Local Notes: Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club, Belmullet win Youth Sports Stars Award
Congratulations to Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club on their Youth Sports Stars Awards and also the members of the Erris (A) Darts team and management on becoming Mayo District Champions 2024 with a score line of 7-1 v South Mayo (A).
As anyone involved in sports knows there are so many factors to the development and success of athletes and clubs. The Connaught Telegraph Youth Sports Stars Awards celebrated three of those factors recently, Volunteerism, Youth and Family. Leah Gaughan was recognised as Young Sports Volunteer of the Year and represented Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club so well when she spoke about how she initially got involved and then got her whole family involved. Michael Cormack was honoured for his individual medal at the IIRC and spoke for the club when he talked about plans for the summer and into the future. The Junior mixed team of DJ Doocey, Ciara Cosgrove, Darragh Gallagher and Amy Shevlin were honoured for their 2023 Irish title. The U14 team of Luke Carty, Ciaran Cosgrove, Tiernan Gaughan and Sean Gallagher had their All Ireland win recognised. As did the IIRC Year 1/2 team of Aleesha Calpin, Katie Turner, Saoirse Donoughue and Alex Calpin.
‘We are so proud of all of our youth members, their achievements and that they continue their involvement in rowing or other sports whether with us or with their college/university club or country! Congratulations to our former member and rugby star Fiachna Barrett who was also honoured last night. Incredible role models one and all!’, said a spokesperson.
Councillor Gerry Coyle said recently that he was beyond proud and honoured to see Geesala Festival win the Community Tourism Award at the Cathaoirleach Awards in Breaffy House. ‘For a small community to be able to showcase our area with the festival and receive this recognition is amazing!’ ‘This award is not about me or John Munnelly but is about the wonderful festival committee and everyone who makes the festival happen, year in year out. The stalwarts of our community who stand on the strand or at the ferry, allow us use their land, help with parking, attend meetings on dark winter nights, put up with mine and John’s somewhat chaotic organisational skills, take entries, put up the marquee, organise and run events, help out in any way they possibly can - this award is for all of them people, the selfless volunteers who breathe life into the festival year after year, with the unwavering support of our wonderful and generous sponsors, especially our Erris exiles and of course all those who attend the many events. We’ve been very lucky to have received local, national and international media coverage over the years from Midwest Radio, TV Ireland to CNN. I also want to take a moment to remember all the fantastic men and women who helped us down through the years but are sadly no longer with us, I won’t start naming names but your families know who you are and we as a committee and community are grateful for all you did and your absence is felt, said Gerry.
Well done to all the winners and indeed deserving nominees on the night. ‘I often say it but the meitheal is well and truly still alive in Mayo. A special mention to the other Erris winners, my good friends Pap and Kathryn Murphy of Turas Siar in Cartron, Clogher, promoting our history and Irish culture and the late great Padraig Brogan for everything he did for our community also to Fiachna Barrett on his Young Mayo Sport stars of the year award, very deserving winners. Thank you to Mayo County Council for the award and the support over the years. Best wishes to all at Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club who are deservedly nominated for an award tonight at the Connaught Telegraph Awards. Finally, to anyone both past and present that have ever helped in any way with the Geesala Festival - thank you, take a bow, this award is for you’ concluded Gerry Coyle.
Golden Gloves Boxing Club Belmullet had 3 boxers in action recently. First up was Chloe Coyle who was boxing at the Aglish female tournament. Chloe boxed a good girl from Swinford Boxing Club where she boxed well on her feet to come away with a unanimous win. Again in Aglish, Patrick Coyle and Sean Reilly were in action.
Patrick boxed first and boxed well against his opponent, landing clean shots. We thought he did more than enough to take the win but he didn't get the nod.
Next up was Sean Reilly who did his best against his opponent who had a big height and reach advantage. Things didn't go Sean's way but both lads learned big lessons which will stand to them in the future.
A great evening was held recently as Ronan Newman, founder and local Astrophotography Brian Wilson opened Irish Astronomy Week in style with entertaining and educational talks. Another thank you to Katie and Fionnuala of Mayo County Library for their epic displays of the huge selection of space and science books on offer in Belmullet library.
The gap year students took part in the ‘Mayo Student Enterprise Awards’ competition in Ballina recently. This is an enterprise competition for secondary schools in the county. This competition is open to small businesses in all schools that sell products or services to make a profit. The name of the mini-corporation is ‘Rossport Products’. Before Christmas they sold Christmas trees for the garden, made of steel with electric lights. They are currently selling boxes for plants in the garden. There was good competition and they gained great experience in the business. They had a great day in Ballina and they hope to be back again. ‘Praise the youth and they will come’.
Recently the students of the Transition Year took part in the entrepreneurship competition for Gaeltacht schools, the regional championship for the organisations programme, which was held in Áras Inis Gluaire, Béal an Mhuirthead. They made a presentation on their work. They had good competition with the schools present: Coláiste Pobail Acla and Coláiste Mhuire Tuar MhicEadaigh. Gaelcholaiste Chomain won the prize for innovation, and they got a great experience in entrepreneurship! Many thanks to Mr Philibín and all the staff who helped and supported the students.
Our Lady’s Secondary School Student Council was delighted to visit Cara Iorrais recently. The group made a donation to the Erris Cancer Support Group, following a number of school fundraisers. The students learned about the amazing work carried out by Cara Iorrais in the community and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the wonderful volunteers.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €11,800 with the two €50 winners being JJ Barrett, Doolough and Pat Carty, Tallaghaun Bawn while Breege Gallagher, Bangor and Eileen Rooney, Glenamoy, both won €25. The two online winners were Fiona Gallagher, Ballymunnelly €50 and Charlie Healy, London €25. Bingo will continue in the Bangor Complex this Tuesday, March 19, at 8pm with a €850 jackpot in 52 calls or less. There will also be an opportunity to enter the Easter raffle.
A quiz night takes place on Saturday, March 23, at 8.30pm in McGuire’s Pullathomas. Table of 4 is €20. Raffle and refreshments served and all are welcome. There is a quiz night for kids and adults on March 20, from 7.30 -8.30pm in the clubhouse. Refreshments will be served.
As part of a social initiative with Specsavers, Cill Chomáin GAA are organising a trip for older people to St Tiernach's Park, Clones, on Sunday, March 24, at 1.45pm for the last round of the Allianz league (Mayo v Monaghan). They hope to subsidise the bus and tickets as well. Anyone that would like to go contact Michelle on 086 4075057 by Tuesday, March 19.
An unveiling and wreath laying ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 30, at 2pm, at a memorial recently constructed on the banks of the canal in Belmullet, to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the Erris men and women who volunteered during the War of Independence (1919 - 1921). The plaque lists the names of over 600 volunteers, who joined the 16 Erris companies of the North Mayo Brigade.
