Ballinamore Library’s Irish classes have acquired the reputation of being one of the most successful in the country with big numbers attending and a most entertaining atmosphere. The Conversation classes, or Ciorcail Comhrá, are now in their eleventh year and are hugely popular every year.

Full range of classes will start again in Ballinamore Library on Tuesday, 9 January 2018 at 8.00pm. There are separate groups for relative beginners, for those who have some Irish and for those who are fluent. These classes are a great opportunity to practice the Irish you know and to improve it. Also, Leaving Cert or transitional year students will find it useful for practice for their Irish orals. Classes are free of charge and will run for 10 weeks to mid March. Seo seans chun an Ghaeilge a labhairt. Beidh fáilte romhat

Following tonight’s County Committee meeting, we give you a rundown on how the motions from last Sunday’s Convention and tonight’s County Committee fared:

Motions  – County Convention 2018

Competitions – Championship

1. The Under 21 Championship to be discontinued from 2017 and replaced by an Under 20 Championship from 2018 forward.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

 

2. Seeding to be introduced into the draws for the 2018 Senior Football Championship and Intermediate Football Championship as follows:

• 2017 Senior Finalists to be seeded into opposite groups and the remaining two semi-finalists to be similarly seeded. Both draws to be open in this regard. Remaining teams will be drawn randomly to constitute the groups.
• 2017 Intermediate losing finalists and relegated team from Senior in 2017 to be seeded into opposite groups and the remaining two semi-finalists to be similarly seeded. Both draws to be open in this regard. Remaining teams will be drawn randomly to constitute the groups.
• Similar seeding to be followed while the current structure remains in existence.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

3. That the senior and intermediate championships be restructured as follows (to the 2016 format). It is initially divided into three groups of four, with each group consisting of four teams with no seeding. An open draw decides placement into the groups.

Every team in each group plays each other once. The top two teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals. The highest ranked third placed team also qualifies for the quarter-finals. The two lowest ranked third placed teams play off, with the winner qualifying for the quarter-finals and the loser entering the relegation playoffs. All fourth placed teams also enter the relegation playoffs.

The competition proceeds with a knockout format from here, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final to determine the winner. Relegation semi-finals and a relegation final determine the team to be relegated.

There will be an open draw for quarter-finals, semi-finals and relegation semi-finals.

The intermediate champions are promoted to the senior championship in the following year.

The relegated senior team plays in the intermediate championship in the following year.

The relegated intermediate team plays in the junior ‘A’ championship in the following year.

The following regulation will be applied in the case of teams finishing on equal points in the group:

(c) Except where provided for otherwise in County Bye-Law or in Competition Regulation, when Teams finish with equal points for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified: (i) Where two or more Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition; (ii) Scoring Difference (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For); (iii) Highest Total Score For; (iv) A Play-Off.

All regulations previously pertaining to the senior championship to be amended accordingly.

Achadh Mhaoláin – Defeated

Competitions – Leagues/Shields

4. CCC to be given the authority include in its regulations the scheduling of two rounds of the All County Leagues that are to be exclusively played without members of the Leitrim Senior Football Panel in 2018 and the years beyond, while the current format of 12 Team leagues continues.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

5. The numbers in teams in All County Leagues to be reduced at the end of the 2018 season to a maximum of 10 teams per division in the following manner:

• ACL Division 1 Relegation of the bottom two teams to Division 2
• ACL Division 2 No Promotion of the top two teams to Division 1 and relegation of the bottom 4 teams to Division 3.
• ACL Division 3 No Promotion of top two teams to Division 2 and relegation of bottom 6 teams to Division 4.
• ACL Division 4 No promotion and an ACL Division 5 to be reintroduced in 2019 and the number of remaining teams to be split as closely as evenly between these two divisions as possible with a maximum of 10 in ACL Div 4.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Defeated

6. From 2018 Shield League Competitions at adult level be discontinued.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

Competitions – Grading

7. CCC Liatroma to be given the brief to examine derogation from Rule 6.14 2017 with a view to formulating a regulation that is more equitable towards the relative playing strength of clubs and their ability to field teams. CCC to have any revised playing eligibility regulation formulated for approval at the March meeting of Coiste Chontae Liatroma.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

8. That in order to halt the dramatic fall-off in the number of teams competing in our Championships that the following changes be introduced to the interpretation of the derogation from Rule 6.14 in 2018: The 15 players who start in the first round championship match for a club, at Senior, Intermediate and Junior A, be precluded from playing at a lower championship level for the club in the same year. All other limitations in relation to this derogation remain as in 2017.

Béal an Átha Moir Sea Uí Eislín – Defeated

9. That the regulation which applies to Div 4 of the leagues whereby a match can be played at 13 a side, if one or both teams only have 13 players, that this be extended to games in the Junior B Championship in 2018 and beyond.

Béal an Átha Moir Sea Uí Eislín – Passed

 

10. Grading of Players: From 2018 forward clubs must nominate 13 players who are from among the First 17 used in the highest grade of championship football of the previous year to be its First 13 for League purposes only. If a club has three league teams, the remaining players from among this First Championship 17 of the previous year plus any additional players who played at any stage in its highest ranked team in the previous year’s championship shall be the first players listed on its Second League 13. The remaining players on the Second 13 to be players who were among the club’s Second Championship 17 in the previous year. All remaining club players only shall be eligible to play league football on the club’s third team. In the case of clubs having only a second team and that team eligible to play in ACL Division 4 and any Division 5 that may exist in 2018 and beyond, the club shall be required to nominate 11 players to be its First 11. These players shall be from among its First 17 in the previous year’s championship.

Exceptions:

• Should a club have a player who hasn’t been graded in accordance with the above criteria on account of not having played before First 17 previous year’s championship being established, for whatever reason, then the club may make a case for that player’s grading at the higher level.
• Members of the current Leitrim Senior Football Panel must be named on the First 13, irrespective of their current championship status.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Passed

11. That in order to halt the dramatic fall-off in the number of teams in our Leagues that the following changes be introduced in 2018: Clubs that fielded only one League team in 2017 and who wish to register a second team in 2018, be required to name 11 players who not be eligible to play with their second team in 2018. Clubs that fielded two League teams in 2017 be required to name 11 players who played for their first team in 2017 and will not be eligible to play with their second team in 2018. Clubs that fielded three League teams in 2017, be required to name 13 players who will be eligible to play with their first team only. Then name a further 11 players who not be eligible to play with their third team in 2018.

Béal an Átha Moir Sea Uí Eislín – not taken as Superseded by Motion 11

12. The following pertains to competitions where there is re-grading of teams; i.e. from 15 aside to a lower number (e.g. 13 aside). Prior to the Competitions Control Committee (CCC) structuring competitions, the teams wishing to participate in the lower grade competition (meaning a competition comprising teams of less than 15 a side), shall submit an official list to the CCC at least 3 weeks in advance of the competitions commencement. The team shall not be allowed deviate from this list for the remainder of the particular competition.

Naomh Pádraig Droim Dhá Thiar – Passed

Congress Motion

13. The GAA will not allow continued exclusive TV coverage for any games to any subscription channel, after the current contract expires. In future all proposed GAA match TV coverage will be made available via free to air

Naomh Muire Cill Tochairt – Passed

Comhairle Connacht

14. That in the event of their existence each club participating in Connacht Club Championship matches be circulated with a copy of the Provincial Council Match Regulations governing the organisation and presentation of these games in advance of the competition commencement. Such regulations to be amended, if required in 2018 to specify arrangements regarding venues that are suitable for all these matches, covering all eventualities.

Achadh na Síleann – Passed

15. In the event that no specific Connacht Club Championship Match Organisation Regulations exist that such be formulated n 2018 for circulation to clubs in advance of their participation in the relevant competition. Such regulations to specify arrangements regarding venues that are suitable for all these matches,  covering all eventualities.

Achadh na Síleann – Passed

General

16. That two delegates from Leitrim Ladies’ County Board have the right to attend the Men’s County Board meetings with speaking rights, but not voting rights.

 

Achadh Mhaoláin – Passed

17. That two delegates from the Leitrim Men’s County have the right to attend the Ladies’ County Board meetings with speaking rights, but not voting rights.

 

Achadh Mhaoláin – Withdrawn as not currently relevant to this forum

 

Leitrim GAA would like to convey its sympathy to Dr Declan Loftus, Drumshanbo, former longstanding doctor to the Leitrim County Footballers on the recent death of his sister, Ettie Clinton, Crossmolina, Co Mayo. The late Ettie was interred yesterday, Wednesday, in Crossmolina.

Ettie was a treasured and devoted mother to Annette, Dr Declan, Caroline, Brian and Sinead. Cherished sister of the late Dr.J.V, Martin and Kevin. Deeply missed by her brothers Dr Mickey, Dan, Dr Declan, Finian, Dr Colm, Liam and Shane and her sister Siobhan, her sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, her beloved grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

ELEANOR SHANLEY will play Dublin show at The Unitarian Church, Stephens Green alongside some Leitrim friends on Sunday, December 10th, 2017. Tickets priced €20 and €23 including booking fees are now on sale from tickets.ie

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.45pm. It’s a straight set with no break so it’s guaranteed not be a late night.

The concert will feature Paul Kelly (mandolin and fiddle) and Niall Hughes (double bass and guitar)

This year’s concert will also feature an exclusive live performance from Leitrim’s own Garadice, who will join Eleanor as special guests.

“Exquisite” & “Folk Roots of the highest order” – Colm O’Hare, Hot Press

“Exquisitely beautiful” – Irish Music Magazine

“Gorgeous And Bright” – No 1 played song on RTE Radio 1, summer 2015

With a career spanning over twenty years, Eleanor Shanley is one of the most loved singers in our country’s folk music history.

Whether as a soloist, or collaborating with De Dannan, or her time collaborating with the late Ronnie Drew (RIP), that voice rings threw with such lyrical emotion, every time.

As a solo artist Eleanor Shanley has had a date with The Unitarian Church at Christmas time for the last few years. All shows have sold out too. Indeed, this is Eleanor’s third consecutive December show at this beautiful landmark location on Dublin’s St Stephens Green, and one that always excites.

This year Eleanor will be joined by Paul Kelly (mandolin and fiddle) and Niall Hughes (double bass and guitar). This year’s show on December 10th show will have an extra special addition to the night, not possible in previous years.

· On the night Eleanor will introduce us to her new collaborators, GARADICE. Having met during their collective time touring Leitrim Equation in 2016, this year the four-piece collaborative made the decision to start recording together. Within Garadice Eleanor is joined by John McCartin (Guitar), Dave Sheridan (Flute, Accordion and Piano) and Padraig McGovern (Uileann Pipes and Whistles). Some live shows are likely from Garadice in 2018 in parallel to Eleanor recording her new studio album.

· However, this live Dublin performance on December 10th will be the collaborator’s first in the city. A first and very special opportunity to hear some of the recordings set to be released in Garadice’s debut album in 2018.

Eleanor Shanley still possesses a voice as pure and lyrical as the first day she stepped in front of a microphone with De Danann in 1990. Renowned for her unique interpretation of Irish and Roots songs, Eleanor has been at the top of her profession since her first appearance with De Danann. She recorded two critically acclaimed albums with them ‘A Jacket of Batteries’ and ‘Half Set in Harlem’. While a member of De Danann she also toured Europe, Australia, China, Japan and the USA as well as taking part in several tours of Ireland.

Eleanor has worked with many great musicians through the years and also recorded with The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon, Donal Lunny, to U2 and too many more both at home & internationally to mention here. Her time working with Ronnie Drew was a very special time in her life, and this a friendship she treasured. They recorded two albums together, A Couple More Years, and El Amor De Mi Vida, which was recorded shortly before Ronnie died, Eleanor and Ronnie performed live together on many occasions, also.

Eleanor’s happiest place is performing and to frequently have an opportunity to perform with friends too makes the experience even more special.

Having toured Ireland, the continent and in Canada and the USA frequently over recent years one would wonder where Eleanor found the time to release a new album also. This she did, with 2015’s Forever Young (her 14th). The album presented Eleanor with the most played track on RTE Radio 1 the same summer, the Thom Moore classic, Gorgeous and Bright

Highlights in recent years include performing at RTE Radio’s 1916 Commemoration Concert in Dublin, together with performing at Here’s To You, Ronnie Drew – A Celebration. In honour of her dear, dear friend, the concert was held at Vicar Street in September of the same year.

This year so far has included live shows in Denmark, where Eleanor was awarded The Danish Folk Music Award in 2015, a testament, were it needed, to her popularity in this market. She is only the second Irish artist to receive this honour since its inception 20 years ago. Live shows also called in Germany and here at home. Indeed, Eleanor has just returned from Canada where she expects to be touring in 2018, possibly also in parallel with recording her next album!

www.eleanorshanley.ie | @eleanorshanley

LINKS

TV / Radio Links

RTE Radio 1 Special (broadcast Sept 2015 & again March 27, 2016) Listen here: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/in-session/

Late Late Show performance – October 2015 http://goo.gl/7s38Rt

RTE Radio 1 In Session (filmed by Christian Tierney)

Forever Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA7J1nEOlQI

Melvin Gaels GAA amongst the first official GAA Healthy Clubs to receive national recognition

· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities

· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions

· Leading GAA ambassador Seán Cavanagh strongly commends the club for their leadership

November 4th – A special ceremony with governmental representation in Croke Park today saw 58 GAA clubs recognised as the first official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland.

Eight Connacht clubs, including Melvin Gaels GAA in Leitrim, can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.

In January 2016, almost 100 clubs applied to participate in Phase 2 of the project (just 16 participated in Phase 1 between 2013-2015). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution.

Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include healthy eating; physical activity for non-playing members; emotional well-being; engaging older members of the community; youth development; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. Almost half of the clubs (29) also opted to become completely smoke-free venues as part of their 18-month journey.

Progressive GAA club, Melvin Gaels is the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their innovative Melvin Gaels Million Minutes health challenge had a tremendous impact on the club and the wider community. Collectively they achieved their target of logging a million minutes of physical activity over eight weeks. The challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week, gathering each Friday evening for a health-related discussion in Kinlough Community Centre, joining the walking/running group each Saturday evening, or by kindly donating prizes or running classes for those taking part. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play.

Former Tyrone football captain Seán Cavanagh is a big supporter of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project (HCP) and presented the clubs with their official flag and plaque in Croke Park on Saturday, November 4th. He said “I’ve seen myself how the GAA brings communities together in so many different ways so it’s fantastic to see the association taking a leadership role in developing healthier communities. The Healthy Clubs around the country are having a positive impact on so many children and young people and as a parent, I think it is fantastic. Through this project, I think people will start to appreciate the role of the GAA in our communities even more.”

The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.

Similar work is being undertaken across European sports associations, and for the past three years the GAA has contributed its learnings to the EU-wide Sports Clubs for Health project. This culminated with the GAA’s Community & Health manager, Colin Regan, presenting on the Healthy Club project to a sub-committee of the EU Parliament in Brussels in April.

The Healthy Clubs project is being independently evaluated by a team from Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research. While the final report into Phase 2 won’t be available until December, the research team have already noted significant successes (see editor’s notes for examples of successful interventions).

Aogán Ó Fearghail, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael said, “The 58 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”

Recognising the achievements of the clubs in Croke Park at the Healthy Club Recognition Event is Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Department of Health (ROI). She said, “Today is all about recognition for the clubs and the volunteers who make this happen at club level. I would like to congratulate all of the clubs and volunteers involved and acknowledge the contribution that they are all making to bring the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential”

David Harney, CEO, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA reaches into every community on the island of Ireland and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to

access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”

There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA HCP including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 1 of the HCP revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health-promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.

The GAA hope to extend the project to 150 clubs in Phase 3 (with expressions of interest to open in early 2018) before opening the project to all interested clubs in 2020. There are 1,600 clubs in Ireland and over 400 abroad. For more information, visit: www.gaa.ie/community Follow: @officialgaa or Like: www.facebook.com/officialgaa/ #gaahealth

For more information or to request an interview please contact:

Wilson Hartnell:

Emma Walsh, Tel: 0873170897 or E: emma.walsh@ogilvy.com

Amber Brown, Tel: 087 779 9719 or E: amber.brown@ogilvy.com

Melvin Gaels Million Minutes

Earlier in the year, Melvin Gaels GAA Club inspired its local community off the field to record one million minutes of health-enhancing physical activity. The initiative was part of the Melvin Gaels’ involvement in the GAA’s Healthy Club project and intended to increase awareness of the importance to health of regular physical activity while bringing the community together to achieve this goal collectively. The idea was the brain child of the Melvin Gaels’ Healthy Club project team leader, Katherine Williams, who was ably assisted by Mary McSharry, Ciara Barrett, and Mary Rooney. The innovative challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play. Each Friday of the eight-week challenge participants were invited to gather at the Kinlough Community Centre to log their weekly minutes of physical activity and to enjoy an array of health-related workshops and speakers covering topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, healthy checks, functional movement, mental fitness and emotional wellbeing.

 

 

Leitrim GAA would like to offer its sincere sympathy to the family of the late John Joe Dolan, Church Street, Carrigallen, who passed away on Friday last. John Joe was a member of the Leitrim Minor Team which won the Connacht Minor Football Championship in 1945 and the following year he was a member of the Leitrim Connacht Junior Championship winning team. John Joe, a former Ulster Colleges McRory Cup Medal winner with St. Patrick’s College Cavan in 1943, represented Ulster on the Colleges Interprovincial team in 1944. He captured a Leitrim Senior Championship medal with Tully in 1945.

John Joe is sadly missed by his sons Con and Michael, daughters Colette, Marie and Geraldine, daughter-in-law Bernie, partners Mick and Colbert, grandchildren, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Removal tomorrow, Monday, to St Mary’s Church, Carrigallen, arriving for funeral mass at twelve noon.

Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.