Galway Bay FM News Archives
St. Mary’s athletes in winning form at Connacht Schools
Date Published: 01-Jun-2011
DESPITE the blustery conditions and occasional squalls the crowd gathered at the Athlone IT track for the Aviva Connacht Schools Track & Field Championships were treated to a fine day’s athletics, one that saw a number of old schools’ records falling as eight Championship Best Performances were set.
For most of the senior (U-19) athletes competing, this was to be their last appearance in the colours of their school, and the determination to go out with a bang was evident in the high level of competition throughout the day. The senior boy’s events featured a number of double winners, chief amongst them Stephen Kelly from Yeats College who set a new championship record for the 400m Hurdles (56.5s) while also taking the laurels in the 400m flat event.
Ben Cooney proved to fastest man in the arena when winning both the 100m and 200m finals for his school St. Enda’s, while Keith Fallon of St. Mary’s College, Galway came second in the 1500m. Peadar O hAirbhi, of Colaiste an Eachraidh in Athenry, was a convincing winner of the 5000m while Presentation Headford, backboned by 110 hurdles medallists Simon Callaghan and Sean Kyne, showed a clean pair of heals to all-comers to help their team to victory ahead of St. Enda’s and St. Mary’s in the relay.
In the field events, it was a good day for west Galway as Jeac O Gaoithain from An Ceathru Rua and Seamus O Conghaile from An Spideal won the Shot Putt and the Long Jump respectively. Oscar Becs of St. Mary’s took the javelin gold medal for the second year running with an excellent final round throw and, in the process, helped his School to retain the overall shield for best senior boys school for the fourth year in succession.
The senior girl’s events were equally as competitive and Mary Heavey from Presentation Athenry took the 200m title, while teammate Ashley McDonnell won the Triple Jump.
Another star performer was Loughrea VS student Melissa Barrett who convincingly won the Discus before finishing second in the javelin.
In the Intermediate (U-17) boys competition, Loughrea VS athletes were to the fore in the technical field events as Paul Asacious took the Shot Putt title while teammate Caomhan Conaglan won gold in the Triple Jump and the High Jump. An exciting Hammer competition saw All-Ireland medallist Eamon Regan from Castlebar edge out Alan Murtagh from St. Mary’s, while Evan McGuire from St. Josephs showed his versatility to take the Javelin title and the 100m Hurdles.
Also in the hurdles, Anthony Hebron from St. Mary’s, Galway showed his great potential with a convincing victory in the 400m hurdles event.
The middle distance races were dominated by Galway athletes as Finn Stoneman from St. Enda’s won the 1500m while Gary O’Connell from St. Mary’s just held off the challenge of his teammate Paul Fahy to take the 1500m Steeplechase gold medal. There was an excellent sprint double for Darren Whyte of Holy Rosary Mountbellew, while St. Mary’s College, was the convincing winners of the best overall Intermediate boys school shield.
Athenry athletes were to the fore at intermediate level as Mairead McCann from Athenry VS captured the Long Jump title, while Maria McNamara from local rivals, the Pres, took the High Jump gold as well as finishing second in the Triple Jump. On the track, her teammate Sinead Gaffney took gold in the 300m, finished third in the 800m and then helped her team to victory in the relay. Loughrea VS athlete Ciara Hanlon continued the gold medal tally for her school in the field events with a fine win in the Discus
At Junior (U-15) Boys level, Nicholas Sheehan from Oranmore finished second in the 800m, while in the field events, St. Mary’s College athletes were to the fore as Moycullen students Darragh Mulkerrins and Ronan Higgins secured the Long Jump and Triple Jump titles respectively, while Gabriel Garwe finished just ahead of his teammate James McMahon in the Discus. A further set of medals were won by Conor Harlowe and Jack Felle as they finished second and third in the Hammer. Oisin McNally from Loughrea VS won the High Jump.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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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