A number of candidates in this region have been busy with launch nights and party socials in recent times. There has been considerable activity in the general Hollymount area where three candidates are ‘over-lapping’ and where competition for votes will be quite intense. With just over three weeks to go, there will be plenty of campaigning over the next few days.
* Colleran’s Old Arch bar was full to capacity last Friday night as supporters of Fianna Fail candidate Nora Conroy gathered for a local ‘launch’ night in Hollymount. Sean O Neachtain, M.E.P., came along to lend his support and also present were John Carty, T.D., and Cllr. Damien Ryan.
Nora told the large gathering that she was bouyed up by the strong support from all over the region and she was confident of taking a seat for Fianna Fail on the 11th June.
* A Fine Gael social in support of Padraig Flannery will be held in Lyons’s of Roundfort on Friday night, 21st May. Padraig hails from nearby Bushfield. The guest speaker will be Senator Paddy Burke. Cllr. Michael Burke and Patsy O’Brien will also be in attendance. There will be music on the night and refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
* There was a ‘full house’ present in Cheers lounge in Hollymount last week for the launch of Patsy O’Brien’s election campaign. The guest of honour was Galway T.D. Paul Connaughton.
Tony Tobin, a SIPTU rail official in Dublin, and a long time friend of Patsy’s, was present to lend his support and was among the speakers on the night. Other speakers included retiring councillor, Jim Mannion, as well as outgoing councillors Michael Burke (Ballinrobe) and John Cribbin (Ballyhaunis).
Patsy thanked all who came along and said he was looking forward with enthusiasm to the final three month of the campaign.
CROSSBOYNE FINE GAEL
Crossboyne Fine Gael is hosting a special night in support of Claremorris Electoral Area candidate Tom Connolly in Keane’s lounge on Saturday night. Guest speakers are expected to be present. Music will be provided by D Mac. All are welcome.
APOSTOLIC WORK
The Roundfort and Carras Apostolic Work Society will hold their annual exhibition in Roundfort Community Centre this coming weekend, 22nd and 23rd May after 7.30 p.m. Mass on Saturday and after the 11.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday until 4 p.m. They will also be a cake sale on both days.
The venture always attracts good support and the Society looks forward to meeting their many friends over the weekend.
ST. GERARD’S WIN
St. Gerard’s recorded a 1-14 to 2-6 win over Tourmakeady in the U-16 league at Hollymount last Thursday evening. The visitors opened the scoring with a point from Michael Shovelin before Kevin Connolly replied for St. Gerard’s. Tourmakeady settled early and notched up several points from Alan Dermody and Sean Burke.
Niall Walsh goaled for St. Gerard’s sometime later but two goals from frees by Michael Shovlin saw Tourmakeady command a five point interval lead. It could have been more were it not for some stout defending by St. Gerard’s back line and especially Shane Macken, Shane O’Brien and James Bell.
Playing with the wind in the second half, St. Gerard’s came strongly into the game. Good fielding by Stephen Healy and Niall Walsh ensured a good supply to forwards where Shane Devane and Padraig Feerick assisted with the delivery and Kevin Connolly scored seven points in quick succession.
Despite the best efforts of Ciaran Horan and Thomas Staunton, the only score registered by Tourmakeady in the second half was a converted free by Michael Shovelin. When Shane Devane levelled the match in the 24th minute, the home side looked likely winners. They finished with a winning margin of fine points.
St. Gerard’s: John Farragher, Shane Macken, James Bell, Shane O’Brien, John Nolan, John Reilly (0-1), Stephen Healy, Niall Walsh (1-0), Padraig Feerick (0-1), Shane Croughan, Shane Devane (0-2), Kevin Connolly (0-10), Christopher O’Malley. Liam Feerick for C. O’Malley, Padraig Kilboyle for John Nolan, James Coen for John Reilly.
Tourmakeady: S. Burke, P. Garry, P. Staunton, M. Staunton, S. Burke (0-1), D. McGing, M. Shovelin (2-4), D. Higgins, T. McGing, A. Dermody (0-1), M. Gibbons, C. Horan, T. Staunton, E. Burke, L. Philbin.
MOUTJOY GOVERNOR
The Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Mr. John Lonergan, will give a talk on Thursday 27th May in the Cois Abhann Centre in Hollymount.
John, a native of Tipperary, is a much in demand guest speaker and a delight to listen to at any time. Considerable interest in being expressed in his visit and all are welcome on the night.
GARRYMORE LOTTO
The Garrymore GAA lotto jackpot now stands at 19,400 for the draw in Clarke’s Pub in Ballindine next Sunday night. Demand for tickets is again expected to be considerable this week.
The winners of the two 80 euro County Board tickets last Sunday night were George Neary from Ballyglass and Anne Conroy, Town Hall Road. The 50 euro winners were Liam Walsh, Carravilla, Sandra, Aisling, Connie, Therese and Stephanie, c/o Sams, the Ferriter family, Roundfort, and Amy Slattery, Lehinch. The numbers were 7, 19, 31 and 32.
GARRYMORE WIN
Garrymore recorded a 3-11 to 2-9 win over Moy Davitts in the U-16 league at Garrymore last week. It was a well contested encounter throughout and a credit to both teams.
Two goals by Mark Tierney helped Garrymore lead by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Moy Davitts cut the margin to a single point entering the closing minutes before a point from the mighty Micheal Connolly relived the siege and this was quickly followed by a goal from Paul Murphy.
Garrymore: Damian Delaney, Sane Nally, Alan Reilly, Patrick McCormack, Brendan Cunningham, Trevor Nally, Shane McHale, Barry Walsh, Damien Connolly (0-4), Micheal Connolly (0-2), Mark Tierney (2-1), Paul Murphy (1-1), Mark Cunningham, Derek Concannon (0-3), Brian Walsh.
* In the minor league, Garrymore defeated Ballyhaunis by 4-13 to 1-3 in a one-sided game at Garrymore on Sunday morning.
MARY ELLEN HUGHES, LISSATAVA
The death took place recently of Mary Ellen Hughes, Lissatava, Hollymount. She was formerly McGurren from Oury and news of her passing was received with much regret by her neighbours and friends.
One of a family of five born to Martin and Ann McGurren, her death was the first break in the family chain.
Mary Ellen married her neighbour Tom Hughes from Gowel, Mayo Abbey and they resided for a few years in Gowel before buying a place in Lissatava about 40 years ago.
Farming was their way of life and Mary Ellen was a willing and able worker, having been raised in the rural ethos and traditions of the region. She loved to help out with various jobs around the farm and took a keen interest in many matters relating to the farming scene.
Good natured, kind and generous, Mary Ellen was held in great regard by all in the community. She was reliable, dependable and gracious as a neighbour and friend.
Blessed with an inner serene nature, she was never one to complain but always got on with the task on hand, a firm believer in living life in the present moment. A loyal and devoted Christian lady, she attended Mass in Roundfort every weekend for many years.
She had a great rapport with her grandchildren and loved to accompany them on her regular trips to ‘town’ in Claremorris every Friday. It was a special social event for Mary Ellen and one which she looked forward to with great enthusiasm.
Mary Ellen had a special fondness for her favourite shows on Mid-West Radio and was known to stay up late on many a Wednesday night over the past decade or so. She will be sadly missed by her family and close friends.
A wake was held in the family home and removal took place the next evening from St. Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris to Roundfort Church. Fr. Michael Molloy was the chief celebrant at the Requiem Mass and he was assisted by Fr. Austin Fergus, Mayo Abbey. Afterwards, the funeral proceeded to Mayo Abbey for burial in the local cemetery.
She is deeply regretted by her husband Tom, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Margaret, granddaughters Aisling, Aoife, Sheena and Caoimhe, sister Nancy Fitzgerald (Mayo Abbey), brothers John and Martin McGurren (Oury) and Michael (England), in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
JUNIOR B
Garrymore recorded a 1-14 to 3-3 win over Mayo Gaels in the first round of the South Mayo Junior B championship at Garrymore on Friday evening. The winners led by 1-7 to 2-1 at the interval and completely dominated the second half exchanges before Mayo Gaels added a late goal and two points in the closing stages.
Garrymore: Brendan McHugh, Morven Connolly, Peter O’Toole, David Nevin, Fintan Forde, Martin Jordan (0-1), John McGreal, Ian McWalter (0-2), Ger Hession, Gary O’Toole (0-4), Mark Walsh (1-3), Ollie Killeen (0-1), Colm Hession. Sub. Derek Fallon (0-3).
* Garrymore are at home to Ballaghaderreen in a Division 5 league game on this Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.
FIRST COMMUNION
Children from Gortskehi and Cloghans Hill schools received their First Holy Communion last Sunday in Carras church. The communicants from Cloghans Hill were Aideen Hayde and Ronan Quinn. Those from Gortskehi were Lisa Tierney, Brendan Kelly, Rebecca Nevin and Alice Shalley
ROUNDFORT BINGO
There is 2,700 on offer at the Roundfort bingo this Wednesday night with prizes of 70 on all full houses plus 1,000 on the jackpot games as well as valuable prizes on the raffle. Some lucky winners last week were Mary Teresa Sweeney, Ballinrobe, Rita Healy, Roundfort, Kay Nally, Claremorris, Mary Conway, Scardaune and Delia Duffy, Ballycushion.
MALTPOOL DEATH
Much sadness was occasioned by the recent death of Nancy Dixon, Maltpool. She was formerly O’Connell from Aughervilla, Claremorris and was predeceased by her husband Jack in 1982. Nancy is deeply regretted by her seven sons and daughter Geraldine (Colleran), brother Des, in-laws, grandchildren, relatives and many friends. Funeral obsequies will be published shortly.
NARROW DEFEAT
Carramore suffered their first defeat in Division 4 of the county league when losing out agonizingly by a single point to Lahardane at Hollybrook on Saturday evening. The final score was 1-14 to 2-10. Carramore had won their previous three games in the current campaign.
The goal were scored by Pat Walsh (penalty following a foul on Kevin McHugh) and Declan Sheridan. Among their top players on the evening were Aidan Campbell, Damien Macken, Pat Walsh, Kevin McHugh and James Hughes. Carramore are away to Ballycroy next Sunday.
Carramore; Pat McCormack, Michael Connolly, Aidan Campbell, Damien Macken, Michael Murphy, Stephen Burke, Kevin Burke, Kevin Costello, Declan Sheridan, Pat Walsh, Paul White, Brendan Campbell, James Hughes, Kevin McHugh, Shane Gilligan. Sub: John Connolly.
CLEAN-UP
Crossboyne Community Council is organising a cemetery ‘clean-up’ on Saturday 22nd May starting at 10 a.m. It is hoped that as many volunteers as possible will come along on the day and lend their support.
CROSSBOYNE CHURCH
The Eucharistic Ministers for the coming weekend in Crossboyne Church are Pat Fitzgerald, Ann Gill and Frank Keane. The readers are Brendan Mellett and Thomas Healy and the Altar Society members are Bridie and Mary Conway.
HAVE A GO DAY
East Mayo Olympic Network are hosting a ‘Have a go Day’ on Saturday 19th June in the Sports Ground, Claremorris from 12-3pm A Volunteers night will be held on Wednesday 19th May in Dalton Inn, Claremorris at 7.30pm. Please come along if you’d like to volunteer to help on the day.
INFO NIGHT
If you would like information and support on all issues relating to relationship breakdown, i.e separation, divorce etc and life afterwards, please come along to an Information Night in Tacu Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe on this Tuesday, 18th May at 8pm. For further information contact 094 9542908.