1997 Galway GAA Draw—£100,000 in Prizes
The Co.Development draw offers very attractive prizes. After being postponed to allow more time for ticket sales, the first draw will be held on Friday October 31st next and once monthly thereafter for 6 months. Each month, first prize is a new car, second prize is £1,000 in cash and third prize is a continental holiday for two. Tickets cost £60 each, payable in full at the start, or £10 per month. There are special ‘early bird’ prizes for all who pay in full before the first draw . Again, there are £1,000 cash prizes and free holidays abroad.
Half of the income goes to our Club and half to the Co. Board. So, we ask all followers to support the draw. Tickets available from P.J. McGovern (Tel. 755536), Tom Newell (Tel. 798650), Tony Stephens (Tel. 798217), M. Higgins (Tel 798155).
Sóisear A: After a convincing win over Killanin in the first round of the championship, we lost to Salthill by 5 points in the second round at Cregg on August 9th.
Sóisear 2: We broke fresh ground in our league game against Aran Islands, travelling to Inisheer via Doolin. We won by 0–12 to 2–5; Damien Fahy scored a personal tally of 8 points.
FÉ 21: The quarter-finals of the Co.Championship will be played on October 25th. Claregalway play St.Michaels. The semi-finals are on October 27th.
FÉ 17: There will be a new City League for this age group this autumn. Claregalway will participate; details later.
FÉ 15
Claregalway 2–9
Salthill 3–3
U15s got off to a winning start in the city league by beating Salthill at the Prairie. The score was 2–9 to 3–3. Although we were first to score, two snap goals by Salthill left us five points in arrears. We recovered well and with five of the six forwards scoring a series of well taken points, we led at the interval by 0–7 to 2–0. In the second half, two fine goals by John Paul O’Connell and Paul Kilgannon set us up for a well deserved win. David Raftery, Aidan Kearney, Michael Barry and Tomás Moran starred in the backs while Vincent Gavin and Fergus Moore served us well at midfield.
Scorers: John P.O’Connell (1–2), Paul Kilgannon (1–1), Anthony Watson (0–2). Martin Kelly, Barry Cullinane, Vincent Gavin, Dara O’Malley one point each.
FÉ 13: The City League commences on October 12th and there will be a game each week as follows:
- October 12th—At home to Spiddal
- October 19th—At home to Mervue
- October 26th—Against St.Michaels, venue to be confirmed
- November 2nd—Away to Ml.Breathnach
- November 9th—Away to Oranmore/Maree
FÉ 12: In the County League, Claregalway played two draws against Moycullen and St.Michaels and lost to Salthill and Oranmore/Maree. Against Oranmore/Maree at the Leisure Centre we were on top in the first half which featured a fine goal by Paul Loughlin from a pass by Kevin Kitt. We led by 1–2 to 0–0 at half-time but Oranmore/Maree rallied in the second half and drew level at 1–3 each with ten minutes to go. They dominated from there on and scored 3 good points from out field. Barry McCartan made many fine saves in goal while Michael O’Connor, Tomas Noone, Anthony Hughes, Michael Kelly and Kevin Kitt were always prominent.
Scorers: Paul Loughlin (1–1), Michael Kelly and Brian Stephens (0–1) each.
The score at Ballydotia was 3–5 each. Barry McGrath scored 2 goals, the second was a fine effort after a long ball from out-field by Gerry Giles. Anthony Hughes had a fine game in the backs. Against St.Michaels at Westside the score was 2–8 to 3–5 and we were unlucky not to win as a few chances were missed. Michael O’Connor played especially well and scored 2 second half points and Brian Stephens scored the last point to tie the game. The game against Salthill at the Leisure Centre featured a good second half recovery with 2 goals by Paul Loughlin who was well supported by Michael Kelly, Phillip Raftery and Paul Doolin.
FÉ 10: The Inter-County blitz tournament organised by Castlebar Mitchels in Castlebar was held on September 13th. We played 3 games and had a good day out.
FÉ 12, FÉ 10, FÉ 8: A large panel of 50 players in these age groups travelled to Athlone on Sunday, August 31st and played the home club in 3 games. Thanks to Athlone GAA Club and Gerry Starken for the arrangements.
Onóir: Comhairdeas to Gary Dillon on his selection for the Co.Galway U14 hurling team in the Inter-county Tony Forrestal Tournament held in Waterford on August 31st. In a long and hard day’s hurling Galway had good wins over Kilkenny, Waterford and Offaly. They lost to a fresher Wexford team in the final.
Seán Ó Flannagáin
