Local Notes: Celebrating the Bi Centenary Celebrations of St Patrick's Church, Glann.
At the St Patrick's Church Glann Bi Centenary Celebratory Dinner which was held in Julians Lounge, Midfield, were Hannah Sweeney, Hannah Brennan, Anne Sweeney, John and Kevin Brennan, Padraig Carey Neil Sweeney, Caroline Brennan, Maureen Lynch, Michael Brennan Megan Sweeney, and Sean Higgins. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €12,700 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, August 4, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 6, 10, 18 and 33.
The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Martin Durkin and Jody Coyne (Annual Ticket). The latest jackpot increased to €12,800 and the draw was held on Sunday night, August 11.
Ireland West Airport have a terrific array of prizes up for grabs with all details to be had on www.irelandwestairport.com/charitydraw. Tickets cost €5 or 3 for €10. All proceeds go towards the Ireland West Airport`s 2024 charity partners; ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue, and Western Care Association.
Charlestown Sarsfields secured their Division 1A league status with a 1-17 to 1-10 play-off victory over Kiltane played at Fr O’Hara Park recently. The Sarsfields had to dig deep to eke out the victory in a Jekyll and Hyde performance with lots of issues to work out and rectify ahead of their daunting championship opener against Castlebar Mitchels next weekend.
The Sarsfields, stiffened by the return of Paul Towey and Jack Mahon respectively, made a bright start with the former clipping over a nice free to get his eye in early doors. Kiltane hit back with a free of their own but the Sarsfields took control over the course of the next ten minutes or so as they tagged one five points on the bounce to move 0-6 to 0-1 clear to assume some sort of control or we thought with Towey accounting for 0-4 while midfielder Paddy Goldrick guided over a beauty from play to leave the home side with much to enthuse over.
The game changed in a heartbeat however as the Bangor men cut open the Sarsfields defence to score a terrific goal to give some oxygen to their challenge and leave the Sarsfields with much to ponder on as to how they could be carved open so easily despite there being plenty of green jerseys on the premises.
The goal energised Kiltane and they were level minutes later as the Sarsfields indiscipline really came to the fore in the closing stages of the half as they found themselves reduced to fourteen men with centre back Jack Corley having to take the walk to the line on the back of two yellow cards in quick succession.
The Sarsfields had some re-organisation to do to shore up the middle third but there was little or no let-up in their indiscipline as they continued to get on the wrong side of the referee who was in no mood to take any back chat or loose lips.
Against the back drop of all this negativity the Sarsfields managed to finish the half on a high as Matt Lenehan, Paul Towey and Jack Mahon hit three good points from play to leave the green and white 0-9 to 0-6 in front as they retreated rather meekly to the dressing room keenly aware of the content of the half-time team talk.
The second half began with the Sarsfields rollicking still stinging in their ears and it didn’t get off to the best start as the visitors slotted the first point of the half to narrow their gap to two. The home side stirred themselves into action however with Matt Lenehan taking centre stage as he charged forward with pace and conviction brushing past several would be Kiltane tackles before delivering a deft pass to Paul Towey who cracked the ball to the net to alter the flow of the game completely and put the Sarsfields five clear.
Jack Mahon followed up with a brace from play to widen the gap with full back Thomas Goldrick getting in on the scoring act as he stole forward from his defensive station to kick over a fine point to put real daylight between the sides.
The expected glut of scores were slow to follow from the Sarsfields as the Kiltane challenge never went away with Sarsfields keeper Patrick Walsh being called into action on numerous occasions to prevent any further goal damage on the scoreboard with the visitors continuing to profit from some untidy Sarsfields tackling as the defence resorted to lots of unnecessary fouling which the Kiltane lads were only too glad to punish.
The Sarsfields always kept their lead intact as Paul Towey(2) , Jack Mahon, Alan Woods, Gareth O’Donnell and Matt Lenehan cracked over some good points to keep the scoreboard ticking over firmly in favour of the home side. Kiltane responded with some late consolation frees as the Sarsfields managed to avoid any further scares with the final whistle bringing lots of relief in the camp as this was a game that had danger written all over it from the throw-in.
The Sarsfields mixed the good with the bad in both halves and will need to eradicate the indiscipline and serial fouling from their game plan going forward or run the risk of finishing the game with far less than their quota of fifteen.
Credit to them, they did raise their level when their backs were to the wall with Paul Towey leading the charge as he weighed in with a healthy 1-8 of the final tally. Jack Mahon was much more conspicuous in the second half and bagged some crucial points with Ruairi Cullen carrying an amount of ball and being a good out for the Sarsfields when they needed to break the Kiltane press. Others to shine included Matt Lenehan and Paddy Goldrick both of whom enjoyed some big moments with keeper Patrick Walsh also making some big saves when the need was at its greatest. Ben Conway, Fergal Quinn, Niall Drudy and young Eoghan Flannery also made some big contributions with the last named enjoying a fine twenty minute cameo as he won an amount of ball and used it wisely at all times.
All in all a good end to a somewhat mixed league campaign with the Sarsfields just glad to save their skins with all eyes now turning to their clash with Castlebar Mitchels in round one of the championship with the Mitchels heavy favourites to make short work of the Sarsfields.
The Sarsfields host Ballintubber in Fr O’Hara Park on Thursday, August 15, in the county U16A championship with the throw-in timed for 7pm.
Curious about care giving? Meet the team and chat to them at the Euro Spar Swinford on Thursday, August 15, from 10am- 1pm or call 094 9014028. They are on a mission to provide compassionate and exceptional health care services to the elderly in their homes in the community.
The death took place at St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown, of Agnes (Cora) Murphy, Sandyhill, Curry. Her remains were removed from St Therese’s Funeral Home, Curry, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry, followed by removal to Shannon Crematorium after solemn requiem Mass. She is survived by her sons Paul and Eugene, daughters Fiona, Agatha, Mary and Stella, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Cora, who was pre-deceased by her husband Martin and son Shane, was a kind and gentle lady with an innate sense of decency about her that shone through in all dealings and interactions with people. She was devoted to her family with their health and well-being uppermost in her mind at all times. She lived her life in the best way she knew how and left a kind imprint wherever she went. 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. She leaves a rich legacy which her family will cherish and cling dear to in these deep dark hours and days and we tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Charlestown Swimming Pool have launched their new Summer Raffle draw to raise funds for the pool. A big thank you to Delaney’s Mace who have come on board as chief sponsor with Conor of Delaney’s kindly sponsoring all the wonderful prizes. Buy raffle tickets in store or online €5 for 1 or €10 for 3 . You can also donate to the raffle by clicking the link https://www.idonate.ie/raffle.CharlestownPool. This draw is deserving of your support as the pool continues to draw crowds from far and wide with the summers season in full swing at the moment.
Mayo Fire Service are looking to recruit retained fire-fighters to serve the local community around Charlestown and recruitment is now open on www.mayo.ie.careers/current-vacancies.
There was a good turnout at the weekly summer bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Wednesday, July 31, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Tommy Banks and George Brennan; 2nd John McCrohan and Tom Ginty; 3rd Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 4th Assumpta Kelly and Eileen O`Connor; and 5th Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 Card Drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, August 6, at 8.30pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Darby and Breege Leonard, 2nd Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally, Kevin Maloney and Paul Flannery. Raffle winners were Teresa McIntyre, James Reidy and Pearse Henry.
Charlestown Sarsfields lost out to a very good Westport team in the group stages of the county U16A championship in their latest outing played at the Westport GAA grounds recently. The Sarsfields competed well throughout but Westport had that bit more quality all over the pitch and this very much came to the fore in the final quarter as they pulled away from the Sarsfields to run out 4-19 to 2-13 winners.
The final scoreline reflects a little harshly on the Sarsfields overall effort as they gave as good as they got for most of the hour and were well in contention at half time in a game that was played at a break neck pace throughout.
Westport, however, upped the pace a notch or two in the second half and started to make inroads on the scoreboard as their attack clicked into gear and scores began to flow freely as they took the game away from the Sarsfields as the green and white challenge began to wilt in the face of some incessant Westport pressure. The Sarsfields battled for all their worth but had no real answers to the Westport surge as the home side ran out convincing winners in the finish.
There were many good performances in the green and white colours with the Breheny twins Sean and Danny performing admirably at either end of the pitch with good support being provided from the likes of Shea Haran, Cian Towey, Mason McCudden and Ryan McDonagh.
The Sarsfields have one remaining group game to play against Ballintubber and they will be looking to finish on a winning note and wrap up their group campaign on a high if nothing else.
The death took place in England recently of Patrick Kenny, formerly of Barnacogue. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Congratulations are extended to Lisa Campbell, Doocastle, Ballymote, and Darren Flynn, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, on their recent weeding which took place at St. James’s Church, Charlestown. The happy couple are wished good health and happiness in the future and many years of wedded bliss.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Tommy Cassidy, Chicago, USA and Bulcaun, Charlestown, who celebrated his seventieth (70th) birthday recently with a party for family and friends at his home in Bulcaun, Charlestown. Tommy is a well known and popular member of the communities of Chicago, Bulcaun and Charlestown and is a regular visitor to the area where he has retained many strong friendships and links.
Tommy has spent the best part of forty years and more in Chicago where he is a well known and much respected member of the business community, providing gainful employment to many over the years and creating a good life for himself, his wife Ann and their family. He is a hard grafter who knows the value of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay and has always maintained a good work-life balance as he enjoys regular trips home where he connects with his many friends in the hinterland of Charlestown and beyond. Tommy is a man of great wit and humour with a smile never far from his face which makes his company much sought after as he brings plenty of laughter and fun to every gathering and social situation.
I’m sure his good wife Ann had a cake at the ready to mark the occasion with all seventy candles stacked neatly on the perimeter and base with the count having been carefully scrutinised by close family and friends. Tommy had little difficulty quenching the flame ignited by each and every candle as the large crowd present got ready to tuck in to a delicious spread of food laid on by Susi’s Bistro. The fun and craic went on long into the night as it was a treble celebration with Tommy’s twin brothers Gerard and Liam also getting in on the celebrations as they had just recently their sixtieth birthday which made it a night to savour for all the residents of Bulcaun and beyond.
We wish Tommy and Gerard and Liam every good wish for the future, health and happiness and many more celebrations of this nature in the years ahead. I’m convinced there’s a slice of cake set aside somewhere for me in Bulcaun which I look forward to sampling sometime in the coming weeks!!
The Charlestown Community Gardens continue to glisten and sparkle as high Summer kicks in thanks to a very dedicated and tireless group of volunteers who give up of their time so willingly and selflessly. The team at the moment comprises of Paddy Casey, Alison Doohan, Vera Turner, Mary McIntyre, Kay McIntyre, Sr Elsie Gilmartin, Ian Isherwood, Pat Murphy and Sarah and Jack McCann. The garden produces a wide variety of vegetation in their splendid pollytunnel which includes tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, basil and chill’s. Outside in the raised beds area the committee grow potatoes, rhubarb and strawberries. The garden is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30 and remains one of the jewel in the crowns of the town’s viewing areas and tourist attractions and deserves as much support as it can get as it is a truly wonderful facility.
Sarsfields Shamrocks edged out Ballina Stephenites in latest round of fixtures in the County Minor B championship played at James Stephens Park, Ballina recently. The Sarsfields Shamrocks combination squeezed through on a 2-8 to 1-9 scoreline which indicates the closeness of the contest all through.
This was a game of small margins with never more than a score between the teams at all times. Hats off to Martin Mulvaney’s side however, they hung in when the game looked to be drifting away from them and scored a couple of goals at crucial times to stay alive in the contest with Peter Frain and Oisin Frain the men of the moment so to speak as they displayed really calmness to dispatch the ball to the net with total conviction.
Ballina tried everything to reel in the visitors but Sarsfields Shamrocks were mature in the way they managed the game to the final whistle as they kept their goal intact and saw it out to stay very much alive in the competition with a semi-final place within their grasp with Davitts left to play in the group stages.
The Ireland West Airport annual runway 5k takes place on Saturday, September 14 at 6.30pm. All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the airport’s six (6) charity partners for 2024 – ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue and Western Care Association. Entry to the event costs €20 per adult and €5 for U16s. A special family rate of €40 will be available for families of 2 adults and 2 kids. Participants can register or find more information by visiting www.irelandwestairport.com/runwayfun.
The Sarsfields travel to Castlebar to take on the Mitchels in round one of the county senior championship on Saturday next, August 17, with the throw-in confirmed for 6pm. This is a daunting challenge for the Sarsfields as they take on one of the form teams in the competition and one who are widely tipped to win the championship outright such is the depth of talent available to them. Both sides go into the clash in vastly different form lines with the Sarsfields having to go to a play-off to secure their division one league status while the Mitchels made the final albeit they underperformed in a heavy defeat to Westport.
The Mitchels are dripping with talent while the Sarsfields in contrast had to come to terms with the loss of some key men who have departed the scene with the likes of Gerard McLoughlin and Conor O’Donohue huge losses and stripping their team of some real pillars in the true sense of the word. The Sarsfields are under no illusions about the size of the task facing them and will be hoping some of their injury stricken players will be fit to line out as they begin their tilt at the Moclair Cup hoping to build on the progress they made last season where they qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time in a decade. They are however, in a tough group with game one against the Mitchels representing the toughest possible start and one they will be anxious to be competitive in. All roads lead to Josie Munnelly Park with hopefully a large crowd turning out to support the Sarsfields as they face the might of Castlebar Mitchels on their home patch.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2400 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, August 5, and the four numbers drawn were; 7, 9, 14, 15. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Michael Loftus, Declan Gallagher, and Edward Colleran. The latest jackpot increased to €2,500 and the draw was held on Monday night, August 12.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, August 4, as Boom Boom and the Pillock clashed in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus had to be at his best to keep both men in line as tempers became frayed on a number of occasions. The Pillock blazed into a two set lead with some sizzling scoring and sublime finishing with Boom Boom unable to match the extraordinary standard being set by his opponent. Boom Boom found some semblance of form in the third set and got his name on the board thanks to a treble 16, double eighteen blast in the fourth leg. He carried this form into the fourth set and grabbed the first two legs with some steady and consistent throwing. The Pillock roared back however and levelled by grabbing the next two legs with some high quality scoring as he regained his form of the first two sets i spectacular fashion. The final leg was a thriller as both men fired in some big scores. The Pillock won the race to the double and had three arrows at double sixteen all of which missed narrowly or grazed the wire which paved the way for Boom Boom to step in with 48 on his sheet. He went the single sixteen, double sixteen route and negotiated the first part of the deal but his two darts at the double missed narrowly much to his frustration as he berated himself for failing to take the game to a fifth and deciding set. He knew his goose was cooked as the Pillock strode to the ochie with three darts in his quiver at the double. He needed only two with his second dart piercing the centre of the green double sixteen baize to set off wild scenes of celebration as the Pillock brought a long losing streak to an end as he clinched his third title of the season. Boom Boom was most gracious in defeat as he embraced the victor with warmth and sincerity which was nice to see. The Pillock did a lap of honour in celebration to bring to an end another stellar final encounter which captivated the large crowd from start to finish.
