Galway Bay FM News Archives
Galway Utd bow out of FAI Cup with a whimper
Date Published: 06-Jun-2011
Dundalk 4
Galway United 1
Keith Kelly
A heavy defeat, a couple of injuries and a red card – not the most productive day for Galway United in Oriel Park on Sunday as they were dumped out of the FAI Cup at the first hurdle by a superior Dundalk side missing a number of players and who never got out of third gear.
On the one hand it is good not to have the distraction of the Cup, allowing Sean Connor and his side to concentrate on the more important matter of maintaining the club’s Premier Division status, yet it is disappointing that United’s campaign has ended at such an early stage in the 20th anniversary year of their one and only success in the competition.
Dundalk’s victory completed a 2-0 win for Louth clubs over Galway sides in the FAI Cup, after Drogheda United’s 4-0 hammering of Mervue United on Friday night, and with Salthill Devon surprisingly being dumped out by Sheriff YC on the same night, it means Galway’s interest in this year’s Cup lasted less than 48 hours.
“It is a bad weekend for football in Galway, and you have to look now with all three Galway teams being out of the Cup, maybe it is about time we asked the question if there are good enough players to warrant three teams in the League, and I think the answer is ‘no’,” was United manager Sean Connor’s frank assessment after the game on Sunday.
The United manager was in no mood to pull punches on Sunday, admitting his side put in a “poor performance” and deserved to lose, and he will have a job on his hands to lift spirits ahead of Friday’s League game with Bray Wanderers.
As it stands, United’s worst ever run of defeats came in the 1995/96 season when they lost 11 straight League games on the bounce, as well as losing in the FAI Cup during that run to Waterford United. Their
current run is 10 straight League defeats, and Sunday’s loss in the Cup, so the side are 90 minutes away from equalling a record no-one would welcome.
United weathered some early pressure on a wet and miserable afternoon on Sunday before hitting the front on 13 minutes through Alan Murphy, but the home side struck twice to take a half-time lead, and then wrapped up the tie with two goals in three minutes late on to put a somewhat undeserved gloss on the scoreline.
The tales of woe for United don’t start and end with the scoreline, however, as the two starting Kellys suffered different fates that rules both out of this Friday’s League clash with Bray Wanderers. Midfielder Sean Kelly was stretchered off after the fourth Dundalk goal with a splint around his right leg, while full-back Shaun Kelly joined him earlier than planned in the dressing room after been booked twice in the last 10 minutes for fouls on Mark Quigley.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentiinel.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Galway has country’s largest population of young people
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Call for direct donations to city charity shops
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Galway ‘Park and Ride’ could become permanent
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.