Local notes: Foxford counts down to Parade
The U11 quiz team from Foxford National School who competed in the 2025 Ballina Credit Union Schools Quiz which was held in Ballina Community Sports. Back row, from left: David Dwane, Pat Farrell and Declan Naughton. Front row, from left: Senan Ryder, Carrie Doherty, Abby McMahon and Saorfhlaith Burke. Picture: John O'Grady
Moy Davitts discovered their group opponents for the 2025 Mayo Intermediate Football Championship when the draw took place at Mayo GAA headquarters in MacHale Park, Castlebar last Wednesday evening. Moy Davitts, who lost year’s county final after a replay to eventual All-Ireland champions Crossmolina, have been drawn in Group 4 alongside Hollymount-Carramore, Louisburgh and Kilmaine.
It’s against the latter that they will open their campaign at home on the weekend of August 9/10. Moy Davitts will travel to play Hollymount-Carramore in Round2 in what will be a repeat of last year’s quarter-final, while their Round 3 game is on neutral soil against a Louisburgh side that they also faced and defeated in last year’s group stages.
A sports quiz in aid of Moy Davitts GAA is to take place this coming Friday, March 14 at 9pm in The Moy Hotel, Foxford. The quizmaster is club chairman, Willie Byrne. To enter a table of four is €50 with a top prize of €250 on offer a long with a host of spot prizes. All support appreciated.
To assist with the fundraising for their new build project on the Swinford Road, Knockmore-Foxford Boxing Club are to hold a scrap metal collection week in April and would appreciate all donations of scrap metal. You can WhatsApp details to 086-8363646.
The St Patrick Parade in Foxford is taking place next Sunday, March 16 at 4pm.
O’Hara’s of Foxford are sponsoring the best St Patrick’s Day window display, so get dressing those windows in the most imaginative and festive way possible.
As part of the St Patrick’s Weekend celebrations in Foxford, a Rambling House evening of music, dance, recitations and song is to be hosted by Admiral Brown CCÉ on Sunday, March 16 in The Moy Hotel. The event will get underway at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend.
The over-35s of S&F United are facing into a huge game in Division 2 of the Portwest Mayo Masters League this Wednesday, March 12 (kick-off at 8.30pm) as a victory over Partry Athletic will guarantee them the league title and promotion to Division 1 with a game to spare. United continued their unbeaten run with a 12-2 victory over neighbours Ballyvary Blue Bombers last Wednesday night, with their goals coming from Paul Moran (5), Chrissy Downey (4), Neil Mayock, Michael Prendergast and Andy Neary.
The task ahead is far from straightforward however, as Partry Athletic are S&F’s biggest challengers for the league title and were understrength when drawing with S&F earlier in the campaign. Were they to win instead on Wednesday, then they would be favourites to win the title.
All support for the game would be appreciated.
The funeral took place in Castlebar last Thursday, March 6 of Patricia Halligan (née Maloney), formerly of Irishtown, Foxford and late of McHale Road, Castlebar. Patsy, who also previously lived in Birkenhead, England passed peacefully at Mayo University Hospital, surrounded by her heartbroken family.
Patricia was predeceased by her husband John and her parents John and Bridget (née O’Brien) Maloney. She will be sadly missed by her loving sons James (Birkenhead) and John (Castlebar), daughter Cindy Guthrie (Castlebar), daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great- great-grandson, along with her nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and many friends.
Patsy’s funeral Mass was at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar and she was laid to rest in the New Cemetery, Castlebar.
May she rest in peace.
Well done to the pupils, teachers and staff of St Joseph’s Secondary School on their superb production, Béal Easa Beo, which was performed to a large and appreciative audience at Foxford Leisure Centre last Thursday night, March 6.
The concert, which featured a large cast of current and former pupils, along with a number of guest artists with close connections to the school, showcased some incredible talent in the line of traditional music, song, dance and poetry.
The high-quality production contributed wonderfully to the school’s recognition of Seachtain na Gaeilge with particular congratulations due to school principal Mr Daire McManamon, deputy principal Ms Áine McAlpine, music teacher Catriona Mellett, Gaeilge teachers Debbie Lavelle, Vanessa Corcoran, Emer Donnellan and Virginia Mulligan, and Megan O’Hara.
The school would like to thank the following sponsors of the raffle: Bernard Ormsby Bus Hire, The Moy Hotel, Alan Butler Kitchens, Foxford Pharmacy, Noel Roche Construction and Paul D’arcy Veterinary Practice.
Congratulations are extended to the latest winners of the S&F United 50-50 lotto draw. Gerard Downey, Foxford collected €150 in the draw held on February 24 while John Ruane, Cloongee won €100 in the March 3 draw.
St Joseph’s Secondary School is celebrating after both the boys and girls first year soccer teams last week advanced to the FAI Schools Connacht Cup semi-finals. The boys did so by way of a 5-2 victory over St Cuan’s, Castleblakeney.
The quarter-final goals were scored by team captain Sean Walsh (2), Finn Sweeney, Gearoid Clarke and Rian Jordan, the latter leading the defensive line alongside the equally solid Jamie Sweeney and Frank Berkowski. Jack Moore also impressed between the posts with a couple of important saves.
The first year girls were actually narrowly defeated by Glenamaddy Community School, however, they had already done enough in their group campaign to advance to the semi-finals.
Both teams are wished the best of luck in their respective games to be played in the coming weeks.
Parents and players of Moy Davitts LGFA are advised that the club shop will remain open until this Friday, March 14 at www.oreillysofficial.com. Search the website for Moy Davitts LGFA.
Gareth Doyle was the recipient of the Maureen Murphy Cup which was presented at the Admiral Brown CCÉ ‘Celebration Concert’ in The Moy Hotel on Saturday, March 1. The cup perpetuates the memory of Maureen, a member of the Foxford Junior Céilí Band who won the All-Ireland in 1961. It was presented to the branch by the Murphy Family in 2016 and has since been awarded to the Admiral Brown CCÉ ‘Fiddle Player of the Year’, which Gareth Doyle this year received from former winner Dara Morley.
It was a fantastic night of celebration where the branch showcased the incredible talent and achievements of its members in the past year, including Croídhe Doherty’s success as 2024 All-Ireland U15 concertina champion. Croídhe was presented with a special recognition award from the branch by Youth Officer, Méabh Hyland.
Bishop Kevin Doran was present in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Saturday morning last, for the confirmation of 20 boys and girls from the parish. Congratulations and blessings are extended to those who were confirmed: Ruby Butler, Heath Byrne, Elena Clarke, Matthew Curley, Aoife Flannery, Evan Gaughan, Caoimhe Gaughan Reape, Amber Gilnagh, Keela Hardy, Eoghan Hunter, Martin Dylan Lawrence, Oscar McHugh, Gavin McMahon, Katie Melody, Odhran Moore, Olywyn Moore, Harry Prendergast, Lily Mae Prendergast, Stephen Quinn and Ruairi Reynolds.
Well-known Belgarrow man Ben Burke came to national attention last week when a photograph of him, taken while at work in his mobile blacksmith’s forge, earned Mayo photographer Michael McLaughlin first prize in the prestigious portrait category at the AIB Press Photographer of the Year Awards. The title of the portrait was ‘Forging Friendships’. Well done to Ben whose forge always proves a popular attraction at local festivals and heritage events.
Foxford will be proudly represented on the double at Mayo County Council’s Cathaoirleach’s Awards, which are taking place this Thursday, March 13 in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar.
Frances Casey-Maloney, a founder and voluntary board member of the Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust, has been shortlisted for the Community Social Inclusion Project Award, for her contribution to community life.
Moy Davitts GAA are also shortlisted for an award in the Community Publications category, for their outstanding book released last November which chronicled 50 years – and much, much more – of the club’s history since its formation in 1974.
Both nominees are wished the very best of luck.
There is local interest in a group of musicians who later this month will perform in the National Concert Hall, Dublin in the final of Siansa Gael Linn.
Niamh Doherty, Currinara, is a member of Seodá, an eight-piece group of Mayo and Sligo musicians who under the tutelage of Niamh’s uncle Stephen Doherty have qualified for the final of Siansa Gael Linn, one of the country's most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music and singing groups. It is ran and broadcast by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
The final takes place on Sunday, March 23.
Ella Johnson was last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw, the jackpot for which was €364.
Online tickets are available via the club app and cost €2 or three for €5.
A reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School is being organised for later this year. Anyone who was a member of the year group from 1999 to 2005 are invited to attend. The date of the reunion is planned for Saturday, June 14 with further information to follow.
Past students are asked to register their interest with Cian at 087-3346803, Maria at 089-4435771 or Nadine at 086-1610559.
Plans are being made to erect four nesting boxes around the town in the very near future following receipt of same by the Foxford Enhancement Group from Declan Howley and his team at the Foxford & District Alzheimer Trust (FACT Social Club). The generous donation coincides with the town enhancement group’s focus on being more eco-friendly and embracing of nature.
