Local Notes: Team presentation night in the Brusna Inn
At the team presentation night in the Brusna Inn were the Ballaghaderreen U14 GAA team with management. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €9,900 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 21,and the following were the four numbers drawn; 20, 22, 33 and 35. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were David Doherty and Roisin Grimes (annual ticket). The latest jackpot increased to €10,000 and the draw was held on Sunday night, January 28.
Classes have commenced in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown, on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm for a 6 week block cost €75 or €14 pay as you go. To secure a spot contact Tish on 087 2906002.
Charlestown Warriors Basketball are looking for new members to join their team. Casual/no league – fun environment. €25 for 10 weeks. Aged 18 + /male and female. Contact 087 2210328 to join or for any other information.
Well done to the Charlestown Sarsfields trio of Siofra McGuinness, Sophie Tiernan and Cliona Cullen who have made the Mayo LGFA U16 squad for 2024 which is a huge honour for the girls, the club and their families. All three are terrific talents and have been very much to the fore in the many very successful Charlestown Sarsfields underage teams in recent years with their form earning them much deserved recognition at county level with Siofra and Sophie being part of the all conquering Mayo U14 girls team which annexed the All-Ireland U14 title in such a blaze of glory in 2023.
Siofra and Sophie were key cogs in that U14 team and they have continued to up the ante in terms of their training and application with their form for their schools teams and excellent standard of their performances for the Sarsfields catching the eye of the management and selectors hence their call-up with Cliona Cullen having featured at the same grade last year which is a very creditable and commendable achievement indeed. The three girls continue to work hard at all facets of their game and will be hoping to stake a claim for inclusion in the team and panel as the season unfolds and plays out. The girls are wished all the best in their endeavours as they strive to make the starting fifteen with the competition sure to be hot for a starting berth in each and every position. The three young ladies are very grounded, mature and single minded, however who will lack for nothing in terms of ambition and application as they look to add another layer of success to what’s been a meteoric rise to the top in their young and burgeoning careers to date.
A Leaving Cert Irish oral course takes place on February 16 and 17. For more information or to book a place contact Siobhan via messenger or 087 6151581.
A Pink Ribbon fundraiser will take place in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Saturday, February 17. There will be a champagne reception with music, food, raffle and an auction with lots of fun guaranteed. Prizes for best dressed PINK Lady and Gent. Special guest on the night will be well known former Today FM DJ Phil Cawley. Tickets are on sale from Walsh’s Bar, Casey’s Expert Hardware or from committee members Grainne (087 9438824), Trina (087 9809529), Martina (085 7216286) , Fiona (085 2628925). This promises to a good night for a terrific cause so save the date and enjoy a night of fun and entertainment.
Flourish social prescribing service is on the lookout for a group of people to come together and read (listen to) a chapter of the ‘The Happiness Project’ book by Gretchen Rubin once a month. This will either be held in person in your local area (depending on interest) or online via Zoom. Throughout the year, they will be organising group activities such as walks, trips, etc. This is for anyone over 18 years of age and all are welcome. Contact 094 9025900/flourish@thefamilycentre.com for further details and to register your interest.
The death took place recently at St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown, of Bridie McIntyre Sonnagh, Charlestown. Her remains were removed to St James’s Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection.
Bridie is survived by her sons John, Patrick, James and Gerard, daughters Christine, Eileen, Angela and Theresa, sister Joan, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Bridie, who was pre-deceased by her husband Jim, was a kind and gentle lady who was much admired and respected in the community of Sonnagh and beyond. She was devoted to her family and took great pride and wellbeing in their health and wellbeing at all times. Her death robs the community of Sonnagh of one of its best and nicest citizens and we tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
A new five week block of yoga classes has started at Carracastle Community Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Please note this is not a drop-in class These will start on Tuesday, February 27. For more information and to book your place contact Toni at 089 2389351 and see Facebook age Yoga with Toni.
SJ Fitness classes will be starting in Carracastle Community Centre on Friday, February 2, from 7.30-8.30pm. Classes are €8 pay as you go or €40 for a block of 6 classes (18+ only). The classes will concentrate on working on cardio, core, fitness, self-confidence, stamina and self –defence. Sarah looks forward to seeing you all there.
The Charlestown Cubs Basketball club hosted the Westport Warriors Club in the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre recently for two very entertaining games at U10 Girls level with both teams displaying the full range of their skills and abilities in two absorbing contests with the spoils being shared evenly as the two clubs shared a victory each. The event was an outstanding success and hats off to the organisers on both sides with the girls thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. The Cubs have some excellent talent available at this grade so they have lots to look forward to in the weeks, months and years ahead as the youngsters continue to grow, develop and improve with each training session and competitive outing. Onwards and upwards for this very talented group with many more great days ahead in the future.
Charlestown and Districts Men’s Shed are holding a darts and cards night every Wednesday night at 7pm starting January 31 (tomorrow) in the Men’s Shed which is located at the rear entrance of the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown. The gathering is open to members and non-members and finger food and refreshments will be served. Game starts at 8pm.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh`s Bar Main Street, Charlestown on Wednesday, January 24, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, 3rd Mary O`Malley and Teresa Ward, 4th Michael and Pat Brennan shared with Charles and Mae Quinn, 6th Frances and Robert Healy, 7th Elsie Jackson and Carmel Moffitt, 8th Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 9th Michael Ryan and Ogie Moran and 10th Tommie O`Malley and Michael Dee. A game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh’s Bar Main Street, Chalestown and new members are welcome.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 Card Drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, January 23, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Colm Gallagher and Mary O`Hara, Pearse Henry and James Reidy, 2nd Seamus Durcan and James Cafferty. Raffle winners were Seamus Durcan, Colm Gallagher, Pearse Henry, James Cafferty and Kevin Maloney.
It is that time of year again when the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are asking their many faithful and dedicated members to renew their annual lotto tickets for the 2024 season. The annual lotto has been an outstanding success since its launch in 2001 and has provided the club with a steady and valuable source of income which has financed many a project and football team in the years that followed. The ticket remains a steal at €70 which covers all 52 weekly draws which represents great value hence why its proved so popular to many purchasers and subscribers over its life time. The 2023 ticket is due to expire in the next six weeks or so with many enjoying plenty of success in the weekly draws and in some cases netting a tidy profit on their investment.
The format remains the same where you select four numbers from a pot of 36 and these become your numbers for each and every weekly draw. In the event of the jackpot not being one there is a draw for 2 x €50 prizes which more often than not throw up one annual lotto ticket holder each week. The club also offers an incentive to all annual lotto ticket subscribers by way of entering them into a draw with three cash prizes up for grabs and this too has encouraged and cajoled many to sign up and take the plunge so to speak. The club are keenly aware of the pressures people are under as we enter a new year as bills come through the door following the Christmas splurge but people have always answered the call and supported the club through thick and thin and they are hoping this year will prove no different.
The club have details of how to sign up on their excellent Facebook page which contains all you need to know by clicking on the relevant link. The club are deeply appreciative and grateful for all the support they receive from the local community with the annual lotto ticket providing some vital funds to help fund the many teams who play under the Sarsfields banner as well developing their infrastructure to provide the best in terms of facilities for the next generation of Sarsfields stars.
Well done to Chelsea Doherty, daughter of David and Mae Doherty, Tavneena, Charlestown, who was part of the Mayo senior ladies panel for their opening division one national league match versus Meath recently. Chelsea didn’t get any game time but no doubt it was a great thrill and experience for her as she looks to find her feet and establish herself in a panel that has undergone a lot of changes in both personnel and management in the last few turbulent months with Liam McHale taking the managerial reins after a protracted and messy appointment sage. The team and panel have a very youthful look at the moment with a number of young and inexperienced players called up with Chelsea being one of them and she’s sure to get her chance to impress as the management team look to settle on their best fifteen. Chelsea was called into the panel on the back of some very impressive performances for the Sarsfields senior ladies team over the course of the last two years and she follows in the footsteps of her big sister Deirdre who has lined out with the Mayo ladies for a number of different spells and is currently taking a break from the inter county treadmill. All within the Sarsfields ladies club and indeed club as a whole congratulate Chelsea on her call up and wish her well in the coming weeks and months as she strives to nail down a starting berth.
Sympathy is extended to Eamon Walsh, Lowpark, Charlestown; Emmanuel Healy, Airport Road, Charlestown; Betty Hassett, Airport Road, Charlestown, and Carmel Merriman, Airport Road, Charlestown, on the death of their sister Angela Burke, Ard Aisling, Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo whose death occurred recently.
Charlestown Sarsfields LGFA are actively seeking a new manager for the U16 age group for the 2024 season. An amazing opportunity for anyone to get involved in coaching a really talented bunch of girls. To express your interest check out the LGFA/Bord na nÓg Facebook page or email your details to Gemma@charlestown.mayo@lgfa.ie.
Cloonacool GAA 5km Run/Walk/Jog takes place on Sunday, February 25, at 12 noon. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome. Registration from 10.15am -11.45am at Cloonacool Community Park. Entry fee is €10 for adults, €5 for children and €25 for a family. Changing and shower facilities available and refreshments will be served afterwards. There are prizes for the first three men and women home and there is also a prize for the first local man and woman across the finishing line also. There are also prizes on offer for men’s and women’s course record with a €100 on offer with prizes also for the first junior and national school runners to cross the finish line.
All players from U10 up to senior who wish to play with Charlestown LGFA for the 2024 season can now register with Charlestown LGFA by logging onto www.foireann.ie (or using the Foireann Mobile App) Please use the same login details as last year if you already have an account. U6s and U8s must register with Charlestown Bord na nÓg, their registration will be open soon.
Keep Fit classes with chair based exercises for the over-60s have resumed at Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday mornings from 11am-12noon. For more information and to book your place, contact Sarah at 086 3879635.
Active Retirement meetings have resumed their weekly meetings in The Pastoral Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown, on Monday afternoons between 1-3pm. All are welcome and new members are especially welcome.
Congratulations to Tommy Giblin who scooped the jackpot of €3,300 in the weekly Curry G.A.A. Lotto Draw held on Monday night, January 22, as his lucky ticket matched the four numbers drawn which were as follows; 7, 10, 14 and 16. The following were the winners of the 3 x €20 prizes; Emma Walsh, T and M Doherty, and Stephen Donoghue.
The latest jackpot reverted to €2,000 and the draw took place on Monday night, January 29. The club congratulate Tom on his good fortune and wish him happy spending in the days and weeks ahead. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club`s facebook and twitter pages.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members that membership for the 2024 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive or alternatively can also be paid by following the link on the club’s Facebook page which gives up to minute details on offers the club have in regard to membership, annual lotto and county board draw. The cost of the membership remains at €50 and the closing date for the same is March 31.
Grow is a mental health support program based on lived experience. This mean Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health. If you would like to know more, you can call your local Grow office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for ‘Welcome to Grow’, the online orientation session. This will give you an introduction to how meetings work and an opportunity to ask questions. You can also search for a group close by to you by using Find a Group and just turning up. No registrations are needed.
Hard luck to Keely Stevens, daughter of Denis and Ciara Stevens Killeen, Charlestown, who was defeated in the U18 Boxing National semi-finals held in the National Boxing Stadium recently. Keely, representing the Charlestown Boxing Club, was boxing in the 48kg weight division and came up against a very good opponent in Nicole Ahern from the Golden Gloves Club with both girls going toe to toe from the first bell in an all action fight where neither took a backward step throughout.
Keely left everything in the ring and displayed great courage and tenacity throughout but found it tough to get inside her opponent’s jab which she used to great effect throughout. Keely never stopped trying and boxed hard to the final bell but the judges were swayed by the skill and accuracy of her opponent who was given the verdict on an unanimous decision. Keely lost nothing in defeat and can be proud of her efforts overall as indeed can her coach Darren Fahy who had Keely in superb shape as she did herself, her family, Darren and the Charlestown Boxing club proud with her spirited display. Keely is sure to have learned an enormous amount from the experience and will come back a better and more rounded boxer as she continues to pave her way in a sport where she has achieved an awful lot in to date. Keep your chin up Keely, there are many more great days ahead of you in the future.
Previously known as NCBI is currently seeking volunteers to assist in its Swinford Store. The store is also accepting donations men’s and women’s shoes and clothing, handbags/purses and home ware items such as delph, curtains, glassware, etc. For further information visit the store in Swinford or call Jessica on 087 4827468.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, January 21, as Podsie and the Magician served up a cracking contest in the latest instalment of the weekly classic. The Duke took Governor Gus’s place as match referee and handled himself well as he ensured both men towed the line at all times. The Magician raced out of the blocks and took the first set with some tidy finishing as Podsie struggled with his arrows early doors. The Magician, buoyed by his fast start, took control of set two by winning the first two legs with Podsie unable to muster any kind of resistance as his darts lacked any kind of direction and accuracy. The Magician duly took advantage of his opponent’s lack of form and went two sets up as he nailed doubled eighteen with his final dart to leave him in pole position ahead of the start of set three.
Podsie stepped it up in set three as he finally found some consistency among the double and wasn’t long in reducing his deficit to one set as he blitzed his way through the third winning three straight legs in the process. The Magician bore a somewhat grim look at the start of the fourth as he had been down this road so many times in the past as Podsie remains formidable when the wind is at his back so to speak. The number one seed continued to storm his way back into the contest as he rampaged his way through the fourth as the Magician hardly got a look in such was the imperious throwing which Podsie was exhibiting.
The fifth set began well for the Magician as he stopped the rot having lost the previous six legs but Podsie had the bit between his teeth as he put back to back legs on the board with some wonderful throwing the highlight of which was a brilliant 170 finish in the third leg which the Magician looked all over winning as he had three darts in his hand at double eighteen. He never got the chance to fire one however as Podsie stood one leg away from his first victory of the new 2024 season. The champ made no mistake in the fourth leg as he blasted his way to the double leaving his opponent trailing in the high 300s. Podsie stepped forward with 56 in his ledger and paused before taking aim as he went the thread and trusted route of single twenty, double eighteen with his second dart landing plum in the middle of the green spot to set off wild celebrations among his large band of ultras. The Magician, while disappointed to lose, was quick on the premises to off his hand in congratulations as he paid tribute to the class of the victor with some kind words. Podsie’s victory strengthened his grip on the number one ranking as he once again underlined his class and pedigree with another supreme display.
