an
even bigger audience and those tuning in have been privileged to catch some
superb individual moments and excellent team performances.
“The reaction to this new initiative has been wholly positive and
now we pass the baton to TG4, who will provide live coverage of all four games
over the coming weekend.
“We’re expecting big crowds at both venues and we’re grateful to our
retail partners and League sponsors, Lidl, for their continued #SeriousSupport.
“Cork and Galway should be a cracking game in the Division 1
Final, while the meeting of Kerry and Waterford will provide plenty of spice as
two Munster teams go head-to-head for promotion.
“Those games are fixed for Sunday but before that, we have the
Finals in Divisions 3 and 4 on Saturday.
“Antrim and Fermanagh in Division 4 is an all-Ulster affair while
the Division 3 decider pits Sligo against Meath, two counties who will also
have their sights set on an extended run in the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate
Championship.
“I’d like to wish all of the counties involved the very best of
luck and we’re looking forward to four competitive and entertaining matches.”
Admission prices on Saturday and Sunday are as follows:
Adults: €15
Students/OAP’s: €5
Juveniles/Children: €2
Tickets can be purchased online at http://lgfa.tickets.ie/
and all four Finals will be broadcast live by TG4. Tickets will also be
available at both venues on the day.
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1 Final: Cork v Galway; Parnell
Park, 4pm – Sunday May 5
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 Final: Kerry v Waterford;
Parnell Park, 2pm – Sunday May 5
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 Final: Meath v Sligo; St
Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 4pm – Saturday May 4
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 4 Final: Antrim v
Fermanagh; St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 2pm – Saturday May 4
In attendance during the Lidl Ladies National Football League finals media day at Poolbeg Beach in Dublin, are from left, Jacqui Mulligan (Sligo), Máire O’Shaughnessy (Meath), Michelle Ryan (Waterford), Amanda Brosnan (Kerry), Martina O’Brien (Cork), Tracey Leonard (Galway), Saoirse Tennyson (Antrim) & Joanne Doonan (Fermanagh). The Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals take place next Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones, Co. Monaghan, it’s Antrim against Fermanagh in the Division 4 final at 2pm, followed by the Division 3 final between Meath and Sligo at 4pm at the same venue. On Sunday, at Parnell Park in Dublin, the first game of a double-header is Kerry v Waterford in the Division 2 final at 2pm, followed by the Division 1 final clash between Cork and Galway at 4pm. Tickets for the Lidl Ladies NFL finals will be available at St Tiernach’s Park on Saturday, and at Parnell Park on Sunday. Poolbeg Beach, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A proposal to redevelop a major retail space in the heart of Tuam into apartments has been turned down by the county council.
JFC Manufacturing Limited has been refused planning permission to convert the first floor level of a building near Abbeytrinity from retail use to 17 apartments.
The development at Lár an Cathrach would have involved the creation of 12 one-bedroom and 5 two bedroom apartments.
The county council has turned down the proposal having regard to the absence of any private open space for 16 of the 17 proposed apartments.
The council refers to the lack of satisfactory car parking and the lack of a design statement from Irish Water to demonstrate that the public water infrastructureh as the capacity to cater for the additional needs of the apartments.
On Friday night, as Connacht was lashed by storm
Hannah coming from Munster, a band of elderly Connacht athletes was
withstanding a similar onslaught of relentless high pressure coming from
Munster’s over-50’s men’s hockey team.
In their opening match of the Masters Hockey
Inter-Provincial series, Connacht’s men drove into the strong wind and rain,
taking the game to their neighbours. Unfortunately, though Brian Rasmussen and
Jarlath Tierney went close, Connacht failed to convert its scoring
opportunities. Against the run of play, Munster went ahead on the stroke of
half time. Connacht then suffered two hammer blows as first James Allison and
then Paul Miller pulled up injured. The protective strappings and kinesiology
tape were liberally applied during the break, but a re-jigged formation,
smelling strongly of deep heat, failed to click and Connacht suffered its first
defeat of the weekend, losing 2-0.
Connacht had travelled more in hope than in
expectation, being without the steady Mike Swan at the helm in defence, Kiwi
John Stevens in midfield and goal-scoring supremo Frank Hogan up front. Regular
goalkeeper, Martin White of NUIG, was away on international duty with the Irish
team in the Netherlands. Three Rock Rovers of Dublin hosted this year’s
tournament, which featured over 300 participants in men’s and women’s teams at
age categories of over-35, -40, -45 and -50.
Saturday morning’s opposition was the fancied Leinster
team. Once again, Connacht started well, but this time it was Damien Henry, who
had been causing the blues problems with his blistering pace on the left wing,
who had to retire due to injury. Leinster took advantage and began to get a
grip on the game, scoring their first before half time. In the second half,
Fergal Moynihan – stepping up from the Youth Academy – turned on the
style for Connacht, bursting through the Leinster defence on several occasions
and having three chances saved. Alan Stephens also narrowly shot wide after a
good move by Sean O’Fiacháin. Connacht failed to maintain this momentum into
the final quarter however, and Leinster eventually closed out the victory by
3-0.
Saturday afternoon brought up defending champions
Ulster. A determined Connacht team, many straight off the physio tables,
responded to the exhortations of Neil Kearns and captain Dermot Nolan in
midfield, and really put it up to the perennial winners. Hugh St Leger stood
firm at centre back, batting ball after ball away, like a cricketer at the
crease. Unfortunately, Ulster were not to be denied. They used their bench
wisely, and brought on fresh legs in the second half to grind out a convincing
win.
Connacht’s stormy weekend ended on Sunday afternoon.
A team depleted by injury and missing the influential Moynihan suffered
defeat to the Exiles, a UK-based team of ex-pats. Over all, having shown great
promise in their early season encounters, it was a below-par tournament
performance by the veterans of the west. The writing had been on the wall,
however after their recent loss in March to Corinthians hockey Club of Dublin,
despite tenacious tackling by new Connacht cap John Folan, formerly of
Galwegians Rugby Club, whose name was first on the team sheet when he heard that
a team called Corinthians was involved.
On a positive note, the tournament introduced four
new Connacht caps, which is an indication of the growth of Men’s Masters Hockey
in the west, particularly as a sporting outlet for those who have played other
codes in their youth, such as rugby, hurling or soccer.
Front Row: Pat Boylan, Dermot Nolan, Brian Rasmussen, Garret McDermott, Alan Stephens, Fergal Moynihan, Damien Henry, Jarlath Tierney. Back row: Victor O’Shea, Paul O’Dowd, Alan Ralph, Hugh StLeger, Paul Miller, Sean O’Fiachain, John Folan, Neil Kearns
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Newly released figures from the Department of Housing reveal there are over 300 people registered as homeless in Galway.
The report for March is based on data provided by housing authorities and captures details of individuals accessing State-funded emergency accommodation.
The figures show that Galway accounts for almost 90 percent of the homeless figure for the western region of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
That’s 309 adults registered as homeless; compared to 32 in Mayo and 7 in Roscommon.
Included in the figures for the West are 85 families registered as homeless with a total of 213 dependents.
The largest figure nationwide is recorded in Dublin – where more than 4,300 adults are registered as homeless.
Meanwhile, the lowest is in Co. Leitrim – where there are no adults registered as homeless with the local authority.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are calls for the Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone to withdraw remarks she made stating that some people in Tuam may have information about the Mother and Baby Home.
A minute’s silence was observed at a meeting of the county council this week (29/4) in memory of the children and mothers affected.
Councillor James Charity said that Children’s Minister, Katherine Zappone should withdraw remarks relating to people in Tuam not providing information relating to the Mother and Baby Home.
He said people had their right to offer, or not to offer, information.
Councillor Donagh Killilea said Galway County Council needs to show how it came about that houses were built on the Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam in the 1970s – an area where children may have been buried.
He said the council owned the property and would be expected to keep engineering reports and records.
This proposal was supported by Councillor Karey McHugh and adopted.
Michael Owens, Director of Housing Services in the council said that the local authority has no information in its possession that was not made available to the investigating Commission before now.
The council, Mr Owens said, will continue to give full co-operation to the Commission.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A new campaign aimed at revitalising the Corrib waterways will launch tomorrow in the city.
The Corrib Beo Catchment Partnership is a coalition of activists and interest groups which hope to create a ‘shared vision’ for the freshwater environment.
The group will hold its first conference tomorrow where it will discuss drawing up s 25-year plan for the waterways.
The launch will take place at the Commercial Boat Club at Steamers Quay, Woodquay in the city from 9.30am to 4pm.
Galway Golf Club’s Ronan Mullarney has been named in
the Irish six man squad for the Lytham Trophy that begins on Friday. The team
will managed by another Galway man in Athenry’s Niall McSweeney. Ronan will be
joined by Caolan Rafferty who recently won the West of Ireland, Peter O’Keeffe,
Mark Power, Conor Purcell and James Sugrue.
The Lytham Trophy is played for at Royal Lytham
& St Annes and is played over 72 holes of stroke play. The top 40 and ties
progress after Saturday’s second round to play the final 36 holes on Sunday.
The details of the opening round of games in the Lough Rea Hotel And Spa Senior and Duanes Hardware Intermediate Camogie Championships have been announced.
In the Senior Championship, there are two games on Friday night with Duggan Park hosting a double header. At 7pm, Mullagh face Sarsfields followed by Ardrahan who begin the defense of their County Title against Cappataggle at 8.15. On Saturday, Tynagh hosts a double header starting with Pearses and Eyrecourt at 6pm followed by Killimor and Athenry at 7.15.
Finally in the opening round of the Senior Championship, there will be a double header in Gort on Sunday starting with St Thomas and Davitts at 12 Noon followed by Oranmore/Maree who won last year’s Senior Shield and last year’s Intermediate Champions Craughwell at 1.30.
In the Intermediate Camogie Championship the opening round of games begins tomorrow night with one game in Group A as Shamrocks head to Clarinbridge at 7.45pm.
On Friday in Group A, Kinvara/St Colemans are at home to Mountbellew/Moylough at 7.30. Castlegar have a bye this week. In Group B, Kiltormer are at home to Carnmore on Friday at 6.30pm and on Saturday at 5pm,. Kiltullagh/Killimordaly host Ahascragh/Caltra in Killimordaly.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A luxury hotel in Connemara is set for expansion.
The county council has granted planning permission to Ballynahinch Castle Hotel to demolish an existing two-storey block and build a new guest wing.
The hotel has been granted permission to demolish an existing staff block which was built in the 90s. For more on this story tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…
Keith discussed the upcoming elections; Micheal Martin was in town; Kenny’s bookshop are running an exciting competition and the Galway Theater Festival were in
Galway Bay fm newsroom – County councillors are to urge the Gaeltacht Minister to consider an amendment to the law which would allow for bilingual signage on motorways.
The matter was raised at this week’s meeting where members pointed out that the absence of motorway signage to various districts in north Galway is leading motorists to places well removed from their destination.
Councillor Peter Roche said that some people heading for areas such as Corofin, Abbeyknockmoy, Moylough and Mountbellew sometimes finally end up in Tuam, a good number of miles away.
He said Transport Infrastructure Ireland is not yet acceding to requests that are ongoing over the past 3 years to have towns and villages in north Galway named at the right locations on the motorway.
Meanwhile there is a directional sign at the exit for Claregalway at Glenascaul.
However, it reads Baile Cláir in keeping with the law as Claregalway is officially in the Gaeltacht.
Malachy Noone said the situation is ridiculous as people expect a Claregalway sign and sometimes wind up far from their destination.
James Charity said it required a simple amendment to the law to ensure that the place name was in English and Irish.
Councillor Jim Cuddy has a similar view and a request for this amendment is to be sent to Gaeltacht Minister, Sean Kyne.
Today, James Ryan and Jack Carty were on hand to announce the nominees for the 2019 Zurich Players’ Player of the Year Award.
The Zurich Irish Rugby Players Awards, one of the biggest nights in Irish sport, will take place on Wednesday, 15th May, at the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge.
In contention for the much sought-after Zurich Players’ Player of the Year Award are four Irish internationals who have all excelled for their country and respective provinces this season: James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony Tadhg Beirne and Jack Carty. The shortlist for BNY Mellon Women’s XV Player of the Year 2019, as voted by the players, includes Anna Caplice, Eimear Considine and Ciara Griffin.
James Ryan is also in the running for the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year Award alongside Ireland teammates Jordan Larmour and Jacob Stockdale.
