Local notes: Brothers enjoy historic football success
As winter transitions into spring, this recent photograph by PJ Clarke captured beautifully the serenity and tranquility of Rooskey Lake.
It was a proud night for Moy Davitts GAA at Croke Park last Wednesday as the McHale brothers, Cian and Colm, from Gurteen, Straide were both members of the history-making University of Limerick squad that won the Sigerson Cup for the first time in the university’s history.
Cian played a starring role in the 0-17 to 1-11 win against University College Cork, with his five points making him not only the game’s top scorer, but the entire championship’s top scorer, with 2-27 in five games – 2-16 of which came from open play. Indeed, adding to the achievement was that it was the team’s eleventh straight victory of the season as UL also won all six games in this season’s Higher Education Division SFL Division 1 to also lift that title for the first time in their history also.
Cian and Colm McHale are sons of Kevin and Grainne (née Ruane) McHale and nephews of former Moy Davitts and Mayo footballer Gary Ruane. They are past pupils of Straide NS and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford and were two of eleven Mayo players in the 34-strong UL squad.
45 players from the U14, U16 and U18 age-groups of Moy Davitts GAA are to undergo cardiac screening this month, as part of an initiative by the Dillon Quirke Foundation. The event has been organised as part of the Moy Davitts’ Healthy Clubs Programme. The cost is being covered by the club itself, by parents’ contributions and by CGQ Developments (Conall and Oisin Quinn) who have generously donated €500 towards the cost of running this important health initiative for Moy Davitts’ underage players.
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Kieran Conway, a native of Foxford and late of Rathfarnham, Dublin who passed peacefully last week in the company of his loving family while in the tender care of the nurses and staff at Marlay Nursing Home, Dublin.
Kieran’s funeral Mass was celebrated last Wednesday at St Nahi’s Church, Dundrum and was followed by cremation at the Garden Chapel, Mount Jerome, Harold’s Cross.
Kieran, who was predeceased by his brothers Enda and Adrian and his sister Fidelma, will forever be loved and missed by his beloved wife Ann, his daughters Tracey and Patricia, son-in-law Malcolm, daughter-in-law Mei Ping, his sisters Rita, Ethnea and Deirdre, brother Finian, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.
May he rest in peace.
This year’s All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships will see a fine representation of athletes from St Joseph’s, Foxford following some excellent performances at this month’s Connacht Finals which were held in chilly but dry conditions at Bushfield, Loughrea.
Ruairi Reynolds crossed the line in seventh place in a competitive minor boys field to comfortably qualify for the All-Irelands, likewise Ella Ginty ran strongly from gun to tape to qualify inside the top ten in the junior girls race and therefore advance to her second consecutive schools All-Ireland.
Participating in the largest field of the day, Rory Gruddy qualified in the intermediate boys while still holding something in reserve for his participation at the Home Countries and Celtic Nations Cross Country International in London just a few days later where he helped Ireland’s U17 men’s development team to a fourth place finish – despite being only 14-years-old himself.
Also placing well for St Joseph’s were Darragh O'Brien, in the junior boys race, and Addison McDonnell who ran exceptionally well in the intermediate girls race.
The All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on March 7 in Mallusk, Belfast.
There was a landmark win in the underage history of S&F United when the U15 team got the better of top Dublin side Shelbourne to qualify for the last sixteen of the SFAI Subway Trophy. In a game that was played at United Park in Westport, goals by Calum Costello, Jamie Loughney and Ronnie Deacy helped them to a 3-2 win.
S&F will face Dublin opposition in the next round too – and have been drawn at home – where they will face the winners of Granada FC and Crumlin United. That game is due to be played on the weekend of February 28/March 1.
The death occurred recently of Nicholas (Nickey) Dooher, a resident of St Michael’s Estate, Foxford and formerly of Ballina Street, Crossmolina. Son of the late Joe and Maggie, brother of Mary and Joseph, he is deeply mourned by his loving sisters Breege Holmes (Foxford), Geraldine McNulty (Belderrig) and Margaret (London), brother Tommy (Philippines), brothers in law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, relatives and friends.
Nickey’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St Tiernan's Church, Crossmolina on Sunday, February 1 and burial afterwards was in Crossmolina Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust requires volunteers. For further details contact FACT at 085-8485278 or factsocialclub1@gmail.com.
Straide Women's Group has presented a donation of €700 to the Straide Community Development Group, which was the proceeds of its fundraising 25 card game held in December.
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.
Congratulations to Finbar Ryan and Sean Ruane who are the two most recent winners of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw. Finbar won a jackpot of €424 while a week earlier Sean scooped a prize of €437. Tickets are available in local outlets or enter via the club app also.
There’s set to be an interesting dynamic in the upcoming Connacht GAA Inter-Firms Senior Football Final as Moy Davitts teammates Brian Reape and Oisin McHugh find themselves on opposing teams. Brian is a member of the Sligo-based AbbVie team and scored a goal in their semi-final win against Roscommon Garda while Oisin is representing Medtronic of Galway who beat Vantive in their semi-final. No date or venue for the final has yet been confirmed.
The initial 2026 fixtures for Moy Davitts GAA’s adult teams have been released. The intermediate team will get their year underway in the Centenary Cup on Sunday, March 15 when they play Aghamore in a repeat of the 2025 final. Pat Clarke's side will host Charlestown Sarsfields a week later on March 22 in their second group game.
The team’s Mayo SFL Division 2 campaign will commence on the weekend of April 18. Also in their division are Aghamore, Balla, Ballaghaderreen, Ballinrobe, Charlestown Sarsfields, Davitts, Hollymount-Carramore, Mayo Gaels and Parke Keelogues Crimlin.
Meanwhile, the Moy Davitts junior footballers, who are managed by Michael McDermott, have their first game of 2026 on Sunday, April 5 when they host Kiltimagh in the quarter-finals of the Canon Henry Cup. They will also compete in the new regional-based Mayo SFL Division 6 against the ‘B’ teams of Ardagh, Ardnaree, Ballina Stephenites, Bonniconlon, Charlestown Sarsfields, Kiltimagh, Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin and Swinford.
The annual general meeting of Foxford Brass and Reed Band is to be held in the band room on Main Street (the old courthouse) this Thursday, February 19 at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
An opportunity to learn a musical instrument 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.
Best wishes are extended to Ronan Gilmore, Cloongee and Hannah Davidson, Lahardane who celebrated their marriage in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Friday, January 30. They are wished every happiness for the future.
The first year girls soccer team from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Connacht Cup by virtue of a 1-1 draw last week. with neighbouring Scoil Mhuire agus Padraig, Swinford. Niamh Hanahoe scored the all-important goal for the Foxford side.
The baptism has taken place of Eala Comiskey, daughter of Caoimhe and Terry, Foxford. The ceremony was held in St Michael’s Church on Saturday, January 31. Congratulations to all.
An opportunity to recycle old sports gear is being offered by Moy Davitts GAA Club who are to host a pre-loved 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 sale event itself which will take place on Easter Monday, April 6, from 12pm to 3pm in Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola.
You can contact the club’s Communications Officer, Mike Kelly, on 087-1967360 to arrange a collection or drop-off of sports gear for the sale.
All funds raised will go to the ongoing running of Moy Davitts GAA.
