Sports briefs: Milebush magic and the search for gold
The home of soccer in Mayo, Umbro Park, was an absolute high of activity last week.
Soccer: The home of soccer in Mayo, Umbro Park, was an absolute high of activity last week as it played host to the FAI Schools Primary 5s Connacht Finals. Schools from all across the province flocked to the venue in Milebush, Castlebar in the hope of lifting silverware, with the girls teams in action on Wednesday and the boys taking centre stage on Thursday.
In the Girls, the ‘A’ final for large size schools was a Mayo v Galway affair, with Belcarra NS having no distance to travel. Unfortunately for them however, it was their opponents Tierneevin NS who emerged as champions.
There was better joy however for Mayo in the ‘B’ final, which was for medium size schools, as Scoil Phadraig of Westport got the better of Scoil Fhursa, Galway. The small schools ‘C’ final saw Scoil Mhuire of Moycullen overcome the challenge of St Joseph’s NS, Ballinrobe.
There was better fortune for the Ballinrobe school, however, 24 hours later as their boys team emerged victorious against Scoil Iosaif Naofa of Galway in the as ‘C’ cup final. Mayo also celebrated victory in the ‘B’ competition as the boys of Scoil Phadraig, Westport replicated the success of their girls team the day before by winning the ‘B’ final against Gaelscoil Dara of Galway. The large schools ‘A’ final saw Windfield NS beat Fenagh NS of Leitrim.
GAA: Having last year memorably ended an almost 30 year wait to win the All-Ireland U14 ‘A’ (or Platinum) ladies football championship, Mayo are on the hunt for more silverware at the same age grade this year. Next Saturday, May 25, they will play Derry in the All-Ireland U14 ‘B’ (Gold) semi-final. The game is taking place at the Carrigallen GAA grounds in Co. Leitrim with a throw-in time of 3.15pm.
The other semi-final is also being played on Saturday in Portlaoise where Cork, who Mayo beat in last year’s ‘A’ final face Armagh at 1pm.
Rugby: Connacht Rugby last week announced the nominees for the 2023/24 Connacht Rugby Awards, which are to take place next Saturday night, May 25, at the Galmont Hotel in Galway. The annual gala event, which is sponsored by Globalization Partners, pays tribute to the performances and achievements of Connacht’s players, coaches and volunteers at all levels of the game.
There are 17 awards in all, from club and school level to the Connacht player pathway and senior men’s and women’s sides.
There’s plenty of local interest in the nominees’ shortlist, with Ballina RFC’s Ailish Quinn, who attends St Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina, one of three players in the running for the Women’s U18 Player of the Year.
Tara McNulty of Westport RFC is shortlisted for Women’s Club Player of the Year while Fintan Crawley of Ballyhaunis RFC is one of three players nominated for Junior Club Player of the Year.
Owen Lydon and Norman Tierney, coaches to the Tuam/Oughterard/Claremorris women’s team, are in contention to be win the Coach of the Year award, which is sponsored by Deloitte.
There are also a couple of special awards to be presented on the night to the unknowing, including Unsung Hero and Lifetime Contribution.
All the winners will be announced across Connacht’s social media channels as they happen on the night.
Limited tickets are available to purchase at connachtrugby.ie/awards. The night includes a drinks reception, 4-course meal and awards ceremony, plus live music and DJ ‘til late, so it’s going to be an occasion not to be missed.
