Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Ballinrobe, Claremorris, Tourmakeady

BALLINROBE NEWS

CONOR MCHUGH MEMORIAL CUP

THE annual Conor McHugh Memorial Cup match returned to The Green on St. Stephen’s Day and involved a novel pairing as the club’s President (Martin Costello) team selection faced the club’s Captain (Mickey Walsh) team selection.

Over 50 players togged out on the day and the healthy attendance was treated to a competitive clash. At half-time Martin Costello’s selection led 15-7 and while Mickey Walsh’s outfit tried their level best to rescue the situation during a competitive second period, a resolute President’s team prevailed in the end on a winning score-line of 27-12.

Overall, an enjoyable day was had by all.

The Club President Selection was: P. McHugh, C. McHugh, D. Madden, J. Ormsby, E. O’Brien, D. Vaughan, C. Walsh, J. Carter, M. Mikolajewski, S. O’Connor, J. Mannion, P. Gibbons, C. Hamsbury, E. Ryan, S. McTigue, J. Winters, S. Mullin, L. Burke, E. Lynagh, K. McHugh, S. Biggins, W. Kelly, J. Cahill, B. Hynes, L. Jennings.

The Club Captain Selection included: M. Walsh, C. Forde, J. Treacy, P. Finley, S. Conroy, K. McAleenan, T. Lynagh, T. Staunton, A. McDonnell, S. Óg Collins, J. McTigue, I. Jennings, J. Mullin, L. Dever, P. Finnerty, J. Biggins, G. Jennings, A. Shovelin, J. Burke, J. E. Flannelly, O. Gill, S. Flannery, D. McGrath, D. Jennings, M. Mannion, P. Moylette, C. Cronin.

JUNIOR CUP

Ballinrobe will make an eagerly awaited return to competitive fare on Sunday (January 8) when they face Loughrea in the Connacht Junior Cup at The Green. The game will kick-off at 2.30 p.m.

The winners of this clash will have home advantage in the last 16 against Ballinasloe, which is scheduled to take place the following Sunday (January 15). Your support for the Robesiders would be appreciated.

MEALS ON WHEELS

The Meals on Wheels service returned on Wednesday. Under the service, which covers Ballinrobe and the Lake District area, hot meals delivered to individuals at home (either on a temporary or long-term basis).

Deliveries take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and consist of soup, main meal and dessert. People can also avail of two meals on Mondays and Thursdays.

Those interested or who require further information should contact the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, at (094) 9542908 or (087) 2347438.

BEFRIENDER

Western Alzheimer’s Association is looking for people to volunteer and become a befriender to help those living with dementia. If you could spare a couple of hours per week it would go a long way to help those living with dementia.

Full training will be provided. If interested, contact Caroline at (087) 3694477 or (094) 9364900.

MABS

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) have an outreach service in the Tacú Centre, Ballinrobe. This service can help you if you are struggling with bills, payments, and debts. Make initial contact by calling (076) 1072000.

RE-OPEN

Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, will re-open on January 9. The centre’s opening hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Photocopying, office help, laminating and computer use are all available.

Before visiting the centre, you must confirm you have no Covid-19 symptoms and have not been in close contact with a confirmed case.

For more information, contact (094) 9542908. If you need to make urgent contact with the centre before January 9, call (087) 2859973.

AIDAN GOLDEN MEMORIAL CUP

The Aidan Golden Memorial Cup match took place on St. Stephen’s Day at Flanagan Park and pitted Evan O’Brien’s Under 25 team against Kevin Quinn’s Over 25 side.

Both sides were full of endeavour over the course of the tie and they could not be separated at the end of an entertaining clash, with a draw being a fair result in the end: Under 25s 2-5, Over 25s 1-8. The referee on the day was Padraig Costello (Snr).

Ballinrobe GAA Club would like to thank both teams, and special thanks to all those who attended and supported this game.

TOURMAKEADY NEWS

PARTRY RESIDENTS

CONGRATULATIONS to the latest winners of the Partry Residents' Association weekly bonus number draw.

Both Noel Gallagher and Freedom Mobility will collect €200 each for having the lucky number 44 in the draw.

There will be more winners in the next draw, taking place on Saturday (January 7).

MEDJUGORJE

For anyone planning a trip to Medjugorje in 2023, a flight will depart Dublin on August 2 and return August 9. The cost is €695 now but will increase to €745 on February 1.

The spiritual director is Fr. Frank Nally. Book now through Bernard Burke (Partry) on (087) 6660032 or John Dolan on (086) 8455447.

HAMPERS

The raffle for the Christmas Hampers took place in Colaiste Muire on December 20 last. The winners were Evelyn Malone Skolemeatra and Caroline O'Neill. Seletion box winners were Grace Conlon, Cathal Staunton, Aoife Ni Cheallagh and Tom Staunton.

Mile buiochas do gach duine a thacaigh le cranchur na Nollag do Colaiste Muire. Buiochas speisialta do siopa Ui Thiarthail agus do na daitsi a dhiol ticeid.

WATERFALL MAGAZINE

There are still a few copies of the 2022 Waterfall magazine available. The 35th edition can be purchased at Corrigan's Store, Ballintubber; Martin Murphy and Cummins, Ballinrobe; and The Lough Mask Inn, O'Toole's Shop and Maire Luke's in Tourmakeady.

The magazine committee wish to thank all who submitted photos and articles, and express gratitude to advertisers without whom there would be no Waterfall Magazine.

WEEKLY DRAW

Well done to Ann-Marie Foley, Derrymore, who was the winner of the Partry Athletic FC weekly draw on December 21 last. Ann-Marie's lucky number was 24.

LOCAL DEATHS

The death has taken place in Donegal of Bridie Byrne, sister of the late J.K. Byrne, Portroyal, Partry, aunt of Emer Morrin, Treenlaur, Tourmakeady.

The death has also taken place of Patricia Stewart, who died in London, niece of Nora Lydon, Killateeaun P.O., Tourmakeady.

May Bridie and Patricia rest in peace.

CLUB HISTORY

Partry Athletic FC are seeking copies of old photographs or newspaper articles that any parishioner may have on hand as the club are in the process of documenting the history since being formed in 2004.

Any original pictures or articles will be returned. Contact any club officer or email your picture or article to partryathletic@gmail.com.

GOLDEN COUPLE

Congratulations to the Tourmakeady golden couple, Michael and Sally Gibbons, Treenlair. In December 1972, Tourmakeady man Michael T. Gibbons took Galway girl Sally Conroy as his wife in the city of Chicago.

Blessed with four boys (Michael, Tourmakeady; Thomas, Stephen and Joseph, all Chicago), the happy couple moved back to Tourmakeady and are now wished many more happy years together.

BONUS BALL

The winners of the Tourmakeady NS bonus ball on December 17 last were Aislinn and Tom Ó Neachtain, Gortfree. Their lucky number for Christmas was 20.

GAA LOTTO

There is still no outright winner of the Tourmakeady GAA Club lotto in the draw held on Christmas Eve. The numbers chosen were 7, 9, 12 and 21.

Consolation winners were Michelle Coyne, Meadhbh Whelan, Mark Reape, Danny Heneghan, Kathleen Hession and Jessica Grady.

The jackpot could be a possible €15,900 on Saturday (January 7).

Meanwhile, congratulations to the winner of the car in the mega fundraising draw, held on December 30 (full results next week).

FLOWERS

Anyone wishing to have flowers on the altar in St. Mary's Church, Tourmakeady, for January and February should contact Noreen or Michael John Casey now on (087) 6108624 or (087) 6883624.

Thanks to everyone who had flowers throughout 2022; it was really appreciated.

CLAREMORRIS NEWS

NUTRITION AWARENESS

CLAREMORRIS GAA Bord na nÓg have organised a nutrition awareness event for Friday, January 13, in the McWilliam Park Hotel at 7.30 p.m.

The guest speaker on the evening will be Evan Regan. Along with his footballing capabilities, the Ballina man is highly regarded as a performance nutritionist for the Mayo senior men and ladies teams.

The event is free of charge and is open to everyone who wants to learn how nutrition is fundamental to health and wellbeing.

A big word of thanks is extended to Jimmy Flynn of Flynn's Pharmacy for sponsoring the event. It promises to be an enjoyable evening.

BIG TURNOUT

There was a huge turnout for reunion of the Claremorris minor teams of 1995 and 1996 which won the county championship in Killeen's Bar on Wednesday night last.

The 1995 team, captained by Jimmy Horan, defeated Bohola Moy Davitts in the final, and the 1996 team, which accounted for Ballaghaderreen to take the honours, was captained by Karl Boyle.

A large number of players from both teams turned up on the night, along with partners, family, friends and many Claremorris GAA Club members.

It turned out to be a night of reminiscing and nostalgia, and one which was enjoyed by everyone.

CHRISTMAS SHOW

The annual Mount St. Michael Christmas show, which was held on December 21 last, was an outstanding success. Every student took part in some kind of performance.

There were musical performances and dance acts, and appearances from stars of Britain's Got Talent, Mrs Brown's Boys, I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and Brooklyn 99. The Leaving Certs finished with 'Reeling in the School Years'.

It was a lovely way to start the Christmas holiday celebrations. The teachers also got involved and gave a very special performance of 'Jingle Bells'.

Well done to all those who helped to organise this fantastic show.

WESTERN ALZHEIMER LOTTO

There was no winner of the Western Alzheimer Foundation lotto jackpot last week. Next week’s lotto jackpot will be worth €8,200. To play, telephone (094) 9364900 or log on to www.westernalzheimers.ie.

GAA 50/50

The winner of the Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 lotto jackpot last week was Catherine and Michael Trench, Claremorris. Michael and Catherine received a cheque for €1,220. The Christmas hamper winners were Charlene Kelly, Sinead Commins and Sean Gormley. The draw is held every Sunday evening.

WINNER

The winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 lotto jackpot last week was Pat McCormack, Claremorris. Pat collected a cheque for €490.

You can play the club's lotto online at https://smartlotto.ie/claremorris-afc, with tickets on sale in several local outlets as well.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

EXCEPTIONAL

Congratulations to Dara Morley, a transition year student at St. Colman’s College, Claremorris, whose Junior Cycle results were exceptional.

In a year when the results themselves were very late being issued to students countrywide, Dara had quite a while to wait to find out that he received distinctions in all nine of his examinations.

This is a remarkable result, and the college is very proud of Dara's fantastic achievement.

Well done to Dara's teachers and mentors who encouraged him to reach his potential in all his examinations.