14-Feb-13 by Micheal Dolan – Hurling PRO
Congratulations to Grace O’Reilly from the Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s club who won the Connacht Scór na nÓg in Aithriseoireacht. Beidh Grace ag glacadh páirt i Scór na hÉireann i nDoire i gceann coicíse ar an 23 Feabhra. Grace’s win was most welcome as Leitrim hadn’t won a Connacht title in the previous two years. Grace also won in Scór na mBunscoileanna this year. The O’Reilly families links with Scór go back a couple of generations as her grandfather Thomas Reilly, representing Aughnasheelin, won the Recitation in Leitrim in 1976. Her aunts Angela and Stephanie won in Nuachleas with Aughnasheelin and her cousin, Fintan Fitzpatrick reached the All Ireland Final in Recitation in 2008. Go n-éirí leat Gráinne i nDoire.
14-Feb-13 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor
Leitrim 1-11 Wexford 1-07
Leitrim Ladies continued their good start to the Tesco Home Grown National League Division 3 when they accounted for a youthful but talented Wexford side in St Lomans GAA Grounds, Mullingar. Both teams adapted well to the St Lomans 3G pitch and the game was played at a furious pace. The difference between the sides was the greater discipline of the Leitrim rearguard and the free taking of Aine Tighe who scored 1-08. Seven points from frees and a penalty. Wexford were in the game up until the very end and it was not until the 29th minute when Leitrim got the insurance score and a 4-point lead that you could be certain that they would take full points.
Wexford started the Scóring in the 3rd minute after a sustained attack. Ellen O’Brien went to ground and Catherine Doyle pointed the free from 25 metres. In the 6th minute Aine Tighe opened Leitrim’s account with a well struck free way out on the left. A brilliant Leitrim move involving Sinead Fowley, Anna Conlon and Mairead Stenson was finished by Aine Tighe to put Leitrim ahead. Leitrim were now dominating possession in the middle third but scores were hard to come by as several attempts went narrowly wide, but good approach play by Deirdre Ward and Aine Tighe saw Roisin Fowley point from an acute angle.
In the 12th minute a brilliant block by Mary Farrell who was outstanding on the day led to Aine Tighe bearing down onÓgoal but she was fouled. Aine Tighe scored the resultant penalty superbly to put Leitrim 5 points up. Leitrim continued to dominate possession but Wexford defended in numbers. Then Wexford came back into the game when a Clara Donnelly quick free was worked into Ali Evered who got behind the Leitrim cover and gave Leitrim keeper Michelle Guckian little chance. Wexford then had a few more chances that they could not put away. In the 20th minute Aine Tighe pointed a free after Roisin Fowley was fouled. Enya McWeeney blocked a certain score but Clara Donnelly got possession and pointed. Kirby Gilgunn came raiding up the right played the ball to Erin Farrell who fed Deirdre Ward who fired over from 35 metres. Aine Tighe added 2 more frees while Michelle Guckian saved well from Rosie Lawlor to leave Leitrim leading at the break 1-07 to Wexford’s 1-02.
Wexford kept Leitrim waiting for the start of the second half and from the throw in Ali Evered scored in front of the goals. Wexford continued to take the game to Leitrim and were rewarded with a Roisin Murphy point. At this time Wexford seemed quicker to the ball as they tried to reduce the deficit further. Eventually the Leitrim players reached to the higher intensity that Wexford had brought to the second half and a brilliant selfless run by Sharon Kerrigan found Aine Heslin in space who scored from close in to steady the Leitrim ship. Aine Tighe and Katie Redmond exchanged frees as the game swung from end to end. Clare Donnelly now operating at full forward finished of a Wexford move that started in their own back line. With Clare Owens, Anna Conlon and Sinead Fowley winning a lot of breaking ball the final delivery let Leitrim down and Scóring opportunities were hard to come by.
Another Redmond free in the 21st minute left only 2 between the sides. With the game really up for grabs the tackling was relentless on both sides. Aoife McAuliffe pulled of an excellent save from Laura O’Dowd then Erin Farrell kicked wide under pressure. However another flowing move ended when Aine Tighe was pulled down and she pointed the free from 35 metres. With less than 2 minutes to go another move initiated by Mairead Stenson saw Michelle Heslin brought to ground with Aine Tighe firing over the free which was the last score of the match. Wexford came looking for a goal but got little change out of the Leitrim rearguard and Leitrim finished deserved winners by 4 points.
Leitrim had excellent performers in Mary Farrell, Clare Owens, Sinead Fowley, Anna Conlon Deirdre Ward and Aine Tighe while Wexford had Clara Donnelly, Katie Redmond Maeve Quill and Roisin Murphy
Two wins from two games means Leitrim have put themselves in an excellent position to do well again in this Division. This Sunday they travel to Tipperary to take on one of the favourites for the Division. If the Leitrim Ladies can improve their performance by a couple of percent, they have every chance of rattling Tipperary. There is a solid look about this Leitrim team and if they can unearth another score getter they will be a very serious threat to the rest as the season unfolds.
Leitrim
Michelle Guckian, Mary Farrell, Enya McWeeney, Sharon Kerrigan, Kirby Gilgunn, Mairead Stesnson, Clare Owens, Sinead Fowley, Niamh Tighe, Deirdre Ward (0-01), Anna Conlon, Aine Heslin (0-01), Roisin Fowley, Erin Farrell, Aine Tighe (1-08).
Subs: Laura O’Dowd for Roisin Fowley (0-01), Michelle Heslin for Niamh Tighe
Wexford
Mary Rose Kelly, Linda Casy, Mary O’Neill, Marguerite Doyle, Maeve Quill, Catriona McCabe, Maeve Kehoe, Roisin Murphy (0-01), Kelly Kearney, Kate Caulifield, Clara Donnelly (0-02), Rosie Lawlor, Ellen O’Brien (1-00), Catherine Doyle (0-01), Ali Evered (0-01)
Subs: Katie Redmond (0-02) for Catherine Doyle, Sharon Kehoe for Kelly Kearney, Aoife Tormey for Linda Casy
13-Feb-13 by Clare Noone Leitrim Ladies PRO
Supporters are advised that our media friends Shannonside have launched a new-look website, www.shannonside.ie
A full match report and post match interviews from Sundays game versus Clare in the Allianz League are available on it.
13-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO
Letting down the Blade
When my uncle, Joe Sweeney, would tell me he had to let down the blade, it never made a lot of sense to me. But of course I let on I understood, as he lowered the mowing arm on the horse drawn machine to get every last sprig of grass off the meadow in Killaneen. He wanted to shave off the minutest strand, to get the best value he could out of the few acres of grass he had to work on.
I thought of Uncle Joe last Sunday, as Mary Flynn and Noeleen Noone poured the tea in a rather subdued atmosphere at half time. There were happy Clare faces of course, but the stewards and supporters and everyone in a green and gold jacket hovered inÓgroups, like in the hallway of the High Court and wondered what in blazes had happened in the run up to half time.
We appeared to be on a roll, but play was rightly held up to care for worrying looking injuries to Cathal McCrann and then Adrian Croal and suddenly we were behind and Clare had risen from the dead.
Micko will probably be getting plaudits today for pulling some master stroke inside that wise old head. But he didn’t really, he probably just told his players to go back out and keep the stolen momentum going. Anyway, they did and we could have had no complaints at full time, Clare deserved to go home with the two points.
Of immediate concern to us is that Cathal and Adrian make full and speedy recoveries – and not just for football reasons, they don’t deserve to be in pain or discomfort or unable to work or socialise for giving their all for the county jersey. But hurry back, lads!
If George or Barney talk this week about letting down the blade, we will all know what they mean. What has beenÓgiven on the training field to date, will pale a little compared to what is to come, every last ounce will be demanded from everyone in the team party. It’s not the end of the world. We have lost two matches in a row before. And don’t forget we had won four in a row just before these last glitches.
The rest of us can let down the blade a bit too – if we could all get just one more member each into the Supporters Club, it would make such a difference. Shay Reynolds and Michael Feeney would be quite happy if they had to bale the Euro notes. The banks are open for business, well, some of them anyway.
And George and Barney and the players are still open for business.
Let down the blade, lads, we are all still behind you.
11-Feb-13 by Tommy Moran
Congratulations to Emlyn Mulligan our Leitrim senior team captain who was presented with the Connacht GAA Writers Personality of the Month (October) award by Proinsias de Burca Uachtaráin Coiste Connacht, at the Connacht GAA Provincial Awards Banquet in the TF Royal on Friday night. When you are in Páirc Seán tomorrow you can give Emlyn an extra cheer.
09-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO
Calling all Leitrim Followers
Your support is needed to help us over the line
Maybe you can’t make New York in May
But you could make Carrick on February 10th
Emlyn and the boys need that sideline chant of
Leitrim ….. Leitrim ….. Leitrim
Leitrim v Clare
See you in Páirc Seán on Sunday at 2pm
Go raibh maith agaibh
07-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO
Tesco HomeGrown National Football League Division 3
Wicklow 0-03 Leitrim 4-18
The Leitrim ladies got their Tesco HomeGrown National Football League Div 3 campaign off to a good start with an impressive victory over a poor Wicklow in Dunlavin on Sunday last. Leitrim have most of the core panel from last year and Manager Gerry Ballantine has introduced some new talent as well. The Leitrim players moved well and supported each other well in the heavy underfoot conditions.
Wicklow attacked from the throw up and Michelle Guckian had to be at her best to tip a Lucy Mulhall shot from 15m onto the crossbar however Erin Murphy was first to react and pointed for Wicklow. After good work from Deirdre Ward and Kirby Gilgunn the ball was given to Aine Heslin who drew the Wicklow cover and Rosin Fowley scored with ease. Aine Tighe then had a shot saved on the line but 2 minutes later Aine Heslin pointed to put Leitrim ahead. After several near misses Niamh Tighe finished a well worked move for the first goal of the game. Lucy Mulhall got her name of the scoreboard with an excellent point from 20m in the 9th minute.
On the 10th minute a Mairead Stenson intercept lead to Leitrim’s second goal which Aine Tighe finished with style. Leitrim were now dominant from their half back line up and the writing was on the wall for Wickow. A well worked 45 lead to an Erin Farrell point to push Leitrim further ahead. With good ball being delivered by Anna Conlon and Sinead Fowley into the inside line Roisin Fowley added 2 more points. On a rare attack for Wicklow Michelle Guckian pulled of a wonderful save from Laura Hogan but Leitrim went straight up the field in a 5 player move that was finished with aplomb by Aine Tighe, Aine Tighe had a goal chance right after but her shot came of the post. By half time the game was over has a contest as Leitrim lead 2-12 to 0-02
While Leitrim dropped their intensity a little in second half Wicklow plugged away to the very end and brought the game to Leitrim in the second half with Jackie Kinch and Lauren Ahern working very hard. In the third minute Roisin Fowley linked up with Aine Tighe to score. A tremendous run by Sinead Fowley set her sister Roisin for another score. In the 42nd minute Aine Tighe was put through after excellent work by Clare Owens and Sharon Kerrigan who were marauding up the left, however Sarah Hogan pulled her down and Aine scored the resultant penalty with the score now reading 3-15 to 2 points. Wicklow carried the game to Leitrim but there was no way through as Enya McWeeney and Mary Farrell and Kirby GilgunnÓgave them little room for any chances. Entering the final quarter Laura O’Dowd finished to the net after a defence splitting pass by Anna Conlon. Wicklow goalkeeper Emer Miley made two excellent saves later while at the other end Amy Murphy almost chipped Michelle Guckian for a goal. Leitrim tagged on another 3 points while at the death Lucy Mulhall pointed a free for Wicklow to leave the final score Leitrim 4-18 Wicklow 0-03.
The highlights of the Leitrim performance was the link play especially between Roisin Fowley and Aine Tighe the tackling of Mairead Stenson the workrate of captain Deirdre Ward and the running of Sinead Fowley and the vision of Anna Conlon. Best for Wicklow was Lucy Mulhall and Niamh Reid.
This is a much needed win to start Leitrim on track for the season ahead. While the win, admittedly against a weakened Wicklow team, will boost Leitrim’s confidence. The team performance was solid without being spectacular and the backline will see more difficult tests ahead.
Manager Gerry Ballantine while happy with the win knows only too well on the areas Leitrim will need to improve on. He will know a lot more about his charges this Sunday when Leitrim take on Wexford in a home game. Wexford lost out to Tipperary in round 1.
Teams and scorers
Leitrim:
Michelle Guckian, Mary Farrell, Enya McWeeney, Sharon Kerrigan, Clare Owens, Mairead Stenson, Kirby Gilgunn,, Deirdre Ward, Sinead Fowley (0-01), Niamh Tighe (1-01), Aine Tighe(2-06, Aine Heslin (0-01), Anna Conlon, Eirin Farrell (0-02), Roisin Fowley (0-05). Subs: Laura O’Dowd (1-02) for Aine Heslin, Vanessa Gallogly for Sharon Kerrigan, Joyce Cunningham for Erin Farrell, Sinead Tighe for Aine Tighe and Olivia Gilmartin for Kirby Gilgunn.
Wicklow:
Emer Miley, Tara Costello, Sarah Hogan, Rebecca Fusciardi, Lorana Fusciardi, Sarah Miley, Aine Byrne, Jackie Kinch, Niam Reid, Lauren Ahern, Laura Hogan, Eadoinne Lenihan, Erin Murphy (0-01),Lucy Mulhall (0-02) Amy Murphy.
05-Feb-13 by Clare Noone Leitrim Ladies PRO
Cluainin Iomaint (Leitrim) 3-12 Belmullet (Mayo) 0-4
Tuam (Galway) 1-6 Carrick HC (Leitrim) 2-13
05-Feb-13 by Micheal Dolan – Hurling PRO
| Sunday 10/02/2013 | |||||
| Minor Football League 2013 | |||||
| Venue | Grade | Round | Fixture | Time | Referee |
| Mohill | U18(15) | 1 | St Manachans v Ballinamore-Soh | 11-30am | TBC |
| Carrigallen | U18(15) | 1 | Carrigallen v Glencar-Manor | 11-30am | TBC |
| St Marys | U18(15) | 1 | St Marys v Dromahair | 11-30am | TBC |
| Drumshanbo | U18(13) | 1 | St Francis v Melvin Gaels | 11-30am | TBC |
| Annaduff | U18(13) | 1 | Annaduff v Garadice Gaels | 11-30am | TBC |
| Gortletteragh- Bye | |||||
| Group 1 | |||||
| Aughnasheelin | U18(11) | 1 | Aughnasheelin v Aughavas | 11-30am | TBC |
| Bornacoola | U18(11) | 1 | Bornacoola v Fenagh-St Caillins | 11-30am | TBC |
| Group 2 | |||||
| Leitrim Gaels | U18(11) | 1 | Leitrim Gaels v Glenfarne-Kilty | 11-30am | TBC |
| Kiltubrid | U18(11) | 1 | Kiltubrid v Drumkeerin | 11-30am | TBC |
05-Feb-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg
Coiste na nÓg Liatroma would like to welcome Kerrigan Quarries, Killargue, Co Leitrim as our main County Minor Team Sponsor for 2013.
We would like to thank Shane and the Kerrigan family for their very generous support.
31-Jan-13 by Barbara – Coiste na nÓg
The GAA national website (www.gaa.ie) has a preview of all the teams participating in this years Allianz Football League. Follow this Link to preview the Leitrim team ahead of our Allianz Football League opening match against Limerick on Sunday. And dont forget if you intend travelling to Sundays game on the Leitrim Supporters Bus you are advised to book your seat as soon as possible. Latest date for booking your seat is Thursday 31st. January but seats will be reserved on a first come basis and as the man says “when theyre gone, theyre gone.”
Booking details:
Shay Reynolds, Bornacoola 087 903 0882
Attracta O Reilly, St. Marys 086 170 8499
€15 per person
Departure Sunday 03/02/2013
9.15 am Drumshanbo swimming pool
9.30 am Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada
9.50 am Bornacoola GAA, Dromod
Be there to cheer them on to a winning start
29-Jan-13 by Colette Fox – PRO
