Tony McGowan 10K run and 3K family walk in Drumshanbo

The Tony McGowan 10K run and 3K family walk takes place this Sunday at 12noon in Drumshanbo For further details on the event please contact 086-8281412

Tony McGowan

Tony McGowan was a school-teacher, a community leader, a sportsman, a musician, a man of strong values, a friend to many and – above all – a family man. Like other members of the Mc Gowan family, past and present, Tony brought a selfless commitment, an optimism, a vitality and a decency to his job and to the many activities in which he was involved. The achievements that graced his life were numerous.

Tony epitomised all that is good in voluntary work. Many groups and organisations benefited from his talents and from his generosity of time and spirit. From the early days of the St. Francis GAA club, founded in 1956, he was a member of all teams, including the trail-blazing Junior Football team that won the County Championship in 1963. He continued to play at Senior and Junior level into the early 70s, while increasing his involvement in the administration and coaching aspects of the game.

He served as Secretary of Leitrim County Board from 1971-80 and the Board’s Chairman from 1987-95. He was Joint Manager of the Leitrim Senior Team in 1989 and acted as a selector to PJ Carroll from 1990-92. One of his proudest moments was Leitrim’s Connacht Championship success of 1994. Tony served Allen Gaels as player, coach, Manager, secretary, chairman, Scór winner and club president through his lifetime. He founded Drumshanbo Athletics Club in 1980.

Tony was a person who  would look at a far horizon while others looked at the ground. His ideas became goals for his club, his parish, his county. It was his inspiration and enthusiasm that shaped fund – raising projects like the successful OSullivan Beare walk (265 miles) from Glengarriff (Co. Cork) to Drumshanbo in 1983, and the two fruitful concert tours of England undertaken by Drumshanbo people in 1985.

During his very active participation in voluntary work, Tony was blessed with the indispensable support, help and love of Phil, their children – Martin, Diarmaid, Eilish, Lorraine and Mairead – and Tonys brother, Eamonn.Tonys interest in many sports ranged from that of the admirer to that of the devotee, depending on the sport. Apart from Gaelic Games, one of the sports he loved and coached was Athletics. So, it is very appropriate that his life as a liberal giver of his many talents is remembered and honoured by The Tony Mc Gowan 10K Road Race.

 

 

Tony McGowan distinguished himself in the GAA and held the following positions for club and county.
Secretary Leitrim CLCG ‘71 – ‘80
Chairman Leitrim CLCG ‘87 – ‘95
Joint Manager of Leitrim senior team ‘89
Selector on Leitrim senior team ‘90 – ’92
Former player, Manager, secretary, chairman and President Allen Gaels GAA club.

 

 

16-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Two Awards for Wayne McKeon

Wayne McKeon picks up two awards following his dynamic displays for Leitrim in the FBD League.

Connacht GAA Writers Personality of Month for January

Midfielder Wayne McKeon has been rewarded for his superb displays in helping Leitrim win the Connacht GAA FBD Football League title by being selected as the Connacht GAA Writers Personality of the Month for January.

Wayne, who has switched from wing-back to midfield this year, was outstanding as his side saw off Roscommon, Mayo, GMIT and Sligo to win the Connacht GAA FBD Football League crown for the first time.

It was Leitrims first senior trophy since they won the 1994 Connacht title and the Ballinamore Seán OHeslins clubman was a pivotal figure in their success.

Irish Independent Sports Star of the Week

Whats seldom is wonderful, which is why no one begrudged Leitrim some early-season celebrations after they claimed Connachts FBD League title.  Beating Sligo to win what was only the fourth senior trophy in their history, and their first title in 19 years, gave the Division Four side a great pre-league boost.  And at the heart of everything was Ballinamore Seán OHeslins Wayne McKeon, their regular wing-back, who has been making a name for himself in a new midfield role that best showcases his great engine. (Article courtesy of the Irish Independent)

 

 

15-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Football Team

Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce that Leitrim will have two representatives on the Connacht GAA Football Panel for the weekend Inter Provincial semi final game versus Leinster.  The game is to be played this Sunday (17/2/13) at 2pm inÓglennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford.

Leitrim Players Paul Brennan and Emlyn Mulligan have the honour of being named in the panel and we heartily congratulate both and wish them the very best of luck.  

We also congratulate Brian Breen who is a member of the management team alongside John Tobin (Galway) and Martin Carney (Mayo).

M. Donnelly GAA Football Interprovincial Championship Semi-Final

Sunday 17th February 2013
Leinster v Connacht
Throw in: 2pm
Referee: D. OMahony
Venue: Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford
E.T. if Necessary

Connacht GAA Football Panel
Galway: Finian Hanley, Joss Moore, Gary O Donnell, Gary Sice, Paul Conroy, Michael Martin.
Leitrim: Emlyn Mulligan, Paul Brennan
Mayo: David Clarke, Ger Cafferkey, Lee Keegan, Barry Moran, Aidan O Shea, Seamus O Shea, Michael Conroy, Jason Doherty, 
Roscommon: Geoffrey Claffey, Niall Daly, Cathal Cregg 
Sligo: Charles Harrison, Mark Brehony

Management team: John Tobin, Martin Carney, Brian Breen.

Admission Prices

OAPs / Students – €5
Under 16s free

Interprovincial Football Championship – Roll of Honour

Ulster – 30 titles
Leinster – 28 titles
Munster – 15 titles
Connacht – 9 titles

 

 

 

 

15-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim CCC Regulations 2013

Leitrim CCC Regulations 2013

1 (a) Postponements will be granted only on the death of a club player/official or immediate family member (parent, brother, sister, spouse, child) of either.

(b) Responsibility for communicating with the CCCC will lie with club seeking the postponement. When a game is postponed the referee will be notified by the CCCC.

(c) No individual member of the CCCC is allowed sanction postponements or alter agreed fixtures.

(d) Where a postponement is agreed the CCCC secretary shall agree an alternative date with the club who agreed to the postponement. The club who sought the original postponement will not be offered a choice in the matter or allowed suggest an alternative date.

2 All fixtures shall be co-ordinated by the Chair and Secretary of CCCC in between CCCC meetings.

3 Requests for ‘free dates’ in League or Championship will not be entertained after a specified date by the CCCC (one month prior to fixture)

4 Clubs that rearrange a fixture without the permission of CCCC shall lose the game/points as appropriate.

5 In League games where clubs fail to field a team the game shall be awarded to their opponents and the offending team shall have a point deducted from its points total and shall be subject to a fine decided by the CCCC in accordance with Official Guide.

6 Fines will be imposed on clubs for late fielding.

7 Failure to have pitches properly marked by the hosting club will result in fines

8 In the League if the home team’s pitch or nominated home team’s pitch is unplayable they must travel to their opponents pitch. If the opponents pitch is unplayable the CCCC will decide on an alternative venue. Ample notification must be provided by club to facilitate such a situation, the latest time for notification by a club being 9am on the morning of the game. Match points to be awarded against any team refusing to field.

9 Only correspondence by email from club Secretary to Secretary of CCCC shall be considered.   

 

 

 

15-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Referees

 

Clubs with no referees at present are asked to make a special effort to supply at least one referee for the foundation level course to be held on Friday 22nd February at 7pm in Páirc Seán. In service training for existing referees will be held on March 18th.  Leitrim has fantastic representation on the National and Provincial Panels and we congratulate and compliment those referees:-

Leitrim Referees on National Panel 

Ray McBrien Aughavas 
Eamonn O Grady Drumkeerin

Leitrim Referees on Provincial Panel 

Frank Flynn Aughawillan
Derek Moran Aughnasheelin
Brendan Sammon Aughnasheelin

At the first County Board meeting of the year held on 11/2/13, all referees in Leitrim were thanked for their commitment and dedication in 2012 while our clubs were thanked for their hospitality and support to our referees.  Heres looking forward to 2013.

 

 

 

15-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Kilglass Gaels GAA Club Seminar

 Kilglass Gaels GAA Club Seminar.

Kilglass Gaels to host ‘keeping an eye on the ball’ GAA Seminar.

Kilglass Gaels GAA club is set to host a special seminar that aims to offer inspiration and information to young GAA players, and their coaches, mentors, and administrators, while tackling some of the challenges they all may face during their sporting careers on and off the field.

The once-off event will take place in their clubrooms on Monday February 25th at 7.30 p.m. The seminar, entitled ‘Keeping an eye on the Ball’, will feature some well-known GAA personalities from Roscommon and across the country including Oisin Mc Conville , John O’ Mahony, Cathal Cregg , Colin Regan, Gareth Foley, Cliodhna O’Connor and the Rooskey based club are expecting to add some more high profile names closer to the date.

The open debate format will allow all present to explore all aspects of sporting life including issues such as:

  • The relationship between sport and physical, emotional and mental health.

  • The thorny question of the relationship between sport and alcohol in a society where alcohol is an endemic part of all aspects of culture, including the sporting culture.

  • The demands and pressures on high performance athletes – what do they have to say no to in order to get to the top.

  • The importance of leadership, management and preparation so that teams and individuals can make winning a habit.

  • Lifestyle choices that have to be taken in order to succeed at top club & county level.

  • How to last the pace of the GAA race & pro-longing your football career.

     

    Everybody involved in sport – budding future stars, those who are competing at club, county or national level now, parents, coaches and Managers are invited to attend and join in the interactive night.

 

Kilglass Gaels have worked hard to make this both educational and interesting for all attending. As well as possibly coming away with some hints & tips that will possibly give your team or club that edge that is needed now more than ever.

The lineout for the night that will take to the stage in Kilglass is as follows:

Former Armagh Inter county Footballer & All star Oisin Mc Conville will be in attendance. All Ireland winner with Armagh in 2002 & winner of 6 all Ireland club titles, will give us an insight into his sporting life both on and off the field and his past experiences.

Former Leitrim, Galway & Mayo Manager John O, Mahony will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the night. Capturing Connacht titles with every county he has managed and All Ireland titles with Galway in 1998 & 2001 he is sure to be a massive attraction on the night.

Former Leitrim Footballer Colin Regan, who is now the GAA’s Community and Health Promotion Officer. Colin will be there to advise us on mental health & well being as well as the touchy subject of alcohol & other such addictions that can prevent players from reaching their real potential.

Current Roscommon senior football Team captain Cathal Cregg will be there to tell the audience on what it takes to compete at the highest level in sport & how sport has changed. He will also talk on some of the studies he has carried out while studying sport in college.

Current Dublin senior Ladies team Goalkeeper and former all star and All Ireland winner in 2010 Cliodhna O’Connor will also attend. As well as being successful on the field Cliodhna also happens to be working at the top level in ladies Gaelic football as she works in Croke Park for the association as part of the games development staff. She will add some insight into the challenges the ladies game faces & how to overcome them as well.

Former Leitrim footballer Gareth Foley, who has undergone treatment for alcohol addiction, will talk about his challenges on and off the field. He will also give insight in how he came to overcome this to work his way back to overcome the addiction. He now is part of the inter county refereeing circuit.

 

So Kilglass Gaels GAA club would like to invite all clubs from both inside & outside the county to take this opportunity to learn from the people who will ‘desire to inspire’ us with their experiences within the GAA.

We would hope your club will take this opportunity to attend this seminar in what can only be a night that will be of benefit to everyone attending.

For more details contact PRO Kilglass Gaels Niall Kilcrann on 087 7640679 or pro.kilglassgaels.roscommon GAA.ie. Or check the Kilglass Gaels facebook page for more details.

 

 

15-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim Cumann na mBunscoil Finals

Leitrim Cumann na mBunscoil Finals

The Leitrim Cumann na mBunscoil finals were played in Drumshanbo recently with children from St Bridgets NS Drumcong, St Patricks NS Drumshanbo and St Caillins NS Fenagh taking part. Well done to all the players who took part: The winners were Girls u11 Singles: Sarah Rowley, Girls u13 Singles: Louise Cafferty, Girls u13 Doubles: Bronwyn Keegan and Saoirse Redican.

Boys u11 Singles: Eoin McLoughlin, Boys u11 Doubles: Fergal McLoughlin and Cormac Scollan. Boys u13 Singles: Ronan Moran, Boys u13 Doubles: David Gallagher and Fergal Moran.

Best of luck to everyone in the Connacht finals taking place in Castleconnor Co. Sligo on Sunday February 10th.

 

 

14-Feb-13 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht 40×20 Championship

Connacht 40×20 Championship

The Connacht 40×20 championship is up and running with several Leitrim players in action at the week-end. In Junior C Drumshanbos Declan came out the losing side of the encounter with Swinfords Adrian Feerick 8-21, 10-21. Fenaghs Jamie Murray met the same fate against Peter Cassidy losingon a scoreline of 13-21, 14-21. The only winner at the week-end was Drumshanbos Martin Raftery who defeated David Davern 21-20, 21-4 in the Junior championship. In the Ladies Junior Championship Mary Shanley lost out and Joanne Logan also lost out in the Junior B Championship. Next week-end the 40×20 Doubles Championship starts up with Donal Wrynn and Martin Raftery in action in Intermediate and Ciara McLoughlin and Michelle Gaffney playing in Ladies Junior B   

 

 

14-Feb-13 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht Cumann na mBunscoil Finals

Cormac Scollan, Eoin McLoughlin, Fergal McLoughlin, Sarah Rowley and Louise Cafferty from St Caillins NS Fenagh who represented Leitrim at the Connacht Cumann na mBunscoil Finals played in Castleconnor Co. Sligo. Fergal McLoughlin and Cormac Scollan won the Boys u11 Doubles title.

 

 

14-Feb-13 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Leitrim Hurling notes February 11th

Leitrim Hurling notes February 11th –
 
Táin league results –
Carrick hurling 2.05 Cluainin Iomaint 0.06
 
Fixtures for Saturday 16th / Sunday 17th –
Cluainin Iomaint V Tuam 2.30pm At Connacht centre of excellence
Carrick Hurling V RoscommonÓgaels
Ballinamore Hurling V Coolera/Strandhill

 

 

14-Feb-13 by Micheal Dolan – Hurling PRO

Congratulations to Grace O Reilly from the Ballinamore Sean O Heslins club

Congratulations to Grace O’Reilly from the Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s club who won the Connacht Scór na nÓg in Aithriseoireacht. Beidh Grace ag glacadh páirt i Scór na hÉireann i nDoire i gceann coicíse ar an 23 Feabhra.  Grace’s win was most welcome as Leitrim hadn’t won a Connacht title in the previous two years. Grace also won in Scór na mBunscoileanna this year. The O’Reilly families links with Scór go back a couple of generations as her grandfather Thomas Reilly, representing Aughnasheelin, won the Recitation in Leitrim in 1976.  Her aunts Angela and Stephanie won in Nuachleas with Aughnasheelin and her cousin, Fintan Fitzpatrick reached the All Ireland Final in Recitation in 2008.  Go n-éirí leat Gráinne i nDoire.

 

 

14-Feb-13 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor

Leitrim Ladies beat Wexford

Leitrim 1-11 Wexford 1-07

Leitrim Ladies continued their good start to the Tesco Home Grown National League Division 3 when they accounted for a youthful but talented Wexford side in St Lomans GAA Grounds, Mullingar. Both teams adapted well to the St Lomans 3G pitch and the game was played at a furious pace. The difference between the sides was the greater discipline of the Leitrim rearguard and the free taking of Aine Tighe who scored 1-08. Seven points from frees and a penalty. Wexford were in the game up until the very end and it was not until the 29th minute when Leitrim got the insurance score and a 4-point lead that you could be certain that they would take full points.

Wexford started the Scóring in the 3rd minute after a sustained attack. Ellen O’Brien went to ground and Catherine Doyle pointed the free from 25 metres. In the 6th minute Aine Tighe opened Leitrim’s account with a well struck free way out on the left. A brilliant Leitrim move involving Sinead Fowley, Anna Conlon and Mairead Stenson was finished by Aine Tighe to put Leitrim ahead. Leitrim were now dominating possession in the middle third but scores were hard to come by as several attempts went narrowly wide, but good approach play by Deirdre Ward and Aine Tighe saw Roisin Fowley point from an acute angle.

In the 12th minute a brilliant block by Mary Farrell who was outstanding on the day led to Aine Tighe bearing down onÓgoal but she was fouled. Aine Tighe scored the resultant penalty superbly to put Leitrim 5 points up. Leitrim continued to dominate possession but Wexford defended in numbers. Then Wexford came back into the game when a Clara Donnelly quick free was worked into Ali Evered who got behind the Leitrim cover and gave Leitrim keeper Michelle Guckian little chance. Wexford then had a few more chances that they could not put away. In the 20th minute Aine Tighe pointed a free after Roisin Fowley was fouled. Enya McWeeney blocked a certain score but Clara Donnelly got possession and pointed. Kirby Gilgunn came raiding up the right played the ball to Erin Farrell who fed Deirdre Ward who fired over from 35 metres. Aine Tighe added 2 more frees while Michelle Guckian saved well from Rosie Lawlor to leave Leitrim leading at the break 1-07 to Wexford’s 1-02.

Wexford kept Leitrim waiting for the start of the second half and from the throw in Ali Evered scored in front of the goals. Wexford continued to take the game to Leitrim and were rewarded with a Roisin Murphy point. At this time Wexford seemed quicker to the ball as they tried to reduce the deficit further. Eventually the Leitrim players reached to the higher intensity that Wexford had brought to the second half and a brilliant selfless run by Sharon Kerrigan found Aine Heslin in space who scored from close in to steady the Leitrim ship. Aine Tighe and Katie Redmond exchanged frees as the game swung from end to end. Clare Donnelly now operating at full forward finished of a Wexford move that started in their own back line. With Clare Owens, Anna Conlon and Sinead Fowley winning a lot of breaking ball the final delivery let Leitrim down and Scóring opportunities were hard to come by.

Another Redmond free in the 21st minute left only 2 between the sides. With the game really up for grabs the tackling was relentless on both sides. Aoife McAuliffe pulled of an excellent save from Laura O’Dowd then Erin Farrell kicked wide under pressure. However another flowing move ended when Aine Tighe was pulled down and she pointed the free from 35 metres. With less than 2 minutes to go another move initiated by Mairead Stenson saw Michelle Heslin brought to ground with Aine Tighe firing over the free which was the last score of the match. Wexford came looking for a goal but got little change out of the Leitrim rearguard and Leitrim finished deserved winners by 4 points.

Leitrim had excellent performers in Mary Farrell, Clare Owens, Sinead Fowley, Anna Conlon Deirdre Ward and Aine Tighe while Wexford had Clara Donnelly, Katie Redmond Maeve Quill and Roisin Murphy

Two wins from two games means Leitrim have put themselves in an excellent position to do well again in this Division. This Sunday they travel to Tipperary to take on one of the favourites for the Division. If the Leitrim Ladies can improve their performance by a couple of percent, they have every chance of rattling Tipperary. There is a solid look about this Leitrim team and if they can unearth another score getter they will be a very serious threat to the rest as the season unfolds.

Leitrim

Michelle Guckian, Mary Farrell, Enya McWeeney, Sharon Kerrigan, Kirby Gilgunn, Mairead Stesnson, Clare Owens, Sinead Fowley, Niamh Tighe, Deirdre Ward (0-01), Anna Conlon, Aine Heslin (0-01), Roisin Fowley, Erin Farrell, Aine Tighe (1-08).

Subs: Laura O’Dowd for Roisin Fowley (0-01), Michelle Heslin for Niamh Tighe

Wexford

Mary Rose Kelly, Linda Casy, Mary O’Neill, Marguerite Doyle, Maeve Quill, Catriona McCabe, Maeve Kehoe, Roisin Murphy (0-01), Kelly Kearney, Kate Caulifield, Clara Donnelly (0-02), Rosie Lawlor, Ellen O’Brien (1-00), Catherine Doyle (0-01), Ali Evered (0-01)

Subs: Katie Redmond (0-02) for Catherine Doyle, Sharon Kehoe for Kelly Kearney, Aoife Tormey for Linda Casy

 

 

 

 

 

13-Feb-13 by Clare Noone Leitrim Ladies PRO