Good news day as World Cup star marks Brown celebration
Members of the Argentinian community in Ireland who visited Foxford to mark the birthdate of their national hero Admiral William Brown, pictured with dignitaries and officials at the promenade. Picture: John O'Grady
Foxford was making not only national but international headlines last week when no less than a FIFA World Cup winner did his bit to mark the 247th Commemorations of the birth of Admiral William Brown.
The town was awash in blue and white on Saturday, June 22 as ‘Argentina Day’ brought the South American country’s top dignitaries in Ireland to Foxford, the birthplace of their national hero Admiral William (Guillermo) Brown. And while he was not their in person (perhaps it could be arranged for the future?), Alexis Mac Allister, who himself as strong Irish roots originating from Donabate in Dublin, was videoed sending best wishes and signing an Argentina jersey for the Admiral Brown Society Foxford.
Mac Allister, who plays Premier League football with Liverpool FC, was part of the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The gift of his jersey was a wonderful addition to a truly great weekend of celebration, one where Argentinian Ambassador HE Ana Cachaza and the HE Papal Nuncio Luis Mariana Montemayor were among those to participate in the events in Foxford. They were joined by Lt Cdr Anthony Heery of the Irish Naval Service and Dara Calleary TD, newly appointed Super Junior Minister.
Mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, a wreath laying ceremony was held on Chapel Road, there was a walk to the Admiral Brown Promenade and a reception in The Moy Hotel.
Ambassador HE Ana Cachaza also unveiled a wonderful piece of art created by the pupils of Foxford National School with the assistance of their teacher Ms Gordon and art director Bernadette Ruddy. The project, which was a collaboration between the school, Mayo Education and Support Centre, and the Admiral Brown Society Foxford, resulted in the creation of a mosaic of Argentinian naval vessel and tall ship, The Libertad.
Among the musicians to participate in the festivities were Argentinian singer Antonella, Foxford Brass and Reed Band, and members of Admiral Brown CCÉ.
Thanking ABS Foxford and the entire community, the Argentine Embassy expressed gratitude to the people of Foxford for “their friendship and kindness”.
Moy Davitts LGFA were proudly represented on the Mayo team that turned in a sensational performance in the All-Ireland U16 Championship Semi-Final last Thursday evening, June 27. Kate Byrne from Bohola lined out at corner-forward and scored a point in what ended as a 2-13 to 0-8 victory over Kerry in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. She was joined on the team at midfield by Sarah Dempsey, a pupil at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford and who plays her club football with Knockmore. Mayo will now face Cavan in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday, July 13.
Almost €900 was paid out in the last two 50-50 draws of Moy Davitts GAA Club. At an U8 football blitz in Foxford that involved Moy Davitts, Swinford and Aghamore last week, Natasha Harrison from Kilkelly bought the winning ticket and won for herself a jackpot of €441. A week previous, Neil Dempsey Snr, Foxford, collected a jackpot prize of €446. The club wishes to thank everyone who continues to support the club draw, with tickets available in the usual retail outlets and by playing through the Club App.
It was a difficult evening for the U16 footballers of Moy Davitts on Thursday last, June 27 as they suffered a 4-11 to 1-5 defeat away to Aghamore in the East Mayo U16 ‘B’ Championship. The minor footballers are also due to play Aghamore at 7.30pm this evening (Tuesday, July 2) in the East Mayo Minor ‘B’ Championship.
Moy Davitts are due to host Charlestown Sarsfields on Wednesday, July 3 at 7pm in Group 2 of the U12 Summer League while next weekend, Moy Davitts’ senior team will aim to bounce back from a defeat in Claremorris last time out, when they welcome Ballintubber to Sriath Garbh in Division 1B of the Mayo Senior Football League.
A wonderful initiative by local woman Jean Beattie has seen two vital Mayo charities benefit to the tune of €1255 between them.
Jean held an open weekend at Carraig Abhainn Farm in Largan Mór, Foxford on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, with the aim of raising money for Western Care and Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The pair were last week presented with cheques for €627.50 each, as a result of the public’s generosity in turning up to Jean’s farm and supporting the two very deserving causes.
The event was kindly sponsored by Davy’s Tool Hire, McGloin’s Gala Foxford, Dillon’s Bar and Restaurant, O’Hara’s Bakery, Maggie Moore, Foxford Wooleen Mills and Mocha Beans Ballina.
A fishing competition was held to honour the memory of Micky Ruane, late of Rinnaney, and was won by local youngster Sean Walsh who landed a 5lb grilse salmon on the worm.
The number of salmon caught on the waters of Foxford Salmon Anglers continues to increase, with excellent fishing recorded for the week-ending Sunday, June 23. With lots of visiting anglers in the area, there was a total of 79 salmon reported and a sizeable number of those released. The week had seen mixed weather and further rain was to come last week.
Meals are provided for those who wish to avail of the Foxford Meals on Wheels Service from Monday to Saturday. The cost per meal is €5. To avail of this service please contact Geraldine at 087-9040463 or on her landline at 094-92-56614.
A full club meeting of Moy Davitts GAA Club, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday last, June 27, had to be postponed due to clashes with underage games that were taking place on the evening, and has been refixed for this Wednesday, July 3 at the clubhouse in Sraith Garbh. The meeting, which is open to all registered members of the club, will get underway at 9pm.
To coincide with the 50th anniversary of Moy Davitts GAA, former players who may be living abroad, or even elsewhere in the country, are being encouraged to participate in a ‘50 Points for 50 Years Challenge’.
The idea is that they have a video taken of themselves kicking a point over the bar in their local pitch while also relaying how exactly they are connected to Moy Davitts GAA Club.
If you have any family or friends who you think might take part, perhaps you could alert them to the challenge?
There are several videos already on the club’s social media channels if wanting an example of what to do.
Videos can be sent to pro.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Pictures, match programmes or press cuttings of key events in the club’s history are still being sought by Moy Davitts GAA for the commemorative book that is to be published this year to mark its 50th anniversary. Items can be sent to secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Meanwhile, Saturday, August 31, 2024 has been set aside as the date for a Golf Classic at Ballina Golf Club to also mark the club’s golden anniversary year. Anyone who is interested in entering a team or who might like to help organise the event can express their interest to any club official. Further details will be circulated soon.
A free and confidential clinic remains open and available to any homeowner in Foxford or the surrounding area in need of support due to their property being impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Caroline Wilson is employed by Mayo North East Partnership as a Defective Concrete Blocks Community Facilitator and is supporting homeowners through the application process and facilitating access to the relevant support services.
Caroline holds clinics by appointment in Foxford, Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Castlebar, Killala and Westport to meet with the public and provide one to one support. These clinics are free of charge and are completely confidential.
Caroline is also reaching out to anyone who may have storage units, a rental property, holiday home or vacant property that is available to rent to homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks.
To book a clinic appointment or if you have any queries, contact Caroline at 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
The DCB post is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through Mayo County Council.
Tickets for the Mayo GAA Club Development Draw are now available to purchase from Moy Davitts GAA Club at a cost of €100 per ticket. The club is tasked by Mayo Co Board to sell 50 tickets and every ticket sold thereafter returns €90 to the club itself. This is a very important fundraiser to the club which enables it to develop the facilities at Sraith Garbh The following works are planned for the near future and money raised via the above draw would help see those through: construction of a boundary wall/fence, construction of new stand, lighting of training area.
The €100 ticket is valid for six month draws, with a first prize of €10,000 for draws one and six, and a first prize of €5,000 for draws, two, three, four and five, with numerous other valuable prizes on offer too.
Tickets are available from club treasurer Annette Clarke 087-6781500, and at https://www.foireann.ie/user-home or moy-davitts.sumupstore.com.
