Local Notes: Charlestown Sarsfields ladies took part in Michael Byrnes Memorial Challenge.
Charlestown ladies who took part in the the recent Michael Byrnes Memorial Challenge held in Fr O’Hara Park on St Stephen’s Day.
Fr O’Hara Park hosted the opening round of the revived Connacht FBD League on the first Saturday of 2026 as Mayo and Sligo faced off in an intriguing encounter. The Charlestown Sarsfields were delighted to have had the privilege of being chosen to stage the game for what was both management teams first competitive clash in their respective county colours.
O’Hara Park has a long and storied history when it comes to Mayo v Sligo tussles as it regularly hosted Connacht Championship clashes between the two neighbours throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, so the club rolled out the red carpet for the two teams and ensured their facilities were in tip-top shape for a game that had added interest with two men management teams in the opposing dugouts. There was a little concern in the build-up to the game as winter reared its head with a dusting of snow, ice and frost adding a layer of complication to the club’s efforts but thankfully all had well cleared by midday as the sun took up a prominent position in the sky with little or no wind for both teams to contend with.
The pitch was in magnificent shape as a fine colouring of lush grass was in evidence to greet both teams as they went into their very rigorous and scientific warm-up routines. The crowds came in large numbers with Sligo bringing plenty of support across the border to witness Eamon O’Hara and Andy Moran go head to head in what could be the beginning of a long standing rivalry. The club had all bases covered in terms of preparation with a large band of stewards on duty at all access points to the ground ably supported by a significant Garda presence as people accessed the ground with ease and had little or no difficulty securing parking areas. The Sarsfields Bord na nOg were out in force with the club shop doing a roaring trade with the club lotto also receiving a significant boost in terms of sales as people purchased tickets in large numbers as the jackpot continues to soar above €20,000. Complex Coffee also did a brisk business as people queued for their coffees, teas and hot chocolates to warm the bones and keep the cold at bay which made it a win-win for all connected with the club.
Young James Breheny did a master job on the microphone as he covered all his PRO duties with excellence and competence and kept the crowd informed on all matters pertaining to the match in terms of substitutes, score updates from elsewhere and other business such as parking infringements, club lotto news, shop etc. It was a superb day for the club and well done to chairman Ryan O’Connor, secretary Kevin Deignan and pitch manager Ciaran McBrien who co-ordinated it all and they can be very pleased with how it turned out as the club and its top class facilities were shown in an extremely positive light with both teams very complimentary of what they were exposed to. The town too, also benefited with the extra footfall bringing some welcome extra business to the tills as the club and community got 2026 off to the best possible start.
Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club have a lot to be proud of with their facilities among the finest in Connacht with this latest fixture only highlighting how they are well capable of hosting games of this prestige and significance which provides food for thought for the fixture makers in the months ahead. There was a cracking atmosphere in evidence on the day with Andy Moran and Mayo getting 2026 off to a winning start with lots of positives to be gleaned from a workmanlike display which owed much to Mayo’s resilience and tenacity as it did to their class as they came from five points down to eke out the win with a 1-3 scoring burst in the final few minutes sealing Sligo’s fate.
Former Charlestown Sarsfields star Conor O’Donoghue lined out with London in their recent entertaining draw with Sligo in round 2 of the Connacht FBD League played at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan recently. Conor lined out at wing back and gave a terrific account of himself as London pushed Sligo all the way to the wire with the Yeats County having to depend on a late Niall Murphy score to salvage the draw. Conor is in good shape as he spent a few days at home for the Christmas period and caught up with family and friends in the process. He remains in top class condition and was always one of the Sarsfields top trainers who pushed the standards and got the very best out of himself every time he took to the pitch. His loss to the Sarsfields has been incalculable as he always presented a formidable barrier to the opposition whether he was cited at six or three. He always brought great passion and intensity to the pitch and the Sarsfields miss this drive and fervour with his absence being sorely felt on all counts. His ambitions remain high however hence his elevation to the London panel where he impressed the watching management team with his performances for his new club St Kiernan’s earning rave reviews.
2025 was somewhat of an unlucky year for him with injuries but he’s back to his best and will be looking to cement his place in the London backline for the division 4 league campaign and Connacht Championship where London host Mayo in round one. All his many friends within the Sarsfields club and community congratulate him on his recent performances and hope 2026 will be a very successful one for him on the fields of play as Conor looks to build on his impressive start to date.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €20,100 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 4, and the following were the four numbers drawn: 1, 29, 34 and 35. The winners of the 2 x €50 prizes were The Swimming Pool (annual ticket) and Maura Ryan (online).
The jackpot in the latest draw, which was held on Sunday night, January 11, rose to €20,200. Tickets on sale at several outlets in the town and they are also available online by logging onto the club’s Facebook page. The club thank everybody for their continued support.
There was a good turnout at the first bridge game of 2026 held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, January 8, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 2nd Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 3rd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, and 4th Mary O’Malley and Teresa Ward. The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm and new members are welcome.
The first 25 drive game of 2026 took place in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, January 6, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally. Raffle winners were Breege Leonard, Vera Scally and Joe Mahon. The weekly game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the Yeats County Inn, Curry and all are welcome.
St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown open night will take place on Thursday night, January 15, at the school with the principal’s address kicking off proceedings at 7pm. All are welcome and for more information contact 094 9254211 or email info@stcc.ie.
Opening hours at Complex Coffee for January are Thursdays and Fridays from 7.45am-4pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8.45am-4pm. A wide range of coffees, teas and hot chocolates plus many other delicious treats are available on their ever expanding menu with all tastebuds catered for.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members that its annual lotto renewal time again with the current tickets due to expire in early to mid-February. The ticket has been a terrific source of income to the club for the best part of twenty-five years and has always received tremendous support within and outside the community from members and supporters alike. The club have several deals available for the 2026 season with a small increase in costs being implemented following a review by the executive as the ticket price has remained the same for well over a decade and more.
Those members who want to avail of membership, annual lotto can do so for the new price of €130 which still represents very good value as your annual lotto ticket is included in each of the 52 weekly draws. Those who wish to purchase membership, annual lotto and county board ticket can do so for the very reasonable sum of €200 which represents a small increase on the 2025 price but one which guarantees you a chance of winning the local lotto jackpot as well as the vast array of prizes which the county board draw offers with a prize fund of €250,000 available to all would be purchasers. The county board draw has seen several club members winning some nice prizes in recent years so this offer might well appeal to many out them among the membership ranks.
Stand alone membership rises from €50 to €70 so there’s a vast suite of options available to club members and supporters with the club very hopeful that they will receive the usual excellent response and support from Sarsfields members and supporters across the globe. For more details on how to sign up check out the Sarsfields Facebook Page and just click on the link with whatever ticket offer grabs you the most.
Arts and Crafts class has resumed in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown on Wednesday mornings from 11am-1pm and new members are most welcome.
Salsa classes take place in the Arts Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm and all are welcome to come along.
The training schedule has resumed for the new 2026 season at their splendid new facility on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm. New members always welcome.
Charlestown LGFA are currently seeking expressions of interest for the positions of Senior Ladies Manager and U18 Ladies Manager. Potential candidates can express their interest in their preferred role by messaging the Charlestown LGFA Facebook page or via email charlestown.mayo@lgfa.ie.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €5,400 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, December 29 and the following were the four numbers drawn; 9, 14, 17 and 19. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were as follows; Gary Maye, Kieran O’Donnell and Padraig Cafferty. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Monday night, January 5, increased to €5500.
Training sessions have resumed for the Charlestown Boxing Club at their headquarters at the old Cloonfane School on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm and Saturday mornings at 10am.
New and returning members are welcome to join the parish choir. No prior experience is required. Practice takes place each Thursday at 7pm in the parish church. For further details contact Carmel on 086 3271196.
Living Well is a free HSE programme which helps people living with a long-term health conditions to manage their condition and improve their overall well-being. Anyone with any chronic illness such as diabetes, arthritis, COPD, cardiac illness, anxiety, etc can benefit from these workshops. The next programme commences on Wednesday, January 21, at 10.30am in Castlebar.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Joseph Owens, son of Marty and Margaret Owens, Cloonfane, Carracastle on his recent marriage to Louise Hateley. Joe and Louise are wished health and happiness and many years of martial bliss.
There was a good turnout for the first weekly darts contest of 2026 held at Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday, January 4, as The Pillock and The Egg faced off in an intriguing scrap. Governor Gus had plenty on his plate to maintain law and order but he managed to keep the warring factions at bay as tempers calmed and play got underway. The Pillock has always been a streaky player and this was borne out once again as he zoomed into a two set lead thanks to some sizzling pegging. The Egg was rendered utterly redundant in those opening two sets but found his mojo with some conviction in the next two as the Pillock’s level plateaued somewhat and Casey took full advantage as there was a marked improvement in his accuracy when among the doubles.
The fifth and deciding set was a tumultuous affair as fortunes ebbed wildly among the two combatants. Initially it looked as if the Pillock was going to blow his opponent out of the water as he raced away with the first two legs but the Egg responded in typically courageous fashion to snatch the next two and set up a one leg shootout to see who would emerge victorious in the first competition of the new year.
The final leg saw both men hit top form simultaneously but it was The Egg who had first shot at a double and he made no mistake as his filan dart of three pierced the heart of the double sixteen bed to leave the Pillock in a state of complete rage as he looked odds on to take the match with three darts in his hand and double top at his mercy seemingly. It didn’t play out that way however as Casey ripped up the script and he milked the victory for what it was worth which didn’t best please his miffed opponent. Hats off to the Egg however as he got his first victory on the board of a new season where he hopes to add greater consistency to his undoubted talents.
*****************.
Congratulations to Paul McCann and Chloe Dwyer who were married in Frenchpark Church on Friday, December 19. They are wished good health and happiness in their future lives together.
Better Balance in January 2026 with a 10 week programme of strength and balance of pre-set exercises with progression guidance. Booking and registration is online through Mayo Sports Partnership Eventbrite page, Kilkelly. Booking opened on January 5 and classes start on Thursday, January 15, at 11am in Kilkelly Community Centre. Places are limited.
The Badminton Club welcomes new members to join them in Kilmovee Community Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.
Lotto and membership packages are now on sale. Starting at €50 for 50 draws. The draw will take place in The Four Ways. There are 3 packages available; Standard which costs €50, entitle you entry to the weekly lotto draw. The jackpot is currently starting at €6000 and increases any week it’s not won. Silver package costs €70, which includes lotto as above but also includes club membership for the year. The Gold option costs €150 and includes lotto, club membership and county board draw ticket.
Bingo is held on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €450 on 45 calls or less. This increases weekly by €50 weekly until it is won. The house lotto resumes at €200 on 4 correct numbers and increases by €40 weekly until it is won. There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner on the night.
The parish priest extends thanks to all who use the offertory envelopes and also contribute online for the upkeep of the parish. Collect the boxes for 2026 in each of the four churches.
The death took place of Michael Kelly, Dalton Terrace, Ballaghaderreen, and late of Ardsoran, Killaraght, Boyle suddenly yet peacefully at home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. Michael was predeceased by his parents Michael and Mary Ann, his brother Eamonn and recently on November 19, by his beloved wife Helen.
Michael is survived by his sons Michael John, Shane and Nicholas, his brothers, Padraic and Tommy, his sisters Margaret and Anne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, friends and colleagues. Michael reposed in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home Ballaghaderreen, on December 28, followed by removal at 7pm to the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy's, Ballaghaderreen. Mass of the Resurrection was held on Monday, December 29, at 12 noon followed by interment in Kilcolman Cemetery. May Michael rest in peace as sympathy is offered to all who are bereaved.
The death took place of John Towey, Crenane, Ballaghaderreen, peacefully, at Roscommon University Hospital on January 2. John was predeceased by his parents Peter and Marcella and is survived by his sister Mary, his brother Michael and his twin brother Peter, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
John reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Sunday, January 4, followed by removal to St Nathy’s Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen, arriving for prayers at 7pm. Mass of the Resurrection was held on Monday, January 5, at 11am, followed by interment in Kilcolman cemetery. May John rest in peace as we offer sympathy to all who are bereaved.
