Local Notes: All the latest news from Foxford
Moy Davitts and Mayo attacker Cian McHale seen in the colours of University of Limerick last week for whom he scored 1-5 in their Sigerson Cup quarter-final win against Maynooth University. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
The annual general meeting of Foxford Brass and Reed Band is to be held in the band room on Main Street (the old courthouse) on Thursday, February 19 at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Meanwhile, with parade season fast approaching and events to prepare for like St Patrick’s Day and Easter, marching practice will begin for the members of Foxford Brass and Reed Band on Sunday, February 8. They are asked to meet at 12.15pm in the band room. All members to attend where possible.
An opportunity to learn a musical instrument and while away the winter blues is being offered by Foxford Brass and Reed Band, who will provide instruments for learning and professional instruction.
Absolutely no experience is needed as Jessica, the band’s brass and woodwind teacher with years of experience in working with bands, will start you off on an instrument and teach you from the beginning at how to both play and read music.
But an invitation is also extended to those who already play an instrument to join the band. The aim of Foxford Brass and Reed Band is to have fun playing together. The band performs at various festivals and parades and hosts annual concerts.
The band’s youngest member is 8-years-old and the oldest turns 88 this year, so nobody is too young or too old.
If you are interested, you can contact the band by private message on Facebook or via email at foxfordbrassband1896@gmail.com.
There were great celebrations at St Joseph’s, Foxford last week as the secondary school’s juvenile boys football team lifted the Mayo Post Primary O’Haire ‘B’ Cup after a thrilling victory over Ballyhaunis Community School in the final. St Joseph’s won 1-13 to 1-09 after the game at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence went all the way to extra-time.
To say they had to do it the hard way is something of an understatement as by half-time in normal time, their Ballyhaunis opponents had amassed an eight points lead. But in a drama-filled game, St Joseph’s fought back magnificently in the second-half and with renewed effort and some fine scores along the way, they clawed their way back into the game, taking the game to extra-time.
Both sides swapped scores in the first extra period, which was played at a great pace and with great energy however, by the midway point, the Foxford students had nudged their way in front and never relinquished that position, leading by four points at the final whistle.
The two teams are to be commended on a thrilling and sporting contest.
The match referee John Glancy afterwards presented the O’Haire Cup to St Joseph’s captain Jamie Loughney.
A brand new three-year partnership between O’Hara’s of Foxford and Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has been announced. The collaboration is aimed at directly supporting the Foundation’s recently announced Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
The Foxford bakery, which is celebrating 75 years in operation this year, will feature the Sunflower Hospice logo on its best-selling product, O’Hara’s Premium White Sliced Bread. Each wrapping will also include a QR code that enables customers to donate directly to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
With the iconic loaf available extensively in shops throughout Connacht and even globally, hopes are high that the fundraising campaign can be of valuable financial assistance to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice. It is also planned that Bakery 51, the Ballina café outlet of O’Hara’s of Foxford, will hold four coffee mornings throughout the year, with donations also going to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
The SCH will provide essential care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the western seaboard. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first children's hospice to be built outside of Dublin.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Moy Davitts footballer Cian McHale who has been impressing on both the third level and senior inter-county football stages.
Cian backed up an impressive display for Mayo in the FBD League, in which he had scored five points against Galway before having to be replaced because of injury, by coming off the bench against the same opposition one week later and scoring the vital third goal in the Green and Red’s 3-18 to 2-18 win in Round 1 of the National Football League at Pearse Stadium in Salthill. Three days later Cian was in action again, this time for University of Limerick, and again he was in great scoring form as his goal and five points were significant in their 3-16 to 0-17 victory over Maynooth University in the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals.
Cian is joined in the UL panel by his brother Colm, and they are two of a remarkable tally of eleven Mayo players in the squad.
The baptisms of brothers Samuel Alan and Benjamin Michael Joyce, Castlebar Road, took place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on January 17. They are sons of Kyle and Alan Joyce. Congratulations are extended to all.
There’s a huge honour upcoming next weekend for Rory Gruddy, a student at St Joseph’s Secondary School, when he gets to represent Ireland at the Home Countries and Celtic Nations Cross-Country Championship, which is taking place in Parliament Hill, London on Saturday, February 7. The Straide teenager has been selected to run as part of an Irish U17 development team, competing alongside the very best of talent that English, Scottish and Welsh juvenile athletics has to offer.
Rory is a member of Swinford AC and his selection for Ireland is recognition for his hours upon hours of hard training throughout the winter months.
There were €100 prizes won by Audrey Coleman and Mickey Fox, both of Foxford in the two most recent S&F United 50-50 draws. Season tickets are currently available from all committee members, where you can enter 52 draws for just €50. Alternatively, tickets are available in local outlets or online at smartlotto.ie.
The club is very appreciative of the community’s continued support of the 50-50 draw.
S&F United’s Calum Costello struck a hat-trick for the Mayo League in their recent 3-2 victory against Midlands in the SFAI U15 Boys League. Calum was joined on the county squad by his United teammates Frank Berkowska, Jamie Loughney, Michael Ruane, Sean Walsh, Rian Jordan, Ronnie Deacy and Rory Gruddy.
In addition, at U13 level, S&F duo Aaron Boukioud and Gearóid Clarke were also part of the Mayo League squad who enjoyed a 2-1 win against Cavan.
The wonderful amount of €6,625 has been raised for the Mayo branch of Down Syndrome Ireland as a result of the donations made to the Coolegrane Christmas Lights display.
The presentation of the money raised will take place in the Moy Hotel, Foxford next Friday, February 6 from 9pm, with music by Pat’s Country Road Show.
The organisers wish to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated to the charity and to those who have donated spot prizes for the raffle.
Moy Davitts LGFA has extended congratulations to all of their club players who have been selected for various Mayo panels for the 2026 season.
Rhea Gostic has been selected on the Mayo U16 panel, Erin Dootson, Kasey Ruane and Kate Byrne are included in the Mayo minor panel and Natasha Gaughan is included in the Mayo senior panel.
The club says that the huge honour of donning the green and red jersey for 2026 is not only a proud moment for the players but for their families and for the club as a whole as well.
An opportunity to recycle old sports gear is being offered by Moy Davitts GAA Club who are to host a pre-oved sports gear sale fundraiser in April.
This is a sustainable opportunity for club members and non-members alike to recycle old jerseys, training tops, football boots, hats, tracksuits and more.
The first drop off opportunity took place last Saturday, however, another will be held at the Srath Garbh clubhouse on Saturday, February 14 and every two weeks thereafter until the sale event itself which will take place on Easter Monday, April 6, from 12pm to 3pm in Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola.
You can also contact the club’s Communications Officer, Mike Kelly, on 087-1967360 to arrange a collection/drop off of sports gear outside of those dates.
All funds raised will go to the ongoing running of Moy Davitts GAA.
A jackpot of €348 was won by Claire Mulvey in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw held on Saturday, January 24. The club thanks everyone who continues to support the draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app.
Date for the diary It may be a long way off but no harm of making a date in the diary for the 2026 Foxford Traditional Weekend that the organisers have now confirmed as taking place this year from October 15 to 18.
There’s a treat in store for lovers of traditional music this coming Saturday, February 7 as Foxford gets ready to welcome the current All-Ireland senior céilí band champions, Glór na dtonn, to town. The Mayo-based band lifted the most prestigious prize in traditional Irish music at Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in Wexford last August and are now to perform a concert at the Brown Memorial Hall.
The concert will get underway at 9pm and for more details, contact Ollie at 087-6368834.
The organising committee of the Foxford St Patrick’s Day Parade have announced that the 2026 parade will be held at 4pm on Sunday, March 15, which is also Mother’s Day.
The Achonry Pioneer dinner dance takes place in The Yeats County Inn, Curry on Friday, March 20, at 8pm. There will be a three course meal with tea/coffee and music by The Duets. Tickets are €40 per person and you contact Thomas on 087-2344338 to book your ticket.
