Local Notes: Foxford Men's Shed seeks new premises
Padraig Moran, centre, making a donation in memory of Nora Joyce to the Foxford and District Alzheimer Trust (FACT) on behalf of the Moran Family. From left to right: Kieran King, Eamon Crean, Padraig Moran, Linda Fahy, social activities supervisor, and Declan Howley, manager
Foxford Men’s Shed is on the lookout for a building that may be available for them to use, for the purpose of holding meetings and to have a small workshop to help with some projects locally. The group is looking to reestablish itself having been quite active up until the onset of Covid and its associated lockdowns.
If anyone thinks they might be able to assist, please contact William Devaney, the chairperson of Foxford Men’s Shed, at 086-8509600.
Could Foxford do with a Sports Hub? That’s the question that has been posed by Mayo Sports Partnership to towns and villages across the entire county, as it seeks expressions of interest from communities that are interested in developing a Sports Hub.
The key objective is to increase the number of people of all ages participating in sport and physical activity in their communities, targeting disadvantaged areas with a specific focus on adolescents and young people.
For more information you can visit mayosports.ie or contact Mayo Sports Partnership at msp@mayococo.ie or 094-90-64360.
The final date for submission is 5pm on Wednesday, February 28.
St Michael’s Church in Foxford will have the Stations of the Cross on every Friday during Lent, starting at 7pm.
Straide and Foxford United’s senior women’s team made a flying start to their Connacht Shield campaign when recording a decisive 8-0 win against Arrow Harps of the Sligo/Leitrim and District League. Fiona Roache scored four of the goals with a hat-trick too for Siobhan Wilson and the other goal struck by Advah Gaughan.
S&F United’s men didn’t experience the same joy in their own Connacht Shield encounter as they lost 6-3 to visitors Ballinagare Manor.
The club’s U13 boys team also saw their heroic run in the SFAI Cup finally come to an end at the last 32 stage, when they beaten 4-0 at home by an excellent St Brendan’s Park team from Tralee. The United boys gave their families and supporters a fantastic and memorable cup run and can be particularly proud of their achievements.
‘You shall be my witness’, the Confirmation programme for the 34 Confirmation candidates, continues in Foxford National School tonight (Tuesday, February 13) at 8pm. Parents are invited to the Main Hall for the concluding prayers at 8.55m.
There was a little slice of history made last week when Nicola Grimes from Bohola because the first ever winner of the Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw to have entered via the club’s new app. Nicola scooped a €440 jackpot. Entering this way is very easy to do: once the Moy Davitts GAA app is downloaded to your smart device, click on the fundraiser tab at the bottom of the page.
All money raised goes back into the club, developing teams and facilities. Tickets continue to be sold in the usual ways also.
The social services centre, situated beside the Brown Memorial Hall, is the location for a game of bridge that is to be played this and every Wednesday evening between 6pm and 9pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in a game in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Two members of last year’s Leaving Certificate class at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford were part of the University of Galway freshers ‘A’ gaelic football team that last week defeated Queen's University by 3-15 to 1-6 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cathal Clarke of Moy Davitts GAA and Ronan Holmes of Knockmore GAA are two of seven Mayo players on the panel.
The final will take place in Tralee this Thursday. Good luck to Cathal and Ronan.
€200 was won by Yvonne Ruane, Foxford in last week’s S&F United 50/50 draw. Season tickets are always available from all committee members where you can enter 52 draws for €50. The draw takes place every Monday night and online entry is available at https://games.smartlotto.ie/.
Knockmore GAA are holding a cash for clobber fundraiser. Collections will be on February 17/18 at Knockmore GAA dressing-rooms from 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm both days. Any queries, contact Frances at 086-8480082. Please note, no toys, books or duvets will be accepted.
Mayo North East Partnership’s Caroline Wilson, the Mayo Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) facilitator, is continuing to hold clinics to assist with the Enhanced DCB Grant scheme, by appointment every second Monday at Foxford Belass Centre from 10am until 1pm.
The call is also still out for anyone with an available property that can be rented out to people whose homes are impacted by Pyrite. For further details, contact Caroline Wilson on 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
Are you a parent who would love to find an activity to occupy your teenager that doesn’t involve gadgets and technology? Well Foxford might have just the thing for you. Famed traditionally as a great place to meet for a game of ‘25’, a call has gone for the old and the young alike to put down their phones, tablets and the likes and to instead join in playing the classic card game every Tuesday evening in the Admiral Brown Memorial Hall. The organisers are particularly looking for parents together with their teenage kids, be they beginners or experienced players, and indeed anyone who would like to talk and chat over a game of 25. All are welcome. The games will run from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. It’s time to remind ourselves how plenty of fun and entertainment can still be had without the gadgets!
KFBC are on the lookout for a small and secure room to store some of the club’s gear. The facility would not need electricity, water or heat but must be dry. Contact 086-8373646 with any information. Any help would be very much appreciated.
The next walk organised by Bohola Moy Davitts GAA as part of the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ will take place this Wednesday, February 14. Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre is the start point at 7pm. The walk is 5k in length.
SláinteCare Healthy Communities, in conjunction with Age Friendly Mayo, are organising a free health and wellbeing event, ‘Valentine’s Vitality’, which will be held at the Great National Hotel in Ballina from 10am to 1pm this Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14. The event is aimed at those aged 55 and over, and will provide information around overall health, fitness and nutrition. A number of speakers will be there on the day, advising on various aspects of wellbeing, while CROÍ will provide free blood pressure checks. Refreshments will be served.
For further information you can email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.
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.
Membership of Moy Davitts GAA Club for the 2024 season is now open and players and coaches are reminded that they must register at foireann.ie (or via the Moy Davitts app) before training for the new season commences. Players from four years of age all the way up to senior can register. Under ‘Membership options’, take care not to select ‘Adult member’ unless you are a senior player.
Anyone with any queries or questions can contact Annette at 087-6781500.
