The Waterford Express was up to full steam yesterday in Dungarvan as the Deise were looking for atonement from their defeat in London. A physically bigger Waterford team opened this potential promotion decider at full throttle against the wind and moved with pace through Leitrims centre registering 3 wides from play in 4 minutes. The signs were there for a very tough encounter as they opened their account on the 6th minute from a free. Leitrim who had a slow start steadied a little and Philly McGuinness scored 1 minute later with a point from play after Leitrim put together a series of passes to free him up in front of the posts. Waterford replied with a free 2 minutes later but Leitrim playing with more vigor started to open the Waterford defence up front. A fine sequence of moves left Gary McCloskey one on one with the keeper on a loose hopping ball and Gary fisted the ball over the keepers head and unfortunately over the bar for a point for what should have been an opportunist goal.
Then the tide turned in Dungarvan as the swiftness of the earlier Waterford attacks came to the fore again. A 3 minute period that put Leitrim very much on the back foot started with a Liam LenihanÓgoal from play as he Scórched down an open right hand side line from the 45 and swiftly dispatched the ball to the back of the net. Leitrims woes continued as Declan Maxwell who had been putting pressure on the Waterford defense with high balls received an injury and had to be substituted by Emlyn Mulligan. This was followed quickly by another Lenihan attack onÓgoal and Waterford were now 2-02 to 0-2. Leitrim put together their best period of play as they scored 5 points without reply over 13 minutes before Waterford finished the half with a free on the 33rd minute. During this sequence Emlyn Mulligan scored 2 frees and 1 from play and Ray Cox scored 1 of each with a chance for a goal missed when he drove the ball over the bar. James Holohan received an injury and was replaced by Darren Duignan and just before half time Ray Cox was replaced by Tomas Beirne. All of the full forward line were now replaced due to injury. Two points between them at half time but you felt Waterford were the most comfortable going in for the break.
The second half against the wind opened with a BrendanÓgallagher point from play followed by a Waterford point from a free. Waterford missed another chance before Emlyn Mulligan pointed from a free. Daniel Beck replaced Adrian OFlynn on the 43rd minute. Waterford again left 2 between them with a point from play as their no 5 got on the score board. On the 53rd minute Leitrim was hit with a devastating blow as Waterford won a dubious penalty which was neatly slotted passed Enda Lyons who dived left and the ball hit low and hard to the right. Gary McCloskey was yellow carded in the process and was replaced by Shane Canning. Waterford quickly followed up the goal with a point from play again followed by a sustained period of attacks resulting in wides. Positional switches on the field meant that Pat Gilmartin was introduced as Darren Duignan was substituted on the 63rd minute. Leitrim then moved enmass into the Waterford half and for 12 minutes were pretty much hammering the Waterford defense with attack after attack with little in return as it ended with 1 point from Michael Foley and three wides from Tomas Beirne, Dermot Reynolds and Barry Prior. Waterfords defense had held out and moved back up field to score from a free followed by 2 wides. More Leitrim pressure ended in a fisted goal from Dermot Reynolds and despite several more attacks on a wall of blue and white Leitrim couldnt penetrate and the game ended Waterford 3-07 Leitrim 1-10.
Leitrims promotion chances are all but over with 2 rounds to play as another away game in Kilkenny this Sunday is followed by a home game to Clare the following weekend.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
All Ireland title for Mary
HandballMary Shanley from Kilclare, achieved the ultimate glory in winning the All Ireland Ladies Junior title in Croke Park today – Sunday 5th April.
She defeated Ashling Behan from Laois 21:15 & 21:11. It is just reward for this hardworking, talented player and a great achievement for her personally and for Leitrim Handball.
Well done Mary..a full report and profile on Marys achivement to follow later.
Meanwhile Donal Wrynne from Fenagh put in a gallant performance in the All Ireland 40×20 Boys Under 15 Singles recently. Unfortunately his Cork opponent, Patrick Herlihy, came out on top on a scoreline of 21-19, 21-7.
05-Apr-09 by Brendan Christy – Handball
Allianz NHL Division Four – Final Round
County HurlingAllianz NHL Division Four – Final Round
Leitrim 0 – 15
Fermanagh 1 – 11
Leitrims top scorer Clement Cunniffe secured a narrow victory for his side over Fermanagh when he found the range from two frees late in Saturdays NHL Division Four nip and tuck Carrick-on-Shannon clash.
With the concluding round of games taking place on Saturday last Leitrims victory over Fermanagh allowed them edge the Ernesiders out of third place in the final Division Four League table rankings by a just one point score difference margin also.
After playing with the wind Fermanagh led by 1 – 5 to 0 – 7 at halftime with Karl Kehoe Scóring the Erne sides goal in the 9th minute.
Cunniffe levelled matters within 45 seconds of the restart when he converted one of his seven successful frees of the afternoon.
Fermanagh then edged into a minimum margin lead by the 46th minute after Ryan Bogue, John Duffy and Declan McGarry shot over in turn.
The sides drew level on three further occasions following that before Cunniffes strikes near the end edged Leitrim into a two points lead.
But Ryan Bogue reduced Leitrims advantage to the minimum when he shot over for Fermanagh just prior to the final whistle.
Leitrim: Fintan McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Vinny McDermott, David Tiernan, Niall Glancy, James McGrail, Stephen Feeney, Keith Connolly, Clement Cunniffe 0 – 8(7f), Gary Hickey 0 – 1, Colm Hayes 0 – 2, Shane Kiernan 0 – 4(3f.), Paul Lyons, Conor Burns, Kevin OConnor, Subs Padraig McWeeney for Hickey (55 mins.), Paul McKiernan for Lyons (70 mins.).
Fermanagh: Peter McEvoy, Mathew Teague, Fergus Bannon, Colm Rice, Mark Slevin, Declan McGarry 0 – 1, Barry Smith, Ryan Bogue 0 – 5(4f.), EamonÓgoan, John Duffy, Brendan McGarry, Dermot Curran 0 – 1, Sean Corrigan 0 – 1, Karl Kehoe 1 – 0, Andrew Breslin 0 – 1. Subs Francis McBrien for Smyth (YC 42 mins.), Mark Curran for Slevin (56 mins.), Shea Curran for Teague (YC 67 mins.)
Referee: Brendan Sweeney (Cavan).
01-Apr-09 by PJ Leddy
Coaching News
Club FootballCoiste Chontae Liatroma – Coaching news
Skill development days.
The skill development days for our under 12 & under 13 players will take place on Saturday 11th & Saturday 18th April in Ballinamore, Anaduff and Manorhamilton. To be eligible for the schools players must be in their last year at both ages ie. For under 12 born in 1997 and for under 13 born in 1996. Clubs should forward players names to Thomas Keenan before Tuesday 07th April.
Coaching booklets.
Coaches of all teams are always looking for new ideas and ways to coach skills, game set ups etc, so with thanks to John Morrison we have two publications, "Head, Hands & Feet" and "Games for better Team play" which coaches can purchase at a very modest cost of €15 each. All coaches should obtain copies of both publications as they are excellent reference books.
Some Fun do packs are still available at €50 per pack, and we would urge all coaches working with children up to under 12 to obtain a copy.
Both the booklets and the Fun do packs can be got by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087-6591049 or email thomas.keenan@leitrim.gaa.ie.
Vhi Cul camps 2009.
Application forms for this years Vhi GAA cul camps will be distributed to all schools and clubs over the next two weeks. A new facility which allows on-line booking and payment will commence on April 21st but you will still be able to forward the completed application form direct to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on-Shannon. Which ever way you decide to book, can you please do so as early as possible as this will assist greatly with camp organisation.
A complete new kit has been designed for all those attending this year camps and the good news for parents is that camp registration fees for 1st & 2nd family members will remain the same as last year with a reduction of €10 for the third family member. This years camps will commence on Monday 6th July and will follow the same format as last year.
06/07/09 – Aughawillan, Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon.
13/07/09 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.
20/07/09 – Aughavas, Dromahair, Gortletteragh.
27/07/07 – Drumkeerin, Fenagh, Leitrim.
31-Mar-09 by Thomas Keenan
Two wins for Leitrim at Connacht Scór na nÓg
CoachingTwo wins for Leitrim at Connacht Scór
Leitrim qualified for the All Ireland Scór Finals in two events at the Connacht Scór Finals in Elphin on Sunday. In Rince Foirne Glencar/ManorhamiltonÓgave a great performance and it was no surprise when they were declared winners
In Nuachleas, Ballinamore Seán O Heslins were the winners. Again they were clear cut winners and they will be back in yet another final They got that far last year as well.
There was a historic first when Diarmuid Rock represented London in Recitation. London were invited to compete this year and they took part in this event only. What made it even more unique was that just immediately before Diarmuid, his father Mick Rock took part in the same competition representing Elphin and Roscommon
Connacht Council has put up a trophy for the County with the best participation and performance each year and the trophy has been named after Cormac MacGiolla who worked so hard for Scór in Leitrim and nationally. Appropriately enough the award went to Leitrim this year and was presented to Scór Cathaoirleach, Seán Ó Suilleabháin by Cathaoirleach of Coiste Scór Chonnacht, Frank Burke.
The full list of winners was as follows:
Rince Foirne: Leitrim – Glencar/Manorhamilton
Amhranaíocht: Galway – Corofin
Ceol Uirlise: Galway – Corofin
Aithriseoireacht: Mayo – Garymore
Bailéad Ghrúpa: Galway – Mountbellew/Moylough
Trath na gCeist: Roscommon – Clann na nGael
Nuachleas: Galway – Leitrim – Sean O Heslins
Rince Seit: Galway – Abbeyknockmoy
30-Mar-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan
Allianz NHL Division Four – Round 4
Club FootballAllianz NHL Division Four – Round 4 (PJ Leddy)
Leitrim 0 – 15
Cavan 0 – 12
Leitrim pulled out all the stops in the second half to register their first Allianz NHL Division 4 win over neighbours Cavan in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.
After the sides had levelled matters on four different occasions in the first half it finished level pegging on a 0 – 9 all score line at the break.
Following their best spell in the game Cavan led by 0 – 6 to 0 – 3 at the 13th minute mark thanks to Andrew McManus who shot three points, Paul Sheridan two points and Ritchie Fitzsimons a point.
Within four minutes of the restart Clement Cunniffe put over a free and Gary Hickey added a point from play, which edged Leitrim into a lead they never subsequently surrendered.
However Edward Dalton narrowed the gap to the minimum when he replied with a 41st minute Cavan point from play.
But Leitrim stretched their advantage to four points during the next ten minutes when Conor Burns fired over twice from play and Clement Cunniffe converted a free.
Leitrim:
Fintan McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Vinny McDermott, David Tiernan, James McGrail, Dave McGovern, Stephen Feeney, Keith Connolly, Clement Cunniffe 0 – 8 (8f.), Colm Hayes 0 – 2, Conor Burns 0 – 2, Shane Kiernan 0 – 2, Gary Hickey 0 – 1, Michael Burns, Kevin OConnor.
Subs Paul McKiernan for OConnor (55 mins.), Paul Lyons for Hayes (YC 58 mins).
Cavan:
Darren Sheridan, Daithi Neary, Michael Carr, Mickey OConnell, Barry Dalton, Anthony Sheridan 0 – 1, Barry Ryan, Kieran Brennan, Andrew Nelligan, Edward Dalton 0 – 1, Paul Sheridan 0 – 2, Richie Fitzsimons 0 – 1, Andrew McManus 0 – 5(4f.), Phil Brady, Gerard Clerkin 0 – 1.
Subs Ronan OHagan for Nelligan (47 mins.), Thomas Craig for Fitzsimons (57mins.), Dominic Crudden for Clerkin (57 mins.), Mark McEntee for Dalton (58 mins.), Jonathon Dalton 0 – 1 for McManus (68 mins.).
Referee: CiaranÓgroome (Offaly).
25-Mar-09 by PJ Leddy
Results from Co Scór Finals
ScórCongratulations to all of the clubs on winning their respective category in the finals last Saturday night.
Rince Foirne: Glencar Manorhamilton
Amhranaíocht Aonair: Drumreilly
Ceol Uirlise: Glencar/Manorhamilton
Aithriseoireacht: St Marys
Bailéad Ghrúpa: St Marys
Nuachleas: Seán OHeslins
Trath na gCeist: Bornacoola
Rince Seit: Glencar/Manorhamilton
Connacht Scór Finals
The Leitrim representatives will take the stage in the Connacht Finals in Elphin on Sunday next starting at 5.00pm
40th Anniversary Concert.
The Scór Ceolchoirm or commemorative Concert takes place on Friday week, 3 April in Ballinamore starting at 9.00pm. It promises to be a great occasion. More details in next weeks Observer
24-Mar-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan
Club Championship Draws available online
Club FootballThe draw for the 2009 Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Championships was held in the Bush Hotel this evening and the 3 sets of draws are now available to download in PDF format from the menus on the left hand side.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Club Championship Draw for 2009
Club FootballDraws for the 2009 SFC, IFC and JFCA will take place in the Bush Hotel tonight, March 23, commencing at 9pm. As the event is being aired live by Shannonside Northern Sound Radio, club representatives are requested to be in attendance at 8.30pm in order that the preliminaries may be in place in advance of the Live Radio Show. PDF Copies of the draw will be online tomorrow.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO