Galway Bay FM News Archives
Hanley eager for Galway to produce big performance against arch rivals
Date Published: 20-Jun-2011
CIARAN TIERNEY
SUCCESSIVE seasons of underachievement in both counties might have taken away much of the allure from Galway against Mayo as a fixture, and yet towering midfielder Finian Hanley believes there is still a ‘buzz’ about the place ahead of Sunday’s Connacht Championship semi-final in Castlebar (2 p.m.).
The national media and fans around the country will hardly be awaiting the outcome of the McHale Park showdown with anticipation, but Hanley is looking forward to an occasion which tends to captivate West of Ireland sports fans no matter how badly both teams are faring.
“There is more of a buzz in training this week. You’ve got Cork and Kerry, Dublin and Meath, and Galway and Mayo is up there with the passion and pride that’s in it. I think, nationally, people don’t look at it as highly as they used to, but there’s always a bit of bite to it. Both teams want to win so badly that it always brings a bit of passion to it as well,” he told Sentinel Sport.
Recent events would hardly indicate that either team is likely to be featuring at the business end of the championship in August or September. Galway were relegated from Division One of the NFL in April, after suffering morale-sapping defeats to Sligo and Wexford in the championship last year, while Mayo hardly did their reputation much good with their huge scare against London last month.
Hard to believe now that, between them, these counties contested five of the six All-Ireland finals between 1996 and 2001. Those glory days are long gone, but this ‘derby’ always seems to conjure up plenty of drama such as the thrilling one point defeat in Pearse Stadium two years ago.
“It’s a great occasion, because obviously there is a lot of talk around the county coming up to it. There are a lot of Mayo people in Galway and a lot of Galway people in Mayo and the rivalry is there as well. Even within my own club, there are a few Mayo lads and they would always be having the ‘craic’ and the dig,” said Hanley this week.
“We are looking forward to the game. There is nothing like a Connacht championship game against Mayo down in Castlebar. Either way, it is going to be a one point or two point win, whoever wins it. I know the teams haven’t performed to their best or their tradition in the last couple of years, but that doesn’t take anything away from it.”
Injuries to Michael Meehan and his own club-mate, Sean Armstrong, have hampered the Tribesmen’s preparations, but the 26-year old Salthill-Knocknacarra man said that the arrival of a new crop of All-Ireland winning U-21s has rejuvenated the panel.
After the disillusionment of last year, when Sligo dumped them out of Connacht and Wexford ended their championship on an awful evening in Pearse Stadium, Hanley admitted that this year’s League was all about experimenting and trying out new players for new manager Tomas O Flatharta.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
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.
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.
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.
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