Holding the line at the back
Fri, Aug 19, 2011
The pre-match press night is a necessary evil for players and management alike, with an unrelenting hunger for information from within the camp from local and national media and the general public in the build-up to a big game. It has become a customary exercise in the lead-in to the important business on the field. Last week, national and local journalists descended on McHale Park to get their few words with some of the actors in the drama that will unfold on the lush green sward of Croke Park on Sunday. With the evening's events winding down, the Mayo Advertiser caught up with Ballinrobe’s Donal Vaughan on the concrete concourse outside the meeting room, where his team mates Alan Dillon and Keith Higgins were still being put through the ringer by my colleagues from other outlets.
Read more ...First Breaffy 10k run ready to take place next weekend
Fri, Aug 19, 2011
The inaugural Breaffy 10km has been announced as part of the Breaffy Blast Weekend Festival. The run will take place on Sunday week, August 28 at 1.30pm. The 10k walk/jog/run is being organised by Breaffy Community/Breaffy GAA/Castlebar Fit for Life in aid of Western Alzheimers. This community inspired event is aimed at runners and walkers of all abilities and levels of fitness over a 10km circuit. The predominantly flat route starts behind the national school in the village and extends in a loop along mainly picturesque country roads to finish at the front of the school.
There are toilet facilities at the start/finish line and plenty of parking in the village, at the church, GAA grounds, or in Breaffy House Resort, all within easy walking distance of the national school. Water stations will be available at the 3km and 7km marks along the route. When the exercise is out of the way everyone can relax over a cup of tea and refreshments in the local GAA club house, a short walk from the finish line, where changing rooms and shower facilities are available. Presentation of prizes will take place at 4pm. There will be spot prizes for participants in fancy dress.
Read more ...Golfers around the county mourn the loss of Charlie McGoldrick
Fri, Aug 19, 2011
Ballina
Club members were deeply saddened over the weekend at the sad and untimely death of local PGA Professional, Charlie McGoldrick. Charlie, who was attached to Enniscrone Golf Club, had represented the Ballina Club at many different levels in his amateur days and had always been an inspiration and mentor to golfers at every level both locally and throughout the northwest. He was a gifted golf teacher and hundreds of golfers can trace their interest and progress in the game to Charlie's patience and professional guidance. Gerry Tuffy, captain Ballina Golf Club, said: “Charlie was a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf. His family had a long and distinguished association with our club and we offer sincere sympathy to Rita, Lisa, Charles, his parents PJ and Mary and his extended family.”
Great week for senior handballers
Fri, Aug 19, 2011
It was a busy and hugely successful week for both Mayo men’s and ladies’ senior doubles handballers. Last Friday evening at Mullingar Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann defeated Kilkenny duo Nicholas and Ger Anthony 21-14, 21-17. Two days later they made the trip to the same venue to take one the 2009 All-Ireland senior doubles champions and the duo that denied them a first title, Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen, in the quarter-finals. The Ballaghaderreen club men put in one of their finest performances to date to secure the semi-final spot in a somewhat one-sided contest. The Mayo duo won the opener 21 aces to 4, a scoreline few would have believed possible a year or two ago, and they led 9 aces to 1 in the second. Kennedy and Jensen did mount a spirited comeback but it was short lived as Keegan and a rejuvenated McCann closed out this game on a 21 aces to 14 scoreline. While the result was by no means a shock, beating the senior doubles champions of two years ago still ranks a fine scalp. However if that result surprised some it was nothing in comparison to the second quarter-final which saw reigning All-Ireland champions, Meath duo Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll, dumped out of the championship by the hugely impressive Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan of Cavan in a thrilling contest on a 21-14, 21-15 scoreline. Keegan and McCann now meet the Cavan men in the semi-final in three weeks’ time. Next up for Keegan is a singles quarter-final meeting with Ducksy Walsh at Abbeylara this Saturday at 2pm, and judging by his current form the Mayo man would be expected to progress.
Read more ...Westport and Iorras in cup final clash
Fri, Aug 19, 2011
Westport United, fresh from hitting Manulla for six in the Connacht Gold Cup quarter final last weekend in the Sportspark, will be looking for more goals and glory this Saturday in the FCS Cup Final in Milebush. The Covies will take on Iorras Aontaithe in the divisional cup final in what promises to be an exciting encounter at the home of the Mayo League. Westport ran in four goals in the second half of their game last weekend against Manulla after being held 2-2 at the break by the men from Carramore. Saturday evening’s clash will see the meeting of the sides currently in third and fourth place in the Super League table. Westport are currently in third place, only one point behind second placed Claremorris, but trailing Castlebar Celtic by four points with two games to go, cup success looks like their only realistic chance of a trophy this season. Iorras Aontaithe are a further four points behind Westport in the table. When the sides met for the first time in the league this season they played out at 2-2 draw in Westport, with United winning the return game 3-1 in Carnenash in June. The game is down for a 6pm kick off in Milebush and is a game that should not be missed by local soccer fans around the county.
Read more ...The Dubs dismantle Red Hand men
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
I did not get to watch the Dubs v Tyrone game until Sunday afternoon due to it clashing with our own club championship. Obviously I was aware of the result by that stage, but did not fully realise just how good the Dubs actually were until I watched a recording of the game. They were brilliant albeit against a tired looking Tyrone side. The Dubs played a fast intense refreshing brand of football that quite simply blew the opposition away. It looks as if the timing could be spot on as they have put their indifferent form from the Leinster Championship firmly behind them and are now beginning to play with enormous confidence.
Read more ...Golf Walsh wins the captain’s prize in Balla
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
Balla
It was Captains Day (John O’Connor) in Balla last Sunday in glorious sunshine (despite the weatherman’s warnings). Many of the golfers had trouble on the 18th but not the eventual winner Pat Walsh who romped home with a score of 112. Patrick McDonnell came home second, with Martin Boyle third, and Stephen Minogue took the gross prize. The past captain winner was John Parsons, with Luke Timmiss winning the first 18 and Pat Mohan the second 18. The youths’ section was a toughly fought out affair with Enda Holian just holding off Liam Timmiss. Breege Jennings won the ladies’ section with Mary Brett in second and Mary Fahy third.
Athletics De Care Dental Sport a Smile five mile next up in road league
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
The sixth race in Mayo AC's C&C Cellular 2011 Road League is at Claremorris on Saturday August 27 at 12 noon. It is also the 10th running of the DeCare Dental Sport a Smile five mile fun run and walk, in aid of Mayo Cancer Support Association. To request a sponsorship card contact Mairead at DeCare on 094 93
72250 or email [email protected].
Read more ...GAA Mayo pick up a few knocks ahead of Kerry game
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
At least half a dozen Mayo players were nursing injuries this week according to Mayo manager James Horan. Speaking at the press night in the lead up to next week’s semi-final showdown, Horan confirmed that Trevor Mortimer, David Clarke, Aidan and Seamus O’Shea, Mark Ronaldson and Peadar Gardiner were all nursing knocks at the moment.
Read more ...Boxing Coyle to lay it all on the line tonight in WBF title fight
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
Geesala’s Henry ‘The Western Warrior’ Coyle will enter the square circle tonight with his eyes firmly on glory when he takes on Elio Cotena for the WBF Light Middleweight World Title in the Royal Theatre Castlebar. Coyle, who has been based in Chicago since he turned professional, is coming back to Mayo looking to finish off tonight as a World Champion when he finishes his bout with the 30-year-old from Naples in the county town. Coyle has a record of 15 wins and two losses since he turned professional, winning 12 of those fights by knock-out in the light middleweight rank.
Coyle’s last fight was in May when he beat Keith Collins in Illinois and he has been working hard in his training camp ahead of this contest.
Read more ...Mayo AC’s fifth race hosted by Swinford AC
Fri, Aug 05, 2011
Swinford AC hosted its annual 8km race last Sunday which was also the fifth race in Mayo AC's C&C Cellular Road League.
Read more ...