Local Notes: Kitty Walsh, Charlestown supports the 6th annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run.
Minister Alan Dillon pictured with Kitty Walsh at the recent Colm Horkan Memorial Run which took place on Sunday, May 17 last. Alan ran the 10k and clocked a very respectable time as he still looks like he could put in a shift with the red and green!!
The 6th Annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run took place on Sunday, May 17, and it was another outstanding success as the best part of 500 and more competitors/participants made it to the starting line in each of the three individual disciplines, namely the half-marathon, 10k and 5k runs respectively. There was a great atmosphere evident in the town from early on Sunday morning as people made light of the inclement weather and journeyed from all corners of Connacht and beyond to take part and be associated with a terrific event that captures the imagination like no other in the community.
The Horkan family were well represented with Colm's dad Marty, sister Deirdre and brothers Brendan, Dermot and Padraig all in attendance with their respective families and relations. The East Mayo Athletics Cub in tandem with the local Swimming Pool had everything organised to a tee with a huge army of volunteers helping out with the registration and stewarding of all the routes the various races took with plenty of high vis jackets in evidence across all vantage points which each race covered.
The community of Charlestown rallied round in any way they could with the local Gardaí also stepping up and ensuring each route was well policed with an excellent traffic management plan in place thus ensuring there was minimal traffic disruption. The local ambulance service and fire brigade unit were also a welcome and visible presence with each and every runner/jogger and walker who took part getting home safely, which was their main objective.
It was a wonderfully supported event and hats off to the main sponsors Hegarty's Centra, Bellaghy and Supermac's who provided copious amounts of tea and refreshments in the local complex which everybody tucked into on completion of their various events and runs. Many other local businesses also helped out in one form or another which indicates the esteem and value placed on the event with a huge support team in place to help out with the serving of refreshments and dispensing of teas and coffees for the many who came into the complex for the presentations when all the races had finished up.
There was a ministerial presence at the event with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan competing in and completing the 10k event for the second year in row and clocking a very respectable time to boot with his government colleague Alan Dillion, the current Minister of State for Employment and Small Business also flying around the 10k course in a fine time as he looks like he could still put in a shift with Mayo such is his formidable state of fitness. Their attendance, along with a host of other councillors from all political persuasions added gravitas to the event and underlines the importance of keeping people like Colm firmly in the mind's eye as he lost his life doing his public and civic duty as a guardian of the state. It was a win win for the community on the whole and the following were the first three home in the 5k Race: 1st Finbar Farrelly -17.33, 2nd Enda Gilmartin Sligo AC-18.20, 3rd Eirene Cullinane Corran AC-18.53.
The first 3 home in the 10k were as follows; 1st Shane Moran Swinford AC-35.08, 2nd Cormac Dillon-35.28, 3rd Michael Casserly, Sligo AC-37.37.
The first three ladies home in the 10k were as follows; 1st Valerie Petrova, North Sligo AC-41.24, 2nd Helen Beirne-42.30, 3rd Amanda Kilcullen-43.45. The first three home in the half-marathon were as follows; 1st Enda Marren, Swinford AC-1.14.24, 2nd Darren Melia, South Galway AC - 1.16.17, 3rd Eamon Joyce, MayoAC-1.16.27. The first three ladies home in the half -marathon were as follows; 1st Fiona Naughton-1.25.04, 2nd Sarah Keane-1.35.15, 3rd Trina Donohue, East Mayo AC-1.38.38.
The event was a terrific success once again and kudos to the East Mayo AC and indeed all the local with the Sarsfields GAA club and CBD Sports and Recreational Centre, Soccer Club etc all pitching in to make it a special day for the community and Horkan family with all eyes on the 2027 version which has some way to go to emulate 2026.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €22,000 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, May 17, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 12, 24 and 32. The winners of the €50 prizes were Martin Donohue (online winner), John McLoughlin (AT) and John Gavaghan (lucky dip). The jackpot in the latest draw held on Sunday, May 24, was €22,100. Tickets are on sale in several outlets in the community price €2 or 3 for €5, and the draw can also be played online via the club's Facebook page. The club thank everybody who supports their weekly draw.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3800 in the weekly draw held on Monday, May 18, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 5, 14, 24 and 25. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were as follows; Bertie Gallagher, Una McCarrick and Caroline Donoghue. The latest jackpot rose to €3900 and the draw was held on Monday night, May 25. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets in the community priced at €2 and the draw can also be played online via the club`s Facebook page.
Sympathy is extended to John Henry Laveymore, Charlestown, on the death of his mother Briedge Henry, Castlebar, Co. Mayo which occurred recently. Deepest condolences are tendered to the bereaved.
Anam Cara, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, will hold its monthly Parent Support Evening on Tuesday (this evening), May 26, at 7.30pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Charlestown Athletic FC’s good form in division 2 of the Mayo league continued as they thumped Glenhest B in their latest outing with the score reading a resounding 5-2 victory in favour of the Athletic. The performance was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline would suggest with strikes from a red-hot Robbie Jordan with two, Niall Murphy, Kacper Gawalkiewicz and Nigel Cassidy keeping Athletic in and around the summit of the table as they continue to plunder goals at an impressive rate. Next up on the roster is an away trip to Ballyvary and a date against the Blue Bombers.
Charlestown Sarsfields U14 team made four wins from five in division one of the county U14 league with a hard fought 5-8 to 2-14 victory over Westport in round 5 played at the Westport GAA grounds recently. The game was played against a backdrop of heavy drizzle which rendered conditions underfoot wet and slippy with a wind very much in play in both halves.
The Sarsfields elected to play with the elements in the first half but their challenge got off to the worst possible start with the home side banging in a goal almost immediately from the throw-in.
The Sarsfields warmed to the task however and fired over the next four points with Luke McDermott, Daithi Gethins (2) and Tom Naughton all getting on the scoresheet. The home side were winning plenty of possession in the middle third but their conversion rate in front of the sticks was poor as the Sarsfields challenge got real lift-off with a goal from Luke McDermottt which energised the young Sarsfields starlets.
Westport continued to dominate the middle third however but found scores hard to come by as the Sarsfields defense battled manfully to keep their goal intact. At the other end, while the Sarsfields were in the main economical in their use of possession, they did leave several chances behind them too, it must be said, as shots dropped short or drifted either side of the posts which one felt they might have cause to rue at half-time considering the strong wind at their backs.
The half had a somewhat dramatic ending however as the Sarfields banged in two cracking goals in a matter of minutes with Freddie Doherty and Tom Naughton on hand to supply two cracking finishes to leave the half-time score with a much better look from a Sarsfields perspective as the score read 3-5 to 1-5 in their favour.
One wondered had the young Sarsfields team amassed enough of a lead at the start of the second half as the home side launched their comeback mission with a couple of early strikes to whittle the Sarsfields lead down to three. Westport were making all the running and had the Sarsfields hemmed in but the green and white defence held firm and managed to prevent the concession of a goal albeit they weren't making many inroads at the other end either in terms of moving the scoreboard on.
Westport hit two further points to leave the minimum between the teams but the Sarsfields finally broke their scoring suck with a Daithi Gethins point from play before the score that would define the game arrived minutes later with a slick Sarsfields move finishing up in the hands of Alex Pugaciov who blasted the ball to the net to restore their two score lead. Another point from Gethins injected further fuel into the green and white effort as Westport's best attacks started to flounder as balls were lost in contact or turned over by a teak tough Sarsfields rearguard. The Sarsfields were dangerous on the break and from one such raid they got their fifth goal with Tom Naughton finishing expertly to the net to leave them 5-7 to 1-13 clear with time very much the enemy of a Westport team who were shell shocked having looked all over the winners ten minutes into the second half., The Sarsfields had a few nervy moments near the finish as they were outscored 1-1 to 0-1 in the final frantic closing stages, but their heart, spirit and resilience deserved to hold out with the final whistle bringing much in the way of joy and relief in the green and white ranks.
This was a victory that owed as much to graft, industry and endeavour as it did to class and skill and this Sarsfields side displayed all these qualities and more with victory giving them a great chance of making the play-off stages with games to come against Ballina and Castlebar respectively.
It was a fantastic team effort with each and every player displaying the key ingredients of grit, determination and spirit to get the job done in admirable fashion. All eyes now switch to round 6 and a date against Ballina Stephenites who promise to be every bit as formidable as Westport and all the other teams they have played to date.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-drive game held in The Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday, May 19, and the following were the prize winners; 1st James Cafferty and Miko Sheridan, 2nd Darby and Breege Leonard. Raffle winners were Darby Leonard, Miko Sheridan and Veronica McCarrick.
Charlestown U14 development team are going great guns in the county U14 Development League with their latest victory over The Neale continuing their unbeaten run in a division they have won all five games convincingly. Their latest victory was achieved in pretty clinical fashion with the team having too much for a gutsy if limited The Neale selection who came to O'Hara Park also boosting an unbeaten record.
The Sarsfields were much too good however for their South Mayo opposition and dominated most of the opening half to lead at the break 1-7 to 1-1 with Luke Murphy the standout player in attack as he hit 1-3 from play with Kalem Higgins, Caelan Egan, Joe Irwin and Anthony Byrne also getting on the scoreboard with some accurate kicking.
The Sarsfields continued to set the tone in the second half and bossed all the key metrics with further scores from Anthony Byrne, Kalem Higgins, Luke Murphy and a fine lobbed finish from Conor Sloyan putting the seal on a good overall display with substitute Senan Tiernan kicking a super score near the end to wrap up a rousing victory for the Sarsfields.
Apart from the afore-mentioned there were fine displays from Frank Muldoon who pulled the strings from centre forward with some clever passing with Callum Kenny, Conor Davern, Tadhg Drury, Ben McDonnell, Rian O'Grady, Conor Vesey and Ted Munnelly all contributing handsomely to a solid, workmanlike performance from the Sarsfields.
Yoga with Trish continues on Tuesday evenings in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown from 7.15-8.15pm. The class caters for mixed abilities, and you pay €14 as you go.
The next Community Coffee Morning takes place in the Arts Centre on Friday, June 5, from 11am-1pm. Lift access available and all are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat.
A music and yoga camp takes place in Carracastle Community Centre from July 6-10 (inclusive). It is strictly for children aged 7-12 years and the camp is limited to 15 spaces and the cost is €85. Contact Olivia for further information on 085 1971372 or email O.Sharkey1@gmail.com.
The Carracastle Vintage Run takes place on Sunday, June 28. It is open to bikes, lorries, tractors and cars. Registration takes place from 11am at Carracastle Community Centre and the run starts at 1pm. A monster raffle and auction will be held on the day, with all proceeds going to CROI and Scoil Iosa, Carracastle. There will be music on day, ice-cream van, face painting, and food by the Pig and Heifer. It promises to be fun filled day of activities and laughter and your support would be greatly appreciated.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh's Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Wednesday, May 20, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Paddy Gallagher and Tom Salmon, 2nd Mary O'Malley and Teresa Ward, 3rd Carmel Moffitt and Mary O'Connell, 4th Frances and Robert Healy. The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh's Public House, Main Street, Charlestown.
Charlestown senior ladies suffered a 6-8 to 1-11 defeat to Westport in division 1 of the county senior league played at the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch recently. The Sarsfields fielded a very young and inexperienced team in the main and battled hard to contain a slick and athletic Westport team who brought plenty of intensity and fizz to the paddock.
The Sarsfields ladies had a number of debutantes on show with the trio of Sophie Tiernan, Siofra McGuinneess and Cliona Cullen all getting their first taste of senior action and they will have learned plenty as the county champions went about their work in pretty ruthless fashion.
They possessed a real goal threat from the throw-in and hit the Sarsfields for a trio of goals in a five-minute spell midway through the half that took the rug from under the home challenge as the Sarsfields were always playing catch up from there on. That said they never threw in the towel and kept coming back with a Shona Mahon goal just before half-time offering them a glimmer as they made their way to the dressing rooms.
Westport were in no mood to relinquish their lead or dominance however and bagged another goal just after half-time which inflicted a real hammer blow on the Sarsfields chances of mounting any kind of a comeback. The Sarsfields continued to battle but Westport showed their class and composure and closed out the game pretty comfortably to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with the game providing plenty in the way of positives for the hosts as the young players continue to get more exposure at this elite grade which will aid them enormously as they continue to find their feet and grow into the jersey so to speak.
Sympathy is extended to Peter McCormack on the death of his sister Nancy McCormack, Rockview House, Convent Road, Claremorris and formerly of Ardara, Charlestown. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Sarsfields travelled to Ballindine where Davityts provided the opposition in round 4 of Division 2 of the county senior league on Saturday, evening May 16 last. It proved a fruitless journey as the South Mayo men prevailed comfortably on a score line of 0-20 to 1-10.
The Sarsfields were minus a few big guns most notably county star Paul Towey which weakened their attacking hand considerably, but this was offset somewhat by the return of Matt Lenehan who has been one of the team's standout performers to date.
The home side blasted out of the blocks and surged into an 0-8 to 0-1 lead after twelve minutes as the Sarsfields struggled to contain the red and black wave that stormed towards their goal. Points were kicked from an array of angles and positions as Davitts, sensing some weakness in the Sarsfields ranks went for the jugular and duly had the scoreboard ticking at a considerable rate of knots.
Things didn't improve for the Sarsfields for the remainder of the half as the home side continued to hold sway with the half-time score reading 0-14 to 0-4 in their favour with the Sarsfields in a real bind as they tried to make some sense of what had unfolded in the half-time chat.
The Sarsfields made more of a fist of it in the second half and enjoyed much more in the way of possession and territory. They needed a fast start however to have any hope of reeling in Davitts. The visitors had some goal chances and truth to tell, and had they taken them they might well have made the home side nervous as they wobbled and got nervous at various stages of the half. They only managed to take only one of their chances with Gareth O'Donnell fastening onto a high ball and finishing neatly to the net to give the Sarsfields a glimmer.
Points from O'Donnell and Ben Crean, Matt Lenehan and Ruairi Cullen gave the Sarsfields further fuel but Davitts managed to withstand all the Sarsfields had left to throw at them and held on to seal a win and move above the Sarsfields in the table. The Sarsfields had some good moments it must be said and if their shooting had been tidier and more clinical the scoreboard might well have had a different look but be that as it may Davitts amassed a big total and were worthy winners in the finish. The Sarsfields were well served by Matt Lenehan, Niall Murphy, Alan Woods, Gareth O'Donnell, Tom Holton, Ben Comway, Ruairi Cullen and Ben Crean.
Next up for the Sarsfields is a home game against Hollymount-Carramore.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts game held in Walsh's Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday, May 17, as Boom Boom and The Magician traded blows in another interesting spectacle of the weekly classic. Governor Gus handled the match with typical class and composure as he ensured good order prevailed throughout. Boom Boom made the quick start he craved as he surged into a two-set lead with some prodigious throwing. The Magician displayed his typical doggedness and spirit however and dug his way back into the match taking the third and four sets with some magical pegging. The fifth set was a see-saw affair as both men stated their cases for victory. The Magician held the whip hand early doors as he took the opening leg but Boom Boom responded in fighting fashion as he put back-to-back legs on the board to leave him one away from victory.
The Magician responded once again by taking the fourth leg as he nailed double top with his final dart as Boom Boom loitered in the wings with double sixteen at his mercy. He never got a chance to throw a dart however and had to steel himself for a one leg shootout with every possible permutation on the line. It was Boom Boom who emerged the strongest however as he found some vintage form at precisely the right moment with a couple of 140s putting him in pole position when it came to the doubles. The Magician's wands were fresh out of magic as Boom Boom stepped forward to seal the match with a bang bang duo of trebled 10 and double 12 enough to claim his fifth title of the season with his large band of supporters in dream land as they sang his name to high heavens. A cracking finale to a gripping contest that once again attracted huge viewing figures across the global stage.
