Mayo sides book last thirty two spots in FAI Junior Cup

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

All three Mayo sides in action in the FAI Junior Cup last weekend recorded victories and advanced to the last 32. Manulla made the long trip to Leeside on Saturday evening and they came away with the spoils thanks a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Glen Celtic. Gary Concannon pulled back an equaliser for Tom Healy’s men with a quarter of an hour left on the clock to force extra-time. After a tense and frenetic extra period the dreaded penalty shoot-out was called for. Rory Martyn was denied first but a flawless return from Enda McGahon, Bryan Ralph, Conor Byrne and Connacht Gold Super Cup hero Declan Tonra sealed the win.

Injury-hit Connacht prepare to fight Falcons to maintain top spot in European pool

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Connacht face a fresh injury crisis this week as they return to the Sportsground to take on visitors Newcastle in this evening's European fixture (7.05pm). In this first of the back-to-back pre-Christmas fixtures, coach Pat Lam has been left with just 23 players of his European squad fit after last weekend's bonus-point loss to Cardiff in the Pro 12.

Duffy steps down after thirty years service

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

Members of Mayo and District Motorsport Club gathered at Hotel Ballina on Sunday last for the annual general meeting of the club. Secretary John Duffy provided a summary of the events run by the club during 2015 and concluded by announcing that he was stepping down as secretary after more than 30 years in this role. Chairman Matthew Murphy thanked John for his trojan work and commitment during this time. Joint treasurer Sinead Mc Hale presented an in depth report on the financial performance of the club and thanked her fellow treasurer Liam Healy for his substantial input. Club chairman Matthew Murphy, in an extensive report, thanked all who assisted the club throughout the year. He also reflected on the sad and untimely death of club member Margaret McGreal earlier in the year. PRO Andy Walsh reported that 2015 had been another successful year for the club and its members. There was continued success on the national scene where the highlights included 18-year-old Oisin Coffey from Ballyhaunis winning the overall National Loose Surface Autocross Junior Championship. Sixteen-year-old Jason Murphy from Shrule finished runner up in the National AutoGrass Championship, and Foxford’s Alan Moran finished runner up in the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Junior Championship. Moran was also crowned 2015 Mayo Young Driver Champion. While Aaron MacHale and Paul McGee were crowned 2015 Group N Irish Tarmac Champions.

Other members to receive awards on the day included Peter McManamon from Achill who won Club Person of the Year, The Ward family from Ballinrobe, Steve and his two sons Conor and Calum won Club Marshals of the Year, while James McGreal from Foxford won the club's Frank Harrington award. Congratulations were also extended to Ian Barrett from Maynooth who won the overall Frank Harrington Challenge award.

Rochford ready to roll with Mayo

Mon, Dec 07, 2015

This weekend Stephen Rochford will take his first training session with the Mayo senior team, just three weeks out from their first game of the 2016. Last Thursday night Rochford met the press for the first time since his appointment and spoke at length about his hopes and the challenges ahead for the next year and much more. 

Deadly Douglas delivers for Mitchels

Sun, Nov 22, 2015

Just like in the county final Neil Douglas’ eye for goal was the crucial deciding factor for Castlebar Mitchels on Sunday when they claimed their second Connacht senior club title in three years in Tuam Stadium, in the process they sent the current All Ireland champions packing from the competition.

Manulla look to stop Westport’s dominance in cup final

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

With both sides progressing to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup two weeks ago, confidence is high in both Westport United and Manulla camps heading into the Connacht Gold Super Cup on Sunday afternoon next. After wrapping up the league title it has been a successful debut season for John Brennan and his Westport Utd troops. However, they were pushed all the way by Dysart FC where the Covies carved out a 3-2 win thanks to a late Mark McNally winner and this will give hope to Manulla who bagged the Westaro Cup back in August.

There is no doubt that Manulla manager Tom Healy will be analysing the 5-1 defeat to Westport this week to conjure up a plan to restrain their illustrious hosts. He is under no illusions at what they will face on Sunday. “It’s a huge game like any final and especially against Westport Utd. We are really looking forward to it. We know what is ahead of us. Westport are the team in Connacht at the minute, so we know what we are up against. We need everything to go right for us.”

Wind and Rain in Wales – Jubilation in Ballyhaunis

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Across the Irish sea at Rally GB held in Wales, the final round of the World Rally Championships, Mayo members Pauric Duffy and Kevin Glynn in the Killian Duffy managed P1 Rally Rentals Ford Fiesta, finished the three day event in 52nd place overall, this was after the Fiesta left the road during Saturday’s wet and extremely difficult gravel stages and ended up on its roof but the hard working service team led by Philip Case got the car repaired overnight and back out in action under Rally 2 on Sunday morning, where the boys recorded a good result in the difficult conditions.

Captains looking forward to locking horns

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

When Gary Cunningham was appointed Westport Utd captain at the start of the season it was a huge moment in his career, and considering that he is the last line of their defence on Sunday there is added responsibility on his broad shoulders. There is also a new manager among them with the successful duo of James Fahy and Kieran Mulchrone stepping aside, leaving the reins to John Brennan.

It was a new experience for a lot of the Covies crew but one to which they were looking forward. “Starting off it was always going to be a change. We were so used to having the two boys who were unbelievable with us and always got the best out of us" said Cunningham.

Hollymount Road Race celebrates historic event in style

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

It was an historic day for Hollymount. There was a real buzz about the village as the 50th Anniversary International road races took place on Sunday. Conditions on the day were tough to say the least. It was a day for digging in, supporting, enduring and above all celebrating a unique event in Irish athletics. For a race that was 'baptised' in 1966, uisce played a big part in the day, not least during the short flood on the Kilrush loop. It never dampened the enthusiasm or enjoyment of participants, and reminded us that sport reveals the greatest of the human spirit. And we needed that reminder after recent events.

Mayo athletes star for national masters team

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Last Saturday the British and Irish International Masters Cross Country took place at the sylvan setting of Santry Demesne, where it was Ireland's turn to host the annual event. Mayo AC continued their remarkable record of representation in recent years. The club had three members in the Irish women's team this year - all have had previous experience in this competition. All age category teams competed against their peers from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Tight battle lies ahead in Tuam

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Next Sunday in Tuam Stadium (2pm) the two best senior club Gaelic football teams in Connacht over the past three years do battle for the Shane McGettigan cup, and the honour of being the 2015 Connacht champions. Corofin are current Connacht and All-Ireland club champions, and they put those titles on the line facing the last team to beat them in championship action two years ago, in Tuam.

An interesting subplot to Sundays joust, is that Corofin manager Stephen Rochford is the only nominee for the vacant Mayo job, and he will probably be in-situ for the FBD league in the green and red colours for early January. Stephen and his management team will know that the challenge they face in three days’ time will be a massive step up on what they have faced over the past few months. Castlebar are without doubt the best squad of players that they have faced since last February, when they beat St. Vincent’s in O’ Connor Park in Tullamore.

Two out of three the aim for Mitchels

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Two years ago Castlebar Mitchels travelled to Tuam Stadium as rank underdogs against a Corofin side that were expected to see them off with ease and set up a Connacht final with the then All Ireland champions St Brigid's. But football doesn't always go along expected lines and a dogged and fearless Castlebar Mitchels side, who rode their luck at times early on in that game, ground out a deserved victory to kick-start a journey that went all the way to St Patrick's Day.

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