A group from Castlebar Celtic, with their awards, pictured with public representatives, Mayo Football League and FAI officials at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner in Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. PHOTO: MICHAEL DONNELLY
Mayo centurions dominate local football league's annual awards ceremony
A group from Castlebar Celtic, with their awards, pictured with public representatives, Mayo Football League and FAI officials at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner in Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, last Saturday night. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Stevie Gavin, Castlebar Celtic, is presented with the Team Manager of the Year Award by Paul Cooke, FAI president, at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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John Boyle from Ballyglass FC, the Club Person of the Year for 2023, is presented with his award by Ger McDermott, grassroots director with the FAI, at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Guests public representatives and officers of the Mayo Football League at the organisation’s presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Front from left: Ger McDermott (grassroots director, FAI); Deputy Rose Conway Walsh; Minister Dara Calleary; Paul Cooke (FAI president); Seamus Hughes (Mayo League chairman) and Deputy Alan Dillon. Back, from left: Nigel Naughton (FAI development officer); Martin Kielty (Mayo League); Gerry Sweeney (Mayo League); Kieran Gallagher (Mayo League); Chris McHale-Rowe (Mayo League); Barry McGann (FAI), Gerry Tully (Connacht FA); John Durkan (Mayo League); and Joe Faughnan (Mayo League). Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Keith Robinson, Ballyhaunis Town, is presented with Mayo Football League 2023 Masters Division 3 Golden Boot Award by Walter Holleran, head of grant funding and infrastructure development with the FAI, at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner. Photos: michael donnelly Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
Deputy Michael Ring makes a special presentation to Martin Halligan at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Seamus Hughes, chairman of the Mayo Football League, makes a presentation to Ger McDermott, grassroots director of the FAI, at the Mayo Football League’s presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Deputy Michael Ring makes a special presentation to Westport United’s Gary Cunningham in recognition of his selection for the Irish UEFA Regions Cup Squad last year. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Brendan Lavelle, Ballina Town, is presented with the Mayo Football League 2023 Super League Golden Boot Award. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Conor Joyce, Castlebar Celtic B, is presented with Mayo Football League 2023 League One Golden Boot Award. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Ted Horan, Westport United B, is presented with the Mayo Football League 2023 Premier Division Golden Boot Award. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Mark McNally, Westport United, is presented with the Mayo Football League 2023 Masters Division 1 Golden Boot Award. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Danny O’Toole, Ballinrobe Town, is presented with the Mayo Football League 2023 Masters Division 2 Golden Boot Award. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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Danny Broderick of Claremorris AFC is presented with the Mayo Football League Premier Division Player of the Year Award by guest of honour Paul Cooke, FAI president, at the Mayo Football League presentation dinner in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Michael Donnelly Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
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by Caoimhín Rowland
CASTLEBAR Celtic captain Ioseph O'Reilly was 'over the moon' at receiving the Mayo League Player of the Year award.
Despite the personal individual nature of the award, Ioseph was characteristically keen to give recognition to his beloved club at the awards ceremony in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport.
Íoseph O'Reilly Castlebar Celtic pictured with his wife Orla after he was presented with the Footballer of the Year award.
Photo by
Michael Donnelly
Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
Celtic were 'exceptional' last year, said Ioseph when accepting the award. He highlighted the titles won at underage level, the B team's victories and the invincible success at Super League level in 2023, leaving them named club of the year at the Mayo League awards night – a huge boost to begin a year of centenary celebrations.
Six Celtic players have won the individual gong in the past, most recently Jordan Loftus in 2019. No one in the county could begrudge the centre-half’s win after 16 years playing senior football and a constant at the heart of defence.
Such was Celtic’s phenomenal strength in depth last year that the guts of the starting 11 could change depending on availability, but O’Reilly remained all through.
Hoisting the Super League title aloft would normally be a footballer's year highlight, but he somehow found time to get married in December as well!
Celtic will begin their title defence at the end of February, and Ioseph will be there again urging his team-mates on, but in the confident knowledge that the Hoops will be in a far better place for years to come.
O’Reilly admitted: “I know whenever I retire I’ll leave a strong team behind.” That's a ringing endorsement of the frightening talent primed to make their senior debuts under Stevie Gavin next season.
Stevie Gavin Castlebar Celtic is presented with the Team manager of the Year Aaward by Paul Cooke, president of the FAI.
Photo by
Michael Donnelly
Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
In truth, Celtic stole the awards in Westport, winning the club of the year award in addition to individual trophies for Ioseph and manager Stevie Gavin, while they had near domination on the team of the year.
The Centurions celebrated their victory in style as a raucous crowd expected success and the night duly delivered.
A cup victory in 2024 would pair superbly with the retention of the Super League title this year, and the conveyor belt of talent will continue into the next season, with plenty of Under 21 and B team players dying to get senior minutes.
MC Angelina Nugent chatting with Christy Rowland Glenhest Rovers after he was presented with Mayo League 2023 "The Hall of Fame" award.
Photo by
Michael Donnelly
Ballyheane 087 265 4747 CASTLEBAR
Elsewhere, Glenhest Rovers stalwart and former 'tough as teeth' full-back in his playing days, Christy Rowland, was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Saturday’s event in Westport.
A club official at Beltra for decades – lining the pitch, cutting the grass and being as described by many as 'Mr. Glenhest Rovers' – Christy said he wasn’t expecting to be recognised for his work, and that it came as a shock to him when he saw the news one morning on his phone.
He is a thoroughly deserving award winner as a true local legend of the beautiful game.