Local notes: Foxford musicians star at Fleadh
A group of young footballers who took part in the Cúl Camp in Foxford last week, with Mayo senior footballer and hurler Fergal Boland who is this year's Mayo GAA Cúl Camp ambassador.
A wonderfully successful weekend was enjoyed by members of Foxford’s own Admiral Brown CCÉ at the Connacht Fleadh Cheoil which was held in Strokestown, Co Roscommon over the weekend – with many of them qualifying for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which will be taking place in Wexford Town in August.
Michael McHale medalled in no fewer than three individual competitions, finishing in first place in the U12 tin whistle slow airs and second in both the flue and flute slow airs. Gerard Doyle was the winner of the U12 whistling and took third place in the fiddle slow airs as well.
Croídhe Doherty won silver in the 12-15 concertina and teamed up with Laoise Doherty and Muirenn Hyland as they took third place in the 12-15 trio.
Anna Clarke was particularly busy too, as she won a trio of bronze medals for the U12 concertina, harp and harp slow airs, while like Michael McHale and Gerard Doyle, she was also a member of Admiral Brown CCÉ’s Glór na Sí U12 céilí band who finished in third place.
Kate Moylett was third in the 12-15 whistling and Tomás Doherty was third in the 12-15 melodeon while in sean-nós dancing, Dean O'Toole took gold in the 15-18 year-olds and Peter Fox was second in the seniors.
Continuing an excellent day for the branch, Aindréas Doherty was a qualifier in 15-18 Comhrá Gaeilge.
The very best of luck to all the musicians and dancers who now go forth to next month’s the All-Ireland Fleadh.
(Competitions were also held last Sunday but results are up to and including Saturday, July 6 only).
Further details have been announced about the Golf Classic that is taking place at Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, August 31 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Moy Davitts GAA Club.
To enter a team of four costs €160 and among the many great prizes that will be offer on the day (details of which will follow shortly), there will also be competitions on the day for the longest drive and nearest the pin. The prizes will be presented that same night at a special presentation function in The Village Inn, Bohola.
If you wish to enter a team to play in the Classic you can contact Patricia (087-2768080), Annette (087-6781500), Declan (087-9900289) or Pat (087-4136896).
In addition, the club would gladly welcome sponsorship so if you don't play golf but would like to sponsor a hole, you can also get in touch with Annette (087-6781500).
Mass-goers in Toomore and Attymachugh should take note that on the upcoming weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, the only Masses celebrated that weekend will be in St Michael’s Church, Foxford.
Foxford Meals on Wheels Service are looking for a person to help out in the preparation of dinners in their kitchen – and the usual cleaning duties – for five mornings a week. Applicants must meet the necessary requirements to participate on a Community Employment Scheme. Usual criteria applies.
Contact Geraldine at 087-9040463 or 094-92-56614.
The numbers of fish reported as caught by Foxford Salmon Anglers for the week-ending Sunday, June 30 was in excess of 100, which is hugely encouraging as to the health of the River Moy. All methods of bait were said to have worked well. Anglers reported huge runs of grilse coming through and the hope was that a decent flood would help move them up the river. It is also to be welcomed that a good number of salmon returned were also returned to the water.
Meanwhile, East Mayo Anglers Swinford are to hold their annual Youth Angling event on Wednesday, July 24 between 6 and 8pm. For enquiries or application forms you should contact Kathleen at the EMAA office on 094-92-53955 or 086-3946837. Early booking is advised as numbers are limited for safety reasons.
The Davitt Community Hall in Straide has commenced its Sunday Night Mini Ceili and already the weekly event is proving very enjoyable and very popular. It is to continue every Sunday night, getting underway at 8.30pm, and not only is there set dancing but waltzes and jives as well. Refreshments are served and admission is €8. All are very welcome to attend.
The time of year where Mass is celebrated at the various cemeteries around the locality is fast approaching, with the following dates worthy of putting in your diary. Friday, August 2 at 7pm, St Martin’s, Glanduff; Saturday, August 3 at 6pm, Toomore; Sunday, August 4 at 11am, Craggagh; Tuesday, August 6 at 7.30pm, Bonnifinglas; Friday, August 9 at 7.30pm, New Killeen Cemetery, Attymass; Tuesday, August 13 at 7.30pm, Old Killeen Cemetery, Attymass.
There was tremendous excitement in Foxford last Wednesday morning when Mayo senior footballer and hurler, Fergal Boland, arrived to Sraith Garbh – the home of Moy Davitts GAA Club – to meet the young boys and girls who were participating in the week-long Mayo GAA Cúl Camp.
Over 100 budding players enjoyed five days of camp from 10am to 2pm each day, with the highlight (albeit rivalled by the free ice cream on Friday!) undoubtedly the visit of Fergal who signed jerseys and gave an insight on what it takes to become an inter-county player.
There was disappointment for Moy Davitts in the final of the East Mayo U14 ‘B’ Football Championship last Tuesday, July 2 when they were beaten by Aghamore. It finished 7-11 to 5-7 at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. Meanwhile, Aghamore also got the better of Moy Davitts when having the home advantage for their meeting in the East Mayo Minor ‘B’ Championship. It finished 4-9 to 1-15 in Aghamore’s favour.
A tidy jackpot of €336 was won by Clare Mulvey in last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw, tickets for which remain available to buy in all the usual outlets on via the Club App which is downloadable to your smart device.
A not-to-be-missed occasion for the entire community is set to be held in the Great National Hotel, Ballina on Saturday, November 2 as Moy Davitts GAA Club hosts a dinner dance to mark its 50th Anniversary.
The evening will begin with a drinks reception at 7pm with the excellent Brian McDermott Band providing the entertainment followed by a DJ until late. Drinks reception at 7pm. Tickets are limited so be sure to get your ticket early.
Isabell Susanna Ruddy from Glasgow, baby daughter of Eoin and Sarah, was welcomed into the Christian community on Saturday, June 22 when baptised at St Michael’s Church in Foxford. Congratulations to all.
Straide and Foxford United’s senior ladies team were in action in the Mayo Women’s Cup quarter-finals last Friday evening, July 5 and took home side Kiltimagh/Knock United all the way to extra-time before losing 8-4. Just as she had done in the 2-0 win over Castlebar Town at Green Road in the opening round of the Rumley Cup the week before, Fiona Doherty scored a brace for S&F – both goals this time coming inside a frantic opening 20 minutes that saw the teams level at 2-2. Then Avadh Gaughan hit the net to send S&F in at half-time with a 3-2 lead and matters improved even further when Erin Mulroy doubled the lead on 62 minutes. But Kiltimagh/Knock were to fight back and level the match at 4-4 before proving too strong in extra-time.
Interestingly, the two teams will meet again this coming Friday, July 12, this time in the Mayo Women’s Premier Division, in Foxford.
A free and confidential clinic remains open and available to any homeowner in Foxford or the surrounding area in need of support due to their property being impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Caroline Wilson is employed by Mayo North East Partnership as a Defective Concrete Blocks Community Facilitator and is supporting homeowners through the application process and facilitating access to the relevant support services.
Caroline holds clinics by appointment in Foxford, Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Castlebar, Killala and Westport to meet with the public and provide one to one support. These clinics are free of charge and are completely confidential.
Caroline is also reaching out to anyone who may have storage units, a rental property, holiday home or vacant property that is available to rent to homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks.
To book a clinic appointment or if you have any queries, contact Caroline at 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
The DCB post is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through Mayo County Council.
The senior footballers of Moy Davitts were not in action last weekend as their scheduled game against Ballintubber in Mayo SFL Division 1B was put back until next Tuesday, July 16, with the game throwing-in at 8pm in Foxford. All support would be greatly appreciated.
To coincide with the 50th anniversary of Moy Davitts GAA, former players who may be living abroad, or even elsewhere in the country, are being encouraged to participate in a ‘50 Points for 50 Years Challenge’.
The idea is that they have a video taken of themselves kicking a point over the bar in their local pitch while also relaying how exactly they are connected to Moy Davitts GAA Club.
If you have any family or friends who you think might take part, perhaps you could alert them to the challenge?
There are several videos already on the club’s social media channels if wanting an example of what to do.
Videos can be sent to pro.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Pictures, match programmes or press cuttings of key events in the club’s history are still being sought by Moy Davitts GAA for the commemorative book that is to be published this year to mark its 50th anniversary. Items can be sent to secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
