Local Notes: Briana Fallon, Swinford, is winner of the Tara Ryan Memorial Cup
Briana Fallon, this year's recipient of the Tara Ryan Memorial Cup pictured with her parents Brendan and Marie Fallon.
Each year a perpetual trophy is awarded to the Senior Ladies Player of the Year in memory of a very talented former club player Tara Ryan, kindly donated by Tara’s family. The 11th anniversary of Tara’s death took place last week so the presentation of the cup in her honour this way was particularly poignant. This year Briana Fallon was the chosen recipient of the Tara Ryan Memorial Cup. Briana was chosen as the winner by her teammates. Briana oozes with talent and skill and proven herself to be a valuable team player at midfield and full forward. As well as numerous club successes, Briana has represented Mayo at U-16. She was presented with the cup by last year’s recipient Niamh Casey and her proud parents Brendan and Marie Fallon were there to celebrate with her on the night.
Swinford Killasser LGFA held their annual awards night on Saturday, January 27, in the Gateway Hotel. The night was presided over by the club’s newly re-elected chairperson Regina Mullaney. Regina is full of enthusiasm for the year ahead and thanked all the players, managers coaches and all their families for their support last year. Without the club’s dedicated players, their families, the sponsors and the many hardworking volunteers (too numerous to mention) the club would not be able to function. It was standing room only in the Gateway Hotel as well over 200 people turned out to support the players and their club on the night. The club had some wonderful successes and closely ran matches throughout the year. Regina thanked all the girls who had worked tirelessly and trained so hard last year to continue to improve on their skills and build upon their successes. Regina thanked PJ and his staff in the Gateway Hotel for providing a delicious buffet and for assisting with the night.
The club’s very able secretary, Vanessa Crawford, along with vice secretary Patrica Brennan, organised a raffle with over 20 prizes. Clearly some families were feeling very lucky on Saturday night with multiple wins however the Hanley family, Killasser, were the clear winners on the night winning an incredible 5 prizes! Rumour has it that they are stocking up on lotto tickets this week. Thank you to all the generous local businesses that donated prizes for the raffle.
Regina noted one of the highlights of the year was the U16/Minor team trip to Manchester. The team played St Lawrences GAA in Manchester who showed them wonderful hospitality. With the assistance of Tony and Lawrence Hennigan of Mayo Manchester, the girls reciprocated that hospitality with traditional Irish music and song. Fond friendships were forged, and it is hoped that St Lawrences will visit Mayo for a return match in future. The girls were treated to a trip to Old Trafford and Alton Towers and have lasting memories of a wonderful weekend away.
Teams from U-12 to senior level attended the awards. Medals were presented on the night to the following teams and a captains award to: U12 B (Division 5)(Captain: Katelyn Maloney), U13 Division 2 Shield final (runners up); U14 Division 2 League final (Captain: Claudine Brennan); U13 Division 6 Shield (Captain: Abby Gallagher); Minor A final (Captain: Emily Rowley);
The Senior ladies’ team is under new management for 2024. The team will be co-managed by Therese Smyth and Regina Mullaney. Both Therese and Regina served many a year in the black and red jersey and the club is delighted to see two of its former senior players step into senior management roles. Therese and Regina will be ably assisted by wonder coaches Kieran Gallagher and Pádraig Owens. Pádraig joins the senior team having assisted at minor level last year. Although Pádraig is a native of Sligo via Dublin, the club has a robust diversity and inclusion policy and are happy to welcome Pádraig to the team. Of course, Regina herself is a Rossie with 2 All Ireland medals under her belt at Junior (2001) and Intermediate level ((2005). Kieran Gallagher is the current assistant chairperson of Swinford AC. Kieran brings a wealth of experience to the team as he was a selector for Mayo GAA under Mickey Moran and John O’Mahony and as selector for the Mayo minor team. He has also managed Sligo IT and Ballaghaderreen senior football team. All four of the management team are keen athletes and triathletes and can be regularly spotted sprinting and cycling around the back roads of Swinford.
Training has commenced for the senior ladies in Swinford Amenity Park bright and early on Sunday mornings at 9am. Any changes will be notified in advance to the team.
Well done to the Swinford Killasser trio of Emily Gavin (U-14) Rhona Brennan and Lauren Crawford (minor) who have made the U14 and minor LGFA squad for 2024. This is a huge honour for the club and their families. Emily Gavin was a key player in the U13 and U14 Swinford team last year. The U14 team won the Division 2 league final against Breaffy in June last year. She was also part of the U13 Division 2 team who were the runners up in the shield final against Knockmore.
Rhona Brennan and Lauren Crawford formed a key part of the minor team last year who were victorious against our neighbours Charlestown LGFA in the minor A final in April last year. The girls are tenacious, talented, and dedicated to the LGFA and along with their club teammates have worked very hard to improve their skills and their game.
Well done to Caitlin Henry, daughter of Eugene and Marie Henry who has been named as part of the Mayo ladies senior squad for 2024. Caitlin was part of the Mayo LGFA minor panel last year and has successfully stepped up to senior level. Caitlin was part of the Mayo senior ladies panel for their opening division one national league match versus Meath where she made her debut appearance in the green and red jersey. No doubt she impressed the management team as last weekend she made her second appearance against Galway. The senior ladies have had a great opening start to the National League, and we look forward to watching Caitlin in action. Not only is Caitlin a talented footballer and musician, she also recently received an Excellence Scholarship from University of Galway having achieved 7H1s in her Leaving Certificate last year in St Louis CS, Kiltimagh. Maith thú Caitlin! Everyone in the club wishes Caitlin well for the league campaign ahead.
Preparations are in full swing for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Swinford this year. Cathal Kelly has retired as chair of the committee having ably served as chair for the past 10 years. Cathal remains on the committee this year having already served 20 years, truly a dedicated community man. Megan Durkan has been appointed as chairperson of this year’s parade committee and she is wished well in her role. The committee has agreed that this year’s parade theme shall be “Irish TV’s and Movies”. There is plenty of scope for the imagination with that theme, so the committee is expecting lots of creative entries. Members of this year’s committee will be reaching out directly to all clubs, organisations, schools, individuals and businesses in Swinford and the surrounding parishes and villages to consider entering a float or a band or to support the parade to make this year’s parade a day to remember.
Swinford local election candidate for Fine Gael, Antoinette Peyton has described the decision by long-established hardware company MP Moran Builders Merchants to cease operating as a major blow to the town.
In her statement, Ms. Peyton said: ‘The announcement has shocked the community. To say people are stunned is putting it mildly. Nobody in Swinford saw this coming. The news is a major blow to 12 loyal and dedicated employees. Another issue that arises is that MP Moran carried a huge range of supplies covering all aspects of the construction industry. People came from far and wide to avail of their supplies. It was therefore a magnet for increasing the footfall in the town which was also of benefit to the other retail outlets.’ Ms Peyton continued ‘I understand the importance of supporting local businesses as they are the backbone of our community.’ ‘As a Councillor, if elected, I will work with local business owners to ensure Swinford is a prosperous town and attractive town to do business.’ Ms. Peyton called on the Minister for State for Business, Enterprise and Retail, Neale Richmond to engage with local enterprises and address issues of concern with trading conditions impacting the commercial performance of local businesses.
The postponed Killasser Community Bingo will now be held on Wednesday, February 14, in the committee room in Killasser Community Centre. The first house will be at 8pm.
The Killasser Community Centre annual general meeting will take place on Friday, February 9, at 8pm in Killasser Community Centre. New committee members also welcome.
A meeting has been arranged for Monday, February 12, at 8pm in Killasser Community Centre to meet with representatives of Mayo Community Futures. All interested individuals or representatives from various parish groups and committees are invited to attend.
