Sligo Sport

SEPTEMBER 2016, ISSUE 7, VOLUME 2

RIP Ducksy the Handball Legend

Beezies Big Brother and Beezies Double Diamond Shine in Wexford

Sligo Swimmers tackle the everest of swimming

Sligo County Darts Summer League

FLYING HIGH AGAIN

with Shane O’Meara & EJ Sligo All-Stars Tubberbride / Ard Chuain Pony Show

Sligo Rowing Round Up

New Boats, Champs & Carrick

County Sligo Golf Club crowned All-Ireland champions in Carton House

World Success For Collooney Kickboxers

Sligo Triathlon Club Lough Key Event

Sligo Astro League Round Up

Northwest MTB Club in The Gravity Enduro

• Running • Cycling • Hill Walking • Kayaking • Basketball • Archery • Mountain Biking • Equine Events • Boxing • Hiking • Rallying • Karate • Surfing • Fishing • Shooting • Handball • Sailing • Workouts • Tennis • Horse Racing • Canine Agility • and much more!

BEST PIZZA AT BEST PRICES MAIN ST, COLLOONEY, CO. SLIGO TEL: 071-9118010

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Let the 2016 rugby season commence

Sligo Leitrim & District Soccer League

Danny McGinley park ready for Yeats United Junior teams home game against St. John's

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Enniscrone Half marathon Richard Gorman continued his rich vein of form and was a comfortable winner of the O’Dubhda Challenge Half-marathon in Enniscrone. Richard,running the race at marathon pace in preparation for the forthcoming Frankfurt Marathon completed the testing course in 1:15:00. Kevin McGlone,also using the race to test himself at marathon pace for Dublin,was 3rd in 1:26:02. Sean Colreavy had a super run finishing 4th in a new PB 1.32 and is all set for the Dublin Marathon in 6 weeks time.His sister Eilish had a great run finishing 3rd female in 1.57. Well done everyone.

Connacht Pony League

Fiachra Mahoney, Stephen Gibbons and Harry Rush - winners of the 128u10s Connaught pony league

Ballisodare United Football Club

Ballisodare United Football Club are launching an official club training top made by Adidas and sponsored by local business Whitesides SuperValu Ballisodare.

Tops range from €20- €25 and we are now taking names & sizes.

In photo- U17 Oisin Geraghty, Senior captain Darragh Healy, U15 Max Stafford and girls U14 Eimear McIntyre.

Managing Director/Editor: Seamus Casey seamus@sligonow.ie Design: Stephen Finney steve@sligonow.ie

Sales: Alan Gaffney alan@sligosport.ie Lisa Gilmartin lisa@sligosport.ie

Editorial: Kate Winter Eamon O’Neill John Graham Cian Love Patrick McCarry

he Great Southern Hotel Sligo Super League is heating up nicely with Carbury just ahead of Ballisodare United by two points at the top.

Carbury won the local derby against Glenview Stars at a canter Dylan Edwards helping himself to a hat trick to bring his tally to six in four games, with Ibraham Savage and Damien Shannon giving Carbury a sweet victory.

Seconded place Ballisodare United were three goals up at half time away to Strand Celtic and minutes into the second half it was four with goals from Donnel Bosakani, Keith Gilmartin and a fantastic double from leading scorer Andrew Patton bringing his tally to seven four games. Strand Celtic however staged a remarkable fight back with Glen Mc Cormack, the Silver Fox Gareth Kelly and young gun Mark Mc Callion each scoring to bring the game to a nail biting finishing. Ballisodare United held out for three fantastic points but Strand were so close to a remarkable comeback.

Ballymote Celtic bounced back from last week’s defeat winning by the odd goal in three at Brother Walfrid Park where they entertained Yeats United. Adam Cunnane and the hitman Mark Irwin netting for Ballymote Celtic and once again it was that man Paul Logan cracking home the only goal for Yeats United.

St John’s entertained Aughanagh Celtic at the Astro Cleveragh Malachy Spratt putting St John’s ahead on twenty minutes and they increased that lead twenty-five minutes into the second half thanks to Eddie Devaney.

Aughanagh were thrown a lifeline two minutes later when referee Paul Kilcoyne awarded them a penalty dispatched in style by Conor Mc Padden and five minutes from time Stephen Craig popped up to snatch a gret point from the jaws of defeat. Ballygawley Celtic are leaders of the Sligo Pallets Premier League winning a brilliant battle with Benbulben FC. Joe Kilcullen was the Hero for Ballygawley Celtic scoring the first and third goal with Gary Fowley adding the second. Leading scorer Anthony Moylette scored the only goal for Benbulben who had in goal keeper Mark Davis the Man of the Match.

North Sligo Kingpins Cliffoney Celtic stay in second place but only on goal difference they took all three points at home to Cliffoney Celtic thanks to the only goal of the game from Niall Thomas.

MCR are well in the mix hitting two without reply at Sean Fallon Park against Arrow Harps. Ciaran Harvey celebrating his return to duty scoring after only two minutes from close range. Paul Clarke scored a screamer from all of fifty yards on sixty minutes that wrapped up the points for MCR. Darren Kelly’s young guns Merville United were on fire at Maugheraboy Graham Irwin and Ryan Feeney each scoring once with Ryan Hargadon bagging a double to take victory at home to Coolaney United who scored twice courtesy of Paul Tshilenge and Martin Devaney.

Chaffpool United with a hat trick from Alan Seery and a double from Hughie Marren took all three points away to a young Dromore Villa side that scored once with a fine strike from Barry Duffy. - Article 18th September

Photography: Jordan Cummins Patrick Regan jumpingthegun.com outdoorfitnesssligo.com Cian Love Sportsfile

Published by: IBS Publications Limited Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo F91 NX0T Tel/Fax: 071-9154538 Web: www.sligosport.ie Email: info@sligosport.ie

The information in Sligo Sport is carefully researched and believed to be accurate, but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Statements or opinions expressed herein are not necessary those of the editor or publisher. Advertisements within the publication are not endorsed by the publisher. Neither are any claims made within the advertisements. Before consuming any products mentioned in the publication readers are advised to consult with their general practitioner or equivalent professional for opinion or advice.

4

CONNACHT HOCKEY

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Slish Wood Length: 3km Time: 1 Hour Waymarking: White Grade: Strenuous Minimum Gear: Walking Boots, Liquids, Mobile Phone OSI Map: Series 25 Services: Car parking, picnic area Terain: Forrest track Description: Slish wood is located on the southern shore of Lough Gill in a stunning location between the lake and the Ox Mountains.

The Route This delightful lakeshore and hillside track is waymarked and easy to follow. It begins at the northern end of the car park and follows the markers along the forest trail, providing picturesque views over Lough Gill. After 1.6km, the track rises at the very first fork in the walk. Keep to the right-hand path, which will lead you back down to the car park, or veer left if you wish to continue on the Sligo Way towards Dromahair where the trail ends at the Abbey Hotel, just past Creevelea Abbey. (It takes approximately 3 hours to complete the 10km to Dromahair.)

Congratulations to the Connacht U21 Team who played in the YMCA HC Pre-Season Tournament in Wesley College today and beat Our Lady's HC 6-0 and Old Alex 6-3.

The Ursuline College Senior team played in The Heskin Cup

Did you know?

Slish Wood features prominently in the poetry of William Butler Yeats, although he refers to it as ‘Sleuth Wood’ in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’.

This site was once that of an extensive oak wood and although the area was sadly cleared during World War II (1939 – 1945), pockets of 250-year-old oak remain and patches of Norway spruce, Sitka Spruce and pine have since filled in the gaps in the forest. The remains of this oak woodland can still be seen along the lakeshore. Native wildlife includes mute swans, ducks and herons, while blackbirds, thrushes, larks and pigeons. Given the rich diversity of flora and fauna to be found at this location, Slish Wood is a designated bio-diversity site forming part of the Lough Gill Natural Heritage Area (NHA).

Directions From Sligo Town take the N4 to Carraroe.

Take the first exit off the Carraroe roundabout and turn left at the church onto the R287 signposted Ballintogher.

Continue for approximately 5km, where you’ll find the site signposted on the left.

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SLIGO ROVERS ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE SIGNED MIKEY PLACE TO A CONTRACT FOR A FURTHER YEAR.

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here is also an option to extend the contract with the striker for another season to the end of 2018.

The 18 year-old is one of

several players in the first team squad to have come through to the first team from the Sligo Rovers underage system. Place is in his first season with the first team after signing his first professional contract in January this year.

A first team debut for Place came early in the season in the game away to St. Pat’s.

The Galway player has totalled five appearances for the season so far including playing against Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City. He has also impressed when featuring with the udner-19 squad with 12 goals this year. Place is the latest part in the building of the squad for the 2017 season which now totals nine players.

Craig Roddan, Micheal Schlingermann, Gary Boylan, Kieran Sadlier, Gary Armstrong, Daniel Kearns, Raff Cretaro and Tobi Adebayo-

Rowling have already been signed. Dave Robertson is delighted to have the talented young Mikey Place signed to a new contract.

Robertson praised the progress that has been shown by Place in improving throughout his first professional year: “The real pleasure for me is that we have got some great young players coming through here.

And Mikey is one of those. He has been with the first team squad since the start of the season. He has come on for us in some key games against the likes of Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers and done ever so well.

“We have sat down and set an appearances target for him for the rest of this season. I believe that Mikey will be a key part of our future and I am really pleased to have him tied down. This shows the faith that we have

in him.” With Place becoming a more regular feature in games Robertson says he will continue to appear more often as his experience grows: “That is all part of the process with young players.

He has been working away hard at his game and is improving week by week. We are going to continue to see him develop over the next couple of years.” The Rovers manager also said how the process is helped by having positive influences around him: “It is massively helpful for him to have to have the excellent dressing room that we have. There is pros there that have been through the process and are very helpful to the younger players. Raff has also done coaching with the under-19s so knows him from there and he has been a key role model for Mikey. It is important for him to have those influences.”

St Johns Gaa vs Coolera u11s

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Ballygawley-Slieve Daeane

Length: 10km Time: 2.5 Hours Waymarking: Marked trail Grade: Moderate Minimum Gear: Strudy walking/trekking shoes, waterproofs, fluids, snacks and mobile phone OSI Map: Series 25 Services: Ballygawley Terain: Forest trail, country roads Description: Ballygawley is a small village located at an important junction between two regional roads. It offers an extensive range of services including hotel accommodation, grocery, petrol, post office, restaurant, bars, spa facilities etc. The village provides a focal point for a network of quite country roads in the vicinity as well as access to the wilderness areas of the nearby Ox Mountain Range. The Slieve Daeane route is a walk along roads and forest tracks. It follows along a section of the Sligo Way with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

The route From Ballygawley follow the R297 in the direction of Sligo, take the first right along the mountain foot road passing by Ballygawley Lake. Approximately 1km after the lake take a left following the track onto the mountain, upon reaching a t junction in the trail turn left onto the Sligo Way. Follow the track past Lough Lumman and over to Ballygawley woods. Continue to follow the Sligo Way down through the woods until you reach a main road. Turn left and follow the road back to Ballygawley.

St Johns Gaa vs Coolera u9s

St Johns Gaa and Coolera u9s

Did you know?

Legend has it that the passage tomb located on the hills of Slieve Dargan above the Sligo Way is the final resting place of the Hag of Beara, who lost her magical powers after she drowned in the ‘bottomless’ Lough Dagae. Castle Dargan (in ruins) is visible from the road over looking Lough Dargan. It was built in 1422 by Conor Mac Donagh and has changed ownership many times over the years. It is now part of the Castle Dargan Hotel and Resort and is surrounded by and 18 hole golf course.

Note: Regional roads R290 and R284 are busy and extreme caution should be exercised on these sections of the route

SPORT GUARDS, BITE GUARDS & BLEACHING TRAYS ADA provides a range of sports and mouth guards and other retainers with our easy to use self impression kits.

Mouth guards, which are now mandatory for GAA players, can be bought over the counter but these are not recommended by dentists or us at ADA dental laboratory due to their insufficient protection. Proper sports guards are custom made to the dental impression taken from the player and guarantee a secure fit.

Advanced Dental Aesthetics • 28/29 Castle Street, Sligo F91 E820 • Tel: 087-4558741 • www.adadentallab.ie • info@adadentallab.ie

8

ALL HAPPY CAMPERS AT THE BASKETBALL CAMP IN COLLOONEY

JIU JITSU SLIGO

Members trained hard at the recent 5 day camp and learned a huge amount. Thanks thomas lisboajj for the excellent training and for being such great craic A huge thanks to all who traveled from far away to be with us on the camp. And big thank you to all our fantastic BJJ students here in Sligo who gave such a strong support to the camp once again.Â

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Congratulations Massive congratulations to our new Moniteur Medhi who successfully completed their exam on Sunday.

Achieving the Mon 3 is no easy feat and these brave instructors are now top of their profession in Ireland and set to lead the IUC into the future. They are Thomas Moore, Pat Neville, Damian Ryan, Mehdi Entezary, Joe Fegan, L-R New Mon*** Instructors Thomas Moore, Don McCarthy, Pat Neville, Damian Ryan, Nigel Kelleher, Mehdi Entezary, Joe Fegan, Dave JAckson, Ste[hen Mulhall, Jean Kelleher, Timmy Carey

Congratulations Medi!!! Another diver who started diving at IT Sligo Sub Aqua Club becomes a highly qualified instructor!!!

Congratulations to all who were part of this years Wako World Kickboxing Championship. Competition was high and everyone fought well. Sligo Mugendo has a bronze medal coming back thanks to Sarah Keaney. Congratulations to Sarah and to all who made up team Ireland.

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

ST NATHYS SENIOR CHAMPIONS St Nathys 2-13 Geevagh 1-11

Congrats to St. Nathy’s ladies on winning the senior ladies championship from Tony and Martin Burke of

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ST. NATHY’S LADIES ON WINNING THE SENIOR LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Teeling St, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo • Phone: 071-9185096

Flying High Again WITH

Shane O’Meara & Sligo All-Stars

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Shane O’Meara with his son, Danny

B

asketball is very much in the blood for Shane O’Meara.

Following in the footsteps of his late father Pat who founded the county team, the Sligo resident has worked his way up from child player, to where he now sits as head coach of the National League team. With the support of the players, the community and a fantastic behind the scenes team, the Kerry native has steered the Sligo All-Stars to their greatest challenge in years – by taking the regional game to a national level. We sent Eamon O’Neill to find out what it has taken to get this far.

One look at Shane O’Mara and it would surprise few to find out that he has had a life-long passion for basketball. A towering six-foot-something of a man, his frame, it seems was built to shoot hoops. Nature may have given him his physicality, but a passion for the sport always was in the family. “My dad was heavily involved in the Sligo All-Stars club throughout my childhood”, says the amiable primary school principal, as we begin our chat.

“He started basketball in this area, and brought me to Sligo All-Stars as a teenager”, he expands, of his own tentative beginnings.

Now director of the same club that his father started, and head coach of the National League team, Shane has worked his way up through the ranks, playing both nationally and internationally on the courts. In those early years, the future for the All-Stars seemed bright, however, interest in the sport in Sligo had, over time, started to wane. “It had fallen by the wayside because the human resources were in short supply in terms of coaches, and so on”, explains Shane, taking up the story of how he came to follow on the work that his father had

started. “We were successful and the club was going great for a while, but then we realised that when we stopped playing, there wasn’t a conveyor belt of talent coming up behind us”, he reveals, explaining the motivation that led to a fresh momentum being put behind the trophywinning club.

With the aid of similarly-driven senior members of the club, Shane decided to put a renewed focus on the All-Stars.

“About ten years ago, a few of us in the club; Glen Monaghan, myself, and Sean McGowan, made a concerted effort to try and rejuvenate the juvenile side

of the club”, he says of the kickstart that has now taken the All-Stars into bright new territory.

It wasn’t easy however, with the team beginning almost from scratch again: “We started off with kids; it was always a little bit of a nursery”, says Shane of those early days. And though the club had been maintained, it needed a jolt, and a long-term plan to take them forward: “Brendan Crowne and Francis Rodgers were keeping the thing going in the intervening years, but there weren’t enough coaches, so we started developing the younger players; under 10, under 14 and under 16.”

With hard work, dedication and commitment, it may have taken some time to develop those young athletes, but now their early efforts are really starting to pay off; something that Shane is delighted with: “The fruits of that are marvellous”, he beams; “those guys have all come of age, and some of the boys that are now playing National League, started with us back then”. This tenacious approach was always part of the masterplan, as Shane explains: “What we wanted to do back then, was create a situation where we could feed a National League team, and have a group of guys coming behind all of them”.

In 2013 the rejuvenated AllStars won their first trophy – an under-16 all-Ireland title – which the forty year old maintains was the result of a concentrated learning experience: “We would never have done that at the top level before. We would have done well in the ‘B’ division, but never in the top division. We were playing against the likes of Neptune in Cork, and gradually as time went on, we started to be more competitive, and then we started to beat those teams”.

Proudly, he reveals that: “In the last couple of years we’re starting to be recognised as one of the main juvenile clubs in the country”.

With things hotting up for the reborn squad, Shane and the committee decided to take things to the next level; by hiring a committed, full-time coach.

Enter: Pau Vilá [whom Sligo Sport spoke with for issue 1, in October 2015], the Barcelona native taken on following a talentspotting trip to Spain - a nation where basketball is thriving. “He’s just an encyclopaedia of knowledge on the game, and Pau has really brought a new dimension of coaching to the club”, booms Shane. “He’s here now for his second year, and we’re trying now to upskill ourselves – all the coaches – to coach in that way. Spain are one of the top countries for basketball in the world, and we just want to piggyback off that”.

The decision to go for the expertise provided by someone schooled in what is, arguably the heartland of basketball in Europe, has played a vital part in getting the All-Stars ready for bigger challenges. “We’ve been there or there abouts”, offers Shane; “we were getting there ourselves with the work we were doing, but Pau’s brought it to another level; we’re onto national league now”.

What this means is that the AllStars will now be up against some of the best players in the country, and Shane is under no illusions about the competition that they face: “In this league, we’ll be playing against teams from all over the country; from Belfast, Kilkenny, Dublin and Cork. Cork is like the Mecca in Ireland for basketball, so it’s a different ball game altogether”, he admits, before enthusing: “It’s a great buzz, because we haven’t been in the national league since

2009”.

With a dedicated squad, the right coaching approach, and a driven attitude, Shane also credits the enthusiastic enthusiasm that the All-Stars have received from the wider community as the key their upturn in fortunes: “We’ve had great support from the community and our sponsors”, he says: “Eamon Cunningham has been great. He said to me years ago; ‘if at any time I can support you, let me know’, and EJ Menswear is now our main sponsor”.

With future successes now all the more likely, and a once upagainst-it team now thriving, I ask Shane what he thinks his late father, who passed away only two years ago, would have made of evolution of the Sligo AllStars: “It’s the love of the game that I do this for, first and foremost”, he says matter-offactly, before tempering; “though, it gives you more of an incentive, because he was a great man, who did so much for the club”, with more than a hint of emotion in his voice.

As our chat comes to an end, I ask Shane what the goal is, now that the team is on steady ground once more: “It’s hard to gauge where we are”, he admits: “We’re not going into it with our eyes closed, and we’re fully aware that it’s probably going to be a tough year”, he concedes. Ever the teacher, the mild-mannered headmaster concludes: “It’s a building process, and it’s a learning process”, he says, before signing off: “This year is seeing where we are, and being as competitive as we can, and winning as many games as we can, but yet using it as a learning experience”. With a realistic, grounded attitude, it seems that the All-Stars are on solid footing to net another great year.

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

SLIGO ASTRO LEAGUE

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Cornview Celtic

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Arrow Harps

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Ballymote Celtic FC

Ballina Boys

Bald Eagles

Congratulations to Foleys Bar FC who pick up this years Champions Shield in an epic battle against Cornview Celtic coming out on top by 2 goals to 1.

Massive respect to both teams who gave it their all from start to finish.

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BEEZIES BIG BROTHER AND BEEZIES DOUBLE DIAMOND SHINE IN WEXFORD Beezies Big Brother and Beezies Double Diamond with Simone were competing at the National Dressage Championships in Barnadown, Wexford recently.

Both horses maintained their recent form, Beezies Big Brother

won the Irish Draught trophy and Irish bred, he placed 6th in both the advanced championship and PSG freestyle championship. It’s the second homebred and produced Irish Draught that Simone has won the ID trophy with,

previously having won it on a number of occasions with Beezies Sue. Beezies Double Diamond finished in the top ten in the novice cat two championship and 7th in the elementary freestyle championship.

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016 Inland Fisheries Ireland announces agreement with Angling Federations on trout production The Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) met last month with a joint delegation from the National Anglers Representative Association and Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland to discuss IFI’s proposal to exit the production of trout for the re-stocking of angling lakes.

As a result of these discussions the Board of IFI has agreed to defer its proposal indefinitely. However, in the discussions the parties recognised that there are significant economic, environmental and biological issues surrounding the current production facilities which IFI needs to resolve. Inland Fisheries Ireland is committed to developing and seeking funding for a comprehensive strategy to meet current and future trout production needs, contingent on obtaining the significant investment required. The parties to the discussions agreed to continue to work closely together to deliver this strategy.

The Board of IFI wishes to acknowledge and thank all those who have made submissions to the public consultation on IFI’s exiting from freshwater trout production. This consultation process is now closed.

Well done to the Coolaney/ Mullinabreena/ Bunninadden team on winning the Minor A2 final this eve. They defeated St. Farnans on a score line of 3.08 to 1.11.

OF F E R • Ride on & Self-propelled & Push Lawnmowers • Petrol Chainsaws for Property Maintenance • Chainsaws for Agriculture and Horticulture

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

TUBBERBRIDE / ARD CHUAIN CONNACHT PONY SHOWS

Well done Nadine Carey winner of the 138 1m connaught Region pony league & to Aaron killoran who won the class

Stephen gibbons winner of the 128u10s Connaught pony league

Cian Goggins winner of 148 1.10m and outright winner of 148 1.10m Connaught Pony League

Lola Montez Junior B Semi Final St Johns Gaa 1-14 Molaise Gaels 1-12 A superb performance by the St. Johns junior team seen them win past a spirited Molaise Gaels team to book their place in the county final for the 1st time since they claimed the silverware at this grade in 2013.

St. Johns were 1st on the scoreboard but soon found themselves trailing as a clever kickout strategy from the Grange side seen them dominate possession and kick five points clear.

However a few clever positional switches by the St. Johns management midway through the half saw St. John’s grab a foothold in the game.

They slowly kicked their way back into the game with consecutive points from Ryan McManus, Fergal Kelly and John Reilly.

McManus was unerring from frees all day and the Carraroe club fought their way to a one point lead at half time.

Molaise exploded out of the blocks in the second half and a brilliantly worked goal put them ahead again. But St. Johns heads never dropped and they set about reeling them in.

More McManus points from play and frees after fouls on Christy Murphy and Darren Kilcawley, along with a great fetch and point by full forward Gabriel Hynes dragged St. John’s level again. Then the seismic moment of the match as St Johns influential midfielder Fergal Kelly marauded forward to pick out substitute Ray Henry Junior with a pinpoint pass who in turn cleverly set up Ryan McManus for a wonderful team goal. Despite a titanic effort by Molaise Gaels, St John’s would never relinquish the lead.

The St Johns rearguard were firmly on top with the elder statesmen of Farrely, Tierney and McDonnell using all their experience to keep The Molaise young guns at bay. Daniel Smyth and Jamie Grehan were unplayable at wing back throughout the game linking up brilliantly all day with Darren Kilcawley and Kieran Blake who kicked a monster point to settle the John’s nerves. And it was Kilcawley who kicked the insurance point after a typically barnstorming run.

Well done to all involved. A proud day for the club.

South Sligo Athletic Club Update from recent meeting: Anyone interested in resuming/continuing running to meet on Sunday mornings at 9am and/or Thursday evenings at 8pm. Meetings point is Library car park for both Sundays and Thursdays

Harry Rush 128cm Connacht Pony Championship winner and Connor Gilmartin reserve

We would love if your club could submit pictures and reports on what is happening in your organisation on a regular basis and we will be sure to include it. It is important that we get as much involvement from clubs such as yours from the get go so any info you have please send it to seamus@sligosport.ie or feel free to contact me on 085 2498067.

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NOW RUNNING FISHING TRIPS FROM KILLYBEGS HARBOUR

16

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

SLIGO TRIATHLON CLUB

Great Day out in Lough Key .. well done Kevin on the Podium finish

MEN’S TRY A TRI

S

ligo Triathlon Club in conjunction with Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership are pleased to say the Men’s Try a Tri is now open for applications. NThe aim of the initiative is simply to encourage males of all ages, but in particular those over the age of 30, to become more active and increase their level of physical activity.

Recent research by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) has shown that males 30 years of age and older have a tendency to become detached from sport and physical activity. This is in direct line with the general age males tend to stop playing team sports and although individualized sports such as swimming, running and cycling have all seen a resurgence in recent years especially within the female population there is a steady drop-off within the male population over 30 years of age within sport and physical activity.

The aim of this initiative is simply to provide a gateway into something more challenging but yet attainable, to give those from all sporting and non-sporting backgrounds alike, a chance to push their own physical capabilities in a safe and noncompetitive setting. We aim to prove that life and physical activity can begin at 30, and what better way than to try a triathlon and see what all the fuss is about in what has become Irelands fastest growing individual sport.

Initiative Details: Try-a-tri will consist of 250mt swim/10km bike/3.5km run Training will consist of a 6-week training programme with two sessions per week, one in the pool and one bike/run training session.

Bike & run training will take place in Cleveragh Park every Wednesday evening between 7-830 pm The swim training will take place in Sligo Regional Sport Complex from 8-9pm.

The actual event will take place on Sunday 4th December @ 11am Training will commence on Sunday the 16th October with a brief meeting in the Sport Complex beforehand at 7pm.

The total cost for the training and event is only €50 Participant Criteria: Open to males with limited or no previous experience within triathlon.

Some may have taken part as a

Vehicles ranging in size from 14 to 53 we can cater for the movement of over 500 at any one time.

LUXURY COACH & MINIBUS HIRE FOR ALL YOUR SPORTING TRIPS Westlink Coaches Ltd is a family owned and operated business. Situated in Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim.

We provide high quality luxury coach and minibus hire for all occasions including Private Hire, Airport transfers and Scheduled Weekend Services. We pride ourselves in supplying modern luxury coaches, cleaned and serviced to the highest standards to ensure it exceeds all your needs and expectations.

WestLink Coaches Ltd, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim • Telephone: 071 9641059 • www.westlinkcoaches.ie

member of a relay team or some may have experience within multisport events such as adventure racing but the idea behind the initiative is to target those that are completely new to the sport and of course those new to sport in general.

Fitness levels and age profile will vary massively and those with underlying health conditions should be screened by a medical professional before being allowed to commence training.

Participants must obtain any manner of safe, road worthy bicycle as cycling skills will be lacking in many and the bike will be needed for the duration of the initiative.

Mountain bikes are advisable unless previous history of cycling exists and there is no clip in shoes allowed on the bike.

With winter closing in fast weather conditions may be less than ideal so wear appropriate clothing and bring a head torch/bike lamp for safety during training.

Benefits: Over 15 hours of quality coaching & an event for nearly €8/week Learn to swim/bike and run in a controlled, safe, fun and noncompetitive environment Receive excellent tips on triathlon, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery from highly experienced coaches Training for three sports is challenging but has huge health benefits as the body has to adapt and variety really is the key to longevity within sport.

Obvious stepping stone for anyone considering triathlon as a progression in sport but unsure of how to go about it What better way to kick-start some early new-year resolutions and take the next step.

With Christmas approaching and dark winter nights nearly upon us why not challenge yourself, your work colleague, brother, house mate, or friend’s and give yourself an early present by learning the intricacies of triathlon, the various disciplines, lose some weight and gain fitness and friends along the way.

For more information contact Ross McGlynn: ross@triathlonireland.com o rrmclynn@gmail.com, or message Sligo triathlon club on facebook, but places are limited and are expected to sell out quickly so don’t spend too long on that fence.

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

17

18

COUNTY SLIGO GOLF CLUB CROWNED ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS IN CARTON HOUSE

The Rosses Point team of David Brady, Declan Reidy, Ruairi O’Connor, TJ Ford and Mark Morrissey beat Castle Golf Club of Dublin 3-2 in the Senior Cup final.

Inspirational County Sligo man Mark Rooney passes away Mark Rooney, the much-loved team mate and club stalwart to whom County Sligo dedicated their fifth AIG Senior Cup win last Saturday, passed away just a few hours later after a long battle with cancer. He was 38. Team members had been in close contact with Mark throughout the campaign, some even writing his initials on their golf gloves as a reminder that they were going to win the final for him yesterday.

During the trophy presentation at Carton House on Saturday afternoon. team captain Shane Flana-

gan dedicated the club’s 3-2 win over Castle to the popular family man. “I’ll just finish by saying there is one person missing from the stand up here, it’s our dear friend and panel member, Mark Rooney and if there were two words that summed up the inspiration behind this victory, they would be ‘Mark Rooney’. I can assure you all that the first house we will call to when we get back to Sligo will be to see Mark.”

Just before the presentation, captain Flanagan explained how highly regarded Mark was amongst his

team mates.

“He was in the panel, he was a member of the WhatsApp group and he would be mentioned in every team meeting,” he said. “And to be honest, a lot of the lads would have had his initials on their glove.

They had the height of regard for him. We all know people like that — people who earn everyone’s respect the right way. He is one of them.... A great lad. A super, super guy.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam Brian Keogh

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Child Protection Safeguarding 1 Awareness Training Mon 3rd October Sligo Sport and Recreation will be hosting a ‘Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness course on Child Welfare and Protection in Sport’ on Monday 3rd October next. This 3 hour course has been devised by and is certified by Sport Ireland (previously the Irish Sports Council) and aims to effectively educate participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.

Limited places are available on the course and prebooking is essential as it is on a first come first served basis. Each individual must fill out an application form and return it, with fee, to the address below by Friday 23rd September 2016. Participants must be 18 years of age to do this course. For more information contact Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership at 071–91 61511 or info@sligosportandrecreation.ie NOTE: PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE Venue: Sligo Education Centre (IT Sligo Campus, Ballinode) Date: Monday 3rd October 2016 Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm Cost: €15 per person

Results from the Glencar fishing competition Despite conditions being difficult with very slack winds a total of 16 anglers took part. Only one seatrout was caught approx 2-1/2 lb (42cm)by Jim Entwhistle from Enniskillen(pictured) who won the competition. It was caught on a blue Zulu fly.

Unfortunately one angler lost a salmon on the day.

Despite poor conditions the day was enjoyed by all.

What an end to a great 5 weeks! Our Senior Instructor today organised a trip to RNLI Lifeboat Station AIRE approved Est 1997

‘An Equestrian Establishment with a difference’ • Lessons for all ages and levels of experience on school horses or riders own horse • Dressage & showjumping training to advanced level • Off road trekking in scenic Ox Mountains • Training shows, camps, 4 week intensive courses, clinics & Student training.

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

• Qualified trainer (BHSAI, HSI & FETAC) • Resident rider with proven compe""on record • Homebred schoolmaster horses • Horses & ponies for sale from Beezies Stud • Top class, all weather & customer friendly facili"es

Call Simone: 087 6793696 / 071 9184207 • www.woodlandsequestrian.ie • Loughill, Lavagh, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

SOME MIGHTY FISH CAUGHT WITH EWINGS SEA ANGLING

Producing the goods as usual at Ewings Sea Angling with some fantastic cathes on their recent trips.There was some cracking john dory, squid, loads of monster pollack, poor cod, pout, ling, cuckoo wrasse, coalie and mackerel. Two blue shark were also landed both over the 100lb specimen mark. Both smashing females, 103 and 161lbs. Well done lads!

North Connaught College Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education and Training Board

North Connaught College (NCC) is offering courses certified by QQI Early Childhood Care & Education Level 6 With all MONTESSORI Modules included Tel: 071-9185035 • www.northconnaughtcollege.net • Email: nccollege@msletb.ie

19 Well done to Eoghan Duffy of Lough Ree Yacht Club with his wonderfully talented crew (for the day) Sarah White on winning the O'Dowd Trophy at Lough Ree Yacht Club

20

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Sligo Ladies County Final Winners

St Pats - Sligo Junior Ladies Champions 2016, St Pat’s 6-8 Shamrock Gaels 2-8

Eoghan Rua - Sligo Intermediate Champions 2016 Eoghan Rua 5-12 St Mary’s 4-5

Sligo's U13 & U15 Development teams in Ballyhaunis

St Nathys Senior champoins St Nathys 2-13 Geevagh 1-11

Adult & Childrens Swimming Lessons for all abilities (limited places for beginners or improvers) Adult Lessons Wednesday Night @ 7pm Children’s Swim Lessons Tues & Weds 3.50pm or 4.25pm Saturday Lessons: 10am, 10.35am, 11.10am, 11.45am, 12.20pm AQUA AEROBICS - Monday @ 7pm or Wednesday @ 6pm TAI CHI Thursday @ 10am, Irish Dancing for Children Fri Evening

• 25 metre swimming pool • Childrens Pool • Steam room • Gymnasium (newly refurbished with up to date equipment) Astro Turf Pitches • Sports Hall

GYM MEMBERSHIP FROM JUST €1 PER DAY Childrens Parties, Football, Swimming, Party Rooms decorated for your day. More classes on the way!!!

Cleveragh, Sligo 071 9160539 • email: regsport@gmail.com • Find us on facebook - Sligo SportsComplex

FITNESS CLASSES Now Starting Including new morning HIIT class, Mondays & Wednesdays at 7.30am

• 20m Indoor Heated Swimming • Jacuzzi • Steam-room • Sauna • Gymnasium • Adult & Children Swim classes • Personal Training • Physiotherapy • Massage

22

R.I.P. DUCKSY WALSH THE HANDBALL LEGEND L ast month Kilkenny Handball, and Irish sport, lost one of its finest stars with the passing of the legendary Michael Ducksy Walsh following a short illness. For many years Ducksy was recognised as the face of Handball in Kilkenny and across the country, and was responsible for a huge surge in interest in the sport which led to packed galleries at many of his matches. His training and playing regimes brought a new intensity to the sport which ultimately led to a situation today where Irish players are considered the best handballers in the world, and have dominated the Mens and Ladies events at International level for last number of years. During his career the Talbots Inch star amassed a haul of titles, which included thirty eight Senior crowns, almost thirty Masters titles and huge success in Ireland and abroad.

Career Born in the shadows of the handball courts in the Waterbarracks in Kilkenny city, Ducksy was identified early as a future Handball star by the late Tommy O’Brien. Winning All Irelands in U12, U14 and U16 Singles titles in both the 40 x 20 and 60 x 30 codes, he continued this success in the Minor grade where he won eleven National titles across a three year period. As a seventeen year old, Ducksy partnered Eugene Downey to success in the Junior 60 x 30 championship in 1983, thus qualifying them to play in the Senior championships the following year. In 1984 he contested the All Ireland Senior 60 x 30 Singles semi -final, along with closing out his underage career with more success at Minor level.

The first of his Senior 60 x 30 Singles titles was won in 1985, thus starting a phenomenal run of sixteen All Ireland titles in the next seventeen seasons, with the only blemish in 1998. During this period he also had a very successful Doubles career winning ten All Ireland titles with his long term partner, Eugene Downey. Ducksy was

also very proficient in the smaller 40 x 20 court where he collected twelve national titles, which included seven Singles crowns and five Doubles with Michael Reade (two) and DJ Carey (three). This total of thirty eight Senior All Ireland titles is unlikely to be overtaken.

He also was a winner of the Irish 40 x 20 Nationals title, was Handballer of the year on a number of occasion and was World Championships Open runner up in 1986 and 1994. He competed for Ireland at the USHA Junior championships where he was the first player to complete the clean sweep of all four titles at 15, 17, 19 and 23 level. In recent years he competed regularly in the USA, where he was a firm favourite with the home crowd.

Along with winning many overage titles on the US circuit, Ducksy also collected four consecutive World Masters Singles titles since 2006.

As a Masters player, his record is incredible and unlikely to be matched for many years. He won ten All Ireland 40 x 20 Singles titles in eleven years, was on course to win his eleventh successive 60 x 30 crown this year and collected a large number of Doubles titles along the way.

While success in the Senior grades deserted him when the new kids on the block arrived in the early 2000’s, Ducksie was still seen by many supporters of handball as the man who just wouldn’t give in to age. He was in the top four or five players in Ireland for many years and was a competitor that many a young player feared in either the 40 x 20 or 60 x 30 court. Arguably, his finest achievement

in 60 x 30 handball occurred just two weeks ago when he was crowned Irish Nationals Open champion. Although he reached the half century this year, he rolled back the years in his home court, Talbots Inch, when he played some marvellous handball to claim the Open title with a win over Eoin Kennedy (Dublin), a truly remarkable achievement for a player of his age.

Ever since winning his first All Ireland title at under 12 level, Ducksy was a crowd favourite and an icon in Handball across Ireland, and in many other countries where his feats were well publicised in handball circles.

Always wonderfully prepared, he left nothing to chance when in pursuit of success. His training regime was of the highest intensity and he was always prepared to meet the new challenges that came his way. He very seldom disappointed his huge number of supporters, many from outside Kilkenny.

In the last few years he was dedicating more of his time to Juvenile development and he was very much involved in preparing the stars of the future.

Ducksy was a legend of his sport, both in Kilkenny, Ireland and further afield. A unique character who represented his club and county with tremendous passion. His success on the handball courts will unlikely be ever matched and his loss to handball is a very sad occasion for such a young man. All in Handball would like to pass on their condolences to his wife Sheena and his three children, Dylan, Megan and Niamh, and to his extended family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Yeats Country Cycling Club roundup

Congratulations to our youngsters who took part in the recent Connacht Hill Climb TT! Matthew Devins taking 3rd on the U14 podium & Pauric Maxwell taking 1st in the U16 podium.

Very well done boys, yer doing the older lads proud. Onwards and upwards for these pair!

Finally we would like to congratulate another of our club members Conor Melvin whom took part in the Lough Key Sprint Triathlon last weekend, Conor had an exceptional time and finished 14th overall and 2nd in the U16-U18 category, among some very stiff opposition he also has done us proud. Although a lot of us old lads wouldn’t normally put a swim before a cycle then afterwards go for a run!

Members of Inisfree wheelers at the Beach Bar in Aughris on a recent cycle

Yeats Country Cycling Club are now seeking new members!!

With only a handful of races left on this years current calendar, we are about to close the book on a very successful first season for Sligo’s newest Cycling Club.

As one season ends we start to plan for the next, which is why we wish to invite those interested in improving their cycling to the next level to come along, there is still plenty of cycle time before the winter months kick in, so why not come for a spin and meet the crew!

Everyone is welcome, so if you want to improve your fitness, endurance, speed on the bike! Or skills, racing or time trialling! Contact the club page for more details on club cycles.

23

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Eamon McAndrew Blog Update

McAndrew after his recent with at the Ballina Triathlon

L

atest blog-its a bit long but its been a while and a lot of miles have been ran. So if you decide to start reading it, then obviously you have some time enjoy. You never know it might just inspire you. The body is an amazing piece of engineering especially at full throttle.

Ballina 10km-32.48 I was excited about this race as the form was good and my weight was down which is always a good sign. I was also getting to race with my brother Kenny which I had not done for a while. The conditions were fair with a moderate headwind.

The coarse was out the Killala Rd for 3km around the back of Belleek, into the woods. Then through the woods around by the caravan park back up onto the Killala Road and then back into town.

I was secretly hoping for a PB at this distance-my previous best is 32.19 in Carney 10km which was 4 years ago. At the race warm up I did not see any potential treats, although you never know. I ran hard from the start and had decided to run at 3.10 pace. The first 3 km section was a bit of a drag into a slight head wind. I held the time to 3.12. The next section was downhill and into the woods.

Again I held time. Then there was a small bit of a trail run and into an uphill drag for about a 1km. Oh did I mention I was all on me own right from the start.

Myself and the Garmin. It’s a lot easier to run hard if you have someone beside you suffering as well. Anyway the 1km hill did the damage. Time slipped to

3.18 per Km. I had to do plenty of suffering even to hold it there. The last 2km to home was slightly downhill with a tail wind. I ran hard for home to finish in 32.48. Not what I was looking for but I will take it as it shows progress. It’s easy to loose time in a race but it dam hard to get it back at the end.

It was moderately changeling coarse but a slightly downhill 2 km finish is always nice. I was presented with a large cup and some cash. I have the cup for the year but the cash was left in the nearest bar. Kenny my brother finished 3rd in 35.47-not bad for an auld-fellow. So I guess I will be returning to this event next year. It was well organised by Ballina AC who also put on a fine spread afterwards. 10km races are more often rated on their sandwiches instead of the actual run coarse.

National Half Marathon Championships-1:14:05 This is a race that I was specifically targeting which had also temperately suspended my involvement in triathlon. I am part of a team with North Sligo AC who are a great bunch of lads and committed runners. I started running with North Sligo in February to do some group interval work to increase my run speed for the duathlons and the tri season ahead. Little did I know at the time that triathlon would be parked and I would be running nine times a week covering total distances of up to 120km. I honestly think ironman training is easier than marathon training. So I slowly started to commit to running. I

had a bad result in the National Duathlon Championship and a great result in the Ballina half marathon so I set my sites on the Dublin City Marathon.

Although I will be returning to Ironman next year. The master plan is to go for a sub 2.30 in Dublin and then bring that power and speed forward into an Ironman and run a sub 3hour marathon in an Ironman.

Not too many Irish men have done it.

Training had gone well for the National Half Marathon Championships. I had a good result in Ballina and the form was good. I was also hungry for it as I was looking forward to racing Richard Gorman.

The North Sligo team had also trained well, although we lost Craig Brennan at the eleventh hour due to injury. However, that’s the value of team, time for the next man to step up.

The morning of the race was very windy coming from the west. The race started at the Point Depo and went through the city along the keys finishing up in the Phoenix Park. The wind was to be a head wind for 11 out of the 13 mile with an uphill finish in the Park-Nasty. It was not a day for times. I had decided the day before not to run with the Garmin as it can be a distraction. My race pace was to match Richards and that exactly what I did. The race went off and a lead group of about nine opened up a gap. I was in the next group of about eleven. The pace was good and well manageable. It was fairly uneventful up until 7 miles went we had the wind at our backs running back towards town along the Park.

Richard pushed out the front for a bit and started to open up a gap of 4m. No one it seemed wanted to cover it so I went.

Richard looked over his shoulder and acknowledged me and kept pushing. We ran a 3.10 km to open up a gap of 50m. Then he turned to me and said that was a bit hot and we cooled it. I knew it was fast but I had no watch good job he had brought one for the both of us.

Into the park and two Sligo men from different clubs, shoulder to shoulder competing for gold in the O40’s. We maintained advantage over the group and even pressed on. The last 3 miles we had to deal with wind and hills, it was tough going. We had one or two soft goes at each other to test the lay of the land. This was now a 5km road race. Into the last mile and I remember having a soft go. This was probably a mistake as If you are going to do it, it needs to be decisive and hard. The other man needs to know that he cannot come back from it.

Richard is a very experienced runner and a tough nut. (also a Gent). There was a runner

ahead by about 50m with a mile to go-I said let’s take him and we worked hard again. I was now starting to take water.

We passed the runner and Richard kept the pace on to pull away from me. He showed tremendous strength, I was burned and could not go with him.

I finished in 74.05 which was a one second PB from Ballina. It was not the time I had hoped for but in the conditions, I won the National Silver O40 finished 7th overall and four minutes off the top. The PB is there alright just need the right conditions.

Fair play to Richard it was a great battle. As Michael Carney said to me after-he is used to burning oil at the end of a races. In ironman the end of a race is about survival and sensible pacing.

As soon as I finished I ran back the coarse for bring home my team mates. Nothing like a good shouting to get the final 1% outta someone. The lads ran fantastic. If the wind was not a factor, they were on for serious PBs. We won Gold in the O35 club Championships. Not bad considering there were 68 teams entered. As a group we excelled and ran for each to achieve our common goal.

Training for the marathon with this group will be very enjoyable. Special mention to Michael Carney who is one of the unsung heroes of athletics in Sligo. And also to my team Tommy Kelly (National Silver O45) and Conor McCann.

Ballina Salmon Run Sprint Triathlon (Swim-8.05-Bike-33.00Run-17.05) I was not sure about this one as I what I am about to tell you is PURE TRUE. As I stated earlier I have now committed to running for the rest of the year. I did about three weeks’ triathlon training up to Mullaghmore on the 18th of June. I had a bad day compounded by the fact that Kevin O Donnell beat me into 5th place. The training I did for Ballina is as follows. Two 40km cycles on holidays on and electric bike with the twins in a bucket seat on the front. The Saturday before Ballina I cycled into town and back out to go for a run with Gary. Swimming was reduced to one 20-minute swim per week.

I arrived in Ballina and at registration I asked who’s is in? I thought it would be a soft field as Stephen Donnelly was injured and I might just sneak it.

The reason for this sneaky confidence was that the Moy was in full flood and the swim start was scheduled for a 9am start which was on the dropping tide. In lay man’s terms it was going to super-fast.

Back to the story the entry list had Eamonn Staunton and Peter Toughy on it. I said to myself not a hope. So that

evening I went for a few settlers of Black.

The morning of the race I had managed to get to the swim start with no goggles. I had to send Mick Murphy tearing around the town to buy a pair.

Good man to send because he had to sprint around the town, he got back to me 2 min before the off. The current in the Moy was savage. I was beside Thomas lynn and the race referee was shouting to swim back up. Not a hope.

Thomas lifted his head shouted at the guy with horn and we were off. We took off like power boats under the bridges and down the Moy. Eight minutes later out I popped in 8th place 35seconds off the top.

On the bike I was with Eamonn Staunton and seemed to be holding him fine. I was sure he would win it as he can run like the wind. Then Paul Dunne and Johnny Roeland went by us and gave us a reality check as they started to bike away from us. I went after them and cycled away for the rest of the field. I was surprised how comfortable I felt on the bike. I got to the turn around and I was only a minute off the top but losing ground slowly. I said to myself damage control Mouse. So I kept pushing, I had it in my head that I could run 2 minutes faster that anyone ahead of me as I am now a runner. I came off the bike in 4th two minutes down.

I had a chance time to believe and dig deep.

I had a slick transition and came out of transition as if I had stolen something and was been chased by security. I said to myself run hard to the turn around and then see what needed to be done. I passed Paul and Johnny at about 2km into second. Still a lot to do. At the turn around I saw Peter, I had taken 1.20 sec out of the two minutes. Time to start believing. At this point I was suffering like a dog on the inside. But the glory was 40 seconds up the road. Ballina is my home town and today was not the day I was going to be beaten. I was suddenly on for the tribble (10km,21km and the Tri). This was to be my summer Olympics. Mouse the Mo Farah of Ballina.

Next Up-The Dublin marathon So now it’s all roads to Dublin for the marathon. Training is going well and my body is ‘touch wood’ injury free. I am setting the bar high as to what I would like to achieve. At this point I am not there yet as I am still training and building towards my goal. I will be going through mile 13.1 in 1.15 hrs and I will see what happens from there. I will not be alone as I am part of the North Sligo Team that will be looking to repeat the success that we had in the Half Marathon Championship’s.

EJ SLIGO ALL STARS Julian Jarmolowicz, age 19 (6'4'' 16.5 st)

OIsin O' Reilly, Age 17 (6'0'' 11.75st)

Emmet Keogh, age 27 (6'4'' 12.5 st)

Mark Chambers, Age 19 (6'1'' 11.5st)

Kaylim Noel , age 26 (6'5'' 13.5 st)

Philip Hamilton, Age 19 (6'2'' 13st)

Cian Lally, age 18 (6'3'' 14 st)

Lee Sherlock, Age 19 (6'1'' 13st)

Mens Division One League

Conor Byrne, 20 (6'3'' 13st)

Day Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday Saturday Sunday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday

Date 1st Oct 8th Oct 22nd Oct 9th Oct 6th Nov 12th Nov 27th Nov 10th Dec 17th Dec 14th Jan 21st Jan 11th Feb 18th Feb 25th Feb 4th Mar 11th Mar

Time 18:00 19:30 19:30 19:45 14:00 19:30 15:00 16:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 15:30 19:30 18:00 19:30 19:15

Home Titans Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Maree Dublin Lions Sligo All-Stars Ulster University Elks LYIT Donegal Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars ITC Basketball Sligo All-Stars Kestrels Sligo All-Stars Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin

Away Sligo All-Stars Ulster University Elks LYIT Donegal Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Titans Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Maree Dublin Lions Fr. Mathews Sligo All-Stars Team Kilkenny Sligo All-Stars BFG Neptune Sligo All-Stars

Venue Knocknacarra Community Centre Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo Calasanctius College, Oranmore Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin Mercy College, Sligo Ulster University, Jordanstown Letterkenny IT Sports Centre Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo The Barrow Centre, IT Carlow Mercy College, Sligo Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington Mercy College, Sligo Killorglin Sports Complex

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ronan Mc Garrity, 35 (6'5'' 15.5st)

Peter Papik , 28 (6'4'' 16.5st)

Tobi Brockmann, Age 19 (6'2'' 12st)

EJ SLIGO ALL STARS Julian Jarmolowicz, age 19 (6'4'' 16.5 st)

OIsin O' Reilly, Age 17 (6'0'' 11.75st)

Emmet Keogh, age 27 (6'4'' 12.5 st)

Mark Chambers, Age 19 (6'1'' 11.5st)

Kaylim Noel , age 26 (6'5'' 13.5 st)

Philip Hamilton, Age 19 (6'2'' 13st)

Cian Lally, age 18 (6'3'' 14 st)

Lee Sherlock, Age 19 (6'1'' 13st)

Mens Division One League

Conor Byrne, 20 (6'3'' 13st)

Day Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday Saturday Sunday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday

Date 1st Oct 8th Oct 22nd Oct 9th Oct 6th Nov 12th Nov 27th Nov 10th Dec 17th Dec 14th Jan 21st Jan 11th Feb 18th Feb 25th Feb 4th Mar 11th Mar

Time 18:00 19:30 19:30 19:45 14:00 19:30 15:00 16:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 15:30 19:30 18:00 19:30 19:15

Home Titans Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Maree Dublin Lions Sligo All-Stars Ulster University Elks LYIT Donegal Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars ITC Basketball Sligo All-Stars Kestrels Sligo All-Stars Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin

Away Sligo All-Stars Ulster University Elks LYIT Donegal Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Titans Sligo All-Stars Sligo All-Stars Maree Dublin Lions Fr. Mathews Sligo All-Stars Team Kilkenny Sligo All-Stars BFG Neptune Sligo All-Stars

Venue Knocknacarra Community Centre Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo Calasanctius College, Oranmore Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin Mercy College, Sligo Ulster University, Jordanstown Letterkenny IT Sports Centre Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo Mercy College, Sligo The Barrow Centre, IT Carlow Mercy College, Sligo Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington Mercy College, Sligo Killorglin Sports Complex

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ronan Mc Garrity, 35 (6'5'' 15.5st)

Peter Papik , 28 (6'4'' 16.5st)

Tobi Brockmann, Age 19 (6'2'' 12st)

26

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Team Innisfree Wheelers at the An Post Rebel Tour in Glengariff,Co.Cork

Members of Innisfree Wheelers at the Great Dublin Bike Ride

27

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

RESULTS FROM RECENT CONNACHT FINALS IN COLLOONEY

Sligo Handball

1 JCS Galway (John Keighrey) V Mayo (Aidan Connaughton) 11-21 - 5-21 2 EMBS Galway (Willie Corcoran) V Mayo (John Conroy snr.) 16-21 16-21 3 IS Galway (Ollie Conway) V Mayo (Ian McLoughlin) 21-5 21-8 Well done to all 3 players and good luck in the next round.

Well Done to Sligo’s Stanley Harte Jr and Jason Earlis who won the Doubles Junior B Connacht Final in Collooney against Mayo’s G McLoughlin and J Cummins on a scoreline of 21-5, 21-9. The score line doesn’t reflect how hard fought this win was for the two Sligo men. They battled threw every Ace to get the upper hand with plenty of kill shots and smart play our two boys came out on top. Next up for the two boys will be the Ulster champions and hopefully they can bring back an all Ireland. Well done lads.

Enniscrone/Kilglass U14 B Championship Winners

Well done to Sligos Martin Cooney Sligo’s Martin Cooney beat MonaGHANS Conor McDonnel in the all Ireland semi final of the golden masters singles

Sligo vs Roscommon Junior A Doubles Quarterfinals.

St John's U14s were beaten in the B2 Championship Final. The lads lost to a very good Enniscrone/Kilglass side in a very entertaining game.

This evening saw the Sligo pairing of Shane Bruen (Collooney) & Martin Cooney (Castleconnor) face off against a Roscommon’s Creaton & Jennings.

Roscommon jumped into a quick 1 nil lead leaving the Sligo men with it all to do. The second game showed plenty of class and skill as it was rally’s galore with only kill shots gaining the aces, but it was a little to late for the Sligo men as Roscommon ran out winners in a trilling 21-19 win. 2-0 to Roscommon on the night but a brilliant effort was put in by the Sligo men and they’ll be back next year aiming to get further and bring back the gold.

Well done to Roscommon and good luck in the rest of the competition.

28

LADIES FOOTBALL

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Run As One Dog Agility Club Superstars fun class results (faults/time): 1. Seamus & Spooks 5/ 47.72 2. Pamela & Toby 10/ 34.97 3. Trisha & Speedy 10/ 52.34 4. Tina & Poppy 10/ 57.66 5. Caroline & Wilf 10/ 126.19 6. Nicolla & Winnie 10/ 163.09 7. Pamela & Benny 15/ 50.56 8. Tina & Lolly 15/ 64.69 9. Trisha & Reno 15/ 73.00 10. Suzanne & Wallace 15/ 78.35 11. Denise & Beth 15/ 89.85 12. Tina & Smiles 15 /92.84 13. Michelle & Pagan 20 /52.25 14. Paul & Millie 20/ 54.28 15. Michelle & Muirdreach 20/ 59.69 16. Pamela & Dexter 20/ 60.59 17. Michelle & Nala 20/ 71.57 18. Nicolla & Lucy 20/135.07 19. Kate & Woody 20/89.88 20. Trisha & Mia 25/64.66

The victorious Tourlestrane U12's with their management team (ladies football)

Beginners course

Superstars course

Here are the results from last weekend’s competition - 21st August:

The victorious Coolera/Strandhill team with their management (ladies football page)

The victorious Eoghan Rua U12s with their management (ladies page)

SMALL BEGINNERS: 1. Paul & Millie 0.00 (-18.00) 2. Trisha & Mia 0.00 (-10.78) 3. Nicola & Winnie 256.28 MEDIUM BEGINNERS: 1. Trisha & Reno 57.22 Michelle & Muirdeach elim.

LARGE BEGINNERS: Nicolla & Lucy elim.

Tina & Smiles elim.

Denise & Beth elim.

LARGE ADVANCED: 1. Tina & Lolly 10.00 Michelle & Nala elim.

Seamus & Spooks elim.

Kate & Woody elim.

MEDIUM ADVANCED: 1. Pamela & Toby 8.06 2. Trisha & Speedy 19.22 3. Pamela & Dexter 26.03 4. Caroline & Wilf 47.53 SMALL ADVANCED: 1. Pamela & Benny 7.47 Suzanne & Wallace elim.

Michelle & Pagan elim.

Pictured is Triona of Supermacs Ballina presenting Eoghan Ruas manager John Feeney with training tops proudly sponsored by Papa Johns pizza

We would love if your club could submit pictures and reports on what is happening in your organisation on a regular basis and we will be sure to include it. It is important that we get as much involvement from clubs such as yours from the get go so any info you have please send it to seamus@sligosport.ie or feel free to contact me on 085 2498067.

29

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Sligo County Darts Association

Photos from finals night of our summer league.. Well done to all players on a great 6 weeks of darts and congratulations to the winners Sean McGowan and Declan Finan

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Let us be glad of life which gives the chance to love and to work and to work and to play and to look up at the stars Henry Van Dyke

A

lex Mc Gourty is a young person with a dream. Here starts the story of Alex, a reserved quietly confident young person. His passion is white water kayaking, down big rivers and as many as possible please.

Alex is a senior student in Summerhill College and a long-time member of Sligo Kayak club. If you have swam in lake or sea around Sligo you have probably encountered him following his passion.

Alex had a dream of paddling rivers in different countries. Following extensive research he found a school where the teachers were world class kayakers and their class studied and paddled within a school year in Canada, Nepal, Ecuador and the west coast of America; what a dream! A first response might be that “there is no way I could afford such an experience; or there is no way I would be good enough to do that”.

Alex didn’t allow negative

thoughts to hold him back and he contacted the school. It turned out that they admired his enthusiasm for kayaking and the World Class Academy offered him a full scholarship for a year.

With his place confirmed it was now down to Alex to raise €12,000 within a six month period. For the full summer he held down two jobs.

Kayak instructor by day, shop assistant in Christie’s by evening.

Still falling way short of such an amount he came up with the idea paddle from Dublin to Lough Key, Roscommon. It is an enormous distance - 194km. His friend Alfie and his PE teacher Pat Tuohy joined him and supplied the boats. His Dad Frankie was the back bone to the fundraiser, supporting the lads with food and assistance and encouragement.

The paddle started from Dublin at 10am 18th August. First stop, Maynooth has a beautiful harbour just beside the train station where we took a 30 minute break and we did not stop until we arrived at Thomastown harbour at 9pm! Food and camping were a welcome reward after 11 hours on the water!

No problem sleeping!

Next morning we paddled 14km to Mullingar which has a beautiful harbour and the canal wraps around it with beautiful paths. The royal canal was fed by Lough Owel which enters the canal at Mullingar.

Today there was a strong wind on

our backs and a beautiful day. We made it to lock 40 after another 10 hours paddling.

Irish waterways told us that by 2018 there will be a cycle path from Dublin for the full length of the Royal canal as far as Clondara near Longford. Day three Lock 40 to Clondara (Lock 46) and the Shannon River up to Carrick on Shannon. Despite terrible conditions and blistered hands we kept going.

The final day took three hours to Lough key where we entered the only lock of the trip.

Clarendon Lock can hold up to three boats at a time and is automated making it very fast to empty and fill. There was a great reception by staff, family and visitors at Lough Key as we paddled the final stretch of 140 km of the Royal canal.

We travelled under some amazing bridges and the Whitworth aqueduct which carries the royal canal over the river Inny. It was a fantastic trip through the heart of Ireland.

For Alex the journey has only begun. He is paddling on the Ottawa river, Canada as you read this article.

If you admire his determination and passion you can support him in some way by following his adventure on https://www.gofundme.com/2brxrf8 and by sharing his story with your friends online.

St Johns and Coolera Strandhill under 11's after a recent game in Cuilbeg

World Success for Collooney Kickboxers

T

he WAKO Junior Kickboxing Championships were held last week in City West Dublin. Over 2000 fighters decended upon City West included were 5 members of Collooney Kickboxing Club – Ruth Conlon-Oates, Liam Keaney, Megan Little, Thomas Little and James Duffy.

The five spend their summer holidays training 3 times per week and spend many of their weekends away at training camps with the Irish Team to prepare themselves for this prestigious event, that for the first time is many years, was on their own Irish soil.

First to face the music was Liam Keaney, against a Polish opponent, unfortunately for Keaney he was beaten by a split decision. James Duffy was next onto the mats in what soon became a nailbiting fight to watch, going to extra time although ended with James loosing by a mere 1 point. He took to the mats again, this time in continuous fighting style against a Russian opponent, followed by a Kasastan. In what was to be a case of dejavous, James was once again beaten by 1 point in the Quarter-Finals.

Brother and sister duo Thomas and Megan Little were next to seek their fate. Megan faced Turkey while Thomas faced USA. This was the first international tournament for brother and sister and were overjoyed to have made it that far. They both reach the Worlds, both fought and unfortunately lost out to their opponents.

Ruth Conlon-Oates had a busy competition like her team-mate James Duffy. On Day 2 of fighting Ruth faced Greece which she won unanimously.

On day 3 Ruth fought off Australia in the quarterfinals, moving onto a South African girl in the semi-Finals. It was very unfortunate when Ruth obtained a nose bleed and was unable to continue. The trip was a huge success for Ruth still taking home a bronze medal for her club.

The week was a huge success not only for Collooney Kickboxers but for Kickboxing Ireland also who stood in 2nd place in the medal league.

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31

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

ST PATS - SLIGO JUNIOR LADIES CHAMPIONS St Pat’s 6-8 Shamrock Gaels 2-8

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32

CASTLEDARGAN GOLF CLUB CAPTAINS DAY

Members of the Gents Council with Captain Niall Walsh.

O

ur club Captain Niall Walsh hosted his Captains Day on Sunday last. With the weather staying kind it was still a tough task for all golfers with the blue tees back as far as they can go and some tricky pin positions on the greens. Still after all scores were in there were two men Ciaran

Winner of the Captains Day Brendan Deignan receiving his 1st Prize from 2016 Captain Mr Niall Walsh

Cryan and Aidrian Mc Goldrick the only men under par with James Davey one back on level par and Brendan Deignan, Kevin mc Carthy and Paul McGonigle one futher back on one over. Top 14 went out in the early evening with first out Gerard Tailly and Tony Ballintine followed by James Fallon, Martin Burke and Mervyn Keegan. Next out was Ray o Grady, Eoin Carroll and Tony Wasyalocha and then the top six of Paul, Brendan, Kevin and last James,Adrian and Ciaran. The weather got a little wet for the 9 hole playoff but it didn't dampen the spirits or the standard of the golf with the top six in the mix up to the

final hole. With all scores in nothing could separate the top two of Ciaran Cryan and Brendan Deignan with it having to go to a countback of the playoff to settle it and it was Riverstown's favourite son Brendan Deignan who took the victory. Winning scores were 1st Brendan Deignan 109, 2nd Ciaran Cryan 109, 3rd Tony wasylocha 110, 4th Adrian Mc Goldrick 111, 5th James Fallon 112.

Winner of the juniors with the score of the day was Darragh Connolly who shot a impressive round of one over par 73, net 67. Visitors prize was won by Adrian walls with 35pts who won on a countback from Declan Sheenan.

Ladies winner was Carmel Conlon. In second was Joan on Dowd and in third was Pauline Byrne.

Beginner juniors competition held on Saturday and there was prizes for putting, chipping and longest drive. With all our 25 new beginner juniors competing in over and under 10s boys and girls there was something for everyone on the day.

Kevin mc Carthy won the lowest gross with a score of 79.

After all the golf was played everyone joined Captain Niall and his family, Tonya, Aoife, Daniel and Lochlan in the Middleton bar for drinks. After that all had a beautiful meal in the courtyard where Niall thanked all the members, Friends and guests who came out to support and make it such an enjoyable day for him and his family. After the meal there was the presentation of prizes and the night then kicked off when the music started playing and everyone continued to enjoy the night into the early hours. Everyone would like to thank Niall for a wonderful day and night and wish him well for the rest of his Captains year.

Club Captain Mr Niall Walsh enjoying his captains dinner with members of his family.

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

IT Sligo's new GAA Sigerson Cup manager Padraig McGourty

Leitrim native Padraig McGourty is the new manager of the IT Sligo senior gaelic footballers for the 2016/17 season.

Padraig, who has managerial experience at both club and intercounty level, has had a deep involvement with the IT Sligo GAA club over the last number of years. He is a Lecturer in Computing and Statistics in the Institute’s School of Science.

Originally from Glenfarne, Padraig was part of the Leitrim senior football management set up under Shane Ward for the past two seasons. He is a former player with the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher club and has coached at all levels of the game with his native club. He has been a coach with the senior team of the Coolaney/Mulinabreena club in Sligo for the past 3 seasons and was a selector with the Institute’s Sigerson footballers for the past two seasons. He also served as Coaching Officer with Leitrim GAA for 5 years up until December 2015.

“I am looking forward to guiding IT Sligo’s senior footballers through the year ahead,” said Padraig.

“There is proud tradition in colleges Gaelic Football here at IT Sligo and with a number of exciting young and talented players attending the college from across the West, North West and further afield there is no reason why the team cannot be contenders in the forthcoming competitions in 2016/2017.

IT Sligo’s first competition outing will be in Division 1 of the Higher Education League against Athlone IT on October 14th. Their league group also includes 2016 Sigerson finalists DCU and Maynooth University.

The team will also contest the 2017 Connacht FBD League.

Both competitions will lead up to the premier third level gaelic football tournament in the country, the 2017 Higher Education Sigerson Cup, which begins in the New Year.

The draw for the 2017 Sigerson Cup will be made in December.

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Great fun at the "Garavogue Challenge" to launch the Senior & Intermediate Championship Finals on Sunday 2nd October.

SLIGO ALL STARS

A great buzz this evening at the first practice sessions for the U14's and U10's.

The new season is under way !

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34

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Sligo Rowing Round Up New Boats, Champs & Carrick

A

s Sligo Rowing Club concludes the 2016 rowing season it can reflect upon some great racing where it competed and won at senior level for the first time whilst looking

forward to the 2017 season with confidence.

July, the last month of the season as always proved to be a busy and rewarding month both on and off and the water.

The beginning of the month heralded the delivery of the much anticipated new boats when a light weight Aylings coxless quad was delivered to Sligo together with an 80kg single scull from Europe. The boats were purchased with funds secured from local fund raising efforts in conjunction with the drawdown of the 2015 Sports Capital Programme funding of 10,000 euro which was allocated by the Department of Transport , Tourism & Sport. The club continues to fund raise to repay outstanding loans associated with the purchase of the equipment.

Mid July marked the pinnacle of the rowing calendar with the National Rowing Championship three day event commencing on the Friday 15th July. Early races for Sligo Rowing Club on the Friday warranted the boats and trailer making the long haul to Cork on the Thursday. The club wishes to acknowledge and thank

Barton Smith for providing and sponsoring the transportation costs of the boats with some Carrick on Shannon boats also on the Sligo trailer. Ironically on this the 10th year of the club’s existence 10 boats raced for Sligo at the National Championships from Junior 14 right up to Intermediate and Masters. There were many noteworthy performances on the day with many national champs debuts including Brian Colsh Junior 14 Single Sculls, Mark Coen Junior 15 Single Sculls and the womens junior 16 coxed quad of Erin O’Connor, Sarah Kisby , Roisin Walsh and Ellen Smith all performing exceptionally well on the water.

Congratulations to Molua Donohue who competed in the Masters Single Sculls for the first time and to Huw James and Glen Patterson who made it through their heats to be narrowly beaten in the Mens Intermediate Double.

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

As always the champs concluded with the Senior Eights race on Sunday evening and it didn’t disappoint with Commercial Rowing Club of Islandbridge Dublin putting in a masterly display of rowing leading from the start and holding off the brave UCD challenge taking the much coveted “Pot” by half a length.

Carrick on Shannon Sprint Regatta which is always a relaxed family fun day concluded the 2016 racing season on the last weekend of July where Sligo entered no less than 20 boats across all age groups. The club won 7 categories in total on the day resulting in a large medal haul coming back to Sligo. The womens club 1 coxed quad of Eve Henry, Meadhbh Murtagh, Fiona Kelly & Neasea Henehan expertly coxed by Brian Colsh put in a real solid performance to win their category outright

whilst Brian Colsh was unfortunate in the Junior 14 single sculls not to take the title.

Mark Coen also put in a masterly display in the Junior 15 single sculls showing great promise.

The Mens Club VIII of Huw James (stroke) , Glen Patterson (7) , Molua Donohue(6) , Diarmuid Hough(5) , Eoin Donohue(4) , Niall Colsh(3) , Daniel Hackett (2) and Cian Hough(Bow) with Rory Clarke in the coxes seat went out on the water determined to bring home an Eights win and they duly obliged rowing a solid race to win their category. They later returned to the water as part of a Carrick composite 8 to win the Senior VIII’s pot.

The Carrick on Shannon Sprints concluded the 2016 season and indeed the 10th year of existence of the club. The club now looks forward to what they hope will be medal winning performances

by the Irish boats at Rio in August and to September where on the water preparations for the 2017 season will once again commence when new members will be introduced to the technique of the rowing stroke and new crews will once again be formed. Who knows there could be an Olympian amongst us. Off

the water the club will continue to improve existing facilities and look at options for improved facilities overall.

The club would like to wish all of its members who are now about to pursue a working career or a third level college placement all the very best in their pursuits. It was a pleasure having you and

we hope to see you on the water again soon be it in another club/college colours or indeed down at Doorly Park when you are home. Tara, Cian , Danielle there is always a seat for you in our boats.

Those interested in joining the club should e mail the club at roryclar@gmail.com.

36

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

CARROWMORE ARCHERY

What a great day was had recently at carrowmore archery despite some bad weather in the morning. A total of 45 novice archers out at the club, and all had a go as you can see from the photos.Â

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

37

The Mill Centre, Coolaney, Co. Sligo • Email: themillpharmacy@outlook.com • Tel: 071-9133587

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

CANNONBALL RUN - WESTPORT Photos by Patrick Regan

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

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40

SLIGO SWIM CLUB

SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Connaght junior foursomes Castle Dargan have another pennant!!! And yet again it's down to our super juniors! Sean Carroll, Daragh Connolly, Patrick Callaghan and Conor Burke were the 4 lads who went to Ballina last Tuesday and captured the Connaught Junior Foursomes title - also qualifying them for an All-Ireland semi final against Leinster down in Clonmel in a few weeks. Yet another massive achievement for these lads as they put the name of Castle Dargan to the forefront of Irish Golf yet again, and I'm sure everyone at the club is hugely proud of them as always. Well done lads!!

Kenny Cup. And for three of our Connaught Junior Foursomes title winners Sean Carroll, Patrick Callaghan and Daragh Connolly the winning didn't stop there and gone and won another pennant for Castle Dargan on Friday last - this time winning the Kenny Cup for the third time for our club! Fantastic golf again by all three lads, especially as handicaps count in this competition and our lads are all pretty low. Again well done lads.

Sligo Swimmers tackle the everest of swimming

Carrie McDaid on the podium with her Gold medal for the U16 Freestyle National finals of the Community Games seen some of our girls from Sligo Swim Club in the pool. A special word of praise has to go out to our medal winners who represented their counties so well. To Liadan Ruddy U10 Freestyle , Gold, Maria Lyons U14 Fly, Bronze and Carrie McDaid U16 Freestlye, Gold

They come from all over the world to tackle the “Everest” of swimming - the English Channel, so everyone at CSSC would like to offer a huge congrats to the brave Sligo swimmers that swam the Channel as a relay team earlier this week. The Relay Team members were Aiden Mackey, Marcus Choo, Anne Brady, Barry Cosgrove, Kieran Fitzgerald and Steven Hone. The swim started at 11.30pm on Monday night. All swimmers had to wear glow sticks on the back of their togs and on their swim hats to be seen in the dark. They reached France at 14.15pm on Tuesday afternoon. Even though the point to point distance is 34km, the guys actually swam 58.5km because of the strong tides.

On the upside, the water was a nice 18c degrees, three degrees warmer than Rosses Point! However conditions were choppy in some parts, mainly where the tides and wind met. Once again, well done to them all.

Maria Lyons with Bronze for the U14 Fly

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Sligo Tennis and badminton

Sligo Tennis club has just had its most exciting day in recent years.

52 juniors and 50 adults have signed up to the new Matthew mc Gann school with new club coach Scott Hubbard hitting the ground running with introductory coaching

all day.

A whopping 90 % of people who tried the coaching have signed up.

Massive tks to tennis captain and president Michael Walsh and tephen Cunningham for organising and driving coaching and New

membership within the club.

These great numbers are also happening with badminton with over 50 people in the badminton hall tfor their introductory night with both juniors, students and adults in attendance

A great day for a BBQ!!

14 boats headed for Raghley Pier with 2 safety boats covering the sailors! Familes joined us at the pier and a delicious BBQ was had by all

We would love if your club could submit pictures and reports on what is happening in your organisation on a regular basis and we will be sure to include it. It is important that we get as much involvement from clubs such as yours from the get go so any info you have please send it to seamus@sligosport.ie or feel free to contact me on 085 2498067.

Junior Athletics Junior Athletics will return onTuesdays in St Attracta’s Hall, Tubbercurry.

Time: 6- 8 year olds - 6.30pm - 7.10pm 9-11 year olds - 7.15pm - 7.50pm 12 upwards - 7.50pm - 8.30pm Delighted to welcome Revive Active to Sligo Tennis as a partner. Helped to make recent Ladies Day an outstanding success for everyone.

New members always welcome.

South Sligo Junior Athletic Club

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Leisha celebrating her birthday with ISurf, the girls had a great days surfing with some awesome waves.

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

NORTHWEST MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB

Athlone Half Marathon A large Sligo AC contingent made their way to the Athlone Flatline Half Marathon to compete in a field of almost 850 runners. Conditions were favourable for the athletes in a race won by Gowran AC’s Niall Sheehan in 01:10:55.

Seamus Somers was the first Sligo AC runner home and was very well placed in 7th overall and 2nd M40 in a time of 1:15:11. Despite running the race on his own,he sliced a whopping 1:22 seconds from his time last year to earn a new PB. Damien Kennedy was 28th in 1:22:45 just ahead of Roy Kelly who ran 1:22:47. Lucy Brennan ran superbly to lead the ladies home and finish 1st in her category and 61st overall in 1:26:41. There were great runs also by Brian McDonagh 1:33:07, Pal Gilmartin 1:34:44, Amanda Kilcullen 1:35:08, Karen Sweeney 1:37:41, Joe Davey 1:38:30 (almost 2 minutes faster than last year), Noelle Galvan 1:47:03, Aishling Kennedy 1:47:58 (70 seconds faster than last year) and Mary Furey who completed the 13.1 mile course in 1:48:55.

Charlestown 10k A small group of Sligo runners participated in the Charlestown 10K. The race was won by Matt Bidwell (GCH) in 32:28, breaking John Byrne’s 2013 course record by four seconds. Craughwell AC’s Tom Prendergast was next home in 36:43 followed by Sligo AC’s David Kearins in 36:50 with Anto Devaney (Mayo AC) 4th in 37:02. Phillip Morrison made a welcome return to 10K racing with a very solid 45:51.

Cross Country Running Pictured above and below left: Sligo's Bryan Conlon and Craig Gallaway who took part in The Gravity Enduro Championships on Mount Leinster last month

Looking for men and women to come forward and run crosscountry. If interested please email Rory Connor : roryoconnr@gmail.com The first race in the Connacht Crosscountry takes place on the 15th of October in Sligo Racecourse

Well done to NorthWests Cory Kenahan taking 6th in the Crankworks "Air DH" in Whistler, Canada!!!!

Great club day out for Northwest Mountain Bike club in Union wood

• TECHNOGYM EQUIPMENT • 20 METRE HEATED SWIMMING POOL • JACUZZI • STEAMROOM • SAUNA • HYDROTHERAPY • HEALTH & FITNESS CLASSES • PHYSIOTHERAPY • MASSAGE • REIKI • COVERED PARKING

Congrats to Luke Sherlock and Paul Frain of Sligo All Stars on their debut representing Ireland U15 vs Scotland

AVENA LEISURE, MAIN STREET, BALLISODARE, CO. SLIGO TEL: 071-9130882 WEB: WWW.AVENALEISURE.COM

Check out our fitness classes at www.avenaleisure.com

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Sligo’s Fastest Feet - well done guy Last week saw the brilliant athletics talent of Yeats’ County fly through the speed gates at Sligo Regional Sports Complex.

The warm up was taken by Irish Youth and Junior Record Holder for 60m; Sligo speedster Zak Irwin, and the action kicked off shortly after...

We started with a bang with the lead for both boys and girls chopping and changing. First Brian Cullinane, grandson of legendary Claremorris Athletics man Jim Ryan went top of the charts going 1.57 to replace the 1.62 of Callum Durkan, son of Sligo GAA legend Paul Durkan from the South Sligo test centre.

He was then knocked off top spot by fellow Strandhill native Adam Kenny when he went 1.54!

On the girl front, our Sligo leader Arlin Barrett with no athletics background showed her raw talent once again as she knocked her time down to 1.60 from 1.62, only be outdone by another Strandhill area native Sarah McDaniel. this Community games national medallist blasted into the lead with a 1.57!

Back to the lads.... Adam Kenny set new grounds by blitzing 1.50 and then going 1.49 on his second test to take a clear lead and then we had a late arrival; Leslie Ann Sweeney from Ballymote (a finalist from last year) smashed into new ground going 1.51 to snap the lead.

A good gang from Corran AC turned up for the half marathon in Athlone

Sligo Martial Arts Academy

Huge Congrats to Gavin,Lee,Odhran,Jack and Alastair for passing their first grading

Great job by Lochlan and Jamie on receiving their first belt

Training recommenced for juvenile rugby Sligo RFC’s Juvenile section starts back in IT Sligo at 10am on Sat 10th Sept. We are now taking children born in 2010 (U7s) to children born in 2005 (U12s).

Training is from 10am to 11am for U7,8,9 & 10s and from 10am to 11:20 for U11s & U12s.

Give it a TRY!!

A busy weekend Richard Gorman (Sligo AC) emerged victorious in winning the Longford Half Marathon for the second year in succession. Gorman won in a time of 01:11:26, almost 45 seconds ahead of second placed Philip Harty. Richard, targeting the October Frankfurt Marathon, took advantage of the ideal conditions to dominate the race and he powered his way to another notable victory. Paul Deering had a good run in the warm conditions finishing in 1.33,Cathy Mc Carthy ran a great new PB in 1.42.53 with Deirdre Deering finishing in a fine 1.43.41 and all three are set up nicely for a tilt at the Amsterdam marathon in October. Well done to Keenan Deering who had a fine run in the 5k.

Lynns Dock, Sligo • Tel: 071-9157830

BEDS • SANDING • FLOORING

Laminate Floors Only €5.99 sqyd

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

NORTH SLIGO ATHLETIC CLUB N

orth Sligo senior athletes put in tremendous performances in the Rock And Roll Half Marathon incorporating the national championship, over six and a half thousand runners took part in the event.The North Sligo Club had 3 teams taking part in the championship,a senior mens and womens team plus an over 35 mens team, with eleven runners from the club toeing the start line .Eamon McAndrew ran a superb race in his first national championship for the club,he showed great tenacity courage and strength over this testing course to record a time of 1 hour 14mins 5 secs,this put McAndrew in 2nd position in his over 40 category to take the individual silver medal and lead his team to team gold medals in the over 35 category.Tommy Kelly put in another super performance to finish 2nd in his over 45 category and claim the silver medal in a time of 1 hour 17min 35 secs.Conor McCann was the 3rd member of the scoring team with another fine performance to finish 15th in his category and

The North Sligo senior women looking happy

record a time of 1 hour 21 mins 27 secs,the other two members of the team were Padraig Kelly with a time of 1 hour 29 mins 3 secs and Paul Kerrigan putting in a great performance in the over 50 category in 1 hour 37mins 20secs.This was the first time the club has ever won national team gold in a senior event, and with 69 teams in the category it was a tremendous performance for the lads,the combined times of the first 3 runners decided the winners North Sligo won with 3 hours 53 mins 7secs,Inishowen were 2nd with 3 hours 57mins 25secs,and 3rd were Mullingar Harriers with 3 hours 57mins 44secs .The women’s team of Andrea Horgan,Linda Lally and Mary GIlmartin combined to put in a great collective performance to finish 5th in the senior category from 23 other teams ,the girls were delighted with their finish and it is just reward for all the hard work they put into training.The senior men’s team of Darragh Currid ,Donal Egan and Fergal Lavin finished 11th team out of 44 teams in their category and can be proud of their efforts.

The North Sligo Gold Medal O -35 Team Winners L to R Tommy Kelly silver medalist O-45,Eamon McAndrew silver medalist O-40 and Conor McCann

Sligo Martial Arts Academy We specialize in the art of Karate and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.

“We teach people the skills of martial arts in a warm and friendly environment”

We train Karate and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and feel that these styles offer each student a well-rounded base of self-defense and combat situations. Our club mandate is to ensure that all students enjoy training and feel better both mentally and physically after a session.

Check out our Website for our Class Times & Venues

Karate - BJJ - Youth Clubs

Phone Michael on: 087-6296933 Email: sligomartialartsacademy@gmail.com Website: www.sligomartialartsacademy.ie

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

Corbett Sportsfield Services

RM Topsoil & Stone Call John: 087-6655871

Professional Sportsground Construction and Maintenance Services for GAA, Soccer and Golf Clubs Utilising the most up to date machinery available for use on sports pitches and golf courses our qualifications and experience, ensures that your grounds are maintained to the highest standard all year round.

Moorehall, Ballyglass, Claremorris, Co. Mayo • Mobile: 087-4139724 Tel: 094 - 9360160 • Email : corbettsportsfieldservices@gmail.com Website: www.corbettsportsfieldservices.com

Loads of Top Quality Top Soil Screened or Un-Screened Only €15 Per Tonne All; types of Farm Stone and Garden Stone Covering Sligo, Roscommon & Leitrim areas

Pitch Dimensions Buncrana Co. Donegal

Specialists in Pitch and Tennis Court Construction and Maintenance 15 years experience in agriculture drainage private developments and plant hire We specialise in Astro Turf Sand Based and Basalt Dust pitches and Tennis Court Construction

Tel: +353 (0)74 9361015 E-mail: pitchdimensions@eircom.net www.pitchdimensions.ie

Electrical Contractors Burgular & Fire Alarm Systems Access Control Gate Automation & Barrier Systems IP CCTV

Barry Gallagher 085-8888-999

Over 24 years in business creating & maintaining gardens • All landscaping work undertaken • Garden Design & Consultancy • Home Garden Maintenance Program • All work Guaranteed “We pride ourselves in doing any job professionally and efficiently with practical landscapes that are easy to maintain”

Telephone: 086-8624855 • 071-9173010 www.mcgowanlandscapes.com Email: mcgowanlandscapes@gmail.com

Suitable for: • People with limited mobility • People who have had hip surgery • People with back aches

The Ideal Gift Order Now! For details of your local stockist Phone Noel: 087-9896948

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SLIGO SPORT SEPTEMBER, 2016

CLARKE PLANT HIRE

Scaffolding Hire Sligo Over 15 years in business supplying throughout Sligo & North West Scaffolding and Acrows available to Buy or Hire from our yard Supply and Erect Service Available Tube and Fitting Scaffolding also available with plastic planks for clean room environments Our Fully Trained & Certified Professional Teams specialise in providing tailored scaffolding hire solutions, using the right equipment in the right place at the right time.

ALL WORK GUARANTEED 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Top Quality Animal Feeds From Also specialising in equestrian, yard and agri supplies.

• Astro Turf Service • Civil Engineering • Groundworks • Footpaths & Kerbs • Concrete Work • Concrete Cladded Tanks• New Builds & Extensions • All renovation work undertaken • Maintenance of Windmills also available

Fast Track Machine Available • Plant & Tipper Hire Machine Excavation • All Concrete work • Deep drainage service available Phone: 086-8039502 Email: johngriffinshs@gmail.com www.scaffoldinghiresligo.ie

Unit 3 Rathrippon Business Park, Union Rd, Collooney, Co Sligo • nwagri@eircom.net • Tel: 071-9118892

Computerised system so your club knows what teams kits were laundered and when Pearse Road, Sligo Town • Phone: (071) 916 9791 Open Mon -Fri 8:30am - 6:00pm / Sat 9am-6pm keadysdrycleaners@gmail.com

Sea Fishing Sligo.ie

Boat Charters & Sligo Sightseeing Tours In Sligo Sea fishing Sligo has taken advantage of Sligo’s beautiful scenery and operates trips to the majestic island of Inishmurray, to the wild Aughris Pier and bar and the scenic coast lines at Rossess Point, Coney Island and Mullaghmore.

We operate a number of trips and tours to suit our groups and our fishing enthusiasts.

We can also offer trips which will allow you to catch a glimpse of some of our friendly dolphins or take you to seal rock where the seals are known to relax throughout the day!

Tours & Trips

Fishing

Sightseeing

Call Tommy for all your fishing needs 087-2397789 info@seafishingsligo.ie www.seafishingsligo.ie Rosses Point Sligo, Co Sligo, Ireland

• Car Servicing • Clutches • NCT Pre-Test • Headlight Alignment • Emissions Testing • Puncture Repairs • Tyres • Electrical • Diagnostics • Brakes and Exhausts • Starters and Alternators (Supplied & repaired)

Tel: 087- 61 88 000 • Ballymote, Co. Sligo

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The Perfect Spot for all Sports Club Kits

Contact 071-9154538 for details of our excellent rates

Professional Drycleaners

Contact James: 087-2765194 Email: jamesclarkeplanthire@gmail.com Lugdoon, Templeboy, Co. Sligo