Local Notes: St Joseph's NS, Ballinrobe captured the Mayo Mini-7s ladies football for the first time
The St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe team which captured the Mayo Mini-7s ladies football title for the first time last week.
St Joseph’s Primary School’s girls’ Mini-7s team and their coaches, Ms Lorraine Grimes and Ms Mairead Seoighe, have been roundly congratulated locally on their victory in the Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Mini-7s final at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. It was the school’s first time to win this title and represents a huge boost to ladies football in the area.
The girls played Currabaggan NS in the semi-final. The match was a tightly fought encounter with the girls from St Joseph’s behind by two points at half time. Katie Grimes and Holly McElarney fought tirelessly throughout this half to help the team secure possession in the middle of the field.
With some good advice from their coaches, the girls came out fighting in the second half. Superb scores from Katie Grimes, Holly McElarney and Enya McGarry, and crucial saves from goalkeeper Mia Killeen, saw St Joseph’s come away with a two-point win.
Up next was Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, in the final. Leigh McCormack and Caitlin Cummins defended heroically to keep the ball up in the opposing half of the field.
Every girl worked hard throughout the game, and a late Enya McGarry goal, supplemented by a Mia Lavin pointed free, secured victory for St Joseph’s. The final whistle brought great scenes of joy among players and supporters.
Captain Holly McElarney presented the girls with their medals and proudly accepted the shield on behalf of the school. The day was rounded off with a huge welcome back to Ballinrobe with a towering bonfire on the Claremorris Road by JJ Burke, the traditional lap of the town and a rapturous return to the school by staff, parents and pupils.
Four years ago, the school won the boys’ Mini-7s title for the first time.
Team: Mia Killeen, Caitlin Cummins, Leigh McCormack, Katie Grimes, Holly McElarney, Enya McGarry, Lorna Burke, Leah O’Malley, Mia Lavin, Mia Durcan.
Coaches/Teachers: Ms Mairead Seoighe and Ms Lorraine Grimes.
Ballinrobe Musical Society has thanked everyone who attended last week’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of The Opera. “Staging The Phantom was a dream come true for Ballinrobe Musical Society,” said a society spokesman.
“We are sincerely grateful to the local community, who have once again given incredible support to our society. To everyone who helped us bring Phantom to the west of Ireland, in any way, no matter how big or small, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” The Phantom of The Opera ran for seven performances from February 11 to 17 and was widely acclaimed as a wonderful production.
William (Liam) Sheehan, PhD, of Lough Mask Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, and formerly of Farranfore, Co. Kerry, passed away on February 13. Liam was a respected figure locally and nationally, and was known as an authority on agriculture, contributing significantly during his tenure at the local Agricultural Institute in Ballinrobe. A man with a sharp intellect, he spent several years in America.
Funeral ceremonies at Cummins’ Funeral Home, St Mary’s Church and Shannon Crematorium.
Predeceased by his wife Ann, parents Bill and Rita, brothers Daniel, John Joe, sisters Nora, Dolly, and Mary, along with sister-in-law Marienne. Liam is remembered fondly by his children Rose Marie, William, Angela, and Hugh, son-in-law Sharon, daughter-in-law Clodagh, grandchildren Padraic, Anna, Donal, Daniel, Sophie, Ava, and Emma, as well as nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Winners of the game which was held last week were; 1 Paul Waldron and Marian O’Connor; 2 Mary Reilly and Maura McHugh; 3 Angela Murphy and William Enright; 4 Carmel Costello and Ita Langan; 5 Aileen Ward and Mary Dalton; 6 Maureen Gallagher and Mary Connaughton.
Three Ballinrobe Town FC players – Umar Shafiq, Theo Bellanger, and Ben Place – were honoured with selection on the Mayo League’s CMR Fire and Security, and Helen Johnson U18 Division Two Team of the Year 2023.
The prize pot for the annual McHale Mayo National has been increased to €100,000, a jump of €20,000 on the previous pot. The race goes ahead as part of McHale Race Day on Monday, May 29, and the lucrative prize is certain to attract a high standard of entrant.
Ballinrobe Community School have thanked Marrey Bikes for their kind sponsorship of a new set of jerseys for the boys’ soccer teams in the school. ‘BCS are very grateful to Eamonn and his family for their continued support for our students as boys’ soccer team sponsors,’ said a school spokesperson.
‘After spirited runs in competitions by our First Year and U17 boys’ teams earlier this year, our U15 boys look forward to a Connacht quarter-final appearance in the coming weeks. Our U16s begin their competition in the coming weeks’.
‘Whether you need a commuter bike to get to work, a racing bike that can take you to victory, or a mountain bike to tackle all trails, Marrey Bikes stock some of the best brands in the world, at competitive prices.’ Marrey Bikes are located on Watson’s Lane, Ballinrobe, or you can check them out at www.marreybikes.com.
Indoor stalls are now sold out for Ballinrobe’s Easter Market on Saturday, March 30. Outdoor stalls can still be secured, however. The market takes place from 11am to 4pm. A huge crowd is anticipated following the success of the Christmas market.
The annual general meeting of Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association will take place at the weekly meeting on Monday, March 25, at 11am, in the Parish Centre. All members are invited to attend.
Beckett’s Last Throw, written by Ballinrobe author Liam Horan, has been shortlisted in the Claremorris Fringe Festival. A production of the play by Mirror Theatre has been scheduled for Claremorris Town Hall on Friday, March 15.
The producer is Tommy Morahan, Louisburgh, who will also play the part of Samuel Beckett in the play. The other actors are Brian Joyce (Ballinrobe), Faith Lally (Srah) and Siobhan Campbell (Ballinrobe).
Admission to Fringe plays in Claremorris is free of charge. The play is in the main festival in the main hall that night – this play is George Orwell’s Animal Farm, adapted for the stage by Ian Woolridge; staged by Phoenix Players, Tubbercurry – finishes circa 10pm. Beckett’s Last Throw starts shortly after that in the adjacent, smaller studio venue.
‘There’s no charge if you just turn up for the Fringe but, in the spirit of promoting what is a lovingly curated, long-running local festival, we are giving people a gentle nudge to go to the main play as well (admission €15) if they are coming along on the night. Pre-booking is not necessary for the main hall either, but, if you wish to do so, go here: https://townhall.ie/tickets/,’ said Liam Horan.
Join a fascinating talk about Irish design with woodturner and lecturer Ambrose O'Halloran at 3pm on Sunday, February 25, at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Discover the story of how a simple bowl, designed by Kilkenny Design Workshops in the late 1960s, led to a reimagining of the traditional skill of woodturning and its resurgence in modern crafting in Ireland. This is a free event. Booking is required. Email BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone 094 90 31751.
Conradh na Gaeilge extends an invitation to a free coffee morning and chat in The Dalton Inn Hotel, Clár Chlainne Mhuiris from 11am to 12 noon on Thursday, February 22. Whether you are fluent or have just a cúpla focal you will be very welcome. Buail isteach. Beidh fáilte romhat!!! Gach eolas: 086 8859407. eolas@conradhmhaigheo.ie.
Claremorris Musical Society are holding a table quiz on Thursday, February 29, from 8.30pm in Killeen’s Bar, Claremorris. Tables of 4 - €40. there will be cash prizes, finger food and raffle. All are welcome.
Become a volunteer befriender to those living with dementia and give Family Carers a short break. Can you spare a couple of hours per week? A little time goes along way. Contact Caroline on 087 3694477 or 094 9364900, or email: Volunteer@westernalzheimers.ie.
Anam Cara Mayo, the organisation that supports bereaved parents will meet Wednesday, February 28, at 7.15pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. They also offer an online support service too. Contact info@anamcara.ie or 085 2888 888 for any queries.
A meeting of the Mayo Stoma Support Group will be held on Thursday, February 22, at 7pm, in the Ellison Hotel, Castlebar. Contact JJ on 087 2300580 if attending.
A workshop for parish choirs conducted by Una Nolan, Director of Music, Knock Shrine, will take place on Wednesday, February 21, at 8pm in Tubbercurry Parish Church. Those who attended the recent choir workshop in Swinford are welcome to attend.
