Local notes: Sam is coming home to Foxford
The Moy Davitts under-8s football team were delighted to meet All-Ireland winning Mayo manager Andy Moran who was in charge of the opposing Ballaghaderreen U8 team at a blitz hosted by Charlestown Sarsfields and which also involved Swinford and Ballyhaunis GAA clubs. The Moy Davitts boys acquitted themselves very well.
Foxford was fortunate to briefly welcome the Sam Maguire Cup on its journey around the county in the days after Mayo’s All-Ireland senior football championship victory in late July but now there is confirmation that the famous old trophy will make an official visit to Moy Davitts GAA Club on Saturday, September 26. Local hero Cian McHale is expected to be joined by other members of the Mayo squad for the visit to his home club in Srath Garbh, which will run from 10am to 1pm. Further details will be announced closer to the event but for now it’s a case of save the date!
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that the Sam Maguire Cup will also visit schools in the Moy Davitts GAA catchment area on Monday, December 7. Bohola NS are timetabled for 9.30am followed by Straide NS at 11am, Foxford NS at 12.30pm and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford at 2.30pm.
Membership to the Admiral Brown branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is now open. The Foxford-based branch currently has over 250 members and extends an open invitation to any newcomers who might be interested in becoming a member. Membership fees remain the same: €20 for a family, €12 senior, €6 junior.
For further information contact cceadmiralbrown@gmail.com.
This year’s Foxford Traditional Weekend is taking place from October 15 to 18. The organisers have once again assembled a top class lineup of musicians and singers and are to reveal these in full shortly. However, among the highlights is set to be the reunion concert of Céide on Friday, October 16, a band that includes among its members local musicians John McHugh, Tom Doherty, Kevin Doherty and Marianne Knight, along with Declan Askin and Brian Lennon.
Other performers at the four-day festival include Séamus and Caoimhe Ó Fhlaithearta with Ryan Molloy, Cuas, Edwina Guckian and stars from the Basque and Breton regions, Xabi Aburruzaga and Marie Le Cam.
For festival enquiries, contact foxfordtraditionalweekend@gmail.com or visit the website www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com.
The senior ladies team of Moy Davitts LGFA play their third game in Group A of the AbbVie Intermediate Championship next Sunday, September 13. The game against Louisburgh is at the neutral venue of Islandeady, with throw-in at 11am. Louisburgh have lost both their opening games but Moy Davitts themselves must bounce back from a defeat to Aghamore in the previous round. A victory will be enough to send them into the quarter-finals. All support would be appreciated.
The under-16 footballers of Moy Davitts LGFA featured in last week’s shield final of the U16 ‘C’ Championship and were unfortunate to come up against a strong Davitts team who won 2-11 to 1-07 at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. However, there was better fortune for Moy Davitts when they enjoyed home advantage against Belmullet last Wednesday evening in the semi-finals of the Mayo LGFA minor ‘B’ shield, as they booked their ticket to the final thanks to a 4-11 to 2-07 victory. Moy Davitts’ opponents in the final will be Claremorris who overcame Ballyhaunis on the same evening, 6-15 to 6-06.
Foxford Bridge Club is pleased to announce that bridge classes are to commence on Wednesday, September 30 at 7.30pm in the Foxford Social Centre (Old Boys School). The classes will be presented by John McCrohan (CBAI certified) who can be contacted at mayocdo@gmail.com or 087-242945. You may also email foxfordbridgesec@gmail.com for further information.
Well done to S&F United’s U12 girls who got the better of Ballyvary Blue Bombers in last Tuesday’s league fixture played at Green Road. A brace of goals by Roisin Walsh and one apiece by Dianiamh Burke and Laoise Carey helped them to a 4-1 win.
The men’s first team lost 4-1 away to Ballyhaunis Town in the Mayo FA Castlecourt Hotel Premier Division. Aaron Gallagher scored a first-half equaliser for United before the hosts struck three times in the second-half to secure all three points.
Work continues on the compilation of material for a book to celebrate 130 years existence of Foxford Brass and Reed Band. The committee is appealing to, and would appreciate the public to help with this publication by furnishing them or any band member with photographs and newspaper articles or to relate their family connections and memories. Every photograph will be copied and returned immediately. You can contact Seamus Burke (chairperson) on 086-8582726.
Submissions are invited from anyone with photographs of the Callow and Killasser areas, its people and places, celebrating this year’s All-Ireland SFC victory for Mayo. It’s for the 2027 edition of the Killasser/Callow calendar.
The annual calendar is now in its fifth year and having commenced planning, the calendar committee decided that there was only one subject that could be covered given the year that’s in it. The theme is ‘Killasser/Callow celebrating Sam’ and as well as people watching or celebrating the match, photographs could also include humorous decorations that may have been around, or may still be around the locality. You can email your pictures, or seek further information, at killassercalendar@gmail.com.
A new beginners class for children wanting to learn the tin whistle will commence on Tuesday, September 22 in Foxford National School, running from 2.50pm to 3.30pm. The cost of an eight-class term is €60. Meanwhile, classes for foundation, improvers, intermediate and advanced tin whistle players are to return on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15/16. Foundation: Tuesdays 2.50pm to 3.30pm; Improvers: Wednesdays 2.50pm to 3.30pm; Intermediate: Tuesdays 3.30pm to 4.10pm; Advanced: Wednesdays 3.30pm to 4.10pm.
For enquiries, text Tom Doherty at 087-2787984.
Congratulations to Paul Tolan who won a jackpot of €760 in the Moy Davitts 50-50 draw on Saturday, August 29. The club extends a huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
There were mixed fortunes for Moy Davitts GAA in three county underage finals played last week. The minor footballers played Crossmolina Deel Rovers in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar in the Homeland minor ‘D’ championship final and lost by the narrowest margin, 3-10 to 0-18, having trailed by eight points before mounting a stirring second-half comeback.
There was, however, better fortune for Moy Davitts in the Homeland U14 ‘C’ shield final against Swinford, beating their neighbours 2-12 to 1-07 in the game played in Parke.
Last Thursday evening, Moy Davitts were beaten by Kilmeena, 3-13 to 1-07, in the Homeland U16 ‘C’ shield final which was played in McGovern Park, Newport.
The 7th Mayo Foxford Scouts will return from their summer break this coming Thursday, September 10 at the usual time of 6.30 to 7.30pm at their Den in the Foxford Social Centre (Old Boys School).
Western Alzheimers are seeking support for their annual Peak of the Reek Community Climb, which takes place this coming Saturday, September 12. Participants – individuals, families, sports clubs, or community teams – are invited to tackle the steep, stony pilgrim path of Croagh Patrick for a loved one or to just enjoy a community day out. The climb is self led and open to all abilities, and every euro raised will go towards local dementia care, respite and support services for local families living with dementia in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon.
Register online at www.westernalzheimers.ie or contact 094-93-64900 for all details.
Participation and support is sought for the Backs Parish Tractor, Vintage and Vehicles Run which is to take place in Knockmore next Sunday, September 13. Registration is at 11am and the fee per motorised vehicle is €20. An auction will also take place at 12.15pm, with all proceeds from the day going to the parish funds.
Marian McNamara, Foxford won €100 as the lucky name picked out in last week’s S&F United 50-50 weekly draw. Tickets are always available in local outlets and online at www.smartlotto.ie while season tickets are always available from all committee members – 52 draws for €50!
Mayo Karate Academy returns this September and it is offering new students a free trial class across all locations. Tonight (Tuesday, September 8) classes take place at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre while tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9) classes will go ahead in Bohola.
Karate gives children the opportunity to build confidence, make friends and have fun. Spaces are limited, contact 087-4636841 or email mayokarateacademy@gmail.com.
Subject to the completion of road improvement works in the area, the bus stop in Straide will be reinstated to the Citylink service to Galway from Monday, December 7. Local residents had previously been impacted by the axing of Bus Eireann’s Route 52 service.
“Huge credit to Jimmy Mulroy and the Straide community for making their voices heard,” said Minister Alan Dillon who also thanks councillor Neil Cruise and Senator Mark Duffy for their advocacy and input.
The N58 at Straide village is temporarily closed for bridge replacement works until Friday, December 4, 2026.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice are looking for community groups, individuals, schools or workplaces etc. to host a coffee morning/evening either on the day of National Coffee morning for Hospice itself, which is Thursday, September 24 or on any other date that suits. Coffee and posters will be provided. Contact 094-93-88666 or email info@hospice.ie. or register online at www.hospice.ie.
