Mayo take a bite out of the Big Apple

Sun, May 04, 2014

Mayo did the heavy lifting in first half in their 2014 championship opener, when they ground down the New York challenge with the minimal of difficulty. James Horan will have learned nothing new about his side, but will have been pleased to have been able to give some game time to likes of Alan Dillon who returned to Mayo colours for the first time since the All Ireland final as a second half sub, while debutant Diarmuid O'Connor marked his first senior bow with a well taken goal right at the start of the second half. The game also saw a little bit of history with the three O'Shea brothers on the field at the same time, for the first time when Conor O'Shea made his championship debut as a second half sub.

‘New York State of Mind’

Fri, May 02, 2014

We will start this week back at last weeks column. I cannot believe a story written in my column last week got so much national attention. It was liked by almost one thousand people on hoganstand.com, it has been discussed on Newstalk I am told, and has been retweeted by several players including Colm Parkinson, the former Laois star. Lots of footballers were tagged to the article on Facebook as it reminded so many of players who would not take no for an answer when told they were not part of a panel. I did not see that coming.

Polkadot leisure cycle next weekend in Ballinrobe

Fri, May 02, 2014

The annual Polkadot Cycle Challenge, promoted by the Western Lakes Cycling Club, takes place on Saturday, May 10. This sport has become established as a major event in the leisure cycling calendar, and over the past number of years has attracted cyclists from every corner of the country. This year the club has revamped the routes to attract the ever growing numbers of newcomers taking to the roads, while enjoying the breathtaking scenery around the beautiful Lough Mask.

Big weekend of golf coming up over Bank Holiday weekend

Fri, May 02, 2014

Balla
Last weekend’s stableford competition which was sponsored by Bar One, was won by Fenton Barrett who scored 41pts, second place went to Eamonn Donnellan with 39pts and Seamus Holian came home in third with a score of 37pts. The ladies’ section was won by Mary B O’Donnell who finished with 38pts, Geraldine Kilgallon finished in second place on 36pts, and Gabriella Clesham in third one point behind.

Horan mixes things up for New York adventure

Fri, May 02, 2014

Mayo’s championship season will get underway on Sunday, thousands of miles away from home when they take on New York in the preliminary round of Connacht Senior Football Championship in Gaelic Park at 7.30pm Irish time.

Westport’s magnificent seven send them top

Fri, May 02, 2014

It’s not too often you see a team short of up to eight guys who could be considered starters run out five goal winners and score seven in a game, but then not many teams are Westport United. Last weekend there was no mercy shown by the Covies when they steamrolled Charlestown Athletic in the Sportspark, thanks to a four goal return from injury time in the first half until the ninth minute of the second half.

As the game ticked into injury time in the first half, Charlestown could have been pretty happy with how they performed even if they were 1-0 down. But once Michael O’Rourke scored their second goal just before the break, the home-team powered through the gears and turned on the style with their last two goals from Vinny O’Malley and Darren Browne rounding off the 7-2 win fit to grace any game. The win moved the Covies to the top of the table and they are now the only team with a 100 per cent record, sending out an ominous message to their rivals.

Locals saddened as herons killed in Belleek Woods

Fri, May 02, 2014

There have been strong calls to designate scenic Belleek Woods on the banks of the River Moy in Ballina a wildlife sanctuary after a number of young herons were killed this week during tree felling by Coillte.

Locals reacted angrily when the tree top nests of the tranquil wading birds, which have become a much loved sight along the riverbanks, were inadvertently disturbed and a number of chicks were found dead on the forest floor in the days that followed.

Mayo County Council launch Community Diaspora Tourism Initiative fund

Fri, May 02, 2014

Mayo County Council has launched a new community tourism initiative for the Diaspora which seeks to build on the legacy of The Gathering 2013. The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, officially launched the initiative, a joint partnership by Fáilte Ireland, IPB Insurance, and the 34 local authorities, to provide an annual fund of €1m over the next three years to support up to 700 local community-based events each year around the country. Mayo County Council will provide €30,000 over the next three years for this purpose.

Westport put seven past Charlestown, while Celtic end S&F winning start

Mon, Apr 28, 2014

Even with eight regulars missing from their starting line-up, Westport United showed no mercy to Charlestown Athletic in the Sportspark on Sunday. No less than seven different Westport United players got on the score sheet in their 7-2 route of the east Mayo side. Westport struck four goals on the bounce from injury time in the first half until the 56th minute of the contest, to turn at 1-0 lead into a 5-0 lead and sap the fight out of a Charlestown Athletic team who up until that point had been doing their best to hang in with home-team.

Big turn out for Kilmovee 10k

Fri, Apr 25, 2014

Kilmovee was buzzing on Saturday and there was more than just spring in the air. The crossroads on the R325 was full of orange clad marshals, dandelions lined the roadsides, tulips saluted from gardens, an array of green sun flowered Hospice t-shirts mingled with multicoloured runners and walkers, and sprinkled with a host of red and green Mayo AC vests. The yellow balloon arch at the start line did a spectacular malfunction which added to the excitement but did nothing to deflate the occasion. There was a record turnout of 545 entrants on a sunny Easter Saturday for the fifth Kilmovee 10k run and walk. This was the first event in Mayo AC's 2014 Move 2 Improve six race series, which is open to all entrants. It was excellently organised by Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club and the local community in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Ironman athlete Gerry Duffy was a guest and said: “It was the most friendly race I've ever been at, a fantastic event, testament to John Roddy's leadership and the involvement of the whole Kilmovee Community team.” The big field was well streamed out as they crossed over Aghadiffen Bridge into Roscommon after the 3k mark. Matt Bidwell, Roger Barrett, last year's winner Con Marshall, and Aidan Callaghan were in the lead group, with John Byrne - recovering from his PB run at last Sunday's Rotterdam marathon - and Timmie Glavey further back.

Easter weekend brings good scores

Fri, Apr 25, 2014

Balla
Last weekend’s stableford competition was sponsored by Horkans Garden Centre and McGrath Waste. Tom Jennings was the winner of the gents’ section with a score of 40pts, his back nine play saw him keep ahead of Adrian O’Connell who finished in second place, and Bert Eagleton finished in third place. The ladies’ section was won by Geraldine O’Malley who scored 40pts, Julie Loftus finished in second place, and Geraldine Kilgallon came home in third.

An ‘Empire State of Mind’

Fri, Apr 25, 2014

It’s hard to believe that this time next week we will be in New York for the start of the championship. I’m finding it hard to believe because Mayo are only finished up in the league and very well could have been playing in a league decider on Sunday. In my time I don’t remember such a quick turnaround, we obviously didn’t make the league playoffs very often but that didn’t bother us as long as we avoided relegation as it was all about the championship.

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