Local notes: Foxford runners bid for All-Ireland glory
S&F United footballers Fiona Doherty, left, and Stephanie Loughney, right, with their awards which they received at the recent Mayo Women’s Football League annual presentation night, in the Western Hotel, Claremorris. Fiona was a Premier Division Player of the Month winner while Stephanie was named on the Premier Division Team of the Year. They are pictured with S&F United club secretary Myra Deacy.
All-Ireland bound
A pair of students from St Joseph’s Secondary School will quite literally be chasing All-Ireland glory next Saturday, March 8 when they take part in the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships.
Ella Ginty and Rory Gruddy are both to compete at the prestigious event which is taking place at the Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit.
The pair qualified having performed excellently at the Connacht Schools Cross Country finals, which took place last week in dry and crisp conditions in Loughrea.
Ella Ginty ran a fantastic race to cross the line in sixth place in the Minor Girls race over 2000m. In the Junior Boys 3k race, Rory Gruddy and Robert McHugh both ran strongly over the undulating two lap course. Pushing the pace early, Rory broke away with the lead pack, challenging the race leader the entire way to the home straight. Keeping the pressure on, he crossed the line with a hard-earned second place.
Ella and Rory are wished the best of luck at the All-Ireland finals which get underway at 12noon.
Businesses and local sport and community groups are reminded that the closing date for registering your entry into this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Foxford is this Wednesday, March 5. Interested parties should contact foxfordstpatricksdayparade2025@gmail.com. The parade is taking place on Sunday, March 16 at 4pm.
It has also been confirmed that O’Hara’s of Foxford are to sponsor prizes for the best St Patrick’s Day window display – so it’s time to start thinking about ideas and about dressing those windows in the most imaginative and festive way possible.
Many tributes have been paid following the death last week, in his 92nd year, of Frank Reid, Carracastle, Straide. Frank passed peacefully at Mayo University Hospital surrounded by his loving family. After reposing in Clarke’s Funeral Home in Foxford last Wednesday evening, his funeral Mass was held on Thursday at St Peter and Paul’s Church in Straide. Frank's burial afterwards was in Straide New Cemetery.
In a statement posted by Straide Community on their Facebook page, they noted how you never crossed Frank's path without being the better for it and that he will always be remembered for how he always greeted you by name, for his wonderful smile, for the many stories he told and how you would always leave his company with a smile.
“Frank Reid was the epitome of kindness, one of life’s true gentlemen. His kindness matched his loyalty to his parish he loved so much. Frank's quite determination saw him involved in many community projects that he saw through to fruition.
“His dedication to the legacy of Michael Davitt and the Michael Davitt Museum was second to none,” said the Straide Community Group, adding that Frank Reid was the “quiet driving force” behind so many good things in the parish.
Moy Davitts GAA and S&F United, with whom the Reid Family has so many close attachments, paid similar tributes, with S&F describing Frank as a “true friend”.
He is sadly missed and most cherished by his heartbroken family, wife Teresa (Tess), sons John, Michael, Aiden, Kieran and Pat, daughters Anne-Marie, Siobhán and Claire, daughters-in-law Breeda, Deirdre and Nicola, sons-in-law John, Ray and Kent, by his 21 grandchildren, by his brothers Martin and Tommy (Chicago), sisters-in-law Margaret (Chicago), May, Josie, brother-in-law Henry and his wife Imelda, along with many more relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Frank was predeceased by his parents John and Julia, his brothers John, Paddy and Joe, and by his sisters May, Kitty, Bridget.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
For the second time this National Football League season, a member of Moy Davitts GAA Club has sung the national anthem in advance of the Mayo senior football team’s home game at MacHale Park in Castlebar. Niamh Doherty, who recently featured in the club’s All-Ireland Scór ballad group, performed Amhrán na bhFiann prior to last Saturday afternoon’s game between Mayo and Kerry in Allianz Football League Division 1. Congratulations to Niamh on what is a great honour for herself and the club.
Her clubmate Conor Fox sang the anthem before last month’s Connacht derby between Mayo and Galway.
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.
The funeral Mass took place on Thursday last, February 27, in St Thomas’ Church, Callow, of Kate Lohan (née Kennedy) of Lismorane, Callow and formerly of Rush Hill, Prison Road, Balla and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Kate passed peacefully at her residence having been predeceased by her husband Tom, son Brian, Sean Dempsey and her siblings Mary, Noreen, Bridie, Tess, Joan, John, Michael, Ned, Paddy, Thomas and Frank.
Memories of a very kind and generous person, a beautiful lady who was always good to everyone and who had a great sense of humour were shared following her passing.
Kate will be deeply and dearly missed by her son Des, her daughter Denise, her grandchildren Marie and Hayley, great-grandchildren Eliza and Declan, her siblings Gerry, Edna and Christine, and by her nephew, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
A private family Cremation Service was held last Friday at Lakelands Crematorium in Cavan.
May she rest in peace.
The McGowan grandchildren from Bohola were the winners of last week’s Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw, which carried a jackpot prize of €333.
County captain Congratulations to Moy Davitts LGFA player Rhea Gostick who has been named as joint captain of the Mayo U14 ladies football team along with Lily Hurst of Breaffy LGFA for the 2025 season.
Foxford National School will have two representatives in the county final of Scór na bPáistí which takes place next Saturday, March 8 in Tooreen Hall. Liam Jones (singing) and Ida Hennigan (sean nós dancing) qualified from the East Mayo Finals which were held last Wednesday in Knock. The school extends the very best of luck to both pupils.
St Joseph’s Secondary School are to host a special concert involving past and present pupils this Thursday night, March 6 at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. ‘Béal Easa Beo’ promises craic, ceol agus damhsa and will also see some special local guests performing on the night.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance by contacting the school office at 094-92-56145. Admission is €15 or €10 for students and pensioners.
The two-hour concert, which is taking place to coincide with Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025, will get underway at 8pm.
There has been great sadness expressed at news of the unexpected passing in Belgium of Foxford native Breege Igoe. Originally from Corlee, Attymachugh, Breege was predeceased by her parents John Thomas and Mary, and by her brother John.
She will be deeply mourned by her son Alexandros and her daughter Ella and their father Akis, her brothers Martin, Simon, Matthew and Michael, her sisters Mary, Margaret and Anne, in-laws, her nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Breege’s funeral is taking place in Belgium and a Mass will be celebrated locally at a later date.
May she rest in peace.
The AGM of the Foxford Salmon Anglers Association will take place this Thursday, March 6 at 8pm in the Brown Memorial Hall. All are welcome to attend.
Foxford National School will mark World Book Day this Thursday, March 6 by inviting pupils to bring in a book of their choice and to dress up as a character in or the author of a book. It's all part of the ongoing initiative to encourage more reading of books among schoolchildren.
Would you have an hour to spare in the week? Adult Mentors are required for Foróige's Big Brother Big Sister Programme in the Foxford area. If you are interested in supporting a young person, this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact in a young person’s life. Foróige has many young people waiting to be matched to a Mentor and would be delighted to hear from you! Call 086-0471420 to express your interest in volunteering or to hear more information on our recruitment process.
For anyone planning to coach with Moy Davitts LGFA, it is a legal requirement to undertake a Child Safeguarding Course, the next which is to take place this Thursday, March 6 at 7pm in Foxford Leisure Centre. For anyone who has yet to take the course, you are asked to be compliant and register via your Foireann/Tobar account.
