Connacht ready for another big occasion in Heineken Cup campaign

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Connacht’s second home fixture in this season’s Heineken Cup sees English premiership outfit Gloucester visit the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (1.30pm).

Minister Ring meets EU Commissioner Vassiliou to discuss sport priorities

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, met this month with Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Youth and Sport in Brussels, following his attendance at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council with his EU counterparts.

National medals for Emma Lofus and Hugh Armstrong

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Ballina Athletic Club athletes travelled to Sligo Racecourse last week for the even ages and senior cross country championships and acquitted themselves very well. Emma Loftus ran a brilliant race in the u14 girls 3,000m race and finished in ninth place overall out of a field of 130 athletes, and took home a bronze medal in the process. Emma is eligible to run in the same age again next year. Hugh Armstrong, who competed in the European and World Mountain Running championships during the year, competed in the u18 boys 6,000m race and finished in eigth place overall to take home a bronze medal also. Maria Reilly was leading the u12 girls race until she had to pull out due to injury. Bridget Mills ran very well in the same competition, as did Cormac MacDermott in the u12 boys race. The u18 boys team of Hugh Armstrong, Cian Mulrooney, Jonathan Deane, and Ciaran Treacy performed very well and finished in sixth place overall. Roger Barrett was the first Mayo man home in the senior competition when he finished in 32nd place overall. His club mates Michael Canty, Sean Gallagher, and Tommy Neville competed also as members of the Mayo Intercounties Team. The uneven ages and novice championships takes place in the Curragh on Sunday next, December 11.

Charlestown Athletic FC AGM and Awards Presentations

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Charlestown Athletic FC are holding their AGM in conjunction with their Annual Awards Presentations on Sunday December 11 at 1pm in the CBD Complex, Charlestown. Parents, players and anyone interested in Soccer in the locality are invited to attend. As the football season now commences earlier in the year and is now a longer season with additional age groups, registrations will be held early in the new year. Anyone wishing to assist with teams are particularly welcome and invited to the AGM.

O'Toole and Henry win election contests at convention

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Tourmakeady's Kevin O'Toole was elected to the post of County Secretary at the 2011 Mayo GAA Convention held in Geesala at the High Chaparral on Monday night. The former County PRO held off the challenge of sitting assistant secretary Vincent Neary and Burrishoole delegate Margaret O'Malley when the votes were counted in north Mayo. Neary held on to his position as assistant secretary for 2012 after a vote, with Achill's Packie McGinty taking over as Mayo GAA President after he was elected unopposed alongside the majority of other returning officers. The other major position up for election was that of Croke Park delegate where the incumbent delegate Jerry Henry from Castlebar Mitchels was challenged by retiring county secretary Séan Feeney. After the votes were counted the Castlebar man held on to the position for another year.

Operation Transformation star to present Goal to Work certificates

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Thirteen jobseekers from the Ballina area have just completed a 14 week long specialised sports coaching course which it is hoped will provide them with the tools to obtain some part time employment. The Goal to Work programme, for two days a week, allows trainees to become fully qualified GAA, rugby, and soccer coaches with additional sports modules in child protection, first aid, disability awareness, and active leadership also being offered. Trainees also honed their skills while on placement in Ballina urban area national schools for one of the days, giving many school children some quality coaching.

Manulla FC player picked for Republic of Ireland

Fri, Dec 09, 2011

Manulla FC have received an early Christmas present this year, with their Under-15 player Jesse Devers picked to play in Qatar on December 5 and 7 for the Republic of Ireland U 15 team. This is a major breakthrough for Jesse, who is a very talented player. He is wished well from everyone involved in Mayo Football, said Pat Quigley

Connacht face must-win fixture against Treviso

Fri, Dec 02, 2011

Connacht’s injury woes look set to continue for this evening’s RaboDirect fixture against Treviso at the Galway Sportsground (7.30pm).

Winter League finals around Mayo

Fri, Dec 02, 2011

Balla
Last weekend’s stableford competition was won by Aodán Mac Suibhne with a score of 36pts, PJ Brett came home in second place on 33pts with his scoring on the back nine, holding off Martin King who came third also on 33pts. In the ladies’ competition Geraldine Evans won with a score of 36pts, Geraldine Kilgallon come home in second on 33pts, with Carmel Hevernan finishing third. A large number of people took part in the David Barrett memorial scramble with a lovely lunch being served afterwards in the Rendezvous in Balla. The winners of the competition was the trio of Breege Walsh, Noel Healy, and Fenton Barrett. Second place went to Marie Flanagan, Geraldine Kilgallon and Kitty O’Connor. The third placed team was made up of John O’Connor, Joe Healy, and Seamus Cleary. Brendan Ginley was the winner of the nearest the pin prize.

Jimmy Gaughan claims gold at international masters event

Fri, Dec 02, 2011

The annual home countries Masters International Cross Country championships took place on Saturday at Bellahouston Park near Glasgow. Once again the Irish team finished in overall second place to England - winners for the umpteenth time. The event took place in very difficult conditions - rain, mud, and high winds.

Breaffy GAA Club AGM

Fri, Dec 02, 2011

The AGM of Breaffy GAA Club will take place in the Breaffy GAA Clubhouse at 9pm on next Friday, December 9 at 9pm. All club members are asked to attend.

Facts, figures, and votes on the agenda for County Board Convention

Fri, Dec 02, 2011

In his last secretary’s report, outgoing county secretary Sean Feeney paraphrases a quote from Charles Dickens’ 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities saying, “I have enjoyed the best of times and the worst of times,” in his opening gambit, which goes on to set out the challenges he sees coming for the association as a whole. The returning spectre of emigration as a threat to the association is something he sees becoming a major factor. “The years ahead will be challenging for the association as a new wave of emigration threatens our resilience once again. The spectre of mass unemployment and the inexperience of our young to cope with a less affluent society is a cause of concern.” But he believes the association will be able to pull through as it has in the past, saying: “The GAA has survived greater challenges in the past and I have no doubt it will survive this once again.”

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