Connacht head to Wales with ‘all hands to the pump’
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Connacht, boosted by two successive Magners League wins, head to Wales in search of a rare victory over the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium on Sunday (2.30pm).
Read more ...Mayo Road Race League concludes in style
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
There was an exciting finale at the 2010 Vodafone C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road League which concluded on Sunday with the final ninth race, the Westport 5k. Rain and a chilly breeze did not deter the excellent turnout who ran though the grounds of Westport House and round the triangle at the Quay. This was the 12th Annual Road League and another successful series with increasing numbers taking part, especially from the Fit4Life programme. Gerry Ryan (Craughwell AC) was the race winner in an impressive 15.19 and he also retained the men's race series crown. Roger Barrett (Ballina AC) finished second in 15.37 and was also second in the league series. In addition he was the worthy winner of the Most Improved Male athlete award based on his performance over the series.
Read more ...Mayo Stages Rally to kick-start new road safety initiative
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The 2011 McWilliam Park Hotel Mayo Stages Rally is to become the first event to feature under a major new partnership initiative between the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Motorsport Ireland (MI).
Details about the initiative and how it will be promoted during the weekend of the Mayo Stages Rally were announced by Noel Brett, chief executive of the RSA, at the official launch of the 2011 Mayo Stages Rally at the McWilliam Park Hotel Claremorris on Wednesday.
Read more ...Moran pushing Mayo’s positives ahead of Galway game
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The morning after letting a game that was there for the winning slip against Kerry in McHale Park, it would be no player’s ideal way to spend an hour in the presence of journalists looking for answers to myriad questions on the state of play in Mayo football. But as is necessitated in the age of sponsorship and PR, Andy Moran took some time off work and brought himself to the border in Cong to promote Sunday’s Allianz League game against Galway in Tuam Stadium.
Read more ...Mayo club championship draw on Monday night
Fri, Feb 25, 2011
The eyes of every club from the smallest junior club to the defending senior county champions Ballintubber will be on McHale Park on Monday night when the draws for the Mayo Club Championship is made. Also on the night the county board will unveil the new sponsors for the marquee competition in the county. This year there will be 16 team in the bowl for the senior and intermediate championship, with over 30 teams going into the hat for the junior championship. This year the junior championship will be split in two, with an A and B championship. Clubs have up until this evening to inform the county board as to which grade they wish to enter a team in for the junior championship.
In the senior championship Tourmakeady will be joining the other 15 senior teams in the draw this year, with Moy Davitts dropping down to the intermediate championship after being relegated last term. Parke who went on to claim the Connacht junior title last season will be replacing Crossmolina B who were dumped out of the intermediate grade in 2010.
Read more ...Strategic Action Plan launched, but plenty of work still to do
Mon, Feb 21, 2011
Within the concrete bowels of the new stand in McHale Park last Saturday night the possible future direction of GAA in Mayo was launched. There were no bells and whistles to the launch, just a top table, a semi-circle of chairs and a selection of people who have the best interests of GAA in Mayo at heart. Liam Horan was the man tasked with pulling all the possible strands of the plan together, the Ballinrobe club-man had overseen the whole process since his appointment as chairperson of the project last October. A steering committee of 19 people was selected and 10 different areas selected to be examined. In total 86 people contributed to 67 meetings that were held over the past five months to get to last Saturday night and the launch of the document. The areas that were examined were finance and funding, coaching and games development, bridging the gap, bringing through high-potential players, urbanisation and rural depopulation, club-board relations and structures, public relations, harnessing support of Mayo people worldwide, Mayo GAA as a stimulator of economic activity, and hurling and secondary schools.
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Horan makes the changes for Kerry showdown
Fri, Feb 18, 2011
James Horan waited until the action in the Sigerson Cup had concluded on Thursday afternoon before selecting his side for this Sunday’s clash with Kerry in McHale Park. Horan has made a number of changes from the side that lined out against Down in the opening round of the National League a fortnight ago. Into goal comes Breaffy’s Robert Hennelly for his first start in the Allianz League, the Breaffy man has been one of the most constant performers for both club and the underage county sides over the past few years. Tom Cunniffe holds onto his spot in the corner, with Ger Cafferkey moving back to full back after being previously placed at centre half back in the league opener. Belmullet Chris Barrett who didn’t make the match day 26 for the league opener gets the nod at number four. Peadar Gardiner and Trevor Howley come into the half back line with Kevin McLoughlin holding on to his spot along that line. The midfield pairing of Jason Gibbons and Ronan McGarrity will once again patrol the middle third. The Ballintubber and Ballina Stephenites combination looks like one that will be the preferred one for Horan in the long run. Aidan Campbell comes into the side in the half forward line with Andy Moran getting the number 11 shirt with Alan Dillon on the other flank. Aidan O’Shea moves into the corner from the last day out in the league, with Aidan Kilcoyne being rewarded for his good showing against NUIG getting the nod at full forward with Mark Ronaldson retaining his place in the corner. Mayo are of course without the injured duo of Alan Freeman and Enda Varley from the side which started against Down and a number of other players are still out injured since before the start of the season.
Mayo: R Hennelly; T Cunniffe, G Cafferkey, C Barrett; P Gardiner, T Howley, K McLoughlin; J Gibbons, R McGarrity; A Campbell, A Moran, A Dillon, A O’Shea, A Kilcoyne, M Ronaldson. Subs: K O’Malley, C Hallinan, J Burke, J Moran, T Parsons, C Freeman, N Douglas, J Doherty, A Feeney, D Killeen, C O’Connor.
Read more ...Connacht cup fourth round action for Mayo sides
Fri, Feb 18, 2011
It is another hectic weekend of action for a number of Mayo sides on the soccer fields this weekend. Thirteen Mayo teams will be in action across the province in Connacht Junior Cup and Junior Shield action either on Saturday or Sunday. The action gets underway on Saturday evening at 6pm, when Manulla make the trek to Shiven Rovers to take on the 2010 Roscommon and District League champions in what will be a very tough encounter for the Carramore men.
On Sunday Westport United will be looking to shake off their heartbreaking exit from the FAI Junior Cup last weekend in extra time when they host Galway League side Corrib Rangers in the Sportspark. League champions Ballina Town also have home advantage on Sunday when they take on Sligo side Strand Celtic for a place in the fifth round of the competition. Another of the heavy hitters of the Mayo League, Iorras Aontaithe will have to make the trip south to take on Galway side O.L.B.C . The final game in the junior cup is an all-Mayo meeting of local rivals Castlebar Celtic and Ballyheane. Celtic will start as favourites having managed to retain their Super League status for the new season unlike their near neighbours who are currently contemplating life in the Premier Division.
Read more ...John Walkin heads for the Odyssey
Fri, Feb 18, 2011
While many of his Mayo AC club mates prepare for the Westport 5k, John Walkin will be heading to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. The AAI National Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships take place over Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Walkin, who specialises in sprinting, will be rubbing shoulders with many big names when he takes part in the 60 metres event. Over the years he has represented the club with distinction and led the Mayo AC relay team to national silver a number of years ago.
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