Galway Bay FM News Archives
McCormack lips-out in top Irish amateur title
Date Published: 08-Jun-2011
Declan Tierney
A major amateur golf title continues to elude one of Galway’s top competitors who again ended up coming close but not close enough last weekend.
And Galway Golf Club’s Eddie McCormack was not hiding his disappointment at not winning the East of Ireland Amateur Championships at Baltray when he was in prime position after the second round.
But then a disastrous third round left him too far back to mount a sustained challenge and he ended up in a credible seventh position – although he had his sights firmly set on victory.
Eddie McCormack, a member of successful Galway Golf Club Senior Cup and Barton Shield winning sides, made it to the final of the West of Ireland amateur championships last only to be defeated in the decider.
He was also runner-up in the Irish Amateur Close Championships, was third round leader in last year’s East of Ireland only to finish fifth and his fortunes in last weekend’s event were equally frustrating.
But McCormack was well in contention in the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Baltray weekend but his third round proved extremely costly.
The Cavan native who lives in Galway opened up with rounds of 70 and 71 and at the half way stage was lying in joint second place and just one shot behind the leader, fellow Irish international player Alan Dunbar.
However, a third round 79 dropped McCormack well back and was in a tie for 17th position after 54 holes. He went from -3 to +4 and seven shots off the pace.
“It wasn’t a case of playing all that poorly. I hit a few errant tee shots and ended up in some terrible lies and there were occasions when I hit greens on the wrong side and suddenly the bogies kept coming. It was very annoying,” he admitted.
But his fortunes improved early in the fourth round when he got it back to one over and was just three shots behind the leader. He was three under for his round after five holes but dropped a couple of shots before the turn and just couldn’t make up the deficit.
The event was won by Richard O’Donovan who had earlier posted a 66 in more favourable conditions than McCormack played in, and as some of the leaders dropped away, the Lucan man just sat and watched his clubhouse score getting better and better.
Last year was hugely successful for McCormack when he powered his way into the final of the West of Ireland in County Sligo Golf Club only to be defeated by Rory Leonard from Banbridge Golf Club in County Down.
He was then selected to represent Ireland in the home internationals and this was a proud moment from him and he had the support of both Galway Golf Club and Cavan Golf Club during his performances at Ashburnham Golf Club in Wales.
McCormack is hoping to get an international call up again this year and said that this would be some consolation for not winning the ‘East’.
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.