Local Notes: Kiltimagh GAA holds awards night
Martin Byrne presents the Club Person of the Year Award to Ruth Rosney at the Kiltimagh GAA Awards. Picture: Sally Lavin
Kiltimagh GAA celebrated the achievements of players and volunteers at its annual presentation dinner, held on Saturday night.
The event recognised a number of standout performers from across the club during the past season. Elizabeth Burke was named Senior Ladies Player of the Year, while Paul Kelly received the Senior Men’s Player of the Year award.
Jack Mahon was honoured as Junior Player of the Year, with Mikey Flatley taking the U21 Player of the Year award.
Two Young Player of the Year awards were also presented. Fionnan Burke was one of the recipients, with the award accepted on his behalf by his father, Peter, while Róisín Conlon was also recognised for her contribution during the year.
A special moment on the night came with the presentation of the Hall of Fame Award to Charlie Gilmartin. The award was presented by last year’s recipient, Paul Walsh.
Ruth Rosney was named Club Person of the Year in recognition of her dedication and contribution to the club.
Organisers described the evening as a wonderful celebration of the club’s players, volunteers and community spirit.
Kiltimagh Knock United enjoyed a productive year in 2025 and is looking ahead to the new season with optimism, the club’s annual general meeting in the Park Hotel heard.
While the club lost its senior men’s team last season, it continues to field 15 teams ranging from senior women to Under 8 boys’ and girls’ teams. The year also saw silverware secured across several grades, underlining another successful season on the pitch.
Seamus Hughes has returned as club chairperson for the coming year. His most recent tenure as chair of the Mayo Football League is remembered for innovation and strong leadership, and the club is hopeful that his experience will help guide the next phase of development.
Brendan Burke has taken on the role of club secretary, succeeding the long-serving Mary Niland, who will now concentrate on her duties as treasurer. A number of additional volunteers have also joined the committee, strengthening the club’s administrative team.
The club expressed its appreciation to the many people who contribute to its activities, including players, parents, coaches, grounds staff, committee members and sponsors. Thanks were also extended to CMS Distribution for its continued support as the club’s main sponsor, as well as to those who support the weekly 50/50 draw.
The club’s partnership with Western Care, based at the KK Hub, continues to develop, while several off-field improvements have also taken place. These include the retrofitting of the clubhouse, the installation of a new water filter station and ongoing progress on pitch and stand developments, alongside other proposals currently under consideration.
A further registration event for players interested in joining the club this season will take place in the coming weeks, with details to be announced on the club’s social media channels.
Students past and present of St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, are continuing to achieve success in both academic and sporting fields.
Former student Rachel Gallagher, from the Leaving Certificate Class of 2025, has been awarded an Entrance Scholar Award from University College Dublin in recognition of her outstanding Leaving Certificate results. Rachel, who has begun studying law at UCD, was praised for her dedication and determination throughout her time at the school.
Meanwhile, current student Lily Slattery has received a Connacht Sports Star award in recognition of her achievements in show jumping. The Irishtown rider has enjoyed a highly successful year, competing across the country and qualifying once again for the Dublin Horse Show last August with Captain Candyman, a horse owned and bred by her grandfather Gabriel Slattery, who also trains her. At just 15 years of age, Lily was the youngest competitor in her young riders’ category.
On the sporting front, the St Louis Senior Boys volleyball team also enjoyed success recently, recording victories over Drumshambo and Summerhill in the Schools Cup competition. The team is coached by Sean Costello.
Kiltimagh GAA Club recently presented a donation of €1,000 to Mayo Roscommon Hospice from proceeds raised through their St Stephen’s Day Coillte Cup.
The presentation saw Marie McGuinness of Mayo Roscommon Hospice receive the cheque from Kiltimagh GAA Club representative Aoife Mahon.
Club members expressed their appreciation to everyone who supported the annual event, which continues to raise valuable funds for worthy causes in the community.
Members of the Kiltimagh community gathered recently for an event organised by Kiltimagh Scouts in conjunction with Kiltimagh Tidy Towns in support of Mayo Mental Health and The Blue Tree Project.
Despite the drizzle, a large crowd turned out to enjoy tea and cake while highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and community wellbeing. Organisers said it was heartening to see so many people coming together in support of such an important cause.
Thanks were extended to Kiltimagh Tidy Towns and David McNicholas, who spoke on the evening about the origins of The Blue Tree Project. Appreciation was also expressed to the various local community groups who attended and supported the event.
Best wishes were also extended to Pádraig O’Hora, who is due to depart on March 30th for an expedition to Mount Everest.
A Kiltimagh Community Alert meeting will take place in the Parish Centre on this Wednesday, March 18th, at 8pm.
The meeting will include speakers from An Garda Síochána and Muintir na Tíre, who will discuss community safety and the work of the Community Alert programme.
The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Another enjoyable evening of cards was held at the weekly 25 Card Drive, with a great turnout and plenty of friendly rivalry across the tables.
First prize went to Patsy Flatley and Patricia Hyland, who finished on top after a strong showing on the night. Second place was claimed by Jack Ryan and Ciaran McDonnell, while Manus Kilcoyne and Chris Flatley took third.
The Last 10 prize went to Mary McGaugh and Miko Sheridan, while Tom Walsh and Francis McNicholas picked up the spot prize. Raffle winners on the night were Jimmy Doyle, Seamus Larkin, Mary Doyle, Richard Carney, Manus Kilcoyne and Alo Langan.
Kiltimagh GAA Club is offering members the chance to attend the Gaeltacht this summer through a scholarship scheme.
The club is providing four scholarships worth €250 each to help support members attending a recognised Gaeltacht college. The initiative aims to encourage young players to develop their Irish language skills while also experiencing the culture and traditions of the Gaeltacht.
Club members who are interested in applying are asked to text 087-988 5165 before 5pm on this Friday, March 20th.
Irene McNicholas was the winner of Kiltimagh GAA Club’s weekly 50/50 draw last week, taking home a prize of €505.
The draw continues to enjoy strong support from the local community, with tickets available online as well as through shops and pubs around the town. The club congratulated Irene on the win and expressed sincere thanks to all who entered. The funds raised play an important role in supporting underage coaching, facilities and ongoing club development.
Harry Jordan from Bohola was the winner of the Kiltimagh Knock United Soccer Club 50/50 draw last week, taking home €260. The weekly fundraiser continues to receive good support, with tickets available online as well as through local shops and pubs. The club congratulated Harry on the win and expressed its appreciation to everyone who takes part each week.
The death has occurred of Vincent (Vinnie) O'Hora of Treenagleragh, Kiltimagh.
Vinnie, who was in his 93rd year, died peacefully on March 5th following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family and in the care of the wonderful staff of St John’s Unit at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
Tributes were paid to Vinnie at a meeting of Mayo County Council last Monday, March 9th.
Kiltimagh-based councillor Adrian Forkan said Vinnie had made a huge contribution to the town.
“Vinnie was a great community man, a great character and will be very sadly missed. He also had a great political brain, and you always came away with some new information after a chat with him.”
Cllr Forkan expressed his condolences to the O’Hora family.
Vinnie was predeceased by his wife Anne (Healy), parents James and Alice O'Hora, daughters baby Patricia and Ailish, brothers Liam, Nathy, Paddy, Louis, Jimmy, Joe, Aiden (Fr Cormac) and Frank, and sisters Kathleen, Sr Mary James and Margaret (Gilmartin).
Vinnie will be dearly missed by his heartbroken family: daughters Kathleen (Feerick), Sinead (Tierney) and Louise, sons Vincent and Padraig, sons-in-law Brendan and Pat, daughter-in-law Louise (Mc Nicholas), his adored grandchildren Luke, Éabha, Amélie and Eli, sister-in-law Christine, brother-in-law Martin, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.
Vinnie reposed at O’Hora’s Funeral Home, Main Street, Kiltimagh on Sunday evening with removal to the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh. Funeral Mass was held on Monday afternoon with burial afterwards in Kilkinure Cemetery, Kiltimagh.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Nancy Duffy of Cloonlee, Knock, and Parnell Court, Harold’s Cross, Dublin. Nancy died peacefully in her 93rd year at the Queen of Peace Nursing Home, Knock, surrounded by her loving family.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents Mary E and Philip, brothers Tommy and Joe, sister Maureen, sister-in-law Maura and brothers-in-law Paddy and Joe. She will be greatly missed by her sister Peggy (McLoughlin), nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandniece, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Nancy’s remains reposed at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock on Thursday evening last with removal to the Church of St John the Baptist, Knock. Nancy’s Funeral Mass was held on Friday morning followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
