Local Notes: Manchester girls enjoy football blitz in Swinford
Pictured at a reception after the recent Home To Mayo Easter Blitz were representatives of Swinford Killasser LGFA and St Laurence's GAA Club, Manchester, from left: Regina Mullaney (Swinford-Killasser), Saoirse Dunne (captain, Swinford-Killasser), Orla Steadman (captain, St Laurence's) and Noel Regan (St Laurence's). Saoirse and Orla discovered they were distantly related!
On Easter Saturday, Swinford-Killasser LGFA were delighted to welcome St Lawrence's GAA Club Manchester to Swinford Amenity Park. Last year, the minor team travelled to Manchester to participate in a blitz and this time Manchester were on the move as part of the Home to Mayo initiative for Mayo Day 2024.
The club organised a blitz for the U14 players with Mayo clubs Kilcummin LGFA, Ballyhaunis LGFA and Moy Davitts. A wonderful day was had by all.
Noel Regan of St Lawrence's told how they would usually only have a small number of games a year and sometimes have to travel for up four hours to get to a game before returning home again, so they were thrilled to have the opportunity to play in Swinford as well as Roscommon and Breaffy later that weekend.
Swinford-Killasser chairperson Regina Mullaney hoped that the good relationship would continue between the clubs and could become an annual event with Swinford hopefully travelling to Manchester again next year.
The importance of the Home to Mayo initiative that promotes the maintenance of a relationship with the Irish diaspora abroad was reflected in St Lawrence's participation in a ceilidh music session in the White House pub after the game. The Manchester girls and their parents brought their instruments along and played alongside the Swinford girls and Dulahan Music. It was clear that Irish music and dance are an integral part of the lives of the Manchester Irish. It was a very special evening with a surprise dance recital by Regina who has clearly been saving her fancy footwork for the football field. Of special mention was the impassioned led by Therese Smyth that brought down the house.
Both clubs made presentations to each other as Regina Mullaney presented a football with the date of the Blitz to St Lawrence's and Noel Regan presented a special pennant in their club colours as well as a glass memorial plaque to honour the occasion.
As is often the case, you do not have to go very far amongst the Irish diaspora without meeting a relation. Orla Steadman, the captain of St Lawrence's U16 team and her family come home to Killasser every year as her grandmother, Kathleen Steadman (née McDonagh) hailed from Barnacogue. As Regina and Noel asked the two captains Orla Steadman and Saoirse Dunne to stand in for the photo, neither they nor the girls were aware the two girls were distantly related. Kathleen Steadman, who lives in Manchester, and Saoirse's grandmother, Bernie Henry, Midfield are cousins and also went to school together. An intricate network of distant cousins was then discovered between the two teams.
Swinford Killasser LGFA would like to thank all its officers and committee that helped make the blitz such a success. Thanks, in particular, to the U14 parents who provided a banquet of baking, teas and sandwiches to all the teams post the event. Thanks also to the LGFA executive committee members who put the céilí session together.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087-7694781 (after 6pm). The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Swinford Golf Club is excited to launch its Junior Golf Programme, an initiative aimed at introducing golf to under-15s in a fun and friendly environment. The programme kicks off with an information afternoon at the clubhouse on April 27th from 2 to 4 pm, offering families an overview of the activities and opportunities available.
Following the kickoff event, weekly golf lessons will commence on May 4th, taking place every Saturday afternoon. These sessions are open to all levels, from novices to those with a budding interest in golf, ensuring that every child can find their swing.
The Junior Golf Programme, run by dedicated volunteers, is focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game while emphasising sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork. It's a perfect way to introduce youngsters to a sport that promotes physical health and social interaction.
Swinford Golf Club extends a warm invitation to all interested families to join them for the information afternoon and be part of this community-centric club. For more information, please contact Keith at 083 8694036.
Join in fostering a love for the game and building a community around the great sport of golf.
The Butterfly Garden committee is delighted to announce that Feileacain will host the Mayo Spring Service of Remembrance on Sunday, April 14th, at 3pm in the Gateway Hotel.
The Swinford AC Spring 5K Series continues every Wednesday until May 8th as follows - April 10th, Meelick; April 17th, Swinford; April 24th, Midfield; May 1st, Foxford and May 8th, Kiltimagh. Registration from 7pm each night with a start time of 7.30pm. The entry fee is €5.
For more information, contact Adette at 087-2362112 or Micheal at 086-8196511.
Horticulturist Miriam McDermott will give a talk on 'Planting vegetables, flowers and containers for Summer' at 8pm on Tuesday, April 23rd, in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St. She will also be happy to answer questions from the audience. All are welcome to attend. Talks are free to members. Non-members fee is €5.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Swinford Community Lotto Draw held on April 2nd when the numbers drawn were 1, 5, 21 and 30.
Vouchers worth €70 were won by Ian Price, Cullane and Brendan Kenny, Swinford; €35 was won by Sean Philbin, Lislackagh, Josephine Hall, Ballyvary, Castlebar and Samantha Bruen, The Cottage, Newcastle, Meelick. The jackpot is now €12,200.
In a thrilling showdown at the East Mayo District Dart League final, held at a packed Sheepwalk Bar in Swinford, the Four Ways Bar from Kilmovee emerged victorious over Campbell's Bar of Swinford in a pulsating encounter, securing a 5-4 triumph.
The showdown commenced with the doubles, setting the stage for the gripping drama that ensued throughout the night. Four Ways asserted their dominance early on, edging ahead 2-1 doubles lead before the break, laying down a marker of their intentions.
As the tension mounted in the singles matches, Franny Duffy exhibited nerves of steel, extending Four Ways' lead to 3-1, much to the delight of their fervent supporters. However, the resilient Campbell's Bar refused to concede with Stephen Muirhead defeating Tomas Rushe 2-1, before Four Ways Rory Hunt restored their two-game lead to make it 4-2.
Yet, the momentum swung dramatically for Campbell's when Brendan McDonagh, displaying remarkable precision and skill, rattled off three consecutive 140s and capped it with a breathtaking 13-dart leg, igniting hopes of a comeback. Michael Morley followed this up showcasing nerves of steel to level the scores at four games each.
With everything on the line, the final decider unfolded between John O'Connor and Gary Horan. In a display of nerves and skill under pressure, Gary Horan emerged triumphant for Four Ways, sealing a 2-0 victory in the decider and sending the Kilmovee supporters wild with delight.
The jubilant scenes that followed were a testament to Four Ways' historic achievement, as they clinched their first-ever title in the competition, a remarkable feat considering it was only their second season in the competition. The celebrations that ensued resonated long into the night, a fitting tribute to an unforgettable evening of darting excellence and drama in the East Mayo District Dart League.
A huge thank you to everyone who once again gave so generously to Daffodil Day this year. The total raised was €9,050. The organisers wish to acknowledge all the volunteers who gave their time and energy so willingly, their ongoing support for this worthy cause is appreciated.
Swinford-Killasser LGFA had a narrow defeat to Ballyhaunis of one point in Round 2 of the Melissa Patterson Memorial League in Ballyhaunis. It was a hard-fought game with Ballyhaunis securing the one-point win through a free in the final minutes of the game. The final score was 1-9 to 0-11.
Swinford-Killasser LGFA are delighted to extend their congratulations to Emily Gavin who made her U14 Mayo LGFA debut at the recent U14 Festival of Football held over Easter weekend in the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan. Emily is wished success for her year ahead in the Green and Red.
Congratulations to Hilary, Padraig and Liam Horkan, c/o Horkan’s, who were last week’s winners of the Swinford GAA 50/50 Draw held in Horkan’s, winning €505. The next draw will be held on Tuesday, April 9, in The Sheepwalk. Entries available through www.swinfordgaa.ie, Foireann, Clubspot and throughout town.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of the following who passed away recently: Helen Lavin, Woods, Midfield, Swinford; Eileen Mahon (née Cooper) and Thomas Mahon, Deerpark, Kilkelly Road, Swinford; Sheila McCullough (née Dunne), Listernan, Killasser, Swinford.
May they rest in peace.
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Bohola
As part of Moy Davitts' 50th anniversary this year, the club is compiling a special commemorative book looking back at the five eventful decades of its history. This book will be launched at a special club event later this year.
The committee is on the lookout for material which can be included in the book including old match programmes, press cuttings, articles, team photos, pictures from special trips and events, or anything you may have relating to the club’s development over the past number of years.
So, if you have any material which you would be happy to share with the committee, please email the details to: moydavitts50@gmail.com or call Bernie on 086-8532293 for further details.
Social Bingo continues every Monday in The Sheridan Community Centre, Bohola. Doors open at 8.30pm for a 9pm start. Please note the change of time.
As part of the 50th anniversary of the Moy Davitts GAA Club, a special Commemorative Mass will be held on Friday, April 19th, at 7.30pm in St Michael's Church, Foxford. All are invited and welcome to attend this special celebration.
After two very successful walks the past two years, our local Darkness Into Light committee is very proud to announce that this year Straide is an official Darkness into Light Walk for 2024 which takes place on Saturday, 11th May. There will be a registration event in the coming weeks or you can go online at www.darknessintolight.com. Choose Mayo and choose Straide as your walk option.
Congratulations to Bernie Ball, Louisburgh who won a jackpot of €506 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, March 30. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
