Big Bird is happy to be soaring again

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

When word filtered through, shortly before throw in ahead of Mayo's All Ireland quarter-final win over Donegal, that Barry Moran was starting instead of Andy Moran, it caught almost everyone off guard. Where would the big Castlebar man play? In a twin towers approach with Aidan O'Shea on the edge of the square? In the middle of the field with either Tom Parsons or Seamus O'Shea pushing forward? They were two of the most likely options, but as a defensive sweeper, nobody saw that one coming.

Final four book their place in junior semi finals

Mon, Aug 24, 2015

Eight became four over the course of the weekend when the quarter-finals of the Mayo GAA JFC were down for decision. At the end of four pulsating games, Achill, Ardagh, Ardanree and Killala were the four sides left standing at the final whistle and moved on to the final four stages of the competition.

The action got underway on Saturday night in Elverys MacHale Park last years beaten finalists Achill were given a serious examination by Lousiburgh. The islanders place in the semi-finals was only secured by a brilliant goal ten minutes from time from the boot of Jonathan Fadian, which killed off Lousiburghs efforts to reel them in.  Fadian's goal was worked at lighting pace from back to front and when the wing-forward let fly there was nothing Danny O'Malley in the Louisburgh goal could do to stop it.

Keane gets the all clear for Dubs encounter

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Mayo defender Kevin Keane will now be eligible to play for Mayo in next weekend's All Ireland semifinal clash with Dublin after winning an appeal against his sending off in the dying stages of Mayo's victory over Donegal in the All Ireland quarter final.

Make sure to enjoy it while it lasts

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

As Mayo people, it really does not seem to bother us right now because we most definitely dine at the top table in terms of Gaelic football. Not only have the Mayo team won five Nestor cups in a row but more impressively they have qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final five years in a row, beating Donegal twice, Cork twice, and Down in those quarter finals. Two of them, victories against Cork in 2011 and Donegal in 2013, were when they were All Ireland champions.

The pride of the parish

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Last year Achill came within touching distance of bringing the Pete McDonnell Cup back home from the mainland, when Castlebar Mitchels B pipped them at the post in the junior final. Despite that disappointment the island men shook off that heartbreak a few weeks later and went out and represented Mayo in the Connacht championship and went all the way to the Connacht final, where once again they fell just short when the Aran Islands beat them in a game that was dubbed the All Island final. But the men from the island have dusted themselves down and are back again for another shot at claiming the Mayo junior title.

GAA: Mayo GAA JFC Quarter Final

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Achill v Louisburgh
Saturday August 22 at 7pm

Mayo go looking to trim the royals

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

The Mayo  u21 hurlers head east on Saturday as they enter unchartered waters in the All-Ireland u21B Championship with an away assignment against the Royals in Trim. Mayo have had a progressive season at U21 level this summer, having beaten both Sligo and Roscommon to claim the Connacht GAA u21B title and pick up the Hogan Couriers Cup in the process. The confidence gained from winning their first Connacht u21 title since 2006 was a major bonus to Mayo, as they then overcame Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter final in Letterkenny a fortnight ago. The Westerners came out on top by 1-14 to 1-6 in a physical encounter - the Mayo goal coming from Corey Scahill (Castlebar).

Iorras and Manulla in Westaro showdown

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

This time last season Iorras Aontaithe were on the brink of relegation and they needed a moment of magic to spark their season into life. Thankfully they survived and maintained their position in the upper echelons of the Mayo Football League.

Westport United keep up winning ways

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Westport United maintained their push for a league title with a 5-1 win over Manulla last Sunday afternoon. Dave Hoban nailed two first half goals along with an unfortunate Keelan McDonnell own goal. Tom Healy’s men were struggling to generate any momentum and in fairness to them they regrouped after the break with Matthew Nolan cutting the gap on 52 minutes. However, the Covies reignited their challenge as goals from Joe Lawless and a close range Vinny O’Malley effort put a seal on the three points on offer.

Castlebar Celtic suffered a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of near neighbours Ballyheane on Saturday night as a ninth minute Derek O’Brien penalty was ultimately the difference between the sides. Conn Rangers put their early season misery behind them with yet another win on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory. Johnnie Cocozzoa gave Conn Rangers a 23rd minute lead but Straide and Foxford United who are in the midst of a relegation battle fought to the bitter end. Jason Farrell and Conor Sherry exchanged goals but Rangers held firm and closed out the game.

Tigers go looking for European glory

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Five teenagers from Castlebar based White Tigers martial arts club are winging their way to San Sebastian in Spain this weekend to represent Ireland in the WAKO European Kickboxing Championships.

Mayo hopes for more medals in the Community GamesStars of the future ready to shine on national stage

Fri, Aug 21, 2015

Mayo Community Games are back on the road again for weekend number two of the National Community Games festival of sport finals in Athlone. Following the great success of last weekend a further 142 participants go forward to compete in track and field athletics, gymnastics, hurling, and the culture section of the games. 

Lovely hurling

Clarke and Cunniffe winning fitness battles

Tue, Aug 18, 2015

Joint Mayo manager Noel Connelly said last night, (Monday, August 17) that he expects both David Clarke and Tom Cunniffe to be back in full training this weekend as Mayo ramp up their preparations for their All Ireland semi-final against Dublin on August 30. Connelly was speaking on the day that Mayo attacker Micheal Conroy was ruled out for the season after picking up an injury in club action at the weekend.

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