Local Notes: Charlestown Community Garden team hard at work
Members of the Charlestown Community Garden team hard at work.
Charlestown Sarsfields began their 2026 senior championship campaign with a daunting trip to Westport, one of the favourites for the Moclair Cup with the hosts playing their first competitive game on their splendid new pitch named after club legend Jack Kelly.
It proved to a chastening evening for the Sarsfields as they were blitzed by a well-conditioned and powerful Westport side who sauntered to a 1-30- to 1-11 victory with their pace, athleticism and movement proving far too hot to handle for the Sarsfields who were taking in water pretty much from the throw-in.
Westport unleashed their full range of talents as they attacked from every corner of the field with conviction and intent and piled on the scores as the Sarsfields struggled to repel their strike runners from deep. The signs were ominous early doors for the visitors as the hosts fired over a plethora of brilliant long range scores with two pointers very much their key metric as they shot the lights out from a myriad of angles and positions with their accuracy off the charts.
Charlestown, to be fair, hung in as best they could considering they were obliterated on their own kick-out as Westport went after the Sarsfields in every line of the pitch and hunted them into submission with balls being turned over at regular intervals which offered no respite to a defence that tried manfully to stem the tide. Paul Towey did his best to keep the Sarsfields in it with some accurate kicking as he, Paddy Goldrick, and Ruairi Cullen raised a couple of orange and white flags to offer some kind of hope to the visitors but it was very much finger in the dyke stuff as Westport kept coming at the Sarsfields relentlessly so much so they had amassed a twelve point lead at the interval as they led 0-21 to 0-9 with the Sarsfields having plenty to ponder on as they made their way to the sheds for some much needed recovery.
The second half began on a very positive note for the Sarsfields as they hit 1-1 in the opening salvo with Paul Towey the man to inflict the damage. His goal was a typically cunning finish and this mini-scoring blitz hinted at better times to come for the men in green and white. Sadly, it never materialised as Westport, stunned by the concession of the goal, regained their poise and composure and hit a glut of scores to keep the board ticking in their favour, thus removing any lingering hope the Sarsfields had of making a contest of it.
The Sarsfields could only muster one point in the final twenty minutes as Westport continued to pillage scores at will with a Colm Moran goal late on putting the gloss on an imperious display as their odds for the Moclair Cup have definitely been trimmed on the back of this awesome performance. The Sarsfields will be looking to rinse the memories of this performance from their minds pretty quickly as they still have plenty to play for with games against Kilmeena and Claremorris to come.
Both teams don’t possess near the firepower or panel depth as Westport with Kilmeena, perhaps, the key game in the group as they come to O’Hara Park on the back of a trimming from an injury stricken Claremorris with morale low as that was a game many had predicted them to win.
The Sarsfields will have to re-group and get their minds focused on a different type of an opponent, albeit one that is wounded and, like themselves, on a retrieval mission which adds another layer of intrigue to a game that will have a lot riding on it.
On a tough day for all involved with the Sarsfields those that flew the flag highest for them against Westport included Paul Towey who hit 1-6 on scraps of possession with Ruairi Cullen, Ben Conway, Tadhg Horkan, Niall Murphy and Alan Woods the best of the rest.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €23,200 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, August 9, and the following were the four number drawn;10, 11, 16 and 29. The winners of the €50 prizes were the following; Jana Bohus Cudlinova (online), Mary Murray (lucky dip) and Willie Regan (lucky dip - annual ticket).
The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Sunday, August 16, was €23,300. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets in the community costing €2 or 3 for €5 and the draw can also be played online via the club's Facebook page.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €5000 in the weekly draw held on Monday, August 10, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 7 ,11 and 26. The winners of the €20 weekly prizes were as follows: Sean Henry, Zac Durcan and Fionnula Houlihan.
The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Monday, August 17, was €5100. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets costing €2 and the lotto can also be played online via the club’s Facebook page.
The death took place at his residence, Lurga, Charlestown of John Harrington. His remains were removed to St James’ Church, Charlestown and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection. He is survived by his sons Michael, Joseph and Paul, daughters Martina, Susan and Deirdre, sister Mary, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and a large circle of friends.
The late John who was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, son John, brother Mike and sister Peggy, was a quiet-spoken much admired member of the communities of Lurga and Charlestown respectively. He was a good man in the true sense of the word and was a hard working man who knew the value of a good day’s work for a good days pay. He was devoted to his family and formed a good bond with his late wife Kathleen. The large crowds who attended the removal of his remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held. John lived a good and active life and his passing creates a void in the community. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14 development team cruised into the semi-finals of the U14 F Development championship with a facile 4-19 to 3-3 victory over Castlebar C in the latest round of fixtures played at Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar recently.
The Sarsfields took control from the throw-in with Matthew Naughton and Luke Murphy flying in attack as they showed their opponents a clean pair of heels with some fine running and ace finishing as they accounted for all four of the Sarsfields goals with young Murphy netting a hat-trick to put the tin hat on a fine overall performance.
The Sarsfields were never troubled at any stage in the game and led 3-12 to 1-3 at the interval with Anthony Byrne, Frank Muldoon, Senan Tiernan and Reece Hopper all contributing to the Sarsfields big total.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first as the Sarsfields continued to dominate in all the key areas. The Mitchels did manage to bag a couple of morale boosting scores but the green and white lads kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end with Caelan Egan, Joe Irwin, Anthony Byrne, Frank Muldoon, Matthew Naugthon and Conor Davern weighing in with good points to maintain the Sarsfields stranglehold as they coasted to the finish line safe in the knowledge there would be another day out for the group as they maintained a fine long winning sequence stretching back to the beginning of the year.
Apart from the afore-mentioned there were good performances from David Hansel, Mick Bombser in goal with Darragh Irwin, Callum Kenny and Ben McDonnell as the Sarsfields now prepare for a county semi-final against Ardnaree Sarsfields B.
The death took place in London recently of Margaret Fitzgerald (nee Morley) late of Corthoon, Charlestown; and the death took place also in London recently of Rose McNicholas (nee Campbell), late of Lurga, Charlestown. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Bushfield Cemetery care committee express their appreciation to all who contributed to the annual cemetery collection taken up at recent cemetery Mass. The amount raised was €425.
The death took place at Mayo University Hospital of Cathal Henry, Barrack Street, Charlestown. His remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown to St. James’ Church, Charlestown and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection. He is survived by his wife Angela, son Desmond, brothers John and Tony, sisters-in law Margaret and Pamela, daughter-in law, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Cathal was a much loved and respected member of the community. He served the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club with distinction over any number of years having held the positions of secretary and chairman respectively and brought great vision, ambition and energy to each role and always put the club first in all his dealings and interactions. Cathal was a passionate Sarsfields and Mayo supporter who followed the fortunes of both avidly and seldom missed a match at any grade or level. It was poignant that he lived to see Mayo finally break their 75 year hodoo and bring Sam Maguire back to the county as there was no prouder man than Cathal when the cup came to town only a few short weeks ago as he was a true fan who followed them through thick and thin.
He was also a noted historian who developed a great interest in the history of the town and its people which led him to write and publish the Charlestown Chronicles to much acclaim. The book was a fascinating insight into the townspeople, families, politics and development from its foundation to modern times and was very well received by the community and remains a terrific read almost seventeen years after its initial release. Cathal was a veritable mine of information when it came to the history of the town and loved to chat about times gone by and could always be depended upon to answer any question accurately and concisely on any historical matters in relation to the area.
He was also a good family man and formed a great bond with his wife Angela and son Desmond. The large crowds who attended the removal of his remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held. His death robs the community of one of its best and nicest citizens but he leaves many great memories which his family will cherish and cling dear to in the deep, dark hours, days and weeks that lie ahead. We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14 team wound up the group stages of the division 1 A championship with a final outing against Claremorris played at the home grounds of their South Mayo hosts. The Sarsfields were assured of their semi-final place having won their two previous outings against Ardnaree and Castlebar Mitchels respectively hence it was a dead rubber but one the Sarsfields were fully intent on winning it must be stated.
The Sarsfields went into the contest minus a contingent of their strongest players and it told on the night as the home side were much too good for them as they coasted to an impressive 9-11 to 6-7 victory with the score line not flattering the victors one little bit.
It was a tough night for the young Sarsfields men as, despite the lopsided scoreboard, they were not without their chances, but they were slack and wasteful in front of goal and this ultimately came back to haunt them in the final analysis.
The exchanges were nip and tuck in the open quarter with little more than a score between the two teams at any stage. Alex Pugaciov was the Sarsfields scoring king as he bagged a first half hat-trick of goals with some excellent finishing and was a real threat any time the ball came anywhere near him in the full forward line. Senan Tiernan, Anthony Byrne and Daithi Gethin contributed with three good points also but the signs were ominous at the other end as the hosts racked up six first half goals to leave the Sarsfields in a real bind as they trailed 6-7 to 3-3 at the first whistle.
The Sarsfields tried hard to turn the tide in their favour in the second half but Claremorris were in no mood to surrender the lead they had worked hard to amass albeit the visitors did play with a little more passion and verve but continued to cough up the ball needlessly which put paid to any lingering hopes that they might mount another big comeback.
Claremorris had a strong spine to their team and this they used to telling effect as they outmuscled the Sarsfields in the key middle third area and continued to attack with real purpose and intent. That said the Sarsfields did make more of a contest of it with further goals coming from goal king Alex Pugaciov, Daithi Gethins and Rian O’Grady but they were consolation in nature as the hosts banged in three of their own to keep the gap pretty much insurmountable from a Sarsfields perspective.
Credit to the Sarsfields, they never chucked in the towel but found the going tough against a strong, imposing Claremorris side who can count themselves unlucky not to have progressed from the group as they are a good team with some talented players on every line. The Sarsfields have a lot to ponder on ahead of their home semi-final against Ballintubber but will tog a much better team with all their players back on board but they will have to play at a very high level if victory is to be achieved as Ballintubber are coming into the contest on the back of some very impressive form in the group stages.
Those that played best for the Sarsfields included Jack Brennan, Senan Tiernan, Michael Haran, Tom Naughton, Daithi Gethins and Alex Pugaciov.
Charlestown Athletic boosted their promotion hopes in division 2 of the Mayo league with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Conn Rangers C at Bellaghy Park recently. This was a very closely contested game throughout with Charlestown Athletic needing a victory to keep the pressure on at the top and they duly obliged with goals from Mark Lowther and Joe Glynn doing the trick with a play-off place very much at their fingertips. The team had to dig out the victory against a combative and tough Rangers side but their perseverance paid off in the finish with a tough run-in to come.
Charlestown Sarsfields host Kilmeena in round 2 of the group stages of the county senior championship in Fr O’Hara Park on Saturday, August 22, with the throw-in time confirmed for 4pm. Both sides are coming into the fixture on the back of a loss in round one thus with points to prove as victory for either will give them a shot at qualification from the group stages while alternatively defeat will have them scrapping for survival so there’s plenty on the line for what should be an intriguing encounter. There’s little or no history between the teams as they have never met in the championship so this is a first for both with a large crowd expected to come through the gates with the Sarsfields very much on a retrieval mission having shipped a heavy defeat against Westport. Both teams have their respective All-Ireland winners in their ranks with Paul Towey leading the line for the Sarsfields while Jack Carney will be in the engine room for Kilmeena which adds another dash of spice to the encounter. The Sarsfields, quite apart from leaning heavily on Towey, will be looking to the wiles of Gareth O’Donnell, Niall Murphy and Alan Woods with the talents of Matt Lenehan, Paddy Goldrick, Ben Conway and Ruairi Cullen hoping to deliver big games to get the Sarsfields across the line. The home side will go in as favourites with home advantage worth a point or two in local currency but Kilmeena cannot be discounted as they will bring a big challenge and look to upset the applecart so to speak and get their championship bid off to a better start than their opening round fixture against Claremorris where wides and errant shooting cost them dear. There’s alot to play for with O’Hara Park in tip-top shape as it gets ready to host another big championship outing between two teams with big points to prove.
Charlestown Sarsfields minor ladies put their defeat to Westport in round one firmly behind them when they proved too good for Kilmoremoy in round 2 as they accounted for the North Mayo girls on a score line of 5-6 to 2-9 with the Sarsfields forward division in pretty clinical form as they took every chance that came their way and got goals at crucial times just when it looked as if Kilmoremoy were working their way back into the contest. A good performance from the young Sarsfields ladies and one which will do their confidence a world of good following on from their defeat to Westport.
The Sarsfields ladies host Castlebar Mitchels in O’Hara Park in round 2 of the county senior championship with the throw-in time confirmed for 11am. The Sarsfields are in a tough group with reigning county champions Westport and near neighbours Kilmovee Shamrocks making for formidable opposition. The Sarsfields will also be without Mayo county senior captain Ella Brennan who is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and her loss is incalculable to Tom Carney and his squad as she’s a real leader and the team’s best player. They do, however, go into the championship in good nick having won the Melissa Patterson Memorial League but the championship will be a step up again and the girls will have to be at their best to secure qualification from the group. They have a good record against Castlebar and will be hoping to maintain the hex they have on them before they square up to Westport in their last encounter. The ladies have worked hard on the training paddock in recent weeks and are, despite Ella’s absence, keen to have a right cut at this championship, with some excellent young talents ready to make their debuts and take the next step in their footballing education. Best of luck to the team and management and hopefully a large crowd will turn out to cheer them on.
Charlestown Sarsfields host Ballintubber in O’Hara Park on Monday, August 24, in the division1 county U14 semi-final with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
There was a big turnout at the weekly darts game held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday, August 9, as Boom Boom and Gus went toe to toe in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic. Jovial John has settled in nicely to his role as match referee and kept law and order in his own laconic, relaxed manner. Boom Boom was on it from his very first throw and galloped his way into a two-set lead as the red marauder struggled with his accuracy and action. Boom Boom was dead keen on finishing the match in three sets but Gus found some form in the third and he delayed Boom Boom’s coronation as he took legs three and four with some tidy throwing. This set up a fifth leg decider and it was Gus who made the better start as he fired in a couple of quickfire tons to seize the early initiative.
Boom Boom bore a very perplexed look as he was trying to configure how he had got into this situation having looked all over a winner only a few short minutes ago. He knuckled down however, re-discovered his scintillating form of the opening sets and blitzed his way to victory as a maximum and a finish of 152 pulled the rug from under the challenge of his opponent as Boom Boom clinched his sixth title of a very consistent season. Gus was flabbergasted at the way the match finished but Boom Boom was typically modest in celebration as the two men shared a warm embrace and chatted long into the night. A wonderful victory for Boom Boom and one which consolidates his position as number three in the rankings.
