Very successful year for Mayo athletics noted

A very successful year on the national and international front was noted at the annual general meeting of the Mayo Athletics County Board, held recently in Breaffy House Resort.

Chairperson Peter Hynes welcomed all to his last meeting as county chairperson, and highlighted some of the great stand-out performances, not least the Renton sisters, Freya and Holly, from Westport coming first and second in the minor girls' schools international in Santry back in March.

Mr. Hynes also noted the performances of Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley AC, Ballina) in winning the men’s senior cross country title, becoming the first Connacht man to do so in well over 100 years, along with that of Seamus Clarke (also Moy Valley) in claiming silver medal in the Under 18 5k walk in Slovenia and Oisin Joyces (Lake District AC, Ballinrobe) in earning Under 20 World Championships bronze in the javelin in Peru - the first time Ireland has ever taken an Under 20 World field medal.

Participation continues with huge numbers and in the case of the indoor competition, Mayo had to hold underage relays in Ballinrobe, hosted by Lake District AC, as there simply wasn’t the time to include them in Athlone. There were still over 900 entries for the indoor competition, which in reality is too many for a single day, said the chairman.

Mr. Hynes stated: “As outlined above, we’ve had some exceptional performances by athletes who have moved beyond the juvenile ranks. However, the huge bias in numbers towards the younger juveniles and the drop-out of older athletes remains my greatest concern. When we have more Under 11 competitors than all ages above, say, Under 14, there’s a problem – and one that is not limited to athletics.”

For the first time, last year's even age cross country championships were hosted by Erris AC, which shows what a great committee from a relatively new club with plenty of enthusiasm can achieve. “Full marks,” said Mr. Hynes. “It was a great day’s racing in a fantastic setting.”

Staying with cross country, the chairman also congratulated Westport AC on successfully appyling to host the masters, intermediate and B cross country on February 9 next in another fantastic setting, offering a wonderful opportunity to showcase the county.

“It’s the first time we’ve hosted a national championship for quite a while and should be epic,” said Mr. Hynes. “Any other clubs who are in a position to host a national cross country event should seriously consider it. AAI are always on the lookout for new venues.”

Outgoing secretary Sheila Hughes congratulated all the athletes, coaches, parents and clubs for a very successful year. She thanked all who officiated or helped out in any way over the past 12 months, noting that 2024 showed an increase of 150 in registrations of athletes in Mayo.

She outlined all the events which took part on the athletic front in the various venues in Mayo and the indoor events in Athlone, and expressed her gratitude to all who helped her in her role as county secretary over the last four years. She wished the new committee the best of luck for the coming year.

Treasurer Gerri Joyce presented a healthy balance sheet to the meeting, while PRO Marion Mattimoe thanked all the local media – including Western People, The Connaught Telegraph, Mayo News and Midwest Radio – plus Jennifer McCann (social media) for great coverage of all the events over the past 12 months. She also thanked Westnet for their continuing sponsorship for the annual awards.

The following officers wer elected: chairperson Lisa Clarken (Westport AC), vice-chairperson Peter Hynes (Swinford AC), secretary Sue Ellen Griffith (Claremorris AC), awards and competitions secretary Marion Mattimoe (Moy Valley AC), medals secretary Jackie McNicholas (Claremorris AC), assistant secretary Sheila Hughes (Swinford AC), treasurer Gerri Joyce (Claremorris AC), assistant treasurer Marian Mattimoe (Moy Valley AC), PRO Marion Mattimoe and Jennifer McCann (for Facebook), child welfare officers Denise Roddy (Castlebar AC) and Aidan Hughes (Swinford AC).

Tributes were paid to the outgoing chairperson, Peter Hynes, and secretary, Sheila Hughes, for their Trojan work over the past number of years.