Local Notes: Erris Athletic Club celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Members of Erris Athletic Club who recently marked their 10th anniversary at their recent annual general meeting held in the Civic Centre in Belmullet.
Erris Athletic Club celebrated its 10th anniversary at its recent AGM in Aras Inis Gluaire. Best wishes to all the newly elected committee; chairperson John Kerrigan, vice chair Sean Walsh, secretary Helen Walsh, assistant secretary Lisa Carolan, treasurer Mary Gaughan, assistant treasurer Breege Thompson, PROs Lorraine Garvin and Jenny Reilly CPOs and general officers - Eithne Dixon, Shane O'Connor, Dawn Kerrigan, Samantha Padden, Natalie Padden, Claire O'Boyle, Claire McNamara, Roseleen Reilly, Leanne Nallen, Tracy Donoghue, Aisling Monaghan and Gabriel Reilly.
Thanks were given to all athletes, parents, coaches and all who have supported Erris AC in any way throughout the years to help bring the club to its current position. Congratulations to the 5 committee members who were on the original committee in 2016 - Eithne, Roseleen, Lisa, Mary and Helen many thanks for your years of dedication to the club.
Kilmore Utd FC held their AGM recently and was deemed a success as the committee, management and team were formed for the 2026 season ahead The management team of Sean Ruane, Lenny Gilbert and Kieran Gallagher will once again take the helm and will be joined by young coach and former player Terence Lavelle on the ticket.
The committee is as follows; chairman Cyril Lavelle, vice chairman Pat Reidy, secretary Ciarán Schult, vice secretary Sean Ruane, treasurer PJ Keane, vice treasurer Michael O’Boyle, PRO Sean Ruane, and assistant to the PRO Dylan McAndrew The management team are excited about the year ahead as they feel they have a strong and young panel that can compete this year. The hard work will start immediately though under the fantastic bright lights of Kilmore Community Sports Field, Drum FC as the season is scheduled for commencement February 15/16.
A brilliant day's darts took place recently in memory of Tony Barrett on his 30th Anniversary in the Castle Inn, Glencastle. The youth’s competition kicked off the day with 33 players battling for the prize. Mikey Monaghan started 2026 as he finished 2025 making it 2 wins in less than a week defeating Mayo Youth player Daithi McLaughlin in a cracking and tight final. The semi-finalists were Ashton Monaghan and Finn Conmy with Daithi taking home the highest checkout prize.
In the ladies competition, 10 players competed in a high quality event with Mayo ladies player Jenny Camillo taking home the title beating an outstanding Róisin Lavelle in the final. The semi-finalists were Rachel McBride and Lauren McCafferty with Rachel taking home the prize for highest checkout.
The main event of the evening saw a very well supported doubles competition with 80 players turning up to fight for the title. Some very tense battles over the course of the day resulted in semi-final match ups of Cathal Tighe and Kyle Gallagher v Harry Bancroft and Alex Bielinski with Cathal and Kyle winning a cracking battle 3-2. In the other semi the evergreen pairing of Brendan Conway and Jimmy Lavelle got the job done against Shane McHale and Kevin Rowland in another 5 leg thriller. The final was a nip and tuck affair but in the end, Cathal and Kyle got the job done. Congratulations to both lads and commiserations to Brendan and Jimmy, the highest checkout was won by Brendan Conway.
The 2026 Tracey Moran Memorial Darts competition was also held recently in Healy’s in Glenamoy. 27 youths battled for the inaugural youth title, and it was the in-form player in Erris at the moment Mikey Monaghan who came out on top, picking up his 3rd youths title in under 2 weeks defeating Ryan Conmy in the final. Brent Kelly and Ryan Moran were the semi-finalists with Daithi McLaughlin, Oscar Barrett, Ben Wilson and Paddy Dixon the quarter finalists.
In the main event 80 players took to the ochies across 5 boards to battle it out for the 2026 title. The four quality quarter finals had Pat Deane, James King, and Brendan Conway and Cathal Tighe progress defeating Jimmy Lavelle, Aiden Maloney, Liam Donoghue and Kevin Naughton respectively. The semi finals stage was set and boy did it deliver. Both games went all 9 legs with 180s, 140s and clutch finishing on show especially the 109 from James King to win the match.
Semi-finals results: Cathal Tighe 5-4 Brendan Conway, James King 5-4 Pat Deane. In the final Cathal showed his winning experience of late pouncing on every opportunity afforded to claim the title for the 2nd time in 3 years. Highest checkout on the day was won by Pat Deane with 132.
The 2026 Pete Carey Memorial Darts competition will be held on Saturday, January 31, in the Castle Inn in Glencastle. Youths doubles (bring your own partner), main singles competition, youth entries €10 per team - names taken from 1.30pm and games start at 2pm. The main event entries are €10 and names from 4pm with games starting at 4.30pm. The competition is confined to Erris and funds raised are for Glencastle School.
Well done to the student council for their work in organising a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul. Each year the student council choose a charity before Christmas and worked to fundraise and make a donation. This year the group raised €478.80 which has been donated. Well done to all involved in this initiative.
Special celebrations for Nollaig na mBan in Our Ladies with the 1st year cailíní creating some mini sweet hampers and a thank you card to gift to the marvellous women in their lives who make Christmas magic while the TY cailíní created some sweet hampers and cards for the female staff members as a welcome back treat.
Thank you to visitor Iain G Hall who took part from the UK with his friends on his 1000th parkrun, great achievement. Remarking on the achievement, Iain said, ‘what an absolute amazing morning to remember at Erris Parkrun. I completed my 1,000th day attending parkruns - 790 parkruns and 210 Sundays volunteering at juniors. I can't think of a better place to complete 1,000 days’.
Well done to Michael completing his 99th different event as well as finishing in 3rd position. Michael will complete his 100th event on February 14, at his namesake - Burgess Parkrun in London On the morning 38 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of which 12 were first timers and 4 recorded new personal bests. Representatives of 9 different clubs took part.
Deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Paddy Joe Lynskey, Emlybeg South, Binghamstown; Edith Geraghty (née O’Callaghan), Gladree, Belmullet; Tina Ginty of Lime Walk, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo and formerly of Roy, Doohoma; Stephen Lavelle (also known as ‘Trigger’), Ardmore, Binghamstown, and formerly of Mullaghroe, Clogher. May they all rest in peace.
There was no winner of the lotto draw on Thursday, January 8. The numbers drawn were 3, 15, 23 and 5. Marie Deane (€50), Rosemarie Barrett (€50) and Sara Carolan (€25) were the lucky dip winners. Lotto is now €23,200 with the draw every Thursday night and a match 3 prize of €500.
The club AGM will take place in Glencastle on next Saturday, January 24 at 8.30pm and everyone is welcome. Seniors and underage training will be starting soon and any hurlers or camoige players (or parents of potential hurlers/camoige players from 6 upwards) are always welcomed and can contact either one of the club officers or through the clubs social media channels.
25 cards drive will be held on January 25, at 7.30pm in Healy’s Hall. Tickets are €10 each and will be sold door to door and in local businesses.
Here we go again, the best cure for the dry January blues, Sports Genius. Sit down with a pencil and a Google and fill in who you think will win the major sporting events of the year.
New additions this year include the Cricket World Cup, Women’s Champions League and the Trump World Cup. Sheets are available in Carey's, Main Street or from committee members. You can pay cash or by Revolut, still only €10. You get a year's entertainment watching your progress and you get to help the youth teams, boys and girls, of Erris United. The club appreciate your support and would be grateful if you could get someone else to buy one too. None of this would be possible without our very generous sponsors Belbridge Developments and Platt Reilly.
Eleven brilliant first-year students from the Robotics and Coding Club represented the college at the VEX IQ Robotics Competition in ATU Galway recently. These first year students who are past students of Barnatra and Glencastle primary schools got to develop what they had achieved during their time in primary school over the past few weeks in the school and went on to win in ATU Galway. It was an action-packed day filled with coding, driving, and problem-solving, where the students showcased outstanding teamwork and engineering skills on the big stage.
The 5th year students recently presented Tom Reilly of NorthWest STOP with a cheque for €810 following their recent fundraising efforts. In 2025 over 100 people accessed NorthWest STOP’s free counselling service in Erris and this fundraiser ensures the continuation and sustainability of this important service. If you need support, call 0818 444 000.
The college will hold its open day and enrolment on Thursday, February 5, from 10am-2pm and enrolment evening is from 6-8pm. Come along, explore the school, and meet their community.
The Belmullet/Kilmore Community Games will hold their annual general meeting on Wednesday, January 21, at 7.30pm in St. Brendan's College, Belmullet (rescheduled due to extremely poor attendance). To ensure Community Games continues in the Belmullet/Kilmore area for the children more volunteers are a must. Come along bring a friend.
