Coady is a class act all around

Fri, Sep 09, 2011

In 2004 as All Ireland weekend approached the Mayo senior football management discussed the option of getting in a guest speaker to have a chat with the footballers before we lined out against Kerry. Certain individuals were suggested. . . the usual suspects from the various codes of sport. In recent times lots of teams have used big stars/names as they seek to gain the edge on match day. The likes of Roy Keane, Bernard Dunne and Keith Wood have all being invited to provide words of wisdom and reassurance on the eve of big matches. We invariably hear about the wonderful job these guys did if, and only if, the team manages to go on and achieve victory.

Ups and downs and cup action this Sunday

Fri, Sep 09, 2011

The situation across the leagues in Mayo was sorted out mostly last weekend with a few relegation spots to be sorted out this weekend and a few more during the week when a reprieve was given to some clubs after points deductions to others were applied. In the Welcome Inn League One division last Sunday, Claremorris B were looking down and out following a 3-3 draw against Kiltimagh/Knock United which dropped them into the relegation zone along with Ballyvary Blue Bombers. But late in the week Claremorris B were given a reprieve from relegation when Kiltimagh/Knock United and Urlar United, along with Ballyvary Blue Bombers were all deducted three points for failing to fulfil fixtures. The resulting points deduction saw Claremorris B jump three places in the table with Urlar United and Kiltimagh/Knock dropping down the league into the relegation zone and League Two football next season.

Connacht ready to go for first home game of the season

Fri, Sep 09, 2011

Connacht coach Eric Elwood and his management team are challenging Connacht to raise the bar again when they host the Scarlets in their first home match of the Rabo Direct Pro 12 on Saturday (3.15pm). With 3,000 season tickets already sold, and buoyed by Connacht’s hard-fought win over Treviso in last weekend's opener, Elwood says it is important his team builds on that momentum, particularly for this first home fixture. “We are very much driven this year to push on from last year, so it is one game down and 20 game to go. Treviso is behind us and now it is all systems go for Scarlets. This is our first home match, there is pressure on the boys - on all of us - but that’s what we thrive on and all that mattes is four points.” Elwood says his team is not getting carried away by last weekend's victory, but believes the supporters appreciate the value of a win in Treviso. "People realise how hard it is to get a win in Treviso and, given the conditions with temperatures in the mid thirties, we deserved the victory. People will now come on Saturday expecting another big performance and even another win, and it's up to us to deliver it." Elwood is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XV, but will welcome the return of prop Brett Wilkinson on the replacement benches. Wilkinson’s return from injury will be a big boost for the front row which will once again will be tested against a Scarlets outfit that destroyed Aironi last week.

“Their firepower up front won the game for them last week,” says Elwood, “and once again we have to compete in the physicality stakes. In addition they have quality in their backs, a lot of young players coming through, so they have strength in depth. We know they are a quality outfit, they always have been, and the brand of rugby they play will test any team around the park.”

Bidwell and Gleeson show their class in Claremorris 5K

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Matt Bidwell and Mary Gleeson further underlined their status as leading runners in this year's Mayo AC Road League on Saturday in Claremorris. It was the 10th running of the De Care Dental sponsored 'Sport a Smile' five mile event and brought a fun atmosphere to the town centre with puppet shows, face painting, music etc. It also served as a focus for Mayo Cancer Support through participants and street collections.

Sports Shorts

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Western Lakes racers do the one two
Mark Quigley has scored his second big win of the year by winning the Mooney Cup in Sligo town on Saturday last. It was a great result considering Mark spent a few hours that morning cycling on a stationary bike to help the club in their annual fundraising roller marathon. The club had a one two with Barry Holian playing the perfect team-mate by out-sprinting the rest of the breakaway group of riders getting second for the club.

Senior title for Corrigan and Gallagher

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Mayo’s Amy Corrigan and Pauline Gallagher secured a hard-earned first ever senior ladies 60x30 all-Ireland title against hot favourites and reigning champions, Maria Daly and Ashley Prendiville at Abbeylara on Saturday afternoon last. However Mayo’s Dessie Keegan failed in his bid to reach a first ever men’s senior singles at the same venue.

Celtic claim the title with magnificent seven

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Castlebar Celtic claimed the Elverys Sports Super League title in style last Saturday evening with a 7-1 thrashing of Iorras Aontaithe in Celtic Park. It was really only a matter of time when Celtic clinched the title, but thanks to Westport United’s 2-1 win over then second placed Claremorris, Declan Kilkelly’s men were able to start their celebrations early with one round of games still left in the league. Westport’s win put them into second place in the table and two points clear of Ballina Town ahead of this week’s final round of games. The situation at the bottom of the table has been sorted out for a couple of weeks now with both Ballinrobe Town and Swinford making the drop back to the Premier A league next season.

Disappointing end to our championship run

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

I was hugely disappointed this week after our Crossmolina boys lost to Castlebar Mitchels in the quarter finals last Sunday. We had prepared exceptionally well, particularly over the last three weeks since the conclusion of the group stages with two good challenge matches and quality training in between. The feeling was that if we could beat Castlebar, we had a right chance of winning the county title. The mood was good coming into the game despite injury to five of our first team squad. There was a quiet air of confidence that we would beat the more fancied Mitchels. There was a big doubt about our county player Peadar Gardiner’s participation right up to the last few minutes, but he had pushed himself right to the limit to be fit to play.

Still one semi-final place up for grabs in Moclair race

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Both Breaffy and Ballina will do it again on Saturday evening as both sides battle it out for the last remaining place in this year’s Treanlaur Catering Mayo Senior Football Championship semi-finals. The sides finished level in McHale Park last Saturday evening thanks to a late equalising point from Breaffy wing-forward Matthew Conroy. Ballina looked to have the game theirs for the taking on a couple of occasions in both the first and second halves when they opened out big leads. But Breaffy pulled the Stephenites back in on both occasions to leave the game level at 1-11 to 0-14 at the end. Mayo minor Evan Regan was the main man for the north Mayo side, scoring 1-6 over the hour and caused the Breaffy defence a number of problems. Jim O’Shea and his management team will have been thinking hard all week what is the best way to counteract Regan’s threat tomorrow.

Connacht kick off new season on Saturday

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

Connacht’s biggest season since the game turned professional kicks off on Saturday when the province travels to Italy to face Benetton Treviso in the newly-named Rabo Direct Pro 12 League. Having achieved a best place finish in the Celtic League last season, Connacht’s task now is to consolidate that position, while enjoying the glamour that Heineken Cup rugby will bring to the province for the first time.

Since Leinster’s victory in the 2010/11 Heineken Cup final paved the way for Connacht’s elevation, much has changed in the province. Necessary off-the-field developments continue apace - a new covered terrace will be ready for next week’s first home fixture, and some 3,000 season tickets have been sold - more than double last year’s take up. But that must now be matched by a Connacht team that will be under pressure, not only to pick up where they left off last season, but to secure more wins on a consistent basis both home and away.