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Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_01_15/GA_1501_E1_018.pdf
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Galway Advertiser
January 15 2004
TALK O' THE TOWN
COMPILED BY JULIE TIERNEY (e-mail: jtierney@galwayadvertiser.ie)
Bogmen cruise into Dublin in a Rolls Royce full of turf to launch annual ball
The Bogmen of Connemara arrived in Dublin this week in true bogmen style -- in a Rolls Royce with a boot full of turf -- to launch the annual Bogman's Ball 2004 which takes place on February 28. Still organised by the bogmen to this day, the event has been hosted by the Keogh family at Peacocke's Hotel & Complex, Maam Cross since 1980. The traditional demonstrations of saving turf and cooking steaks on shovels over an open fire is still a vital part of the occasion. these will be on view in area close to the Quiet Man Cottage (just outside the hotel) where guests will be invited to see Poteen being made and enjoy some bog water punch. With great ceremony, the bogmen will then carry the rick of steaks into the banquet hall where the guests wait in anticipation. The arrival of the steaks signals the start of the banquet and the craic with entertainment from Cathal Costello, Johnny Carroll and his band, and a Neil Diamond tribute by Mike Tobin. This is a great night out. Tickets cost 60 each and must be booked in advance at (091) 552306. Proceeds from the event will go to Cancer Care West.
What makes Joe Cooney tick?
For Peat's Sake -- Martin Nee from Maam Cross and model Fiona Fitzpatrick pictured in Dublin yesterday at the launch of the 2004 Bogmans' Ball which will be held in aid of Clare Cancer Care.
Phil gets a load off
Joe Cooney
Galway hurler Joe Cooney be profiled on TG4's sport series Laochra Gael this Sunday at 8pm. The programme is part of a new series which sees 10 wellknown GAA personalities being profiled, with a view not just to looking at their achievements within the association, but to investigating what exactly made and makes them tick. As one of 14 children, growing up in Ballaun there were always plenty around to play hurling. It was Joe's older brother Jimmy who first made the breakthrough and in 1980 he won an All-
Ireland medal with Galway. The young Joe thought that he'd like one of those medals too. And the rest is history. Joe retired from intercounty hurling in 2000 but is still very much involved with his beloved Sarsfields Club and continues to play with them. His reputation as a hurler is best reflected in the mood of the public. His undeniable skill and freetaking accuracy is such that he will always be remembered as a true laoch. To retrace his remarkable career tune in on Saturday or on Monday at 10.25pm when the programme will be repeated.
"It gave me a method which allowed me to enjoy eating good food and the ability to focus on a healthier outlook. It has given me real confidence in me, it's the best thing I ever did.' So says Galwayman Phil Foster about the benefits of losing weight with Weight Watchers after winning the 2003/4 Flora Light Weight Watchers Members of the Year men's title. He beat hundreds of Weight Watchers members to get to the grand final of the Flora Light Weight Watchers Member of the Year competition, which is run over a series of regional finals. The total weight loss of all this year's finalists was an amazing 69 stone and 4lb! Now an astounding six stone three pounds lighter Phil, who is from The Docks, has dropped in waist size from 42 inches to a 34. As well as adopting a healthy eating lifestyle, he took up exercise gradually to slim down. "I decided from the start to introduce exercise slowly, using the stairs instead of the lift. I now walk regularly and as the weight came off, my fitness increased and I tried new activities and sports." And if Phil had advice for other men trying to lose weight, what would it be? "Just start. Fix your date. Attend the classes every week and don't get disheartened. Make sure you track what you eat. The weight will come off as long as you are motivated and patient" Phil was presented with the perpetual Flora Light sunflower award plus a holiday voucher to the value of 3,800 for his amazing achievement.
Phil Foster who went from 19 stone 3lb to 13 stone pictured with Colette O'Brien from Flora Light.