Freeman looking for Mayo to get forward momentum

Fri, Apr 21, 2017

The Mayo senior hurlers get their championship season under way tomorrow afternoon in Ballina, when they take on Kildare in the first round of the Christy Ring Cup. After their success in last year's Nicky Rackard Cup and gaining promotion back up to the second tier of the hurling championship, Mayo will be looking to lay down a marker in this year's competition, and tomorrow will be a serious test of their abilities against a Lilywhite outfit that just missed out on the division 2A league final by virtue of a head-to-head result against Antrim. They won three of their five games against Armagh, Westmeath, and London, along with drawing with Carlow and a narrow two point loss to Antrim.

We'll be glad to see the back of the great Gooch

Fri, Apr 21, 2017

The very publicised retirement and eulogising of Colm Cooper caused much debate among friends and foes, current and past players, print and TV media over the last number of weeks. Joe Brolly fought an unwinnable battle against Ciaran Whelan and Tomas O'Shea on league Sunday declaring Cooper went missing in big games when Kerry needed him most and had to keep referencing Cooper's performances against Tyrone as an example of this.

Breaffy look to make it three from three

Fri, Apr 21, 2017

With last weekend's meeting of Knockmore and Castlebar Mitchels postponed and Ballintubber playing only their first league game after a postponement in round one, Breaffy moved to the top of the league table early doors with their second win in a row last weekend against Claremorris. They were made to fight hard for that win, with the south Mayo men sticking with them right throughout and James Shaughnessy's 10 point haul a very impressive return. Breaffy held on to win by two points thanks to Aidan O'Shea's second half goal being the decisive score.

Manulla look to push out their lead at the top

Fri, Apr 21, 2017

League leaders Manulla will look to keep up their impressive start to the new season tomorrow evening when they head to Belleek to take on a Ballina Town side that are rooted to the bottom of the table and badly in need of a win. Last weekend they left it late but ultimately saw off the challenge of a Straide and Foxford United side that had been level with them on the top of the table at the start of the weekend, thanks to a goal three minutes from time from the head of veteran striker Dessie Campbell.

Mayo women take home gold at National 10k championship

Fri, Apr 21, 2017

Mayo AC were represented by 16 runners at the National 10k Championships which took place in the Phoenix Park Dublin recently. The race was run in conjunction with the annual Great Ireland run, with 5,000 participants taking part in 10k, 5k, and Junior races. The one lap 10k course is relatively fast up to the five kilometre mark, but has extremely tough uphill sections from there to the finish. Conditions were good as almost 500 club athletes competed for individual category and team medals.  

Repeat of last year's Moclair decider tops the bill

Fri, Apr 14, 2017

The meeting of Castlebar Mitchels and Knockmore in north Mayo on Saturday evening tops the billing in round two of the Mayo GAA Senior Football League this weekend. The sides met in last year's senior county final with the Mitchels running out winners that day against the north Mayo men.

A little bit of opposition research

Fri, Apr 14, 2017

With Mayo's place in division one secure for next season it was nice to sit back, relax, and enjoy the league finals played in glorious sunshine in Croke Park last weekend. I was on co-commentary for Radio One for the Kildare and Galway game on Sunday which felt like a friendly encounter for the first half, however it did liven up for the second period.

Early pace setters meet on Sunday

Fri, Apr 14, 2017

When the season was about to kick-off, you would have got pretty good odds on Straide and Foxford United leading the league table after the first few rounds of games, but that is exactly where they are right now, with seven points from their opening three games. You would have also probably got as long odds that the two sides who battled it out for the title last year would be in the bottom two, but once again that is what we have so far with Ballina Town propping up the table and Westport United just ahead of them.

Muldoon looks to lead Connacht to derby win on 300th cap

Fri, Apr 14, 2017

Long-serving Connacht forward John Muldoon will make his 300th appearance on Saturday evening against Leinster at the Sportsground. At 34 years of age and in his 14th season, having made his debut off the bench against the Borders in 2003, Muldoon's leadership and longevity have ensured his place in the record books.

Mayo finish season unbeaten as they claim league title

Fri, Apr 14, 2017

Mayo Volleyball Club today finished their maiden season with a clean sweep of victories to claim the national division two title. Their 14th and final game resulted in a 3-0 win against Aer Lingus - completing a fine season devoid of blemish.

Mayo dig it out when it really mattered

Sun, Apr 02, 2017

Mayo will be kicking their heels for the guts of two months now, until they get into championship action and you can only feel that’s a pity - because the intensity and passion they showed in the second half of this win over Donegal is something they will need to recreate come summer time.

Ballinrobe Community School hold their nerve to bring Paddy home

Sat, Apr 01, 2017

If there wasn’t enough pressure on Conor Heneghan when he lined up a free into the Davin Stand, as he started his run up the PA announcer decided to let everyone know there was going to be three minutes of injury time in the game. But the Hollymount-Carramore man held he nerve and drove the ball right between the posts to level up this All Ireland final at 1-11 each and send it into extra time.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.