Forde’s Ballina Town ready for the Castleisland challenge

Fri, Jan 03, 2014

The first weekend of the new year is coming up and for the 2013 Super League champions, Ballina Town there is no rest in store for them as they make the long trip to Kerry to take on Castleisland Celtic in the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup final. Ballina Town manager Fergal Forde has had to deal with a number of key players bowing out of action during 2013, but it has not dimmed his ambitions for his side. “We’ve also had to deal with a couple of retirements since the end of the Mayo league season with Philip Devers retiring and Keith Duffy moving on, also have goalkeeper Emmett Payton gone now too. We’ve a good squad, but will have a very young bench going down there, but they are all good lads coming up from the under 18s and they are the future of the club.”

It has been a few weeks since Ballina Town have had a game and that brings its own problems for Forde as he has to keep his side motivated while not having the carrot of a game each weekend. “It’s been hard when you look at the fact your training every week for a game every three weeks, the motivation is there, but it can be tough to keep it going. We’re training away but it’s the games that you need, coming from summer soccer it can be difficult, the fitness levels are there, but match fitness can catch you out near the end, but the lads are all ready to go for it on Sunday.”

The future is bright, but it is still going to be tough

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

Just over 12 hours after he addressed the nation in a live Sunday evening (December 16) broadcast on Ireland’s exit from the Troika bailout, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, was back at his desk in his constituency office on Tucker Street in Castlebar. His familiar voice could be heard outside the door of the office as he chatted to old school friends and passers-by as he arrived to the door of the office, ready for another full day of engagements on his home turf. After 38 years in national politics, the Islandeady native is heading into his third Christmas as leader of the country and is very positive about the future for Ireland in the coming years.

Minor success a major achievement

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

The success of the Mayo minor hurlers in winning the All Ireland Minor C Championship was the major bright spot in the year for all involved with hurling in the county. The team led by manager Brian Finn and Johnny Regan defeated Monaghan in Ballinamore, Leitrim at the beginning of September. En route to the final, they saw off the challenge of Sligo and Cavan. It was a double minor celebration for Tooreen’s David Kenny who also picked up an All Ireland minor football winners medal a few weeks later.

Ballina Town claim Super League title after super season

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

The 2013 Elvery’s Sports Super League title headed to north Mayo after a titanic battle that stretched right until the very last day of the season. Ballina Town wrapped it up with a 1-0 win away to Castlebar Celtic, while Ballyheane were held to a 2-2 draw by Westport United at home. Although the title deservedly went to Ballina Town, Ballyheane had a impressive return to the Super League finishing in second place and going the whole 14 game season unbeaten in the league, finishing up with seven wins and seven draws.

2014 Mayo Stages Rally back to Ballina for second year

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

After a very successful 2013 event, the Mayo Stages Rally is back in Ballina for a second year. The rally got a great response from local businesses and community, and equally was very highly regarded by visiting competitors and spectators. Hotel Ballina is once again rally headquarters and co-sponsor for the 2014 Mayo Stages Rally. Mayo and District Motorsport Club wishes to thank Hotel Ballina’s executive director Róisín Buckley and senior manager Jason Moyles and their team for their continued support and enthusiasm in ensuring this is another event to remember. The club also wishes to express thanks to Kennedy Motors of Ballina and Belmullet who also co-sponsor the event. Without the help of our co-sponsors and associate sponsors it would not be possible to run this event. Clerk of the course Padraic Roche and his hard working team are currently busy preparing for this ever popular event which takes place on Sunday March 9 2014. The rally will once again be run over a similar but not identical route to 2013; it consists of a very compact route with short road sections and three good quality, testing, stages, repeated three times. Mayo & District Motorsport Club would like to acknowledge that there would be no Mayo Stages Rally without the support and goodwill of residents and businesses along the rally route and surrounding area. The 2014 Hotel Ballina/Kennedy Motors Mayo Stages Rally will be the opening round of the 2014 Dunlop National Championship and the 2014 Sligo Pallets Border Championship.

Minors make it a year to remember

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

The senior season may have ended up in disappointment against Dublin, however, our minors had a truly remarkable year but it could have been so different. Back on June 22 we first set eyes on Stephen Coen, Tommy “Goals” Conroy, and co. They had an easy victory over Leitrim winning by 1-15 to 1-05 in McHale Park. The old saying that “no one game will make a season”, could not be further from the truth after Mayo’s clash with Galway on June 30 (the same day London shocked Leitrim). This was a remarkable game, Mayo were within inches of going out, (and remember there is no back door safety net for minors at semi-final stage) sheer persistence got them over the line in extra time on a final score 5-08 to 2-11. The Connacht final against Roscommon was a great spectacle. Brilliant goals, superb defending, and skill levels to match. Mayo sauntered into a big lead but Roscommon clawed their way back and came agonisingly close to snatching a draw in the dying seconds, it would have been robbery had Mayo not won it. A Connacht minor final is not to be sniffed at. Mayo then gave Westmeath a right tanking in the quarter final in Tullamore winning by 2-13 to 0-8 points, the rest of the country were beginning to take note. A real test awaited in the semi final against Monaghan, many bookmakers’ favourites for the title. This was no question the performance of the year from the minors. They blitzed their northern opponents, scoring a whopping three goals and 19 points in the process. Talking to Barney Rock during and after this game, he was very impressed. The only negative from this game was the unfortunate injury to Cian Hanley who would agonisingly miss the final. The final pitted Mayo against more Ulster opponents in Tyrone, who were very lucky to beat Roscommon in their semi-final. Mayo played some brilliant football, urged on by the huge Mayo support. The full forward line of Darragh Doherty, Liam Irwin, and Tommy Conroy scored 2-09 of the 2-13 total. We were given the scare of our lives when Tyrone pulled a goal back in the dying moments but the Tommy Markham Cup was won for the first time since 1985. The celebrations in Croke Park after the final whistle will be something I will never forget.

Claremorris Christmas Duathlon

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

The Land of The Giants Christmas Duathlon will help sport enthusiasts burn up the treats that get devoured over Christmas, with a run, bike, and run event held on Saturday December 28 in Claremorris. Even though the event is an excuse to get out and about and do something sporting over the festive season, there are always the more serious competitors who will be out to test their fitness and hope none of their form has been lost due to overindulgence.

Some of the country’s leading athletes are set to take part in Claremorris, race organisers have already signed up some of the biggest names in this sport and it is a great chance for locals to pick the brains of these super athletes in a social environment.

A lot done, a lot more to do for Mayo

Fri, Dec 20, 2013

Now that 2013 has almost gone to the history books it is time to reflect on the year that nearly was. The Mayo senior team played their first game against Leitrim in the FBD league on January 13. Little did we know back then what the year was about to unfold. Mayo’s National League campaign was not of the consistent variety and after a convincing win at home to Kerry on February 3 we became expectant again. That was followed by four consecutive losses to Tyrone, Dublin, Down, and Kildare. The Tyrone game was a crushing defeat, Stephen O’Neill’s last gasp penalty winning for the red hand. Mayo were given a taste of Stephen Cluxton’s ability in the league game in Croke Park in March, the Dubs convincing winners; Bernard Brogan was unmarkable the same night. Worrying for Mayo were the losses to Down and Kildare, two games they should have won. Mayo were now in real danger of being relegated and had to beat All- Ireland Champions Donegal in Castlebar and then travel away to Cork to try to complete a miraculous escape. What was of great concern was the lack of goal chances and goals, Keith Higgins’ goal against Tyrone the only attempt to hit the net in five matches. Michael Conroy bettered that stat with a soccer-style finish against Donegal in a game in which Barry Moran was in superb form. Mayo well and truly ground out a result in Cork, winning by the slimmest of Margins 0-11 to 0-10 to achieve their goal of staying in division one of the league. It was a complete bonus that they sneaked into a league semi-final and had another big game in Croker against the Dubs. Confidence may not have been too high after Dublin easily won the league semi-final by 2-16 to 0-16. Bernard Brogan was untouchable in the first league encounter, Paul Mannion the star of the semi-final scoring 1-04. It really was amazing Mayo got to a league semi final despite losing four games on the spin while staring relegation in the face. Two goals in eight matches had to be a very worrying stat for James Horan and his management.

Hat-tricks for Knockmore/ Foxford and Achill clubs.

Fri, Dec 20, 2013

Ardnaree Boxing Club held the last tournament of 2013 last Friday night in the Hibernian Hall. The annual Dessie Beattie Memorial Trophy was won by Stephen Collins for the best Ardnaree boxer of the tournament. The event commenced with the final of the Boy 1, 39kg Mayo Novice final between Charlie Ward (Gurteen Sligo) and Thomas Donoghue (Champs Camp Galway) with the latter having his hand raised by a majority decision. In Boy 1, 31kg Diarmuid Brogan (Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club (KFC)) boxed exceptionally well in his bout against Jason Butler (Ballinrobe). The KFC boxer was the first of three boys from the club winning a hat trick of contests, Brogan winning by a unanimous decision. Stephen Collins got the host club off to winning ways when he out-pointed Jack O’ Donoghue (Golden Gloves) by a unanimous decision. Shea Pye (KFC) looked impressive in the Boy 2, 33kg contest getting the nod from all three judges after the final bell. His club mate Cian Timlin did enough in the Boy 2, 36kg bout winning by a majority and obtaining a hat trick of wins for the KFC club. Achill boxing club also had a hat trick of victories winning their inaugural contest since the new club was founded last year. Adam Dempsey out pointed last season’s National finalist Owen Mc Donagh (St Anne’s) in the Boy 2, 54kg division. Dempsey had his large contingent of supporters in full voice throughout the three rounds and when Joe Hennigan MC announced that it was the first win for the club loud cheers could be heard all round the gym. Mark Reynolds was the second Ardnaree boxer to win in the Boy 4, 44kg class after he narrowly defeated Christy Bourke (Castlerea club). Achill maintained their winning ways in the Youth 1, 48kg grade as Matthew Whorriskey overcame Cian O’Dee in a close bout. Darragh Ferrick (Ballinrobe) and Luke Doherty battled it out in the Youth 1, 57kg and it was Ferrick who won 2/1 on this occasion. Jordan McCarthy (Castlerea) defeated the experienced Gavin Roche (Castlebar) in a hard hitting bout. Kieran Lally (Ardnaree) had his hands full with Aaron Daly (Castlebar) in the youth 2, 42kg bout, Daly winning on a 2/1 score. Contest of the night was the female bout between Ciara Sheedy (Aglish Club) and Kaleigh Mc Cormack (Kilfenora Club Clare). In a highly skilful three rounds of boxing the Mayo girl won by a majority decision, it was a tremendous victory for the Aglish boxer as the Clare girl is National Intermediate champion. Achill made it three wins out of three in the second last contest on the programme as Rory O’Sullivan got the better of John Ginty (Ardnaree club).

I admire them, but they do annoy me quite a bit

Fri, Dec 13, 2013

I have never hidden the fact that dubious refereeing and bad decisions by referees during games are pet hates of mine and make my blood boil. Before I attract the wrath of every ref in the county I must admit it is more so at a national level than within the county itself. There have not been many games I attended this year that I left thinking the man in the middle did a really good job.

Good scoring in winter competitions around Mayo

Fri, Dec 13, 2013

Balla
James Lavin was the winner of the gents’ stableford competition last weekend, with a score of 38pts. Bernie O’Connor finished in second place and James Waldron took third place. In the ladies’ competition, Geraldine O’Malley was the winner with a score of 33pts. She finished ahead of Louise McMahon in second and Patricia Larkin in third place.

Shock at the sudden death of Peter McCartan

Fri, Dec 13, 2013

It wasn’t the news I was expecting to hear in the foyer of Breaffy House last Sunday morning as I and a few colleagues mulled around waiting for the start of the Mayo GAA convention. But when the news was broken that Peter McCartan, The Demesne, Hollymount had died the night before, it took a few minutes to register what I’d just heard. Peter wasn’t a man I knew very well, but over the past few years he was someone I’d spent time with on the side of playing fields around the county reporting on games. He was always friendly, affable and good company to be around when covering a football game. He loved his sport and his knew it inside and out and was always on hand if you missed something going on in the game. He’ll be a terrible loss from the pitches and sports pages of the county and unquestionably more to his family and a loved ones. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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