Local notes: GAA vacancy as chairperson resigns
The U14 ladies footballers of St Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford who last week won their opening round game of the Mayo Post Primary Schools season against St Louis' Community School, Kiltimagh.
Moy Davitts is seeking nominations for the role of chairperson. That comes after the resignations of chairman Brian Hughes and also treasurer Annette Clarke last week. In a statement the club said the pair had worked tirelessly on behalf of the club for the past five or six years and that it was “indebted to them for their hard work and determination to help the club during this time.” The club wished the pair well and added that it looked forward to seeing them in Srath Garbh in the coming months.
A deadline of 5pm on Friday, January 24 has been set for the close of nominations for the chairperson’s vacancy and they must be sent to secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie. It is required to have agreement of the person being nominated before submitting the nomination.
A special club EGM will be held in the coming weeks to ratify the position.
The current makeup of the executive committee is as follows: assistant chairperson, Conal Quinn; secretary, Bernie Ryder; treasurer, Shirley McLaughlin; assistant treasurer/fundraising, Declan O’Brien; PRO, Mike Kelly; assistant PRO, vacant; registrar, vacant; health, safety and well-being, Oisín Quinn; pitch and grounds development officers, Anthony Ruane and Peter Gannon; coaching officer, Padraic Murphy; assistant coaching officer, Sean Kelly; county board delegate, Gerry Quinn; East Mayo delegates, Joe McEvey and Barry McDonnell; child development officer, Alan Regan; language and cultural officer, Edel Doherty; players’ representative, Brian Reape; designated liaison person, Avril Byrne; Bord na nÓg chairperson, Paula Ruane; Bord na nÓg secretaries, Declan O’Brien and Tom Byrne; Bord na nÓg delegate (East Mayo), Mark McDonnell. The club president is Cathal Hennelly.
Management teams are currently being agreed and training will commence shortly. All players must register through www.foireann.ie. An information evening for parents and coaches will be organised in the coming weeks.
Moy Davitts GAA is also encouraging anyone who would like to get involved in the club be it in coaching, stewarding, 50/50 lotto or joining the finance sub-committee, to please get in contact. There are lots of areas in which people can help so the club love to hear from you. Contact club secretary Bernie Ryder at secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
Planning is about to get underway for the 2025 St Patrick’s Day parade in Foxford. Anyone who would like to help in the organisation of this year’s event are invited to the AGM which is taking place this Wednesday, January 22 in Foxford Leisure Centre at 7pm.
The local branch of Comhaltas, Admiral Brown CCÉ, is to see a lot of work come to fruition this week with the long-awaited launch of its SCT Exam Preparation Course.
This eight-week course, which starts this Wednesday, January 22 at Foxford Leisure Centre, is perfect for anyone aged 10 or over (up to Grade 5) who wants to deepen their understanding of traditional Irish music. Whether you’re working towards the SCT exams or just want to improve your music knowledge, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn in a supportive and fun environment.
The course will run every Wednesday between 6.30 and 7.30pm and the cost is €50 per person, with family discounts available.
The course is open to everyone, including those studying music in secondary school, and areas covered will include music theory and staff notation, tune types and repertoire, aural skills, rhythms, note values and so much more.
Spaces are limited so for more information and bookings, email cceadmiralbrown@gmail.com or call/text 086-3999774.
The jackpot for this week’s St Joseph's Secondary School lotto is €900. Entry is €2.50 per line or €5 for three and these can be purchased online at www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/stjosephsfoxford. The draw is held ever Thursday and entrants for next week’s January 30 draw will also be included in a bonus national giveaway competition where the prizes include a €1,500 holiday voucher, €1000 cash and a pair or platinum tickets to see Oasis in Croke Park later this year.
Last week’s €20 winner was Aileen Gilmore, Foxford.
Hard luck to the senior girls soccer team of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford who were narrowly beaten in the FAI Schools Connacht senior ‘B’ cup final on Friday morning last. They lost 1-0 to Coola PPS from Sligo in a game that was played at McGowan Park, Enniscrone.
The funeral was held on Sunday last, January 19, of Michael Healy from Boherhallagh, and formerly of Shraheen, Foxford. Aged 90, Michael passed peacefully in the wonderful care of the nurses, doctors and staff of the Moyridge Nursing Home, Ballina, surrounded by his loving family.
Remembered as a true gentleman and kind neighbour, Michael was predeceased by his beloved wife Maureen, his parents Martin and Bridget, sisters Mary and Bridgie, brothers Tom and Paddy, brothers-in-law Michael Kelly, Bill Ormsby and Nace O’Dowd. He will be sadly missed by his daughters Catherine and Regina, sons Martin, Michael, Emmet, Ronan, Stephen and Cormac, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, adored grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Michael lay in response at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Saturday evening and his funeral mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Church on Sunday, with burial afterwards in Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The funeral took place on Tuesday, January 21 of Foxford native Maeve Joyce-Crehan who passed away peacefully at her home in Claddagh, Galway City last Thursday. Daughter of the late Tommie and Marie Joyce from Dispensary Road, Maeve was also predeceased by her brother Stephen.
She will be deeply missed and mourned by her loving family, in particular by her husband Mick, daughter Sarah, son-in-law Michael, adored grandson Tommie, brothers Peadar and Brian, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Maeve’s requiem mass is at 11am in St Mary’s Church, Claddagh followed by private cremation.
May she rest in peace.
The death occurred in the USA last Wednesday, January 15, of James (better known as Jimmie) Sheerin, formerly of Attymachugh, Foxford and late of Ardsley, New York. Predeceased by his parents James and Katie, his brother John, and his sisters Breege, Kathleen, Maureen and Una, Jimmie passed unexpectedly with his family by his side.
He will be dearly and lovingly missed by his wife Mary and family Alannah, James, Michael, Kate and Kevin, his eight adoring grandchildren, his brothers and sisters Paddy, Billy, Rose, Ita, Josephine and Patricia, his nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends in both the USA and Ireland.
May he rest in peace.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group will meet in Guiry’s Bar, Foxford on Thursday, January 30. All are welcome to attend. The event gets underway at 8.30pm.
A couple of positions remain to be filled following last week’s AGM of Moy Davitts LGFA which was held in Bohola Community Centre. The roles of secretary and PRO remain vacant so if you would like to get involved and bring some new creativity to the club, email moydavitts.mayo@lgfa.ie.
Mairead Gallagher remains chairperson while the rest of the executive committee is as follows: vice chairperson, Aoife McDermott; treasurer, Mary Moylett; vice treasurer, Niamh Noone; club registrar, Avril Byrne; children’s officer, Carmel Maloney.
The club extends thanks to outgoing committee members Sandra Hall, Josephine Hall, Breda Kelly and Siobhán Wilson for their support and help throughout the last number of years.
S&F United exited the Connacht Shield on Sunday, January 12 when beaten on penalties at home to Moyne Villa. A goal in each half by Dylan Coleman, on 37 and 78 minutes, had twice given S&F the lead only for them to be pegged back on both occasions, by Cian Molloy and Mark Gibbons. Extra-time failed to separate the sides and despite Dylan Coleman, Jamie Clarke and Dylan Dunleavy scoring from the spot for United, it was the visitors who missed none of theirs to advance.
The winners of S&F United’s first two 50-50 lotto draws of 2025 were Theresa Rodgers from Foxford and Mary Feeney from Tuam. Theresa collected €262 in the January 2 draw while Mary won €147 in the draw held on January 13.
Weekly or season tickets are available online at www.smartlotto.ie.
Ss Peter and Paul NS in Straide is to hold an opening evening on Wednesday, January 22 at 6.30pm. The school also runs a USLA/NCS registered breakfast and after school club open from 8am and finishing at 5.40pm.
In August 2025, there will also be an outdoor pre-school. To enrol or for further information, contact 094-90-31267 or email info@straidens.ie.
The All-Ireland Scor na nÓg Finals are taking place this coming Saturday, January 25 at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan – and Moy Davitts GAA will be proudly represented. Bidding for national glory are the ballad group of Conor Fox, Niamh Doherty, Shona Fox, Laoise Doherty and Clodagh Timlin. The young musicians and singers are wished every good luck.
Next Saturday night, January 25, the re-scheduled 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance of Moy Davitts GAA will be held in the Great National Hotel, Ballina. This should be a really enjoyable event and the club is looking forward to seeing everybody there.
A small number of spaces remain available for the new term of the New Stage Youth Theatre which runs every Thursday evening at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford. The term will run until May.
As well as the weekly classes, there will be theatre visits, master classes and performance opportunities too.
The NSYT represents a great opportunity for teenagers in the Foxford area and is ran in conjunction with the Mayo Arts Office, Mayo County Council and Youth Theatre Ireland.
The cost is €25 and for registration you can contact Mary Ellen at 087-7929138.
It runs between 6.30pm and 7.30pm for 12 to 14 year-olds and from 7.30pm to 8.30pm for 15 to 18 year-olds.
Clinics are continuing to take place for people in the locality whose homes have been impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Caroline Wilson is the DCB facilitator and is available by appointment, in conjunction with Mayo North East Partnership, to assist homeowners with the DCB Grant scheme and application. For all enquiries or to make an appointment, contact Caroline at 087-4828261 or by email at carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
