Galway Advertiser 2009/GA_2009_08_13/GA_1308_E1_086.pdf 

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86 S P O RT

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August 13 2009

Bradley names new signings in first pre-season match
BY LINLEY MACKENZIE Connacht Rugby open their pre-season campaign with a fixture against the troubled English premiership outfit Harlequins at the Stoop tomorrow evening (7.45pm). It is the first of three warm-up matches before the start of this season's Magners League that also sees Connacht take on Gloucester next week and finally Rotherham Titans in the Galway Sportsground. As a result coach Michael Bradley has named all but one of his new signings in the starting XV, while also resting most of the players who were involved in the Churchill Cup squad over the summer. The only exception is wing Fionn Carr, who will line out on the left wing in a Connacht side that definitely has an experimental look to it. Troy Nathan starts at fullback, while Aidan Wynne and Niva Ta'auso form a new midfield partnership, as do new signing from New Zealand, outhalf Miah Nikora and scrumhalf Conor O'Loughlin, who makes a welcome return to action following a lengthy injury. On the right wing is the another of the five newcomers to Connacht, Brian Tuohy, while the experienced Kiwi lock Bernie Upton partners Mike Swift in the second row. In the backrow Mike McCarthy joins newly married Johnny O'Connor and recent addition Mike McComish. The front row sees Ronan Loughney, Adrian Flavin, who captains the side in the absence of John Muldoon, and Robbie Morris in the starting XV. Bradley will not be unduly concerned with the result against a young Harlequins side of which former Galwegians' coach John Kingston is in charge. Kingston has taken over temporarily following the resignation of coaching director Dean Richards in the wake of the blood substitution scandal which resulted in player Tom Williams' 12 month ban. However Bradley will certainly want to see just how the preseason training translates to the competitive environment, particularly since fitness director Greg Muller has introduced a host of new pre-season fitness regimes that have included strongman activities, wrestling, loglifting, and swimming at various locations. Now, however, Bradley and his coaching team of Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland will want to view the team's skills and patterns of play before the Magners League start next month. Much will be expected of Bernie Upton who comes to Galway with a wealth of experience in Super 14 rugby, having played for both the Hurricanes and Chiefs. It is hoped the 28-year-old will add physicality and experience to a Connacht pack that, to be fair, has more than pulled its weight in recent years. Not so the back line which has traditionally lacked attacking potency. Niva Ta'auso's arrival last year added a strong and physical presence, and with a season under his belt in the province, he is expected to flourish this year. As is Ian Keatley, rested tomorrow, and Fionn Carr, who have certainly added some youthful excitement to the backline. With the departure of both Andy Dunne and Tim Donnelly, Miah Nikora is likely to share the No 10 jersey with Keatley, and the 24-years-old former Wellington and Taranaki pivot will receive his first taste of European rugby tomorrow. Interestingly Connacht have opted to take four youngsters to Harlequins on the replacement benches. Former Jes cup winner and Corinthian Eoin Griffin and Tiernan O'Halloran, the Irish Schools star from Clifden, have been given development contracts this year, while prop Conor Higgins from Buccaneers and Galwegian backrow Dermot Murphy also travels. New sigining, Greystones prop Jamie Hagan is also listed among the replacements. Connacht: T Nathan, B Tuohy, N Ta'auso, AWynne, F Carr, M M Nikora, C O'Loughlin, R Loughney, A Flavin (cpt), R Morris, M Swift, B Upton, M McCarthy, J O'Connor, M McComish., Replacements (from): A Browne, K Campbell, E Griffin, J Hagan, C Higgins, D Murphy, D Nolan, R Ofisa, T O'Halloran, B Wilkinson. Not considered: J Muldoon, F Murphy, I Keatley, S Cronin, K Matthews, G Duffy.

Colga girls reach first Irish Cup final Galway
COLGA 3 ST JOSEPH'S (DUBLIN) 2 (AET)
Colga girls have advanced to the final of the u-14 Irish Cup - the first team in the club's short history to reach the finals of a major competition. They did so with a tight but convincing win over St Joseph's, and they now play Longford in the final on August 30 at Terryland Park (3pm). Colga produced a great team performance. The midfield controlled the game; the back line was in commanding form; and the forwards did all the running to produce three superb goals. Now drawn at home in the final, Colga will be looking to continue their 100 per cent unbeaten record to claim the seasonal silverware. On Sunday in Mervue the Dubliners opted to play with the breeze after winning the toss, but it made little difference as Colga took control of this game from the start. With Keara Cormican and Leah Philips in commanding form, Colga kept St Joseph's on the back foot, but for all their possession they failed to convert any of their attacks into a goal. On 15 minutes they paid the price when the Colga defence misjudged the bounce from a punt down field by the St Joseph's goalie, and the result saw one of the Dublin forwards chip over Soirse Burke in the Colga goal. It did not get any better when Colga were awarded a penalty but failed to convert. However, keeping their heads, Colga continued to press forward and were rewarded with an excellent strike from Leah Philips just before half time. The Dubliners, however, regained the initiative in the second half, but Colga weathered the storm with the game finishing in a 1 - 1 draw. Twenty minutes of extra time was needed to seperate the sides. Again Colga continued their dominance and were rewarded with a great goal from Lisa Casserly who broke down the right hand side and, from 25 yards out, delicately chipped the goalie. This allowed Colga to settle t better and they were rewarded again with another effort from Anna Lane to seal the issue. The Galway girls did take the foot off the pedal which allowed St Joseph's back in with a goal four minutes from time, but Colga held on for a deserved victory.

cricketers prevail in senior cup
County Galway cricketers are through to the final of the Munster Senior Cup for the first time in more than a decade. The Galway X1 advanced in a closely-run tussle with Waterford IT on Saturday, prevailing in this semi-final at Lydican with an 11-run victory. Galway, first into bat, produced a handy score of 234 runs. Nitin Bindal continued his excellent form with the bat this season, top scoring with 54, while Imran with 34, Waqqas with 35 and Umair Maqsood with 26 all made fine contributions. However Waterford started well in reply and looked likely to overhaul the target set by Galway, but a late spell of accurate swing bowling from Galway's Derek Hampson who finished with four wickets, completely unravelled the Waterford middle order. Galway just managed to hold on in a nail-biting finish, winning in the end by just 11 runs. County Galway now face either Cork Harlequins or UCC in the final which is on Saturday next at the Mardyke in Cork. Galway, the winners of the Munster Junior Cup last year, are now through to their first senior cup final in more than 10 years - a big achievement for the small club.

GOLF RESULTS
Oughterard, Loughrea, and Galway golf clubs were the winners in the provincial finals of the Bulmers cups and shields. Oughterard Golf Club beat Strandhill Golf Club 4/1 in a dramatic final of the Junior Cup held in their home club at the weekend. Loughrea Golf Club beat Galway Bay Golf Club 3/2 in the Pierce Purcell Cup, while Galway Golf Club beat Athlone Golf Club by six holes in the Barton Shield and Co Sligo Golf Club 3/2 in the final of the Senior Cup. Galway Golf Club: James Tierney Memorial ladies 18 holes stroke, Therese Kennedy (12) 69; Doireann Carney (5) 74; Gross, Mary Wyer (12) 91; Class A, Norrie O'Grady (16) 75; Margot Cunningham (18) 90; Class B, Alice Murphy (26) 76; Mary Grealy (23) 81; Emer Lalor (28) 81; Class C, Colette Dillon-Timon (32) 75; Suzanne Butler (29) 76; Anne J Dunne (36) 78 nett. Hennelly Trophy 18 hole singles stableford, Mark Butler (12) 42; Martin O'Neill (21) 41; Gross, Frank Burke Jnr (6) 32; Ray Molloy (8) 40; David Gleeson (21) 39; John Carroll Jnr (12) 39; Kieran O'Mahoney (7) 38; Ronan Neacy (12) 38; Second gross, John Moreton (2) 31; Shane McDonough (6) 37; Val Murray (16) 37; Alan Bunsschu (10) 37. Portumna Golf Club: Lady Captain's Prize 18 hole stroke, Betty Parnell (28) 66; Mary Nevin (35) 73; Gross, Suzanne Corcoran (4) 81; Audrey McGrath (30) 73; Kathleen Lynch (15) 74; Helen Holohan (21) 75; Kay Slattery (31) 75; Past captains, Anita Carey (13) 76; Seniors, Ber Dervan (27) 76; Longest drive, Suzanne Corcoran; Nearest the pin, Sharon Moloney. Mens 18 hole stableford, Michael Glynn (8) 43; Michael Goode (13) 40; Gross, Sean Robinson 96) 29, Mike Cowan (22) 39; Seniors, Brendan Madden (16) 37. Fixtures: August 9 to 30, All-Ireland Club Challenge, a nine-hole 3-ball rumble with all proceeds to Crumlin Children's Hospital. August 15/16, Open 3-ball betterball , any combination to raise funds for the teams in the Connacht and AllIreland finals. The Jack O Sullivan team were beaten by Gort on Thursday and the Cecil Ewing Team lost out to Athlone. The Connacht Shield were placed back into the Competition when Athlone, who had beaten them earlier in the week, played incorrect handicap pairings. Athenry Golf Club: Clive Ramsey 40; Tony Ruane 39; Gross, Enda Heneghan 32; Noel Fox 39; John Quinn 38; Garry McCready 38. Men's President Prize to Ladies, 18 hole stroke, Maria Conlon (29) 70; Pauline McEvoy (27) 70; Marian Hosty (12) 71. Fixtures: August 15/16, Sean Smyth President's Prize. Galway Bay Golf Club: 18 hole stableford,Noel Forde (17) 39; Liam McCallion (14) 37; Brendan O'Leary (5) 37. Ladies, Nano Gough(20) 34; Eilisa Molloy (24) 34; Fiona Caulfield (20) 34. Cregmore Park Golf Club: E McGrath (17) 38; J McGrathn (20) 38; C Kelly (13) 37; D Burke (17) 37; Gross J Cadden (5) 37; Ladies, A Connolly; Beginners, AMc Grath. Fixtures: Sunday August 16, Captain's Day.