Doherty given a hero’s welcome home

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Rice College student Con Doherty marked himself out as a future triathlon star on the world stage last Sunday when he claimed the bronze medal at the World Championship Series Finals event at the ITU Junior Championship in Auckland, New Zealand. The 17-year-old was just pipped at the line by Simon Viain from France for second place, he was also just 14 seconds behind the winner Wian Sullwald from South Africa. Doherty was given a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday afternoon in Westport where hundreds of people including huge number of students turned out to greet the bronze medalist at the Octagon in the town.

Four of the best for Mayo stars

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Mayo picked up four football All Stars in the team that was announced yesterday morning. Alan Dillon claimed his second All Star to go with the one he won in 2006 when he was named at centre half forward on the team. The half of the back six was made up by Mayo players with Ger Cafferkey getting the nod at full back following an outstanding year by the Ballina Stephenites man. Keith Higgins was picked outside him in the corner back slot after the Ballyhaunis man had another brilliant year in the green and red. Lee Keegan was the fourth Mayo man to pick up an All Star. It has been some two years for the Westport man who only made his championship debut last year, and only made himself a first team regular this year.

Ballaghderreen get back to the top of the mountain

Sun, Oct 21, 2012

Ballaghaderreen 1-9     Ballintubber 0-4

Ardnaree get second tilt at the title

Sun, Oct 21, 2012

Darragh McCormack came to the rescue of Ardnaree late on in McHale Park on Sunday to give his side a second crack at this years Mayo junior title. Two minutes into injury time, Michael Walsh drove forward with purpose and laid the ball off to the Ardnaree number ten who held his nerve to pull the game level at 1-5 each. It was McCormack who left only one point between the sides, six minutes earlier with a neat finish under pressure.

Ballintubber chase the three-in-a-row dream

Fri, Oct 19, 2012

t’s been 36 years since it was last achieved when Garrymore saw off Knockmore by the smallest of margins on a scoreline of 1-9 to 2-5 to claim a historic three-in-a-row. On Sunday, Ballintubber are looking to become the latest side to enter their name in that ledger in the history books of Mayo football.

Connacht prepare for avenging ‘Quins

Fri, Oct 19, 2012

Connacht are preparing for a massive backlash from English premiership champions Harlequins when Heineken Cup rugby returns to the Galway Sportsground on Saturday. No supporter could forget Connacht’s 9-8 victory over Quins in the final pool match last season - a win which ended a nightmare run of 14 defeats on the trot for the home side, produced a first much-cherished win in the Heineken Cup, but one which also ended the English outfit’s European dreams.

Thus,with nearly 6,000 tickets already sold, the stage is set for a rematch, and Connacht coach Eric Elwood knows Conor O’Shea’s squad arrive with revenge on their minds. “There is no doubt there is a lot of history between us. They will be smarting from last year, but, from our point of view, we know on our day we are capable of beating them. The good thing is we have have confidence of the Zebre win under our belt, and they come here knowing they will have to be on their game. It will be extremely difficult because they are a quality side, but we would fancy anyone at home and in the Heineken we have proved it already against them.”

Ballagh in with a good shout of dethroning champions

Fri, Oct 19, 2012

I missed the semi-finals of this year’s senior championship so I am basing my judgment on information I got from friends, many of whom are far more expert than I. The consensus is that Ballaghaderreen have a fantastic chance of dethroning the county champions. I assume that judgement is based on the semi-final in which Ballintubber looked very ordinary in their lucky victory over Crossmolina.

Latest batch of monthly awards announced

Fri, Oct 19, 2012

The Mayo League this week have revealed the winners of their various monthly awards for August and September this week. The club of the month award for August went to Urlar United with the September award going to Partry Athletics. The manager of the month awards went to Michael Moran (Castlebar Celtic B) for August, and Michael Carroll (Urlar United) for September.

North against south in the junior decider

Fri, Oct 19, 2012

On the undercard of Sunday’s senior final is the meeting of two sides who have been beaten in three of the last four junior finals as they look to finally make the break up to intermediate football. Ardnaree were seen off last year by Islandeady and were also beaten in the final of three years ago by Kiltimagh. The Neale were last in the final in 2008 when Killala saw them off to claim the title.

Charlestown bounce back at the first attempt

Sun, Oct 14, 2012

Charlestown 1-7
Burrishoole 0-6

Elwood says Heineken Cup opener is a must-win for Connacht

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Greater expectations surround Connacht’s second Heineken Cup campaign which begins tomorrow with a return visit to Italian newcomers Zebre. Having already claimed a RaboDirect Pro 12 win in Parma, Connacht head to Italy knowing what is needed to open this year’s cup campaign is a win. Any thing else will be seen as a backward step for the Irish side which also faces Europe’s third ranked side Biarritz and English champions Harlequins in pool three.

Horan to be offered two year extension to current deal

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Only a matter of weeks after James Horan led Mayo to the All Ireland final, GAA matters in the county were thrown into a state of flux again with reports this week the Ballintubber club man was considering his position in charge of the side over a number of logistical issues. The issues of concern were reported to have been hotel accommodation in Dublin and the availability of training pitches and McHale Park.

However on Wednesday night the Mayo GAA County Board PRO Aidan McLoughlin issued a strongly worded statement, where he confirmed that Horan had met the board and would be offered a two year extension to his current deal which has a year left to run.

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