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Sean Reid, James Duffy, Cian Fahy and Dylan McHugh with family members and club officials after the S&F United quartet received accolades at the Mayo Football League U17 and U18 Awards Night which was held in the TF Royal Hotel. Sean, Cian and Dylan were named on the U18 Division 2 Team of the Year while James was selected on the U17 Division 3 Team of the Year. Picture: Ryan Gallagher
The 50th anniversary of Fr Padraig Costello’s ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated in Foxford this coming Sunday, June 1. It follows on from his milestone being marked at the annual Priests' Retreat in Knock last Tuesday evening.
Lots of planning has gone into next Sunday’s Golden Jubilee celebration Mass in honour of Fr Padraig at St Michael’s Church at 6pm. The Foxford Parish Pastoral Council and organising committee is extending an open invitation to the community to attend that and the reception which will be held immediately afterwards in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre.
For any further queries, you can email foxfordparishcouncil@gmail.com or contact any of the following: Angela Neary, chairperson, 087-9291598; Geraldine Carroll, secretary, 085-1174497; Helen Clarke 085-8282000; Michael Lavin 085-8300716; Marion Ryder 087-9233928.
There was huge excitement in Foxford on Saturday evening last, May 24, as Moy Davitts staged a sensational comeback to earn a draw against top senior championship outfit Westport St Patrick’s, in Division 1B of the Mayo Senior Football League. Westport had held a 0-15 to 0-8 lead at half-time so things were looking a little ominous for the home side, however, a tremendous second-half display by Paul McGarry’s side, which saw them outscore Westport by 0-11 to 0-4, meant the game finished at 0-19 apiece.
While Ronan Clarke excelled in the scoring stakes, kicking ten points on the evening, the most telling contribution was by Oisin McHugh as it was his two-pointer from the final kick of the game that snatched the draw for Moy Davitts. It follows on from Oisin’s hat-trick of goals in the previous round win against Hollymount-Carramore.
After five rounds, Moy Davitts have won two, drawn two and lost one to sit third in the Division 1B table, behind Crossmolina Deel Rovers and Ballintubber. Next up on Saturday, June 7 is an away trip to Balla. Throw-in is at 7pm.
The Moy Davitts juniors lost their opening round game in the Mayo Premier Junior Football Championship the weekend before, beaten 3-15 to 1-11 by Ballina Stephenites.
Moy Davitts (v Westport): Chris McGlynn; Ryan Binley, Jack Dunleavy, John Gilmore; David Byrne, Oisin McHugh (0-1-0), Cathal Clarke; Padraig Ruane, Colm McHale; Ajay McGrath, Sean Kelly (0-0-1f), Jamie Clarke (0-1-0); Liam Byrne (0-0-2), Ronan Clarke (0-2-6, 2tpf, 4f), Brian Heneghan (0-0-2). Sub: Conor Ryder.
Moy Davitts are looking forward to playing in two county finals this week, with both the minor and under-16 footballers picking off crucial semi-final wins last week.
On Tuesday, May 27 in Balla, the Homeland Minor Division 4 League Final pairs Moy Davitts with Ballintubber. That’s after Moy Davitts beat Swinford by 3-20 to 1-7 in last Tuesday’s last four clash.
Meanwhile, a 3-10 to 0-6 victory over Bonniconlon on Friday night last, has seen Moy Davitts advance to the Homeland U16 Division 4 League Shield Final. The opponents are Aghamore who will have home advantage for the final which takes place this Thursday, May 29. Both games throw in at 7pm.
It was a tremendous week for Moy Davitts LGFA, one that began with the under-15 footballers winning the Division 3 title at Mayo Féile, which took place at the home of Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club. Taking on the ‘B’ teams of Kilmoremoy and Westport in Group B, Moy Davitts lit up Pitch 4 with a scoring spree that saw them power through the group with big wins over their challengers, scoring a dozen goals across the two games. It secured a place in the final against Burrishoole, a game that was to celebrate the best of Féile football, with skill, effort and passion from young players who gave it their all. And showing no shortage of pace, teamwork and ruthless finishing, it was Moy Davitts who emerged clear champions on the night.
Many of the players were in fine form later in the week too, as Moy Davitts won the Mayo U16 Star League Division 3 final. Taking on The Neale at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, a Player of the Match display by Ava McDonnell helped her side to a 2-8 to 1-6 win.
And while there to be no win for Mayo, last Saturday’s Platinum All-Ireland U14 Championship Semi-Final was a special occasion for Moy Davitts player Rhea Gostick who scored two points against Cork at St Brendan’s Park in Birr.
Foxford Men’s Shed has been encouraged to apply for additional funding as part of a €1 million fund that was announced last week. Sheds across the country can receive grants of up to €3000 to help with their running costs and Mayo TD Keira Keogh is alerting all Men’s Sheds in the county to the opportunity.
“This funding will help Men’s Sheds in Mayo with their costs such as heating, utility and insurance bills,” said Deputy Keogh.
“We all know the positive impact Men’s Sheds have had on our communities.
“Men’s Sheds in Mayo and across Ireland help provide a safe and welcoming environment for men of all ages to come together.”
She added: “Men’s Sheds have become central to so many communities across Ireland. They have created a space to socialise, share skills and work on meaningful projects together.”
A tea party that was held in aid of Alzheimer’s at the home of Maria and Richard Bourke, Tavanaghmore, last month, raised a very impressive sum of €1,345. Maria and Richard wish to thank anyone who baked and donated and who also visited from Cooneal Parish to support the fundraiser.
S&F United suffered a 6-3 defeat away to Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ last Saturday evening in the Castlecourt Hotel Mayo Premier Division. United found themselves 4-2 down at half-time despite their goals by Dean Allen and Paul Moran. They narrowed their arrears when Matthew Leadbetter struck the opening goal of the second-half, however, Celtic pushed on to claim all three points.
The team is due back in action this Thursday, May 29 when they travel to play Iorras Aontaithe in Round of the Mayo Premier Cup. Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
Two goals by Martin Dylan Lawrence and one each by Yarik Yaroslav and Darragh O’Brien saw S&F United fight back from two goals down to beat hosts Westport United ‘C’ 4-2 in Division 4C of the Mayo U15 Football League last Wednesday evening.
There was also a great come-from-behind win for S&F’s U11 Boys as second-half goals by Hunter Byrne, William Hughes, Evan Kelly and Cormac O’Brien helped them a 4-1 win over Ballyhaunis Town.
Three points were also picked up by S&F United in U13 Division 4A after a 3-1 win against Killala. The U13 girls were also in winning form, with a goal apiece by Jemma Jordan and Lucy Durkan seeing their side overcome Ballinrobe Town 2-0 at Green Road.
Not so lucky were S&F United’s U17 boys who crashed out of the Mayo U17 Shield following a 5-2 defeat away to Killala. Brady Guilfoyle and James Duffy scored their goals.
Congratulations to Evan Kelly, Foxford, who was the winner of €100 in last week’s S&F United 50-50 draw. Entry is available each week at www.smartlotto.ie or by purchasing tickets in the usual local outlets.
This coming Saturday, May 31, will be a monumental day for Collette Laffey as after 54 years as a hairdresser, and 45 years’ operating her own salon, she retires from the business.
“All good things come to an end and it is with a heavy heart that I made this choice,” says Collette who has thanked all her friends and customers for their decades of support of her hairdressers on the Ballina Road.
“The pleasure, it was mine,” said Collette who has extended an open invitation to share one last chat, laugh, cuppa and cake at her premises this Saturday.
She is wished all the very best in her retirement.
The organisers of Foxford RiverFest have launched a fundraising page at idonate.ie, where they would appreciate any financial donations towards their hosting of this year’s festival which takes place on August 22/23. Ten bands and kids entertainers have already been booked to appear while a lot of maintenance work, such as sandblasting and strengthening tent poles, has taken place.
Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly gathering of the Foxford Traditional Singing and Poetry Group, which will take place in Guiry’s Bar this Thursday, May 29 at 8.30pm.
There was a delightful jackpot prize of €599 won by Fiona Mountney, Bohola, in the weekly Moy Davitts GAA 50/50 draw. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the Moy Davitts club app on your smart device.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Marian Flynn and TJ Butler who were married in St Michael’s Church, Foxford on Saturday, May 17.
Rainfall since last Friday is set to improve fishing conditions on the River Moy dramatically, after the recent dry spell which even saw the IFI decide to close their fisheries for a period last week because of the unseasonably high water temperatures. On the waters of Foxford Salmon Anglers, nine springers and one grilse were reported caught for the week ending Sunday, May 18. All methods worked, especially fishing early morning and in the evening.
Anyone who is wishing to attend the 20-year reunion of the Class of 2005 from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, are asked to confirm their attendance and pay €20 each towards the cost of entertainment and food on the evening. It takes place on June 14 at The Moy Hotel. You can pay Nadine via Revolut by June 1 at 086-1610559.
It’s a little way off but one to put in the diary nonetheless, with confirmation that Foxford Singing Club, established under the umbrella of Admiral Brown Comhaltas, will run a singing club for children 7 years plus over the course of four weeks this coming September.
It will start at Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Thursday, September 15 with the first to third class ‘Little Larks’ from 5pm to 5.45pm and the fourth to sixth class ‘Silver Sparrows’ meeting from 6pm to 6.45pm.
It is free to all Comhaltas members, with branch membership costing only €6 per year. Enquiries to 086-3999774.
The Rosary has been said at the Grotto on the Swinford Road every Friday for the Month of May. The last of the month takes place at 7pm this Friday. All are welcome.
Providing the weather allows, Mass is to be celebrated outside St Thomas’ Church, Callow next Sunday, June 1 at 10am.
