Battle commences in Galway

SPORTS reporters are regularly chastised for resorting to cliché but it will require some truly heroic originality if reports from Drom and Terryland Park over the next couple of days aren’t riddled with references to aerial bombardment, dogged resistance, shoot on sight and the heat of battle.

As you might have guessed, today and over the next two days, Galway will play host to a series of matches involving the Irish Defence Forces, the RAF and Colleges FAI – the latter currently celebrating their 40th anniversary.

The first of three games takes place this afternoon at Terryland Park when the Irish Defence Forces host the RAF, kick off 2.30pm.

Tomorrow, it’s the turn of Colleges FAI to play the Irish Defence Forces at Drom (2.30pm) and, finally, on Thursday, Colleges FAI host the RAF, again at Salthill Devon’s ground but this time with a midday kick off.

A festival of football in store then but reporting on it could be, well, a minefield.

In other news from the City of the Tribes, Galway United Supporters Trust will hold on open meeting this evening at The Claddagh Hall, Claddagh, Galway (8pm) to update supporters on developments.

GUST have engaged in discussions with Salthill Devon, Mervue United and the FAI to ensure Airtricity League football will be played in Terryland Park this season following the withdrawal of Galway United from the licensing process.

Midfielder John Mountney has left Mervue to join Dundalk, the 18-year-old having agreed a one-year professional deal at Oriel Park.