Connacht prepare for Newcastle backlash

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Connacht's injury woes may continue, but so do the victories in the European Challenge Cup, and coach Pat Lam will be hoping his injury-hit squad can lift themselves one more time to see off Newcastle before the break.

Westport maintain 100 per cent start

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Ballyvary Blue Bombers kicked the night off with a nervy 4-3 win over Snugboro in the opening division one contest. Despite opening a healthy lead, the Bombers were left hanging on towards the end as Snugboro almost pulled off a sensational comeback.

Ballyvary looked to have scored an insurance goal near the finish but Pat Clarke’s shot hit one post and rolled across the line to the other. Jimmy Byrne, Clarke and Colm Carney scored the goals to secure the points for the Bombers. Zibi Dziminski and a Des Walsh thunderbolt almost completed the comeback.

Moylette looks to avenge last years defeat

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Islandeady boxer Ray Moylette is looking to avenge last year's defeat to Dean Walsh in the National Elite Championships (64kg) final this evening, when the two boxers meet again in the National Stadium in Dublin. Moylette who is a former World Youth Champion and European Senior Champion lost out last year to the Wexford based boxer on a split decision, which saw Walsh take the title and the boxer of the tournament award after a pulsating battle.

U21 semi-finals down for decision this weekend

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence is going to be a hive of activity this weekend with the semi-finals in both the Mayo GAA u21A for the first time and u21C for a second time down for decision. In the premier grade of the competition, Aghamore and Kiltimagh will meet in the first semi-final on Saturday at 5pm, with the second semi-final between Moy Davitts and Claremorris taking place on Sunday at noon.

Mayo hurlers make addition to management team

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Mayo senior hurling team management for next year has been finalised this week, last year's manager JP Coen is staying on in charge of the side for another year and his backroom team has been bolstered by the addition of former Galway goalkeeper Liam Donoghue for 2016. Donoghue will join Ballyhaunis duo Dave McConn and Derek Walsh along with Tooreen's Tommy Feeney in supporting Coen as Mayo look to get back to the Christy Ring Cup for the 2017 season.

Clarenbridge clubman Donoghue joined the Galway senior hurling panel in 2001, and was sub goalkeeper when Galway were defeated by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final of that year. He won a National League title in 2004, and was appointed Galway team captain in 2005, steering his native-county to an All-Ireland final showdown with Cork.

Mayo sides book last thirty two spots in FAI Junior Cup

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

All three Mayo sides in action in the FAI Junior Cup last weekend recorded victories and advanced to the last 32. Manulla made the long trip to Leeside on Saturday evening and they came away with the spoils thanks a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Glen Celtic. Gary Concannon pulled back an equaliser for Tom Healy’s men with a quarter of an hour left on the clock to force extra-time. After a tense and frenetic extra period the dreaded penalty shoot-out was called for. Rory Martyn was denied first but a flawless return from Enda McGahon, Bryan Ralph, Conor Byrne and Connacht Gold Super Cup hero Declan Tonra sealed the win.

Injury-hit Connacht prepare to fight Falcons to maintain top spot in European pool

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Connacht face a fresh injury crisis this week as they return to the Sportsground to take on visitors Newcastle in this evening's European fixture (7.05pm). In this first of the back-to-back pre-Christmas fixtures, coach Pat Lam has been left with just 23 players of his European squad fit after last weekend's bonus-point loss to Cardiff in the Pro 12.

Duffy steps down after thirty years service

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Members of Mayo and District Motorsport Club gathered at Hotel Ballina on Sunday last for the annual general meeting of the club. Secretary John Duffy provided a summary of the events run by the club during 2015 and concluded by announcing that he was stepping down as secretary after more than 30 years in this role. Chairman Matthew Murphy thanked John for his trojan work and commitment during this time. Joint treasurer Sinead Mc Hale presented an in depth report on the financial performance of the club and thanked her fellow treasurer Liam Healy for his substantial input. Club chairman Matthew Murphy, in an extensive report, thanked all who assisted the club throughout the year. He also reflected on the sad and untimely death of club member Margaret McGreal earlier in the year. PRO Andy Walsh reported that 2015 had been another successful year for the club and its members. There was continued success on the national scene where the highlights included 18-year-old Oisin Coffey from Ballyhaunis winning the overall National Loose Surface Autocross Junior Championship. Sixteen-year-old Jason Murphy from Shrule finished runner up in the National AutoGrass Championship, and Foxford’s Alan Moran finished runner up in the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Junior Championship. Moran was also crowned 2015 Mayo Young Driver Champion. While Aaron MacHale and Paul McGee were crowned 2015 Group N Irish Tarmac Champions.

Other members to receive awards on the day included Peter McManamon from Achill who won Club Person of the Year, The Ward family from Ballinrobe, Steve and his two sons Conor and Calum won Club Marshals of the Year, while James McGreal from Foxford won the club's Frank Harrington award. Congratulations were also extended to Ian Barrett from Maynooth who won the overall Frank Harrington Challenge award.

Rochford ready to roll with Mayo

Mon, Dec 07, 2015

This weekend Stephen Rochford will take his first training session with the Mayo senior team, just three weeks out from their first game of the 2016. Last Thursday night Rochford met the press for the first time since his appointment and spoke at length about his hopes and the challenges ahead for the next year and much more. 

Deadly Douglas delivers for Mitchels

Sun, Nov 22, 2015

Just like in the county final Neil Douglas’ eye for goal was the crucial deciding factor for Castlebar Mitchels on Sunday when they claimed their second Connacht senior club title in three years in Tuam Stadium, in the process they sent the current All Ireland champions packing from the competition.

Manulla look to stop Westport’s dominance in cup final

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

With both sides progressing to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup two weeks ago, confidence is high in both Westport United and Manulla camps heading into the Connacht Gold Super Cup on Sunday afternoon next. After wrapping up the league title it has been a successful debut season for John Brennan and his Westport Utd troops. However, they were pushed all the way by Dysart FC where the Covies carved out a 3-2 win thanks to a late Mark McNally winner and this will give hope to Manulla who bagged the Westaro Cup back in August.

There is no doubt that Manulla manager Tom Healy will be analysing the 5-1 defeat to Westport this week to conjure up a plan to restrain their illustrious hosts. He is under no illusions at what they will face on Sunday. “It’s a huge game like any final and especially against Westport Utd. We are really looking forward to it. We know what is ahead of us. Westport are the team in Connacht at the minute, so we know what we are up against. We need everything to go right for us.”

Wind and Rain in Wales – Jubilation in Ballyhaunis

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Across the Irish sea at Rally GB held in Wales, the final round of the World Rally Championships, Mayo members Pauric Duffy and Kevin Glynn in the Killian Duffy managed P1 Rally Rentals Ford Fiesta, finished the three day event in 52nd place overall, this was after the Fiesta left the road during Saturday’s wet and extremely difficult gravel stages and ended up on its roof but the hard working service team led by Philip Case got the car repaired overnight and back out in action under Rally 2 on Sunday morning, where the boys recorded a good result in the difficult conditions.

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