Hurlers' heroics deserve plenty of praise

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

There is so much going on in the sporting world it's hard to keep up. The football championship is in full swing, the Euros are around the corner, the passing of Muhammad Ali has grabbed all the front and back pages and then there is the not so small matter of the Mayo hurling team's fantastic win in the Nicky Rackard Cup last Saturday evening in Croke Park. Things look very rosy in the Mayo GAA world and we are still only in the second week in June and yet we have two national titles in the bag.

Barrett only player definitely out of Galway clash

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

The countdown is well and truly on for Mayo's first championship home game of the season next Saturday night when Galway come to MacHale Park for the semi-final showdown. In the lead-up to the game, Mayo manager Stephen Rochford spoke to the press earlier this week about the contest.

Some parents and coaches need to cop themselves on

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Answer this honestly; and no hiding here please.
Just look in the mirror — reflect calmly, and ask yourself this simple question:

McPhillips and Elwood take on new Connacht coaching roles, as Bell departs

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Connacht's Eric Elwood and former player Conor McPhillips will have new roles in Pat Lam's coaching team next season. Elwood will take over as kicking coach on an advisory basis, along side his current role as domestic games manager, while McPhillips, who was brought into the coaching team last season as an assistant attack coach to Pat Lam, has been appointed as Connacht's new backs coach following the departure of Kiwi Andre Bell to his homeland.

Juniors championship ready to start with a bang

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

The 16 teams looking to bring the McDonnell Cup home this season will get their championship season under way this weekend when the Mayo GAA Junior Football Championship throws in venues from right across the country. Last year's beaten finalists Killala, will get their 2016 season under way with a tasty local derby against last year's Junior B champions, Ballycastle, in a north Mayo coastal derby. This group three game will also see two of the Mayo junior team's leading lights come face to face with Andrew Farrell the main man for Killala and Micheal Forde the go to guy for Ballycastle. Both sides met in the league earlier with Killala just about taking the win and their greater experience should carry them through again on Saturday evening.

King Feeney and Captain Hunt ecstatic after Rackard win

Sun, Jun 05, 2016

Families beckoned them over to the edge of the stand for photos to remember this day for ever, tears of joy were being wiped from eyes as the Mayo players tried to take in what had just happened on the field of battle.

Mayo hit the high notes when it counts in Croker

Sat, Jun 04, 2016

Mayo started and finished with a bang in Croke Park on Saturday night as the claimed the Nicky Rackard Cup at the first time of asking. At times it looked like it was going away from them in the early stages of the second half, but JP Coen’s men gutted it out and ran out deserved four point winners.

Coen hails victory as “priceless”

Sat, Jun 04, 2016

He was standing arms folded looking up as his team each took their turn lifting the Nicky Rackard Cup high into the sun kissed Croke Park sky on Saturday, but there as a grin from ear to ear on Mayo hurling manager JP Coen. The man known in hurling parts as “the Rock” had just overseen the first senior hurling championship success for a Mayo side in Croke Park.

Connacht’s can-win attitude triumphs

Fri, Jun 03, 2016

It is a triumph that has produced the biggest shock wave in rugby this season.

The late Monsignor Horan would have approved

Fri, Jun 03, 2016

Some 14 hours before Galway produced a rapturous reception for Connacht Rugby, the squad landed into Ireland West Airport Knock by charter to an unexpected welcome by some 2,000 fans. It set the tone for the next 24 hours after Connacht fans, some having driven from Westport, waited patiently for the delayed Titan flight.

"The late Monsignor Horan wanted a real Connacht airport, and here we have one," roared the welcoming MC. "Tonight we have a real Connacht team, and if he is looking down, I think this is what he envisaged, something like we have tonight, it is absolutely fantastic."

Celtic move into top spot

Fri, Jun 03, 2016

Manulla crashed to a 6-3 defeat at the hands of Claremorris last Sunday afternoon in Carramore, with Dean Roddy chipping in with five goals along with an effort from Simon Butler. It was plain sailing for the south Mayo men at the short whistle with a 4-1 cushion to rest on, with the sole Manulla response coming from Gerry Canavan. Canavan and Matthew Nolan added second half goals for Tom Healy’s troops, but Claremorris were already half-way home.

Meanwhile Westport Utd defeated Ballyglass 3-0, with David Hoban breaking the deadlock in the 58th minute. Two minutes later Danny Scahill doubled their advantage with Joe Lawless sealing the deal in the 85th minute. Hoban bagged the winner for the Connacht/Munster selection on Saturday in the UEFA Regions Cup test game, and as result they will represent Ireland at the next Regions Cup. Castlebar Celtic were pushed all the way by near neighbours Ballyheane, as they carved out a 2-1 win with the goals coming from Colm Nevin and Gerry Hunt.

London job done, now it is back to home affairs

Fri, Jun 03, 2016

The Connacht championship is the most special one in the entire All Ireland championship, with every one of the province's home counties kickstarting their championship adventure on foreign soil in either London or New York twice in a five year cycle. Last weekend it was Mayo's turn to head east to London and while there was a football match to be played, it was as much a social event where old friends and new acquaintances soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed each other's company from early in the morning till well into the evening.

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