While we were pleased with the response we received for our review of Francis Hyland's 'History of Galway Races' we were saddened at the same time to learn of the death of David Mullins at the age of 51 years after a lengthy illness. David Mullins operated the Donigna Bloodstock Agency in Lexington, USA. He was the son of Capt. Luke Mullins, Secretary of Galway Races. May he rest in peace.

Well the Beijing Olympics are over as quick as they started. Straight off we must heartily congratulate the three Galway Olympians who did themselves and us proud. Thanks to Olive Loughnane, Cormac Folan and Paul Hession. Olive Loughnane in her third Olympics finished 7th in the 20km Walk in a personal best, can't do much better than that. It can be argued that she is in the Top Fifteen of all time Irish Olympic performances in Track and Field. We first participated as a sovereign state in 1924.

Since than we have enjoyed 4 Gold Medals Pat O'Callaghan (2) (Hammer in 1928 & 1932), Bob Tisdall (400m Hurdles in 1932) and Ron Delany (1500m in 1956), 2 Silver Medals John Treacy (Marathon 1984) and Sonia O'Sullivan (5000m 2000), interestingly no bronze, 5 Fourth Places Eamon Fitzgerald (Triple Jump 1932), John Lawlor (Hammer 1960), Eamonn Coughlan 1500m in 1976 & 5000m in 1980), Sonia O'Sullivan (3000m in 1992), no Fifth Place, 2 Sixth Places Jimmy McDonald (20km Walk in 1992) and Sonia O'Sullivan (10000 in 2000), 2 Seventh Places John Treacy (5000m in 1980 and Olive Loughnane (20km Walk in 2008) and that puts Olive into the Top Fifteen of all time Irish performances in Olympics Track and Field! Take a bow Olive.

Cormac Folan the Barna student at NUIG is as well decorated as any Irish oarsman with national titles, Wylie Cups and international honours coming out his ears. In the light of Alan Martin and James Wall not making the cut it is to the great credit of Cormac Folan that he retained his place in the Heavyweight Fours in a boat that changed composition drastically from that which qualified for the Olympics a year earlier. He follows in the line of Galway Rowing Olympians Andy McDonough (1976), James Muldoon (1976), Pat Gannon (1980) and Neville Maxwell (1996 & 2000). Interestingly all four plied their trade in Dublin. The Irish Heavyweight Four finished 10th just about where it was expected they would finish. The Lightweight Four finished 10th as well. Cormac Folan had a good Olympics. It is important to acknowledge that Alan Martin did travel to Beijing as a 'spare man' and Mike Heskin held the position of Rowing Manager. Acknowledge? Be a bit more generous! We congratulate both Alan and Mike on being selected to make the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Hession the Athenry Flyer has enjoyed all the accolades without winning a medal. But then he dared to go where no Irishman or woman ever went before! We could always box, row or run middle distances but we never could sprint! Hession has brought a new dimension to Irish sporting life. He was just outside the qualifying time to make the Athens Olympics but after an outstanding career in the interim he was a must for Beijing. He smashed Irish records at 60m, 100m and his favourite event 200m. He lifted the hearts of Irish sports followers long before the Beijing games and kept us up for the duration. The man's a tonic. He made the Olympic 200m semi-final and finished fifth. He is the fastest Caucasian in the world, that'll do. Galway didn't supply too many Track and Field athletes to Irish Olympic teams down through the years but one thing is sure Paul Hession can stand beside all who went before him Cummin Clancy (Discus 1948), Mick Molloy (Marathon 1968), Paul Donovan (1500m 1984 & 5000m 1992), Olive Loughnane (20km Walk 2000, 2004 & 2008) and another sprinter Martina McCarthy (4 X 400m Relay 2000). There's more to come.

The Corrib Water Polo Series of Summer Sea Swims will conclude on this Friday. The 9th series was held on Sunday last. Lily O'Brien has stretched her lead in the Ladies competition and looks now to be the favourite to take the overall prize. Andy Flanagan and Eamonn Caulfield are inseparable on 48.75 points with Ricky Byrne, a past winner, making a very successful late run.

9th Ladies Race was won by Maura Brennan with Mary Reynolds second and Trish O'Sullivan third. The fastest time was recorded by Lily O'Brien in 21.54. Padraig Smyth won the Gents Race with Ricky Byrne second and Eamonn Caulfield third. Adam Caulfield posted the fastest time of 18.06.

The Ladies Top Ten is as follows: 1.Lily O'Brien (19.75), 2.Eileen Kilkenny (24.75), 3.Michelle Power (25), 4.Fiona Donovan (26.5), 5.Kate Coyle (28.75), 6.Mary Reynolds (35.5), 7.Trish O'Sullivan (46.75), 8.Maura Brennan (47), 9.Cathy Higgins (61.75), 10.Claire Thornton (85.5).

The Mens Top Ten sees Eamonn Caulfield and Andy Flanagan tied at the top with 48.75 points. 3. Ricky Byrne (49.5), 4.Adam Caulfield (54.25), 5.John Gill (57.75), 6.Jeremy Pagden (61), 7.Donie O'Keeffe (62.5), 8.Paddy McNamara (63.5), 9.Sam Knight (67), 10.Darragh Heskin (67.5).

The leading team is Adam Caulfield's 'Son's Army' with Paddy McNamara, John Gill, Kate Coyle, Kevin O'Byrne, Joe Smyth and Elena Chan.