Ardnaree celebrates 60 years producing champions

Fri, Nov 27, 2009

Ardnaree boxing club has become an institution in pugilistic circles in Mayo and across the country from humble beginnings in 1949 when 40 young boxers took up the sport for the first time. The club has gone on to write a very long and proud history, claiming 26 national titles, more than 300 Connacht titles and 500 Mayo titles, and producing eight internationals through the more than 1,600 young boxers who have donned gloves in competition for the club. Ardnaree has also had the honour of being the first club in the country to train female boxers back in 1996 when they had 30 girls enter their gym and club secretary Fiona Hennigan became the first female judge in Ireland to pass the European and World exams. She has gone on to represent Ireland at European and world championships. The club has captured national titles in every decade since it was formed the first in 1955 when Noel Coggins became the first man to bring a national title west of the Shannon. This feat was followed right up to this decade when Gerry Casey (twice), Gary Geraghty, and Alex Corduff all brought national titles back to the club.

Three key duels to Sunday’s Connacht final

Fri, Nov 27, 2009

Tom Parsons (Charlestown) v Greg Higgins (Corofin)

Mayo competitors claim success in National Rally Championship

Fri, Nov 27, 2009

Celebrating success at the 2009 Dunlop National Rally Championship Awards night at the Clayton Hotel in Galway were Kenneth McHale from Knockmore and Derek McCarthy from Ballina, who claimed first in class one in this year's 10-round series. Other Mayo winners were Bekan's Sean McHugh, who finished third in class 14 in the championship, and Gerry Casey from Castlebar and Peter O'Toole from Claremorris, who won the class 13 award.

No rest after leagues wrapped up

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

There will be no rest for a number of Mayo league sides following the conclusion of the different divisions in the Mayo league last weekend. With the third round of the FAI Junior Cup pencilled in for this weekend. The newly crowned Super League champions Ballina Town will be back at home again this Sunday when they take on Kiltimagh/Knock United at 12 noon. Last weekend Ballina Town claimed the Tom Kelly trophy at home thanks to an 8-1 win over Fahy Rovers in Pete Murray Park. Brendan Kenny's side's 14th win of the season was wrapped up thanks to five goals from star striker Michael Duffy, two from Brendan Lavelle, and a single strike from Ross Kenny. Town went through the season unbeaten at home and picked up 44 points from their 18 games to claim the title after knocking at the door for the past couple of seasons.

The side who chased Ballina all the way this season, Westport United, will be hoping to shake off last weekend’s defeat when they get back in action on Sunday. Westport United have had a strong affinity with this competition over the past decade and they won’t get anything easy on Sunday when they host Manulla in the Sportspark. Manulla finished their Super League run with a 4-0 over Snugboro last weekend. Last weekend Westport United were the only side capable of stopping Ballina claiming the title, but their challenge went up in smoke when they lost 3-0 to Iorras Aontaithe in Carnenash. That win put Iorras into second place at the moment, but Westport United can still take back second spot in the table with a win in their final game, a rearranged fixture against Snugboro United. Iorras Aontaithe themselves reached the semi-final of the competition last year after a memorable run. On Sunday they host a Ballyglass side who are celebrating winning the Division 1 title a fortnight ago and promotion back to the Premier Division, they finished up their league run with a 1-0 over Ballyheane B last weekend.

Charlestown go looking for provincial glory

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

It wasn’t easy getting here, and it isn’t going to get any easier for them on Sunday, but Charlestown have pushed themselves to the brink of provincial glory for the first time since 2001. On Sunday at 2pm they will get the chance to claim their second ever Connacht title in front of their home faithful in Fr O’Hara Park. After losing the previous two county finals Charleston’s main objective for the year was to put those two defeats to right, which they did against Knockmore in the county final when they claimed a deserving win.

Connacht club final will be a tight affair

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Corofin’s manager this season, Ger Keane, has been involved with Corofin football in different capacities for the past 30 years or more.

As a player, coach, selector, and now as senior manager Keane has been around the block, and next Sunday he will bring his team to O’Hara Park, Charlestown, in another big day out where they face the home side in the Connacht club final (2pm).

Winter league season well under way

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Balla
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by Costello Shopfitters saw Delia O’Hara win out in the ladies’ section with a score of 36. She finished two shots ahead of Breege Jennings in second place who shot a 34 (back nine), with Nora Heraty coming home in third with a 34.

McHale and Hunt lead Mayo charge on international stage

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

The 22nd running of the British and Irish Cross Country International took place in Perry Park, Birmingham, on Saturday. It was hosted this year by the England Athletics Masters Association in conjunction with the famous Birchfield Harriers at their excellent facilities at Perry Barr. The event involves five teams: England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They all compete as individuals and teams in the various masters’ age categories from 35 upwards. It is highly competitive and fiercely patriotic. But overall there is camaraderie not often seen in athletics which has been matured over many meetings. A deep respect has developed for all those taking part who compete to the best of their ability. The post race prize giving function is where all of this is best witnessed. The Irish team has had a number Mayo AC participants over the past few years and this year Breege Blehein-McHale (o40) and Tom Hunt (o60) were in the Irish team having qualified at the Masters’ cross country trial in the Phoenix Park last month. Breege had previously taken part in Falkirk, Scotland in 2006, when she ran on the winning Irish o40 team, while Tom was part of the bronze medal team in Belfast (2007) and gold medal team in Swansea (2008). Conditions in Perry Park were tough, with cold blustery showers but the course — just over 2k lap — was a fair test, some soggy stretches and an uphill finish. Women and o65/70 men ran three laps, and men in remaining categories, four. The Irish women's o40 team won silver and were just pipped for first place by one point by Wales' 14pts (3,4,7). Carmel Crowley (Bandon AC) second, Lucy Darcy (Sportsworld) fifth, and a great run by Breege Blehein (eighth) gave them 15 points, with the fourth Irish finisher Helen White (Sportsworld) in 11th. The Irish o60 team were without 2008 individual winner Martin McEvilly (GCH) and drafted in two last minute replacements (including Frenchpark native Liam Hester) finishing fifth with 39 pts (6,16,17) behind winners Wales 12pts (1,3,8). Tom Meehan (Sligo AC) won silver with the o50 team in his first appearance for Ireland. England were overall winners once again with Ireland a very creditable second of the five countries. Of the 15 team categories Ireland won three (M35, M55, W50) and were second in eight, with four runners winning individual gold: M35, M50, W45, W50.

Walsh and Gannon claim border title

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

With the rally season drawing to a close for 2009, attention is now moving to the end of year awards ceremonies where competitors are honoured for their year's efforts and achievements. The HASS Border Rally Championship has always been a popular series with Mayo competitors, with the class based structure allowing all crews an opportunity to compete for the overall title. In 2009 local honour was upheld by competitors in class two, with Ciaran Walsh from Ballinrobe and his Tubbercurry co-driver Aidan Gannon emerging victorious in the category ahead of Castlebar's Brendan Corcoran.

Ballina Town clinch title after eight goal haul

Sun, Nov 15, 2009

Ballina Town claimed the Tom Kelly trophy at home on Sunday thanks to an 8-1 win over Fahy Rovers in Pete Murray Park. Brendan Kenny's side's 14th win of the season was wrapped up thanks to five goals from star striker Michael Duffy, two from Brendan Lavelle and a single strike from Ross Kenny. Town went through the season unbeaten at home and picked up 44 points from their 18 games to claim the title after knocking at the door for the past couple of seasons.

Westport United were the only side capable of stopping Ballina claiming the title, but their challenge went up in smoke when they lost 3-0 to Iorras Aontaithe in Carnenash. That win put Iorras into second place at the moment, but Westport United can still take back second spot in the table with a win in their final game a rearranged fixture against Snugboro United. The 'Boro went down 4-0 at home to Manulla today which wrapped up fourth place in the table. The other games in the Super League saw Straide and Foxford United go one better than Ballina Town by running out 9-1 winners over the already relegated Kilmore at Green Road. Castlebar Celtic finished their season off in style with a 2-1 win over Ballyheane in a Castlebar derby

Winter leagues tee off in earnest

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Balla
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by Rocky’s Castlebar was won by Aine Mhic Suibhne with a score of 37. Carmel Henry just about came second with a score of 32 (back nine), to keep her just ahead of Kitty O’Connor in third place with 32 also. The men’s competition was won by Pat Mohan who hit 41, which put him two ahead of Liam Ralph in second place, who scored a 39, and Seamus Holian’s 37 (back nine) was enough to take third place for him. The youths’ competition was won by Simon Smyth. This weekend’s competition is a stableford competition sponsored by Costello Shopfitters. The club AGM will take place on Monday November 18 at 8pm.

Hollymount road race attracts large turn out

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The low winter sun chased the shadows and raced across the fields around the village of Hollymount as the 44rd Annual Road Races took place on Sunday. Once again they were excellently organised by Sean Reilly and his team. It was an emotional day for him and his family as the local community and the racing community from near and far assembled in November sunshine to remember his brother Tom. Tom Reilly's widow Jill, and her daughter Siobhan unveiled a plaque set into the simple stone wall adjacent to the finishing line. It is inscribed 'In memory of Tom Reilly sportsman and scientist 1941-2009'. A chestnut tree was planted beside it by Tom's childhood friend, local man Paddy Connolly.

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