Winter season sets across clubs in the county

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

Ballyhaunis
In last weekend’s Agri Spread sponsored competition, Anthony Cunnane was the winner of the gents’ section with a score of 42pts, thanks to his back nine play. The ladies’ competition was won by Jenny Glynn who scored 35pts over her 18 holes.

Byrne comes fifth in the world

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

John Byrne, representing Ireland finished in fifth place in the IAU World Trophy 50k race in Italy last Saturday morning. In very hot conditions and a strong sea breeze, finishing times were down. Participants completed eight laps of the 6.25km course at the coastal towns of Vallecrosia and Bordigheria. The race was won by British athlete Steven Way in 2:54, as the top three broke the three hour mark. John finished in 3:10, a brilliant effort by Mayo AC’s ultra man. In the early stages he ran in group of four in eighth place, including Daniel Oralek (Czech), a former World 100k winner. As the temperature hit 25c he moved into sixth place after 16 miles, and fifth after 20. “It was a battle for survival from then on,” said John. Although he dropped back to sixth with four laps to go, a typical gritty finish by the Straide man saw him gain fifth again which he sustained to the line after 31.1 miles of running.

Back to the basics for Connacht

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Connacht return to RaboDirect Pro 12 action keen to continue their recent form against the Ospreys on Saturday evening in Wales. After two strong performances against both Zebre and Harlequins, it is essential Connacht maintain their momentum to get vital league points on the board. Elwood is expected to make changes for their visit to Swansea, and it is likely former South African Stormer Danie Poolman will finally make his first start for the province. Polman returned to training this week having returned from a week in Germany where he underwent treatment on his hamstring. His presence will be a welcome boost to the side, particularly with doubts over the fitness of Eoin Griffin who has been carrying an ankle injury. While a number of players are carrying knocks and bruisees, definately out of action are Andrew Browne, Gavin Duffy, Matt Healy, Mark McCrea, Paul O’Donohoe, Ethienne Reynecke and Kyle Tonetti.

County finals fail to live up to expectation

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

It was predicted that the sun would be high in the sky last Sunday and so it proved. It was a glorious autumnal day for county finals and a magnificent crowd turned up at McHale Park to see what would hopefully be two action-packed encounters. However, and not for the first time, the fare on offer did not live up to the billing. I was sitting back in glorious sunshine for the County junior final in good time. What struck me immediately on entering the stadium was the fantastic crowd that turned out for the games.

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.

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