13 January 1999

One way system proposed for Cong

Cong Community Council are to consult with local Mayo County Council engineer Mr John Ferguson about the possibility of continuing for a trial period a one way system for Cong village. The system came into force recently as a result of the environmental improvements currently being carried out under a village enhancement scheme.

It has proved so successful in the free up of traffic that local community leaders are anxious to see the system continue for a further period of time in order to assess its viability. With its narrow streets and the on going volume of heavy vehicles  plus summer tour coaches, this problem has been a local issue for many years.

Gaelic Stars and Sam Maguire in Cong

The terrible icy weather conditions over the weekend curtailed the numbers attending the fundraising dance in Cong dance hall on Sunday night. Despite this, the organising committee, Cong Community Council expressed their appreciation to the people that supported the event.

It was a particularly historic occasion as former football giants Enda Colleran and Pat Donnelllan brought the Sam Maguire cup back to Cong after many decades. The official reception was held in Ryan's Hotel Cong . Michael Walsh, Chairman of the Community Council and the main organiser , welcomed all the guests and congratulated the Galway team and management on a wonderful year for football in Galway and Connacht.

He welcomed in particular Enda Colleran , captain of the last Galway team in 1965 and 1966 to win Sam, Pat Donnellan, a member of the three in a row side from that era, John Power, the current Galway secretary, Kevin Dwyer , Sports editor with Galway Bay FM , Pierce Doherty of the Sawdoctors , Liam Horan, GAA correspondent with The Irish Independent, Stephen Joyce , Galway selector and John Joe Halloran, Vice Chairman Galway Football Board. James Waldron , Chairman of the local GAA club , also associated himself with the congratulations to Galway and thanked all who attended. The dance in the hall afterwards, to the big band sound of Johnny Carroll,was well attended, considering the road and weather conditions.

The Neale 1-13 Garrymore 1-3

Last Sunday in Garrymore TheNeale met the local side in under 21 club championship.. A Patrick Hopkins point from a free in the 12th minute led to a quick Garrymore response against the run of play, a goal from a penalty in the 16th minute followed by their first point of the game . Hopkins from a free and a long range Gerard Farragher point left the half time score Garrymore 1-1 The Neale 0-3, in a half dominated by the visitors.

The towering Neil Varley and Micheal O' Toole took complete control at midfield, assisted by a superb half back line of Ronan Casey, Mark Mylotte and Noel Conroy. The aforementioned Varley kicked two long range frees, Noel Conroy added his first of the game, Kieran McMahon, got two quick points inside a minute and Patrick Hopkins added his third point from play. Garrymore made a rare surge up field to get two points in the 19th minute, but the Neale had the last say with three points from Patrick Hopkins and a late speculative goal from Ger Farragher, Crossdavy, making a welcome comeback after many years out of the game.

The Neale, despite their youth and obvious staleness at this time of the year , will hope to build on their teamwork and ability over the duration of the championship.  

The Neale: John Paul Walsh, Kieran Hughes, John Heskin, Ronan Casey, Mark Mylotte , Noel Conroy (0-1), Neil Varley (0-2), Micheal O Toole, Stephen Lydon, Gerard Farragher (1-2), Patrick Hopkins (0-6) , Colm Walsh and Kieran McMahon (0-2). Sub used : Patrick McTigue for Colm Walsh.

Meanwhile , Mayo under 21 team were defeated by Galway RTC in a challenge in St Feichin's Park, Cong on Sunday afternoon.

Border Ramblers AGM

The AGM of the Border Ramblers Athletic Club ,scheduled for Sunday January 10th was postponed as a mark of respect to the Moran family , Glencorrib and the Casey family, The Neale. Patrick Moran , the driving force behind the phenomenal success of the club in recent years suffered a bereavement with the tragic death of his nephew Paul in a traffic accident in the midlands last week. The AGM has been refixed for next Sunday January 17th at 5pm in Glencorrib Community Centre.

Neale GAA Dinner Dance

The Neale GAA Club dinner dance was held in the Red Door Restaurant, Ballinrobe on Friday night last. MC for the occasion was club chairman James Waldron .Fr Colm Kilcoyne CC Cong and partron of the club presented all the awards to the following winners: Hall of Fame : Eugene Waters. Club personality of the Year : Kathleen Conroy. Minor Footballer of the Year : John Paul Walsh. Under 21 : Darragh Carney. Junior : Tony McTigue.  

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - January 1999