Tuesday, 07 May 2013 13:45

Cora Staunton and Sonia O'Sullivan pictured with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the Mayor of Castlebar, COuncillor Brendan Heneghan, and Marie Crowley, town clerk, after being accorded a civic reception by Castlebar Town Council at Lough Lannagh Hooliday Village. Pic Tom CampbellTWO icons of women’s sport have been feted in Mayo for their exceptional achievements.

Former world athletics champion Sonia O’Sullivan and legendary Carnacon Gaelic footballer Cora Staunton, the holder of eight All Stars, were jointly extended a civic reception by Castlebar Town Council at Lough Lannagh Holiday Village.

The unique occasion was attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who took time out from his busy schedule to pay his own personal tribute to the duo.

The Mayor of Castlebar, Councillor Brendan Henaghan, who presided at the ceremony, said the two recipients had many traits in common that set them apart from the rest.

“They both possess extraordinary talent, skill and singlemindedness as well as having good people around them who support them as they strive to achieve their goals.

“But I believe the secret to them reaching their potential in their respective fields has been their hard work and dedication.

“They have the capacity, like all great sports people do, to put disappointments behind them, pick themselves up and get back in the race. They know that getting back up is what really counts when you get knocked down.

“Most importantly, however, they have put women’s sport in the spotlight and have been responsible for empowering women and girls of all ages and abilities to put their fears and prejudices aside and get involved in sport.”

Councillor Henaghan also paid separate tributes to O’Sullivan and Staunton.

Tuesday, 09 April 2013 14:39

Doireann Hughes, Mayo, in action against Fiona Hudson, Dublin in the Tesco Home Grown Ladies National Football LeagueMayo 1-10 Dublin 0-8  ...... LIKE their male counterparts, the Mayo ladies senior footballers are through to the national football league semifinal following their hard fought but deserved win over Dublin in Naomh Mearnog, Portmarnock, on Sunday.

It was the same scenario for the ladies as for the Mayo men in that they were in a game where the reward for the winners was a semi-final spot.

While they trailed by a point after half time, they quickly turned things around after the resumption where, assisted by the strong wind, they ran out easy winners in the end.

They now face Monaghan in the league semi-final next Sunday two weeks’, with a time and venue yet to be decided.

If for nothing else, getting to the semi-final is another competitive game for this improving Mayo team. With a fine mixture of youth and experience, they are growing in stature with every outing and every competitive game they can get now, until their

Connaught championship decider against Galway in July, is a bonus.

Playing into the teeth of a strong wind, Mayo started brightly and raced into a two point lead after Aileen Gilroy and Niamh Kelly pointed from play after great work by Claire Egan on each occasion.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 14:09

Mayo 2-10 Sligo 0-6Mayo 2-10 ... Sligo 0-6 .. MAYO ended their Connaught minor league campaign on a winning note when they proved far too strong for Sligo in Tubbercurry on  Saturday.

Played in very wintery condition, where the wind and rain made it very difficult for both sets of players, Mayo, who favoured by the strong wind in the first half, played some fine football and were fully deserving of their 10- point victory. This was another improved performance by Mayo, who can now look forward to the Connaught championship with plenty of confidence as they have improved with every outing since the start of the league.

Sligo, on the other hand, will also improve from this outing. This was their first outing in the league with their St. Attracta’s players (eight in all), who recently won the All-Ireland B colleges final, available for the first time, and they will prove much stiffer opposition in the championship.