Neighbourhood Watch
As it gurgles out from deep underground on the Cuilcagh Mountains, the Shannon River has no idea of the effect it has on life in Ireland. It is written of in song and story, it drains and floods in turn, it is the powerhouse for hundreds of boats and cruisers, it entertains many a hopeful angler, its route is mapped on countless brochures, it has attracted thousands of visitors to its banks and it has been photographed and painted for generations. Like the river itself, its story could go on and on.
But all of this pales into insignificance compared to the effect it has on what colour of jersey we will be wearing on our way to Páirc Seán on Sunday June 12th. Will we be decked out in green and gold or will we be sporting the primrose and blue?
It depends on which side of the Shannon we first saw light of day. Was it in Cootehall or Leitrim Village, Cortober or Bridge Street, MahanÓgh or Mount Allen, Bornacoola or across the bridge in Rooskey, Drumsna or Kilmore; you could throw a stone from one into the other, but there is a very distinct dotted line somewhere on a map that makes all the difference. Were either Leitrim or Roscommon and no one will ever change that.
The Shannon shouldnt have to take all the blame, for the border in places is just a laneway or a gripe. Sean and Charlie Flynn could run out their front door at Cartron Beg on the Drumkeerin road and jump into Roscommon, but two more committed Leitrim supporters you couldnt find. When the Connacht Champions of 1994 toured the county with the Nestor Cup, hadnt the Flynns the biggest bonfire in Leitrim burning especially brightly just to tease the Roscommon neighbours!
There will be lots of cross-border teasing in the run up to the big game in Carrick.
Wait till we get ye in Carrick – Look what we did to Sligo.
What did we do to Sligo last year? Ye havent a hope!
So the banter will go on at the mart, in the pubs, in the Observer, on Shannonside, everywhere. A sort of civil war will break out in families that inter-married across the great divide, in some gardens both flags will fly side by side.
There will be plenty of hype and great expectation. Roscommon will repeat and repeat how they always fear coming to Páirc Seán, but deep down they will presume they will win again, noting that records show they have always left with a victory; Leitrim will say its time to draw a line in the sand – no point in putting up a good show but being on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
Roscommon will be buoyed by the thoughts of the St. Brigids backbone in their team, but James Glancy will be reminding Leitrim that the Glencar Manorhamilton contingent provides one equally strong, as the Connacht Club Championship game showed last Autumn man for man the fifteen on each side have very little between them, so it all to play for.
Páirc Seán will be a mass of colour as Dessie Foley steers the Kiltubrid Pipe Band around the pitch in the pre-match parade, past the Lurganboys on Tour banner behind the lower goals, in those tense moments before Amhrán na bhFiann and the throw-in. We will even have colour television!
But whose cheeks will be the rosiest with pride at about half three on Sunday 12th, as they head home to gloat at their neighbours a few yards away on the other bank of the Shannon?
09-Jun-11 by Tommy Moran – Connacht PRO
Coaching & Games Newsletter
Coiste na nÓgCoaching & Games Newsletter
Respect programme
As the under 12 mini leagues commence this week we would ask all clubs to ensure that their mentors and players are fully aware of the respect initative and that it is observed by both teams. Clubs should ensure that all mentors wear the respect bibs and that players line up and shake hands before and after all games.
Schools of Excellence / Development Squads
U-14 School of Excellence
The under 14 squad will play a Roscommon selection as a curtain raiser to the Connacht senior semi-final on Sunday next. This will be a great experience for these young lads and we hope they enjoy the day.
U-16 Development squad
The under 16 panel are now on a break while exams are taking place. We would like to wish everybody sitting exams the best of luck.
VHI GAA Cul camps 2011
Ambassador
Leitrim GAA are pleased to announce that County Senior team member Adrian Croal will be our Vhi GAA cul camp ambassador for 2011. Adrian has both attended and coached at Vhi GAA cul camps over the years and will be able to offer lots of advise to all attendees at this years Vhi GAA cul camps.
Free Places competition
This week sees the launch of our Vhi GAA Cul Camp free places competition in conjunction with the Leitrim Observer. This competition offers children the chance to win a free place on any of our twelve Vhi GAA Cul camps. The competition will run for the next four weeks.
Application Forms
Application forms have been distributed through the clubs and schools over the past few weeks. The on-line booking has commenced and we would encourage as many parents as possible to use this booking format. Camp type means, activities in Football, Hurling & Camogie will take place at the camp.
Code
Venue
Dates
Camp type
Cost per Child
F/ H/ C
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
LM01
Ck – on – Shannon
4th. July – 08th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM02
Manorhamilton
4th. July – 08th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM03
Drumshanbo
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM04
Kinlough
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM05
Dromod
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM06
Aughavas
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM07
Dromahair
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM08
Gortletteragh
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM09
Drumkeerin
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM10
Fenagh
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM11
Leitrim
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
LM12
Ballinamore
8th. August – 12th August
F/ H/ C
€60
€50
€45
County Coordinator : Thomas Keenan 087 – 6591049
For further information on any of the above contact:
County Coaching officer – Padraig McGourty
Ph: 086 – 8106431
E-mail: coachingofficer.leitrim@gaa.ie Games Manager – Thomas Keenan
Ph: 087 – 6591049
E-mail: thomas.keenan.gm.leitrim@gaa.ie
10-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Roscommon team to play Leitrim
County FootballRoscommon name an unchanged team from the side that defeated New York in the opening round.
1 Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea – St. Kevins)
2 Seán McDermott (Western Gaels)
3 Peter Domican (Capt) (St. Brigids)
4 Niall Carty (Padraig Pearses)
5 Ian Kilbride (St. Brigids)
6 David Keenan (St. Barrys)
7 Donal Ward (Western Gaels)
8 Michael Finneran (St. Dominics)
9 Karol Mannion (St. Brigids)
10 Senan O’Grady (St. Faithleachs)
11 Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels)
12 Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
13 Conor Devanney (Kilbride)
14 Senan Kilbride (St. Brigids)
15 Donie Shine (Clann na nGael)
16 Mark Miley (St. Dominic)
17 Stephen Ormsby (St. Faithleachs)
18 James McKeague (Creggs)
19 Seamus O’Neill (Kilbride)
20 Ger HenÓghan (Castlerea – St. Kevins)
21 John Rogers (Strokestown)
22 Paul Garvey (Kilmore)
23 Niall Daly (Padriag Pearses)
24 Enda Kenny (Castlerea – St. Kevins)
25 Darren McDermott (Castlerea – St. Kevins)
26 Seán Purcell (Boyle)
09-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
TV3 Coverage
County FootballCarrick on Shannon hosts ‘The GAA Show’
This week ‘The GAA Show’ comes from Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim. Kieran McSweeney visited Mickey Moran and his panel as they prepare for their Connacht semi-final against reigning provincial champions Roscommon.
Sinéad Kissane is with the Limerick hurlers. Donal O’Grady’s Allianz League Division 2 champions face Waterford in the Munster semi final.
We look back at a classic Kilkenny/Wexford clash from the past in Video Vault; Westmeath goalkeeper Gary Connaughton is the centre of attention on Team Talk; we’ve all the week’s team news in Around the Counties; and our Panel Beaters (Glenda Gilson, Stephen Hunt, Sean Connell and the Irish Daily Star Sports’ Desk) give us their forecast for the weekend’s games.
That’s all on ‘The GAA Show’ on this Friday, June 10th at 18.30 on 3e and midnight on TV3.
09-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
VHI GAA Cul Camps
CoachingVHI GAA Cul camps 2011
Â
Ambassador
Leitrim GAA are pleased to announce that County Senior team member Adrian Croal will be our Vhi GAA cul camp ambassador for 2011. Adrian has both attended and coached at Vhi GAA cul camps over the years and will be able to offer lots of advise to all attendees at this years Vhi GAA cul camps.
Free Places competition
This week sees the launch of our Vhi GAA Cul Camp free places competition in conjunction with the Leitrim Observer. This competition offers children the chance to win a free place on any of our twelve Vhi GAA Cul camps. The competition will run for the next four weeks.
Application Forms
Application forms have been distributed through the clubs and schools over the past few weeks. The on-line booking has commenced and we would encourage as many parents as possible to use this booking format. Camp type means, activities in Football, Hurling & Camogie will take place at the camp.
Code
Venue
Dates
Camp type
Cost per Child
Â
Â
Â
F/ H/ C
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
LM01
Ck – on – Shannon
4th. July – 08th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM02
Manorhamilton
4th. July – 08th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
LM03
Drumshanbo
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM04
Kinlough
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM05
Dromod
11th. July – 15th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
LM06
Aughavas
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM07
Dromahair
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM08
Gortletteragh
18th. July – 22rd. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
LM09
Drumkeerin
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM10
Fenagh
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
LM11
Leitrim
25th. July – 29th. July
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
LM12
Ballinamore
8th. August – 12th August
F/ H/ C
ââ¬60
ââ¬50
ââ¬45
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
County Coordinator : Thomas Keenan 087 – 6591049
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
09-Jun-11 by Colette Fox – PRO