Local Notes: All the latest news from Foxford
The team of athletes who represented Foxford at Mayo Community Games which was held at Claremorris Athletics Club on Sunday, June 15. A special congratulations to sisters Ella and Holly who qualified from their respective races for this year's national finals which will take place in Carlow.
One of Foxford’s great gentlemen was laid to rest last Saturday, with the passing at The Galway Clinic last week of Paul Maguire. Formerly of Gorse Grove and late of Currinara, Paul passed peacefully surrounded by his loving and heartbroken family.
A native of Roslea in Co. Fermanagh, Paul for many years was an integral member of the staff at Foxford Woollen Mills and was renowned throughout the wider textiles industry for his expertise.
Adored husband of Ann, the couple’s heartbroken daughters, Clare and Áine, also both reside in Foxford with their families. One of a family of fourteen, Paul was predeceased by his parents Brendan and Elizabeth and his brother John.
Large crowds attended both Paul’s repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home on Friday evening, and Saturday morning’s funeral Mass which was celebrated in St Michael’s Church, Foxford. Numerous tributes poured in for someone who was remembered for his love of family, for his quick wit and good humour, for his sincerity and friendliness, for his interest, care and encouragement of others, for his neighbourliness, and for his love of sport – Manchester City and fishing, in particular. Indeed, members of Foxford Salmon Anglers, of which Paul was a former committee member, formed a guard of honour as their late friend’s remains arrived to St Michael’s Church on Saturday.
Paul will be dearly and lovingly missed by his beloved wife Ann, his daughters Clare and Áine, his adored grandchildren Adam, Eóin, Shiel, Annie, Ellie and Maud, sons in-law Donal and Cormac, his brothers and his sisters Sr. Carmel, Ben, Marion, Theresa, Gerry, Catherine (Kate), Evelyn, Rosie, Brendan, Martina, Celine and Fidelma, his nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Following his funeral Mass, Paul was laid to rest in Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar this coming Thursday, June 26 at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
Moy Davitts suffered a third defeat in this season’s AbbVie Mayo Senior Football League Division 1B when visitors Claremorris ran out comprehensive 3-13 to 0-10 winners in last Friday evening’s Round 7 clash in Sraith Garbh.
The hosts scored only five points in each half, with all three of the Claremorris goals coming from the 44th minute on (see full match report in the Game On sports section).
Moy Davitts have won two of their seven games to date, picking up two draws as well, but their next game is a tough one also, with a trip to Ray Prendergast Memorial Park to take on Ballintubber this coming Saturday at 7pm.
Claremorris also got the better of Moy Davitts in the latest round of the Mayo Premier Junior ‘A’ Football Championship when finishing on the right side of a 2-18 to 2-14 scoreline at Canon Gibbons Park. The Moy Davitts juniors are back in action this Wednesday, June 25 when travelling to play Ballaghaderreen in the East Mayo junior ‘B’ football championship. Throw-in is at 7.45pm.
The warm and dry conditions which have contributed to dropping water levels in the River Moy mean that catches recorded by Foxford Salmon Anglers have been lower in numbers. Fourteen salmon were reported caught for the week-ending Sunday, June 17, with prawn and worm appearing to be the most successful methods.
The ladies footballers of Moy Davitts enjoyed a narrow 1-13 to 2-6 victory over Charlestown Sarsfields in the semi-final of the Melissa Patterson Memorial League played in Sraith Garbh. The game was evenly contested throughout despite both sides missing a number of regulars, but it was Moy Davitts who made light of their losses.
The Moyside girls held strong and kicked some quality points down the home stretch to eke out the victory and qualify for the final – a local derby against Swinford-Killasser LGFA.
A proud son of Foxford, and someone who held a huge interest in local history in particular, passed in Geneva, Switzerland recently, leaving behind him a great legacy. Late of Providence Road, Vivian Thomas Sheridan was a regular visitor to his hometown over the years and in tributes, was described as someone who was a “fountain of local knowledge” and who was always eager to share that knowledge “with anyone who held an interest”.
Fond memories exist of Vivian’s time at the Foxford Gathering in 2013 where in the Church of Ireland, he gave an excellent presentation on the history of Foxford’s former ironworks. It was at the same gathering weekend, again in the Church of Ireland, that Vivian Sheridan also attended the memorial service for Foxford poet and playwright, Frederick Robert Higgins, which took place in the presence of relatives of F.R. Higgins.
May Vivian’s gentle soul rest in peace.
Alan O'Neill is the latest winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw, scooping a jackpot of €400. The club extends thanks to everyone who supports the weekly draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets or by playing on the Moy Davitts GAA club app.
The organisers of Foxford RiverFest have launched a fundraising page at idonate.ie, where they would appreciate any financial donations towards their hosting of this year’s festival which takes place on August 22/23. Ten bands and kids entertainers have already been booked to appear while a lot of maintenance work, such as sandblasting and strengthening tent poles, has taken place.
After Mass was celebrated in Bonnifinglas Cemetery yesterday (Monday), the remaining cemetery masses for Attymass Parish this month are as follows: Old Killeen Cemetery, Wednesday, June 25 at 8pm; New Killeen Cemetery, Friday, June 27 at 8pm. A collection for the upkeep of the cemeteries will take place at each Mass.
The funeral took place yesterday (Monday, June 23) of Liam McHale, Rathbane, Knockmore, who passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving and adored family.
Liam will be lovingly missed by his beloved wife Ann, sons Brian, Liam and Mark, daughters Anita, Elaine and Sandra, his adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sisters Kathleen and Anne, sons in-law Richard, Kenneth and Aiden, daughters-in-law Elie, Gill and Aisling, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Margaret, his brothers Martin and Paddy and his sisters Maura, Evelyn, Margaret and Bridie.
Liam lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last on Sunday afternoon and his funeral Mass was celebrated in The Church of Christ The King, Knockmore on Monday with burial afterwards in Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The Moy Davitts Golf Classic returns to Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, August 9. A team of four will cost €160 to enter and there will be major prizes for all winners. Ballina Golf Club is now accepting entries. Contact 096-21050.
Moy Davitts were desperately unfortunate to lose a thrilling East Mayo U14 ‘A’ football championship match away to Charlestown Sarsfields last week, which saw the latter prevail on a 6-8 to 3-14 scoreline at Fr O’Hara Park.
In a game of many twists and turns, the old adage that goals win games certainly rang true, as Division 3 league champions Charlestown secured a narrow win despite receiving a really stern challenge from a Moy Davitts team that carried plenty of threat of their own in what turned into a shootout in the truest sense of the word.
Moy Davitts U14s were back in action against Ballaghaderreen this Tuesday while next Monday, June 30 they are due to host Swinford.
The East Mayo U16 ‘B’ championship pairs Moy Davitts and Aghamore this Thursday, June 26. The match in Sraith Garbh is at 7pm.
In Group One of the Homeland U12 Summer League, Moy Davitts will host Castlebar Mitchels this Wednesday, June 25 at 7pm. It comes on the back of their victory away to Ballintubber last week.
Moy Davitts GAA has been selected to participate in Phase 3 of the Green Clubs Programme which will run until November 2026. The club must implement simple and effective sustainability actions under the following five themes: Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity, and Travel and Transport. It is recommended that participating clubs complete a minimum of two actions from two separate themes.
Moy Davitts are currently looking at various projects which it could undertake as part of the programme and would love to hear ideas from club members. If you are interested in getting involved in the programme contact club secretary Bernie Ryder (secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie) who will explain what is involved. New committee members welcome.
