The following is an article by Tommy Moran published in this weeks Leitrim Observer Match Supplement. Many thanks to Tommy and the Observer for the kind permission to use this amusing piece here. Further match related stories available here: Leitrim Observer – Sport
Salthill is no Coney Island and the roads through Williamstown and Dunmore are not just as appealing as the Van Wyck Expressway, but Leitrim are going West again anyway.
Some weeks ago, we worried about the currency exchange, would the dollar hold good for another while. We went on-line or to Bradys Travel or to relations looking for the cheapest flights and most central hotels.
We contacted the Christmas card relations to let them know we were making the trip they have encouraged us to make for years – would they be as happy with the news when they heard that not only were we coming ourselves but that the whole gang was on the march?
Bags were packed. They were too bloody heavy, out came the luxuries. Sure we could buy toothpaste, socks and underpants in New York if we were stuck. In went the Leitrim jersey, the adapter, the Leitrim t-shirt and all the caps, badges, flags and colours we had invested in in 1994.
7th Avenue would be swarming not only with Masonite but with McGovern Bros, Jimmys of Dromod, City Recovery, and Gandon Securities – plus every possible green and gold combination, together with a cacophany of club colours from the Black and Amber of the Bors down to the Blue and White of Melvin Gaels.
The Singing Cowboy in the centre of Manhattan surely had a multicoloured audience. Reports had it that some Leitrim jerseys were spotted in the darkened corners of the Gentlemans Club on 7th Avenue, parting with their crisp $50 notes for a private lapdance or to see a less than over-dressed blonde shimmying up a pole.
How Tom Guckian wished he had got $50 every time he went up and down a pole in his days with the ESB around Carrick. If he had, he could clear the debt in Páirc Sean – and on his own Páirc Tom.
There used to be a lap dancing club in Salthill – but it had closed down from lack of business. They mustnt have been fixing enough matches in Pearse Stadium to keep the place going. Either that or people are getting a bit of wit.
No, were not going to New York for the Galway match, but well still be in the nearest county grounds to Gaelic Park. So the game should nearly have the same "getaway" appeal as our last outing.
For that one many returned to the fold, Rosaleen Joyce, Catherine McTague Maura Sweeney and Damien OBrien to name but a few from Ballinamore alone. RosaleenÓgot really caught up in the excitement – roaring at John McKeon that he was kicking the ball the wrong way in the second half.
Then someone told her that teams change sides at half time. She still cant understand it – she says she never saw a golfer playing the ball from the hole back to a tee, even after a break. But she was one better than Maura Sweeney.
Maura made the journey to New York but never made it to Gaelic Park. She spent the time in Macys on 34th Street, probably trying to get a few bargains before Olivia and the professional shoppers hit it on the Monday. Damien OBrien swears hell never miss a Leitrim match again. Well, at least any time they play in New York.
Just like going to the Big Apple some will head off to Galway inÓgood time to soak up the atmosphere.No doubt my own lads Garrett and Eamon will be linking up with Conor Mahon, Mark Dolan, Barry Doyle and a host of others around Eyre Square on Saturday night – just to make sure poor old Padraig OConaire wont be lonely there on his own.
Padraigs main claim to fame is through his book "Masal beag dubh". No doubt he has noticed that the 4x4s and the Space Wagons have replaced the asal for family transport.
But no doubt he still hears plenty of asals roaring around Eyre Square, especially at weekends when the chipper follows the disco on the Saturday night schedule.
Padraig OConaire could write. A pity he cant talk, hed be better than any CCTV for the Guards. Not many will head from Leitrim to Galway for the game in the ass and cart, but theyll come in all modes of transport — Micras, Passats, Mercs, Octavias, while many will opt for the local minibus or coach and have no hassle about been bagged.
Our well travelled Dublin contingent will opt for Iarnród Éireann — and hope that the train makes it the whole way this time.
Hats, flags and colours will be set up at every vantage point, as well as the gourmet hot dogs, hamburgers and plastic chicken sandwiches. And, of course, the lucky, lucky ice-cream. Everyone is out to make a buck – a GAA game in any town does no harm to the local economy. Some people refer to the GAA as the grab all association, but dont mind making use of it to grab a bit for themselves.
The first Galway-Leitrim clash in Pearse Stadium was back in 1957. We went by bus from Ballinamore that day and I remember we had lost Mary Ann Keegan and Mary Ann McAllister when we were ready to head back home. We lost the match too — and weve lost out to Galway a few times since.
And so the pundits, the experts, the commentators and the bookies will be giving about the same chance of a Leitrim win on Sunday as a return of Our Lady to Knock. Liam Sammon will be trying to tell his players otherwise, but at the back of their minds Padraig Joyce and the rest will really be having on eye on the Connacht Final.
Well leave the team tactics and pep-talks in the capable hands of Dessie, Barney, Pat, Noel and George who well know how to motivate and prepare Leitrim.
Our job is to go and support. There can Scórcely be anything more disheartening for a player than to see his neighbours and so-called supporters arses disappearing into the tunnel and heading for the gates with 20 minutes still to go, just because the team is a few points behind.
If theres any early exit from Pearse Stadium, let it be a Galway one – let them out to the slot-machines to try to win something, because theyre not going to win the match. Leitrim people dont intend to go through the horrors of crawling through Claregalway and then having to park out near Connemara just to put up a good show.
At half time the RTE panel will be trying to analyse whats wrong. Galway werent supposed to be behind and struggling badly.
Joe Brolly will be laughing anyway, but still talking about a Galway resurrection. Colm ORourke will probably say the referee is too small, that hes not letting any hard marking, that Emlyn Mulligan is getting too many handy frees.
Poor Michael Lyster will be speechless — his native Galway on the back-foot in Salthill!
P.S. A bit of good news for Colm. InÓgaelic Park I saw Jackie McTague with a referees whistle —- now theres the solution. Give Jackie the Meath County Final and let the two teams at each other. She wouldnt bother about red cards or yellow cards or even the black book.
And another thing you could be sure of — thered be no dissent. Jackie might evenÓget the All Ireland. But hopefully she wont be in line for it, because Leitrim take another step to Croke Park next Sunday.
11-Jun-08 by Tommy Moran / LM Observer
Ladies County Team News
LadiesLadies County Team News
The County U16 team take on their Galway counterparts and favorites for the Connacht A title on Tuesday 24th June at 7.30 pm in Leitrim Village. In the round robinÓgame Leitrim stayed in touch with Galway up to half time but Galway pulled away in the second half. The Leitrim management will be hoping to pull of a shock victory this time round or at least give Galway an almighty fright. Big game performances will be required from the whole team but especially from Aighe Tighe, Fiona McCann, Aoife Williams and Katie Duignan. On their way to the final Leitirm had a comprehesive victory over Mayo and hard fought win over Roscommon while Sligo conceded their game. All supporters are encouraged to attend to cheer on the team.
The County U14 team has their Connacht Blitz refixed for July19th with no venue has yet confirmed. The All Ireland Div 3 Champions are relished a crack at this competiton.
The County U12 had their Connacht Blitz last Saturday in Hyde Park where Leitrim entered 2 teams. All the players had a great day and finished the day of in Supermacs. The next outing for the U12 is on the 28th June in Kiltimagh, followed by the Leitrim Blitz on the 12th July. A great thanks is due to the mentors Bernie McLoughlin, Yeonette O Rourke and Kieran Moran.
Club Competitons
The 9 aside Leagues are reaching a conclusion. In the Senior 9 aside Aughawillan are undefeated with comprehensive victories over Mohill and Kiltubrid. Cloone and Kiltubrid fighting for a place in the final. The finalists should be decided this week. The Intermediate 9 aside League sees St Josephs reach the final while on the final round games between Annaduff and Dromahair will decide the other finalist, leaving last year winners St Marys relinquishing their title. Sean O Heslins have booked their place in the Junior 9 aside final while Gortletteragh will be favorites to advance to the final.
The Annaduff Credit Union U14 Championships are reaching a conclusion as well. In Div 1 St Josephs await the winner of the semi final betweenÓglencar/Manor and the amalgamation of Aughnasheelin/Kiltubrid. In Div 2 Drumkeerin look the strongest as they take on Dromahair while Fenagh and Gortletteraghj play in the other semi final. In Div 3 Annaduff and Leitrim Gaels play the semifinal with Cloone awaiting the winners.
The U12 Championships have kicked of this week with 9 aside and 7 aside competitions
Team Affiliations for the Minor Championships are due in by Monday 30th June.
9 Aside League Div 2 Table
17-Jun-08 by Kieran Moran – Ladies – Acting PRO
CSFC – Galway v Leitrim Report
County FootballGalway advanced to the Connacht SFC final following a four-point victory over Leitrim in Pearse Stadium.
After trailing by two points at half time Leitrim got to within a point of Galway after the break but a goal from substitute Cormac Bane proved decisive in spite of a fine ten-point overall contribution from Leitrims Emlyn Mulligan.
Galways Matthew Clancy opened the Scóring with a second minute point but two frees from Mulligan edged Leitrim into an early lead. Padraig Joyce replied with two points and then a goal from the Tribesmens captain after 12 minutes advanced Galway into a four point lead as Joyce cut in from the right before sending a left footed strike past Enda Lyons.
Fiachra Breathnach was denied a second Galway goal on 15 minutes by Lyons as the home side enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.
A Michael Meehan point stretched their lead to five points but a goal on 26 minutes had Des Dolans men right back into contention.
Philip McGuinness and Declan Maxwell exchanged passes with Maxwell finding the net via the post to cut the lead to just two points. Donal Brennan had a penalty shout for Leitrim five minutes after Maxwells goal when he appeared to be pushed by the Galway goalkeeper but the appeals were waved away by the referee.
Two further points at either end sent Galway in for half time enjoying a narrow two-point winning margin, 1-08 to 1-06.
Emlyn Mulligan may be a newcomer to inter county action but his fine contribution of 10 points, all from frees, in only his second championship match for Leitrim always gave the underdogs a chance of creating an upset.
Two frees from Mulligan either side of two points from Michael Meehan left little between the teams in the evenly contested first 10 minutes of the second half.
Cormac Bane and Declan Maxwell, with Leitrims sole second half score from play, exchanged points but Leitrim reduced the lead to the bare minimum 20 minutes into the half when Mulligan again found the range with a free kick.
However, the game turned inÓgalways favour just a minute later when the Tribesmen again raised the green flag to stun Leitrim and end the comeback. Meehan set up half time substitute Bane who made no mistake from close range.
Further points from Meehan and captain Joyce stretched the lead to six points as Leitrim heads dropped following the goal. Bane scored Galways last point of the game on 69 minutes while three pointed frees from Mulligan left four points between the teams at the full time whistle.
GALWAY: P Doherty; G Bradshaw; F Hanley; D Burke; D Meehan; D Mullahy; G Sice; N Coleman (0-01); M Lydon; P Conroy; P Joyce (1-04, 1 free); N Joyce (0-02); M Clancy (0-01); M Meehan (0-04, 1 free); F Breathnach.
Subs: B Cullinane and C Bane (1-02) for Lydon and Conroy half time; M Comer for Burke 42m; S Armstrong for Breathnach 47m.
LEITRIM: E Lyons; D Reynolds; J McKeon; M McGuinness; G Reynolds; B Prior; S Foley; G McCloskey; M Duignan; D OConnor; P McGuinness; M Foley (0-01); E Mulligan (0-10, all frees); D Maxwell (1-01); D Brennan (0-01).
Subs: D Duignan for OConnor half time; J Glancy for M Foley 49m; B McWeeney for D Reynolds 64m; C Duignan for Brennan 69m.
15-Jun-08 by RTE.ie
Leitrim Senior Football Team Announced
County FootballLeitrim team was announced tonight (Thursday) in advance of the Connacht Senior Football Championship encounter against Galway in Pearse Stadium on Sunday. The lineout has one change from the team that started against New York as Ciaran Duignan is replaced by Philip McGuinness. Michael Duignan is declared fit to start while Colin Regan is unlikely to participate due to a knee injury.
13-Jun-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO