Local Notes: Participants and volunteers at the recent Colm Horkan Memorial Run in Charlestown.
Some of the volunteers and participants who helped out at the annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run which took place in Charlestown recently.
Charlestown Sarsfields snatched a draw with the last kick of the game in round five of division 2 of the county senior league against Hollymount/Carramore played at Fr O’Hara Park recently.
The final score read 2-9 to 1-12 with youngster Cian Towey kicking the last two points of a frantic finish to earn the Sarsfields a share of the spoils which was dure reward for their persistence and fighting spirit if nothing else as the visitors conspired to throw away an eight point lead they had amassed at half-time.
The Sarsfields were depleted in their make-up shorn of the likes of Paul Towey, Matt Lenehan, Paddy Goldrick, Ben Conway, Eoin Flannery and Sean Dunleavy to mention a few which tested the depth of their panel considerably. The first half was keenly contested for the most part with the sides swapping points at regular intervals.
The visitors were sharp and dangerous up front and led 0-4 to 0-2 after ten minutes with veteran Colm Maye landing an excellent two pointer with a superb kick from the ground. Another point from Maye kept the Sarsfields in touch with the South Mayo men landing a two pointer to push their lead out two as the ebb and flow nature of the game continued unabated. Two fine points from full-back Thomas Goldrick and another from Thomas Holton restored parity with the Sarsfields quite happy with their lot as they were surviving on scraps of possession with the visitors monopolising the possession in the middle third battleground.
The half ended a real downer for the Sarsfields however as a 2-2 blast from the visitors rocked them back on their heels with the goals coming like buses with the first a terrific effort from the towering Nathan Moran with former Mayo star Darren Coen stroking home a contentious penalty to leave the Sarsfields reeling as they went into the shed 2-7 to 0-5 in arrears and staring down the barrel.
The second half began well for the hosts as Ciaran Honeyma, Ruairi Cullen and Eoin Murphy stroked over three good points to give their challenge some much needed fuel and momentum. Further points from Gareth O’Donnell and a fine effort from an acute angle from Ruairi Cullen kept the Sarsfields interested as the visitors had a nightmare in front of goal in the second half and kicked wide upon wide some of which were hard to comprehend such was heir wastefulness and profligacy. The prospect of a Sarsfields comeback looked remote as Hollymount/Carramore continued to rule the skies but their use of possession was lamentable as they continued to butcher scoring opportunities at will and the Sarsfields, sensing there was still something in this game got the goal their effort deserved with Ruairi Cullen blasting a rocket high and hard to the roof of the net to make it game on heading into the final ten minutes. Alan Woods added a point from the very next play with the Sarsfields firmly back in the contest as the visitors continued to misfire in front of the goals.
Hollymount/Carramore finally broke their scoring duck with a point to keep the lead at two but Ben Crean responded with a rasping shot that took the paint off the crossbar to keep it at a one point game. The South Mayo men looked to have clinched it when they landed just their second point of the half with less than two minutes left but the Sarsfields steeled themselves for one final push as young Cian Towey stepped up and assumed his Superman cape to kick the final two points of the match, the last of which came from a breach from the visitors which just about summed up their second half performance as, while they didn’t leave with nothing, they blew a game they looked to have sewn up with some tepid play.
Credit to the Sarsfields however, they scrapped and battled right to the death and their performance deserved a point and with a little more belief perhaps it could have been two with some balls fumbled and frittered away in the closing stages when scores were there for the taking. Best for the Sarsfields were Alan Woods, Ruairi Cullen, Tadhg Horkan, Cian Towey, Niall Murphy and Thomas Goldrick. Next up for the Sarsfields is a trip to Ballnrobe.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Public House on Wednesday, May 20, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Frances and Robert Healy, 3rd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 4th Paddy and Patricia Colleran.
The East Mayo Athletics Trace are holding their official opening on Sunday, June 7, from 2-4pm. There will be lots of fun activities to celebrate the opening of this splendid facility which is of such benefit to the town and surrounding communities. It is a state of the art track which will provides the club’s next generation of runners/athletes with the best possible surface on which their talents and potential can be developed to their absolute maximum.
The list of activities that are planned for the day include races of one form or another, an inaugural walk, fun games and basically fun catering for all ages and cohorts. There will be a food truck and ice-cream van present on the day which will cover and tickle all taste buds and and it promises to be a super occasion for one and all in the community and one which should not be missed. Save Sunday, June 7, in your calendar and come along and join as the town gets ready to officially open another wonderful facility which is the culmination of years of hard work on the part of a very dedicated and hardworking group of people who toiled tirelessly behind the scenes to get it across the line.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €22,100 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, May 24, and the following were the four numbers drawn;12, 17, 18 and 36. The following were the winners of the €50 prizes; Michael Mulhearn (lucky dip), Gerry Cassidy (lucky dip), and Tom Henry (online). The jackpot in the latest draw on May 31, was €22, 200.
The Sarsfields recorded a comfortable 2-9 to 0-7 victory over Bonniconlon in the latest round of fixtures played in division 6 of the county senior league played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. The Sarsfields put some indifferent form behind them in recent weeks to ease to a comfortable victory with the visitors only able to offer token resistance.
Goals from Kacy Mannion and Tomas Goldrick provided the Sarsfields with the ammunition to kick on and put some distance between them and their opponents with the outcome never really in doubt at any stage. The Sarsfields, while far from their best, had enough in the locker to see out the match with relative ease as Bonniconlon offered little in the way of an attacking threat. This was a timely victory for the Sarsfields and gets them on the points table as they look to move away from the basement end of the table and propel themselves up towards the middle and top echelons.
Charlestown Sarsfields U16 girls team recorded a thrilling 6-5 to 6-2 victory over McHale Rovers in division1 of the county U16 league played at the Crossmolina GAA grounds recently. This was a sizzling contest played between two very evenly matched teams with the Sarsfields just about doing enough to edge a cracking game of football. The Sarsfields had to work hard to get the better of a very good and quality McHale Rovers side but they did just enough to see off their doughty challenge and claim the two points on offer.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3900 in the weekly draw held on Monday, May 25, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 10, 18 and 21. The winners of the €20 prizes were as follows; Robbie Henry, Liam Giblin and Edward Colleran. The jackpot in the draw on Monday, June 1, was €4000.
Mass will be held in Bushfield Cemetery on Friday, July 24, at 7.30pm.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14s team lost their latest outing in division one of the county U14 league when they were pipped at the post by Castlebar Mitchels in an enthralling round 6 contest played at a sun splashed Fr O’Hara Park recently. The final scoreline of 5-10 to 5-9 in favour of the visitors provides a good indication of the quality on show as both teams slugged it out from gun to tape before the Mitchels claimed the spoils in dramatic fashion with a goal from the very last play of a sizzling encounter.
The Sarsfields will have lots of regrets as how they didn’t close out a match they looked to have in the palm of their hands in the final, frenzied closing stages as they left several great chances behind them which they would have cause to rue thus leaving the gate open at the back which the Mitchels, to their eternal credit, seized upon as they stuck a knife threw the hearts of the young Sarsfields team with a goal virtually on the last blow of referee John Clancy’s whistle.
It was a thrill- a -minute contest which provided so much entertainment for the nice crowd in attendance with the Sarsfields making the better start as they surged into a 2-2 to 0-1 lead courtesy of goals from Tom Naughton and Freddie Doherty respectively. The Sarsfields failed to build on their fast start however and didn’t trouble the scoreboard for the remainder of the half as the Mitchels slowly got into their stride and plundered 2-4 without reply capitalizing on some defensive howlers in the home ranks to lead 2-5 to 2-2 with the Sarsfields very much second best in the latter stages of the half.
The Sarsfields emerged for the second half with their ears stinging but it was the Mitchels who struck first as they landed the first white flag of the half. The Sarsfields hit back with a point from Daithi Gethins and got the home supporters on their feet moments later when Luke McDermott goaled to haul them level which injected new energy and belief into all connected with the green and white. A point from Gethins edged them in front but the Mitchels had some real pace and cutting edge in attack and from one of their lightning raids they goaled for the third time to wrestle back the lead and underline the obvious threats they had in thefinal third..
The Sarsfields refused to buckle and a couple of quick fire points from Daithi Gethins and Tom Naugthon restored parity once again before the Mitchels inflicted another mortal wound on the Sarsfields hopes when they scored their fourth goal of the evening thus restoring their three point cushion once again. The Sarsfields had plenty of mental toughness about them however and they responded from the very next play with a thrilling team move ending up in the hands of Alex Pugaciov who crashed the ball home brilliantly to bring the scores level for what seemed the umpteenth time in a thrill a rousing second half. Frank Muldoon popped over a lovely point for the home side but the Mitchels hit back with one of their own to keep the scores tied with the clock ticking down and still no sign of a clear winner emerging.
Both teams traded further scores with MJ Donohue pointing for the Sarsfields in reply to two from the Mitchels to leave them one in arrears and time very much against them. The Sarsfields fashioned a devastating break from which the ball ended up in the hands of marauding wing-back Conor Breheny who blasted the ball to the net to put the Sarsfields in what seemed a winning position as they led 5-9 to 3-10 with time almost elapsed. The Mitchels probed as the Sarsfields failed to clear their lines properly and from one last gasp raid, the visitors initiated one final chance and they duly took it with aplomb as a low hard shot flashed past the despairing dive of Jack Kelly in the Sarsfields goal to win the game in the most spectacular of fashions and leave the Sarsfields crestfallen as the final whistle sounded directly from the resultant kick-out. The goal floored the young Sarsfields crew but they paid a dear price for not managing the game out properly but one that will stand to them as they continue to grow and evolve as footballers into the future.
The game was a cracking advert for the U14 grade with both sets of players doing their club colours proud but the Mitchels stayed the course and grabbed the points to maintain their play-off push with the Sarsfields still firmly in the mix as they get ready to entertain Ballina in the final round of fixtures. They had fine performances from Daithi Gethins, Mikey Larkin, Conor Breheny, Tom Naughton, Michael Haran, Senan Tiernan, Luke McDermott and Frank Muldoon.
A music and yoga camp takes place in Carracastle Community Centre from July 6-10 (inclusive). It is limited to 15 spaces and strictly for children aged 7-12 years. The cost is €85, with a €25 deposit required to secure your place. Contact Olivia on osharkey1@gmail.com or call 085 1971372.
The Tavneena NS 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk takes place on Saturday, June 6, at 11am. Log onto the Tavneena NS Facebook page and scan the QR code or click on the link to register.
Wednesday, June 3 (tomorrow) will be a proud day for the young men of St Attracta’s NS as they step out onto the hallowed turf of McHale Park as they prepare to face Ballinrobe in the division one Cumann na mBunscol bBoys final with the throw-in confirmed for 2.40pm. It is a special occasion for the school as they take part in the division one final for the first time in their history having seen of The Quay, Ballina convincingly in the semi-final. They are up against a formidable Ballinrobe team by all accounts but the Attracta’s lads are quietly confident of getting the job done as they have an inner belief about themselves that has stood them in good stead all the way through the competition to date.
Manager/coach and principal Brian McDermott together with his assistants Mr Neary and Mr Kelly have their squad primed to show up and produce a big performance and they will prove a tough nut to crack if they can overcome the occasion and bring their A game to the cauldron that McHale Park will provide. It is a proud day for the school, the families and players involved and some thrill to be running out on the mecca that is McHale Park as these lads look to add another glowing chapter to the school’s long and proud history. They are wished well and there’s sure to be a huge crowd in attendance to cheer the lads on to what is hoped will be a famous victory.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-drive card game held in The Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday, May 26, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Darby Leonard, 2nd Veronica McCarricxk. Raffle winners were Veronica McCarrick, Breege Leonard and Miko Sheridan.
The Breheny twins - Danny and Sean featured for Mayo U17s as they made their exit from the All -Ireland U17 plate competition at the first time of asking with Down defeating them in round one played at the Kinnegad GAA grounds recently.
Mayo lost out on a scoreline of 2-22 to 5-8 having led 4-7 to 1-8 at half-time and looking in pole position to kick on and qualify for the next round of the competition. Down stormed back into contention in the second half however with Mayo only managing to add a further 1-1 to their first half tally with Down, in contrast, landing a whopping 1-14 to complete a fair comeback and bring to an end a miserable campaign for the Mayo management team which saw them win just one game out of the five competitive ones they played.
From a Sarsfields perspective it was good to see the Breheny twins finally getting some action with Danny in particular, making his point in no uncertain terms as he hit 1-3 from play and was very prominent in all aspects of Mayo’s attacking play in the first half in particular. He got no game time whatsoever in Connacht which many in and around the club found difficult and strange to comprehend as he is a natural score getter with a real eye for goal something Mayo lacked in their abysmal Connacht championship campaign. His twin brother Sean was the unluckiest member of the panel as he sustained a fractured collar bone a month before the Connacht U17 championship began and missed out due to recovery and rehab which was a source of much frustration for the young man as he had been going well in training and performing well in challenge games prior to sustaining his unfortunate injury. He was thrown into the fray against Down for the last fifteen minutes but Mayo were on the back foot by then and there was little he could do to alter the rising Mourne men’s tide as they were rampant in the second half and cut lanes through the Mayo defence.
Mayo’s defeat capped a poor year at this grade, maybe the worst in many a long year and questions will surely have to be asked of the management team as to their overall performance at the helm as it’s a long time since a Mayo underage team lost three games in Connacht, two of which were at home. The Breheny twins, who are sons of Liam and Denise Breheny, will return to the Sarsfields fold and will be key cogs in the club’s minor team as they focus in on the division 2 and East Mayo A Minor championships respectively and hopefully they will learn from the experience and use it to fuel and drive their determination and hunger to kick on with a view to making the Mayo U20 panels in the very near future.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday, May 24, as Podsie and the Egg fought it out in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was immense as always in his role as match referee and handled the occasion with seamless ease. Podsie blew the Egg away in the first two sets with some blistering darts as he never allowed his opponent a look at a double such was his magisterial form. He hit every treble and double with precision as the Egg faltered in reply which left everyone to conclude this would be a bloodless victory for the number one seed as there seemed to be no way back for the Egg such was the paucity of his form. Set three was much more of a contest to be fair as both men shared the first four legs with the Egg battling back to win the last two to at least give his large band of supporters something to cheer and get their teeth into.
The deciding leg had a familiar look to it, however, as Podsie steamed ahead with a maximum leaving him in pole position to finish the match in three sets. He came to the ochie with 56 left in his ledger and went the tried and trusted route of single twenty, double eighteen and he only needed two of his three darts to settle it with his second dart catching the corner of the double eighteen bed to set off big celebrations among his large band of ultras. Podsie was all class as always in his celebrations as he embraced the Egg with a warm handshake and embrace as both men chatted effortlessly and shared a few well earned beers in the process. This victory, Podsie’s eighth of the season, cements his status as the number one player on the circuit and he shows no sign of slowing down as he continues to plunder titles at all levels and grades of competition.
