Local Notes: All the latest news from Charlestown.
At the recent play in Lisacul Hall entitled 'Separate Beds' by Sam Cree were Nora and Patrick Reid, Lisacul. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €21,700 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, April 26, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 10, 19, 23 and 34. The winners of the 3 x €50 prizes were as follows; Enda Murray (lucky dip), Alison Egan (lucky dip) and Alan Woods (online). The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Sunday night, May 3, was €21,800. Tickets are on sale at a number of outlets in the town, priced €2 or 3 for €5 and the lotto can also be played online by logging onto the club’s Facebook page. The club thank all who support their weekly draw.
Birthday greetings are extended to Katie Maloney, daughter of Adrian and Maureen Maloney, Barrack Street, Charlestown who celebrated her 18th birthday recently with a party for family and friends in Johnny’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown recently.
Athletics for all teen groups takes place on Monday evenings at 7pm at the East Mayo Athletics Track and all are welcome.
The countdown to the 6th annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run is well and truly underway with just under two weeks left to the starting line. Entries for the event have been pouring in over the last number of weeks and months with a huge crowd signing up to take part. There’s still time for you to register which you can do by logging onto the East Mayo Athletic’s Club Facebook page which contains all the latest race information on the routes, distances and events you can sign up for. Don’t forget to log on and complete your entry application.
Charlestown U14 girls made the long trip to Belmullet a worthwhile one in their latest outing in division 2 of the county U14 league as they came away with both points as they recorded a fine 6-8 to 4-2 victory over the Erris side in what was a game sprinkled with goals. The Sarsfields youngsters hit six to maintain their fine run in the league as they are joint top with Westport having won three and drawn one of their four games to date. The team has much to like about it and the girls are extremely well coached and will be looking to maintain their fine sequence of results and form in their next outing away to McHale Rovers.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14 team suffered their first loss in division 1 of the county U14 league when they were defeated by Ballintubber in round 3 played at the Clogher GAA grounds recently. The home side ran out convincing winners on a night when nothing went right for the Sarsfields youngsters with injury and some errant shooting in front of goal playing into the hands of their opponents who took full advantage and ran up a big score to boot.
The Sarsfields were well in the game for large periods of the opening half but failed to capitalise on a host of good scoring chances with Ballintubber, in contrast, much more clinical in front of goal with a three goal scoring burst in the final ten minutes of the half puncturing the Sarsfields challenge and leaving them with a mountain to climb for the second period. Truth to tell, they never looked like scaling it as Ballintubber made their physical superiority count in the key areas of the pitch and continued to boss the scoreboard with the Sarsfields unable to muster the scores that might have made a true contest of it.
Credit to the Sarsfields, they kept battling right throughout a tough second half as the odds became ever more surmountable with each passing minute. Ballintubber moved like a really good team and were formidable in terms of their sheer size and power as they outmuscled the Sarsfields in the key battle grounds and continued to amass the scores as the visitors found it difficult to cope with their power and physique as they came marauding down the central channel.
Ballintubber were worthy winners on the night but the Sarsfields will have taken many lessons away from the game not least of which was their need to be much better in their use of the ball allied to their need to be much more ruthless in front of goal.
On a trying night for the green and white honourable mention to Tom Naughton, Senan Tiernan, Mikey Larkin, Chris Brennan, Rian O’Connor, Conor Breheny, Ted Munnelly, Dylan Healy and Frank Muldoon who stayed going to the end and never shied away from the fight.
Charlestown Sarsfields senior ladies lost out to Knockmore in round 6 of division 1 of the county senior league with the Knockmore ladies prevailing on a score of 3-14 to 2-7. The Sarsfields were up against it from the throw-in as Knockmore brought real intensity to their performance. They were clinical in attack as the Sarsfields found it difficult to get a handle on the pace and movement of their attacking line with a couple of goals setting them up to dominate most of the opening half.
The Sarsfields never backed away from it at any stage and displayed buckets of spirit and courage which garnered them some good moments in both halves with two goals keeping their challenge alive albeit they never looked like overhauling Knockmore at any stage in the contest.
Knockmore kept their eyes firmly on the ball however and closed out the game in business-like fashion in the second half with this defeat leaving the Sarsfields occupying a mid-table position on the league table as they look to bounce back in their next outing at home to Carnacon.
There was a big turnout for one of the highlights in the bridge calendar, President’s Prize Night in the game held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday night, April 22, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Mike Wingrove and Carmel Moffitt, 2nd James Mooney and Mary O’Connell, 3rd Tom Ginty and Teresa Ward, 4th Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 5th Margaret Kenny and Liam Campbell.
The game was also the President’s Charity night with Frances’ chosen charity being the Autism Unit at St Attracta’s National School, Charlestown and over €500 was raised on the night including donations from some members who were unable to attend. A fun game was enjoyed with a few mistakes along the way.
The Sarsfields host Breaffy in Fr O’Hara Park in the county U16 development league on Tuesday (this evening), May 5, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
The Sarsfields host Ardnaree Sarsfields in O’Hara Park in division 1 of the county U14 league on Monday night, May 11, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
The Sarsfields host Belmullet in Fr O’Hara Park in division 2 of the county U16 league on Tuesday, May 12, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
Lough Derg season 2026 commences with the one day retreat in May on selected dates. The annual three-day pilgrimage commences on Friday, May 29, until Saturday, August 15. More details are available on the church noticeboard at St James’s Church, Charlestown.
New and returning members are welcome to join the parish choir. No prior experience is required. Practice takes place each Thursday evening at 7pm at the Parish Church. For more information contact Carmel on 086 3271196.
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.
Charlestown Sarsfields suffered a narrow 1-14 to 0-15 defeat to Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin in round 2 of the division 2 of the county senior league in a tight encounter played at the Parke GAA grounds recently. As the scoreline would indicate, there was little or nothing between the teams throughout with no more than a score separating them at all times.
The first half proved something of a grind as both sides probed and pressed but could make little headway against two well organised defences as scores proved few and far between with chances being spurned on both sides of the divide. The half-time score of 0-5 apiece was an accurate reflection of what played out on the field with Matt Lenehan, Niall Towey, and Tom Gioldrick bagging the white flags for the Sarsfields.
The opening gambit of the second half saw more of the same as the two sides struggled to land a worthwhile blow in terms of taking control. Gareth O’Donnell pointed from play for the Sarsfields to keep them interested. Parke, however, finally got the bit between their teeth and made their power play as they outscored the Sarsfields 0-6 to 0-2 in a ten minute spell to leave them 0-11 to 0-7 in front as the Sarsfields challenge started to flounder and wobble.
Parke’s surge petered out however as the Sarsfields got some inspiration from their captain Gareth O’Donnell who hauled them back into contention with some superb place kicking from the land. He hit three brilliant two pointers to bring the game right back into the melting pot as the home side paid the price for some lethargy and listlessness in their play having surrendered a position of dominance rather tamely it must be said. There was only a score between the teams heading down straight with further points from Matt Lenehan and Niall Towey bringing an immediate response to a Parke goal that could and should have killed off the Sarsfields challenge but it didn’t as they once again failed to capitalise with the Sarsfields challenge still very much alive.
The final few minutes were frantic with referee Jerome Henry not exactly endearing himself to the Sarsfields camp as a few decisions went against the green and white which were hard to fathom and proved a real bone of contention at the final whistle. Parke held on however and closed out the match albeit just about with the final whistle bringing relief as much as joy to the black and amber as they got their first points on the board after their opening round loss.
The Sarsfields were disappointed to leave with nothing having invested a lot in the game but they can take heart from the manner of their display with Tom Goldrick, Niall Murphy, Ben Conway and Sean Dunleavy solid and uncompromising in defence. Tom Holton and Eoin Murphy had a great battle with their direct opponents in the middle of the park while in attack Gareth O’Donnell gave a flawless display of kicking and was inspired from the land as he guided over three missiles from a variety of angles which raised a trio of orange flags. Matt Lenehan had some good moments with Niall Towey and Ruairi Cullen also showing up well at various stages.
The Sarsfields host near neighbours Ballaghaderreen in Fr O’Hara Park in round 3 of division 2 of the county senior league on Saturday, May 9, with the throw-in provisionally fixed for 7pm. (Check sports pages for confirmation).
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3500 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, April 27, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 14, 19, 26 and 27. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were Sharon O’Donnell, Michael Kilcoyne and Martha and Edward Durcan. The jackpot in the latest draw held on Monday, May 4, was €3600.
The death took place at the Ava Marie Nursing Home, Tooreen, Co. Mayo of Josie O’Donohue-Keane, Barrack Street, Charlestown. Her remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown to St James’ Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the cemetery of the Resurrection. She is survived by her sons John, Cathal, Joseph, Pearse, Paul and David, step-daughters Carmel and Helen, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Josie who was pre-deceased by her husband’s Jack O’Donohue and Walter Keane, daughter-in-law Pauline, and stepson James O’Donohue, was a lady in the true sense of the word who lived a long and active life and was blessed with good health for the most part throughout. She loved her family and they were the orbit around which her world revolved. She loved the regular and constant interaction with them and took a keen interest in their health and well-being at all times. Jose had many interests in life and was a keen artist and painter who achieved a very high standard with some lovely paintings and artwork adorning the walls of her home. She was also a baker of some renown and kept the gardens in pristine condition at the rear of her home on Barrack Street. She also followed the fortunes of Mayo and Charlestown Sarsfields with a quiet passion and interest and always took great joy when the scoreboard read right in their respective favours.
Her death has robbed Barrack Street and Charlestown of one of its best known and most recognisable citizens and leaves a void in the community as Josie was known to one and all on the street. The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held and deepest sympathies is tendered to the bereaved.
The death took place at the North-West Hospice of Brian Banks, Drimbane, Curry, Co. Sligo. Deepest condolences are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Sarsfields suffered a disappointing defeat to Claremorris in the latest round of fixtures played in division2 of the county minor league as they went under to Claremorris on a score line of 2-17 to 0-10. Again, the Sarsfields fielded a very depleted side with injuries stripping them of some of their best players and this made it difficult to compete with a much stronger Claremorris side who had much greater depth throughout their team and made it count on the scoreboard with the Sarsfields challenge taking on water at an early stage in the second half. The results read a little unfair on the team, panel and management at the moment as they have had no luck on the injuries front so it would be misleading to read too much into the league table at the moment. Their next outing is home to Belmullet which offers them a reasonable chance of garnering some much needed points.
The Sarsfields host Moy Davitts in Fr O’Hara Park in the county U12 Spring League on Wednesday, May 13, with the throw-in confirmed for 7pm.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card-drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday night, April 28, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Joe Mahon and Matty O’Hara shared with James Cafferty and Mary Costello. Raffle winners were Miko Sheridan, James Cafferty and Mary Costello. The game takes place every Tuesday night in the Yeats County Inn, Curry at 9pm and all are welcome.
Charlestown Athletic FC recorded a convincing 4-1 victory over Fahy Rovers in round one of the Premier Cup played at Bellaghy Park recently. The Athletic were good value for the this win as they dominated the ball and had the cutting edge in attack to take the chances when they came their way with Robbie Jordan and Joe Joe Glynn bagging a brace each. Next up for the highflying Athletic is an away tie in the cup to Kilmore in round two.
Summer Music and Yoga Camps take place in Carracastle Community Centre from July 6-10, from1.30-4pm, and in Tibohne Community Centre from July 13-17, from 9.30am-12 noon. The camp is limited to 15 places for children strictly aged 7-12 years. The cost is €85 and for further information contact Olivia on 085 1971372 or email o.sharkey@gmail.com.
Well done to the Charlestown Cubs U16 girls basketball team who competed with distinction at the All-Ireland U16 club championships played at Gormanstown, Co Meath recently. The girls displayed plenty of grit, skill and determination as they represented the club with pride and flew the flag for the Cubs Basketball Club with honour and prestige. They played a total of five games over two days against Oranmore, the Galway Titans, Cavan Cubs and Clare. Each game they played was close with little more than a basket between the teams at any stage.
They defeated Clare in their final game to qualify for a quarter-final in the C competition where they faced off against a strong and physically imposing Athlone side. The Charlestown cubs led at half-time but their effort floundered in the third and fourth quarters as a combination of fatigue and lethargy caught up with them in the end. The Cubs played an extra game more than their opponents which meant Athlone were fresher going down the stretch and this made a big difference to the final outcome with the extra physicality of the Athloine girls really coming to the fore in the final quarter.
The Charlestown girls can be proud of their overall efforts however as they left everything on the court and hats off to the full panel and their coaches Phil Craig, Karena Finn and Maria Corcoran who worked wonders with the squad and had them extremely well coached as they displayed the full range of their skills in what was, as you would expect, a very competitive competition with the Charlestown girls going up against the very best in the country at this age grade. It was a weekend to savour for all associated with the team and they will remember this experience forever as friendships and bonds were formed and created that will remain forever. Well done to all involved and congratulations to the Cubs Basketball Club on another great year on the boards.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts game held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday night, April 26, as The Magician and Gus the Gripper battled it out in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. With Gus at the ochie, it was left to Podsie to step into the referee’s chair and this he did with aplomb as he gave a masterclass in how to officiate as he ensured good sportsmanship prevailed throughout. Gus was looking to break his duck in finals having lost the last three he took part in, but he got off to the worst possible start as the Magician weaved some magic and raced away with the first two sets with some sorcery with his arrows.
Gus cut quite the disconsolate figure at the beginning of the third set as he knew he needed to raise his level and fast if he was going to bring this game to another set. He duly responded in some style as he never allowed McGowan a look-in, winning three legs spin to take the match to a fourth set as the crowd got ever more involved in terms of atmosphere and noise. The fourth set was a see-saw affair with Gus initially holding the whip hand as he led two legs to one and looked primed to take it to a deciding set when he had six darts in his hand with double sixteen seemingly at his mercy. Every dart he fired at the double missed by a matter of millimetres which only added to his frustration and disappointment as the crowd willed him over the line. It didn’t happen however as McGowan steeled himself and won the next two legs in tremendous fashion to claim the set and the match as he rose to the occasion brilliantly taking out 136 with a wonderful treble 20, treble sixteen and a double 14 which raised the roof as the venue exploded with noise with the Magician’s support base in full voice as their hero took the title in dramatic fashion. Gus was magnanimous in defeat it must be said and was quick to embrace the victor which rounded off a nice sporting contest with Podsie showing bags of composure and class in the referee’s chair which was roundly applauded on both sides of the house. A good victory for the Magician as he landed his third title of the season and this was due reward for his cussedness and consistency as he remains a formidable opponent when all parts of his game are in sync.
