Mayo Local Notes: All the news from Foxford
Marie Moran (right) from the Admiral Brown Society Foxford, with Commander Roberta O’Brien at July's 62nd Naval Service Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture Chani Anderson
Plans are afoot to hold a belated 50th anniversary reunion for the class of 1966 to 1971 at St Joseph’s Secondary School. The reunion would have taken place in 2021 but had to be abandoned due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is envisaged that the rescheduled event would be held in Foxford on Saturday, October 26 next, on the Bank Holiday weekend.
40 students started out in that class and while some dropped out along the way, others joined along the way too, so the organisers are hoping as many past pupils as possible will attend, including partners or friends. It is hoped also that the class who sat their Leaving Certificate in 1970, who were small in number, would also join in the reunion.
Given that many of the class may have emigrated, the invitation has gone out early in the hope that they too may make plans to return to Foxford for old time’s sake that weekend. Anyone who may know those particular class members who are overseas are asked to pass on the invitation or alternatively to contact Seamus Burke at 086-8582726 with further details.
Help is being sought for a bucket collection that will take place in Foxford next Saturday, August 10 in aid of RiverFest 2024. Shifts are available throughout the day so if you think you can help, contact the committee through their Foxford RiverFest page on Facebook. And of course, if you’re passing the collectors on the day, spare a euro or two if you can.
The iDonate fundraising campaign for the festival taking place from August 23 to 25 has raised in excess of €3,700 while the festival committee is especially grateful to Gary Smyth and Foxford Pharmacy for their generous donation last week of €1000.
As part of Foxford RiverFest 2024, details have been announced of a terrific 10th anniversary concert party to help bring this year’s festival to a close. The Unusual Ramblers are an amazing five-piece band, which includes local star musicians Stephen Doherty and David Doocey, who will perform at the family friendly party between 8 and 10pm on Sunday, August 25 where the organisers are promising an absolute blast down by the river.
The Unusual Ramblers, who also feature Ronan Brennan (guitar, vocals), Jim Higgins (drums, percussion) and Conal Early (keys) in their line-up, have their roots deeply embedded in traditional music but infuse its spirit and energy with contemporary rock.
The band will play a lively mix of popular favourites also including some material for both ceili and social dancers, so don't miss out – it promise to be an evening to remember.
There will be finger food, the Coffee Pod, a raffle and (a surprise?) birthday cake, all with thanks to Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre and O'Hara's of Foxford who are supporting the event.
Family and individual tickets are available now at Eventbrite.ie.
Training for the 2024/25 season will commence at Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club on Monday, September 2. A limited number of vacancies exist for new members for girls and boys who are 8 years and older.
To pre-register or for more information, you may send a message to 086-8373646.
There was a welcome to the Christian community last Tuesday, July 30 for Jude Edward Hennigan who was baptised in St Michael’s Church, Foxford. Jude is the son of Emily and Patrick Hennigan, Pinner, UK and Cullonaughton, Foxford. Congratulations to all.
A visit to his relations in Foxford was made doubly special when Evan Towey from Donegal bought the winning ticket in the Moy Davitts GAA 50-50 draw and scooped the jackpot of €430.
It was a mixed week for S&F United’s U12 boys team as they won one, lost one and drew one.
The draw came on Friday night last, when they played out a 1-1 draw with neighbours Conn Rangers in Mayo U12 League Division 1. That followed on from a 6-3 loss away to Kilmurry, also in Division 1, with United’s goals coming from Cathal Timlin, Dallan Munnelly and Eoghan Jordan. In between, however, the S&F boys had bounced back superbly from that Kilmurry loss to beat Castlebar Town 7-1 in the cup, with the aforementioned Jordan bagging four goals, Munnelly scoring another, and the other two goals supplied by Heath Byrne and Jack Jordan.
Also victorious last week were S&F United’s U16 boys who made light work of their hosts Ballyhaunis Town when recording a 4-1 win thanks to goals from Brady Guilfoyle, Jason Walsh, Senan Tolan and Nathan McMahon.
Despite two goals from Lucy Durkan, S&F United’s U12 girls suffered a home defeat to Conn Rangers in Division 2A.
If the men of S&F United are to be relegated from the Mayo League Premier Division this season, they are determined not to go down without a fight. That’s after they picked up another three points in their last game, which was away to Kiltimagh/Knock United. Both teams began the day at the bottom of the table but S&F proved the better of the teams, with Luke Ruane scoring to give them the lead inside five minutes. The hosts did equalise on 40 minutes but Chris Downey set-up Michael Guilfoyle who regained S&F the lead four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Guilfoyle doubled his tally in the 89th minute to secure the win.
It's only their second win of the season but two more in their remaining two games, and a losing finish to the campaign by third from bottom Kilmore, and there remains a mathematical chance of S&F staving off relegation.
After four straight weeks of 100 plus fish reported as caught, the lower waters during the week-ending Sunday, July 28 resulted in only 65 salmon being recorded by Foxford Salmon Anglers on the River Moy. A good number of those were released. Early in the week, most success was off worm and when the water cleared, all of the prawn, spinning and bubble and fly came into their own.
The heavy rain on Sunday last, August 4, had the potential to produce some great fishing, the results of which we will bring next week.
Mass is to be celebrated this Friday, August 9 at 7.30pm in New Killeen Cemetery, Attymass, and next Tuesday, August 13 at 7.30pm in Old Killeen Cemetery, Attymass.
There was great delight for the under-18 ladies footballers of Moy Davitts last week when they lifted the Mayo LGFA Minor Division 2 Shield thanks to a six points victory over MacHale Rovers at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. The Player of the Match award was presented to Sarah Carney while accepting the cup on behalf of the team was captain Carla Ruane. The final score was Moy Davitts 2-11 MacHale Rovers 1-08.
For the second game running, the under-16 footballers of Moy Davitts GAA Club hit five goals, backing up their Round 1 win away to Hollymount-Carramore in Group 1 of the U16 ‘D’ championship with an excellent 5-11 to 4-05 home win against Burrishoole last Thursday evening. They will aim to make it a hat-trick of wins when they visit Islandeady on Thursday week, August 15.
Also enjoying the right side of the result were Moy Davitts’ under-14 boys who travelled to Hollymount-Carramore in Group 1 of the ‘C’ championship and went goal crazy, beating their hosts by 10-07 to 1-05. Their next game will take them to Belmullet next Monday, August 12.
There was heartache, however, for the U18 footballers, as despite a wonderful second-half comeback, they came up one point short against home side Breaffy in Group 1 of the Homeland Minor ‘C’ Championship. Breaffy won 2-14 to 3-10.
A free and confidential clinic remains open and available to any homeowner in Foxford or the surrounding area in need of support due to their property being impacted by defective concrete blocks.
Caroline Wilson is employed by Mayo North East Partnership as a Defective Concrete Blocks Community Facilitator and is supporting homeowners through the application process and facilitating access to the relevant support services.
Caroline holds clinics by appointment in Foxford, Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Castlebar, Killala and Westport to meet with the public and provide one to one support. These clinics are free of charge and are completely confidential.
Caroline is also reaching out to anyone who may have storage units, a rental property, holiday home or vacant property that is available to rent to homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks.
To book a clinic appointment or if you have any queries, contact Caroline at 087-4828261 or email carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
The DCB post is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through Mayo County Council.
