Three Mayo athletes awarded NUI Galway sports scholarships

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

At a special ceremony at NUI Galway on Tuesday, 24 new recipients of NUI Galway student sports scholarships, three of whom are Mayo natives, were presented by chairman of the NUI Galway Sport and Recreation Union Committee, Ruadhán Cooke. The recipients joined the 30 existing holders of NUI Galway sports scholarships. NUI Galway supports high performing athletes in a wide range of sports through its sports scholarship programme.

Connacht’s defence will be a top priority against Edinburgh

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

Connacht head to the Scottish capital for a difficult assignment against an Edinburgh side that last year posted its biggest seasonal victory against the visitors.

Everyone can get involved in shaping the future of GAA in Mayo

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

Stephen Carolan, a work colleague in Mayo County Council, called me a few weeks ago to arrange a chat with me to discuss the topic ‘Mayo GAA as a stimulator of economic activity’. I am struggling a little to come up with some ideas yet I would welcome the chance to sit and discuss the issue due to the importance of the topic. I think the best way to come up with some initiatives is to pull those interested in making a contribution into a room for an hour or two to discuss. It is amazing to think what might come out of such a discussion like that when like minded individuals get around a table. It is a crucial issue in the current situation we find ourselves in as there is a real danger that we will lose some of our finest players to emigration.

Eight Mayo sides look to break into open draw of FAI Junior Cup

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

The last round of games in the local stages of the FAI Umbro Junior Cup are down for decision on Sunday all over the county. With four games down for decision, there are a number of interesting contests to whet the appetite of the soccer supporter. The big game of the day is the meeting of Iorras Aontaithe and Ballina Town in Carnenash at 2pm. Ballina Town picked up their second Super League title in a row in the autumn and will be looking to make a splash in this competition.

Mayo men on supporting card for Breaffy House fight night

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

There will be a big Mayo interest on Saturday night in Breaffy House Resort when the ring bell tolls and the pugilists are called to the centre of the ring to get the action under way. Three Mayo men are on the undercard of the night’s boxing which has been tagged as “Young Guns”.

Winter leagues and AGMs top the bill in clubs around the county

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

Ballyhaunis
In last weekend’s winter league event sponsored by An Lochán Bar and Restaurant, the gents section was won by Willie Coyne with a score of 47pts playing off 20, with John Freeman in second place with a score of 43pts playing off eight. In the ladies’ section Siobhan Herr was the winner finishing off her round with a score of 37pts. She finished just one point ahead of Kung Fanning who came second with 36pts.

McHugh conquers Kerry

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

Bekan man Sean McHugh and co-driver Niall Morley took a respectable 38th place overall on the 2010 Banna Mini Stages Rally in Kerry. The two Mayo and District Motorsport Club members were the sole Mayo competitors to tackle the tough event on the Kerry coast.

Mayo’s Duffy to celebrate his one-hundredth game against the Ospreys

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy is in line to play his 100th game for the province when the current Magners League champions Ospreys visit this evening (7.05pm). Duffy, who has been suffering from a back injury, returned to the Irish training squad this week, and Connacht coach Eric Elwood is hoping he will come through the training to take his place in tomorrow evening’s game.

The Ballina-born fullback, who enjoyed a three-years period with London outfit Harlequins before returning to his native province in 2007, is playing some of the best rugby of his career in the fullback position. Noted for his security under the high ball, Duffy has instigated many of Connacht’s best counterattacks, linking with his three-quarters line. Tomorrow evening he will lead his province onto the Sportsground hoping to maintain Connacht’s fine home record this season. Few challenges are tougher than that presented by the current league champions, and with or without their current Wales internationals, coach Eric Elwood says they are a formidable side. “ They are impressive. They have a big squad, full of quality players - that’s the culture of the Ospreys. Yes, they are missing some of their internationals, but they will still have the guts of another 10 on the pitch because that’s the strength in depth and experience they possess." That strength was demonstrated by their resounding victory over Leicester in the LV Cup, with a young XV running in eight tries, and Connacht's Michael Swift says Connacht will need to take the same attitude into Ospreys as they did against Samoa.

European title for Pauline Gallagher

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

Pauline Gallagher and Dessie Keegan were among the eight strong Irish men’s and ladies’ teams who competed in the one-wall Federations Cup in Imperia, Italy, last weekend. The Irish women lost in qualifying to Holland and Puerto Rico but qualified for the consolation ELA club. The Irish team saw off the challenge of the Basque Country and France to take the title in style. The team also included Roscommon’s Marianna Rushe, Kerry’s Ashley Prendiville, and Down’s Lorraine Havern. Dessie Keegan helped team mates Charly Shanks (Armagh), James Doyle (Antrim), and Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) to a fifth place finish in the men’s team event following qualifying wins over France and Mexico. However the Irish lost their quarter-final to Puerto Rico. Twenty teams in all competed in the annual one-wall team tournament.

No point in peaking too early

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

I have so little energy this evening. I am wrecked after a tough session in the gym. The penny hasn’t dropped with me yet that the body isn’t able for the kind of punishment I once subjected it to. Earlier this evening, I was happily plodding along in the gym doing my thing, when I was invited to join in with the spinning class taking place in an adjoining room. The instructor pushed us hard for almost an hour. It was an eye opener and I can now admit to myself that the old body is not what it once was. However I comforted myself when I realised that there is no point in peaking this time of year! That is not the situation however for any new potential inter-county footballer wanting to impress new managers around the country. The reality is many of those players wil not have kicked a ball in months, yet they are expected to make an impression at these trial games. That’s the way it is, and until there is a better solution it will continue that way. I had a text from Ian Rowland from Crossmolina earlier this week announcing that he was invited on to the Mayo football panel for the FBD league. Ian had a wonderful year with Crossmolina, impressing in lots of games in both the league and championship. He is a player who has improved enormously this year and I expect there is more to come from this young student. Ian was one of the players invited to participate in a trial match last Saturday morning in McHale Park. I heard he played well in the trial, kicking a number of monster points that clearly caught the eye. Incidentally, I have rarely witnessed a player anywhere in the country who can kick the ball as far as this man can. Understandably, he is thrilled to be presented with this opportunity and I am quite confident he will do well.

Flood lights launch at BMX track

Fri, Nov 19, 2010

The Western Lakes Cycling Club will hold a launch at the cycling centre, Kilmaine road Ballinrobe, on Monday November 22 at 8pm, for the official switching on of the BMX floodlights. Cllr Michael Burke, Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council, will officially switch on the lights at the BMX track

The BMX track is now in its third year of operation and each week attracts young people from all over the county who want to try their skills on the ramps and bumps which makes the track such an attractive amenity to the area, Local councillor Damien Ryan, who was one of the men responsible for the funding, will also be in attendance along with other dignitaries. On the night it will have stunt riders, and local young and old kids will do their stuff on their BMX bikes from 7pm. Everyone is welcome and the club has some bikes and helmets if anyone wants a try. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

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.

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