Some great hopes for our future on display last Saturday

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

I cannot recall being as happy for a young bunch of players as I was last Saturday afternoon in Breaffy. Castlebar Mitchels u15s beat their local football rivals, Breaffy, in a pulsating encounter and in dreadful weather conditions. Most of the lads from both teams are great friends as many of them attend either St Gerald’s or Davitt College and play school football together. Winning this particular title was huge as the bragging rights would be of enormous importance when they returned to school after their mid-term break. Breaffy have several classy players at this level, testament to their solid work over the last number of years developing their underage structure, and they gave their all over the 60 minutes. But it was the Mitchels who deservedly prevailed on this occasion. They led from gun to tape and doggedly held on to the end for a magnificent victory. While reluctant to highlight individual performances at this level, Mitchels’ team captain, Rhyne Collins, was a tower of strength at no 6 and his 80 metre run from deep in his own back line in the closing minutes to lay on a match winning goal was truly inspiring. It reminded me of a young James Nallen in his heyday. I am absolutely convinced that many on view last Saturday will don the Green and Red in the very near future.

Hollymount Road Race this Sunday

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

The 47th Annual Hollymount Road Races take place on Sunday, November 11. The race will also be the final leg of the Mayo AC's 2012 C&C Cellular Road League.

Winter League events heating up

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

Balla
Last weekend’s Greensome competition was won by the duo of Geraldine Kilgallon and Marie Flanagan, with PJ Brett and Tom Jennings finishing second and John Walsh and Pat Kilgallon coming third.

Last weekend’s Greensome competition was won by the duo of Geraldine Kilgallon and Marie Flanagan, with PJ Brett and Tom Jennings finishing second and John Walsh and Pat Kilgallon coming third.

Provincial tests for Eastern sides

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

This weekend will be a big weekend of action for both Charlestown and Ballaghaderreen. The near neighbours have been focusing their attention on provincial honours since winning the Mayo intermediate and senior championships respectively.

Mayo make long trip for Oscar opener

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

The Mayo League’s representative senior side will make the trek to Letterkenny to take on the Donegal League in their opening game of the 2011 Oscar Traynor Trophy on Sunday. Michael Hutton will be once again in charge of the Mayo League side, and the Claremorris manager will be hoping to guide his side out of a tricky group that also includes the Sligo/Leitrim League and the Innishowen League. Mayo warmed up for this weekend’s game with a game away to the Roscommon League a few weeks ago. In a fortnight’s time Mayo will host the Sligo/Leitrim League in the second round of the competition, before finishing up with another long away trip to the Innishowen League on a date yet to be fixed.

Connacht need to find cup form to take Treviso scalp

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

Connacht face a tricky assignment against Benetton Treviso on Saturday (5pm) at the Galway Sportsground, but one they are expected to win. Coach Eric Elwood knows both sides will be targeting this latest Pro 12 fixture which, he says, will ensure Connacht need to be at their best if they want to grab a third victory.

Big day out for special Olympians in Mayo

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

A very successful motor activities training programme event took place on the end of October in Aras Attracta, Swinford. Nineteen athletes in total took part from all over Mayo and Sligo. The participating athletes were from Ballyhaunis Training Centre, Swinford Special Olympics Club, and Ridgepool from Mayo, and Aoibhneass and Gníomhlann from Sligo. Connie Murrin from Gníomhlann in Sligo recited the Athlete's Oath on the day: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Double Mayo representation in the world lifesaving championships

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

Two of Mayo’s finest competitive swimmers and exponents of life saving skills will be representing Ireland in the World Surf Lifesaving Championships in Adelaide, Australia, next month.

More international honours for Mayo athletes

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

After John Byrne's international success in the World Trophy 50k in Italy recently, three of Mayo AC's top women athletes have been selected on the Irish team to compete in the 25th Annual British and Irish Masters International Cross Country in Belfast on November 10.

The Neale bask in their first taste of glory

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

I was in the Neale last Sunday morning for an u15 semi-final and there, taking pride of place, was the Pete Mc Donnell junior cup sitting on top of the gated entrance to the field. There were many gravelly, tired sounding, voices in the small compact stand, which is very understandable considering this was their first and only adult title of their 110 year history and no doubt a long night of celebrations had taken place.

These supporters were gushing with pride for their local heroes who pulled off a sensational victory the previous evening. You could visibly see what it meant to one and all. The Neale is a beautiful village and you can see that great pride is taken in keeping it looking its best. But this proud club has not taken its eye off the ball when it comes to matters football. The Neale have placed a lot of faith in their current team and the victory is a reward for the regeneration of their underage structures over the last number of years.

€10,000 fine handed down to Mayo by Connacht Council

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

The Connacht Council has handed the down a €10,000 fine to Mayo GAA for their failure to take part in the away final of Connacht FBD League. The final was due to take place on Sunday October 7 against New York in the US city, two weeks after Mayo had played in the All Ireland final against Donegal in Croke Park.

Winter season sets across clubs in the county

Fri, Nov 02, 2012

Ballyhaunis
In last weekend’s Agri Spread sponsored competition, Anthony Cunnane was the winner of the gents’ section with a score of 42pts, thanks to his back nine play. The ladies’ competition was won by Jenny Glynn who scored 35pts over her 18 holes.

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