Last night I had a pleasant dream

 Last night I had a pleasant dream ……

 

Which song will Larry sing? screamed James Molloy’s promotional posters for the Qualifier game with Wicklow. Would it be “Lovely Leitrim” or “Among theWicklow Hills”? PRO Collette Fox was busy last week making sure the posters hit every corner of the county, it would be important to pull the supporters out again to roar on the green and gold.

As I was perusing the GAA Qualifier programmes I could see in the clearest pie-chart format that Leitrim was the only county yet to win a Qualifier game in the All Ireland Football Championship. A big red pie all to ourselves. Kerry had a clean plate, never having lost on their journey through the back door en route to the Quarter Finals. The other counties had a mixum-gathering. Disappointed at Leitrim’s lot, I just nodded off into a deep, deep sleep.

But at least I had a pleasant dream. The sun shone on the manicured Páirc Seán pitch and there was an air of expectancy around the place. Carrick had been booked out solid for the weekend — not a bed to be got –only this time, not just by the hens and the stags. The GAA fans had travelled in big numbers from the Garden County and were going to make a few days of it, before tuning into the Round III draw on Monday morning. Hadn’t all the papers and the pundits made them hot favourites. It would be the same old story for Leitrim.

In my dreams I could see a new passion in the Bush Hotel jerseys as every player raised his game; Ray Cox grabbed the ball, swung around Colm O’Rourke style and bisected the posts; James Glancy and Emlyn Mulligan were picking off points; Cathal McCrann was making wonder saves; Enda Williams was making pin-point passes; the backs harried and the forwards hunted, while the midfielders flicked the kick-outs away from their much taller opponents; Leitrim were ahead at half time; the “Lee-trum, Lee-trum” chants reminded everyone of the early nineties; George and Barney consulted, waved directions and made timely substitutions; the stand and the terraces were going mad; John Lynch, Seamus Gallagher, PJ Leddy, Kevin Blessing and all the others were going hoarse with excitement; East Coast radio was telling its listeners that Wicklow wasn’t giving up, there could be a goal in them yet; the Leitrim medical and backroom team were on their feet; James Molloy and Willie Donnellan could hardly hold their cameras steady; Joe Flynn and Diarmuid Sweeney and the whole officer board were getting claps on the back; former team Manager and great friend to the players, Mickey Moran was delighted he had travelled from Derry; John Connolly and Philip Rooney were working out a headline for the Observer; Brian Blake was zooming in on the scoreboard; every watch in Páirc Seán was checked and double checked; Castlebar was forgotten; the players were still giving of every ounce of energy; it finished with a Leitrim win.

What a dream, what a dream. As Larry Cunningham sang so often, I woke up with a smile.

Then someone told me my dream had come true. We HAD won. Larry would be singing “Lovely Leitrim” after all. Well done lads, every single one of you.

Up Leitrim!

Collette and James, get the next poster ready.

 

 

15-Jul-12 by Tommy Moran

Under 13 Feile Final

Under 13 Feile Final

  Mon 16th, at 7pm

Venue: Ballinamore

 

Fenagh-St Caillins v Mohill

 


Congratulations to both teams for reaching the final and on behalf of Coiste na nÓg I would like to wish both teams the best of luck.

 

 

14-Jul-12 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Leitrim v Wicklow

All Ireland Football Qualifier
Round 2
Leitrim v Wicklow
Venue: Páirc Seán
Date: Saturday 14th July at 6pm
 
 
Ticket prices for the Leitrim v Wicklow game are as follows: 
 
Stand: €15
Terrace:€10
Students/OAPs: €10
Juveniles (U16s): Free
 
Tickets available on the day.  Arrive early to avoid the rush.

 

 

13-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Handball News week beginning 8th July 2012

Connacht Minor Title For Donal Wrynn
Donal Wrynn took his second Connacht Minor title this year winning The Connacht 60×30 Minor Final played in Ballymoe Co. Galway on Sunday. In a very one sided encounter Wrynn easily saw off the challenge of Mayos Adrain Murphy on a scoreline of 21-1, 21-2. He will now meet an Ulster opponent in the All-Ireland semi-final. Donal teams up with fellow clubman Shane Doonan in the Connacht 60×30 Doubles Final next week-end.
Connacht 60×30 Golden Masters Final
Fenaghs Ed Lee lifted the Golden Masters B 60×30 Connacht Title defeating Galways William Corcoran on a scoreline of 21-7, 21-8 played in Ballymoe on Sunday.
Feile na nGael 
Fenagh Handball Club represented Leitrim at this years Feile held in Dublin last Thursday and Friday. This was the clubs third and most sucessful year in Feile losing out on a place in the Division Four Final by just one point. The team comprising of Alan Doonan, Alan Wrynn, Jarlath Scollan and David Wrynn were based in Citywest and defeated WinÓgap Co. Kilkenny 21-15, 21-3, St. Augustines Co. Waterford 21-2, 16-21, Tuamgraney Co. Clare 15-21, 21-11 and  Downpatrick Co. Down 21-3, 21-4. Although Fenagh won all their matches on aggregate scores and topped the group, under Feile rules each game won is awarded 1 point, with Fenagh deemed to have lost two games they were awarded 6 points out of 8, Tuamgraney were awarded 7 points and went on to win the Division Four Final.  Great credit must go to the young Fenagh men who did their club and county proud.
One Wall Nationals   
The one wall nationals took place over the week-end. There will be a full report in next weeks Leitrim Observer.

 

 

11-Jul-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Hurling News week beginning 9th July 2012

Under 13 Connacht Feile

Cluainín Iomaint and Carrick U13s travelled to Padraig Pearse’s in Woodmount just outside Ballinasloe last Saturday to take part in the Connacht Feile Blitz.  Cluainín played Naomh Eoin of Sligo, RoscommonÓgaels and Cois Farraige of Galway. They lost by 3 points to Naomh Eoin, drew with RoscommonÓgaels and lost 2.04 to 4.08 to the Galway side.  Carrick played Ballyhaunis of Mayo, Athleague of Roscommon and the Carrick side had a good win over Ballyhaunis and lost narrowly in their last two games. These results prove that there is good work being done by clubs in Leitrim and show that both teams are well able to compete with other counties in Connacht. 

National  U14 Feile in Dublin 

Well done to Paddy O Connor and his Ballinamore Under 14 hurlers who took part in the National Feile in Dublin.  The Ballinamore club competed admirably and represented Leitrim proudly with some excellent displays of hurling.  The following were their results:

Cootehill Celtic 1.03 Ballinamore 0.02

Setanta 2.01 Ballinamore 1.04

St. Marks 0.02 Ballinamore 1.06

 

Congratulations to Michael Gordon who has coached his Easkey hurlers to winning the Division 5 title.  This is a great achievement for a team from a non traditional hurling county. 

Thurles Sarsfields Huling Tournament

Cluainín Iomaint will take the long road to Tipperary to take part in the 40th anniversary of the Thurles Sarsfields hurling tournament this weekend.  Tipperary native Val Cronin will line out for the Manorhamilton team at full forward as he returns home where he played his hurling with Thomas Davins.  Cluainín will play Kilmoyler of Kerry and Kilbrin of Cork.

 

 

 

11-Jul-12 by Micheal Dolan Hurling PRO

Fr Manning Leitrim v Offaly Change of Date

Fr Manning Cup Leitrim v Offaly changed to Thursday evening 12th July at 7.30 in Annaduff.

 

 

10-Jul-12 by Barbara Coiste na nÓg

Dromahair win Division 4 League Title

Congrats to St Patricks Dromahair who won the Gallogly Catering ACL Division 4 League Final this afternoon in Páirc Seán.  They became the second adult team to lift silverwear in the 2012 season.  In an entertaining contest, Dromahairs clinical efficiency proved the difference.  Final score St Patricks Dromahair 2-14, Aughavas 0-10.  

Well done Dromahair.

 

 

09-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Ladies News

Intermediate County All-Ireland Championship
 
The County team are out this weekend on Saturday in Sean OHeslins Ballinamore at 2pm vs Fermanagh. This is our only home game in the Championship, looking forward to seeing you all there.    
 
Club Blitz
 
The Senior Blitz took place in Drumkeerin on June 17th with St Josephs finishing unbeaten with wins over Glencar/Manorhamilton, Mohill and Kiltubrid. In the Intermediate Section held in Fenagh, Aughnasheelin were the best against Fenagh, Bornacoola and Gortletteragh.
 
Intermediate Club Championship
 
The Intermediate Championship game between Cloone and Glencar/Manorhamilton has been rescheduled to the 21st of July 2012
 
U14 Club Championship
 
This competition has concluded for the year and congratulations to all the winners and hard luck to the runners up. In the 13 aside competition St. Brigids beat Sean OHeslins, in the 13 aside Shield Final Allen Gaels beat Dromahair. Glencar/Manorhamilton beat Drumkeerin in the 11 aside Championship Final after a replay, the 11 aside Shield was won by St Josephs after beating Kiltubrid. Gortletteragh beat Cloone in the 7 aside Championship Final while Glenfarne beat Fenagh in the 7 aside Shield Final. A big Thank You to Michelle Duffy for co-ordinating the competition and getting it completed on time.

 

 

09-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Under 13 Feile Semi-Finals

 
 
A draw was made for the Semi-Finals of the Under 13 Feile competition with first team out having Home Venue. Games take place next Wednesday evening (11th July) at 7pm as follows:
 
 
Carrigallen v Mohill
 
Fenagh-St Caillins v St Marys

(Extra Time if necessary)

Final will take place on Monday 16th at a venue to be confirmed.

 

 

08-Jul-12 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

U8 and U10 Blitz Round 5

Melvin Gaels v St Osnats/Glenfarne Kiltyclogher

Drumkeerin v Dromahair

Allen Gaels v Glencar Manorhamilton

St Marys v Carrigallen

Ballinamore SOH v Mohill

Kiltubrid v Aughnasheelin

Leitrim Gaels v Aughavas

Garadice Gaels v Cloone

Bornacoola v Gortletteragh

Fenagh St Caillins v Annaduff

 

HOST TEAMS LISTED FIRST

Saturday 14th July, 2012 at 10.30 am.

 

 

08-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Gallogly Catering ACL Div 4 Final

On Sunday next (8th July) the Gallogly Catering ACL Div 4 Final takes place between Dromahair and Aughavas in Páirc Seán.  The throw in is scheduled for 12 noon. 

The teams met in the league fixture on the 29th April when Dromahair who had home advantage were 1-15 to 0-9 winners but with neutral venue on Sunday this league result will be irrelevant to both teams.  

Both camps have great support so a great crowd is expected at Leitrim Headquarters.  Best of Luck to both teams.

.

 

 

06-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leo Kenny Cup

 

Congrats to St Patricks Dromahair who defeated Caltra of Galway in the semi final of the Leo Kenny Cup on Tuesday last 3rd July in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.  

They will now meet Corofin of Galway in the Final with date and venue yet to be confirmed.  Both finalists had comfortable semi final wins with the Leitrim side recording a 2-13 to 0-2 win and Corofin beating Tourlestrane of Sligo on a scoreline of 2-14 to 0-4.  

Well done Dromahair.

 

 

05-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO