For Leitrim it is good bye to the All Ireland Championship and back to the more mundane matters of our own club activity

BACK to BASICS

For Leitrim it is good bye to the All Ireland Championship and back to the more mundane matters of our own club activity.
Saturday was a chastening day for us, a complete contrast to the evening in Markievicz Park, when we captured our first FBD title and eagerly looked forward to the Connacht Championship game in gaelic Park, with another visit to the Big Apple guaranteed for later in the year. On that evening we cheered, applauded, hugged and kissed in euphoric joy. The best, we felt, was yet to come. A spot in the Connacht Final looked within our grasp, but feet were kept on the ground.
Emotions were very different on Saturday in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada when the relief of the final whistle came. There was no back-slapping or eyes on the next day out, but it was good to see so many, kids especially, run on to the pitch to meet the players in the green and gold, because they are still our heroes. Armagh supporters did likewise, but they could bask in their success and wonder who the next qualifier draw would throw up.
The visitors did not go easy on, even when victory was long beyond doubt, they still wanted to rattle the net. But they were playing with a full hand, absences or injuries had not taken a toll like it had with Leitrim. Both sets of players had trained in the same manner, made the same sacrifices and wore their county jersey with pride. Everyone involved with the teams had played their part too. The only difference was on the scoreboard. We should remember that.
Our club championship now looms and the Leitrim players go back into training, no easy task. They gave of their all on Saturday, every last man on the panel. No doubt they will do likewise for their club jersey.

 

 

14-Jul-13 by Tommy Moran

Match Postponed

Please Note:  Todays Fr. Manning match between Leitrim and Kildare scheduled for Páirc Seán has been postponed and will be refixed for a date yet to be arranged.

 

 

13-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

U16 Connacht Finals

U-16 Connacht Finals
 
Saturday 13th July, Ballyhaunis GAA Pitch.
 
3.00pm B Final: Leitrim v Roscommon
 
4.30pm A Final: Galway v Mayo.
 
Best of luck to our Leitrim team.

 

 

11-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim GAA Shield Final

The very opposite ends of the county open proceedings in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada at 3pm this Saturday when Bornacoola and current County Champions Melvin Gaels meet in the Leitrim GAA Shield Final.
 
Early comers will have the opportunity to see the best of club action before all Leitrim Clubs band together to get behind the green and gold in their vital Qualifier game against Armagh.
 
Come along and enjoy the club and county action in Páirc Sean this Saturday 13th July
 
Leitrim GAA Shield Final
Bornacoola v Melvin Gaels at 3pm
 
All Ireland Qualifer 
Leitrim v Armagh at 5pm

 

 

11-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Club Title for Fenagh Handballers

Connacht Club Title
 
Fenagh took The Connacht 60×30 Junior Team title on Sunday in St Comans Roscommon where they over came Curraghboy Co. Roscommon by just 2 aces.
 
In a nailbiting final match Martin Raftery went in with Fenagh trailing by 8 aces and showing great composure under pressure took the game 21-10 to win on a scoreline of 103-101. The games are played in the team format of 1 Singles, 1 Doubles and 1 Singles with each playing 2 games to 21 aces with a maximum score of 126.
 
The Fenagh team for the final comprised of Jamie Murray (first singles), Leo Logan and Aaron Scollan (doubles) and Martin Raftery. Against a very strong Curraghboy, Murray took one game, while Logan and Scollan lost both their games leaving Fenagh trailing by 18 aces going into the final two games. Raftery took the first game, but needed to win the second by 10 aces to secure victory. Buoyed up from the first game, with great serving and kill shots he raced into a 16-3 lead before going on to a magnificient victory 21-10, capping a great week-end for the Fenagh clubmen having defeated Williamstown Co. Galway in the semi-final on Saturday on a scoreline of 85-62 without having to play the last game. The Fenagh team for the semi-final was Jamie Murray (first singles) Ed Lee and Leo Logan (doubles) and Martin Raftery. They play The All-Ireland Semi-Final next Saturday.
 

 

 

 

08-Jul-13 by Handball

Leitrim v Armagh

 

Play your part for Leitrim

We all know the chorus of The Boys from the County Armagh and probably most Armagh followers could manÓge a line or two from Lovely Leitrim, so there will be little between us if the singing starts on the stand and terraces on Saturday.

But it is not a song contest, of course. It’s serious stuff. The winners take another step in the Championship, while the losers return to domestic competition.

The men from the North will be raging hot favourites following on from their annihilation of Wicklow in the last Qualifier round, together with having been All Ireland winners just over a decade ago and also having part of the all-conquering Crossmaglen club in their line-up. Add to that big-time experience and what have you, so little wonder that the pundits will have this game down as a sure thing for the visitors.

All that could be a valuable plus for Leitrim. And if the men in the green and gold perform as they did in the second half of the replay against London, then Armagh might have a little more trouble than everybody is bargaining for. Those last thirty seven minutes or so in Hyde Park showed what passion, pride, determination and an abundance of skill can do.

There will be great pre-match focus of what a footballing genius like Jamie Clarke can do to the Leitrim backline. But Jamie can only dazzle with his brilliance when he is in possession of the ball, so whoever is detailed to be his marker has a very specific job to do, just don’t allow him possession. Easy to say, a lot harder to do, but that is what every man in a Leitrim jersey must achieve. Just get the better of your opposite number and what more can be expected of you. We need everybody playing to their full potential and working as a team.

If the game were in Crossmaglen or Lurgan or Armagh, the home support would boost their players. Surely we can rise to the same level in Carrick on Shannon? All of us can play a valuable part, more valuable than we might think. Nothing can lift the men in the green and gold more than the Lei-trim Lei-trim chant from every corner of Páirc Seán.

Be there.

 

 

08-Jul-13 by Leitrim GAA

Lucozade Sport Club Crusade 2013

Press release from JGA Sports 

Colm Cooper & Henry Shefflin launch the new and improved Lucozade Sport Club Crusade 2013

 

Lucozade Sport and Kilkenny hurling All-Star, Henry Shefflin along with Kerry footballer and All-Star Colm Cooper have launched the new and improved Lucozade Sport Club Crusade.

This year, Lucozade Sport is offering adult sport clubs free training equipment and kit in exchange for Lucozade Sport bottle caps. A bespoke catalogue has been developed so that clubs know exactly how many caps they need for each item. Clubs will be sent the items once the specified amount of caps have been collected and verified.

 

Henry Shefflin said, “I think it is great that Lucozade Sport is committing to their successful Club Crusade initiative for a second year. I really felt that last year’s initiative was a fantastic idea and this year it is even better because clubs are guaranteed rewards for saving their bottle caps. Clubs can look through the catalogue, decide what they would like and will know exactly how many caps they need to get it. Gear and equipment is always in short supply, as I know from my own Club, Ballyhale Shamrocks, so I am sure a lot of clubs will be delighted with the new offer. ”

 

Jim Geraghty, Marketing Manager for Lucozade Sport said, “We are delighted to launch this year’s Lucozade Sport Crusade. We listened to feedback from clubs who took part last year and have adapted the initiative to reward every club that signs up and collects bottle caps. We have some fantastic gear ranging from training cones and bibs to full sets of jerseys so I would encourage any adult teams in clubs, big or small to get collecting.”

 

Jim added: “We wanted to let clubs know at the earliest opportunity to allow them to get a head start but clubs can register from 24th June at www.lucozadesport.ie .”

 

Clubs that register for this year’s Club Crusade can redeem essential training equipment and gear for Lucozade Sport bottle caps.

A bespoke catalogue of training equipment and gear has been developed so that clubs know exactly how many caps they need for each item. Clubs will be sent the items once the specified amount of caps have been collected and verified.

Adult sports clubs can register for the Lucozade Sport Club Crusade at www.lucozadesport.ie. 

 

 

08-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

What a Comeback

At half time in the Leitrim v London replay in Hyde Park, the stands and terraces and the radio listeners scattered around the country and overseas had surely been surmising just what the final score would be. Would Leitrim be absolutely whitewashed as never before? Surely there could be no way back, being fourteen points down, this was surely a bridge too far.

There would have been talk in the Leitrim dressing room too, but just what could anyone say by way of motivation?

Well, whatever was said surely brought a different team on to the field for the second half. From the throw-in there was a different attitude, a different spirit in those green and gold jerseys. The lead was chipped away and everyone played their hearts out. Now it was London who were on the ropes. Watches were checked over and over again. Would there be time? A golden chance of a LondonÓgoal went screaming wide, maybe this was more than a miss, maybe it meant our luck was in. The gap narrowed, few could believe their eyes. London had scored freely in the first half, but now were on the back foot, desperately seeking a few more points that would clinch it and knock the heart out of a battling Leitrim.

The excitement of the previous week in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada paled in comparison to the tension filled seconds in the Hyde. A Leitrim goal ignited the Lei-trim Lei-trim chant that could be heard halfway to Athlone. There was still time, we could sense it would end in a draw. And extra time would surely be the opportunity Leitrim wanted. Please God, let us get a draw, just a draw, that’s all we’re asking for.

The final whistle ended our dreams of a Connacht Final appearance, but sent London players and supporters into ecstasy. They became history makers and who could begrudge them their glory?

Leitrim hearts were heavy, but the players could walk off the pitch with dignity.

 

 

02-Jul-13 by Leitrim GAA

Irish Course for GAA Members

 

Irish Course for GAA Members

The Ulster Council GAA run a week-long course each year for GAA members who wish to improve their Irish.

The course is called the Cúrsa Cuimhneacháin Shéamuis de Faoite and is on this year in Downings, Co Donegal from 22 July to 27 July. There are separate courses for Beginners, Improvers and those with fluent Irish. There is no charge for attendance at the course itself apart from accommodation. This is an excellent opportunity to improve your Irish and there are various social activities in the evenings including céilithe, ceol amhránaíocht etc.

For further details from Seán Ó Súilleabháin or ring 048 37517180 (office hours).

 

 

01-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Round 2 All Ireland Football Qualifiers

The times, dates and venues for the Round 2 All-Ireland Football Qualifiers and Phase 2 of the Hurling Championship have been confirmed by the GAA.

Saturday, July 6 

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2

Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, Ennis, 5pm

Derry v Down, Celtic Park, 5pm

Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 6pm 

GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Phase 2

Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, Ennis, 3pm

Kilkenny v Tipperary, Nowlan Park, 7pm (Live on TV3)

Saturday, July 13

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2

Longford v Wexford, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm

Leitrim v Armagh, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 5pm (Stand tickets €15 and Terrace €10, U16s €5)

Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7pm

Kildare v Louth, Newbridge, 7pm

 

Further information on ticketing for the Kilkenny-Tipperary Phase 2 Hurling Championship game to follow on GAA.ie.

 

 

01-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Football Qualifiers

 

GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Round 2 Qualifier Draw

The draw for Round 2 of the Football Qualifiers took place this morning live on TV3s Ireland AM programme.

The draw is as follows (first team has home advantage):

To be played on July 6/7

Clare v Laois

Derry v Down

Roscommon v Tyrone

To be played on July 13/14

Longford v Wexford

Cavan v Fermanagh

Kildare v Louth

Leitrim v Armagh (please note game scheduled for Saturday 13th July at 5pm in Pairc Sean MacDiarmada)

 

Full fixture details will be confirmed in due course.

 

 

01-Jul-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Rollercoaster of Emotions

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