Sports fans in Galway are in for a treble treat this weekend with huge games in rugby, soccer and Gaelic football taking place at the three main venues in the city.

Galway football manager Liam Sammon who will be hoping his side can keep their national league ambitions on track by defeating Derry in a crucial encounter at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Declan Monaghan.

Connacht rugby will kick off the festival of sport on Friday night when they entertain former Heineken Cup champions Munster, while Tony Cousins’ Galway United meet the country’s most successful side, Shamrock Rovers, in the eircom League on Saturday.

And then on Sunday Liam Sammon’s Galway footballers take on Derry in a crucial top-of-the-table national league clash at Pearse Stadium.

Michael Bradley’s Connacht will face a searching test at the Sportsground on Friday evening against a Munster side bidding to win the Heineken Cup for the second time in three seasons.

But Connacht have run Munster close several times in recent years and a vociferous crowd at the Sportsground on Friday night will make it hard on Declan Kidney’s men.

Connacht need a huge performance if Bradley is turn over his former province, but it would represent a huge boost if they were to prevail.

It would be a similar story at Terryland Park on Saturday night when Tony Cousins will take on a Shamrock Rovers club that he graced with distinction for many seasons.

United have been away for two games on the trot and badly need a win to inject a spark into the new season.

It will be a big occasion on Saturday evening as Corofin United come to Terryland Park in the first of the ‘Football Fundraisers’ organised by Galway United.

The Football Fundraisers is initiative that will benefit Galway United and progressive clubs such as Corofin United — and indeed other organisations who need to raise finance.

The initiative is simple — Galway United allocate up to 2,000 for a particular match to a participating club who will sell the tickets at face value but then retain 50% of sales for their own club.

A club which sells its full allocation of 2,000 tickets can make up to €20,000 in one go without having the hassle of organising fundraising events.

Officials and players from Corofin United will be guests of Galway United in Terryland Park on Saturday evening.

The action switches to Pearse Stadium on Sunday when Galway and Derry will battle it out in a key encounter at the top of the national league table.

Galway started with three wins over Laois, Kildare and Tyrone but were pipped away to Donegal last time out and need to win this one to maintain momentum.

A big crowd is expected here as well as Derry are putting together a very good side and it will be an opportunity for fans to gauge the progress under Liam Sammon.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment