Sports briefs: Mayo man takes top FAI job
David Courell from Castlebar in the new interim CEO of the FAI.
Soccer: The Board of the Football Association of Ireland have announced the appointment of Mayo native David Courell (pictured) as Interim CEO.
Courell, from Castlebar, has served as Chief Operating Officer of the FAI since February 2022.
Commenting on the appointment which was confirmed yesterday (Monday), Independent Chair of the Board of the FAI Tony Keohane said: “With extensive experience in international sports administration and having spent the last two years as Chief Operating Officer, David has a deep understanding of the workings of the Association and is well positioned to lead the FAI while we undertake a process to appoint a permanent CEO. Along with the rest of the Board, I am confident he will continue to keep Irish football moving forward during this interim period.” Following the announcement, David Courell commented: “It is an honour to be asked to take on this post and a privilege to continue the positive work being carried out by the FAI. I look forward to working with the Board, the talented senior leadership team, the FAI’s trusted partners and our passionate and committed colleagues to progress our collective strategic ambitions.”
LGFA: Two Mayo players have been selected on the 2024 Lidl National Football Leagues Division 1 Team of the Year, which is chosen by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s All-Star committee.
Goalkeeper Laura Brennan and team-mate Lisa Cafferky, at left corner-forward, have both made the cut, with Brennan impressing greatly upon her return having sat out the opening two rounds of the competition.
Champions Armagh, who won the Division 1 title for the very first time in 2024, lead the way on the top-flight selection, with seven players included.
The winners will receive their awards at Croke Park on Friday May 3.
LGFA: The 2024 Connacht LGFA TG4 Championship Finals have been confirmed as taking place on Sunday, May 12 at St Brigids GAA Club, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. The double header will see Mayo and Galway contest the senior final first at 2pm followed by the intermediate final at 4pm between Leitrim and Roscommon.
Soccer: All roads lead to Athlone Town FC tomorrow (Wednesday) for the FAI Schools Junior (U17) National Cup Final which sees Rice College from Westport take on Portmarnock Community School. Kick-off is at 1pm.
GAA: The Mayo minor camogie side have reached the All-Ireland semi-finals after a hard fought win in the final round of the All-Ireland ‘C’ Championship against Wicklow in Abbotstown on Sunday, winning 2-11 to 0-8.
Mayo got off to a flying start with two points from Tooreen’s Cathy Greally but Wicklow responded soon after with two pointed frees. Playing against a stiff breeze, after 15 minutes Mayo’s Hannah Hauttman made it three points from play for Mayo and while Wicklow replied with a well-worked point, Mayo kept the pressure on and got two more points through Meabh Tunney and Cathy Greally. Wicklow replied, however, and added three more points to leave Mayo trailing by one, 0-6 to 0-5, at half time.
Soon after the restart Mayo’s Meabh Tunney levelled the score with a ’45 followed by another two Cathy Greally points, which were nullified by Wicklow each time to leave the score at 0-8 apiece after 10 minutes of the second-half.
Mayo kept Wicklow scoreless for the remainder of the game with some outstanding defensive work from the six backs, while Cathy Greally would strike with 2-2 to see the game out. There was superb displays by all the backs but especially by Ella Fallon, Marissa Collins and Sarah Dee in goals. Cathy Greally gave a player of the match performance and finished with 2-6.
Mayo: Sarah Dee; Ella Fallon, Megan O’Malley, Rebekah Monaghan; Marissa Collins, Eabha Delaney, Aoibhinn Greally; Meabh Tunney (0-2), Laura Flanagan; Aine Gallagher, Hannah Hauttman (0-3) Ava Dooley; Ciara Kennedy, Cathy Greally (2-6), Kate Tener. Subs: Molly Farrell (for Gallagher 45).
