Rollercoaster of Emotions

Leitrim GAA followers certainly went through a whole rollercoaster of emotions last weekend.
On Saturday evening in Elvery’s McHale Park the supporters of the green and gold were in full voice coming up to half time, after a well takenÓgoal left the Minor side only three points down against a hotly fancied Mayo team. There was excited chatter among the loyal followers during the break, wondering could Leitrim up the game in the second half and even snatch a long awaited victory in the Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Championship. Play had barely resumed when Mayo took a firm grip on the game and ran out comfortable winners, despite the very best efforts of Enda Lyons and his charges. It was a bitter disappointment for them, many of whom had just completed their Leaving Cert and now have to wait till next Spring to be back in competitive action in a county jersey. For parents, club coaches. county team trainers and supporters, a victory would have been very welcome. But Leitrim are nothing if not good losers and the after match talk had switched to the big game in Carrick on the following day.

Sunday morning looked bleak, with dark clouds on the horizon. Was this a sign from the gods that Leitrim should get ready to swallow another bitter pill of defeat?
But as throw-in time came, the skies brightened and all seemed well for the first few minutes of play. Supporters were making themselves heard, but London followers could cheer too, especially after a shock goal and then the game was up for grabs. It was thundering stuff, end to end action, star players from each side succumbing to injury, a see-saw contest, gripping excitement, great scores and shocking misses, manly tackling and all that is good in gaelic football.
Everybody needed a breather at half time, during which Edwina Guckian and her sean-nós dancers thrilled the much larger than expected attendance. Edwina will be in Kerry in September as a contestant in the Rose of Tralee, all of Leitrim and London and Connacht wishing her well. Would either team in the dressing rooms be heading to Croker in September? Nobody cared, all that mattered was the next thirty five minutes, with a Connacht Final as the prize.
The action re-started and the cliff hanger continued, right to the last seconds. Defeat for either side would have been hard to take. They get to do it all again next Sunday in Hyde Park. Be there!

26-Jun-13 by Leitrim GAA

One More Step

Leitrim is but one step away from a Connacht Senior Final, a rare enough occurrence in our footballing story.

So every supporter of the Green and Gold is encouraged to be in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada on Sunday next for the eagerly awaited clash with London, victors over Sligo at Ruislip. We need no reminding of the Championship clash between the sides way back thirty six years ago, when every Leitrim Gael was on a high after the county captured its first ever Connacht Under 21 Championship title and had run a star-studded Kerry team so, so close in the All Ireland Semi-final. London put a halt to our euphoria by knocking us out of the Connacht Senior Championship.

A new generation of players are now centre-stage, with London in a particularly confident mood and chomping at the bit for a truly historic appearance in the Connacht Final. Leitrim have similar aspirations, so a cliff-hanger is in store.

What could make a distinct difference is the home support and the chants of “Lei-trim Lei-trim” ringing from every corner of Páirc Seán.

So a call goes out to Leitrim followers to be there to cheer on their county and help it take that one big step into the Connacht Final on July 21^st.

19-Jun-13 by Leitrim GAA

CONNACHT GAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday 23rd June 2013
Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon

Semi-Final: Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship
3.30pm: Leitrim v London
Semi-Final: Connacht GAA Minor Football Championship
1.30pm: Roscommon v Sligo

NB: Dul Isteach- Ticket Only

 Stand €25
 Terrace €20
 Juveniles (U-16) €5
 Students & OAPs Full price must be paid.
 Family Tickets available for Stand: Adult full price & child €5
 Group Tickets €30 (10 x juvenile & 1 Adult)

Refunds of €10 will be paid to OAPs & Students, (with current ID cards), for Stand & Terrace Tickets at designated areas, (Refund Box, Main Carpark & Turnstile 22).
Groups: available through the Connacht GAA Office. Entry at Turnstile 1. All children must be accompanied by Group Leader(s)
Season Ticket Holders: Entry at Turnstile 14

Patrons are reminded that all persons, (including children, students and O.A.Ps), must have a ticket.

Tickets available through 
 Clubs in the participating counties
 County Board Offices

Roscommon– 5-6 Castle View, Roscommon
Email: administrator.roscommon GAA.ie Phone: 090)6627176
www.roscommongaa.ie

Leitrim County Board, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
email: secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie Phone: (071) 9620441
www.leitrimgaa.ie

Sligo County Board:Sligo GAA Office, Aughamore Near, Carraroe, Sligo
email: administrator.sligo@gaa.ie phone: 087-0524574(9am-5pm).
www.sligogaa.ie

 Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan, Cloonacurry, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
094-9630335. (Credit Card bookings accepted) 
or online at reception.connacht@gaa.ie

 at www.tickets.ie
 Supervalu & Centra Outlets. 
Leitrim
Donohoes SuperValu, Ballinamore
Centra, Drumshambo
Rooneys Supervalu, Manorhamilton
Glancys Supervalu, Carrick-on-Shannon
Roscommon
Smiths SuperValu Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon
Flemings SuperValu, Main Street, Roscommon, Co Roscommon
Duffys SuperValu, Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon
Cahills SuperValu, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Supervalu, Boyle
Sligo
Kanes Supervalu, Ballymote
Surlis SuperValu, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo
Cosgroves Centra, Maugheraboy, Co Sligo
Whitesides Centra, Collooney, Co Sligo
Mullaneys Supervalu, Grange
Tanseys Centra, Gurteen
Whitesides Supervalu, Ballisodare

Patrons are requested to arrive early for the games and co-operate with stewards and Gardai.

Please leave the vicinity of the stadium tidy.

Gates open 12.30pm.

18-Jun-13 by Colette Fox – PRO