Badminton
Celebrations in west Mayo
The bonfires blazed in Newport as the Sacred Heart School Girls U19 Badminton Team returned home All Ireland Champions. The team Ciara McManamon, Clodagh McManamon, Aine Lenighan and Ashling Hughes were representing Connacht in the schools All Ireland on Saturday March 28 in Gormanstown College in Co Meath. Friends, club members and families were out to welcome the girls home on Saturday eveing. The four players are from Newport Badminton Club. They got off to a flying start playing Ulster first and won 5 -1. Their next game was against Leinster and the Newport girls stepped up to the mark again repeating a score of 5 -1. The girls now had a gold medal in sight and decided to go all out to achieve it. They had a tough challenge against Munster, determination set in and that coupled with a serious wish to bring their All Ireland title to Westport and Newport, there was no stopping them. They won 5 - 1 against Munster. On All Ireland day in Gormanstown, there is also a prize for the best presented team. There was no doubt in any of the judges minds as to who were the clear winners. The girls designed and hand painted a banner which has to be seen to be appreciated. The girls have been training hard over the previous weeks and months. They are very grateful to their P.E. Teacher, Miss. Noreen Mackey for all her help and support. They would also like to thank their neighbouring clubs, Castlebar Badminton Club, in particular Thérese O'Brien and Westport Badminton Club, in particular Eileen Fahy for allowing them the use of their halls in the run up to this big event.
Soccer
Ballinrobe ladies’ on the look out for new manager
Ballinrobe Town AFC wishes to invite applications for the position of women’s Senior Team Manager for the 2009 season. The club, who are the reigning Mayo Women’s League Champions have a proud tradition in both Girls and Women’s Soccer and are looking for a suitable applicant to help build on the excellent work being done by the coaches of our girls teams at U8/U10, U12, U14 and U16 levels. The successful applicant will be competing in the highly competitive Roscommon and East Galway Women’s Football League with teams such as Shiven Rovers, Glen Celtic and Dunmore Town. All interested applicants are asked to contact the Club Chairman, Declan Fitzpatrick on 087 6845936 or the Club Secretary, Bridget Mellett on 087 7716148 by Friday, April 10.
Refs to take on Celtic
The Mayo soccer referees assocation have aranaged a game against a Castlebar Celtic legends team on Holy Thursday night in Celtic Park at 7.30pm. This game which is a fundraiser for the special olympics will give the referees a chance to get their own back on the players who have been giving them grief over the years. There will still have to be a man in the middle on the evening, which will be Inver United’s Damien McGarath. All soccer supporters in the county are asked to attend this worthwhile and novel event.
Camogie
Mayo Camogie players to play in Croke Park
The National Director of Camogie Development Mary O’Connor announced this week that Mayo Under 14 Camogie panel are to have a Coillte Development Squad in 2009.
This means the panel, which is drawn from all the clubs in the county, will have a six week programme of special training and culminates in a playing day in Croke Park with seven other county teams. This is a fantastic opportunity for young Camogie players to increase their skill level and experience the thrill of playing on the famous Croke Park pitch.
