Local Notes: Win for Castlerea Cavaliers, Craft & Food Fair and SPCA says thank you
Rachel Keane and Maureen Quinn celebrate Castlerea St. Kevin's historic Connacht club intermediate football championship final success last weekend. Pic. Liam Reynolds
Castlerea Cavaliers U-18 boys travelled to Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday night for the first round of the Lonleitros league and had a great 8 point win. Jamie Dowd was in inspirational form with 14 points. Their team and scorers were Dillon Keane (4), Sean Vaughan (3), James Hawkshaw (4), Ross Flynn (2),Jack Dolan (3), Jamie Dowd (14), Kevin Hester (3), Cian McGloughlan (3), and Killian Crossan.
The annual Castlerea Christmas Craft & Food Fair will be held in The Hub, Castlerea, on December 3rd.
The AGM of Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Club was held in the O’Rourke Centre on Sunday, November 19th Chairman Oliver Connaughton presided and the following officers were elected for 2024: Chairman, Oliver Connaughton; Vice Chairman, Paul Lafferty; Secretary, to be filled at next meeting; Assistant Secretary, Michael McDermott; PRO, Danny Burk; Coaching Officer, Oliver Finneran; County Minor Board Delegate, Tom Vaughan; Northern Board Delegates, John Green, Paul Lafferty; Team Mangers - U-6, Gareth Scahill; U-8, Michael Mannion; U-10, Gavin Manning; U-12, John Greene; U-14, Aidan Fleming; U-16, Tom Vaughan; Minor, Noel Curran. Secretary Michael Brennan for the past number of years did not seek reelection. Many tributes were paid to him for the great work he has done for the minor club during his time as secretary. Michael is also secretary of the senior club.
The Castlerea Community School Junior Team defeated Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, in the Connaught Colleges DIV (D) football championship quarter final in the Air Dome Centre of Excellence, Bekan, recently on the score of 6-17 to 4-6. Team manager Roscommon Senior footballer Conor Hussey with James Reidy Danny Burke, team sponsor Dermot Lyons, Mace.
The Castlerea Community School First Year boys’ team, sponsored by Anthony Cahill, SuperValu were defeated in the Roscommon schools’ Competition on the score of 8-15 to 4-7. Although well beaten they never gave up trying until the final whistle.
The Castlerea Parish News for 2023 is now gone to print and should be on sale next week at the following outlets, Corrib Oil, Scahill’s, Lyons Mace, Tom Flynn’s, Mulvihills Newsagents, Cahill’s SuperValu, Benny’s Deli and Daybreak. Because of the rising printing costs, this year’s edition will cost €10. The editorial committee regrets this increase, but it’s a sign of the times and rising costs. At 88 pages it is a great read as always and would be a nice present to send to your friends for Christmas. As there are only a limited number of copies available early purchase is advisable, don’t be disappointed.
The death occurred peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the tender and excellent care of the staff at Roscommon Hospice on Wednesday, November 1st of Ms Maureen Gohery (nee Galvin), Ballindrimley, Castlerea and formerly of Corderryhugh, Athleague. She was predeceased by her parents, George, and Mary Kate; sisters, Ita, Bridie, and Mona; brothers, Tom, Stephen, and Paddy. Deceased was a very kind, jolly and gentle person and a most obliging neighbour who always had great time for people both young and old. Neighbours who frequented her home were always made most welcome. She loved to socialise and was great company and she would always do her party piece by singing her favourite song (Down by the Sally Gardens) and could she sing it. She worked as a nurse in St. Patrick’s Hospital, Castlerea for many years before she retired some years ago. She also acted as a tutor to the trainee nurses and was always very helpful to them. She was very kind to the many patients under her care over her working years and always carried out her duties in a caring, compassionate, and professional manner and was very highly thought of by her employers and fellow work colleagues. She had a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and travelled to Lourdes for many years with the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to help out with the sick. She will be sadly missed by her sisters, Betty Dolan (Longford); Kitty Hourigan (London); Anne Brehony (Knockcroghery), and Dympna Higgins (Castlerea); brothers, Gerard (Corderryhugh); Austin (Ennis); George (Home); sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, and her many good friends. Her remains were removed from her brother George’s home on Saturday, November 4th to the Church of The Assumption, Castlecoote and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Canon Eugene McLoughlin with co-celebrants Fr. Michael O’Brien and Fr. Christopher Debianga, MSP, burial took place in Athleague Cemetery. Before the final blessing Mr John Murphy Castlerea, a friend of the family gave a eulogy on Maureen’s life. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
The Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Club would like to extend sympathy to the Brennan family, Glinsk, and formerly of Behy, Castlerea, on the recent passing of Sean Brennan, which took place in the UK recently. The Brennan family has given great service to Castlerea GAA teams over the years winning many county championships. Tony Brennan won juvenile U-15 1960, r/u 1961, Minor 1963/1964, r/u 1962, O’ Rourke Cup r/u 1969/1970. He also played county minor with Roscommon. Tom Brennan won Juvenile U-15 1964 and 1965, minor 1965 and 1967, r/u 1966. He was the team captain in 1967. U-21 1968, Senior 1967, O’Rourke Cup 1966/67/68, r/u 1969/70. Jim Brennan won Juvenile U-15 1964/65, Minor 1965. Noel Brennan won Juvenile U-15 1964/65/66, Minor 1967/68, U-21 1968, O’Rourke Cup 1971/72. He also played County Minor with Roscommon. Danny Burke was trainer of all the teams that they were involved with. Noel also won a Connacht Colleges Junior A Football Championship with St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, in 1968. The Minor Club would also like to extend sympathy to the Doyle family, Castlerea, the Flannery family, Southpark, the Carty family, Trien, the Cornwall family, Ballinlough and Declan Walsh, St. Patrick Street on their recent bereavements.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s GAA U-12 boys recently finished off their very busy Gaelic football season. The team played 20 games this season and competed in the Spring and Summer Leagues in the Keenan Cup, finishing joint top in the Spring League, and competing very well in the Summer League and Keenan Cup. The boys trained hard, improved greatly, and played very well during the year. Best of luck to the boys stepping up to U-14 and to the boys in their final year at U-12 in 2024 and looking forward to new payers joining the U-12 panel in 2024. Team Managers: Paul Lafferty, Barry Gill, and Jonathan Hester. The Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Club would like to thank the managers for the time and commitment they gave to this group of players during the year. A special thanks to the boys’ parents for bringing them to training and matches.
The winning Bonus Ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s Lotto for November 22nd was number 7. Winners of this week’s lotto were Padraic and Valerie Rabbite; Elizabeth Devine, Joe McHugh, Nicola Kelly, Helen Naughton. Each receive €100.
Roscommon SPCA would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who generously contributed to the annual street collection in Castlerea town recently. A total of €2,000 was collected over the weekend. All money raised and collected goes directly to animal welfare in the county.
