Henry Downes – A Tribute.
It is with deep sadness and profound loss that we mourn the passing of our dear friend and esteemed colleague in the football world – Henry Downes. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife Bernie, daughters Emer, Hilary and Maeve, and sons Gabriel, Declan and Colin , brother Donal along with his extended family and friends.
Henry had bravely fought and overcome his heroic battle against cancer in recent years only for other complications to set-in in latter times. Henry battled his affliction with immense dignity, and not alone was he positive in his approach regarding his illness, but his steely determination to overcome it epitomised what we all knew about Henry. He never allowed his illness to take over his life, and he simply never complained.
Henry’s involvement in Mayo football started over 50 years ago during the early days of the formation of the League. Henry put the League on a sound footing in many respects, and was one of the great pioneers to the development of both Castlebar Celtic and the Mayo League. Henry went on to become the Chairman of the League – a post he was to hold for 30 years (1959 – 1989). Along with the progression and development of the game, Henry will forever be remembered as one of the chief advocates of the Milebush Park Development in the mid to late 80’s. The facilities in Milebush are testament to his great vision, work and capacity to do things right. His pride and joy in seeing young players benefit from the facilities was one of his greatest thrills. His last trip to Milebush shortly before Christmas gave testament to this. He was fondly regarded as the “Father of Football” in Mayo, and he has left a legacy for all that is unlikely to be surpassed in the future. His position as President of the Mayo League was respected by all.
Henry operated a successful garage business for many years in Spencer St, and his gentlemanly ways in business endeared him to so many customers and friends that remained loyal to him always – indeed such was his friendliness and good nature many of decisions on whatever the “topic of the day” was made in Downes’s garage with his neighbours and fellow street traders.
Those of us involved in the football world have lost another dear friend and colleague who were highly regarded throughout the Province and further afield in the greater football community. We will dearly miss his friendship and regular visits for a quick chat or indeed a story of times gone by about fishing or planes, or maybe indeed a quick “one liner” about a local character that would set us all off in hysterics laughing, but most of all we will miss his very presence.
Henry Downes was first and foremost a loving husband and a caring father who was immensely proud of all his family, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and all his grandchildren. He never waned in his admiration and devotion to family life and the values that he set out as a father and husband. He was forever espousing the virtues of all his family and extended family members, and he will be deeply missed by all. We are deeply indebted to all who cared for Henry during his illness. May he rest in peace. Go ndeanaidh Dia Trocaire ar a anam dhilis.
Turning of the sod for Henry Downes Stand - 2001
Joe Butler
4/2/2010
The Chairman of the Mayo League, Pat Quigley, offered his sympathies to the Downes family, and expressed the League’s feelings on the death of Henry:-
“I want to express my deep sadness and profound loss on the death of a dear football colleague and a great personal friend of 35 years. Henry Downes was a legend in terms of the growth and expansion of Mayo football, and he was a pioneer and visionary in this respect. His commitment and dedication to the development of facilities at Milebush Park during the eighties is evident for all to see today. He was an outstanding character of Castlebar with a fabulous knowledge of local history, and a great pride in his local town. His sad passing will leave a major void for all his family, colleagues, friends and neighbours. We extend our deepest sympathies to Bernie, Emer, Hilary, Maeve, Gabriel, Declan and Colin along with his brother Donal, and all extended family members. May he rest in peace.”
Mayo prepare for Galway challenge
The Mayo League had its final session tonight (Tuesday) in preparation for their Oscar Traynor Cup game versus the Galway league on this Friday night (Kick Off 7.30 Terryland Park).
Mayo team manager Brendan Kenny along with his assistant David Nash and Leo Tierney put his charges through their final session under the lights at Milebush last night. Kenny may have to do without the services of a couple of players due to injury and non availability of others on the night.
It would appear at this stage that Danny Scahill is definitely out and Sean Kelly is nursing an injury from last weekends cup match. It also looks like Dessie Campbell will not be available on the night. This of course gives other members of the panel an opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion in the squad.
Kenny has already had a workout with his squad in the form of friendly game versus the Mayo FAS squad, and the nucleus of the side should be from Westport Utd., Ballina Town and Iorras Aontaithe who were in action over the weekend and should be match fit. Kenny is unlikely to have too many changes from the side that beat the Inishowen league last month in the 1st Group 1 game.
Kenny is happy with the preparations giving the circumstances that he has to work within and says – “The players have responded well to what we have been trying to get across to them. We have the best of players in the Mayo league who are quite capable of competing with the best - indeed several of them are capable of going further and representing us at International level if they are given the opportunity. We know we are good enough but our concentration levels must remain for the entire duration of the game – right up to the very end. We cannot afford to allow what happened in the latter stages of the first game versus Inishowen or otherwise we will be punished severely.”
Mayo has always found it difficult to overcome Galway on its own patch but it was done in the 2002 / 2003 season when Mayo won 1 nil. Friday’s encounter will also be difficult as Galway will have a strong side which includes Junior International Seamie Crowe, Ciaran Foley and the Moran brothers. Kenny’s assistant David Nash also recognises the worth of the Galway side and says – “We will fully respect Galway going into the game as we know that they have some fine players, but we are going down there to win this game and advance to the next stage of the competition. We have every confidence in our side to perform well, and we have a belief that is going to carry us through. We have often been the “good losers” in Mayo but it is now time for us all to go out there and win this competition.”
Mayo had a 1 nil win over Galway in Milebush Park last year to advance in to the knock out stages of the competition where they eventually went down 2 – 1 to the A.U.L. Dublin in the semi final. Mayo is equally as strong this year but will miss the experience and guile of Danny Scahill on Friday. Mayo however can look at the in form Mick Duffy from Ballina who has recovered well from injury and has been scoring regularly for the Town in recent games. The side has plenty of experience and football ability and this observer feels that Mayo have every reason to believe that we will get a result.
Possible panel
E Peyton, T O’Connor, S Kelly, M Geraghty, J Lawless, B Nallen, D Horkan, D O’Malley, M Duffy, Gerry Burke, D Burke, R Clarke, A McHugh, A Mills, B Lavelle, N Gallagher, D Coleman
Ballina Town send champions crashing out of Connaught Cup
Ballina Town 7 Castlerea Celtic 3
This game opened briskly for Mayo champions Ballina against a side that were playing their first game in a month due to the inclement weather in the Roscommon area. Castlerea looked very much out of sorts in the opening half and rarely threatened the Ballina Town rearguard. Although one could not describe the game as being “dirty”, the reigning Connaught Cup champions had three players sent off in a ten minute spell between the 60th and 70th minute which had a profound effect on the final overall result.
The Town opened at a brisk pace and both Brendan Lavelle and Eugene Gorman had shots on target in the 8th and 11th minutes respectively which were well saved by Geoffrey Claffey in the Castlerea Celtic goal. Ballina should have opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Mick Duffy broke from midfield and passed to Daniel O’Hara who in turn set up an open goal chance for Brendan Lavelle - Lavelle miscued with the goal at his mercy from 6 yards, and Lavelle’s second attempt was well held by Claffey once again.
Ballina were completely dominant in all the exchanges with Ross Kenny and Tom O’Connor controlling matters in the midfield battle – O’Hara and Gorman were causing endless problems on the wings for the visitors defence, and Duffy and Lavelle were also causing many headaches for an overworked defence. Ballina were rewarded for their efforts when Brendan Lavelle set up Tom O’Connor some 25 to 30 yards from goal to blast home an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of Claffey’s net to give the Town a deserved lead after 20 minutes.
The Town increased their lead some four minutes later when the Castlerea defence failed to react to a fine through ball from the midfield area that saw Eugene Gorman set up Mick Duffy for an easy tap in goal. Ballina were full worth their lead, and could have increased the score-line but Mick Duffy’s left footed effort went narrowly wide after 35 minutes, and Daniel O’Hara’s chip shot clipped the crossbar and over after 38 minutes.
The game was to turn around completely between the final two minutes of the first and the opening 30 seconds of the second half. Ross Kenny fouled and opponent on the half way line and the resultant free kick ended up with the alert Ronan Curran finding himself unmarked in the 6 yard box – Curran’s shot from 6 yards gave Peyton no chance in the Balina goal.
The game was only in the very first minute of the second half when Curran did very well once again by attacking the Ballina defence, and he powered his way through to blast past Peyton from 10 yards and make the scores level albeit against the run of play.
Ballina were beginning to lose their composure at the back, and an air of uncertainty was starting to creep in to their game which hadn’t been evident in the first half. They did however respond well when Dwayne Helley headed home Daniel O’Hara’s in-swinging corner to restore their lead after 51 minutes.
The game had a number of twists from here on when firstly Castlerea substitute Conor McSharry was sent off for elbowing a Ballina Town player after 57 minutes. Two minutes later Ballina had a wonderful chance when after a great run from midfield Mick Duffy set up Brendan Lavelle in front of goal but the striker failed to avail of a golden opportunity. Castlerea lost their second player when David Fitzpatrick got his marching orders for a two footed tackle on Mick Duffy after 66 minutes. Lavelle made up for his earlier miss some minutes later when he blasted home an angled shot from 12 yards to make it 4 – 2.
Castlerea were to have a third player get an “early shower” when Ross Kenny was brought down when clean through on goal by Cathal Dineen in the 70th minute – Dineen was the last man and therefore had to go despite the protests from the visitors. Claffey made a fine save from the resultant free kick. Despite being down to 8 men Castlerea Celtic were still trying to reduce the deficit and Curran headed home McDonagh’s corner kick to give them some hope.
The loss of the three players however left too many gaps for Castlerea to fill and Ballina tied up the match completely when Dwayne Helly got his second with an easy tap in from O’Hara’s corner after 77 minutes. Two further goals followed by Daniel O’Hara and substitute Daniel Gorman in the final five minutes to wrap up a game that should have been decided before half time.
Although Ballina won comfortably in the end, manager Brendan Kenny cannot be happy with the manner of the collapse of his defence in the second half. Ballina were very strong in this department throughout their entire league campaign, and will need to get back to basics in this area if they are to have hopes of capturing the Connaught Cup. Ballina have all the ingredients of a side capable of doing well in this competition, and certainly will put it up to any opposition on their home patch but the focus needs to be sharper for the remainder of the competition. The return of Fergus Quinn, Levi Tierney, Philip Devers and Michael Knight to the panel over the coming weeks will give Kenny a number of options to choose from for future rounds of the competition.
Ballina Town
E Peyton, D Helley, B Giblin, D Tansey, S Kelly, T O’Connor, E Gorman, R Kenny, M Duffy, B Lavelle, D O’Hara subs D O’Connor, M McCarron, D Gorman, P Duffy, N Langdon
Castlerea Celtic
G Claffey, P Hestor, F Regan, R Mugan, C Atkins, C Dineen, D Fitzpatrick, G Kelly, S Heneghan, R Curran, G McDonagh, subs T Kelly, M Kelly, M Mulvihill, D Garvey, C McSharry
Referee Damian McGrath
Man of the match – Ronan Curran – ploughed a lone furrow up front for Castlerea, and scored a hat trick in the process.
Match report – Joe Butler
13th December 2009
Manulla are crowned Chadwicks Cup Champions
Manulla just about shaded it over a gallant Swinford side in this Chadwicks Cup Final played at a windswept Milebush Park yesterday (Sunday). An unfortunate own goal by a Swinford defender shortly after the beginning of extra time turned out to be the difference between two well prepared sides.
Swinford 0 Manulla 1
This was a heart-break for a gallant and brave Swinford side that put it up to their more illustrious Super league opponents for a lot of the game. After a tame first half in which neither side created a lot up front, we had an abundance of chances for both sides in a second half that lacked for nothing, and where the pace of the game had lifted enormously.
Manulla started the more impressive in the opening minutes despite playing into the partly cross-field breeze but were unable to penetrate a solid Swinford defence which was perfectly marshalled by captain Enda Campbell.
One of the few first half chances fell to Manulla when a perfectly paced free kick by Damien Coleman found Roger Clarke who set up Dessie Campbell but his effort was easily collected by Conor Campbell in the Swinford goal after 20 minutes. Both defences were on top in this first half with Paddy Campbell and David Gallagher particularly impressive for Manulla, and Nigel Sweeney and Peter Quinn performing well for Swinford. Niall Feeney at right back was also offering a lot options in an attacking role when creating the overlap.
The midfield exchanges were just about level with little bit of niggle starting to come into the game with referee Michael McCay having to book a player from each side to calm the over enthusiasm. Manulla changed their formation somewhat after the half hour with Damien Coleman and Gary Durkan swapping positions – both players benefited from this switch, but we were still looking for an individual to stamp his authority on the game, and for the game to lift out of the slumber mode. Having said that, it was difficult for the players to control the ball given the wind conditions but nobody could be accused of lack of effort, and Swinford were possibly that little bit more the sharper side.
The final 10 minutes of the opening half saw Shane Durkan replacing the injured Cillian McGlade in the Manulla defence, and Roger Clarke starting to become more prominent on the right hand side of midfield. In first half added time, Manulla could have taken the lead when a beautifully flighted in-swinging corner by Johnny Hennelly was cleared off the goal line by the alert Peter Quinn to leave the sides going in level at the break.
Whatever the words of managers Sean Kavanagh and Damian Ansbro at the half time break, but the tempo upped immediately upon resumption and both sides were intent on “having a go”. The opening minute of the second half set the tone for the remainder of the game – David Gallagher won a great tackle on the right of midfield – the best passing movement of the game ensued, involving Tonra, Clarke and Campbell which should have seen Manulla take the lead, but Campbell’s goal was ruled offside by the assistant referee. Manulla had a further chance on 56 minutes when a poor clearance by goalkeeper Campbell struck Declan Tonra but the ‘keeper recovered well to avert the danger.
Swinford’s best chance came immediately afterwards and they should have scored when Aidan Campbell and Trevor McDonnell’s efforts were cleared off the goal line by Gary Durkan and Roger Clarke in desperate fashion. Manulla responded once again and Dessie Campbell should have done better from Declan Tonra’s cross after 61 minutes but he failed to connect.
As the half progressed both sides were giving everything with Gordon Carter and Robbie Quinn showing up impressively for Swinford in the midfield exchanges. Manulla introduced the experienced Lars Alworthy for Johnny Hennelly and Swinford brought on the equally experienced Keith Regan for Tom Kavanagh. Both new players had an impact on proceedings.
Both sides had the chance to take the lead within the space of a minute – Robbie Quinn’s through ball set up Trevor McDonnel but his effort was weak from inside the penalty area when though on goal, and Cormac Gordon in the Manulla goal saved easily after 67 minutes. Manulla responded immediately when a defensive clearance found Roger Clarke – Clarke charged down on the Swinford goal but his powerful shot from 12 yards was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Campbell. The resultant corner saw Dessie Campbell head over the bar from Gallagher’s cross.
Both sides had half chances in the latter stages with Keith Regan shooting wide after having been set up by Carter and Dessie Campbell failing to connect from Coleman’s cross.
Neither side were looking forward to the extra time with limbs tiring and the big heavy Milebush pitch taking its toll on players from both sides. The all important goal came about in the third minute of extra time when in an attempt to clear his line or concede a corner, Niall Feeney headed the ball into his own net to give Manulla a fortuitous lead. It was most unfortunate on Feeney as he was having an outstanding game up to that point.
Swinford continued to get back into the game and were driving forward but their chances of gaining parity were reduced when Enda Campbell received a second yellow card for a late challenge on his namesake Dessie Campbell on the stroke of half time, and therefore confined to the dressing room. Manulla should have wrapped up proceedings when good interplay between Alworthy and Clarke set up Tonra for a chance on goal but his effort went over the bar. The full time whistle blew shortly afterwards and Manulla were crowned Mayo League Chadwicks Challenge Cup Champions for the third time since the inception of the competition in 1984. Given the number of chances in the game, Manulla just about deserved to win this game on the day, but great credit is due to Swinford on an excellent performance. Swinford’s day will come shortly if they maintain the same level of effort and commitment as displayed today and they will be a welcome addition to the Elverys Super League next season.
Manulla had some outstanding performers in David Gallagher, Gary Durkan and Paddy Canavan at the back whilst Lars Alworthy made a significant impact when introduced. Swinford had some excellent performers in Peter Quinn, Robbie Quinn, Gordon Carter and Paudge Noone along with the other players previously mentioned.
Swinford
C Campbell, N Feeney, P Quinn, E Campbell, N Sweeney, R Quinn, P Noone, G Carter, A Campbell, T McDonnell, T Kavanagh subs M Gallagher, A Carter, V Murtagh, K Regan, D Campbell, A Moran
Manulla
C Gordon, D Gallagher, C McGlade, P Canavan, D Coleman, G Durkan, B Cuffe, D Campbell, D Tonra, J Hennelly subs L Alworthy, G Glavey, M Jennings, J Cunningham, S Durkan
Referee Michael McCay – Assistant Referees – D McGrath, M Walsh, P Redmond
Man of the match – Paddy Canavan (Manulla) - solid all through game at the back for Manulla.
Match Report – Joe Butler – 6th December 2009
Donegal too strong for Mayo Youths
Mayo 0 Donegal 2
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A physically more powerful and bigger Donegal side showed plenty of class and experience at this level when a goal near the end of each half was sufficient to take all three points in this fixture. Donegal had shown their worth in their 1st Round game when they comprehensively beat Sligo Leitrim by 5 goals to nil at an earlier stage. Indeed today’s game could easily have been a similar result was it not but for some fine goalkeeping by the Mayo custodian Mark Duffy.
Donegal opened very brightly and should have taken the lead after three minutes when Michael Doherty was clean through on goal but Duffy made a fine save to push the ball out for a corner. Some three minutes later Mayo were in trouble once again when an excellent cross by Doherty was headed goal-bound by Paul McVeigh only to be cleared off the line by a Mayo defender.
Donegal were very strong in midfield with captain Seamie Friel and Garvan Grant providing a great service to the strikers Doherty and McNiallais. McVeigh and McGeever were also providing good width to the Donegal attacks, and causing the Mayo defence to concede a lot of corner kicks and frees. The Mayo defence, although under sever pressure on occasions, was holding out with McGurren and Smith defending frantically. Garavan Grant had a great chance for a goal after 27 minutes but his effort was well saved by Duffy. Duffy was in action again in the 40th minutes when a bad back pass by a Mayo defender allowed Doherty clean through on goal but the ‘keeper came to Mayo’s rescue once again.
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Mayo were only offering token attacks through Sean Gaughan and Jamie Fallon and never really tested Schoolboys International goalkeeper Marty McGinty in the Donegal goal. The breakthrough came however for Donegal when Darren McGeever headed back into the 6 yard box from a free kick, and Paul McVeigh hammered home the opening goal in the 43rd minute from 10 yards. Donegal should have increased the lead on the stroke of half time when Mayo’s Emmett Healy cleared McGeever’s effort off the line.
Mayo’s coach Paul Byrne introduced Shane Moran at the heart of the defence at the start of the second half. This allowed for a number of other positional switches which saw Sean Gaughan move up front with Jamie Fallon, and James McGurren move into a midfield role. These changes had a positive effect in the early stages with Mayo raising their game, and being somewhat more creative in the final third. Mayo had a great chance to get an equalizer when Sean Gaughan put Padraig Collins clear on goal but the chance was lost when Donegal defender Jamie Boyle got back to dispossess the Mayo man. Mayo had a further chance when McGurren’s header went narrowly wide from Gaughan’s perfectly delivered corner. Substitute Aidan Walsh was also making an impact for Mayo at this stage and his through ball for Gaughan should have yielded greater reward but McGinty in the Donegal goal, was smart off his line to deny the Mayo man.
Mayo’s best chance of the game came in the 73rd minute when McGinty made a fine save from McGurren’s effort. Some two minutes later Donegal substitute Jamie Doherty missed the proverbial sitter when he blasted wide from 6 yards with an open goal in front of him. Although Mayo were still playing second fiddle to a powerful Donegal side, they were still battling away and still seeking an equalising goal. Mayo had a great chance when a well directed cross from Aidan Walsh on the left found John Mounteny in the box but his headed effort went narrowly wide after 77 minutes.
The game was finally wrapped up in the 85th minute when a tired looking Aidan Walsh was late in the tackle on Josh Mailey and referee Kevin Cox had no hesitation in pointing to the spot – Mailey duly dispatched the resultant penalty to give Donegal a deserved win that will surely allow them to qualify for the knockout stages of a competition where they have reached the semi finals for the past three years.
Mayo will need to go back to the drawing board and look at their weaker areas before the final Group Stage game versus Sligo Leitrim if they are to have a hope of qualifying for the knockout stage. Mayo were best served by Mark Duffy in goal, while Niall Feeney, James McGurren and Sean Gaughan tried hard. Donegal had strong individuals throughout the field with Mailey, Friel, McNiallais and McGeaver most prominent.
Mayo
M Duffy, E Healy, C Walsh, N Feeney, J McGurren, J Smith, S Gaughan, J Mounteny, J Walsh, J Fallon, P Collins subs S Moran, P.J.Calvey, A Walsh, A Shelly, G Cunningham, J Daly, M Owens,
Donegal
M McGinty, J Mailey, J Horkan, J Boyle, C Gallagher, S Friel, P McVeigh, G Grant, O McNiallais, D McGeaver, M Doherty subs K McFadden, J Blair, J Doherty
Referee Kevin Cox
Man of the match – Seamie Friel (Donegal)
Match report – Joe Butler
29/11/2009
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