Day of destiny for Mayo in Oscar Traynor Cup
Fri, Dec 05, 2008
It's a simple task for Mayo on Sunday: win the game and book their place in the last eight of this season's Oscar Traynor Cup; while for Galway all they need is a point to reach their the last eight.
Read more ...Mayo look for four in a row
Fri, Dec 05, 2008
Ballaghaderreen's famous four on the handball court will go looking for their fourth consecutive 40 x 20 Open All Ireland club championship this weekend.
Read more ...Geralds fail to make the grade
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
This could be the last time that these sides clash on a Wednesday afternoon when the budget cutbacks in education kick into life in January and for the first 30 minutes of the contest, it looked like it might be no bad thing. But once the second half threw in a completely different contest emerged as both sides went at each other once the silverware was up for grabs.
Read more ...It’s time Connacht confounded the history books
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Connacht and Ulster go head to head in Ravenhill tomorrow night (7.30pm) for a second successive year with Heineken Cup qualification as their no 1 ambition.
Read more ...Winter competitions in full swing around Mayo
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Castlebar
Eugene McCormack’s team was the winner of the third round of the Cox’s winter league in harsh conditions last weekend. He came home with a score of 76, which was the same as the second place team captained by Lorcan Cribben. Jim O’Sullivan’s team took third spot with a score of 75 while Mick O’Malley’s team came home in fourth with a score of 74. The postponed round of the competition will be played on December 13 and 14 and the Garda Hamper competition will take place on December 6 and 7.
Eugene McCormack’s team was the winner of the third round of the Cox’s winter league in harsh conditions last weekend. He came home with a score of 76, which was the same as the second place team captained by Lorcan Cribben. Jim O’Sullivan’s team took third spot with a score of 75 while Mick O’Malley’s team came home in fourth with a score of 74. The postponed round of the competition will be played on December 13 and 14 and the Garda Hamper competition will take place on December 6 and 7.
Read more ...A compelling read from Dan O’Neill
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Maybe not a lot of people know it, certainly not a lot of my generation, but it’s a fact – when Louth won the All-Ireland football title in 1957, there were two Mayo men on the team. And the two of them – Dan O’Neill and Seamie O’Donnell – actually played the entire second-half at midfield together, after Seamie moved out there from the half-forward line. Together, they drove Louth forward in what was a titanic struggle and, with their help, the Wee County’s perseverance paid off. Sean Cunningham scored a late goal to help them overcome Cork in the final that saw Padraig Harrington’s father, Paddy (since passed away, RIP) lose his second All-Ireland final on the trot.
Read more ...Corofin tops in Connacht again
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Winning a provincial title at club level is a great honour and Galway County champions Corofin annexed their fourth Connacht title last Sunday by easily defeating Eastern Harps from Sligo. Corofin’s previous provincial successes came in 1991, 1995 and 1997 and they are now second in the provincial honours list behind the magnificent Clann na Gael team that won seven titles, including a sensational six-in-a-row from 1984 to 1989.
That team was powered by the likes of Roscommon great Tony McManus and they were dreadfully unfortunate not to win at least one All-Ireland club title.
Read more ...Knockmore head into the big time
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Following on from Carnacon’s success in last weekend’s senior club final, Mayo are looking to pick up their second All Ireland club title in the space of seven days in the ladies’ game. This time it will be the pride of Mayo who will be looking to take home the honours when Knockmore take on Clare and Munster champions Kilmichil in Tuam Stadium at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday November 29). The Knockmore ladies who claimed their first adult county championship in over 30 years this year when they defeated Westport in the final, have had some tough battles along the way to the this stage, where 60 minutes stand between them and destiny. The Mayo championship saw them see off Tourmakeady and St Brigids before the final against Westport, a game that saw them turn around a half time deficit to claim the championship.
Read more ...Killala make it two out of three
Fri, Nov 28, 2008
Last Sunday in Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, Killala captain Karl Dooher clutched the Frank Reynolds Memorial cup after the north Mayo men blew away the Roscommon champions by ten points. For the second time in three years Killala were crowned junior champions of Connacht to round off a successful year for the men from north Mayo. Marcus Hannick was the top scorer on the day finishing off with five points, all from placed balls, while James Ruddy grabbed their goal 21 minutes into the contest after some neat build up play which put them into a six-point lead, one which they never looked like loosing. Rory Hannick picked up the man of the match award for his tireless display in the engine room alongside Noel Ryan on an afternoon which was not designed for football in deep winter but that will be of little concern to the men from Killala who now have an All Ireland semi-final to look forward to in the new year.
U21 down for decision
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Mayo AC fly the flag at international cross country event
Fri, Nov 21, 2008
The first ever Home Countries Cross Country International took place in Wrexham in 1988, so it was appropriate that the 21st, or coming of age international, should be back on Welsh soil. On Saturday, more than 400 athletes from the five nations gathered at Singleton Park to savour the unique atmosphere of this annual contest. All the masters categories from age 35 upwards competed over a 2km lap course - women ran 6km, men 8km. They were severely tested on one of the toughest stamina-sapping courses of recent years. In the undulating picturesque parkland setting, there were muddy hollows, sharp turns, slippery cambered inclines and a cruel uphill finish. The overall results were dominated by England, both in individual and team medals. However, Ireland had considerable success too in the women's and men's teams and won a number of individual medals. Donna Mahon was the leading Irish woman with a great run to win the prestigious W35 category.
Read more ...Castlebar go down in Mayo cup final
Fri, Nov 21, 2008
Castlebar played Ballyhaunis in the final of the Mayo Cup in Cloondeash last weekend. This competition is confined to Mayo Junior sides. The conditions during this match were mild, wet and overcast with a westerly breeze to contend with. Ballyhaunis arrived intent on having a successful afternoon and worked hard to achieve their aim. Castlebar fielded a mixed team of experience and youth which failed to dent the enthusiastic Ballyhaunis men’s ambition on the day.
The first half was an intense affair with play moving from end to end. Defence play from both teams was excellent. Gavin O’Sullivan and Cathal O’Caoibhin worked hard for Castlebar in defence. The deadlock was broken when Ballyhaunis scored a fine try from a maul after a line out. Paddy Gallagher touched down for Ballyhaunis but the conversion was missed. Vinny Moran and Mick Macken were excellent for Ballyhaunis during this period. The half ended Ballyhaunis 5 Castlebar 0. The second half continued as intensely as the first with little yielded by either side. Handling errors on the Castlebar side spoiled chances to get back in the game. Ballyhaunis sealed the issue when they were awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck. Ballyhaunis tagged on their second score and the only score of the second half when Ian Cunnane slotted over the penalty. The Castlebar pack responded well and put Ballyhaunis under severe pressure. Vigorous efforts from Ciaran Flynn and Richard Feeney, however, failed to breach the Ballyhaunis line.
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