Local Notes: Charlestown Sarsfields Bord na nÓg presentation evening in CBD Sports Complex.
The successful Bord na nÓg boys teams won various grades of competition at county level in 2024 were presented with their medals by Mayo and Sarsfields star Paul Towey at the recent Sarsfields Bord na n-Og presentation evening held in the CBD Sports Complex recently.
Bord na n-Óg (the underage wing of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club) held their annual awards presentation evening in the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre, Charlestown on Saturday evening, February 8 last. There was a fine crowd in attendance as the club look back and reflected on another very successful year on the fields of play as the club once again made their presence felt in terms of silverware and success in both the boys and girls grades. Both genders were well represented when it came to winning and participation as the green and white once again gave a timely reminder of their ability to put it up to the best teams in East Mayo and the county with the club colours carried with distinction at all grades and standards of competition.
Chairman of the LGFA wing of the club David Kivlehan and Bord na n-Óg chairman Donal Healy shared the master of ceremonies duties on the evening and did a super job as they welcomed a large group of parents to the event and thanked them for their continuing support to all wings within the club as the green and white continue to make their presence felt at all grades and genders. The club have big plans to kick on and build on the successes they enjoyed last year with a number of initiatives put in place for the coming season including strength and conditioning and athletics programmes with advice and tips on nutrition also being implemented with all groups and teams.
The club and its officers have most of their management and coaching positions filled for the 2025 season with a few gaps still to be filled with any support and offers of all willingly accepted and taken on board. Mayo star Paul Towey was in attendance to present the various boys teams with their medals with Mayo ladies star Ella Brennan and Cailin Durkan from the Charlestown senior ladies team doing the honours for the girls and ladies side with their presence adding a little stardust to the evening as they are all graduates of the Bord na nÓg system in the club and are among the finest talents to have emerged for many a long year. They are competing at the top end of county football at the moment and all credit to them with their dedication and application to be applauded as they are excellent role models for the next generation of Sarsfields stars emerging and coming through in the coming years.
The following teams were honoured on a very good night for all associated with the green and white with the club in fine shape as they get ready to embrace all that 2025 brings on and off the field. Paul Towey presented the following boys teams with their medals for the successes they enjoyed throughout a busy and eventful 2024: U12 boys Division 2 Go Games league winners, U13 Community Development winners, U14-E East Mayo championship winners, U15 Division 2 Feile county champions, U16 Division 2 county league champions.
The ladies wing of the club were just as successful with Ella and Cailin kept very busy handing out gongs and medals to the following teams who brought great pride and glory to the club at the splendid manner of their successes in 2024: U14 Division 1 county league champions, U14 Division 1 county champions, U15 Division 1 league runners-up, U16 Division 1 league shield winners, U16 Division1 county champions, U18 Division 2 championship shield winners.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €15,400 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, February 9, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 8, 12, 23 and 24. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Margaret Lundy and Mary Maye Hagfield, Charlestown. The latest jackpot increased to €15,500 and the draw was held on Sunday night February 16.
East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm with St Attracta’s NS Lowpark, Charlestown the meeting point. All are welcome, even if you are a complete beginner, or a lapsed runner, the experienced coaches will encourage you all the way. This program will conclude the week before the renowned Kilmovee 5k/10k run, so if your ambition is to complete one of the afore-mentioned distances, now is the chance for you to achieve your ambition/objective. For more information log onto the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook page and click the link.
Hard luck to the Charlestown Athletic U12 boys team who lost out agonisingly to Mullingar Lions in the last 32 of the SFAI U12 cup played at the home of the Mullingar Lions FC recently. The midlands town prevailed on a narrow 1-0 scoreline in what was a game of very tight margins with the Charlestown youngsters pushing their much vaunted opposition to the very limit of their abilities. Charlestown Athletic FC can be proud of the outstanding performance of a very young, tenacious and spirited young team with each and every player putting in a big shift as they more than matched their opponents in every department and facet of the game.
The club have some terrific young talents on their books at the moment and well done to the coaches and management team who got the very best out of a squad that kept on giving in each and every round with this run in the cup providing all within the club of a very sound base for player development and progression for the future.
The death took place at St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown, recently of Annie Reilly, Cloonaughill, Curry. Her remains were removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Curry and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Rhue Cemetery. She is survived by her sons Cyril, Brendan and Gerard, daughters Eileen and Angela, sons-in law, daughters-in- law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Annie, who was predeceased by her husband Gerald and son Eugene, was a much respected member of the communities of Curry, Cloonaughill, Charlestown and beyond. She was a lady with a terrific work ethic who lived a long and active life and made the best out of each and every day. Annie was a dedicated and devoted mother who, together with her late husband Gerald, made sure they lacked for nothing in life. She enjoyed the regular and daily interactions with them and this brought her great joy and happiness and she got on with tackling the daily chores and all that life could throw at her. She was a lady of deep faith who was a good neighbour and friend to all in the village of Cloonaughill. The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she held. She leaves many great memories which her family will cherish and cling dear to in these deep dark hours and days and deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The death took place in Leeds, England, recently of Jimmy McLoughlin, formerly of Glosh, Carracastle. His remains were removed to St James’ Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Carracastle cemetery. He is survived by his brother Tommy, sisters Kathleen, Mary and Bridie, brothers-in law, nephews, neighbours and friends.
Jimmy, who was pre-deceased by his parents James and Louise, was a well known and much respected member of the communities of Glosh, Carracastle, Charlestown and beyond. Jimmy was a man of wit and humour who could brighten up many a dark day with a funny line or a quip. He had a great sense of comedy about him and was a genial and affable man who lived his life in the best way he knew how. His death robs the community of Glosh of one of its best known and nicest citizens who will be remembered as a good man in the true sense of the word. The large crowds who attended the removal of his remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem in which he was held. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Well done to Daithi Gethins, The Fairgreens, Charlestown, who was part of the Mayo U13 boys county team who captured the gold medal at the National B Cross Country Championships hosted by the Westport Athletics Club recently. Daithi is a proud member of the East Mayo Athletics Club and is one of the club’s finest young talents as he continues to thrive and flourish at a variety of long distance events. He has a terrific set of lungs on him and goes hard from gun to tape and has clocked up some memorable times and awards in what’s been a fantastic twelve months for him personally both at school’s and club level. He has a very bright future ahead of him with his attitude and application top class and these are great qualities to have at such a young age and should stand him in good stead as he moves up through and ranks and becomes exposed to higher grades of competition and events.
Well done also to Hollie Healy who acquitted herself very well in the U11 girls event and ran very creditably coming 24th out of 115 in what was a very stiff field stacked with loads of top class runners. Hollie is a also a member of the East Mayo Athletics Club and is also a very prodigious talent with a bright future ahead of her.
Curry/Moylough Community social night will celebrate the achievements of Curry GAA and Curry/Moylough Pride of Place with a function in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Saturday, February 22. More details to be had on the Curry GAA and Moylough Community Facebook pages.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their many annual lotto ticket holders that their tickets are up for renewal in the coming weeks. The ticket continues to be a huge boon for the club and provides them with a valuable and crucial source of income as they look to meet and pay the many bills which come to their doors at the start of every new year. The ticket price will remain at €70 for the coming season which makes for terrific value as with the weekly ticket retailing at €2 the annual ticket holder gets the ticket for far less than the retail value hence why they have proved so popular over the years. The same format applies where you select any 4 numbers out of 36 and these become your numbers for each weekly draw with a significant number of weekly winners coming from the annual ticket cohort.
The ticket has been a very important part of the club’s revenue stream for any number of years and the club’s executive are hoping for a big uptake on the 2025 version and very much appreciate all who sign up and subscribe as they look to increase the number of ticket holders for the new season. Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can do so by contacting any member of executive or log onto the Charlestown Sarsfields Facebook or website which contains a number of links that you can follow to facilitate online payment. The online forum has proved particularly popular in recent years as this allows the diaspora to play the weekly lotto and lend their support to the club from far away places and shores.
The club are keenly aware of the demands that are placed on households at the start of any year with bills coming through the doors and prices sky rocketing but they have always gotten fantastic support from the community and general public with regard to their annual ticket and greatly appreciate all support they receive as they continue to provide the best in terms of facilities and coaching for the many players who come through their doors at all grades and genders.
Sympathy is extended to Anthony Kelly, Church Street, Charlestown, on the death of his brother Jimmy Kelly, Kilkelly, and formerly of Monasteraden who died in the North West Hospice recently.
A local writer’s course for all levels starts on Wednesday, February 25 from 8-10pm. This is a six week in-person course. Refreshments are served each week. Contact Martin on 087 6007100 for further details.
Charlestown Drama Group proudly present “Going Away – Echoes of Emigration” in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Charlestown, on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8 at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm). Tickets cost €15. For more information and to book contact 087 4657946 (pre-booking only).
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, February 12, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Mary O`Malley and Teresa Ward; 2nd Mary O`Connell and James Mooney; 3rd Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 4th Carmel Moffitt and Hilary McCrohan.
The following were the winners of the weekly 25 Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, February 11, at 9pm. 1st Darby and Breege Leonard, 2nd Mary Costello and James Cafferty, Derek Maloney and Joe Mahon. Raffle winners were Derek Maloney, Veronica McCarrick and Miko Sheridan.
Bridge lessons continue in Walsh’s Lounge Main Street, Charlestown, on Thursday evenings for the next eight weeks or so from 8-10pm. The lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
The AGM of the Charlestown Cubs Basketball Club takes place on Monday, February 24 at 7.30pm in the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown. All members are requested to attend and new members are most welcome as the club continues to thrive and flourish in terms of its growth and development.
The annual general meeting of the Charlestown Swimming Pool takes place on Thursday, February 27 at 8.30pm at the pool and all members are requested to attend with new members most welcome.
The death took place in New York, USA of Peter Brennan, formerly of Mointigh, Curry, Co. Sligo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The annual general meeting of the CBD Complex and Recreation Centre takes place on Tuesday (this evening), February 18, at 8.30pm. All members are requested to attend as the committee reflect on a busy and progressive year where a number of impressive initiatives have been put a place as the complex continues to reach out into all areas of the community.
The death took place in Philadelphia, USA, of Maureen O’Malley (nee Mulligan), formerly of Kilgarriff West, Charlestown, sister of Kathleen Mulligan, John Martin and Padraig Tiernan; the death took place in Dagenham, England recently of Evelyn Gibe (nee McDonagh) formerly of Kilgarriff, Charlestown; the death took place in London, England recently of Theresa Lowe (nee Doherty), formerly of Tavneena, Charlestown and cousin of the Drudy family Glann, Charlestown and aunt of David Doherty, Tavneena, Charlestown. Deepest sympathies are tendered to all the bereaved.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29 in the Park House Hotel, Kiltimagh, at 8pm. This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club remind their members and patrons that they have a number of deals available regarding annual lotto tickets, county board, tickets and membership available for the new 2025 season. You can purchase membership, county board and annual lotto tickets for the princely sum of €150 which is a snip considering the full value of all three would set you back €220. Anybody who would like to buy membership and annual lotto can do so at the bargain price of €100 which represents a saving of €20 which is a nice saving should you wish to avail of option two. The third option involves stand alone membership which is available for €50 and this remains one of the cheapest available in the county and has remained at this figure for a number of years.
All options are available for purchase on the Charlestown Sarsfields social media outlets with the website and Facebook pages providing you with all the necessary links and information as the club look to bolster their funds in order to meet the weekly/monthly bills that come through the door at the start of any new season with monies also needed to equip and kit out the many teams who will represent the Sarsfields brand at all levels and gender as the numbers coming through the gates continues to increase which indicates the good space the Sarsfields currently occupy at the moment. There is something for everyone in all of the above options with the club hopeful of a positive response from the community at large as the Sarsfields look to build on the platform 2024 provided on and off the field.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2700 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, February 10, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 11, 18, 20 and 25. The following were the winners of the 3 x €20 weekly prizes; Martin McCormack, David Duffy and Gerry McDonagh. Next week’s jackpot will increase to €2800 and the draw will take place on Monday night, February 17. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club’s Facebook and Twitter pages respectively.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, February 9, as Boom Boom and The Pillock squared off in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus took charge of the match as usual and was immense in the way her conducted his refereeing duties. The Pillock blasted out of the blocks which has always been his trademark and bagged the first set in double quick time with some high quality finishing. Boom Boom’s struggles continued into set two as the Pillock continued his assault on the treble twenty baize with some stunning pegging. It didn’t take him long to race into a two set lead with Boom Boom unable to stem the rising Pillock tide.
Set three proved more fruitful for the number four seed as he finally managed to get some sort of traction to stave off the threat of a whitewash. He took the opening two legs with some steady throwing as the Pillock’s level tapered off from the highs of sets one and two. He made it three in a row to sweep his way to the third set and put some doubt in the process in the mind of the Pillock who had something of a meltdown in that one sided third set. Boom Boom raced away with the fourth as well to set up an exciting and dramatic fifth set decider with the crowd wholly invested in what was unfolding before them.
The Pillock needed something early in the fifth to get back on track but it never materialised as Boom Boom, sensing the game was his for the taking, pillaged the first two legs with some rapier like darts. The Pillock had nothing more to give as his darts continued on a tour of the board with Boom Boom, in contrast, continuing to keep his in and around the treble 20 and nineteen beds. He had little difficulty closing out the match with a treble 12, double eighteen blast in the third leg completing a seismic comeback as he strung together nine legs in a row to claim his second tile of the season and leave the Pillock with a forlorn look as this was a game he looked to have a tight grip on at the start of set three. Boom Boom remains a formidable competitor however who possesses bags of grit and determination and these were never more evident in his smash and grab victory which he celebrated with great gusto.
