Captain’s Prize day in Ballina this weekend
Fri, Jul 22, 2011
Balla
Colm Walsh with a score of 38pts won the stableford competition in Balla last weekend, he was followed home in second place by PJ Brett who scored 36pts with Derek Dempsey third one point further back. In the ladies competition Breege Jennings and Elaine O’Hora finished on 36pts each, with Jennings’ back nine three play securing the win. Marie Flanagan took third place.
It all came down to inches last Sunday
Fri, Jul 22, 2011
I got a text last Sunday morning suggesting that Sunday’s result would be dictated by the free takers on either side because of the atrocious conditions. After our failure in this particular department in our two opening games of this year’s championship, I wasn’t exactly buzzing with confidence that we would win the match if it was to be decided in this way. But ultimately it was a very significant reason why Mayo were crowned champions last weekend. Mayo management passed the responsibility of free taking onto the young shoulders of Cillian O’ Connor. He was coolness personified throughout as he kicked eight out of nine frees in the match. Donie Shine on the other hand missed two crucial ones that could possibly have seen his team over the line.
Read more ...Mary and Timmy are Mayo AC league leaders
Fri, Jul 22, 2011
As runners prepare to head to the Balla 10k this coming Saturday evening for what will be the fourth race in the 2011 Mayo AC C & C Cellular league details of the top 25 league positions after three races held have just been published. Timmy Glavey (Mayo AC) leads the mens’ league after three quality runs with 64 points closely followed by club mate Robert Malseed on 62pts having also run three races. While well positioned in joint third on 49pts having run two races each are Roger Barrett (Ballina AC) and Matt Bidwell (Galway City Harriers).
Read more ...Super League enters final four game stretch
Fri, Jul 22, 2011
The Elverys Sports Super League will enter its final four game stretch this weekend with Castlebar Celtic looking to stay the course to the title over the last handful of games. Declan Kilkelly’s side are currently five points in front of second placed Claremorris, they kept the gap open thanks to coming out on the right side of an odd goal in seven encounter with bottom of the table Ballinrobe Town last weekend in Celtic Park. Celtic raced into a two goal lead early on only to be hit for three in a row by Ballinrobe, before goals from Stevie Gavin and Ger O’Boyle saw them win through at the end. On Sunday, Celtic will make the short hop to the Sportspark to take on Westport United at 2.30pm.
Read more ...Toulouse to be the first team to visit the Sportsground in Heineken Cup
Fri, Jul 22, 2011
Newcomers Connacht have the honour of opening this year’s Heineken Cup.
Friday November 11 signals the start of the 2011 tournament and first up is Connacht who will be up against Harlequins at the Stoop at 8pm in pool six. Also on that evening is the pool two fixture between Racing Metro and Cardiff Blues.
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Nowhere to Hyde on Sunday
Fri, Jul 15, 2011
With a sell out crowd of 30,000 expected to head to Hyde Park on Sunday, there will be nowhere to hide for Mayo as they aim to dethrone Fergal O’Donnell’s defending Connacht champions on their home patch. Ten years ago O’Donnell was the man who lifted the Nestor Cup in the same venue on a sweltering Sunday evening when a late, late Gerry Lohan goal had primrose and blue ribbons hanging from the old trophy for the year at the end of one of the games of the ages.
Read more ...Ted Webb competition has lots of action this weekend
Fri, Jul 15, 2011
The Connacht council promoted Ted Webb Connacht under-16 football tournament eagerly awaited by all involved in underage football in the province gets underway this coming Saturday in Tuam and Castlebar on a blitz system. Roscommon are the reigning champions having captured the crown in Ballyhaunis last August Bank holiday. This highly valued event is considered by many football pundits as a key indicator to the possible contenders for minor honours in the intervening two years,
Connacht GAA provincial games manager and former Galway star John Tobin has prior to competition wished all players and mentors the very best in this weekend’s action. “For many of the 150 players who will be facing into adult football in the coming years for club, college and county it is a perfect platform to showcase their skills. All who are on show this weekend in Tuam and Castlebar will have come through the development squad systems that are now firmly established in each county under the tutelage of qualified motivated coaches”. Tobin went on to add that “Many in action this weekend will be the senior stars of their counties in the next half decade at minor, under and finally senior level”.
Read more ...Captains and Presidents prizes take centre stage
Fri, Jul 15, 2011
Balla
It was Lady Captains Day in Balla last weekend and Kitty O’Connor was the winner of the prize. She finished four points ahead of Marie Flanagan in second place with Patricia Larkin taking third place. Carmel Costello was the winner of the gross prize with Mary B Prendergast taking the past captain prize pm the day. The first 18 was won by Mary Brett with Julie Loftus taking the second 18. In the mens competition ran over the weekend, Billy Gallagher claimed the glory with a score of 50, Martin Moylette came home in second and Noel Hoban third. The gross prize was won by James Lavin.
Confidence in Roscommon, but it’s Mayo for me
Fri, Jul 15, 2011
I have been chatting to a few of my Roscommon friends over recent days and they appear very confident about their team’s chances this Sunday. I can understand why they might feel that way. Former midfielder and current team manager Fergal O’ Donnell has his team putting in good performances these days. I have heard stories of training camps and twice daily sessions being conducted, so it would appear that no stone is being left unturned as he pushes and strives for success. They are extremely fit and well drilled and are a formidable side. In their two games played in this year’s championship they played superbly. OK, the quality of the opposition i.e. New York and Leitrim wouldn’t be ranked very highly in the current ratings of championship contenders, but other teams have struggled in New York and Leitrim have always proved to be formidable opposition in Carrick on Shannon.
Read more ...Balla 10K pushes road safety this year
Fri, Jul 15, 2011
It’s that time of year again plans are well in place for the 19th Annual Balla 10k which takes place this year on Saturday evening July 23 at 7pm. Over the years the Balla event has established itself as one of the “big ones” on the West of Ireland circuit and for the past number of months Race Director Brendan Conwell and his team have been busy to ensure that this years event will be the best to date.
Road safety is the theme of this years event the organisers have linked up with Road Safety Officer for County Mayo Mr Noel Gibbons and all finishers will receive a hi-vis vest a vital garment for all those people who go out on the road whether running jogging walking or cycling. Speaking recently Brendan was very anxious to point out that the Balla race is an event that is open to all. ”while we attract most of the top runners from around the West its always an event that appeals to all those who wish to run jog or walk the scenic and varied 10 kilometre course one does not need to be a member of a club or fit4life group to participate” he said.
Read more ...Coyle to challenge for world title in Castlebar
Mon, Jul 11, 2011
Henry 'The Western Warrior' Coyle will come home to Mayo next month to challenge for the WBF Light Middleweight championship in The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday August 12. The Geesala native who has been based in Chicago since he turned professional will take on Italy's Elio Contena in The Royal Theatre as the main attraction on a card of great boxing on the night.
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