Archive for category: Club Football

Anois teacht an Earraigh 

St. Brigid seems to get things moving. Her feast, on the first day of Spring, is a sort of a benchmark for brighter evenings, a return to growth and a general air of anticipation and hope. It is a time of optimism, when we trust that things must surely get better.

The footballers of Leitrim and Limerick will certainly be party to such thoughts. They know last year’s League and Championship are now just another part of GAA statistics, from now on it is a whole new ball game. We can all dare to dream.

Long odds are given by the bookies on either county bringing home Sam, even on nabbing a provincial crown, but heads won’t be down. It all starts on Sunday, the first step in really gauging their place in the pecking order. Two points would be a nice start in what is a very competitive Division IV of the Allianz League. No point in finishing mid-table, or worse still, towards the bottom. The only way is up. A step into Division III would be a nice little marker for the rest of the year and would make the bigger guns take notice. More importantly it would be a morale booster for the players who have been slogging it out in training over the past weeks, when the rest of us cosied up and flicked through the sporting channels.

But this weekend we hope our supporters will vacate the armchairs and flock to Pairc Sean and make a vote of confidence in their team. It is a big day for both Leitrim and Limerick, much more than just two Allianz League points.

For the young home followers there is a special attraction ‘ a half time draw for girls and boys to win Leitrim jerseys and also garner a coaching session for their school by a member of the county team. Why not have our own role models and footballing heroes!    

And don’t forget to check out our gallery section for a copy of the match poster.  Photographs from the game will be available on Monday.

Collette Fox

PRO Coiste Chontae Liatroma

02-Feb-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Pairc Sean will host the AIB GAA Fooball All Ireland Junior Club Championship Semi Final between:

Naomh Pádraid An Fhairche of Galway and Baile Íomhair of Meath on Sunday 22nd of January 2012 at 2pm.
Referee: Shaun McLaughlin (Donegal)

17-Jan-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Comhdháil Bhliantúil Liatroma on Sunday 11 Nollaig 2011 formally approved new club championship structures in Senior, Intermediate and Junior A football. This Competition bye law (subject to Croke Park approval) will govern the running of Leitrim Senior, Intermediate and Junior A football championships. Leitrim Club Championships 2012. That the Leitrim Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Championship 2012 be restructured as follows: The championship groupings be made up of three groups of four with an open draw to determine same. The top two teams in each group proceed automatically to the quarter finals. Final Group positions will be determined as per Rule 6.22 (5) T.O. 2011. The best third placed team shall automatically constitute the seventh quarter finalist with Rule 6.22 (5) (c) (ii)-(iv) being used to determine any possible tie among third placed teams across groups. The remaining two third placed teams to play off, the winner of which will proceed as the eighth quarter-finalist and the losing team will play in a Relegation Semi Final. When the eight teams for the quarter finals have being determined, an open draw system should take place ensuring teams from the same group cannot play each other at this stage. With regard to relegation semi finals, a similar system should be applied, where teams from the same group should not play each other in the first round of the play-off. Winners of the quarter finals to be put into an open draw to determine semi final pairings, no regard to previous meetings in the competition should be brought in consideration for this round. T.O. 2011 Rial 6.22 (5) If a Championship is partly organised on a League basis, the following Regulations shall apply: (a) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win, and one for a draw. (b) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams. (c) W here Teams finish with equal points for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified: (i) Where two Teams only are involved ‘ the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition; (ii) Scóring Difference (subtracting the total scores Against from total scores For); (iii) Highest Total score For; (iv) A Play-Off. Exceptions to (c): (1) In relation to means (ii) and (iii) above, if the accumulated scores of a team, so involved, are affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall be decided by a Play-Off. (2) Regulations (i), (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to under 16 or younger age grade competitions. (d) A Disqualification shall only affect further participation in the current Championship involved and not the following year’s Championship or Qualification for it. In the context of a Disqualification, in any Promotion or Relegation Process, a Team shall retain the points it has won in a Stage of the Championship run on a League Basis.

13-Dec-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

The GAA issued an exciting new health challenge to its members at the launch of â€ËœOff the Booze and On the Ball’ in Croke Park on Tuesday, November 22.

This fun challenge with a healthy twist invites participants to abstain from alcohol for the month of January and in doing so seek sponsorship to go towards their local GAA club. Participants are also encouraged to engage in some new exercises that help them reach their recommended weekly activity levels during the month, and hopefully throughout 2012.

The challenge was extended personally by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana, who launched the event with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Róisín Shortall. The initiative is being driven by the Association’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Programme â€â€œ a joint initiative with the HSE that aims to reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other substances.

â€Å“January is a month of the year when the commencement of good habits comes into sharp focus and twinning a reduction in alcohol intake with increased physical activity makes perfect sense after the possible excesses of the festive season,â€Â said the President of the GAA. â€Å“This scheme also offers members the chance to generate funds for their local clubs through sponsorship so the benefits for those involved are plain for all to see.â€Â

Minister Shortall added â€Å“The history of the GAA, from a small organisation which grew from a meeting in a hotel in 1884 to the huge Association it now is with a presence in every community can be a metaphor for what we are launching here today. Everything begins with small steps and I am confident that this programme will find its way into every club, every community and every county in Ireland. Alcohol abuse presents one of the greatest challenges our country faces and I am delighted to see an organisation as renowned and respected as the GAA take a lead on this issue and I hope other sporting associations will adopt similar schemesâ€Â

Crossmaglen’s Oisín McConville and Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea and Alan Freeman were on-hand to support the launch, as were members of the Melvin Gaels club, Leitrim Intermediate champions 2011. Their senior panel is going â€ËœOff the Booze and On the Ball’ come January.

â€Å“It’s a good way to kick start the New Year and it gives the lads a challenge to engage in together,â€Â explains their Manager Billy Gavigan. â€Å“We’re back in senior championship in 2012 and for the first time the squad is engaging in a strength and conditioning programme in January to complete the activity side of the challenge.â€Â

Club Treasurer Joe McCarron added that any money raised by the players would be a welcome boost to the club. â€Å“Fundraising is becoming more and more challenging and new, interesting ideas are always welcome.â€Â

Individuals and panel members can sign up at www.gaa.ie/asap where they will receive a sponsorship card and an information pack containing details on health, exercise and diet. Further information is also available from respective County ASAP Officers. All participating clubs will be in with a chance to win a training session with one of Ireland’s leading high performance coaches or one of the country’s leading sports nutritionists in 2012.

Off the Booze & On the Ball, which is endorsed and supported by the GPA, fully supports the RSA’s road safety message and the Ulster Council’s â€ËœLive to Play’ programme and participants are encouraged to make themselves available as a designated driver for friends or family during their month of abstinence.

For more media information contact Colin Regan, ASAP National Coordinator, on 087-2945705 or email: colin.regan GAA.ie

06-Dec-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Congratulations to St Francis who were 1-4 to 0-3 winners over Glencar Manorhamilton in the U21A Football Championship Final played in Pairc Sean on Saturday last.

Weather conditions certainly didnt allow for a free flowing game of football in this low Scóring encounter. St Francis led at the interval by 0-2 to no score having played with the advantage of a gael force wind and Glencar Manor were fancied in the 2nd half to push on for victory. St Francis had other ideas and got the opening two scores of the second half (1-1). From this point on their defence was outstanding as they broke downÓglencar Manor attack after attack and patiently built from the back and supported each other shoulder to shoulder in all their play. Glencar Manor had plenty of possession and opportunity to win the game but on the day they couldn’t match the hunger of the Allen Gaels/Ballinaglera combination. The St Francis Captain Thomas Cornyn was presented with the U21 A trophy by Cathaoirleach Joe Flynn in scenes of great celebration. Hearty congratulations to St Francis on a terrific win. Check out the photo gallery for coverage from the game.

In the ACL Division 5 Final Fenagh were crowned league champions with a comprehensive win over St Marys. Well done to the Fenagh men on a great achievement.

28-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

St Francis and Glencar Manor will contest the U21 A Football Championship Final this Saturday at 2.45pm in Pairc Sean. Both sides have had impressive runs to the final so a rip roaring contest is expected.

Elsewhere, the last of the League finals takes place on Saturday at 2.45 in Cloone when Fenagh and St Marys contest the ACL Division 5 Final.

Best of luck to all the teams this weekend.

21-Nov-11 by Colette Fox – PRO