Local notes: Moy Davitts GAA outlines exciting plans
The members of Glór na Sí from Admiral Brown CCÉ who competed in the 15 to 18 Grúpaí Ceoil at the Mayo Fleadh which was staged in Westport earlier this month.
Following on from the launch of its Development Plan 2024-2027 earlier this month, Moy Davitts GAA Club has issued a list of its key ambitions for the period. They include: to replace the existing spectator stand; replace the existing clubhouse; erect new front boundary fencing; erect new pitch enclosure fencing; construction of a new footpath along the public road; construct a pedestrian walkway with public lighting; to complete carpark arears and provide markings; construct a 4G/all-weather training pitch; provide new portable dugouts for both pitches; provide three phase electricity supply; purchase new maintenance equipment; new foul sewer pumping station for waste removal; new equipment/maintenance shed and storage area; new materials storage area for pitch sand etc.; acquire additional lands for future developments.
Another of the key actions is the preparation of a Master Development Plan for the club which will include all of the key development priorities which have been identified. This Master Plan will be broken into different phases over the next 10 years. It is hoped to have the overall plan completed and costed over the next number of months and at that point, the club hopes to be in a position to identify funding streams and project timelines.
Several local groups are to benefit from funding that has been allocated under the Local Enhancement Programme from the Department of Rural and Community Development. It was announced last week that €193,865.02 is to be distributed among 155 groups throughout Co Mayo, with Foxford, Straide, Attymass and Knockmore among those included.
The funding is geared towards providing capital supports to community groups and organisations, in particular those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.
Foxford Sports and Leisure Club has been allocated €1,493.77, Foxford Community Garden will receive €1,000, Foxford Town Enhancement Group is to get €369.99 and there is €1,000 for the Michael Davitt National Memorial Company CLG.
Straide Community Development Group will receive €1,000 under the scheme, there is €681.99 for Attymass Community Centre, Knockmore Rathduff Economic and Social Development Company has been awarded €1,000 while also in Knockmore, the Rathcaconeen Residents are awarded €922.50.
“The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities,” observed Deputy Michael Ring in welcoming the allocations. “It supports small-scale funding for projects. The Programme responds to local needs. These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country.
“The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is felt hugely in the communities that these groups serve,” added Deputy Ring.
St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford has congratulated 2nd Year student Annie Reynolds who was placed first overall nationally at the Gymnastics Ireland National Series event held in Dublin on the weekend of May 18/19.
Competing at the Sports Ireland Campus in Dublin, Annie excelled on all her apparatus and ended the day having won three gold medals and one silver.
The monthly meeting of the Foxford Singing and Poetry Group will take place in Guiry’s Bar this coming Thursday, May 30 at 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend.
Prior to the thunderstorm downpours of last week, the Foxford Salmon Anglers reported fairly mild conditions (week ending Sunday, May 19) on the River Moy with water levels below the Joinings staying consistent with the run off from the lakes. Indeed fishing has been noticed as improving steadily as more anglers – visitors and locals alike – participate.
17 salmon were reported caught for the week in question, all of them good spring fish which were caught mostly on shrimp, worm and spinning.
The long journey to Louisburgh was one worth making for the under-16 footballers of Moy Davitts last Thursday evening, May 23, as a 3-7 to 2-4 win against the home side has secured them a place in the Division 4 league final. They led 2-3 to 1-1 at half-time and managed to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
Moy Davitts will now play Achill in the final. That’s after the Islanders recorded a huge 8-15 to 1-4 victory at home to Bonniconlon in the other semi-final played on the same evening.
Tom Jordan from Bohola was the weekly winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw, scooping the jackpot of €355.
Three points away from home were secured by S&F United in Division 4B of the Mayo U15 Football League last Wednesday, May 22. The Black and Amber turned in a fantastic performance and recorded 4-1 win against Kilmurry courtesy of two goals from Jonah Gallagher and one apiece from Dara Gaughan and Yaroslav Solodovnikov.
On the same evening, S&F United’s U15 Premier Division side had home advantage for their game against Ballina Town and it turned out to be an extremely tight and tense affair, with the teams having to settle for a 3-3 draw. Calum Costello scored twice for United with the other goal coming from Rory Gruddy.
There was a significant local input to a thrilling victory for the Mayo League in the U13 SFAI Inter-League Bowl Final at Evergeen FC, Kilkenny on Saturday, May 18. No fewer than six players from S&F United were involved in the success that saw Mayo fight back from two goals down to beat the Waterford Schoolboys League 3-2. Calum Costello scored the equaliser and he was joined on the Mayo squad by his S&F teammates Rian Jordan, Michael Ruane, Rory Gruddy, Sean Walsh and Mounir Soufan.
The club has extended particular thanks to the players’ parents and their club management for their dedication to the boys.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice is looking for volunteers to help with collections at local outlets (or other areas if it suits) on the National Sunflower Days for Hospice, which are next month on Friday and Saturday, June 7/8. In particular, they would welcome support from Men’s Sheds, active retirement groups, walking groups, sports clubs or any community group.
If you think you could help, contact 094-93-88666, text 087-7384310 or email info@hospice.ie.
In association with Cruinniú na nÓg, a four-week singing club is running at the Foxford Leisure Centre, having got underway last this Thursday, May 23. The club will continue on Thursdays May 30, June 6 and June 13. The club is open to national school children and is free of charge, with each meeting getting underway at 5.30pm and lasting 45 minutes.
To register, simply text 086-3999774.
Anyone wishing to listen to masses from St Michael’s Church, Foxford may do so by tuning into 108FM. Alternatively, all services are also available to view online at www.churchtv.ie/foxford.
Having met every Tuesday and Friday throughout the month, the final two gatherings for the Rosary at the Foxford Grotto on the Swinford Road will take place this Tuesday and Friday, May 28 and 31 beginning at 7.30pm each evening.
Following on from last year’s hugely successful Summer Camp organised and hosted by Knockmore Foxford Boxing Club, pre-registration for KFC Summer Camp ’24 is now open. The camp will take place at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on six Wednesdays across July and August, between the hours of 10am and 3pm. The dates are July 16, 23 and 30, and August 6, 20 and 27.
Numbers are strictly limited to 20 children so early registration is essential.
The fee is €20 per day or €100 for all six days. To pre-register, forward names to 086-8373646.
Moy Davitts GAA Club remains on the hunt for material suitable for publication in a book that is being published this year to mark the club’s golden anniversary. A complete 50-year Moy Davitts history is to be compiled in commemorative book form, looking back at the five eventful decades of the club’s history since its formation in 1974. It is planned that the book will be launched at a special club event later in the year.
The book committee is on the look-out for material to 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 club, please email the details to moydavitts50@gmail.com or call Bernie on 086-8532293 for further details.
