FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012 CITY TRIBUNE 45 www.galwaynews.ie

EDITED BY JOHN McINTYRE [email protected] SPORT Duffy on the wing as Connacht take on lowly Dragons Fit-again captain returns to first team duty but McCarthy, Muldoon and Naoupu all ruled out

DARA BRADLEY received three losing bonus points in their five defeats, and CONNACHT captain Gavin so had accumulated 15 league Duffy will line out in the points heading into the busy unfamiliar left wing position November to January sched- Fit-again Connacht captain who has been named on the wing for tonight's RaboDirect Pro12 encounter against as he starts his first game ule. the Dragons. tonight (Friday) since Sep- This season Connacht have tember, as RaboDirect Pro 12 accumulated 14 points from tion to challenge for a semi- influential international was born in Wales but whose this season. action returns with an away their first eight matches – three final spot, although even now, flanker, Dan Lydiate, who has father and grandfather both His crisp passing and inci- clash with Newport Gwent wins, one with a try bonus, with two thirds of the league missed Wales’ Autumn tests, as hail from Loughrea, has been sive running game off the base Dragons at Rodney Parade and a losing bonus leaving still to play, a sextet of teams well as eight others who are capped at U18, U19 and U20 of the scrum has led many to (7pm). them in eighth place – but appear to be ‘breaking away’ ruled out through injury, and level by . single him out as a potential Duffy, who scored a try they’ve also picked up a win in from the rest of the chasing who are tied up with interna- He earned his first senior Ireland star. against Treviso in round eight October in the Heineken Cup pack. tional duty. It’ll be a tough slog, cap with Connacht against “I’m thrilled to have extend- with a seven minutes cameo and so are arguably in better But back to this weekend but Connacht should emerge in September ed my contract with the role from the bench last shape now than last year. against the Dragons. A rare with something. and has looked confident and province. I feel at home here month, has been sidelined At this stage in 2011, Con- away win would be set Con- The match isn’t televised but assured since taking over from and I want to continue con- with injury for several weeks. nacht were also two defeats nacht up nicely for a home any Connacht fans hungry for the injured first-choice number tributing to the squad and the Duffy is more accustomed to into what turned out to be a game against Edinburgh the ‘live’ action should make their nine, Frank Murphy. Since his great work that is being done the full-back position but dur- Connacht second row Michael Swift. record breaking losing streak following weekend and then way to the Sportsground this debut, Marmion is the only here every week,” said ing his injury absence, young- that stretched to 14 losses on two back-to-back Heineken evening at 5pm where Nigel player to have started all of Marmion after signing a two ster has still struggling with an ankle province. the trot. Connacht cannot Cup clashes with Biarritz. Carolan’s Connacht Eagles Connacht’s ten matches so far year contract extension. excelled in that role and he injury, forcing Elwood to field As Connacht prepare to countenance a similar ‘white- Injuries aside, the Western- face Leinster A. retains the number 15 jersey back-row and second-row embark on the second wash’ of games in the middle ers are well capable of The inter-provincial offers for the trip to Wales. partnerships that have enjoyed ‘tranche’ of games of the chunk of this season; and it accounting for the Welsh, an opportunity to local rugby Eric Elwood had a mini for- little game-time together. 2012/2013 season, it is per- won’t happen. who, to be quite frank, have fans to have a sneak preview ward crisis to contend with How effectively Michael haps timely to take stock, and Outside of the festive season been abysmal so far this year of what talent pool is coming Nominations invited for this week having been shorn of Swift and Mick Kearney, and look at the progress or other- inter-provincials against Lein- with their only two wins of the down the line, including Ire- the services of Mike Andrew Browne, Willie wise, to date compared with ster and Munster, in which season coming against the land, Connacht and Leinster McCarthy, who is included in Faloon and Eoin McKeon, gel last year. anything can happen, Con- same team, winless , the stars of the future. Galway Sports Stars the Ireland squad that faces tonight will go a long way to Connacht are in a slightly nacht’s other four league new Italian outfit who are still Connacht season ticket Argentina in on Satur- determining how competitive worse league position at this games before the January finding their feet. holders and children U18 have THE 48th annual Galway Sports Stars awards banquet will be day, and John Muldoon, who the visitors will be. Elsewhere, stage of the campaign this break are against the Dragons Dragons have the worst free entry, and tickets costing held in the Ardilaun Hotel on Saturday night, January 19, will be sidelined for up to three hooker Ethienne Reynecke is year, compared with the same (twice), Edinburgh and Zebre, defensive record of any team €10 (€5 for concessions) are when the county’s top performers over the past 12 months will months after damaging knee named among the replace- stage last season, which even- matches that are all eminently in the league so far this year – available at the gate. be honoured. ligaments in Ireland’s rout of ments following his return tually ended in an all-time high winnable. they’ve conceded 26 tries in Meanwhile, Connacht have This social highlight of the local sporting year is once again Fiji at Thomond Park over the from injury this week while league finish. So if things go according to eight games and are conceding secured the services of prom- being sponsored by Supermac’s and nominations for the various weekend. winger , who is also In the first tranche of eight plan, Connacht could put tries at a rate of more than ising 20-year-old academy sports can be submitted by individuals or clubs to the Sports Edi- The head coach is also with- named on the bench, could games last season, Connacht themselves in a position where three per game – and they are player until tor, Connacht Tribune, 15 Market Street, Galway to reach us by out George Naoupu, who is earn his first cap for the won three matches and it would at least be in a posi- also without the services of 2015. The scrum-half, who Monday, December 10. Connacht clubs produce the goods with convincing wins in All-Ireland League action ROB MURPHY have turned the tables under return. Westport and are now very new coach Tony Dolan. Wins Corinthians sit five points much out of contention despite THE Ulster Bank All Ireland over Ballymena and Bruff in ahead of them in Division 2a of holding second spot. League takes a break this recent weeks were vital but Sat- the Ulster Bank League in joint The battle to avoid the drop weekend with three Connacht urday’s 24-12 come-from- second after they overcame may well go down to the last clubs very much in the mix for behind win over early season Midleton with Darren Classen day as no side is out of their promotion in their respective pace setters Malone in Belfast scoring two excellent tries and depth in this division. Loughrea divisions, but it’s early days yet. was without doubt their most James Buckley scoring the third. are bottom for now after they impressive showing of the sea- It was a good response from the drew away to OLBC last week son to date and moves them derby defeat and they now face who sit just above them. The Connacht back row John Muldoon who sustained a serious knee ligament injury when playing for Ireland against Fiji in into third in the table nine a must win home tie with Grey- league takes a break this week- Saturday’s international at Thomond Park. RUGBY points behind the leaders. stones on December 1 before end. They trailed 12-0 after a half heading into the Christmas Fixtures - Friday Nov 23: hour, but Connacht A out half break. Rabo Direct Po 12 (7:00): Drag- WRAP-UP brought his kicking Connemara’s woes continue ons v Connacht, away by 2; A boots and had slotted two kicks after unbeaten Rainey OB came Inter-provincial, Sportsground That break means many of before Kiol Kiripati had marked to Clifden and secured the max- (5:00): Connacht A v Leinster Young Galway swimmer sets two new the key players in the leading his introduction from the bench imum five points in a 46-3 win. A. Sunday November 25 (2:30) clubs will get a chance to repre- with a vital try. The turnaround They remain without a point Division 1b: Buccaneers v sent the Connacht Develop- was completed by full back Cal- from five games and sit five Ballinrobe, home by 12; Corrib Irish junior records at European finals ment side that face Leinster at lum Boland who scored try points behind three sides, v Ballyhaunis, away by 2; Creg- the Sportsground on Friday number two to put his side into Thomond, Ards and Clonakilty. gs v Ballinasloe, away by 4; KEITH KELLY Programme,” said Cian’s Kingfisher NUIG and the evening at 5pm in a warm up tie the lead, while Carty slotted two Their next game is away to a Dunmore v Castlebar, away by father, Ronan Duffy. competition-quality pool at before the late penalties. Clonakilty side that are still 3. Division 1c: Galwegians 3rds A YOUNG Galway swimmer “The four are great friends, Ocean Fitness, Salthill Hotel) returns on December 8. Galwegians are all of a sud- searching for a first win but v Sligo 2nds, home by 2; Gort v has set two new Junior Irish all on the national squad has given the club the oppor- Eric Elwood’s Connacht side den just five places off the sec- have managed a draw and three Portumna, home by 10; records at the European together, and have all been rac- tunity to build and train large are in Newport on Friday night ond promotion place in Divi- losing bonus points. That game Monivea 2nds v Carrick on Short Course Swimming ing each other since they were competitive squads, ranging in (7:00) in the RaboDirect Pro12 sion 2a after a fine turnaround and the tie with Sunday’s Well Shannon, home by 12; UCG v 2012 Championships, which 10 years old. Cian and David age from 9 to 24, and the looking to repeat the trick of in recent weeks, the big win at home on December 8th have Connemara 2nds home by 8. are taking place in Chartres have been training compan- pipeline of young talented ath- late last season where two Fetu over Corinthians was backed now become crucial games if Results - Ulster Bank League in France this week. ions and competitive rivals letes (currently 120 swimmers) Vainikolo tries helped them to up on Saturday with a 43-0 Connemara are to launch a sur- Div 1B: Malone 12, Buccaneers Cian Duffy (18) from Maree since they were tots, and this is has never been so strong. a memorable win. The Tongan annihilation of a very weak vival push in their 12th year in 24; Ulster Bank League Div 2A: in Oranmore, who is a mem- their second international Ronan had to follow his winger is on international duty DLSP side from Dublin. All Ireland League rugby. Corinthians 30, Midleton 6; ber of Galway Swimming Irish record breaker: Cian appearance together for Gal- son’s exploits from Dubai, and won’t be available. Mike An early penalty try had Galwegians 43, DLSP 0; UBL Club, set a new Irish record in Duffy. way, having made semi-finals where he is based for work McCarthy is also tied up with them in control and they had Monivea Edge Derby Div 2B : Sligo 26, Ards 0, Con- the 200 Individual Medley in the European Junior Cham- purposes, and he paid tribute his country and he should fea- the bonus point by half time nemara 6, Rainey OB 46; Con- with a time of 2mins 4.01 sec- international debut. O’Sullivan pionships in Belgium last July,” to the work put in by Cian and ture for Ireland against Argenti- with Anothony Ryan, Dave Darren Blade’s first half try nacht Junior League Division onds, and followed that up also set a personal best of he said. his coaches, as well as his wife, na. Clarke and Jonathan Gardiner helped Monivea to a narrow 1a : Monivea 11, Tuam 6; Balli- when he was part of the 56.59 seconds in the 100m fly. The appearance of the two Helen. With John Muldoon out for adding first half tries. John 11-6 home win over rivals na 6, Westport 9; Galwegians 4X50m relay team, along with “This is their big transition Galway boys at their first sen- “It’s really tough to be so far at least two months after sus- Cleary popped up with two in Tuam in the Connacht Junior 11, Corinthians 5; OLBC 3, fellow Galway swimmer David from teenage “age groups” ior international swim meet is away from such an exciting taining injury for Ireland the second half while Darragh League and, in the process, Loughrea 3; Connacht Junior O’Sullivan, which set a new swimming into the world of the culmination of Galway event, but with live timing on against Fiji and George Naoupu Leader also got in on the act. securered a ninth victory from League Division 1b: Ballinrobe record of 1 min 47.02 seconds. adult international swimming, Swimming Club’s own 5-year the internet, Skype and text I on the treatment table also, The Sky Blues face a massive as many outings in the compe- 7, Corrib 10; Castlebar 27, Buc- The Galway duo were where many of the swimmers athlete development pro- feel like I’m there. Cian’s suc- Connacht’s back row resources challenge in two weeks time tition to go 13 points clear at the caneers 0; Ballinasloe 15, Dun- joined in that relay team by are effectively professionals. So gramme run by Head Coach cess is down to his own dedi- are thinly spread for the clash away to City of Derry, win that top of the pile. more 6; Ballyhaunis 10, Creggs another Connacht swimmer, to acquit themselves as they Pearse McGuigan, who has cation, to the leadership of his with the Dragons. That said, the and they can launch a promo- It’s ironic that in a season 5; Connacht Junior League Brendan Gibbons from are doing and to lower long recently been appointed to the coach Pearse, and also to the Welsh side will be missing a tion push after Christmas. The where the big wins have eluded Division 1c: Sligo 2nds 16, Car- , as well as Dublin’s standing Irish junior records, additional role of Swim Ire- dedication of his mother strong international contingent club are fielding five adult them, that they should be so rick 10; Gort 27, Connemara Brendan Hyland, who also set and come within sniffing dis- land’s Connacht Performance Helen, who carries the can on also. teams, including their under 20s comfortably ahead, but no 2nds 0; UCG 12, Galwegians a new Irish record in the 100m tance of the senior records, Coach, Kingfisher Club, all the 5am swim runs with at the moment and the Junior 1 other side has been able to 3rds 13; Monivea 2nds 20, Por- Butterfly, a stunning achieve- bodes very well indeed for NUIG. Cian and his two brothers Ulster Bank League side’s victory over Corinthians launch a serious title push. Bal- tumna 0; Junior 2 League: ment from the quartet consid- Swim Ireland’s patient Long The availability of three Oisin and Fionn while I’m combined with their third xv’s lina lost for the third week in a Castlebar 23, Sligo 0; Tuam 26, ering this was their senior Term Athlete Development training pools (Leisureland, away,” he said. In Division 1b, Buccaneers triumph over UCG marks a fine row on Sunday at home to Ballina 10.