Local Notes: Claremorris delight at success of college football team
Members of the St Colman's College senior football team who have reached the Hogan Cup Final for the first time in 44 years were feted at the recent Lip Sync event in the McWilliam Park Hotel in aid of the planned Claremorris Community Recreation Centre. Picture: Trish Forde
St Colman’s College are back in the Hogan Cup final - the prestigious post-primary schools football championship - after a hard-fought, but well-deserved win over Coláiste Mhuire from Mullingar on a score line of 4-4 to 1-7. The school last won the competition in 1977 and were runners-up in 1981.
Goals win matches, and Colman’s ability to capitalise on their opportunities was the difference in what was a closely contested encounter, played at Pádraig Pearses' GAA grounds in Roscommon.
The atmosphere was electric at the venue, with some 1,500 supporters turning up to watch two schools with rich footballing histories face off.
A heavy rainshower at the start of the game, right after St Colman’s Craig Cassidy opened the scoring with a fine point, didn’t help the rhythm of the game.
With the sides at 0-2 each, midway through the first half, the game changed completely when Nathan Gill finished superbly to the net, after a good interchange of passing with Ronan Kelly. Despite this setback, Coláiste Mhuire dominated possession until the break and got a point back.
The wind remained a factor in the second half, but St Colman’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference. St Colman’s added three more goals - from Tom Hession, Darragh Beirne and Dara Flanagan - to wrap it up. The final will be played at 1pm in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day.
Scorers for St Colman’s: Darragh Beirne 1-2 (0-2f), Nathan Gill 1-0, Tom Hession 1-0, Dara Flanagan 1-0, Craig Cassidy 0-1, David Hurley 0-1.
St Colman's (Claremorris club unless stated): Evan Campbell; Rio Mortimer, Nathan Gill (Garrymore), Mark Noonan; David Hurley, Dara Flanagan (Eastern Gaels), Tom Hession (Eastern Gaels); Craig Cassidy, C Tierney (Garrymore); Adam Gallagher (Garrymore), Ronan Kelly (Davitts), Dylan Burke (Davitts); Seán O’Connell, Darragh Beirne, Ciarán Treacy (Davitts).
Subs: Ben Sheridan (Hollymount/Carramore) for Gallagher (46), Jack Comer for Burke (60).
The death occurred on February 25th of Michael Walsh of Minnesota, USA and formerly of Claremorris.
Michael was predeceased by his first wife Peg, parents Gerard and Maureen, sister Mary and brother Desmond. He will be sadly missed by his wife Maureen (Minnesota), son Michael (New York), daughters Maureen (Claremorris) and Elizabeth (Utah), brother John (Dunshaughlin), sister Peggy (Dundalk), grandchildren Méadbh, Michael, Lily and Brandon, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, and wide circle of colleagues and friends, both in Ireland and the U.S.
Funeral will take place in the USA at a later date.
See the main section for Michael's obituary.
The Claremorris St Patrick's Day Parade committee has announced a change of date for the annual parade to avoid a clash with St Colman's College football team, who play in the All-Ireland Colleges' Final that day. The parade, originally scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday, March 17th, will now take place on Sunday, March 16th, at 3pm.
“We're absolutely thrilled for the boys of St Colman's,” Nina Pilbrow, chairperson of the parade committee, said. “We want to ensure our community can fully support both events. By moving the parade to Sunday, March 16th, we're creating an incredible weekend of celebration, anticipation and community spirit.”
The parade will still feature world-renowned composer Patrick Cassidy as Grand Marshal. Cassidy, a Claremorris native known for scoring major films like , expressed his excitement.
“I'm honoured to lead the parade in my hometown,” Patrick said. “The weekend will showcase the very best of Claremorris - our talent, our community spirit, and our ability to come together in celebration.”
The parade theme remains 'Irish Myths, Legends, and Folklore' and it promises to be a creative and colourful spectacle through the streets of Claremorris.
The organising committee would like to invite organisations, schools, clubs, community groups, and businesses from Claremorris and all the surrounding areas to get involved in the 2025 parade.
There will be music and entertainment from 1pm, with the parade at 3pm. There will be a fireworks display at 8pm.
The committee would like to thank their lead sponsors, CBE, who are sponsoring the fireworks display and St Colman’s Credit Union, the lead sponsors for the parade. The public can support the parade through sponsorship, by entering a float, or by decorating their premises or house in the town.
St Colman’s College is reaching out to alumni, friends and family, near and far, in an attempt to raise funds to defray the costs of sending the Hogan Cup team of ’25 to Croke Park.
The college realises that there will be significant costs involved in the logistics of getting the team to Croke Park in peak condition on St Patrick’s Day. They plan an overnight stay close to Dublin and are aware of the cost of this along with meals and bus hire for two days. The college has received huge support from many local businesses as well as ongoing sponsorship from long-term sponsors.
Some of the alumni have indicated to the college that they would like to contribute to help defray the costs involved, and this has prompted the college to set up the fundraiser. They have set an ambitious target, and if it is exceeded, the surplus will be ring-fenced to ensure that the younger Gaelic footballers, who have been inspired by the Team of '25, will continue to be looked after so that future success can be achieved.
A link to the fundraising page can be found on the college’s social media pages.
Huge congratulations to Philip Griffith who won Track and Field Sports Star at the Western People 2024 Mayo Sports Star Awards recently.
The award highlights the diverse ability of the young athlete, who won 11 national medals in 2024, including middle distance, cross country, sprints and long jump. It’s very seldom that an athlete would cover this many disciplines.
Philip is an outstanding young athlete with a bright future.
There was good news for two Claremorris sports and leisure organisations last week, with the announcement of €155,000 of grants from the Community Recognition Fund.
Claremorris GAA Handball Club was awarded €50,950 for facility upgrades and Claremorris Leisure Centre secured €104,050.
The Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.
Congratulations to the two organisations on their successful applications, and to the volunteers who continue to work towards the enhancement of community facilities in Claremorris.
James Brennan, Donal Walsh and Gavin Brennan, of Claremorris Swimming Club, performed well at Ennis Masters Gala last week.
Gavin set a new Connacht record with a fantastic performance in the 50m Freestyle. He also qualified for the 25 knockout sprints fun event at the end.
James broke ten minutes in the 800 Freestyle for the first time, coming in at 9:58. Donal won gold in both the 200m and 50m Breaststroke, and qualified for the knockout 25s, where he came a close third.
Congratulations to all.
Congratulations to Naoise Heffernan who has been selected for the Longford Town Under-19s WNL squad for the coming season. Naoise will wear the No 1 shirt for the Town.
The sudden death occurred in Dublin, of Michael Higgins, formerly of Knocknakill, Mayo Abbey, on Thursday, February 20th. Michael was predeceased by his mother Kathleen and sister Patricia.
Michael lived in Dublin for the past 31 years and worked in the National Botanic Gardens, indulging his love of plants which he had from a very early age. He will be very much missed by his many colleagues and friends at the Gardens.
Michael will be sadly missed by his father Joe, sisters Mary and Breege, brother John Joe, brothers-in-law Ned and Seán, John Joe's partner Michelle, nephews, Alexander, Thomas and Conor, niece, Niamh, aunt, Mary (USA), uncles Tom, Pat and Michael, cousins, relatives, friends and neighbours.
Michael was laid to rest in Mayo Abbey Cemetery after Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and St Gerald, Mayo Abbey.
May he rest in peace.
As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, Mayo Gaels GAA Club will hold a Movie Awards Night in the McWilliam Hotel on March 15th.
Six movies have been made throughout Mayo Abbey, Facefield and Ballyglass and they will be presented at the gala 'Oscars' event. The purpose of the fundraiser is to develop an all-weather pitch, in cooperation with Mayo Abbey NS, on the grounds of the national school.
The films being made for the fundraiser are local versions of ‘Rocky,’ ‘Braveheart’ and ‘The Field,’ as well as classic Irish comedies, ‘Waking Ned Devine,’ ‘Killinaskully’ and ‘Father Ted’.
The club is running a bingo fundraiser tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5th, at 8pm in Balla Community Centre. Bingo books can be purchased on the night or bought online. Online players can win big cash prizes even if they don’t log in and play – so it’s even more of a reason to purchase a few bingo books online. A link is posted on the Mayo Gaels social media pages.
A Céilí Night will be held in the Facefield Centre on this Friday, March 7th.
Mayo County Council will hold a free electrical recycling opportunity at Davitts GAA Grounds on Tuesday next, March 11th. The facility will be available from 10am to 4pm.
Tom and Breda Kean won last week Claremorris GAA’s 50/50 draw. Tom and Breda picked up €904 on a Loyal Blue ticket.
Rosaleen Ruane was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 jackpot last week. Rosaleen won €504 with a ticket bought in O’Brien’s.
Tracey Mitchell, of Kilbeg, Claremorris, died peacefully at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar on February 24th.
Tracey will be sadly missed by her loving parents Frank and Phil, her brother Ronan, sister Caroline, sister-in-law Jacqueline, nephew Callum, niece Clodagh, aunts and uncles and extended family.
Tracey was laid to rest in Claremorris Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St Colman’s Church.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Michael Warner of Liffey Lawns, Clane, Kildare and Claremorris. Michael died peacefully at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, on February 20th, surrounded by his loving family.
Michael will be deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, children Mark, Gillian, Michael, Terry and Emma, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers Terry, Fr Fred and Patrick, sisters Paula, Anne, Tish and Collette, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a large circle of friends.
Michael was laid to rest in Mainham Cemetery, Clane, after Funeral Mass in St Patrick's and St Brigid's Church, Clane.
May he rest in peace.
