Four Mayo men cut the grade in the best of the last five years
Fri, Nov 19, 2010
The recent success of Mayo football at u21 level was recognised this week with four Mayo players making the cut and being named among the best 15 players to have played in the u21 championship over the past five years since 2005. Those who made the grade were Keith Higgins, who captained Mayo to their All Ireland u21 championship success in 2006, Pearse Hanley, Aidan O’Shea, and Tom Parsons. In the time period for selection Mayo won four Connacht titles in a row from 2006 to 2009 and an All Ireland title in 2006 all under the guidance of the management team of Pat Holmes, Noel Connelly, and Mícheál Collins. In 2010, Ray Dempsey took over the team and brought them to a Connacht final where they were narrowly beaten by Roscommon in the final.
Read more ...Colm Staunton wins Sea2Summit, finishing in just over three hours
Fri, Nov 19, 2010
Under challenging November weather conditions the Westport Sea2Summit pushed the country’s leading adventure runners through their limits for the top sporting challenge. Taking in an intense 56.5km over a series of road running, mountain cycling, and running up the challenging terrain of Croagh Patrick with the backdrop of Clew Bay, the summit included a sea dash in Clew Bay and intricate obstacle challenge before finishing in the Fairgreen Westport
The event offered competitors a choice of two categories; the supreme course (56.5kms) and the spirit route (27.5kms). Colm Staunton, Westport, was the first competitor over the line in the men’s category of the supreme course. The Westport native completed the race in a time of three hours three minutes. Emma Donlon, Raheny in Dublin, finished in the supreme race in three hours 36 minutes to win the female category. In the spirit route course, Anthony Murray, Westport, crossed the line in one hour and 47 minutes, while Mary Mulchrone, Westport, won the women’s category in a time of two hours three minutes.
Read more ...McGrath to run the line in FAI Cup final
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
Mayo League referee Damien McGrath’s upwards trajectory in the game will continue at pace on Sunday. The north Mayo whistle blower will be first assistant referee in Sunday’s Ford FAI Cup final between League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. McGrath’s stock in the game has been rising over the past number of years and he was rewarded earlier in the autumn when he was appointed as first assistant referee in a UEFA Champions League group game. On Sunday he will once again be first assistant referee with Thomas Connolly the man in the middle.
Read more ...Great day’s sport at Gaffney Memorial Tournament
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
The third annual John Gaffney Memorial Tournament hosted by the Williamstown club on Sunday last attracted a record entry of 50 boys and girls from clubs around the province. In the spirit of the late John Gaffney the event was confined to beginners and improvers of 14 years or younger. Following the opening two rounds the four semi-finalists were Daniel Lydon (Moycullen) and Patrick Murphy (Belcarra), Michael McAndrew (Moycullen) and Conor Dohohue (Belcarra), Martin Mulhern (Charlestown) and Brendan Foody (Castleconnor), and Conor O’Toole (Charlestown) and Jason Earlis (Castleconnor). Lydon and Murphy beat McAndrew and Donohue in the first semi-final while O’Toole and Earlis won the second. The final was a slightly one-sided affair with victory on the day going to O’Toole and Earlis on a 15-3, 15-6 scoreline. In a thrilling plate final played at Ballymoe, Martin Byrne (Kiltimagh) and Conor May (Charlestown) defeated Stephen Madden (Ballaghaderreen) and Tony Fox (Collooney) 13 aces to 11.
Read more ...Team title for Ballina AC men’s team in Hollymount International Road Races
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
The Hollymount international road races took place last Sunday under the stewardship of Seán Reilly. There is always a high quality field in this race run over a course which encompasses three demanding laps to make the 10K distance in the men's race. The women's race is over 3K and was dominated by Mary Gleeson and her Mayo AC team mates. Ballina AC athletes Michelle Reynolds and her sister Ann Egan put in solid performances. They are used to much longer events but added the snappy 3K event to their repertoire.
Read more ...There could be trouble ahead in the Royal county
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney loves his football and, particularly it would seem, managing football teams. I heard it said that a number of years ago when Banty was managing a local club side in Monaghan, he would often leave his bar in the early hours of the morning, and rather than go home and risk a sleep in, he would drive to the training ground, have a few hours’ kip in the car, before taking an early morning session with his charges. There can be no doubting his commitment to the cause.
Read more ...World champion to compete at Westport Sea 2 Summit
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
The cream of Irish adventure racers and athletes is set to descend on Westport this weekend for the inaugural Westport Sea 2 Summit Adventure Race. The event, which is only in its first year, has attracted more than 600 entries from all over Ireland and across the water.
Read more ...Ballyhaunis shoot for provincial glory
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
With only one of the three football champions in Mayo picking up provincial honours this year, it is all down to the Ballyhaunis hurlers to keep the Mayo flag flying in the Connacht club championship. On Sunday JP Coen’s side will make the trip to Athleague to take on Pádraig Pearse’s from Galway in the Connacht intermediate final.
Read more ...Parke claim provincial crown while Ballintubber bow out
Mon, Nov 08, 2010
It was a mixed day yesterday for Mayo sides in the AIB Connacht Club Football Championship, with Parke claiming the junior title and Ballintubber losing out to Galway champions Killererin in the senior semi final.
Parke returned to a windswept McHale Park, the scene of their win over Islandeady in the Mayo decider, yesterday to face Leitrim champions Eslin. In a stunning first half display led by Sean McHale Parke tore into Eslin and went in at the break leading by 2-12 to 0-5. The two goals for the men in black and amber came from Sean McHale and Darren Durkan. The Leitrim champions, who brought a big support to McHale Park for the game, had no answer to the incisive football played by Frank McHale’s side. Parke captain Declan Neary, who picked up the man of the match award, was in flying form dominating the midfield which was the launching pad to many of his side’s attacks. Simon Cloherty along with Dwayne Flynn was also causing all sorts of problems for the Eslin defence from throw in.
Read more ...All roads lead to Hollymount this weekend
Fri, Nov 05, 2010
For 45 years now the Hollymount road race has been the highlight of the athletes’ diary in the winter season. All roads again will lead to Hollymount this Sunday November 7 for the 45th Annual Road Race. Hollymount is renowned because of its international appeal with a huge contingent of runners again making their way from the UK and further afield. Things get under way on Sunday at 12 noon with a Fit4Life 8k fun run and walk, at 1pm the u17 boys and girls’ 3k race will go to the start line. Half an hour later the senior women’s 3km will start, with the main event the men’s international 10k going under starters orders at 2pm.
Read more ...Great win for Loftus Recycling in Dublin
Fri, Nov 05, 2010
A severely depleted Loftus Recycling side scored a magnificent victory over Dublin side Tolka Rovers in the National Basketball League (Division 1), in Tolka Sports Centre in Dublin on Saturday night. The Ballina team travelled without several members of the panel due to a combination of injuries and work commitments, but a super performance saw them secure two valuable league points against all odds. Despite some members of the squad arriving on court just before tip-off, having been caught in Croke Park match traffic, Loftus Recycling raced into an early lead with Dara McGarrity firing in three early three-pointers and the game’s top scorer, Peter Papic, adding another three-pointer as well as three two-point baskets and converting two free throws. Tolka appeared shell shocked by the whirlwind start by Ballina which saw them on 23 points at the end of the first quarter while excellent defence by the visitors kept the home side to just 10 points (23:10).
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