Sports News Archive
Support the name of the game as Dusty Banjos launch debut CD
Date Published: {J}
A project which began in the Crane Bar in 2002 when three adult learner banjo players came together to offer each other some moral and musical support, has now evolved to become one of the biggest success stories in traditional music locally.
The Dusty Banjos, as the three banjo beginners called themselves, have grown over the years to become a forceful community group playing a wide variety of instruments including fiddle, flute, mandolin, whistle, concertina, guitar, harmonica, accordion, drums. . . and of course, banjo.
The members meet once a week in the city for a student session in the Western Hotel, Prospect Hill, while there are also open sessions on Thursdays in Rabbitts of Forster Street and in Áras na nGael on the first Saturday of the month. Several of the group also play regular sessions in Oliver’s Bar, Cleggan.
Next Monday, November 23, the Dusty Banjos enter a new phase when their debut CD, entitled Dusty Banjos Live at the Crane, will be launched by well-known Inisbofin musician and regular Crane performer Johnny O’Halloran. The recording, featuring 48 of the group’s members, was funded by a grant from the Arts Council under the Deis scheme for traditional arts, and was recorded at the well-known music venue in January, explains Mary Lovett, of the music organisation, Community Music Crew, who was a key figure in establishing the Dusty Banjos when she was beginning the banjo in 2002.
The original target audience was adult pupils who were coming back to music, she says.
“If you are learning an instrument as an adult there aren’t that many support structures, so the uptake has been great and it means that people don’t feel as though they are isolated.”
The membership is fairly diverse, she adds. “There are a lot of Irish adults and we’d also have people who have come to Galway for a few months and want to get involved.”
Membership of the Dusty Banjos is about being in a team and helping each other, says Mary. While it’s not for complete beginners, “we do try to make room for people at all levels”. As part of that, sheet music and recordings are available for members.
The nature of the project means that membership of the Dusty Banjos changes regularly. Some people who join, get good very quickly, and move on from there. And, says Mary, the group gets a lot of people who are good on one instrument, but who want to learn another, and that makes for greater diversity.
The musicians on the CD are mostly the current members, although also some people from abroad, who were previously involved, returned for the recording in January.
That came about when the group applied a year ago to the Deis scheme in the Arts Council,” says Mary, explaining that the CD proposal was put together by group member, Heather Greer, a driving force behind the recording. “We wanted to do a CD because the group is good.”
She’s right about that. The album, which includes a selection of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and polkas, is high-energy stuff, and if you close your eyes, you could actually be in the middle of a lively session.“We picked a good selection of tunes and practised a lot of them and then selected the ones for the album that came out best on the night,” says Mary.
There are 14 tracks on the recording – all tunes. Despite the lack of songs on the CD – which was mostly for practical reasons – the Dusty Banjos welcome singers to their sessions and they don’t have to be strictly trad performers.
Stressing that the group is open to many influences Mary says, “there are lots of foreign instruments coming and going”, including everything from continental accordions to Japanese banjos and, occasionally jazz instruments.
“It’s non-competitive, about making people welcome and helping each other,” she emphasises. The album fulfilled a long-held dream for Mary, but making it was a more complex process than she or Heather Greer originally realised, she says. “It was an incredible amount of work. After the recording, there was the mixing and the mastering in studio. We had to find a company to produce it. Then we had to decide on the art work [for the sleeve], and there’s the whole promotion aspect.”
The musicians involved hope that, as well as being enjoyable to listen to, “it’ll also be a valuable learning tool for student musicians everywhere”.
Given the work involved in the production of the CD and the likelihood of cutbacks in Arts Council schemes, it looks like it could be a while before there’s another one in the pipeline. The Dusty Banjos invited melodeon and accordion player Johnny O’Halloran to perform the launch because so many of the learners like to play with him.
“He is very supportive – he understands about people learning and gives them a chance,” says Mary.
The group hope to target the Christmas market with this lively CD which costs €15. Admission to the launch is free to all, and an invite is extended to those learner musicians, who might like to participate in the session. Like the group and the album, this promises to be a real community event and is well worth checking out. Doors for the launch are at 8pm.
Date Published: {J}
Galwegians 38
UCD 17
Galwegians got back to winning ways with a comprehensive six-try demolition of UCD in cracking match at Crowley Park on Saturday.
‘Wegians came into this game lying in second from bottom, and a win was vital to get their league campaign back on track, and they opened the scoring in the 12th minute when two graduates of their own underage system combined, with out-half Tadhg Leader feeding no 8 Eoin McKeon who made a fine break.
McKeon was stopped just short of the line, but he managed to off-load to Leader to score the opening try, which he duly converted for a 7-0 lead.
The danger from the visitors clearly came from their free-running backline, and they levelled matters in the 18th minute when full-back Michael Twomey sliced through the cover to score a try, which was well converted by out-half Niall Earls to level the game.
It got better for the Students when they took the lead on 25 minutes. ‘Wegians were punished when a long lineout throw in their own 22 went crooked in the strong breeze, and following quick clean scrum ball, UCD flanker Richie Bent took a pop pass to crash over near the posts, with Earls again converting for a 14-7 lead.
However the home side responded well and they completely dominated the remainder of the half, and just before the half-hour mark an excellent break by young winger Matthew Dever set up an attack, which was finished off several phases later by scrum-half Dave Moore who sniped over near the line.
Leader’s conversion levelled the game for a second time, and the hosts deservedly regained the lead just before the break. It followed an excellent cross-kick deep into touch from Leader’s younger brother Darragh, who made a very impressive debut at full-back.
‘Wegians won possession on the Students’ lineout, and several phases later it was older brother Tadhg who got in for his second and his side’s third try in the right-hand corner, leaving it 19-14 at half-time.
The Students thought they had levelled the contest once again at the start of the second-half when referee Simon McDowell awarded another try to full-back Twomey following the opening passage of play, but it was overruled as the touch-judge had seen a tackle in the air on ‘Wegians captain for the day Brian McClearn at the restart.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
Date Published: {J}
An extraordinary attack was made on the house of Mr. Berty Powell, assistant county surveyor, in Athenry last Friday night, About midnight loud knocking was heard at the front door and this was followed by kicking at the door and a man put his foot through the door and broke glass in the panels.
The windows on the ground floor were then broken – nine panes in four or five windows having been smashed.
The following morning, an Athenry man was taken before Mr. Stephen Ruane P.C. at a special court and charged in connection with the attack.
Paths problems
The residents of Mountbellew are about to petition the County Council to have the paths of the town repaired. Since the opening of the roads for the laying of pipes in connection with the sewerage schemes, the paths in some places have fallen under the road level and in wet weather, the water remains on the surface. The path leading to the Church, Convent and Monastery is also in very bad repair.
Slums menace
The relationship between housing and public health was stressed at a recent meeting of the County Galway Board of Health when the insanitary conditions in Ballinasloe were put forward as the main grounds for sustaining a petition by the people of Ballinasloe for a district hospital in the town.
It was stated that doctors were often called to see patients living in conditions in which even the most elementary principles of hygiene or comfort were absent.
About £13,000 was due by patients for treatment at the Galway Central Hospital.
No small portion of that was due by patients who could have been treated in their own homes if the surroundings were such as to enable the doctors to work effectually.
Fire tragedy
As a result of falling into a fire while her mother was fetching water from a barrel outside the door, a three year old from Derrygimla, Clifden, received burns which resulted in her tragic death at Galway Central Hospital.
Dr. Casey, Clifden, who was sent for, came at once, and having done all he could ordered the child to be sent to Galway to hospital where she died shortly after admittance.
1959
Sheep invasion from the North
The cattle invasion from over the Border has greatly diminished, but the invasion of sheep and lambs had markedly increased, especially since the sheep and lamb prices slumped in the North and Britain.
Victuallers are feeling the effects in loss of trade. Lambs imported from the North have particularly depressed trade in the West, where dressed lamb is being offered at prices so low that one would have to go back many years to find a parallel.
Urgent needs
To meet the increasing demand for a water and sewerage scheme to serve the urban area of Ballinasloe, both of which were urgent, would cost £68,000, the Council was told by their engineer. This would mean an additional 2/11 in the £ on the rates – this year 47/9 in the £.
In detailing the need for an extension to the water plant, Mr O’Connor, Town Engineer, said it was urgent. In the past eight years, demand for water went up 40 per cent.
Free houses
Tenants on the Scanlon Estate, Dunlo Hill, Ballinasloe, are anxious to purchase their houses from the trustees of the state, and are negotiating to do so. These seven houses were offered ‘free’ to the local Council by the owner, a Miss Scanlon, at present in the U.S.A., but the Urban Council refused to accept the offer.
Pub talk
How men in a public house at Ballymore put Fianna Fáil in and out of office and then did the same with Fine Gael with the result that the time passed until the Gardaí ‘caught’ them, was told the District Justice Loftus at Williamstown Court, when a Ballymoe publican was summonsed for a breach of the licensing laws at 1.40am on 16th June last.
Defence said it was the night of the Presidential Election and the men began discussing politics and put Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael into and out of office. In fact, the breach might be said to be caused by the Government having too many elections.
Shanty towns
Referring to “misunderstandings” with regard to recent statements made at Galway Chamber of Commerce in connection with “shanty towns” around Galway City, Mr. J. Lydon, president, said that he wished to make it clear that the members only wanted to control “unsightliness”, and that all types of holidaymakers were welcome to the city.
1984
Car tax strike over potholes
A ‘golden’ half-mile of road between Galway and Moycullen on which £500,000 has been spent over five years has sparked off a car tax strike threat from angry motorists.
For though half a million pounds has been spent by Galway County Council, the stretch is known among motorists as ‘the corrugated road’ because it is unfinished and potholed.
Frequent users of the road have reacted by threatening to withhold road tax payments.
Residents’ fears
People living in Corrib Park in the city have threatened to block a newly-built roundabout near their estate to prevent it being brought into use in a row over the safety of their children.
They plan to form a human chain on the roadway to prevent traffic from using the partially-completed roundabout, built as part of the approach network to the new bridge planned to cross the Corrib between Newcastle and Terryland.
Bus attacks
CIE may withdraw its bus service at night from a number of Galway City estates following a series of incidents in which drivers have been attacked and windscreens smashed by stone-throwing youths.
There have been at least four incidents over the past six months in which buses travelling through Inishannagh Park have been attacked with stones, while there have been numerous incidents in which the drivers of the one-man buses have been abused.
New trains
The most recent and up-to-date CIE train, the Inter-City Mark III, has passed its first week in operation – running from Galway to Dublin four times a week – with flying colours.
It is now faster to travel to Dublin by Inter-City than it ever was before. The Mark III is capable of doing a maximum speed of 95 miles per hour, compared to 72mph on the older trains.
However, it is at present impossible for the Mark III to do its maximum speed as the track running between Galway and Dublin would not be capable of holding it.
Signpost plea
A demand has been made for proper signposting and safety measures at unprotected piers in Connemara – it came following the deaths of three brothers who drowned when they lost their way in dense fog and their car plunged into the sea at Caladh Thadhg.
Date Published: {J}
Leitir Mór 2-14
Westport 2-13
(after extra time)
Declan Tierney atTuam Stadium
THERE is much greater satisfaction to be derived from winning a gripping encounter than prevailing in a rout. The expressions of the faces of the Leitir Mór players after this cracking Connacht intermediate club football final bore testament to that.
As darkness drew close at Tuam Stadium on Sunday, the South Connemara side could scarcely believe their good fortune as they edged out an equally wonderful Westport side in a match that had everything.
Some well taken scores, crucial goals, fantastic saves and a nailbiting finish evoked every emotion possible from the near 1,000 spectators who witnessed a match full of more twists and turns than they would find on a Gaeltacht road.
It was not surprising that Leitir Mór players, management and supporters were absolutely ecstatic after the match because apart from winning the prized provincial crown, they knew full well they could equally have lost it.
In fact, it was Leitir Mór who forced extra time to be played when Ferdia Breathnach scored a last gasp equaliser in injury time – they knew they had gotten out of jail and were relieved that they still had two 10 minute periods to prove themselves.
And that they did. Their hero of the day, Patrick Mark O Fatharta, really came into his own and scored the crucial goal three minutes in the second period of extra time to give his side a two point cushion.
O Fatharta, listed amongst the substitutes on the programme, played the full game at corner forward and contributed a tally of 1-7 and was ultimately the difference between the sides and his valiant efforts have put Leitir Mór within an hour of appearing in Croke Park.
However, even though his tonic goal late in the match proved the crucial score as far as his side was concerned, there was still plenty of wind left in the Westport sails and they had at least four chances of either making a draw of it or winning it for themselves.
If O Fatharta was doing the business up front, then so too was goalkeeper Eoghan O Conghaile who pulled off two incredible saves – the most crucial one coming in the dying seconds when Westport seemed odds on to snatch victory.
The Westport full forward Damien Keane had crept inside the Leitir More full back line and had a goal at his mercy only for O Conghaile to approach from his line and smother the kick. The sighs of relief from the Leitir Mór supporters were palpable.
While Leitir Mór looked like winning the match on several occasions, there were as many times when they appeared to be heading across the Corrib potless. It was an incredible match, full of intensity and excitement and was played at a blistering place throughout.
On occasions, Leitir Mór’s over elaboration threatened to be their undoing but they compensated with some brilliant patches of play – and particularly late on when it counted most.
Leitir Mór had the better start, looked comfortable when they held a four point lead during the first half and ended up having to summon up all their reserves to force extra time.Through Antaine O Griofa and Cristoir O Flatharta, they won the midfield exchanges throughout the first half but yet there was only a limited supply of ball reaching their forwards with the Westport backs marking very tightly and successfully.
County player Fiachra Breathnach moved from full forward closer to midfield and this had an immediate impact with Leitir Mór scoring four points in a five minute spell to lead by 0-7 to 0-3. Ferdia Breathnach, Daithi MacDonnchadha and Patrick Mark O Fatharta all finding the range.But this advantage was short lived with Leitir Mór relinquishing a lot of possession needlessly and it was one of these blunders which led to Lee Keegan finding the net for Westport in the 29th minute which actually gave them the lead at the break with Philip Keegan having earlier scored two points from play.
With Westport leading by 1-5 to 0-7 going into the second half, the sides were level twice before substitute Eamon O Lionsigh found the net having been on the field a mere four minutes. It came from a move involving Daithi MacDonnchadha and Fiachra Breathnach and put Leitir Mór into a two point lead.
Things were not going great for Westport who saw a couple of good scoring chances being wasted and then wing back Brian Higgins being sent off for an after tackle foul. With a Leitir Mór victory seemingly on the cards, Westport corner back Liam Joyce turned the game on its head with a goal the start of three minutes of injury time – putting the Galway intermediate champions a point in arrears again.
When Ferdia Breathnach scored a long range equaliser for Leitir Mór, it was no more than they deserved – neither did Wesport deserve to leave Tuam with a victory in such a last gasp manner.
It was to extra time and again Leitir Mór were guilty of hemorrhaging a lot of good possession as they stayed one point in arrears at the end of the first period, 2-11 to 1-13 in favour of Westport.It was Patrick Mark O Fatharta’s goal three minutes into the second period which sealed the match for Leitir Mór although they did have to endure some agonising moments as Westport sought a winner or at worst an equaliser but it was not to be.
Eoghan O Conghaile, Coilin O Hogain, Seosamh Seoige, Ciaran Bairead, Tomas O Griofa, Antaine O Griofa, Cristoir O Flatharta, Daithi MacDonnchadha, Patrick Mark O Fatharta, Eanna O Cathain and Fiachra Breathnach were the heroes of this 80 minutes of inspirational football from both sides.
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