Local Notes: U14 Charlestown Sarsfields development team claim Division 6 league title.
The Charlestown Sarsfields U14 development team who captured the division 6 county league title with an emphatic 3-13 to 1-7 over Claremorris recently.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14 development team claimed their first piece of silverware of the season with a comfortable 3-13 to 1-7 victory over Claremorris in the league final played at the Kilmovee GAA grounds recently.
The Sarsfields turned in a big second half performance to take the game away from their opposition with a 3-4 blast in a blistering ten minute spell enough to see off a doughty Claremorris challenge and get the job done so to speak. The Sarsfields took the game to the South Mayo lads from the throw-in with a Conor Sloyan point getting them on the board early doors. Further points from Luke Murphy and Ted Munnelly kept the Sarsfields ticking along as they dominated most of the early possession and territory stakes and this against a fresh breeze with Claremorris unable to make any real inroads against a well marshalled and tough tackling green and white rearguard.
The Sarsfields could and should have been further ahead as they blew a number of promising scoring positions with balls dropping short or being miscued as they continued to hammer at the Claremorris defence. Two nice points from Anthony Byrne, a super effort from Frank Muldoon and a couple from Kalem Higgins left the Sarsfields 0-7 to 0-5 ahead with time almost up in the first half.
The final play of the half saw Claremorris awarded a penalty. Tadhg Drury stood tall in the Sarsfields goal however and pulled off a terrific save to keep the scores as they were with the Sarsfields sitting on a two-point lead which was scarce enough reward for all their good play and dominance in the first half.
The second half saw a renewed effort from Claremorris as they upped the ante in all areas of the pitch. Their challenge got real lift off with a goal five minutes in which reduced their arrears to just one point with the Sarsfields clinging on to a 0-11 to 1-7 lead. The Sarsfields bench rung the changes and they had an immediate impact with quick fire goals from the ace goal getter Luke McDermott with a pair totally altering the complexion of the game and putting the Sarsfields back in real control. His finishing was exquisite as were the passes he received from Anthony Byrne who also tagged on two super points to more or less put the game to bed as the Sarsfields coasted to the finish line. Another goal from Kalem Higgins who had a fine match and some further points from him and McDermott closed out the contest with the final whistle igniting joy in the Sarsfields camp as this victory saw them blaze though the division unbeaten.
Chairman of Bord na n-Og Stephen Mooney was on hand to present the cup to winning captain Callum Kenny who spoke well and thanked his teammates and management team for all the hard work they have put in on the training paddock since last January.
The Sarsfields had stars all over the pitch with Tadhg Drury excellent in goals and dealing comfortably with all that came his way. The full back line of Conor Davern, Conor Vesey and Rian O’Grady was superb throughout as they defused the threat of their immediate opponents with some wonderful defending. The half back line was also superb throughout with Callum Kenny and Ted Munnelly leading the way as they dominated their direct opponents throughout and turned defence into attack at every opportunity. Ben McDonnell had some good moments also and tackled tigerishily at all times. The midfield duo of Reece Hopper and Anthony Byrne dominated the exchanges with Byrne in particular, outstanding as he kicked over five terrific points from play. In attack Frank Muldoon and Kalem Higgins sparkled and were at the heart of most of the Sarsfields best attacking plays with Higgins bagging 1-4 for himself in a fine all round display. Caelan Egan, Luke Murphy, and Joe Irwin all had some very good moments with the introduction of Luke McDermott, Conor Breheny and Senan Tiernan making all the difference as they added real star quality and gave the Sarsfields the cutting edge to get the job done in emphatic fashion as it turned out. Honourable mention also to David Hansel and Regan Leino who also contributed.
Hats off to the management team of Brian McDermott, Cathal Naughton, Kevin Munnelly and James Breheny who have done a wonderful job with this panel of players and got the best out of them and expose them to the best in terms of coaching and skill development. All eyes now switch to the division 5 championship where the team will pit their wits against a higher standard of opposition.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €22,400 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, June 15, and the following were the four numbers drawn : 1,12, 13, 29. The winners of the 3 x €50 prizes were as follows; Maeve Gallagher, c/o Maurice Gallagher (Online -AT); Marion Gilmartin (Lucky Dip) and John Goldrick (Lucky Dip).
Next week’s jackpot will rise to €22,500 and the draw will be held on Sunday night, June 21. Tickets are on sale at a number of outlets in the community, price €2 or 3 for €5 and the club thank everybody who supported their weekly draw.
The Sarsfields travel to Mayo Abbey to take on Mayo Gaels in the final round of fixtures in Division 2A of the county senior league on Saturday, July 4, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
Dance lessons with Gina take place in Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday nights from 8-9.30pm over the course of the next 4 weeks. Learn to jive, foxtrot, waltz, quickstep and linedance. The cost is €10 per person and all levels welcome.
Charlestown Sarsfields suffered a disappointing 2-17 to 1-14 defeat at the hands of Moy Davvitts in round 7 of division 2 of the county senior league played at Moy Davitts GAA grounds in Foxford recently. This was a chastening night for the Sarsfields as they were chasing the game from an early stage with the hosts particularly sharp up front as they got their heads in front early doors and never looked like being caught such was the confidence they played with when in possession of the ball.
The Sarsfields fielded without the two talents of Paul Towey and Gareth O’Donnell respectively, which weakened their hand considerably with this defeat leaving them perilous close to the drop zone with just Hollymount/Carramore below them on the league table.
The story of the first half was the ability of the hosts to score goals as they raised two green flags which left them in s very good position as the Sarsfields struggled to deal with the twin threats of Conor Reid and Ronan Clarke who were at the hub of all of their best play in the opening thirty. The half-time score of 2-9 to 0-7 left the Sarsfields with plenty to mull over in the dressing room as they tried to take stock and sort out the gaping holes in their defence which led to the concession of two goals.
Ruairi Cullen, Thomas Holton and Colm Maye were the point scorers for Charlestown with the latter’s free taking keeping the Sarsfields slim hopes alive as they looked to re-jig and do some radical surgery on their overall line-up ahead of the second half. The Sarsfields, to be fair, did improve markedly in the second half but not nearly enough to trouble a confident and lively Moy Davitts side that carried a real attacking threat from the throw-in. The Sarsfields started to garner some possession in the middle third and clipped over a couple of points with Ruairi Cullen and Colm Maye leading the charge so to speak.
Moy Davitts negated those gains pretty quickly for the Sarsfields with a couple of their own to keep the lead at eight as the visitors looked to their bench for some sort of inspiration and urgency that was lacking on the field of play. They got a bounce from one such change with Niall Fleming netting shortly after his introduction but it was more consolation in nature as the Sarsfields never really threatened the home side in any shape or form in the second half as they looked to have plenty up their sleeves in the face of any further possible Sarsfields onslaught.
Colm Maye underlined his prodigious kicking skills with a couple of booming two pointers from the hand and the land but the game had long since petered out as a contest with Moy Davitts wrapping up the points and in so doing made it three wins on the bounce to move up the Sarsfields in the league standings.
It wasn’t one of the Sarsfields better performances it must be said but credit must go to the likes of Colm Maye, Ben Crean, Ben Conway, Thomas Holton, Tadhg Horkan and Niall Fleming who tired had to keep the Sarsfields moving in the right direction albeit they were well off the pace in most of the key areas of the pitch.
With remaining games to come against Aghamore (home) and Mayo Gaels (away) the Sarsfields need at least one victory to give themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop but the nature of the challenge is steep as both teams are challenging for promotion so the Sarsfields will need to be much better and more competitive if they are to avoid the slide into division 3.
The Sarsfields club were double handed on the Mayo senior ladies team recently defeated by Dublin in round one of the All-Ireland series played at McHale Park, Castlebar recently. Julia Gawalkiewicz lined out in goal and was her usual steady and impressive self with Ella Brennan captaining the side from wing back. Both ladies can be happy with their displays as Mayo suffered a 3-12 to 0-12 defeat. Goals win games they say as this had a hollow ring to it from a Mayo perspective as the concession of three cost them victory and leaves them in a real bind as they enter the last chance saloon stage in terms of remaining in the championship.
Ella tried hard to stem the tide at wing-back and never shirked her duties at any stage as she drove the team forward in typically determined and no-nonsense fashion. Dublin is a seasoned team however, with a lot of guile and experience in their ranks and this they used to telling impact as they kept Mayo at arm’s length for the most part throughout. Clodagh Murphy was on the bench to complete a memorable day for their families and their clubs as they look to bounce back in their next outing in the coming weeks.
The pool is now fully open and operational for the Summer season and there is a detailed list of their timetable and activities available for viewing on their splendid Facebook page. Swimming lessons for children take place on Saturday mornings at 11.30am (levels 1-7) and again on Tuesday evenings (levels 1-4) at 6.20pm.
Anyone wishing to do an evening lane swim can do so on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8.05pm.
The Summer Bridge game continues in the Gateway Hotel, Swinford on Monday nights at 7.30pm and all are welcome.
Congratulations are extended to Philip and Sarah-Jayne Craig, Kilbeagh, Charlestown, on the birth of a bouncing baby boy recently.
The wedding took place recently at Christ the King Church, Knockmore, Co Mayo of Joseph McBrien, son of Ciaran and Marcella McBrien, Airport Road, Charlestown and Karen Gibbons, daughter of John and Helen Gibbons, Knockmore, Co. Mayo. The ceremony was performed by Fr. Michael Reilly PP Knockmore. Bestman was Patrick Walsh, friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Tom Parsons, Shane Moran and Philip Craig, friends of the groom. Bridesmaids were Megan Farrell and Leah Forde, friends of the bride, flower girls were Emily and Mia Gibbons, Evie and Ruby Mulligan, nieces of the bride and groom respectively. The reception was held in Knockranny House Hotel, Westport. We wish Joe and Karen every good wish for the future, health and happiness and many years of wedded bliss.
The next Community Coffee Morning will take place on Friday, July 3, in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street from 11am-1pm. Lift access is available and all are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat.
Join the Turlough Poetry Collective for a special afternoon of poetry readings and music with piper Diarmaid Moynihan, from 2-3pm on Saturday, July 4, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. Seven poets from across the West of Ireland will read on the day - celebrating creativity and bringing the written word to life. This is a free event but booking is required. Visit museum.ie for booking details or telephone 094 90 31751.
Charlestown Sarsfields senior ladies made it two from two in the Melissa Patterson senior league with a facile 9-8 to 0-10 victory over Carnacon in round 2 played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. As the final score would indicate the Sarsfields were in total control from an early stage as they banged in a couple goals in the opening exchanges to pull the rug from under the Carnacon challenge with the final result never in doubt from thereon in.
The Sarsfields moved well through the lines with the forward line sparkling in possession as they cut lanes through the opposition defence and scored some lovely goals to boot. The Sarsfields are beginning to find their groove after some tough losses in the earlier part of the season but the team is starting to take shape with an influx of young, athletic, speedy players improving the competition for places and giving the management team a stronger hand to pick from and more depth overall in the panel strength.
There is much to look forward to with this team with Louisburgh next up on the schedule as they look to continue on the winning trail.
The organisation that supports bereaved parents, will hold its monthly Parent Support Evening on Tuesday, June 23, (this evening) at 7.30pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
The death took place recently of Mary Conway, Lavey Heights, Charlestown, and formerly of Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The Legion of Mary meeting takes place every Wednesday evening at 7pm in St James Church, Charlestown. All are welcome and for more information contact Phil on 086 3946233.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts game held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday night, June 14, as The Duke and The Magician faced off in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was imperious in his role as match referee and kept things ticking along nicely. The Duke was in sublime form from the outset and blew the Magician away with some fantastic throwing. He was on it from his first throw and never allowed the Magician a look-in as he put the first two sets on the board with some sizzling scoring. Things improved a bit for the Magic man in the third set but not enough to bring the game to a fourth with the Duke sealing a 3-0 whitewash as he took out 138 in the fourth leg to seal his sixth victory of a very consistent season as he continues his hot streak which he hopes will endure into the lucrative summer circuit. The Magician left all his magic in the cauldron but was most gracious in defeat with the two men sharing a few beers as conversation between the two went on long into the night.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €4200 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, June 15, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 7, 18 and 28. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were as follows; Stephen Donoghue, Alan Clarke, Ruadhan and Seoidin Marren. Next week’s jackpot will rise to €4300 and the draw will be held on Monday night, June 22. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets in the community priced at €2 and they are also available online via the club’s Facebook page.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-card game held in The Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday night, June 16, and the following were the prize winners; 1st prize went to Breege Leonard and James Cafferty. Raffle winners were Breege Leonard, Vera Scally and Darby Leonard. The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the Yeats County Inn, Curry and all are welcome.
The Charlestown Cubs Basketball Club are on the lookout for new coaches for the upcoming September season. The Cubs basketball club is one of the fastest growing in the community and has a huge number of teams competing in the basketball league at levels from U10 up in both genders. They are looking for more people to come on board and get involved and all expressions of interest would be most welcome. You can message the Charlestown Cubs Basketball Facebook page should you wish with all help most welcome and gratefully received.
The Sarsfields host St Jarlath’s in the East Mayo U16A championship in Fr O’Hara Park on Thursday, June 25, with the throw-in confirmed for 7.30pm.
The 4th annual Carracastle Vintage Run takes place on Sunday, June 28. Registration takes place from 11am and the run starts at 1pm. The run is open to bikes, lorries, tractors, cars and a monster auction and raffle will be held on the day also. There will be plenty of fun activities for the family with an ice-cream van in attendance with face painting, music and food by the Pig and Heifer also available. All are welcome with all proceeds from the event going to Scoil Iosa NS, Carracastle and CROI.
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Kilmovee.
The Board and Management of Kilmovee Urlaur Group Water Scheme sincerely thank Fr Joseph Gavigan PP for celebrating Mass for all the deceased members of the Group Water Scheme last Saturday in Urlaur Church at 6.30pm. They also thank the staff of Kilmovee Community Centre for their warm hospitality on the evening and all the Group Water Scheme members who attended the Mass and afterwards the function in Kilmovee Community Centre.
Fr Joseph Gavigan PP, expressed his thanks to all who contributed so generously to the Pentecost Church Collection and also to all who prepared for and participated in the Corpus Christi Adoration on Sunday, June 7, in Urlaur Church.
The lotto numbers drawn on Saturday, June 6, were 18, 30, 37, 38, and there was no winner on the night.
Bingois held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €600 on 45 calls and the house lotto is €760 on 4 correct numbers and there is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The Active Age Group meets every Thursday in Kilmovee Community Centre from 11am –2.30pm. Come along from 11am for tea/coffee/chat, exercises around midday, lunch at 1pm with Bingo afterwards. It is a lovely way to spend a few hours in good company, get some exercise and a good lunch. The cost is €10 a week plus annual membership.
The Achonry and Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from August 28 to September 2, and will be led by Bishop Kevin Doran. For bookings contact JWT at 01 6852244 or email info@joewalshtours.ie. For assisted pilgrims who will stay in the Accueil, contact Fr. Ray Milton on 090 6661115.
The Mid Summer Ramble night in Balla Community Centre takes place on Friday, June 26, in Balla Community Centre with doors open at 7.30pm and admission is €10. The performance will commence from 8 to 10pm. Guests on the night will include the Murphy sisters, Ann Jordan, The Folk Cafe, Eilish and Mike, Mary McNicholas, Carmel Killgallon, the Straw Boys and special guest John Cosgrove. There will also be refreshments and a raffle and your support will be appreciated.
