Local Notes: Shane Mullaney, Swinford Boxing Club wins Connacht title
Congratulations to Shane Mullaney aged 13yrs (in red) who won a Connacht Boxing title in the Boy 3 46kg category in Castlerea on Saturday, February 24. Shane overcame Michael Delaney of Olympic Boxing Club in a close contest. Shane will go on to represent Swinford Boxing Club in the All-Ireland in a few weeks time.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday evening.
Plans for the 74th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade are well in hand. A number of school bands and floats have entered so far but the parade committee would like to make this year the best ever and are calling on all clubs, organisations and businesses to get involved by supporting the parade, lending a hand and/or entering a float. Don't forget this year's theme is Irish TVs and Movies so the organisers are expecting some creative visions down Main Street this year. The parade will be officially launched in the White House, Swinford on Friday, March 8, at 9pm followed by a table quiz. Get your teams together for a guaranteed great night.
Every year the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Swinford needs help from some wonderful volunteers. The parade is organised by volunteers within the community and this year due to work commitments a couple of valued volunteers have been lost. The St Patrick's Day Parade committee is looking for people to volunteer to help on the day as Marshalls. Your community needs you. If you would be interested in volunteering, contact Megan 087 9808064.
If you missed the Swinford Killasser LGFA club's registration open evening you can still register your membership on the GAA Foireann App. 2024 fees are as follows: Adult player €80, adult non player €42, juvenile/U18 €70, U10 €50, U8 €40, G4MO €50. Nursery (must be 4 by 1 May 2024, €30. Bundles available: €10 off 2 or more children. Non-playing members are always welcome to join and support the club throughout the year and join in club events.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community lotto draw held on February 26, were were 1, 2, 15 and 25. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Margaret Sweeney and Christine Dowsett. €35 was won by Séan Óg and Gene Reilly, Belcarra. The jackpot is now €11,200.
Congratulations to Linda Cunney who was last week’s winner of the Swinford GAA Club 50/50 draw held in Horkan’s winning €342. The next draw will be held on Tuesday, March 5, in Sheepwalk. Entries available through SwinfordGAA.ie, Foireann, Clubspot and throughout town.
Anyone who would like to receive texts about upcoming Swinford Agricultural Show meetings and events text your name to the show phone 087 118 1680.
Swinford Athletic Club members delivered great performances and results at the recent Connaught Indoors. U14 Shot Putt - 1st Rachel McNicholas setting a new championship record; U13 Shot Putt 1st Emma Nolan, 2nd Aoibheann McNicholas, 3rd Aine Lavin.
U14 800m 2nd Sue Sue Nolan, U14 1000m Walk: 4th Siobhán Hyland. U15 Long Jump 1st Patrick Cuddy setting a new championship record of 5.39m, U15 60m Sprint 2nd Patrick Cuddy. U16 Shot Putt 1st Cathal McNicholas, 2nd James Duffy, U16 Long Jump 4th James Duffy. U17 Shot Putt 1st Caoimhe Hughes. U18 800 3rd Kevin Groarke, U18 Shot Putt 2nd Leah Gallagher, U18 Long Jump 3rd Leah Gallagher. U19 1500m 1st Caitlín Hughes. Senior Men 60m 2nd David Forkan, Senior Men 200m 2nd David Forkan.
Well done also to Saoirse Dunne, Isla Heaney, Faye Gallagher, James Mulroy, Holly Ginty, Sarah Groarke, Addison Mc Donnell, Abby Gallagher, Holly Gallagher, Niamh Mullaney, Saoirse Julian, Connor Ruddy, Jimmy Fulham, Eris Gruddy, Jane Heaney, Caoimhe Hanley, Erin Crawford, Sean Flynn and Cormac Fearon who all put in great performances and also did the club very proud.
The Achonry Regional Pioneer Dinner Dance will be held in the Yeats County Hotel, Curry, Co Sligo on Friday, March 8, at 8pm, with music by the Duets. Tickets can be purchased from Thomas Marren on 087 2344338 or from Yvonne Moore in Moore’s supermarket. Tickets priced at €30.
Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo will take place in Westport on the weekend of May 10 - 12. Fleadh entries are now open and can be downloaded on the Mayo Comhaltas website. Return entry forms to your branch secretary.
Darkness into Light 2024 registration is now open. Swinford is taking a break this year, so Kiltimagh is delighted to host the 2024 event. Register on https://www.darknessintolight.ie/ select Mayo as your County and Kiltimagh/Swinford as your venue. The route will be just under 5km starting at the Bocce Court Kiltimagh.
Results of the game played in Meelick Community Centre on Tuesday, February 27, were card winners were Phyllis Bredican, Maureen Morley, Michael Ward, Michael Regan, John Gallagher and Michael O’Neill. Raffle prizes were won by Francie Rowley, Michael Durkan, Willie Creighton, Michael Ward and Jimmy Lynskey. The game continues every Tuesday in Meelick Community Centre at 9pm.
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The death took place of Colm Griffin, Crennane, Ballaghaderreen, and late of Culclare, Kilmovee, on February 21, peacefully in the tender loving care of his family at Rathkeevan Nursing Home, Clonmel, County Tipperary. Colm was born the youngest of a family of seven on November 11, 1933, to parents Domnick and Catherine Griffin (nee Forkin). The other members were Mary Barrett, Bea O’Hara, Thomas, Teresa Grennan, Fr John and Michael, who all have predeceased Colm. Colm was also predeceased by his daughter Teresa Raleigh in recent years.
Colm attended the local national school and on completion of his formal education emigrated to England in search of employment. He returned to Ireland on numerous occasions during the years he spent in England to help with the farm work. It was on one of those visits home that he met a lady from the local parish Tooreen, Ballyhaunis, by the name of Monica Neary. Romance blossomed for them and they were married in the Church of St Mary, Tooreen, in 1965, and they set up home in Colm’s native village of Culclare, Kilmovee, where together they raised a family of six - sons John and Colm, daughters Kathleen, Maureen, Michelle, and Teresa. Teresa predeceased him in October 2017.
When Colm married in 1965 he purchased farm machinery and worked for local farmers undertaking to do their farm work and Colm proved a very popular choice in his locality. He was very gifted with his hands and could turn them to most tasks that needed to be done.
In the 1970s Colm took a career change when he retired from working for local farmers he commenced employment with Roscommon County Council and remained in this employment until his retirement in 1996. During this time he moved to reside in Crennane in County Roscommon.
Colm had a very calm personality and this endeared him to many, always ready and willing to help those in need a very loyal supporter of Mayo football and remembering the last time Mayo won the All Ireland Football title.
The practice of his faith was important to him with a special devotion to Our Lady of Knock having walked to Knock on National Pilgrimage Day, August 15, many times in his younger years. He was a great storyteller and loved nothing better than relating times from his youth to the younger generation. Some of the comments in relation to Colm, over his funeral days were gentleman, loyal friend, kind, good humoured, hardworking, and humble.
Colm reposed in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen, on Thursday, February 22, with removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee, arriving at 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection was held on Friday, February 23, at 12 noon followed by interment in Naomh Mobhí Cemetery.
Colm will be sadly missed and remembered by his heartbroken family, his wife Monica, sons John and Colm, daughters Kathleen, Maureen and Michelle, sons-in-law Mike, Ken, Dave and Edwin, daughters-in-law Lena and Alma, grandchildren Michael, Ciaa, Abby, Aoibheann, Orla, Lily, Clodagh, Roisin, Liam, Amy, Maeve, Ruth and Eleanor, his nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends. May Colm rest in peace as sympathy is offered to all who mourn his passing.
The committee of the Kilmovee 10km is pleased to announce that this year's event will be taking place on Saturday, March 30, at 1pm and that registrations are now open. The link can be found on www.kilmovee10k.com. Over the years the event has welcomed over 500 participants and the organisers are positive that this year’s event will top that number again, as participants enjoy the great course, super scenery and legendary hospitality in Kilmovee, Co. Mayo.
Volunteers will required on the day, and anyone interested can contact the committee via the website or facebook.com/kilmovee10k. They would also welcome anyone who can help prepare sandwiches, cakes or treats for the post-race hospitality. But most importantly, they look forward to welcoming you to Kilmovee on Easter Saturday as they continue to grow and become a runners, joggers, or walker's favourite each year.
The annual Achonry PTAA dinner dance will be held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Friday, March 8, at 8pm. Music will be supplied by the Duets and a very limited number of tickets which cost €35, are available from Kilmovee correspondent James Hunt, Kilmovee 086 0680702.
St Attracta's National School, Ballagahderreen, was crowned the county winner of the recent Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Sports Quiz held in As Sportlann, Castelebar. Out of the 174 primary schools in Mayo, St Attracta's NS came out on top with a score of 93 out of 100. The team now march on to represent Mayo in the Connacht final of the Cumann na mBunscol Sports Quiz on March 19.
Congratulations to team members Ciarán Lavin, James Moynihan, Alex Cogan, and Kaylan McHugh as well as their school quiz coach Mr Fearghal Hughes.
New adult outdoor exercise equipment has recently been installed at The Community Park, Ballaghaderreen with the aid of a Community Recognition Grant from The Department of Rural and Community Development and Roscommon County Council. The Community Park Committee are grateful for the grant received.
