Doherty claims Ballyhaunis 8k

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

There was a blustery breeze around the 8k course as more than 100 runners lined up at the start outside Caulfield's shop in Ballyhaunis on Saturday afternoon for the fifth annual 8k run west race. It was also the seventh race in 2012 Mayo AC C&C Cellular Road League. The road was dry as they raced down main street and turned out Clare road. The pace dropped for many as they came on a tough hill section as they approached Gorteen after the 4k mark . By then Con Doherty (Westport) who led out from the start had a few seconds lead over Matt Bidwell (GCH).

Neighbours meet again for Tyrell Cup

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

The Mayo Senior Hurling Championship Final is down for decision this Sunday, October 7 at 2pm in Tooreen. Champions Ballyhaunis play neighbours Tooreen in what should be a tough and exciting encounter. Ballyhaunis are going for five in a row but local rivals Tooreen will keen to break this winning run and win their first senior championship since 2003.

Elwood says ‘time is right’ to step aside

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

After 25 years of “living and breathing” Connacht Rugby, coach Eric Elwood has said it is time for a change. In officially announcing on Wednesday evening that he would step down at the end of the season, Elwood said his decision had nothing to do with any “issues” at Connacht Rugby, but for personal reasons. “I have come to this decision after thinking long and hard about what is best for me and also what is best for Connacht. I have given a big part of my life to Connacht Rugby and I feel that it is time for me to have a change and time for the province to have a change as well.”

A letter from an American friend

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

I regularly email a friend of mine in the US regarding the progress of the Mayo team. He is quite fanatical about Mayo football and regularly travels ‘home’ to see his beloved county play in the championship. He could not travel for the All-Ireland but did watch it live on TV. He sought my views on the game. I have decided to let you see his response to my email where I suggested that Mayo were beaten by a better team on the day.

Champions under pressure in three in a row chase

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

It has been a remarkable few years for Ballintubber, escaping with the intermediate title by the skin of their teeth in 2007 and going on to put together back to back senior titles in 2010 and 2011. This year, they are looking to make it three senior titles in a row. On Sunday in McHale Park, Crossmolina Deel Rovers will become the latest side to try to knock Peter Ford’s men off their lofty perch.

Ten All Star nods for Mayo players

Fri, Oct 05, 2012

Ten Mayo players have been rewarded for their performances in this year’s football championship with nominations for the GAA GPA All Stars. Mayo’s haul of 10 nominations was only two short of All Ireland champions Donegal’s total. Both Alan Dillon and Andy Moran will be looking to pick up their second All Star awards with their nominations for this year. David Clark’s great year in goal has seen him get the nod alongside Dublin’s Stephen Cluxton and Donegal’s Paul Durcan. Both Keith Higgins and Ger Cafferkey were given nominations in the full back line, with Lee Keegan and Colm Boyle in the half back line. Both Aidan O’Shea and Barry Moran are up for one of the midfield berths, with Kevin McLoughlin joining Dillon and Moran in the race for a All Star in the forwards. Cillian O’Connor, who won the young player of the year last year, is nominated again this year for the same award.

Premier A title still up for grabs

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

It is still all to play for in the Welcome Inn Hotel Premier A title race this weekend. With only two rounds to go in the league, Conn Rangers, Ballyheane, are the favourites to finish in the top two, with both sides meeting this Sunday. Snugboro United’s challenge took a major dent in the last round of games when they were beaten 3-2 by Clew Bay United, leaving them trailing first place Conn Rangers by four points and second placed Ballyheane by three points. If Ballyheane see off Conn Rangers in Quigley Park this Sunday, it will leave the door open for their near neighbours in Snugboro to overhaul Conn Rangers on the last day of the season when they travel to Mount Falcon to take on the north Mayo side. First thing for the Conway Park side is a game at home against a bottom of the table Swinford on Sunday at 2.30pm.

The Super League will move into its second last round of game with the battle for second spot the only real thing up for grabs. Castlebar Celtic are currently in second spot on 22 points, three in front of Iorras Aontaithe, with Ballina Town in fourth one point further back. Celtic will be confident of maintain their grasp on that spot with bottom of the table Straide and Foxford United coming to Celtic Park on Sunday at noon. Iorras Aontaithe have to face the champions Westport United while Ballina Town are away to Fahy Rovers. The other game in the division is the mid table scrap between Claremorris and Manulla in Concannon Park.

Ballyhaunis 8K goes to the tape tomorrow

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

The Ballyhaunis 8k takes place next Saturday, September 29 at 4pm. This is race number seven in the Mayo Road league. Last year three former Irish Olympians took part, Jerry Kiernan, David Matthews and Noel Berkeley, who won the race in a fast time of 25:54. The women’s race was won by Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) in 29:16. A large attendance is expected again this year.

Autumn season tees off around the county

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

Balla
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by Nevada Bobs, Castlebar, was won by Brian Fallon with a score of 39pts. John O’Connor finished second with John Walsh coming third. The ladies’ competition was won by Breege Walsh on 36pts, with Carmel Costello finishing in second place and Geraldine O’Malley finished in third place. Mary Conlon won the junior scratch cup with Enda Holian finishing in second place. The captain’s away day takes place at Ballinrobe Golf Course on Saturday October 6 commencing at 12.30pm. A sign up sheet is on the noticeboard.

Parks to make his first Connacht start

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

Connacht will hope that the debut of Dan Parks for the province this evening in the first inter-provincal of the season will be able to give them a springboard to success against Leinster. In the pre-game media build up, Connacht coach Eric Elwood said he was “hopeful” that Parks would make his debut saying, “Dan did some conditioning last week and came through ok, but we will have to see how he backs that up over the week.” But come yesterday’s team announcement Parks made the starting 15 at out-half.

Minors to light up Friday night

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

This evening in McHale Park a night of top class football promises to be in store with the county minor A and B finals down for decision in the county ground. The action will get under way at 7pm with the meeting of Carras and St Muradeach’s in the B final. The north Mayo amalgamation made their way into the final with a 1-10 to 0-9 win over Moy Davitts last weekend in Ballina. Darragh Burke was the man who got the only and vital goal of the game, with Ronan Neary kicking five points over the 60 minutes.

Back to basics on Sunday with intermediate semi-finals

Fri, Sep 28, 2012

Seven day’s on from the All Ireland final and the glamour of Croke Park, it is back to the reality of club football this weekend. While for most its action in the league for the best four sides in the intermediate championship its semi-final day on Sunday. Burrishoole, Parke, Charlestown, and Kilmaine have all made it this far with two spots in the final up for grabs in McHale Park on Sunday afternoon.

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