Local Notes: Mayo (B) Pool team are U15 All Ireland Champions.
Congratulations to the Mayo (B) Pool team who defied all the odds to win the U15 Team Championship recently in Navan. Pictured are Paul Neary (Manager) Charlie Gaughan, Paul Neary, Keelin Shevlin, Lorgan Barrett, Dara Gaughan and Jacky Coyle (Coach).
Mayo U15 (B) team crowned All Ireland Champions while James Brennan secures the U12 Singles title for Mayo. It may have been championship Sunday at the US Masters and Rory McElroy’s wonderful golf but for Mayo’s young pool players the only championships that mattered was the All-Ireland underage championships in Navan recently where a youthful Mayo (B) side defied all the odds to win the U15 team championships defeating a strong Derry team in the final.
Congratulations to a remarkably team managed by Paul Neary with four 10-year-olds in the team are the All-Ireland team champions. Paul Neary Jr, Darragh Gaughan, Lorcan Barrett and Charlie Gaughan joined by the experienced Keylan Shevlin went on to win the title after coming through a tough route to the final.
On the Saturday they began with a 5-4 defeat to Wicklow B, but they followed this up with final frame deciders against Meath B and Leitrim A to reach the Last 16 on Sunday morning.
Highly fancied Wexford A were up next and the lads had to dig deep as they went 4-3 behind before Paul Neary made it 4-4 and Darragh Gaughan held his nerve in the deciding frame to book their place in the quarter finals. In the last 8 they were too strong for Derry B as they came through by five frames to two which set up an all Mayo clash in the semi-finals.
Mayo A would have been highly fancied to reach the final but once again it was Mayo B who came through another final frame decider as Lorcan Barrett was the hero this time to book their place in the final against Derry A. At this stage these lads had showed they weren’t there to make up the numbers and they proved this once again with an excellent performance to take the title back to Mayo.
On August 2, a team of brave cyclists will set off on The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation's 'Northampton to Belmullet Cycle. This six-day journey will cover over 700 kilometres across three countries, from Northampton Town Centre to Belmullet Co Mayo, all to raise crucial funds for community projects in Northamptonshire and North-West Ireland.
The event will kick off on August 2, at The Swan and Helmet Pub in Northampton, with participants cycling through Rugeley, Chester, and Holyhead during the first three days. Riders will then cross into Ireland, continuing their journey through Dublin, Trim, Ballaghaderreen, and finally reaching Belmullet on August 7. Cyclists will experience breath-taking landscapes across both the British and Irish countryside, facing a true test of endurance and teamwork as they cover hundreds of kilometres on their bikes.
This incredible journey will raise crucial funds for communities in need. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will go directly to The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation, a Northamptonshire-based charity that began as a food bank during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the foundation has expanded its reach, providing essential wellbeing services. The foundation partners with over 90 local schools, groups, and service providers to deliver food parcels, social clubs, transportation services, home improvements, educational support, one-on-one assistance to vulnerable residents and more. The remaining 25% of funds will be distributed among six charities in Belmullet and North-West Ireland, each dedicated to uplifting their communities:
Erris Youth Disability Network (EYDN) – empowers young people with disabilities through mentoring, education, and employment programs; Erris Family and Community Support Centre (EFCSC) – provides crucial family resources and support services to reduce social isolation; North-West STOP – offers free, confidential mental health counselling to individuals at risk of suicide; Erris Heartbeat Defibrillator maintains and provides life-saving defibrillators and training for local residents; Cara Iorrais supports cancer patients and their families with emotional and practical assistance; CLG Béal an Mhuirthead, a Gaelic Athletic Association club promoting sports, fitness, and community engagement.
The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation still has a select few places available for this event and are currently still accepting inquiries. For more information and to find out how to get involved, you can email them via: teresa@mccarthydixon.org.uk.
Congratulations to Ava Gaffney who took part in the Onakai National Kumite Championships recently and arrived home with a national silver medal. She was representing the WSKF Ireland. Ava will be competing in Japan in September.
WSKF Ireland is comprised of individuals from all age groups, genders and backgrounds who enjoy the discipline and sport of Karate. Their clubs feature training by award-winning National and International coaches and access to world-class karate seminars and competitions.
The draw was held on April 13, and the numbers drawn were 6, 12, 16 and 20 with no winner for the jackpot of 10,400. The house prize winner of €100 was James Healy, Glencullen and the €30 offline winners were Tara Gallagher, Gorthmellia Strand and Monica Henry, Bangor. The €30 online winners were Philomena Moran, Glenamoy and Siobhan Philibin, Rossport. The jackpot in the latest draw held on April 20, was €10,500 with the draw in McGuire’s Barnatra.
S.N. Corrchloch recently had a great day celebrating their action day for their Green Flag focusing on the theme of Marine environments and the effects of plastic pollution. Large items of plastic can capture and entangle marine mammals and fish and stop them from escaping, usually leading to starvation, injury and predator vulnerability. Discarded fishing nets can also smother and break coral reefs, preventing healthy growth. Many thanks to James Lavelle and staff of Lavelle’s Bar in Corclough for their nice treats and refreshments on the day.
After three tough days of boxing in the Porto Cup, Daniel McDonagh has battled his way to the top of the podium. Daniel, as part of a Mayo team competing in this international club tournament, boxed an Italian fighter in the quarter final on Friday, a Portuguese boxer in the semi-final on Saturday and a Scottish opponent today to win out the competition in the U-18 75kg category. Well done also to his teammates on their medal wins. Bethany Doocey, Rasheed Momo and Grace Bailey of Castlebar BC also claimed gold medals at the tournament. Well done to Team Mayo.
Congratulations to Tara Munnelly on becoming the newest Connacht champion. Tara boxed a tough opponent from Loughlynn Boxing Club on Saturday in Castlerea. Emma Maloney and Aisling Howard were also in action and both girls gained massive experience from the championships. Well done ladies.
Recently Erris Parkrun celebrated their 400th Parkrun event. Thank you to everyone who joined them on the morning, regular visitors, and first timers and to all the volunteers who make Parkrun happen. It was a morning to remembering the late Padraig Brogan who left this wonderful legacy.
On the morning 42 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of which 8 were first timers. Welcome to Carol, Caitlin Finn, Alison, Thomas, Gerard, Avril, Annie and Siobhan. Hope you enjoyed your time at Erris Parkrun and come back soon. There were 8 recorded new personal bests recorded in ideal running conditions. Well done to Daniel, Sean, Fintan, Thomas, Steve, Dominic, Úna and Deirdre. Representatives of 3 different clubs took part. Thank you to Edel Walsh, Marie Brogan, Kevin Walsh, Katie Walsh, Laura Walsh and Breege Gilbert.
Cill Chomáin GAA clothing collection takes place on Wednesday, April 24. Bags can be dropped off at the old clubhouse, thank you for your continuous support.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €5,400, with the two €50 winners being; B Cosgrove, Roy and John Doocey, while Amanda Healy, Ballinaboy and Michael Burke, Portacloy both won €25. The two online winners were Peter McDonagh, Geesala €50 and Samantha Lindsay, Telford €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 22, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €800 in 51 calls or less.
The club will be hosting an open session for a Kids Academy (ages 7 - 11) on next Saturday, April 26, at 11am at Ballybeg Park in Bangor Erris. The session is free, open to all kids in the Erris area and will give new and returning kids a taster of our Kids Academy before training officially restarts on Saturday, May 3. To register your child's attendances, contact Johnny on 085 7227920.
Congratulations to the staff of Cois Cuain Restaurant and Take Away Belmullet who fundraised a total of €8,095 in memory of their friend, Lauren Padden. Their fundraising event, 2000km for Lauren was in aid of North West STOP-Suicide Prevention. These funds will go towards the free counselling service provided in Erris. It was an amazing achievement by all involved, in memory of a much-loved friend and daughter, to help those who need it most in the community.
Anxiety is on the rise especially in children and teenagers. Mayo North East is bringing a very informative talk with lecturer in Psychology and Early Education, Dr Mary O'Kane. Covered in the talk are topics such as guidance on how to help children and teenagers manage their fears and how to help children and teenagers manage their anxieties. The talk will be held in Aras Inis Gluaire Belmullet on May 1, at 7.30pm. Call Rina on 087 1840214 to book your free place.
The lotto jackpot has now reached €19,300. €50 winner on the draw of April 3, was Laura Doherty, Poll a tSomais and €25 winner was Brid Ni Sheighin, Ceathrú na gCloch. The numbers drawn were 12,18, 26 with bonus number 10.
The U14 team start their Tain Og league campaign on Saturday, April 26, with a home game v Ballina. Training continues every Thursday evening in the Town Park from 6 to 7pm. If you are curious or just want to join an exciting journey, come along, everybody is welcome.
The club joined forces with Cill tSeadna and Ballycroy to deliver an integrated hurling and football Easter Camp which was very successful.
Beidh an foireann faoi 11 ag dul chuig Páirc an Chrócaigh in éindí le foirne eile iomána Gaeltachta ar an 24ú Meitheamh.
