Local Notes: McLoughlin family, Charlestown, present €17,000 cheque to Croi following the Eugene McLoughlin Memorial Run.
The McLoughlin family presenting a cheque for €17,000 to Paul Cunnane on behalf of Croi following the very successful 10th annual Eugene McLoughlin Memorial Run which took place on August 11 last.
Congratulations to all involved in the organisation of the 2024 Eugene McLoughlin Annual Run which raised the incredible sum of €33,000 at its most recent staging on August 11 last. There was a wonderful turnout of tractors, motor bikes, vintage cars and vehicles of one form or another to commemorate the event with the streets thronged with people who were captivated and enthralled at the standard and conditions of the vehicles and machinery that zipped through the streets and surrounding hinterland. This year’s run was the tenth since its inception and was one of the best supported and successful as the run continues to occupy a premier space in the town’s summer calendar.
The committee are deeply indebted to all who support the event in one form or another with people flocking to offer their help and assistance in any way they can to ensure everything runs smoothly with the most recent staging passing off without a glitch or a hitch which speaks volumes for the organisation and efforts of a very dedicated and hard working committee. There were a number of recent presentations made to mark the tenth staging with several prizes handed out to the winners of the various categories in terms of vehicles and spot prizes all of which were very well supported by the punters and general public.
This year’s event also saw the raffling of a Limousin heifer for which the uptake of tickets was incredible with a signed Mayo jersey also bringing in a whopping €1000 which indicates the level of support and generosity that was on hand on the day. Maria Gibbons (Claremorris ) was the winner of the Limousin heifer while Tom Connelly was the winner of the framed and signed Mayo jersey.
Of the €33,000 raised €17,000 was donated to CROI, €1,500 was donated to the Charlestown Swimming Pool, €1,500 to Kilbeagh First Responders and €1,500 to the Charlestown Basketball Club, along with covering all the entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses accrued on the day.
The committee extend their sincere thanks to all who supported, donated and helped out in any way to make the event the marvellous success it undoubtedly was. The run is a fitting tribute to the late Eugene who was immersed in the town and was a very popular figure across all facets and strands of the community. His sudden death still resonates deeply with his family and close friends but his memory will never be forgotten with the memorial run an apt way to keep his name alive with the event the main feature everyone looks forward to when it comes around. The 2024 version was a magnificent success with all eyes now firmly fixed on 2025 with the committee solemn in their determination to make it bigger and better than ever.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €13,500 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, September 29, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 25, 26 and 35.The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Patrick Breheny and Maura Brennan. The latest jackpot increased to €13,600 and the draw was held on Sunday night, October 6.
Social Basketball takes place in the CBD Recreation Centre, Charlestown, on Tuesday evenings from 9-10pm (adults only). Come and try it out for the next two Tuesday nights (free) and see how it goes with the whole emphasis on fun and participation.
Charlestown Sarsfields secured their senior status for 2025 with a merited 2-10 to 1-10 victory over Belmullet in the relegation semi-final played at the Knockmore GAA grounds recently.
The Sarsfields played the better football throughout and could and should have won by more as they left several chances behind them in both halves and kept the men from Erris in the game for far longer than they should as they rolled the dice in the closing stages with Belmullet narrowing the gap to two points having trailed by seven with ten minutes remaining.
The Sarsfields tinkered with their starting line-up before the throw-in, recasting a number of players in different positions in a bid to get the best out of the personnel available to them. They got off to a slow start as Belmullet bossed the opening exchanges and kicked the first two points care of a pair of Ryan O’Donohue frees with referee Jerome Henry punishing some lax Sarsfields tackling.
Belmullet were making all the early running but the Sarsfields gradually grew into the game and kicked the next four points as they moved the ball well through the lines with Paul Towey, Jack Mahon, Paddy Goldrick and Towey again from a free putting the East Mayo two clear as they took a firm grip of the match in the key middle third zone.
The Sarsfields extended their lead to four with Matt Lenehan kicking a lovely score from play which was followed up minutes later by a free from Paul Towey after he was fouled in the act of shooting.
The green and white men continued to keep a tight defensive rein on Belmullet danger man Ryan O’Donoghue with Fergal Quinn doing an excellent man marking job ably assisted by Jack Mahon who acted as sweeper and executed the role to perfection reading the danger and closing down the space in and around O’Donoghue while also springing forward at every opportunity to kick a fine point and distribute intelligently at all times.
Both sides swapped points before the interval with Towey kicking a peach from play while O’Donoghue kicked another free to leave the Sarsfields 0-7 to 0-5 in front which was a slim enough lead considering they played most of the football in the opening thirty.
Belmullet began the second half with a real sense of urgency as Ryan O’Donoghue popped over the sixth point of the day as the Sarsfields were punished for another indiscretion close to their own goals. The Belmullet men were beginning to believe that they the game was theirs for the taking but the Sarsfields had no intentions of backing away and responded in the best possible fashion as they kicked 1-1 with their next two attacks as first Paul Towey kicked over a free having been fouled in front of the Belmullet goal with Jack Mahon providing a real fillip for the Sarsfields a minute later as he rounded off a slick Sarsfields move with a tidy finish as he dispatched a crisp shot past a helpless Shane Nallen in the Belmullet goal with the utmost of authority to put the Sarsfields five clear.
The Sarsfields looked much the more threatening team from broken play with Ruairi Cullen, Paddy Goldrick, Paul Towey, Matt Lenehan et al all able to break lines and run hard down the central channels which posed no end of problems for a North Mayo side that possessed nowhere the same level of threat as they laboured and never really managed to penetrate a well organised and solid Sarsfields rearguard with Ryan O’Donoghue their only outlet in terms of scores with frees the sole source of scores as they only managed one paltry point from play throughout sixty minutes of football which was their most obvious shortcoming on a disappointing day for the men in the red jerseys.
The Sarsfields continued to run lanes down the central area and from another such attack they worked another glorious opening with Ruairi Cullen and Matt Lenehan cutting lanes through the Erris rearguard with the latter placing Paul Towey with a perfectly placed pass with the goal gaping for the Sarsfields sharpshooter only for him to be hacked down in the art of shooting with referee Jerome Henry having no option but to point to the penalty spot. Towey picked himself up, dusted himself down and coolly blasted the ball past the despairing dive of Shane Nallen in the Belmullet goal to leave the Sarsfields in heaven as they led 2-8 to 0-7 with ten left on the clock.
Despite all their inadequacies Belmullet never gave up the ghost with their spirit and will to win keeping them alive when truth to tell they were second best in almost every line of the pitch. The Sarsfields had several chances to extend their lead and blew some glorious situations as they became tentative in possession with the last pass failing them on a number of occasions much to the frustration of their management and supporters.
Belmullet kept chipping away with frees being their only real route back into the game as O’Donoghue kicked three more to reduce the gap to five with two remaining. Some of the frees were extremely soft it must be said which irked the Sarsfields defenders as they threw their hands up in the air in frustration on numerous occasions. The referee was not for turning however and the North Mayo were handed a lifeline right on the stroke of full time when they were awarded a penalty with Ryan O’Donoghue adjudged to have been fouled deep in the heart of the Sarsfields square with the contact minimal at best but the decision was given despite heated Sarsfields protests.
Ronan Murray stepped forward and took on the responsibility with his strike just about evading the right hand of Patrick Walsh in the Sarsfields goal as it somehow found the bottom right hand corner with Walsh inches from diverting it around the right hand post. The goal, somehow, brought Belmullet right back into the game having looked dead and buried only minutes previously.
The question was how much injury time was left to play with the resultant Sarsfields kickout assuming massive importance. Step forward the ever willing Sarsfields midfielder Paddy Lenehan who rose the highest to claim an absolutely priceless mark among a forest of giants to steady the Sarsfields nerves as they moved the ball around the field and forced the Belmullet men to come out and chase the game.
This spell of possession worked a treat for the men in green and white as Jack Mahon and Ruairi Cullen worked the opening with the latter finding Matt Lenehan in acres of space as he bore down on the Belmullet goal with a myriad of options at his disposal. He took the most sensible one as he arced his shot high and handsome between the posts to seal Belmullet’s fate with the final whistle sounding on the resultant re-start.
The last whistle was greeted with shouts of joy in the Sarsfields camp with the overriding emotion one of relief as they secured their senior status on the back of a display full of grit, spirit and no little skill as they put together two good halves of football and were much the better team even of the final scoreline might indicate otherwise. They manned up in every line of the field and refused to countenance defeat in any shape or form and got that bit of luck that eluded them at the group stages to fashion and excellent victory with some outstanding performances very much the bedrock of a commanding performance.
The defence was excellent with Fergal Quinn marshalling Ryan O’Donoghue in expert fashion and never shirking his duties at any stage. Niall Drudy and Tom Goldrick were solid and no nonsense in the full back line with keeper Paddy Walsh faultless between the posts. The half-back line were terrific throughout with the ageless David Caffery superb at right half back and Jack Corley equally as imperious at left half back. Gareth O’Donnell was commanding at centre back holding the line between defence and attack.
The midfield pairing of Paddy Goldrick and Paddy Lenehan were impressive with Goldrick kicking two outstanding points and bounding forward regularly to give the Sarsfields some real momentum. Paddy Lenenhan did the hard yards, scrapping for every scintilla of possession, tackling and hitting hard and forcing turnovers with typical dog determination.
The attack were on it from the throw-in with Ruairi Cullen excellent at centre-forward. He can be proud of his display as can Jack Mahon who fitted seamlessly into the sweeper position and played the role to an absolute tee which saw him bag 1-1 of the Sarsfields final total.
Paul Towey was a real menace throughout for the Sarsfields kicking 1-5 in another stellar scoring display. Alan Woods and Ben Conway were very effective in a lively half-forward line with Conway’s pace and hard running proving to a trump card for the Sarsfields at key times in the match. Matt Lenehan was also excellent in the full forward line, kicking two outstanding points and linking well with Paul Towey.
Eoghan Flannery also ran hard when introduced and never shirked his duties with this victory rounding off the season a high note in a year when the Sarsfields lost some real warriors with injuries and emigration decimating their panel and robbing them of some real pillars in the true sense of the word.
It was imperative that they clung on to their league and championship status however as to go down in either or both would have been a real blow and the fact that they held onto both gives them something to build on for the winter months as eyes drifty towards the 2025 campaign.
Well done to the management team who got a good performance out of the team when expectations were perhaps at their lowest with Vinny Doherty, James Kilroy, Mike Horkan, James Breheny, yours truly and Phil Craig leaving no stone unturned in the preparation and putting everything into the job from start to finish. Special mention to Physio Deirdre Doherty who was excellent in her role as team medic. Sincere thanks to the club who backed the team and management to the hilt with chairman Liam Breheny, secretary Kevin Deignan and treasurer Tom McLoughlin providing unwavering support. Thanks also to Malachy Towey who provided food for the team and panel on more than one occasion and finally well done to the players who manned up when the need was greatest and got the job done with senior status secured and tucked away with lots of soul searching to be done in the close season for many.
Charlestown Sarsfields ladies team bounced back from their recent defeat to Burrishoole in the senior championship recently in the best possible fashion as they defeated Hollymount in the semi-final of the senior championship shield in a hard fought encounter played at Fr O’Hara Park, Charlestown.
The Sarsfields came through on a score line of 3-7 to 2-5 in a game played in tough conditions as both teams had to contend with rain and a biting cold wind which made it very much a game of two halves.
The Sarsfields had a strong wind at their backs in the first period and got off to a good start in the main, firing over a couple of early points to grab the initiative and put the visitors on the back foot. This trend continued for the remainder of the half as the Sarsfields dominated the territory and possession for the most part with ace full forward Deirdre Doherty and Nicole McLoughlin banging home two fine goals to give the Sarsfields a comfortable lead as half time approached.
It wasn’t all one way traffic however as Hollymount did enjoy periods of sustained pressure but came up against a well drilled and aggressive Sarsfields defensive unit who tackled ferociously as they were determined to keep their goal intact with keeper Heather Johnson also pulling off some good saves to boot.
The visitors finally broke their scoring suck in the closing stages of the half as they hit over two good points to leave the score 2-6 to 0-2 in favour of the hosts which was a good reflection of the overall balance of play. The Sarsfields knew there was a kick in the visitors at the start of the second half with the wind very much in favour of the South Mayo ladies. Sure enough they brought plenty of intent and no little urgency to their play as they went about reducing their 10 point deficit. They tagged on a couple of good early points to give their comeback hopes some impetus but the Sarsfields were always a threat on the break as the game became very much a cat and mouse affair as Hollymount probed and pushed while the Sarsfields defended with might and main resulting in lots of turnovers with missed chances accruing on both sides.
The South Mayo ladies were much better in the second period however and provided many anxious moments for the hosts as they scored two well worked goals which woke the Sarsfields up from their second half slumber as they realised they were in a game with the outcome much more in doubt than anybody could ever have imagined at half time.
The Sarsfields goal bore something of a charmed life at times as shots reined in on top of Heather Johnson in goals but she did manage to keep her goal intact for the most part as the Sarsfields shrugged off their lethargy to fire 1-1 in a matter of minutes with Deirdre Doherty once again to the fore as she netted for the second time with a well place shot nestling in the corner of the Hollymount net to give the Sarsfields they cushion they needed to survive another Hollymount onslaught.
Credit to the South Mayo girls they never went away and battled with grit and determination to the final whistle but the Sarsfields had enough in the locker to see it out with this victory qualifying them for a final against near neighbours Kilmovee Shamrocks at a date to be confirmed.
The Sarsfields had star performances from scoring machine Deirdre Doherty who once again underlined her scoring prowess with another brace with Kellee Crean, Cailin Durkan, Chelsea Doherty, Jennifer O’Donnell, Katie Gavin, Laoise Harkin and Nicole McLoughlin all playing their part in a resolute Sarsfields performance.
Well done to the management team of Francis Mannion, Paul McNicholas and Sinead Halligan who had the ladies well prepared with one big hurdle left to scale as they face off against Kilmovee Shamrocks in a real local derby with lots at stake in terms of pride, bragging rights and silverware.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, September 25, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Ruth Connor and Noelle Spellman; 2nd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne; 3rd Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne; 4th Maureen Walsh and Tom Ginty; 5th Frances and Robert Healy St Attracta’s bake sale a resounding success.
On Friday, September 27, St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown hosted a bake sale with all proceeds going directly to Mayo-Roscommon Hospice. The initiative was led by chef Aine Roache and her wonderful catering team of Eileen, Krystof, Kathleen, Margaret and Christina. Special thanks was extended to all who supported the event and to Richard in Gilmartin`s, and Pat in B&B Foods who kindly donated three hampers for raffle. The raffle was held on Monday, September 30, and the winners were Nora Roache, Siobhan Hennigan and Jose Nadayli. Congratulations to all.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday, October 1, at 8.30pm, and the following were the prize winners;1st Mary O’Hara and Colm Gallagher, 2nd Kevin Maloney and Joe Mahon. Raffle winners were Joe Mahon, Pearse Henry and Miko Sheridan.
Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are in the process of starting their new three year Club Strategic Plan and are holding an engagement evening in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown on Friday, October 11, from 7.30-9.30pm. This plan will lay the foundations for the club’s plans and ambition in terms of coaching, fundraising, upgrade of facilities and infrastructure as well as a number of other very important initiatives over the course of the next three years.
The club invite the community to their engagement evening to give their opinions on the club’s vision for the said period with all the club’s activities, both on and off the field, up for discussion with all opinions and ideas very much welcome as the club and its officers seek to drive the club forward and bring as much of the community as it can with it on their journey. The club are looking for input from all facets of the community with local businesses, members, non-members, would-be members, young and old invited to attend and consult/discuss their vision for the club and what the club actually embodies and means to them and how it impacts on their daily/weekly lives. The plan is very much a working document with lots of scope for amendment and improvement as the officers and executive threw the doors open so to speak and let the community and general public have their say on how they conduct their business.
The club also have an online survey available on its Facebook page and various social media channels which you can fill in anonymously or lend your name to should you wish with all co-operation on the same very much appreciated.
