(Cumann Sraith Pheile Muigheo)

(July 2001)

Registered Offices: Milebush Park Clubhouse

Milebush Park, Castlebar

League Answer Phone: 094 – 21079. Phone/Fax: 094 – 65782

Major tributes were paid to Henry Downes at a retirement function held in Castlebar on Sunday night last. Henry had been a member of the Mayo League for over 42 years and its chairman for over thirty years. He was also a member of the Connaught Football Association for over thirty years. Joe Butler presented a Crystal Light on behalf of the Mayo League. Joe Butler stated that Henry Downes had given a lifetime of service to the promotion of soccer in Mayo during that time. He said that he lead the organisation during the early years of the Leagues infancy, and helped in a major way to put proper structures and rules in place. He was the leading figure in the Milebush Park development. He praised him for his leadership, vision and courage, and that the Mayo League was proud to have him as their Life President.

Pat Quigley, President of the F.A.I. congratulated Henry on all that he had achieved over the 42 years. He said that he was the father figure of soccer in Mayo, and a true friend to al soccer followers in Connacht. He wished Henry the best of health and happiness during his active retirement from soccer. Pat Quigley made a further presentation to Henry on behalf of the Connacht Football Association, Mayo League, Galway League, Sligo / Leitrim League, Roscommon League, Connacht Schoolboys, and the Mayo Schoolboys League. A floral tribute was also made to Bernie Downes by Eleanor Quigley.

Other tributes were also made by Noel Kennedy, Secretary Connaught Football Association and his good friend Art Friel.

The official sod turning ceremony for the new spectator stand and pitch development took place on Monday last at Milebush Park, Castlebar. The ceremony was performed by Beverly Cooper Flynn T.D. who assisted greatly in securing funding from Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation for the project. Joe Butler, Chairman of the Mayo League stated that it was a momentous occasion for the League, and another stage in the development of facilities at Milebush. He said that over £400,000 had been spent to date, and this new project would cost £110,000. He paid tribute to all that assisted in the planning and preparation, and in particular to Beverly Cooper Flynn for her assistance and support for the project.

Joe Butler officially announced tat the stand would be the Henry Downs stand. Brendan Menton, the new General Secretary of the F.A.I. was in attendance at the ceremony and paid tribute to the Mayo League on the excellent work that had been done to date, and complimented the league on their progressive approach to the ongoing development. He said that he was greatly impressed by the existing facilities.

Brendan Menton announced that the F.A.I. were in the process of putting an overall plan in place that would assist and facilitate clubs and League in any future development. This development at Milebush could be considered as a Regional Centre for soccer development if the F.A.I. plans proceed as expected. He looked forward to returning to Castlebar at a future stage.

Pat Quigley, President of the F.A.I., congratulated the Development Committee on their work to date and looked forward to its completion. He said that the Mayo League was most progressive and every support for their future efforts should be forthcoming from all their statutory bodies and the Association.

Pat King, Cathaoirleach of Castlebar U.D.C. offered his congratulation and wished the project every success.

Beverly Cooper Flynn T.D. said that she was delighted to be able to assist Joe Butler and his committee with their application for funding. She was equally delighted to be performing the sod turning ceremony. She said that the Mayo League was a well-organised body with 40 junior teams and over 70 Schoolboy teams, catering for in excess of 3000 players, and that it was important that proper sporting facilities were provided for the youth of the country.

Henry Downes said that he was greatly honored to have his name associated with the development, and delighted that the daughter of Padraig Flynn had such a major role to play in assisting the Mayo League.

The new General Secretary of the F.A.I. went on a short tour around Castlebar and visited the grounds of 5 Mayo clubs. He said that he was amazed at the facilities and the quality of the pitches at Manulla and Ballyglass. He added that a number of League of Ireland clubs would only be too happy to play on these type of surfaces at their own venues. He also visited Castlebar Celtic, Ballyheane, and Castlebar United. He commented that the clubs in Mayo were most progressive, and that the policy adopted by the Mayo League for the clubs within its Super League should be applied by all other Leagues. Joe Butler accompanied Brendon Menton on his tour.

The Chadwicks sponsored Player of the Month for May, (2001) was Damien Coleman of Ballyglass. This was in recognition of his selection in the Irish U-14 team in recent weeks. The June award goes to Sean Reilly for his outstanding performances and consistency during the month of June. Each will receive a £50.00 Sports from Chadwicks, Castlebar.

The club of the month for June (2001) went to Ballyglass. This was for their wonderful turnaround to the season during the month. Ballyglass will receive their Oliver Kelleher sponsored football at the annual awards ceremony.

A think tank organised by Mayo League official, Donal Benson conducted an in-depth analysis of Mayo’s failure in recent years to progress beyond the first round of the competition. A number of ideas and suggestions have now been put before the Management Committee for consideration. A special meeting of the L.M.C. has been convened for Tuesday 24^th July with this single item on the agenda. It is hoped that a 3 to 5 year plan will be put in place similar to the recent Coaching Plan. The Mayo League would like to thank all that contributed to the Think Tank…Donal Benson, Joe Sheridan, Fergie McEllin, Leo Tierney, Padraig Burns and Niall Harrison.

In his address to the Connacht Football Association, the General Secretary of the F.A.I. called on all clubs and League within the C.F.A. to put forward their ideas and thoughts on how we can develop the game together. He wanted to know where the difficulties lie with regards to the playing aspects of the game, its administration, and developments required. He said that an overall plan and strategy had to be adopted for the disbursement of Government monies, and that clubs and Leagues had to be catered for in a fair and even way.

The Mayo League congratulated Conn Rangers and Ballyheane on their recent openings of their Club Houses and ground at Knockmore and Ballyheane. Ballyglass opened their new stand on Thursday 12^th July at 6.30 pm. Pat Quigley, President of the F.A.I., performed the opening ceremony. This was Pat’s last official function before he stepped down as President after a four and a half-year term.

The F.A.I. 7-up sponsored Soccer Summer Camps took place at Milebush Park, Castlebar from 23^rd July to Friday 27^th July.

The following clubs each received £40,000 under the 2001 Sports Capital Programme: Snugboro, Lacken and Ballyheane.

The first Club Delegates meeting of 2001 season took place on Tuesday 17^th July 2001 in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar at 8.00pm. Niall Harrison, Regional Development Officer was in attendance and addressed the meeting on coaching matters.

The first coaching course of the season is scheduled for Milebush Park, Castlebar. The dates and it times were as follows: Sunday 22^nd July at 2.00pm; Tuesday 24^th July at 7.00pm; Thursday 26^th July at 7.00pm. All clubs and those taking part notify Niall Harrison 087 2499506 or Walter Tuffy 094 26042 immediately. These courses are compulsory for all clubs. The Ballyglass and Ballina regions are on at a later date.

For further information contact Joe Butler.

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