Troy turns on the style

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Chris Troy (Castlebar CC) took his biggest road win of the season at the Mayo County Road Racing Championship held on a course based out of Cong but raced in the foothills of Joyce country. Cunga CC promoted the event and was well attended by most of the Mayo clubs. Troy, known more for his time trailing skills, used this discipline to forge a gap on the peloton, an early attack into a biting headwind looked doomed until strong man Richard Meaney Westport Covey CC jumped across.

Ten of the best for Mayo AC at masters championships

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Six Mayo AC runners made the trip to Tullamore on Sunday for the National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Harriers Stadium was full, busy, wet and there was a full seven hours of exciting events. The Mayo AC six were rewarded with a fine total of 10 medals. Angela O'Connor and John Byrne made their track debuts and enjoyed the experience. Both of them won medals in some very competitive category races. There were other fine performances too from Margaret Glavey and Pauline Moran.

Lavin takes Captain’s Prize in Balla, while Burke leads in Ballinrobe

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Balla
James Lavin won the Balla Captain’s Prize competition with a score of 107 nett over the 36 holes played in the competition, Eddie Holian finished in second place with Steve Walsh jr taking the gross prize and Bernie O’Connor finishing in third spot. The ladies’ competition was won by Gabrielle Clesham who scored 54 nett with Nora Heraty finishing second, Breege Jennings was the gross prize winner and Julie Loftus took third place.

Doherty sprints to Ballinrobe Festival Duathlon win

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Con Doherty (Westport Tri) is no ordinary talent; he can dig deep when necessary and has the cutting edge to win as he has done in his age bracket at world level. In Ballinrobe he faced stiff opposition from Galway Tri man John Greaney who has racked up numerous wins this year against elite senior opposition, Greaney is a formidable runner and can hold his own on the bike, he won in Ballinrobe festival Duathlon last year and was the favourite again this year.

Inter-county management in most counties a tough station

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Ironically I was out pucking a few sliotars around with the children on the An Ghaeltacht club pitch in the stunningly beautiful Gallarus at Baille na nGall, in West Kerry last week, home club to the late Páidí Ó Sé, when I got a text message to say that Paul Bealin had been let go as Westmeath senior county manager.

I could not help thinking back to the heady days of 2004, and the county’s 0-12 to 0-10 Leinster final win over Laois and David O'Shaughnessy raising the Delaney Cup. A lot has changed in Leinster since then.

Roscommon outmuscle Mayo to claim u21 crown

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

The Mayo u21 hurling team made the short journey to Athleague on Wednesday evening to play Roscommon in the Connacht u21B Hurling final. Mayo, under the guidance of manager Brian Finn, were hopeful of breaking the Rossie’s stronghold on the competition and were bolstered by an impressive win over Sligo in the semi-final last week.

The cream rises to the top

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

At least one wish eventually occurred that I was hoping for as the four provincial winners are through to the semi-finals in the football championship, Mayo and Donegal by the skin of their teeth, Dublin and Kerry in a canter. It seems the day of having an All-Ireland winner that comes through the qualifiers is well and truly gone. Not since Kerry navigated their way in 09 have we had a winner through the back door. For the first time in GAA history the four provincial minor winners are also the same as the four provincial senior winners.

Westport claim first trophy of the season

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

The first of the big prizes that Westport United have their eyes on was picked up last Sunday in Milebush Park when Martin Geraghty’s 60th minute winner gave Westport United a 2-1 win over Ballina Town in the FCS Cup final.

Mayo aim to put down the Rebels

Fri, Aug 15, 2014

Cora Staunton has been the difference between Mayo winning and losing games on countless occasions down through the years, and last weekend the Carancon ace was once again the one who delivered when they needed it most.

Mayo hurlers name team for Connacht u21b final

Tue, Aug 12, 2014

Mayo U21 Hurling Manager Brian Finn has announced a strong team ahead of the Connacht U21B Hurling Final against Roscommon tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.

Championship quarter wins the day for Mayo

Fri, Aug 08, 2014

Last Sunday’s All-Ireland senior quarter final against Cork really had a bit of everything. The tone for the game was set up earlier in the week when Brian Cuthbert, the Cork manager, launched an attack on two of Mayo’s favourite sons, Kevin McLoughlin and Cillian O’Connor. This was then compounded by Cork selector Ronan McCarthy’s agreement with his manager when both players’ integrity was put into question and their ability to “foul tactically” and be very “streetwise” was used as a means of trying to give Cork an edge with the referee. McLoughlin and O’Connor are role models for youngsters all over the county and indeed country, and I feel the Cork management made a big mistake in naming them, particularly as they have a pretty much impeccable disciplinary record. The bottom line is you want your forwards tackling hard, and maybe if their own team were a little more “streetwise” against Kerry they would not have received such a hiding.

Three things we learnt last Sunday

Fri, Aug 08, 2014

Mayo can get to another All-Ireland final
The current Mayo team are a serious bunch of footballers. And while "Deserve" has nothing to do with ultimate glory in any sport, nobody should begrudge Alan Dillon, Andy Moran, and Keith Higgins an All-Ireland medal. Their commitment and dedication has been magnificent over the past decade and to see Dillon kicking four points from play, 10 years after an All-Ireland final defeat in 2004, and three more defeats since then, is a testament to his self-belief and will to win. Seamus and Aidan O' Shea were fantastic too and I think that they will have too much for Kerry in three weekends time. Mayo have serious power and strength all over the field and their ability to dispossess Cork players in possession was amazing. The tenacity of the Mayo forwards stopping the Cork defenders coming out was a real difference between the sides and something to admire. Whether they would be good enough to beat Dublin or Donegal in full-flight remains to be seen.

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