SPORT ROUND-UP
Slevin wins Bob X darts event at the Clayton
The recent Bob X Memorial Cup, a darts tournament which took place on the Saturday before last, January 6, was won by Tipperary’s Dylan Slevin, who competed in last month’s PDC World Darts Championship in London. Slevin defeated Adrian Devine in the decider. The event, which was organised by Sligo County Darts Association, took place at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo town. The prize fund was €1500 – cashed raised above the pay out went to Sligo Cancer Support Centre.
‘Stand Strong’ for Women’s Aid fundraiser
Women’s Aid, Allianz Insurance and the GAA are seeking support for the ‘Just Stand Strong’ initiative, a powerful demonstration of solidarity and support for those subjected to abuse.
This upcoming national campaign, which takes place throughout February, aims to raise awareness and essential funds for the thousands of women every year that contact Women’s Aid for support.
To get involved, just stand strong in the warrior yoga pose, donate or fundraise with colleagues, family, or friends, and share pictures on social media using the campaign hashtag #WAStandStrong.
To thank those who show their support, Women’s Aid are offering some exclusive campaign goodies such as retro sweatbands and temporary tattoos to people that sign up early via www.standstrong.ie and there are other campaign merchandise items on offer for top fundraisers. Due to the generous support of Allianz Insurance, who sponsor the GAA National
Leagues (hurling and Gaelic football), all money raised will go directly to Women’s Aid supporting women subjected to domestic abuse.
Rovers are recruiting an FSR Officer
Sligo Rovers are in the process of recruiting a Football & Social Responsibility (FSR) Officer, an appointment that is supported by Sligo County Council. This person will be responsible for the delivery of a Football Community Engagement Strategy for the club. According to the club, this full-time role will “involve the development and implementation of the club’s social responsibility policy and procedures using football as the mechanism to have a positive and sustainable impact on the community in the region”.
The deadline for applying for this new role is Wednesday, January 31 (5pm). Those interested should send details, including CV, via email to Rovers CEO Andrew Feakins at andrew@sligorovers.com.
Entries open for handball tournament
The 31st annual Gerard Jones Memorial Handball tournament – which is hosted by Castleconnor Handball Club – takes place at the end of this month, Sunday, January 28, at Castleconnor Community Centre, Corballa. This is a doubles tournament and caters for registered players aged 15 and over. To enter this competition contact either Martin Cooney (chairman, Castleconnor Handball Club) on 086 3579358 or Michelle Bourke (secretary, Castleconnor Handball Club) on 087 2878273. The closing date for entries is Thursday, January 25.
SEA BLUES BROTHERS: At the recent Easkey GAA Club dinner dance at the Ocean Sands Hotel, Enniscrone, Robert Connolly, the Hall of Fame award recipient for 2022, was pictured with his brother, Eamon.
National award for O’Donnell’s relay team
The Athletics Ireland mixed relay team – a selection that included Grange’s Christopher O’Donnell of North Sligo AC – has been named Team of the Year at the 123.ie National Athletics Awards for 2023. The Irish team were finalists in the 4x400 metres mixed relay event at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Along with O’Donnell, the mixed relay squad for these championships featured Callum Baird, Jack Raftery, Roisin Harrison, Sharlene Mawdsley and Sophie Becker. O’Donnell was a finalist with Ireland in the 4x400 metres mixed relay event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
AIR extends its financial support to IIJ
The Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), of which Sligo racecourse is a member, is an independent representative body which represents the interests of Ireland’s 26 racecourses. The association has pledged an extension to its financial support of Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) for the next three years. The Association of Irish Racecourses has pledged a combined total donation of €369,000 paid to the charity during this period (€123,000 per annum).
This donation will go towards the running costs of Irish Injured Jockeys in an effort to ensure that public income raised through donations and fundraisers will go to Irish Injured Jockeys service users and beneficiaries. Racecourse donations are set on a scaled basis depending on the racecourse grade and each track pays their pledged amount directly to Irish Injured Jockeys.
Conquerors of Easkey lose out at Croker
Cork club St Catherine’s, who defeated Sligo and Connacht champions Easkey by a point in last month’s AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship semi-final at Ballinasloe’s Duggan Park, were beaten the All-Ireland final at GAA headquarters Croke Park on Saturday last.
The Munster champions lost by 11 points to Leinster kingpins Tullogher Rosbercon, 2-21 to 1-13, with Kilkenny player Walter Walsh scoring 1-3 for the winners, who were 2-14 to 0-9 up at half-time. The game’s top scorer was Tullogher Rosbercon corner-forward Cian O’Donoghue, who landed 0-10.
Ex-Rovers man sets PL record with Everton
Former Sligo Rovers player Seamus Coleman is now the all-time English Premier League appearance holder with Everton FC.
The Everton team captain, a Republic of Ireland international, started in the 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa on Sunday last – this was the Killybegs man’s 355th Premier League appearance for Everton. The 35-year-old, a well-respected full-back, made his first team debut for Everton in a UEFA Europa League group fixture against Benfica on October 22, 2009.
The Donegal native signed for Everton from Rovers in January of 2009, with the fee understood to be £60,000. His first game for the Bit O’Red was against Derry City in October of 2006. He has been a Republic of Ireland senior player since 2011 and has 68 caps.