Archive for category: General

The presentation of the 2017 Awards will take place in the Bush Hotel tomorrow night, Saturday, February 3rd,  commencing at 8pm. Presentations will be made to the individuals who excelled in their respective teams and at individual level over the season that has passed. The victorious Leitrim Juniors,  Connacht Junior Football Champions 2017, will be presented with their provincial medals also. All in all, it promises to be an enjoyable night.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma Awards 2017

Jim Lynch Hall of Fame: Tom Guckian, St. Mary’s

County Player of Year: Micheal Mc Weeney, St. Mary’s

Senior Club Player of Year: Caillian Canning, Mohill

Intermediate Club Player of Year: Barry Mc Weeney, Aughnasheelin

Junior Club Player of Year: Donal Feely, Ballinamore SOH

Senior Referee of Year: Brendan Sammon, Aughnasheelin

Minor Player of Year: Sean Chandler, Leitrim Gaels

U17 Player of Year: Ciaran Cullen, Aughnasheelin

U16 Player of Year: Paul Keaney, St. Mary’s

Coiste na nÓg Referee of Year: Michael Mc Girl, Drumreilly

Club Grounds of Year: Bornacoola Club

County Hurler of Year: James Glancy Carrick Hurling

Senior Club Hurler of Year: Kevin Clerkin, Cluainin Iomáint

Junior Club Hurler of Year: James McNabola, Carrick Hurling

Senior Handballer of Year: Leo Logan, Drumshanbo

Juvenile Handballer of Year: Evan Foley, Drumshanbo

Ladies Hadballlers of Year: Amy O Donnell and Aoibhe Logan

GAA open next stage of award winning Healthy Club Project

 The Healthy Club project aims to transform GAA clubs into health-enhancing hubs for their communities

• With flagship Healthy Clubs now in every county of Ireland, the GAA is calling on more clubs to get involved
• So far, over 12,000 people have benefitted from physical activity programmes and 50% of Healthy Clubs are now smoke-free zones
• 1,000 people engaged with mental health and emotional wellbeing programmes
• Over half (55%) of Healthy Clubs delivered healthy eating programmes targeting teenagers in particular
• Dublin Ladies Footballer Lyndsey Davey, Waterford Hurler Jamie Barron and Mayo Footballer Diarmuid O’Connor leading the call for clubs to get involved
• 58 active Healthy Clubs, with 39,000 members delivering a range of projects including physical fitness, mental wellbeing and community initiatives

 [Tuesday, 16^th January 2018] An independent evaluation by the Centre for Health Behaviour Research, Waterford IT, has revealed that the GAA Healthy Club Project (HCP) is showing significant and lasting improvements to the health of communities across Ireland[1]. Stemming from this, the Healthy Club Project is calling on further clubs to make the GAA a healthier place for everyone to enjoy by signing up to this transformative initiative.

The HCP began in 2013, in partnership with Healthy Ireland, HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, and kindly supported by Irish Life. Its aim is to make every GAA club in Ireland a hub for health, capable of providing their members and communities with programmes that support their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

As part of the HCP to date, 58 clubs have delivered 350 initiatives covering: physical activity, healthy eating, mental fitness, gambling, alcohol and drug education, training and personal development, anti-bullying, anti-smoking and community development. The evaluation by Waterford IT revealed that approximately 60-80%1 of these initiatives were having a medium to high impact on members’ health.

Launching the next stage of the HCP, Minister for Health Simon Harris said: “Congratulations to the GAA clubs that have already taken part in the Healthy Club Project. You are leading the charge and have already made a hugely positive contribution to the communities you serve.

The Government recently launched the Healthy Ireland 2018 campaign by which we want to encourage people to make positive choices to improve their physical and mental health. These positive choices are based around three key areas – eating more healthily, being more active, and minding our mental wellbeing. The Healthy Club Project is a great example of one of our key sporting organisations working in partnership with the health sector to help people achieve these positive changes.”

Aogán Ó Fearghail, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael said: “Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about and the Healthy Club Project aims to build on this by making our clubs hubs for health that everyone can experience and enjoy. 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 the project from 60 to 150 clubs in this new phase.”

There are numerous examples of the positive impact the HCP is having within communities across Ireland, one such example is the “Men on the Move” (MOTM) programme. MOTM is a 12-week programme funded by the HSE and delivered through the LSP network, aiming to promote physical activity and general wellbeing among men over the age of 30.

The 12 week results of the Healthy Club participants showed an average weight loss of 2kg, and an average waist circumference drop of 3-4 cm, maintained at the 26-week check. There was also a one-minute improvement in the time to complete one mile.

Participants also recorded improvements to their social and emotional wellbeing. The programme brought men together and provided them with the opportunity to exercise at their own pace, while developing new friendships. Some of the personal experiences reported by the men include: enhanced confidence, communication and self- care. Direct quotes include: “The Men on The Move programme has created new friendships and left me feeling more positive about myself” and “I looked forward to the sessions to switch off and have a bit of craic with the lads after a tough day at work”. For at least one man, the programme has been “simply life changing”.

Minister of State for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne noted that many individuals and organisations are now consciously adopting more healthy lifestyles and paid tribute to the GAA’s role in this: “These welcome developments in society are taking place alongside the well established traditions of healthy and positive lifestyles that the GAA has long promoted in its proud history.  Against that background I would like to acknowledge the level of commitment demonstrated by volunteers in the GAA Clubs who are actively promoting health and wellbeing and leading the way for other sporting organisations.”

Speaking about Irish Life’s support for the Healthy Club Project, David Harney, CEO, Irish Life said: “The Healthy Club Project is a natural fit with Irish Life’s vision – we want to help people build better futures. Since 1884, the GAA has been Irelands largest sporting organisation and with almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the HCP is the ideal forum through which to deliver health messages, and initiatives. There is a natural synergy between Irish Life and the Healthy Club Project and we’re delighted to continue to support such an important initiative.”

Dublin Ladies footballer, Lyndsey Davey said: “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the GAA Healthy Club Project, it’s really a fantastic initiative and has the potential to have a life changing impact on Dublin people’s lives. My mum is a volunteer with the Skerries Healthy Club and loves it! I’ve seen first-hand how the Healthy Club Project champions the deeper values associated with the GAA: those of community, inclusivity and health and wellbeing. I would encourage all Dublin clubs to sign up for the Healthy Club Project and make your club a friendlier place for everyone to enjoy.”

Waterford hurler, Jamie Barron said: “The GAA Healthy Club Project has the potential to have a life changing impact on Waterford people’s lives, that’s why I’m excited to champion the cause. The GAA is committed to getting Ireland more active, particularly the non- playing population and the Healthy Club Project provides clubs with the opportunity to make this happen. I would encourage all Waterford clubs to sign up for the Healthy Club Project and move Ireland one step closer towards a healthier future.”

Mayo Footballer Diarmuid O’Connor said: “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the Healthy Clubs Project on behalf of the GAA, this programme has the potential to have a life changing impact on Mayo people’s lives. The GAA is woven into the fabric of Ireland and local clubs provide the perfect space to implement healthy lifestyle programmes, which can support everyone in the community. I would encourage all Mayo clubs to sign up for the Healthy Club Project and make your club a more positive experience for all.”

Clubs are encouraged to get involved and enjoy the numerous benefits, including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources, the potential to increase membership and broaden the volunteer base, better community engagement with club activities, improvements in health promoting activities, improved goodwill for the club, and opening up funding avenues, all the while enhancing the health of the nation.

Clubs can apply to participate in the Healthy Club Project by completing the online form on www.gaa.ie/community The closing date is Monday, January 29^th.

Follow: @officialgaa or Like: www.facebook.com/officialgaa/ #gaahealth

[1] Lane, A., Murphy, N., and Callaghan, D. (2018).  The Health Impact of the GAA Healthy Club Project.  Centre for Health Behaviour Research, WIT, Waterford, Ireland.

THE ONE and only Marty Morrissey will be the special guest at the annual Leitrim Supporters’ Club launch in the Celtic Suite of Croke Park on this Thursday at 7.30pm sharp.

The country’s favourite sports presenter is sure to draw a huge crowd to what has become a must-attend event for anyone with a Leitrim connection in the capital and surrounding counties.

This year’s gathering also includes a special recognition by the Leitrim Supporters’ Club of the three Leitrim legends who, 60 years ago this year, won Railway Cup Medals in 1958: Columba Cryan, Packy McGarty and Cathal Flynn. All three played for Leitrim in the most talked about game of them all, the famous 1958 Connacht Final v Galway.

Continuing the strong vein of talent to entertain at the gathering will be none other than super-group, Garadice, a collection of some of Leitrim’s finest musical exponents.

Organised by the Dublin Branch of the Leitrim’s Supporters Club, last year’s event drew 160 attendees and proved another highlight of the year’s social calendar.

More used to interviewing than being interviewed, Marty Morrissey will find the tables turned as Leitrim Observer columnist and MC for the night, puts the Clare man through his paces in a wide-ranging chat that will touch upon his stellar broadcasting career, his time as a player and a manager, and most recently, his turn on RTE’s hit ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

A bus will travel to Croke Park from Leitrim for the event, times as follows:

Drumshanbo Swimming Pool 4.15pm

Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada 4.40pm

Bornacoola GAA Grounds 5.00pm

The bus is free of charge.

Leitrim legends Columba Cryan, Packy McGarty and Cathal Flynn will also be honoured on the while Leitrim super-group Garadice will provide the musical entertainment.

THE ONE and only Marty Morrissey will be the special guest at the annual Leitrim Supporters’ Club launch in the Celtic Suite of Croke Park on Thursday, January 18, at 7.30pm sharp.

The country’s favourite sports presenter is sure to draw a huge crowd to what has become a must-attend event for anyone with a Leitrim connection in the capital and surrounding counties.

This year’s gathering also includes a special recognition by the Leitrim Supporters’ Club of the three Leitrim legends who, 60 years ago this year, won Railway Cup Medals in 1958: Columba Cryan, Packy McGarty and Cathal Flynn. All three played for Leitrim in the most talked about game of them all, the famous 1958 Connacht Final v Galway.

Continuing the strong vein of talent to entertain at the gathering will be none other than super-group, Garadice, a collection of some of Leitrim’s finest musical exponents.

Organised by the Dublin Branch of the Leitrim’s Supporters Club, last year’s event drew 160 attendees and proved another highlight of the year’s social calendar.

More used to interviewing than being interviewed, Marty Morrissey will find the tables turned as Leitrim Observer columnist and MC for the night, puts the Clare man through his paces in a wide-ranging chat that will touch upon his stellar broadcasting career, his time as a player and a manager, and most recently, his turn on RTE’s hit ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Prior to this, Leitrim senior team manager, Benny Guckian will outline his plans for the year ahead while County Chairperson, Terrence Boyle, will offer an update on all Leitrim GAA activities.

The night will conclude with a special performance from Garadice. This exceptional quartet features Eleanor Shanley, one of Ireland’s foremost singers since her first appearance as the singer with traditional group De Danann. Padraig McGovern was taught uilleann pipes by master piper P.J. Flood and developed his music as a member of the Ceolas Céili Band. Dave Sheridan’s playing style has been described as “free-flowing and fluid, with sound technique and solid driving rhythm”. He has recorded two highly acclaimed solo albums and has recorded with De Danann and Téada.

John McCartin is both a guitar and fiddle player and has played with many noted bands including Lúnasa and Dervish.

The night, of course, kick-starts a fundraising campaign without which the Leitrim County Board simply couldn’t continue its high level of work and investment in Leitrim teams on and off the field. Leitrim Supporters Draw Tickets (which this year includes a prize of a trip to New York for the championship encounter in May) will be for sale on the night and all who buy one will also be entered in a raffle on the night containing some exceptional Leitrim-themed prizes.

The event will take place on Thursday, January 18, in the Celtic Suite of Croke Park with parking available in the Cusack Stand car park (accessed through the GAA museum entrance off Clonliffe Road.

Doors will open at the slightly earlier time of 7.00pm this year with the addresses and entertainment starting at 7.30pm sharp. Light refreshments will be provided at the interval with the night concluding at 9.15pm sharp. All are welcome to this free event and please let anyone with a Leitrim connection know it’s happening.

A bus will travel to Croke Park from Leitrim for the event, times as follows:

Drumshanbo Swimming Pool 4.15pm

Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada 4.40pm

Bornacoola GAA Grounds 5.00pm

The bus is free of charge.

Leitrim GAA wishes to express its deepest sympathies to the family of the late Eamonn Tubman, Fenaghbeg, Fenagh, County Leitrim on his sudden and sad passing.

Eamonn, a lifetime Fenagh St Caillin’s man, was the very essence of a GAA person, stalwart club man who was at the very core of all that’s great in a GAA Club, from physical development to player development. He served in many varying capacities with his club over many decades and offered much toward the development of Leitrim GAA. He served his county excellently through the 1980s and served as County Vice Chairman in Leitrim’s glory years in first half of the 1990s. A GAA man to the core he will be sorely missed by his club and county, but essentially most by his dear family.

Funeral Arrangements

The death has occurred of Eamonn Tubman, Fenaghbeg, Fenagh, Co. Leitrim and formerly of Shivdilla, Gorvagh, Co. Leitrim, Sunday 31st December, 2017 suddenly at his residence.

Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife; Nora, sons; Bill, Eamonn Jnr. and Raymond, daughter; Noreen (Dubai), daughter-in-law; Mary, granddaughter; Olivia, sister; Mary (Derby, England), brothers; Liam (Costa Rica) Mehaul (London), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

May he rest in peace.

Remains reposing at his residence on Tuesday (2nd January, 2018) from 2.00pm and on Wednesday (3rd January) until 3.00pm with removal to arrive at St Mary’s Church, Foxfield at 7.00pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday at 12 noon followed by interment to Fenagh New Cemetery.

House private from 3.00pm on Wednesday please.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to Diabetes Ireland care of Early’s Funeral Directors, Mohill.