Sean OHeslins, one of the legendary clubs of Leitrim GAA, has seen many big occasions but this coming weekend will be one of their greatest ever. The culmination of seven years of work comes on Sunday next when Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana, officially opens the new Páirc Sheáin Uí Eislin.

Páirc Sheáin Uí Eislin was the first GAA-owned grounds in Leitrim when it first opened in 1952. For years it was the main County grounds and hosted County Finals, Connacht Championships and many big games. Indeed National League games were played there until the early 1990s. However, it was prone to flooding and many a game had to be changed elsewhere even in summertime.

In 2002 the club embarked on a major development the like of which had not been seen in Leitrim before. The main pitch was intensively drained and is now the best in the County. The club then developed a second pitch, something which is common in many counties but not in Leitrim. The second pitch is also a Prunty pitch and is as good as the main one. The final phase was the development of a stand and dressingrooms and other facilities. The stand can seat nearly 800 people. There are four dressingrooms underneath as well as referees rooms etc. Upstairs there is a gym and clubrooms.

On next weekend there are a series of activities, details of which can be seen in the Leitrim Observer. The official opening is on Sunday at 3.00pm. Local clubs Aughawillan, Aughnasheelin, Drumreilly and Fenagh as well as Sean OHeslins will partake in a tournament for the Thomas Galligan Memorial Cup.

The club has also produced a DVD history which will be launched in Priors Lounge on Saturday night by Uachtarán, Críostóir Ó Cuana, at 9.30. This will be a wonderful look at the history of a famous club in all its aspects. It will be on sale after the launch as well as in the pitch on Sunday and in local shops.

All of the Gaels of Leitrim are invited to the opening on Sunday. Admission is free. Agus tá fáilte roimh gach duine.

 

 

 

19-May-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan

On foot of a request from the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Eamon O Cuív T.D., Ard Chomhairle recently agreed that a minute of silent reflection should be observed at all GAA events on Sunday May 17th 2009 in memory of those who died and emigrated during the Great Famine.

This action will be replicated at all public and sporting events in the Country on that date as part of the inaugural National Famine Commemoration day which seeks to commemorate all those who suffered loss during the famine – loss of life, loss of family, loss of home and loss of country.

 

 

12-May-09 by Croke Park

Alas their dream is over as Dromahair lost the final by 1 point after a game that saw them lead for most of the way through.  Playing with a strong wind they led at half time 0-5 to 1-1 in a game that was littered with frees.  The physically bigger Glasdrumman team managed a point then a goal after a sustained period of pressure.  Dromahair played open ball into the forwards but had to work very hard for each score and the 1 point lead proved to be insufficient considering the loss of the wind advantage in the second half.

The red and whites put in a huge performance in the second half which was not without its dramas. Without spoiling the viewing of the programme it was nail biting stuff right until the final whistle deep in injury time.  Unfortunately for the gallant Dromahair lads they ended 1 behind at the key stage of the game and tried ever so hard to level matters. The dream was not to be, much to the dismay of the team, mentors and the huge support.

Congratulations is due to the Team and Management for their achievement in reaching the final and putting Dromahair firmly on the map.  The supporters who turned out in their thousands were a credit and they provided the necessary support with their magnificant colour and fanfare.

The final will be shown Sunday evening at 6:30pm on RTE 1.

 

 

 

09-May-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

 

Another action packed weekend for football followers as we head in to the Bank Holiday weekend and 4 days of fixtures starting with the county juniors tonight in Páirc Seán against Fermanagh at 7:30pm.

The club scene provides the rest of the entertainment as we approach and cross over the half way stage of most of the leagues.  Five Divison 1 fixtures are scheduled for tomorrow starting with table toppers Kiltubrid against 3rd place Annaduff at 12:00 in Kiltubrid.  Next at 2:30pm its position holder numbers 2 and 4 as Glencar/Manor meet Allen Gaels.  The 3 remaing fixtures are at 3:30pm with St Marys v Drumreilly, MelvinÓgales v Ballinamore and Mohill v Bornacoola.

Division 2 commences at 3:30pm as table toppers Dromahaire travel to Aughnasheelin, Eslin v Drumkeerin, Carrigallen v Glenfarne/Kilty and Cloone entertain Aughavas.

Division 3 games are reserved for Sunday with 5 fixtures and Ballinaglera will be determined to hold on to top spot as they meet Mohill who are in close pursuit. St Caillins and Gortletteragh will seek wins to maintain their form as they meet St Marys and Glencar/Manor respectively.  Other clashs see neighbouring pairs Allen Gaels host Drumkeerin and Annaduff host Bornacoola.

Division 4 opens on Sunday with Ballinaglera v Melvin Gaels while the 4 remaining fixtures are on Monday at 2pm. Kiltubrid host Dromahair, Bornacoola are home to St Marys, Ballinamore host neighbours Aughawillan and Aughavas are home to Glencar/Manor.

In Division 5 there are 2 games on Sunday starting with Leitrim Gaels v Cloone and at 2pm and at 3pm its Allen Gaels v St Osnats.  On Monday its the turn of Glenfarne/Kilty v Mohill, Eslin v Gortletteragh and Carrigallen v St Caillins all at 2pm.

Thats 24 club games in total and 1 intercounty fixture for the May Bank Holiday weekend.

 

 

 

 

01-May-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

The action this weekend is firmly with the clubs as the county scene moves over after being the main focal point in recent weeks. With the all county leagues already up and running thanks to the early start in mid February most teams have 3 games under their belt and the next number of weekends should get everyone to the half way point in the league.

Division 2 opens proceedings tonight in Cloone as Cloone host Drumkeerin at 7:45pm. Cloone have 2 wins out of 2 so far and will no doubt be looking to register their third. Drumkeerin have one under their belt and will be looking to move out of the group of 4 on equal points in the mid to bottom of the table.

Two more fixtures are scheduled in Division2 for Saturday evening as Glenfarne/Kilty meet Aughnasheelin and Aughavas play Eslin. The final two games are on Sunday with Carrigallen v St Marys and Annaduff v Dromahaire.

Division 1 recommences on Saturday afternoon at 3pm as Gortletteragh host Annaduff. Annaduff have the better start of the two with two wins while Gortletteragh will be looking to register their first points of the season.

The remining five Division 1 pairings are fixed for later on Saturday evening at 6:30pm. Table toppers Allen Gaels are away to Mohill, Kiltubrid entertain Drumreilly, Aughawillan host Ballinamore, Melvin Gaels take on Bornacoola and Glencar Manor are home to St Marys.

Sunday is a busy day for Divisions 3, 4 and 5 with 10 fixtures across the 3 divisoins. Four of the fixtures are in Division 3 as Glencar/Manor meet Allen Gaels, Bornacoola face Ballinaglera, Mohill play St Caillins and Annaduff host Gortletteragh. Ballinaglera and Mohill top division 3 at the moment.

Division 4s fixtures start at 1pm with Aughawillan home to Aughavas and joint table toppers Leitrim Gaels meet Ballinamore.  

Division 5 is busier with Kiltubrid home to Glenfarne/Kilty, Drumreilly host Aughnasheelin, Mohill versus Carrigallen and Ballinamore home to Leitrim Gaels.  Mohill are top with St Osnats and Aughansheelin in close pursuit at the top the table in Division 5.

 

 

17-Apr-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Coaching news

Skill development days.
The skill development days for our under 12 & under 13 players will take place on Saturday 11th & Saturday 18th April in Ballinamore, Anaduff and Manorhamilton. To be eligible for the schools players must be in their last year at both ages ie. For under 12 born in 1997 and for under 13 born in 1996. Clubs should forward players names to Thomas Keenan before Tuesday 07th April.

Coaching booklets.
Coaches of all teams are always looking for new ideas and ways to coach skills, game set ups etc, so with thanks to John Morrison we have two publications, "Head, Hands & Feet" and "Games for better Team play" which coaches can purchase at a very modest cost of €15 each. All coaches should obtain copies of both publications as they are excellent reference books.
Some Fun do packs are still available at €50 per pack, and we would urge all coaches working with children up to under 12 to obtain a copy.
Both the booklets and the Fun do packs can be got by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087-6591049 or email thomas.keenan@leitrim.gaa.ie.

Vhi Cul camps 2009.
Application forms for this years Vhi GAA cul camps will be distributed to all schools and clubs over the next two weeks. A new facility which allows on-line booking and payment will commence on April 21st but you will still be able to forward the completed application form direct to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on-Shannon. Which ever way you decide to book, can you please do so as early as possible as this will assist greatly with camp organisation.
A complete new kit has been designed for all those attending this year camps and the good news for parents is that camp registration fees for 1st & 2nd family members will remain the same as last year with a reduction of €10 for the third family member. This years camps will commence on Monday 6th July and will follow the same format as last year.

06/07/09 – Aughawillan, Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon.
13/07/09 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.
20/07/09 – Aughavas, Dromahair, Gortletteragh.
27/07/07 – Drumkeerin, Fenagh, Leitrim.

 

 

31-Mar-09 by Thomas Keenan

Allianz NHL Division Four – Round 4 (PJ Leddy)

 

Leitrim 0 – 15

Cavan 0 – 12

Leitrim pulled out all the stops in the second half to register their first Allianz NHL Division 4 win over neighbours Cavan in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.

After the sides had levelled matters on four different occasions in the first half it finished level pegging on a 0 – 9 all score line at the break.

Following their best spell in the game Cavan led by 0 – 6 to 0 – 3 at the 13th minute mark thanks to Andrew McManus who shot three points, Paul Sheridan two points and Ritchie Fitzsimons a point.

Within four minutes of the restart Clement Cunniffe put over a free and Gary Hickey added a point from play, which edged Leitrim into a lead they never subsequently surrendered.

However Edward Dalton narrowed the gap to the minimum when he replied with a 41st minute Cavan point from play.

But Leitrim stretched their advantage to four points during the next ten minutes when Conor Burns fired over twice from play and Clement Cunniffe converted a free.


Leitrim:

Fintan McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Vinny McDermott, David Tiernan, James McGrail, Dave McGovern, Stephen Feeney, Keith Connolly, Clement Cunniffe 0 – 8 (8f.), Colm Hayes 0 – 2, Conor Burns 0 – 2, Shane Kiernan 0 – 2, Gary Hickey 0 – 1, Michael Burns, Kevin OConnor.

Subs Paul McKiernan for OConnor (55 mins.), Paul Lyons for Hayes (YC 58 mins).

 

Cavan:
Darren Sheridan, Daithi Neary, Michael Carr, Mickey OConnell, Barry Dalton, Anthony Sheridan 0 – 1, Barry Ryan, Kieran Brennan, Andrew Nelligan, Edward Dalton 0 – 1, Paul Sheridan 0 – 2, Richie Fitzsimons 0 – 1, Andrew McManus 0 – 5(4f.), Phil Brady, Gerard Clerkin 0 – 1.

Subs Ronan OHagan for Nelligan (47 mins.), Thomas Craig for Fitzsimons (57mins.), Dominic Crudden for Clerkin (57 mins.), Mark McEntee for Dalton (58 mins.), Jonathon Dalton 0 – 1 for McManus (68 mins.).

Referee: CiaranÓgroome (Offaly).

 

 

25-Mar-09 by PJ Leddy

Draws for the 2009 SFC, IFC and JFCA will take place in the Bush Hotel tonight, March 23, commencing at 9pm. As the event is being aired live by Shannonside Northern Sound Radio, club representatives are requested to be in attendance at 8.30pm in order that the preliminaries may be in place in advance of the Live Radio Show.  PDF Copies of the draw will be online tomorrow.

 

 

SFC 2009
Allen Gaels
Annaduff
Aughnasheelin
Ballinamore-Sean O Heslins
Bornacoola
Carrigallen
Drumreilly
Glencar/Manorhamilton
Kiltubrid
Melvin Gaels
Mohill
St. Marys

 

 

 

IFC 2009
Annaduff
Allen Gaels
Aughawillan
Gortletteragh
Ballinaglera
Cloone
Dromahair
Drumkeerin
Fenagh-St. Caillins
Glencar/Manorhamilton
Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher
St. Marys

 

 

 

JFCA 2009
Aughavas
Ballinamore-Sean O Heslins
Bornacoola
Carrigallen
Drumkeerin
Eslin
Gortletteragh
Kiltubrid
Leitrim Gaels
Melvin Gaels
Mohill
St. Marys