Captains and presidents’ prizes continue around the county

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

Balla Golf Club
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by Baxter was won by Michael Neary who shot a 37, with Pat Walsh coming home second only one behind on 36, the top three was completed with another fine round from Liam Ralph who hit a 35 to round off the placing. The ladies’ competition was won by Marie Flanagan who shot a 34 (back nine) with Nora Heraty also hitting a 34 (back 3) in second place, and Breege Moran coming third with a 35 (back nine). The category winner on the day was Imelda Flately with a 34.

Dempsey’s men go for two in a row

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

Before the big show on Sunday, Ray Dempsey’s minor’s will be going for two-in-a-row when they take on Roscommon in the Connacht minor football championship final, just before 2pm. Dempsey named an unchanged side to go into the game on Wednesday evening, with John Carney who came on against Galway the only major injury doubt according to Mayo manager Ray Dempsey. “John is a doubt, we don’t know yet whatever he will be able to take some part in the game or none at all. He is a big loss because he does bring something different to the game, but we just have to wait and see.”

Road race league moves through the stages

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

There were over 100 participants in the inaugural Ballindine four mile race on Sunday in aid of Western Alzheimer’s. The race was the brainchild of local organiser and Mayo AC athlete Dave Huane - with a little help from his running friends on both sides of the border. The runners/walkers put down their estimated finishing time on the entry form and were not allowed carry any time recording device during the race. The closest time to that predicted would determine the winner. As it turned out, three athletes finished within three seconds of their predicted time and were declared joint winners. They were David Mullins (Tuam AC), Angela O'Connor (Mayo AC) and Paul Fallon (GCH). They were followed by Michael McGrath (Mayo AC) +five secs, Fergal Egan (GCH) +10, Deirdre Ruddy (Mayo AC) +11, John Stagg, Hollymount +11. The fastest finisher was John Byrne (Mayo AC) in 21.17, with Ian Egan of GCH second in 23.27. Angela O'Connor was fastest woman in 26.50.

Well over €1,000 was raised on the day. Well done to Dave Huane for all his efforts in making the event a success. He ran the Headford 8k on Sat evening in 30.10. A record 196 runners and walkers took part in the Headford 8k in mixed weather conditions on Saturday evening. Galway City Harriers' Gerry Ryan won in 24.58 and clubmate Regina Casey was first woman finisher in 30.52. Mayo AC results included Dave Huane 30.13, Ann Lennon, 31.55, Ciaran Quinn, 32.22, PJ Hall 33.13, Ann Murray 34.37, Ann Fahey 37.02, Christy O'Malley 39.25, Chris O'Connell 40.02, Clare Walsh 45.33.The Balla 10k Race three in 2009 Mayo AC/Vodafone C&C Cellular Race League is on Saturday July 25 at 7pm.

McGarrity’s return to the fold could swing the game our way

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

I was delighted to hear on Saturday evening that Ronan McGarrity had participated in the A v B game in McHale Park, it was good news for all concerned and his inclusion in the Mayo team announced on Wednesday night gives the county and the player himself a great boost going into this weekend’s Connacht final. Normally before matches of this nature, I’m fairly confident in predicting in advance who will win, but this time I’m finding it difficult. Mayo’s performances in the championship to date have been hugely impressive albeit against weak opposition. And on the other hand Galway have been deteriorating since half time in the league game in Tuam, when Mayo came back in the second half in impressive style to win the game. Since half time in that game, every time Galway have togged out they have had question marks hanging over them. In Sligo they were very lucky and had to use six different combinations at midfield to see off the Yeats county men who, if they had a bit more conviction when goal chances were presented, could have sent Liam Sammon’s side into the qualifiers at that stage.

Three key duels that can decide the Connacht final

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

Alan Dillion/Trevor Mortimer v Diarmuid Blake
Against Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final Alan Dillon moved into centre-forward in a switch with Trevor Mortimer and he did untold damage on the Rossie rearguard with his constant movement, fast hands and excellent link play.

Against Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final Alan Dillon moved into centre-forward in a switch with Trevor Mortimer and he did untold damage on the Rossie rearguard with his constant movement, fast hands and excellent link play.

McGarrity named in side ahead of Galway showdown

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

The news that Ronan McGarrity had been selected to play in Sunday’s Connacht Senior Football Final (subject to passing a fitness test on Sunday morning) against Galway in Pearse Stadium was a major boost for Mayo when John O’Mahony named his side on Wednesday evening. The Ballina midfielder looked to all intents and purposes to be out of the game after he picked up a fractured cheekbone in Ballina’s Mayo senior football club championship clash with Crossmolina almost a fortnight ago.

Getting the performance right

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

“If I was to keep everyone informed on Ronan McGarrity’s situation all the time over the last two weeks, I’d have had to been giving hourly briefings.” Preparation for a provincial final is never an easy thing, but for John O’Mahony the last two weeks have seen him be asked about one thing more than most, Will Ronan McGarrity play?

The naming of the Mayo team on Wednesday night, has the Ballina man named in the middle of the park, but that is not a definite yet O’Mahony explained to the Mayo Advertiser this week. “People aren’t listing to what I’ve been saying, Ronan has to go for more scans Friday (today) and he has to be cleared medically to play yet, because the most important thing in all this is the players welfare. He has a far better chance of playing now than he did a couple of weeks ago, but we still have to get the medical all clear. Liam O’Malley is a similar situation, he has to have a fitness test done before we know if he’s 100 per cent. We had to name and team and people would be saying that if he wasn’t named he was going to be playing and if he was he wouldn’t. The one thing that has to be first is the players welfare in this whole situation.”

Club championship left plenty of talking points

Fri, Jul 10, 2009

The news that Ronan McGarrity suffered a hairline fracture to his jaw in last weekend’s round of club championship fixtures cast a shadow over the whole round of games last weekend. The Ballina midfielder was forced to leave the action after only a couple of minutes and it looks like he will miss out on next weekend’s Connacht final against Galway which will be a massive blow to Mayo’s chances of dethroning the current Connacht champions in their own patch.

Ballina blow chance to draw level at top of table

Fri, Jul 10, 2009

Ballina Town blew their chance to draw level at the top of the Super League last weekend when they lost 3-0 against Manulla away from home. The north Mayo men were three points behind the league leaders who were not playing last weekend but could not take advantage. Roger Clarke wound the years back with two goals in either half, with Johnny Hennelly scoring direct from a corner just after half time to put the game beyond the visitors. Ballina must now pick themselves up off the ground and hope they can shake off the challenge Straide and Foxford United in Belleek on Saturday evening. The men from green road are battling it out at the bottom of the table and got their second point of the season thanks to a 3-3 draw with Castlebar Celtic last weekend. Shane Burke opened the scoring five minutes before the break after Celtic had lost the services of veteran goalkeeper Declan Kilkelly a few minutes earlier due to injury. Paul Fitzpatrick added a second for United which looked like setting up the win. However Celtic were handed a life line shortly after when Keith Hopkins directed the ball home form the penalty spot after Peter Flatley was fouled. Soon after the game was level through a Terry Maughan free kick from the edge of the area. Things looked to have swung dramatically in Celtic’s favour when Pat Reid was red carded and James McGurran struck his side’s third goal, but it was not over yet as Fitzpatrick grabbed his second goal at the death to level it up again.

Iorras Aontaithe gave Fahy Rovers a reminder that things in the top league can be very tough at times with the new boys beating them 7-2, which was the men from Carnenash’s second win 48 hours after seeing off Ballyheane 1-0 thanks to a Garrett O’Malley goal. Their rout of Fahy put them back in the Super League race where they are now only five points behind Westport United. As for Ballyheane they picked themselves up from their loss to Iorras to head back to the Mullet peninsula to see off Kilmore 3-1. With David Sheridan, Michael Monaghan, and Alan Quinn bagging the goals for the Quigley park out fit.

McGreal’s got that winning feeling

Fri, Jul 10, 2009

They say in sport getting the first win is the hardest, that once that elusive initial victory has been achieved, subsequent success is easier to come by.

Captain’s days steal the limelight

Fri, Jul 10, 2009

Balla Golf Club News
Last weekend’s competition was won by Bob Leggett with a score of 39, Vincent Gibbons took second spot on the leaderboard with a 38, two ahead of third place Jim Rodgers. The ladies’ competition was won by Patrica Larkin who hit a fine 39, Delia O’Hara scored a 38 (back nine) to claim second with Kitty O’Connor also hitting 38 for third place. Enda Holian was the winner of the youths’ section with a 29.

A win but I couldn’t help feeling miserable

Fri, Jul 10, 2009

I drove away from Ballina last Sunday afternoon feeling pretty miserable if I am to be totally honest. Yes, Crossmolina had won the championship encounter against their near neighbours Ballina Stephenites, but the game had attracted much attention for all the wrong reasons. There was an ugliness and a nasty undercurrent from start to finish throughout this encounter. Two players were sent off during the game and, as we now know, Ronan McGarrity suffered a serious injury that may possibly jeopardise his participation in the Connacht final on Sunday week. I am conscious of not elaborating on the issue to any great extent, as I am led to believe that there is to be an investigation into the game and a number of incidents that took place during it. I fully endorse and welcome this investigation and if any player from either club is found to have broken the rules, then there is a mechanism in place to deal with those issues. I sincerely hope McGarrity is fit to play against Galway as I fully recognise his importance to the Mayo football team. Needless to say his loss would be significant as Mayo do not have another midfield player of comparable ability to replace him. I wish him well and sincerely hope he recovers sufficiently to take his place in Pearse Stadium.

The win leaves us on three points, the same tally as Knockmore in our group. Knockmore were pushed all the way by Ballinrobe last Saturday and were mightily relieved to come away with a win. That victory means that Ballinrobe have no chance of making it to the quarter finals as they lost their first round match to Ballina. Crossmolina play Ballinrobe in a months time and I want to make it known right now that Crossmolina will be taking nothing for granted for this encounter. Needless to say the big match in this group will be between Ballina and Knockmore. A win for either team will guarantee its progress through to the next stage. The Knockmore boys were there in numbers last Sunday, no doubt devising their strategy for what could potentially be a cracking game in four weeks time.

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