Connacht footballers reach final

Connacht 2-15 Leinster 0-11 

Connacht lead from the start in Kiltoom and were deserving ten-point winners against a disappointing Leinster team that never seriously challenged the home province.

Mayos Conor Mortimer opened the Scóring with a second minute point with further points from Leitrim pair Declan Maxwell and Emlyn Mulligan signalling what was to come from Connacht.

Paul BardenÓgot Leinster off the mark on 9 minutes while Peadar Gardiner and Ross Munnelly swapped points to leave Connacht leading by four points to two at the half way stage of the opening half.

John OMahoneys men then hit a purple patch with a goal and three points to stretch the lead to 8 points after 22 minutes play.

A Mulligan free together with an Andy Moran point lead up to the Connacht goal on 20 minutes.

Padraic Joyce and Conor Mortimer were involved in the build up with Moran slipping the ball past Gary Connaughton in the Leinster goal.

Ross Munnelly gave Val Andrews charges some hope with two pointed frees for an otherwise poor return from 30 minutes play, but Connacht went in for half time leading by 2-07 to 0-04 points thanks to a superb goal from Galway veteran Joyce after 27 minutes.

Pat Harte laid the ball off to Joyce and the centre forward made no mistake with the finish to the net.

Connacht never let up in the second half and had stretched their lead to 10 points within 9 minutes of the restart with three pointed frees from Joyce to two points in reply from Dublin duo Mossie Quinn and Collie Moran.

Leinster fought back with further points from Quinn, Munnelly and PJ Banville, but the losers were never to get close enough to stage a grandstand finish.

Another Munnelly point after 49 minutes proved to be Leinsters second last score of the game with an Emmet Bolton point in stoppage time ending the contest for an ineffectual losing province.

Kenneth Mortimer popped over a free kick midway through the half for Connacht while further points for Joyce and Maxwell together with two from Mayos Alan Dillon stretched the advantage to 11 points before Boltons late score, but the final outcome was never in doubt at any stage.

Munster also won their football clash against Ulster by 1-05 to 0-05 points. Corks Nicholas Murphy scored the decisive goal.

Connacht: D Clarke (Mayo), G Bradshaw (Galway), T Cunniffe (Mayo), Charles Harrison (Sligo), P Gardiner (Mayo) 0-1, D Blake (Galway), J Nallen (Mayo), M Finneran (Roscommon), P Harte (Mayo), E Mulligan (Leitrim) 0-3 (3f), P Joyce (Galway) 1-4 (3f), A Dillon (Mayo) 0-2 (1f), C Mortimer (Mayo) 0-2 (1f), D Maxwell (Leitrim) 0-2, A Moran (Mayo) 1-1.

Subs: G Sice (Galway for Mulligan, R McGarrity (Mayo) for Finneran, S Kilbride (Roscommon) for Mortimer, S McDermott (Roscommon) for Moran, D Kelly (Sligo) for Maxwell

Leinster: G Connaughton (Westmeath), M Ennis (Westmeath), K ONeill (Kildare), A McLochlainn (Kildare), C King (Meath), C Moran (Dublin) 0-1, E Bolton (Kildare) 0-1, S Ryan (Dublin), M Ward (Meath), P Byrne (Meath), P Barden (Longford) 0-1, PJ Banville (Wexford) 0-1, R Munnelly (Laois) 0-5 (4f), J Sheridan (Meath), T Quinn (Dublin) 0-2(1f).

Subs: JP Dalton (Wicklow) for Byrne, B Quigley (Laois) for Sheridan, J Smith (Westmeath) for Barden, M Carpenter (Carlow) for Banville, E Bradley (Wexford) for Ward.

 

The final will be played next Saturday, 1st November, against Munster at 7:45pm in Portlaoise. 

 

 

 

25-Oct-08 by RTE.ie/sport

Three on Connacht Football Panel

Three players from Leitrim form part of the football panel in John OMahonys Connacht selection for the forthcoming M. Donnelly GAA Interprovincial Championship competitions. Emlyn Mulligan, Declan Maxwell and Michael McGuinness have been chosen as the representatives from Leitrim. The full panel of 26 consists of 9 from Mayo, 5 from Galway, 4 from Sligo and 4 from Roscommon.  Leitrim have another representative participating in the competition as Ollie Honeyman is one of the two selectors who will work alongside John OMahoney.

The full panel is:

FOOTBALL

Padraic Joyce Galway

Diarmuid Blake Galway

Gareth Bradshaw Galway

Gary Sice Galway

Damien Burke Galway

David Clarke Mayo

Tom Cunniffe Mayo

Peadar Gardiner Mayo

Alan Dillon Mayo

Conor Mortimer Mayo

Andy Moran Mayo

James Nallen Mayo

Ronan McGarrity Mayo

Pat Harte Mayo

Emlyn Mulligan Leitrim

Declan Maxwell Leitrim

Michael McGuinness Leitrim

Ross Donovan Sligo

Philip Greene Sligo

Charles Harrison Sligo

David Kelly  Sligo

Senan Kilbride Roscommon

Sean McDermott Roscommon

Michael Finneran Roscommon

Cathal Cregg Roscommon

 

Manager: John OMahony

Selectors: Kevin Walsh, Ollie Honeyman

 

 

 

 

23-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Coaching news

Under 14 School of excellence.

Due to the very poor weather, the under 14 blitz planned for last Saturday week in N.U.I. Galway had to be postponed and will not now take place. This was the second time the blitz had to be cancelled due to weather conditions. Their will be no action for this squad this weekend but over the next few weeks they will have sessions on strength & conditioned, nutrition and a returnÓgame against Roscommon.

Under 15 School of excellence.
On Saturday next the under 15 squad travel to Tuam to take in Connacht U-15 blitz. The first game will commence at 11.00 am. Bus times and routes as follows.
Ballinamore 7.50, Carrigallen 8.10, Aughavas 8.20, Cloone 8.30, Mohill 8.40, Masonite 8.50, Ck-on-Shannon 9.00. Kinlough 7.45.Manorhamilton 8.05, Factory Turn 8.10, Drumkeerin 8.20, Drumshanbo 8.40, Leitrim 8.50, Ck-on-Shannon 9.00.
For further information please contact Terry McManus 086-7355244

Level one coaching course 2008
Would all those who took part in this years level one coaching course please return their completed log book to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on – Shannon, before Wednesday next 29/10 so as the course can be completed and certs presented.

Under 12 & 13 skills programme.
This programme which commenced last year, had been scheduled to commence much earlier in the year, but due to weather etc. will only commence in the next few weeks. All players will be contacted by their club and can check dates, times and venues in these notes.

 

 

23-Oct-08 by Thomas Keenan

Magnificent Aughnasheelin march on

They may have only won their first adult championship title just two weeks ago but Aughnasheelin are determined to make the most of their opportunities as they outclassed St. Molaise Gaels to win the first round of the Connacht Intermediate Club Championship last Sunday in Markievicz Park ……….

 

A full Connacht Intermediate Club Championship report thanks to John Connolly, Leitrim Observer is available in this weeks Observer and online here

 

 

 

 

 

 

22-Oct-08 by John Connolly – LeitrimObserver.ie

Scór news

Scór na mBunscoileanna

There has been a slight change to the Scór na mBunscoileanna arrangements. The dates remain the same but the venues have been swapped. On Thursday 6 November the venue is St Marys Hall, Carrick on Shannon and on Friday 7 November the venue is Ballinamore. There are a couple of North Leitrim schools interested in taking part in a North Leitrim event on Wednesday 5 November. However we would like to hear from other North Leitrim schools even if they only took part in a few solo items. Please contact Maura Mulvey by this weekend if your school are interested.

Scór Officers meeting

All club Scór Officers are reminded of the general meeting in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada on Friday 24 October at 8.00pm. It is very important that all Scór officers attend. This is the 40 year of Scór Sinsear and it is hoped to make it one of the best years of Scór Liatroma.

 

 

22-Oct-08 by Sean O Suilleabhain

Connacht Clubs – Eastern Harps v Glencar Manor

Veteran marksman Paul Taylor showcased his enduring quality when illuminating Eastern Harps 10-point victory over Glencar-Manorhamilton in yesterdays one-sided clash at Markievicz Park.

Taylor scored 1-6 — all seven scores coming in the opening half — and his well-finished goal, from Danny OGradys pass, capped a brilliant first-half performance by the Sligo champions that saw them lead 1-9 to 1-2 at the break.

The winners, whose reward is a meeting with Mayos Ballaghaderreen next month, were given an early score when their opponents struck for 1-1 in the opening two minutes.

Pat Hickeys decisive flick of a breaking ball in the goalmouth for a somewhat fortuitous goal and Dominic Kellys excellent point from a sideline kick provided Glencar-Manor with an early platform — which they failed to build on.

Inspired

Eastern Harps, inspired by Taylor, Ross Donovan, John Rafferty and Danny OGrady, landed the next four points and although James Glancys 23rd-minute free put the visitors back in front, 1-2 to 0-4, this lead was short-lived as the winners notched 1-5 without reply over the next 10 minutes.

Glencar-Manor did raise their game for the first 15 minutes of the second-half and scored three points — but what they needed were goals.

Adrian Croal and substitute Alan Sweeney did get shots on target but Ross Donovan, Eastern Harps excellent full-back, made a couple of telling blocks.

After their lead was trimmed to five points, 1-10 to 1-5, Eastern Harps moved through the gears once again — keeping their opponents scoreless for the last 15 minutes and adding a further five points, the standout scores coming from Danny OGrady and midfielder Tony Taylor, younger brother of match-winner Paul.

scorers — Eastern Harps: P Taylor 1-6 (1f), D OGrady 0-4, T Taylor 0-2, J Rafferty, T Cryan, R Hannon (1f) 0-1 each. Glencar-Manorhamilton: P Gilmartin 1-0, D Kelly 0-2 (1sl), G Hickey (1f), J Glancy (1f), A Sweeney 0-1each.

Eastern Harps — B McHugh; K Cryan, R Donovan, S King; P McGovern, B Phillips, K Gallagher; T Taylor, P Grady; M Doddy, J Rafferty, T Cryan; R Hannon, P Taylor, D OGrady. Subs: P Rafferty for K Gallagher (inj); S Gallagher for T Cryan; S Dorrian for M Doddy.

Glencar-Manorhamilton — G Loughlin; M Poinard, S Devaney, T McDonald; S Loughlin, A OFlynn, D Poinard; F McGourty, D Sweeney; D Kelly, P Gilmartin, R McGourty; G Hickey, J Glancy, A Croal. Subs: A Sweeney for F McGourty, P McGuire for D Poinard (inj), B McDonald for R McGourty, A McDonald for Gary Hickey; Gerry Hickey for A Croal.

REF — P McGovern (Galway).

 

 

 

22-Oct-08 by Irish Independant.ie

Connacht Clubs weekend

This coming Sunday is a big day for 2 of our club teams as both Glencar/Manorhamilton and Aughnasheelin head for Markievicz Park to participate in their respective Connacht Championship club games.

Aughnasheelin meet St Molaise Gaels who claimed the Sligo Intermediate championship last Saturday against Coolaney/Mullinabreen.  A full report of this game is available on www.coolaneymullinabreena.com   The winners of this game will go on to participate in the semifinal against the Galway Champions on November 2nd.  The Mayo and Roscommon champions also meet in the semifinal on the same date.   Aughnasheelin managed a draw against neighbours Kiltubrid in the league game at the weekend and this game will hopefully help them shake off the effects of recent celebrations as they prepare for their throw-in at 1:30pm  on Sunday.

Glencar/Manorhamilton, the new County champions, must also put their celebrations on hold as they form part of the double header in Sligo.  Eastern Harps are their opponents and Easter Harps took over as Sligo Champions one hour after Glencar/Manor claimed their crown.  Manor would also have benefited from last weekends league action and theyve kept to their winning ways with a victory on Saturday evening over Annaduff.  The premliminary game is scheduled for 3:15pm and the winners will meet the Mayo champions on Nov 9th.

 

 

15-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Coaching News

Coaching News

 

 

13-Oct-08 by Thomas Keenan

Shinty it is

Leitrims James Glancy gets a chance to play for Ireland in the Senior Hurling/Shinty Internationals against Scotland on Saturday next, October 18th.  Well done to James on making the Squad and best of luck from all in Leitrim.

 

Press Release from Croke Park:

 

The GAA have announced the squads which have been selected for the Under 21 and Senior Hurling/Shinty Internationals against Scotland on Saturday next, October 18th. The Senior International takes place in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny at 3 pm while the Under 21 will be held in Durrow, Co. Laois at 12 noon.

 

Manager, Lester Ryan has named a very strong Senior squad which includes Derek Lyng, Tommy Walsh and Eddie Brennan from All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny as well as Corks Seán Óg Ó hAilpín. The panel also includes three representatives from Carlows Christy Ring Cup winning side, Des Shaw, Edward Coady and Shane KavanÓgh, who captains the side as well as Dermot Clarke and Michael Gilmartin from Nicky Rackard Cup winners, Sligo.

 

The full Senior panel is:

Graham Clarke (Down)
Geoffrey Bermingham (Wicklow)
Paul Branniff (Down)
Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny)
Michael Burke (Meath)
Dermot Clarke (Sligo)
Edward Coady (Carlow)
Declan Coulter (Armagh)
Michael Gilmartin (Sligo)
James Glancy (Leitrim)
Shane KavanÓgh (Carlow) (Capt)
Stephen Kelly (Wicklow)
Derek Lyng (Kilkenny)
Brendan McGourty (Down)
Brendan Murtagh (Westmeath)
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Cork)
Des Shaw (Carlow)
John Shaw (Westmeath)
Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny)

The Under 21 panel named by Manager, Paudie Butler is primarily made up of players from counties which play in the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cup. The side is captained by John Rogers (Carlow) and also includes Sean Bourke from the host club, The Harps, as well as Keith Raymond (Sligo), man of the match in the Nicky Rackard Cup final and Niall Kilcoyne, son of Westmeaths only All-Star, David.

 

The Under 21 Panel is:

Sean Ennis (Down)
Sean Bourke (Laois)
David Donaghue (Meath)
John Doran (Carlow)
Peter Durnin (Meath)
Ronan Keddy (Wicklow)
Niall Kilcoyne (Westmeath)
Stephen Lambe (Monaghan)
Eoin Madigan (Mayo)
Eoin Mason (Wicklow)
Barry McFall (Antrim)
Andrew Neligan (Cavan)
John O Malley (Kildare)
Keith Raymond (Sligo)
John Rogers (Carlow) (Capt)
Anthony Sheridan (Cavan)
Darren Whelan (Carlow)
Conor Woods (Down)

The Under 21 game takes place in Durrow, Co. Laois at 12 noon on Saturday next, October 18th. It is hosted by The Harps GAA Club in conjunction with the Durrow Tri-Centenary celebrations.

 

The action in Nowlan Park gets underway with the Camogie/Shinty game at 1.30 pm followed by the Senior Hurlin/Shinty at 3 pm

 

 

13-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Fans raise €6464 for local GAA Clubs & Schools!

GAA and Loyal and Supportive Leitrim Fans raise €6,464 for local GAA Clubs & Schools!
Nationally, €3.4m raised for Grassroots GAA over past four years

The love for, and pride in, the GAA, which is shared by GAA fans across Leitrim is responsible for raising €6,464 for grassroots GAA in the county between January and June of this year! Leitrim earned 8% of the total Connaught payout, narrowly beaten by neighbours Sligo who took 9%.

Over the past four years, the GAA and Leitrim fans have earned a total of €55,174 for the local Association!

"It is only due to the support and loyalty of the members of the Leitrim Association and the GAA itself, whose commitment to this project is invaluable, that we have been able to raise such a large sum," says Ciaran Doyle, General Manager, Gaelic Telecom. "Working with the fans and the Association, we, as the official telecoms partner to the GAA, are incredibly proud of the funds raised so far and hope they have made a real difference to clubs and schools in the county."

Nationally, the GAA and its exceptionally loyal and supportive fans have raised €3.4m for GAA clubs and schools over the past four years! The innovative but simple scheme sees 15% of call costs being donated back to customers preferred club or school, while at the same time saving them money on their home phone and Broadband bills. All 32 County Boards support the scheme, which sees 2,500 Clubs around the country receive cheques from Gaelic Telecom twice a year.

Nickey Brennan, President of the GAA, comments, "On behalf of all our members, I would once again like to thank Gaelic Telecom and its customers for their ongoing support of GAA Clubs and Schools nationwide. This significant continuous investment at grassroots level is vital to the organisation and I would urge all GAA members to consider signing up to this initiative and helping us to maximise this great funding opportunity."

Between January and June of this year, a total of €520,000 was raised by Gaelic Telecom customers. All Provinces showed great growth and while Cork, Dublin and Tyrone were the highest earners nationally, Armagh, Derry and Fermanagh showed the highest growth on the same period in 2007. The total raised by the 6 Northern Counties during the same period was €110,143. And they are now earning over 62% of the total Ulster payout.

Francis White, Runai of Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher comments:
‘"Were a small rural club so this cheque goes a long way towards training our underage teams. Over the next couple of years we are planning a major pitch development, so we encourage as many of our members as possible to support us by joining Gaelic Telecom and thanks to all those who already have."

Ciaran Doyle concludes, "Remember, behind each payment to a Club or School, there is a list of ordinary members and supporters who have made this cheque possible by joining Gaelic Telecom. I encourage other Leitrim GAA fans to join with us inÓgenerating even more funds for grassroots GAA locally."

For more information on gaelic Telecom visit www.gaelictelecom.ie

 

 

13-Oct-08 by GaelicTelecom.ie

Leitrim players support Mental Health and Well Being initiative

Some of Leitrims best-known footballers joined forces with leading youth organisation SpunOut.ie last week to encourage young people to speak about their problems.

Inter-county stars Emlyn Mulligan, Barry Prior and Colin Regan all feature on a new video produced by SpunOut.ie that can be watched online talking about mental health and well being.
The video, which has been released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on October 10, was made to encourage Leitrims young people, and in particular young men, to vocalize any problems that they may have.

Speaking at the launch of the video last Thursday in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim stalwart Colin Regan outlined the importance of communication.  "If you bottle up your feelings, then your emotions and tough situations can seem overwhelming. Dont try to manÓge everything by yourself. Try and talk to someone. There are people willing to help you get through any situation. SpunOut.ie is a great resource to find this help."

Local SpunOut.ie representative Ian Howley (24), who himself went through depression and suicided attempts in his teens, explained why the organization sought the help of local GAA stars for their latest campaign.

"A partnership with the Leitrim GAA was specifically set up to target young men who find it hard to talk about their problems. There is this perception that if you are seen to have problems or worries, that you are weak. This is not the case. Everyone goes through tough times at some stage in their lives and today we are encouraging young people and especially young males to speak up. "

SpunOut.ie can be accessed via the internet and mobile phones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website provides 100s of factsheets on all aspects of youth health, lifestyle and citizenship including drugs, alcohol, sexual health, mental health, environment, work and education.

Click on the new YouTube facility on the right to play the SpunOut Video featuring the 3 lads.

 

 

09-Oct-08 by LeitrimPost.com

2009 Football and Hurling championship draws

Taken from GAA.ie

The draw for the 2009 Football and Hurling championships was made on Wednesday night and as always it threw up some mouthwatering ties in both codes.

 

In football, two matches in particular catch the eye – the meeting of reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone and reigning Ulster champions Armagh in the quarter-final of the Ulster football championship and the intriguing clash of old foes Dublin and Meath at the same stage in the Leinster football championship.

The Ulster championship draw also saw current National League champions Derry pitted against Monaghan while Fermanagh must face Down in a preliminary round in order to advance to the last eight.

Elsewhere, the draw in Munster ensured that Kerry and Munster champions Cork can only meet at the semi-final stage.

Cork have been drawn to face Waterford with the winner to face the Kingdom in the last four.

In the other half of the draw John Evans Tipperary will face Limerick, with Clare awaiting the winners in the first Munster semi-final.

 

2009 Connacht Football Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
New York v Mayo
London v Galway
Roscommon v Leitrim
Sligo bye into semi-finals

Semi-finals –
LonDonegalway v Sligo
New York/Mayo v Roscommon or Leitrim

 

 

2009 Leinster Football Championship draw

First round –
Kildare v Offaly
Carlow v Louth
Longford v Wicklow

Quarter-finals –
Kildare/Offaly v Wexford
Carlow or Louth v Laois
Longford/Wicklow v Westmeath
Meath v Dublin

 

 

2009 Munster Football Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
Tipperary v Limerick
Waterford v Cork

Semi-finals –
Tipperary/Limerick v Clare
Waterford/Cork v Kerry

 

 

2009 Ulster Football Championship draw

Preliminary round –
Fermanagh v Down

Quarter-finals –
Fermanagh/Down v Cavan
Tyrone v Armagh
Derry v Monaghan
Donegal v Antrim

 

 

In hurling, the stand-out match is the meeting of reigning National League and Munster champions Tipperary will line up against Cork in the quarter-final of the Munster hurling championship.

Galways first opponents in the 2009 Leinster hurling championship will be Niall Rigneys Laois while Antrim have been drawn to face Dublin.

All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny have received a bye into the semi-final.

===

2009 Munster Hurling Championship draw

Quarter-final –
Cork v Tipperary

Semi-finals –
Waterford v Limerick
Clare v Cork/Tipperary

2009 Leinster Hurling Championship draw

Quarter-finals –
Laois v Galway
Offaly v Wexford
Dublin v Antrim
Kilkenny bye into semi-finals

——-

 

 

 

08-Oct-08 by GAA.ie