Because of the season that is in it or nearly in it we want to give a big prize to a lucky (but very well informed!) reader. What we want to know is; is there a precedent of both a father and son, members of the same team, being sent off in a competitive gaelic football match in county Galway. We are well aware of fathers and sons playing on the same team but that's not the precedent we want. We received word that in very recent times a son got two yellows and the dad got a straight red. Answers on a back of an envelope ASAP. 64,000 euro awaits the first correct entry out of the hat.

Irish rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan, in the company of his video analyst Mervyn Murphy, was an interested spectator at the Connacht v Ulster game in the Sportsground on Friday evening. He viewed the game from an upstairs window (darkened) of the Branch office on the far side.

The powers that be in Galway athletics are just delighted with the performance of the Mens and Ladies Cross Country teams at the Curragh on Sunday. Historically Galway has been a force in Irish Cross Country from the times of Thomas Hynes to the wonderful era of Willie Morris, Tommy Madden, Mick Molloy, Kevin Ryan of Derrydonnell AC and indeed many more. On Sunday Galway won the All Ireland Inter County Championship but in the 'B' category, why B we're not sure. Gary Thornton (GCH), Paul McNamara (Athenry), Martin Corcoran (Craughwell), Ruaidhr? Geraghty (GCH), Fearghal Geraghty (GCH) and Brian Bruton (Athenry) took the top team honours and the gold medal, well done. Orla Ní Mhuircheartaigh (GCH), Anne Carter (Athenry), Anne Burke (Ballinasloe), Deirdre Brophy (GCH) and Bernie Kelly (GCH) won the team silver medal in the Ladies event. Well done again.

Which reminds us to tell you that the Fit4Life programme has simply taken off with the participating clubs Athenry AC, Craughwell AC and Galway City Harriers enjoying a dramatic increase in membership. This initiative is for absolute beginners, so give them a call if you would like a run with some guidance but no hassle. Athenry 087 7648343, Craughwell 086 3026798 and GCH 087 7504066 are the contacts.

We thought things could not get much better when we quoted the racing expert who put in print that champion jockey Jamie Spencer was 'at the very top of his game with his own plane and two children!' Well we heard another quote to match it. Esteemed commentator John Motson told us last week that 'England are out of Euro 2008 unless Andorra can score against Russia in the next three minutes'. What a flight of imagination!

The Connacht Schools Rugby League final between the Jes of Galway and Marist of Athlone will be played at 12 noon today in Garbally College, Ballinasloe.

The AGM of Liam Mellows Camogie Club will be held tonight in the clubhouse Ballyloughane at 9.00pm.

It wasn't meant to happen that way. Connacht were meant to take their chance on Friday evening in the Sportsground and beat Ulster and rewrite the order of pecking in Irish rugby. The omens were good. There was a quiet confidence. Connacht led 10/6 on 51 minutes after a Danny Riordan try and Neil Best was sent to the bin. Fifteen players to fourteen, the house was full with two and a half thousand people, a lovely evening, the match was on TV, the goodwill was evident and the will to win on the part of home attendance was pronounced. Even after losing the initiative Connacht still managed 'to be in it' drawing 13/13 with the visitors after 58 minutes of rugby. It was all to play for and history beckoned. It was an opportunity so seldom presented. The opportunity was not taken and the sense of disappointment was huge. Recriminations were muttered. There was an uneasy feeling. Things were said that were never said before! There was an expectation. We had the right to have an expectation. The journey home for the Connacht supporters was more weary and longer than usual. Connacht rugby supporters are hardened, but there comes a time when one gets tired of losing!

Connacht's record against Ulster is not good, we know that, but then it's not good against any opposition but that's not the point. The point is that we have had a number of good wins over Ulster down through the years, not too many, but enough to remember. Another one on Friday should have been included. The defeat was very disappointing.

Since the professional era we have beaten Ulster twice, in November 2003 and in December 2005. Last time out it was 22/12 with Matt Lacey, David Slemen and Conor McPhillips getting in for tries and Slemen adding a pen and two cons. Ulster replied with four David Humphreys pens.

Prior to that we beat them 31/20. Matt Mostyn scored the try and Mark McHugh kicked seven dead balls and Eric Elwood kicked two. An Ulster supporter was so indignant with the course of the game he shouted 'go back to specsavers ref!' The diary on the occasion saw the outburst as a positive sign! The balance of power may have been shifting. Even in November 03 Connacht players Mike McCarthy, Andrew Farley, Michael Swift and Conor McPhillips who were also on duty last Friday must have enjoyed the winning experience.