The evenings are getting long, the weather is improving (dont hold your breath) and YES at last we had the start of the GAA football calendar last weekend. In advance of the league – debate within clubs as usual centres around:-

– Who is showing well at training
– What the starting 15 will be
– Where will certain players line out
– What new talent will emerge during the year

After this weekend more victories will be savoured, defeats will be well scrutinised and I suspect there will be MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

Last weekend the 2011 adult fixtures programme got into full swing with the Gallogly Catering ACL Division 5 commencing. This year 13 teams will do battle in this Division and at the weekend 5 games took place. Cloone had a home win over Glencar Manorhamilton who have entered a 4th team this year. Bornacoola also recorded a home win over Sean OHeslins and Fenagh did likewise over Drumreilly while Gortletteragh and Kiltubrid and St Osnats and Eslin served up draws.

This weekend Divisions 1, 2 and 4 get underway (full details of fixtures in our fixtures section).

DIVISION 1

2010 Division 1 league winners Glencar/Manorhamilton start the defence of their title with an away fixture against newly promoted Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher. Contests between the neighbouring clubs are always entertaining and close. Players on both teams are friends off the field but these friendships will be put to one side on Saturday as bragging rights take centre stage. Supporters of both sides are sure to turn up in large numbers to the Glenfarne venue. GAME POSTPONED AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO SEAMUS DILLON (RIP)

Bornacoola had a short stay in Division 2 and will be anxious to prove themselves in the top flight again this year. They welcome Melvin Gaels who had a disappointing run in the 2010 Senior championship which saw them relegated to Intermediate championship for 2011. Bornacoola would be wise to ignore their oppositions 2011 championship status as the North Leitrim men are consistent league performers.

2010 Intermediate Football champions Aughawillan welcome North Leitrim rivals Dromahair in their opening fixture. Both sides are brimming with talented players and this is possibly one of the games of the weekend. Both teams finished mid-table on 12 points last year and in the corresponding 2010 fixture only a goal separated the sides with Aughawillan recording an away victory. Another close game is possibly on the cards here.

Carrigallen host Annaduff who were desperately unlucky to lose the Division 1 league final last year. Both sides had impressive runs in the championship and league last year. Carrigallen will be hoping to start their season in whirl-wind fashion as they did last year when they defeated Annaduff 0-5 to 3-9. If Annaduff can start the league as they finished their 2010 league campaign this will be a much closer encounter.

Mohill take on Drumreilly in the excellent facilities of Eslin GAA Club. In 2010 Mohill recorded an impressive win over Drumreilly in the league and at the end of the league campaign Mohill were placed 3rd in the table with Drumreilly only surviving in Division 1 on the last day of the season. Drumreilly will not want to be in a similar position this year and this should be motivation in itself but they do face a tough opening assignment.

Last years Senior championship finalists St Marys will host rivals Allen Gaels in a local derby in Pairc Sean. In the 2010 senior league and championship St Marys recorded victories over Allen Gaels. St Marys will be boosted by their Minor Championship success last year and an appearance in the U21 A Final. Allen Gaels have a lot of underage talent coming through and this year they will be hoping to blood some exciting new players.

DIVISION 2

Division 2 consists of ten teams of which 8 are first teams. Ballinamore Sean OHeslins and Kiltubrid will be hoping to make a quick return to Division 1 and all eyes will be on this fixture to see who prevails. Aughnasheelin will have to be at their best to account for Cloone while Gortletteragh who had an impressive run in the league last year welcome newly promoted Fenagh to their grounds. Drumkeerin host a much fancied Eslin side who were crowned Junior A Champions in 2010. The fixture between the two second string teams (Bornacoola and Glencar Manorhamilton) will take place at a later date. Please note Round 4 fixtures take place this weekend and not Round 1.

DIVISION 4

Division 4 consists of 12 teams and all 6 games will take place this weekend. As always this is a very closely contested division. Drumkeerin who were relegated from Division 3 last year will be firm favourites to make a return upwards while St Marys are sure to set the pace again this year (they finished in the top two last year but could not be promoted as they already had a team competing in Div 3). Leitrim Gaels were promoted from Division 5 and will set their sights on maintaining Div 4 status this year along with the 11 other clubs.  DIVISION 3 is due to commence next weekend.

ENJOY THE SEASON!

 

 

02-Mar-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

 

Leitrim Co Board GAA is offering Gaeltacht Scholarships to Leitrim boys and girls as
part of their promotion of an ghaeilge.

These grants are open to registered and paid-up members of Leitrim clubs, boys or
girls. Anyone who received a scholarship in previous years is not eligible to apply
again.

A draw will be made from the applications received at the February meeting of the
Co Board and the successful candidates make their own arrangements to attend a
college of their choice. When they return they can claim their scholarship money on
production of evidence of having successfully completed the course.

Application forms can be printed from here or can be had had from the Secretary of any GAA club or from Máire Ní Mhaoilbhlia, Oifigeach Cultúir agus Teanga, (087 6486967)
Beidh na hiarratais le fail i ngach meanscoil sa Chontae freisin

The closing date for applications is Friday 28 January 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

14-Jan-11 by Brendan Doyle – IT Officer

The scoreline might suggest a comfortable win for the Eslin/Mohill combination but this was a game that swung one way then the other and looked to be heading for extra time until a goal with 7 minutes remaining transformed the contest. The goal for St Manachan’s was followed by three fabulous unanswered points which ended St Mary’s hopes of adding to their Minor A crown won last September. This was a highly entertaining game played by two fully committed and talented teams. When both teams had their periods of dominance – they both looked a class apart but ultimately when St Manachan’s scored that all important goal – they didn’t sit back, they pushed on and although St Mary’s tried desperately to respond – the heads were visibly down. The age profile of both teams is quite young so we can expect to see them acquainting themselves at this grade over the next few years and with a number of players on both sides putting inÓgreat individual performances, we as a County can hope to see them display their skills on a bigger stage! Congratulations to St Manachan’s on a fully deserved victory.

 

 

25-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Carrigallen were crowned U21 B Champions when they defeated a battling Bornacoola side on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-9 in Cloone last Saturday.  Carrigallen last won the U21 A Title as Carrigallen Harps in 1995 and they will hope that this title will propel them to bigger things on the Senior circuit in the coming years. Both teams had to compete with the elements and heavy downpours during the game left underfoot conditions difficult. Despite this, the game was very enjoyable and fiercely contested throughout.  Bornacoola will point to the concession of goals in either half as contributing to their downfall on the day.  However, they must be complemented on their battling qualities as they reduced a 9 point defecit at one stage to 4 at the final whistle.  Carrigallen were worthy winners on the day and congratulations to them on their success.

 

 

 

11-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

St Brigids (Roscommon Champions) 1-13
Glencar / Manorhamilton (Leitrim Champions) 3-5

Glencar Manorhamilton just fell short in their bid to reach the Connacht Club Championship Final after a titanic and pulsating battle with Roscommon kingpins St. Brigids in Páirc Seán on Sunday last. A large Leitrim and Roscommon following were served with a match of high quality that ebbed and flowed throughout with a three-point blitz in the last two minutes of the game eventually securing victory for the visitors.

In the early exchanges scores were traded to leave the sides tied on two points apiece before Glencar Manor hit for their first of three goals on 12 minutes when Adrian Croal finished an inviting ball launched into the Brigids goalmouth. The visitors responded in style with four points to Manors one leaving the sides level heading towards half time.  Then in the 25th minute disaster struck for the Manor men when a mix up in their defence led to Frankie Dolan capitalising for that all important goal to leave the half time score at 1-6 to 1-3 in favour of the Roscommon men.

Frees were exchanged on the resumption before James Glancy struck with a fisted equalising goal after good work from substitute Anthony McDonald who lofted a high ball into the danger zone for Glancy who finished well.  Again, St Brigids had an immediate response, Scóring three unanswered points but more excitement unfolded as once again with 4 minutes remaining Manor showed their true battling qualities when Croal finished a great team move to the net with Anthony McDonald again the provider to leave the sides level.  It looked at this stage as though the home side had the momentum to go on and claim victory but not for the first time in the match St Brigids hit 3 points on the trot in a two minute spell and while Manors Adrian Croal saw his final effort for goal go agonisingly over the bar, St Brigids were left relieved victors after a hard fought and intensely competive game.  

Manor will look back on this game as one they could so easily of won and they will point to some crucial errors they made which were punished by a clinical St Brigids side.  It is also worth noting that every time they mounted a challenge and drew parity the Brigids team were always able to respond and pull away from them.  It was a marvellous effort by the Leitrim representatives and they can hold their heads high.  St Brigids will go into the Connacht Final on the back of a game that was a real test for them.  Despite all the pre-match hype of the match going to be a wallk in the park for the Roscommon men, they were made fight all the way.  They will surely address the concession of three goals amongst all the positives they can take from their performance.  Man of the Match was awarded to Ian Kilbride (No 5) for St Brigids.  They now meet Killerin (Galway Champions) in the Connacht Final.

scorers:  St Brigids: F Dolan 1-4 (0-2f), S Kilbride 0-5 (0-1f), D Dolan, I Kilbride, K Mannion, J Tiernan 0-1 each. Glencar/ Manorhamilton: A Croal 2-2, J Glancy 1-2 (0-2f), J Gilmartin 0-1.

ST BRIGIDS — P Martin, R Kelly, D Donnelly, nÓgrehan, I Kilbride, P Domican, G Cunniffe, G Dolan, K Mannion, Cathal McHugh, F Dolan, D Dolan, Conor McHugh, S Kilbride, D OConnor. Subs: J Tiernan for Cathal McHugh, D Kelleher for Conor McHugh.

GLENCAR/MANORHAMILTON — Gary Hickey,Thomas McDonald, Adrian OFlynn, Paddy Maguire, Dominic Kelly, Kieran OFlynn, Shane Loughlin, Colin Ryan, Darren Sweeney, James Gilmartin, James Glancy, Gerry Hickey, Adrian Croal, Fintan McGourty, Brian McDonald. Subs: Anthony McDonald for James Gilmartin, Aaron Hickey for Gerry Hickey, David Poniard for Adrian OFlynn, Ronan McGourty for Aaron Hickey.

REFEREE MICHAEL Duffy (Sligo).

 

 

09-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

3-in-a-row Leitrim Senior Football Champions Glencar Manor take on Roscommon champions St Brigid’s in the eagerly awaited Connacht Club Senior Football Championship semi-final match at 2.30 in Páirc Seán, Carrick on Shannon this Sunday.

Roscommon outfit St Brigid’s are a formidable club team and last won the Connacht Club in 2006 and have won eight Roscommon U21 championships in a row.  In the preliminary Connacht Club game they had a convincing win over Sligo Champions, Eastern Harps (0-21 to 0-4) and are widely expected to advance to the Connacht Final. 

Glencar Manorhamilton have made gradual progress in this competition in their appearances over the last two years.  They lost to Eastern Harps in 2008 on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-5 and lost to Corofin last year by 10 points but this contest was much closer than the scoreline suggests.  This being their 3rd year to represent Leitrim they will no doubt be more familiar with the task at hand and determined to prove themselves outside the County.  If they have a full panel to pick from, play to their full potential and are roared on by the Glencar Manor and Leitrim GAA supporters – they are more than capable of delivering the right result.  

As the Club is representing the County, it is important that they get as much support as possible. Patrons are advised that the Glencar Manorhamilton Club have produced an excellent 24 page colour programme for the match. Coiste Chontae Liatroma wish them the very best of luck in the semi-final on Sunday. 

In the other semi final to be played at 2.30 this Sunday in Tuam Stadium, Galway Champions Killererin play Mayo Champions Ballintubber.  The Final of this competition is scheduled for the 21st November. 

 

 

03-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO