by Mayo Mick | Sep 30, 2014 | All Ireland Championship, Mayo GAA, National Football League, Season Tickets
The 2015 Mayo Season Ticket Is Up For Renewal.
The 2015 Mayo Season Ticket can be renewed from the 1st of October for existing season ticket holders for €85, an increase from €75 last year. At the moment the Mayo GAA Croke Park season ticket is sold out and is only open to renewals from existing Mayo season ticket holders. If the Mayo season ticket does become available for new applicants it can be purchased from the 1st of November at a base price of €95 for adults. Juvenile season tickets remain €10.
What’s included?
– All Mayo’s Allianz League matches plus all League semi-finals and finals or relegation play-offs.
– AIB GAA Club Championship All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park on St. Patrick’s Day.
– AIB GAA Club Junior and Intermediate All-Ireland Finals in selected code.
– Mayo’s opening Connacht Championship fixture.
– €5 off future ticket prices (execpt the Connacht final and All Ireland final, full ticket price applies)
– Further special offers for various GAA fixtures.
You will also get a small discount during the Championship – Pay per play starts after the Connacht Semi-Final.
We would recommend that, if you are a GAA Season Ticket holder, to organise yourself, your family and/or mates into the Seating Ticket Groups. You can add up to 10 tickets to the group which, in the long run, may help us rally the troops if and when we reach Croker. You can find information on group seating here. If you are on your own and want to join up with one of the groups made up of the good folk from Club ’51, then click here for information on joining a Mayo Club 51 group!
There is an interesting change in the 2015 Season Tickets T&C’s. Point No. 56 states;
GAA reserves the right to request identification to confirm the identity of the Season Ticket Holder.
Now we are not too sure what this means at the moment. Since the season ticket scheme began in 2009, your season ticket was always transferable. If you could not attend a match you could give your ticket to someone else to use. We will be in contact with the season ticket office to clarify this and will let you know in due course.
by bbash | Sep 27, 2014 | Flags, Mayo GAA, Route '51
Damien Kelly, Boffeenaun, Ballina & the flag in Tiananmen Square with General Mao & the Forbidden City in the background.
Route 51 just got a little bit longer. We sent Damien Kelly from Bofeenaun to China to get us these iconic photos at Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall*. Mayo people overseas who wish to have a photo with our flag in some exotic place preserved for all time on this site please get in touch with us.
Many Thanks to Damien and to Tanya Culleton.
*Damien may have had other reasons for making this trip.
Damien Kelly, Boffeenaun, Ballina & the flag on the Great Wall of China.
by MayoMark | Sep 23, 2014 | Club Championship, Mayo GAA
Another inter-county season comes to a close, and Kerry are champions again. I’m not sure what to think of that to be honest, but it is what it is. It was a season of mixed emotions. Nerves, pride, anger, sadness – we had it all. But it’s behind us now. January just can’t come quick enough.
As we all know by now, Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes have been installed as the next management team to take our lads forward. There are also reports suggesting that Donie Buckley and Ed Coughlan are staying on in their positions. This would be a terrific boost and would add to some much-needed continuity for this side. We know the new managers Noel and Pat will represent us brilliantly like they did with many of the current group back in 2006 and we wish them all the luck in the world.
Yesterday’s game in Croke Park drew the curtain down on the 2014 season and while we didn’t land the main prize, our own Cillian “Not a Marquee Forward” O’Connor finished the season as top scorer for the second year in a row. That’s a terrific achievement for someone who was still playing U21 football last year! Well done Cillian. The second of many, I’m sure.
In Club ’51 news, we’re extremely proud to announce that we have made the finals of The Blog Awards Ireland 2014 in TWO separate categories: Best Sports Blog and Best Newcomer Blog. We are thrilled to bits and we want to thank absolutely everybody who has contributed to the site in any way since we kicked off in late December. We’d like to invite everybody and anybody to join us on the 4th October at the Westgrove Hotel, Clane, Co. Kildare for the main event. You can get tickets here. There is an 80s theme for the night too, so bring your best 80s Mayo clobber and we’ll have ourselves a right party!
There’s plenty of GAA action to keep us going this weekend, too. On Saturday at MacHale Park, Noel Connelly’s Hollymount/Carramore side take on Belmullet in the county intermediate semi-final replay (note, this game is NOT in Limerick) with Ballyhaunis awaiting the winners in the final. On Sunday, Mayo and Connacht Champions Castlebar Mitchels continue to defend their crown when they come up against Garrymore in the senior semi-final at 2pm and that’s followed by the second semi-final: a mouthwatering clash between Knockmore and Ballintubber.
That should bridge the gap nicely for another week at least, so get up to MacHale Park and enjoy the show!
In the meantime, we’re off to compile a list for our potential acceptance speech.
Well… Well, well, well… We see some familiar faces here today. Some welcome… Some not so welcome.
Enjoy the weekend!
MayoMark
by Mayo Mick | Sep 19, 2014 | Mayo GAA, National Football League
The 2015 NFL Div 1 League fixtures were announced last night.
The 2015 National Football League fixtures for division 1 were announced last night by Mayo GAA. Every Mayo GAA supporter has been depressed with the way the result went in the All Ireland semi final replay down in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. I suppose the best thing we can do now is forget about the recent past and look forward to the future!
Mayo GAA announced the 2015 NFL Div 1 league fixtures last night on their website. It must be noted however that this is the “Provisional Fixtures List”. The Master fixtures list is usually published in December when all the dates, times and venues are confirmed for the following year (including replays!). Below are the Provisional div 1 fixtures list;
- Round 1 – Sunday 1st of February 2015 – 2pm Kerry v Mayo
- Round 2 – Sunday 8th of February 2015 – 2pm Mayo v Tyrone
- Round 3 – Sunday 1st of March 2015 – 2pm Mayo v Monaghan
- Round 4 – Sunday 8th of March 2015 – TBC Derry v Mayo
- Round 5 – Saturday 14th of March 2015 – 7pm Mayo v Dublin
- Round 6 – Sunday 29th of March 2015 – 3pm Cork v Mayo
- Round 7 – Sunday 5th of April 2015 – 3pm Mayo v Donegal
Mayo have 4 home games in 2015 against Tyrone, Monaghan, Dublin and Donegal. We will have 3 long road trips next year away to Kerry, Derry and Cork.
Here’s how the 2014 Div 1 League tables finished up;
POS |
TEAM |
P |
W |
L |
D |
F |
A |
POINTS |
1 |
CORK |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
142 |
124 |
11 |
2 |
DERRY |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
134 |
117 |
9 |
3 |
MAYO |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
148 |
133 |
9 |
4 |
DUBLIN |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
126 |
118 |
9 |
5 |
TYRONE |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
140 |
135 |
8 |
6 |
KERRY |
7 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
123 |
112 |
6 |
7 |
KILDARE |
7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
137 |
143 |
4 |
8 |
WESTMEATH |
7 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
87 |
155 |
0 |
We will have the full 2015 Fixtures list with all the dates, times and venues as soon as when the 2015 GAA master fixtures list is published.
by MayoMark | Sep 1, 2014 | Mayo GAA
So that’s it for 2014 for us. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but that’s the way it goes sadly. But we made some great memories, and great friends, along the way. 2014 will ultimately be a year that we look back on with great pride and fondness.
January
Just after the Club ’51 site made its full debut, along with our Facebook page, our lads took to the field against NUIG in a packed MacHale Park on a cold Friday night. The ball was well and truly rolling at this stage and it was followed by an unforgettable (yet completely forgettable) surprise trip to Bekan to see the lads take on IT Sligo. Quite possibly the wettest, coldest day in history?
February
The league starts with a cracker down in Newbridge and Club ’51’s first official meet-up took place! Later in the month our giant banner makes its debut.
March
A meetup in The Greville Arms in Westmeath was the highlight of March. That was followed by one hell of a soaking at the match for anyone who attended. Unfortunately, that didn’t include me. I was at home in bed listening to Mid West suffering through a dose I won’t soon forget! Picking up 2 points eased the pain.
April
April saw a make or break game in the league for a semi-final spot against Derry in Castlebar. We broke out the big guns for the first time for this game, which we won handsomely in the end.
Pictured: The big guns
We also saw the start of Route ’51, from MacHale Park to Dublin, and its first trip overseas to Edinburgh. It’s currently winging it’s way to the far east after brief stops in Germany, Canada and New York City!
Club 51 flag at Edingburgh Castle
May
New York, New York! What a trip this was. Thousands of Mayo fans descended on the Big Apple for the first round of the Connacht Championship. We can’t wait to go back!
It started off badly for me, however. I was caught in the shower of all showers for a full hour. It turned out to be the 10th wettest day in the city’s history. Local news reported that it “was wetter than that day below in Bekan.” But I managed to dry off eventually, and we had a blast, eating my weight in Twinkies and Zingers. Meeting old faces in NYC was special.
Mayo fans in Gaelic Park New York.
June
Our trip to the Hyde was wet, cold, windy and nerve-wracking. But the boys pulled through and showed some serious character. Our hurlers became Connacht Intermediate champions on the same day, just a week after bowing out of the Christy Ring Cup in the semi-final in a brilliant encounter in MacHale Park against Kerry.
Roscommon v Mayo fan photos 2014
July
Connacht Champions, once again, at both minor and senior level. A bumper crowd at MacHale Park wound back the years as we defeated the old enemy to retain the Nestor Cup for an astonishing 4th time in a row. It ended up being James’ last game in charge in Connacht, which brought his record to Played: 11 Won: 11.
Source: TheScore.ie
Club’ 51 also hosted its first ever charity event just 3 days before with a Quiz Night in Coady’s in Castlebar. We ended up raising just over €1,000, which was split between Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Ireland and the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association.
Quiz Night
We also announced the winner of our Primary Schools Flags Design Competition. Chloe Courell designed this absolute corker and was presented with a BMX (a green and red one!) courtesy of Brian Cawley at Castlebar Cycle Store.
Chloe Courell of St. Angelas National school Castlebar receiving her prize from Castlebar Cycle stores. Photo by Celine Cullen.
August
Ultimately, it spelled the end, but we found ourselves involved in 3 absolute classics against Munster giants Cork and Kerry. The game vs Cork was an absolute roller-coaster that had us right on the edge of our seats. The first game against Kerry was one of the best displays the green and red have ever produced, scoring 1-11 in 30 minutes with 14 men. We all left Croke Park absolutely bursting with pride after such a titanic effort. We even managed to get a decent close up on the Sunday Game!
OMG! We’re on the big screen! LOL!
As frustrating as Saturday was (we won’t go into it), it closed the curtain on another trojan effort from the lads. It also, sadly, ended the chapter that will be forever known as “The Horan Era”. It was an incredible 4-year journey of ups, downs, hoarse throats, tears (both types) and immense pride. We can’t thank James and all his boys enough for the pride they brought to our county. It also saw our minor lads bow out at the penultimate stage of the Championship at the hands of Jack O’Connor’s Kerry. They defended their Connacht crown brillianty but just came up short against Kerry. Many more days in HQ lie ahead for these lads. Well done to Enda Gilvarry and his last 2 teams for representing the green and red so well.
However, with the end of this era, we hope it will spell the start of a new one. One that, we hope, will include the growth of Mayo Club ’51. We’d like to sincerely thank everybody for the kind words, the financial contributions, the spot prizes, the plugs in the media, the guest posts, the likes, the shares, the retweets and everyone who waved our flags. But most of all we would like to thank James Horan and his team for giving us a reason to do all of this. In true Mayo fashion, you never showed the white feather. We are in no doubt that ye will be back, hungrier than ever. And we’ll be right there with you. Enjoy your break lads.
‘I am hurt but I am not slain. I’ll lay me down and bleed awhile, Then I’ll rise and fight again.’
Photo by Michael Maye
MayoMark
by Admins | Aug 27, 2014 | All Ireland Championship, Car Parking, Car Pooling, Hotels & B&B's, Mayo GAA
No matter which way you look at it, it’s pretty fair to say that the good old GAA has shafted us a bit this time out by packing ourselves and Kerry off to Limerick for the replay of the All-Ireland semi-final. In a decision that has angered pretty much everyone but Liam “Get On With It” O’Neill (who just couldn’t resist getting personal when Mayo raised objections), both sets of supporters are set for an almighty scramble for both tickets and car parking next Saturday. Plenty has been said about the decision, but we’re now at a point where protest is pointless, and our focus now needs to turn very firmly to getting behind the team at 5pm on Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds.
With that in mind, and also bearing in mind it’s not a ground most Mayo supporters are likely to be familiar with, we have once again pulled together some information for you on how to get there and where to park (if you’re driving). What we can’t help you with is getting out of Limerick after the game, but we’d strongly recommend you have a full tank of petrol and a mixtape at the ready ‘cos those tailbacks are going to be some craic on 8pm on Saturday night.
Anyway, here goes:
Travelling by Car?
If you’re taking the car, we have two magic words for you. Leave early! There’s no two ways about it – traffic will be chaotic, especially on the Mayo side. So leave yourself plenty of time. And consider car pooling as much as possible to cut down both on your costs and the traffic burden!
There will be two major bottlenecks – Claregalway and Clarinbridge. The former is difficult to get through on any day of the week. To avoid it, you can do the following:. Take the left turn just before the Mystical Rose Nursing Home, Knockdoe. Cross over the main Roscommon Road and continue for about 1.5 miles. Take a right at Cregmore school and you’ll exit onto the N18 close to Carnmore Cross. Roads are narrow here, so take care.
As for Clarinbridge, if you head out the old Dublin road, you can take the right turn for Kilcolgan at Craughwell – the roads aren’t great, but it’s an option to avoid that particular bottleneck.
Update: ROAD SAFETY WARNING Thanks to Angela Coll for this information – Will you let your supporters know that are driving to Limerick please note the following:
On the Gort to Limerick motorway (Ennis bypass) the road between Exit 15 (Crusheen) and Exit 14 (Barefield), that when the road is wet (as it possibly will be this weekend) it is very dangerous stretch of motorway with numerous accidents. Clare Co Co have asked the NRA to investigate why there are always accidents on that stretch of road when it’s raining
Please please slow down for that 15 minute stretch of road… Arrive alive!
Update: There’s a fair on in Clarinbridge too, so if you are travelling through, be prepared for delays.
UPdate: Castlegar GAA is organising 100k Steps for Cormac in aid of Pieta House which is starting at 1.30pm and will be passing through Clarinbridge.
- Follow the road down from Ennis (N18), pass Bunratty Castle on your left
- Leave the N18 at junction 4, then at roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the R445 (signposted Limerick City Centre)
- At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445
- And at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted Limerick).
- Continue forward onto Ennis Road – R445
- At Coonagh Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted City Centre, Dublin N7)
- At traffic signals continue forward onto Ennis Road – R857
- The Gaelic Grounds will be on your left.
Coming from Dublin isn’t too bad – it’s motorway the whole way – so when you get to Limerick, stay on the motorway and just follow the signs for Galway until you see the sign for Thomond Park/Gaelic Grounds on your left.
Parking is difficult, as there is very little near the ground. We have been advised that parking in housing estates is not wise -there is a danger of clamping so best to stick to the official (or indeed, unofficial) car parks, listed below:
Car Parks In Limerick
- Arthurs Quay car park: Sunday 10am to 8pm.
- Aviary car park: 24hrs. Dock Sd behind Domino’s Pizza.
- Barringtons car park: 7am to 7pm. Sheep St, beside Barringtons hospital.
- City Centre car park: Thomas St.
- Cornmarket Square car park: Upper Denmark St.
- Ellen St car park: Ellen St.
- Euro Car park: Charlotte’s Quay.
- Howley’s multi story car park: Henry St.
- Q-Park car park: Denmark St.
- Q-Park Harvey’s Quay: Henry St.
- Steamboat Quay car park: Steamboat Quay, Dock Rd.
- Summer Street Car Park: Summer St.
- The Potato Market car park: Merchant’s Quay.
- Also consider the Jetland Shopping Centre car park (Dunnes/Woodies) on the Ennis Road (take the exit for Caherdavin),
- Tesco at Coonagh Cross just off the Ennis Road – both are 10-15 minutes walk to the ground.
- Update: Na Piarsaigh GAA club is located close (1km) to the Gaelic Grounds and is opening up their parking (and bar) facilities. There are roughly 50 spaces – first come, first served.
- Update: Limerick Institute of Technology on Cratloe Rd, will be open for parking (at a fee) from approximately 2pm on Saturday. LIT Campus is a 3 – 5 minute walk from the Gaelic Grounds.
- Update: Limerick Camogie are opening a car park at Coonagh – €5 parking
- Update: Shannon RFC will have limited secure parking in Thomand Park which is 10 min walk from the Gaelic Grounds. The bar in the clubhouse will be open for the day.
Here are the car park locations in Limerick in relation to the Gaelic Grounds (click on map to view full screen)
Car parks near the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
Other things to note:
- Update: The Limerick Pride Parade takes place at 2pm on Saturday in the city and there will be rolling road closures along the route from 1.30pm. It’ll be a riot of colour and fun so if you’re in the city be sure to try and catch it.
- Update: UL Graduation Ceremonies are also taking place over the weekend, so there is likely to be some extra traffic around the city there too.
- Update: We have it on good authority that Corrib Oil in Gort are offering free tea/coffee for drivers with their Mayo colours on- another reason to festoon yourselves in green and red!
- Update: No need to worry about the road works between Ardrahan and Kilcolgan – Galway County Council have confirmed that the road will be fully open.
- Update: Traffic notice from Limerick City Council: “Limerick City & County Council wish to advise Motorists, Road Users and Match Attendants (sic) that local traffic and parking prohibitions and road closures will operate on the Ennis Road (R857) and adjacent to the Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road, Limerick from 2pm on Saturday 30th August 2014. Match attendants are strongly advised to travel early and to park on and off street in and adjacent to the city centre and to allow ample time to walk to the Gaelic Grounds. Special off street match parking tariffs including overnight parking will be available at city centre car parks. Match attendants are advised that obstructive vehicle parking will be subject to tow away operations.
Park & Ride In Limerick
This is a facility run by Limerick Park and Ride (Mike Hynan Coaches) where you can leave your car at a hotel and get a shuttle bus to the Gaelic Grounds – handy if you don’t want the hassle of finding parking near the grounds. Parking is free at all three hotels, and seats on the buses are allocated on a first come, first served basis – so again, get there early, grab a bite to eat and hop on.
- For those of you coming from Mayo direction, the Radisson Hotel service on the Ennis Road will start at 2pm. Cost: €6 return.
- For those coming from Dublin, the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel Dublin Rd. from 2pm, return straight after match. Cost: €6 return
- And for those of you making the trip from the south,Woodlands House Hotel Adare leaves at 3pm, return straight after match. But beware, you’re likely to be outnumbered by the Yerras! Cost: €10 return.
Please Note: Wheelchair accessible transport must be pre-booked – you can call Hynan Coaches on 061 381700 or email them here.
Update: Durty Nelly’s Park and Ride
This sounds like something else altogether, but lest there be any doubt, it’s a pub, offering transport to the game! There will be buses leaving Durty Nelly’s Pub at Bunratty Castle from 2.30 to 3.30pm, dropping off at Ivan’s, close to the Gaelic Grounds, and pick-up at the designated area. Price: €15 return and this includes a main course (Burger & Chips, Fish & Chips or Cajun Chicken). No booking is required, and the meal can be claimed before or after the game. Tickets for the park and ride service on sale in Durty Nelly’s on the day.
Update: Park and Ride from the City Centre:
Bus Eireann are running shuttle buses from the Limerick Bus Station on Parnell St. and from Henry St (near Dunnes Stores). These will run from approx. 2pm.
Travelling by Bus?
Please note: There are lots of private operators departing on Saturday and offering good deals direct to Limerick. Mayo Club ’51 strongly advises that you contact the bus operators directly first to book and confirm times of departure.
From Mayo:
- TMG Transport : Leaving The Gateway Swinford Contact 094 9252156 or 087-8505045
- Corduff Travel : travelling from Belmullet & Ballina. Contact 097-88949
- Update: Treacy Coaches : Leaving Ballina at 12pm. Booking essential – Contact 096-22563
- Gillespie Coaches : Leaving Crossmolina 11am & stopping in Ballina. Contact 085-7646523
- Malachy Gaughan Coaches : Leaving Belmullet. Contact 097 81243
- Update: Lavan Coaches Kiltimagh – Buses departing from Post Office, Kiltimagh at 1pm and returning after the game. Booking essential – contact 086 867 6737 or 087 260 8852.
- Update: Moran’s Coaches, Ballyhaunis – leaving the Square in Ballyhaunis at 11.45am, €15 return. Booking advised – call 094 9630346.
- Update: Melletts Bus Swinford – Leaving Melletts pub Swinford at 11am sharp, booking advised, only 8 seats left – call 087 2573752.
- Bus Eireann – best to give them a call about Expressway services, or check out their timetables online.
If you’re aware of any other operators going from Mayo, please get in touch with details and we’ll add them in.
From Dublin:
- Dublin Coach – departs hourly from D’Olier St from 06.45 daily, and returns hourly on the half hour from Limerick City Centre (Arthur’s Quay) until for €20 return, but the last bus leaves at 20.45.
- JJ Kavanagh Coaches – depart frequently from Dublin – but again, you won’t get the last bus on Saturday as it leaves at 17.15. Call 0818 333222 for details.
From Carrick-on-Shannon:
- Bus leaving from Carrick-on-Shannon early on Saturday morning. Call Mary Keenan on 0872073633 for further details.
Travelling By Train?
Train transport down the west coast isn’t exactly the best, but there are options.. Don’t even attempt to go from Mayo by train, but from other places, it might be worth considering. Irish Rail are offering special fares on their website as follows:
- From €5.99* each way from Galway, Oranmore and Athenry
- From €9.99* each way from Banteer
- From €10.99* each way from Milstreet and Rathmore
- From €11.99* each way from Killarney
- From €12.99* each way from Farranfore
- From €13.99* each way from Tralee
- From €14.99* each way from Dublin
Update: Extra Train to the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final Replay in Limerick
- Depart Galway 12.15hrs
- Oranmore: 12.24hrs
- Athenry: 2.35hrs
- Arr. Limerick 14.04hrs
Return train departs Limerick at 20.25hrs (8.25pm)
There is free parking in Oranmore Train Station for those who take the train (140 spaces). If any of you do decide to take the train, and manage to avail of the fares above, let us know!
Book on this page.
Travelling By Air?
Bringing your own plane? Hey, there’s always one! If you are planning on bringing your private jet, give these guys a call!
Staying Overnight?
We hate to break it to you, but you’ve left it a bit late to sort out your accommodation if you want to stay in Limerick on Saturday night. You’ll be doing well to find somewhere to lay your head at this point, especially as half of Croke Park had their beds booked from their smartphones before leaving the ground on Sunday, but other options worth considering are breaking the journey and stopping off in Ennis or Galway and making a night of it.
Gaelic Grounds seating plan (click on map to view full screen)
Gaelic Grounds Seating Plan
Tickets
If you haven’t got a season ticket, or obtained one through your club, there are still some available online here, for collection at the Gaelic Grounds – but you’ll need to move quickly. If you’re looking to buy, sell, or swap, use our ticket swap forum on our website (you’ll need to register first). Alternatively, contact us on Twitter or Facebook and we’ll do our best to help you out,.
If there’s anything we haven’t included here, get in touch with us and we’ll add it in. If you have time, do try and get to see a bit of Limerick City, and we’d highly recommend the famous Milk Market on Mungret St. for a wander and a bite to eat before the game (it’s open from 8am – 3pm).
Getting Home
MAKE SURE YOU USE THE BATHROOM. We cannot emphasise this enough.
Heading back to Mayo, we’ve been told that the Cratloe road (past LIT) is a good rat run – at Cratloe you can get back onto the N18. Narrow road in parts, so please be careful.
Anything else?
Once again, don’t forget your colours – display them with pride. Warm up the voices to replicate the fierce support you gave the team last Sunday.
And for God’s sake don’t forget the tae and sangwidges.
And as always, Bring the Colour and Bring the Noise!
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