Sports briefs: North Mayo schools on title trails
Mayo AC's Karl (10k) and Tony O’Malley (half-marathon) enjoyed racing in Cascais, Portugal.
Athletics: Mayo AC athletes won eleven medals at the Westnet Mayo Indoor Athletics Championships at Athlone TUS on February 5, competing in sprints and middle-distance events. Congratulations to medal winners Mike Griffin, three gold at M35, Noelle Kilduff, one gold and one silver at F35, Gerry Kirrane, one silver and one bronze at M35, Keith Conroy, two gold at M35 and Christian Macrae, two gold at M50.
On the same weekend, club members Tony and Karl O’Malley (pictured above right and left respectively) ran in Portugal. Tony (V50) finished 279th in the half-marathon in 1:30.33 while son Karl, a new junior category Mayo AC member, ran in the 10k and came home in 51:20.
They were among an estimated 7,000 who completed the 8th edition of the Montepio Half Marathon of Cascais.
Soccer: A Connacht title will be on the line when the boys of St Tiernan’s College, Crossmolina head for Umbro Park, Milebush next Monday, February 19 to take on Glenamaddy Community School. The Mayo and Galway teams clash in the FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys Connacht Cup Final. The junior grade is for under-17 players and the ‘B’ competition for those classified as small schools. Kick off is at 11am.
The winners will advance to a national semi-final against the winners of the Ulster final between Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and Coláiste Oiriall, Muineachán.
GAA: For only the second time in the school’s history, St Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross are to contest a Connacht Post Primary boys football final. Their junior footballers are set to play Colaiste Mhuire Ballygar at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence next Monday, February 19.
With just over 200 students attending St Patrick’s College, the team has had to beat a lot of bigger schools from Galway and Roscommon to get this far. Spurring them on is the fact that the same age group also reached a Connacht juvenile final in 2022 but lost that game after extra-time.
Next Monday’s game throws in at 12.30pm.
Soccer: Mayo native John Mountney has been named as captain of Dundalk FC for 2024, the club announced last week.
He has won five SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division titles, picked up numerous cup winners medals and played in a host of European games, but the Bohola man says that being installed as the club captain of Dundalk is one of the biggest honours of his career.
The 30-year-old, who recently signed a new contract that will take him into his 12th season at Oriel Park, will lead the Lilywhites in 2024 with Andy Boyle installed as vice-captain.
Mountney currently runs the family pub in Bohola, The Village Inn.
“The gaffer had a meeting with the group and said that the staff had a conversation about the captaincy and it was a proud moment when he announced that I’d be club captain and Andy Boyle would be vice,” said Mountney.
“It’s a massive honour for me. I have been here for twelve seasons and I have a massive connection with the club and the town. It’s not something I’ll take lightly. I’ll put everything I can into it and we all will as a team.”
Mountney will captain the Dundalk for the first time in their league opener as they travel to Tallaght Stadium to face champions Shamrock Rovers this Friday, February 16.
“I think it’s an exciting time. There’s a good balance and a real feeling of freshness about the place. We have experienced lads and we have young lads who look like they’re ready to step up to the plate. I think we’re in a good place and we’re all looking forward to the big kick-off now.”
