Category: News

Senior League Div1C Swinford v Tourmakeady

We got back to winning ways on our league campaign with a comprehensive win over Tourmakeady on a beautiful summer evening at Robert McCallion Memorial Park.

Under new management a number of players made their first start of the league whilst our new joint manager picked himself in goals where he had very little to do for the match.

We controlled the game from the start but the kicking boots were not on and we recorded two quick wides before the visitors opened the scoring with a point from play and from the ground.

Kevin McShea got us off the mark and this was followed by a point from Darren Campbell. We were soon in the lead with a fine point by Barry Brennan who collected the ball out on the left and came inside and powered the ball over. Our lead was soon extended by a point by Kevin McDonagh and after 15 minutes we led by double scores.

Fergal Harte won a great ball from our kickout after a Tourmakeady wide and fed the ball to Darren Campbell who got his second of the day. Tourmakeady clawed a point back but that was to be their last score for twenty five minutes. Johnny Burke then won a great ball in the middle of the park and fed Liam Moran who got his first point.

Both teams then had a number of poor wides before Mark Forkan got the last score of the half to leave it Swinford 0-7 Tourmakeady 0-3.

Darren Campbell carried on his good work with the opening point of the second half and Johnny Burke opened his book with a fine point after good work by Fergal Harte. The lead should have been extended but for another few wides. Then the game was put to bed with a goal by Barry Brennan whose run was picked out by Darren Campbell and Barry delicately placed the ball into the net.

Tourmakeady threw everything at us but our defence was solid with great assistance from the half forwards.

Points from Kevin McShea and Kevin McDonagh extended our lead and on the fifteenth minute Tourmakeady got the first score of the half with their fourth point. This was wiped out by a goal from Darren Campbell set up by substitute Gerry Callaghan.

Kevin McShea added another point before the visitors finished the game with a late point.

A very satisfactory result of Swinford 2-12 Tourmakeady 0-5 ensured a good start for Sean Kavanagh and Brian Galvin.

Both teams will meet again in three weeks in the Intermediate Championship where matters might be a bit closer.

Swinford Sean Kavanagh, Jason Carney, Sean Brady, Alan McLoughlin, James Lavin, Mark Forkan, Paul McNicholas, Fergal Harte, Joe Kelly, Johnny Burke, Kevin McDonagh, Liam Moran, Darren Campbell, Kevin McShea, Barry Brennan. Subs: Enda Heaney, Gerry Callaghan, Kevin Barry, James Sweeney, Kevin Doyle.

Scorers: Darren Campbell 1-3, Barry Brennan 1-1, Kevin McShea 0-3, Kevin McDonagh 0-2, Liam Moran Mark Forkan Johnny Burke 0-1 each

June 4, 2016
Swinford GAA Weekly News
50/50 Draw

This weeks draw was held in The Whitehouse and Shane Ruane won €712. Thanks to all our supporters.
Envelopes are available in most business premises and online through www.swinfordgaa.ie where tickets can be purchased in bundles of 10/25/52 weeks. Next draw is in the Melletts on the 7th June. Draw envelopes are now also available at 3 for €5.

Topaz Cash for Clubs

The Topaz cash for clubs scheme is running again from the 16th May to August 7th. We were very successful in the draw in 2015.

Please collect your tokens when you purchase fuel at any Topaz station. The club number is 2853.

Siamsa Seipeil 2016

Siamsa Seipeil 2016 are very happy to announce that Our Lady Help of Christians Church will host from Aclare,County Sligo Tommy Fleming on Friday 29th July.
Tickets priced at €30 can be bought from www.tommyfleming.net and www.swinfordgaa.ie and in the real world in the Gateway Hotel, Melletts Newsagents and O’Connells pharmacy.

Mayo GAA Draw 2016

Swinford GAA Club are launching their club draw for 2016. 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 Senior Team home League games – €30
3. County Board ticket – €100, which has a prize fund of over €50,000 and
4. An entitlement to purchase an All-Ireland Senior Football final ticket should Mayo reach the final in 2016.
The officers of the club have decided to restrict the numbers in the draw this year to 120 people in order to limit the ticket demands placed on it should Mayo reach the All Ireland final in 2016.

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.

Upcoming GAA Fixtures:

4th June 11am

Under 10 Go Games

Swinford v Balla at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

4th June 7pm

Senior League Div 1C

Swinford v Tourmakeady at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

5th June 12pm

Senior League Div 1E

Eastern Gaels v Swinford in Brickens

7th June 7pm

Under 12 Spring League

Breaffy v Swinford in Breaffy

8th June 8pm

East Mayo Centenary Cup

Kiltimagh v Swinford in Kiltimagh

11th/12th June time to be fixed
Junior Championship Round 1
Swinford v Ardagh at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

19th June time to be fixed
Senior League Div 1C
Mayo Gaels v Swinford

25/26th June time to be fixed
Intermediate Championship Round 2
Swinford v Tourmakeady at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

25th/26th June time to be fixed
Junior Championship Round 2
Swinford v Balla at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

Any changes will be posted on Facebook, twitter and swinfordgaa.ie
June 2, 2016
Swinford GAA Weekly News
50/50 Draw

This weeks draw was held in Julians Midfield and Mattie Carroll c/o Deirdre Carroll of Tullinacurra, Swinford won €609. Thanks to all our supporters.
Envelopes are available in most business premises and online through www.swinfordgaa.ie where tickets can be purchased in bundles of 10/25/52 weeks. Next draw is in the Whitehouse on the 31st May. Draw envelopes are now also available at 3 for €5.

Topaz Cash for Clubs

The Topaz cash for clubs scheme is running again from the 16th May to August 7th. We were very successful in the draw in 2015.

Please collect your tokens when you purchase fuel at any Topaz station. The club number is 2853.

Siamsa Seipeil 2016

Siamsa Seipeil 2016 are very happy to announce that Our Lady Help of Christians Church will host from Aclare,County Sligo Tommy Fleming on Friday 29th July.
Tickets priced at €30 can be bought from www.tommyfleming.net and www.swinfordgaa.ie and in the real world in the Gateway Hotel, Melletts Newsagents and O’Connells pharmacy.

Senior League Division 1C

We were beaten on a scoreline of Parke Keelogues Crimlin 0-13 Swinford 1-8 on Saturday evening in Parke. Full match report available on swinfordgaa.ie.

Senior League Div 1E

We enjoyed a very good win at home to Ballycroy on Sunday morning by 2-10 to 0-9. Match report available on swinfordgaa.ie

Mayo GAA Draw 2016

Swinford GAA Club are launching their club draw for 2016. 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 Senior Team home League games – €30
3. County Board ticket – €100, which has a prize fund of over €50,000 and
4. An entitlement to purchase an All-Ireland Senior Football final ticket should Mayo reach the final in 2016.
The officers of the club have decided to restrict the numbers in the draw this year to 120 people in order to limit the ticket demands placed on it should Mayo reach the All Ireland final in 2016.

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.

Upcoming GAA Fixtures:

May 26th 7pm

Under 14 League Division 3

Swinford v Parke Keelogues Crimlin at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

May 28th 6pm

Under 8 Go Games

Aghamore v Swinford in Aghamore

May 30th 7pm

Under 12 Spring League

Swinford v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin

1st June 8pm

East Mayo Canon Henry Cup

Swinford v Ballyhaunis at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

4th June 11am

Under 10 Go Games

Swinford v Balla at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

4th June 7pm

Senior League Div 1C

Swinford v Tourmakeady at Robert McCallion Memorial Park

5th June 12pm

Senior League Div 1E

Eastern Gaels v Swinford in Brickens

Any changes will be posted on Facebook, twitter and swinfordgaa.ie
May 25, 2016
Senior League Division 1E Swinford v Ballycroy

On a morning when the weather did not know what it wanted to do our second team went out and shone brightly at Robert McCallion Memorial Park.

Ballycroy took the lead with the first point of the game but we soon took control and Jason McLoughlin got us going with two fine points. Both scores coming from good work by DarrenCampbell linking up with Jason who did the necessary thing and put the ball over the black spot.

A nasty injury ended Peter Quinns game and he was replaced by Joshua Smith. This change did not unsettle the team and soon the good work between Darren Campbell and Jason McLoughlin continued with assistance from Caoimghin McLoughlin and the ball was in the back of the net. Two more points followed from JP Broderick and Darren Campbell got on the board midway through the half we led by 1-4 to 0-1.

Ballycroy didn’t come for the scenery and picked off two frees to narrow the deficit. A punched point by Caoimghin McLoughlin and another point from Darren Campbell soon had the lead back to six before Ballycroy got the last score of the half to leave it Swinford 1-6 Ballycroy 0-4.

Management made a few changes at the break to keep everyone on their toes and Kevin McDonagh and Enda Heaney entered the fray. Ballycroy started off the better and got a great long range point quickly followed by two more to put only two between the teams.

That was as close as it was to get and we took complete control again. First JP Broderick got his second point of the game and Pearse Rowley who came on as a sub knocked one over before JP added his second.

Then with a brillant finish Kevin McDonagh netted our second goal to kill the game. A High ball in by Enda Heaney assisted by good work by Pearse Rowley under it fell to Kevin McDonagh who delicately chipped the advancing goalkeeper to put is 2-9 to 0-7 ahead.

Ballycroy scored two frees which were seperated by a Enda Heaney free to finish the game Swinford 2-10 Ballycroy 0-9.

It continues a very good start to the league and we now sit on four wins from five games. With a good blend of youth and experience the team are enjoying their football and it is showing on the field. The top of the table is very tight and it will require this form to continue to be challenging at the end of the season.

Swinford: Damien Geraghty, Aiden McLoughlin, Paul McDonagh, Paul McNicholas, Andrew Lenihan, Peter Quinn, Kevin Barry, Darragh McIntyre, Barry Brennan, Darren Campbell, Gerry Callaghan, Jason McLoughlin, Caoimghin McLoughlin, Michael Prendergast, JP Broderick. Subs Joshua Smith, Kevin McDonagh, Enda Heaney, Pearse Rowley, Aaron Kinsella, Gavin Moore.

Scorers: Jason McLoughlin 1-2, Kevin McDonagh 1-0, JP Broderick 0-3 Darren Campbell 0-2, Caoimghin McLoughlin Pearse Rowley Enda Heaney 0-1

May 22, 2016
Div 1C Parke Keelogues Crimlin v Swinford

While most of the county and province were watching FA Cup finals and Pro12 semi finals a small bunch of supporters took themselves to Parke to watch Round 4 of the Mayo Senior League Division 1C where they witnessed a tight action packed game.

Before the game began Swinford stallwart Terry Maughan had to empty the goalmouth of a swimming pool of rain. Well done Terry but I would have expected the home club to have the pitch playable.

Parke started the game well but could not take the points and opened with two wides. This was a feature of the game in all with sixteen wides. We found our footing and struck with well taken points by Kevin McDonagh and Enda Heaney. Parke got off the mark with a point from a dead ball before Mark Forkan never gave the ball up and scored a lovely point. Another free and a score from play had the teams level.

A long ball into the Parke goalmouth should have been easily dealt with by the goalkeeper but he misjudged the ball and Darren Campbell scored a simple goal. This was followed by a free from jack McDonnell and we were four ahead. Parke missed three on the go before scoing with a free and another point to leave it a two point game.

We then showed that we could miss as well with three wides before Kevin McDonagh scored to leave us on 1-5. Before the break Parke got one back between another few wides.

Playing with the wind we were two up at the break, thanked to bad shooting by the home team and a fortuitous goal.

The second half nearly started off brillantly when Darren Campbell cut in from the left and with let off a beautiful shot destined for the top corner but for the goalkeeper to finger tip it off the crossbar.

Parke soon had it a one point game before Jack McDonnell cracked the crossbar and the follow up shot from Eoin Gallagher to go right across the small area.

There was a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to a Parke player and this time was to be crucial in the end.

We could easily have been out of sight but the game was evenly balanced. Darren Campbell won a free and Jack McDonnell may easy work of it but from there Parke took control and scored the next four points to put them ahead 0-11 to 1-6.

The game was petering out and into injury time when firstly John Carney scored a lovely point and then his brother Jason came up and got a better one. The game was level and well into four minutes of added time.

Unfortunately that was not the end and Parke cracked over two late points to win by 0-13 to 1-8.

It was a much better performance then last week but a lot of the same failings still showed. A lot of encouragment to be taken from the game and the management should be able to work on the team work in the coming weeks to iron out the problems. A long season still ahead of us and all in our own hands.

Players and managment give up all their free time for the Swinford jersey and they derserve all the credit for that. It is now time for the town to get behind them. GAA is not just about the Mayo team and the pursuit of Sam Maguire it is based on the parish, the club, our own people. I hope to see a lot more supporters at our next few games…home and away.

Swinford: Damien Geraghty, Kevin Barry, Joe Kelly, Alan McLoughlin, Jason Carney, Sean Brady, James Lavin, Mark Forkan, Fergal Harte, John Carney, Liam Moran, Kevin McDonagh, Jack McDonnell, Enda Heaney, Darren Campbell. Subs Eoin Gallagher, Paul McNicholas, Kevin Doyle, Darragh McIntyre.

Scorers: Darren Campbell 1-0, Jack McDonnell, Kevin McDonagh 0-2, Enda Heaney, Mark Forkan, John Carney, Jason Carney 0-1

All views expressed above are those personal to the writer.

May 21, 2016