Local Notes: Ballinrobe duo win the Regional Bridge President's Prize ahead of 52 pairs
William Enright and Angela Murphy, both members of Ballinrobe Bridge Club, who won the Regional Bridge President’s Prize recently, emerging triumphant ahead of an entry of 52 pairs.
Amy Horan, Ballinrobe RFC, featured on the Connacht team which defeated Leinster 8-5 to claim the U18 Interprovincial trophy last week. The team was coached by her Ballinrobe colleague, Craig Hansberry.
Meanwhile, the club’s stay in the top flight of junior rugby in Connacht proved a short one, alas, with the team suffering the pain of relegation following the recent 33-19 defeat to Westport.
Ballinrobe: James McTigue, Patrick Finlay, Jamie Treacy, Patrick Moylette, David Madden, Tom Lynagh, Michael Walsh, Rory Murphy, Cillian Walsh, Evan O’Brien, Liam Burke, Sean Mullin, Tom Staunton, Jarlath Mullin, Shane Biggins.
Replacements: Kevin Staunton, Killian McAleenan, Sean McTigue, John Enda Flannelly.
Ballinrobe Town AFC has announced Ashling Concannon as the new coach of the club’s senior ladies team. A former star goalkeeper, who began playing for the club as an U12, Ashling also lined out for Castlebar Celtic, Connacht and Ireland. Her international caps came at U15 and U17 levels. She has coaching experience from Castlebar Celtic.
“Now I’m back home to where it all began,” said Ashling. “We are delighted to have secured the services of someone of Ashling’s talents. We have a picture of her on the wall in the clubhouse in her Ireland kit and so for her to return as our new head coach fills us with immense pride as well as excitement for the season ahead,” said club joint chairperson, Alan Dowling.
“The club would like to wholeheartedly thank Brian Farrell and John Culhane for their unwavering commitment to developing women’s football. Between them they have over 30 years coaching for the club and can now look forward to enjoying games at the Green now as supporters. We now have close to 35% female participation and teams at every age in the club and this is due in no small part to the foundations laid by John and Brian.” Any past, present or new players can register now at www.ballinrobetownafc.com/membership or message the club on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the quality of the production line at the club is clearly demonstrated by the selection of five players on the Mayo FC U17 girls’ squad for the 2024 season. The four are Emily Jennings, Maura Hughes, Kate Brennan, Emma Dowling and Sophia McHale. The club has wished all five every success in the campaign.
Roxboro National School, Ballinrobe, will hold a fundraising 25 card drive on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm in the school. Entry fee is €10 per person.
Ballinrobe Town AFC, newly promoted, are now gearing up for the Mayo Super League where they will compete with top teams such as Ballina Town, Ballyheane, Castlebar Celtic and more. The 18-round season kicks off on Sunday next, March 3.
Simultaneously, Ballinrobe Town (B) will participate in League Two against teams like Achill Rovers and Westport United (C). Bangor Hibs and Snugboro United make welcome returns to this league.
The U17 boys’ team is making preparations for the Martin Keane U17 Division One season with teams including Conn Rangers and Swinford.
After six rounds of the Harry Walsh Winter League at Ballinrobe Golf Club, the leading team comprises Darren Egan, Aidan Foley, Cian McCluskey and Niamh Foley. In second place are Justin Keady, Geoffrey Sheridan, Adam Keady and Damien Connolly, and lying third are Niall Staunton, Brian Flood, Kevin Staunton and Stephen Byrne.
Ballinrobe Community School female basketballers defeated St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown, on the double last week – the junior team triumphed on a 32-18 scoreline, and the minors were also convincing winners, 34-16.
Ballinrobe will host an event in the Mayo AC 5k Road Race series on Tuesday, June 4.
Roxboro NS recently won the South Mayo Cumann na mBunscol quiz and qualified for the county finals. Team members are Will Gavin, Éanna Malone, Ronan Jennings and Shane Gavin.
Ballinrobe Musical Society has sent their best wishes to all involved with Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society, who will stage the hilarious Legally Blonde from March 7-9 in the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar. The society has also extended a warm thanks to everyone who helped in any way with their recent staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, which was a sell-out success in Ballinrobe Community School.
Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA have opened registration for the 2024 season. Registration is via the Ballinrobe GAA app which can be downloaded from the Apple or Google play stores. The club has announced an expansion of family membership to include adult player and student adult player options. For further information, contact Paul McElarney at paulvmcelarney@hotmail.com. All players must be registered to attend training.
Ballinrobe’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will go ahead at the new time of 12.30pm, instead of later in the afternoon, to avoid a clash with the Mayo v Derry Allianz National Football League encounter at Hastings Insurance Brokers MacHale Park, Castlebar. The theme of this year’s parade will be May the Robe Rise to Meet You.
The organising committee, comprising Ballinrobe Community Development Council and Tacú Family Resource Centre, has urged local businesses to take part in the parade and/or decorate their shop windows. Schools and community groups are also set to turn up in large numbers. The parade is one of the biggest events in Ballinrobe each year. Ideas to enhance the parade are also welcome. Contact Monica Horan on 087 4111 343 for more details.
Ruairi Walkin, son of former Ballinrobe footballer and club chairperson, Peter, featured at midfield on the Dunmore Community School team that defeated Carrick-on-Shannon Community School to claim the Connacht Colleges Senior B Football Championship, at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan. Peter is deeply involved in football in Dunmore, where he is married to well-known local businesswoman Joan Howley.
Results of the game held last week were; 1, John and Mo Mullin; 2, Paul Waldron and Mar O'Connor; 3, Aileen Ward and Mary Dalton; 4, Nancy Hughes and Bob Craddock; 5, Lena Lowery and Maura McHugh; 6, Phil and Kathleen Walsh.
The first of Cong Moytura Heritage Society’s 2024 Spring Talks Series is on Thursday, February 29, at 8pm, in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Cong (F31 DW65). The talk, entitled The Two Church of Ireland Parish Churches, Cong, will by Brigid Clesham. Admission is free.
Club Membership for Garrymore GAA Club for 2024 is now open. A Registration Night will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday 29th February from 7pm to 8.30pm. All members are encouraged to attend. Membership can also be paid online on garrymoregaa.com/membership.
As part of ongoing development of referees across the country the LGFA is rolling out Regional Grab Your Whistle Club Youth Referee Courses. On March 2, the LGFA is hosting a course in Davitts LGFA/GAA Club, Ballindine. The course will run from 10am until 5pm. These courses are being offered at a discounted rate of €10 per participant. Places can be booked on Eventbrite.
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The next card game to be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre is Thursday, March 21 at 9pm. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a good game of cards.
The numbers drawn on Tuesday, February 20, were 14, 16, 17, and 21. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prize winners were Brendan Conwell, Derrowel (annual ticket), Tina Hughes, Rathnacreeva (online ticket), Aoife Duggan, Mayo Abbey (online ticket), Kevin Jordan, Facefield (annual ticket).
Next week’s draw will be today Tuesday, February 27, with a jackpot of €7,500.
Mayo Abbey Centre offer a number of services to the community including; Local Link bus regular service from the parish community to Castlebar departs daily from the Centre (Tuesday – Saturday); computers can be provided or users can bring their own; meals delivery service; weekly Tuesday lunch for active age at the centre; boarding pass printouts; support provided for individuals looking to start their own business; compiling of local notes; wide range of training programmes provided; Thursday morning coffee and chat; free computer and phone support for beginners; hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connection available; facilities available to attend a virtual meeting or interview; printing, photocopying and laminating services and much more.
The Poor Clares in Galway are holding a Monastic Experience Day for young women who might be interested in their way of life. The event will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday the 2nd of March. The day is designed to help those who may be exploring the possibility of a religious vocation to find out more about the Poor Clare way of life. Anyone wishing to book a place should email vocations@poorclares.ie.
Do you love cooking? Do you want to improve your cooking skills? Are you interested in doing a training course to give you the culinary skills to work in a restaurant or hotel kitchen? Are you receiving a DA payment or do you need assistance in finding employment? If so you can work part-time and keep your benefits. The course will help you develop your everyday cookery skills in a modern purpose built culinary setting. You will explore a range of classic recipes aimed at breakfast, lunch and dinner options. This course is packed full of hints and tips for the home cook. In addition a work placement in a local hotel or restaurant will be secured for you and on the job training and support will be provided. Call Ruairi at 087 120 2617 or email ruairi.hughes@nln.ie.
Claremorris Musical Society Table Quiz will take place on Thursday, February 29 from 8.30pm in Killeen’s Bar, Claremorris. Tables of 4 cost €40. there will be cash prizes, finger food and a raffle on the night. All are welcome.
