Local Notes: Huge turnout for Trad for Tots in Foxford

S&F get ready to rock

This coming Saturday night, November 11, is shaping up to be a loud and proud one for S&F United as the club stages a ‘Rock Night’ in aid of Mayo Cancer Support. It’s not the first time the club has held such an event and if past nights are anything to go by, you’d be advised to dust off your air guitar and get ready to rock.

For more than two decades, Mayo Cancer Support has been offering emotional support to people affected by cancer in Co Mayo and it’s S&F United’s desire to play its part in supporting the organisation by donating all monies raised on the night.

All of the services provided by Mayo Cancer Support are available free of charge to service users who can visit the centres in Castlebar, Ballina and Achill.

It’s a reality that most families have been or will be affected by cancer in one way or another, be it their own family or friends, and a service like Mayo Cancer Support is invaluable to our loved ones.

This Saturday night’s Rock Night takes place in Cruiser’s Bar, Foxford and gets underway at 9.30pm. Acts confirmed to appear include Superser, The Muddy Hawks, The Young Ones, and Gaucho. There will also be a special guest. Entry is €10.

Band reaches out to newcomers

If you know of any young people who have always had a longing to learn an instrument and be part of a band, well now there’s an opportunity for them because Foxford Brass and Reed Band are holding an open night for youths aged nine to 18 years of age.

Taking place in the band room (the former Courthouse) on Main Street on Thursday, November 16, there’ll be the chance to give any of the band’s instruments a go. The open night gets underway at 5pm.

Shield bliss

There were great celebrations as the under-18 team of S&F United won the final of the Mayo FA Eleanor Quigley Shield with a 4-1 win over Ballyhaunis Town at Solar 21 Park, Castlebar.

After a scoreless first-half, S&F broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second-half when Jamie Clarke cut into the box from the right and curled a left-footed effort into the top left corner for a stunning goal.

Mark Fahy, who had set up Clarke, had the favour returned as Clarke turned provider for Fahy to finish into the bottom left corner and double United’s lead.

Ballyhaunis pulled a goal back in the 67th minute but S&F restored their two-goal advantage through Cian Gillespie’s deflected strike after which they added a fourth goal. Jack Flatley won the ball in the middle, played it to Jamie Clarke who fired into the bottom left.

S&F United: Dylan McHugh, Mathieu Gril, Dylan Dunleavy, Scott Lavelle, Anthony Dempsey, Jack Flatley, Mark Fahy, Nathan Roberts, Jamie Clarke, Cian Gillespie, Cian Fahy. Subs: Dean Butler (for Roberts 58), Daniel O’Hagan (for Fahy 87), Mark Flatley (for Gillespie 89).

High scorers

A sign of the excellent season enjoyed by Moy Davitts in this year’s Mayo GAA Championship is signified by two of the players finishing joint second in the top scorers chart for the Intermediate Football Championship.

Cian McHale and Brian Reape sat just behind Ballinrobe’s Kevin Quinn in the shooting stakes, having helped Moy Davitts reach the semi-final stage where they lost to eventual champions Kilmeena after extra-time – having led the match by seven points in the second-half.

The late Martin and Aidan Howley

The community of Foxford and in particular, Curradrish, was plunged into shock and deep sadness last week with the deaths of father and son, Martin and Aidan Howley.

Martin Howley, beloved father of Siobhan, David, Gavin and Aidan, was laid to rest on Monday, October 30. Tragically, his son Aidan died in the hours afterwards following an untimely accident near the family home.

Aidan, who was living in Muswell Hill, London, will forever be remembered and loved by his heartbroken sister and brothers, brother-in-law Kenneth, sister-in-law Natasha and Gavin’s partner Agnes, by his adored and much loved nieces and nephews, extended family and by his many friends and colleagues at home and in London.

Aidan’s funeral Mass was celebrated privately by close family and friends in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass last Saturday, November 4 with a private cremation service to follow. He was predeceased by his loving parents Beatrice and Martin, who had passed peacefully in the care of the staff of the Blackrocks Nursing Home, Foxford on Friday, October 27.

Martin was also predeceased by his sisters Mary and Rose and will be deeply missed by his loving family, his siblings Michael, Noel, Aggie, Kathleen and Joan, and grandchildren, Oisin, Cillian, Rory, Shauna, Marietta, Freya, Martin, Hera, Luca, Aaron and June, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Martin reposed in the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass on Sunday, October 29, with the funeral at the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass on Monday, October 30, followed by burial in Bonnifinglas Cemetery.

May Martin and Aidan both rest in peace.

Recent death

The death occurred on Saturday, October 28 of Danielle Babington from Nephin View Manor, Foxford.

Dearly and lovingly missed by her heartbroken partner Eugene McNicholas, her sisters and brother, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends, a Service of Committal for Danielle took place at Shannon Crematorium last Thursday, November 2, Aleha ha-shalom.

Chris Kimmerling RIP

The funeral Mass was held last Friday, November 3, of Chris Kimmerling from Tavanaghmore, Foxford, and formerly of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Chris passed quietly at the Riverview Nursing Home, Ballina on Monday, October 30.

Predeceased by his parents John and Eileen Kimmerling, Chris was the much-loved husband of Ben (née Dorr) and loving dad to Eve-Marie, Louise, and much loved grandpa to Zoë, Sam, Emilie, Sophie, and Isobel. Beloved brother to Robin and father-in-law to Alan and Tony, he will be sadly missed by all including extended family Noel, Caitriona, Donal, Frank, Eileen, relatives, neighbours, and friends.

Chris reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina last Thursday, November 2, with removal that evening to the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore where Requiem Mass took place the following day followed by burial at Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Knockmore.

May Chris rest in peace.

Zoe hits jackpot

The Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw was won by Zoe Corcoran, Foxford last week who received a tidy €360. You can purchase your tickets every week on the Smart Lotto website.

Quiz night

Foxford Brass and Reed Band are to host a fundraising table quiz on Friday, November 10. It will get underway at 9pm in the Moy Hotel in Foxford. The cost of entry is €40 per team of four or €10 per person.

All funds raised are to go towards the band.

Defective blocks

Mayo’s Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) community facilitator, Caroline Wilson, who is employed by Mayo North East Partnership, is holding clinics every second Monday in Foxford from 10am until 1pm.

This free service is by appointment to support community members throughout the process and assist them with the new Enhanced DCB Grant scheme. For further details, contact Caroline Wilson at 087-482-8261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.

AGM

The 2023 annual general meeting of Bohola Moy Davitts GAA Club is to be held on Sunday, November 26, at 5pm in Straide Hall. A large attendance is hoped for - to make the club successful every voice counts.

Craft Fair

The dates of December 1st to 3rd have been confirmed for the annual Foxford Craft Fair which, as ever, will be staged in the Sports and Leisure Centre.

There will be a wide selection of crafts and art this year so be sure to keep the dates in the diary and support the craftspeople and artists where you could pick up a unique handmade present for Christmas.

Coolegrane Lights

Friday, December 8, has been set aside as the night for the switch-on of the famed Coolegrane Lights.

The Christmas display, which has run annually since 2006, has become known countrywide for the money it raises for a different charity each year. This year all funds raised will go towards the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service.

The Hughes family, who organise the Coolegrane Lights, are delighted to have John Joyce from Stonehall, Foxford switch on the lights this year. Pat’s Country Roadshow will begin the countdown from 6.30pm and the lights will be switched on at 7pm after which a famous country singer will take to the stage. Make a note of the date in your diary.

Top drama

The Kiltimagh One Act Drama Festival will be held this year from Friday, November 10 to Sunday, November 12 at the Town Hall Theatre. Admission is €10 or a special weekend ticket is available for €20. Tickets are available at Langan’s off-license or on the door. The curtain is up each evening at 8pm except on Sunday when the shows start at 5pm.

On Friday, November 10, Hoodwink Productions from Cavan present ‘Bloodties’ by Elaine Birkett, the Mostrim Players of Edgeworthstown perform ‘A Wolf by the Ears’ by Mattie Lennon while the Ennis Players bring ‘Meeting Miss Ireland’ by Rosemary Jenkinson.

On Saturday, November 11 the Cloonacool Players will perform ‘The Quiet Land’ by Malachy McKenna while the Ray Leonard Players present ‘A Night Without Stars’ by Carl Nuzum folllowed by Bunclody’s ‘Dead Man’s Bell’, written by Meabh DeBrun.

The Glenamaddy Players present ‘The Hen House’ by Tara Maria Lovett on Sunday, November 12 while also on that same day are Gaggin Drama Group from Cork, with ‘I’m Not ADHD, I’m BOLD’, by Georgine McKevitt and Jacinta Sheerin, and Millrace’s ‘An Agreement’ by Freda Donoghue will complete the line-up.