Premier A title comes down to play-off

Fri, Jan 08, 2016

The curtain will finally fall on the 2015 Mayo League season nine days into 2016 when Glenhest Rovers and Claremorris face off in a play-off to see who will claim the Premier A crown in Milebush Park tomorrow evening at 7pm.

Ballina look to keep new year run going

Fri, Jan 08, 2016

Ballina kicked off the new year with a seven-point win over fellow Mayo side Westport in the top division of the Connacht Junior League last weekend. The north Mayo's 10-3 win at home saw them do the double over the Bulls this season, following their opening day win in Carrowholly. Ballina's win came thanks to a closing quarter performance where they put their total tally on the scoreboard.

Westport had led 3-0 for most of the game thanks to a Sean Tobin penalty midway though the first half. Darragh Whyte, who came on as a sub, leveled the game up 15 minutes from the end; this was followed by a try from Conor Mason and Whyte added the extras to seal a memorable win for the Heffernan Park-based side. That win was Ballina's fourth from six games so far this season and on Sunday they will host Ballinasloe, with the visitors sitting just three points in front of them in the league table in third place, but Ballina have played two games fewer than their guests at this stage of the season.

Keane happy to get things up and running

Wed, Jan 06, 2016

The FBD League threw in last Sunday and Mayo full back Kevin Keane had some new faces for company alongside him in Stephen Rochfords first starting 15 as Mayo manager. The Westport club man was happy to get the year off to winning start and get some miles into the legs in game conditions.

Rochford passes first exam against students

Sun, Jan 03, 2016

When the history books on Stephen Rochford’s tenure in charge of Mayo are written, this game will be a brief footnote in the overall analysis of his term as Mayo senior manager, but it will be a winning footnote. He started just one third of the side that last were in competitive action for Mayo last September and gave debuts to a handful of hopefuls, while a number of probables and returning faces were also given starts in the first game of the 2016 adventure.

Rochford happy with first outing and looking forward to the next one

Sun, Jan 03, 2016

Ever since he was appointed as Mayo senior manager, January 3 2016 would have been circled in Stephen Rochford’s mind as the day that business really began for him as the new Mayo manager. When asked after his sides two point victory over NUIG how he felt this morning waking up, knowing that this day had arrived, he responded saying: “I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I was eagerly looking forward to the game and now that it’s here and done, it’s about next Tuesday, next Friday, and it’s about getting ourselves right for IT Sligo and improving on todays performance.”

Rochford looks for “positive trajectory” from new recruits

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Earlier this week the names of a number of returning and new faces who have been invited into the Mayo panel for the early stages of next year's campaign emerged into the public sphere, with the likes of Jason Gibbons, Cathal Carolan, and Shane McHale being mentioned as coming back into the fold alongside the likes of David Kenny, Shane Nally, and Caolan Crowe amongst others.

u21 championships still going as Christmas looms

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

The Mayo GAA U21 football championships are still to be completed just 13 days before the new year kicks in. Last weekend's snowy weather saw both of the two u21 A semi-finals that were down for decision postponed due to pitches being unplayable at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. The first of the semi-finals had been due to take place last Sunday morning between Aghamore and Kiltimagh at 10am, but the conditions overnight saw the pitch being deemed unplayable. The second semi-final between Claremorris and Moy Davitts was due to take place in the same venue later that day but the condition of the pitch hadn't improved enough for the games to go ahead.

Both of the games have been refixed for the same venue this weekend with the Aghamore v Kiltimagh game now fixed for tomorrow night, Saturday, December 19 at 8.30pm in Bekan and the second semi-final between Moy Davitts and Claremorris on Sunday, December 20 at 2.30pm. Also taking place this weekend is the u21B final between Davitts and Swinford which will throw in at 5pm tomorrow evening, Saturday, December 20 in Elverys MacHale Park.

Connacht prepare for Newcastle backlash

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Connacht's injury woes may continue, but so do the victories in the European Challenge Cup, and coach Pat Lam will be hoping his injury-hit squad can lift themselves one more time to see off Newcastle before the break.

Westport maintain 100 per cent start

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Ballyvary Blue Bombers kicked the night off with a nervy 4-3 win over Snugboro in the opening division one contest. Despite opening a healthy lead, the Bombers were left hanging on towards the end as Snugboro almost pulled off a sensational comeback.

Ballyvary looked to have scored an insurance goal near the finish but Pat Clarke’s shot hit one post and rolled across the line to the other. Jimmy Byrne, Clarke and Colm Carney scored the goals to secure the points for the Bombers. Zibi Dziminski and a Des Walsh thunderbolt almost completed the comeback.

Moylette looks to avenge last years defeat

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Islandeady boxer Ray Moylette is looking to avenge last year's defeat to Dean Walsh in the National Elite Championships (64kg) final this evening, when the two boxers meet again in the National Stadium in Dublin. Moylette who is a former World Youth Champion and European Senior Champion lost out last year to the Wexford based boxer on a split decision, which saw Walsh take the title and the boxer of the tournament award after a pulsating battle.

U21 semi-finals down for decision this weekend

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence is going to be a hive of activity this weekend with the semi-finals in both the Mayo GAA u21A for the first time and u21C for a second time down for decision. In the premier grade of the competition, Aghamore and Kiltimagh will meet in the first semi-final on Saturday at 5pm, with the second semi-final between Moy Davitts and Claremorris taking place on Sunday at noon.

Mayo hurlers make addition to management team

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Mayo senior hurling team management for next year has been finalised this week, last year's manager JP Coen is staying on in charge of the side for another year and his backroom team has been bolstered by the addition of former Galway goalkeeper Liam Donoghue for 2016. Donoghue will join Ballyhaunis duo Dave McConn and Derek Walsh along with Tooreen's Tommy Feeney in supporting Coen as Mayo look to get back to the Christy Ring Cup for the 2017 season.

Clarenbridge clubman Donoghue joined the Galway senior hurling panel in 2001, and was sub goalkeeper when Galway were defeated by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final of that year. He won a National League title in 2004, and was appointed Galway team captain in 2005, steering his native-county to an All-Ireland final showdown with Cork.

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