Local Notes: Charlestown U16s capture Division 2 League title
Charlestown Sarsfields Under-16 team and panel who captured the Mayo Division 2 League title with an emphatic win over Ballinrobe recently.
Charlestown Sarsfields captured back-to-back Division 2 Mayo League titles with a splendid 2-11 to 1-7 victory over Ballinrobe played at the Claremorris GAA grounds recently.
The performance was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline would suggest as the Sarsfields bossed the game from the throw-in and had too much power, pace and skill for an honest and game Ballinrobe who toiled away without ever really landing a punch on a well-organised and slick Sarsfields side.
The Sarsfields had stars all over the pitch but none shone more brightly than the Breheny twins, Danny and Sean, who accounted for all but one of the Sarsfields' final tally with the first named, Danny, bagging 2-6 while Sean weighed in with 0-4 in a performance to savour as both lads showcased their vast array of skills and talents in a display that had one reaching for all the superlatives in the dictionary.
The Sarsfields were on it from the throw-in and had a decided edge in the all-important middle area battleground with Sean Breheny and Co ensuring a plentiful supply of possession for a potent and menacing forward line where Danny took centre stage, firing in two excellent goals to cement the Sarsfields dominance and leave them in a commanding position at the interval as they led 2-6 to 0-4 with Ballinrobe relieved to hear the whistle as they were reduced to chasing shadows for much of the first thirty.
The second half saw the Sarsfields level taper off slightly as Ballinrobe came more into the game and played with much more freedom and abandon. They had a good go and while they never looked like threatening the Sarsfields, a goal midway through the half gave them something to play for and there was more of an evenness to the contest as the South Mayo lads won more of the possession and started to make some inroads into the Sarsfieds rearguard.
The Sarsfields, while never in any great danger of surrendering their lead, took their foot off the gas but picked it up any time there was a hint of danger with the Breheny axis firing over some good points just to keep the Green and White focused and on their game so to speak.
Ballinrobe were nothing if game and resolute to the end but the superior quality the Sarsfields possessed was evident from the early exchanges and they managed the game well to the full-time whistle to claim back-to-back Division Two titles, no mean achievement, considering the depth of the teams they had to contend with as the final whistle ignited all manner of celebrations in the Green and White camp and rightly so too as they reserved their best displays on the biggest stage of the lot.
They had some stellar performances from the Breheny twins with Danny and Sean sublime in all they did as they drove the Sarsfields challenge on with relentless and sustained excellence. Others to catch the eye included Shea Haran, Ethan Honeyman and Artiom Gavrilluc while Dylan Pilcher, Jack Burke and Michael Kelly formed a real solid wall in the full-back line on a super night for all involved. The hard work the club has been putting in at underage level over the last number of years certainly came to fruition with a county title always a good barometer for your work and progress in this regard.
Well done to the management team of Donal Healy, Vinny Doherty, Mark Caffrey, Ciaran McBrien and Paddy Breheny who did a terrific job in the coaching and training of a fine group of young men as they played in the traditional Sarsfields way by moving the ball swiftly through the hands and playing heads up football at all times. The team lacked for nothing in terms of preparation and they got the best coaching any young team could hope to get with this victory seeing them step up to the Division 1A Championship, which kicks off later in the month.
For now, the club can bask in the glory of another county title with the promise of more silverware and good times ahead very much a reality with this fine crop of young men.
It is good to see former Charlestown Sarsfields star Conor O'Donohue making waves on the London GAA scene as he's part of the London senior panel participating in the Tailteann Cup competition at the moment.
Conor lined out in the half-forward line in their recent defeat to Westmeath in round one with the game played at the splendid Ruislip GAA grounds in the capital. Westmeath are one of the favourites for the Tailteann Cup having competed very well in the Leinster Championship and they are indeed past winners of the competition, winning the inaugural competition in 2022.
It was always going to be a tough ask for London to turn over the lake county but they gave it their best shot with Conor acquitting himself well in the unfamiliar position of half-forward as he made his name with the Sarsfields as a tight marking, tough-tackling defender and was one of our best and most consistent defenders before his departure at the start of 2024. He left everything on the field of play as he always does and was part of the squad that travelled to Down to take on Antrim in round two the weekend before last.
Conor is very ambitious and keen to do well and progress at inter county level as he's one of the best and most committed trainers the Sarsfields have had over any number of years. His loss to the club is incalculable as he was always an eight/nine out of ten performer every week and brought great passion, courage and commitment to the field of play. His many friends and former club colleagues are delighted to see him get his long awaited chance at county level albeit it the London colours and wish him and the team well as they look to progress to the knock-out stages of the competition proper.
The Sarsfields host Breaffy in Fr O'Hara Park in Round 7 of Division 1A of the Mayo Senior League on Saturday evening, June 21st, with the throw-in timed for 7pm.
The death took place at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar of Michael (Nat) Walsh, The Bungalow, Lowpark, Charlestown and formerly of Ougham, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Birthday greetings are extended to Anthony Garvey, Bellaghy, Charlestown who celebrated his 60th birthday recently with a party in Garvey's Dew Drop Inn, The Square, Charlestown recently.
There was a good attendance from far and wide for a very popular and well known member of the community who reached sixty relatively unscathed with plenty of life left in the old body yet.
Anthony is one of the town's best known characters and there was lots of family and friends in attendance as he took all the pomp, ceremony and plaudits in his inimitable style and wasn't one bit perturbed for the spread that his cousin Willie, the proprietor of the splendid establishment, and staff laid on him for him as he left no stone unturned in terms of refreshments and entertainment.
Anthony enjoyed the occasion with that wide beaming smile very much in evidence for the duration of the night as the music and craic went on well into the early hours. He is a good advert for sixty with the thatch still intact albeit the growth has slowed to a trickle.
We wish him continued good health and happiness in the future and many more celebrations of this nature in the years ahead.
Well done to the Charlestown Sarsfields U14 development team who defeated Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin in the Mayo U14 Development League play-off with the Sarsfields prevailing on a score-line of 2-13 to 2-7 in a game played at the Parke GAA grounds recently.
This victory guaranteed plenty of football during the summer months for this very dedicated and much improved group who have made great strides during the course of the league and enjoyed some standout victories, none more so than this latest one against a much-fancied Parke team who were long odds to clinch the victory.
The Sarsfields tore up the script however and took the game to their opponents from the get-go and were full value for their victory. MJ Donohue was the scoring hero as he bagged a brace of goals to provide the Sarsfields with the impetus to kick on and take the game away from their opponents.
This they duly did as they managed to keep Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin at bay with some steady and intelligent play to close out a game they were very much in control of throughout. A super day for the team and management as this victory saw them finish a very creditable third in what was a competitive league with lots of lads getting valuable game time.
Plenty of positives emerged throughout the campaign with another batch of young players getting valuable exposure to the skills, coaching and competitive match practice which benefitted them enormously as a group.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €17,000 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, June 1st, when the four numbers drawn 9, 10, 24 and 28.
The winners of the two €50 weekly prizes were Mary Murphy and John Óg Goldrick.
Next week's jackpot will increase to €17,100. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets in the town and are also available on the online platform which can be accessed via the smart lotto or the club's Facebook page. The club would like to thank all who support the weekly lotto.
Salsa dancing classes continue in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Wednesday nights from 7.30 to 8.30pm and all are welcome.
The Sarsfields travel to James Stephens Park, Ballina to take on the Stephenites on Friday, June 13th, in Round 2 of the Exclusive County Junior Championship with the throw-in timed for 7pm (check sports pages for confirmation).
The Community Garden team have been hard at work these past couple of months with their new raised beds, all 14 of which are now in place with a large crop of vegetables planted in them which hopefully will yield a bountiful crop during the coming summer months.
The committee consists of Paddy Casey, Vera Turner, Willie and Breda Doyle, Mary and Kay McIntyre, Dave, Amanda and Sam Culpan, Alison Doohan, Caroline Friel, Sr Elsie Gilmartin, Sarah McCann and Ruth Nulty.
The garden is open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 2.30pm and all are welcome to come along and pop their head in for a look at what is a little piece of heaven on earth as the team continues to do marvellous work in the planting and growing of vegetable and plants which draw favourable commentary from all in the community and from across the globe as the garden has a splendid Facebook page that contains up-to-date details of all that's happening in the garden on a daily and weekly basis.
Mayo Karate Academy is enrolling new members for Karate classes in Claremorris. These classes are suitable for children aged five years and over and they take place in Claremorris GAA Sports Complex. For more information, contact Alan on 087-4636841.
The Charlestown Swimming Pool opened its gates for the new Summer season on Saturday, May 31st last.
The pool is one of the jewels in the crown of the town's social and recreational infrastructure and is pleased to have a number of offers available for families and individual swimmers for the new season. Pay-as-you-go tickets are €5 per person, 10 x Swim Pass costs €40 with a 50 x Swim Pass costing €150 while a 200 x Swim Pass costs €200.
Open and lane swims are available to book in June with a children's six-week course of lessons also available while intensive children's lessons take place from June 23-27 inclusive. Youth Lane Development will also be available down the line with all updates regarding the pool available on their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as this column.
The death took place in Dublin recently of Joe Kennedy, formerly of Curry, Co Sligo and New York, USA, husband of Philomena Egan, Lavey, Carracastle.
We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
The wedding took place at the Old Kirk and Manse, Hollymount, recently of Sean Lenehan, son of John and the late Ann Lenehan, Ballyglass, Charlestown and Elaine McGreal, daughter of Mary and the late Michael McGreal, Claremorris.
Bestman was Ray Lenehan, brother of the groom. Bridesmaid was Michelle O'Sullivan, sister of the bride. The reception was held at the Old Kirk and Manse and the happy couple are spending their honeymoon in Spain.
We wish Sean and Elaine every good wish for the future, health and happiness and many years of marital bliss.
There was a good turnout at the final bridge game of the season held in Walsh's Bar on Main Street on Wednesday, May 28th.
The following were the prize winners: 1st, Frances Healy and Carmel Moffitt; 2nd, Hilary McCrohan and Robert Healy; 3rd, Tom Ginty and Charles Quinn; 4th, Tommie O'Malley and Hilary McDonagh; 5th, Margaret Kenny and Paddy Colleran.
Summer Bridge will take over on Wednesday nights at 8pm in Walsh's Bar with guest members from other clubs more than welcome.
The following were the winners of the 25 Card Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, June 3rd: 1st, Joe Mahon and Kevin Maloney; 2nd, Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally.
The raffle winners were Joe Mahon, Kevin Maloney and James Reidy.
The game takes place every Tuesday night at at 9pm and all are welcome.
An activator pole and chair exercise class takes place in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 12 noon to 1pm on Friday, June 13th. Lift access is available. All welcome. The fee is just €2.
Training has resumed at Fr O'Hara Park for the Gaelic for Mothers & Others group on Wednesday evenings at 8pm. No experience is necessary and new members are most welcome. It is an opportunity to improve your fitness in a fun and supportive environment.
Charlestown Sarsfields qualified for the Division 3 Mayo League Final by virtue of their decisive 2-9 to 0-3 victory over Ardnaree in the semi-final played at Fr O'Hara Park, Charlestown recently.
The game was played against a backdrop of biblical-like rain with a strong wind adding another layer of difficulty to the slippery and wet conditions underfoot.
The Sarsfields adapted to the terrain best on the night and locked down all the key areas of the pitch with their defence solid and uncompromising. Midfield was dominant throughout with the forward line containing several live wires who ran the legs off their opponents with the inside line sparkling in particular as they tagged on the scores to slowly take the game away from Ardnaree who were nothing if not spirited but didn't possess the same firepower or overall quality throughout the field to unduly trouble a well-drilled and slick-moving Sarsfields side.
Second-half goals from Daithi Gethins and goal machine Liam Giblin cemented the Sarsfields dominance as they defended their lead with some determination with the backline really earning their corn against the strong wind that was at play throughout.
A quality performance from a side that has improved game on game with the likes of Ryan Rowley, Fionn Drury, Cillian O'Grady, Daithi Gethins and Tom Naughton particularly outstanding as the team and management now fix their eyes on a final showdown with Louisburgh which should be a cracking encounter as the two top teams in the division collide.
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 is needed. Further information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2,400 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, June 2nd.
The four numbers drawn were 1, 15, 18 and 24 and the three winners of €20 were Anne Caine, Michael Henry and Brid Colleran.
The latest draw took place last night (Monday). Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or online.
John Millington Synge's celebrated play, 'The Tinker's Wedding' comes to Cloonacool on Sunday ,June 29th, at 7.15pm.
This masterpiece of humour and satire is in the good hands of the Cloonacool Players with Olive Giblin, Peadar Conway and Dennis Ross leading the action.
If you missed it last month now is your chance to see director Eileen Davey's excellent outdoor production in Cloonacool Village. Don't miss an evening of surprises and laughter.
The death took place in London recently of Brighid McIntyre, Camden, London and formerly of Lowpark, Charlestown.
Her remains were removed from Horkan's Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown to the local St James' Church for Requiem Mass and burial took place in the Cemetery of the Resurrection.
Brighid is survived by her sons Joe, Eugene and James, daughter Pearl, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, extended family and friends, neighbours and relatives.
The late Brighid was a well-known and prominent member of the communities of Charlestown and Camden, London where she had forged many strong bonds and friendships. She was a nice, kind and gentle lady and was a regular visitor to the town to see her son Eugene and daughter Pearl.
Breege, as she was affectionately known, always had a smile on display or a friendly word or greeting for all she met and these were some of her many fine traits. Her family meant the world to her and was the orbit around which her life revolved. Her death robs her family of a good person in every sense of the word but she leaves many outstanding memories which they will cherish and cling dearly to in the days, weeks and months ahead as Brighid made a deep impression on all who knew and respected her.
We tender our deepest condolences to the bereaved.
May she rest in peace.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh's Bar on Main Street on Sunday night, June 2nd, as Boom Boom and Gus battled it out in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic.
The Duke stepped into the referee's chair and handled it seamlessly as he ensured both men towed the line at all times.
Gus was quick out of the blocks, wrapping up the first set with some stellar darts. Boom Boom found his mojo in set two however and reeled off three quickfire legs to square the match at 1-1. He continued this good form into set three and took it 3-1 to move one set ahead with Gus floundering as his level fell away alarmingly.
Set four was a much closer contest as Gus found some form to take two of the opening three legs to leave him one away from taking the game to a deciding set. He had his chances to do the very same in the fourth leg but butchered several darts at double top to clear the way for Boom Boom to step in and clear out double twelve to leave him one leg away from victory.
He was in no mood to give his opponent any wiggle room in the deciding leg and took the game away from him with some big scoring with two 140s seeing him race to the double in sizzling fashion. Gus had no answers as he trailed a long way behind in the 200s as Boom Boom stepped forward with double sixteen left at his mercy. He needed only one dart to finish the match and it nestled in the corner of the bed to complete a good day at the office for Monsieur Breheny as he claimed his fourth title of the season.
Boom Boom was elated to have ended a losing sequence and looks in prime shape to have a good run at the lucrative summer circuit with his game in rude health at the moment.
