Local notes: Foxford student attends Strasbourg summit
The Cuimsiú Performance Group who gave a wonderful performance at the ‘Trad from the Moy’ concert at the recent Foxford Traditional Weekend. The group was formed during the summer following the success of the Comhaltas Cuimsiú Sessions, which have been running monthly since April. Cuimsiú brings together people of all abilities — those with additional needs/disabilities alongside their peers — to create something truly special through music.
St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, indeed all of Co Mayo, was proudly represented at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, which ran from last Wednesday to Friday, November 5-7. Eoin Murphy, a Leaving Cert student at St Joseph’s, travelled to France as part of a select group of youth delegates from Ireland to attend this annual event organised by the Council of Europe.
The World Forum for Democracy brings together leaders, activists, and young changemakers from around the world to discuss solutions to today’s most pressing democratic challenges.
The 2025 edition focused on “Democracy at risk and how can we revive it” and as a Youth Delegate, Eoin took part in workshops, discussions and debates throughout the Forum where he had the opportunity to share his views and collaborate with other young delegates, politicians, and policy makers from around the world.
The senior football team from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford reached the final of this season’s Mayo Post Primary Flanagan ‘D’ Cup, which was played at St Tiernan’s Park in Crossmolina last Friday morning, November 7. Unfortunately, they were beaten by St Brendan’s College, Belmullet by 2-11 to 1-7.
Their opponents from Erris turned in a superb second-half performance but given the miserable playing conditions, both sides deserved credit for what was an enjoyable contest throughout. The clinical edge of St Brendan’s was the main difference in the end and after half-time they actually outscored the Moysiders 1-7 to 0-1.
St Joseph’s made a slow start to the game and trailed 1-3 to 0-0 before eventually finding their groove, limiting St Brendan’s to just one more point for the first-half. Indeed were it not for some wayward shooting, the Foxford boys could have found themselves ahead by a greater margin than 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time.
A pair of quickfire Jordan Langan frees got them up and running before Dylan McHugh and Thomas Walsh each pointed to reduce the arrears to two. James McLoughlin and Dean Butler hit singles either side of a St Brendan’s point and when Cian Fahy’s point attempt dropped short and into the Belmullet side’s goal on 27 minutes, that put St Joseph’s two in front at the break, while they had also been unfortunate not to earn a first-half penalty for a possible foul on Joseph Horan.
Half-time came at the wrong time for St Joseph’s however, as they scored just one point in the entire second-half, through Cian Fahy on 48 minutes.
They are back in action this week as the first round of the Connacht PPS D Championship gets underway. They face Jesus and Mary Secondary School Enniscrone this Wednesday, November 12 at 12.30pm.
St Joseph’s: Callum McHale; Kevin Coen Gaughan, Kevin Moylett, Oisin McConnelogue; Conor Gallagher, Daniel Breslin, Thomas Walsh (0-0-1); Cian Fahy (1-0-1), James McLoughlin (0-0-1); Dylan McHugh (0-0-1), Luke Gaughan, Conor Holmes; Joseph Horan, Jordan Langan (0-0-2f), Dean Butler (0-0-1). Subs: Robert Hannick (for Butler 55).
The Mayo Scór na nÓg Finals were held last Friday night, November 7 in Moygownagh where Moy Davitts GAA and LGFA were represented by Ida Hennigan who won the sean nós dancing competition. It was an historic moment as following a unanimous decision by the Scór Mhaigh Eo committee, one of Ireland’s most expressive and beloved traditional art forms was reintroduced to the scór stage. It is hoped in future years that the sean nós competition will advance to provincial level.
Congratulations to Ida who at 10 years of age, was the youngest competitor across all scór na nÓg competitions on the night.
An open invitation is extended to any junior musicians who wish to play, and all ages who wish to listen, to the Admiral Brown CCÉ branch’s monthly junior trad session which is to take place on Sunday, November 23 from 4pm to 6pm in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford. A lovely evening of music, song and dance is guaranteed.
Sympathies are extended to the family of the late Madeline Walsh (née Rochford), Gurteenamuck, Foxford who passed peacefully in her 98th year at Mayo University Hospital following a short illness.
Madeline was predeceased by her husband William, daughter Mary Durkan, brothers and sisters, and her son in-law Dave.
She will be dearly and lovingly missed by her devoted family John, Ann, Michael, Liam, Christina, Tommy and Carmel, her 14 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren, sons in-law and daughters in-law Patsy, Billy, Madeline, Mary, Tomas and Tony, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Madeline lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Tuesday while her funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, November 5 at The Church of Christ The King, Knockmore. Burial afterwards was at Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Down Syndrome Mayo has been announced as the designated charity that will receive the proceeds of this year’s Coolegrane Lights which will be switched on at 6pm on Saturday, December 6. Well-known singer John McNicholl will perform the official turning on of the lights after which he will entertain the crowd by singing carols and much more. Helping to set the atmosphere from 5.30pm also will be Pat’s Country Roadshow. Light refreshments will be served on the evening and your attendance would be greatly appreciated.
Moy Davitts LGFA are asking that you put an important date in your diary as the club is inviting the community to partake in a fundraising Christmas Table Quiz, which will be held at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday, December 14 at 5pm.
There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and also a raffle on the evening, while you are also encouraged to wear your best Christmas jumpers or outfits as there will be a prize for the best one! Teas and coffees will be provided on the evening. Entry is €20 per table.
Any women who may be interested in getting back into Gaelic football as part of the Moy Davitts junior team are invited to get in touch via the Moy Davitts LGFA Facebook page. The junior team may suit players who for a variety of reasons may have stepped away from the game for a period of time.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts LGFA will be held on Wednesday, November 19 at 8pm in Foxford Leisure Centre. All members are welcome to attend and to have your say for the benefit of the club.
The 10th Anniversary Community Christmas Concert will take place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Sunday, November 30 at 6pm. Always a wonderful occasion, the Foxford Brass and Reed Band will be joined by Admiral Brown CCÉ and the St Michael's Choir for a wonderful evening of festive entertainment. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.
A fundraising 25 card game will take place at the Davitt Community Hall, Straide on Friday, December 5 in aid of Mayo Cancer Support and Straide Community Development Group. The events is being organised by Straide Women's Group and the support of all card players would be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations is extended to a pair of young players from S&F United who have received county call ups.
Lucy Durkan has been selected on the Mayo U12 Girls Interleague squad and Ferdia McGreal has been selected on the Mayo U11 Boys Developmental Programme.
It is a great achievement by both players and of which the club as a whole is very proud.
The winner of last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw was Tommy Durkan from Foxford who won a jackpot prize of €100. The club is appreciative of everyone who supports their fundraising efforts via the purchase of tickets for the weekly draw.
The over-35s team of S&F United are due in action twice this coming week. This Wednesday, November 12 in Round 6 of the Portwest Mayo Masters League Division 2, they will play Killala AFC at 8.30pm and next Saturday, November 15 they face Claremorris in Round 7. Kick-off for that game is at 5pm. Both matches are to be played at Umbro Milebush Park in Castlebar.
There was double delight for Derry Cox from Aghamore when he won €484 in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw having bought his ticket when visiting Sraith Garbh for his club’s recent U21 championship victory over Moy Davitts.
The Moy Davitts AGM is to be held in Bohola Community Centre this year, taking place on Sunday, November 23 at 5pm.
A second consecutive defeat for Moy Davitts in the County U21A football championship meant they had virtually no chance of advancing from their group to the knockout stages. They were beaten on Sunday, November 2 by hosts Balla who won 0-17 to 2-9. There remains one match left for them still to play in Group One which is against Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
The annual ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’ for those in the parish who have died during the past year will take place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Friday, November 21 at 7pm.
