Local Notes: Charlestown Sarsfields lose out to Shrule in the U15 Division 3 U15 final.
Charlestown Sarsfields U15 team who were defeated by Shrule/Glencorrub in the Division 3 U15 final recently.
Charlestown Sarsfields wound down the season at underage level with a division 3 U15 league final against Shrule/Glencorrib played at the Centre of Excellence, Bekan recently. Sadly for the green and white defeat turned out to be their lot as the South Mayo axis prevailed on a score line of 2-13 to 1-12 in a keenly contested encounter that provided plenty of enjoyment for both sets of management teams and supporters alike.
The Sarsfields were up against it in the first half with a strong breeze favouring their opponents and they made good use of it as they tagged on a couple of quick fire scores to put the Sarsfields on the back foot.
Shrule/Glencorrib were fully intent on amassing a big lead with the wind at their backs and this they duly did as they went into the interval sitting pretty on a 1-11 to 0-5 advantage and were good value for the same it must be said as they played some good football and moved the ball swiftly and with pace when in possession. The concession of a goal before half-time was a real body blow for the Sarsfields and left them with a real mountain to climb ahead of the start of the second half.
Things didn’t get much better initially as the Shrule/Glencorrib went eleven clear but the young men in the green and white steeled themselves and showed bags of character and spirit to plot their way back into the game. They kicked some excellent points and left a few behind them too, it must be said and had the lead whittled down to five points at one stage with the South Mayo lads looking decidedly wobbly with a Dylan Pilcher goal giving the Sarsfields challenge some real oxygen and impetus.
Things could have been even better for the Sarsfields but for some missed frees which stalled their momentum somewhat as Shrule/Glencorrib dug in and kept their nerve when the storm was raging all around them. The Sarsfields kept at it however but a missed penalty dealt a mortal blow to their hopes as had they scored the lead would have been reduced to two and their challenge would have real traction behind it. The penalty miss and a few frees that went awry proved fatal to the Sarsfields hopes however as the South Mayo lads held firm and bagged a second goal minutes from the finish to seal the victory.
The Sarsfields enjoyed most of the territory and possession in the second half and but for some errant shooting they may well have taken home the spoils and the cup but credit to Shrule/Glencorrib they were that little bit more accurate and clinical in front of goal and that proved the big dividing line between the teams at the final whistle. The Sarsfields can be immensely proud of their overall effort as they threw the kitchen sink at it in the second half but possibly left themselves with too much to do in the second half which ultimately proved detrimental to their hopes.
They did suffer some blows it must be said, losing their goalkeeper after five minutes but Tomas Horkan played very well when sprung from the bench and proved more than an able deputy. Others to impress included Sean Cassidy who kicked some fine points which sparked the second half revival with Ethan Honeyman and Ryan Rowley also shining and taking the fight to the opposition. Not the result the Sarsfields wanted but one where they died with their boots on and well done to the management team who got the very best out of a very willing and determined group of players with the future looking bright for many of this bunch on several fronts.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €19,000 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, October 19, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 7, 10, 23 and 30. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Carmel Gillen and Mick O’Connell. The latest jackpot increased to €19,100 and the draw was held on Sunday, October 26..
A children’s Halloween disco hosted by the East Mayo Athletics Club takes place in the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown on Thursday, October 31, from 6-7.30pm. Admission is €5 per child or €10 per family maximum. Fancy dress optional. Save the date as it promises to be an evening of spooky fun.
The annual cemetery rosary takes place in Bushfield Cemetery after 9am Mass on Sunday, November 2, while the rosary takes place in Charlestown Cemetery on Sunday, November 9, after 12 noon Mass.
The Annual Bereavement Service will take place on Sunday, November 23, at 5pm in St James’ Church, Charlestown. It is a time when we remember all those who have died in the past twelve months in the parish. An invitation is extended to those whose loved ones have passed away outside the parish community if they wish to have their loved one remembered in the service. For further information contact Fr John Maloney.
Rosary takes place at Tavneena Upper Shrine each night at 8pm during the months of October/November.
The next Community Coffee Morning takes place on Friday, November 7, in the Arts Centre from 11am-1pm. Lift access is available. All are welcome for a cuppa and a chat.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place from October 1-31. For further information log onto www.breastcancerireland.com.
The death took place recently of James Feeley Summerhill, Tubbercurry and formerly of Moylough. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The East Mayo Athletic Club have a membership special offer for all new members with 15 months on offer for the price of 12. Join now. For more information log onto the East Mayo Athletic Club Facebook page and follow the link.
The committee are always on the lookout for new members/volunteers. They are only too delighted to welcome everyone through the gates for a tour of the garden and a friendly cuppa to boot. The committee are currently starting to prepare the gardens for the onset of winter. The raised beds will be covered towards the end of October. The garden committee extend their deep appreciation and thanks to the people of Charlestown and surrounding areas for their steadfast support throughout the year. The garden is a little piece of heaven nestled adjacent to the church and graveyard and continues to draw admiration and plaudits across the community and beyond with their social media Facebook page full of kind comments from across the globe. The current garden members are Paddy Casey, Vera Turner, Breda and Willie Doyle, Sr Elsie Gilmartin, Caroline Friel, Ian Isherwood, Dave, Sam and Amanda Culpan, Mary and Kay McIntyre, Sarah McCann, Nikita and Megan.
Youth Theatre Drama workshops take place on November 3, 10, 17 and 25 in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 6-7.30pm for 12-18 year olds. The focus over the course of the four workshops will be on movement, vocal work, script work, character development, improvisation and musical theatre. This represents a great way to meet new friends, develop creativity, confidence, wellbeing, be active and have so much fun. For more details and booking contact Carmel on 086 0734867.
The Carracastle Trad session takes place every Wednesday night at Davey’s Bar, Carracastle, Co. Mayo starting at 9pm. It is an old fashioned rambling house session with no microphones or speakers. All musicians/singers’ welcome.
Two more excellent results for the Cubs Basketball club during the week with the U12 girls recording a good win in their first outing of the season against Ballinrobe played at the Castlebar Basketball Arena recently while the U16 boys were equally impressive as they pulled off a big win away to Castlebar to get their campaign off to the best possible start. The boys were excellent throughout and were fully deserving of their victory and laid down a big marker in the process that they are one of the teams to beat in what’s an ultra competitive division and league. For more news of upcoming fixtures for each grade and gender check out the Cubs Basketball Facebook page which provides all you need to know on all things connected with the club.
The Sarsfields opened their U21 campaign with an away trip to Achill. The Sarsfields would be expected to win this fixture but they won’t get anything simple in Achill with the natives sure to be well fired up for this clash. There will be a full report in next week’s issue with the Sarsfields management team of Anthony Conway and Ruairi Cullen hope to get their tenure off to the best possible start. More news next week on the game and how it played out.
The 9th annual Mayo Dark Sky Festival takes place from Friday, October 31, to Sunday, November 2, and includes formal talks on themes of astronomy, biodiversity and culture, as a well as planetarium, seashore, safari, art exhibitions, musical performances and a lantern parade. It is held in the towns and villages surrounding Mayo Dark Sky Park – Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy. See https:///www.mayodarkskyfestival.ie/ for programme information.
Congratulations to the St Attracta’s National School U13 boys relay team who came an outstanding fourth in the National Cross Country Relays finals held recently. This was a tremendous achievement by the team and is further proof of the continued growth of the sport of athletics in the schools and East Mayo Athletics Club who provide excellent coaching to the many young talents who compete under the banner of the local club. The school too, play their part it must be said and to come fourth in such a hotly contested event against the cream of the best athletes at this grade from across the country speaks volumes for the ability and talents of the lads who represented St Attracta’s with such pride and distinction. The lads covered themselves in glory at the manner of their terrific individual performances which all fed into a wonderful team display with fourth place a due reward for their overall excellence and athleticism.
Hats off to Ted Munnelly, Luke McDermott, Senan Tiernan, Frank Muldoon and Kalem Higgins who can feel immensely proud of what they achieved as they bought more success to the school and East Mayo Athletics Club with many more successes sure to come their way both individually and collectively in the years ahead. These lads are talented at a vast range of sports and were key members of the Charlestown Sarsfields U12 team who enjoyed a great run in the U12 summer league winning the competition outright which is an indication of their versatility and range of abilities.
The newly formed Charlestown Dads & Lads team made their competitive debut with an outing against Kiltimagh recently. I’m not sure if there was any official score recorded but the lads who donned the green and white jerseys carried on a proud tradition as they displayed the full gamut of their skills and abilities. The line-up continued a mish-mash of several generations and decades with the over forty brigade well represented with a plenty in the mid-30 age range and a little beyond providing some extra lung power and energy levels when the power banks on the first mentioned grade started to sag and wane a little. It was a very enjoyable exercise by all accounts with the Kiltimagh lads very much in the spirit of the game as scores were swapped at regular intervals. There was of course, the odd hefty shoulder and strong tackle thrown in for good measure which raised the heckles of one or two but overall it was a very positive experience with the Sarsfields lads displaying plenty of fitness and finesse though I’m not at liberty to see who provided which of each for fear of irking a few egos and ruffling a few feathers. The game was played on the splendid astro turf facility in Swinford and there were plenty of handshakes and fist pumps swapped at the end of a hectic evening’s entertainment with protein shakes, high fibre bars and gallons of water being consumed in large amounts to replenish the energy levels expended and sweat lost on what was a lovely evening for football. The Dads & Lads plan to have another exhibition/challenge or two in the offing this side of Christmas with new recruits always welcome with age no barrier to participation.
Three One Act comedies on one unforgettable night of theatre with the Town Hall Arts Centre very much the place to be on November 13, 14 and 15 respectively. Contact Naomi for tickets on 087 4657946. Tickets must be reserved. The three one act plays being staged are as follows; Act 1 - Overtones by Alice Gestenberg. Step back to New York 1916 where refined manners meet raw emotion in this darkly funny exploration of the past that’s both shaken and stirred. Act 2 - The Census which is a sharp witty comedy with a twist, set in modern-day Dublin, where nothing (and no one) is quite what they seem. Act 3 - Waiting for You by Mark O’Leary (for adult audiences only). Ever wondered what really happens in the Doctor’s waiting room? You’ll find out and laugh all the way through.
Don't miss this triple bill of laughter, wit and surprises. Three comedies and one fantastic evening of live theatre. Save the dates and don’t forget to order your tickets and reserve your seats.
Birthday greetings are extended to Frank Killilea, Sonnagh, Charlestown, who celebrated his eightieth (80th) birthday recently with a surprise party for family and friends in the Yeats County Inn, Curry. There was a good gathering of family and friends to pay tribute to one of Sonnagh’s most popular residents with his daughter Siobhan performing a very good covert operation in terms of keeping the bash a secret with Frank none the wiser as he pulled in to the Yeats for what he thought was a nice, quiet family occasion. Siobhan had other ideas however and she pulled it off in some style as people came from all corners to bestow their best wishes on a man who has aged rather gracefully it must be said. He continues to tackle all that life throws at him on a daily basis and lives each day to the full. He is a man of great energy with a real zest for life, and these qualities have stood him in good stead along the road and journey to eighty. The music, craic, dancing and laughter went on long into the nights and here’s wishing Frank many more years of good health and happiness and plenty more milestones of this nature in the future.
Kilmovee Cois Tine, a relaxed community evening with live music, food and a raffle, is held on the second Monday of each month. The next Cois Tine is on Monday, November 10.
Anam Cara supporting parents after bereavement, are holding an online bereavement evening on Thursday, October 30, at 7pm. Breffni McGuinness will be serving as guest speaker, bringing years of experience with LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, and his robust background in pastoral care. All parents, regardless of the age of their child or circumstances of their passing are, of course very welcome, but an additional invitation is extended to these families this month. To register on the following link https://usO2web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dMyTKVBLTCOJ6LhCrutOtQA#/registration.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, October 15, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne, 3rd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, and 4th Frances and Robert Healy.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-card game held at the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday, October 21, at 9pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Joe Mahon and Kevin Maloney; 2nd Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally. Raffle winners were Mary Costello, Mary O’Hara and Darby Leonard.
Claremorris Further Education Centre are offering classes involving upskilling in literacy, numeracy and computers on Monday and Thursday every week from 10am-2pm. For more information contact 094 9362762 or alternatively email infoeastsouthmayo@msletb.ie.
Pilates takes place at the Town Hall Arts Centre on Monday nights at 8pm and all are welcome.
Classes take place every Saturday morning at 10am in the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown and all are welcome.
The Music Circle with John Hoban and Isabela Basombrio Hoban continues in Carracastle Community Centre on Monday, November 10, from 7pm. All are welcome to sing a song, play a tune, recite a poem or simple listen. It is a free event, tea/coffee and refreshments served.
Well done to a clutch of East Mayo Athletics club members who took part in the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday last. Honourable mention to Trina Donohue, Cailin Durkan, Peter Gallagher, Ronan Kenny and Paul Sheerin who took on the gruelling challenge with the race being a real test of physical and mental strength as it tests every part of your fibre and being. The quintet had the work put in in the lead up to the race however as they were regularly to be seen pounding the roads getting the all-important miles into their legs. Nothing had been left to chance in each of their individual preparations and I’m sure they each had their own little milestones set that they were hoping to achieve. More news next week on how each runner fared in terms of times and finishing places with all their many friends in the club, community and beyond wishing them every success and a safe passage and return around a tough and demanding course.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €4400 in the weekly draw held on Monday, October 20, and the following were four numbers drawn on the night; 2, 13, 23 and 26. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Nuala Niland, Lorraine Kilroy and Mary and Eugene Gilligan. The latest jackpot increased to €4500 and the draw took place on Monday, October 27.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday, October 19, as The Magician and Governor Gus duked it out in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. With Gus at the ochie it was left to the Duke to step into the referee’s chair and this he did with ease as he flexed his muscles and ensured law and order prevailed at all times. The Magician blasted out of the blocks and put the first two sets on the board with some cracking darts. Gus bore the look of a bewildered man at the start of the third but found some inspiration from somewhere to snatch the set as his final dart nestled in the corner of double eighteen in the fourth leg to pull one set back and restore some belief that all was not lost on his part. It proved to be no more than a temporary reprieve however, as McGowan, stung from his third set reversal, took control at the start of the fourth and plotted his way to victory with some devastating throwing. He bagged the opening two legs with the minimum of fuss as he re-discovered his standard from the first two sets. Gus did his best to match him but just couldn’t hit the numbers being posted by the Magician as his darts took on a sorcery like level such was their precision and accuracy. He sealed the deal with a treble fifteen, double sixteen blast in the third leg to complete a resounding 3-1 victory with Gus most magnanimous in defeat as he doffed his cap to the Magician in recognition that the better player won on the night. This was the Magician’s third victory of the season and brought to an end a long losing streak as he finally got his head in front after a string of near misses.
