Local Notes: McLoughlin family present cheques to Charlestown Basketball and Swimming Pool committees.
The McLoughlin family and committee presenting a cheque to the Charlestown Basketball Club following the successful Eugene McLougjlin Memorial Run held on August 11 last.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €13,600 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, October 6, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 21, 26, 32 and 33.The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Margaret McGinty and Mary Van Esbeck. The latest jackpot increased to €13,700 and the draw was held on Sunday night, October 13.
Inspire is a Young Adult Faith Event (18-40) organised by Achonry Youth Ministry, in St Brigid's Hall and Theatre, Tubbercurry, on Friday, November 15, at 8pm. The theme is the ‘Relevance of Faith in the Modern World’ and the keynote speaker is Louth GAA manager and former All-Ireland winner with Dublin Ger Brennan who will speak about life, sport and faith. Other speakers will join Ger for panel discussions and questions from the audience. It promises to be a great evening. Free to register via https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/inspire-tickets-1024415382987.
The death took place at Bailey’s Nursing Home, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo of Celia Gallagher, Cloonlarin, Doocastle, Co Mayo, and formerly of Tubber, Co. Galway. Her remains were removed to St Joseph’s Church, Rooskey, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Carracstle cemetery. Celia is survived by her daughters Helena and Jackie, sons Liam, Thomas, Leo, Noel and Peter, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Bernie and Bridget, brother Billy.
The late Celia, who was pre-deceased by her husband Tommy Pete and parents Mary and William, was a lady in the true sense of the word who was much loved and respected in the communities of Doocastle and beyond. She was a humble lady who was devoted to her family and enjoyed the daily contact and interactions with them at all times. Celia worked hard and, together with her late husband Tommy Pete, ensured her family lacked for nothing as they forged their way through life and made good careers for themselves in the work place. She had a kind and gentle and had a very selfless nature and she possessed many great qualities which served her well as she tackled the many challenges that life threw at her on a daily basis. Her death robs the communities of Cloonlarin and Doocastle of one of its best and nicest citizens and the large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held. She leaves many terrific memories which her family will cling dear to in these deep dark hours and days and we tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
The death took place at his home Cloonagh, Curry of Matt Brennan. His remains were removed from Howley’s Funeral Home, Curry, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Bunnacrannagh Cemetery. He is survived by his sons Michael and James, daughters Marie and Carmel, sister Margaret, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, son-in-law Tony, daughter-in-law Janette, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends.
The late Matt, who was pre-deceased by his wife Evelyn, brothers Tommy, Packie-Joe, Lawrence, sister Kathleen and son-in-law Tommy Drugan, was a well known and respected member of the Cloonagh and Curry communities. He was a hard working man with a great love of the land who was at his happiest tending to his livestock. He knew the value of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay and never shied away from the daily grind as he ensured the family’s needs were met and provided for at all times.
Matt was a quiet-spoken, grounded man who lived life in the best way he knew how. He lived for his family and enjoyed great times in their company. The community of Cloonagh has lost a good man in the true sense of the word and we tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
The final race in the East Mayo Athletics Club Autumn 5k series takes place in Charlestown on Saturday, October 19, with the race having a €5 entry fee. Registration takes place at 9.30am with the race having a10am start. The Charlestown course will provide a true test of stamina for all the would-be competitors and participants with all registration details to be found on the excellent East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook Page. The events have been well supported in the main with lots of good support coming from many of the various clubs in the community putting themselves forward to take part and support the East Mayo Athletics Club who continue to spread their gospel far and wide into all areas of the community and beyond. For more information on the event (s) contact Trina on 087 9809259 or Peter 086 3158254.
The third event took place in Kilmovee and there was a good turnout for what was a tricky morning weather wise with the early start working out fairly well as the heavens opened later in the morning/afternoon. Well done to Cailin Durkan who was the first lady home and to David Tiernan who blazed his way around the course to cross the finish line in another sub 20 minute time as he continues to set new records and push the body to the maximum.
The death took place in Levenshulme, Manchester, England recently of Willie Skeffington formerly of Bellaghy, Charlestown. His remains were removed from Horkan`s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown, to St. James’s Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection. He is survived by his daughters Lisa and Cara, son Billy and grandson Mikey, brother, uncle, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
The late Willie as he was affectionately known was a well known business man in the Manchester area who never lost touch with his roots in Charlestown and was a regular visitor back and forth as he maintained many strong links in Charlestown and the surrounding areas. He was a hard working man who made a good life for himself and his family in Manchester and was never afraid of a hard day’s graft as this was a passport to a better life. Willie was a character in the true sense of the word who enjoyed a laugh and a joke and was always full of mischief and good humour.
His death came as a great shock to many on both sides of the water as he had been a recent visitor to the town as he loved to make the trip on a regular basis. He provided employment to many over the years in Manchester and his sudden death has taken a good man long before his time. The large crowds who attended the removal of his remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held and deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
A Fashion Show will be held in the Brusna Inn (F45 HT28) on Friday, October 18, commencing at 9pm. The winter collections will be on display with Siobhan’s Fashion Scene (Charlestown), La Mode (Ballaghaderreen) and Eddie Murphy Menswear (Ballyhaunis) showcasing their clothing ranges. There will be a cheese and wine reception on the night with a raffle also being held with spot prizes galore with a prize also on offer to the Best Dressed Lady. Admission on the night is €15 with all proceeds going towards the Brusna Community Park. Your support would be very much appreciated and for more information contact 086 0777197.
Charlestown, Bellaghy and Districts Development Association monthly coffee morning takes place on Friday, November 1, from 11am-1pm in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown. Lift access available. All welcome for a cuppa and a chat.
Well done to the East Mayo Athletics Club members who took part in the recent Cross Country Championships held in Swinford. Over 30 took part from the club which was quite the achievement indeed. Pride of place goes to the U13 boys who came second in the team event and claimed the silver medal which was a wonderful feat indeed considering the standard of competition that was present and in evidence on the day. The following were the team members; Tom Naughton, Senan Tiernan, Luke McDermott, Daithi Gethins, Ted Munnelly, Kalem Higgins, Mick Bomser and Alex Pugaciov. These lads ran with great flair and confidence and displayed terrific stamina and pace to boot and showcased their rich potential in some style in what was a day to remember for the team, their families, coaches and the East Mayo Athletics Club who continue to punch well above their weight and make their presence felt at this elite level of competition. We hope this will be the start of many more successes to come in the near future and provides a real boost to the athletics club as they look to attract and draw in new members all the time.
Fr O’Hara Park played host to a cracking county intermediate semi-final recently in what was billed as the clash of the Davitts with Moy from the East taking on Davitts from the South in a game that was full of twists and turns thus providing plenty of drama for the large crowd who turned out in big numbers to support their respective teams. The pitch held up extremely well despite the inclement weather that came in the lead-up with the surface taking a decent bounce thus paving the way for a hard fought contest which both teams served up. O`Hara Park is a ground that is tailor made for games of this magnitude and this latest contest followed in a long line of quality encounters the ground has hosted in its long and storied history.
The two teams were evenly matched throughout the field and while scores were at a premium in a drab first half, the second half saw the game spring to life with an early Davitts goal injecting real life into their challenge. From there to the finish the game was balanced on a knife edge as East Mayo standard bearers Moy Davitts fought back with great courage and bravado as many of their young players took centre stage and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when it looked to be drifting away from them on several occasions. The presence of a strong breeze made life difficult for both sides but the shackles were firmly thrown off in the second half as both teams went bald headed for the victory. The atmosphere began to build noticeably in the closing ten minutes with little more than a score separating the teams at all times. The noise and excitement grew to fever pitch and the players responded in spades as they hurled into challenges and risked body and bone to get their respective teams over the line in what became a dramatic closing ten minutes with victory still very much up for grabs.
It was the men from East who prevailed by the narrowest of margins as the final whistle evoked contrasting emotions with Moy Davitts ecstatic while the Davitts lads sank to the turf in dejection. The crowd really bought into the action with the ground providing the perfect back drop for a game that, while not the best in terms of quality, kept everybody emotionally involved and invested right to the final whistle. It just shows how grounds like O’Hara Park can play their part in generating an atmosphere second to none in sharp contrast to the large open expanses of McHale Park with its vastness and size often times dulling the atmosphere and rendering it difficult for players on both sides to generate the passion necessary to get the crowd involved in such a huge stadium. Grounds like O’Hara Park, in contrast lend themselves to occasions such as this and provide the perfect back drop for the competing clubs involved.
Well done to the Sarsfields ground staff and pitch committee who had the surface in such marvellous shape with the club ticking all the boxes in terms of organisation, parking and the ability to get a large crowd in and out of the ground in a matter of minutes. Food for thought perhaps for the county board officers that O’Hara Park and similar grounds of its ilk should be used more regularly to host games of this nature with the fixture providing the club with the opportunity to generate some much needed revenue through the club shop and lotto sales with both doing a brisk business as everyone pitched in to ensure the club earned a few bob on the back of their hard work.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 girls lost out narrowly to Burrishoole in the final of the Division 3 U13 cup final played at Fr O`Hara Park recently. The Newport girls came through on a 2-5 to 1-6 score line in a game of very tight margins with very little between the two sides throughout. The Sarsfields girls lacked for nothing in effort and played their hearts out in both halves but ultimately they just couldn’t get their noses in front in the crucial final minutes as the Burrishoole girls stayed strong right to the final whistle. Credit to both teams on serving up a good game of football with the Sarsfields, while disappointed to lose, can hold their heads high as they will enjoy many more productive and fruitful days in the future when the result will read most definitely in their favour.
Well done to the Charlestown Sarsfields Minor Ladies who captured the championship shield final with a good victory over Belmullet in the final played at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan recently. The Sarsfields came through a tight encounter on the right side of a 3-15 to 5-2 scoreline in a high quality encounter that contained plenty of spills and thrills throughout an action packed 60 minutes plus. The Sarsfields ladies played some good football in both halves but Belmullet’s ability to score goals kept their challenge alive and buoyant despite the Sarsfields enjoying the lion’s share of the possession and territory. The green and white ladies had plenty of forward power and threat of their own with their 3-15 winning tally very impressive indeed as they kicked scores from a variety of angles and distances all of which were pure quality in their execution. Belmullet looked dead and buried on several occasions but they had an uncanny ability to resurrect their challenge care of goals and this kept them hanging around for far longer than the Sarsfields would have wished which kept both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats as the madcap nature of the game continued to entertain and bemuse. The Sarsfields always had the ability to bounce back from the concession of the goals and they were more than worthy winners at the final whistle the blowing of which ignited much in the way of celebration in the green and white camp as the ladies took the plaudits and acclaim from their large and faithful band of supporters.
Well done to the management team of Kevin James Durkin, Siobhan Horkan and Ella Brennan who got a great tune out of the ladies throughout the season and had them in peak shape for the final with their fitness levels and conditioning giving them a significant edge over their opponents as they won most of the individual battles with the scoreline flattering Belmullet somewhat as the Sarsfields were, truth to tell, much the better team on the day. A fine end to the season for the team and management and won which augurs well for the future of the senior ladies teams as there is a wealth of talent coming behind which should see the compete at the top end of the ladies senior championship for many years to come.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, October 2, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty; 2nd Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne; 3rd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne; 4th Frances and Robert Healy; 5th James Mooney and Mary O`Connell.
St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown, hosted a bake sale with all proceeds going directly to Mayo-Roscommon Hospice. The initiative was led by chef Aine Roache and her wonderful catering team of Eileen, Krystof, Kathleen, Margaret and Christina. The offerings on sale were the finest of home baked goods with each sample being tastier than the next. Huge thanks to all those who came to support this wonderful fundraising initiative. Special thanks to Richard in Gilmartin’s, and Pat in B&B Foods who kindly donated three hampers for raffle. The three winners were Nora Roache, Siobhan Hennigan and Jose Nadayli. Congratulations to all.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday October 8, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Paul Flannery and Joe Mahon, 2nd Darby and Breege Leonard. Raffle winners were Mary Lynskey, Pearse Henry and Miko Sheridan.
A Christmas Craft Fair will be held at Carracastle Community Centre on Sunday, December 1, from 10am-2pm. If you would like to have a table on the day contact 085 7704647 to confirm your place and for more information.
The 29th anniversary of the Carracastle Lass will be held on Saturday, October 19, at Caracastle Community Centre at 9pm. Tickets are available at the door and a raffle will be held at the interval. This year`s Carracastle Lass winner will go forward to the Mayo Rose of Tralee selection night next year.
Charlestown Sarsfields girls U16 team take on Hollymount in the U16A cup final on Saturday, October 26, with date and time to be confirmed. Best of luck to the team and the management panel consisting of Colm and Catriona Maye and Nora Kivlehan.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3200 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, October 7, and the four numbers drawn were; 5, 15, 23 and 24. Winners of the €20 weekly prizes were; The Brett Family, Caroline Donoghue and Michael Henry.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, on Sunday, October 6, as Podsie and Boom Boom locked horns once again in another instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was immense in his role as match referee and ensured good sportsmanship prevailed throughout. Boom Boom raced into a two set lead as he hit every double with unerring accuracy in the opening two sets. His radar was on from the get go as Podsie struggled to match his levels with a whitewash looking distinctly looking on the cards as Boom Boom began the third set with the advantage of the darts.
Podsie, remained calm however and trusted his form would come and this composure served him well as he grew into the match and took the third set with some clinical throwing. He carried this form into the fourth set as well to level the match as Boom Boom struggled to replicate the form shown in the first two sets. The fifth set was a cracker with both men having their opportunities to claim the victory. Boom Boom looked best placed when he led two legs to one and had three darts in his hand at double top but all three narrowly missed the green baize by inches, thus paving the way for Podsie to step forward and clinch the leg as he nailed double eighteen with his last dart. He raced to the double in the deciding leg care of a couple of ton plus throws which piled the pressure on Boom Boom to respond in kind. He didn’t measure up however as he hit a couple of tame scores to leave the way clear for Podsie to step in and claim his twelfth title of the season and this he duly did and finished on a high with a treble fifteen double eight sealing the victory and one which owed much to his resilience and spirit as it did to his undoubted class. A terrific game with a classic ending as Podsie once again underlined his champion pedigree.
