Mayo island 10k start moved forward to avoid Connacht Final clash

The start time of a 10k race on a Mayo island due to take place this Sunday has been brought forward in order to avoid a clash with the Connacht Final in Castlebar.

The Slí Sháile 10k/5k run on Achill Island takes place this Sunday, May 4 with a new start time of 12pm to accommodate people who want to take part in the run but also attend the Mayo v Galway Connacht Final in Mac Hale Park at 4pm.

The run which is organised by Sáile National School will take runners on a picturesque tour of Sáile with much of the run going along the Sáile Greenway before finishing back at Sáile NS.

This year all funds raised in the event will be donated to the Shannon Lynch Journey to Recovery Fund in support of current school pupil Shannon Lynch. The eleven-year-old fourth class pupil is currently recovering in Temple Street's Children's Hospital in Dublin after she suffered a substantial bleed on the right hand side of her brain while at home on February 15, 2025.

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Shannon was diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a tangle of blood vessels that creates irregular connections between arteries and veins in the brain and this caused the bleed.

After undergoing emergency surgery to stop the bleeding in Temple Street's Children's Hospital in February, Shannon was placed in Intensive Care for eleven days before she was transferred to St Gabriel's Ward in Temple Street.

On April 4, Shannon underwent further surgery in the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where the AVM was successfully removed.

As a result of the bleed to the brain, Shannon is very weak down her left hand side and there is damage to both of her eyes. Shannon has already shown signs of progress but a long road of rehabilitation awaits her, initially in Temple Street before she will be moved to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire when a place becomes available.

The Slí Sháile 10k/5k run is one of a number of events which has been organised by individuals and groups throughout Achill in recent weeks as the community continues to rally behind Shannon and her family. A Go Fund Me page has also been set up under the title ‘Shannon Lynch’s Journey to Recovery’.

As well as the Slí Sháile 10k/5k run this Sunday, Féile Dú Éige will hold a special themed 'Mayo Day' fundraising table quiz in aid of 'Shannon Lynch's Journey to Recovery' in Mickey's Bar, Dooega on Achill Island on Saturday, May 3 at 8pm.

The family of Shannon say they are deeply indebted to the people of Achill for their support, well wishes and prayers and all funds raised will help Shannon in her road to recovery. They hope that with continued rehabilitation Shannon will continue to thrive and recover in order for her to return home to her twin sister Muireann, little brother Brian, all her family, friends and teachers at Sáile National School and back on to the football pitch for Achill Rovers and Achill LGFA and Irish dancing with O' Connor School of Dancing.

Pre-registeration for Slí Sháile 10k/5k is from 7pm to 9pm on Saturday and from 10am on Sunday at Sáile NS. Participants will receive a special medal and spot prizes will be up for grabs on the day.