Drumkeerin GAA Club Presents
25 CARD GAME
In aid of GAA Social Initiative
Entry Fee €5
Prize is a Turkey and free entry into Grand Final on 23rd December
Venues
Sunday 27th November: Rooneys Cosy Corner, Drumkeerin @ 8pm
Saturday 3rd December: Fordes Inn, Drumkeerin @ 9pm
Sunday 11th December: Wynnes Bar, Drumkeerin @ 8pm
Sunday 18th December: Davitts Bar, Drumkeerin @ 8pm
For More Information contact Barry McPadden on 0879033774
29-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
The GAA issued an exciting new health challenge to its members at the launch of ‘Off the Booze and On the Ball’ in Croke Park today (Tuesday, November 22). This fun challenge with a healthy twist invites participants to abstain from alcohol for the month of January and in doing so seek sponsorship to go towards their local GAA club. Participants are also encouraged to engage in some new exercises that help them reach their recommended weekly activity levels during the month, and hopefully throughout 2012. The challenge was extended personally by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana, who launched the event with Minister of State at the Department of Health, RóisÃn Shortall. The initiative is being driven by the Association’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Programme ‘ a joint initiative with the HSE that aims to reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other substances. ‘January is a month of the year when the commencement of good habits comes into sharp focus and twinning a reduction in alcohol intake with increased physical activity makes perfect sense after the possible excesses of the festive season,’ said the President of the GAA. ‘This scheme also offers members the chance to generate funds for their local clubs through sponsorship so the benefits for those involved are plain for all to see.’ Minister Shortall added ‘The history of the GAA, from a small organisation which grew from a meeting in a hotel in 1884 to the huge Association it now is with a presence in every community can be a metaphor for what we are launching here today. Everything begins with small steps and I am confident that this programme will find its way into every club, every community and every county in Ireland. Alcohol abuse presents one of the greatest challenges our country faces and I am delighted to see an organisation as renowned and respected as the GAA take a lead on this issue and I hope other sporting associations will adopt similar schemes’ Crossmaglen’s OisÃn McConville and Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea and Alan Freeman were on-hand to support the launch, as were members of the Melvin Gaels club, Leitrim Intermediate champions 2010. Their senior panel is going ‘Off the Booze and On the Ball’ come January. ‘It’s a good way to kick start the New Year and it gives the lads a challenge to engage in together,’ explains their Manager Billy Gavigan. ‘We’re back in senior championship in 2011 and for the first time the squad is engaging in a strength and conditioning programme in January to complete the activity side of the challenge.’ Club Treasurer Joe McCarron added that any money raised by the players would be a welcome boost to the club. ‘Fundraising is becoming more and more challenging and new, interesting ideas are always welcome.’ Individuals and panel members can sign up at www.gaa.ie/asap where they will receive a sponsorship card and an information pack containing details on health, exercise and diet. All participating clubs will be in with a chance to win a training session with one of Ireland’s leading high performance coaches or one of the country’s leading sports nutritionists in 2012.
Off the Booze & On the Ball, which is endorsed and supported by the GPA, fully supports the RSA’s road safety message and the Ulster Council’s ‘Live to Play’ programme and participants are encouraged to make themselves available as a designated driver for friends or family during their month of abstinence.
All County ASAP Officers are organising a local launch. If clubs could work with their ASAP Officer on this that would be great to spread the word re this initiative. If you have any queries please contact Colin Regan ASAP Officer 087-2945705. Email: colin.regan GAA.ie.
22-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Leitrim footballer Aine Tighe has been honoured in the Connacht GAA Writers Personality of the Month scheme.
Kiltubrid attacker Tighe has been selected in recognition of her outstanding achievements in 2011, during which she won the Ladies GAA Intermediate Golden Boot recipient, as well as the Intermediate Player of the year accolade. She has been named as the winner of the October award in the scheme.
The winners to date this year in the prestigious scheme have been: Caltra Cuans ladies footballers, Co. Galway (January); Senan Kilbride, St Brigids, Roscommon (February); Mark Kerins, Clarinbridge (March); Alan Mulholland, Galway (April); Wayne McKeon, Leitrim (May); Michael Finneran, Roscommon, and Andy Moran, Mayo (June); Cillian O’Connor, Mayo (July); Donal Vaughan, Mayo (August); and Barry Daly and Shane Maloney, both Galway (September).
The monthly award winners will receive their presentations at a special function in the TF Royal Theatre and Hotel, Castlebar, on Friday, February 17th, 2012.
The winner of the Michael McDonnell Award for the Personality of the Year will also be announced on that night.
Coiste Chontae Liatroma extend hearty congratulations to Aine.
15-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Coiste Chontae Liatroma extend deepest sympathy to the family of the late Oliver Regan, Derryloughan, Tullaghan, who died peacefully on Wednesday evening (9/11/11). Oliver was the father of Colin Regan who is a regular contributor to our website and the ASAP National Coordinator for the GAA.
Oliver’s enthusiasm for our games was evident to those who knew him and his colourful presence the length and breadth of the country supporting club and county, is something we will all miss.
Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
Funeral Arrangements:
Remains reposing at his late residence from today (Thursday 10/11/11) at 2pm. Removal of remains on Saturday for 1pm funeral service at the Church of Ireland Kinlough followed by burial immediately afterwards in the family plot at the old cemetery Kinlough. House strictly private on the morning of the funeral.
10-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
The Pitch by Shane Connaughton
Philly lived and played for his team, the jersey, the parish, his friends – the very pitch his enemies are now trying to take from him to turn into a housing estate. Like Philoctetes abandoned by his comrades as they go off to fight the Trojan War, Philly is tormented by painful memories and the unjust fate that holds him prisoner as he replays the events of that day when his club won the county championship for the one and only time and he wasn’t allowed to play. Accused of fathering an illegitimate child, and now threatened with retirement to a nursing home, he holds tight to the memory of the Herculean feats of his youth ‘ and to the land on which these dramas unfolded. For him, the old pitch is sacred ground, and it is here that he will make his last stand.
Thursday 10th November 2011
At the Corn Mill Theatre & Arts Centre
Carrigallen
Co. Leitrim
Doors open: 8:00pm
Show starts: 8:30pm
Booking: (049) 4339612 or bookings@cornmilltheatre.com
www.cornmilltheatre.com
ALSO SHOWING ON
Friday 25th November 2011
At Newtownforbes Sports Complex at 8.30pm (For bookings contact Catherine Faughnan on 087 9956496) – Tickets 10euro
07-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
We are already looking forward to the 2012 Football and Hurling Championships – the draws for which take place tonight at Croke Park (RTE2, 8pm).
Two fixtures in the Connacht SFC draw are already known – Leitrim v London and Sligo v New York.
06-Oct-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Connacht GAA Bursary Awards 2011/12
Connacht GAA, in support of the National Student Bursary Scheme, will once again award bursaries of €1,000 to students attending Higher Education colleges as part of its ongoing commitment to Player Welfare. The scheme, which is now in its fifth year, will be open to members of the Association who are attending a full-time Higher Education course and who are active participants in their Higher Education club. Students who hold other GAA-related or a college scholarship/bursary will not be eligible to apply. Connacht GAA welcomes applications from those students in our province, (Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon & Sligo), regardless whether their attendance is at a college inside or outside of Connacht. Each bursary granted will be for €1000 and payment will be made annually in two instalments of €500. Further information and application forms for this years scheme are currently available to download from www.connachtgaa.ie. Connacht GAA Office, Clare Streeet, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo www.connachtgaa.ie Phone: (094)9630335 Email: reception.connacht@gaa.ie The closing date for application will be October 14th, 2011. Applications received after the closing date will not be eligible for consideration.
06-Oct-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT MAKE THE WEEKEND GAMES AND FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO TUNE IN EN-ROUTE OR AT THE GAME………
SHANNONSIDE Shannonside will have live coverage of the Senior Final on Sunday and regular up-dates from the Intermediate on Saturday evening and Minor on Sunday. From 2.30 – 3pm on Sunday they will have an extensive build up with interviews from both senior camps.
OCEAN FM Ocean FM will have both the Intermediate and Senior Finals live and in full on next Saturday and Sunday. They will also have extensive updates of the Minor decider betweenÓglencar/Manorhamilton and Ballinamore in Pairc Sean on Sunday. This Friday evening (September 23) they will have a two-hour Final Whistle Show special (7-9pm), where they will be previewing the finals and speaking with players and management from all the teams involved. For supporters living abroad, both local radio stations are available on the web (www.shannonside.ie) and (www.oceanfm.ie).
WANT TO WATCH IT AGAIN…. Highlights on TG4 Highlights of Sundays Senior Final can be seen on TG4 on Monday night on the GAA 2011 programme, in its usual 8.30 timeslot. This is TG4s third visit to Leitrim, having been here previously in 2003 and in 2007. The programme will also feature the Antrim county finals in both football and hurling, as well as the best from Sundays All Ireland Ladies Football finals.
22-Sep-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Accolades on County Final Day
Leitrim Co. Board GAA is conscious of the need to honour particular contributions to the work of the Association. So, on County Final Day next Sunday in Pairc MacDiarmada, spectators will be asked to give due honour to stars of the past, the 1961 County Senior Champions ,Melvin Gaels, and also to our young GAA stars of the present, the Carrick on Shannon Area Community Games team, recently crowned All Ireland Champions.
Leitrim GAA will also accord special recognition to the memory of the late George O’Toole with the unveiling of a memorial to this renowned Gael by Uachtarán CLG Liatroma, James McGovern. The George O’Toole Memorial is located at the entrance to Ardán Mhic Shamhráin and the unveiling ceremony will take place at 3pm.
22-Sep-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
The Leitrim Football Management Team for 2012 is now complete following the ratification of George Dugdale as selector at last nights County Board meeting. George joins Manager Mickey Moran and selector Barney Breen for the 2012 campaign. We wish George all the best in his new role.
14-Sep-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
GAA stars and sports experts offer insights
into modern health and life challenges
All-Ireland winning Armagh footballer Oisin McConville will be amongst the guest speakers at a unique event in The Sligo Park Hotel on Monday, September 5, at 7pm. President of the GAA, Mr Christy Cooney, will give the closing address on the night.
Entitled ‘A Sporting Chance: Tackling life’s challenges with the GAA’, the free event aims to offer inspiration and information to the GAA’s young players, and their coaches, mentors, and administrators, on some of the challenges they may face during their sporting careers on and off the field.
The event has been organised by Sligo GAA’s Games Promotion Officer, Charlie Harrison, who is also the Sligo senior football captain, and Colin Regan, National Coordinator of the Association’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) programme, who represented Leitrim on the playing fields for over 13 years. Other noted contributors on the evening include sports psychologist Caroline Currid, a native of Sligo, who has worked with some of the top teams and individuals in the country across an array of sports, Sligo GAA legend Eamonn O’Hara, and leading Irish sports nutritionist Richelle FlanÓghan.
The event concludes the GAA’s National Urban Project in Sligo town, which aims to raise the profile of and participation levels in gaelic Games in urban bases across the island. Harrison is the coordinator of the project in Sligo.
‘The GAA is working hard to offer all members of our communities the opportunity to participate in gaelic games, and as a result experience the benefits that involvement in sport brings,’ explains Charlie. ‘However, our young people in particular face challenges and tests in all walks of their lives that can impact negatively on their sporting involvement and their health in general. That’s why we wanted to put on an event that addressed some of these issues and provide information and inspiration through the likes of Oisin, Eamonn and the rest of the speakers that helps people realise that making the right choices in your life can make all the difference.
Oisin McConville has won an All-Ireland senior football championship medal, seven Ulster championships and a National League title with Armagh. He has also been awarded two All Stars. However, as he revealed in his recent autobiography, his addiction to gambling proved the biggest challenge he has faced in life. Now working as a counselor in the area, Oisin will offer a unique personal insight into the road too and from addiction and the challenges associated with both.
Other topics covered during the informal open panel discussion ‘ which will be chaired by TG4’s sports presenter Micheál Ó Domhnaill ‘ include the pressures facing young people both in terms of their personal development and their sporting lives, healthy eating and the impact of alcohol on sports performance, and the GAA’s onÓgoing work in reducing the potential harm of alcohol and drugs misuse amongst its members.
‘This event highlights the GAA’s commitment to assist our members in enjoying a full and healthy life both on and off the field,’ explained Mr. Cooney.
The evening, which runs from 7pm-9pm, will feature a mix of fascinating personal experiences combined with expert advice from some of the top professionals in their fields. It will conclude with a Q&A session from the audience and promises to be of value to anyone interested in sport, juvenile development and life’s challenges in general.
For further information contact Colin Regan, National Coordinator of the GAA’s ASAP Programme, on 087-2945705, or Charlie Harrison, Sligo GPO, on 086-7930652.
31-Aug-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Mickey Moran was reappointed as Leitrim Senior Football Manager at last nights Special County Committee meeting.
Barney Breen continues in his role as selector while Martin McGowan has decided to step down after 14 years involvement with Leitrim Football teams.
Cathaoirleach Joe Flynn gave glowing praise to Martin for his total dedication and significant contribution to Leitrim GAA and wished him well in the future.
17-Aug-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
