Captains looking forward to locking horns

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

When Gary Cunningham was appointed Westport Utd captain at the start of the season it was a huge moment in his career, and considering that he is the last line of their defence on Sunday there is added responsibility on his broad shoulders. There is also a new manager among them with the successful duo of James Fahy and Kieran Mulchrone stepping aside, leaving the reins to John Brennan.

It was a new experience for a lot of the Covies crew but one to which they were looking forward. “Starting off it was always going to be a change. We were so used to having the two boys who were unbelievable with us and always got the best out of us" said Cunningham.

Hollymount Road Race celebrates historic event in style

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

It was an historic day for Hollymount. There was a real buzz about the village as the 50th Anniversary International road races took place on Sunday. Conditions on the day were tough to say the least. It was a day for digging in, supporting, enduring and above all celebrating a unique event in Irish athletics. For a race that was 'baptised' in 1966, uisce played a big part in the day, not least during the short flood on the Kilrush loop. It never dampened the enthusiasm or enjoyment of participants, and reminded us that sport reveals the greatest of the human spirit. And we needed that reminder after recent events.

Mayo athletes star for national masters team

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Last Saturday the British and Irish International Masters Cross Country took place at the sylvan setting of Santry Demesne, where it was Ireland's turn to host the annual event. Mayo AC continued their remarkable record of representation in recent years. The club had three members in the Irish women's team this year - all have had previous experience in this competition. All age category teams competed against their peers from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Tight battle lies ahead in Tuam

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Next Sunday in Tuam Stadium (2pm) the two best senior club Gaelic football teams in Connacht over the past three years do battle for the Shane McGettigan cup, and the honour of being the 2015 Connacht champions. Corofin are current Connacht and All-Ireland club champions, and they put those titles on the line facing the last team to beat them in championship action two years ago, in Tuam.

An interesting subplot to Sundays joust, is that Corofin manager Stephen Rochford is the only nominee for the vacant Mayo job, and he will probably be in-situ for the FBD league in the green and red colours for early January. Stephen and his management team will know that the challenge they face in three days’ time will be a massive step up on what they have faced over the past few months. Castlebar are without doubt the best squad of players that they have faced since last February, when they beat St. Vincent’s in O’ Connor Park in Tullamore.

Two out of three the aim for Mitchels

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Two years ago Castlebar Mitchels travelled to Tuam Stadium as rank underdogs against a Corofin side that were expected to see them off with ease and set up a Connacht final with the then All Ireland champions St Brigid's. But football doesn't always go along expected lines and a dogged and fearless Castlebar Mitchels side, who rode their luck at times early on in that game, ground out a deserved victory to kick-start a journey that went all the way to St Patrick's Day.

Battle lines drawn ahead of senior showdown

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

The senior Connacht club final has pitted two of the heavyweights of club football against each other when Castlebar Mitchels take on current Connacht and All-Ireland champions Corofin on Sunday in Tuam in what promises to be a mouth watering clash. The Mitchels will need a near perfect ten out of ten performance to dethrone the Galway kingpins.

Castlebar will be more battle hardened after coming through a tough semifinal win over Clann Na Gael while Corofin have breezed their way to this year’s final annihilating Mohill of Leitrim and St Mary’s of Sligo by a whopping cumulative total of 27 points along the way. After nearly getting caught in the Galway quarter-final by Tuam stars, Corofin have steadily improved under the guidance of Mayo manager in waiting Stephen Rochford and recently look back to their brilliant best. It will be a strange scenario for Rochford pitting himself against players from Castlebar he will be managing in a few weeks time. Corofin losing to Castlebar in Tuam in the semifinal two years ago will surely eradicate any form of complacency the Galway men may have, and it will surely inspire them to exact some form of revenge so it is imperative Castlebar are ready from the offset, and unlike their performance against Clann in the semifinal they will need to play consistently well for the entire duration. The bookmakers see this as a foregone conclusion with Corofin priced at 4/11 to win the game while Castlebar are 11/4. I hope we get a cracker and that Castlebar make it three from three for Mayo clubs against the old enemy in Connacht club finals in 2015. It will be tough however.

History beckons for Hollymout-Carramore

Fri, Nov 13, 2015

They would have never assumed it was was going to be easy, but the willingness to dig out a result when things seemed to be going against them against Melvin Gaels is something that Hollymount-Carramore will have been delighted to have shown on the field a fortnight ago. On Sunday the south Mayo men have the chance to create another little bit of history for themselves when they take on Moycullen to be crowned the intermediate kings of Connacht.

Ardnaree look to make their mark

Fri, Nov 13, 2015

Ardnaree have had four weeks to drink in the fact that they had finally got back to the promised land of the intermediate championship for next year following their victory over Killala in the Mayo Junior Championship final on October 18. The withdrawal of the Leitrim representatives from the provincial competition gave Ardanree a free pass into Sunday's Connacht final. The form that Ardnaree have shown this year, you would have to assume that they would have booked that passage themselves with ease if they had to play a semi-final, but that is irrevelent and all that matters is the here and now and on Sunday, the Galway junior champions Clifden come calling to MacHale Park.

Mitchels lay down a marker of intent

Fri, Nov 13, 2015

Castlebar Mitchels qualified for a mouth watering Connacht final clash with All Ireland champions Corofin after a hard fought win over Roscommon Champions Clann Na Gael in Hyde Park last Sunday. It was a classic case of goals win games as The Mitchels pounced for three first half goals that really left the Roscommon outfit with a mountain to climb.

Mayo go looking for vital win in Ennis

Fri, Nov 13, 2015

The Mayo League will head south to Doora in Ennis tomorrow at 5pm when they take on the Clare League in the second round of the Oscar Traynor Trophy. In their four team group all sides are locked on one point each after a series of 1-1 draws in round one, with Mayo drawing with the Roscommon League, and the Clare League and Galway League also finishing tied at one goal each.

In their opening game the Clare League were pegged back by the Tribesmen late on when Gerry Dolan got in on the end of a Colm O'Donovan pass with four minutes left on the clock to grab the draw. The Mayo League's opponents on Saturday, had taken the lead after 26 minutes thanks to David McCarthy who swept the ball past James Keane to put the Clare League into the lead, and only for a fine display by Keane in the Galway goal it could have been a victory for the men from Clare. Last year the Clare League reached the semi-final of this competition where they were beaten 1-0 by the Innishowen League in the penultimate round of the competition, which outlines the tough task ahead for Mayo tomorrow.

Clean sweep for Mayo sides in FAI Junior Cup

Fri, Nov 13, 2015

Claremorris who remain in the hunt for promotion to the Elverys Sports Super League booked their place in the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday afternoon last when they defeated Manor Rangers 2-1. A last minute Dean Roddy penalty was hugely decisive after he had given them a first half lead. Manor Rangers clawed one back, but Claremorris showed great hunger to steal it at the death thanks to the exploits of Roddy who has been in magnificent form this season. Manulla also progressed to the next round after recording a clinical 2-0 win over Brazukas. Goals from Declan Tonra and Rory Martyn were enough for Tom Healy’s men in a super display by the west Mayo men.