Local Notes: Tony and Maureen Cronin, Carracastle, Charlestown enjoy Kilmovee Community Dinner
Tony and Maureen Cronin, Carracastle Charlestown, enjoying the Kilmovee Community Dinner which was held in the Kilkelly Community Centre recently. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €9,700 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 7, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 9, 13, 18 and 21. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Jason Ruane and Sean Lenehan (annual ticket). The latest jackpot increased to €9,800 and the draw was held on Sunday night, January 14.
Anusara Hatha Yoga classes have commenced in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm for a 6 week block costing €75 or €14 pay as you go. To secure a spot contact Tish on 087 2906002.
A vacancy exists for a caretaker in St Joseph’s Community College with a specified purpose and the contract will be 19.5 hours per week. For more information log onto https://www.jobsalert.ie/..../caretaker-mayo-sligo-and. Application form are available at https://msletb.ie/.../caretaker-st-josephs.
Hard luck to Laharadane McHales and Sarsfields native Eddie Conroy who reached the end of the line in the All-Ireland Junior series when they were defeated by Listowel Emmets in the semi-final played at Semple Stadium, Thurles recently. The Kerry side proved too strong for Lahardane as the North Mayo lads struggled to match the Kerry lads physicality and intensity with the game drifting to its inevitable conclusion as Listowel lead 1-8 to 0-1 at the interval.
Lahardane lacked for nothing in effort or spirit but there was a gulf in class between the two teams which was very evident from the throw-in with the unique structure of the Kerry championship once again begging the question how a team of Listowel’s obvious calibre and skill could be plying their trade at junior level as Kerry’s relentless domination of the All-Ireland junior grade continues unabated.
Lahardane were never allowed to get any kind of a grip or foothold in the game, but they plugged on gamely throughout and were a credit to their team, management, supporters and community at large. It was a tough day at the office for Lahardane Bainisteoir Eddie Conroy a man who gave good service to the Charlestown Sarsfields Club at underage and adult level over a number of years, but he can be proud of his achievements as he led the club to county and Connacht Intermediate success which was some feat considering this was his first foray into club management. He and Lahardane had a year that will live long in the memory as he guided the club to successes that were perhaps beyond their wildest dreams at the start of the year. The next big test for Eddie and Lahardane McHales will be to consolidate their place in the 2024 Intermediate championship, and we will watch their progress with interest.
East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k returns for 2024 and is open to men and women of all abilities from complete beginners to experienced runners. The club’s experienced coaches will provide excellent guidance and encouragement over and 8-week plan. The programme started on Tuesday, January 9 and it continues every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter for eight weeks at 7pm. The cost is €35 which covers membership and insurance and all details on how to sign up are available on the club’s splendid Facebook page.
Congratulations are extended to well-known Charlestown Sarsfields man John Casey, Main Street, Charlestown, who graduated to fifty last week with plenty of celebrations taking place in the confines of the home and beyond. John is something of an icon in the fabled history of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club having won any amount of honours in a star studded career which saw him win two county senior championship medals, a Connacht Senior club championship medal, county intermediate championships, senior leagues and a county U21 championship in 1991 when he exploded onto the scene as a marauding wing back at the tender age of 17. John also played at the highest level for Mayo winning 3 Connacht senior championship medals and appearing in three All-Ireland finals (including replays) as he came as close as anybody to ending Mayo’s long famine with 1996 the one that undoubtedly got away as Mayo lost out to Meath in a replay having looked home and hosed in the first match when they lead by six points with ten minutes left on the clock.
John was at the peak of his powers in those years with his searing pace and athleticism marking him down as a special talent as he initially made his name as a wing back where he displayed Usain Bolt like speed from his number station and turned defence into attack with rocket like pace. He moved into the forwards shortly after and had some great days for red and green as he lit up the scoreboard with some wonderful displays of accurate shooting with the All-Ireland semi-final of 1996 against Kerry and a Connacht Championship encounter against Roscommon in 1999 two of his most memorable as he scored 0-4 and 0-6 from play in both thus showcasing him at his very best. Injuries however became a constant companion and curtailed a hugely promising career as he battled with a debilitating Achilles injury that hindered his progress and necessitated him having to re-invent himself which he subsequently did with aplomb as he turned his hand to goalkeeping and slotted into the position seamlessly as he kept goal for the Sarsfields in most of our iconic successes throughout the noughties.
John’s physique has changed little over the years as he continues to keep himself in good shape with the gym being his main source of activity as he keeps those biceps and triceps in fine working order. He still manages the odd 5km run and while the jet heeled pace has been diminished somewhat only a fool would challenge him to a race over 50 metres as he still has the capacity to shift at great speed when the occasion demands. There’s still the odd bit of life in the thatch albeit the growth is not as prolific as it once was hence John has always opted to keep it shaved which covers a multitude when it comes to being labelled bald or not as the case maybe. He spends most of his spare time delivering incisive analysis on the air waves on all matters inter county football which has taken him to some interesting locations as he provides honest and forthright opinions on what he sees playing out in front of him. He has created quite a niche for himself in the punditry world and continues to impress with his insightful opinions and views.
John is the only male in a house full of ladies and one must give lots of credit to his good wife Rita who has her man in tip top shape as he gets ready to embrace life in the fifty zone. She looks after his diet by all accounts and is doing a right good job as he remains a formidable physical specimen. I’m not sure if there was a cake produced to commemorate the occasion as John has a monastic devotion to healthy diet and keeps a keen eye on his calorie intake. I’ll not be expecting a slice of full fat chocolate cake on the back of this mention but maybe a slug of low-calorie milkshake or a lettuce leaf might be more in keeping with his lifestyle. I’ll be observing my incoming mail with extra vigilance in the coming days as John is the first of some very distinguished people to sup out of the fifty fountains in the year that is 2024. Here’s hoping he enjoys this, and many more years of good health and happiness as settles into life as a quinguagenarian.
Activator Pole/Chair Exercise classes Classes continue in the Charlestown Arts Centre on Friday, January 19 and 26 respectively at 12 noon. Tea/coffee will be served at 11.15am. Meet new people and have some fun. This class is funded by the Mayo Sports Partnership Return to Sport Initiative. For more information contact 086 8514682 or email info@charlestown.ie.
There was a good turnout at the first bridge game of 2024 held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, January 10, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Elsie Jackson and Hilary McCrohan, 3rd Mary O’Malley and Teresa Ward shared with Mary O’Connell and James Mooney, 5th Tom Dunne and Mary Lynskey, 6th Pat and Paddy Colleran, 7th Frances and Robert Healy, 8th Mae and Charles Quinn shared with Michael Ryan and Ogie Moran, 10th Michael Dee and Tommie O’Malley. The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, and new members are welcome.
There was a good turnout at the first 25 Card Drive of the new season held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, January 9, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Darby Leonard and Colm Gallagher, 2nd Mary O’Hara and Vera Scally. Raffle winners were Seamus Durcan and James Cafferty.
The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, and all are welcome with new members are especially welcome.
The Men’s Shed resume their weekly meetings in the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre on Wednesday afternoons between 1-3pm and all are welcome and new members are especially welcome.
Art classes have resumed in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Wednesdays from 11am and 2pm and all are welcome.
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 lifetime. 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.
Training has resumed for all teams in the Cubs Basketball club and the fixtures are coming thick and fast in all grades and competitions as the various teams in both genders step up their efforts to qualify for the latter stages of their league and cup competitions. More news next weeks in terms of results and fixtures as the coaches set out their training programmes to take each of their respective teams to the next level of competition.
The Cloonacool run walk jog 5k takes place on Sunday, February 25 at 12 noon. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome. Registration takes place 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.
It will be a very fast course which provides a great opportunity to set a good time. There will be 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. There are also prizes on offer for men’s and women’s course record with a €100 on offer to the first male or female who sets a new course record in each category. There will also be prizes for the first junior and national school runners to cross the finish line so save the date with the event appealing to runners, walkers and joggers in all age categories and levels of ability.
Keep Fit classes with chair-based exercises for the over-60s resumed at Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday, January 10, from 11am to 12 noon. For more information and to book your place, contact Sarah at 086 3879635.
The marriage took place at Bushfield Church, Charlestown, recently of Domnick Cassidy, Barnacogue and Bernie Moran, Swinford. We wish them both good health and happiness in the future and many years of marital bliss.
The Active Retirement Group will resume their weekly meetings on Monday, January 22. More news as it comes to hand next week.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3,100 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, January 8, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 5,13, 15 and 26. The following were the winners of the 3 x €20 prizes; Eoin, Conor and Lorcan Waters, Claire O’Donnell and John O’Donnell. The latest jackpot increased to €3,200 and the draw took place on Monday night, January 15.
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 excellent 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, 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.
A meeting of the Charlestown Drama Group will be held in the Arts Centre on Thursday, January 25, at 8pm. If you are interested in joining the group would love to meet you, and no experience is necessary.
Kilbeagh Community Alert Group are hosting a meeting with members of An Garda Siochana and the community of Charlestown on Tuesday (this evening), January 16, at 7pm in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown. Inspector Naomi de Ris (Swinford), Sergeant Regina Carley (Swinford), Garda Karen Weymouth (Charlestown) and Sean Cunnane Crime Prevention Officer will be in attendance. They will provide a presentation on the latest crime prevention measures in the district. They will also provide information on the change of districts in Mayo where Charlestown now comes under the North Mayo district with the headquarters changing from Claremorris to Ballina and what effects this will have on the community of Charlestown. This is also an opportunity to raise your concerns about policing in Charlestown and the surrounding areas. Let’s work together to enhance community safety and foster a sense of collective responsibility within the community. For more information contact Paul (087 6259746 ) or Alan (086 8523515).
Previously known as NCBI is currently seeking volunteers to assist in its Swinford Store. The store is also accepting donations of men’s and women’s shoes and clothing, handbags/purses and homeware 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 7, as the old firm Podsie and the Duke faced off in a gripping instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus calmness personified in the referee’s chair as he handled the match with typical conviction and kept both protagonists on their best behaviour with some firm officiating. Clashes between the top two have been somewhat sporadic in recent times but Podsie holds the whip hand in the head to head and he was determined to maintain his hold over the Duke in their first clash of 2024. The number one seed made the perfect start as he raced into a one set lead with some wonderful darts.
The Duke hit back in set two and squared the match in some style with a brilliant 170 finish in the deciding leg bringing chaos to the venue as the punters danced a jig of delight in the aisles. The third set was vintage darts which Podsie edged in true champions style as he took out 161 in sensational fashion as the Duke stood in waiting ready to take out double eighteen with three darts in his hand. The noise levels reached a crescendo at the start of the fourth with the Duke keen to make a good start and keep the pressure on his opponent who had to dig right to the bottom of the well to eke out a two sets to one lead. Podsie, however sensed a falloff in the Duke’s standard and heaped further pressure on the Duke as he grabbed a two leg lead in the set to leave him one away from victory as Divilly’s level dropped off at precisely the wrong time. He got a brief reprieve when he won the third leg with a treble fifteen, double twelve one-two which ratcheted up the noise even further as the crowd willed him to win the set and set up a final set finale.
The Duke left everything out there but Podsie remained calm and composed as he began the fourth leg with the advantage of the darts. He showed all his pedigree as he banged in successive 140s to break the resistance of his opponent as The Duke faltered in his hot pursuit of the champion. Podsie reached the double long before his opponent as he mulled over his options to close out the match with 78 left in his column. He fired in treble eighteen with his first dart to leave two darts at double twelve as a hush descended around the splendid arena. He needed only one as his second dart nuzzled into the corner of the bed to set off scenes of unbridled joy as Podsie celebrated with his trademark fist pumping salute. The Duke embraced the victor with typical class and grace as the two men shared a beer or two and chatted warmly while both sets of supporters partied on long into the night. Podsie once again gave a timely reminder of his class and composure under pressure as he once again sent out a loud message that he remains the man to beat and looks to be getting better with each passing year.
