Ballina Stephenites Shave or Dye 2012 on Friday night was a huge success. Over 30 people volunteered to have their heads shaved and dyed for the cause and helped to raise over €5,000 (and still counting) for the Irish Cancer Society. From players to officers to family members and supporters, everyone got involved on the night.

Galway Ironman organiser and Galway Tri club man, Ruaidhri Geraghty, romped to victory at the Ballinrobe Duathlon beating 200 competitors. However, Ruaidhri Geraghty didn't have it all his own way during first leg (4k Run around the Bowers) as Anthony Murray from Westport pushed him all the way even leading him into Transition.

Ballina Athletic Club is this year hosting the 2011 C and C Cellular/Vodafone Mayo Athletic Awards which will be held at a gala function in the Downhill Hotel, Ballina, on Sunday, 26th February.  Athletes from all over Mayo will be honoured for their contribution to athletics during the past year.  Certificates or awards will be presented to all athletes who won national medals in 2011. 

Increased co-operation between sports clubs / organisations and more support for sports volunteers were Minister of State for Sport Michael Rings message to delegates at Mayo Sports Partnerships Club Development Seminar held at Breaffy GAA Centre, Castlebar. Minister Ring revealed that his department will be announcing the new sports capital grant scheme at the end of this month.

Over six hundred athletes descended on Claremorris Athletic Club on Sunday for the C & C Cellular Mayo Indoor Track and Field championships.  It was great to see athletes from a new club in Ballinrobe taking part.  Competition was very competitive with old and new athletes vying for the medals. 

Former Mayo manager John O’Mahony was on hand to officially launch the 2012 Mayo GAA Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta tournament, which takes place in CLG
Bhaile an Chaisil GAA grounds in North Mayo on the weekend of March 10th and 11th this year.

The “Get Ireland Active” website ws launched by Michael Ring TD, Minister of State, at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, at a club development seminar organised by Mayo Sports Partnership in Castlebar on Monday night. The Get Ireland Active website  is a great resource for anyone who would like to get more active and is looking for advice and suggestions on where to begin.

Race2Glory 2012 was launched on Saturday in association with Irish Autism Action (IAA) by Keith Duffy, leading Irish celebrity and ambassador for Irish Autism.  The 40 Kilometre Adventure Race, returns to Kiltimagh, for the second year running on 14th July. Keith Duffy was delighted to lend his support to Race2Glory and if work commitments allow he plans on competing in this year race.

The 2012 Irish motorsport season kicks off in earnest this week-end with the running of the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, the Safety Direct Galway International Rally. In a new departure for the traditional two-day event, the 2012 rally will take place over one day only, with ten stages scheduled for Sunday February 5th.