Local notes: Foxford native scoops top sports award
The cast and crew of 'Me and My Girl', the musical successfully staged by the Transition Year students of St Joseph's Secondary School. They are pictured with Senator Mark Duffy who was among the hundreds who attended across the three nights of the production at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
Congratulations to Kate Ní Ghacháin who was the recipient of the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the 40th University of Galway Sports Awards which were held at the Radisson Red Hotel in Galway last week.
Foxford native Kate is a member of the university’s kayaking club and is also a PaddleAble ambassador for Canoeing Ireland. She has spoken openly and honestly in the past about not allowing a “hidden disability” to come between anyone and their love of sport.
“I’ve got epilepsy which meant that when I started paddling I had a few extra things to consider. It’s all about finding that safe and supportive environment.
I have seizures roughly once or twice a month. Sometimes I have a long time between them but when they do happen I’m wiped out for days. I am so tired afterwards,” explained Kate who having always had a love for sea swimming and surfing in particular, found kayaking as just another way to get out on the water and get some fitness into her day.
“I think hidden disability shouldn’t be a barrier to getting out on the water. It’s definitely about finding people who will support you but who will not treat you as fragile. So I think the more we have these conversations, the more we bring this up with our instructors and our peers, the more open an environment it’s going to create and the more people will see that there’s a way to work around different disabilities and conditions.”
Kate, who is a former pupil of St Joseph’s Secondary School, took her place alongside other University of Galway Sports Award winners like Under-23 World rowing champion Donnacha Keeley and senior international cross country athlete Fiona Everard.
“I’d recommend that everyone gives kayaking a try at least once in their life. The different viewpoint it gives you on the world, just how close you are to nature and you can just take it at your own pace,” says Kate.
The awards ceremony was hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.
There’s a treat in store for lovers of comedy and drama this week as on the back of last year’s very successful visit, the Clare Island Drama Group are returning to Foxford to perform John B. Keane’s hilarious comedy ‘Moll’.
The production will be staged in St Joseph’s Secondary School this coming Friday, April 11 at 8pm. Admission is €10 for adults and €5 for under-12s. Refreshments will be served on the night.
You are invited to come along for a great evening of laughter and entertainment, and to give the Clare Island group the warm Foxford welcome they deserve.
The funeral Mass took place last Friday, April 4 of Michael (Joe) Doherty, Gurteen, Straide, who passed peacefully at Mayo University Hospital on April 1, surrounded by his loving family. He was aged 89 years.
Michael, who was predeceased by his wife Pauline (Gallagher) and parents Patrick and Mary (Battle), will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his daughter Tina (Courell), sons John, Tony, Paul, Noel, their partners Joe, Brídín, Louise, Edel, by his grandchildren Alannah, Chloe, Anna, Lucy, Rory, Roisin, Cara, brothers Chris and Brendan, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Michael lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford last Thursday evening and his funeral Mass was at St Peter & Paul Church, Straide on Friday with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The under-16 footballers of Moy Davitts picked up their first league win of 2025 with a Round 2 victory away to Bonniconlon last Thursday evening. The 6-12 to 1-7 win in Division 4 was the perfect response to their opening round defeat at the hands of Kilmeena. The team is due in action again this Thursday, April 10 when they host Islandeady at 7pm. Referee is Michael Daly.
Meanwhile, Moy Davitts’ minor footballers are still waiting to launch their Division 4 campaign after two postponed games against Hollymount-Carramore and Charlestown Sarsfields in recent weeks. They will hope to finally play today (Tuesday, April 8) with a trip to Kilmeena on the cards for a 7pm throw-in. Referee is Shane Corcoran. The postponed match against Hollymount-Carramore has been rescheduled for next Sunday, April 13 at 12pm in Sraith Garbh.
Moy Davitts U14s had a tough opening game in Mayo U14 Football League Division 1 when they travelled to James Stephens Park on Monday, March 31 and fell to a 7-13 to 1-10 loss at the hands of Ballina Stephenites. The team is back in action next Monday, April 14 when they host Castlebar Mitchels at 7pm.
Elsewhere, the senior footballers of Moy Davitts were due to begin their Division 1B campaign at home to Mayo Gaels last Saturday evening (see result in Game On section) and their Round 2 match will be away to Burrishoole next Saturday, April 12 at 7pm.
Well done to Moy Davitts footballer Colm McHale was scored a goal in Mayo’s comprehensive victory over Leitrim in the Connacht U20 Championship at MacHale Park last Wednesday evening. Mayo have won all three group games to date and Colm has started all three. A win away to Sligo on Wednesday week would see Mayo through to the Connacht final.
Congratulations are extended to two local families who had their children baptised in St Michael’s Church, Foxford recently. Ezme Karen Cleary, daughter of Amy and Patrick, Toomore, was welcomed to the Christian community, as was Matilda Bridie Anne Blee, daughter of Valerie and Justin, Cregnafila and Australia.
The funeral Mass was held in England on Monday, April 7 of Maura Parker (née Duggan), who was originally from Rathbane, Foxford.
Late of Barnhurst, Kent, UK, Maura passed away on March 12. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ken, parents Catherine and Joe, infant brother Michael, sisters Eilish and Sr. Breege, and is sadly missed by her brother John, sister-in-law Bridie, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.
She will be fondly remembered by her neighbours and good friends.
Maura’s funeral Mass was celebrated at St Mary of the Crays Church, Crayford followed by cremation at Eltham Crematorium.
May she rest in peace.
To assist with the fundraising for their new build project on the Swinford Road, Knockmore-Foxford Boxing Club are collecting scrap metal – big and small items alike – for the entire month of April and would appreciate all donations.
They are accepting everything from cars, tractors, motorbikes, oil ranges, bicycles, batteries, galvanised gates and sheets, barrows, buckets, radiators, copper aluminium, lead and cast iron.
Pick up is available for large loads, otherwise drop off is from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm on Saturdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, or by appointment, at the Jacob Truck Rental Yar beside Applegreen, Foxford.
You can contact Billy 086-8363646, Tom 087-6685476 or Brendan 0863525403 for further details.
Last week’s winner of the Moy Davitts GAA weekly 50-50 draw was Deirdre Hardy, Foxford, who won a jackpot of €330. Remember you can play weekly via the club app.
Volunteers are sought to assist the Foxford Enhancement Group in their big Spring clean-up of Foxford town and the surrounding areas. The event is going to take place on Easter Monday, April 21 and the group would gladly welcome anyone who has two hours to spare, from 11am to 1pm.
The meeting point is at the pharmacy carpark and gloves and high viz vests will be provided along with pickers – but if you have your own, please do bring it with you.
This is a great community event and a way of getting to meet people also. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.
A number of public information events are taking place in East Mayo this week, as part of an initiative to build a wider tourism development plan for Mayo. Failte Ireland have launched their Inland Mayo region Destination and Experience Development plan (DEDP) which will focus on growing tourism in the inland Mayo region. All members of the public are being invited to attend the meetings, which will allow them to have their say on areas they believe could benefit from it.
On Wednesday, April 9 between 2pm and 3.30pm there will be an information event in The Dalton Inn, Claremorris and later that same day between 7pm and 8.30pm at Knock House Hotel. The following day, Thursday, April 10, Bridge Street in Castlebar will host an information event from 2pm to 3.30pm while that evening from 7pm to 8.30pm, there will be one held in The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh.
