An rud is annamh is iontach – what is rare is wonderful – and few things are rarer in Leitrim sport than an All-Ireland title in any code. On Sunday afternoon, Annaduff’s Maxim Gilmartin etched his name into the annals of handball history, becoming the latest player to bring an All-Ireland juvenile winner’s medal back to Leitrim — and, arguably, the first to return a “4-Wall Juvenile All-Ireland Championship” title to the county.
Maxim entered the fray this weekend all too familiar with the magnitude of the task before him, having already felt the agony of losing out on the big occasion when he, alongside Fenagh’s Daniel Kane, had to settle for second place in last year’s U15 doubles decider.
That experience, however, stood to him on Sunday as he returned to the All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park determined to go one better. Facing a formidable opponent in Clare’s Walter Moroney, the Annaduff youngster produced a steely, composed and determined performance that ultimately saw him etch his name into the history books.
Make no mistake, Maxim was made work all the way to the finish line by Walter in their titanic All-Ireland U15 singles final, which required a tie-breaker game to decide the outcome. It was a battle from start to finish, and massive credit must go to both players for producing a superb game of handball that had those in attendance on the edge of their seats throughout the one hour and 15-minute marathon.
The contest ebbed and flowed before eventually ending 14-15, 15-12, 15-11 in Maxim’s favour, but the scoreline alone does not tell the full story. This was a match where two teenagers put everything on the line, both mentally and physically, inside the lonely cauldron of Court 2 in the National Handball Centre, with an ever-growing audience gathering outside as the drama unfolded.
As the tie-break game reached its crescendo, nobody was leaving. Maxim had taken an early lead, striking the ball with confidence and authority, but Walter responded with a series of brilliant kill shots to reel him back in until the score stood level at 11 apiece. Momentum had swung towards the Clare man, and for Leitrim supporters the familiar fear of another near miss began to creep in.
But Maxim held his nerve. With the Banner support in full voice, the Annaduff youngster dug deep and found a way to grab back server, eking out the crucial points to take him over the finish line.
For the young Annaduff handballer it was a day of personal triumph, but also a proud moment for his parents, Donal and Mary, his coaches, and his club and community in Annaduff — and for Leitrim handball as a whole. That final point was greeted with an outpouring of tears and emotion from his family, friends and the Leitrim supporters present, a fitting end to a truly historic victory. In Leitrim sport, moments like this are rare… and truly wonderful.
Photo:Peter Heaney, Mary Gilmartin, Maxim Gilmartin, Donal Gilmartin, Ed Lee are pictured together after Maxim receives his All-Ireland medal on Sunday last.
Connacht U13 doubles silver for Rhys and Enda
It was a weekend to remember for Annaduff and Leitrim handball. Alongside Maxim Gilmartin’s historic All-Ireland U15 singles victory, the club also celebrated another fine performance as Rhys Glancy and Enda Sharkey claimed silver medals in the Connacht U13 doubles finals, played in Collooney on Saturday morning.
Facing a strong Galway pair in the final, Rhys and Enda gave a determined display, ultimately having to settle for silver this time around. Their achievement, coming on the same weekend as Maxim’s historic triumph, highlighted the depth of talent and promise in Leitrim handball. Well done to Rhys and Enda on an excellent performance.
Photo:Leitrim Enda Sharkey and Rhys Glancy are pictured with Galways Kerrill Hynes and Daniel Nolan after they recieved their Connacht u13 doubles winners and runner-up medals last Saturday.
David Mahon
Liathróid Láimhe Liatroma
Leitrim Senior Team Announcement Rd 7
County Football📣 Team Announcement 📣
The Leitrim Senior Football team has been named by manager Steven Poacher for round 7 of the Allianz National Football League.
Best of luck to the team, Steven & his management team.
#Allianz NFL – Div 4 – Rd 7
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Carlow
📅| Sun, 22 – Mar at 1pm
📍| Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow
🎟️| Advance ticket sales only https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/fbleitrimleague
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
#AllianzLeagues | #riseagain | #GAABelong
Leitrim Minor team announcement – R1 Connacht Championship
County FootballThe Leitrim Minor Football team has been named by managers Danny Beck and Ciarán Kennedy for round 1 of the Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Championship.
Best of luck to the team, Danny, Ciarán & their management team.
🏐 | Galway 🆚 Leitrim
📅| Fri, 20 – Mar at 5pm
📍| Tuam Stadium, Galway
🎟️| Advance ticket sales only https://connachtgaa.ie/tickets/
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
📺 | Live streaming: https://page.inplayer.com/connachtgaa/future-games.html
#GAABelong #ConnachtGAA
Handball Updates
HandballAllianz Football League – round 7
County FootballIt’s the final round of the league and it’s all still to play for in Division 4
#Allianz NFL – Div 4 – Rd 7
🏐 | Carlow 🆚 Leitrim
📅| Sun, 22 – Mar at 1pm
📍| Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow
🎟️| Advance ticket sales only https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/fbleitrimleague
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
#AllianzLeagues | #riseagain | #GAABelong
Connacht Minor Shield Presentation
County FootballThe 2025 Leitrim Minor team, who won the Connacht Minor Shield, were presented with their medals and a commemorative jersey sponsored by Westlink Coaches, at yesterdays Allianz League game by Leitrim Senior players Tom Prior and Darren Cox. Well done to the players and management.
Connacht Minor Championship R1
County FootballOur Minor team take on Galway in round 1 of the Connacht championship this Friday.
#ElectricIreland – Connacht Championship – R1
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Galway
📅| Fri, 20 – Mar at 5pm
📍| Tuam Stadium, Galway
🎟️| Advance ticket sales only connachtgaa.ie/tickets/
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
Leitrim Senior Football team announced – round 6
County Football📣 Leitrim Football Team Announced📣
The Leitrim Senior Football team has been named by manager Steven Poacher for round 6 of the Allianz National Football League.
Best of luck to the team, Steven & his management team.
#Allianz NFL – Div 4 – Rd 6
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Longford
📅| Sun, 15 – Mar at 2pm
📍| Heartland Credit Union, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada
🎟️| Advance ticket sales only https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/fbleitrimleague
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
#AllianzLeagues | #riseagain | #GAABelong
Leitrim U17 Panel Announced
County Football📣 Leitrim U17 Football Panel 2026📣
Leitrim U17 Football managers Danny Beck and Ciarán Kennedy, and their management team have announced their panel for the upcoming season.
We wish the players, Danny and Ciarán and the management team the best of luck for the year ahead.
Emotional scenes in Croke Park as Maxim Gilmartin wins All-Ireland and Juvenile U15 singles title for Leitrim
HandballAllianz Football League – round 6
County FootballRound 6 and the final home game of the league.
#Allianz NFL – Div 4 – Rd 6
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Longford
📅 | Sun, 15 – Mar at 2pm
📍| Heartland Credit Union, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/fbleitrimleague
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
#AllianzLeagues | #riseagain | #GAABelong
Leitrim Hurling team announced – round 6
County Hurling📣 Leitrim Hurling Team Announced📣
The Leitrim Senior Hurling panel has been named by manager Mike Wall for round 6 of the National Hurling League.
Best of luck to the team, Mike & his management team.
#Allianz NHL – Div 4 – Rd 6
⚾| Leitrim 🆚 Lancashire
📅 | Sat, 7 – Mar, 1pm
📍 | Heartland Credit Union, Páirc Seán MacDiarmada
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/leitrimahlfixtures
Or selected SuperValu & Centra stores.
#AllianzLeagues | #riseagain | #GAABelong
Gaeltacht Grants 2026
GeneralThere were a large number of applicants for the Leitrim Co Board GAA Gaeltacht grants and the draw for the winners was made by Paddy Farrell, Cathaoirleach Comhairle Contae Liatroma, assisted by Déaglán Ó Buacháin, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Contae Liatroma at half-time in last Sunday’s National League game between Antrim and Leitrim. The following lucky winners will receive grants from €200 to €300.
Buíochas do na buachaillí agus na cailíní go léir a chuir isteach ar na scoláireachtaí agus comhghairdeas do na buaiteoirí. Buíochas freisin do Chomhairle Contae Liatroma as an tacaíocht a thugadar dúinn.
Seo iad na daoine a fuair deontais don bhliain seo:
Photo: Paddy Farrell, Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Contae Liatroma, making the draws for Gaeltacht Grants supported by Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Co Board GAA. The draw was made at half time at last Sunday’s NFL game between Aontroim agus Liatroim. Also in picture are Deaglán Ó Buacháin, Cathaoirleach Coiste Liatroma CLG and Clár Ní Chrosáin, Oifigeach Cultúir agus Teanga.