Weekly Hurling News 2nd July 2012

Leitrim U14 Development Squad

The Leitrim U14 Development Squad took part in the Inter County Hurling Blitz in Carnmore, Galway last Saturday. The team played teams from Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon and with only 15 lads they battled hard and never gave up with excellent displays from Desmond Beirne, Lee Mc Manus, Andrew Loughlin, Stephen Loughlin and Damien Crave. 

The Leitrim U14 Development Squad – Stephen Loughlin, Andrew Loughlin, Peter Poniard, Patrick Mc Tiernan, Keelan Keerins, Conor Gallagher, Darragh Murphy, James Hamilton, Damien Craven, Stephen Flynn, Aaron Hore, Lee Mc Manus, Dessie Beirne, Mark Diffley, Shane Beirne.  

Leitrim Hurling Senior League

So far Gortletteragh, Carrick and Cluainín Iomaint have all won a game each.  Carrick beat Cluainín well in the most recent game to keep alive their chances of reaching the final.  Games yet to be played are Cluainín and Gortletteragh at home and away while Gortletteragh will also have to play their final game against Carrick. 

Dermot Molloy League (Sligo Hurling League)

Cluainín Iomaint completed their involvement in the Sligo Hurling League last week by topping the table for the first time.  Unusually, they had to play a “play off” game against Coolera/Strandhill last Sunday due to the top 5 teams being level on points.  Cluainín already beat Coolera/Strandhill during the league but were “drawn out of a hat” to play again.  It an exciting game where either team could have won, the Sligo side overcame the Manorhamilton men on a scoreline of 1.10 to 0.07. The Manor men were left to dwell on many missed chances where they should have taken their points during the game.  But the Leitrim club can be happy knowing that they raised many eye brows by finishing top of the Sligo Hurling League for 2012.  Cluainín travel to Thurles on Friday week to take part in the Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Tournament.  We wish them well as they represent Leitrim. 

Feile

We wish Paddy O Connor and Ballinamore the very best in this years Hurling Feile in Dublin.

 

 

03-Jul-12 by Micheal Dolan Hurling PRO

Connacht GAA Football Championship Finals 2012

Connacht GAA Football Championship Finals 2012

Sunday 15th July
Venue: Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon

Connacht GAA finalised the match details and the ticket prices for the Connacht GAA Football Championship Finals 2012. The Finals in Dr Hyde Park have the home county, Roscommon meeting Mayo in the Minor Final at 12noon while Mayo and Sligo duel it out for the Nestor Cup in the Senior Final. The Galway All-Ireland hurling winning teams of 1987 & 1988 will be the special guests of honour on the day. Connacht GAA also announced a price reduction of €5 on stand tickets with special packages for groups and family tickets. For full details see below. 

Minor:
Roscommon vs. Mayo
Referee: S. O hEithir(G)
Throw In: 12noon

Senior:
Mayo vs. Sligo
Referee: C. Reilly, (Meath)
Throw In: 2pm

Ticket Prices:
 Stand €30 (Reserved).
 Sideline Seating €25
 Terrace €20
 Juveniles (U-16) €5
 Students & OAPs Full price must be paid.
 Family Tickets available for Sideline & Stand: Adult full price & child €5
 Group Tickets €30 for a group of 10 juveniles & 1 adult. (available through the Connacht GAA Council Office).

 Refunds of €10 will be paid to OAPs & Students, (with current ID cards), for Stand, Sideline seating and Terrace at Designated Stile only, (Turnstile #6 and #18).
 Groups: Entry at Turnstile #8. All children must be accompanied by Group Leader(s)
 GAA Season Ticket Holders- entry through Turnstile #10

Tickets can be sourced from; 
Connacht GAA Office
Address: Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
Opening hours: Mon-Friday- 10am-5pm and Saturday 11am-2pm
Ph: (094) 9630335
Email: reception.connacht@gaa.ie
www.connachtgaa.ie

Roscommon County Board
address: 5-6 Castle View, Roscommon 
email: administrator.roscommon GAA.ie
phone: (090) 6627176
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm
www.gaaroscommon.ie

Galway County Board
address: Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Galway.
email: administrator.galway@gaa.ie
phone: 091)862500
Opening Hours: Mon-Friday 9.30am-5pm
www.galwaygaa.ie

Mayo County Board
Address: McHale Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm
Email secretary.mayo@gaa.ie
Office number: 094-9250487
www.mayogaa.com

Sligo County Board
address: Sligo GAA Office, Aughamore Near, Carraroe, Sligo
Sligo GAA Ticket office & Shop, OConnell Street, Sligo (Old Meteor Store) 12-6pm
email: administrator.sligo@gaa.ie
phone: 087-0524574
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
www.sligogaa.ie

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

Tickets also available from clubs in the competing counties.

Tickets can also be sourced from www.tickets.ie

Tickets will also be on sale at selected Supervalu & Centra outlets in the competing counties, 
Roscommon: 
Smiths SuperValu Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon
Flemings SuperValu, Main Street, Roscommon, Co Roscommon
Duffys SuperValu, Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon
Cahills SuperValu, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Galway:
Grealishs SuperValu, Moycullen, Co Galway
Clarkes SuperValu, Barna, Co Galway
McInerneys SuperValu, Loughrea, Co Galway
OTooles SuperValu, Tuam, Co Galway
OMearas SuperValu, Portumna, Co Galway
Nestors SuperValu, Oranmore, Co Galway
McCanns SuperValu, Moycullen, Co Galway
Leitrim
Donohoes SuperValu, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim 
Mayo: 
KavanÓgh SuperValu, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Moloneys SuperValu, Bunree, Ballina, Co Mayo
Cummins SuperValu, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
Sweeneys SuperValu, Achill Island, Co Mayo
OConnors SuperValu, Westport, Co Mayo
Sligo
Surlis SuperValu, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo
Cosgroves Centra, Maugheraboy, Co Sligo
Whitesides Centra, Collooney, Co Sligo

For more information see www.connachtgaa.ie

 

 

03-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Football Qualifiers

The draw has been made for Round 2 of the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Qualifiers, with eight fixtures in all set for a fortnights time.

Beaten Leinster semi-finalists Kildare face a trip to Kingspan Breffni Park to take on Cavan, who defeated Fermanagh in the Qualifiers yesterday.

Kerry will face Westmeath in Mullingar, while another team beaten in their provincial semi-final, Tyrone, will travel to Roscommon, who defeated Armagh yesterday.

Derrys conquerors Longford have home advantage against Limerick, while Laois will take on Monaghan at home.

Antrim will receive a visit from Galway, while Wexford will travel into Munster to take on Tipperary. The final tie sees Leitrim host Wicklow.

Fixtures will take place over the weekend of July 14/15, with times to be confirmed shortly.

All-Ireland Qualifier Round 2 Draw

Antrim v Galway
Leitrim v Wicklow
Westmeath v Kerry
Roscommon v Tyrone
Longford v Limerick
Cavan v Kildare
Laois v Monaghan
Tipperary v Wexford

 

 

02-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

We are at home

We have been drawn to play against Wicklow in the All Ireland Qualifiers. Whilst it will be a difficult encounter to defeat the recently promoted Division Three team, we have avoided some of the bigger guns and hopefully, this year – with your support – we will make it through to the next round.  Date, time and venue details will be posted when available.

 

 

02-Jul-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

GAA 7 Wonders Challenge

As part of World Social Media Day which runs on Saturday, June 30 the GAA is asking all their friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter to help them pull off the unique #GAA7Wonders challenge. 

In short, they are looking for people to send them pictures in their Club or County colours from the New 7 Wonders of the World which are: 

The Great Wall of China,
Machu Picchu, Peru
Taj Mahal, India
Petra, Jordan
Colloseum, Rome
Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Chichen Itza, Mexico 

The challenge is in no way limited to just these locations however and they strongly encourage pictures from places like the GoldenÓgate Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Mount Everest, Pyramids of Egypt, The White House and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. All they want is a picture of a Club or County jersey in the shot at a unique location. Pictures can be sent to them directly on Twitter @officialgaa or by email to socialmedia@gaa.ie

This GAA Social Media campaign is all about highlighting how far our County and Club colours travel around the world. They will share the best images through Official GAA on Facebook and Twitter and will have some unique spot prizes for the best entries. 

Please help them pull off this challenge by sharing the information with your friends. The full details can be found by clicking here.

 

 

30-Jun-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Cumann na mBunscoil

Congratulations to St. Marys N.S. Drumlea who created history for the school by winning two titles this year in the Cumann na mBunscol competition. St. Marys returned to Division 5 as it returned to two teacher status. The Division 5 Team defeated Diffreen NS in a tightly contested final. However Drumlea proved too strong and gradually increased and availed of many  Scóring opportunities as the game progressed in the second half. The team is as follows – captained by Stephen Meissner , Peter Prior, Dylan Maguire, Fearghal Murray, Manus Connolly, Hughie Maguire, Caoimhe Gaffney, Niamh Donogan, Stephanie Daly, Michelle McCabe, Emer McCabe,Shauna Lavin,  Seanie Prior, Cian Connolly, Conor Edwards, Paul Sutherland, Rory Grassi, Andrew McNiffe, Ray OBrien. Well done to their trainers Olie Maguire, Seamus Prior and super Manager Ciarán Maguire. 

The Girls Division 3 team had an equally exciting game against a determined Gortletteragh in terrible weather conditions. Again St. Marys Drumlea emerged the winnners. The team comprised of Caoimhe Gaffney, Niamh Donogan, Stephanie Daly, Megan Sutherland, Shauna Lavin, Emer McCabe, Michelle McCabe, Sinead Edwards, Oníosa Mimna, Megan Lavin,
Ella Quinn, Caoimhe Prior, Molly Prior, Siobhan Maguire, Ella Maguire, Caitlín Quinn, and Sophie OConnor. Well done to their trainers Padraig Gaffney, Mary Prior and Elaine Lavin. Thanks to Mary for looking after the jerseys. The Drumreilly GAA Club along with the Parents Association kindly provided food for the pupils on their sports fun day. 

 

 

30-Jun-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Under 12 Blitz Round 4

All Games 7pm Mon 2nd July, 2012

Under 12 Blitz

Round 4

Melvin Gaels v Garadice Gaels
Drumkeerin v St Marys
Kiltubrid v Ballinamore-Soh
Annaduff v Allen Gaels
Dromahair v Aughavas
Carrigallen v Mohill
Gortletteragh v Cloone
St Osnats v Aughnasheelin
Glenfarne-Kilty v Bornacoola

 

HOME TEAMS LISTED FIRST

 

 

26-Jun-12 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Under 13 Feile Round 1

All Games 7pm Friday 29th June, 2012

Under 13 Feile

Round 1 

 Ballinamore-SOH v St Marys
 MelvinÓgaels v Mohill 

Fenagh-St Caillins v Aughavas
Carrigallen v Leitrim Gaels

 

 

26-Jun-12 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

GAA Team of the Week

Each Monday GAA.ie select the best Team of the Week from the GAA Football Championships.

This week Down have five players selected after their stunning comeback over Monaghan. However, it is Mayo that lead the way with a contingent of six players after their convincing win over us.  MonaghanÓget three players in the side and there is a spot for Leitrims star forward Emlyn Mulligan who kicked 0-7 against Mayo.

Emlyn has the distinction of being selected twice this year on the Team of the Week as he was similarily chosen after being selected as the Man of the Match in our opening championship game against London.

Well done AGAIN Emlyn.

Check out gaa.ie. for the 1-15 Football Team of the Week.

 

 

 

25-Jun-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

The Gulf War

The Gulf War

 

Every car load of supporters on the way home from Castlebar on Sunday would have had their own debates, discussions, post mortems and reviews of our Semi-final clash with Mayo. Hearts would have been heavy at another comprehensive defeat in a venue that has never brought us any joy. Solutions would have been proposed, suggestions made about the future and what have you. Many of those heading home from the West had also been in Páirc Seán on Saturday evening for what was a very similar outcome in the Electric Ireland Minor Championship, so it would be easy to understand gloomy feelings.

For a moment let us imagine that instead of being just a supporter on Sunday, that we were on the team coach on the way back to Carrick, as a player, team Manager, member of the backroom team or a County Board official. Then we would realise what real disappointment felt like, reflecting on all the long evenings and Saturday mornings training in the snow, sleet, cold and rain; the thousands of miles travelled while the rest of us cosied up on the couch; the injuries that required painful treatment; the hours spent away from home; the social life sacrificed; the strain of continual demands on time; the challenge matches played at championship intensity; the hard slog day after day, knowing that the same effort was being put in as it was in Kerry, Dublin or Donegal, but yet the almost insulting odds being offered by bookies on any hopes of success.

Being a Leitrim footballer demands a really special sense of dedication and we all admire and respect and acknowledge their efforts for the green and gold. Those car loads coming from the match and those following the game from afar would have had nothing but praise for every single one of them who played themselves into the ground, despite the odds being stacked against them and further injuries on the day making their job even harder.

It’s back to the Qualifiers, a sort of a Scóry world for us to date. But the loyalty of the players and all connected with the team will rub off on us all and supporters will be out again in big numbers to rally to the cause.

In the coming months the talk will be of the gulf that exists between teams, with many counties being put to the sword in both football and hurling – we see it weekend after weekend – Leitrim is not alone.

Let the debate, which will surely be heated at times, rage on. For the moment we will focus on our next championship outing, knowing that every player in a Leitrim jersey will put Sunday behind him and be ready to give of his all again.

 

 

 

25-Jun-12 by Tommy Moran

Enda Williams makes mark after emotional switch

Article courtesy of the Irish Independent – Saturday 23rd June, 2012.

Leaving Longford wasnt easy for Enda Williams, but he knew he had to make a move.

Out of favour and hitting his peak, the 27-year-old turned his back on a lifetime involvement and crossed the border to Leitrim, the land of his late father and the place of his birth.

The inter-county transfer has been a much-debated matter this summer, but Williams kept his quiet and moved below the radar.  As Seanie JohnstonÓgenerated thousands of column inches, Williams kept the head down and got to know his new team-mates.  It wasnt a simple decision for a man steeped in Longford blue.  He was part of the countys Leinster minor winning team in 2002 and was a mentor to the 2010 team who repeated that feat. His involvement has even stretched to co-managing the Longford ladies team for a period.  But having dislocated his shoulder for the second time in the first Allianz National League game of last season, Williams missed the 2011 campaign.  By the time he returned to full fitness, Michael Quinn had come home from Australia and his grip on the No 6 jersey had slipped.  After much deliberation, he decided to make the move and join Leitrim.  He still lives and works in Longford and plays his club football for Clonguish.  

It has been an emotional parting of the ways, but an amicable one.  “One day a woman came up to me on the street in Longford town, crying, to give me a hug and that was a very hard thing to take,” he says. “But people understand where Im coming from. Every time I played in a Longford jersey I gave my all, but it is just unfortunate how it worked out. People have been very supportive.  “After the London game, 75pc of the texts I got were from Longford people congratulating me and with the Mayo game Im getting a lot of support and goodwill.  “I owe the Longford people an awful lot and Ive never really had a chance to say thank you.”  The reaction he received in his home town was one thing, but the other concern Williams had was how he would be perceived in his new county set-up.  “There is always a doubt in your mind that, are these lads going to accept me or do they think Im a prima donna, thinking Im going to playing?” he admits.  “I thought all of those thoughts, but the welcome I received has made it easier.  “Not just players and management, but after the London game the reception the supporters gave me made me feel overwhelmed.”

Williams has watched the Johnston debate with added interest over the spring and summer and he cant help but empathise with the former Cavan star whose move to Kildare has dominated the airwaves.  “Seanie Johnston was probably thinking more or less the same thing I was,” he says.  “He is a similar age to me and he wants to play county football and wants the opportunity to test himself against the best.  “It has been blown out of proportion. If he hadnt moved hed be sitting there with his inter-county career petering out.”  

Tomorrow, Williams will take the field for a provincial semi-final for the first time in his career.  His father, Tommy, didnt live to see him wearing the green and yellow of his native county, but hell be looking down tomorrow as the centre half-back anchors the defence against Mayo.  Two years ago his son was at the heart of a Longford effort that ended John OMahonys reign as Mayo Manager with a qualifier shock at Pearse Park, but while he cant wait for the action to start at Castlebar, he reckons the 18/1 outsiders chances of catching the Connacht champions again is a taller order.  “Mayo have moved on a lot from that day,” he admits.  “They are one of the top five teams in the country.  “For me personally, this is the biggest game of my life and for a lot of the team it will be the same.  “Ive never played in a provincial semi-final before, so while were overwhelming underdogs, were looking to put in a performance and well see where that performance takes us. Thats all we can control.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

24-Jun-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Electric Ireland Connacht GAA Minor Football Championship

Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Football Championship Quarter Final 

Saturday 23rd June, 2012 at 5pm in Páirc Seán

Leitrim v Roscommon

It was a lovely evening in Páirc Seán Mhic Diarmada for the Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Football Championship quarter final match between Leitrim and Roscommon.  It was well supported by both camps but it was not long after throw-in to see that the Leitrim team were up against a talented Roscommon side.  By half time the damage had been done and a stronger and more clinical visiting side powered all over the field and Leitrim’s challenge which was not good enough on the day, kept trying to the end.

We all acknowledge the game did not go well, the high expectations didn’t materialise, we were well beaten by a stronger side, by a team that definitely looks capable of winning a Connacht title.  We take this opportunity to say “Well done Roscommon” and to wish them the very best of luck going forward.  Next time we meet, today’s game will be forgotten and all will be back in the melting pot and the local rivalry will be as strong as ever!

This Leitrim group was made up of a combination of dedicated, committed, loyal and trusted souls both on and off the field of play, who were determined to give of their all for the Green and Gold, just as they have been doing year after year, proud to be our representatives, whether in the league, a tournament, a challenge game, but especially in the Championship.  Only those close to the scene can fully comprehend the effort made and rather than be critical of players and management, we should acknowledge that each of them gave of their very best.  

When the game ended a disheartened Leitrim team linked for one last time, their 2012 season had ended but their Green and Gold blood will have them on the road again. 

 

 

24-Jun-12 by Colette Fox – PRO