Galway Advertiser 2003/2003_07_03/GA_03072003_E1_107.pdf 

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S P O R T

Biggest fleet sets sail next week
BY LINLEY MACKENZIE

Galway yacht N i m m o , skippered by John Killeen, will headline a fleet of 70 boats next week c o m p e t i n g in t h e biggest sailing competition to be held on Galway Bay. The Galway Bay Cruiser Championship 2003 starts on Wednesday for five days, and Killeen's Nimmo will be seeking to reproduce the form that saw it take first place in the Class O on IRC handicap at the recent Sovereign's Cup Regatta in Kinsale. It is the first time a Galway boat has won Class 0 of such a prestigious event.

Racing against 18 boats in class, Killeen's Dubois 37 finished a clear winner over the four day, eight race regatta. Nimmo was one of five Galway boats taking part in the Kinsale event, and next week it will face stiff competition from club rivals, Eamon Conneely's Ibaraki, Niall Quinn's Finnesse, Martin Breen's Reconnaissance, and Jim Grealish's Now What, in addition to boats from the entire west coast of Ireland. Next week's event combines the racing fleets from both the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association and the

Northwest of Ireland Offshore Racing Association. In addition the regatta will also boast the J / 2 4 fleet Western Championship - the first time all three fleets and events have joined together for one major competition. Hosted by the Galway Bay Sailing Club, the championships will feature racing over Olympic courses in Galway Bay, within full view of Salthill Promenade. Commodore Aine Nolan says she hopes to put this cruiser championship, spon sored by Dubarry and Portwest, on the calendar of all sailing enthusiasts through

and its crew will be used to get the cham out Ireland. " Galway Bay is one of the finest sailing pionships underway on Wednesday at amphitheatres in the world, an ideal venue lpm. Racing will start each day at Ham to stage major marine related events. The over Olympic style courses, with a longer Galway Bay Cruiser Championship 2003 coastal race on Friday. Yachts will be is a beginning. I am confident that this divided into four classes of cruisers, rac event will lead a renewal of sailing, ing under both IRC and ECHO handicaps. marine leisure activity, and development The event will provide sport and enter of much needed marine leisure infrastruc tainment both on and off the water with ture on Galway Bay and promote this more than 1,000 people expected on any wonderful natural resource not alone in one of the live race days. In the evening the city, region and nationally but also social actitivities will be held at the internationally." Rinville-based club. The Irish Naval vessel, the LE Roisin

New-look Celtic League presents new challenges for Connacht
BY LINLEY MACKENZIE Connacht face their toughest season since the start of the professional game with an extended Celtic League that begins in September and continues through until May. The changes in the Celtic League sees Connacht playing 22 games home and away, start ing on September 5/6 against Edinburgh, and finishing nine months later against.Welsh side Bridgend/Pontypridd. In addition the 12 teams will contrest a Celtic Cup with Connacht drawn in the first round against the Scottish Borders. Without doubt it is the longest season for the Connacht players in the new professional era. and it will certainly present challenges to the province's playing resources. With Connacht also ccmpeting in their Parker Pen European campaign, players are unlikely to be available to their club sides. This will hit both Galwegians and Buccaneers hard - both of which were hit by the loss of several Connacht players last season. The changes to the league format, which was previously divided into pools, has been made to ensure the top players in the three Celtic nations are only competing in the "most meaning ful" matches, according to the tournament's director Keith Grainger. Connacht, who reached the knock-out stages in the last two seasons, will face some now opponents this year. They kick off the league against European Cup side Edinburgh for the first time, and will also meet the likes of Gwent. Llanelli and the newly formed Neath/Swansea, Bridgend/Pontypridd and Cardiff Blues who are the result of recent merg ers in Welsh rugby.

G O L F RESULTS
Athenry Golf Club: Junior Scratch Cup, Gross, John Fenlon (5) 71. I: Gay Ryan (6) Oughterard 72, 2; Alasdair Conway (5) 74, 3; Gary Scott (5) 75, 4; Nett. Pat Duane (6) 67, 1; Con Walsh (8) 69, 2; Pearse Coffey (8) 69, 3: Sean Mannion (6) 70, 4. Intermediate Scratch Cup, Gross. Martin Noone (10) 77, 1; Barry Horgan (II) 79, 2; John Brennan (10) Tubbercurry 80, 3; Sean Pomphrett (10) 80, 4; Nett. Eoin O'Brosnachain ( 1 5 ) 6 7 . I; Tim Healy ( 1 1 ) Mitchelstown 70, 2; Tom Cunningham (12) Gort 70. 3; Des O'Neill (12) Athlone 71, 4. Lady Captain's Prize (men), Ray Kearney (20) 37, 1: Michael Lane (4) 37. 2; Gross, Michael Mulryan (scr) 30; Billy O'Grady (17) 36, 3; Michaet Healy (26) 35, 4. Ladies' 18 hole stableford, Olwyn Hanley ( 4 2 ) 38, 1; Noreen Murphy (26) 38, 2; Gross, Marie Carr (11) 21. Juniors, Eanna Mannion (24) 45, 1; Ronan Everiss (23) 45, 2; David Collins (28) 44, 3; David Curran( 18) 44, 4. Fixtures: Christy Kelly Memorial: Ladies' 18 holes single stableford, Men's 18 holes single stroke. Oughterard Golf Club: Michael Seoighe (18) 38, 1; Ciaran McCarthy (15) 38, 2; Gross, Jones Ferris (6) 30; C Cahill (22) 37, 3; Catl, David Walsh (12) 37. Valerie Kiely (25) 37, 3; Peg Sexton (13) 35. 4. Galway Bay Golf & Country Club: Open Week results. Thursday June 26. Willie Ruane I; Pat Nulty 2; Gross, Sean O'Sullivan; Michael Clarke 3; Ladies. Raymonde Standun 1; Judith McGann 2: Gross, Mary Kelly; Eileen Graham 3; Friday June 27. S O'Riordan 1; Joe Donoghue 2: Gross, Tom Molloy: Tom McElwain 3; Ladies. Helen O'Flaherty I; Ann Woods 2; Gross. Gina Gilligan; Aoife McDonnell 3; Saturday June 28. Brian Rowan I: John Costello 2; Gross, Pat Gill; Dermot McDermott 3; Ladies, Mary Kilroy I; Kathleen Sands 2; Gross, Margaret Harkin: Marie Hannon Healy 3; Sunday June 29, Jarlath Murphy I; Ronan Hennig 2; Gross. Brian Geary; Liam McCallion 3; Ladies, Fiona O'Driscoll 1; Helen O'Flaherty 2; Gross, Geraldine Feeney; Mary Saunders 3. The club thanks its sponsors, captains, president, mem bers and all golfers who participated in a successful Open Week.

Gort Golf Club: 18 hole singles, Paul Brennan 4 2 , 1; David Hannigan 4 1 . 2: Gross. Colman Cooney 36: Fintan Lahiffe 39, 3. Open 18 hole singles stableford. Ray Quinn 40, 1; John Rodgers 38, 2; Gross, Tony Cleary 34; G Kennedy (Oughterard) 38, 3. Fixtures: Friday July 4 , Nine hole mixed scramble: Bearna Golf & Country Club: James Heffernan (9) 36, 1; Terry Smith (15) 35, 2; Sean Og Dunleavy (11) 34, 3; Saturday & Sunday July 5/6, 18 hole fourball; Monday July Padraig Griffin (13) 34, 4. Ladies, Cathy Timmons (33) 40, 7, Open 18 hole singles stableford. 1; Mary Fleming (28) 39, 2; Gross, Liz Neville (13) 26;

Sports shorts
O u g h t e r a r d Boxing Club's Irish junior mid dleweight champions, Peter Lee, was one of only two Irish winners at the recent Four Nations Junior Championship finals in Liverpool. Lee defeated the English champion by 12 points to 10 over four rounds. Lee, who has won two Irish titles in the last two years, is now looking forward to the Irish inter mediate championships later this year. The other Irish winner was Dublin's Darren O'Neill in the light heavyweight division. The second annual S w a m p Fives mens and ladies' football competition will be held at South Park on July 19/20. Cash prizes and trophies are on offer to the winners. Entry forms are available from Kate's Bar, River Inn, and O'Brien's Newsagents. Closing date for entries is July 16. For more infor mation contact Linsey O'Farrell 087-9117128 or Ronan Coleman 087-6972823.

Galway showjumpers feature in Claremorris
Galway riders took their fair share of the prizes in both the pony and horses section at the recent Claremorris School of Equitation Summer Show. Paul Duffy of Turloughmore look first and second in the Elite I.30M Horses Class with His Unique and Muskoka, while Athenry's David O'Brien won the 148ABC with Star of Cashel. O'Brien also took first and second in the Five to Seven Year Old Pony Class riding Bertas Clover and Kelly's Lady respectively. Paddy McDonagh kept up his winning form from Galway County Show when his took first and fifth in the I28ABC with Rock DJ and Princess Alice and then went on to take third in the 138ABC with Redsail Flyer. Ten-years-old Deirdre Tarpey also from Galway took third in the 128ABC with Little Magic, while both Jessica Lee. Headford and Orla Dixon of Claregalway featured in the prizes in the 128ABC u-IO event. Lee taking third place with Master Will and Orla taking fourth with Simba Surprise.

Comhairle Chuige Connacht Curnann Luthchleas Gael Sunday 6th July 2003 Pearse Stadium, Gaillimh Connacht Minor Football Championship Final 12.00pm Gaillimh V Maigheo BANK OF IRELAND CONNACHT SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Final 2.00pm Gaillimh V Maigheo NB: Dul Isteach: All Ticket STAND 2 5 All patrons, including children and OAPs wishing to be accommodated in the Stand, must have a Stand Ticket. TERRACE15 Students and OAP (With Current Cards) 10 (Terrace only) JUVENILES (U-16)2 No hawkers allowed inside grounds: Patrons are reminded thai all persons (including children. students and OAPs) must have a ticket Tickets available through clubs and county boards. Also available through: GAA Office. Dominick St. Galway Connacht GAA Office. Ballyhaunis 094 9630335 (Credit Card Bookings accepted) Ticket master Patrons are requested to arrive early for the games and to co-operate fully with Stewards and Gardai. Gates open: I lam Sean O Pninntaigh
Runai

Galway Hibernians holds its second annual soc cer school week in Crestwood Sports Complex from The closing date for entries for the annual Derek Monday July 14 no Friday July 18 for boys and Crowe Memorial six-a-side soccer league is next girls aged seven to 15. The weekly activities will be Monday, July 7. Entry forms must be returned by under the direction of UEFA Grade A holder Andy 8pm on Monday night to be included in the draw. Beaglehole, the former Leeds coach. Galway The draw for the groups will take place on Tuesday Hibernians is also the first club in the area to set up night at 10pm in the Lantern Inn. Ballybane and all a development centre to help individual players. For players taking part in the competition are invited to further information telephone 086-8673244. attend. The competition, which is in its eight year, This is the 26th year in which Rooney Life & takes place on Saturday and Sunday July 12/13 in Mervue and this year the competition is again being Pensions of Galway will sponsor the jockeys' sponsored by the Lantern Inn, Ballybane. Last year championship at the Galway Races. The jockeys more than 60 teams took part. Entry forms are with the highest number of wins under the Rules of available from the Lantern Inn, Ballybane: Great Racing and also under National Hunt rules will each Outdoors, Eglinton Street; Fibber MaGees, Eyre receive 2,000, in additon to Galway Irish Crystal. Square; or phone Terry Flaherty 087-6738573, Paul Fr Griffin's GAA team play the New York lire Crowe 086-3620720, or Kieran Spelman at 086brigade on Tuesday evening next at South Park in a 3606285. challenge. The game is organised by ex Dublin star Charlie Redmond. Support welcome.