Local notes: Moy boys are top of the pile
At the recent unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour Dr Francis Ferran TD in Foxford were Brian Hopkins, Carmel Hughes, Angie O’Hara and Cllr Adrian Forkan. Picture: John O'Grady
Moy Davitts remain unbeaten in this year’s Egan Jewellers Mayo Intermediate Football Championship – and will enjoy home advantage for the quarter-finals – after last Saturday’s Round 3 draw with Lahardane MacHales at James Stephens Park, Ballina. The team showed wholesale changes from that which had produced a miraculous comeback to beat Crossmolina in the previous round, and it was one of those many additions, Ronan Clarke, who saved the day with his two late pointed frees earning Moy Davitts a share of the spoils on a 1-14 to 2-11 scoreline.
Considering Moy Davitts had led by seven points at one stage, you could say they made hard work of it.
They led for the first time after 16 minutes, when the aforementioned Clarke scored his first point of the day. Brian Reape, who had also raised white at this stage, struck a 17th minute goal and with Cian McHale and Conor Reid firing over their second points of the half, and Brian Heneghan his first, the Moysiders were in firm control. A free from Reape left them 1-8 to 0-4 ahead on the half hour and while Lahardane had reduced their arrears by one point at half-time, Moy Davitts started the second-half soundly enough and with points from play by Sean Ruane and Ronan Clarke, they still led by six points after 40-minutes.
However, their opponents, in an eight-minute spell, hit them for a goal and three points without reply to level matters, and despite points by Clarke, a free, and Colm Reape, the group leaders found themselves two points in arrears after 57-minutes when Lahardane struck their second goal of the game.
It was left to Ronan Clarke to rescue the title favourites with his fourth and fifth points of the game ensuring it finished all square.
Moy Davitts were due to discover their quarter-final opponents late last night (Monday), with Mayo GAA holding the draw in Charlestown.
Moy Davitts: Dylan Dunleavy; Paul Byrne, Oisín Quinn, Conall Quinn; Cormac Mulderrig, John Gilmore, Sean Ruane (0-1); Conor Reid (0-2), Ryan Kenny; Sean Mulroy, Cian McHale (0-2, 1f), Ronan Clarke (0-5, 3f); Brian Heneghan (0-1), Brian Reape (1-2, 0-1m), Jamie Clarke. Subs: Liam Byrne (for McHale 38), Colm Reape (0-1) (for Heneghan 41), Ryan Binley (for Mulroy 48), Padraig Ruane (for Reid 54), Darragh Gaughan (for Mulderrig 58).
Are you a young person – or do you know of one – who would like to learn to play an instrument with people of the same age? Well, look no further than the Foxford Brass and Reed Youth Band. In partnership with Music Generation Mayo, the Band is able to offer affordable classes and professional tuition.
Beginners should be at least 9 years old and rehearsals are on Thursday evenings in the Band Room, Main Street from 5 to 7pm for beginners and 7 to 8pm for the Youth Band.
For further details email foxfordbrassband1896@gmail.com.
There are just under five weeks until the 10th annual Foxford Traditional Weekend, with the organisers having announced some more of the top class talent who will be performing at this year’s festival. Having already named the Hernon Family and Don Stiffe as guest artists, it can now also be revealed that not one but two current senior All-Ireland champions, Hannah Lyons and Ryan Sheridan, will be appearing on the bill. Hannah, a native of Balla, is a harpist extraordinaire and Ryan an accordion play truly at the top of his game. Returning to the festival this year is another exceptional harpist and composer, Michael Rooney, and his wife June McCormack who not alone will be performing but teaching at the workshops also.
The Foxford Traditional Weekend is taking place from Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 24.
There’s a musical treat in store for the town of Foxford this coming Saturday night, September 21, as the 2023 All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band champions, Mayo’s very own Piper’s Cross, feature for a céilí at the Brown Memorial Hall. It gets underway at 9pm.
There is also céilí dancing every Sunday night in the Hall also. All are welcome.
The Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group recommences in Guiry’s Bar this coming Thursday, September 26 at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
There was immense sadness at the unexpected passing of Michael Kneafsey (Jnr), Rinanney, whose funeral took place in St Michael’s Church, Foxford, last Thursday.
Son of Martin and Dolores, Michael will be so sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, by his son Sonny, his sister Stephanie and his girlfriend Maria, nephews Jamie and Cian and his niece Sadie, brother in-law Lorcan, his aunts and uncles, cousins, relatives neighbours and many friends.
Michael lay in repose at the family residence on Wednesday last and following Thursday’s funeral Mass, burial was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Warm tributes to one of life’s gentlemen were paid last week as Foxford bade a fond farewell to Joe Mangan, Riverside, who passed peacefully in the exceptional care of the Staff of St Joseph’s Hospital, Ballina.
A native of Tullamore in Co Offaly, Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife Nora, his parents Ambrose and Philomena, his sisters Bernie and Nuala and his nephew Kevin.
Familiar to many over the years as a steward at Knock Shrine and more locally, as an exceptional and talented work colleague at O’Hara’s Bakery, Joe will be dearly and lovingly missed by his family Francis, Mary and Joe, his adored loving granddaughters Meghan, Anna, Lauren and Dayna, his brother Ignatius, his sisters Phil, Kathleen and Margaret, daughter in-law Anne, son in-law Robert and Francis' partner Sharon, his nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours, friends and members of The Knock Shrine Society.
Joe lay in repose at Clarke’s Funeral Home last Tuesday evening and after Wednesday’s funeral Mass at St Michael’s Church, burial was at Craggagh Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Foxford Parish Pastoral Council are inviting parents of children who were baptised in 2021 to bring their child to St Michael’s Church on Sunday, October 13 for the annual blessing of children – a short prayer service to which other family members will also be most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Admiral Brown Hall.
Congratulations to James, Conor and Ava Langan, Bohola, who won a jackpot of €400 in the Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw. The club would like to thank everyone who supports the draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing through the Club App.
S&F United’s under-18 boys team picked up two wins last week, both of them in the Eleanor Quigley Shield. Beating Castlebar Celtic 5-0 away in Round 2, thanks to goals from Pearse Lawless (2), Sean Reid (2) and Cian Fahy, they followed that up a couple of days later, last Thursday, with a 4-1 win away to Ballyvary Blue Bombers. Fahy was on target again, this time smacking home a hat-trick, while the other goal was scored by Dean Butler.
Last Wednesday, S&F United beat visitors Ballinrobe Town 3-2 in the Mayo U14 Premier Division. There was a goal apiece for Jonah Gallagher, Gearoid Clarke and Calum Costello. It was an excellent way to bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-2 defeat at home to Castlebar Celtic the previous Saturday in the Mayo U14 Cup. Munir Soufan and Rory Gruddy were United’s goal-scorers in that game.
Meanwhile, the U12 girls team played their final game of the season when welcoming Ballina Town to Green Road. It was a tough evening, however, as Ballina won 4-1, with Amber Gilnagh scoring S&F’s solitary goal.
The team will now look forward to its Connacht Cup journey.
The jackpot of €163 in last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw was collected by Patricia Ruddy, Ballina Road, Foxford. The club wishes to thank everyone for their continued support and advises that weekly tickets are available to buy in local outlets or at smartlotto.ie.
Fr Padraig Costello has advised that Foxford Parish requires some additional money counters, for the counting and lodging of the offertory and other collections each week. The counting, with three to four counters, takes less than 30 minutes and a few more counters are needed in order to fill rotas. If you would be available please let Fr Padraig know.
The countdown is on to Foxford Salmon Anglers’ final fishing competition of the season which will be the Waterkeepers Trophy, to be held on Saturday, September 28. Last year’s competition was won by Christian Hoffman, so if you would like to see your name on the trophy then come along and have a go.
The week ending Sunday, September 8 was “good enough” on the River Moy, according to Foxford Salmon Anglers, with the river dropping well and plenty of fish moving through.
25 salmon were reported caught for the week and more anglers are continuing to get in their last casts of the season. The weather outlook is good for this week.
Enrolments are being taken for Áirc Damhsa Culture Club which returns to Foxford this week.
Children can enjoy learning sean nós dance and other Irish traditional dances, music, song, folklore and community cultural events in a non-competitive and creative environment that celebrates the arts.
Visit www.aircdamhsa.com/classes.
Foxford Foróige is returning, with registration for another year opening shortly.
Also, the group requires leaders to help run this fun-filled and safe club for the young teenage members so if you would like to know more, get in touch via its social media channels.
Moy Davitts LGFA have commenced their county intermediate football championship Group B campaign over the past two weekends. They began with a comprehensive 3-15 to 1-5 win away to Davitts last Sunday week and last Sunday they were on the road again, this time to Ballyhaunis, where they recorded another excellent win, 2-11 to 3-04. The Red and White had led by six points at half-time, 1-7 to 1-01. Their third and final group game will be against Louisburgh.
Less fortunate were the club’s under-15 footballers as despite home advantage for last Friday evening’s County Division 4 League semi-final, it was the visitors, St Brigid’s, who emerged victorious by 5-13 to 3-07.
Moy Davitts LGFA also played out a high-scoring game against Kilmoremoy in Round 3 of the MJ Flood U16 ‘B’ championship last week, and were unlucky to come out on the wrong side of a 6-16 to 5-14 scoreline. Their next game is against Aghamore in the semi-finals of the U16 ‘B’ Shield.
Vacancies have arisen for relief Early Years Educators and relief School Aged Childcare staff at the The Growing Tree, Admiral Brown Road, Foxford.
Early Year Educator applicants must have a minimum Level 5 qualification in early childhood education.
Applications and CVs should be sent to thegrowingtreefoxford@gmail.com by Friday, September 13.
Foxford Meals on Wheels Service are looking for a person to help out in the preparation of dinners in their kitchen five mornings per week. In addition to food preparation, successful applicants will be required to carry out cleaning duties in the kitchen area. Email applications to socialservicesfoxford@gmail.com.
FACT Social Club is an independent community-based service in Foxford that supports people living with Dementia or in rural isolation. The club is open Mondays to Friday and provides social interaction, activities and much more in a safe and supported environment. If you would like more information on the services offered, you can contact them at factsocialclub1@gmail.com or telephone 094-92-56662.
