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In 1991 Cumann na mBunscol Connacht, with full support of the Connacht GAA Council, organised a series of Mini exhibitions games in boys football at all the Connacht senior football Championship games. The aims of the games were two fold, first to increase INTO Mini-Sevens participation at County level and, secondly, to increase press profile and awareness among supporters. The exhibition games were in the early years nine-a side of 8 minutes duration played during the interval of the big game. The County manager in the first year 1991 was Tony Fahey, Foxford and teams were drawn from schools which had participated in Mini-Sevens. The Mayo inter area team that played at half time in the senior game in McHale Park Castlebar on June 23rd 1991 against a Galway selection was David McIntyre, Belmullet, Mark O’Brien, Ballycushion NS, Jamie Fitzmaurice, St. Pats Castlebar, Tommy McManamon, Newport NS, Anthony Rushe, Ballaghaderreen NS, Jonathan Mullin, Gortjordan NS, Declan Leonard, Lahardane NS, Vincent Callaghan, Swinford NS, Darragh O’Grady and John Hegarty (both Louisburgh NS). Jonathan Mullin (Mayo Minor in 1996 and Ted Webb Cup Winner 1994) recounted that day in the Gortjordan school magazine of 1991. “ Last Sunday, June 23rd, came the proudest moment of my short football career. It happened in McHale Park, Castlebar. I was selected along with Mark O’Brien from the Gortjordan /Ballycushion team which reached the finals of the County Mini Sevens. The players selected played against the Galway selection at half time in the Galway – Mayo Connacht senior semi final. We were told to meet in the racquetball section of the Sportlann, at 3pm. Most of the players were already there and the tension was great because no one was talking. Dermot Keane and Pat Byrne arrived along with the referee. We all togged out and got our pictures taken. We then went to the embankments on the south side of McHale Park. One minute before the first half ended we went onto the pitch and sat behind the goal which Eugene Lavin was guarding. There were four substitutes, two from Mayo and two from Galway. They helped set up the goals. The referee blew the whistle and the game started to a big cheer from the crowd. I got the ball and I played it to Tommy something or other but he put it wide. Then I took a sideline kick but I kicked that wide also. Then I overkicked a pass to Vinny Callaghan but he did very well and brought the ball around the goalkeeper to score a goal. Then I got my one and only score – a point. We played for about 6 minutes. It wasn’t really a competitive game. We finished it off with as goal and a point and we all got a big cheer from the crowd when we headed away from the pitch. We went back to the dressing rooms and got togged in. Then Dermot Keane gave us minerals and crisps. It was a very enjoyable and exciting day, and to wrap it all up, Mayo beat Galway in the senior match.Back to Top Early arrivals at Tuam Stadium on Sunday were able to view the second game in the exhibition series involving Mayo Primary Schools and Galway Primary Schools. It is important to point out that they are not representative County teams, but a selection of players who showed great skill in the INTO/GAA Mini-Sevens within their own county. Other similar games were played prior to the Connacht GAA Senior Championship games, and are meant to be fun and enjoyable. The Mayo team on duty that day was Greg Mulkerrins, Paul Nevin, Niall Heneghan-Claremorris, Noel Gallagher, Cormac Fahey-Swinford, Niall Dunne-Crimlin, Kieran Moran-Parke, Liam O’Dionaird, Paraic O’Raghallaigh-Eachlaim, A.J. Keegan-Quay, Westport, Paul Finnerty-Ballinrobe, Shane Loftus-Quay, Ballina. A second game in the Mini games series that year was held at McHale Park at 1. 20. p.m. prior to the Connacht Championship match between Mayo and Sligo. Back to Top 1993 Mayo travelled to Sligo to play their Sligo counterparts in the Mini Sevens exhibition game prior to the senior championship game Mayo v Sligo. The Mayo team was; 1.Alan Coleman (Gortjordan), 2.Gerard Tiernan (Gortjordan), 3.David White, (The Quay, Ballina) 4.Kenneth Rushe (The Quay, Ballina), 5.James Ryan (Kilmeena), 6.Gary Conway (Ballaghaderreen), 7. Kevin Timothy (Claremorris), 8.Brian Clarke (Claremorris), 9.Robert Moran (Foxford) 10. Stephen Healy (Foxford), 11.Brian Tansey (Ballaghaderreen), 12.Ian Cafferkey (Belmullet) 13. Gerard McDonnell (Belmullet), 14. Paul Brett (Breaffy), 15. David Feehan (Kilmeena) Subs. (16) Richard Moynihan (The Quay, Ballina), (17) Jonathan O’Hare (Gortjordan), (18) Ciaran Martin (Breaffy)Back to Top
For the third consecutive year, Mayo and Sligo met in the exhibition inter area game. The series was extended to involve the girls football. Mayo Boys Team: Terence Moran (Glenamoy), Stephen Cremin (Quay NS Ballina) Gavin Duffy ( Quay Ballina), Jonathan O’Haire ( Gortjordan NS ) Kieran McMahon (Cong NS ), Warren McDonagh ( Foxford NS ) Des Keegan ( Ballaghaderreen NS ) Barry O’Neill ( Claremorris NS ) Brendan Moran ( Glenamoy NS ) Tomas Griffin (Claremorris NS) Conor Moran (Newport NS), Mark Irwin (Glenamoy NS) Patrick Sharkey (Ballaghaderreen NS), Fergal Hoban (Newport NS) Kevin Fitzmaurice (Claremorris), David Thornton (Breaffy NS Ballina). Mayo girls: Sinead Carey, Bangor-Erris, Dawn Burke, Mountpleasant, Concepta Bohan, Glencorrib, Roisín O’Sullivan, Barnacarroll, Mary Lou Barrett, Bangor-Erris, Elaine Brady, Barnacarroll, Jennifer Lewis, Quay, Ballina, Linda Staunton, Mountpleasant, Denise McIntyre, Mountpleasant, Carol Duffy, Quay, Ballina, Zarah Melvin, Quay, Ballina, Irene Kennedy, Neale, Paula Murphy, Kilmaine, Davinia O’Donnell, Bangor-Erris, Caoimhe Weeks, Barnacarroll, Loretta Hughes and Nuala O’Malley, Cross. Mayo establish links with Laois: An idea, which surfaced three years ago, was brought to fruition in McHale Park, Castlebar in 1994 when teams from Laois Cumann na mBunscol travelled to Mayo to participate in a series of inter-area games and coaching. The aim of the day was to build friendship between County Cumann na mBunscol committees and to participate in Coaching and games development. 65 players, involving hurling, boys football, girls football and team members from a small school –Castlecuff N.S. were in the Laois party. Last year’s “Man of the Match” in the All-Ireland Hurling final, Pádraic Kelly, Galway, and P.J. Qualter (Connacht Hurling Coach), conducted a series of coaching lessons with both hurling teams while Eugene Lavin and Shane Kenny did similar invaluable work with the football teams. The games, which were played in a great atmosphere, displayed all the skills and the standard of play in the girls football was particularly high. The evening was rounded off with a small school from each county, Clare Island (Mayo) and Castlecuff N.S. (Laois) playing in an exhibition game. All the participants received a special certificate to honour the very first inter-area game between both counties and all were treated to a meal at the 4 Lanterns Restaurant in Castlebar. The boys and girls from Mayo were selected from schools all over the county and the friendships and social side of the games were very evident as names and addresses were exchanged. The players who would normally be playing against each other in Cumann na mBunscol games, on this day worked together to provide a feast of football in an atmosphere of non-competition. It was the first time for Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo to forge links with another county committee. The venture was an outstanding success and was warmly endorsed by the committees from Mayo and Laois. The Mayo Girls panel that played Laois was comprised of Noelle Hefferon-Carn, Harriet Mylotte,-Neale, Sharon and Michelle McGing, -Killawalla, Claire Egan, -Killeen, Claire Forde, Knock, Sara Sheridan, -Glencorrib, Aishling Donoghue,- Srah, Helena Lohan, -Shrule, Elaine Jordan, -Breaffy N.S., Ballina, Imelda Mullarkey,- Bangor, Elaine McMenamon,- Bangor, Mairéad Saddler, -Cogaula, Orla O’Neill,- Foxford, Joanne Towey, -Rooskey, Claire McNicholas, -Bohola, Michelle Haran,- Cloonlyon, and Susan Durkin, -Cloonlyon. The Mayo Boys Panel comprised of Alan Coyle-Inver, Patrick McAndrew-Inver, Bernard Needham-Bunnacurry, Michael McNamara-Valley, Eoin McLoughlin-Scoil Pádraig, Ballina, Patrick Hanahoe-Attymass, Liam Cosgrove-Errew, Michael Moran-Errew, Pádraig Keane-Killeen, Michael Gannon-Kilmeena, Alan Murphy-Cloonliffen, Alan Burke-Kilmaine, Shane Towey-Ballaghaderreen, Stephen Costello-Kilkelly, Seamus McDonagh-Midfield, Eoin Gallagher-Swinford, Brian Healy-Castlebar, and Brian Regan-Castlebar. The members of the Mayo Cumann na mBunscol hurling panel were Michael Nolan-Tooreen, Gerard Corcoran-Quay, Westport, Alan Cummins-Culleens, Kenneth Robinson-Tooreen, Pat Scahill-Quay, Westport, Colin Kirrane-Knock, John Duggan-Knock, John Duffy-Culleens, Paul Broderick-Westport CBS, Joey Costello-Cornanool, Éanna Casey-Scoil Pádraig, Ballina, Derek McConn-Ballyhaunis, Christy Freyne-Tooreen, Damien Gallagher-Quay, Westport, James Hogan, Quay, Westport, Martin Greaney, St Patrick's Castlebar, Anthony Devanney Tooreen, Kevin Healy-Culleens, Peter Guthrie-Castlebar, Anthony Lyons, Ballyhaunis, Keith Forde-Knock, Seamus Glynn-Westport CBS, Marcus Connaughton, St Patrick's Castlebar, and Peter Sheridan, Quay, Ballina. Clare Island: Martin Moran, Niall McCabe, Olaf Gill, Cathriona O’Malley, Ian McCabe, Brendan Burns, Michael Oliver Moran. Sub. Gerard O’Malley, John F O’Malley, Aoife O’Toole.Back to Top
Mayo Cumann na mBunscol renewed their sporting links with Laois on Thursday 25th, 1995 when a party of around 80 made the journey to O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, for a series of “friendly” games in boys and girls football and also in hurling and rounders. They also took part in coaching clinics. Two buses left Swinford Church early in the morning and picked up the travelling party en route via Castlebar Sportlann, Claremorris GAA Centre and at Ballyhaunis Railway Station. The 18 members of the boys football panel and the schools they come from are as follows: Ronan Morrin-Neale, Francis Duffy-Kilmovee, Brian Lynskey-Gortskehy, Martin Doherty, Bangor-Erris, Michael Jennings-Barnacarroll, Paul Harte, St Pat’s, Castlebar, Gary Brennan, Midfield, John Kennedy, Partry, Alan Gilger-Kilmeena, Noel Warde, Currabaggan, John Reilly, Carraholly, Seán Malee, Kiltimagh, Dermot Dillon, Brosna, Mark Timlin, Attymass, Shane Gallagher, Dookinella, Tony O’Donnell, Bunnacurry, Brendan Moran, Glenamoy, Alan Dillon, Ballyheane. (Pádraic Keane from Eachleim was selected on the panel but is unable to travel due to Confirmation in his home parish on Thursday. Girls football panel: Jemma Feerick, Neale, Claire Egan, Killeen, Sarah Carey, Aughalasheen, Karen Deignan, Rooskey, Orla Casby, Knock, Claire Kennedy, Knockrooskey, Claire Davis, Errew, Lorna Joyce Cloughbrack, Noreen Smyth, Behy, Lorraine Kavanagh, Barnacarroll, Aoife Molloy, Bohola, Maura Finnerty, Carn, Mairéad Colleran, Charlestown, Ann Kilbane, Saula, Louise Doherty, Inver, Roisín McLoughlin, Saula, Sinead Burke, Mountpleasant, Loretta Gallagher, Culmore and Claire Murphy, Carn. The Mayo Cumann na mBunscol had a very enjoyable trip. Hurling manager, Jackie Coyne, N.T., Knock, expressed delight with the visit. “Our hosts gave us a great welcome and the entire venture was very highly organised. We were especially impressed with the Coaching they laid on for us. It was a great day for all involved and all who took part will hold fond memories of this special day for a long time to come”, said Jackie. The Mayo hurling side went on to score a 3-5 to 1-2 win over Laois in a well contested friendly. Mayo’s top players on the day were Michael Kelly, Paul Broderick, Cathal Carty, Derek McConn and Justin Freyne. Mayo Team: Jim Hogan, Quay, Westport, Martin Devaney, Tooreen, Seán Burke, Knock, David Walsh, Cornanool, Kenneth Robinson, Tooreen, Michael Kelly, Knock, Paul Preston, Ballina, Peter Sheridan, Ballina, Paul Broderick Westport CBS, Cathal Carty, Knock, Derek McConn, Ballyhaunis, Anthony Lyons, Ballyhaunis, Colm Forde, Knock, Justin Freyne, Tooreen, Joey Costello, Cornanool. Subs. Thomas Duffy, Ballina, Pat Duffy, Westport, John King, Westport, Darren Heverin, Cornanool, Anthony Lyons, Ballyhaunis and Patrick Harte, Ballina.Back to Top
Following a request from Sligo Cumann na mBunscol, representations were made to stage an exhibition match as a curtain raiser to the Mayo v Sligo National Football league game at Crossmolina on February 11th.It was once again a new innovation, involving the schools from the Ballina / Crossmolina area and the schools from West Sligo. As part of the Connacht GAA Council programme in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon on June 23rd, two exhibition Mini-Sevens games, featuring Mayo and Roscommon boys and girls, were played at the half-time interval in the Mayo v Roscommon Senior Championship game. The teams were selected from the 8 schools that won their area Mini-Sevens titles (under 12 and a half years of age generally) and the two schools that reached the County Mini-Sevens finals in boys and girls football were allocated an extra player. The teams did not include any players selected for the All-Ireland Mini-Sevens series in Croke Park in August and September. Girls team: Laura Walsh, Neale N.S., Cathy Reilly, Aughalasheen N.S., Katie O’Hora, Behy, Sheila Glynn, Mountpleasant, Jennifer Sheehan, Bohola N.S., Lisa Kelly, Neale, Ruth Hyland, Carraholly, Tara Brady, Barnacarroll, Lorraine Kavanagh, Barnacarroll, Edel Colleran, St Attracta’s N.S., Ballaghaderreen. Boys Team: David Munnelly, Geesala N.S., Peter Sheridan, Quay, N.S., Ballina, Robert Kennedy, Neale N.S., Eoin Hughes, Neale N.S., Alan O’Malley, Kilmeena, Colm Forde, Knock Eoghan Coleman, Knock, Paul Lydon, Kiltimagh, Joseph Dillon, Brosna, Jonathan Morrin, Mountpleasant N.S.Back to Top
Being the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo, four inter area games were organised during the year. Two of them were inaugural events – in March the Charlestown / Ballaghaderreen area hosted a team from South Armagh and a primary game involving players from all five counties in Connacht played at the Connacht final. South Armagh travelled on the eve of the final National League game between Mayo and Armagh which was played in Charlestown in March. The Charlestown / Ballaghaderreen area committee and parents hosted the team and officials on the Saturday night and on the Sunday afternoon a very enjoyable game was held as a curtain raiser to the National League game. All the players were selected from the schools in the area. The panel of players used was : Noel Gavigan, Thomas Towey, Michael Mulligan, Conrad Tierney, Brendan Flynn, Eamon Colleran, Shane Ansboro, David Foley, James Kilcullen, George Leetch, Joe Dillon, Vincent Doherty, Anthony Mulligan, Barry Kelly, Eugene Doherty, Richard Quinn, Conor Kelly, Peter Bonner, Stephen Quinn, Patrick McDermott, Declan Davey, Seán Sheehan, Damien McCann, Brendan Quinn, Barry Finn, Ciaran Kenny, Robert Duffy, Keith Robinson. Mayo Primary School footballers shared the limelight with their senior counterparts in Tuam Stadium on Sunday May 25th – the day the 46 year hoodoo went. The game took place just before the senior game and was played in Mediterranean weather. Mayo Girls: Joanne Gaughan, Binghamstown N.S., Michelle Higgins, Killawalla N.S., Ciara McDermott, Behy N.S., Ballina, Caroline O’Malley, Neale N.S., Maeve Ann O’Reilly, Cregduff N..S, Emma Mullin, Gortjordan N..S, Jackie Biggins, Glencorrib N..S, Michelle Kelly, Brosna N.S., Nathalie Doherty, Bangor-Erris, Siobhan Sweeney, Knock N.S. Mayo Boys Panel: James Dooley, Kilmaine N.S., Conrad Tierney, Brosna N.S., Alan Feeley, Claremorris N.S, Mark Walsh, Aughalasheen N.S., Colm Garvey Kiltimagh N.S., Joseph English, Bunnacurry N.S., David Sheridan, Kilmaine N.S., George Leetch, Brosna N.S., Kieran Sheridan, Westport CBS, Marcus Hannick, Killala N.S. Mayo played Leitrim schools in a similar exhibition game in McHale Park, Castlebar on the last Sunday in June. The Mayo team were picked from the County finalists in all five Divisions and from the A and B girls finals. The exhibition games took place between the minor and senior games. The Mayo boys team was: Gary Quinn (Brosna N.S.), Danny Walsh (Knock N.S.), Martin Boyle (Foxford N.S.), John Macken (Lehinch N.S), Damien Burke (Kilmaine N.S.), Martin Scanlon (Geesala N.S.), Damien Burke (Mountpleasant N.S.), Damien Coleman (Clogher N.S.), Gary Loughney (Banagher (N.S.) and Eamon Colleran (Ballaghaderreen N.S.). The Mayo Girls team was: Gemma Naughton (Gortjordan N.S.), Ashling Farrell (Brosna N.S.), Olivia Farrell (Brosna N.S.), Emma McDonnell (Tavrane N.S.), Joan Tunney (Killawalla N.S.), Edel Fitzgerald (Gortjordan N.S.), Brigid Reilly (Geesala N.S.), Lisa O’Brien (Cloggernaugh N.S.), Eithne Kilgallon (Behy N.S.) and Jessica Galligan (Bohola N.S.). Following on from the successful exhibition games, Connacht G.A.A. Council and Cumann na mBunscol organised an exhibition game involving all five Connacht counties at the Connacht senior final in Roscommon on August 2nd. Six players were selected from each of the five counties and it was the first time for the exhibition games to be played as a 15 a side game up and down the main pitch at the Provincial final. The game was videotaped and all the players received complimentary gear and a special memento of the occasion from the sponsors Bank of Ireland and Connacht GAA Council. Mayo: James Dooley, Kilmaine N.S., Shane Monaghan, Belclare N.S., Galway, Alan O’Hara, Foxford N.S., Robert Mitchell, Newtown, N.S., Galway, Matt Scally, Cornafolla N.S., Cillian de Paor, Ceathrue Rua, Galway, Colm Garvey, Kiltimagh, John Macken Lehinch N.S., Paul Feeney, Cornagee N.S., Leitrim, Brian McDonald, Diffreen N.S., Leitrim, John Prenty, Gorthaganny N.S., Roscommon, Niall Nerney, Elphin N.S., Roscommon, Kieran Sheridan, Westport CBS, Martin Scanlon, Geesala, J.J. McDermott, Glenfarne N.S., Leitrim. These games brought down the curtain on yet another highly successful season of inter area games.
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