Local Notes: Sam Maguire's visit to Fr O'Hara Park, Charlestown.
Paul Towey pictured with some of the many Sarsfields stewards and supporters who helped out with the arrival of Sam Maguire to Fr O'Hara Park
Charlestown Sarsfields secured their senior status for 2027 in the back of a 5-10 to 1-12 trouncing of Ballaghaderreen in the senior relegation semi-final played at the splendidly revamped Gilmartin Park, Kiltimagh GAA grounds recently.
The Sarsfields undoubtedly saved their best performance of the season for this win or bust local derby as they took control of the game from the throw-in and never took a backward step from gun to tape. Backed by a significant breeze in the first half, the Sarsfields set about their work in methodical fashion with Gareth O’Donnell clipping over a fine early point to get the scoreboard moving.
They were rocked moments later, however, when David McBrien stormed forward and cracked a thunderbolt to the roof of the Sarsfields net to give the Ballagh just the start they needed against the breeze. That goal only steeled the Sarsfields men as they thundered into the game in sizzling style. Led by county star Paul Towey they hit 2-2 in a whirlwind five minutes with Towey bagging 2-1 with his first goal a trademark dead eye finish as he took on and beat his men and cracked a shot low and hard to the bottom corner of the net to thus providing the perfect riposte to Ballaghaderreen’s strike minutes previously. He took centre stage almost from the very next play when he deftly flicked a long Gareth O’Donnell delivery past a bemused Jamie Lunt in the Ballaghaderreen goal to leave the Sarsfields in a great position as Ballagh began to flounder in the face of some sustained Sarsfields pressure.
Further points from Towey kept the Sarsfields ticking along nicely before a third goal arrived as Matt Lenehan drove hard at the porous Ballagh backline which kept backing off with Leneghan taking full advantage as he drove the ball low and hard to the left hand corner to ease the Sarsfields nine clear leaving Ballaghaderreen stunned as they seemed helpless to stem the green wave that kept coming at them.
A super solo score from Ben Crean stretched the Sarsfields lead to ten with Ballagh in trouble in almost every line of the pitch. They did rally briefly and kicked the next three points to offer some sort of hope but Paul Towey doused this flame emphatically with a 1-2 burst in the dying embers of the first half as first his attempted long range free was fumbled on the line by a Ballaghaderreen defender thus ending up in the net to complete his hat-trick. He rounded off the half with a two-pointed score from a free to leave the Sarsfields in dream land as they led 4-6 to 1-4 at the interval and retreated to the locker room in buoyant form having dominated their opponents in every possible metric.
The expected second half surge from Ballaghaderreen, truth to tell, never materialised as the Sarsfields, playing against the wind, bagged the first two scores with Matt Lenehan and Towey keeping the graph firmly on an upward curve from the Sarsfields view point. The Sarsfields continued to boss the contest in every way and a fifth goal from the boot of Conor McArdle following some great link-up play involving several players sealed Ballagh’s fate even though the game had a full fifteen minutes to run.
Try as they might they could make no inroads against a well marshalled Sarsfields defence and became increasingly more desperate in their shot selection as shots tailed away badly or dropped short which only fuelled their frustration. The Sarsfields kept a tight leash on Ballagh’s dangermen Kuba Callaghan, David McBrien and Ryan Lynch et al as they became ever more marginalised as the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion with the green and white men in total charge of everything around them. Ruairi Cullen capped a great afternoon’s work with a superb point from play at the death and while Ballagh did kick a few late scores they were very much consolation in nature with the final score indicating the gulf in class between the two teams on the day.
The Sarsfields had powerful performers in every line of the field with young goalkeeper James Gallagher handling his late call-up between the sticks with aplomb as he was faultless in everything he did and handled the occasion superbly. The full back line of Tadhg Horkan, Ben Conway and Eoin Flannery were rock solid throughout with Conway leading the way in this regard. Jack Corley, Niall Murphy and Alan Woods were foot perfect all day in the half-back line and kept a tight leash on their respective opponents.
The midfield duo of Matt Lenehan and Thomas Holton were very good at what they do best with Lenehan driving forward at every opportunity and bagging 1-2 in a terrific performance while Holton scrapped for every scintilla of possession and thundered into the game in the second half. In attack Paul Towey once again highlighted his value to the club with a towering performance with his 3-6 tally telling all one needs to know of his class and brilliance as always shows up on the biggest of days. Ruairi Cullen was terrific too, covering every blade of grass and always providing an outlet for his defence as he destroyed Ballagh with his strong running.
Gareth O’Donnell displayed all his experience in a variety of positions and got his hands on loads of ball and used it wisely at all times. Thomas Goldrick put in a big shift tracking David McBrien and did a very good job to boot while Conor McArdle took his goal very well and looked dangerous when in possession with Ben Crean proving a willing runner all day as he darted hither and thither and he used his fitness and athleticism to telling effect all through.
Subs Paddy Joe Dunleavy and Cian Towey also made useful contributions as the curtain came down on a season where the Sarsfields secured their senior status and in some style too which hints at better times ahead in 2027 perhaps.
Special mention to the management team of Ruairi Clarke, Alan Kelly and Gary Murphy who did a fine job all season and had the boys well prepared and got the very best out of the talent available to them. The lads were very well organised and had their homework done for all games most especially this relegation six pointer against Ballaghaderreen with all their team selections and match-ups working a treat. They can take great pride and satisfaction on a job well done with much to look forward to in the coming seasons. For now it’s time for rest and reflection with plenty of pondering and thinking to be done on how the team can move forward and become real contenders for silverware.
There was a good turnout at the first bridge game of the new season held in Walsh’s Public House, Charlestown on Wednesday, September 16, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 2nd Liam Campbell and Jackie Campbell, 3rd Tom Salmon and Paddy Gallagher, 4th Michael and Pat Brennan. The game takes place every Wednesday evening at 8pm in Walsh’s Public House, Charlestown, and new members are welcome.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €23,800 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, September 20, and the four numbers drawn were; 5, 27, 29, and 35. The winners of the €50 prizes were; David Glass (online), Cell, Pearl and Eve (lucky dip), and Peter Brennan (lucky dip). The jackpot in the latest draw held on Sunday, September 27, was €23,900.
The Charlestown Sarsfields club are gearing up to host their third semi-final in as many years in the county senior championship as O’Hara Park has been chosen to as a designated venue for the blockbuster all West Mayo clash featuring Castlebar Mitchels and Breaffy. This is the second time these teams have been paired together in the last four of the Moclair Cup with Breaffy winning the most recent duel when they defeated their neighbours in a tight contest before a big crowd at Fr O’Hara Park in 2023.
This year’s clash is eagerly awaited once again with Breafffy reaching this stage undefeated having won all their group games before defeating Westport comfortably in their quarter-final. Castlebar Mitchels are still standing by virtue of their victory away to Aghamore in their respective quarter-final where they confounded many of the so-called experts who had predicted a win for the East Mayo club. The Mitchels put some indifferent form behind them in the group stages however and really fronted up for their clash with Aghamore as they managed to keep them at arms length throughout to emerge with an emphatic six point victory.
The ingredients are there for another titanic clash between these two West Mayo neighbours with qualification for the 2026 county final showpiece the big carat on offer. Breaffy are the marginal favourites with the bookies as they have been the more consistent of the two in terms of performance in the championship to date. The Mitchels remain a formidable outfit however, with bags of talent available to them as they look to qualify for their first final since 2017. Breaffy for their part are still seeing that elusive county title having endured five painful defeats over the course of the last thirteen years. They are on a crusade however and this could well be the year when they lay their demons to rest but the Mitchels will have a big say as all in the club and indeed community await with relish a contest that has so many layers to it in terms of intrigue and fascination.
Chairman Ryan O’Connor, and pitch coordinator Ciaran McBrien and the rest of the club committee expect to have the playing surface in tip-top condition for a game that’s sure to bring people from far and wide to a venue that’s well used to hosting games of this ilk and status as it provides the club with a real opportunity to showcase the terrific facilities in the best possible light. All we need is a modicum of luck when it comes to the weather with a dry ball only enhancing a top class surface with a cracking atmosphere sure to prevail as the race for the Moclair Cup hots up with real interest and captivation.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 team made their exit from division one of the county U13 league when they lost out narrowly to East Mayo neighbours Moy Davitts in a thrilling contest played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. The Moy Davitts boys edged home on a score of 2-9 to 2-8 in a game of really tight margins with never more than a score between the teams at any stage in the encounter.
Both teams were evenly matched in all areas of the pitch, but it was the visitors who held their nerve as they chipped over a couple of vital points near the end to see off a brave and fearless Sarsfields challenge as they battled with all their might right to the final whistle The game was enthralling from gun to tape as the two teams slugged it out with not a backward step taken on either side. Chances came and went on both sides with the half-time seeing a cease in the hostilities as the two teams retreated to the locker rooms with just a score between them with the visitors holding a slender 1-3 to 0-5 lead. The Sarsfields scorers were Rian O’Grady (2), Kalem Higgins, Matt Naughton and Frank Muldoon.
The second half saw no let-up in the pace or the frenzy with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions. Senan Tiernan cracked home a great goal for the Sarsfields to put them in front but the visitors hit back with a couple of good scores to leave the Sarsfields holding a tenuous one point lead. The Sarsfields continued to press but their shooting and ball retention let them down on a number of key occasions hence their lead remained at one as both teams traded points to keep both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats.
Rian O’Grady fired a rocket of a shot high into the Moy Davitts net to put the Sarsfields three clear as they looked the more likely winners as the clock ticked down. They failed to add to this goal however with shots falling short or drifting wide which sapped their confidence and energy levels as the Moy Davitts challenge got some renewed hope with a breakaway goal levelling the game for the umpteenth occasion.
The tireless Senan Tiernan clipped over a good point from close range for the Sarsfields but Moy Davitts, sensing some tiredness in the home ranks, attacked with real purpose in the closing stages and banged over three points in a row to hit the front with the clock in the red. The Sarsfields had time for one more attack but it was a three pointer they needed as Frank Muldoon’s shot drifted over the bar to reduce the lead to one once again with the Sarsfields hoping for one more play. They ran out of time however as referee John Clancy sounded the final whistle to bring a breathless game to a conclusion with Moy Davitts holding on grimly with the score reading 2-9 to 2-8 in their favour.
The Sarsfields, while gutted to lose out, can hold their heads high as they never gave up the ghost and were brave and gutsy at all times in a pulsating spectacle. They had heroes in every line of the pitch with Ted Munnelly immense in defence ably supported by Conor Daovern, Nathan Gethins, Ben McDonnell, Ollie Doherty and Matffi. Tadhg Drury was solid and composed in goals and got his kickouts away in accurate fashion.
Senan Tiernan was superb in the middle of the field and covered every blade of grass as he drove the Sarsfields forward relentlessly. Conor Breheny was just as good as he tackled, harried and hustled for possession and was in perpetual motion from start to finish. In attack Rian O’Grady was excellent as was Matt Naughton with Caelan Egan, Kalem Higgins, Anthony Byrne and Frank Muldoon all showing up well and scrapping hard for every bit of possession that came their way. The absence of Lukie McDermott through injury robbed the Sarsfields of their best forward and his absence was sorely felt throughout.
The lads can be immensely proud of their efforts as can the management team of Brian McDermott, Cathal Naughton, Kevin Munnelly and James Breheny who invested a huge amount of time and energy with this group since January last and got the very best out of a fine group of young men who are a credit to their families and club.
Time now for a well-earned rest for all involved as they can reflect on a great season with success at East Mayo U14 level and a county U14 development title perhaps whetting their appetite for more of the same down the line.
The 21st Anniversary of the Carracastle Lass is taking place on Saturday, October 17, in Carracastle Community Centre at 8pm. If you would like to give a donation towards the running costs of the event or sponsor an entrant (aged over 18), contact carracstlelass@gmail.com or call 087 6732254 for more information.
The Cubs Basketball club has resumed for the new season with teams involved at all underage grades and competitions in both genders. They are still looking for coaches/volunteers to come forward and lend a hand at some level with all expressions of interest gratefully received. Anyone wishing to come on board can DM the Cubs Facebook page as the season gets into full swing with so many teams competing on all fronts.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €5600 on Monday, September 21, and the numbers drawn were; 2, 12, 18 and 22. The winners of the €20 prizes were Martin Hayes, Philip Walsh and Michael Loftus. The jackpot on Monday, September 28, was €5700.
Charlestown Sarsfields U17 team lost out to Balla in division one of the county U17 league played at the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch, Charlestown recently. The final score read 2-10 to 1-11 in favour of the West Mayo lads with a late goal earning the Balla lads the plaudits in a hard fought game that was played in greasy, wet conditions.
The Sarsfields were kicking themselves as they looked in a good position ten minutes from time when they led 1-10 to 1-7 with an Adam Doherty goal easing them three clear. Balla however, were not to be denied and hit right back bagging their second goal which became the game’s defining score and one which took the rug from under the Sarsfields.
They did manage to tag on another point but the goal provided Balla with the momentum and impetus to drive as they added a free to their total with the Sarsfields having cause to rue some late misses which ultimately cost them the victory.
A tough pill for the Sarsfields team and management to swallow as they looked the better team for large swathes of the second half but they came up against a decent team who had a fair spread of good players in every line with this result sending Balla to the final as they look to add an U17 league title to their division one county U16 championship which they annexed only a few short weeks ago.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday night September 20, as Podsie and The Gripper battled it out in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. Jovial John was in top form in his role as match referee and kept everybody in line with his one brand of officiating. Podsie, back after a couple of weeks away from the circuit, looked suitably refreshed and rested and got off to the best possible start as he swept his way into a one set lead. He backed that up with some more stellar throwing in set two with the Gripper all at sea as he struggled to keep pace with the standard being set by the number one seed.
The third set proved a bit more competitive as the Gripper started to find his range with the first four legs being shared which set up a fifth leg decider. Podsie, keen to finish it in three, took the initiative with a maximum which put Gus on the back foot as he only managed eighty with his first six darts. Podsie, sensing his time to pounce, duly did and wrapped up the contest in three, as he nailed eighty six with a treble eighteen, double sixteen blast enough to claim his fifteenth title of a star studded season as he continues to set the standards and plunder titles galore to remain the standard bearer in a competition he has come to dominate in recent seasons. The Gripper, while distraught to lose out, was quick to admit he was outgunned by a man at the very top of his form with the two men sharing a few bevvies deep into the night.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 team made their exit from the county U13 development league by virtue of their 2-6 to 1-9 draw v Swinford in a tight contest played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. The Sarsfields needed a victory to qualify for the final with Swinford boasting a better scoring average than the hosts hence they progressed to the final.
The Sarsfields had their opportunities but left a few behind them in both halves as indeed did Swinford hence what ensued was a very keenly contested encounter with the visitors securing a late equaliser to dash the Sarsfields hopes of progressing any further. That said it was an enjoyable game with both sides going at each other hammer and tongs from the throw-in with never more than a score between them at any stage.
The Sarsfields scored a brace of goals with Ollie Doherty and Matt Naughton on the mark as they finished to the net with real conviction and were the Sarsfields two best players on the day. Others to impress included Caelan Egan, Joe Irwin, Matffi, Gabe Buganski, Nathan Gethins, Jonathan Morris and Conor Sloyan.
This draw brought the curtain down on a long season for the team and management and they can be proud of their efforts overall with lots of players getting game time and getting exposure to quality training and preparation.
