Rededication of Philly McGuinnes Memorial Park

Rededication of Philly McGuinnes Memorial Park

Today, January 11, 2015 was a red letter day for the Mohill GAA Club as the club rededicated what was formerly St Manachans Park in honour of the late Philly McGuinness. The official reopening was performed by Uachtaran Tofa CLCG Aogan O Fearghail, in the presence of members of the extended McGuinness family including the late Philly’s mother Phil and his brothers John and Michael. Mohill club chairman Padraig McLoughlin welcomed all to the reopening and the speakers included Connacht Council secretary John Prenty, Aogan O Fearghail and John McGuinness on behalf of the family. Also in attendance were Leitrim captain for the day Danny Beck, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association Pat Quill, Chairman of Leitrim County Council Paddy O Rourke and members of Leitrim and Galway County Boards. A large crowd comprised of Mohill GAA members and Leitrim Supporters witnessed the unveiling. The club produced an excellent match day memorial programme which will be a collector’s item in years to come. The official blessing was performed by Fr Pat Murphy.

Following the official ceremony all patrons present took up their positions to enjoy the exciting Connacht FBD League encounter Leitrim v Galway which was played out in front of an attendance estimated to be in excess of 1500. 

 

 

11-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

Leitrim relinquishes hold on Connacht FBD Trophy after Titanic battle with Galway

Leitrim relinquishes hold on Connacht FBD Trophy after Titanic battle with Galway

Leitrim 1-9 Galway 0-13

Leitrim’s Connacht FBD League unbeaten run, stretching back to January 2012, came to an end at the excellently appointed Philly McGuinness Memorial Park in Mohill today as Galway prevailed by a single point, thus qualifying for the 2015 FBD League Final. In what was an absorbing and always interesting match, played in front of an estimated crowd in excess of 1500, Galway at times threatened to pull away only to be reeled in by the determined and well organised Leitrim in team and in the very last play of the match the winners had to pack 12 players in front of the ball as Kevin Conlan looked to engineer a goal from a 20 meter free. As it turned out Conlan’s powerful kick went over the bar and the Tribesmen took the spoils.

 It was entirely appropriate on the day that was in it that Mohill’s  Alan McLoughlin opened the Scóring with a point in the fourth minute. Points from Patrick Sweeney and Johnny Heaney got Galway on their way before McLoughlin levelled matters.

Points from Gary O Donnell (2), three from Shane Walsh (2 frees) and Danny Cummins to which Thomas Mulvey replied for Leitrim saw Galway open up a five point advantage. An entertaining first half concluded with a trade of points from Galway’s Martin Cody and Leitrim’s Kevin Conlan, a free.

Half time Leitrim 0-4 Galway 0-9

With breeze advantage in the second period Sean McWeeney opened Leitrim’s second half account with a fine score from distance. Almost immediately Galway were awarded a clear cut penalty but Shane Walsh’s firmly struck attempt blazed wide. Taking full advantage of the let off, points from Shane Moran and a Conlon free reduced the lead to two points. In what was indicative of the see- saw nature of this game points from Cody, Cathal Sweeney and Walsh reopened the visitors five point advantage.

Leitrim were not in the mood to give up their title easily and following a long  Sean McWeeney delivery, James McGrail broke down the ball and Alan McLoughlin finished to the net much to the delight of the large attendance present. Cody and Ronan Reynolds traded points and with time running out Galway played a lot of possession football in their attempt to keep Leitrim at bay. Following a break down in this possession Leitrim were awarded a free in and Conlan concluded the Scóring, with the full time whistle sounding immediately.

So Galway have qualified for the Connacht FBD League Final 2015 but the Leitrim team and management can be very proud of their contribution to the first match played in Philly McGuinness Memorial Park, a match which was always competitive and one in which the late Philly would have revelled.

Leitrim: Philip Farrelly, Barry Prior, RonanÓgallagher, Niall Woods, Ronan Reynolds (0-1), Gary Reynolds, Sean McWeeney (0-1), Paddy McGowan, Damian Moran, Thomas Mulvey (0-1), Fergal Clancy, Danny Beck, Alan McLoughlin (1-2), James McGrail, Kevin Conlan (0-3). Subs used: Shane Quinn, Shane Moran (0-1), Ronan Kennedy and Ciaran Gilheaney.

Galway: Manus Breathnach, Tom Fahy, Declan Kyne, Colin Forde, Johnny Heaney (0-1), Gary O Donnell (0-2), Gareth Bradshaw, Fiontan O Curraoin, Enda Tierney, Cathal Sweeney (0-1), Shane Walsh (0-4), Martin Coady(0-3), Oisin O Brien, Patrick Sweeney (0-1) Danny Cummins (0-1). Subs used: John Egan, David Walsh, Sean Denvir and Eddie Hoare.

 

 

11-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

First Outing for Leitrim Under 21 Team 2015

First Outing for Leitrim Under 21 Team 2015

Leitrim Under 21 Football team made its competitive 2015 debut inÓgracefield this afternoon and after an exciting encounter with the home team, eventually came out on the wrong side of a 1-10 to 0-12 scoreline with Offaly kicking the winning score with virtually the last kick of the game, a free converted by ace corner forward Shane Moriarity.

Leitrim, playing with great resolve and purpose had the better of the early exchanges of this, at all times, competitive encounter and with greater economy in front of the posts held a five point advantage heading into the interval. However, two Offaly points on the stroke of the half time whistle brought the home side back into contention.

It was very much end to end in the second period, but the crucial score arrived early in the third quarter as Moriarity goaled for the Faithful County and a point almost immediately turned the game in their favour. scores were exchanged as the game ebbed and flowed from there to the finish. The Leitrim lads recovered from a two point deficit to level matters as the game entered added time. Chances were available to both sides as the respective sets of energetic and enthusiastic players searched for a winner, however the converted free decided matters and there was no remaining time for a Leitrim response.

Nonetheless it was an encouraging opening start to the Under 21 season and we look forward to the meeting with Laois on the other side of Portarlington next Saturday.

Leitrim: Diarmuid McKiernan, Tommy Rogan, Gary Butler, Keelan McHugh, Michael Clancy (0-1), Niall McLoughlin, Jack De Lacy, Declan Daly, Felim McHugh (0-1), Mark Plunkett (0-1), Nicholas Moore (0-3), James Rooney, Luke Murphy, Gary Plunkett(0-2), Conor Gaffney(0-3). Subs used: Aaron McLoughlin, Niall Brady, Darragh Farrell, Dean McGovern, Gary Fowley (0-1).

Offaly: Dylan Buckley, Ken Hogan, James Lawlor, Jim Hendy, James Malley, Garth Corbett, Alan Heffernan, Conor McNamee, Declan Byrne (0-1), Niall Dempsey, Darragh KeenÓghan, Ciaran Maloney, Ruairi McNamee, Joe Maher (0-3), Sean Moriarity (1-5). Subs used: Eoin Lowry (0-1), Mickey Keogh, Kevin Beirne, Jamie Evans, Aaron Whelan.    

 

 

10-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

FBD Winning Start for Leitrim Footballers

Leiitrim 3-17 GMIT 1-07

A new look Leitrim team began its defence of the FBD Connacht Senior Football League 2015 with a comprehensive 16 point victory over the students of GMIT in ideal conditions at Cloone this afternoon. Shane Ward and his management will be pleased to have got the season off to a winning start which is encouraging for all as they face into the new season. With a lot of new faces on board at this level the Leitrim players and management will be glad to have got the first match of the season played out in such a positive manner, in front of a decent sized attendance for the time of year.

Ciaran Gilheaney had the honour of Scóring Leitrim’s first point of 2015 as Andy Glennon responded with two points to give the students an early lead. Niall Woods, Fergal Clancy and Kevin Conlon added Leitrim scores to which Cian Donaghue responded with a point for GMIT.  However, Leitrim took over at this stage and further scores from Ciaran Gilheaney (1-1), Kevin Conlon (0-3), and points from Fergal Clancy, Paddy McGowan, Niall Woods saw Leitrim holding a commanding 1-12 to 0-4 half time interval lead.

Darragh Joyce opened the second half Scóring for the visitors with a point but another flurry of Leitrim scores over the remainder of the third quarter opened up an unassailable lead. Conlon (1-2), Christy McGowan (1-0), and points each for James McGrail and Danny Beck almost completed Leitrim’s tally for the afternoon before points for Darragh Joyce and Cian Donaghue and a late goal from Alan MeenÓghan completed the students’ tally. It fell to Fergal Clancy to complete the afternoon’s Scóring.

So a pleasing afternoon for all involved in the Leitrim set up and we look forward to the meeting with Galway in Mohill on Sunday next at the rededication of the Philly McGuinness Park.

Leitrim: Philip Farrelly, Niall Woods (0-2), RonanÓgallagher, Barry Prior, Conor Farrell, Gary Reynolds, Sean McWeeney, Paddy McGowan (0-2), James McGrail (0-1), Shane Quinn, Fergal Clancy (0-3), Daniel Beck (0-1), Ciaran Gilheaney (1-2), Christy McGowan (1-0), Kevin Conlon (1-6). Subs: Cathal McCrann for Gilheaney, Jonathan Connolly for Quinn, Conor Doonan for C McGowan, Ronan Reynolds for Farrell, Ronan Flynn for Conlon and Gerry Kelly for P McGowan.

GMIT: Conor Nolan, James Madden, Gerry Mcloughlin, Darren Moran, Stephen McDonnell (0-1), Richard Sweeney, Cian Donaghue (0-1), Micheal O Brien, Dean Styles, Anthony Coyne (0-1), Martin Shaughnessy, Eddie Egan, Kevin Nally, Andy Glennon (0-2), Darragh Joyce (0-2). Subs: Michael Farragher for Styles, Adrian Molloy for Shaughnessy, Ray Geraghty for Coyne, Kieran Reddington for O’Brien, Alan MeenÓghan (1-0) for Joyce and Johnny Doyle for Moran.

Referee: Paul Daly (Roscommon)

 

 

04-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

U21 Hastings Cup Match v Clare off

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, our first Inter County match of the new season will not go ahead today. We have been informed this morning that Clare will not be fulfilling the Under 21 Hastings Cup fixture due to have been played at 2pm in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada this afternoon. 

 

 

03-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

Hastings Cup 2015

Our U21 team will be our first county team to take to the field for the 2015 season in the Hastings Cup competition. 

This Saturday (3rd January) in Páirc Seán they welcome Clare in Round 1 of the competition.  Throw in 2pm. 

The remaining games inÓgroup 4 are:

Round 2 – 10th January

Offaly v Leitrim (away Venue TBC at 2pm)

Round 3 – 17th January

Laois v Leitrim (away in Portarlington at 2pm)

 

. 

Lets embrace their commitment and pride in Leitrim GAA by getting behind them in their upcoming games. 

We wish the team and management the best of luck in the Hastings Cup.

 

 

 

 

31-Dec-14 by Leitrim GAA

FBD Connacht League 2015

On Sunday, in Cloone our new Leitrim Senior Football Manager Shane Ward will introduce a talented squad of players who are eager, willing and passionate to represent our County in the 2015 season.  

Sunday is the start of a new journey for this team and we are all looking forward to witnessing the mixture of youth and experience develop along the journey.  Over the last number of months alot of work has gone on behind the scenes preparing this squad for intercounty football.  Now, all we ask of you, is to be encouraging, patient and supportive towards the team and management as WE ALL begin this new journey for Leitrim GAA.

GOOD LUCK LADS

 

FBD Connacht League Fixtures (all games throw in at 2pm)

Round 1 – Sunday 4th January

Leitrim v GMIT in Cloone

Round 2 – Sunday 11th January

Leitrim v Galway in Mohill

Round 3 – Sunday 18th January

Sligo v Leitrim in Markievicz Park

FINAL 25th JANUARY

 

 

31-Dec-14 by Leitrim GAA

Leitrim GAA Statement County Teams

The Management Committee of Leitrim GAA wishes to point out in relation to recent media reports and comments regarding overnight stays for the county’s teams in 2015, that in the normal consultation process between Team Management s and the County Management Committee where it is deemed necessary and is in the best interests of the teams concerned, such overnight stays will be catered for. While being committed to getting the best possible value from fundraising and endeavouring to keep within budgetary restraints, Leitrim GAA is categorically committed to the best possible preparation of its county teams into 2015 and beyond.

 

 

23-Dec-14 by Declan Bohan – PRO

FBD Connacht GAA Senior League Football 2015

FBD Connacht GAA Senior League Football 2015

 

Section A

Round 1 on 4/1/15 at 2pm

N.U.I. Galway v Mayo in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar

IT Sligo v Roscommon in Strokestown

Round 2 on 11/1/14 at 2pm

Roscommon v N.U.I. Galway in Ballyforan

I.T Sligo v Mayo in James Stephens Park, Ballina

Round 3 on 18/1/14 at 2pm

Mayo v Roscommon in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar

N.U.I. Galway v IT Sligo in Connacht GAA Centre

 

Section B

Round 1 on 4/1/15 at 2pm 

Leitrim v G.M.I.T. in Cloone

Sligo v Galway in Enniscrone

Round 2 on 11/1/14 at 2pm

Leitrim v Galway in Mohill

G.M.I.T. v Sligo in Tubbercurry

Round 3 on 18/1/14 at 2pm

G.M.I.T. v Galway in Tuam Stadium

Sligo v Leitrim in Markievicz Park

 

 

17-Dec-14 by Leitrim GAA

Join us on the journey

OPEN TRIALS FOR LEITRIM SENIOR FOOTBALL PANEL 2015

 Message from Shane Ward

Players from within the county are invited to attend trials for the Leitrim Senior Football Team this Friday night at 8pm in Kiltubrid.  If you feel you have what it takes to be an intercounty footballer you will be more than welcome. Clubs are asked to encourage prospective county players to be present. 

Be proud of who you are. 

 Be a part of Team Liatroim. 

 

 

22-Oct-14 by Leitrim GAA

Behind the Leitrim Banner

Behind the Leitrim Banner

How frustrated our Minor and Senior players must feel this week, together with their Team Managers Enda Lyons and Sean Hagan, their selectors and backroom teams and everyone involved with the teams. Spare a thought too for the Coiste na nÓg and County Board officers who do so much un-acknowledged work in attempting to have every necessary facility provided for the team panels, as well as their busy and mundane work of administration of county and club activity.
Defeat is always a killer and God knows we are well used to it and we could fill retail units with “three cheers” and “hard luck lads”. The young Minor players feel particularly disappointed after the joy of capturing the Connacht Minor League, as most of them would also have tasted success at underage with their clubs and bitter defeat is not something they have grown up with. True, they did not play up to the form expected, but nobody could question their commitment in the build- up or on the day and we have to say Roscommon deserved their victory. We cannot allow such a talented bunch of players as these young Leitrim men to simply fade away from the inter-county scene.
Who honestly expected Leitrim to beat Down in Newry? But no blame can be apportioned to the players who took to the field there, they gave of their best against all the odds. And it must be said that Down did not attempt to do an Armagh on us, as we remember well from last year. They used their six subs, but the heart seemed to have been torn from the lads in the green and gold. Emlyn Mulligan led out a bunch of players who did not want to let the county and its supporters down and we salute Emlyn and his teammates for that.
So there’s lots of talking and debating to be done. One thing that must be done is for the supporters, sponsors, parents, families and clubs to avoid taking the easy path of criticism and to fall in behind the Leitrim banner again next year.
Eireoidh Liatroim arís.

 

 

04-Jul-14 by Leitrim GAA

On the One Road

On the One Road

The road trip could have been worse. For some time, Leitrim  supporters thought they would have to be in Newry for a 2pm throw-in in the Qualifier on Saturday and then at the final whistle hotfoot it to the Hyde for the Minor Championship. At least common sense and a bit of co-operation ridded us of the chances of speeding tickets and we can now have our afternoon tea at home on Saturday before crossing the bridge and then an early Mass and breakfast Sunday before heading north for what we hope will be a double.

I’d say you’d get good odds on that bet. How come it’s always that way with Leitrim? No matter how promising a team might be, come championship time the green and gold is predicted to bite the dust.

How unfair is that on our Minor team that takes to the field against the Rossies, a team they have beaten – as well as Sligo, Mayo and Galway – on their way to capturing this year’s Connacht League title? “Ah, the Championship will be a different story” is a frequent comment in GAA circles. Indeed, such a remark would have been on the lips of some of our own followers — but don’t dare say it to Enda Lyons, his selectors or any of their players. Thank God, they have faith, as have CoistenanÓg officers and they face Roscommon with real confidence and very real expectations of a victory, hard-fought though it will be.

History will not be weighing heavily on our Minor side, none of whom will remember the last Connacht Minor Championship victory in 1998. All of them would have been in the cradle or the creche that day, so they are carrying no baggage about Leitrim not winning two in a row or whatever. They have the added advantage though of having their Manager Enda Lyons who actually played with the winning minor team in 1998 to give them a clear insight of what the Connacht Minor Championship is all about. For the rest of us, 1998 seems quite a while back, though Enda Lyons is still between the sticks for Carrigallen, the midfield pairing that day, Michael Duignan and Gary McCloskey, are still starring in the same position for Bornacoola, as well as other team members like John McKeon who still wear their club jerseys with distinction, so they are well known to the Minor panel and would have come up against them on the field of play. So the Minors won’t feel as if they are trying to exorcise ghosts of the past and they know they are as least as good as their own age group from Roscommon, who sat the same Leaving Cert exams, went to the same Discos or maybe even the same schools. Just watch the body language of the Leitrim players as they run out on to the Hyde, which means be there to lend your support.

Sean Hagan and his men have their work cut out for Sunday. But hold it — when the Qualifier Draws were made, didn’t all the experts predict that Derry and Down had Lady Luck on their side, drawing Longford and Leitrim at home. A cake walk into Round II they said. Derry, who had been in the Allianz Division I Final and a Down team that rattled the Tyrone net several times in their drawnÓgame. We should take a leaf from Longford’s book and head off North to win, not to put on a good show, or to be happy not to take a hammering, but to win.

Down looked very ordinary in the replay against Tyrone, Leitrim looked good in the second half against Roscommon, the last Championship appearances of both teams, so it would be foolish to give up just yet.

The Leitrim squad has taken a couple of whammies once again, but it’s the panel that togs out in Newry that really matters and the fifteen or twenty one who carry the jersey into the fray. One thing we can be sure of, is that they will play their hearts out.

On Sunday morning don’t be looking up at the sky and saying “I think it will rain, I’ll stay at home and catch it on Shannonside or Ocean FM; anyway Newry is an awkward place to get to”. That’s just making excuses. Instead, say to yourself “It would kill me not to be there to see them beat Down”.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, beats being there.

 

 

26-Jun-14 by Leitrim GAA