Category: News

  • Swinford GAA Fixtures: 7th – 12th April

    This weeks fixtures:

    Tuesday 7th April 19-00 U16 league Naomh Padraig v Swinford Gaa​ in Ballycastle

    Thursday 9th April 19-00 U14 league Swinford GAA​ v Neale at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

    Friday 10th April 19-00 U16 League Swinford v Achill at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

    Saturday 11th April 18-00 Senior League Div 1C Swinford v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

    Sunday 12th April 12-00 Minor League Ballinrobe v Swinford in Ballinrobe

    Sunday 12th April 14-00 Senior League Div 1E Swinford v Shrule/Glencorrib at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

    Any changes will be posted on Facebook/Twitter/www.swinfordgaa.ie

  • Swinford GAA dinner dance and award night

    Last night (Sunday 5th April) saw the annual dinner dance and award night to honour the clubs achievements in 2014 including the East Mayo Minor B Championship and the County Junior B Championship take place in the Gateway Hotel.

    Our Chairman Shane Campbell welcomed everyone to the event and between courses the Minor team of 2014 were presented with their medals by Noel Barry and Eamon Molloy. Noel gave  a brief summary of the teams year including reaching the League final and winning the East Mayo B Championship. The 2014 team manager Michael Smyth was thanked in his absence as he is currently on holidays.

    Later the Junior team were honoured and Michael Devaney outlined the teams achievements in the league and championship. Aiden McLoughlin read out a letter from the 2014 Manager Alan Kenendy who unfortunately could not be with us as he is working in Australia. The County Championship medals were presented to the team by Michael and team captain Andy McNulty.

    After the meal the club honoured all club members who played for the County in 2014. These were Joshua Smith, James Devaney and Johnny Burke.

    A special award was made to the secretary of the finance committee Lorraine Kelly for all her hard work over the past 18months.

    It then came to honour the various team players of the year. The minor award was shared by James Devaney and Rory Smith. Unfortuantely Rory was unable to attend as he is playing the Quigley Cup final today. Noel Barry did the honours of presenting the award. The Junior player of the year was awarded to Sean Brady who unfortunately was unable to attend. The Senior player of the year was presented by Billy McNicholas, in the absence of the team management, to our club captain Eoin Gallagher. All were very worthy receipients of their respective awards and represented the club with distinction.

    The 2014 hall of fame was presented to Maurice O’Connell who represented Swinford on the Mayo minor team in the 1940’s and played for the club for many years. The hall of fame plaque was presented to his son Eoghan O’Connell in Maurice’s absence.

    The 2014 club man of the year was presented to the club PRO Douglas Kelly by club chairman and Shane Campbell.

    After all the presentations and the excellent meal a very good band Fraggle Rock played great  tunes for a couple of hours and those that stayed for the music had a great few hours dancing the night away.

    Even though there was a very small attendance everyone who came had a very enjoyable evening. Thanks has to go to the members of the social committee, Rita Campbell, Billy McNicholas and Francie McNicholas. A very special thanks to Cathal Kelly and the staff of the Gateway for as always hosting a great night.

    If anybody wants photographs of the evening please contact Alan Johnson in Swinford Photography.

  • Swinford GAA Weekly News

    50/50 Draw
    This weeks draw for Swinford GAA 50/50 draw was held in the the Gateway Hotel on 31st March and Martina O’Hara won €934.00. Draw Envelopes are available in all business premises for the next draw in Moores on 7th April. Tickets are also available online through www.swinfordgaa.ie  Since the inception of the draw over €34,000 has been given out in prize money and the Club has purchased much needed equipment for all our teams and are building a fund for future development of our facilities. None of this could have been done without the support of the entire community and this is greatly appreciated.  Draw envelopes are now also available at 3 for €5.
    Topaz Cash for Clubs
    Topaz are running a promotion for all clubs at the moment giving the opportunity to win thousand of Euro for the Club. You can pick up a card and begin to collect stamps at Gavaghans Mace & Topaz. The Clubs registration code is 10431.
    Awards Night
    Swinford GAA will be holding its annual dinner dance and awards night in the Gateway Hotel on Easter Sunday night. Music on the night will be provided by Galway band Fraggle Rock. Tickets are available from club officers.

    Minor League

    We were defeated away to Charlestown on Sunday 29th March in Round 3 of the minor league by 1-11 to 1-6, next game is Friday 3rd April at home to Ballyhaunis in Round 4 at 6-30pm.
    Under 14 League
    Swinford U14’s lost their first game to Eastern Gaels Thursday 26th March but we were missing a lot of players and hopefully wil have better luck away to Aghamore on Thursday 2nd April. Details will be posted on our facebook, twitter and website.
    Under 16 League
    The teams league game away to Naomh Padraig will be rescheduled.
    County Board Draw
    Swinford GAA Club have launched their club draw for 2015.  The annual subscription remains at €150.  The club draw is again structured this year to ensure each subscriber is getting value for their money and you will be entitled to the following for your €150 investment in the club;
    1.       Club Membership – €20
    2.       Entry to Swinford home League games
    3.       County Board ticket – €100, which has a prize fund of €90,000 and
    4.       An entitlement to purchase an All-Ireland Senior Football final ticket should Mayo reach the final in 2015.
    The officers of the club have decided to restrict the numbers in the draw this year to 130 people in order to limit the ticket demands placed on it should Mayo again reach the All Ireland final in 2015.

    Please contact any club officer as soon as  possible if you are interested in purchasing a ticket as we expect to sell the allocation within a couple of weeks.

    Coaching Seminar

    Swinford GAA in conjunction with SAQ Ireland are hosting a coaching course with Jim Kilty.
    Jim is one of Ireland’s foremost athletics trainers having being Irish coach for the Seoul and Atlanta Olympics. He has been involved with a number of successful GAA teams, most notably the All Ireland winning Tipperary hurling team in 2001 among others. He has been involved in coaching provincial title winning football teams and a National League title with Mayo.
    The course takes place in Swinford on 17/18 April 2015. Phase 1 will take place in the Gateway Hotel from 7pm until 10pm on the Friday night and is a seminar entitled “developing speed in the adult player through conditioning coaching”. Jim will also give a general talk on his experience followed by a Q&A session
    Phase 2 takes place at the amenity centre from 10am until 4pm and is a certified SAQ course entitled ” Coaching skill, movement and function to 6-12 year olds”. It is an indoor/outdoor course so appropriate attire is advised.
    Places are limited and cost €50 per attendee. (No charge for Swinford GAA coaches).
    Refer to SAQ website for further course details.
    Contact Brian Galvin 0863265911 for reservation details or briang.123@icloud.com

  • Swinford GAA Weekly News

    50/50 Draw
    This weeks draw for Swinford GAA 50/50 draw was held in the Melletts on 24th March and Eamon Howley and Shane McNulty won €1,011.00. The winning ticket was sold in the Sheepwalk. Draw Envelopes are available in all business premises for the next draw in the Gateway Hotel on 31st March. Tickets are also available online through www.swinfordgaa.ie  Since the inception of the draw over €33,000 has been given out in prize money and the Club has purchased much needed equipment for all our teams and are building a fund for future development of our facilities. None of this could have been done without the support of the entire community and this is greatly appreciated.  Draw envelopes are now also available at 3 for €5.
    Topaz Cash for Clubs
    Topaz are running a promotion for all clubs at the moment giving the opportunity to win thousand of Euro for the Club. You can pick up a card and begin to collect stamps at Gavaghans Mace & Topaz. The Clubs registration code is 10431.
    Awards Night
    Swinford GAA will be holding its annual dinner dance and awards night in the Gateway Hotel on Easter Sunday night. Music on the night will be provided by Galway band Fraggle Rock. Tickets are available from club officers.
    Michael Walsh Cup
    We had a very good win against Castlebar Mitchells on Friday 20th March in Castlebar on a score of 2-6 to 0-10. There is a full match report on our website www.swinfordgaa.ie. We then had to play Hollymount-Carramore on Sunday 22nd in Hollymount in the Quarter Final but this proved to be a tough task playing two games in such a short time and we lost 1-14 to 1-9.
    Minor League
    We were defeated by Knockmore at Robert McCallion Memorial Park on Sunday 22nd March in Round 2 of the minor league but hopefully we will rise again next Sunday 29th March away to Charlestown Sarsfields in Round 3 at 12pm.
    Under 14 League
    Swinford U14’s play their first league game on Thursday 26th March 6pm at Robert McCallion Memorial park against Aghamore. Details will be posted on our facebook, twitter and website.
    Under 16 League
    On Tuesday 31st March at 6pm our Under 16 team start their league campaign away to Naomh Padraig in Ballycastle. Any changes will be posted on our facebook, twitter and website.
    County Board Draw
    Swinford GAA Club have launched their club draw for 2015.  The annual subscription remains at €150.  The club draw is again structured this year to ensure each subscriber is getting value for their money and you will be entitled to the following for your €150 investment in the club;
    1.       Club Membership – €20
    2.       Entry to Swinford home League games
    3.       County Board ticket – €100, which has a prize fund of €90,000 and
    4.       An entitlement to purchase an All-Ireland Senior Football final ticket should Mayo reach the final in 2015.
    The officers of the club have decided to restrict the numbers in the draw this year to 130 people in order to limit the ticket demands placed on it should Mayo again reach the All Ireland final in 2015.

    Please contact any club officer as soon as  possible if you are interested in purchasing a ticket as we expect to sell the allocation within a couple of weeks.

  • Report from Castlebar Mitchels v Swinford

    Tonight saw the final group game from Group 2 of the Michael Walsh Intermediate Cup to see who would join Westport in the Quarter Finals and play Hollymount-Carramore on Sunday.

    I arrived five minutes into the game to witness Liam Moran put a penalty away for Swinford to lead by 2 goals.  Darren Campbell had scored an earlier goal to give us a lead that we did not give up for the remainder of the game.

    Castlebar came back into the game and scored 3 points without reply, including one 45.  A great catch from Barry Brennan, playing at full forward, laid off to Kevin McShea who slotted the ball over the bar to give us a 4 point lead.

    Shane Holleran then pulled off a great save in goal to send the ball for a 45 that was missed by Castlebar. Mitchels finished the half with a point from a free to leave the score at HT at Castlebar Mitchels 0-4 Swinford 2-1.

    Management made two changes at the break bringing on Jack McDonnell for Darren Campbell and Jason Carney for Kevin Barry.

    Kevin McShea extended our lead from a  free before Castlebar scored 2 frees. Kevin McShea pointed again to leave us still three points clear. Joe Kelly entered the game for Swinford before a ridiculous decision from the referee to give Conor Horan a black card. A situation where Conor was clearly fouled and the referee gave the decision the other way before showing the black card. Paul McNicholas entered the game and we came under sustained pressure from Castlebar. In the space of five minutes Mitchels scored three points to level the game but we showed great strength and maturity from there to the end of the game to outscore Castlebar by 3 points to 1.

    A great team score by full back Fergal Harte and points by Jack McDonnell and Stephen Henry reinstated our 3 point lead. The last 5 minutes brought sustained pressure from Castlebar but they only got one point to leave us two points ahead at the end.

    FT Castlebar Mitchels 0-10 Swinford 2-6

    We now meet Hollymount-Carramore on Sunday at 12pm in Hollymount in the Quarter Final.

    Swinford: Shane Holleran, James Lavin,  Fergal Harte, Kevin Barry, Aiden McLoughlin, Conor Horan, Danny McNicholas, Eoin Gallagher, Stephen Henry, Tom Howley, Kevin McShea, Liam Moran, Darren Campbell, Barry Brennan, Michael Walsh.

    Subs used: Jack McDonagh, Jason Carney, Joe Kelly, Paul McNicholas, Kevin McDonagh.