Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Swinford and Kiltimagh
SWINFORD NEWS
MEDAL FOR DONAL
The annual Mayo Football League awards ceremony was held in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport.
During the evening, Mayo Football League chairman Seamus Hughes presented Swinford's Donal Benson with the FAI Centenary Medal.
For many years Donal was one of the pillars of Swinford FC and he oversaw the acquisition and development of the club's fine grounds in Cloonaghboy. He was also a long-time member of the FAI executive committee, Connacht.
It's nice to see all his hard work and involvement receive due recognition from the Football Association of Ireland.
IN DEMAND
THE football pitch at Swinford Amenity Park has enjoyed the reputation of having an excellent surface that is well maintained and cared for.
In recent days, the Connacht Colleges Ladies Gaelic Football finals have all been allocated to the Amenity pitch, and all visiting teams expressed their appreciation for the perfect state and condition of the playing surface and also the dressing room facilities.
Both junior finals (A and B) were played, as was the Connacht senior A final between CBC Claregalway and Sacred Heart School, Westport. The latter game was won by the Mayo girls on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-4.
The junior B finalists were Presentation Convent, Tuam, and Ursuline College, Sligo, played last Friday at 11 a.m.
In recent years, the Mayo senior ladies were regular visitors to the Amenity Park and could return for matches in the spring and summer.
WALK YOUR DOG
Those of your who walk you dog – on a lead, of course – are invited to do so today, February 5, helping Swinford Agricultural Show in the process.
A fundraising dog walk has been planned by the show committee, starting from Lower Main Street (Sadji's forecourt) at 1.30 p.m.
The route is through Logcurragh and all dogs (with their walkers) are welcome to take part. Bring your pet/guard dog on a lead and drop a fiver in the entry box at the start.
The show committee hope you enjoy the stroll in the country. Your dog certainly will!
ATHLETIC CLUB 50/50
The winner of the Swinford Athletic Club 50/50 (€150) last week was Anthony Moran, Bridge Street. A free entry to this weeks draw was won by Martin Hennigan, Cloonfinish, and Elizabeth Moran, c/o Michael Moran.
STILL WAITING
The jackpot in the Swinford Community Lotto is still waiting for a winner. Last week's four numbers (for €14,600) were 1, 8, 21 and 27, and again failed to produce a winner.
The winners of a €70 voucher were Francis Smith, Boyle, and J, M, M and C, Cloonlara. Michael Durkan was the only winner of €35 with three numbers.
The draw is held every Monday evening at the Amenity Park. Last evening's jackpot was €14,800 – results next week.
LONDON MARATHON
The annual London Marathon always attracts a huge entry, with runners from all over the world taking part. This year a Swinford man will be on the starting line.
Liam Gilmore from Meelick will run the 26-mile plus race in memory of his wife Emily, who sadly passed away in July last year.
He hopes to raise at least £15,000 and indications to date all show that he will easily surpass his target.
At the moment Liam is in serious training and his chosen charity is Plan International UK and Winstons Wish.
Liam, well known in Swinford, would appreciate all donations, large or small.
GAA 50/50
Last week's Swinford GAA Club's 50/50 draw was held in Eurospar, Market Street. The first envelope out of the drum was The Eurospar Syndicate, and the members got €336.
This was the second time in two weeks that the winner has come from the Eurospar supermarket. On January 9 last, staff member Ann Reynolds won the money. It must be a lucky shop!
PARADE
You still have time to forward your ideas for a theme for this year's St. Patrick's Day parade and also your suggestions to improve the national holiday festivities. The parade commitee would like to hear from you.
MEELICK 25
Last Tuesday's results in the Meelick 25 drive were: 1st Michael and Mary Lynskey, 2nd Mary Byrne and Virginia Heeran, 3rd Francis Flatley and Michael Cawley.
The raffle prizewinners were Jimmy Lynskey, Helen Galloghly, Maureen Morley, Michael Ward, Roger McCarrick and Eddie Bredican.
The card game in Meelick Community Centre is held every Tuesday, starting at 9 p.m. All are welcome.
GOLF
For the first time this year, golfers were on the Swinford course on Tuesday last when the seniors in the men's section had their first competition. A good turnout played nine holes stableford, and Tony Spain won with 19 points. His birdie on the 17th proved vital as Ron Howko also returned 19 points.
The senior men play on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 a.m., while club competitions will resume each weekend shortly.
The treasurer is presently accepting the 2023 subscriptions from members.
RECENT DEATHS
Sincere sympathy is extended to the families and relatives of those who died in recent days: Annie Maloney, Manchester and Creg na Filah (aunt of Tommy Maloney, Culleliaughton); Teresa Tunney, Sancta Maria, and formerly of Cloonlara; Sean Walsh, London, nephew of Jimmy Walsh, Cragaballagh; Liam M. Donald, husband of Patricia Janganant, niece of Kathleen McNulty and Martin James Loftus, Killasser. May they rest in peace.
CULTURAL CENTRE
Weekly events in Swinford Cultural Centre include: pilates on Tuesdays at 9.15 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. (book with Mary at (085) 2150781); Tai-Chi and Qigong practice on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.; traditional Irish music club on Tuesdays from 4 p.m.
NATIONAL SCHOOL ENROLMENT
Forms to enrol children starting in junior infants in Swinford National School next September are now available. Log on to www.swinford.com for more information, or collect forms from the school office. They must be returned before February 24 next.
COUNTY TEAM
Last week Mayo played Galway in the FAI Connacht Under 15 Inter-League competition. Two Swinford players were selected on the Mayo team – Mikey Crawford and Gavin Tuffy.
Both Mikey and Gavin are promising young players for the local club.
Well done lads and best of luck in Mayo's remaining matches..
NEW JOURNEYS
Anam Cara is inviting all bereaved parents to start a new journey with them. Operating 14 face-to-face meetings across the country, along with online support, their door is always open to new attendees.
This month, Anam Cara is launching Miles that Matter – a challenge in which they are asking participants to complete 280,000 steps in the month of February. People can do this any way they wish – i.e. 10k steps a day, undertake a series of 10k runs, run a marathon, etc.
Participants register free of charge but are encouraged to fundraise. All participants receive a branded Anam Cara t-shirt and are fully supported on their fundraising journey. Contact Jamie on j.conway@anamcara.ie for further information.
KILTIMAGH NEWS
CIORCAL COMHRÁ
THE Kiltimagh GAA Club Ciorcal Comhrá continues in the clubhouse every Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Is léir go bhfuil na daoine go léir atá ag freastal ag baint an-taitneamh agus tairbhe as. Tagann siad le chéile gach Déardaoin agus bíonn siad ag caint agus ag comhrá trí Ghaeilge ar ghnáth imeachtaí an lae.
Tugann an Ciorcal Comhrá seans dóibh aon Ghaeilge atá acu a úsáid agus cur leis.
Participants claim that their confidence in using the cúpla focal is increasing nightly and that it gives them an opportunity to reclaim the language that has gone rusty.
Tógann gach seisiún thart ar uair a chloig agus más maith le héinne eile teacht isteach beidh céad míle fáilte rompu. Spóirt, craic agus an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim ag an am céanna. Ní gá ach txt a chur chuig Aingeal ag (087) 9885165.
LAST MAN STANDING
After the success of previous Last Man Standing competitions, Kiltimagh Knock United has decided to do another, based on the English Premier League.
It costs €10 to enter and the winner will claim a jackpot of €500. Entry can be made by paying €10 via PayPal at https://www.paypal.me/kkutdlastmanstanding or by Revolut to (087) 7644489. Then send a screenshot of the receipt along with your name by WhatsApp to Ronan on the number as above.
You can also pop your entry into one of the club's 50/50 boxes in local retail outlets. Include your name and contact number and mark the envelope 'Last Man Standing'.
The closing date for entry is Friday (February 3) at 6 p.m., ahead of the league games that weekend.
Usual Last Man Standing rules apply. Full details have been circulated on the club's social media, or contact the number above.
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual general meeting of Kiltimagh Knock United will take place on Friday, February 10, at 8 p.m. in the clubhouse in Cloonlee.
Motions/nominations must be with the club secretary seven days before the meeting. Email kiltimaghknockutdsec@yahoo.com.
CHARITY SHOP
The Little Woof animal charity shop in Kiltimagh has moved to a new location. It is now located on James Street (formerly Beauty by Lynda). Pop in and bag a bargain and help support animal welfare.
WOMEN'S SHED
Kiltimagh Women's Shed met yesterday (Monday) in the men's shed premises at the rear of the fire station. If you're interested in future meetings and activities, get in contact at (086) 3853268 to find out more.
GAA 50/50
John Cronin was the winner of last week's Kiltimagh GAA Club 50/50 jackpot worth €554.
EVENING COURSES
A number of part-time evening classes are starting at St. Louis Community School.
Hobby courses include intermediate bridge, yoga, cooking with confidence, and art.
Level 5 QQI courses include book-keeping (manual and computerised) and payroll (manual and computerised). Also offered is Level 6 QQI special needs assisting.
The courses will run subject to demand. For further information, contact (089) 4893355 or email adulteducation@stlouis.com.