The GAA are delighted to announce today (Wednesday the 17th of December) a relationship with Google to implement a series of technology projects across the Association.

 

As part of the GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015, communicating more effectively with all internal and external audiences was idenitifed as a key priority. The GAA together with its new technology partner Google will help to realise this aim by providing access to email, calenders and online tools which will encourage greater communication and sharing of information between different GAA groups.

 

The implementation, which will be supported by Baker Security and Networks, will initially see the development of a more effective and easy to use email system. The second phase will involve the creation of an intranet site to enable club, county and provincial officers, as well as staff, to communicate more effectively with Croke Park and each other. The final phase will see the redevelopment of the GAA web site using the latest technologies from Google to enable our Association to deliver current and relevant information to all our members and the public in a modern and user friendly manner.

 

"We are delighted to be working with Google, a world leader in web technologies and web enabled solutions. This relationship ensures that the GAA can now utilise world class technologies to enable enhanced communications and sharing of information between individuals, our units at all levels plus the general public." stated President of the GAA Nickey Brennan.

 

"The GAA has a wealth of information and knowledge which has beenÓgathered by its members over many years," said John Herlihy, Vice-President Google EMEA. "Its important that the sharing of information, both old and new, is encouraged so that the GAA can continue to evolve. Technology, and in particular the internet, can make it easier for members to communicate with each other and access advice, experiences and initiatives held by other groups. Were very excited to be taking part in the creation of a more cohesive and interactive GAA for existing and future members."

 

In developing this important partnership with Google, the GAA is ensuring that it remains the leading sporting and cultural organisation in Ireland by maximising the latest technologies to deliver quality information and support services to everyone. Work will commence early in the New Year and will be rolled out throughout 2009.

 

 

 

17-Dec-08 by GAA.ie

Next Sundays Leitrim GAA County Board Convention promises to be a quiet affair if the lack of elections and nominations tabled for the end of year review in the Bush Hotel is anything to go by.

In the nominations for post on the Executive, there is only two elections on the cards, although neither may take place. Bord na nÓg Chairman Dan Gallogly and Games Promotion Officer Thomas Keenan are nominated for the position of Youth Officer but Keenan, as a GPO, may not be able to take on the job.

Allen Gaels Martin McGowan and Annaduffs Kevin Ludlow are nominated for the post of Coaching Officer although outgoing officer McGowan has indicated he will be standing down from the post due to his commitments with the County Senior Football team.

In terms of motions, it is also relatively quiet although the fall-out from the Appeals and Counter Appeals which held up this years Senior Championship is evident in a Sean OHeslins motion seeking that where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or a unit, the member or unit shall be notified and may attend any hearing requested by the accused and also have the ability to give evidence or call witnesses.

OHeslins are also seeking that the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals be played two weeks earlier than currently fixed to free up time for club championships while OHeslins and Bornacoola are also seeking that no club games be fixed for the day of the All-Ireland Football Final.

In regard to the U-21 Championship, Aughnasheelin have called for a review of the timing of the Under 21 Championship, which they say, is being under valued by being played at the end of the year.

The following are some of the motions:

Congress

Motion 1 – That Central Council should arrange that the All Ireland Football and Hurling Finals be played 2 weeks before they are currently fixed to free up more time for Club Championships – Sean OHeslins

Motion 2 – That the following additions be made to Rial 147 TO 2008:

(i) In a case where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or unit, that member or unit shall be notified of and may attend and may give evidence at any hearing requested by the accused.The unit shall be furnished with copy extracts of Official Records or Documents relevant to the case in the possession of the Director General, Provincial or County Secretary or the Council or Committee in Charge upon written application.

(ii) In a case where an alleged infraction has taken place against a member or unit, that member or unit may call witnesses to give evidence on its behalf and it is its own responsibility to secure the attendance of such witnesses – Sean OHeslins

Competition Motions

That no Adult Football fixtures be made by CCC Liatroma on the Saturday preceding and the day of the All Ireland Football Final – Sean OHeslins

Competitions Recommendations

Recommendation 1

The Committee-in-charge of fixtures (CCC) should identify a weekend at a time when no championship match is played and players duly can plan to take annual holidays if they so wish – Bornacoola

Recommendation 2

The Committee-in-charge of fixtures (CCC) shall not arrange any adult football fixtures for the day of the All-Ireland Football final – Bornacoola

Recommendation 3

That the incoming CCC take a serious look at the U21 Championship and timing of same. It is an important competition and is been under valued by placing it at the very end of the year – Aughnasheelin.

The following are the nominations:

President: Michael McGowan (Melvin Gaels)

Chairman: Gerry McGovern (Cloone).

Vice-Chairman: Peter Flynn (Aughnasheelin)

Secretary: Declan Bohan (Bornacoola).

Asst. Secretary: Collette Fox (Glencar/Manor).

Treasurer: John Mulvey (Ballinaglera).

Asst. Treasurer: John Keenan (Gortletteragh).

Development Officer: P.J. Meehan (Kiltubrid).

Coaching Officer: Martin McGowan (Allen Gaels), Kevin Ludlow (Annaduff).

Oifigeach Cultúra agus Teanga: Sean O Suilleabhain (Sean Ui Eislin)

Youth Officer: Dan Gallogly (Sean OHeslins), Tomas Keenan (Gortletteragh)

PRO: Brendan Doyle (Kiltubrid).

Connacht Council:(2) Seamus Prior (Aughnasheelin) & Joe Flynn (St. Marys).

Central Council: Jim Meehan (Dromahair)

Connacht AGM: (4) Gerry McGovern, Declan Bohan, John Mulvey, Michael McGowan, P.J. Meehan.

Congress: (3) Gerry McGovern, Declan Bohan, John Mulvey, Pat Feehily (Glencar/Manor), Brendan Doyle (Kiltubrid); Faoi 21(1) None.

 

 

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

 

04-Dec-08 by LeitrimObserver.ie

The GAA has confirmed that following a meeting of its Central Council that the fixtures for the Allianz GAA Football and Hurling National Leagues have been confirmed.

Leitrims Allianz National Football League fixtures have had some minor changes.  The London game is confirmed for 1pm while the Antrim game is changed from Saturday to Sunday March 8th.  The schedule of games in Division 4 for Leitrim are as follows: 

Rd 1   01.02.09 (Sun) – 1:00pmLondon – Away
Rd 2   08.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Carlow – Home
Rd 3   15.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Sligo – Away

Rd 4   08.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Antrim – Home
Rd 5   15.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Wicklow – Home
Rd 6   22.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Waterford – Away
Rd 7   29.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Kilkenny – Away

Rd 8   12.04.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Clare – Home
Rd 9   18.04.09 (Sun) Leitrim  bye

 

Leitrim have 4 home and 4 away games this year and the season opens in London on Feb 1st.  Leitrim have a bye in the last round so therefore will need to have all the work done leading into the last game which is in round 8.

 

The Hurlers Division 4 schedule is as follows:

Rd 1   08.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – South Down – Away
Rd 2   15.02.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Sligo – Home
Rd 3   01.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Monaghan – Away
Rd 4   22.03.09 (Sun) – 2:30pm – Cavan – Home
Rd 5   29.03.09 (Sun) – 2.30pm – Fermanagh – Home

The Hurlers have 3 home and 2 away games and their first game is away to Down on Feb 8th. 

 

 

 

26-Nov-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

The Leitrim community in Dublin lost one of the proudest sons when Frank Quinn (Cloone) passed away on Thursday 6th November 2008.

Frank resided with his wife Bridie and family in Rathfarnham Dublin. Frank never forgot his Leitrim roots and passed on a great love of the county to his sons and daughters. In the Leitrim tradition, Franks remains reposed at his home on Friday night where a large circle of friends paid their respects. The Quinn family were especially welcoming to members of the Leitrim Peoples Association and the Leitrim GAA .

Pride of place alongside his remains were pictures of the teams on which he played, Cloone and the 1958 Leitrim team.

 

Frank played on the great Leitrim team of the fifties and was also honoured by been selected on the winning Connacht Railway Cup panel in 1957 with Packy McGarty, Noel Blessing & Columba Cryan. Over his Leitrim playing career Frank played at full back, centre field & full forward and his favourite position of right corner back. The no 2 Leitrim jersey & a jersey from his home club Cloone draped his coffin.

 

Frank also played in the famous 1958 Connacht Final against Galway when Leitrim lost on a score line of 2-10 to 1-11. Peadar O Brien of the Irish Press wrote in his match report ‘ Oh what a wonderful hour of football glory for 15 gallant Leitrim men . The Longford Leader match report by ‘Breffni stated ‘never have I seen a defeated side leave the field of play with so much glory as did this gallant Leitrim team which contributed to one of the most thrilling Connacht final ever witnessed.

Frank Quinn was one of the greats of Leitrim football. May he rest in peace.

 

 

12-Nov-08 by Eamonn Duignan

GAA and Loyal and Supportive Leitrim Fans raise €6,464 for local GAA Clubs & Schools!
Nationally, €3.4m raised for Grassroots GAA over past four years

The love for, and pride in, the GAA, which is shared by GAA fans across Leitrim is responsible for raising €6,464 for grassroots GAA in the county between January and June of this year! Leitrim earned 8% of the total Connaught payout, narrowly beaten by neighbours Sligo who took 9%.

Over the past four years, the GAA and Leitrim fans have earned a total of €55,174 for the local Association!

"It is only due to the support and loyalty of the members of the Leitrim Association and the GAA itself, whose commitment to this project is invaluable, that we have been able to raise such a large sum," says Ciaran Doyle, General Manager, Gaelic Telecom. "Working with the fans and the Association, we, as the official telecoms partner to the GAA, are incredibly proud of the funds raised so far and hope they have made a real difference to clubs and schools in the county."

Nationally, the GAA and its exceptionally loyal and supportive fans have raised €3.4m for GAA clubs and schools over the past four years! The innovative but simple scheme sees 15% of call costs being donated back to customers preferred club or school, while at the same time saving them money on their home phone and Broadband bills. All 32 County Boards support the scheme, which sees 2,500 Clubs around the country receive cheques from Gaelic Telecom twice a year.

Nickey Brennan, President of the GAA, comments, "On behalf of all our members, I would once again like to thank Gaelic Telecom and its customers for their ongoing support of GAA Clubs and Schools nationwide. This significant continuous investment at grassroots level is vital to the organisation and I would urge all GAA members to consider signing up to this initiative and helping us to maximise this great funding opportunity."

Between January and June of this year, a total of €520,000 was raised by Gaelic Telecom customers. All Provinces showed great growth and while Cork, Dublin and Tyrone were the highest earners nationally, Armagh, Derry and Fermanagh showed the highest growth on the same period in 2007. The total raised by the 6 Northern Counties during the same period was €110,143. And they are now earning over 62% of the total Ulster payout.

Francis White, Runai of Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher comments:
‘"Were a small rural club so this cheque goes a long way towards training our underage teams. Over the next couple of years we are planning a major pitch development, so we encourage as many of our members as possible to support us by joining Gaelic Telecom and thanks to all those who already have."

Ciaran Doyle concludes, "Remember, behind each payment to a Club or School, there is a list of ordinary members and supporters who have made this cheque possible by joining Gaelic Telecom. I encourage other Leitrim GAA fans to join with us inÓgenerating even more funds for grassroots GAA locally."

For more information on gaelic Telecom visit www.gaelictelecom.ie

 

 

13-Oct-08 by GaelicTelecom.ie

Some of Leitrims best-known footballers joined forces with leading youth organisation SpunOut.ie last week to encourage young people to speak about their problems.

Inter-county stars Emlyn Mulligan, Barry Prior and Colin Regan all feature on a new video produced by SpunOut.ie that can be watched online talking about mental health and well being.
The video, which has been released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on October 10, was made to encourage Leitrims young people, and in particular young men, to vocalize any problems that they may have.

Speaking at the launch of the video last Thursday in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim stalwart Colin Regan outlined the importance of communication.  "If you bottle up your feelings, then your emotions and tough situations can seem overwhelming. Dont try to manÓge everything by yourself. Try and talk to someone. There are people willing to help you get through any situation. SpunOut.ie is a great resource to find this help."

Local SpunOut.ie representative Ian Howley (24), who himself went through depression and suicided attempts in his teens, explained why the organization sought the help of local GAA stars for their latest campaign.

"A partnership with the Leitrim GAA was specifically set up to target young men who find it hard to talk about their problems. There is this perception that if you are seen to have problems or worries, that you are weak. This is not the case. Everyone goes through tough times at some stage in their lives and today we are encouraging young people and especially young males to speak up. "

SpunOut.ie can be accessed via the internet and mobile phones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website provides 100s of factsheets on all aspects of youth health, lifestyle and citizenship including drugs, alcohol, sexual health, mental health, environment, work and education.

Click on the new YouTube facility on the right to play the SpunOut Video featuring the 3 lads.

 

 

09-Oct-08 by LeitrimPost.com

It is with great regret that Leitrim GAA hears of the death a past president of the county board and one of our greatest supporters Teresa Bohan. Teresa served as president of Coiste Chontae Liatroma from 2002 for 3 years until 2004.

Eamonn Duignan, Chairman of the Leitrim Supporters Club and friend of the Bohan family sums up Teresas dedication to the GAA:

"It is with great sadness I learn of the death of Teresa Bohan. As youngsters growing up in Mohill she came to all our matches from U 12 to senior, inÓgood weather & bad. She travelled to a lot of matches in my fathers car and in later years was my mothers companion to both club and county matches. After club matches whether you played well or not she bought you a 99 in Pauls. She could be depended upon to defend her team if they played well or not. In her long life supporting both Mohill & Leitrim she saw as many defeats as victories but was never discouraged. She was a source of inspiration to everyone who played football in both the Mohill & Leitrim Colours. May she rest in peace."

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

 

 

 

07-Oct-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

News Item Updated at 1:00pm

Last night (Tuesday) Coiste Chontae Liatroma, through its Competitions Control Committee, appeared before the Central Appeals Committee in Croke Park to appeal the result of Coiste Eisteachta Connacht (Connacht Council Hearings committee) decision from 8 days earlier.

The original Connacht Hearings Committee appeal was brought about following an objection by Sean Ui Eislin regarding the result of the Liatroma SFC Quarter Final Replay between Naomh Muire v Sean Ui Eislin played on Saturday Sept. 6th.

The Central Appeals Committee have made known their decision today and the appeal by Coiste Chontae Liatroma has been upheld.

As a result of this decision , i.e. that the result of the replayed game stands, Leitrim CCC will meet tonight (Wednesday) to schedule the remainder of the Senior Championship including the semifinal betweenÓglencar/Manor v St Marys.

The rescheduled fixtures will made available tomorrow on this website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24-Sep-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Congratulations to Fergal McGill on his recent appointment in Croke Park from all in Leitrim GAA.

The following Press release was issued this afternoon from Croke Park:

The GAA has confirmed the appointment of Mr Feargal Mc Gill as its Operations Manager. Mr Mc Gill takes up the role having spent six and a half years as Information and Publications officer for the Association. A member of the Bornacoola GAA club in Co Leitrim, Mr Mc Gill will work directly with the Ard Stiúrthóir in the effective management of his responsibilities and will also have responsibility for Player Welfare matters.

 

 

23-Sep-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Both Mickey Moran and John Morrison visited Leitrim yesterday for the first time in their role of Senior management team and spent a very busy 5 hours in Carrick as they held a press conference and kept a careful eye on both the Intermediate & Senior quarterfinals in addition to carrying out other duties.  They are very happy with the way the day went and are looking forward to more frequent visits over the coming weeks. 

We have had a huge response to the radio interview podcasts and have recorded a large number of downloads, we would like to thank both OceanFM and Shannonside FM for the use of their material. 

In this news item were including a clipping from a news article that was published last week in the Irish Post which gives the northern perspective to the appointments.

 

"Moran answers call "

After two years out of the inter-county scene, Mickey Moran has relented to Leitrim’s pleadings and agreed to become their Manager.

Eamonn O’Hara meets a man looking forward to a new challenge.

A QUARTER past eight in the AM, breakfast served and Mickey Moran fields the first of a stream of telephone calls. The handset hardly has time to cool before the next ringtone goes off.

Yesterday’s morning news confirms Leitrim football has secured the former All-Ireland SFC title-winning coach as their senior team Manager, an appointment described as ‘the biggest Managerial announcement since John O’Mahony took over the county in the early 1990s’.

Moran’s right hand man, John Morrison, is an integral part of the deal brokered, Morrison having been part of his management teams for a year at Donegal, three years at Derry and while Moran managed Mayo to Connacht success.

After two seasons away from the melting pot of inter-county football – during which time he guided Jordanstown to back-to-back Sigerson Cup finals and Sigerson victory this year – Moran said he felt recharged and ready to take the plunge again.

It was a difficult decision, he admitted, but the relentless determination of Leitrim’s chairManagerry McGovern and his county board to convince him he was their number one target for a successor to Dessie Dolan, finally won him and Morrison over.

“I basically got a call from him a couple of weeks ago. He was very persuasive and insistent, was very honest, very open and I said to him that John and myself would meet him personally but that there were no guarantees,” said Mickey.

“We met with other county board members then as well. We felt that they appreciated our coaching abilities, especially John’s.

“We explained that we had to consider the travel and everything else involved and, to begin with, I was reluctant.”

Leitrim’s officials refused to take no for an answer, kept in regular contact and last Saturday all parties agreed to meet again.

Moran and Morrison left convinced a move back to the west was the right one to go for.

A specially convened county executive management committee meeting on Monday night put its stamp of approval on the appointments.

However, accepting the challenge comes at a price, said Moran, as “reluctantly” he has decided to step down from his post with Sigerson Cup champions UUJ and he will end his management commitment to Antrim club Creggan Kickhams at the end of the domestic campaign.

“I did stay with Jordanstown when I was with Mayo and during my time at Sligo, but I’ve decided that I will step down,” he said.

“It is a bit of a pull but I think you have to be serious about it and I am going to cut all other ties to give this a proper chance.

“At the end of the year I will also step down from my position at Creggan after two seasons that I enjoyed every minute of."

“I suppose John and myself felt we had a couple of years left to give. Our names were being bandied about all over the place, in speculation all the time, and the same last year, but I was more sort of reticent than John about it.

“Leitrim’s county board were very open about what they wanted, were very frank and
honest and that took us back to the beginnings when we were at Sligo. We looked at everything about Leitrim, assessed their facilties at Carrick on Shannon and Cloone, looked at the other situations and John and myself agreed that here’s a place we feel wanted and that there’s a challenge.

“We felt that Leitrim was the right place to go to, the place to go and do it and enjoy the challenge. Leitrim people are very genuine people and it’s obvious everyone is pulling together, the board, the players, the sponsors, they have a great relationship, and with the supporters.

“We felt appreciated in terms of our coaching abilities and they have a vision of where they want to go.”

Moran and Morrison inherit a young and progressive squad that under-achieved this year in the NFL, stalling high hopes of Division Three promotion with early defeats to Longford, Louth and Fermanagh.

In the Championship they lost narrowly, again, to Galway in the Connacht semi-finals and went out to Wicklow at the penultimate stage of the Tommy Murphy Cup.

In prolific marksman Emlyn Mulligan (0-21 SFC, 1-12 Tommy Murphy Cup, 2-34 NFL) Moran has a top-rated young forward to develop an improved attack around for the 2009 tasks and tests. He believes the potential is there to move Leitrim forward to the next level.

“Dessie Dolan had a good young squad and the board feel that with a bit of work they could hopefully get over the line,” he said.

“They have good facilities, have spent millions of euro on Carrick-on-Shannon, are very competitive and hopefully the squad can adapt to our game plan and we can get a bit more out of them. We are excited about it and looking forward to the challenge.”

In Leitrim the capture of Moran and Morrison is being billed a “major coup”. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

Time for a fresh brew perhaps before the next call.

A busy season back on the circuit awaits this established double act and county number five for the former All-Ireland winner and his right-hand man.

 

 

01-Sep-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Leitrim GAA scored a major coup last Monday evening when they appointed the highly sought after Mickey Moran as the new Manager of the County Senior team and installed coaching guru John Morrison by his side.

The appointment of the duo was unanimously approved by a special meeting of the County Board in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada last Monday and County Board Chairman Gerry McGovern was understandably delighted by the appointment of the former Derry, Donegal, Mayo and Sligo Manager to the post vacated by Dessie Dolan.

"Im absolutely delighted to be announcing that the Leitrim team Manager for 2009 will be Mickey Moran, accompanied by John Morrison," Gerry told the Observer. "Mickey was the first choice of our management committee and his pedigree as a team Manager is well known. He is highly respected as a team Manager, probably one of the best in the county.

"John Morrison, on the other hand, is a Master Coach, there are very few of them in the country and we are absolutely delighted to have them on board and they are looking forward to working with Leitrim as well.

"Initially, they have been appointed for a one year term. Well see how one year goes but we know from talking to them that if it works out, I have no doubt that they will be available to us for other years," added Gerry who revealed that both men will be in attendance at the Club Championship games in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada next Sunday afternoon.

The news that Moran and Morrison were appointed took many by surprise but Gerry revealed that the Ulster pair were impressed by the ambition of the County Board – "We were on the ball, we were first in. It wasnt a case of having to force them to come to the county, they would see Leitrim as having potential.

"Mickey and John were both in charge of Mayo for two years when they came to Carrick-on-Shannon and they said that they never got a fright like it. They would feel there is great potential and they are pretty confident they can improve this team big time.

"They are not coming for the craic, I can assure you. They are coming with the ambition to win a Connacht title, secondly to get promotion from Division Four but they also want to see Leitrim playing in Croke Park."

Gerry also revealed that both men would be heavily involved in a major revamping of the Coaching and Development of football in Leitrim – "Our ambition is to provide the very best for Leitrim players. We are trying to provide the very best training facilities and the best player accommodation and I think it is important that we provide a top quality management team and a coaching system that will improve the skills of the players.

"We have spent a lot of time in developing facilities but I think it is important that we develop the skills of the footballers in the county and this applies from underage up," said Gerry who added that both Moran and Morrison will work with all County teams as well as with club coaches around the county.

Both men will jump straight into the job and Gerry revealed that they visited the County last weekend to inspect training venues and were impressed with the facilities on offer in Cloone. Both men would be attending club games extensively in the coming months and would hope to organise a development panel for back-up players.

"They want to see all club football and if anybody thinks there is somebody in the county who is of the standard required, they want to hear about them," concluded Gerry who added that a Leitrim based selector will be appointed and they hope to start holding trial games in October.

 

 

27-Aug-08 by LeitrimObserver.ie

At last nights special County Board meeting a vote of sympathy was passed for the late Michael Poinard.  Both of Michaels sons play hurling for the county as does his daughter Mary who is involved with the Ladies.  Michael is also a past hurler of the county team when he played as corner back in the 1970s.

To his wife Bernie, Sons Michael, David, Peter and his daughter Mary we offer our deepest sympathies.

May he rest in peace.  

 

 

26-Aug-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO