Local Notes: All the latest news from Claremorris
Pictured at the final race meeting of the season at Ballinrobe were, from left: Carmel Kelly, Cathy Kelly, Vera Murphy, Caroline and Michael Jennings. Picture: Trish Forde
Nine members of Claremorris Kickboxing Club travelled to Limerick on Saturday, September 6th, to compete at Ireland’s National Low-Kick Championships, joining almost 200 of the country’s most promising athletes.
This was the first time the club had ever entered a low-kick tournament, a discipline which permits kicks to the legs, and the team’s debut proved to be an outstanding success.
The first title of the day came from nine-year-old Hnat Dmyterchuk. After two exciting bouts to reach the final, Hnat faced a very evenly matched contest. Both fighters gave their all, but it was the Claremorris youngster who edged it on the judges’ decision, making history as the first from his club to claim a national low-kick crown.
Not long after, Madalin Lazer delivered another gold medal for Claremorris. Showing speed, precision and control throughout, he was simply too strong for his three opponents and finished the day as national champion.
Senior fighter Alex Halligan, already an experienced competitor but new to the low-kick format, also rose to the occasion. Using a disciplined game plan of keeping his distance and scoring with accurate head kicks, Alex progressed to the final. Despite taking a punishing leg kick late on, he kept his composure and secured yet another gold for Claremorris.
Sixteen-year-old Ionut Acatincai entered the super-heavyweight division where his speed and power proved decisive. He stopped his first opponent in the opening round, then used a series of sweep kicks in his second contest to send his rival to the floor on five occasions. A commanding display in the semi-final brought him through to the final, where he initially built up a strong lead before his Carlow opponent fought back to force a draw. In the extra round, fatigue threatened to cost Ionut the title, but spurred on by the crowd he rallied superbly to take victory. He later received a walkover in the full contact category, leaving him crowned double national champion.
The medal haul continued with a silver for Emmanuel Apaw, who impressed with two excellent performances, while teammates Jamie Monaghan Mellett, Misha Hryhoriev, Arturas Skuodas and Mihai Jirebie also represented the club with distinction. Misha, in particular, was unlucky to miss out on the podium after three very close contests.
Coaches Phelim Halligan and Konstantin Kuzmin expressed their pride in the team’s achievements, noting that for a small club in the west of Ireland to make such an impact on its first outing in low-kick competition was a tremendous result. They added that the success reflected not only the skill and dedication of the individual fighters, but also the growing strength of the club as a whole.
The Claremorris Drama Society is preparing to bring Walter Macken’s acclaimed play to local audiences this autumn, with a series of performances across the region.
Set in 1950s Ireland, is a powerful exploration of redemption, belonging, and the quiet struggles that unfold behind closed doors. The production promises a moving and thought-provoking evening of theatre.
The play will open with two performances at Ballyhaunis Community Hall on Friday and Saturday, Sepember 26 and 27, both at 8pm. It will then travel to Garrymore Community Hall on Saturday, October 11, again at 8pm. The final local performance will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Friday, October 17, at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at €15, with a concession rate of €10 available for students and OAPs.
St Colman’s College welcomed back past pupil Conor Judge recently, as he returned to share his knowledge and experience with current Agricultural Science students.
Conor, who is now in his fifth year of veterinary studies at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, has made it a tradition to visit his former school each year. During these visits, he has given freely of his time, offering valuable insights and advice to students with an interest in agricultural and veterinary careers.
The school expressed its gratitude for Conor’s continued support and generosity, and wished him every success as he enters the final year of his studies.
Claremorris National School has received a donation of 30 Lenovo laptops from Fidelity Investments through the company’s Laptop Donation Scheme. The laptops will be used by pupils for activities including Accelerated Reading, project research and coding.
The staff and pupils expressed their thanks to Karen Hanley and her colleagues at Fidelity Investments for the contribution, which they said will enhance learning opportunities across the school.
Two members of Davitts GAA and LGFA Club, Fenton Kelly and Shane Mitchell, will abseil 150 feet from the roof of Croke Park on Friday, October 10th, to raise funds for Mayo Cancer Support.
The club has encouraged anyone wishing to support the fundraiser to make donations through links available on its social media pages.
Social dancing classes will resume in Taugheen Community Centre on Tuesday, September 23rd, at 8.30pm. The sessions will cover jive, waltz, line dancing and foxtrot, with instruction available for beginners as well as improvers. The classes will be led by Brian Gibbons.
Jonathan Kilkenny was the winner of Claremorris GAA’s 50/50 jackpot last week. Jonathan’s ticket, purchased in Killeen’s, earned him a prize of €1,010.
The club extended sincere thanks to everyone who continues to enter the draw in local outlets and online, and reminded supporters that each ticket sold directly supports the work of the club in developing facilities and promoting the game in the community.
Claremorris AFC’s 50/50 draw last week was won by Seamus Slattery, who collected €510. Seamus had bought his ticket in Killeen’s.
The club congratulated him on his win and expressed appreciation to all who took part in the draw. Tickets are available weekly in pubs and shops around the town as well as online, with the club emphasising that the draw is an important part of its fundraising for ongoing projects and youth programmes.
The death has occurred of Patrick (Patsy) Guilfoyle of Cloonfaughna, Knock. Patsy died peacefully in the care of Sonas Nursing Home, Knock, surrounded by his loving family.
Patsy was predeceased by his parents Sarah and Patrick, brother John (Newport), sisters Teresa Caulfield (Aughamore) and Sheila McCarthy (Birmingham), and infant twins Seamus and Pauline.
Patsy is deeply regretted by his devoted wife Helen, daughters Yvonne (John, Ardee), Colette (Joe, Gort), Fiona (Micheál, Claremorris), Denise (Rooskey), and son J.T. (Yvonne, Nenagh), grandchildren Kate, Joseph, Adam, Jayden, Fionn and Rían, sister Delia Murphy (Galway) and brother-in-law Frank, sister-in-law Mary-Jo (Newport), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, carers and a wide circle of friends.
Patsy’s remains reposed in the Marian Funeral Home, Knock on Sunday evening, September 14th, with removal to St John the Baptist Church, Knock.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday morning followed by burial in Knock Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Margaret Groarke (née McDonagh) of Station Road, Castlebar, and late of Taugheen, Claremorris.
Margaret died peacefully on September 10th in the wonderful care of the staff at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar, surrounded by her family, in her 93rd year. She was predeceased by her husband John, son Jimmy, parents John and Annie, and her brothers and sisters.
Margaret is deeply regretted by her sons Seán and Enda, daughter Dympna, sister Nora Caulfield (UK), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughter-in-law Denise, son-in-law Sean, Jimmy’s partner Marianne, grandchildren Shane and Liane, great-grandchild Lily, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Margaret’s remains reposed at Coady’s Funeral Home, Castlebar on Friday, September 12th, with removal to her residence. Removal took place on Saturday morning for Requiem Mass in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, followed by burial in Castlebar New Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of John McHugh of Knockadoon, Irishtown, who died peacefully on September 14th, in the care of the ICU staff at University Hospital, Galway.
John was predeceased by his parents Mary and Patrick, sister Bridie, and brothers Ger and Pat. He will be sadly missed by his sisters Ann and June, brothers-in-law Jimmy and Joe, sister-in-law Margaret, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
John’s remains reposed at Carey’s Funeral Home, Ballindine on Thursday evening, September 18th, with removal to the Church of the Holy Family, Irishtown. Funeral Mass took place on Friday, September 19th, followed by burial in Irishtown Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Grainne Pendred of Ballydaff, Taugheen, Claremorris, and formerly of Ennis and Dublin.
Grainne died peacefully at Mayo Hospice after an illness borne with courage. She was predeceased by her parents John and Veronica Pendred.
Grainne will be deeply missed by her partner Pat Costello and his family, her cousins Aideen, Berni and Ray, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Grainne’s remains reposed at St. Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, on Thursday evening, September 18th, with removal to St. Colman’s Church. Funeral Mass was held on Friday morning, followed by private burial in St Fintan’s Cemetery, Howth Head, Co. Dublin.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Patricia Marsh (née O’Connor) of Leixlip, Co. Kildare, and formerly of Claremorris. Patricia died peacefully on September 16th at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, surrounded by her family.
Predeceased by her parents Tom and Maureen, Patricia is deeply regretted by her husband Diarmaid, brothers John and Eamon, sisters Mary and Delia, mother-in-law, sisters, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Her funeral took place in Leixlip with burial in the local Confey Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
