The rugby World Cup semi-finals at the weekend probably attracted millions of television viewers across the globe, but did you notice how many of the players who featured have played here in Galway?

It is often taken for granted that some of the world's finest players display their skills in the Sportsground on an ongoing basis.

For example, Jonny Wilkinson, Sebastien Chabal, Percy Montgomery and Felipe Contepomi are all iconic figures in world rugby.

If their equivalent in soccer and other sports were coming to Galway, you would expect a full house each time.

Wilkinson will be here in a couple of months with a Newcastle Falcons side which also contains the All-Black prop Carl Hayman. Chabal has played here with Sale Sharks along with Andrew Sheridan, Jason Robinson and co.

Montgomery came here with Newport Gwent Dragons and Contepomi is a regular visitor with Leinster and with each of the other Magners League sides boasting between 15 and 20 internationals, sports fans in the West should make the effort to go see these guys in action.

Having a ball

The decision by the organisers of the Maroon and White Ball for each of the Galway GAA teams to select their player of the year will ensure some drama when the event takes place next month.

Down through the years there have been various player of the year awards and so on in Galway but this will be the first time the players themselves have been asked to name their star performer.

Accordingly, the hurler, footballer, camogie player and ladies footballer of the year who will be announced on the night should be extremely honoured as they will have been chosen by their peers.

The inaugural Maroon and White Ball will take place in the Radisson SAS Hotel on Friday, November 9th.

All four Galway adult GAA teams ? footballers, hurlers, camogie and ladies footballers ? will be in attendance with proceeds from the night going to The Alan Kerins African Projects and The Sunflower Chernobyl Appeal.

Tickets are on a first-come basis and further information is available from www.maroonandwhiteball.com or from 087-2294646. Tickets cost ?125 each.

Name on the cup?

Most neutrals will probably be shouting for Milltown in the county football final given that they have not won it in over a quarter of a century.

But you get the impression that Killererin's name is on the cup. They were dead and buried in the quarter-finals against Salthill/Knocknacarra but a dubious penalty gave them a chance. They did not need to be asked twice and fairly buried their opponents in the replay.

They did the same against NUIG, coming back to snatch a draw when most teams would have thrown in the towel. But Killererin have that rare quality, a spirit which grows stronger with each new challenge.

It is the sort of quality which is usually only found in winners.