A Step into the Unknown
Previewing Sunday’€’s Connacht Championship meeting of Leitrim and Sligo is taking a step into the unknown.
When teams meet in any championship game there is usually a trawl back through the records and statistics to previous clashes over the decades to check on how they fared. So many wins, losses and draws for each side since the birth of the GAA. As if what happened around 1890 could have a bearing on what will happen now or in the future. The Leitrim and Sligo players will Scórcely put much store on the match results in the days when their grandfathers cycled to Ballymote or the Showgrounds in Carrick, or even when their parents parked their Ford Cortinas or Morris Minors on the old N4 near Markievich or Páirc Seán.
What matters to the players is now!
Indeed, if they were to look at all the recent forecasts from the GAA experts, neither side would put too much effort into Sunday’€’s game, for the result appears to matter little. The Connacht title is sewn up between Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. Leitrim and Sligo are looked upon as token opposition for the big three, with the losers given little chance in the Qualifiers, unless they get a handy draw.
It is likely that Mickey Moran, Kevin Walsh and their management teams will have something to say about that when they’€’re in the huddle with the players on Sunday.
Recent form can be a barometer of sorts, but then the counties operated in different divisions in the Allianz League, with both teams having regrets about particular matches that would have altered their fortunes. A few more scores would have made all the difference in their promotion and relegation shake-up.
Every score will matter on Sunday in what should be a close call either way. We don’€’t need many fingers to total the Leitrim and Sligo Nestor Cup successes, while both counties could write volumes about near misses and hard luck stories.
Leitrim desperately need a championship victory, while Sligo will want to take the first steps of atonement for missing out last year, when they were odds-on favourites in the Connacht Final having dismissed both Galway and Mayo. They appeared to have committed the cardinal error of taking Roscommon for granted. It can be difficult for the lesser lights like Sunday’€’s opponents to operate in a winning mode, they need to develop the brashness and cockiness of the bigger guns.
While memories of the displays of Packie McGarty, Cathal Flynn, Nace O’€’Dowd and Mickey Kearins will be part and parcel of Sunday, what will really matter is how Mossie Beirne, Adrian Croal, Charlie Harrison, David Kelly and all the others perform.
The current crop of players will want to make their own history.
16-May-11 by Tommy Moran – Connacht PRO
Coaching & Games Newsletter
CoachingCoaching & Games Newsletter
Respect programme
We would ask all clubs to ensure that the respect initative is carried out at all games up to and including under 14. 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
Trials for this years squad concluded on Saturday last and the panel will be finalised over the next few weeks. The next session planned for the squad is Monday June 6th.
U-15 School of Excellence
The next outing for the U15 squad is on Wednesday May 25th with a game againts Longford. Players will be contacted with full details and all info will be published in next weeks newsletter.
U-16 Development squad
We will play our first game of the year againts Sligo on Sunday next as a curtain raiser to the Senior championship match. The U16 match will commence at 1.30pm.
VHI GAA Cul camps 2011
Launch
Leitrim GAA officially launched our 2011 Vhi GAA Cul camps at the Connacht Play & Stay day in Croke Park. Players from Aughavas, Annaduff, Carrigallen and St. Osnats along with Sligo All Star Charlie Harrison, Leitrim GAA Coaching officer Padraig Mc Gourty and Brendan Quinn from Vhi launched the camps inÓglorious sunshine.
Application forms will be distributed through the clubs and schools this week. The on-line booking has now 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
FenÓgh
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 ManÓger – Thomas Keenan
Ph: 087 – 6591049
E-mail: thomas.keenan.gm.leitrim@gaa.ie
16-May-11 by Coaching
Connacht Football Championship Quarter Final
County FootballThe Leitrim team to play Sligo in the quarter final of the Connacht Football Championship will be released on this website on Wednesday morning 18/5/11.
Leitrim travel to Markievicz Park on Sunday next 22nd May to take on the home side. Throw in 3.30 pm. A Leitrim versus Sligo U-16 Development Squad match will be the curtain raiser to the Senior Championship match. The U16 match will commence at 1.30pm.
16-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Connacht Championship Preview – Sligo v Leitrim
County FootballA Step into the Unknown
Previewing Sunday’€’s Connacht Championship meeting of Leitrim and Sligo is taking a step into the unknown.
When teams meet in any championship game there is usually a trawl back through the records and statistics to previous clashes over the decades to check on how they fared. So many wins, losses and draws for each side since the birth of the GAA. As if what happened around 1890 could have a bearing on what will happen now or in the future. The Leitrim and Sligo players will Scórcely put much store on the match results in the days when their grandfathers cycled to Ballymote or the Showgrounds in Carrick, or even when their parents parked their Ford Cortinas or Morris Minors on the old N4 near Markievich or Páirc Seán.
What matters to the players is now!
Indeed, if they were to look at all the recent forecasts from the GAA experts, neither side would put too much effort into Sunday’€’s game, for the result appears to matter little. The Connacht title is sewn up between Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. Leitrim and Sligo are looked upon as token opposition for the big three, with the losers given little chance in the Qualifiers, unless they get a handy draw.
It is likely that Mickey Moran, Kevin Walsh and their management teams will have something to say about that when they’€’re in the huddle with the players on Sunday.
Recent form can be a barometer of sorts, but then the counties operated in different divisions in the Allianz League, with both teams having regrets about particular matches that would have altered their fortunes. A few more scores would have made all the difference in their promotion and relegation shake-up.
Every score will matter on Sunday in what should be a close call either way. We don’€’t need many fingers to total the Leitrim and Sligo Nestor Cup successes, while both counties could write volumes about near misses and hard luck stories.
Leitrim desperately need a championship victory, while Sligo will want to take the first steps of atonement for missing out last year, when they were odds-on favourites in the Connacht Final having dismissed both Galway and Mayo. They appeared to have committed the cardinal error of taking Roscommon for granted. It can be difficult for the lesser lights like Sunday’€’s opponents to operate in a winning mode, they need to develop the brashness and cockiness of the bigger guns.
While memories of the displays of Packie McGarty, Cathal Flynn, Nace O’€’Dowd and Mickey Kearins will be part and parcel of Sunday, what will really matter is how Mossie Beirne, Adrian Croal, Charlie Harrison, David Kelly and all the others perform.
The current crop of players will want to make their own history.
16-May-11 by Tommy Moran – Connacht PRO
Coiste Chontae Liatroma CLG Church Gate Collection
GeneralCoiste Chontae Liatroma CLG Annual Church gate collection for all of County Leitrim takes place on next Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May 2011. Please support this annual fundraiser.
Posters have been distributed to all clubs and they are asked to kindly arrange collectors.
14-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Ticketing Information Sligo v Leitrim
County FootballConnacht Championship 2011
Sligo v Leitrim Markievicz Park Sunday 22nd May at 3.30pm
You an download the match Poster from here
Ticketing Information
Ticket Prices
Seating €30
Terrace €20
Children €5
Students can get refund of €10 on Terrace Tickets with valid ID at designated stile # 15
OAPs can get refund of €10 on Stand or Terrace Tickets with valid ID at designated stile #15
Sunday 22nd May 2011
Markievicz Park, Sligo
Senior: Leitrim vs. Sligo at 3.30pm
Development squads: Sligo vs. Leitrim at 1.30pm.
Ticket Sales for Connacht Championship 2011
Thursday 19th May- Leitrim & Sligo
Supervalu, Grange 12-2.30pm
Supervalu, Ballinamore 4.30-7.30pm
Friday 20th May- Sligo
Supervalu, Ballinamore 12-2.30pm
Supervalu, Ballisodare 4.30-7pm
Saturday 21st May-
Supervalu- Tubbercurry 11am-1pm
Supervalu, Carrick-on-shannon 11am-1pm
Tickets can be sourced from
Leitrim County Board, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
email: secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie
phone: (071) 9620441 or 086 8961686
Mobile: 086-8961686
11-May-11 by Leitrim GAA
Michael Glancy RIP Cornastalk Manorhamilton
GeneralCoiste Chontae Liatroma extend deepest sympathy to the family of the late Michael Glancy, Cornastalk, Manorhamilton, who died suddenly on Monday morning. Michael was the father of our senior team captain James and our county pro Colette Fox.
Michaels enthusiasm for our games was evident to those who knew him and his colourful presence the length and breadth of the country supporting club and county, is something we will all miss. Our thoughts are with his wife Phil, his children James, Colette, Geraldine and Jane at this difficult time.
Remains reposing at his family home this evening from 5pm to 9pm, with removal to St. Clares Church, Manorhamilton on Wednesday for funeral mass at 12noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis
10-May-11 by Leitrim GAA
Coaching and Games Newsletter
CoachingCoaching & Games Newsletter
Connacht Play and Stay day in Croke Park.
On Thursday and Friday last children from each of the Connacht Counties got the opportunity to play in Croke Park. The under 12 children from the four Leitrim clubs, Annaduff, St. Osnats, Aughavas and Carrigallen were playing on Friday morning and with the splendid weather conditions it was a very enjoyable occasion. All childrenÓgot to play three 20 minute games and thenÓgot a tour of Croke park and the GAA museum. We would like to thank the four Leitrim clubs who took part for the manner in which they conducted themselves both on and off the field, it was a pleasure working with you. We would also like to thank the Connacht Council who fund this annual two day event and give our young players an experience to remember.
Schools of Excellence / Development Squads U-14 School of Excellence
Trials for this years under 14 school of excellence recommence on Saturday next May 7th in Allen Gaels GAA centre Drumshanbo commencing at 12.30pm. All players are asked to be present at 12.15 at the latest for registration.
U-15 School of Excellence
Trials for this years under 15 school of excellence will continue on Sunday next May 8th in Ballinaglera GAA grounds commencing at 6.30pm. All clubs are asked to please ensure their players attend.
U-16 Development squad
Following a series of trials squad sessions for the under 16 development squad commenced on Saturday last with a fitness test. The next session will take place on Saturday next at 10am in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.
VHI GAA Cul camps 2011
Leitrim GAA officially launched our 2011 Vhi GAA Cul camps on Friday last at the Connacht Play & Stay day in Croke Park. Players from Aughavas, Annaduff, Carrigallen and St. Osnats along with Sligo All Star Charlie Harrison and Leitrim GAA Coaching officer Padraig Mc Gourty launched the camps inÓglorious sunshine. Application forms will be distributed through the clubs and schools this week. The on-line booking has now 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.
06-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
U15 Academy Squad Trial
Coiste na nÓgThe next U-15 Academy squad trial will take place in Ballinaglera on Sunday 8th May next at 6:30pm.
Clubs are asked to inform eligible players who are interested in taking part and their parents.
05-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Minor Football League 9aside Final
Coiste na nÓgMinor Football League 9aside Final between Fenagh and Leitrim Gaels will take place on Friday evening the 6th of May at 7pm in Aughnasheelin.
Ref: Brendan Sammon
04-May-11 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg
Ladies News
LadiesCumann Peil na mBán LiatromaU14
Hard Luck to our Under 14s who were recently defeated by Galway in the Connacht ‘A’ Championship. With minutes to go Leitrim almost had the game in their grasp, but it was not to be. This is a great learning curve for these ladies who are the first Leitrim team to reach an A final. May this be the first of many for this group of ladies. Their season is not over yet and I am sure there is more to come where Silverware is still on the cards.
Also we would like to thank our Sponsors the Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo who offered full sponsorship to the Under 14s this year. They have been a great servant to the underage sponsorship over the years and this once again is truly appreciated.
Sponsorship
We would like to express our gratitude to Gilberts Pharmacy, Manorhamilton for sponsoring the Division One League and Clarkes Butchers, Drumkeerin for Sponsoring the Division Two League. This is greatly appreciated on behalf of the ladies County Board.
Rest in Peace
On behalf of Cumann Peil na mBán, Liatroma we would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Tigue family on the passing of Seamus’s father. Seamus is currently a selector with the Leitrim Ladies and Granddaughters Aine and Sinead are on the Leitrim Ladies Panel. Our condolences go out to the Tigue family and their extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Fixtures
Please see the fixtures and results for all the divisions for the Leagues. They can also be viewed on the Official Leitrim GAA website where Sinead Quinn has done a great job of keeping everything up to date. Thanks Sinead.
04-May-11 by Camilla McDonagh – PRO
U14 Academy (Development) Squad
Coiste na nÓgThe next U-14 Academy (development) Squad trial will take place in Drumshanbo at 12.30pm on next Saturday 7th May.
Clubs are asked to inform eligible players and their parents.
04-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
Connacht Junior Football Championship Report
County FootballConnacht JFC
Mayo 1 – 14
Leitrim 0 – 15
Leitrim capitulated in the final seventeen minutes of Friday evening’s lively Connacht Junior championship preliminary game in Aghamore to allow Mayo come from behind and grab a place in this Friday evening’s Connacht semi-final against Roscommon.
After twenty-three minutes of the action in Aghamore, Leitrim led by seven points and seemed to be on their way for a win as they had outplayed Mayo in virtually every area of the field.
However Mayo staged a late first half rally to cut the deficit with Leitrim to four points at the break. The Mayo surge continued after the restart and a 43rd minute goal by Colin Dempsey put them ahead for the first time in the game, as his side took a lead they never subsequently surrendered.
Leitrim started like a tornado and claimed a 0 – 5 lead in the opening nine minutes. In this period Conor Sheridan opened with a point for Leitrim while Conor Beirne tapped over a free, which was followed by two Adrian Croal points from play with Brian McDonald also fisting over a minor score.
Mayo, who had struggled in the opening ten minutes, got their first score when Colin Dempsey tapped over an 11th minute free after Michael Conroy was fouled while shortly afterwards midfielder Peter Collins added another point from play.
Leitrim continued to put pressure on the home side and stretched their lead to six points by the 19th minute after Adrian Croal shot over twice while in between these two scores Fergal Clancy also add a point.
Jack McDonnell replied with a 21st minute Mayo free conversion. Again Leitrim drove forward with Adrian Croal whipping over another point after being put through by a quick free from Barry McWeeney while Colm Maguire added a 23rd minute point after receiving a pass from Croal.
After that Mayo began their come back when Colin Dempsey blazed over a goal chance in the following minute. Dempsey then slotted over two further points in quick succession from play and a free while Simon Clotherty also shot over in the 30th minute.
Before halftime Adrian Croal replied with a point from play that made the score at the interval Leitrim 0 – 11 Mayo 0 – 7. Following the restart Colin Dempsey reduced the deficit for Mayo when he hit the target with a point within 58 seconds of the throw in.
Over the next three minutes Leitrim’s Adrian Croal and Mayo’s Michael Ford exchanged a point from play at opposite ends. Then Mayo pushed on and levelled the proceedings by 41st minute after Colin Dempsey put over a 45metres free and shot over from play while Jack McDonnell also converted a free.
Following that Leitrim regained the lead for the last time in the encounter when Conor Beirne found the range with a 42nd minute free. The turning point in the game came in the following minute when a sweeping Mayo movement from inside the Leitrim half took place.
James McAndrew raced unchallenged through a chasm in the centre of the Leitrim defence and fired a point blank shot that was parried by ‘keeper Philip Farrelly. But the rebound went straight to Colin Dempsey who volleyed to the net, to put Mayo ahead for the first time in the showdown.
Emlyn Mulligan, who had been recently introduced as a sub for Brian McDonald, hit back with 54th minute Leitrim point. But it was answered within the space of a minute with a similar score from Mayo’s Michael Ford.
The Mayo lead was cut to the minimum when Adrian Croal shot a 56th minute point. Meanwhile Mayo had a let off in the following minute when Croal blazed a goal chance off the crossbar while the rebound eluded Conor Beirne, whose was in close attendance, and was cleared.
After that man-of-the-match Colin Dempsey made victory secure for Mayo when tapped over a free prior to the final whistle.
Mayo: Conor Campbell, Tom Staunton, Ollie Feeney, Conor Cawely, Denis McNamara, Colm Cafferky, Dermot Costello, Peter Collins 0 – 1, Michael Ford 0 – 2, Alan Egan, James McAndrew, Simon Cloherty 0 – 1, Jack McDonnell 0 – 2(2f.), Colin Dempsey 1 – 8(4f.), Michael Conroy. Subs John Broderick for Cawely (11 mins.), Pat Casey for Costello (17 mins.), Frank Burke for Cafferky (27 mins.), Clifford Connely for McDonnell (53 mins.), Liam Lydon for Conroy (58).
Leitrim: Philip Farrelly, Gavin Reynolds, Mark Beirne, Paddy Maguire, Paul Brennan, Barry McWeeney, Conor Sheridan 0 – 1, Paddy McGowan, Robbie Lowe, Fergal Clancy 0 – 1, Colm Maguire 0 – 1, Conor Beirne 0 – 2(2f.), Brian McDonald 0 – 1, Adrian Croal 0 – 8, Conor Kelly. Subs Morgan Quinn for Kelly (HT), E. Mulligan 0 – 1for McDonald (49mins.)Referee: T J Keaveney (Sligo
03-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO