Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Ballinrobe, Tourmakeady
BALLINROBE NEWS
CLUB OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS to Ballinrobe Town AFC on receiving the 2022 Club of the Year award at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner. It was a memorable season for the club.
Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Town AFC will be fielding a B team in League Two of the Mayo Football League for the upcoming 2023 season. One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the division will be the Ballinrobe Town v Partry Athletic derby.
The other teams in the division are: Ballyvary Blue Bombers, Castlebar Town, Conn Rangers C, Crossmolina B, Fahy Rovers B and Iorras Aontaithe. The League Two season will kick-off on Sunday, March 26.
RUGBY CLUB
Ballinrobe Rugby Club held its weekly 50/50 draw in John O’Hare’s Bar on January 22 last, with Peter Butler the lucky winner of €503.
The draw takes place every Sunday and tickets are available online at www.lottoraiser.ie/BallinrobeRFC at €2 each or €5 for three. Tickets are also available in Martin Murphy’s Newsagent, Murphy’s Centra, McHugh’s Canteen, and M & B Dry Cleaners.
On the pitch, Ballinrobe recorded a thrilling 21-19 victory over Galwegians 2nd XV in the Connacht Junior Cup quarterfinal.
Ballinrobe began the tie at a brisk pace and went 6-0 up courtesy of two penalties from Evan O’Brien. However, the Galway city side regrouped and blitzed their opponents with two tries in quick succession.
Galwegians were 12-6 up at the change of ends and at one stage during the second half held a commanding 19-6 advantage.
The south Mayo men refused to give up the chase and launched a stirring fight back which landed two tries for Jack Ormsby and Chris McHugh, and a late penalty from O’Brien secured a dramatic victory for the Robesiders.
Ballinrobe didn’t get the luxury of a home tie in the semi-final draw and must travel to Roscommon to face a stern test in the shape of Creggs. This last four showdown – Ballinrobe’s third in a row – will take place on the week-ending March 4/5.
The Black and White face another away encounter today (February 5) when they face Corinthians 2nd XV in J1B, kicking-off at 2.30 p.m.
GAA LOTTO
There was no winner of Ballinrobe GAA Club's €16,300 lotto jackpot in the draw held in Art O’Neill’s Bar on Monday week last. The numbers drawn were 8, 20, 28 and 32.
The spot-prize winners were Michael Flannery and the Shaughnessy Family, while the in-house prize winner was Maeve Killilea.
LESSONS
Tacú Family Resource Centre is holding computer and smartphone lessons on a one-to-one basis. This is a friendly and helpful environment for people of all ages who would like to become more tech savvy. To book a lesson (during the daytime), contact (094) 9542908.
TACÚ CENTRE 50/50
Congratulations to Margot O’Shea, who was a recent winner of €145 in the weekly 50/50 draw organised by Tacú Family Resource Centre.
Participants can buy a weekly 50/50 ticket (€2 each or three for €5), with all tickets sold entered into a weekly jackpot draw. Fifty per cent of the weekly ticket sales goes to the Tacú centre, with the other 50% going to the jackpot winner.
The 50/50 tickets are available to purchase in Tacú Family Resource Centre, and the draw takes place every Tuesday night at the weekly game of bingo in the Parish Centre. Your support for this fundraising venture is greatly appreciated.
BINGO
Bingo takes place in the Parish Centre, Ballinrobe, on Tuesday nights at 8.30 p.m. Places in the Parish Centre are limited but the game can be played on Zoom. For further details, contact Monica at (087) 4111343.
Meanwhile, Partry bingo takes place every Monday night in Partry Community Centre, starting at 8.30 p.m. All are welcome.
LOTTO DRAW
There was no winner of Garrymore GAA Club's €9,800 lotto jackpot in the draw held on January 22 last. The numbers drawn were 10, 18, 25 and 27. The €50 winners were Gerard Hession, Garrymore, Mary Jordan, Seefin, and Joe Nally, Urracly.
NO WINNER
There was no winner of Shrule/Glencorrib GAA Club's €27,000 lotto jackpot in the draw which was held on January 23 last. The numbers drawn were 10, 13, 15 and 23.
The five free lines winner was Bridie Reilly, while the €25 winners were Raldine Donnellan, Patricia Burke, Sharon Craddock and Tracey Flanagan.
COMPUTER COURSES
ABILITY Enterprises in Ballindine have computer courses in word processing, spreadsheets, internet and computer applications, etc. The courses are QQI qualified.
Applications are welcomed from unemployed persons in receipt of UA/UB and persons with a physical or sensory disability. Applicants must be registered with Department of Social Protection. All courses are funded by the ETB. No computer experience is necessary.
For details, telephone (094) 9385005 or (094) 9364054, or email ability@iol.ie..
TOURMAKEADY NEWS
THE LATE MICHAEL MEENEGHAN
WE regret to record the sudden death of Michael Meeneghan, son of the late Michael and Mary Meeneghan, Drimcoggy, Srah, Tourmakeady. He was in his 71st year.
Better known locally (and indeed further afield) as 'Rocky' Meeneghan or 'The Rock', news of his death on January 18 last plunged the village of Tourmakeady into sadness. Although in some poor health for some years, his death was still a shock.
He was predeceased in June 2017 by his wife Kathleen (nee Heneghan), which The Rock never got over.
Michael was a character. A kind, helpful and hard worker, he was employed at Gaeltarra Knitwear, Tourmakeady, before going on to construction in many counties, making friends wherever he went.
He wore the black and white of Tourmakeady in the late '60s and early '70s, and was a huge supporter of Tourmakeady and Mayo. His son Michael James played for Mayo in Croke Park, and that was one of The Rock's greatest days.
There were other days of delight too, such as when Michael James married Caroline Prendergast and were subsequently blessed with twin boys, Mike and Eric, in the spring of 2018.
The Rock loved to socialise, especially prior to Kathleen's passing. He loved to sing and set dancing was top of the list.
Huge crowds from throughout Mayo and other counties attended Michael's final farewell journey. Tourmakeady and Mayo flags were flown at half-mast, with a huge guard of honour by GAA members and friends on both days in memory of Michael and in support to his son, Michael James, and his family.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. John Kenny, P.P., with music and song by the Brennan family, and readings by Ruth Heneghan and Michael Staunton, relatives of the deceased. A beautiful and meaningful reflection was delivered by his cousin, Pattie Egan.
Michael is survived by his son Michael James, daughter-in-law Caroline, twin grandsons Mike and Eric, brothers Paddy (Drimcoggy) and Tom (Clare), sister Margaret (London), sister-in-law Carmel, brother-in-law Johnny Coyne, nieces, nephews, many cousins and friends.
He was laid to rest following Mass and a rendering of 'The Galway Shawl', one of the his favourites. May his soul rest in peace.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congrats to Joe Mulroe, Shanvallycahill, who won the Tourmakeady National School draw on January 14.
PILATES
Pilates with Jennifer takes place every Tuesday from 9.45 to 10.45 a.m. New members are welcome. For bookings, call (087) 7086193.
MEDJUGORJE
There are still a few seats left on the Medjugorje group pilgrimage from August 2 to 9 at only €695 per seat. Prices will increase to €745 soon. The spiritual director is Fr. Frank Nally. Seats can be booked now from Bernard Burke, Partry, on (087) 8455447.
GAA LOTTO
There was no winner of the Tourmakeady GAA Club lotto in the draw held on January 21 last. The numbers drawn were 5, 9, 14 and 24.
Consolation winners were Brid Herward, Meath; Pattie and Kevin Egan, Kilkerran; and Sean Burke, Cappaduff.
SCÓR
The 2023 Scór na bPáistí will take place on Thursday, February 23, in Kilmeena Community Centre, starting at 7 p.m. sharp. All national schools are asked to take part in this west Mayo Scór.
PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP
The parent and toddler group meet every Wednesday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m., with lots of toys for the children while adults can enjoy a cuppa and make new friends.
KNITTING CIRCLE
For more information on the Knitting Circle for Adults, call (087) 7657191. New members are welcome.
WATERFALL MAGAZINE
The last remaining copies of the Waterfall 2022 magazine are on sale at Corrigan's Store, Ballintubber, O'Toole's Shop, Tourmakeady, and Martin Murphy's Newsagent, Ballinrobe.
Meanwhile, all outstanding advert payments must be sent in as soon as possible. Thanks for all support to date.
PARTRY ATHLETIC DRAW
Congratulations to the winners of the Partry Athletic FC weekly draw on January 18 last.
They were Niall Tiernan, Tourmakeady, and Michael McAlpine, Castlebar. Both had the lucky number 32.