Leitrim GAA Sponsor Joe Dolan of the Bush Hotel talks to the Sunday Independent

ITS a tale of two counties – the cash-rich GAA in Dublin versus smaller counties struggling to keep their teams competing on the pitch.

But hotelier Joe Dolan reckons he gets more bang for his buck sponsoring Leitrim GAA than communications giant Vodafone gets from its mega-deal with the Dubs.

“The association with Leitrim GAA is worth 25 GAA club dinners a year to the hotel,” the owner of the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon told the Sunday Independent.

Its a world away from the Dubs, whose main sponsorship by Vodafone cost more than €3m over four years, encompassing an ultra-slick corporate relationship and carefully planned “development strategies to maximise commercial development”.

The Bush Hotel, on the other hand, is a small, respected family business – “a meat and two veg” operation, as owner Joe puts it.

His five-figure sponsorship means the Bush Hotel logo emblazoned on the county jersey has been seen all over the world, including by more than 19 million TV viewers in China and millions in the UK.

“I was watching Ronnie OSullivan at the world snooker final on TV and there, near the front row in the Crucible in Sheffield, was a lad wearing a Leitrim jersey with the hotel logo. That event was seen everywhere, including on Chinese TV which showed the snooker hour after hour,” said Joe.

The hotelier is proud of his association with his native county, and admits his decision to sponsor the GAA team came from the heart as much as the head.

“Its a good fit for us,” he said. “We pride ourselves on being the peoples hotel with a strong local base.

“With the GAA involvement comes links with the IFA and so the business benefits. I give good value to Leitrim GAA and they give good value to me.

“I get more bang for my buck pro rata than Vodafone gets from Dublin.

“This is rural Ireland. People have a leaning and are drawn to the local GAA hotel, not just in Leitrim but, say, if Roscommon are playing in Carrick, where would all the fans be going for a few pints afterwards? They will all go to the local GAA place.

“You have the direct return from the GAA, but from that you would also get people coming home from England visiting friends and relatives and they will know the name and will drop in when they visit Carrick.

“And, of course, you get the other bits and pieces that go along with sponsoring the county. Its like buying a computer – you get add-ons which you didnt expect, like the hotel name at Scór functions and the county handball players, which does no harm at all.

“Its a two-way street. Yes, it comes from the heart, but we are shrewd, tough business people. We need a return and we get a return from the sponsorship.

“Its a serious commercial decision, albeit in a smaller way than the Dubs.”

Article courtesy of the Sunday Independent (25/8/13) http://shar.es/zGMja

 

 

25-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship

Following the Open Draw for the Semi Finals of the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship this evening in Drumshanbo the following are the pairings;

Carrigallen v St Marys/Melvin Gaels

And

Mohill v Gortletteragh

Dates, times and venues TBC.

 

 

24-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship Semi Finals

Subject to results in this evenings quarter finals, the draw for the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship semi finals will take place in the Allen Gaels club rooms at 8.20pm this evening

 

 

24-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

The death has occurred of John Joe Noone

The death has occurred of John Joe Noone.

Member of the 1956 Leitrim Minor Football Team and member of St. Marys Cub 1st winning County Championship team of 1958.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Guard of honour assembly at the Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown this evening, Friday at 6.30pm.

John Joe Noone, (Corbally, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co.Leitrim.) August 21st 2013 (Suddenly) at University College Hospital, Galway. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving Wife Mary, daughters Eithne and Virginia, son John, sister Peggy McCabe (Drumlummon), brothers Michael (Summerhill) and Tim (Dublin), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at his home until 5pm this evening, Friday, with removal to Sacred Heart Church, Jamestown arriving at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial (Saturday) at 12 noon with funeral afterwards to Jamestown Cemetery.

 

 

23-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals

Its KNOCKOUT this Saturday in the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship with four mouth-watering quarter-final clashes and no obvious favourites.

The vagaries of the draw are such that the four unbeaten teams from the group stages of the competition have all been paired together, so two of them will exit before the semi-finals!  

Glencar Manorhamilton were the only team in the group stages to record maximum points with the other three unbeaten teams – St Marys, Melvin Gaels and Mohill recording a draw apiece. The first double bill takes place in Drumshanbo where Champions Melvin Gaels take on a St Marys in the first game at 5.30 with Glencar Manorhamilton coming up against Mohill on the same programme at 7pm. Saturdays other two quarter-finals, which form a double-header at Cloone, are Annaduff versus Gortletteragh at 5.30 and Allen Gaels against Carrigallen at 7pm.

ANNADUFF V GORTLETTERAGH (5.30pm in Cloone)

The step up to from Intermediate to Senior has been a seamless one for Gortletteragh but on Saturday they face their toughest assignment yet against a seasoned Annaduff side who will have the benefit of an extra game under their belts having qualified as the 8th place winner last weekend.  Gortletteragh will know they are up to the task having already narrowly defeated Annaduff at home in the league on the11th May (2-5 to 1-7) while they also had the better Group form winning two of their group games with Annaduff winning one.  Annaduff wont be too bothered about previous meetings or where they finished in their group, experience is what counts and they have plenty of it in recent times at the knock out stages! 

ALLEnÓgAELS V CARRIGALLEN (7pm in Cloone)

Coincidentally, Carrigallen and Allen Gaels are the only Quarter Final teams plying their trade in the Division 2 League so when the Open Draw was made both clubs were unsurprisingly content.  With a semi final appearance at stake both teams will obviously go hell for leather for victory.  This game is too close to call – it could even come down to Hawkeye in Cloone!  In the group stages they both recorded one win from three and when they met in the league way back on the 24th February in Carrigallen they couldnt be separated on a scoreline of 2-11 to 3-8.  Perhaps another draw is on the cards!  

MELVIN GAELS V ST MARYS (5.30 in Drumshanbo)

Champions Melvin Gaels face a tricky assignment against a strong St Marys side that have been knocking on the door for the last numbers of years in the Senior Championship.  When the two sides met in the league in Carrick on the 21st April the home side were 1-12 to 0-11 winners. Both teams are brimming with talented players and our expectations are for a high intensity game with no quarter asked or given.  Will it be the Gaels or the Saints – Your call?

GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON V MOHILL (7pm in Drumshanbo)

They haven’t met in the league yet but what we do know is both teams play an open, attractive brand of football.  A young Mohill side with some exciting up and coming players eager to make their mark, come up against an experienced Glencar Manor outfit. There is a weight of expectation for both teams – can Manor restore pride after loosing last years county final or can Mohills well documented talent deliver? 

– Knockout brings out the best in players –

– Expect games full of passion and intensity –

The Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals this Saturday in Cloone and Drumshanbo.

 

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Minor Football Championship – Wednesday 28th August 2013

     

Minor Football Championship

 
     

Wednesday 28/08/13

  

Venue

Grade

Round

Fixture

Time

TBC

MFC(15)

Semi Final

St Bridgets v Ballinamore-Soh

7pm

TBC

MFC(15)

Semi Final

St Manachans v Fenagh-Gortletteragh

7pm
         

TBC

MFC(15)

A Shield Semi Final

Glencar-Manorhamilton v Kiltoghert Gaels

7pm

TBC

MFC(15)

A Shield Semi Final

Dromahair v St Francis

7pm
         

TBC

MFC(13)

Semi Final

Annaduff v Carrigallen

7pm

TBC

MFC(13)

Semi Final

Melvin Gaels v Drumkeerin

7pm
         

TBC

MFC(13)

B Shield Semi Final

Bornacoola v Glenfarne-Kiltyclogher

  
     

Winner of above v Kiltubrid in B Shield Final

  

 

 

22-Aug-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Under 14 Football Championship

 

U14 Football Championship

Monday 26/08/13
Venue

Grade

Round

Fixture

Time
Pairc Séan

U14(13)

Final

 Allen Gaels v Melvin Gaels

7pm
Ballinamore

U14(15)

Semi Final

 Fenagh-St Caillins v St Brigids

7pm

Tuesday 27/08/2013
Leitrim

U14(15)

Semi Final

 Mohill v Glencar Manorhamilton

7pm

 

U14 Football Championship

Friday 30/08/13
Pairc Séan

U14(15)

Final

7pm

 

 

22-Aug-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Under 12 Blitz Day Saturday 24th August 2013

Under 12 Blitz Day Saturday 24th August 2013

 

Revised timetable for Under 12 Blitz Day this Saturday 24th August Starting at 10am.
 
Games will be played at 11 a-side and 15 minutes per half.
 
Players and mentors are asked to be at Páirc Seán 20 minutes before their start time and only players and mentors allowed in on the playing field.
 
Entrance is via the main gate of Páirc Séan for all games and ALL teams will tog out in Páirc Seán Dressing Rooms.
 
Due to time restraints on the day the Skills Competition has been postponed and will take place at a later date.

 

     

 

          
                           

 

                          

Group A

                          

St Marys v Leitrim Gaels  @ 10.00am in Páirc Seán

    

Winner and Runner-Up Finals played at 11.30am in Páirc Seán

Ballinamore-SOH v Fenagh-St Caillins @ 10.00am in Páirc Seán

                
                           

Group C

                          

Dromahair v Garadice Gaels @ 10.45am in Páirc Seán

  

Winner and Runner-Up Finals played at 12.15pm in Páirc Seán

Mohill v Glencar-Manor @ 10.45am in Páirc Seán

                  
                           

Group B

                          

Cloone v St Osnats @ 12.45pm in St Marys 

                  

Aughnasheelin v Bornacoola @ 12.45pm in St Marys

  

Winner and Runner-Up Finals played at 2.30pm in Páirc Seán

Glenfarne-Kilty to play losers to decide Final pairings in St Marys at 1.30pm

              
                           

Group D

                          

Gortletteragh v Melvin Gaels @ 1.00pm in Páirc Seán

  

Winner and Runner-Up Finals played at 2.35pm in St Marys

Aughavas v Allen Gaels @ 1.00pm in Páirc Seán

                  
                           

Group E

                          

Kiltubrid v Drumkeerin @ 1.45pm in Páirc Seán

    

Winner and Runner-Up Finals played at 3.10pm in Páirc Seán

Carrigallen v Annaduff @ 1.45pm in Páirc Seán

                  

 

 

 

 

22-Aug-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Historic First For Fenagh

Historic First For Fenagh

History will be made next Sunday when the newly renovated Fenagh Handball Alley hosts The M Donnelly 60×30 All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final between Fenaghs own Shane Doonan and Wexfords Galen Riordan.
 
This will be the first major championship match the state of art alley has hosted and an intriguing game is anticipated as Donal Wrynn is the link between these two opponents. Shane Doonan partnered Wrynn to win the 60×30 Doubles Minor title last year, while Galen Riordan was beaten by Wrynn in the 40×20 Minor Final earlier last year. Riordan is not to be under estimated having reached the 40×20 Final again this year, while Doonan has only started back playing handball, having taken a break to concentrate on his studies this year. Having said that Doonan has put in a lot of work over the last few weeks and while he struggled at times in the first game in the Connacht semi-final against Galways Alan Kilboy losing by 2 aces before going on to comprehensively beat him in the second game and then in the tie break. The Connacht Final was played on July 30th in Castlebar against Mayos Darragh Cunnane. Doonan was back in his stride by then and made sure of the title defeating Cunane 21-12, 21-14 with some great serving and kill shots. This is sure to be a tight and tense semi-final in front of a large home crowd with an All-Ireland Final place at stake, but Doonan is no stranger to pressure having played in an U16 semi-final, and Minor 40×20 Doubles semi-final with Donal Wrynn before winning his Minor Doubles title. The Match starts at 3.00pm.
 
The curtain raiser to Sundays game is the Connacht 60×30 Juvenile first round between Leitrim and Sligo. Fenaghs Alan Doonan (U15) and Aaron Scollan (U17) are in action for Leitrim and the games start at 12.00.
 
In another All-Ireland semi-final scheduled for Sunday, Drumshanbos Leo Logan takes on Kilkennys Brendan Burke in The M Donnelly 60×30 Junior B to be played in Inchs Point Kilkenny.

 

 

20-Aug-13 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Under 12 Blitz Day – Saturday 24th August

Re Under 12 Blitz 
Saturday 24th August
 
 
It has come to our attention that St Marys Pitch will not be available to us until approx 12.30 which means we will be starting at the earlier time of 10am in Pairc Sean.
 
 
Full details and updated programme will be issued later in the week.

 

 

19-Aug-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Minor Football Championship – Wednesday 21st August 2013

      Minor Football Championship     
      Wednesday 21/08/2013    
Venue Grade Round  Fixture Time Referee
Ballinamore G1 MFC(15)  3 Ballinamore Soh v Dromahair 7pm  
St Marys G1 MFC(15)  3 Kiltoghert Gaels v St Manachans 7pm  
           
  G2 MFC(15)  3 St Bridgets v Fenagh-Gortletteragh 7pm  
Manorhamilton G2 MFC(15)  3 Glencar-Manorhamilton v St Francis 7pm  
           
Carrigallen G1 MFC(13)  3 Carrigallen v Kiltubrid 7pm  
Kinlough G1 MFC(13)  3 Melvin Gaels v Bornacoola 7pm  
           
Glenfarne G2 MFC(13)  3 Glenfarne-Kiltyclogher Annaduff 7pm  
      Drumkeerin-Bye    
           

 

 

19-Aug-13 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Time and venues for this weekends Championship matches

 

 Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship

Venue                                           Saturday 24 August 2013                         Time

Drumshanbo      SFC Qtr Final          St. Marys v Melvin Gaels                              5.30pm

Drumshanbo      SFC Qtr Final          Mohill v Glencar Manorhamilton                    7.00pm

Cloone              SFC Qtr Final          Gortletteragh v Annaduff                              5.30pm

Cloone              SFC Qtr Final          Carrigallen v Allen Gaels                              7.00pm

 

GWP Intermediate Football Championship 

                                                        
Venue                                          Sunday 25 August 2013                               Time

Drumshanbo      IFC Qtr Final Replay Drumkeerin v Glenfarne Kiltyclogher      12noon (E.T.)
                                 

                                   Pyramid Bookmakers Junior B Championship

Venue                                                                                                           Time

Drumshanbo JBC Play Off Aughawillan v Ballinamore SOH                               1.30pm (E.T.)

 

 

18-Aug-13 by Colette Fox – PRO