Local notes: United boys are picked for Mayo
At the Mayo Comhairle na nÓg Annual Conference, organised by Foróige in partnership with Mayo County Council, were students from St Joseph's Secondary School in Foxford, who are pictured with their teachers Megan O'Hara and Ross Doherty. Picture: Trish Forde
There was great pride locally in seeing three players of S&F United all represent the county team in the SFAI U14 InterLeague last week. Rory Gruddy, Jamie Loughney and Sean Walsh all featured for Mayo who beat Sligo/Leitrim 3-1 at Umbro Park, Milebush. Quite incredibly, the club could actually have had four players on the Mayo team as AJ McKeown was also scheduled to play in that game on Monday, November 11 also but injury ruled him out. It was an extra special occasion for Jamie Loughney as he scored the opening goal of the game. Well done to all three players and here’s wishing AJ a speedy return to full fitness.
There has been a significant boost to Foxford & District Alzheimer's Trust Charity with receipt of a €4,000 donation from Ballina Lions Club. The money is from the proceeds of a golf classic staged at Ballina Golf Club earlier this year. The cheque was accepted recently on behalf of FACT by Jimmy Maloney.
Two local politicians currently on the campaign trail in advance of this month’s General Election paid separate visits to St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford last week. Sitting Fianna Fáil TD – and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation – Dara Calleary spoke to 3rd Year CSPE students about the role of social media in government and also about what is involved in being a TD while during an address with this year’s Leaving Certificate students at St Joseph’s he spoke about the importance of using their vote in the upcoming and future elections.
County councillor Mark Duffy, who is contesting the General Election in Mayo for Fine Gael, also visited St Joseph’s and spoke about what sparked his interest in politics and should he be elected, outlined some of the initiatives he would like to see introduced in the local area. He too stressed to the Leaving Certificate students about the importance of using their vote and also explained how to register to vote.
Both Dara Calleary and Mark Duffy answered many questions from students about topics that were important to the them.
Two members of Moy Davitts LGFA have been confirmed as part of two of Mayo’s inter-county underage football management teams for the upcoming 2025 season, which were ratified at last Tuesday night’s Mayo LGFA County Board meeting.
Orla McHale will serve as coach and mentor to the Mayo U16 team which is managed by Francis Regan while her Moy Davitts clubmate Hannah Davidson will act as liaison officer on the Mayo U18 (minor) team which is to be managed by Brian McLoughlin.
Both ladies are wished the very best of luck in their roles.
The club is also represented on the Mayo senior management team by former player Padraig Hennigan who is part of Liam McHale’s backroom setup.
The children of Scoil an Chroí Naofa are busily preparing for their Christmas performances at St Michael’s Church in Foxford, the dates and times of which have been confirmed by the school.
Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second Class will perform in the church on Thursday, December 5 at 12.30pm. The Christmas performance by Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes is on Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm while the Third Class Nativity Play will be staged on Saturday, December 21, again at the church, at 7.30pm, which will also feature the school church choir.
Congratulations to Foxford own Alan McDonnell who ran two marathons in the space of seven days on both sides of the Atlantic. Having taken on the Dublin Marathon on October Bank Holiday weekend, he jetted off to the USA later in the week to run his first ever New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3. A member of Swinford AC, Alan gave a gentle nod towards his days as a midfield maestro with S&F United by wearing black and amber runners.
Sean Kelly from Bohola was the winner of €265 in last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw, Cup exit S&F United were squeezed out by the odd goal in five when taking on Boyle Celtic in SFAI U14 Cup on Saturday, November 9. Dara Gaughan and Calum Costello scored a goal apiece by it was the Roscommon outfit who advanced to the next round on a 3-2 scoreline.
The Brown Memorial Hall in Foxford is the venue for this year’s AGM of Moy Davitts GAA Club which is to take place on Sunday, December 1 at 5pm. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to email secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
The eagerly awaited 50th Anniversary commemorative book which chronicles the history of Moy Davitts GAA Club has gone to print and will be officially launched on the evening of Saturday, December 7 in The Moy Hotel, Foxford. Further details to follow.
The public consultation process on the proposed construction of a new N26 road between Foxford and Mount Falcon got underway last week and continues until Wednesday, November 27.
The proposed study area and identified constraints of the N26 Foxford to Mount Falcon project are available on the virtual public consultation website www.n26foxfordtomountfalcon.ie, with Mayo County Council inviting all interested parties to participate in this non-statutory public consultation.
Our Lady’s Secondary School from Belmullet were the visitors to Foxford last week to play St Joseph’s in four basketball games at U16 and U19 level for both boys and girls. St Joseph’s won three of the four matches, among which the U19 boys continued their winning streak and the U16 girls picked up their first victory of the season.
A table quiz will be held in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford this Friday, November 22 in aid of the Church Window Restoration Project at Straide Parish Church. A table of four will cost €40 to enter and there will also be a raffle and spot prizes. For further information contact Beverley at 086-8844892 or Sue at 087-2394927. The quiz will get underway at 8pm.
The Foxford Enhancement Group are looking for more volunteers to join them in the work of helping Foxford become a better, more biodiverse and eco-friendly place to live. Wondering if you may have been inspired at seeing the recently crowned Tidy Town winners, the Foxford Enhancement Group, who currently have less than a dozen active members, are particularly encouraging local men and young people to sign up and help out with a range of different activities that include much more than just litter picking. You can make contact via the group’s Facebook page.
