Leitrim Senior Football Team Sponsorship Announcement

JP Clarke’s Saloon McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY

Leitrim GAA is delighted to announce, on County Senior and Intermediate Finals day, that JP Clarke’s Saloon, McLean Avenue, Yonkers, New York, will be the new sponsor of the Leitrim Senior Football team, taking over from the Bush Hotel which has been the main sponsor of county teams since it was announced at Convention in December 2009. The sponsorship deal is for three years, commencing in January 2019 to coincide with the start of the Connacht FBD Insurance Competition and Allianz Football League.

JP Clarke’s has been a home base for travelling Leitrim teams and supporters since Leitrim’s first Connacht championship match against New York in 2003 and also on the more recent trips of 2008, 2013 and 2018. The Leitrim players and management have been hugely impressed with the welcome and hospitality they have received over the years, and would like to take this opportunity to thank Seamus and Caitríona Clarke and their staff for all their help and generosity during our visits.

While it is unique for a county team to have a sponsor from the USA, it also reflects the strong connection between Leitrim and New York, and especially the ties between Leitrim and the Woodlawn/Yonkers section of New York which is often referred to as ‘Little Leitrim’.

When asked what sponsoring the Leitrim team means to him, Seamus Clarke replied, ‘Well, I suppose the Bard of Ballycarry put it best when he wrote: “The savage loves his native shore though rude the soil and chill the air.” It’s a great honor for me and all of us here at JP Clarke’s to sponsor our county and to show our appreciation for the support and loyalty shown to us by our Leitrim customers and the many Leitrim visitors who drop in to visit us each year.’

Seamus Clarke hails from the parish of Gortletteragh and his wife Caitríona, a Drumshanbo native, is the daughter of the late Leo Kenny who served as an officer of Leitrim GAA and the Connacht GAA Council for a long number of years. He held the position of Leas Uachtarán of Comhairle Connacht before his untimely death in 2000. Caitríona’s brother Padraig won a Connacht SFC medal with Leitrim in 1994.

Leitrim GAA looks forward to a fruitful partnership with JP Clarke’s and we look forward to mutual success. We thank Seamus and Caitriona Clarke for the confidence they have placed in us and we will carry their brand onto the field of play with pride over the period 2019-2021.

The new sponsorship brings to a conclusion the Bush Hotel sponsorship of Leitrim GAA teams over the best part of the past decade. Joe Dolan and Family came on board in 2009 and over the intervening years, the Bush Hotel has been synonymous with the Leitrim GAA brand. Leitrim GAA will always remain grateful to this family for digging most deeply into their pockets over the past nine years, many of which years have seen the country in the depths of a recession and grappling with austerity measures. To contribute as they did in times as we have referred to is a huge testimony to the generosity of the Dolans and their hotel business and Leitrim GAA wishes to place this on permanent record as a statement of our grateful appreciation. Many thanks, Joe, Rosie and all the Dolan family and indeed to your very professional staff for the huge generosity of support and the courtesy you have always afforded us. It has been the utmost pleasure to have been in partnership with you. We wish you and the Bush Hotel the very best in the future and we also look forward to supporting your business in whatever way we can.

Leitrim Supporters pictured outside JP Clarke’s in May 2003

 

Fenagh Cup-the most sought after Prize in Leitrim Club Football.

First presented in 1966 the Fenagh Cup has since rested in Aughawillan for the winters of 1976, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1992, 1993,1994, 2014 and 2016. Aughawillan, then trading under the banner of Kiltyhugh won their first title in 1923. Mohill who previously won titles in 1890, 1914 and 1929 got to harbour the Fenagh Cup for the winters of 1971, 2006, 2015 and 2017. Where will it spend the winter of 2018? Throw in is at 3pm tomorrow in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. The Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship Final is preceded by the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Final between Annaduff and Fenagh St. Caillin’s at 1pm.

Fenagh Cup

Latest Handball News

Connacht 60×30 Finals – Leitrim handballers were involved in two Connacht finals at the weekend, Intermediate singles, and Junior doubles, In the Intermediate final Martin Raftery came up against Galway’s Kevin Craddock. The Galway man completely dominated both games, defeating Martin 21-9, 21-3. The Junior pairing of Leo Logan and Jamie Murray fared no better in the Junior final, coming up against a strong Roscommon pairing of Denis Creaton and Sean Jennings, losing on a score line of 21-7, 21-4. Those finals were played in Williamstown and Collooney respectfully.

Fenagh Handball Club hosted its first All-Ireland Finals on Sunday, the Ladies Intermediate Final (Roscommon v Westmeath) and the Emerald Masters Final (Sligo v Westmeath). The Ladies final was won by Roscommon’s Fiona Tully 7-21, 21-20, 21-9, while the Emerald Masters was won by Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy Snr 21-3, 21-11.
Pictured after The All-Ireland 60×30 Ladies Intermediate Final are Aoife McCarthy and Fiona Tully.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Junior Doubles Final are Sean Jennings, Denis Creaton, Leo Logan and Jamie Murray.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Intermediate Final are Martin Raftery and Kevin Craddock.

Connacht Gold SFC and Smith Monumentals IFC Finals Information

The stage is set for our County Senior and Intermediate Finals on Sunday next in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. The Connacht Gold SFC Final brings together the two best championship teams of the past five seasons. Between them, Aughawillan (2014 and 2016) and Mohill (2015 and 2017) have shared the last four titles and Sunday’s battle will crown the better championship team in their best of five years mini-series. It should be some contest and one that is eagerly awaited!

The Smith Monumentals IFC decider brings together Annaduff and Fenagh St Caillin’s who have proved to be the best teams in this year’s competition. Annaduff, energised in 2018 following their relegation from senior ranks in 2017 will be determined for an immediate return to senior ranks and Fenagh St Caillin’s, who have had brilliant underage success over the most recent part of the last decade, will be hoping to continue their upward curve. It will be a fascinating duel.

Smith Monumentals IFC Final at Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada 1.00pm 

Annaduff v Fenagh St Caillin’s

Referee: Kevin Mallon (Bornacoola)

Connacht Gold SFC Final at Pairc Seán Mac Diarmada 3.00pm 

Aughawillan v Mohill

Referee: Patrick Guckian (Fenagh St Caillin’s)

Admission Charges

Adults €20

Students/OAP €15

Under 16 Free

 

Provincial Hurling Coaching Workshop 13th October 2018

National Hurling Development
Provincial Coaching Workshops 2018
October 13th
. Connacht Centre of Excellence, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
Registration: 10.30 a.m. Workshop: 11.00 – 01.20 p.m. Lunch 01.30 p.m.

Format: Practical station based workshop with participants rotating to each station.
Target audience – Youth – Adult Coaches. Open to all coaches – Hurling & Camogie
Workshop Theme – Building the Essentials into Every Training Session:
To include –

 Goalkeeping essentials
 Catching & Striking
 Hooking & Blocking
 Rising & Hand passing
 Defending & Attacking

Coaches: Lead coaches for the day will be 3-5 coaches from the following list of well-known players /
coaches depending on availability. Confirmation closer to the date:

Jamesie O’ Connor, Seanie Mc Mahon, Christy O’ Connor – Clare
D.J. Carey, – Kilkenny
Ollie Canning – Galway
Eamon O’ Shea -Tipperary
Derek McGrath – Waterford
Martin Fogarty: – National Hurling Development Manager
Special Guest: – Kate Kelly – Wexford
Bookings: http://learning.gaa.ie/hurlingworkshops
Early booking advisable as places are limited
Enquiries: All enquiries to Martin Fogarty.
Email: martin.fogarty@gaa.ie
Registration: €20 (includes lunch)

Provincial Workshops Flyer 2018 Connacht

The Late Jim Meehan, Station Road, Dromahair, St Patrick’s Dromahair GAA Club and Leitrim GAA.

The death occurred earlier today of Assistant Treasurer of Leitrim GAA Jim Meehan, Station Road, Dromahair, after an illness bravely borne. The Dromahair native was one of the hardest workers behind the scenes of Leitrim GAA over a number of decades and his passing will be deeply felt by all that knew him and they were many across the county, province and indeed in national circles. He was an ever-present at Leitrim matches, no matter where they took place and indeed his love of the GAA involved a constant involvement in the activities of his beloved Dromahair. A former player with Dromahair, Jim would have played through the 1970s and 1980s and was an accomplished goalkeeper with 1976 Junior Championship winning team. As his playing days came to a close he contributed to the officialdom of matches and served a term as a referee. He was also at hand to assist his club in coaching, as a selector and in managerial roles across many grades and age groups from underage to senior in the decades that followed and the fortunes of St Patrick’s Dromahair were always closest to his heart. He served his club in many official roles in the years that followed and is a former Club Treasurer, Secretary, and Chairman. His contribution to his club in fundraising ventures over all his years has been phenomenal and he was the most influential driving force in the efforts to raise funds to improve the playing facilities at Dromahair GAA.

As a fundraiser extraordinaire for both club and county, it would be impossible to quantify the amount of money that Jim has raised for both organisations. It was no surprise, given his ability to fundraise that Jim was elected as Treasurer of Leitrim GAA for 2002. Over the following 6 years, Jim worked tirelessly on behalf of Leitrim GAA, an era which coincided with the development of the new stand at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada and the purchase of the grounds that have since been developed into the Centre of Excellence. Jim’s financial prudence contributed greatly towards the realisation of these projects which will serve Leitrim GAA over many generations.
Jim also combined his Leitrim GAA Treasury role with that of Connacht GAA and held both roles simultaneously over the period 2004-2006 which was a huge undertaking but one didn’t faze him. Following his role as Treasurer with Leitrim GAA, Jim took on the role of Leitrim’s Central Council delegate, a position he held from 2008-12. He returned to Connacht Council GAA as Leitrim’s delegate following the conclusion of his five year Central Council term and represented Leitrim at provincial from 2013-17. Last December he became Assistant Treasurer of Leitrim GAA at its Annual Convention. Over many years Jim also took charge of the kitting out of county panels and was essentially the county’s go-to man when county players’ gear was required.

Away from the officialdom and the formality that such roles can require, Jim was a lifetime presence around the longest fundraising venture that Leitrim GAA has organised. The annual Supporters Club Draw, which has been on the go since 1986 has had Jim Meehan as one of its staunchest allies. It would be hard for people to appreciate the amount of time, effort and repetitive selling that Jim Meehan has put into this fundraiser over the best part of its existence. One image is quite clear, if you saw Jim reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket anytime from the end of January towards the middle of March you could be sure that you were going to be relieved of the fee for the annual Supporters Club membership! The Supporters Club Tickets were his constant companion over that period of any given year! It is a fact that possibly a majority of people feel less than comfortable selling tickets, Jim thrived on it and his hardy customers, and you can be assured they were many, gave willingly such was Jim’ s approach to the job. At the most recent Leitrim GAA Supporters Club Draw in March 2018, we were all delighted to see Jim present, despite his illness, to oversee the final installment of this year’s event. He was a constant member of the steering committee, holding various officer roles over many years in this fundraising drive. Suffice it to say, future Leitrim GAA Supporters Club fundraising will be at challenged to replace Jim’s constant cajoling, drive and ultimately his selling power.
Away from the GAA, Jim was essentially a family man who found the time, despite his many GAA commitments to operate a busy farm. He will be sorely missed by his wife Chrissie, who was his constant companion at all GAA events, sons Fergus, Kevin and Kieran. He will also be sadly missed by his sisters Kathleen, Della, Gay, Ena, Noeleen and Geroadine, daughters-in-law Patricia, Nicola and Sarah, grandchildren Amy, Thomas, Amelia, Aishling and Michael, relatives and friends. We at Leitrim GAA convey our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends, far and wide.

Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at his home on Thursday from 1pm to 3pm and from 5pm to 9.30pm, also on Friday from 10am to 12 noon. House private thereafter. Removal on Friday to St Mary’s Church, Killenummery, for funeral Mass at 4pm. Burial afterwards in Carrowcrin Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to North West Hospice.

Jim Meehan RIP

2019 Gaeltacht Grants

Leitrim GAA County Committee in conjunction with Leitrim County Council is offering grants for attendance at Gaeltacht courses to Leitrim boys and girls as part of their promotion of an Ghaeilge. These grants are open to boys and girls living in County Leitrim.

Some of the grants are part-sponsored by Gaeltacht colleges. In the case of cash grants, when students return they can claim their grant money on production of evidence of having successfully completed the course.

Application forms can be printed from the Leitrim GAA website www.leitrimgaa.ie by searching Gaeltacht Scholarships 2019 or can be had had from the Secretary of any GAA club.

Beidh na hiarratais le fáil i ngach meanscoil sa Chontae freisin

The closing date for applications is Friday 26 October 2018.

2019 Scoláireachtaí Application Forms

 

INTO/GAA Mini 7s Finals in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada

A 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

Pitch One Pitch Two
Leitrim NS  v Annaduff NS Drumkeerin NS  v Fenagh NS
Annaduff NS v Drumkeerin NS Leitrim NS v Fenagh NS
Leitrim NS  v Drumkeerin NS Annaduff NS v  Fenagh NS

GIRLS Thursday 4/10/18 at 11.00                     

Pitch One Pitch Two
Kinlough NS v Drumcong NS Gaelscoil Liatroma v Fenagh NS
Drumcong NS  v Gaelscoil Liatroma Kinlough NS  v Fenagh NS
Kinlough NS  v Gaelscoil Liatroma Drumcong NS v Fenagh NS

 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

Recently 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

Help 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

Due 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

The 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