Castlebar held its annual Golf Classic in wonderful conditions at Castlebar Golf Club on Saturday afternoon last. It turned out to be an exciting and enjoyable day and the team led by John O’Sullivan won the competition. His team played excellently and defeated Fintan Feehan’s team. One of the unique aspects was the competition within a competition for rugby clubs with the excellent prize of a set of jerseys for the winners. Ballinrobe won this and many congratulations go to them from their friends in the Castlebar Club. There will be a full round up on the competition next week.

Castlebar RFC’s first team continue their preparations for the new season with a training weekend away at Shannon which culminates in a game against top Munster Junior league side Clanwilliam on Saturday evening next. This plans to be a true test for Castlebar as they prepare for a season that promises much this season. The team will meet at the Welcome Inn Hotel at 8.30 am before leaving for Shannon. They will arrive at Shannon for a training session that will begin at 1pm. Then it’s off to limerick and the International between Ireland and Italy before leaving for Clanwilliam afterwards. The game between Castlebar and Clanwilliam will kick off at 6.30pm with a social for both teams and their supporters afterwards. Clanwilliam are currently one of Munster’s top junior sides so it will be interesting to see how Castlebar get on. A week later Castlebar play their first game of the season at home when they entertain Dunmore at Cloondeash. Kick off is at 7.30pm. This will be followed by another home game against Garryowen the following Sunday with the kick off time yet to be confirmed.

One of the finest plays in recent times comes to Castlebar and Castlebar RFC are proud to be associated with it. Alone it stands by Mayo writer John Breen tells the story of the legendary game between Munster and New Zealand which Munster won by 12 points to nil. This not just tells the story of the game but of the many characters that all had a part to play in some way or another. The play is full of entertainment and will be enjoyed by all. As a result Castlebar RFC are hosting a very special night on the fifth of September in which everyone is invited to take part in a very special fundraiser for the club. Tickets are thirty euro each and will not just include entry to the play but to a private function afterwards in which refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Please be part of the club by attending this very special night and in doing so help in the funding of all aspects of the club from underage to the senior teams. The performance begins at 8pm.

Castlebar’s ladies team will soon be back training in preparation for their new season in which they will be playing in the northern division of division three of the women’s AIL. This is truly historic and with results going their way last season shows that they will not be there to make up numbers. Players will be notified in due course.

Castlebar’s lotto draw continues and there will be a full result in next week’s newspapers. The public are asked to keep supporting the lotto, as this is the only income that the club have as regards the day to day running of the club. Keep an eye out on local press and radio for news on the draws and as always the public are invited to take part in what is always an entertaining night.

Training continues for senior players on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Underage training will recommence in three week’s time.