| Ladies Inter-County Activity 1999 |
|---|
National League
In 1999 Leitrim played again in Division 2 of the National League but found the going difficult from the start when they suffered a heavy defeat to Kerry in their opening match played in October of 1998. Another defeat to Dublin in the second game before the Christmas break and things were looking bleak for the new season. Only one win against Donegal and defeats to Louth, Westmeath and Tyrone ensured relegation back to the Junior League for 2000.
Championship
Despite the poor league campaign , efforts for the championship were intensified during the summer and all eyes were once again on the main prize which was a Connacht title. Leitrim were drawn in the semi final against Galway and having a good record against their opponents, hopes were high of reaching the final. They did not disappoint and recorded a comprehensive 3 - 17 to 1- 6 win in Dunmore against the westerners. The final on 15th August was played in perfect conditions in Carrick on Shannon against Roscommon, the holders and All Ireland finalists of 1998. The arrival of the countdown clock to Carrick created enormous interest in the game locally which was also broadcast live on local radio. Leitrim dominated the first half and led by three points at the break. A goal for Leitrim gave them a big boost mid way through the second half but Roscommon to their credit fought back well during the final quarter. Leitrim had to work hard to defend their lead and were rewarded with victory for their first Connacht title since 1988 when they achieved ultimate success in the All Ireland final. Player of the match Ann Marie Cox scored eight of the Leitrim points and captain Patricia Bohan lifted the Flanagan Oil cup to the delight of a big home support.
Two weeks later the team faced firm favourites Tyrone in Drumshanbo in the All Ireland Quarter final. This was a much closer match than many had anticipated with Leitrim just edged out by Tyrone who went on to defeat New York in the final. Despite the defeat a Connacht title was a just reward for a team that had the potential but not the experience over the previous couple of years. The management team of Pat Glancy, Noel Crossan and Miceal Tighe guided the team to this great win.
Leitrim Panel 1999: Patricia Bohan, Noeleen O'Rourke, Joanne Holohan, Teresa Moylett, Linda Tighe, Sinead Brennan, Mary McKeon, Maeve Quinn, Eimear McGlade, Naomi Lee, Eileen Colreavy, Ann Marie Cox, Lorna Diffley, Sinead Quinn, Deirdre Quinn, Emer Horan, Catriona Bohan, Carla Creegan, Emer Beirne, Caroline Egan, Orla Bohan, Tara McCabe, Sandra Brady, Regina Prior, Selina Shanley, Lorna McDermott, Lorraine McDermott, Catherine Dolan, Aisling Brennan.
Minor Championship
Leitrim did not participate in the minor championship.
Under 16 Championship
1999 proved very successful for the under 16 team who contested Leitrim's first under age final for a long number of years as wins over Roscommon and Sligo ensured a meeting with Galway in the final. In a match played in Ck-on Shannon on 21st July, Leitrim could not match the skill of an excellent Galway team and were comprehensively beaten.
Under 16 Panel: Evy Guckian (Annaduff), Louise Staunton, Lorna Diffley, Laura Diffley, Clare Duffy, Selina Shanley, Noelle Beirne, Caroline Howard (Bornacoola), Mary McKeon (Aughawillan), Pamela Nicholls, Tara McCabe, Louise Heslin, Paula McGovern (Cloone), Orla Heeran, Aine McPartland, Serena Harkin (Drumkeerin), Karen Reilly, Michelle Duffy (Gortletteragh), Aine Meehan, Naomi Lee, Emma Burke (Kiltubrid), Lorna McDermottt, Lorraine McDermott, Karen McGarry, Mary Duignan, Kerri Manning, Bernie Egan (Mohill), Sandra Brady, Catherine Dolan, Roisin Corrigan, Shiela Bohan (St Josephs).
Under 14 Championship
The under 14 team also competed well against Galway in the preliminary round but also had to give way to a superior performance by the home team.
Under 12
The following panel of players played at half time in the All Ireland quarter final against Tyrone: Emer Bracken (Kiltubrid), Mary McNulty (Aughnasheelin), Jade McTiernan, Mary Reynolds (Allen Gaels), Catriona Doonan, Orla Gaffney, Edel Murray (Fenagh), Ann Dolan, Mairead Cox (Annaduff), Aoife Bohan (Bornacoola), Elaine Rooney (Melvin Gaels), Mairead McMorrow (Dromahaire), Phyllis McGarry, Laura Reynolds (Mohill), Martina McCrann, Angela Monaghan (Cloone), Michelle Reynolds (Gortletteragh), Sinead Geoghegan (St Marys), Emma Connolly, Carmel McCartin (St Josephs).
All Star Nominations
Sinead Brennan and Ann Marie Cox were nominated for All Star Awards with Ann Marie receiving her second replacement award.
Interprovincials
A number of Leitrim players were selected on the Connacht team for the annual Interprovincial tournament played in Monaghan. Patricia Bohan, Maeve Quinn, Ann Marie Cox, Eimear McGlade and Sinead Brennan helped Connacht reach the championship final only to be defeated by 2-15 to 2-10 by Ulster. |
| Ladies Club Activity 1999 |
|---|
Within the county there was an obvious need to cater for players who had finished at under age level but were reluctant to play senior football for the existing clubs. A motion at convention was passed to introduce a junior grade of football to encourage more players to keep playing and entice "retired" players back into the sport. This proved a tremendous success with six teams entering a junior league. St Josephs which was an amalgamation of the parishes of Carrigallen and Aughavas defeated Bornacoola in the final by two points in a closely fought encounter. A goal two minutes from time ended an unbeaten Bornacoola run through the league campaign before a huge crowd in Cloone.
At senior level Aughawillan proved too strong for the other senior clubs and once again achieved the league and Championship double.
As in previous years all under age competitions were played on a league basis with semi finals or a straight final being played to determine the champions. Aughawillan won the minor title following a great battle with Kiltubrid with Cloone winning the under 16 final with an exciting close game with Bornacoola. Mohill and Annaduff were crowned under 14 and under 12 champions with comprehensive wins over neighbours Cloone and Mohill.
Connacht Club Championship
Aughawillan took part in the connacht club intermediate championship for the first time and defeated Kiltane of Mayo in the semi final by 1-12 to 2-5 in Aughawillan. The final against Kilkerrin/Clonbur was played in Aughawillan and the Galway teams abiltiy to score vital goals was the difference between the teams in the end with a 6-7 to 3-10 scoreline summing up the game.
Feile na nÓg
Mohill represented Leitrim at Feile na nÓg in Limerick having recorded two wins from three games and just narrowly failing to reach the final stages of the competition. Their host club was Rathkeale.
All-Ireland Weekend
Annaduff and Aughawillan took part in the All Iteland Sevens in St Vincents club while Bornacoola took part in the Junior competition. Sinead McWeeney, Sineas McLoughlin and Edel Beirne played in the under 12 exhibition at half time on All Ireland Final day in Croke Park. while Mary Shanley and Ann Marie Cox officiated at the finals. |
| 1999 Player of the Year Awards |
|---|
County Player: Maeve Quinn (Aughawillan)
Senior Club Player: Mary McKeon (Aughawillan)
Junior Club Player: Noeleen O'Rourke (Fenagh) |
| Leitrim Ladies County Board 1999 |
|---|
Chairperson: Patricia Bohan (Bornacoola)
Vice-Chairperson: Maeve Quinn (Aughawillan)
Secretary: Mary Glancy (St. Mary's)
Asst. Secretary: Mary Shanley (Annaduff)
Treasurer: Ann Marie Cox (Annaduff)
Asst. Treasurer: Maura Bohan (Kiltubrid)
PRO: Patricia Bohan (Bornacoola)
Registrar: Mary Flynn (St. Mary's)
Development Officer: Mary Quinn Fox (Aughawillan)
Culture and Language Officer: Mary Quinn Fox (Aughawillan) |
|
