Local Notes: Charlestown GAA event was a resounding success
Pictured at the Kilmovee Active Age Christmas Party were, front row, from left: May Clancy, Eileen Keegan, Mary McManus and Fr Joseph Gavigan PP with Mary Teresa Duffy with Santa in the back row. Picture: James Hunt Photography
The annual Michael Byrnes Memorial Challenge took place in its usual slot on St Stephen's Day at 12 noon with Fr O'Hara Park playing host to a couple of interesting games which always form an integral part of the Christmas schedule in the community and GAA calendar.
The ladies club kicked off proceedings with a game involving two evenly matched teams which produced some interesting fare as the two teams held nothing back with a decent contest ensuing as play zipped up and down the field at a fairly brisk pace. I'm not quite sure how the scores were kept but the ladies seemed quite content with what was playing out before them as they kept the scoreboard ticking over at a decent clip. Some standout performances from a cluster of girls on both sides pockmarked the occasion with the final whistle bringing lots of high fives and handshakes on all sides as the ladies made for the warm sanctuary of the dressing rooms happy to have played their part in what's always a fun and enjoyable occasion as people make a special effort to attend and tog out in recognition of the memory of the late Michael Byrnes and his family who were present in large numbers.
The main event saw the Under 30s take on their Over 30s with the younger men keen to snap a losing streak of results in this contest stretching back any number of years. Both teams were missing some stellar names but there was still quite the starring cast with Paddy Goldrick, Ruairi Cullen, Sean and Paddy Joe Dunleavy. Ben Conway, Tadhg Horkan, Eoin Flannery, Thomas Goldrick, Gavin Honeyman. Mike Marren and others stepping up to the breach to provide plenty of dash, pace and industry for the younger cohort. The Over 30s had plenty of stardust in their ranks with John Casey, Ray Lenehan, Thomas Parsons, Kevin Deignan, Aidan and Dermot Higgins, Darragh McMeel, Brian O'Connell, and the O'Connor duo Ryan and Dean all bringing plenty of magic and flair to the paddock as they set about the job of retaining their title which they take great pride in doing every year.
Conditions were on the heavy side of good with a large crowd coming through the gates to get some post-Christmas entertainment and some fresh air after being cooped up for the previous 24 hours. James Breheny took the whistle and applied what could be called a fairly liberal version of the rules.
The new rules were left on the shelf for this latest joust with the tempo high from the throw-in before the pace slackened off as the turkey and grog from the night before began to kick in with the Over 30s playing most of the good football in the early stages. They got some good scores on the board as Shane Moran rolled back the years with some accurate kicking from the left peg.
The Under 30s took some time to get the dirty petrol out of their system but they enjoyed a good ending to the half with Sean Dunleavy slotting over a few nice points displaying an accurate side to his game we hadn't seen previously as he barrelled forward at every opportunity from his wing back station. The scores were pretty much deadlocked at the interval with both teams happy to avail of the copious amounts of water that were available at several different stations on the pitch.
The second half was a little more sedate, it has to be said, which suited the old cohort just grand as they exercised a fair modicum of control around the middle third. Ray Lenehan, Darragh McMeel and John Casey kept things tight at the back with Thomas Parsons, Kevin Deignan, Dermot Higgins and Aidan Higgins displaying craft and guile in abundance as they kept it simple when on the ball and hit everything that moved out of possession with many of the younger cohort finding themselves on the floor having been mauled in the tackle with referee James Breheny coming under scrutiny from the Under 30s who were unhappy at some of his so-called impartial decision-making. James was in no mood to take any lip however and warned several players of their need to curb the tongue or run the risk of getting a card - and not of the Christmas variety, might I add.
The Over 30s bagged a cracking goal midway through the second half with Shane Moran rounding off a scintillating, flowing move by dispatching the ball to the net to put some daylight on the scoreboard and keep the older men firmly on the front foot. The Under 30s huffed and puffed and did their best to reduce the deficit but the Over 30s' defence held out rather comfortably it must be said and managed to defuse any danger with solid, no-nonsense defending.
The final whistle brought mixed emotions with the Over 30s elated to have retained their title while desolation prevailed in the Under 30s' camp as their wait to end a long, losing sequence goes on for another year. Ray Lenehan accepted the cup on behalf of the Over 30s' squad as peace and goodwill broke out with handshakes and fist pumps being shared all round.
It was good to see several members of the Byrnes family in attendance with Michael's mum Sadie, sister Maureen and the large crowd all making their way to the dressing rooms to avail of the vast array of tea and refreshments that were on offer with cakes, buns, sweets and sandwiches going down a real treat with both young and old.
There was a charitable undertone to the game with St Vincent De Paul the main beneficiary of a very healthy amount of money that was collected, the details of which will be revealed in next week's column. This brought the curtain down on another well-attended, well supported and popular event in the Sarsfields calendar as Charlestown people, players, ex-players and colleagues of the late Michael come from far and wide to pay their respects to a great Gael whose memory continues to burn brightly in the hearts and minds of all who knew and admired him.
Roll on 2025 for the next episode of an occasion that always brings people together and is a hugely cherished part of the Christmas calendar.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €14,700 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, December 22nd, when the numbers drawn were 5, 7, 20 and 28.
The winners of the two €50 weekly prizes were Rebecca Gilmartin and Ritchie Wynne. The winner of the bottle of whiskey kindly sponsored by Delaney's Mace was Owen Callaghan with Ritchie Wynne also winning a Christmas Hamper also sponsored by Delaney's Mace while Roger Gannon was the winner of the One4All voucher as the club gave away a few extra prizes in the lead up to the Christmas period.
Sincere thanks to Delaney's Mace for their very kind sponsorship with a few more prizes of that ilk up for grabs in next week's draw along with the usual lotto jackpot and consolation cash prizes.
The next jackpot draw is on Sunday, January 5th, 2025. Tickets on sale in a number of outlets in the town and are also available on the online platform which can be accessed via www.smartlotto.ie or the club's Facebook page. The club would like to thank all who played and supported the weekly lotto during 2024 and wish all their members and players a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
Charlestown Cubs basketball club takes a break for the Christmas season and will resume activities and fixtures in the first or second week in January when the leagues resume. They would like to wish all their players, coaches and supporters a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
Christmas Mass bouquet cards are available at the moment. Monies from the sale of these cards provide great support in meeting the heating and electricity bills in all the churches of the parish.
One of the most beautiful gifts we can give, not just at Christmas but anytime, is the gift of Mass.
There was a super turnout at the weekly bridge game for what was Christmas Party Night in Walsh's Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Wednesday, December 18th.
The night kicked off with some fine bar food laid on by hostess Grainne which went down a right treat with all the players and there followed a fun game with a draw for partners and the following were the prize winners: 1st, Maura Kilcoyne and Frances Healy; 2nd, Tom Ginty and Nora McVeigh; 3rd, Ogie Moran and Paddy Colleran shared with Hilary McDonagh and Carmel Moffitt; 5th, Charles Quinn and James Mooney.
The weekly game will resume on Wednesday, January 10th, at 8pm in Walsh's Bar and the club would like to wish all their members a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.
The weekly 25 Card Drive resumes on Friday, January 3rd, at 9pm at the Yeats County Inn, Curry.
All players are wished a Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2025.
The Charlestown Sarsfields Ladies Club are hoping to enter a second adult team into the Mayo Ladies Junior League for 2025.
The club are already competing with distinction at the top tier of the senior club football in Mayo with the senior ladies competing in the senior championship and the top division of the league and are more than holding their own as they continue to build year-on-year and put it up to the heavyweights in the senior championship.
The executive feels the club has enough players to run two teams for 2025, hence the idea has been mooted to enter a junior team to cater for the large number of adult/underage players. The call is going out to all players who may have an interest in competing at junior league and championship level with all expressions of interest very much welcomed as the club decide whether the numbers are there to run two teams. They are throwing it out to all would-be players with a link available on the Charlestown LGFA Facebook page which you can click to indicate interest or otherwise.
The Medjugorje Irish Centre organise pilgrimages to Medjugorje from April to June, offering seven nights with apartment accommodation B&B for €273 per person sharing. Airport transfers available on request.
Contact 01-4434510 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com.
Avery unique calendar of special images from The Butterfly Garden in Swinford in Swinford has been launched, honouring all the little babies who couldn't stay. Calendars are €10 each (postage extra) with all proceeds going to the Butterfly Garden Maintenance Fund. To order, call or text Anita on 087-9794338.
The East Mayo Athletic Club annual general meeting will take place on Friday, January 10th, in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown at 7pm.
All members, coaches and the community at large or anyone interested in becoming involved with the club are welcome to attend.
Age-Friendly Mayo is delivered by Mayo County Council and works to improve the services that older people have identified as being important to them and the wider community as they live healthy and active lives.
The projects they offer, in conjunction with other organisations, include outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion, social participation, communication and education, civic participation and employment, and health and wellbeing.
The key contributors to this programme are the Age-Friendly Alliance and Mayo Older People's Council. The Age-Friendly Alliance brings together older people, service providers and businesses to change thinking about aging and how services to our older people are planned and delivered.
If you'd like to find out more about this programme, please email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.
Mayo Genealogy Group meets on the second Saturday of every month in Turlough House at 11am. All are welcome and new members are especially welcome.
Congratulations are extended to Joe McBrien, son of Ciaran and Marcella McBrien, Airport Road, Charlestown on his recent engagement to Karen Gibbons, Knockmore.
Life after bereavement can feel very lonely. Trained facilitators conduct a weekly Bereavement Support Meeting at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine, each Wednesday at 11am.
There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners/spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment needed. Further information from Monica Morley at 094-9375320.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29th, in the Kiltimagh Park Hotel at 8pm.
This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
The Cloonacool Players return to the stage in February with the hilarious comedy 'Moll' by John B. Keane.
The play is directed by Brid Calvey and stars the ever-popular Mary Kathleen Johnson, Dennis Ross and Martin McIntyre.
Not to be missed – so highlight February on your calendar.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2,000 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, December 23rd, when the numbers drawn were 3, 5, 13, 19.
The following were the winners of the five €20 weekly prizes John O'Hora, Stephen Gallagher, Charles Burke, Maureen Durcan and Maura McIntyre.
Next week's jackpot will increase to €2,100 and the draw will take place on Monday night, December 30th.
Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club's Facebook and Twitter pages respectively. The club would like to wish all their players and members a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2025.
GROW is a mental health support programme based on lived experience. This means GROW groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health.
If you'd like to know more, you can call your local GROW office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for 'Welcome to Grow', an online orientation session. This will give you an introduction to how meetings work and an opportunity to ask questions. You can also search for a group in your area by using Find a Group and just turning up. No registrations are needed.
The death took place in Dublin recently of Una Marren formerly of Curry, Co Sligo.
Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh's Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday night, December 22nd as Podsie and Gus The Governor squared off in another cracking instalment of the weekly classic.
The Duke took control of marking the board and after some initial gaffes and miscounts he got his act together and did a super job keeping law and order as both men duelled it out for the right to be crowned the Christmas champ. There was a cracking atmosphere in situ at Charlestown's answer to the Ally Pally with supporters in raucous form as the two finalists served up some tasty darts with heavy scoring and thrilling finishing bringing mayhem to the splendidly appointed venue.
Governor Gus raced into a one-set lead as he got his eye in pretty quickly with Podsie unable to match his big first-set average. A surprise looked on the cards when Gus poached the second set as well with Podsie left to rue wayward finishing as he had plenty to ponder on as he found himself two sets in arrears ahead of the start of the third set.
All great champions have the ability to respond when adversity stares them straight in the face and Podsie is no exception as he roared back into contention, plundering the next two sets with some rapier-like darts. His average rose considerably on his feeble efforts of the first two sets with Gus pretty much a spectator in sets three and four as the number one seed took six legs out of seven to square the match and leave everything on the line heading into the fifth and final set.
Gus began brightly, taking the first leg with an excellent 136 checkout but Podsie hit back as only he can as he took back-to-back legs to leave him one away from victory with Gus shaking his head in despair as he blew three darts at double sixteen in the third leg. Podse, sensing this was his time, had the advantage of the darts in the fourth leg and like all great players he seldom fluffs his lines when it comes to the art of finishing the job. He took the game away from Gus with a series of ton-plus scores which saw him reach the double long before his opponent as Gus languished in the high 200s.
Podsie came to the ochie with double eighteen at his mercy and he needed only one dart to close out the match as it nestled in the centre of the green baize to ignite wild scenes of celebration among his large and vocal fan base. Gus battled hard but lost out to a man who always finds the answers when the going gets tough as both men warmly embraced as Podsie set the seal on his fourteenth victory of the year and one which he enjoyed as much as all the previous ones that went before. His victory ensured he remained number one for the seventh straight season which will tell you all you need to know about his enduring pedigree and class.
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Kilmovee
The Christmas Masses attracted huge crowds this year as always in the four churches in the parish.
With the weather being mild and pleasant, this helped to aid people who wished to travel this year.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €900 on 47 calls or less, the house lotto is €280 on four correct numbers and there is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The committee wishes to thank our patrons who support the bingo weekly.
The next bingo is on Sunday, January 5, at 8.30pm.
Kilkelly Footsteps Childcare will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
Kilmovee Active Age/Thursday Club reopens in 2025 on January 9, at 11am.
Kilmovee Family Resource Centre reopens on January 6, 2025.
The death took place peacefully in her 78th year on December 19th of Mary O’Grady (née Gildea), Gortagara, Gurteen, Co Sligo.
Mary passeda way in the wonderful care of the staff at Sligo University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was beloved wife of the late Tommie and is survived by her sons Ronan, David and Cathal, daughters Anna and Niamh, daughters-in-law Rosann and Helena, sons-in-law Danny and Stephen, her adored grandchildren Maeve, Arthur, Tomás, Muireann, Séamus, Oisín and Eoín, brother Jimmy, sisters-in-law Mary and Josie, niece, nephew, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Mary reposed in O’Dowd’s Funeral Home, Gurteen on Friday, December 20, with removal from her home on December 21 to St Patrick’s Church, Gurteen for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am followed by interment in Gurteen Cemetery.
May Mary rest in peace.
The death took place of Maureen Lavin (nee O'Donnell), Turloughrea, Tibohine and formerly of Lisdrumneil, Fairymount, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon on December 20 at University Hospital Sligo, surrounded by her family.
Maureen was predeceased by her husband Paddy and is survived by her loving family, her daughters Moira, Finola and Olivia, sons Seán and Padraig, grandchildren Eimear, Andrea, Harry and Ellie, sister Kay, sons-in-law Derek and John, daughter-in-law Marina, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Maureen reposed in the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Sunday, December 22, with removal to St Baoithín’s Church, Tibohine. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Monday, December 23, at 11.30am, followed by interment in Fairymount Old Cemetery.
May Maureen rest in peace.
The Kilmovee correspondent, James Hunt, wishes to thank all who have helped him during the past year by providing news items, etc, for his weekly column.
Thanks also to the staff of the for their assistance.
Wishing you all health and happiness in 2025.
