The death of Paddy Dolan, Ballinamore, will be mourned by his family, by the local community and by the Gaels of Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins, of Leitrim and of Connacht.
An indication of his status as a footballer with the county was his selection, at right half forward, on the Leitrim Millennium Team, an accolade well deserved by this will of the wisp star over a long career in the green and gold. Paddy’s talents came to light at an early age and he first played with Leitrim seniors in the National League when only sixteen years of age, one of the many distinctions he shared with fellow great Packie McGarty.
Indeed Paddy and Packie would go on to share many a dressing room as they lined out together in the National League and the Connacht Championship – including a number of finals – at a time when Leitrim was so unlucky not to have captured at least one provincial senior title and bridge the long gap from 1927.
Paddy Dolan did win a Connacht title with the Leitrim Minors in 1956 and starred at left half forward in the All Ireland Final against Dublin in Croke Park, on the day that Galway became All Ireland Senior Champions by defeating Cork. In his senior career with Leitrim, Paddy would come face to face with many of that Galway side in future Connacht Championship clashes, including the finals of 1958, 59, 60 and 67.
!956 proved to be a special year for Paddy at club level also, as he won the first of his eight county senior titles with Ballinamore and was the youngest member of the side. The team captain that day,
Columba Cryan and his midfield partner Brian Sweeney would line out with Paddy Dolan in Croke Park in 1959 when Leitrim played Derry in the National League Semi-final. Paddy’s other seven county medals were won in 1964, 67, 68, 69, 72, 73 and 79 and he had the honour of being captain of the three-in-a-row champions. In 1969 Paddy was the main organizer, with Pat Murray and Joe McInerney of the Ballinamore club’s historic trip to Gaelic Park, New York and to New England and Boston in 1989. Paddy would also travel to New York with the Leitrim team in a later tour.
Paddy also lined out with the Leitrim hurlers on many occasions, a sport in which he also excelled. Indeed, Paddy Dolan, with his natural talents, athleticism, sharp mind and enthusiasm, is one of those who could be proficient in a variety of sports.
Apart from his skill on the field of play, Paddy was beloved by the Ballinamore community as a charismatic, friendly, charming and lovable personality. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Sincere sympathy to all the Dolan family.
Sonas síoraí da anam uasal.
Funeral arrangements: https://rip.ie/death-notice/patrick-paddy-dolan-ballinamore-leitrim/362155
Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge 2025 – starting 8th January2nd January 2025 - 7:00 pm
INTO/GAA Mini 7s Finals in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada
Cumann na mBunscolA total of 19 schools in each of the Boys’ and Girls’ Competitions took part in the INTO/GAA Mini 7s earlier this week at various venues around the county. Our thanks to Annaduff, Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s, Allen Gaels and St Osnat’s GAA Clubs for hosting these round-robin stages. Also, a word of appreciation to the referees who gave of their time on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to referee a total of 72 mini-games across all venues.
The stage is now set for the finals which will take place in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada on Tuesday and Thursday next, October 2nd and 4th, groups of 4 teams in each of Boys’ and Girls’ Competitions play further round-robin series and winners will be declared. The matches commence at 11.00 each morning. Best of luck to all schools next week!
BOYS Tuesday 2/10/18 at 11.00
GIRLS Thursday 4/10/18 at 11.00
Schools must use the same panel of players that they have provided on email and hard copy to Cumann na mBunscol. Games are seven minutes a side. Unlimited substitution is allowed. Two points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw. In the event of two teams ending on the same points, the result will be decided by the head to head result. If three teams are tied there will be a three-way playoff on the day.
2019 Leitrim Senior Team Management Members Announcement
County FootballRecently appointed Leitrim Senior Football Team Manager Terry Hyland has revealed the members of his Management Team for 2019:
Selector – Gary Donohue: The Drumreilly native has extensive coaching/management experience over the past decade. As a player, he had a successful adult playing career with Drumreilly, and with his adopted club Gowna he captured five Cavan SFC titles and worked alongside the legendary Eamon Coleman at the club. He was Cavan Minor Manager from 2011 to 2014 winning one Ulster title. Gary was a selector with Aughawillan team that won the 2014 Leitrim SFC title and has also managed Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s, Belturbet and is currently with Fr Manning Gaels in Longford.
Selector – Padraig McGourty: The Glenfarne native has previously served as a selector with the Leitrim Seniors and Under 21s in 2016 under the stewardship of Shane Ward. He has been the most recent manager of Sligo IT team having guided them through 2017 and 2018. He has been coach/selector to Sligo outfit Coolaney/Mullinabreena from 2014-16 and is their current Senior Manager. This year they have made significant progress reaching League D1 final and the semi-final of Sligo SFC for the first time since 1970. He has previously managed and coached at all levels with Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher.
Coach – Jason O Reilly: A former star player with Cavan and indeed a Railway cup player with Ulster, Jason won Senior and Under 21 Provincial medals with his native county. Since his inter-county playing days ended he has been very active on the coaching front. He managed Lacken to a Cavan IFC title in 2012 and has managed Belturbet from 2014-16, with whom he still lines out. Since 2017 he has been at the helm with Cavan Gaels who took last year’s County SFC and reached the Ulster SFC final. In 2015 he coached the Dublin based Donegal senior footballers.
Strength and Conditioning Coach – Enda Lyons: The Carrigallen native is currently a GDA with Leitrim GAA. He has a top level professional qualification in this area of expertise and served in this position to great effect in the season gone by. A former Leitrim Senior goalkeeper, Enda was a member of the Leitrim Minor team that captured the 1998 Connacht MFC title and was the Leitrim Minor Manager when they took the Connacht MFL title in 2014.
Physiotherapist – Shane Bohan: The Drumkeerin native has previously worked in professional sports setups in NE England in both rugby and boxing. He was physiotherapist to Fermanagh GAA in the past season and worked with Sligo senior team in 2017. He currently plays football with Drumkeerin GAA.
Help build ‘The Leitrim Wall’ and finish the County’s GAA Centre of Excellence
DevelopmentHelp build ‘The Leitrim Wall’ and finish the county’s GAA Centre of Excellence
Fundraising initiative allows you buy a brick with a personalised message in ‘The Leitrim Wall’ while helping to lay the foundations of future excellence for all involved in Leitrim GAA
Leitrim GAA might be small in numbers, but we are big on ambition.
Wherever our people have gone they have made a big impact. They have pursued excellence. Leitrim GAA wants to secure the same opportunity for all future generations who represent our county. The new Centre of Excellence in Annaduff will help achieve this.
The completion of this ambitious facility is long overdue. Since development started in 2007 €2.9m has been invested. A further €300,000 is required to complete it to a level of excellence that will place it on a par with any other county facility in Ireland. The Leitrim GAA County Executive and Supporters Club want this facility to be a beacon for the Leitrim community at home and abroad. That is why they have launched a new fundraising drive – the Leitrim Wall – that offers everyone the opportunity to contribute to Leitrim’s future in a meaningful and tangible way.
First of its kind
The Leitrim Wall will be the first of its kind in a GAA facility in Ireland (similar projects have been successfully undertaken by Munster Rugby and numerous top soccer clubs across the UK and the continent). The architecturally designed wall will be the main feature inside the entrance of the new centre and visible as you pass on the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dublin road: a beacon for those who were forced ‘to travel far from this great land’, as Larry Cunningham famously sang in ‘Lovely Leitrim’.
“Leitrim GAA supporters, and the public in general, have been very generous in backing our endeavours in the past,” said county chairperson Terrence Boyle. “We could not have completed the magnificent stand in Pairc Sean without such generosity.
“We need your support again to finish the Centre of Excellence. We’re proud of our wee patch and we want to build something that everyone could be proud of. We want all Leitrim people be part of the identity of Leitrim GAA into the future, and we feel the Leitrim Wall offers this – an opportunity to have your family name forever etched in the fabric of the facility.”
The perfect gift
The Leitrim Wall offers Leitrim people and supporters everywhere the opportunity to contribute to the building of a state-of-the-art facility for their county while recording a personalised message on one of the wall’s bricks. You can record a message for a loved one or embed your own family name in Leitrim GAA for all perpetuity. A Leitrim Wall brick could also be the perfect Christmas or birthday present – gift the Leitrim person in your life a unique opportunity to leave a lasting imprint in Lovely Leitrim’. You can choose the wording of the message or leave it to them to select.
A launch of The Leitrim Wall was well received in New York in May and the Supporters Club hope that Leitrim’s loyal supporters will once more back this innovative opportunity.
Four options have been prepared so everyone can afford to help build Leitrim GAA’s future brick by brick.
1. The Leitrim Brick €250
2. Large Leitrim Brick €500
3. The Leitrim Stone €1,000
4. Leitrim Stone of Excellence €3,000
For more information about the Leitrim Wall visit www.leitrimwall.com and stay tuned to the Leitrim GAA social media accounts.
Regards
Colin Regan
INTO/GAA Mini 7s Postponed for 1 Week
Cumann na mBunscolDue to weather conditions that are forecast, the INTO/GAA Mini 7s due to be played at regional venues tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday have been postponed until next week. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Club Cairde Liatroma Draw Results
Club CairdeThe concluding draw in the Club Cairde Liatroma Fund Raising venture took place at the meeting of Coiste Chontae Liatroma at the Centre of Excellence in Annaduff last night. Leitrim GAA would like to thank all who contributed to this funding drive and congratulates all the winners. The list of lucky winners last night is as follows:
€1100 John Conefry, Aughavas GAA.
€1100 Carrigallen GAA
€1000 St Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA
€1000 St Patrick’s Dromahair GAA
€1000 Mohill GAA
€1000 Bornacoola GAA
€1000 Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA
2018/19 INTO/GAA Mini 7s
Cumann na mBunscolThe 2018/19 Mini Sevens Regional Competitions will commence on Tuesday 18th September for the boys and Wednesday 19th September for the girls’ competition. Please consult attachment for your relevant group. Please note that these fixtures are weather dependent and may be called off at short notice if pitches are unplayable. Games throw in at 10.00 am sharp and should finish by 1.00pm. These games are seven minutes a side played by seven players. Schools may bring a panel of 10 players and unlimited substitution is allowed.
Schools are awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In the event of two schools ending on the same number of points, a head to head will apply. If three schools end on the same number of points there will be a three-way play-off.
Boys Competition
Girls Competition
5 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, DVE
Round 2 CvD, AvE
Round 3 BvC AvD
Round 4 CvE BvD
Round 5 AvC, BvE
4 Team Draw
Round 1 AvB, CvD
Round 2 BvC, AvD
Round 3 AvC, BvD
Connacht Groundsman Education Day 21/09/2018
DevelopmentCoiste na nÓg Liatroma Fundraising Draw Results
GeneralCoiste na nÓg Liatroma held its annual fundraising draw tonight at the Coiste ns nÓg meeting. The following are the lucky winners:
2 All Ireland Football Tickets – Mary Mitchell, Aughavas.
2 All Ireland Hurling Tickets – Sean Doherty, Cloone.
€100 – Francie McGirl, Aughnasheelin.
€100 – David McGee, Dromahair.
Dinner for 2 in Cox’s Steakhouse, Dromod – Robbie Kottermann, Carrigallen.
Dinner for 2 in Mitchell’s, Carrigallen – Declan Kelly Dromahair.
2 County Senior Final Tickets – Terry McNulty, Aughnasheelin.
Our congratulations to all of the winners and to all ticket sellers and patrons who supported the draw we return our sincerest gratitude.
Leitrim Senior Team Management Announcement
County FootballLeitrim GAA is delighted to announce the appointment of Cavan native Terry Hyland to the position of Leitrim Senior Team Manager for the 2019 season. Hyland was ratified at tonight’s County Committee Meeting in Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA facility. Terry has a wealth of experience at this level having managed his native county at senior level for a four and a half year period which concluded following the championship campaign of 2016. Previous to that he had spearheaded Cavan’s dominance of the Ulster Under 21 age group over a four year period, reaching one All-Ireland Final in that time span. His vast experience of the inter-county scene included terms as a selector in 1990-2001. As U-21 manager in 2010, he was selector with the then senior management team when Cavan took the developmental route of separating U-21 & seniors. He was joint senior manager with Val Andrews for 2011 and from 2012 – 2016 he took on the Cavan senior manager’s role. In 2013 Cavan reached the All-Ireland quarter-final stage of the championship. Under Terry’s stewardship, Cavan progressed in the Allianz League from Division 3 to Division 1.
Leitrim GAA looks forward to Terry’s tenure in charge of our senior team’s fortunes and wishes him the very best of luck in his new role. Details of his complete management team will be announced at a later stage. Leitrim GAA also wishes to thank the remaining candidates who were nominated for the position for the interest they have shown in the fortunes of Leitrim GAA.
The Late Paddy Dolan RIP – Guard of Honour
GeneralBallinamore Sean O’Heslin’s GAA club would like to invite players and former players, friends and Leitrim GAA supporters to join in a Guard of Honour at the removal of the remains of the legendary Paddy Dolan on tomorrow night Thursday 9 August. Please gather at the top of High St, outside where Dolan’s Pub was located, at 7.15pm. Laoch i measc Laochra.
The late Paddy Dolan RIP, Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s and Leitrim GAA Legend
GeneralThe death of Paddy Dolan, Ballinamore, will be mourned by his family, by the local community and by the Gaels of Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins, of Leitrim and of Connacht.
An indication of his status as a footballer with the county was his selection, at right half forward, on the Leitrim Millennium Team, an accolade well deserved by this will of the wisp star over a long career in the green and gold. Paddy’s talents came to light at an early age and he first played with Leitrim seniors in the National League when only sixteen years of age, one of the many distinctions he shared with fellow great Packie McGarty.
Indeed Paddy and Packie would go on to share many a dressing room as they lined out together in the National League and the Connacht Championship – including a number of finals – at a time when Leitrim was so unlucky not to have captured at least one provincial senior title and bridge the long gap from 1927.
Paddy Dolan did win a Connacht title with the Leitrim Minors in 1956 and starred at left half forward in the All Ireland Final against Dublin in Croke Park, on the day that Galway became All Ireland Senior Champions by defeating Cork. In his senior career with Leitrim, Paddy would come face to face with many of that Galway side in future Connacht Championship clashes, including the finals of 1958, 59, 60 and 67.
!956 proved to be a special year for Paddy at club level also, as he won the first of his eight county senior titles with Ballinamore and was the youngest member of the side. The team captain that day,
Columba Cryan and his midfield partner Brian Sweeney would line out with Paddy Dolan in Croke Park in 1959 when Leitrim played Derry in the National League Semi-final. Paddy’s other seven county medals were won in 1964, 67, 68, 69, 72, 73 and 79 and he had the honour of being captain of the three-in-a-row champions. In 1969 Paddy was the main organizer, with Pat Murray and Joe McInerney of the Ballinamore club’s historic trip to Gaelic Park, New York and to New England and Boston in 1989. Paddy would also travel to New York with the Leitrim team in a later tour.
Paddy also lined out with the Leitrim hurlers on many occasions, a sport in which he also excelled. Indeed, Paddy Dolan, with his natural talents, athleticism, sharp mind and enthusiasm, is one of those who could be proficient in a variety of sports.
Apart from his skill on the field of play, Paddy was beloved by the Ballinamore community as a charismatic, friendly, charming and lovable personality. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Sincere sympathy to all the Dolan family.
Sonas síoraí da anam uasal.
Funeral arrangements: https://rip.ie/death-notice/patrick-paddy-dolan-ballinamore-leitrim/362155
Gerry Reilly Under 16 Tournament-Leitrim finish campaign with another draw
County FootballLeitrim 2-11 Offaly 1-14
Leitrim’s Under 16 footballers concluded their Gerry Reilly Tournament campaign with another draw today following an entertaining and most competitive encounter with Offaly, played in Ferbane earlier this afternoon. They had also drawn with Louth on Saturday last in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada on Saturday last.
The Leitrim lads settled into the match from an early stage and dominated the first half with some fine points from Barry McWeeney, Senan Harte, Cian Singleton, Jack Hughes and Conor Hackett, in addition to two well-executed goals finished to the net by Hackett and Shane Mallon. Tigerish defending kept the Offaly lads at bay and at the changeover the Leitrim boys held a 2-7 to 0-5 advantage.
In the proverbial game of two halves, it was the home side which enjoyed the better of the exchanges with some fine score-taking to claw back the lead and once they goaled at the midway point of the half they seemed to have taken a decisive hold on the game. However, the Leitrim lads got back into the groove and as the last quarter moved from end to end, they twice levelled matters to earn a share of the spoils with second-half scores coming from the boot of Barry McWeeney (4) and the final equalising score from Conor Hackett.
Well done to these young lads in what was Leitrim’s first foray into this Leinster GAA organised tournament which is played in memory of Oldcastle youngster Gerry Reilly. The lads will play in the Tedd Webb Cup later in the month and the Fr. Manning Cup Competition in October.
Team: Aiden McCormack Kiltubrid, Niall Gallagher Aughnasheelin, Sean Lynch Carrigallen, Ryan Gallagher Drumkeerin, Ashley Mayiza St Mary’s Kiltoghert, Niall O Rourke Carrigallen, Cian Singleton St Mary’s Kiltoghert (0-1), Jack Hughes Annaduff (0-1), Shane O Brien Aughavas, Fergal McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillin’s, Eoin McLoughlin Fenagh-St Caillin’s, Conor Hackett St Mary’s Kiltoghert (1-1), Senan Harte Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s (0-1), Shane Mallon Bornacoola (1-0), Barry McWeeney Kiltubrid (0-7).
Sub used: Eoghan Shanley Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s.
Squad Members: Adrian Shortt Aughavas, Jack Faulkner Glencar/Manorhamilton, Aaron Moran Aughavas, Caolan McDermott Fenagh St Caillin’s, Darragh Fallon Drumkeerin, James Murphy Cloone, Shane Wrynn Leitrim Gaels, James Wrynn Fenagh St Caillin’s, Cormac White Mohill, Tom Reel Gortletteragh, Cathal McGourty Allen Gaels, Hugh Clancy Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher, Jamie McLoughlin St Patrick’s Dromahair.