Local Notes: Thomas O'Brien, Charlestown was a finalist in the Tonstix Lollipop of the Year Award.
Thomas O'Brien with St. Attracta's NS Principal Brian McDermott. Thomas was a recent finalist in the Tonstix Lollipop of the Year Award having scooped the Connacht Award. Thomas takes his job very seriously and is a constant source of care, dedication and positivity in ensuring every child crosses the road safely in all kinds of weather.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €17,300 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, June 22, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 3, 18, 35 and 36. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Sheena Scanlon and Cathal Henry. The jackpot increased to €17,400 and the draw was held on Sunday, June 29.
Charlestown Sarsfields suffered a 1-12 to 0-12 loss to Breaffy in round seven of Division 1A of the county senior played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. The Sarsfields welcomed back county star Paul Towey into their line-up for his first appearance of the season and this was a big boost to their hopes as was the absence of the Breaffy’s county duo Aidan O’Shea and Davitt Neary none of whom were in the squad which strengthened the Sarsfields hopes of gaining a much needed first win of the season.
There was plenty of endeavour and energy expended in the first half as both sides grappled for control. The visitors looked dangerous early on and attacked with some intent building up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead with some accurate point kicking from distance. The Sarsfields struggled initially to repel a threatening looking Breaffy attack but gradually grew into the game with Matt Lenehan clipping over two good points from play to give the home side something to grab onto.
Breaffy’s initial surge ran aground as they started to misfire in front of goal with shots going left and right of the posts as the Sarsfields slowly started to make some inroads with Towey starting to find his range as he knocked over three super points to haul the Sarsfields level and provide them with some momentum going into the interval with the scores deadlocked at 0-5 apiece.
The second half began brightly for the visitors as they kicked the first two points to regain the lead at 0-7 to 0-5. The next ten minutes saw a frantic tussle for possession and control with both sides trading scores to leave the game balanced on a knife edge with Breaffy holding a slender 0-7 to 0-6 lead. Paul Towey took centre stage for the Sarsfields and showed all his talents and class kicking a brilliant two point score to edge the green and white in front as the battle for supremacy heated up considerably. He followed this up minutes later with another fine point from play to leave the Sarsfields in a good position as they led 0-9 to 0-7 and looked the better team with Towey very much the key man in their resurgence.
The game swung back towards the visitors minutes later however when they were awarded a penalty following a Sarsfields indiscretion in their own small square. Robbie Fadian dispatched the ball expertly to the net to regain the lead for the West Mayo men with the Sarsfields momentum stalled on the back of this score. Towey, however, revived the Sarsfields in some style kicking another sensational two-point score and added another point from play from the very next play to leave the game beautifully poised at 0-12 to 1-9 with less than five minutes remaining.
It was Breaffy who finished the stronger as they kicked the last three points of the game with the Sarsfields effort falling short as their last few attacks floundered with turnovers and ill-judged shots at goal spoiling some good approach play as the West Mayo men made away with the spoils.
The Sarsfields lacked for nothing in effort or energy and had fine performances from Towey who accounted for 0-10 of the Sarsfields tally of 0-12 and was the standout attacker on the pitch. Matt Lenehan, Jack Corley, Tadhg Horkan, Ben Conway, Sean Dunleavy and Gareth O’Donnell also played prominent roles in the game and did their best to bring the game to the visitors at all times.
The Sarsfields host Moy Davitts in the East Mayo Minor B Championship in Fr O`Hara Park on Tuesday (this evening), July 1, with the throw-in fixed for 7pm.
The Sarsfields host Ballaghdereen in Fr O’Hara Park in the East Mayo U16A championship on Tuesday, July 1, with the throw-in timed for 7pm.
The Sarsfields host Swinford in Fr O’Hara Park in the East Mayo U16A championship on Thursday, July 3, with the throw-in timed for 7pm.
The Sarsfields travel to Foxford to take on Moy Davitts in the county junior championship on Friday, July 4, with the throw-in timed for 7pm.
The Charlestown Swimming Pool is open for the summer season with a detailed timetable of activities available to the general public in terms of lessons, stroke development, water safety and other super courses all of which can be viewed on the Swimming Pool’s Facebook page which gives up to the minute bulletins on all that’s happening in and around the pool on a daily basis.
The East Mayo Athletics Club have are running a nice competition at the moment as they continue to raise funds in aid of their track development plans. They are offering two Oasis Premium Tickets for the band’s Croke Park concert on Sunday, August 17, with entry by way of the East Mayo Athletic Club Facebook page where you can click and follow the link or they have cards in a number of shops and businesses in the community with each line costing €5 with five available for €20. The club would appreciate your support with demand for the tickets sky high at the moment as the Oasis tickets remains the hottest ticket in town so to speak. The winner will be announced on Sunday, July 27, so get you entry in fast as we count down to some Roll With It and Wondewall which will be belting out before a full house in Croke Park on the Sunday night in question.
Charlestown U14 team are in a rich vein of form at the moment. Hot on the heels of their Division 3 county league success, they are creating quite a stir in the East Mayo U14A championship, winning their first two games in impressive fashion with their latest victory being achieved over near neighbours Swinford with the Sarsfields coming through in good style as they recorded a 3-10 to 2-9 victory, thus maintaining their one hundred per cent record in the competition so far.
The game was a good contest throughout with both teams enjoying their spells of dominance and possession. The Sarsfields, however, had an ability to score goals at key times in both halves which proved crucial to arresting control just as it looked as if the hosts were on the verge of taking charge. The game remained live as a contest right to the final whistle with Swinford pushing hard to rein in the Sarsfields but the green and white defensive line held firm and they got the game’s crucial score when MJ Donohue, fresh from being introduced as a substitute, hammered the ball to the net to put the game beyond the Swinford lads and make it a two score game to boot.
The goal was greeted with big celebrations in the Sarsfields ranks with the final whistle following minutes later to put the seal on a big win for the Sarsfields and one which leaves them in with a right shout of making the final with one game remaining against Ballaghaderreen.
The other goals came from Alex Pugaciov and Rian O’Connor which put the seal on a terrific Sarsfields performance as the team continue to improve at a rapid rate of knots.
The 3rd Annual Carracastle Vintage Run takes place on Sunday, July 6. Registration from 11am and the run starts at 1pm. Bikes, lorries, tractors and cars are all welcome. There will be music on the day, ice-cream van, face painting, bouncy castle and food by the ‘Pig and Heifer’. All are most welcome and all proceeds on the day will go towards Croi and Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club.
The garden is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2.30pm and is well worth checking out as the committee have a fantastic display of shrubs, plants and vegetables on display with the place looking an absolute picture as it embraces the long evenings and warmer temperatures. The raised beds are a huge addition to the garden and the committee continue to beaver away making subtle and significant changes to make it bigger and better with so much to recommend as it continues to draw lavish praise and admiring glances across all strands of the community and beyond.
South Sligo Wild Sauna returns to Charlestown Swimming Pool for the summer. The sauna will be open Monday-Friday evening throughout the summer. For session times and booking check their social media or visit www.bookwhen.com/southsligowildsauna. Whether you’re looking to unwind, recover post-swim, or enjoy the benefits of wood-fired heat, it’s the perfect way to reset your week.
The next Community Coffee Morning takes place in the Arts Centre on Friday, July 4, from 11am-1pm. Lift access is available. All are welcome for a cuppa and a chat.
The recent church gate collection in aid of Concern taken up at all churches in the parish on the weekend of June 14/15 realised a sum total of €585. Special thanks to the organisers, the church gate collectors and all who gave so generously, your help and support was very much appreciated.
Classes take place every Tuesday evening at the old Clooonfane School from 7.30pm-8.45pm. €60 per eight week block or €10 per session. The instructor is Keell Stevens, 5 time National Champion. For more information contact 089 4977388.
Gentle Flow Yoga with Sophie has started at Carracastle Community Centre on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm costing €10 per class. For more information contact Sophie on 083 4798831.
Catholic Marriage Care is seeking facilitators to volunteer to train as presenters for marriage preparation courses. If you feel you would like to help, contact Aisling at the Accord Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare on 01 5053112 or email marraigecourses@accord.ie.
A Summer Music and Yoga Camp takes place at Carracastle Community Centre from Monday-Friday, July 14-18. The cost is €80 and is limited to twelve (12) places. Booking deposit €20 is required. Contact Olivia on 085 1971372 or email o.sharkey@gmail.com. Fun introduction to music and piano, mindfulness, relaxation and yoga.
A Brick by Brick Lego Camp for 5-12 year olds takes place at Kilmovee Community Centre from July 14-16, from 10am-12pm. The cost is €40. For more information contact legocamp2023@gmail.com or 087 6648408.
There was a good turnout at the summer bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, June 18, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Nuala and Richard White, 2nd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 3rd Tom Ginty and Mike Wingrove, 4th Carmel Moffitt and Mary O’Connell.
The following were the winners of the 25 Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, June 24; 1st Vera Scally and Mary Costello, 2nd Joe Mahon and Kevin Maloney. Raffle winners were; Veronica McCarrick and Darby Leonard (jnr). The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm and all are welcome.
The death took place in Manchester, England recently of Delia Caulfield, formerly of Barrack Street, Charlestown, and sister of the late Pat Caulfield. Deepest sympathies are extended to the bereaved.
Bushfield Cemetery Mass takes place on Sunday, August 10, at 9am.
Charlestown Sarsfields played out a thrilling 2-13 to 3-10 draw with near neighbours Swinford in round one of the East Mayo Minor B championship played at Robert McCallion Park, Swinford recently. This was a breathless, high octane encounter as two evenly matched teams threw everything at each other from the throw-in. The Sarsfields were always in contention with goals from Tom Cawley in the first half and Dean O’Toole in the second keeping their challenge buoyant and alive as they never took a backward step despite conceding three goals which could have punctured their challenge at any time.
They recovered each and every time from those setbacks and continued to contest fiercely for possession in every line of the field and it was this tenacity and dog determination that served them well with the final whistle seeing a deserved share of the spoils for both teams in what was a very enjoyable spectacle indeed.
A good start for the Sarsfields in their bid for East Mayo B honours and one they will be hoping to build on in their remaining games in what looks a very decent and high standard competition.
Training has resumed at Fr O’Hara Park for the group on Wednesday evenings at 8pm. No experience necessary and new members are most welcome. It is an opportunity to improve your fitness in a fun and supportive environment.
You can drop into your local centre or contact it by phone and email for information, advice and advocacy. Make sure you check your local service’s opening hours if you are dropping in. Appointments are offered as needed following an initial assessment. You can also call the Citizens Information phone service on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.
Dance Fitness Classes – Clubbercise takes place on Friday nights at 8pm in the Arts Centre. Come and join in the fun and enjoy a good workout to 80s, 90s and 2000s classic anthems and disco. PM or WhatsApp 087 4217407 if you like to join in the fun on Fridays.
Charlestown Sarsfields lost out to Ballina Stephenites in a high scoring division 3B league game played at James Stephens Park, Ballina recently. The Sarsfields lost out on a 3-15 to 3-11 scoreline in a game that had a lot to like about with goals very much the currency of the day.
The Sarsfields played well and were in the game right to the final whistle with a late Stephenites goal pulling the rug from under the green and white challenge with little more than a score between them throughout. The Sarsfields have had an up and down time in the league winning and losing in equal measure with the defeats being never more than a score either way with luck not being on their side in some narrow defeats they`ve had to endure. This was another game that fitted into that category as they were bang in contention all through with goals from Niall Murphy and Ben Crean with a brace giving them every chance to claim the victory and take the points. It didn’t happen however as the Stephenites struck late to bag the points and leave the Sarsfields with that déjà vu feeling once again as the curse of the late goal struck at the worst possible time.
Dance classes with Gina continue at Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday evenings at 8pm. Learn to jive, waltz, quickstep and line dance. The cost is €10 per person. For more information and to book contact 085 7704647.
Life after bereavement can feel very lonely. Trained facilitators conduct a weekly ‘Bereavement Support Meeting’ at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine, each Wednesday at 11am. There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners /spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment is needed. Further information from Monica Morley on 094 9375320.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2700 in the weekly draw held on Monday, June 23, and the following were the four numbers drawn on the night; 9, 17, 18 and 24. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Darby Leonard, Michael Cahill and Chloe Cunnie.
The latest jackpot increased to €2800 and the draw took place on Monday, June 30. 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 respectively.
Alone is a national organisation that enables people to age at home. They have a National Support and Referral Line for older people. If you are in need of advice, support or information, call 0818 222 024 , seven days a week from 8am -8pm.
At the end of July, Fr Tommy Johnson retires as parish priest of Charlestown, having served here for twenty-two years. To mark his commitment and service to the community, Mass will be celebrated in St James’ Church, Charlestown, on Sunday, July 27, at 6pm, followed by refreshments in the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre. All are welcome and more details to follow.
Senior Line is Ireland’s national telephone service for older people open every day of the year from10am-10pm. Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone and may wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during the day. Senior Line’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services, if necessary. Senior Line 1800 80 45 91 is open every day of the year at the above times.
Charlestown Sarsfields host Ardnaree in Fr O`Hara Park in the last round of fixtures in Division 1A of the county senior league on Friday, July 11, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm. This is a crucial fixture for both teams as victory would cushion the blow of relegation to division 3 which is an almighty drop indeed. Charlestown Sarsfields go into the game keenly aware of what’s at stake with victory imperative with the championship just three weeks away after this game has been played. The Sarsfields will be hoping to field their strongest possible team, for a game that has a lot riding on it, but we expect a reaction from the green and white as they look to stem the tide of losses they’ve had to endure since the league started back in April.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday, June 22, as The Pillock and Boom Boom squared up in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was busy in his role as match referee as he had some disciplinary issues to tend to which he did in his usual authoritative style. The Pillock blazed his way into a two-set lead with some flamboyant scoring and terrific finishing with each and every dart lading plum in the middle of the doubles bed. Boom Boom hardly got a look-in such was the Pillock’s sizzling hot form and things didn’t get much better for the number three seed in the very next set as Kenny continued his assault on the treble twenty bed.
Boom Boom looked crestfallen as he failed utterly to muster any kind of a challenge as The Pillock rampaged his way to a 3-0 whitewash with his large band of fans going delirious with delight. The final leg summed up the match perfectly as the Pillock banged in three ton plus scores with Boom Boom loitering in his slipstream in the high 300s. Kenny stepped forward with the game at his mercy and he took it out in some style with treble eighteen and double sixteen setting off marvellous scenes of unrestrained joy as the auditorium shook with the noise levels coming from the winner’s camp. A terrific victory for the Pillock, his third of the season and one which sets him up nicely for the lucrative summer circuit with his game in great shape at the moment.
Kellogg's Cul Camps 2025 takes place at the grounds of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club from July7-11 (inclusive). You must register in advance online as on the day registrations will ne be accepted. You are advised to sign up fast as Friday, July 4, at 10am is the closing date for the same. There will be lots of activities, fun and games with plenty of energy sure to be expended. Log onto https://tinyurl.com/kelloggsculcamps to book/confirm your place.
