Leitrim & Tyrone jersies auction highlight of fundraiser for Honduras

This June, Killargue girl, Laura Feeney, will be among one of a group of twenty from NUI Galway that will travel to the central American country of Honduras.

Far from it being a holiday Laura and the group will be building houses with Habitat for Humanity (HFH) for those affected by the catastrophic Hurricane Mitch that swept across Central America in 1998. She is not the only person travelling from Leitrim with Manorhamiltons Christina Fox and Louise Huston from Cloone joining her on the excursion.

In order to assist the fundraising of €3,000 for Laura to attend this worthwhile project a very special event is taking place in Dromahaire this Friday evening (January 30th) at the Clubhouse. The function is sure to appeal to all interests with the highlight of the night being the auctioning of a Tyrone GAA jersey signed by the 2008 All-Ireland winning panel.
The first event begins with Bernie Delaney, Style coach. Not only will you have an enjoyable time you will also leave knowing how to look and feel your best as Bernie will give tips on how to analyse body shapes, wearing appropriate clothing for your age and shape. Using accessories wisely as a cover-up or to enhance areas and features. How to be the best you can be every day.

In addition there will be ideas for making your wardrobe function better including de-cluttering and re-organising tips. Skin and hair tips will also be given on the night and there will be lots of opportunities to ask questions and to get advice. Entry for this event is €10 and tickets can be purchased in advance from Anne Kelly at (071) 649164572.
Talented local musician Padraig Sweeney will then provide music on the night and set the tone for a special draw which is taking place. A number of wonderful prizes have been offered as part of the raffle. First Prize is a Hotel Break for two at any of the McEniff Hotels, second Prize is a €100 voucher for the River Bank Restaurant Dromahair, third prize is €50 with a fourth prize is a bottle of Brandy.

The auction of the jersey signed by the team that stopped Kerrys three-in-a-row last September will conclude proceedings. But for those who may miss out on this a Leitrim jersey signed by all of Mickey Morans troops will also be auctioned off on the night also.
On top of all this there is sure to be some lively banter with refreshments being served throughout.

Laura says: "As Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere the people there are still suffering the effects of the devastating hurricane. As a team we will work with local people to build new home during our three-week visit. As volunteers we will be working under supervision of local skilled tradespeople, doing jobs such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and painting. We will be work with local families who will live in the homes.
"Hopefully the event this Friday will be a success. There is something there for everybody, both male and female, young and old. For those who have supported me together with anybody that comes this Friday I want thank them in advance for their support. It is a great cause"

For further information please contact Stephen Feeney @ (086) 0663228

 

 

23-Jan-09 by Submitted

A fantastic night

Some things just get the pulse racing and last nights speeches at the Dublin launch of the Leitrim Supporters Club 2009 certainly did that. Five speakers in total gave excellent presentations and the 80 minutes flew as speech after speech hammered home the basic 2 key points- Money and Belief. Both of these are points that can be addressed by all Leitrim Supporters worldwide and it is only with this support that we will move forward.

Michael Feeney acting as MC opened the proceedings and invited Eamonn Duignan to the stand to present the financial facts of Leitrim GAA. A very important message was delivered that Leitrim GAA relies heavily on our supporters club fund raising efforts to finance the day to day costs. An achievable target of €150,000 is required to balance the books for 2009, the plan is simple, supporters are asked to not only buy a ticket but to also sell one ticket and thus we will achieve our target. This is not a large task to ask of anyone but with a collective effort targets will be achieved.

Gerry McGovern, Chairman Leitrim GAA, gave a very rousing speech emphasising Eamonns message and also introduced the second key point of the night. Believe and we will do it. The message was clear – dont expect second best on or off the field, believe in our teams and we will deliver.

John Morrison spoke at length about the team setup, experiences to date and plans for the future. His words were simple and very well delivered as the captivated audience received the positive message of belief in ourselves and our teams.

With John leaving everyones pulse racing Mickey Moran had a very hard act to follow but he stood his corner and gave his perspective on the year ahead and plans for further down the line. He talked about his aspirations and inspirations and he too maintained the believe theme.

The honorary guest speaker of the night was Dermot Gallagher and he presented a message of inspiration for Leitrim teams and supporters. Dermot also delivered a delightful Leitrimised tailored dialogue between two travellers which was very well received. Dermot was presented with a large framed picture of 2 projects in which he was instrumental in delivering to Leitrim in his time in the civil service, the rejuvenation of the Shannon/Erne waterway and the New Stand in Páirc Seán.

Eamonn Duignan was also presented with an engraved crystal bowl to mark his tireless efforts in running the Supporters club in Dublin and for his time in monitoring the paperwork for the Get on the team fundraising campaign.

 

Summary:

1. Our financial situation must be carefully monitored and we need to raise €150,000 by means of the our supporters club. This CAN be achieved and with each Leitrim supporter performing the small task of buy 1 and sell 1 ticket then targets will be reached

2. Believe – in ourselves and our teams on the field and off of it. negative thoughts, words and actions will not deliver silverware. Belief – is the only way forward.

 

Please do your bit for Leitrim and try and deliver on the 2 key points !

 

 

23-Jan-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award – Gerry Mahon

Last Saturday night was a very enjoyable night as the Annual Awards were presented to the 2008 winners. The function held in the Bush Hotel was very well attended and great night was had by all. Eighteen awards were presented on the night and one of the main awards was the Jm Lynch Hall of Fame which was presented to long term serving member Gerry Mahon.  Below is the citation as read by Eamonn Duignan on the night, included also is a copy of the letter received from Uachtaráin Nickey Brennan

The Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award is sponsored by the Leitrim Supporters in Dublin in honour of one of its founding members, & former county player of the 50/60s Jim Lynch.

This award means a lot to the supporters in Dublin, to the recipients who are recognized for a lifetime of service & contribution to the GAA. The award also means a lot to the Lynch family.
Jims wife Mary passed away on Christmas eve so I would like to especially welcome Jim/Martina attending tonight in what is a difficult time for the family.

 

The Award Winner

A native of Aughnasheelin, with whom he won a Leitrim Junior Championship, Gerry has been associated with the Sean OHeslins Club, Ballinamore for many years. Indeed he has made a significant contribution to Ballinamore football, having trained countless underage players who went on to become club and county players as well as having won numerous Cumann Na mBunscoil and Mini Seven Competitions with the Ballinamore Boys National School.

Gerry also has a great interest in Hurling and was Chairman of the Leitrim Hurling Board in the late 60s and early seventies, and promoted the game throughout the county. During that time Leitrim won the Connacht junior hurling championship twice in 1969 & 1970 and lost the 1970 All-Ireland final to Meath.

Gerry was not only an administrator and involved himself in all aspects of the GAA.  Gerry was an umpire in the 1977 All Ireland Minor Final.

A selector with the Leitrim footballers some decades ago, Gerry also had to don the county jersey on one occasion when transport difficulties left the side short at the official opening of the Ballicargy GAA Club Grounds.The history books do not record how well he played.

Gerry has held a number of positions on Leitrim County Board, including Connacht Council delegate, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, County Chairman (1982-1984), Gerry is one of 3 Ballinamore men to hold that position, He also served a 23 year stint as Central Council Delegate, a record in itself as only one other man the late Leo McAlinden from Cloone had served a longer term in that position.

During his long involvement with the GAA, Gerry has lent his diverse talents to all aspects of the work of the Association, he is busy at present guiding the Sean OHeslin Scór na n-Óg Question Time team – no doubt he will continue to serve the GAA well in many capacities in the future.

I would like to read out the following letter of congratulations from GAA President Nicky Brennan.

 

Teachtaireact an Uachtaráin

 

 

 

19-Jan-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Leitrim GAA – Award Winners 2008

Leitrim GAA are delighted to announce the following recipients of the 2008 awards for the Senior and Coiste na nÓg boards:

 

County Board Award Winners 2008

Jim Lynch – Hall of Fame
Gerry Mahon, Sean OHeslins

 

Referee of the year
Finbarr Keaney, Kiltubrid

 

Club Player of the year
Sean Mahon, Aughnasheelin

 

Club Grounds of the year
Aughavas

 

County Player of the year
Shane Foley, Kiltubrid

 

 

Coiste na nÓg Award Winners 2008

Young Player of the year
Micheal Mc Weeney, St. Marys

 

Minor Player of the year
Emmett Mahon,  Kiltubrid

 

Referee of the year
Seamus Mulhern, St. Marys

 

 

 

Handball Award Winners 2008

 

Juvenile Handballer of Year
Donal Wrynne, Fenagh

 

 

Ladies Handballer of Year
Joanne Logan, Drumshanbo

 

 

Junior Handballer of Year
James Hazlette, Drumkeeran.

 

 

Senior Handballer of Year
Martin Raftery, Drumshanbo

 

 

 

 

Ladies Award Winners 2008

 

Junior Club Player of Year
Enya McWeeney, St Marys

 

 

Intermediate Club Player of Year
Deirdre Ward, Mohill

 

 

Senior Club Player of Year
Grainne Tiernan, Cloone

 

 

 

Hurling Award Winners 2008

County Hurler of Year
Clement Cunniffe (St Marys)

 

Club Hurler of Year
Padraig McWeeney (St Marys)

 

Young Hurler of Year
Brian Feeney (Glencar/Manorhamilton)

 

 

 

 

Many congratulations to all of the the worthy award winners who will be honoured at the annual awards night on Saturday night (Jan 17th) at 8pm.

 

 

15-Jan-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Leitrim GAA Supporters Launch Message

23rd Year of the Club

 

The Leitrim GAA Supporters (Dublin Branch) invites you to attend the Supporters Club Annual Launch on Thursday 22nd January 2009 at 8.30 pm in the Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge, and Dublin. (Entrance of Anglesea Rd, Complimentary parking).

The 09 Supporters Club will be launched by Carrick-on-Shannon native Dermot Gallagher, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs.

The new team management, Mickey Moran and John Morrison will brief the meeting on Leitrims preparations for the forthcoming season.

Gerry McGovern, Chairman, Leitrim Co. Board will give an update on all developments in the county.

This will be another great occasion for Leitrim people to get together. Please spread the word to anyone from Leitrim who might be interested.

Tea/ Coffee will be served from 8.00 p.m. with the compliments of the Herbert Park Hotel.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the night.

____________________
Eamonn Duignan
Chairman, Dublin Branch

 

 

11-Jan-09 by Eamonn Duignan

GAA 125 years – Late Late Show and TG4 Series

 

GAA @ 125 Bliain

Both RTE and TG4 are getting into the spirit of the 125 celebrations as tonights Late Late Show is dedicated to the GAA and the last 125 year.

On Sunday TG4 roll out a new 10 part television documentary series chronicling the social and cultural history of the Association.

RTE 1 – Late Late Show

The former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and The Saw Doctors will be joining Pat Kenny tonight for special edition of The Late Late Show.

tonights show, which will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the GAA, will also feature Sean Óg O hAilpín and the Artane Boys and Girls Band.

Other well-known faces and lovers of the games will be on hand for a show that promises to be rich in anecdote and song. Dara OBriain, Oliver Callan of Nob Nation, Brush Shields and Tommy Fleming will be in studio.
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Joining the party will be the most star-studded assembly ever of legends of the games including Kevin Heffernan, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Babs Keating, Dermot Earley, Eddie Keher, Mick ODwyer, Henry Shefflin, Peter Canavan, Jamsie OConnor, Colm Cooper, Padraic Joyce and Sean Og O hAlpin.

You can watch this special show tonight at 9.30pm on RTÉ One

 

 

TG4 – Launch of a major new television history series

As a major contribution to the GAA’s 125th Birthday in 2009, TG4 today launched its major new 10 part television documentary series chronicling the social and cultural history of the Association.

The series, launched by GAA President, Nickey Brennan, at the GAA Museum in Croke Park Dublin, traces the consistent growth and sometimes turbulent story of the Association from the inaugural meeting in Hayes Hotel in Thurles to today’s vibrant and self-confident organization with hundreds of thousands of players and members in Ireland and overseas and proud owner of one of Europe’s best sports stadia.

Drawing extensively on newsreel, film and television archive and informed by insightful contributions from leading historians, journalists, players, administrators and commentators, this is the story of a uniquely Irish entity – a combination of cultural movement, sporting organization and mirror of Irish society for a century and a quarter that has survived and flourished through war, peace, emigration, insecurity, political violence and economic boom.

From the Beara peninsula in West Cork to Casement Park in Belfast, from the sandy playing field on the Aran Islands to the multi-cultural primary school teams of the new Dublin suburbs, the series offers a fresh perspective on the GAA through the ages, reflecting on what it meant not just to public leaders and opinion-formers but to the ordinary playing members and supporters and to its critics also. The series shows the enormous influence of the GAA over wider society and it’s often unthanked role in promoting pride of place, social cohesion and in providing a sporting outlet and facilities in communities, whether affluent or deprived.

Each programme takes a period of 20-25 years places the development of the GAA within the broader social and historical context of the time. Contributors include Dr Diarmaid Ferriter, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Mickey Harte, Brendan Fullam, Mick O’Dwyer, Maurice Hayes, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Canon Tom Looney, Liam Griffin, Marcus de Búrca, Professor John A Murphy, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD and top GAA officials Nickey Brennan, Uachtarán, Christy Cooney, Uachtarán tofa and Páraic Duffy, Ard-Stiúrthóir.

The series will air on TG4 on late Sunday afternoons from mid January (with a repeat showing of each programme on Friday nights).  It has been commissioned by TG4 from Nemeton, an independent production company based in Ring in the Waterford Gaeltacht, the channel’s primary provider of sports output. In addition to the TG4 funding, the series has also received support from the BCI Sound & Vision Fund and the European Media Fund and was one of the largest scale television documentary projects produced in Ireland in 2008.

 

 

09-Jan-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

GAA Announces New Relationship With Google

 

The GAA are delighted to announce today (Wednesday the 17th of December) a relationship with Google to implement a series of technology projects across the Association.

 

As part of the GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015, communicating more effectively with all internal and external audiences was idenitifed as a key priority. The GAA together with its new technology partner Google will help to realise this aim by providing access to email, calenders and online tools which will encourage greater communication and sharing of information between different GAA groups.

 

The implementation, which will be supported by Baker Security and Networks, will initially see the development of a more effective and easy to use email system. The second phase will involve the creation of an intranet site to enable club, county and provincial officers, as well as staff, to communicate more effectively with Croke Park and each other. The final phase will see the redevelopment of the GAA web site using the latest technologies from Google to enable our Association to deliver current and relevant information to all our members and the public in a modern and user friendly manner.

 

"We are delighted to be working with Google, a world leader in web technologies and web enabled solutions. This relationship ensures that the GAA can now utilise world class technologies to enable enhanced communications and sharing of information between individuals, our units at all levels plus the general public." stated President of the GAA Nickey Brennan.

 

"The GAA has a wealth of information and knowledge which has beenÓgathered by its members over many years," said John Herlihy, Vice-President Google EMEA. "Its important that the sharing of information, both old and new, is encouraged so that the GAA can continue to evolve. Technology, and in particular the internet, can make it easier for members to communicate with each other and access advice, experiences and initiatives held by other groups. Were very excited to be taking part in the creation of a more cohesive and interactive GAA for existing and future members."

 

In developing this important partnership with Google, the GAA is ensuring that it remains the leading sporting and cultural organisation in Ireland by maximising the latest technologies to deliver quality information and support services to everyone. Work will commence early in the New Year and will be rolled out throughout 2009.

 

 

 

17-Dec-08 by GAA.ie

Leitrim GAA County Board Convention 09

Next Sundays Leitrim GAA County Board Convention promises to be a quiet affair if the lack of elections and nominations tabled for the end of year review in the Bush Hotel is anything to go by.

In the nominations for post on the Executive, there is only two elections on the cards, although neither may take place. Bord na nÓg Chairman Dan Gallogly and Games Promotion Officer Thomas Keenan are nominated for the position of Youth Officer but Keenan, as a GPO, may not be able to take on the job.

Allen Gaels Martin McGowan and Annaduffs Kevin Ludlow are nominated for the post of Coaching Officer although outgoing officer McGowan has indicated he will be standing down from the post due to his commitments with the County Senior Football team.

In terms of motions, it is also relatively quiet although the fall-out from the Appeals and Counter Appeals which held up this years Senior Championship is evident in a Sean OHeslins motion seeking that where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or a unit, the member or unit shall be notified and may attend any hearing requested by the accused and also have the ability to give evidence or call witnesses.

OHeslins are also seeking that the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals be played two weeks earlier than currently fixed to free up time for club championships while OHeslins and Bornacoola are also seeking that no club games be fixed for the day of the All-Ireland Football Final.

In regard to the U-21 Championship, Aughnasheelin have called for a review of the timing of the Under 21 Championship, which they say, is being under valued by being played at the end of the year.

The following are some of the motions:

Congress

Motion 1 – That Central Council should arrange that the All Ireland Football and Hurling Finals be played 2 weeks before they are currently fixed to free up more time for Club Championships – Sean OHeslins

Motion 2 – That the following additions be made to Rial 147 TO 2008:

(i) In a case where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or unit, that member or unit shall be notified of and may attend and may give evidence at any hearing requested by the accused.The unit shall be furnished with copy extracts of Official Records or Documents relevant to the case in the possession of the Director General, Provincial or County Secretary or the Council or Committee in Charge upon written application.

(ii) In a case where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or unit, that member or unit may call witnesses to give evidence on its behalf and it is its own responsibility to secure the attendance of such witnesses – Sean OHeslins

Competition Motions

That no Adult Football fixtures be made by CCC Liatroma on the Saturday preceding and the day of the All Ireland Football Final – Sean OHeslins

Competitions Recommendations

Recommendation 1

The Committee-in-charge of fixtures (CCC) should identify a weekend at a time when no championship match is played and players duly can plan to take annual holidays if they so wish – Bornacoola

Recommendation 2

The Committee-in-charge of fixtures (CCC) shall not arrange any adult football fixtures for the day of the All-Ireland Football final – Bornacoola

Recommendation 3

That the incoming CCC take a serious look at the U21 Championship and timing of same. It is an important competition and is been under valued by placing it at the very end of the year – Aughnasheelin.

The following are the nominations:

President: Michael McGowan (Melvin Gaels)

Chairman: Gerry McGovern (Cloone).

Vice-Chairman: Peter Flynn (Aughnasheelin)

Secretary: Declan Bohan (Bornacoola).

Asst. Secretary: Collette Fox (Glencar/Manor).

Treasurer: John Mulvey (Ballinaglera).

Asst. Treasurer: John Keenan (Gortletteragh).

Development Officer: P.J. Meehan (Kiltubrid).

Coaching Officer: Martin McGowan (Allen Gaels), Kevin Ludlow (Annaduff).

Oifigeach Cultúra agus Teanga: Sean O Suilleabhain (Sean Ui Eislin)

Youth Officer: Dan Gallogly (Sean OHeslins), Tomas Keenan (Gortletteragh)

PRO: Brendan Doyle (Kiltubrid).

Connacht Council:(2) Seamus Prior (Aughnasheelin) & Joe Flynn (St. Marys).

Central Council: Jim Meehan (Dromahair)

Connacht AGM: (4) Gerry McGovern, Declan Bohan, John Mulvey, Michael McGowan, P.J. Meehan.

Congress: (3) Gerry McGovern, Declan Bohan, John Mulvey, Pat Feehily (Glencar/Manor), Brendan Doyle (Kiltubrid); Faoi 21(1) None.

 

 

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

 

04-Dec-08 by LeitrimObserver.ie

Leitrims National League Fixtures confirmed for 2009

The GAA has confirmed that following a meeting of its Central Council that the fixtures for the Allianz GAA Football and Hurling National Leagues have been confirmed.

Leitrims Allianz National Football League fixtures have had some minor changes.  The London game is confirmed for 1pm while the Antrim game is changed from Saturday to Sunday March 8th.  The schedule of games in Division 4 for Leitrim are as follows: 

Rd 1   01.02.09 (Sun) – 1:00pm – London – Away
Rd 2   08.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Carlow – Home
Rd 3   15.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Sligo – Away

Rd 4   08.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Antrim – Home
Rd 5   15.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Wicklow – Home
Rd 6   22.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Waterford – Away
Rd 7   29.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Kilkenny – Away

Rd 8   12.04.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Clare – Home
Rd 9   18.04.09 (Sun) Leitrim  bye

 

Leitrim have 4 home and 4 away games this year and the season opens in London on Feb 1st.  Leitrim have a bye in the last round so therefore will need to have all the work done leading into the last game which is in round 8.

 

The Hurlers Division 4 schedule is as follows:

Rd 1   08.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – South Down – Away
Rd 2   15.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Sligo – Home
Rd 3   01.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Monaghan – Away
Rd 4   22.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Cavan – Home
Rd 5   29.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Fermanagh – Home

The Hurlers have 3 home and 2 away games and their first game is away to Down on Feb 8th. 

 

 

 

26-Nov-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Frank Quinn Cloone RIP

The Leitrim community in Dublin lost one of the proudest sons when Frank Quinn (Cloone) passed away on Thursday 6th November 2008.

Frank resided with his wife Bridie and family in Rathfarnham Dublin. Frank never forgot his Leitrim roots and passed on a great love of the county to his sons and daughters. In the Leitrim tradition, Franks remains reposed at his home on Friday night where a large circle of friends paid their respects. The Quinn family were especially welcoming to members of the Leitrim Peoples Association and the Leitrim GAA .

Pride of place alongside his remains were pictures of the teams on which he played, Cloone and the 1958 Leitrim team.

 

Frank played on the great Leitrim team of the fifties and was also honoured by been selected on the winning Connacht Railway Cup panel in 1957 with Packy McGarty, Noel Blessing & Columba Cryan. Over his Leitrim playing career Frank played at full back, centre field & full forward and his favourite position of right corner back. The no 2 Leitrim jersey & a jersey from his home club Cloone draped his coffin.

 

Frank also played in the famous 1958 Connacht Final against Galway when Leitrim lost on a score line of 2-10 to 1-11. Peadar O Brien of the Irish Press wrote in his match report ‘ Oh what a wonderful hour of football glory for 15 gallant Leitrim men . The Longford Leader match report by ‘Breffni stated ‘never have I seen a defeated side leave the field of play with so much glory as did this gallant Leitrim team which contributed to one of the most thrilling Connacht final ever witnessed.

Frank Quinn was one of the greats of Leitrim football. May he rest in peace.

 

 

12-Nov-08 by Eamonn Duignan

Fans raise €6464 for local GAA Clubs & Schools!

GAA and Loyal and Supportive Leitrim Fans raise €6,464 for local GAA Clubs & Schools!
Nationally, €3.4m raised for Grassroots GAA over past four years

The love for, and pride in, the GAA, which is shared by GAA fans across Leitrim is responsible for raising €6,464 for grassroots GAA in the county between January and June of this year! Leitrim earned 8% of the total Connaught payout, narrowly beaten by neighbours Sligo who took 9%.

Over the past four years, the GAA and Leitrim fans have earned a total of €55,174 for the local Association!

"It is only due to the support and loyalty of the members of the Leitrim Association and the GAA itself, whose commitment to this project is invaluable, that we have been able to raise such a large sum," says Ciaran Doyle, General Manager, Gaelic Telecom. "Working with the fans and the Association, we, as the official telecoms partner to the GAA, are incredibly proud of the funds raised so far and hope they have made a real difference to clubs and schools in the county."

Nationally, the GAA and its exceptionally loyal and supportive fans have raised €3.4m for GAA clubs and schools over the past four years! The innovative but simple scheme sees 15% of call costs being donated back to customers preferred club or school, while at the same time saving them money on their home phone and Broadband bills. All 32 County Boards support the scheme, which sees 2,500 Clubs around the country receive cheques from Gaelic Telecom twice a year.

Nickey Brennan, President of the GAA, comments, "On behalf of all our members, I would once again like to thank Gaelic Telecom and its customers for their ongoing support of GAA Clubs and Schools nationwide. This significant continuous investment at grassroots level is vital to the organisation and I would urge all GAA members to consider signing up to this initiative and helping us to maximise this great funding opportunity."

Between January and June of this year, a total of €520,000 was raised by Gaelic Telecom customers. All Provinces showed great growth and while Cork, Dublin and Tyrone were the highest earners nationally, Armagh, Derry and Fermanagh showed the highest growth on the same period in 2007. The total raised by the 6 Northern Counties during the same period was €110,143. And they are now earning over 62% of the total Ulster payout.

Francis White, Runai of Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher comments:
‘"Were a small rural club so this cheque goes a long way towards training our underage teams. Over the next couple of years we are planning a major pitch development, so we encourage as many of our members as possible to support us by joining Gaelic Telecom and thanks to all those who already have."

Ciaran Doyle concludes, "Remember, behind each payment to a Club or School, there is a list of ordinary members and supporters who have made this cheque possible by joining Gaelic Telecom. I encourage other Leitrim GAA fans to join with us inÓgenerating even more funds for grassroots GAA locally."

For more information on gaelic Telecom visit www.gaelictelecom.ie

 

 

13-Oct-08 by GaelicTelecom.ie

Leitrim players support Mental Health and Well Being initiative

Some of Leitrims best-known footballers joined forces with leading youth organisation SpunOut.ie last week to encourage young people to speak about their problems.

Inter-county stars Emlyn Mulligan, Barry Prior and Colin Regan all feature on a new video produced by SpunOut.ie that can be watched online talking about mental health and well being.
The video, which has been released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on October 10, was made to encourage Leitrims young people, and in particular young men, to vocalize any problems that they may have.

Speaking at the launch of the video last Thursday in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim stalwart Colin Regan outlined the importance of communication.  "If you bottle up your feelings, then your emotions and tough situations can seem overwhelming. Dont try to manÓge everything by yourself. Try and talk to someone. There are people willing to help you get through any situation. SpunOut.ie is a great resource to find this help."

Local SpunOut.ie representative Ian Howley (24), who himself went through depression and suicided attempts in his teens, explained why the organization sought the help of local GAA stars for their latest campaign.

"A partnership with the Leitrim GAA was specifically set up to target young men who find it hard to talk about their problems. There is this perception that if you are seen to have problems or worries, that you are weak. This is not the case. Everyone goes through tough times at some stage in their lives and today we are encouraging young people and especially young males to speak up. "

SpunOut.ie can be accessed via the internet and mobile phones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website provides 100s of factsheets on all aspects of youth health, lifestyle and citizenship including drugs, alcohol, sexual health, mental health, environment, work and education.

Click on the new YouTube facility on the right to play the SpunOut Video featuring the 3 lads.

 

 

09-Oct-08 by LeitrimPost.com