At yesterday’s 2019 Connacht Senior Football Championship Final, the guests of honour were the members of the 1994 Leitrim Senior Football Panel, management team and back-room staff. Connacht GAA Council were honouring them on the Silver Jubilee occasion of that historic victory over Mayo which occurred on July 24th, 1994, a day which brought such joy to all Leitrim people at home and abroad. The players and management were introduced to the crowd between the two matches at Salthill, and were later feted at a function at the Galway Bay Hotel, where they were introduced by County Secretary of the time, Tommy Moran, and presented with crystal momentoes to commemorate the historic landmark of landing Leitrim’s second Connacht Championship and bridging a gap of 67 years back to the only other Senior Championship success of 1927.

Back Row Left to right: Ollie Honeyman (Selector), Frank Darcy (Dublin Trainer), Joe Reynolds (Selector), Brendan Guckian, Thomas Quinn, Donal Smith, Brian Duignan, Martin Prior, Martin McGlynn (representing Colin McGlynn), Brian Breen, Liam Conlon, Martin McHugh, Paul Kieran, Pat Donohoe, George Dugdale, Mickey Quinn, Seamus Quinn and Noel Moran.
Front Row Left to Right: Padraig McLoughlin, Killian McLoughlin, Ciaran Mahon, Aiden Holohan, Fergal Reynolds, John O Mahony (Manager), Declan Darcy (Captain), Joe Honeyman, Aiden Rooney, Gerry Flanagan, Padraig Kenny.
Jason Ward, a member of that panel, was unavoidably absent on Sunday but had met with the players on Saturday night, and Colin McGlynn was on holidays in the USA.
On Sunday, journalist Tommy Conlon, a native of Ballinamore and brother of team member Liam Conlon, wrote a fine piece in the day’s Sunday Independent, which captured the essence of the achievement that was 1994. You can read the article here
Connacht Gold SFC Quarter Final Matches Decided
Club FootballFollowing this evening’s results in the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship, the quarter-final pairings have been decided and these matches will be played on Sunday next, September 15th, at venues and times to be confirmed by CCC Liatroma at a later stage. The Relegation Series pairings have also been decided and these ties are scheduled to take place later in the month.
Connacht Gold SFC Quarter-Finals
Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s v Drumreilly
Glencar/Manorhamilton v Allen Gaels
Mohill v Aughawillan
St Mary’s Kiltoghert v Melvin Gaels
Connacht Gold SFC Relegation Semi-Finals
Gortletteragh v Aughnasheelin
St Patrick’s Dromahair v Fenagh St Caillin’s
Note: In the relegation series, the two defeated teams of the above matches will be automatically relegated and will be joined in Intermediate Football in 2020 by the defeated team in the relegation final.
Newtowngore Engineering Minor Championship Final goes to Replay
Club FootballSt Mary’s Kiltoghert 0-14 Mac Diarmada Gaels 1-11
The eagerly awaited Newtowngore Engineering Minor Championship Final between St Mary’s Kiltoghert and Mac Diarmada Gaels ended level this evening at Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. While extra time had been provided for in the 6.30pm fixture, it was deemed unsafe by the referee to continue as darkness descended very quickly at the venue. The replay is set for next Friday evening, September 13th, at the same venue with 6pm throw-in and extra time to be played in the event of a further draw.
As regards the match itself, St Mary’s Kiltoghert held an 0-8 to 0-3 halftime lead but this had been wiped out by the 12th minute of the second period as the Gaels had the better of those earlier exchanges and aided by a goal the scoreline now stood at 0-9 to 1-6. From there to the finish it was nip and tuck all the way as the contest between the county’s two best Minor teams ended level and they must do it all over again.
Uachtarán CLG John Horan to officially open McGovern, Aughavas, Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence on Saturday next.
DevelopmentThe long-awaited official opening of McGovern Aughavas Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence will take place on Saturday next, September 7th, and Uachtarán CLG Seán Ó hÓráin will be present to perform the official duty. The project has come a long way since the land purchase signing for the property was completed on 7th January 2005 and people passing the premises along the N4 at Annaduff cannot but be impressed by the transformation that has taken place in recent weeks as the finishing touches have been put to the congregation side of of the building, entrance and car park to have it looking ship-shape for the big day.
Recent fundraising through the Leitrim Wall fundraising campaign has afforded Leitrim GAA the opportunity to complete the development to a standard that all Leitrim people can be justifiably proud of. We are indebted to all of the people far and wide who have contributed to what has turned out to be a momentous scheme and we are sure that all will be delighted that their contribution has been put to excellent use. In addition to this, we are also most grateful to Tony and Bernadette McGovern, London and Aughavas, who have secured the naming and advertising rights to this property over the next 15 years. McGovern, Aughavas, is a name that has been synonymous with a huge degree of generosity towards Leitrim GAA over the past quarter of a century and this will continue into the future with the name being associated proudly with the conclusion of this development.
While the pitches have been in use since January 2016 with the dressing rooms and gym functional, it has taken this combined final push to ensure that the remainder of the internal and the external public side of the property have been completed to the very high standard that is already evident, playing surface wise, at the rear of the property.
We have waited a long time for the conclusion of an almost 15-year long project but can be very happy with the end product which, when officially opened, will be practically debt-free and that, in itself, is an achievement and something well worth the wait. We are indebted to Croke Park and Connacht Council GAA for the contributions incrementally made, to a total of €2m, over the duration of the development. This is inclusive of the €250k that was made available from the opening of Croke Park to the FAI and IRFU in the noughties. Leitrim GAA Clubs are to applauded to have taken the decision back then to hand over that grant towards the project. All in all, the project has cost €2.8m and will be a jewel in Leitrim GAA’s crown, while serving as the proud home of many future generations of Leitrim GAA players.
We are looking forward to Saturday and extend an open invitation to all to attend. The timeline is as follows:
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday next!
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir!!
Leitrim GAA Sponsors Recently Bereaved
GeneralLeitrim GAA wishes to convey its sincerest sympathies to two separate families which have been associated with sponsorship of our activities and have suffered recent bereavements.
To the Dolan family of the Bush Hotel, Ck-on-Shannon, long-time and recent main sponsor of Leitrim GAA we extend our sympathies on the death of Martin Dolan, formerly of Cortober, Ck-on-Shannon, who died on June 25th in China. Martin’s Funeral Mass took place today, July 27th at 12 noon in St. Michael’s Church, Drumlion, Carrick-on-Shannon followed by burial of Ashes in Ardcarne Cemetery.
Heartfelt sympathies to his wife Irina, daughter Naomi, brothers Jim, Joe & David, sister Marion, extended family and friends.
To the McCartin Family, Newtowngore, we extend our sympathies on the death of Ann McCartin on July 26th. Her son John, Newtowngore Engineering, is the sponsor of the Leitrim Under 17 Competitions over the past two seasons. Anne will be missed by her husband Joe, son John, daughter-in-law Edel, grandchildren Olwyn, Eábha, Doireann, John and Tiernan, her sister Marie McCartin, brother Eamon, brother-in-law Tommy, sister-in-law May, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
https://rip.ie/death-notice/anne-mccartin-newtowngore-leitrim/394429
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh siad.
25th Anniversary of Leitrim GAA’s Greatest Day – 24 July 1994
County FootballToday is the 25th Anniversary of Leitrim GAA’s Greatest Day, the day we captured the Connacht SFC title in Hyde Park. To mark this historic occasion, the Leitrim Observer has produced a 24-page pull-out which is a must-have edition with pictures and articles that help to relive a date that is etched in the memory of those who were lucky enough to witness it. Enjoy the read and well done to John Connolly, Philip Rooney, Fiona Heavy and Willie Donnellan and the staff of the Leitrim Observer for an excellent publication.
2019 Connacht Gold SFC, Smith Monumentals IFC and Vistamed JFC Club Championship Fixtures
Club FootballCCC Liatroma has publicised the schedule of group matches for the Connacht Gold SFC, Smith Monumentals IFC and Vistamed JFC A and B. Competitions commence on Friday, July 26th as the 2018 County Senior Champions Aughawillan face-off with Aughnasheelin in Cloone at 8.30pm. CCC has also made it clear that in order to facilitate people booking time off from work etc. there can be no deviation from this schedule. Games on Friday nights will be fixed for 8.30 pm in Cloone. Saturday games will be fixed for 5.30 pm and 7 pm up to quarter-final stage. Sunday games will be fixed for 12 noon, 1.30 pm and 5 pm.
The Late Fr. Joe Dolan, St. Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan and late of Aughnasheelin, Co. Leitrim
GeneralLeitrim GAA wishes to pass on its sympathies to the family of the late Fr Joe Dolan, St. Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan and late of Aughnasheelin, Co. Leitrim, who passed to his eternal reward on Sunday 7th July 2019. Joe was former Leitrim footballer and played with Leitrim in the Connacht Championship of 1959, one of the many years of that era that Leitrim reached the Connacht Championship Final. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.
Full funeral details can be found here
Leitrim Under 20 Panel to play Roscommon on Wednesday June 26
County FootballThe Leitrim Under 20 Panel to play Roscommon in The Connacht Under 20 Football Championship in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada has been named. The match throws in at 7pm and there has to be a result on the evening. Best wishes to all concerned and here’s hoping for great support for the lads.
1994 Heroes honoured at Connacht Football Final
GeneralAt yesterday’s 2019 Connacht Senior Football Championship Final, the guests of honour were the members of the 1994 Leitrim Senior Football Panel, management team and back-room staff. Connacht GAA Council were honouring them on the Silver Jubilee occasion of that historic victory over Mayo which occurred on July 24th, 1994, a day which brought such joy to all Leitrim people at home and abroad. The players and management were introduced to the crowd between the two matches at Salthill, and were later feted at a function at the Galway Bay Hotel, where they were introduced by County Secretary of the time, Tommy Moran, and presented with crystal momentoes to commemorate the historic landmark of landing Leitrim’s second Connacht Championship and bridging a gap of 67 years back to the only other Senior Championship success of 1927.
Back Row Left to right: Ollie Honeyman (Selector), Frank Darcy (Dublin Trainer), Joe Reynolds (Selector), Brendan Guckian, Thomas Quinn, Donal Smith, Brian Duignan, Martin Prior, Martin McGlynn (representing Colin McGlynn), Brian Breen, Liam Conlon, Martin McHugh, Paul Kieran, Pat Donohoe, George Dugdale, Mickey Quinn, Seamus Quinn and Noel Moran.
Front Row Left to Right: Padraig McLoughlin, Killian McLoughlin, Ciaran Mahon, Aiden Holohan, Fergal Reynolds, John O Mahony (Manager), Declan Darcy (Captain), Joe Honeyman, Aiden Rooney, Gerry Flanagan, Padraig Kenny.
Jason Ward, a member of that panel, was unavoidably absent on Sunday but had met with the players on Saturday night, and Colin McGlynn was on holidays in the USA.
On Sunday, journalist Tommy Conlon, a native of Ballinamore and brother of team member Liam Conlon, wrote a fine piece in the day’s Sunday Independent, which captured the essence of the achievement that was 1994. You can read the article here
The Late Oliver Casserly, Ballgawley, Co Sligo and formerly Bornacoola, Co Leitrim.
GeneralLeitrim GAA wishes to convey its sincere sympathies to the family of the late Oliver Casserly, Ballgawley, Co Sligo and formerly Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, who passed to his eternal reward on Thursday last, following a short illness. Oliver was a great Leitrim supporter over the years and was a staunch member of the Sligo Branch of the Leitrim GAA Supporters Club. He worked extremely hard in his promotion of all Leitrim GAA fundraising in the greater Sligo area and indeed beyond over many years and shared and enjoyed in our greatest days in the 1990’s and indeed the Connacht Championship win of 1994 was a great source of pride for Oliver in his adopted county. It is particularly poignant that on the very day that the Leitrim heroes of 1994 will be honoured at the Connacht SFC Final 25th Anniversary, Oliver will be laid to rest in Sligo.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Noeleen, children Sarah, Emma, Colm and Jane, and his thirteen grandchildren, sons-in-law Ciaran, Conor and Kevin and daughter-in-law Noreen, sisters-in-law Mary, Joan and Patricia (RIP) and brothers-in-law Gerard, Joseph (RIP) and Nicholas (RIP), neighbours, relatives and friends.
Remains reposing at his family home on Saturday, 15th June, 4-9 pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday, 16th June, at 4pm in The Church of the Assumption, Sooey, with burial afterwards in Sooey Cemetery. House private on Sunday morning.
Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation C/o McGowan Funeral Directors, Dromod. Donation box in Church.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dìlis
Please note there will be a one way traffic system in operation to family home with entrance from Ballygawley Cross. Follow directional signs.
AIFQ Round 1 Leitrim v Wicklow Team Announcement
County FootballThe Leitrim team to play Wicklow on Saturday’s All Ireland Football Championship Qualifier Round 1 clash in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada is as follows:
LGFA Under 14 Finals take Centre Stage on Monday June 3rd
LadiesAvantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada is the place to be on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3rd, as the LGFA Leitrim Under 14 Finals take place at the venue. A feast of football is promised as four finals are played to conclude this season’s Under 14 Competitions commencing at 2.30pm. The full line up is as follows:
15-a-side Shield Final 2.30pm
Dromahair St Patrick’s v St. Joseph’s
11-a-side Championship Final 4.00pm
Fenagh St Caillin’s v Kiltubrid
13-a-side Championship Final 5.30pm
Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s v St Brigid’s
15-a-side Championship Final 7.00pm
Glencar/Manorhamilton v St. Mary’s Kiltoghert