Local Notes: Sam Maguire visits Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Club.
Very proud members of Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup and members of the Mayo team when they visited Kilmovee last week.
Charlestown Sarsfields squared off against Claremorris in the latest instalment of a long standing rivalry in round 3 of the group stages of the county senior championship played at the Aghamore GAA grounds recently. Both teams were keenly aware of the ramifications of what defeat and victory meant hence what ensued was a typical championship encounter with both teams enjoying periods of dominance and supremacy.
Ultimately, however, it was the South Mayo lads who prevailed as they came out on the right side of a 0-18 to 1-12 scoreline and just about deserved their win albeit they laboured when the finishing line was in sight and could never rest easily on their somewhat tenuous lead as the Sarsfields threat remained viable and alive right to the final whistle.
The Sarsfields played with the advantage of a stiff breeze at their back in the opening half but found themselves 0-5 to 0-2 in arrears after ten minutes with a super two pointed score from Gareth O’Donnell their only decoration on the scoreboard.
A beautiful two-pointed score from the hand by Paul Towey reduced the Sarsfields deficit and they were on level terms minutes later when Eoin Murphy clipped over a fine point from play as the Sarsfields enjoyed their best period in the game. Things got a whole lot better for the green and white minutes later when a brilliant four man move involving Eoin Murphy, Ruairi Cullen, Matt Lenehan and Paul Towey saw Lenehan and Towey exchange a quick one-two which sliced open the Claremorris defence as Lenehan walked the ball into the net to ease the Sarsfields three clear as the Claremorris defence bore a vulnerable look when the Sarsfields moved the ball quickly through the lines.
The final ten minutes of the half saw the lead change hands a number of times with Claremorris kicking a couple of two pointers to which the Sarsfields replied through the trustee boot of Paul Towey to leave the game delicately poised at 1-8 to 0-11 as both teams retreated to the sheds.
The second half turnaround saw Claremorris gain the advantage of an ever strengthening breeze and they embraced it with relish, kicking the first five points of the half to put real daylight between the teams for the first time in the game. The Sarsfields were struggling to get a foothold in the middle third as balls were lost or turned over at regular intervals but Ben Crean broke their duck when he guided over a nice point from play to kick start their ambitions.
Claremorris looked very threatening when they moved the ball to their inside line with the Hurley brothers, Cathal Joyce, and Mark Maloney winning plenty of ball but their shooting left lots to be desired as balls ballooned wide or were dropped short which kept the Sarsfields interested albeit they too, were struggling to find their range with a Paul Towey free reducing the blue’s advantage to three as the South Mayo men never really put the Sarsfields challenge to bed and flirted nervously with defeat as a score remained between the two teams for most of the latter stages of the half.
The Sarsfields, while finding scores difficult to come by, remained a live threat especially with Towey in their ranks but they couldn’t get him or Matt Lenehan on the ball in the scoring zone hence their source of scores dried up with four second half points all they could muster.
Claremorris, too, it must be said played the last fifteen minutes of the half with fourteen men with Paul Gilmore being dispatched to the line on two yellows but they managed it well and kept their goal intact with some aggressive, no-nonsense defending with two late points from Paul and Cian Towey. All the Sarsfields could respond in reply to a Niall Hurley punched score as the South Mayo men held on to their lead as time ran out for the Sarsfields.
The victory for Claremorris saw them qualify for the quarter-final as top seeds having come through the group stages undefeated. For the Sarfields, however, quite an extraordinary result unfolded in the other game in the group as Kilmeena shocked Westport thus leaving three teams on two points with score difference coming into play to decide who progressed to the quarter finals and who has to duke it out in the relegation scrap.
The Sarsfields by virtue of their inferior scoring difference drew the short straw and now face a relegation battle with Balla, Ballaghaderreen and Mayo Gaels the other teams in the mire so to speak. This news when it filtered through added another layer of gloom to a disappointing day for Ruairi Clarke and his management team as they will have to pick up the pieces and go again as the relegation semi-finals takes place this coming weekend.
Best for the Sarsfields were Ben Conway, Niall Murphy and Tadhg Horkan in defence with Matt Lenehan, Paul Towey and Gareth O’Donnell the best in attack. Honourable mention to Eoin Murphy who played well until injury necessitated his removal with Cian Towey impressing on his introduction, Ruairi Cullen, Thomas Goldrick, Thomas Holton and Jack Corley had some good moments with all eyes now on the battle for survival.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 development team cruised to victory over Aghamore in round one of the county U13 development league played at the Aghamore GAA grounds recently. The Sarsfields were far too good for the home side and had the game wrapped up long before the final whistle. They have a nice crop of players available to them at this U13 grade with numbers plentiful hence their ability to run two teams.
They racked up a big score on day one and will be keen to build on this performance in their remaining games all of which take place on Saturday mornings.
The Sarsfields will go head to head against East Mayo neighbours Ballaghaderreen in the senior relegation semi-final on Saturday, September 19, at the newly refurbished Gilmartin Park, Kiltimagh GAA grounds with the throw-in confirmed for 4pm.
This is a tasty looking encounter and the latest in a long line of clashes between the two teams over the course of the last 20 years. Ballaghaderreen, it must be said, have the much better record when it comes to the head to head between the two teams, having won the most recent encounter between the two sides at the group stages in the 2025 championship.
The Sarsfields did get the better of their local rivals in the 2023 championship so it’s very much all hands to the pump with both teams entering the relegation scrap on the back of two defeats with the Sarsfields losing out on scoring difference in their very tight group.
Ballagh lost all three games in what was a very difficult group but they have been out of sorts since the start of the championship and have shipped some big beatings which leads one to believe they will be keen to save their season at the first opportunity with the Sarsfields very much on the same page in that regard.
It all points to a very intriguing, juicy contest instalment indeed with the Sarsfields leaning heavily once again on Paul Towey for inspiration and scores while the support cast of Gareth O’Donnell, Matt Lenehan, Ruairi Cullen, Jack Corley, Niall Murphy, Ben Conway and Alan Woods need to be at their very best for the Sarsfields to achieve the victory.
Ballaghaderreen will be looking to David McBrien, David Drake, Cuba Callaghan, Daragh Kelly, Ryan Lynch et al to push them over the line in a game with so much riding on it with neither side wanting in any way to lose to the other/ All roads lead to Ballyhaunis for a game that both teams didn’t expect to find themselves in but results have dictated otherwise so they are where they are in that regard.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €23,600 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, September 6, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 3, 7, 8 and 31. The winners of the 3 x €50 prizes were as follows; Jackie Doherty, Margaret Gormonly, John O’Donohue.
The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on Sunday, September 13, was €23,700 Tickets on sale in a number of outlets in the community cost €2 or 3 for €5 and the draw can also be played online via the club’s Facebook page. The club thank everybody who supported their weekly draw.
5th Year/Leaving Cert Grinds in Irish have commenced on Friday evenings. For more information on the same contact Siobhan on 087 6151581.
The adult arts and crafts group continue to meet on Wednesdays in the Arts Centre from 11am -1pm and all are welcome to attend.
Join the Croi Heart and Stroke Charity, Mayo Cardiac Peer Support Group, for heart recovery and support in The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar on Wednesday, September 16, from 6.30-8.30pm. Information will be shared on local resources to support you to manage your condition. Connect with others who understand, share experiences and learn together. This initiative is a collaboration between Croi and the HSE in Mayo.
Culture Night returns to Carracastle Community Centre on Friday night, September 18, at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend to hear music from the talented Scoil Iosa students, as well as the reigning Carracastle Lass and musicians on the night. Entry is free.
Music Circle with John and Isabella Hoban resumes at Carracastle Community Centre on Monday, September 21, from 7-8.30pm. All are welcome to attend and sing a song, recite a poem, play a tune or simple listen. Tea and refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
The 31st anniversary of the Carracastle Lass is taking place on Saturday, October 17, in Carracastle Community Centre. If you would like to give a donation towards the running costs of the event or sponsor an entrant (aged over 18), contact carracastlelass@gmail.com or call 087 6732254 for more information.
The next Community Coffee Morning takes place in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown on Friday, October 2, from 11am-1pm. All are welcome to come along for a cuppa and chat. Lift access available and the committee look forward to seeing you there.
The Cemetery of the Resurrection cemetery care committee (Charlestown) express their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the recent annual collection. A total of €1487 was collected.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 team began their division one league campaign with a facile victory over Ballina in round one played at James Stephens Park, Ballina recently. The Sarsfields coasted to a 3-21 to 2-4 victory over a depleted home side who battled hard but didn’t have the necessary quality to push or extend the Sarsfields who had the game pretty much wrapped up at half-time as they amassed a big lead having played with the aid of a stiff breeze at their backs.
First half goals from Ted Munnelly and Senan Tiernan put the Sarsfields in control and gave them what looked like an unassailable lead as they faced into the elements in the second half. The Sarsfields should have been out of sight long before the final whistle sounded as they left a lot of scores behind them in both halves most notably in the second period when chances came and went in alarming fashion. That said they were never remotely in any danger of being caught by the Stephenites who battled away in commendable style and were honest and competitive throughout despite lacking the calibre of the Sarsfields whom while running out comfortable winners, will be disappointed at some of their decision making and wayward shooting as they squandered a lot of possession in both periods.
Nathan Gethins was the Sarsfields goal scorer in the second half and made a big impression when introduced with Seanan Tiernan, Ted Munnelly, Tadhg Drury, Kalem Higgins, Ben McDonnell, Conor Breheny, Joe Irwin, Matthew Naughton and Ollie Doherty all very much to the fore in the Sarsfields comprehensive victory. Next up for the Sarsfields is a home game against Breaffy who are sure to provide the Sarsfields with a much sterner test of their credentials.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €5400 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, September 7, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 13, 16 and 25. The winners of the €20 prizes were the following; Marcella McBrien, Tom Giblin and Colin Connolly.
Next week’s jackpot will rise to €5500 and the draw will be held on Monday night, September 14. Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets and cost €2 or 3 for €5 and the draw can also be played online via the club’s Facebook page.
Charlestown Athletic FC promotion hopes received a significant boost in recent weeks as they recorded victories over Westport C and Ballyvary Blue Bombers B respectively. They pulverised Westport C on a score line of 10-1 and edged out their promotion rivals the Blue Bombers in a six goal thriller with Damien Ward netting a hat-trick with Kacper Gawalkiewicz netting the fourth in a 4-2 victory.
They have two games left to play away to Glenhest Rovers and home to Crossmolina B with victory in both gaining them automatic promotion to division one which would be some achievement on their first year back in the Mayo Soccer league after an absence of ten years.
The team are scoring a lot of goals of late and two wins in their last two games look well within their capabilities as they strive to round the season off on a high note with promotion the icing on the cake of a successful return to competition for the border club.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday night last, September 6, as the Duke and Boom Boom squared up in another fascinating instalment of the weekly classic. Jovial John was in chipper form in his role as match referee and handled the contest with typical good humour and light touch regulation.
The Duke blazed his way into a two set lead as he pulverised his opponent with some sizzling scoring and clinical finishing as Boom Boom hardly got an eye at a double such was the imperious form being displayed by a rampant number two seed.
The third set was much more of an even contest as Boom Boom finally found some form with both men sharing the first four legs to set up a one leg shootout with everything on the line in terms of defeat and victory.
Both men traded ton pluses in the opening exchanges but it was the Duke who laid down the gauntlet as he fired in a maximum 180 to set himself up on a finish with 86 looking very tempting for a man in such a rich vein of form. Boom Boom, in contrast, found himself marooned on 200 with little or no prospect of taking the game to a fourth set as he pretty much knew his goose was cooked as he trudged slowly back to his corner.
The Duke is never one to look a gift horse in the mouth and duly set about his work in hard-headed fashion firing in treble eighteen with his first dart to leave two for him to ponder with double sixteen at his mercy. He needed only one as it found the target with ease nestling in the heart of the bed to clinch a superb victory, his eighth of a very consistent season with Boom Boom offering no excuses as he knew he was outgunned by the better man.
The Duke did his trademark celebration as he took the plaudits from his terrific band of ultra supporters as he savoured another success in the weekly classic and turned in one of his best and most memorable performances to boot.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-drive game held in The Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, September 8, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Kevin Maloney, 2nd Miko Sheridan. Raffle winners were; Vera Scally, Kevin Maloney and Darby Leonard. The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in The Yeats County Inn and all are welcome.
Charlestown Sarsfields travel to Claremorris to take on the locals in round one of division one of the county U17 league on Tuesday (this evening), September 15, with the throw-in confirmed for 6.30.
Charlestown Bridge season resumes in Walsh’s Public House on Wednesday, September 16, at the usual 8pm starting time. New governor John Mulligan will be the new host and I’m sure he will pull out all the stops to make the bridge club feel as welcome as possible as they return for another season of high-class competition. New members are always welcome.
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Kilmovee Heritage are hosting a special seisiún with Kilmovee Comhaltas in the Thatch Cottage on Friday, September 18, for Culture Night 2026. Admission is free with events are kicking off at 7.30pm. Bígí Linn.
The 20th edition of Kilkelly–Kilmovee Parish Magazine will be launched by Stuart Moyles at Ireland West Airport on Sunday, October 25, at 8pm. The event will commence at 8pm and will continue until 10pm. Mistress of ceremonies is Eunice Moran, local musicians, and Henry McGlade from TV Ireland will be recording the event. Admission is free, includes free parking and door prizes. A great night of music, fun and laughter where old friendships are rekindled and new friendships made. Hope to see you all there.
The following are the results of the Sports and Music competitions. U4 girls 50m Sophie Kenny, Emer Gaffney, Hayley Robin; U4 boys 50m Robbie Kennedy, Darragh O'Connor, Adam Tynan; U6 girls 60m Ava McLoughlin, Layla Loghnane, Chloe McHugh/Katie O'Leary; U6 boys 60m Sean White, Kevin Gallagher, Fiach Ganly; U8 girls 60m Chloe Kenny, Myra Debisschen, Faye Gallagher U8 boys 60m Darragh McHugh, Michael Igoe, Cian Duffy; U10 girls 80m Aoife Grennan, Massie Cox, Aoife O'Connor; U10 boys 80m Darragh McHugh, Sam O'Leary, Ollie Hyland; U12 girls 100m Emer Kelly, Ruth Lafferty, Ciara Debissches; U12 boys 100m Eoin McDermott, Harry Hyland, Dominic Henry Cup U14 soccer winners Lisacul; Michael McDermott Cup (talent competition) Ryan McDermott, Massie Cox, Aoife Grennan.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is now €1,200 on 48 calls and the house lotto is €1,240 on 4 correct numbers. There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The Active Age Group meets every Thursday in Kilmovee Community Centre from 11am-2.30pm. Go along from 11am for tea/coffee/chat, exercises around midday, lunch at 1pm with bingo afterwards. It is a lovely way to spend a few hours in good company, get some exercise and a good lunch. The committee look forward to welcoming you. The cost is €10 a week plus annual membership.
Couples celebrating their Silver, Ruby, Golden, Diamond, Platinum or other wedding anniversaries are invited to attend one of two Jubilee Masses, along with their families and friends, on Sunday, October 4, at 2.30pm in Ballaghaderreen Cathedral. Bishop Kevin Doran will celebrate both Masses. Light refreshments will be served afterwards for all in attendance. As each couple celebrating an anniversary will receive a certificate from Bishop Kevin, they are asked to register their details. If you have any questions, contact Sr Pat Casey or Bernie Mulligan in the Achonry diocesan office on 094 9860034, or Sheena Darcy in the Elphin Diocesan office on 071 915010.
The new Men’s Pétanque (outdoor boules) at the back of the Kilkelly Community Centre is being launched on Wednesday, September 23, from 11.30am-12 30pm. Instructor Tracy will be on hand to facilitate the group for the next 10 weeks. They hope to then enter a Pétanque League under Mayo Sports Partnership if the group is interested. For more information on the Men’s Pétanque Group and to book your place on the Parent, Baby and Toddler Group, contact 089 4179929.
