No time to stop for Straide and Foxford

Fri, May 14, 2010

When the Super League kicked off a few weeks ago, Straide and Foxford were still playing out the last throws of their season from last year in the Connacht Cup. Once that dream died there was no rest for the Green Road side, who went straight into league action and they have kept up their good winter form. Wins over Ballyheane last weekend, Castlebar Celtic and a draw with Fahy Rovers see them sitting on seven points from four games in fourth place. Their solitary defeat so far came at the hands of Ballina Town the defending champions, and even then the result on that day didn’t justify the performance, according to Straide and Foxford manager, Aidan Flatley. “The Ballina game was a disappointment, they’re a good side but the scoreline didn’t really reflect the game as a whole.” Also coming out of that game Straide and Foxford lost two players to injury which could start to mount up over the league season as players feel the effects of the long winter cup campaign. “We lost Paul Fitzpatrick with a broken wrist in that game which could have him out from six to eight weeks and Shane Hughes picked up a shoulder injury. We’ll be hoping that the lads are able to keep fit over the season as we haven’t had a break really since the end of the Connacht Cup.”

Celtic learn from mistakes

Fri, May 07, 2010

Castlebar Celtic progressed to the semi-final of the Newstalk Cup on Wednesday night thanks to a 2-0 over Galway United in Celtic Park, setting up a last four showdown with Bohemians in Dalymount Park which is provisionally fixed for Wednesday May 19.

Mayo Soccer Fixtures

Fri, May 07, 2010

Saturday May 8
Welcome Inn Hotel Premier Division

‘This will tell us a lot about ourselves’ — Togher

Fri, May 07, 2010

Ballina Town are sitting pretty top of the Super League with four wins out of four, but chasing their tales in second place in the league are Iorras Aontaithe who have won their opening three fixtures. But this weekend’s challenge for Iorras will tell them far more about themselves than their three fixtures so far according to their manager Michael S Togher. “Yeah we’ve done well so far in the league, but going to Manulla will be a big test for us and really tell us a lot about ourselves for the season ahead.”

Good Bank Holiday scoring around the clubs

Fri, May 07, 2010

In a busy weekend at the club, Martin Foley was the winner of the Stableford competition on Saturday with a score of 44pts, he finished four points ahead of Stephen Doherty. In Sunday’s competition sponsored by Coleman Electrics, Michael Tighe won out with a score of 42pts, Kenneth Sheridan came second thanks to a strong back nine finishing up with a score of 39 pts, with Robert Devrin taking third place and John Muldoon fourth.

Westport athlete running for gold

Fri, May 07, 2010

Any runners celebrating their performance at an event in recent weeks might like to look away now as Westport Athletic Club this week pays tribute to one of its many fine athletes.

Mayo GAA Fixtures

Fri, May 07, 2010

Friday May 7
U18 A Hurling Championship (At 7.30pm)

U18 A Hurling Championship (At 7.30pm)

Success for Mayo competitors on Killarney International Rally

Fri, May 07, 2010

Carrowmore-Lacken native Paul McGee is well on his way to clinching the prestigious 2010 Kick Energy Fiesta SportTrophy (FST) Ireland Championship. It follows another successful event for the co-driver on this week-end’s Killarney International Rally. Navigating for Monaghan’s Stephen Wright, the duo took a dominant series victory in Kerry, their third successive win from the three rounds in the FST championship to date. With five rounds from six counting towards the title, Wright and McGee are now in a very strong championship position ahead of June’s Donegal International Rally. The winners of the FST Championship will get a Ford works supported drive in the 2010 Condroz Rally, the final round of the Belgian Rally Championship.

Fourtunes can turn overnight

Fri, May 07, 2010

Understandably, the mood in the county is somewhat muted after the disappointment of Mayo’s performance in the league final. What the final did tell us is that Cork are the best team in the country right now and their improving style of football over the last two years will almost guarantee that they feature in the latter stages of this year’s championship. In fact, I will be surprised if they don’t win the All-Ireland this year. They have a plethora of big, strong, athletic footballers who are really comfortable on the ball. Mayo on the other hand look particularly small physically, an observation I have heard from more than a few. Also, notwithstanding the fact that Mayo played very poorly, Cork look to have it sussed for 2010. Last year they bubbled over in mid summer, playing their sweetest football in July and August. They will be smarter this year and I think that the Cork management will gather sufficient expertise to ensure that they peak in September.

Mayo, on the other hand, appear to have plenty of work to do in the physical stakes. They have been presented by management with a schedule of training and matches over the next five weeks that practically leaves me breathless. It is punishing to say the least, and I would question if it will have the team fresh and hungry for championship. Those who are lucky enough to be included in the championship panel for the summer ahead can look forward to games against Donegal, Cavan, Cork, Westmeath, and Dublin before they play Sligo. When you throw in club games and a few other collective training sessions in Castlebar, it sounds like the team is being punished for the below par performance against Cork.

‘It’s all about championship’ — Brennan

Fri, May 07, 2010

“No one remembers who wins the league, it’s all about the championship at the end of the day” were the words of Mayo manager Martin Brennan this week ahead of Mayo’s first round clash with Wicklow in the Christy Ring Cup in Arklow on Saturday afternoon.

Champions get defence off to an early start

Fri, May 07, 2010

A little bit earlier than some would have liked the Royal Theatre Senior Football Championship roars back into life for 2010 on Saturday evening. First up in the championship are the champions and the new kids on the block in the solitary five team group in Charlestown at 7pm on Saturday. West Mayo will bring the combined forces of Islandeady, Parke, Louisburgh, and Balla together under the guidance of Padraig Walsh to try to topple Ciaran McBrien’s men in the championship opener. Charlestown will go into the game as hot favourites, but they have been known to be slow starters in the championship, and this early outing could prove to be a tricky encounter if the amalgamated side manage to click on the field. Players like Ollie Feeney, Jarlath O’Malley, Peter Collins, Simon Cloherty, and Conor Walsh will be watched to show they have the class to make the step up from the junior ranks to senior football.

Irish national titles for Geraghty and McMenamon

Fri, May 07, 2010

The Irish 40x20 National Championships concluded at Kingscourt on Sunday last and after three days of intense handball competition two Mayo handballers emerged victorious.

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