St Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA Club Notes 06/02/2019
TOM GUCKIAN R.I.P – Once again, the parish of Kiltoghert and surrounding areas were plunged into a deep sense of shock and sadness at the untimely sudden passing of Tom Guckian just five weeks after his dear friend and neighbour Brian Mulvey.
Tom had been battling illness for some time, an illness he had borne with great dignity and courage and always acknowledged everyone with a smile on his face. He had been an inspiration to us all as he wasn’t fazed by anything and continued to support every event as was in keeping with his lifetime of service to so many organisations.
Tom was professional in everything he did, serving the ESB for 38 years before his retirement in 2017. Tom was a stalwart of the Kiltoghert community working tirelessly for the area.
To us in St. Mary’s we have lost a lifelong friend and someone who was a very big part of our club. Tom first came to the notice of St. Mary’s GAA when he started playing in the early 80’s and from that time on he played an enormous role in all aspects of the club becoming treasurer at a young age in 1983, a post he held for 11 years while also playing at senior and junior level. He captained St Mary’s to a Junior Championship final in 1988, and at this stage his great organisational skills were becoming obvious when he became manager of the club’s second team, a role he held for 10 years during which he led St Mary’s to an intermediate title in 1995. This was the year that St Mary’s took the senior, intermediate and minor titles, a feat unparalleled and unlikely to be ever matched. In 1996 he took over as chairman of the club and held this role until 2003. Tom will be most fondly remembered for the role he played in the development of our club grounds Páirc Naomh Mhuire affectionately known to most as “Páirc Tom”, for the hours he spent on it and the driving force he was behind it. This was a jewel in Tom’s chairmanship crown and one of which he can be extremely proud. The grounds have been of tremendous assistance to Leitrim GAA, particularly on big match day in Páirc Seán. Fundraising was never an issue for Tom and up until his illness and until it was no longer possible for him to do, he was one of our Lotto Leaders and took great delight when his lotto team topped the sales figures. In addition to this, he has been a constant member of the Leitrim Supporters Club committee and used his talent in this regard to great effect.
Along with his love of St. Mary’s, Tom also found time to play a role in Páirc Seán and has been chairman of the Páirc Seán Committee since 2010. He was also chairman of the county board CCC for 5 years, during this time he was always approachable and dealt with all issues fairly and in the best interest of Leitrim GAA.
Only last February Tom received the Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award in the 2017 Leitrim County Board Awards, an award which was truly deserved, and one which Tom was very honoured to receive.
In all that Tom has achieved above and his love of St. Mary’s and Leitrim GAA, Toms biggest achievement and what he was most proud of was his family, his beloved and loyal wife Tina, his wonderful daughters Lorraine and Lisa and his beautiful grandson James. He rarely missed the girls matches and although quite ill Tom was looking forward to attending the St. Mary’s Gala dinner in The Landmark Hotel to see his daughters Lorraine and Lisa collect their medals as part of the St. Mary’s/Bornacoola Intermediate League winning team, which Lorraine proudly captained and a year in which she was chosen as the George O’Toole player of the year and where Lisa had a great season in the forward line.
Everyone in St. Mary’s GAA sends their deepest sympathies to his heartbroken wife Tina, daughters Lorraine and Lisa, grandson James, the wider Guckian and Earley Families, his neighbours and many many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
OPERATION TRANSFORMATION 2019 – As part of the ‘Ireland Lights Up’ campaign St Mary’s Kiltoghert walking group continues this THURSDAY night. Meet at Páirc Naomh Mhuire at 8pm. There has been a great turnout the last few Thursdays so let’s keep it up.
Everyone welcome – players, members, friends, family!
Walk the 4km Castlecara/Summerhill loop.
All you need is your Hi-Vis!
Let’s get Mary’s moving.
GALA DINNER – As you are aware the Gala Dinner will now take place this Saturday 9th February in The Landmark Hotel at 8.30pm. The Mallard Bar will be open from 8pm. The night will include a presentation of medals to our U20 men’s team and our Intermediate ladies with music by Longford Band Audio Pilot. Unfortunately, Late Nite Radio Band – Music That Moves You are previously booked for next Saturday night. Thanks to Donnacha and all the lads for their generosity shown to us cancelling last minute and for sorting us out with Audio Pilot for next Saturday. You will need your ticket to gain entry so please don’t forget them on the night and if you haven’t already purchased your ticket and intend going, please do so over the next few days by contacting Paula Butler 087 2480670 or Maureen Diffley 086 390 7092. We look forward to seeing you there.
UNDERAGE TRAINING – Our underage training sessions will be as follows:
Girls
U7 mixed boys & girls training Saturdays from 11:00 to 12:00 in the sports complex
U-8 & U-10 girls training Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 in the sports complex
U12 girls training Saturdays from 12:00 to 1pm in the sports complex
U14 girls training Sundays from 5:00 to 6:00pm in Aura Astro Turf
Boys
U7s (mixed boys and girls) on Saturdays from 11:00 to 12:00 in the sports complex
U9s 5:00 to 6:00pm on Sundays in aura astro pitch
U11s 6:00 to 7:00pm on Sundays in aura astro pitch
U13s 8:00 to 9:00pm on Friday nights in the sports complex
U17 BOYS – Training continues on Wednesday night from 8-9pm in Páirc Naomh Mhuire. The first league game is weekend of the 16th February.
LOTTO RESULTS – Lotto results for Wednesday 30th January.
Numbers drawn: 5, 8, 23 and 28
There was no jackpot winner.
Names drawn: Dermot Turley, Kathy Butler, Pat McCormack, John Moran
Smart Lotto winner – Ashley Molloy
Play our Smart Lotto on line by clicking on http://bit.ly/StMarysKiltoghert Tickets cost €2 or you can enter a yearly lotto at a discounted rate of €80 which enters you into 52 draws. The Jackpot currently stands at €10,000.
SCÓR SINSEAR 2019 – Best wishes to all our Senior Scór participants in the County Final which takes place in St. Mary’s Hall, Carrick at 5pm this Saturday. Please support.
SCÓR NA NÓG CONNACHT FINAL – Ava Brogan, Roisin Noone, Elsie Harman, Eleanor Smith and Rionach Nic Conmara will represent St. Mary’s, Leitrim and Connacht in the Scór na nÓg All Ireland Final on the 16th February in the TF Theatre in Castlebar.
If you would like to come along and support the St. Mary’s Ballad Group, contact Laura Crossan on 087 9664406.
The cost of admission tickets is €20 for adults and €15 for U16s this year. An all-in family package of €60.00 i.e. 2 adults @ €20 each plus 2 children U.16 @ €10 each will be available for the 2017 finals. The cost of a third U16 ticket in the all-in family package will be €15. The number of packages will be limited and distributed on a first come first served basis.
LEITRIM SENIORS – Well done to Leitrim Senior football team and management who won their second game of the Allianz Football League on Sunday last beating Wicklow in Aughrim on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-12. Let’s make it 3 out of 3 on Sunday in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada when we play Antrim at 2pm.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2019 – Club Membership for 2019 is now due, all members are asked to renew their Membership and new members are very welcome. Registration will take place on Friday 8th February from 7 to 8pm in the Clubhouse. Membership fees are as follows: Adult Players €70, Unemployed Player €50, Third Level Student €50, Non-Player €40, Juvenile (up to minor) €40 (1st and 2nd Child) and €30 (3rd Child), Underage Family Membership to be capped at €130, Scór (€20 – Social) – (€10-U17).
MOCK EXAMS: Wishing all the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert students best wishes as they start their mock exams this week.
NEW BABY: Congratulations and best wishes to Marty & Carmen Fallen and family on the birth of their baby son Mateo recently.
