Up and down the country, at this time of year, there are countless groups in clubhouses and dressingrooms making all sorts of promises for 2009. Every team will aim to break new ground, go at least a step or two further than their predecessors. Most, of course, will fail but there wouldn't be much point in continuing if the ambition wasn't there in the first place to aim higher.

But if there was one wish for 2009 it must surely be that fun is put back into sport at all levels.

It seems that rows and ructions, finance and fundraising, suspensions and strikes, dominate more now than what happens on the field.

A friend of mine, who has spent his lifetime in rugby, remarked recently that nearly all of their time now is spent talking about money, trying to raise the finance to keep current teams going and trying to find a way to develop new facilities.

He remarked that if they spent as many hours improving rugby as they do trying to raise money, there would hardly be a club in the country who would better them. It seems to be the same in most clubs and the fun of sport often gets lost along the way.

Free exercise
Gym memberships usually soar at this time of year as people become more health aware, but the biggest exercise centre in Galway is still for free and ample places are available.

It is called the Prom and the facility in Salthill is open all year round, catering for young and old, has low maintenance and high opportunity for meeting people.

It enjoys boom periods over the Christmas, also most Sundays, while thousands of Galwegians have their own regular slots from early morning to late at night.

The facility is excellently maintained by Galway City Council and the views are stunning, regardless whether it is wet and windy or the sun is splitting the rocks.

And, best of all in these recessionary times, it is absolutely free. Go and enjoy it and have a very happy new year!

THEY SAID IT . . . 'On the pitch the Italians looked no different to us. It was like playing Bournemouth on a wet Saturday’ — Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer after beating Italy in the World Cup in 1994.

IT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY: 31st December 1952: The former French flanker and captain Jean Pierre Rives was born on this day. The blonde-haired tearaway played for his native Toulouse before moving to Racing Club in Paris during an illustrious career where the Casque d’or (Golden Helmet) captained France 34 times in his 59 caps. After retirement he turned to art and is an internationally recognised sculptor based in Paris.

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