This Saturday in Pairc Sean the curtain will come down on adult football for 2010 with the last of the Championships – U21 A down for decision. St Manachan’s and St Mary’s come head to head in this decider at 3pm in Pairc Sean and a large crowd is expected at the venue for this eagerly awaited decider.

St Mary’s last tasted success in the U21 Championship in 1993 while St Manachan’s have never won the competition but Mohill did win it on their own in 2000.

Both teams had two games en-route to the final. St Mary’s beat Greagh Gaels in their quarter-final game on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-5 and they beat Glencar Manorhamilton in the semi-final by 3 points (1-4 to 10). St Manachan’s (Eslin and Mohill amalgamation) beat St Francis’ in their quarter final game on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-4 and impressively accounted for the holders Oughteragh Gaels (who were going for 3-in-a-row) in the semi final on a scoreline of 3-5 to 2-11.

The 3 clubs involved have enjoyed both success and progression at adult level in 2010. Eslin of course were crowned Junior A Champions back in September and last weekend they contested the Connacht Club Junior Championship final only to be defeated by a more experienced Parke side from Mayo. Mohill contested this year’s Senior Championship semi-final and put in a good account of themselves only to fall short to the eventual winners. St Mary’s contested the Senior Championship Final and were only defeated by 2 points and they contested the Division 4 and 5 League finals loosing both by a solitary point.

A number of players on both teams will be more than familiar with each other having met on the field of play in Coiste na nÓg competition in 2010. They both contested the Division 1 Minor League Final which ended in a draw after extra time. In the replay Mary’s won and they also added the Minor Championship in September beating St Francis’.

St Mary’s will be boosted by their double success in winning the Minor League and Championship and will be easily motivated having lost the U21 final last year to Oughteragh Gaels. Their opponents will be encouraged by defeating 3-in-row hopefuls Oughteragh Gaels in the semi’s and motivation will be provided by the prospect of a possible first title at this grade for them.

Both teams have mean defences and it is worth noting St Mary’s conceded only 11 scores to St Manachan’s 14 and the town team let in 2 goals with Manachan’s conceding 5. They both have creative forward units who have exceptional Scóring power. St Mary’s have registered 1-25 enroute to the final with Manachan’s a little more impressive as goal getters Scóring 4-25.

This game has the potential to be a thriller but it’s like a deaf dog – hard to call!

 

 

10-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Next Saturday 13th November sees the final competition in the Coiste na nÓg calendar for the 2010 season. Drumkerrin and Drumreilly will take to the field in the U16 15aside competition, Drumkerrin took the direct route to the final winning all of their 4 games and topping the table on 8 points but Drumreilly took the scenic route ending up tied with Mohill and Glencar-Manor on 4 points and forcing a 3 way playoff to decide who would meet Drumkerrin in the final. Mohill and Glencar-Manor were first to play with Glencar-Manor winning that one and meeting Drumreilly last Saturday for the semi-final which Drumreilly came out on top with a 5 point victory. When these two teams met in round 1 of the competition played on the 17th of September there was only the bare minimum between them with Drumkerrin coming out on top with a 1 point victory on a scoreline of 3-08 to 1-13, so both teams will have their eye on the silverware. No doubt Drumkerrin will be eager to put back to back titles after winning the under 16 15aside League cup over Allen Gaels earlier this year and Drumreilly will also want to do the double, only a step higher as they won the under 16 13aside title over Mohill, so no doubt the scene should be set for a cracking final. We wish both teams the best of luck on Saturday.

 

 

10-Nov-10 by Barbara – PRO – Coiste na nÓg

Parke from Mayo were crowned Connacht Club Junior Champions on Sunday last in McHale Park when they overcame the challenge of a brave Eslin side. The Mayo Champions laid the foundations for their first provincial honours when they built up an impressive 13-point lead in the first half with the aid of a strong wind. Eslin did put their shoulder to the wheel in the 2nd half and were rewarded with two second half goals and it certainly looked as if they were going to mount a serious challenge. However, the more experienced Parke side were able to keep the Leitrim champions at bay with late points to secure victory. Coiste Chontae Liatroma take this opportunity to congratulate Eslin on a wonderful year and the experience of reaching the Connacht Final should definately stand to them in the future. Eslin scorers: R Reynolds 1-1, C Beirne 0-4 (0-2f), E Turbitt 1-0, C Duignan 0-2 (0-1f), P Kilcrann, B Higgins 0-1 each Eslin Team: E Higgins, G Egan, T Beirne, C Turbitt, D Stenson, S Beirne, P McNulty, B Higgins, C Duignan, B Bohan, P Kilcrann, P Reynolds, E Stenson, C Beirne, D Reynolds. Subs: B McLoughlin for D Reynolds, C Reynolds for P McNulty, D Reynolds for Kilcrann, E Turbitt for E Stenson.

 

 

09-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

St Brigids (Roscommon Champions) 1-13
Glencar / Manorhamilton (Leitrim Champions) 3-5

Glencar Manorhamilton just fell short in their bid to reach the Connacht Club Championship Final after a titanic and pulsating battle with Roscommon kingpins St. Brigids in Páirc Seán on Sunday last. A large Leitrim and Roscommon following were served with a match of high quality that ebbed and flowed throughout with a three-point blitz in the last two minutes of the game eventually securing victory for the visitors.

In the early exchanges scores were traded to leave the sides tied on two points apiece before Glencar Manor hit for their first of three goals on 12 minutes when Adrian Croal finished an inviting ball launched into the Brigids goalmouth. The visitors responded in style with four points to Manors one leaving the sides level heading towards half time.  Then in the 25th minute disaster struck for the Manor men when a mix up in their defence led to Frankie Dolan capitalising for that all important goal to leave the half time score at 1-6 to 1-3 in favour of the Roscommon men.

Frees were exchanged on the resumption before James Glancy struck with a fisted equalising goal after good work from substitute Anthony McDonald who lofted a high ball into the danger zone for Glancy who finished well.  Again, St Brigids had an immediate response, Scóring three unanswered points but more excitement unfolded as once again with 4 minutes remaining Manor showed their true battling qualities when Croal finished a great team move to the net with Anthony McDonald again the provider to leave the sides level.  It looked at this stage as though the home side had the momentum to go on and claim victory but not for the first time in the match St Brigids hit 3 points on the trot in a two minute spell and while Manors Adrian Croal saw his final effort for goal go agonisingly over the bar, St Brigids were left relieved victors after a hard fought and intensely competive game.  

Manor will look back on this game as one they could so easily of won and they will point to some crucial errors they made which were punished by a clinical St Brigids side.  It is also worth noting that every time they mounted a challenge and drew parity the Brigids team were always able to respond and pull away from them.  It was a marvellous effort by the Leitrim representatives and they can hold their heads high.  St Brigids will go into the Connacht Final on the back of a game that was a real test for them.  Despite all the pre-match hype of the match going to be a wallk in the park for the Roscommon men, they were made fight all the way.  They will surely address the concession of three goals amongst all the positives they can take from their performance.  Man of the Match was awarded to Ian Kilbride (No 5) for St Brigids.  They now meet Killerin (Galway Champions) in the Connacht Final.

scorers:  St Brigids: F Dolan 1-4 (0-2f), S Kilbride 0-5 (0-1f), D Dolan, I Kilbride, K Mannion, J Tiernan 0-1 each. Glencar/ Manorhamilton: A Croal 2-2, J Glancy 1-2 (0-2f), J Gilmartin 0-1.

ST BRIGIDS — P Martin, R Kelly, D Donnelly, nÓgrehan, I Kilbride, P Domican, G Cunniffe, G Dolan, K Mannion, Cathal McHugh, F Dolan, D Dolan, Conor McHugh, S Kilbride, D OConnor. Subs: J Tiernan for Cathal McHugh, D Kelleher for Conor McHugh.

GLENCAR/MANORHAMILTON — Gary Hickey,Thomas McDonald, Adrian OFlynn, Paddy Maguire, Dominic Kelly, Kieran OFlynn, Shane Loughlin, Colin Ryan, Darren Sweeney, James Gilmartin, James Glancy, Gerry Hickey, Adrian Croal, Fintan McGourty, Brian McDonald. Subs: Anthony McDonald for James Gilmartin, Aaron Hickey for Gerry Hickey, David Poniard for Adrian OFlynn, Ronan McGourty for Aaron Hickey.

REFEREE MICHAEL Duffy (Sligo).

 

 

09-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

The Under 13 Development Squad will play against Longford on Saturday , November 13th next in Sean OHeslins GAA club, Ballinamore.
All players to be at the park at 11.00am. The matches will finish at 1.00pm.
All players should bring their own shorts and socks.   
On  Saturday , November 20th  the squad will complete their training with a Connacht Blitz that is scheduled for Kilkerrin/Cloonberne GAA club inÓgalway.

 

 

09-Nov-10 by Ladies

Comhdhail Bhliantuil 2011 takes place on Sunday 12th December 2010 in Bush Hotel Carrick on Shannon at 2pm.

Nomination form and motion submission forms have been distributed to the Clubs and should be returned to an Runai by email by 15th November, 2010.

In accordance with Rule the following current officer cannot be nominated to the positions to which he has been appointed over each of the past five years.  Cultur agus Teanga (Irish Language and Culture) Sean Ó Suilleabháin

Oifigeach Coiste Oiliuna (Coaching and Games Officer) Caoimhin O Ludló, has informed us that he will be stepping down from the position on 12 Nollaig.

Uachtarán Michael mc Gowan will step down having completed maximum 3 years in the position.

 

 

09-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Scór na mBunscoileanna winners

The 2 nights of Scór na mBunscoileanna took place in Carrick-on-Shannon on Thursday 4th and Ballinamore on Friday 5th last.
Both nights had huge crowds in attendance and a wonderful line up of the best in Irish culture, music, song and dance.
The standard of performances were a credit to the schools, parents and teachers, the children really promoted the culture and talent of the schools and showed true team spirit cheering on their classmates and waving their banners and posters.

The best performance on each night in each event got medals and the Cormac MacGiolla shield for the best school overall was won by Scoil Bhríd Naofa, Ballinamore.

Leitrim Scór na mBunscoileanna winners

Rince Foirne: Drumcong NS and Drumlea NS

Amhranaíocht: Kathy McLoughlin, Leitrim NS & Aoibheann Quinn, Aughawillan NS

Ceol: Gaelscoil Liatroma and Aughnasheelin NS

Recitation: Mark Dolan, Carrigallen NS & Niamh Donogan, Drumlea NS

Rince Aonair: Ríona McKeon, Drumcong NS & Ella Galligan-Maguire, Drumlea NS

Trath na gCeist: Drumcong NS and Fenagh NS

Nuachleas: Carrigallen NS and Aughnasheelin NS

Ceol Aonair: Hanna Ní Fhearghail, Gaelscoil Liatroma & Shannon Edwards, Drumlea NS

Bailéad Ghrúpa: Leitrim NS and Fenagh NS

Rince sean Nós: Tara Noone, Scoil na Maighdine Muire, Carrick & Sarah Ward, Aughnasheelin NS

Rince Seit: Fenagh NS

Cormac McGill Shield for Overall School of the Year: Scoil Bhríd Naofa, Ballinamore

 

 

07-Nov-10 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor

The Under 13 Development Squad will play in a blitz with Longford on Saturday 13th November.
The time and venue is to be confirmed but it expected to start at  12.30pm.
The Blitz is weather dependant and also dependant on pitch availability (it maybe in Leitrim or Longford ).

 

 

04-Nov-10 by Ladies PRO

U21 B Football Championship Final 

Bornacoola and Carrigallen meet in the U21 B Decider this Saturday at 3.30 in Cloone.  Both sides will head into the final full of confidence.  Carrigallen had 13 points to spare over Dromahair in their semi-final and while the scoreline would suggest they were dominant they actually trailed at half time in a game of two halves.  Bornacoola edged out Glenfarne/Kilty in their semi-final on a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-10 in an entertaining and hard fought match that was won with the last kick of the game.  Both sides are brimming with talented players and a final full of quality is surely on the cards.  May the best team win.

Junior C Championship Final Replay (Ballinamore Sean OHeslins 5-6, Drumreilly 1-14)

Last weekend Sean OHeslins staged a dramatic recovery to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Drumreilly in the replay of the Junior C Championship Final as they scored goals in the 6th and 7th minutes of injury time.  A shell-shocked Drumreilly were left wondering where it all went wrong for them in the closing stages of this contest but full credit to the victors Sean OHeslins who displayed great battling qualities and never say die attitude to emerge victorious.

This weekend the Junior B Championship Relegation Final between Cloone and Leitrim Gaels takes place on Sunday at 12pm in Annaduff. 

 

 

03-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

3-in-a-row Leitrim Senior Football Champions Glencar Manor take on Roscommon champions St Brigid’s in the eagerly awaited Connacht Club Senior Football Championship semi-final match at 2.30 in Páirc Seán, Carrick on Shannon this Sunday.

Roscommon outfit St Brigid’s are a formidable club team and last won the Connacht Club in 2006 and have won eight Roscommon U21 championships in a row.  In the preliminary Connacht Club game they had a convincing win over Sligo Champions, Eastern Harps (0-21 to 0-4) and are widely expected to advance to the Connacht Final. 

Glencar Manorhamilton have made gradual progress in this competition in their appearances over the last two years.  They lost to Eastern Harps in 2008 on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-5 and lost to Corofin last year by 10 points but this contest was much closer than the scoreline suggests.  This being their 3rd year to represent Leitrim they will no doubt be more familiar with the task at hand and determined to prove themselves outside the County.  If they have a full panel to pick from, play to their full potential and are roared on by the Glencar Manor and Leitrim GAA supporters – they are more than capable of delivering the right result.  

As the Club is representing the County, it is important that they get as much support as possible. Patrons are advised that the Glencar Manorhamilton Club have produced an excellent 24 page colour programme for the match. Coiste Chontae Liatroma wish them the very best of luck in the semi-final on Sunday. 

In the other semi final to be played at 2.30 this Sunday in Tuam Stadium, Galway Champions Killererin play Mayo Champions Ballintubber.  The Final of this competition is scheduled for the 21st November. 

 

 

03-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

AIB Connacht Club IFC Semi-Final

Strokestown (Roscommon) 0 – 10, Aughawillan (Leitrim) 0 – 6 (Venue Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.)

Strokestown dominated the exchanges of this tie in the first half but had to withstand a brave Aughawillan second quarter fight-back that levelled the proceedings to set up a grand stand finish.  Strokestown however snuffed out Aughawillans challenge in the final quarter and booked their place in the Connacht Club Intermediate Football Final.

Aughawillan outplayed Strokestown in most of the second half exchanges but wayward shooting in this period proved to be the Leitrims sides Achilles heel as well as a 37th minute dismissal for a second yellow card offence.  Man-of-the-match John Rogers shot nine of Strokestowns ten points with eight of those coming from free conversions.  Aughawillan did Leitrim proud on the day and the Connacht experience will no doubt stand to them going forward.

Strokestown: John McHugh, Jonny Dolan, Niall Owens, Paul McLoughlin, John Hagan, Daniel Rogers, Rory Molloy, Ronan Owens, Matty Column, John Rogers 0 – 9(8f.), Seamus Collins, Pearse McGinley, Thomas ShannÓgher, Patrick Brogan, Conor Silke 0 – 1. Subs Niall Brogan for Dolan (22 mins.), Emmet Collins for R. Owens (37 mins.), E. Molloy for McGinley (43 mins.), Kenny Bosquette for Colum (52 mins.).

Aughawillan: Colin Maguire, Noel Darcy, Michael Quinn, Gerard McGovern, Declan McGovern, Sean Quinn, Garry Deane, Christy Prior, Shane Flanagan 0 – 1, Olly Plunkett, Barry Prior 0 – 2, Paul Prior 0 – 1, CiaránÓgilheaney, Morgan Quinn 0 – 1(1f.), Noel Plunkett 0 – 1. Sub Ryan Creamer for O. Plunkett (HT).

Referee: Gerry Kinneavy (Galway).

 

 

02-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Award 1 course commencing on Friday November 12th. All coaches wishing
to attend the course must have Foundation award completed and should
confirm their place by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087 – 6591049 or
email thomas.keenan.gm.leitrim@gaa.ie
Cost per attendee is € 50.

 

 

02-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO