Local Notes: Exciting plans for new recreational centre for Claremorris
Members of the Claremorris Community Recreational Committee who held an information session last week, from left: Paraic Whyte, Catríona Doherty, Anna Connolly, Brian Lenihan and Owen Moore.
An information session about plans to develop a community recreational centre for Claremorris took place last week. The meeting was hosted by the Claremorris Community Recreational Committee and attended by leaders from local sports clubs and community groups.
Co-chairperson of the committee, Catríona Doherty, shared the vision of a 'Community Centre for All', pointing out that Claremorris lacks a central hub for indoor community and recreational activities, and highlighted the negative impact of needing to leave the town to access many of the amenities the centre would provide.
Attendees were shown initial architectural drawings to better understand what the proposed development would bring to the town. The design features a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, a safe space for youth groups, and an accessible multi-functional space for social, cultural and educational activities. The session concluded by announcing the first major fundraising event for the project and by asking for full participation from across the community to help make the vision a reality.
The fundraising drive will commence with a Lip Synch Battle on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, and the committee is looking for the whole community to get involved. People can help by participating as a performing act (or helping to recruit some fun characters to bring this to life), by selling tickets, spreading the word or providing business sponsorship.
Further information is available by visiting the website www.claremorrisrecreationalcentre.ie or by email: claremorrisrecreationalcentre@gmail.com.
Claremorris Golf Club member Jack O'Connell, who is pro tour caddie to Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell, is DP World Tour bound following their recent win in China. At 24, Jack is the youngest caddie on the tour.
“I’ve been a tour caddy for over a year now,” Jack told the . “I did 13 tournaments with Sam Bairstow of the UK and then at the start of this year I was contacted by Conor Purcell and he asked me to caddy for him. I had met Connor on tour and we knew each other. So around March time, I joined up with him and we’ve just done our 19th event together.”
The event is the Hangzhou Open in China and Purcell’s win there means he can now join the DP World Tour with a full card next season. The 27-year-old Dubliner’s win in China – his second win on the Challenge Tour this year – moved him to fourth in the order of merit to further strengthen his future card status. Purcell shot a final round 67 to win the inaugural Hangzhou Open – an elevated event on the Challenge Tour and the final regular season.
“This was the second tournament we won, the other was in Galgorm in Northern Ireland. So far I’ve been to about 12 countries as a professional tour caddy,” Jack said.
“The player is always fighting for a pay-check whereas as a caddy, I’m guaranteed a salary every week. Of course, I’m out there fighting for a bonus, but I have a base salary to work on. Caddies are contracted on a tournament-by-tournament basis,” Jack says.
Jack described the role of caddy as the strategic planner in the background of a golfer.
“An event starts on the Thursday so I’m there on Monday and I walk the course. I study the course, and I compile a plan based on Conor’s numbers. Every golfer is different – some have a very long drive, others are good on irons, some draw (a tendency for the ball to spin to the left) and some fade (a tendency for the ball to spin to the right). We look to hit the fairway at its widest, where it's ideal to be.
"I’m also looking at the areas to avoid. I look for flag position on the greens and for slopes and where the ball might roll. We decide which club to use and we’re looking for the optimal position for every shot. I do up the plan based on all the information, and we go through it in detail. We might have to alter it on the day due to weather conditions.”
Jack says that Conor has no plans to be the second Padraig Harrington or the second Shane Lowry.
“He plans to be the first Conor Purcell,” Jack says, “and he plans to get into the world's top 50 golfers.”
Jack, who himself is a scratch golfer, has no plans to compete professionally. The 24-year-old says he’s happy to remain a professional caddy.
Congratulations to Con Nolan who has been honoured with the John McCallion Memorial Award 2024 at the Mayo Garda Youth Awards in recognition of his outstanding commitment to youth and community service.
Over the last 25 years, Con has tirelessly volunteered to provide a service through the No Name Club that has helped almost 2,000 young people in the local Claremorris community and aided the growth and development of 12 other clubs.
Congratulations too to former Claremorris No Name Club member Orla Heaney, who was awarded for her amazing work on road safety.
Claremorris AFC are Mayo Under-21 Division Two champions after a resounding win over a spirited Achill Rovers side last week. The title win was based on the team’s excellent form. They went unbeaten in the division, scoring an average of five goals per match.
Mark Maloney gave an excellent display as a traditional centre forward against Achill. He scored one and set one up, and his deft flick was instrumental in beating the Achill defence for another.
Mark got the first mid-way through the opening half. He stumbled on despite being fouled to combine with Ben Smyth before finishing neatly. Aidan McGing made a good save soon after to keep it at 1-0. A different Maloney - Cathal - made it two, halfway through the second half with an excellent finish.
Achill had a couple of chances but Aidan McGing was in top form in the Claremorris goal. At 2-0, Claremorris took over and Jake Mullin, David Heaney and James Sullivan added goals to put the match beyond Achill.
The Claremorris defence and midfield were well on top throughout the match. Jake Mullin at wing back and Aidan McGing were outstanding for Claremorris and Mark Maloney was the man of the match.
“It was a great win,” Mark Maloney told the . “We started slowly, but we came into it then halfway through the first half and I think we were comfortable after that.
"They are a good side. They are big and tough and especially strong through the middle. The league was a bit short and two teams pulled out, but we had to deal with what was in front of us.
"We want to build on that now, and the priority has to be getting the senior team back to the Super League next season.
“I’m delighted with the win,” coach Simon Collins said, “especially for the lads after the season we had with the senior team. It’s good to get these young lads back out winning games and winning trophies. We didn’t deal very well with the way Achill were putting pressure on us in the first half. Once we got the ball down and started playing football, I think we were the far better team.”
The Claremorris team was: Aidan McGing, Jake Mullin, Fionn McLoughlin, Joe Gilmore, Adam Walsh, Cathal Maloney, James Morley, Mike Heaney, Pierce Killeen, Mark Maloney, Ben Smyth. Subs: David Heaney, Liam Flanagan, Danny Dunne, Steven Halleran, James Sullivan, Yahya Alshawi. Manager: Simon Collins.
The four-star McWilliam Park Hotel has just been announced as the winner of the Business Hotel of the Year. The hotel took first place at the Irish Hotel Awards, which is a fantastic achievement.
This was not the only success for the hotel at the awards, however. Ann Marie Mee was the overall winner in the Duty Manager of the Year category which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows or has dealt with Ann Marie. And, on top of all that, the Connacht section of the Bar Manager of the Year went to Boris Dungandzic, another very deserving recipient.
Lukas Kodl, the McWilliam Park manager, was naturally delighted with the awards.
“A massive thank you to our incredible team for their hard work and dedication in making this possible,” Lukas said. “This achievement is a true testament to the commitment and passion of the team at the McWilliam Park.”
This latest success comes just a couple of weeks after the hotel was awarded the prestigious Georgina Campbell Award for Family Friendly Hotel of the Year. The Georgina Campbell Awards are the longest-running independent hospitality awards in Ireland and this latest recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the McWilliam team who always make a special effort to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Claremorris Colts men’s senior team was unlucky in their opening match in the Bank of Ireland Division J1C, coming out the wrong side of a 24-6 scoreline.
Their opponents were relegated from J1B last season by points difference and are looking to bounce straight back this season.
The game started with fierce intensity and commitment from both sides, but Corrib quickly established dominance up front. Continual penalties conceded by the Colts gave Corrib easy entry into the red zone and the Galway men took full advantage to build a lead with two close-range tries, one of which was converted.
The Colts did have some bright moments with strong carries by Jason Kelly and Joe Prendergast. These led to kickable penalties which out-half, Shane Meehan converted.
The Colts were starting to gain a foothold in the match as the clock ran towards half-time but a turnover close to the Corrib line allowed the home side to relieve the pressure. More ill-discipline gifted the home side field position, and injuries to Adam Gleeson, replaced by Liam Heaney, and Simon O'Farrell, replaced by Mathew Macken, unsettled the Colts and led to Corrib’s third try which went unconverted. The half-time score was 17-6 to Corrib.
The Colts were better after the restart with strong carries from Luke Colleran and captain Oisin O'Connor from the back row, and powerful runs from Mathew Macken operating at full-back. Nathan Smith replaced Jason Kelly at number 9 and Thomas Kean replaced Paul Maloney. Danny Noone was also introduced and this provided the spark for the Colts.
Great phase play and individual effort from Macken, Noone and Kean got the Colts to the line but they couldn’t cross. As the Colts were tiring, Corrib started to run from everywhere. After some heroic defence and great scrambling, the Colts ran out of numbers on their left and Corrib dotted down close to the posts for their bonus point try.
The Colts will look back on this game and think at least a point was on offer. Whilst mistakes were made, the positives will give the team confidence to carry into the rest of the campaign. Top performers on the night were Danny Noone, Mathew Macken, Thomas Kean, Joe Prendergast and the ever-improving Conor Prendergast.
Paul Maloney, Kevin Sheridan, Adrian Conway, Dwayne Campbell, Cathal Heaney, Oisin O’Connor, Adam Gleeson, Luke Colleran, Simon O'Farrell, Shane Meehan, Joe Prendergast, Cathal McHugh, Conor Prendergast, Liam Murphy, Jason Kelly. Subs: Adrian Maye, Thomas Kean, Sean Colgan, Liam Heaney, Nathan Smith, Matthew Macken, Daniel Noone.
Cúram Family Centre is offering a Self-Care Morning on Thursday, November 14, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The event is free of charge.
Participants can enjoy easy Mindfulness exercises and relaxation to beautiful music. It’s an opportunity to meet others and enjoy a tea or coffee afterwards. The facilitator is Maura Horkan.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Telephon 094-936 2096 or email office@curamclaremorris.ie for bookings and further information.
Sympathy is extended to Ann Morley, Claremorris, on the peaceful death of her father, Liam O’Toole of Glasgort, Ballintubber on October 22nd, aged 96.
Liam passed away surrounded by his loving wife Teresa, children and grandchildren.
Liam is survived by Teresa, hischildren Maura Cuffe (Castlebar), Tommie O’Toole (Ballintubber), Margaret Rowan (Dunboyne), Noel O’Toole (Castlebar), Helen O’Toole (Seattle, USA), Ann Morley (Claremorris), Colm O’Toole (Portlaoise), Jim O’Toole (Ballintubber), Carmel Staunton (Carraholly), Monica O’Toole (Ballintubber) and Roisin Deehan (Limavady,) sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, partners, 26 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Liam was laid to rest in Ballintubber Abbey cemetery after Funeral Mass in the adjoining Abbey.
A few places remain on the adults’ Mindfulness sessions which are held on Mondays at the Family Resource Centre (FRC).
Mindfulness helps people to relax, breathe, and connect with the present moment. The first session runs from 2pm to 3pm, with the second session running from 3.15pm to 4.15pm. The cost is €15 per session. Full details are available by ringing the FRC on 094-937 7838.
Claremorris Family Resource Centre offers English lessons to all in the community for just €2 per class/hour, ensuring accessible learning and contributing to a more inclusive life. The facilitator is Serena Perrie. The classes are on Mondays from 7 to 9pm, and Fridays from 10am to 12 noon.
For information and booking, telephone 094-9377838.
Brian and Cathy Harte were the winners of Claremorris GAA’s 50/50 draw last week. They won €950 on a ticket bought in Gilligans.
Claremorris Swimming Club members, Eva Harte and Jack Veldon, have qualified for the Connacht Regional Skills Academy, and Maedbh Burke has qualified for the Connacht Regional Development Programme Phase 1.
The regional programme supports athletes working towards selection into the National Programme while increasing the depth of competition within the region. Qualification onto these programmes is based on last season’s results at specific events. The trio are part of the 52 athletes selected overall.
Claremorris Ladies GFA Club’s online shop is open for orders for Christmas. Customers can choose from a wide range of club gear including jerseys, shorts, tee-shirts, windcheaters, jackets, gilets skinny trackkies, beanie hats, boot bags, gear bags polos, socks, gloves and hoodies.
The shop is run by Gowa Sports Ireland, a business run by Noelle Gormley and Louise Ward in Sligo. The easiest way to access the shop is by logging onto www.gowasports.ie and selecting the Club Shops page, or intending customers can access the shop through the Claremorris LGFA social media pages. The link will operate until this Thursday, October 31st.
