Local Notes: Charlestown Sarsfields Bord na nÓg presentation of awards.
One of the boys teams honoured at at the Charlestown Sarsfields Bord na nÓg presentation evening held recently.
Bord na nÓg (the underage wing of the CharlestownSarsfields GAA Club) held their annual presentation evening in the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown on Saturday, February 28 last. Guests of honour were county stars Paul Towey and Ella Brennan, both of whom are excellent role models for the next generation of Sarsfields starlets as they continue to represent the club at the highest levels of intercounty football. There was a big turnout of players and families for what’s always a very well attended event and there were plenty of gongs and medals handed out as the club had another very successful year in both the boys and girls codes with county titles annexed at all underage levels.
Donal Healy and Siobhan Durkan shared the master of ceremony duties and kept things flowing nicely with lots of medals and presentations made to successful teams in both genders. Ella and Paul handed out the medals to the successful teams of which there were many. The following was the list of teams who brought success to the club in what was a star studded season on the fields of play; U12 boys Division 2 Spring League Winners /Division 1 Summer League winners; U13 boys Development League winners; U13 girls Division 3 League Champions; U14 boys East Mayo A and C Champions/ Division 3 League winners; U14 girls County C Champions; U15 girls Mayo Feile A Champions; U16 boys East Mayo A and C Champions /Division 2 League winners; U18 girls Division 1 League Champions.
That complete another very successful evening for the club as they continue to hit the heights at underage levels and punch well above their weight thanks to an excellent coaching structure where players are exposed to best practice in skills development with a very dedicated and talented team of coaches getting stuck in at all levels and weaving their magic so to speak. Onwards and upwards from here with the focus firmly on 2026 as the club look to build on the outstanding success that was 2025.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €20,900 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, March 1, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 6, 9, 12, and 17. The winners of the 2 x €50 prizes were the following; Rhiannon Lavin (Lucky Dip) and Williie Garvey (online). The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Sunday night, March 8, was €21,000. Tickets are on sale at several outlets in the community priced €2 or 3 for €5. Tickets can also be bought online via the club’s Facebook page. The club thank everybody who support their weekly lotto draw.
It was a busy week in the Honour of the Village competition with a number of games taking place in the last week or so, all of which drew large crowds to Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, as players, darts fans and supporters alike thronged to the venue to watch some pulsating action. The competition continues to fascinate and captivate a large cohort of people within and outside the community with some of the results from the latest round of first round action raising some eyebrows as some teams made their exit, while others secured their passage to the second round proper.
Lurga flexed their muscles in the opening round assignment against Hagfield (2) as they dished out a lesson in heavy scoring and finishing and they blazed their way to a 5-1 victory. Past winners Tavneena were next into the fray and they were given a good run for their money by a well fired up Ballyglass who went toe to toe with the John Paul Doherty managed Tavneena side before finally succumbing on a 5-3 score line. Sonnagh caused the upset of the round perhaps as they emerged on the right side of a 5-3 score line versus Curry (3) which wasn’t quite in the pre-match script as Curry supremo Deccie Haran came to the ochie confident he had enough depth in his squad to see off the Sonnagh challenge. The reality proved different however as Sonnagh raised their game to a new level and matched Curry dart for dart with their young recruits stepping up to the challenge in some style as they held their composure admirably to dump one of the pre-tournament favourites onto the scrapheap in a wonderful game of darts.
The final two games of the week saw another shock of sorts as Glann/Sionolane were thumped by Lavey 5-1 which caused quite the tremor as the Glann/Sinolane combo were many people’s idea of winners. Curry (2) ensured their passage into round 2 with a comfortable 5-1 victory over past winners Rooskey who just couldn’t match the levels of their opposition and bowed out tamely in the finish.
That completed a hectic week of darts for hosts Grainne and Gus Marren with all games splendidly supported. Next week’s is much quieter in terms of fixtures with just one down for decision as Lowpark go head to head with Cloonaughill in an eagerly anticipated encounter.
Well done to the Charlestown Sarsfields duo of Colm Maye and Gareth O’Donnell who guided their schools St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, and Balla Secondary School to the All-Ireland Senior B and C finals respectively following two cracking victories over Mount Saint Michael, Roscarberry and Cairrigaline both ironically enough from Cork in two one-sided semi-finals, with the Mayo schools powering home in splendid fashion. Colm Maye is a key part of the coaching team of St Nathy’s and he has his charges in rude health as they had far too much power and pace for a Roscarberry side that were never allowed into their stride and were beaten in pretty much every line of the field. St Nathy’s have been very impressive in their march to the All-Ireland final and will be a tough nut to crack as they get ready to lock horns with Cnoc Mhuire, Granard, in what promises to be a tasty final as the Longford lads also cruised home in their semi-final.
Balla were every bit as impressive as their St Nathy’s comrades as they brushed aside the Carrigaline challenge with disdain. They had too much scoring power for their Cork opponents and had the game wrapped up long before the final whistle. Gareth O’Donnell heads up the Balla Secondary School coaching ticket and has his charges in great shape as they too have steamrolled their way to an All-Ireland final with their performances getting better with each and every game. Balla have been mightily impressive in their march to the final, but they will get a stern test from Tyrone representatives St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley who trounced St Paul’s Raheny in the other semi-final with the Tyrone school putting 5-20 on the scoreboard. That won’t worry Gareth and his coaching team, however, as they focus on their own preparations and strengths of which they have many.
The next two weeks will be busy in the lives of Colm and Gareth as they prepare to lead their schools into the greatest day of the lot for these young footballers. Both also combine teaching jobs in their respective schools and they will be moving between the classroom and the training fields and bringing plenty of homework in terms of analysis as they dissect the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents in what’s sure to be a proud day in theirs, their players and schools as they look to scale the highest mountain of the lot and bring home and All-Ireland title to Ballaghaderreen and Balla respectively. All within the Sarsfields club congratulate both of them on their fantastic achievements and wish them all the best in their finals with perhaps the greatest chapter still left to be written.
The AGM of the Charlestown Swimming Pool will take place on Wednesday, March 11, at 7.30pm. All members are requested to attend and members of the general public and community are also urged to attend as the committee reflect back on another busy year with lots of plans to be discussed and put in place for the 2026 summer season. There are a number of roles on the committee which are vacant such as a health and safety office and a fundraising support role so any expertise that might be forthcoming in these roles would be very much appreciated by the hardworking and progressive committee who have done such a terrific job at the helm in the last number of years. Contact a member of the committee on 086 3019182 if you have any interest in coming forward or have any information that would be of use to the committee in the whole area of funding and completing applications on the same or energy upgrade solutions. The committee would love to hear from people who are clued in and in the know in these particular areas.
The annual general meeting of the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre will take place on Wednesday, March 18, in the building at 8.30pm. All members are requested to attend and new members are most welcome as the committee reflect on another busy year for a facility that continues to draw them in from all corners of the community. The committee deserve your support hence the need to show up and lend your help/assistance in any way you can.
A special welcome to Hyper Health, Charlestown Dr. Nettie Flannery and Dr. Elaine Broderick both GPs working in Mayo, who will be providing anti-wrinkle injections from March 26. Also Advanced Nurse Practitioner Sharon Egan working in Mayo, who is running weight management clinics currently. All services available @hyperhealthcharlestown.
Another busy week for the Charlestown Cubs Basketball Club with some mixed fortunes on the court. The U11 girls played out a thrilling contest with Lakesiders and were edged out at the final hooter in a cracking game that ebbed and flowed from one end of the court to the other. The Charlestown girls lost nothing in defeat and were heroic in defeat as they gave everything they had and never stopped trying or pressing right to the final hooter.
The U14 boys had better luck as they recorded an emphatic 30-18 victory over Castlebar Comets in division 2 of the league in a high octane encounter played recently. The Charlestown boys were every bit as impressive as the final score would indicate as they put their opponents to the sword with excellent offensive play backed up by some solid and stern defensive work. A good performance from the locals and one which keeps them right in the mix for the play-offs.
Charlestown minor ladies began their league campaign with a resounding victory over Belmullet as they recorded a 5-11 to 0-6 victory in tough conditions as the game was played in driving wind and rain. The Sarsfields ladies made light of the conditions however as they dominated all the key metrics and most importantly secured the scores that drained the life from the home side’s challenge with the Sarsfields having the points in the bag long before the final whistle. A great start for the team and management and one they will be hoping to build on in the coming weeks with the Sarsfields in a very competitive division with lots of top teams all vying for the title.
East Mayo Athletics training continues every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7pm at their splendid new athletics track facility located at the rear of St Attracta’s NS, Lowpark, Charlestown.
There was a good turnout for one of the big nights in the bridge calendar, the Des Henry Memorial Cup held in Walsh’s Public House on Wednesday, February 25, and a well contested game ensued and the following were the prize winners; 1st Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne, 2nd Tom Ginty and Hilary McDonagh, 3rd James Mooney and Mary O’Connell, 4th Paddy Gallagher and Tom Salmon, 5th Mary O’Malley and Teresa Ward. The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA Lotto jackpot of €2600 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, February 23, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 3, 11, 21, 25. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were Joe Perry, Katie Kennedy and John Howley.
The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Monday, March 2, was €2700. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets and the loot can also be played online by checking out the club’s Facebook page.
Be ready for a rollercoaster of comedy with Cloonacool Players in MJ Molloy’s hilarious "Daughter from Over the Water ". The ever-popular cast including Pat Feeley, Eileen Davey, Tom Towey, Peadar Conway and Mary Kathleen Johnson with Brid Calvey directing , take to Cloonacool Community Centre’s stage on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, March 19, 21 and 22 respectively at 8pm. Miracle, mayhem and plenty of whiskey - and that’s on the stage - will raise the roof with laughter. Definitely not to be missed.
The Charlestown Men’s Shed is open on Wednesday from 3-5pm and for a 25-card game on Wednesday evenings from 7.30. All are welcome.
The death took place recently of Catherine O’Leary (nee Kilcoyne), Laveymore, Charlestown and formerly of Fuel, Curry, Co. Sligo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The Mayo Stoma Support Group will be having their next meeting on Thursday, March 19, at 7pm in The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar. It is open to all who either have a stoma or care for them. If you would like to book a place text 087 6275766.
The annual Achonry Pioneer dinner dance will be held on Friday, March 20, at 8pm sharp at the Yeats County Inn, Curry. A three course meal will be served with tea/coffee and a raffle will be held on the night also. Music on the night by The Duets and tickets cost €40 per person. Contact Thomas on 087 2344338 for more information and to book your ticket.
The weekly Legion of Mary meeting takes place every Wednesday evening at 7pm in St James’ Church, Charlestown. All are welcome and for further information contact Phil on 086 3946233.
Women’s Box Fit classes with Keeley Stevens take place every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm-8.45pm at the Charlestown Boxing Club Gym (old Cloonfane School, Carracastle). The cost is €12 pay as you go or €50 per 6 week block.
Salsa classes take place every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in the Arts Centre and all are welcome.
Pilates classes takes place every Monday night in the Arts Centre at 8pm and all are welcome.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, March 3, and the following were the prize winners;1st Mary O’Hara and Mary Costello. Raffle winners were Darby Leonard, Nancy Brennan and Miko Sheridan. The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm and all are welcome.
The 6th Annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run will take place on Sunday, May 17. Registration is opening soon for an event that continues to capture the imagination like no other and attract people from all corners of the community, county, province and country. More details in the coming week but there will be the usual suite of options such as the 5k, 10k and half marathon options available to cater for all athletes, walkers and competitors alike. More news in the coming weeks with regular updates also available on the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook page.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday, March 1, as the Pillock and Boom Boom squared off in the latest interesting instalment of the weekly classic. A big crowd gathered to witness the latest clash between these old foes with Gus having to be at his best and most vigilant to ensure good order prevailed as tensions erupted on occasions between the two combatants. The Pillock, as is his wont, blasted out of the blocks and surged into a two set lead with some phenomenal pegging with Boom Boom rendered utterly redundant as he just couldn’t match the staggering levels of his opponent. The Pillock was in the zone at the start of the third set but Boom Boom remained a doughty competitor as he finally found some form and snatched the third set from under the nose of the Pillock with a treble 20, double sixteen blast in the fifth leg seeing him over the line in dramatic fashion.
To say the Pillock was stunned would be an understatement as he looked odds on to close out the match in three with six darts in his quiver and double sixteen at his apparent mercy. Boom Boom has that innate ability to rise from the ashes and his renaissance continued into the fourth set as he duly squared the match with a tidy finish on the bull in the fourth leg to set up a much anticipated fifth set decider. The Pillock was getting tetchy as he fired a few barbs at Boom Boom in the hope of unsettling him but Breheny refused to rise to the bait and continued to fire in the trebles and doubles as he seized control of the final set by winning the first two legs to leave the Pillock reeling as his game deserted him at the key moment. He earned a reprieve by winning the third leg as Boom Boom started to tighten up with the finishing line in sight. The next leg saw a real tussle for supremacy as both men posted big numbers. It was Boom Boom who won the race to the double but left the way clear for the Pillock to step in and take the game to a fifth and deciding leg when he butchered four darts at double eighteen. Keeny’s nerve betrayed him however, he failed to take out double sixteen as three darts missed the green baize by a whisker. Boom Boom, relieved to have got another opportunity, was never likely to pass it up as he nailed double eighteen with his next dart to clinch the victory and claim his third title of the season. Both men shared a warm embrace at the conclusion as they chatted long into the night with the crowd once again treated to another epic encounter in a competition that never fails to deliver.
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Kilmovee.
Kilkelly Kilmovee Magazine is that they have been nominated for this year's Mayo Cathaoirleach Awards and it also celebrates its 20th year of publication later this year. This milestone year will see an even bigger and better edition of the magazine, and the committee warmly invite the community to contribute articles, stories, photos, or memories. The preparations for this year's publication have already commenced so please forward submissions for inclusion by email to kilkellykilmoveemagazine@gmail.com or contact a member of the committee.
Congratulations also to another local committee “The Kitchen Table Crew” on their nomination. They are currently preparing their 2027 Charity Calendar, continuing their wonderful work in support of our local community and charities.
The Stations of the Cross will take place in Kilkelly Church at 7pm and Kilmovee Church at 7.30pm each Sunday evening during Lent.
The death took place of Olive Dowd, Slieveroe, Tibohine, Castlerea, and late of New Street, Ballaghaderreen on February 19, peacefully, surrounded by her heartbroken family in the Roscommon Hospice. Olive was predeceased by her parents Richard and Molly and is survived by her husband Tim, children Olivia (Michéal), Ray (Orlagh), Christina (Christopher) and Mary (Gary), her grandchildren Molly, Jamie, Jessica, Alex, Ruby and Ollie, her brothers Richard (Galway) and George (London), sisters Mary (Sligo) and Anne (Galway), nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and many friends.
Olive reposed in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home Ballaghaderreen, on Friday, February 20, concluding with evening prayer at 8pm. Funeral cortege arrived at the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy Ballaghaderren, on Saturday, February 21, for Mass of the Resurrection at 12 noon followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, County Cavan. May Olive rest in peace as sympathy is extended to all who are bereaved.
