The West Talks Football – a great night guaranteed in Carrick

The second big event by Leitrim GAA is entitled "The West Talks Football" which will be a night of entertainment and lively debate on the topic by many well known personalities associated with the GAA in this region.

At this early stage Leitrim GAA can confirm that Peter Canavan (All Ireland winning captain and All Star with Tyrone), Kevin ONeill (All Star and Mayo stalwart), Mickey Moran (Leitrim Manager), John Lynch (Head of Sport, Shannonside FM) and John Tobin (Connacht Council Games Manager) will be in attendance and MC on the night will be GAA master coach John Morrison, more names are to be confirmed over the weeks ahead.

The date is Saturday, January 9th and the location is the Bush Hotel, Carrick. Additional information will be announced closer to the date and will be made available at the table quizzes and on this website.

 

 

27-Oct-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Scór na mBunscoileanna

Less than two weeks to Scór na mBunscoileanna and indications are that we will have great participation. This year we will have three nights with the top item in each event getting medals and all participants will get certificates in recognition of their participation in a night of Irish cultural entertainment.

On Thursday week, 5 November, St Marys Hall, Carrick on Shannon is the venue and on Friday 6 November, Ballinamore is the venue. Schools will be informed on Monday next, when they return after their mid-term break as to which venue they will be attending. Both evenings start at 6.00pm with Trath na gCeist first item on the agenda. The north Leitrim schools will be taking part on Thursday 12 November in Manorhamilton, with starting time at 7.00.

Scór na nÓg

Clubs are now getting organised for Scór na nÓg which is now just six weeks away. Details have been forwarded to Oifigigh Cultúir in the clubs and we hope to have two good nights of Scór na nÓg activity on 5 and 6 December. Please note that the venues for Scór na nÓg on those two dates have been swapped. Ballinamore is now the venue on Saturday 5 December and Carrick on Sunday the 6th December.

 

 

27-Oct-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan

A bit of Craic with the All County Quiz

Leitrim GAA are on tour for the winter and are presenting an All County Quiz which is coming your way this November. You are invited to attend any of the 4 quarterfinals being held throughout the month for a great nights socialising and craic in conjunction with the county players, management team and the supporters club.

How good are you at sports quizzes ? Is general knowledge your best shot ? What about pictures – is your recall up to the challenge ? Maybe youre into music – then the music round will suit you !

Get ready for the tour which is scheduled for three of the Fridays in November in Leitrim with the 4th quarterfinal held in Dublin on Wednesday Nov 25th for the benefit of our many supporters in the capital. All of this leads to the Grand Final on December 4th where the top 4 teams in each quarterfinal pit their wits for the grand prizes totaling €1,000.

The fun starts in Smythss Ballinamore on November 6th, its then to Gurns in Manorhamilton on November 13th, followed by Paddys in Carrick on November 20th . Its up to Dublin to the Leixlip GAA centre on Wednesday November 25th and the big prizes night is in Coxs of Dromod on December 4th.

Cost of entry to the quiz is €40 per team with a max. of 4 members. Get your club flag out and bring along a team to your local venue for a great way to pass a night in bleak November.

We will also be announcing a unique major one night event in the coming days and you can pencil in January 9th in your diary in anticipation of this announcement.

 

 

25-Oct-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Coaching News

Football Section –

Under 14 School of excellence

Our under 14 school of excellence has now finished and we would like to thank all players and parents for their co-operation and support over the season. We would also like to thank Mark Heslin for the excellent job he done as coach to the squad. Well done to all and we look forward to seeing you all in 2010.

Under 15 School of excellence

No details on when the next session will take place but it will be during the next week. Players are asked to please check the website for details or contact Cormac Flynn 087 6787716

Code of ethics course

As part of the new GAA foundation award course, a code of ethics course for working with children must be completed by all coaches before they can be awarded their certificate.

To facilitate all coaches who completed the new GAA foundation award course in Ballinamore, Drumkeerin and Ck – on – Shannon, during the year, Leitrim GAA in conjunction with Leitrim sports partnership have organised a code of ethics course on Wednesday evening November 4th in the County council offices commencing at 6.30pm.

We are asking the coaches concerned to please confirm your attendance by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087 6591049 or thomas.keenanÓgda.leitrim@gaa.ie

Please note places are limited per course so further courses will be organised as required.

Congrats

The coaching & games development committee would like to extend our congratulations to committee member Declan Conboy and his wife Anna on the birth of their baby boy Thomas David. A future Bornacoola and Leitrim footballer no doubt, note Leitrim Declan.

 

 

25-Oct-09 by Thomas Keenan

County Forum – Leitrim Strategic Plan for 2009 to 2015

Leitrim GAA wish to remind all clubs of the County Forum in the conference centre of the Bush Hotel on Wednesday night next commencing with registration at 7.30pm sharp. This important forum is a vital tool inÓgetting the clubs valued input on the Leitrim County Strategic Plan for 2009 to 2015.

We are delighted to announce that the Uachtaran Cumann Luthchleas Gael Criostoir O Cuana will be in attendance for the duration of the Forum.

Clubs are reminded that they must be represented by the full quota of 6 Members each and we trust that all clubs have the desired quota of members in attendance.

There is no pre-forum preparation to be entered into by clubs and the nights proceedings will be self containing and facilitated by National Strategic Plan Co – Ordinator Peter Hannon.

The nights work commences at 7:30pm and will be concluded by 10pm when valuable information will have beenÓgathered for final input into the Leitrim County Strategic Plan 2009-2015.

 

 

25-Oct-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Munster 1-13 Connacht 1-10

Brief report from Connacht game last night in Limerick where John McKeon, James Glancy (GM) and Declan Maxwell were Leitrims representation on the panel.

A superbly takenÓgoal by Limericks Pa Ranahan, a minute before half-time, was crucial as Munster beat Connacht in atrocious conditions before an attendance of 350 at the Gaelic Grounds tonight.

Donnacha OConnor had a fine outing for Munster and scored six points – one free and one sideline – as he steered his province to a deserved M Donnelly Interprovincial SFC semi-final win.

Munster made a bright start and had three points from Paddy Kelly, OConnor and Colm ONeill inside the opening five minutes and Paul Kerrigan was inches wide with a goal attempt.

Mark Breheny notched Connachts opening point and after six minutes, and just moments later Paul Conroy struck a powerful shot which beat goalkeeper Paul Fitzgerald but came back off the butt of the post.

Then Joe Bergin was fouled as he bore down onÓgoal and referee Cormac Reilly awarded a penalty from which David Kelly scored – the Sligo attacker followed up after Fitzgerald had saved his initial effort.

Kelly tagged on a point and OConnor had two more Munster points followed by another brace from Waterford dual player Gary Hurney.

David Kelly pulled a point back for Connacht but two more by OConnor had Munster three in front.

Just on half-time, a splendid Munster move involving four players ended with Ranahan blasting past David Clarke to leave it 1-9 to 1-3 in favour of Munster at the interval.

Peadar Gardiner had the first point for Connacht on the resumption but a pointed free from ONeill and a Liam OLionnain effort from had Munster seven points clear and they had a relatively untroubled path through to the final.

scorers – Munster: D OConnor 0-6 (0-1f, 0-1sl), C ONeill 0-3 (0-1f), P Ranahan 1-0, G Hurney 0-2, L OLionnain, P Kelly 0-1 each
Connacht: D Kelly 1-4 (0-3f), M Clancy 0-3, M Breheny, J Glancy, D Meehan 0-1 each

MUNSTER: P Fitzgerald (Tipperary); T OGorman (Waterford), J McCarthy (Limerick), P Reidy (Kerry); M OGorman (Waterford), M Shields (Cork), P Ranahan (Limerick); A OConnor (Cork), R Costigan (Tipperary); P Kelly (Cork), D OConnor (Cork), P Kerrigan (Cork); G Hurney (Waterford), C ONeill (Cork), L OLionnain (Waterford).

Subs used: A Walsh (Cork) for Kerrigan (52 mins).

CONNACHT: D Clarke (Mayo); C Harrison (Sligo), N McGuire (Sligo), J McKeon (Leitrim); P Gardiner (Mayo), D Blake (Galway), G Bradshaw (Galway); J Bergin (Galway), N Coleman (Galway); M Breheny (Sligo), B Moran (Mayo), P Conroy (Galway); S Kilbride (Roscommon), A OShea (Mayo), D Kelly (Sligo).

Subs used: J Glancy (Leitrim) for Kilbride (35 mins), M Clancy (Galway) for Breheny (40), D Meehan (Galway) for Bradshaw (47), S Davey (Sligo) for Conroy (57).

Referee, C Reilly (Meath)

 

 

25-Oct-09 by BreakingNews.ie

St Marys host Seanie Walsh Hurling Shield

 

St. Marys hurling club are hosting a hurling tournament to honour one of its former players, Seanie Walsh. Seanie is 26 years old and is a native of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. He lived in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2006 and 2007 and worked as a biomedical engineer with VistaMed Ltd.. During his time in Leitrim Seanie played hurling and football with the St. Marys club and won a county senior hurling championship medal in 2006 lining out at left corner back against Glencar Manor. Seanie also played senior inter county hurling with Leitrim and played in both national league and Nicky Rackard competitions. He was a very dedicated player during his time in Leitrim and his versatility meant he played in most defensive positions as well as centre field. He was always committed to playing with St Marys and Leitrim and he gave total effort in every game he played. He also helped out in the coaching of the clubs juveniles, and was very popular and respected by all who knew him.

Seanie left Ireland in 2007 and spent time in Japan and New Zealand before moving to Sydney, Australia in November 2008. He continued to remain active in GAA affairs and played football and hurling with the Michael Cusacks club in Sydney.

Earlier this year the news emerged that Seanie has gone missing from his Randwick home in Sydney and he has not been seen since the 10th of May last. He was due to fly home to his family in Dungarvan on 12th May but, unfortunately, that trip never materialised. He is missing since that time and despite the efforts of his heartbroken family there is still no trace of his whereabouts.

St Marys hurling club feel that a hurling tournament in Seanies honour would be very fitting at this time and are organising a senior 9 aside tournament on Saturday October 31st. The competition will start at 11am with the final scheduled for 4.30pm. This inaugural competition is confined to eight teams. St. Marys, Glencar/Manor, Gortlettragh, Sean OHeslins, Athleague, Mullahoran, Coolera/Strandhill and Dungarvan have been invited to take part. The competition will be staged at the magnificent Sean OHeslins complex in Ballinamore. All proceeds from the tournament and associated raffles will go towards a fund in Seanies honour.

The competition is sanctioned by Croke Park and should provide a fitting tribute to Seanies zest for sport in general and hurling in particular. All of Seanies many friends in Leitrim miss Seanie very much and hope that this competition will go some way in honouring our dear friend and colleague.

 

 

 

23-Oct-09 by Hurling Board

2010 Football Championship Draw

All-Ireland champions Kerry will have to beat Cork once again if they want to reclaim the Munster SFC crown after all four provincial draws for the 2009 Championship were made on Thursday evening.

The draws were conducted at Croke Park and broadcast live on RTÉ Two television, as well as being available live worldwide on RTÉ.ie.

Connacht – 2009 runners-up Galway and winners Mayo have been paired on the same side of the Connacht draw.  Galway and Roscommon were already aware that they faced Quarter-Final trips to New York and London respectively, the Tribesmen just recently having won the 2009 FBD League in the Big Apple. The third quarter-final sees a very exciting looking clash between Sligo and Mayo.

The winners of that then face either New York or Galway with Leitrim already in a semi-final where they await London or Roscommon.

Jack O Connor s Sam Maguire holders begin next year s provincial campaign at the quarter-final stage against John Evans Tipperary, a side who made very decent strides in 2009. The reward for the winners – if that is the right word – is a clash with Munster champions Cork in the provincial semi-final where Conor Counihan s charges will no doubt want to hit the ground running after performing so magnificently this year only to fall at the final hurdle. They defeated Kerry after a replay in last year s Munster semi-final and last month s loss at Croke Park only adds another motive to their desire to want to repeat that.

The other side of the draw sees Clare and Waterford paired off in a quarter-final with last year s unfortunate Munster runners-up Limerick awaiting the victors of that contest in the last four.

In Leinster, Wexford will provide the first opposition for a Dublin side gunning for a sixth successive provincial crown. Those teams meet in a quarter-final and should the Dubs progress they could once again meet old foes Meath en route to the decider.

That pairing would need the right results though with the Royals drawn to play in the Preliminary Round against Offaly. The winners of that thenÓgo on to face Laois in the quarter-final and whoever emerges victorious there will face Wexford or Dublin.

On the other side of the draw Mick O Dwyer s Wicklow take on Carlow with the winners meeting Westmeath, while the other quarter-final sees Kieran McGeeney s Kildare – Leinster runners-up last year – lying in store for either Louth or Longford.

The Ulster Championship begins with a cracking-looking Preliminary Round encounter between Derry and Armagh and a further intriguing fixture awaits the winners who will take on Monaghan, while Cavan will begin their campaign against Fermanagh also on that side of the draw..

Finally, Ulster champions Tyrone – who lost their All-Ireland crown when ousted at the semi-final stage by Cork in 2009 – start with a repeat of last year s provincial decider when they face Antrim, with the winners in line to take on the victors of an attractive looking quarter-final pairing between Donegal and Down.

 

2010 All-Ireland Football Championship Provincial Draws:

Munster SFC:

Quarter-Final:
A: Clare v Waterford
B: Kerry v Tipperary

Semi-Finals:
Limerick v Winner Quarter-Final A
Cork v Winners Quarter-Final B

Leinster SFC:

Preliminary Round:
1: Louth v Longford
2: Wicklow v Carlow
3: Meath v Offaly

Quarter-Finals:
A. Winner Game 1 v Kildare
B. Winner Game 2 v Westmeath
C: Winner Game 3 v Laois
D: Wexford v Dublin

Semi-Finals:
Winners Quarter-Final A v Winners Quarter-Final B
Winners Quarter-Final C v Winners Quarter-Final D

Ulster SFC:

Preliminary Round:
Derry v Armagh

Quarter-Finals:
A: Antrim v Tyrone
B: Donegal v Down
C: Cavan v Fermanagh
D: Monaghan v Derry OR Armagh

Semi-Finals:
Winners Quarter-Final A v Winners Quarter-Final B
Winners Quarter-Final C v Winners Quarter-Final D

Connacht SFC:

Quarter-Finals:
A: New York v Galway
B; London v Roscommon
C: Sligo v Mayo

Semi-Finals:
Winner Quarter-Final C v Winner Quarter-Final A
Leitrim v Winner Quarter-Final B

 

 

22-Oct-09 by GAA.ie

Connacht Champ 2010 – Leitrim get bye to semifinals

 

Leitrim got a bye to the Connacht semi final in 2010 and will probably play their game in Hyde park in Roscommon as the winners of London v Roscommon are the opponents.  While London will be a force to be reckoned with this year the Rossies will be determined to cut a path to the semis and take on Leitrim on their home patch.  Leitrim have a score to settle so its going to be a lively championship season in 2010 even though RTEs pundit Kevin McStay has Leitrim written off already.

Galway will also travel this year and they head to New York for their opening game so this left Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo as the teams to fill the remaining positions.  Out of the 3 teams Mayo are drawn against Sligo in the prelim game and the winners will take on the winners of Galway/NY. The big guns of Mayo, Sligo and Galway are all on the other side of the draw and this should make for a very entertaining year.

Prelims:

A. New York v Galway

B. London v Roscommon

C. Mayo v Sligo

D. Leitrim Bye.

 

Semis:

A v C   – New York/Galway v Mayo/Sligo

B v D   – London/Roscommon v Leitrim

 

 

 

22-Oct-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Championship draws live on RTE Two tonight

The draws for the 2010 GAA Football and Hurling championship will take place in Croke Park tonight and will be broadcast live at 8.25pm on RTÉ Two television and also streamed live worldwide on RTÉ.ie.

Last week, the GAA and RTÉ confirmed that the draws for the two championships will be screened live on RTÉ Television after a schedule was agreed with all four provincial councils.

GAA President Críostóir Ó Cuana welcomed the announcement, saying: "Were delighted that the draws for our inter-county championship competitions will be broadcast live on RTÉ Television. The draws generate huge interest amongst our members and followers of our games and it is always our intention to bring them to the widest audience possible."

 

 

22-Oct-09 by GAA.ie

Coaching News – updated

Football

Under 14 School of excellence
Last Sunday a panel from our under 14 school of excellence played Dublin club, Castleknock in Ballinamore. Castleknock are a relatively new club on the Dublin GAA seen and have many Leitrim connections including Aughawillan man Seamus McKiernan who organised the game. While the Leitrim lads ran out worthy winners and played some good football in the process, the game was very competitive right to the end. We would like to thank the Castleknock players and mentors for travelling to Leitrim and we plan to foster closer links with the club into the future.

 

The game planned for this Friday evening against Sligo has had to be called off due to under 14 fixtures in Sligo.

 

 

Under 15 School of excellence
No details on when the next session will take place but it will be during the next week. Players are asked to please check the website for details.

 

Code of ethics course
As part of the new GAA foundation award course, a code of ethics course for working with children must be completed by all coaches before they can be awarded their certificate.
To facilitate all coaches who completed the new GAA foundation award course in Ballinamore, Drumkeerin and Ck – on – Shannon, during the year, Leitrim GAA in conjunction with Leitrim sports partnership have organised a code of ethics course on Wednesday evening November 4th in the County council offices commencing at 6.30pm.
We are asking the coaches concerned to please confirm your attendance by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087 6591049 or thomas.keenanÓgda.leitrim@gaa.ie
Please note places are limited per course so further courses will be organised as required.

 

World Champion
Leitrim GAA coaching & games development committee would like to extend a special word of congratulations to new world handball champion Donal Wrynn from the Fenagh St.Cailins club. To Donal and to all members of Leitrim handball, who must take great credit for their efforts in promoting handball we salute you on your achievement.

 

 

20-Oct-09 by Thomas Keenan

Club Championship News

It was a victorious weekend for 2 championship teams as the Junior B and Junior C finals were held on Saturday in Ballinaglera and Ballinamore. Páirc Seán was inspected last week by members of each participating club in advance of the finals to determine if the field was playable after recent maintenance work on the surface. The four clubs agreed to move to alternative venues as ironically after all the rain this year the lack of rain over the last 2 weeks left sand lying on the surface in Carrick which is normally washed down into the verti-drains which form part of the annual maintenance plan.

Annaduff emerged victors against Allen Gaels with a comprehensive 2-3 win on a scoreline that finished Annaduff 3-14 Allen Gaels 1-11 played in Ballinamore.

In the Junior C final Leitrim Gaels pipped Glenfarne/Kilty by 1 point in a close game played in Ballinaglera. The Gaels will now have a team in Junior A and B for 2010.

The U21 championship got underway at the weekend in the B competition as Melvin Gaels booked their place in this weekends quarter final against Carrigallen when they brushed past Gortletteragh last Saturday evening in Ballinaglera – Melvin Gaels 2-09 Gortletteragh 1-07.

Bothy U21 competitions are at full tilt this bank holiday weekend as 14 teams participate in the quarter finals of each to book their place in the semis.

 

 

 

 

19-Oct-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO