Local Notes: Charlestown Sarsfields U16's win cup in the County A final.
Cliona Cullen receiving the cup on behalf of the Charlestown Sarsfields U16 girls team after their recent county final A victory over Hollymount .
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €14,400 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, December 1, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 5, 9 and 27. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Grainne McLoughlin and Andrew Lesson c/o Sean Grimes. The winner of the bottle of whiskey kindly sponsored by Delaney’s Mace was Angela Maloney. The latest jackpot increased to €14,500 and the draw was held on Sunday night, December 8.
Charlestown Foroige are excited to announce that following the success of Charlestown 3rd year Foroige Christmas Party two years ago, it’s back.
It will take place on Sunday, December 22, from 5-7pm in the CBD Recreational Centre. The cost is just €5 per family and there is various activities planned for the evening such as face painting, Christmas Jumper competition, games and much more. They are also excited to reveal that Santa Claus and his Elf have been in touch with them from the North Pole and will make an appearance in their grotto on the evening in question. They hope to see you there for an event that`s sure to be one of the highlights of the Christmas season in the community of Charlestown.
Congratulations are extended to Jennifer Henry, The Fairgreens, Charlestown, daughter of John and Margaret Henry, Lowpark, Charlestown, on her recent engagement to Andy Neary, Straide, Co. Mayo.
Christmas Paint and Sip event takes place in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Friday, December 13, at 7pm. It will be the perfect Christmas night out with mulled wine and prosecco on arrival, and then paint and sip. Finger food followed by live music into the night. Get your friends together and book your tickets before they sell out. For more information check out Walsh’s Public House Facebook Page and follow the link.
Social Basketball continues in the CBD Recreation Centre, Charlestown, on Tuesday evenings from 9-10pm (adults only).
Well done to the U18 girls who recorded a superb victory over Castlebar Comets in the recent cup game between the two sides which took place at the CBD Recreational Centre, Charlestown recently. The Charlestown girls played some sparkling stuff as they harried and hassled their opponents in every inch of the court and were full value for their victory as they had the shooters to secure the baskets to get them over the line thus qualifying for the next round of the competition proper.
There is a full range of fixtures for all the different age grades on the Cubs basketball Facebook page which gives a comprehensive list of matches, times and training schedules as well as regular updates on all matters pertaining to the club.
The Rinka Christmas Pop-Up camp takes place on Saturday, December 14, from 1-4pm in the CBD Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown. Spaces are limited so you are advised to book early as these sessions have sold out for the past two years. For more information click on the following link https://rinka-kids-fitness.classforkids.io/camp/404.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday last, November 27, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners: 1st Michael and Patricia Brennan, 2nd James Mooney and Mary O`Connell, 3rd Carmel Moffitt and Hilary McCrohan, 4th Paddy and Patricia Colleran, 5th Frances and Robert Healy.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, December 3, at 8.30pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Miko Sheridan and Nancy Brennan, 2nd Joe Mahon and Kevin Maloney. Raffle winners were Joe Mahon, Ivan Maloney and Breege Leonard.
The annual general meeting of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club was held in the Arts Centre on Friday night last, November 29, and there was a nice crowd in attendance as the club reflected on a pretty momentous year on and off the pitch with lots of outstanding highlights. The following officers were elected for the coming year; Patron - Kitty Walsh; President Michael Byrnes; Chairman Ryan O’Connor; Vice-Chairperson Michael Doherty; Secretary Kevin Deignan; Asst-Secretary Philip Craig; Treasurer Tom McLoughlin; Asst-treasurer Emmet Gavaghan; PRO Stephen Healy; Asst. PRO Ronan Kenny; Coaching Officer Kiefer Craig; Health and Well-Being officer Stephen Healy; County Board Delegate Noel Gallagher; East Mayo Board Delegate Patrick Breheny.
Outgoing chairman Liam Breheny presented a very comprehensive report thanking all members, coaches and officers for all the work they did in the club during the course of a busy and significant year in the long and storied history of our club. The official opening of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkway by An Taoiseach Simon Harris on Sunday, June 2, was a monumental if emotional day for the club and Horkan family as it was the culmination of four years of meticulous planning by Liam, the executive and a very dedicated group of core members who moved heaven and earth to make it possible. The support the club received from all corners of the community, country and across the globe cannot be overstated but Liam and his committee managed the whole project brilliantly and deserve every bit of kudos and credit for doing the same with the pitch and walkway which was finished to a very high spec and something the club and can be immensely proud of as they celebrated and honoured the memory of a man who was embedded in the club and community and who left a terrific legacy of memories and mementoes that will never be forgotten. The final stage of the project, the lighting of the walkway, will be completed in the new year with the finance having been secured from the latest round of lotto allocations which will complete the jigsaw so to speak and leave the club with a facility that ranks right up there with anything any club has to offer the length and breadth of the country.
Liam thanked all the management groups of the senior, junior and U21 teams for their commitment and dedication throughout a busy and turbulent season with the securing of the club’s senior league and championship status very much welcomed by all associated with the club. Liam thanked the weekly lotto sellers who do such a trojan job keeping the club lotto ticking over and thanked Emmet Gavaghan for all his help in getting the tickets and results sheets into the shops promptly following the weekly draw on the Sunday night. Liam also referenced the work around Fr O’Hara Park that was completed in 2024 namely the erection of a new shed and the purchase and upgrade of maintenance equipment to keep the pitches in trim and pristine condition and he was at pains to thank the park committee spearheaded by Ciaran McBrien, Ryan O’Connor and many other outstanding volunteers who beaver away behind the scenes on a daily and weekly basis keeping the facilities in terrific shape which makes them the envy of so many throughout the county.
He thanked the sponsors of the brand new two new scoreboards that will adorn the pitches in 2025, namely the Donoghue family and St Attracta’s along with Liam Folliard and the Ladies club which is very much appreciated by all connected with the club and once again underlines the strong bond that exists between the club and community. He thanked the club’s excellent social media team who keep all the various social media accounts updated and provide a crucial link and contact between those at home and abroad with their work and input finding wonderful favour with all their exiles and ex-pats. He thanked the local East Mayo Athletics Club for all their help and support in the organisation of the Colm Horkan Memorial Run which has been a magnificent success since its first staging in 2021 and has attracted support from all corners of the globe. He paid special tribute to Gemma Higgins and Siobhan Doherty in this regard and all the many other people who worked so hard in each of the four events to date to bring it to fruition. He complimented Bord na nOg for the wonderful work they do at underage level and the fantastic progress they have made in revitalising the coaching set-up and infrastructure that once again has them participating at a high grade and competing for silverware at East Mayo and county level. Their efforts, he stated, deserved the highest commendation and they are an absolute credit to the club and the community.
Liam paid special tribute to his fellow officers for the support and assistance they have provided him and the club over the past number of years. He stated it was a pleasure to serve with Tom McLoughlin and Kevin Deignan as they were men of the highest possible calibre who executed their duties with integrity and honesty at all times as they put the club first in each and every one of their dealings. He thanked the club’s main sponsor Alan Crean of Crean’s Mosaics for his unwavering and steadfast support of the club during his reign and the business community of Charlestown for their input and assistance at all times but particularly during an extremely busy last number of years. He indicated his intention to step down after nine years at the helm and leaves an amazing body of work behind him that marks him down as an outstanding clubman who had the vision, ambition, intelligence and leadership qualities to bring so many brilliant initiatives to completion notwithstanding the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkway was without doubt his greatest triumph. Liam’s efforts received a rousing ovation from all present as incoming chairman Ryan O’Connor stepped into the chair keenly aware of the big boots he has to follow as he acknowledged the magnificent work of the outgoing chairman.
Secretary Kevin Deignan’s report was every bit as detailed and insightful as he covered all aspects of the club’s business and affairs. Kevin is heading into a remarkable 17th year in the position as he continues to set new standards of organisation and efficiency into what’s become a very demanding and challenging position. Kevin continues to make it look easy and seamless however and the club are lucky to have a man of his ilk in their ranks as he shows no sign of slowing down or handing in his papers so to speak. His report was wide ranging covering every minute aspect of what the club accomplished, achieved and developed on and off the field. His delivery touched on all that Liam referenced in his final report as chairman with Kevin effusive in his praise of his fellow officer’s input and ability to get things done during his nine years in the role of chairman. Kevin had a terrific working relationship with the chairman. He thanked the many people who held coaching positions in the club at all levels of competition and grades and stated the club was lucky to have such committed, dedicated and talented people in our midst. He thanked all the sponsors who gave support and donations of one form or another to the club which manifested itself in many ways such as jerseys, team sponsorship , pre- and post-match meals with their contributions proving invaluable and once again reinforcing and highlighting the strong bond that exists between the club and community as a whole. He praised all involved in the organisation and preparation of the official opening of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkway and went on record to describe the immense pride he derived from Sunday, June 2, as the club and community celebrated the unveiling of a special facility in memory of a very special person who was steeped in the green and white. It was a touching and emotive day which tugged on the heart strings as the GAA family stood as one with the Horkan family to exhibit a facility that stands as a monument to all that Colm stood for and represented. Kevin’s report was professional, far reaching and superbly delivered as he heads into another year in total command of his brief.
Treasurer Tom McLoughlin delivered a very comprehensive report as he presented the balance sheet to the members present. He was in the happy position to report a surplus which speaks volumes for his prudence as he kept a tight check on the finances with every cent and euro scrupulously accounted for. Tom has done a wonderful job in charge of the club’s exchequer with the amount of money flowing through the club’s accounts akin to a medium sized business such has been the flow of cash into the club account and the Colm Horkan Pitch and Memorial Walkway account which Tom managed to keep on top of brilliantly and seamlessly. He carries out his duties with the utmost of propriety and decency and always keeps members briefed and in the loop at all times on matters pertaining to finance with the income side showing a healthy surplus which he attributed to a lot of hard work on the part of all associated with the club. He referenced the success of the online and smart lotto and stated how it formed a critical part of our income with membership and annual lotto tickets also forming a key part of our revenue stream. There are always expenses to be incurred in a club such as our own but Tom and the executive take a very smart and sensible approach when it comes to spending and this was very much reflected in the figures with circumspection and judiciousness always been observed and practised when it comes to spending club funds. Tom paid particular tribute to Emmet Gavaghan for his help and support with his work in the lotto and distribution of the same very much appreciated by him and the club at large. The meeting were delighted to hear of Tom’s intention to remain on in the role for 2025 as he continues to set new standards in terms of excellence and professionalism in a role he has most definitely revelled in and made his own since taking it on some four years ago.
Incoming chairman Ryan O’Connor finished up by thanks his predecessor Liam Breheny for the magnificent job of work he did during his nine years at the helm and reiterated his desire to build on the wonderful legacy left by Liam as he wished all members and supporters a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2025.
Tavneena NS present their Christmas concert ‘A Way in a Spaceship’ in the school on Wednesday, December 11, at 6.30 pm and all are welcome to come along for what’s always a fun night. Looking forward to seeing you there on the night.
Sympathy is extended to Sadie Byrnes, Lowpark, Charlestown, on the death of her brother Jim Lyons which occurred in New York, USA recently.
A very unique calendar of special images from The Butterfly Garden, Swinford honouring all the little babies who couldn’t stay has been launched. Calendars cost €10 each (postage extra) with all proceeds going to the Butterfly Garden Maintenance Fund. To order, call or text Anita on 087 9794338.
The East Mayo Athletic Club AGM will take place on Friday, January 10, 2025 in the Arts Centre , Barrack Street, Charlestown at 7pm. All members, coaches and the community at large or anyone interested in becoming involved with the club are welcome to attend.
Culmore NS host a Parent and Toddler Group on Wednesday mornings from 10am-11.30am. Parents, grandparents and caregivers all welcome. Admission €2 per family.
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.
Cloonacool Players are all set for February with the hilarious comedy ‘Moll’ by John B. Keane. Directed by Brid Calvey and starring the ever popular Mary Kathleen Johnson, Dennis Ross and Martin McIntyre. Not to be missed – so highlight February on your calendar.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €4000 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, December 2. The latest jackpot increased to €4,200 and the draw took place on Monday night, December 9. 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.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are to receive ‘The Club of the Community Award’ at the Mayo Club All Stars Night at a banquet occasion to be held in Knockranny House Hotel, Westport on Friday, December 13. The award recognises the positive impact of the GAA club in the community and is testament to the outstanding work in the development and completion of the magnificent new Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkway in memory of the late Colm who was such an integral part of both the club and the community. The vision and ambition the club executive and members displayed to get the project across the line cannot be praised highly enough with the facility a lasting legacy for the next generation of Sarsfields players, members, supporters and general public who have derived great use out of the facility with the pitch and walkway a hive of activity with the walkway proving particularly popular with walkers, joggers and appealing to all ages across a broad spectrum of ages. There will be a large crowd of Sarsfields supporters and members present on the night to commemorate the occasion and they look forward to a grand night of fun, chat and laughter tinged with a little emotion as Colm’s memory continues to burn brightly in the hearts and minds of all Charlestown Sarsfields supporters and the community in general.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, December 1, as Podsie and The Magician battled it out in another intriguing contest in the weekly classic. The Magician blasted out of the blocks in sensational fashion winning the first two sets with some immaculate darts. Governor Gus had to raise his voice to quell the Magician’s vocal support as Podsie began the third set staring defeat full square in the face. It’s always foolhardy to write off the champ as he has an amazing ability to rise from the ashes and this talent stood him in good stead once more as he roared back into contention winning the third and fourth sets with some sublime throwing.
The Magician had read this script many times before and came to the ochie for the start of the fifth and final set full of trepidation. He got off to a good start winning the first leg as his final dart found the corner of the double sixteen bed. The number one seed hit right however taking the next two legs with some sizzling arrows as the crowd rose to their feet to acclaim the two men who were playing at the peak of their powers. Credit to the Magician he didn’t fold, on the contrary, he fought back to force a deciding leg with a mighty treble eighteen, double sixteen brace stunning Podsie who was sitting pretty with three darts in his quiver and double eighteen at his mercy. It proved to be only a temporary reprieve for the Magic Man McGowan as Podsie wrapped up his fourteenth title of a star studded season to date when to took the very next leg with his final dart landing plum in the middle of the double eight bed to set off wild scenes of celebration among his loyal fan base as the maestro wrapped up the match in typically clinical fashion. Another terrific performance from Podsie as he gets ready to embrace the lucrative Christmas season with lots of titles and prizes up for grabs as he continues to plunder the top prizes in the game.
