Emma Mitchell was a key member of the Galway Minor GAA team. Daughter of Mairead and John – the Kilclooney native had to train hard while combining studying in Ardscoil Mhuire.
 
She began playing GAA when she was six years old. A stalwart centre back she was extremely excited to play for the maroon and white of Galway and felt very privileged to represent the Ballinasloe GAA Club on the squad.
 
As we all know now this year the Galway minors were beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final. However, the game wasn’t played in Croke park but instead in Macdonagh Park, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

She doesn’t feel like she missed out by not playing in Croker; she enjoyed Nenagh. “I preferred the match being in Nenagh as there was a great atmosphere and I was able to meet all my friends and family after the game.”
 
Preparation is key and the team had their normal routine. They trained three times a week. On the Monday before the match, they had a players meeting. Then they treated the match like any other game. They got on the bus together which helped relax them.
 
Unfortunately for Emma she won’t be able to play on the minor team next year, but she has confidence that with the talent coming through that Galway can win an All-Ireland title. She has been inspired by all amazing club and county players who have pushed her on to be the best player she can be.
 
Unsurprisingly the coach she learned the most from would be her father, John Mitchell. He began coaching her at under 10 level and still continues to coach her now.
 
“I think all girls should try GAA as it has given me friends for life that will always be there for me“. states Emma.
 
She thanked all associated with Ballinasloe GAA Club and the local community for the support they have given her and for coming out to matches to cheer on the team. However, she concludes by “thanking her mam Mairead Mitchell for all the long hard nights for taking her to training”

 
After a very successful summer the local GAA Club, it's now down to the business end of the season as Autumn approaches with lots of teams preparing for county semi-finals and finals.

Both of the girls U12 football teams are in the shield semi-finals in late September. The older Ravens team will play against Dunmore and the younger Hawkes team will be against Monivea.

The older U14 girls (Eagles) were beaten in their cup semi-final against Caltra in what was a very tough but entertaining game that even went to extra time. It was a great achievement for them to have gotten that far and they played so well all season. The younger U14 team (Falcons) also reached a shield semi-final versus Naomh Mhuire to be played in late September

U16 girls will play St James in their Division 2 shield semi-final on Thursday 6th  October in the club grounds at 7.00pm .The minor girls also reached the semi-final of their competition and they'll play Loughrea in early October.

The junior ladies have had a great season and they'll play Michael Breathnach's in the ‘Junior B Championship’ Semi Final in early October.

The 'Mothers and Others team' travelled to Dublin in early September to participate in the national blitz and everyone had a great day.

The boys U13 footballers reached the county final in their division where they will play Corofin in late September as well.

Having had a very impressive season the boys U15 footballers reached the county final but despite playing some fantastic football they were beaten by a strong Cortoon team on the day.

The U17 and U19 boys Footballers are currently playing in their respective group games and are hopeful of reaching the semi-final stages.

The junior hurlers reached the quarter final of their division and were beaten by Kilimor in extra time.

All other age groups in hurling and football are continuing to train until the end of October and at that stage some of the younger age groups will move indoors and the older players will have fitness,
strength and conditioning  programs to attend over the winter months.

The Ballinasloe GAA Bingo continues every Tuesday in the Emerald Ballroom at 8pm.

Val Colleran UTAH’s Proprietor has announced plans to open a third retail outlet in Main St in the middle of October.

Val started his operations with the UTAH Department store in Marina Point in 2008 with just 3 staff, purchasing and moving to Swannicks old cinema, Society St in 2011 and back to Marina Point with Regatta in 2021 and now employs 13 full and part time staff.

The arrival of the new “U-Curve Boutique” to the old ACC Bank Premises beside Gullanes Hotel will see the staff grow to 17 people.

Val explains “We have been doing a lot of customer research from both outlets in the past few months and many ladies are struggling for the high street styling they require, that is designer lead but affordable for “ curvey body styles” .

The boutique is for women and ladies of all ages and will offer a wide range of clothing from activewear to occasion wear , day wear , smart attire and even pyjamas. A select range of accessories to go with these outfits will also be offered.

This Boutique will differ from regular retail and on-line shopping as they will offer bespoke personalised consultations to help customers with sizing, fit and style.

These garments are made with eco-friendly fabrics and come in sizes 14-28 and will also be available online @ www.ucurve.ie

The new fashion store will be open from Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.

“We have no doubt that this gap in the fashion market can be filled by our range of garments in the uptodate styling that is seeing local women travelling to the four corners of the country for their needs”

Coming into the busy Christmas period they will be offering deposits and saving schemes on all items.

Meanwhile the good news for those ladies who don’t have enough shoes – is that Val is revamping his basement in UTAH , Society Street during late October to include a complete new Ladies Footwear Department @ knockdown prices with sizes to suit all and styling from the casual everyday to the sophisticated.
​
UTAH – HIGHER STANDARDS LOWER PRICES !!!

​New CT Scanner Arrives To Hospital

A new CT Scanner has been delivered to Portiuncula University Hospital and will be commissioned  and installed in the coming weeks.
This represents great investment in our local hospital which employs over 800 staff and is a great step forward to improve patient experience but more importantly to maintain the high-quality standards of diagnoses.

The machine replaces the one fundraised by the local community for the hospital when owned by the FMDM Nuns.
Chair of M.D.C. Cllr Parsons has stated “I’m delighted the replacement CT scanner has arrived, for the many patients from a wide catchment of over 400,000 attending Portiuncula University Hospital and for staff who will have new and reliable equipment to help diagnose and clinically manage patients in our area. It is a state of the art 128 Slice Siemens CT Scanner and I understand that it’s expected to be up and running in October.”

According to the INMO trolley watch there was no patients waiting on trolleys or in wards on the in mid September for the first time in months which is testament to all the hard-working staff.

Recently the outpatient’s department has re-located as part of building works to provide improved facilities. This work will result in reduced capacity in the outpatient waiting area. Only patients who require assistance should be accompanied. Hospital Manager James Keane say’s the new works are A Medication Safety Initiative has been launched . David Walsh, Chief II Pharmacist in PUH said; “Improving communications about medicines is so important to reduce harm and misuse, on World Patient Safety Day we want to encourage our patients to play an active role in managing their medication. “Know, Check, Ask” simply means, know what medications you are taking by keeping a list; check with your healthcare professional to see if you are using them correctly and ask if you are
unsure.”

The Hospital also re-launched the protected mealtimes. During the protected mealtimes all non- urgent work in the wards will stop. This enables staff to assist patients with their meals. Visiting is restricted unless prior arrangements is made with the nursing staff to assist with feeding.

Another scheme that they have started is “This is me” to help patients with dementia. Its aim is to enhance patients experience at the hospital. Developed by the Occupational Therapy and Medical Social Work Departments it includes a dementia resource pack which has been designed to empower patients and families to make effective decisions and choices regarding their future care.

Finally during heritage week, Emma Laffey a member of the maternity unit, released an ebook called “An Bhean Ghlúine’. It is about the work of local midwifes during the 20 th Century. She said ““My project introduces the amazing work and lives of our local community midwives during the 20th century through photographs, stories, recorded interviews and film. These remarkable women supported our local women through one of the biggest life-changing events for any woman, from being pregnant to giving birth. Although a birth is generally a very happy occasion, it can also be  tainted by poverty, sickness, miscarriage, mental health issues, life-changing disabilities and even death.”

Bridge
The Elizabethan bridge on River St is currently due to get funding to be refurbished and strengthened.  While this work is going on they hope to  upgrade the road markings on it as they have faded. A date in the new year will see the project begin.

Road Markings
Cllr M Connolly proposed that Galway County Council (GCC) to get the road markings on the Sli na hAbhainn and by the Shearwater Hotel  upgraded as they have faded away. He would like it done as soon as possible but the Officials have said they will investigate it and won’t give a  time frame for completion.
 
Traffic Lights
Cllr Declan Geraghty wanted an update on the idle traffic lights at Creagh Junction. Senior Engineer Mr Fahey responded by saying he wasn’t aware of any proposal to re-install these lights. GCC would have to investigate it but advised there would have to be a specific application to get this done.
 
Swim Feasibility
Cllr Parsons also asked for an update in the swim feasibility study on the River Suck for the town centre. The application was made earlier this year, but it came in too late. Mr. Liam Hanrahan Director of Services  has made a commitment for the application to be submitted to the National ‘Outdoor Recreation Scheme’ in 2023. This will hopefully identify and cost the best location for an outdoor  bathing and water recreation point on the River that runs through the precincts of the town.