Archive for category: General

Irish Heart Foundation FAST awareness campaign 

Each year, 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke, 2,000 of these die and thousands others face severe disability. Research from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) has show that awareness of stroke symptoms has risen by 124%. Since the F.A.S.T campaign, the thrombolysis rate in Ireland has increased by 500%. We estimate that this is saving an extra 150 stroke patients a year from death or severe disability. However, the gains made by the Act F.A.S.T. campaign to date could easily be lost. The RCSI research showed that in a matter of weeks after major bursts of campaign activity, stroke admission rates were falling back to normal levels. Unless we can maintain awareness after the end of the campaign at a level where people remain motivated to act F.A.S.T, then our efforts will have no long-term impact. 

Further information on the Act F.A.S.T campaign is available at http://www.stroke.ie/iopen24/help-spread-fast-message-t-483_487_609.html

28-May-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim GAA Open night

10/5/13

Boys and girls from the Aughavas, Drumkeerin, Kiltubrid and Leitrim Gaels Clubs shared the GAA county grounds on Friday evening with the members of the Leitrim team and management personnel.

The occasion was the second Championship Open Evening, when supporters of all ages were invited to meet the Leitrim team as the players gear up for the forthcoming Connacht Championship semi final clash in Páirc Sean with either London or Sligo on Sunday, June 23rd. Followers got to meet and chat with the players and to witness first hand the team preparations for an exciting season.

But pride of place went to the youngsters on the Under 10 Blitz teams from the four clubs who strove might and main under the guidance of team mentors, coaches and parents, grannies, grandas, uncles, aunts and cousins, to show off their already considerable skills and to put down a pointer that they intend to be the Leitrim stars of the future. It was a great thrill for them too to have their team photograph taken with their own idols on the current side and also to have county stars referee their Blitz games. The emphasis was very much on the kids enjoying the football and the whole fun experience, when the results of their games did not really matter and where everybody got to play.

Also present to extend good wishes was Gerard Fitzgerald of Gerard Anthony Menswear, Carrick on Shannon who kindly sponsored casual outfits for our county team for their recent trip to New York, numerous Supporter Club members and County Board and Coiste na n-Óg officials, coaches and Games Promotion Officers.

There was more to come for all the children present, when they all combined to play a hilarious challenge match against the Leitrim players, who were tackled, hassled and man-marked by a virtual army of young footballers. It must be said that from goalkeepers Cathal McCrann and Brendan Flynn out, the county team really got into the spirit of things and made the occasion something to remember for their avid young followers, allowing themselves to be beaten to the ball and outplayed throughout the field, with the youngsters banging in the goals and slotting over the points.

Activity on the field finished with all the children lining up with their county heroes to have a group photo taken and the night finished with all the children receiving refreshments and “GAA Heroes” posters and wristbands.  The county players and management were then interviewed by the press and radio, before getting down to the serious business of yet another training session.

The Open Evening was an unqualified success and much credit must go to the young players, their mentors and families and all our avid supporters who turned up in huge numbers to congratulate the team on their victory in New York and wish them well in the semi final which is sure to draw a bumper crowd to Páirc Seán.  Our own GAA heroes, the Leitrim County team were so giving of their time and encouragement to the children and yet again showed what wonderful ambassadors they are for the GAA – well done lads.  

Now it is all to play for, it is all down to the performance on the field in Páirc Seán on June 23^rd and remember, as the GAA marketing slogan says,:

Nothing beats being there.

10-May-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Special Olympics Ireland annual Collection Day, will take place on Friday, 26th April 2013 in more than 200 towns and cities throughout Ireland. To make this day a success, and help us to raise essential funding for Special Olympics Ireland, we need your help! 

We are looking for volunteers to shake in Co Leitrim.  (Carrick On Shannon, Manorhamilton, Mohill, Ballinamore, Drumshanbo).

If you would like to volunteer, and can spare an hour or two of your time, please contact Michael Carty,fundraising Coordinator, Special Olympics Connaught, www.michael.carty@specialolympics.ie   071 9118320. 

The Collection Day is the biggest annual fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland. The money raised on the day will be used to ensure that Special Olympics Ireland can continue to realise its promise of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their area.

22-Apr-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

The Leitrim Senior football team and management are hosting a general knowledge table quiz on Friday night, 12th April 2013 at 9.00pm in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. You can enter a team on the night or pre-book your place by contacting Collette on 086 6020192 or email pro.leitrim@gaa.ie

The inimitable Tommy Moran will be in charge of asking the questions and he assures me that if you are a fan of Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia Britannica, Google Earth and the Irish Sun – you will have no problem in coming up trumps on the night. “It will be a great nights craic – no question about it,” added Tommy before being airlifted to Fort Knox where he will be kept under armed guard with the quiz questions in an isolation unit until his appearance in the Bush Hotel at 9pm next Friday. 

Entry for a table of four is €40 and wed love to see you there.

08-Apr-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

If you are travelling to New York from Ireland for our forthcoming Connacht Championship game,  Eamon Duignan has kindly drawn our attention to the following requirements: 

The following information has to be given before any person is allowed travel to the USA. You have to enter your API (Advance Passenger Information) which you will find on the Aer Lingus website. You also have to log into your Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which is a visa permit to enter the USA (there is a charge of $14 dollars for this) which only came in to law in 2009. This ESTA is also on the Aer Lingus website.

02-Apr-13 by Eamonn Duignan

Supporters Club Draw 2013

We hope to be able to broadcast LIVE on the web this years Leitrim Supporters Club Draw from Coxs Steak House, Dromod on Saturday evening 23^rd. March. It is envisaged that the draw should take place not later than 11pm but we will update our web site, facebook page and twitter account with the time approximately 30 minutes before the draw. And remember – you still have time to get your ticket for the draw to be in with a chance to win one of our fabulous prizes. Contact any member of your local club executive or send an email to pro.leitrim@gaa.ie. Thanks once again for your support.

Go n-éirí an t-adh leat.

Shay Reynolds

Cathaoirleach Leitrim Supporters Club 2013

22-Mar-13 by Shay Reynolds Leitrim Supporters Club