Local Notes: Charlestown's Masters turn out in force to honour Colm
The Charlestown Sarsfields Masters Selection and club officials before they played against a Mayo Masters selection at the opening of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkways on Bank Holiday Sunday, June 2nd. Colm's father Mary is pictured with the group. Picture: Conor McKeown
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €11,800 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, June 2.
The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 9 and 34 The winners of the two €50 weekly prizes were Sheena Scanlon and Mickey and Maureen Deignan (AT).
Next week’s jackpot will increase to €11,900. Tickets 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 website or the club’s Facebook page.
The club would like to thank all who support the weekly lotto.
The Sarsfields Under-16 captured the Mayo U16 Division Two league title with a fully deserved 0-16 to 1-8 victory over Ardmoy in a good quality encounter played at the Bonniconlon GAA grounds recently.
The Sarsfields played some quality football on the night and really showed their class with a power-packed second-half performance that saw them gallop to the finishing line with some superb football and high-class scoring to boot.
The Sarsfields settled the quicker of the two sides and led 0-3 to 0-0 after ten minutes and were bossing the exchanges in all the key areas of the pitch. They pushed that lead out to five points minutes later but Ardmoy had much the better of the exchanges in the latter stages of the half with a goal in the last ten minutes kickstarting their challenge and hauling them right back into contention.
From there to half-time, the North Mayo amalgamation had much the better of the scoring and closed the half leading 1-5 to 0-7, which represented some turnaround considering where they had come from ten minutes previously.
The opening minutes of the second half were tight as points were swapped on two occasions with Ardmoy holding a slender 1-6 to 0-8 lead.
The Sarsfields were beginning to exert some real influence in the middle third, however, and from this they struck a purple patch, hitting six scores on the spin to move in front as Ardmoy struggled to cope with the pace and intensity levels of the Sarsfields.
Ardmoy stopped the rot and scored two points in a row to keep alive their hopes of victory but the Sarsfields were in no mood to surrender the initiative and firmly closed the door on any notions of an Ardmoy comeback as they scored three points on the trot to take the game away from their opponents.
The Charlestown lads managed the closing stages in expert fashion to seal a terrific victory and one which owed much to their fighting spirit and resilience as it did to their obvious skill and flair, which they displayed in abundance most notably when they made their run for home in the third quarter when Ardmoy struggled to offer any kind of a response to the Sarsfields surge.
The Sarsfields had heroes in every line of the pitch with Sean Breheny commanding and imperious at centre back, ably supported by the pace and skill of Shea Haran and Dean O’Toole with Danny Breheny a real ace in the Sarsfields pack at full forward as he was a terrific target man and linked the play well when in possession. Rhys O’Connor , Dean Towey and Mike Giblin were very good throughout as indeed were Mason McCudden, who excelled at corner-back, with Ryan McDonagh and Matthew Murphy also enjoying big games.
This was another big night for the Sarsfields’ underage wing and an acknowledgement of the excellent work they are continuing to do in terms of coaching and training as the club’s underage fortunes continue to flourish.
Well done to the management team of Ryan O’Connor, Gareth O’Donnell and Donal Healy who have got a great tune out of this panel of players and had them in superb shape on the night as their fitness levels and conditioning work really came to the fore in the second half.
This triumph was greeted with real joy and jubilation by a large crowd of Green and White supporters who made the journey to Bonniconlon and gave the lads a rousing ovation when they were presented with the cup.
Charlestown Sarsfields junior team lost out to Knockmore in round two of the Mayo Junior A Championship with the Saffron and Blue men coming through on a scoreline of 3-13 to 3-7 in an entertaining encounter played at the Knockmore GAA grounds recently.
The Sarsfields can count themselves a little unlucky to have lost by a six-point margin as they were in the game right up until the closing stages and left some chances behind that ultimately they had cause to rue come the final whistle.
Knockmore were the better team in the opening period and looked as if they were going to run away with it at the interval as they led by seven points and were good value for the same as they led the Sarsfields a merry dance with their pace and energy cutting lanes through the Sarsfields’ defence.
The Sarsfields were much more competitive in the second half with goals from Joe McBrien and Niall Fleming giving oxygen to their challenge as the home side began to wobble in the face of a much more concerted Sarsfields’ challenge with McBrien and Ruairi Cullen giving them some real threat and menace in attack.
A third goal from the Green and White made victory a real possibility but some missed chances when in the ascendency cost them dear as Knockmore shook off their lethargy and got their bid for victory back on track with a third goal of their own proving to be the game’s defining score, which all but extinguished the Sarsfields’ hopes for victory. The home side secured a couple of late points to put the game beyond the Sarsfields and leave the hosts in prime shape as they are top the table after two rounds and remain the team to beat in the competition overall.
The Sarsfields can be pleased with their overall display with Joe McBrien, Ruairi Cullen, Niall Towey, Niall Drudy, Paddy Lenehan, Ben Conway and Kenneth Brennan the pick in a game that could have yielded greater reward if they showed a more clinical edge in front of goal.
Are you interested in spending time with the residents in a nursing home? Maybe you enjoy playing cards, knitting, bingo or music and would like to offer your skills? If yes, please contact St Attracta`s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown on 094-9254307 or by email to info@stattractas.com.
Vision Ireland, previously known as National Council for the Blind of Ireland, is currently seeking volunteers to assist in its Swinford store.
The store is also accepting donations of women’s and men’s clothing and shoes as well as small pieces of furniture. For further information, visit the store in Swinford or call Jessica on 087-482 7468 or email swinford.retail@vi.ie.
The Charlestown Swimming Pool has re-opened for the new season and is sure to be a hive of activity in the coming weeks as people flock to the splendid facility to improve and develop their swimming strokes.
For further information on season tickets, lessons, etc, check out the excellent Swimming Pool Facebook page, which gives updates and details on all activities/events connected to the pool with lots of information on special offers/prices that are also available.
A swim costs €2, which is a steal and one of the best offers you are likely to get within a 50-mile radius and beyond. You can also book your swim time by logging onto the Facebook page and clicking the link which will tell you exactly what times are available on what days, etc.
The town is lucky to have a fantastic facility and the pool deserves your support as they continue to make improvements and enhancements with the heated water making it a real winner with the general public.
Charlestown Sarsfields travel to Parke to take on the locals Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin on Saturday, June 15th, in Division 1A of the Mayo Senior League with the throw-in timed for 7pm (check sports pages for confirmation).
The Sarsfields host near neighbours Ballaghaderreen in Fr O’Hara Park in the East Mayo Under-16 A championship on Thursday, June 20th, with the throw-in timed for 7.30pm.
The Sarsfields host Kiltimagh in the East Mayo Under-14 C Championship in Fr O’Hara Park on Saturday, June 22nd, with the throw-in confirmed for 11am.
Carracastle Cemetery Mass will take place on Sunday, August 4th, at 10.30am. Please tell your relatives and friends who are living outside of the community or elsewhere.
The Sarsfields junior team suffered a narrow 0-7 to 1-3 loss to Burrishoole in round four of Division 3 of the Mayo Junior League in their latest outing played at Fr O’Hara Park, Charlestown recently.
Conditions were terrible on the day with biblical-like rain making life extremely difficult for both sets of players with the pitch holding water in several areas.
The game became a grind with mistakes galore being made on both sides as the visitors took the lead early doors and kept the Sarsfields at arm’s length for much of the remainder of the contest.
It turned into a real low-scoring affair with Niall Towey the only point scorer for the Sarsfields in the opening half as the rain and surface water continued to mitigate against any kind of good, free-flowing football.
The script changed little in the second half with the visitors tagging on a few more points to push their lead out as the Sarsfields struggled to get anything going in their forward line.
The visitors were in good shape heading down the home straight as they led 0-7 to 0-3 with little hint of any kind of a Sarsfields revival arriving to derail their hopes of victory. However, right on cue, the Sarsfields were handed a life line when the veteran Enda Casey rolled back the years to crash the ball to the net in the dying embers but it proved to be too little too late as the Newport men clung on for dear life to claim the points with the Sarsfields late charge ultimately coming up short.
Credit to both teams for trying to play football in such horrendous conditions with both sets of players giving their all in pursuit of the points.
The following are the results from the recent Colm Horkan Memorial Run, which took place in Charlestown on Sunday, May 19th.
The first three home in the Men’s 5K were: 1st, Alan Dunne – 16.58; 2nd, Conor McLoughlin (Moy Valley AC) - 18.05; 3rd, Finbar Farrelly - 18.17.
The first four home in the Ladies 5 were: 1st, Roxanne Sands (Moy Valley AC) - 18.17; 2nd, Nicola Lenehan (Sports World AC) - 20.05 and Sarah Sloyan - 20.09; 3rd, Judith Campbell (Galway City Harriers AC )- 20.12.
The first three home in the Men’s 10K run were : 1st, Eoin Gallagher (Swinford AC) - 38.04; 2nd, Brendan Gill – 39; 3rd, Sean Irwin - 39.28.
In the ladies 10K, the first three home were: 1st, Donna Gallagher (Swinford AC) - 42.01; 2nd, Abigail Colleran (Galway City Harriers AC) - 43.22; 3rd, Deirdre Corcoran (Mayo AC) - 44.59.
In the half-marathon, the first three men home were: 1st, John Byrne - 1.18.59; 2nd, David Tiernan - 1.21.09; 3rd, Kieran Campbell - 1.23.51.
The first three ladies home in the half-marathon were: 1st, Deirdre Martin (Carrick-on-Shannon AC) - 1.30.29; 2nd, Trina Donohue (East Mayo AC) - 1.37.23; 3rd, Marie McDonald (South Sligo AC) - 1.38.38.
Strength and conditioning classes for seniors are held at Carracastle Community Centre every Wednesday morning at 11am, involving chair-based exercises and using light weights.
For more information and to book your place, contact Sarah at 086-3879635.
Catholic Marriage Care is seeking facilitators to volunteer to train as presenters for marriage preparation courses.
If you feel you would like to help, contact Aisling at the Accord Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare on 01-5053112 or email marraigecourses@accord.ie.
There was a good turnout at the final bridge game of the season, held in Walsh's Bar, Main Street, on Wednesday, May 29th.
The prize-winners were: 1st, Hilary McDonagh and Paddy Colleran; 2nd, Mary Lynskey and Thomas Ginty; 3rd, Charles Quinn and Tom Dunne; 4th, Mary O`Malley and Carmel Moffitt; 5th, Nora McVeigh and Mary O’Connell.
Summer bridge kicks off for the next couple of months at the usual time of 8pm in Walsh’s Bar and players from other clubs are more than welcome to come along and pit their wits against the locals and there will be a full results service in next week’s column.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 Card Drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday, June 4th.
The prize-winners were: 1st, Michael O`Hara and Vincent Brennan; 2nd, Miko Sheridan and Colm Gallagher.
The raffle winners were Vincent Brennan, Paul Flannery and Michael Lynskey.
Game takes place every Tuesday night at 8.30pm in the Yeats County Inn and all are welcome with new members especially welcome.
St Vincent de Paul Society respects the dignity of those who contact them, offering assistance and advice when sought, assisting people towards long-term self-sufficiency in a relationship of friendship, trust and confidentiality.
If you need them, please contact 086-8892098.
ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home.
If you are in need of advice, support or information, please call the national support and referral line (0818 222 024), seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
Mayo Cancer Support offer a range of emotional supports to people with cancer and their families. For more information, call 094-9038407.
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.
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.
The death took place recently at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar of Jan Borzensky, Sarsfield Manor, Charlestown and formerly of Slovakia.
Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA Lotto jackpot of €3,700 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, June 3rd.
The numbers drawn were 4, 9, 17 and 21.
The following were the winners of the €20 consolation prizes: Colette Howley, Tom Connolly and Kieran O'Donnell.
The latest jackpot was €3,900 and the draw took place last night.
Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club's Facebook page.
GROW is a mental health support programme based on lived experience. 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', the 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 close by to you by searching for the group on the website or just turning up. No registrations are needed.
Legion of Mary meets every Tuesday evening in the Charlestown Pastoral Centre at 8pm. All are welcome.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh's Bar, Charlestown on Sunday night, June 2nd, as Podsie and the Pillock squared off in another cracking instalment of the weekly classic.
The Governor had to be on his toes to maintain law and order as tempers became frayed throughout with the Pillock attempting to unsettle the number one seed with some verbal sparring very much his prime tactic.
Podsie is a man of sound mind and conviction, however, as he swatted aside the feeble challenge posed by his opponent with some brilliant shooting. He galloped into a two set lead on the back of some marvellous scoring and finishing with the Pillock unable to get a look at a double such was devastating form being exhibited by his opponent.
Things didn't improve much for the fifth seed in set three as Podsie continued hi assault in the treble 20 and 19 beds respectively and he wasted no time in closing out the match with the Pillock utterly unable to pose any kind of challenge as Podsie wrapped up the match with a clinical treble twenty double eighteen double which was like a kick in the guts for the Pillock as he came into the decider in tip-top form.
Podsie remains the bar for all others to reach, however, and he celebrated in typical modest fashion with the two men swapping cursory handshakes with little or no eye contact being made on ether side of the divide.
A good win for Podsie as he claimed his eighth title of the season and continues to set the standards for all the rest to follow.
