Local Notes: Foxford GAA fans enjoy trip to the Big Apple
Enjoying the atmosphere in Connolly's Bar just off Times Square in New York City ahead of Mayo's Connacht SFC quarter-final last weekend were, from left: Fran Downey, Ballina; Ronan Gilmore, Foxford; Alan McLoughlin, Swinford; Sinead McLoughlin, Knockmore; John, Delia, John Jr and Cian Gilmore, and Hannah Davidson, Lahardane.
Foxford has been looking resplendent this past week thanks to the excellent work of the large number of volunteers who took part in the An Taisce National Spring Clean on Easter Monday. Members of the Foxford Enhancement Group were at the heart of the operation.
A large number of bags of waste were collected from the clean-ups on the four approach roads to the town, plus there were additional groups picking litter on both the cemetery road to Craggagh and the Moygrove road.
Particular appreciation is expressed to the Ukrainian community from Pontoon Bridge Hotel who turned up in big numbers to assist in keeping the locality clean.
The presence of An Garda Síochána helped keep the litter pickers safe while Mayo County Council collected the numerous bags of rubbish.
Foxford Enhancement Group conduct regular clean-ups and other activities that greatly enhance the appearance of the town so if anyone would like to join in their activities, feel free to conduct them via their Facebook page.
The under-11 footballers of Moy Davitts GAA Club experienced a day they will never forget last Wednesday when they got to play in the Connacht GAA Go Games Blitz on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. It was an amazing feeling for them to grace the home of the GAA and play three matches against other clubs from the province.
The players and coaches were afterwards treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium.
Connacht GAA are to be congratulated on providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the day extremely well organised and Croke Park officials very accommodating which combined to provide the young players a day they are sure to never forget.
There was sweet music last Friday as David Doocey, Swinford Road and Rooskey, tied the knot with Eimear Coffey at a beautiful ceremony in Galway.
Eimear and David, who is a renowned traditional musician and chairman of the local branch of Comhaltas, Admiral Brown CCÉ, wed at St James’ Church, Bushypark. The couple are wished every happiness in the future.
Anyone wishing to avail of the Foxford Meals on Wheels can do so by contacting Geraldine at 087-9040463 or 094-92-56614. The service offers dinners from Monday to Saturday at a cost of €5 per meal.
The under-16 footballers of Moy Davitts are looking forward to their next match in the Mayo GAA Football League this Thursday, April 11, when they host Louisburgh in Sraith Garbh. Confidence is high among the group on account of their last game which was a 5-11 to 4-9 victory over Hollymount-Carramore.
The match, played in chilly conditions in Foxford, was, as the scoreline would suggest, a particularly exciting affair with end-to-end football and some excellent scores taken by both teams. It was a late surge by Moy Davitts that secured victory.
The team is managed by Patrick Ruane, Marc Howley, Conor Gallagher, Michael McHale and Brian Hughes.
Team: Cathal O'Neill; Padraic McKeon, Kiefer Walsh; Jason Walsh, James Duffy, Harry Reddington; Conall Reid, Cian Fahey; Dylan McHale, Dean Butler, Matthew Ruane; Patrick Kirwan, Donnacha Timlin. Subs: AJ McKeown, Darragh Ruane. Unavailable to play on the evening were Killian Commons, Senan Tolan, Tom Gostick and Joe Horan.
Meanwhile, the minor footballers of Moy Davitts overcame Burrishoole by eight points in Mayo GAA Division 3 League last Tuesday. The final score was 4-9 to 0-13.
Well done to the members of Foxford Brass and Reed Band who after their busy itinerary on St Patrick’s Weekend took to the road again to entertain the crowds at the Strokestown Easter Parade.
Freya Connolly, Peatland and Paludiculture Officer with The Rivers Trust, is seeking out any farmers or landowners in the Foxford area who might be interested in having a chat about a new form of agriculture on peatlands called Paludiculture.
The Rivers Trust is looking to work with a farmer or landowner around the River Moy with some bogland which they may have drained in the past and now don't know what to do with, or who maybe are looking to diversify and create a new source of income for the farm.
If it sounds like something you could be interested in or if you want to learn more, Freya can be contacted at 087-7405181 or at freya.connolly@theriverstrust.org.
A visit to Foxford on Easter Sunday to watch the senior ladies footballers of Moy Davitts and Louisburgh play in Round 2 of the PJ Loftus Memorial League proved a fruitful one for Bernie Ball from Louisburgh, as she bought a ticket for the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 lotto draw and ended up scooping the wonderful jackpot of €506.
The month of March saw the responsibility for selling 50-50 tickets to the Moy Davitts LGFA senior players and the baton for April now passes to the Dads and Lads. In addition, tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing through the Club App.
Of the game itself, Moy Davitts and Westport played out a hard-fought draw, with the game finishing 1-7 to 0-10 at Sraith Garbh. The under-16 ladies footballers were also in action in Mayo LGFA Division 1 and got the better of Hollymount by 6-09 to 5-10.
Extra help is being sought for the cleaning of St Michael’s Church. If you think you could join the current group of volunteers and give a couple of hours every few months, Fr Padraig would love to hear from you.
Do you have an hour to spare?
ALONE are looking to recruit volunteers in Foxford and its surrounding areas. The organisation seeks to combat loneliness and isolation among the elderly and thus improve their quality of life by having members of the community call into them for a chat for one hour per week.
If this is something that interests you, then you can contact Paul Stafford, volunteer support officer, at 086-0135043 or email paul.stafford@alone.ie.
The past week has been a hugely significant one for S&F United FC, with the return of competitive underage football for girls. United had teams at both U13 and U15 taking part in their opening games of the Mayo Football League season.
The U13s put in a fine performance in Division 2B against Newport Mulranny Wanderers in Foxford last Tuesday evening while the U15s also had home advantage for their game against Claremorris in Division 3B on Thursday evening. The match ended in a scoreless draw.
For the majority of S&F players on both U13 and U15 teams, these were their first ever competitive games so particular gratitude goes towards the club’s coaches who have nurtured the players through the Academy system.
Congratulations to both of S&F United’s under-15 boys teams who recorded wins against Westport United ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams in the Mayo Football League last Wednesday evening. S&F’s ‘A’ team enjoyed a 4-0 away win in the Premier Division with the goals scored by Rory Gruddy, Brady Guilfoyle, Mounir Soufan and Jamie Loughney.
The ‘B’ team were even more convincing winners when having home advantage for their game, with two goals from Jonah Gallagher and one apiece from Darragh O’Brien, Alan Rys, Joseph Elstone, Dara Gaughan and Leo Lavarde.
A commemorative Mass to celebrate 50 years of Moy Davitts GAA Club has been confirmed as taking place at 7.30pm on Friday, April 19, in St Michael’s Church, Foxford. All club members invited.
If you would like to be involved in the Mass itself, please contact Teresa at 087-2069083.
To mark the golden anniversary of Moy Davitts GAA Club, plans are afoot to this year publish a complete 50-year history in commemorative book form, looking back at the five eventful decades of the club’s history since its formation in 1974. It is planned that the book will be launched at a special club event later in the year.
The book committee remain on the look-out for material to be included in the book, including old match programmes, press cuttings, articles, team photos, pictures from special trips and events, or anything you may have relating to the club’s development over the past number of years.
So, if you have any material which you would be happy to share with the club, please email the details to moydavitts50@gmail.com or call Bernie on 086-8532293 for further details.
Registration for this month’s Fox-trot is online at www.njuko.net/foxtrot-10km-5km.
Fox-trot is a 5k and 10k run that replaces the former Run for Boylo and will take place in Foxford on Sunday, April 28.
The 10k event will offer cash prizes to the winners while both that and the 5k will be held over a flat, chip-timed course. It is planned to get the racing underway at 12.30pm.
Anyone who wants to know how to grow their own vegetables might like to avail of a free six-week practical organic horticulture course that is soon to get underway at the North Mayo Heritage Centre in Enniscoe, near Crossmolina.
You will learn how to sow, plant and grow your own veg and herbs using organic principles in the centre’s two acre garden. You will even take home what you grow!
The course is being funded through the Community Education Programme of the Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB and participants will gain knowledge of how to successfully sow seeds and grow in whatever type of space you have, how to choose the best vegetable varieties and how to grow them as a beginner, the importance of soil and how to improve, fix or feed it, composting, pest and weed identification, starting out tools and equipment, and about polytunnel and glasshouse growing.
The start date is Saturday, April 20 and the course will run from 10am to 2pm over six consecutive Saturdays.
For further details, contact 096-31809. The course is open to over 18s only.
