Local notes: Community invited to help with big Easter clean-up
At the recent Moy Davitts GAA Bord na nÓg presentation evening in Straide was the 2025 under-16 football team, pictured with Moy Davitts and Mayo senior footballer, Cian McHale, back row, fifth from left. Cian was fresh from winning the Sigerson Cup with University of Limerick.
A call has gone out for as many people as possible to lend their services to Foxford’s annual An Taisce Spring clean-up which is taking place this coming Easter Monday, April 6.
Overseen by the Foxford Enhancement Group, the plan is to meet up in the Foxford Pharmacy car park at 11am. You are asked to come along and volunteer to help litter pick on the four approach roads to the town. There are some hedgerows and ditches which are very badly littered and teams will be organised and allocated to each approach road. If you have gloves and a litter picker please bring them with you as we have limited supplies. High Viz vests will be available. Resident committees are also encouraged to organise clean-ups of their estates on that day too, or on an alternate date which suits the residents and together, everyone can help make the town look well as summer approaches.
The funeral took place last Wednesday, March 25 of Mary Murray (née Coleman), Belgarrow, and formerly of Tavanaghmore, Foxford.
Mayo, who was predeceased by husband Michael and her mother Annie, passed peacefully at Mayo University Hospital. She will be dearly and lovingly missed by her son Paddy and daughters Mary and Bridie and her husband Tom, her grandchildren Daniel and partner Aine, Lorcan and partner Shannon, and Helen, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Mary lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Tuesday evening and following the celebration of her funeral Mass the following morning at St Michael’s Church, burial was in Craggagh Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Admiral Brown CCÉ was well represented at the Ballintogher Feis in Co Sligo recently where some of its young members had some excellent results. Congratulations to brothers Adam and Eoin Hennigan who teamed up to take first place in the U12 duet. Adam also won the U12 button accordion while Eoin was the overall winner of the U9 Championship, placed second in the miscellaneous competition (whistling) and took third in the tin whistle.
Another family affair saw brother and sister Liam and Darcey Jones enjoy plenty of success too. Liam won both the U12 Irish singing and storytelling and finished second in English singing while Darcey took first place in the U7 English singing.
Congratulations to all.
The committee of the Straide Community Development Group have called an urgent public meeting to address the future of the Straide Davitt Community Hall. The meeting is to be held on Wednesday, April 8 at 8pm. The committee has said that impactful decisions need to be made and that the entire community has the right to make them so are urging as many people to attend or to be represented.
After an excellent 2025 season, Brady Guilfoyle of S&F United was last week named up front on the Mayo Football League’s U17 Division Two Team of the Year. Neighbours Conn Rangers have two players selected, namely Matthew Neary and Nathan Coldrick while Dean Collins was the division’s two scorer. Well done to all.
There was disappointment for S&F United in the SFAI U15 Boys Subway National Trophy quarter-final when they were beaten 4-2 by Trim Celtic of Meath, after United had impressed with a 3-1 win victory over Crumlin United in the previous round. It was an excellent achievement to reach that stage of the competition nonetheless.
Meanwhile, in Division 1 of the Mayo U17 Girls League, S&F United were beaten 3-0 away to Ballyglass FC.
S&F United’s men’s team lost their Tuohy Cup first round tie away to Ballyheane ‘B’ by three goals to one, with James Duffy on target for United.
Well done to all the Foxford athletes who participated in the Mayo Community Games cross country event at Breaffy House Resort. The course was challenging with everyone putting in a huge effort. Foxford CG now has eight athletes who will represent Mayo for the national event in Gormanstown, Co. Meath at the end of May.
U14 Boys mixed distance relay: Oisín Ruddy. U13 Girls cross country: Emma Jane Burke. U13 Boys cross country: Conor Ruddy. U12 Girls mixed distance relay: Ida Hennigan, Lauryn Hughes. U12 Boys mixed distance relay: Adam Hennigan, Charlie Burke, Tom Burke.
It’s time to dust off the running shoes and get preparing for Foxtrot 2026, which will take on place on Sunday, April 19 starting at 1pm from Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
The 5k fun run for all the family is this year not only raising funds for the local community for also for another exceptionally worthy cause, which is the provision of care for Brenda Walsh Grealis. Brenda, originally from Callow, is a gifted singer and musician, wife and mother of four children, who has recently been diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). This is an extremely rare, severe neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and progressive loss of mobility.
The communities of Callow, Foxford and the surrounding areas are coming together with Foxtrot in an effort to raise much needed funds to assist Brenda and her family with this life changing condition. There will be prizes for the 5k and a raffle on the day. For any enquiries, contact Ann at 086-8302975 or Helen at 085-8282000.
An evening where you can make your own Easter or spring wreath has been arranged to take place in Straide Davitt Community Hall this Tuesday evening, March 31 at 7pm. All materials will be supplied and no experience is needed. It’s for over-18s only and the cost is €50 per person. Tea and Coffee and treats are included. Spaces are limited. To book a place, contact 087-9954454.
Registration for a new table tennis club in Foxford is to be held at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Good Friday, April 3. All ages are invited to join. You can pre-register by messaging 086-8373646.
The death occurred on Sunday, March 22, peacefully in the care of the staff of Sonas Nursing Home, Knock, of Miceál Deasy, Cullen, Foxford.
Miceál was predeceased by his parents James and Mary, his sister Kathleen Coughlan, Evelyn Ward and his sisters in infancy Agnes and Evelyn, his brothers-in-law Andy Coughlan, Mathew Ward and Johnny Henry.
He will be dearly and lovingly missed by his brother Denis, his sisters Maura Henry (Foxford) and Sr. Teresa Deasy (Dublin), his nieces and nephews, Maura Williams, Maureen Boorman, Sheila Birtles, Sean Coughlan, Kevin Ward, Brendan Ward, Colin Ward and Martin Ward, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Miceál lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Thursday evening and his funeral Mass was celebrated in St Thomas’ Church, Callow on Friday after which the funeral proceeded to Craggagh Cemetery for burial.
May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to Edel Staunton, who won a jackpot of €459 in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. The club extends its thanks to everyone who supports the draw, which contributes greatly to its running costs.
This Tuesday, March 31 is the deadline for registering as a member of Moy Davitts GAA club. There are numerous membership packages for non-playing club members who buy 50-50 weekly draw and Mayo GAA County Board tickets as well as many other options.
Registration must be done at www.foireann.ie or through the Foireann app.
Anybody not registered by March 31 will not have a vote on any club matters and players will not be allowed to play without being registered for the 2026 season.
The Moy Davitts senior football team booked a place in the final of the East Mayo Centenary Cup against Ballaghaderreen courtesy of their draw away to Charlestown Sarsfields, 1-15 apiece, on the back of an opening round group win against Aghamore.
The junior footballers are pencilled in for two games this week. On Good Friday, April 3 at 6.30pm, they are set to host Ballaghaderreen in the East Mayo Junior ‘B’ Cup while on Sunday, April 5 they are also with home advantage for a game against Kiltimagh in the East Mayo Canon Henry Cup. Throw in is at 2pm.
In the opening round of the Homeland Mayo U16 Football League, Moy Davitts were beaten 8-13 to 3-9 away to Islandeady in Division 3.
Meanwhile, in Mayo LGFA Division 2, the Moy Davitts senior ladies made it two wins from two with a 2-12 to 0-9 victory over Hollymount. Their junior team lost away to Ballinrobe in Division 5.
An opportunity to recycle old sports gear is being offered by Moy Davitts GAA Club who are to host a pre-loved sports gear sale fundraiser.
This is a sustainable opportunity for club members and non-members alike to recycle old jerseys, training tops, football boots, hats, tracksuits and more.
The sale event itself will take place on Easter Monday, April 6, from 12pm to 3pm in Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola.
You can contact the club’s Communications Officer, Mike Kelly, on 087-1967360 to arrange a collection or drop-off of sports gear for the sale.
All funds raised will go to the ongoing running of Moy Davitts GAA.
This year's Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place at Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, May 30. The entry fee is €160 per team of four and there will be some major prizes on the day, including nights away and green fees at some of the top golf courses in Ireland. There will also be prizes for the longest drive and nearest the pin, and a halfway house barbeque at the ninth hole for those looking for a bite to eat and drink during their round. To book, contact Ballina Golf Club on 096-21050 or info@ballina-golf.com. Early booking is advised.
