Westport United and Ballyhaunis Town book fifth round spots

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

In the end it was easier than expected, but Westport United are in the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup alongside fellow Mayo teams, Iorras Aontaithe and Ballyhaunis Town, in three weeks’ time.

Celtic look to teach students a lesson

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

Castlebar Celtic made the long trip to Ferrycarrig Park last weekend to take on Wexford Youths, but Adrian Carberry’s side went down 3-1 to the league leaders, and their hunt for a third league win of the season will continue on until this weekend.

Mayo look to hunt down Banner men

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

On Sunday afternoon, the Mayo League Oscar Traynor Trophy team will go looking for their first win in this year’s competition when they host Clare in Milebush in the second round of the competition.

Connacht expect tough test against fighting Zebre

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

Connacht return to Guinness Pro 12 action against Zebre at the Sportsground this evening (7.35pm) with some key players giving province a boost. New Kiwi signings Mils Muliaini and Bundi Aki will both start with Muliani making his debut for the provience and Aki will be taking his home bow. Connacht’s latest recruit from Auckland Blues, Tom McCartney will take his place on the bench from the off. Although signed as a hooker, McCartney is also a prop and he could find himself at some stage helping to anchor the scrum with Connacht's front options once again taking an injury hit.

Sunday's Connacht club final set to be a cracker in Castlebar

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

The eagerly anticipated AIB Connacht senior Football Club Championship final between Corofin and Mayo champions Ballintubber takes place this Sunday (2pm) at MacHale Park, Castlebar.

It promises to be a top class game with both sides possessing some sublime forwards and showing tremendous form in their respective wins over St Brigid's and Aughawillian.

Leading from the front

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

profile of the O’Connor brothers lining out for Ballintubber on Sunday, but Corofin would be foolish to think that Padraic O’Connor didn’t pose as much of a threat as his two younger brothers who will be joining him in their attack. In his last three championship games, the eldest of the four O’Connor brothers, who will start for Ballintubber on Sunday, has rattled in 3-5 from his corner forward position.

Are the Tubber up to the task?

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

I cannot wait for the Ballintubber and Corofin Connacht senior final on Sunday, it promises to be a real cracker. Corofin are massive favourites at 4/9 while Ballintubber are priced at a very generous 9/4. These odds simply don’t make sense. Ballintubber have beaten a team that played in an All-Ireland club final this year (Castlebar) and a team that won the All-Ireland the previous year (St Brigid’s), yet the bookmakers think it is not worth their while turning up. Corofin have shot the lights out against every team they have played winning every game by 10 points or more, their semi-final hammering of Aughawillan more embarrassing on Leitrim club football than complimentary of Galway’s status.

They have won their last three championship matches by a combined total of 77 points; maybe that is why they carry the favourites’ tag. A word of warning to Ballintubber, Corofin play better away from home as I found out to my own expense when they annihilated Charlestown in a Connacht club final in Charlestown in 2009. Ballintubber have a chance against any team with their powerful midfield and much feared forward line. They have come through two tough games and are battle hardened. Will Corofin have the stomach for the fight if the game is tight going into the last 10 minute is the big question? It is up to Ballintubber to get that question answered. Cillian O’Connor is looking a little battle weary of late but his presence strikes fear into his opponents and makes space for his team mates. This could be a memorable year in Ballintubber’s history; they will have to play out of their skins.

Tubber are ready to take home the title

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

Ballintubber go into their first senior provincial final as underdogs with the bookies, but the men from Clogher will be having no doubts in their own minds that they are up to the task on Sunday.

Westport grab draw at the death

Fri, Nov 14, 2014

This weekend sees a break from the action in the Connacht Junior League after eight hectic rounds of action. In the top division, Westport remain as the main men from Mayo, currently sitting in fourth place in the table behind the Galway trio of Connemara, Monivea, and Corinthians, and they will be well buoyed by the last second draw they got against league leaders Connemara in Monastery Field. The Bulls trailed by 14 points at the turn around. Westport did narrow the gap back to three points midway through the second half, but Connemara scored a break-away converted try to push their lead out to 24-10, but with a few minutes left Mike Cronin touched down for Westport, with Séan Tobin converting the try and then kicking a late, late, penalty to grab a draw for Danny O’Toole and JP Walshe’s charges. Next up for the Bulls is sixth place Ballinasloe in Carrowholly on Sunday week. When the team met in round two in September, Ballinasloe emerged two point winners against Westport condemning the Bulls to their second defeat of the season, but they have been on a steady upward trajectory since then, with their only blip a loss to Corinthians a fortnight ago.

Wonderful winter scoring around the clubs

Fri, Nov 14, 2014

Ballyhaunis
In last weekend’s second round of the Winter League, John Moran took home the win in the gents’ competition with a score of 44pts. He finished one point in front of Willie Coyne in second and two points ahead of Tom Prenty in third place. The ladies’ competition was won by Jenny Glynn who scored 37pts, second placed was claimed by Kay Keane three points further behind, with Anne Freeley coming home third. The junior prize was won by Jason Meehan with a score of 32pts.

Busy weekend of action on and off the roads

Fri, Nov 14, 2014

Last weekend’s athletics action centred on Westport and Hollymount amid Sunday showers. The second leg of the Connacht Cross Country Championships for senior, novice, masters, took place after over 500 juveniles had completed eight races around the one kilometre lap course at Westport House. By the time the adult races took place the tough, twisting, hilly and in places slippery course, had become even more testing and many struggled with their footing. However there were some excellent racing performances. Sara Doohan (Corran AC) showed great form again and was the clear winner of the Senior women's 4k, adding to her victory in the first leg at Loughrea. Roger Barrett (Mayo AC) got in some useful training ahead of the Masters International Cross Country in Nottingham. He also easily won the senior men's race over eight laps. Finishing places over the two legs will determine the championship medals, but Doohan has definitely won the senior title with her two first place finishes. Three Mayo AC women ran in the Masters event, Pauline Moran, Chris Gallagher, Mary Moylette and they await the publication of results, as do Danny Green, Tom Hunt, David Dinsmore, and Tom Waldron who ran eight hard laps in the men's masters.

Hollymount heroics

Fourth round tester in store for United

Fri, Nov 14, 2014

While some of their local rivals were bowing out of the FAI Junior Cup at the fourth round stage, Westport United were booking their own spot in that round last weekend with a 4-1 win over Claremorris in Concannon Park. The all conquering treble champions did have their supporters sweating for a while though, after they fell behind early on when Paul Burke finished a rebound to the net from close range. Westport United did manage to pull the game level before the break when Pat Fitzgerald rolled the ball to the back of the net after being set up by the veteran Vinny O’Malley. United took the lead early on in the second half when Martin Geraghty found the back of the net before Vinny O’Malley and Dave Cameron rounded off the win and booked their side’s place in the fourth round and their fourth meeting with Ballinasloe Town in the last three seasons.

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