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.

Charlestown look to triple Burrishoole’s pain

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

When Colm McManamon took over Burrishoole three years ago, it looked to be a forgone conclusion that he would be able to guide a talented, hard working, side back into the senior ranks in the near future. But it has not worked out that way for the men from McGovern Park in Newport. For the third time in as many years, he has guided his side to the final of the intermediate championship, and left them only 60 minutes from achieving their goal. But on Sunday they could not have asked for a harder side to get through at this grade than those who they will be facing in the green corner.

Four home games for Mayo footballers in the league

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

In what will be a welcome boost to the coffers of Mayo GAA, there will be four home games for Mayo in the proposed fixtures for Division 1 of the Allianz Football league next year. The draft fixtures which were released this week will see Mayo entertain Kerry, Tyrone, Kildare, and in a repeat of this years All Ireland final, Donegal in Elvery’s McHale Park. They will be on the road to Dublin, Down, and Cork in their remaining three games. The fixtures will see Mayo open up at home to Kerry on Sunday February 3, and follow that up with another home game against Tyrone the following Sunday. After a couple of weeks break they will be back in action on Saturday March 2, in the first of two away games in a row, on a Saturday night against Dublin, they will follow that up the next Saturday night away to Down. They will be back home the next Saturday night, March 16, against Kildare, before hosting Donegal the following Sunday, March 24, in Castlebar. They will round off the group stages of the competition away to Cork on Sunday, April 7. Mayo will have three Saturday night games and four Sunday afternoon games in the proposed fixtures.

Ballina four miler this weekend

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Sunday will see round eight of the Mayo AC C&C Cellular 2012 Road Race League go to the tap in Ballina. This round of the league will be run over a four mile one lap course. The course will be well marshalled and the final mile will take runners up through the scenic Belleek Park. Race HQ will be at the Ballina AC track and entries will be taken on the day. Entry fee for the race is €20 and includes a T-shirt, the race will start at 3pm, there will be no prize fund for this race as all money will go towards cancer research. For more information contact Michael on 087 6611975.

When the dust has settled it is time to look back

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Now that the dust has finally settled, I spent some time discussing the quality of the senior football championship this year with a few GAA heads. Overall it was generally felt that it was a reasonably good championship as there were several good games that were of high quality. Obviously Mayo’s victory over Dublin is a stand out match for me, and I’m sure several of you too. But you would also have to admit that Donegal’s victories over both Kerry and Cork, when they produced their two best performances, were really eye-catching. Donegal were the best team in the country all year and deserved their All-Ireland success.

Last of the silverware to be handed out in cup and shield finals

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

The last of the trophies will be handed out by the Mayo League on Sunday afternoon when the Connacht Gold Cup and Shield finals take place in Milebush. With the league season coming to an end last weekend (with the exception of the three-way play off in the Welcome Inn League 2 for second place and relegation matters in Premier A) all eyes will be on Milebush on Sunday. For Westport United it could be a weekend of double celebration as their A side are going for the Mayo League treble when they take on Castlebar Celtic B in the final of the Connacht Gold Cup and their B team take on Iorras Aontaithe in the shield final.

Ballintubber to defend their title against Ballagh'

Sun, Oct 07, 2012

Come this time of the season, the win is all that matters and that's exactly what Ballintubber and Ballaghaderreen both delivered in Elvery's McHale Park on Sunday afternoon. Both of this years senior championship semi-finals weren't games for the ages. What they were, was games that had to be won. Ballintubber who are looking to be the first team since the historic Garrymore side of the mid-seventies to put together a three-in-a-row title rein, booked their place in this years final, by coming out on the right side of a result that looked for a good portion of the game, was going to go against them.

Having to line out without Cillian O'Connor was always going to be a serious hinderance to Ballintubber, but for long periods of Sunday's game it looked like it could be a fatal blow. In open play O'Connor is more often than not the focal point of their attack and from placed balls is worth a handful of scores in every game. Without him on Sunday, Ballintubber struggled to hold onto the ball in the danger area and missed a couple of chances from placed balls, you'd normally bank on them scoring from.

Final day drama in-store for promotion chasers

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

The identity of the two sides which will be making the jump to the Super League next season should be known around 2pm this Sunday. As the Premier A League heads for its final round of games this Sunday, Conn Rangers, Ballyheane, and Snugboro United are all still in with a shout of making the step up.

Westport fall just short in ILGU junior cup

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

Balla
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by McHale Agri and Forest, Castlebar saw Ray Mannion win the gents’ section on 37pts, with Audrey Holian take the ladies’ section. Aodán MacSuibhne took second place and Dick Heraty third in the gents’, while Breege Jennings finished in second place and Geraldine Kilgallon in third in the ladies’ event. The Wednesday morning scramble recommenced this week and will take place on Wednesdays at 11am. The AGM takes place at the clubhouse on Monday November 5 at 8pm.

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