An incredible night for Leitrim in the Connacht Scór Finals in Manorhamilton on Saturday when, for the second year in a row, Leitrim won 5 of the 8 events.
It brought success again to the long-standing Scór stalwarts of Glencar/Manorhamilton, Seán OHeslins and Bornacoola but also to total newcomers; Leitrim Gaels and to St Marys who have not figured in Connacht in a long time.
Rince Foirne
Glencar/Manorhamilton, on their own turf, won the Connacht title for the sixth year in a row. This was in fact the second time Glencar/Manorhamilton did a six in a row in this event, they also did it in 1995-2000. In all they have won Rince Foirne in Connacht on 16 occasions beginning in 1984. Their team this year was Nicole OHara, Aoife Duignan, Ciara Flynn, Michelle Kelly, Shane Conaire, Emmett McMorrow, Michael Joe Rooney and Aidan McLoughlin
Ceol
Pride of place must go to Leitrim Gaels, a club that has only taken up Scór in recent years. Indeed they were never represented in Music until this year and straight away they are in an All Ireland Final. They played wonderful music with their group of Cyril Geoghegan, Mick Mulvey, Mick Blake, Enda McDonagh and JohnÓgleeson
Bailéad Ghrúpa
It is all of 23 years since St Marys won a Connacht Senior Scór title in anything. By coincidence it was in Ballad Group that they won also in 1985. This year Laura Crossan, Brian Farrell, Clodagh Flynn, Laura Phillips and John Butler have done great work and made the big breakthrough again. The Ballad Group from St Marys that reached the final in 1985 was: Siobháin FinnÓgan, Ann Jennings, Walter Harmon, Joe Moore and Gerald OHalloran.
Trath na gCeist
Bornacoola are no strangers to Connacht success in Question Time. This is their third year in a row to win Connacht. Aidan Dockery, Fergal MacGiolla and Liam Rabbitt will be hoping it will be third time lucky in the All Ireland.
Nuachleas
Seán OHeslins are masters of the Novelty Act not alone in Leitrim and Connacht but at All Ireland level. On Saturday they won the Connacht title for the 14th time since their first in 2004. Raymond McHugh, Madge Murphy, Michael Fanning, Seán McKeon, Tommy Moran, Claire Fanning, Ross Dooner and Brid Sullivan made up the "Umpa" team.
Leitrims other performers: Elaine Duignan from Seán OHeslins in Solo Singing, Fenagh in Rince Seit and Louise Staunton from Bornacoola in RecitationÓgave of their best on a night when Leitrim was the only County to be represented in all eight events.
Tickets for the All Ireland.
Tickets for the All Ireland Finals in Killarney on Saturday 26 April must be ordered in advance. All orders must be in before next Monday 8 April. For the competing clubs, tickets must be ordered through your clubs Scór officer. For people outside those clubs they can be ordered directly through Co Scór Rúnaí, Maura Mulvey. It is not certain that all orders for tickets can be accommodated although the Killarney venue is usually adequate to hold everyone. However, clubs are asked to make sure that anyone who orders tickets pays for them with the order, as tickets cannot be returned and the clubs must pay for all tickets when ordering them.
31-Mar-08 by Sean O Suilleabhain
Allianz NFL – Rd 6 – Leitrim v Down
County FootballLeitrim 2-7
Down 1-9
Leitrim caused the shock of the day when they deservedly defeated fancied Down in an exciting and at times physical contest at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada yesterday.
In a dramatic climax, Leitrim held off a late Down surge to clinch victory by the narrowest of margins.
Emyln Mulligan opened the Leitrim account with a pointed free after four minutes, but the home side were rocked two minutes later when Benny Coulter fired to the net from 25 metres. However, that was as good as it got for the Mournemen, as Leitrim, playing excellent football, chased and harried every ball. Their efforts were rewarded 23 minutes into the half when Mulligan scored a penalty goal following a foul on Philly McGuiness who was bearing down on the DownÓgoal.
Four more Leitrim points without reply left the home side deservedly ahead 1-6 to 1-1 at the break.
As expected, Down started the second half in determined mood, and with a strong wind at their backs, whittled away the Leitrim lead, Scóring six points to Leitrims one between the 39th and 51st minutes.
However, a fisted goal by man of the match Philly McGuiness from a Ciaran Duignan pass 15 minutes from time rocked Down and sent Leitrim on their way to victory. This was followed five minutes later by the dismissal of influential midfielder Declan Rooney for an off the ball foul. Although the visitors continued to press forward, and scored two further pointed frees without reply, it was to be Leitrims day.
ScórERS:
LEITRIM: E Mulligan (1p, 4f) 1-4, P McGuinness 1-1, F McBrien, S Foley 0-1 each
DOWN — L Doyle (5f) 0-5, B Coulter 1-0, A Carr, J Clarke, D Hughes, R Sexton 0-1 each
LEITRIM — nÓgill; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; G Reynolds, B Prior, S Foley;G McCloskey (Capt), M Duignan; M Foley, E Mulligan, P McGuinness; D OConnor, D Brennan, F McBrien
Subs: D Duignan for F McBrien,C Duignan for D Brennan, C Regan for E Mulligan, R Gallagher for M Duignan, B McWeeney for P McGuinness
DOWN — M McAllister; L Howard,G McArdle,M Cole; R Murtagh,L Doyle,P Turley; A Rodgers, D Rooney; J Fegan, R Sexton, D Hughes; P Downey, D Gordon (Capt), B Coulter
Subs: D Rafferty for G McArdle, A Carr for R Murtagh, K McGuigan for P Turley, J Clarke for P Downey, S Kearney for J Fegan
REF– M Daly (Mayo)
07-Apr-08 by Irish Independant.ie
Possible – Scenarios
Club HurlingSituation 1. If Limerick fail to beat Down then the result with Limerick and Leitrim is not important unless its a draw. Sligo must then beat Longford by a minimum of 3 points. If Leitrim bet Limerick, Limerick and Longford would be relegated. If Limerick won then Leitrim and Longford would be relegated.
Situation 2. If Limerick fail to bet Down but draw with Leitrim. Sligo would have to beat Longford by a large margin to avoid relegation on score-difference. Depending on the score in the Down v Limerick game the margin might be small. Then Limerick and Longford would be relegated on score difference.
Situation 3. If Limerick Beat Down, then we have to hope that they beat Leitrim and Sligo win again by at least 3 points otherwise its hello Tommy Murphy Theres probably an odd mistake in the situations I havent gone into it inÓgreat detail. But the mainÓgoal is to beat Longford by 3 points. Sounds easy but itsn not. Best of luck lads!!! Youll need it
06-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Winners of the Leitrim Supporters Members Draw 08
GeneralLast night (Saturday), 5th April, the draw was held for the Leitrim Supporters Members 2008 in The Bush Hotel. The Draw was a huge success with over € 100,000 raised.
The 11 winners, in reverse order, are:
11th Prize:
Barry Costello (C/o Clarkes Hotel) won €300 sponsored by Sean Clarke, Rynn Valley Lodge Hotel, Mohill
10th Prize:
Paddy McWeeney (Proughlish, Keshcarrigan) won €300 sponsored by Commercial Hotel, Ballinamore
9th Prize:
James McCabe (Tennesse,Connecticut, USA ) won €300 sponsored by Gerry ORourke, Longford
8th Prize:
Frankie Reynolds (Ballinglera) won €300 sponsored by Gerry Murray, Foodstore, Sligo
7th Prize:
Paul Ducie (Mt View, Cartron, Sligo) won €300 sponsored by Aoife Gorman, Longford
6th Prize:
Martin Shanley (Drumcliff, Co. Sligo) won 1000 Spin Washing Machine sponsored by Reynolds Topline Providers, Carrick
5th Prize:
Barry Sweeney (Ballygawley, Co Sligo) won 20" Phillips LCD TV sponsored by Berney Crossan Electrical, Longford
4th Prize:
John Mulvey (Ballinaglera) won Weekend Break for 2 sponsored by McNiffe Group Hotels
3rd Prize:
Kitty Keaney (Glenfarne) won €1,000
2nd Prize:
Sean Kennedy (Finiskill, Mohill) won €1,500 sponsored by Kevin Quinn, Embassy Rooms, Sligo
1st Prize:
Oliver Curran (Hartely, Carrick-on-Shannon) won €5,000 sponsored by The Bush Hotel.
Clubs Sales Draw:
Clubs who increased sales from last year were in a separate draw and the two winners are :
Allen Gaels – €2,000
Dromahaire – €1,000
Many thanks to all our supporters, our sponsors, our sellers and to the fundraising committee.
Congratulations to the 11 lucky winners !
05-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Last chance to win 5000
GeneralLast chance to get on a Supporters Club ticket and Car Sticker – The Draw takes place tomorrow night in the Bush Hotel and 11 prizes are on offer with a top prize of €5,000. Supporters will be members for the year and you will also receive a car sticker – cost of membership €40.
Membership is accepted online via the Subscribe link on the right hand side using the paypal system (note that you do not have to be a paypal member for this to work as a separate credit card option is available) or through any county board officer.
04-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Last chance to Get on a team
GeneralLast chance to get on a team – Reminder to all supporters of the Leitrim GAA that the Get on the Team Campaign have a few places left on some of the different categories of teams. If you are interested act now as time is running out fast to get your place on a team.
In excess of €890,000 is raised to date and Leitrim GAA wish to sincerely thank those who have come forward to join the teams.
The unveiling takes place on Friday May 2nd at the Connacht Junior semifinal between Leitrim and Sligo. The plaques will go into manufacture in 2 weeks time – Dont miss this opportunity to be recognised as part of the team that built the stand.
04-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Coaching News
CoachingUp coming events.
Workshop – Saturday 05/04/08 – Drumkeerin – Drills for attacking play – Liam Og Gormley.( Due to weather please check with your club or on the Leitrim GAA web site for confirmation that the workshop is going ahead)
Workshop – Wednesday 16/04/08 – Ck-on-Shannon – Drills for defensive play – Des Newton.
Workshop – Wednesday 30/04/08 – Manorhamilton – Integrated Hurling fitness drills – Damien Coleman & Paudi Butler.
Foundation Level.
The practical section of the foundation level coaching course held in Dromahair will take place on Saturday 12/04, commencing at 10.00am in Dromahair GAA pitch.
Under 8 & 10 blitz club blitz.
In line with a new directive from Croke Park we are asked to have four blitz days for our under 8 and 10 players in the month of May. However due to the number of Leitrim supporters travelling to New York in May, we have rearranged our dates as follows.
Saturday April 26th, Saturday May 3rd, Saturday May 31st, Saturday June 7th. We will publish the list of venues for the first two dates in the next few weeks.
Hurling gear promotion.
To assist everybody interested in the promotion of hurling within the County, we have put together a very special deal with a number of suppliers of hurling gear and can now offer fully approved hurling helmets at the bargain price of € 50.00 each and full size hurleys at € 14.00 each. Further information can be had by contacting Thomas Keenan 087-6591049 or Andrew Keary 087-7530888. Information leaflets will be distributed in both schools and clubs this week.
Fun Do Resource Pack.
Clubs and coaches are reminded that the new Fun Do packs are available from our offices in Pairc Sean, or by contacting Thomas Keenan 087-6591049. Packs are available for a limited time at the special price of €50 each.
GAA Vhi Cul Camps 2008
Application forms and information leaflets will be distributed to all schools within the next two weeks. We would urge parents to return their forms as quickly as possible as this will greatly assist with the smooth running of our camps. Following is the list of camp dates and venues.
Monday 30/06/2008 – Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon, Aughawillan.
Monday 07/07/2008 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.(Bornacoola GAA grounds)
Monday 14/07/2008 – Aughavas, Gortletteragh, Dromahair.
Monday 21/07/2008 – Fenagh, Drumkeerin, Leitrim.
02-Apr-08 by Thomas Keenan
Round 7 – Leitrim v Limerick is 1 week later
County FootballFollowing a meeting of the Central Competitions Control Committee on Tuesday (April 1st), the GAA have confirmed the following:
The NFL Division 2 game between Armagh V. Dublin has been re-fixed for Sunday, April 13th at 2.30 p.m. in Crossmaglen while the Division 3 Down V. Limerick game will take place in Newry on the same date also at 2.30 p.m.
The CCCC have also confirmed that Round 7 of the NFL, Division 2 and Division 3, have now been rescheduled for Sunday, April 20th.
This means that Leitrims last game against Limerick is now 1 week later on April 20th.
The finals in Division 1, 2, 3 and 4 will go ahead as scheduled on April 27th unless there is a need for a play-off in Division 2, in accordance with Riail 116 (c) of the Official Guide.
In the event that a play-off is required, it will be played on Sunday April 27th with the Division 2 final then scheduled for the week-end of May 3rd.
01-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
2008 Club Championship Draw – Groups
Club FootballThe Senior Championship draw was completed last night in the Bush Hotel and each draw was made available for download on the left hand menu. The groups are also listed below:
The Senior Groups are:
The Intermediate Groups are:
The Junior A Groups are:
01-Apr-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO