Archive for category: Club Football

All is ready for bumper weekend of Final action as Pairc Sheain Ui Heslin and Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada play host the deciders of the three main adult championship competitions in addition to the Blue Riband of underage football, the MFC A Final. A remarkable feature of this years finals at Senior, Intermediate and Junior A is that all finalists have already met in the competition at respective group stages. In a further coincidence, all of these games were part of the Round 3 series all teams having secured their places in the respective quarter finals by the conclusion of the Round 2 series. On a general note it is accurate to say that there was very little at stake in any of these previous encounters and as such previous results will count for little on this weekend. The law of averages would suggest that at least on of the results will be reversed this weekend. The burning question is which one is that likely to be???

Below we preview the adult games and we look forward to the sun shining on the most important weekend of Leitrim Club Football 2010 hosted by the excellent facilities of Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada and Ballinamore Sean O Heslins

Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship Final 2010

The stage is set for the eagerly awaited showpiece of Leitrim Senior Club Football as reigning champions Glencar/Manorhamilton place their title on the line and chase a coveted 3-in-a row on Sunday next in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as they face down the considerable challenge of St. Marys-Kiltoghert.

The 2008 and 2009 champions have been the outstanding team in Leitrim Club Football since they captured the clubs third SFC title two years ago and are also the current ACL D1 crown holders having also contest the League decider in 2008. They have carried the mantle of favourites throughout this years competition with the calm assurance of a team that has learned and earned a winning habit that can often be very difficult to dismantle.

Challengers St. Marys have arrived at the final very much under the radar but have, nonetheless, been quite impressive on their run to the final, having taken care of the considerable challenge of neighbours Annaduff with a semi-final performance which suggests they have much greater intentions than just making up numbers on Sunday. Also chasing their fifth title, it is worth noting that they were reigning champions whenÓglencar/Manorhamilton defeated them in the 2008 semi-final with the considerable help of late goal.

As Glencar/Manorhamilton chase history on Sunday, they can be assured that their opponents will be equally determined to reclaim the county blue Riband and while Glencar/Manorhamilton may have taken a first strike by having defeated St Marys earlier in the Group stages, this will count for little at 3.30 on Sunday as the action commences and we look forward to a classic encounter in the chase for the Fenagh Perpetual Cup.

GWP Leitrim Intermediate Football Championship Final 2010

The clash of Drumkeerin and Aughawillan in the GWP Intermediate Final in Ballinamore on Saturday next at 4.45pm is eagerly awaited as the clubs which contested the 2008 and 2009 finals arrive at this stage again with the destination of the Frank Reynolds Memorial Cup as Leitrim Intermediate Football Champions and the considerable prize of a place in the 2011 Senior Football Championship Draw also on offer also.

Aughawillan would have been on a favourites shortlist from the outset of the competition with the experience of the last two seasons in ACL D1 under their belts. They have arrived at this stage on the back of an impressive run through the competition having included a defeat of their Saturday opponents at the Group stages and took care of the challenge of neighbours and 2008 champions Aughnasheelin at the semi-final stage. They will be hoping to go one better than last year but will be very wary of the Drumkeerin challenge.

Drumkeerin have improved steadily throughout the competition and are well poised to make a strong challenge for ultimate honours. With a potent mix of youth and experience they will be eager to atone for loss in the 2008 decider and avenge the earlier defeat by Aughawillan in the competition. They will probably carry the title of underdogs into the fray but that will not trouble them as they challenge earnestly for 2010 championship honours. It is worth noting that they have already disposed of the considerable challenge of another of the pre-competition favourites ACL D1 side Dromahair in the semi-final.

We look forward to rip-roaring contest on Saturday as the destination of the Intermediate crown is decided.

GWP Leitrim Junior A Football Championship Final 2010

Eslin and Leitrim Gaels, as the only first teams in the competition were favoured to arrive at the decider from the outset and so it has proved as the destination of the Dick Ellis Memorial Cup is up for decision in Ballinamore on Saturday at 3pm. A place in the Intermediate Football Championship 2011 also goes to the victors.

Eslin, having plied their trade in ACL D2 over the past two seasons, have contested the Finals of 2008 and 2009 at this level and will be very determined to make it a case of third time lucky this time. Seasoned championship campaigners at this level, they will be hoping that that the gods smile on them more favourably than in the past two seasons and that the efforts made at underage level over the past ten years will bear for them a rich harvest on Saturday. They have arrived at the final with a string of impressive victories, including the group stage scalp of their opponents this weekend.

Leitrim Gaels have made very steady progress over the past number of years and have reached their first ever Junior A Football Championship Final. Junior B Football Champions in 2007 and Junior C Football Champions of 2009 they arrive at this stage, having already had a bumper harvest this year. Although operating from ACL D4 they proved their credentials by capturing that particular title in July and added the ACL D5 title for good measure. They have surmounted all necessary hurdles in this years JFC A quietly and will be very determined to claim their biggest ever prize on Saturday.

 

 

24-Sep-10 by

Ballinamore will host the Junior A and Intermediate Championship Finals on Saturday 25th September.  Throw in time for the Junior A Final is 3.00 pm with the Intermediate Final directly afterwards at 4.45.  Vincent McMorrow from the Glencar Manorhamilton GAA club will referee the Junior A Final between Eslin and Leitrim Gaels while Seamus Mulhern from the St Marys club will referee the Intermediate Final between Drumkeerin and Aughawillan.

Pairc Sean will host the Minor Final between St Marys and St Francis on Sunday 26th September.  Throw in at 1.45 and Ray McBrien from the Aughavas Club is the appointed referee.  St Marys and Glencar Manorhamilton will contest the Senior Final (Throw in 3.30) and Brendan Sammon From the Aughnasheelin Club has the honour of refereeing the big match.

Full list of Officials for the Finals are:- 

JFC A Final:  Referee: Vincent McMorrow. Linesman and SBR: Pat Flanagan. Linesman: Gerry Gallogly. Sideline Official: Derek Moran.

IFC Final:  Referee: Seamus Mulhern. Linesman and SBR: James McCaffrey. Linesman: Jimmy Stenson. Sideline Official: Derek Moran.

MFC A Final:  Referee: Ray McBrien. Linesman and SBR: Frank Niblock. Linesman: Michael Leyden. Sideline Official: Gareth Foley.

SFC Final:  Referee: Brendan Sammon. Linesman and SBR: Francis Flynn. Linesman: Cyril McKeon. Sideline Official: Gareth Foley.

 

 

 

09-Sep-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Gold Senior Championship

Annaduff V St Mary’€’s

This derby game is generating a great deal of debate throughout the County and is sure to be a fascinating encounter!

In the championship to-date Annaduff won their two group matches by a single point and they were convincing winners in the quarter finals, pushing the challenge of Ballinamore SOH to one side.  It is expected that their semi-final will be a much tighter affair but the fact that they have shown an ability to carve out results in the group stages should stand to them.  This Annaduff team will not be found wanting in a contest of this magnitude.  They have players all around the pitch who will fight for every 50/50 ball, an impressive midfield pairing and upfront the Scóring duties are more evenly distributed.  There are high expectations that they could reach another county final and there is the danger however that they could take their eye off the ball. 

Standing in their way is a St Mary’€’s side who come into this match very much under the radar.  They were group runners up and were given a real test by Kiltubrid in the quarter finals but they recorded the win even without the services of two suspended players. They are expected to be at full strength for the semi final clash as they welcome back those players.  This will be a huge boost to them and taking this into account you would have to question have we seen the real St Mary’€’s yet?  They come into this game very much under-rated based on their performances so far and this will suit them.  Annaduff would not want to loose sight of the fact that they have a very balanced team and exceptionally talented players capable of doing serious damage. 

Annaduff last won the title back in 2004 while St Mary’€’s were winners more recently in 2007.  When they met in the league, Annaduff recorded a 2-12 to 2-10 home win – but that was on the 1^st of May and neither team will be focussing on that encounter.  Beating your neighbours will be a motivation for both teams on Saturday evening but reaching a County Final will be the icing on the cake!

Throw in at 5pm this Saturday evening in Pairc Sean (4^th September, 2010)

Glencar/Manorhamilton V Mohill

Both teams enter the semi finals unbeaten.  When the two sides met earlier this season in the League game in the Bee Park, Mohill were victorious with a two point victory.  The main talking point after the game was the enormous contribution both teams made to an absorbing contest full of all that’€’s good about Gaelic Football.  This signals that we may be in for a cracking game on Saturday evening. 

Teams within Leitrim will be all too familiar with the talent within the Mohill camp and the performance levels they are capable of producing.  They were much improved and hugely impressive in their replayed quarter final match against Bornacoola and the extra game will no doubt stand to them.  They have rejuvenated themselves at just the right time ‘€’ the question is can they re-produce the form they produced in the replayed match?  Their defensive unit are much heralded and more than capable of upsetting a talented Glencar/Manor forward-line but lets not forget their forwards are capable of steeling the headlines too. 

The champions are not short of talent either and there doesn’€’t appear to be any weakness within their ranks.  They have a very strong panel and what has been most impressive about their performances to-date is their ability to stay calm under pressure and respond when teams made a challenge.  They were tested by Carrigallen in the quarter final match and this match will have brought them on further.         

A serious contest in expected in the middle of the park and two mean defences will come head to head with two exceptional forward lines ‘€’ no wonder no one is hedging their bets!  This game will go down to the wire.

Throw in at 6.30pm this Saturday evening in Pairc Sean (4^th September, 2010)

GWP Intermediate Championship

Dromahair V Drumkeerin

Derby matches don’€’t come much bigger than this and there will be a mass exodus from the North of the County on Saturday evening as supporters and neutrals are expected to turn up in large numbers to the Drumshanbo venue.

Dromahair play their league football this year in Division One and have settled in well at the higher level while Drumkeerin are competing in Division 2 and have had better years.  In the Championship to-date both teams have mixed impressive performances alongside hard fought wins and this game should be another tight affair.

Drumkeerin have been the surprise package of this year’€’s championship.  They were group runners up and accounted for neighbours Ballinaglera in the Quarter Finals.   They are more than aware that they almost went out in the quarter finals and another performance like that won’€’t be good enough.  On the other hand, you have to admire their ‘€’never say die attitude’€’ as most teams would have folded when trailing by 9 points.  That win will have done wonders for their confidence and if this strong and mobile team show the same levels of battling qualities on Saturday evening, Dromahair will know they are in a contest.  

Dromahair topped their group and were very impressive in their victory over Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher in the quarter finals.  However, most people will say Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher didn’€’t play to their full potential in the quarter finals and therefore we shouldn’€’t read much into that victory.  They have a tendency to drift in and out of games and they will want to address this but when they are in full-flight they are a very entertaining side to watch with some very talented players.  They won’€’t be bothered if they entertain on Saturday evening as long as they win.    

Neither team will under-estimate their neighbours.  They are both well served in defence, midfield is no different and in attack they have many threatening players.  The players on both teams will know each other inside/out and if they go hell for leather, this match has the potential to be very open and exiting! 

Throw in at 5pm this Saturday evening in Drumshanbo (4^th September, 2010)

Aughawillan V Aughnasheelin

Another local derby match that is as finely balanced as you can get and they come head to head at the midway point in Ballinamore on Sunday evening! 

Aughawillan have the advantage of playing their league football in Division 1 while Aughnasheelin are in Division 2.  They both topped their groups in the championship and amazingly both have the same Scóring difference accrued.  Both teams are similar in approach and will know each others strengths and weaknesses inside/out.

Aughawillan have been impressive to-date in their games.  Their ferocious work-rate means the opposition don’€’t get time to steady themselves and Aughnasheelin will expect this and will need to apply the same levels of intense work-rate.  They are a quality side throughout and possess a mean defence and forward line capable of doing serious damage.

Some would say Aughnasheelin were lucky to advance past the quarter finals after they squandered a sizeable lead only to hold on for dear life at the end by the slenderest of margins.  They have displayed a tendency to do this inÓgames and can’€’t afford to do the same on Sunday.   However, they have the experience of winning the Intermediate title in 2008 and you can’€’t buy that experience.  They work tremendously hard in defence and their forwards will take serious watching.

Both teams will approach the semi-finals with a great deal of confidence and as this is expected to be a titanic battle you would have to favour the team who will fight tooth and nail for the victory and both are capable of doing this!  A battle between two teams with similar styles is on the cards – all roads lead to Ballinamore on Sunday evening!  

Throw in at 5pm this Sunday evening in Ballinamore (5^th September, 2010)

Relegation Finals at Senior and Intermediate Level

Allen Gaels will contest the Senior Relegation Final versus Melvin Gaels on Sunday at 12 noon in Pairc Sean while on the same day Annaduff will take on FenÓgh in the Intermediate Relegation Final at 6.30 pm in Ballinamore.  No team will want to drop a grade and this should be motivation enough.  Although they are not considered glamour ties, the four clubs will be hoping that their supporters turn up in large numbers to get behind their teams.

The group stages of the Junior B Championship continues this weekend (Round 3) and the Junior C Championship commences.  We wish all teams the best of luck.

 

 

02-Sep-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

The Semi Final line-up for the GWP Intermediate Championship will see Dromahair do battle with neighbours Drumkeerin whilst on the other side of the draw Aughawillan face neighbours Aughnasheelin.  Dromahair had eight points to spare over Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher but the scoreline didn’t reflect a match that was there for the taking with 15 minutes to go.  Aughawillan were impressive in their 1-7 to 7 points win over a battling Gortletteragh side while Glencar Manorhamilton were unlucky not to bring their tie with Aughnasheelin to a replay after staging a dramatic comeback only to lose by a point.  Drumkerrin showed great battling qualities but will consider themselves lucky to have overcome a shell shocked Ballinaglera who led at one stage by 9 points.  Drumkeerin’s winning margin was a goal in the end.  One thing we are sure of is that the Final will see a North Leitrim team take on a South Leitrim team.

In the Connacht Gold Senior Championship, Annaduff and St Marys will come head to head in the first semi final in what is set to be a mouth watering clash.  Annaduff breezed into the semi final after defeating Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins by 7 points. Ballinamore simply did not do themselves justice but they will learn and come back stronger. St Marys were made fight all the way for their 2 point victory by a battling Kiltubrid side who despite their best efforts could not register that all important last minute goal.  Glencar Manor will be interesting observers at this weekends replayed quarter final match between Bornacoola and Mohill after defeating Carrigallen in a match full of quality.  The place to be this weekend is Cloone as the Bors and Mohill come head to head again to decide the last semi-final spot.  It is sure to be a battle royale!  Extra time if necessary.
Elsewhere in the senior relegation semi finals Cloone accounted for Allen Gaels thus ensuring their senior status for next year.  Allen Gaels must now contest the Relegation Final and they await the outcome of the replay between Melvin Gaels and Drumreilly this weekend to see who their opponents will be.  In the Intermediate relegation semi-finals both St Marys and Aughavas survived and the relegation final will now be contested by Annaduff and Fenagh St Caillins.

 

 

26-Aug-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Clubs should advise of their intention to participate or not by 5pm this Sunday evening.

 

 

19-Aug-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Coiste Chontae Liatroma CLG – Junior B Football Championship 2010

Group 1 – Round 1
St Osnats v Cloone
Glencar/Manorhamilton v Aughawillan

Round 2
Aughawillan v St Osnats
Cloone v Glencar/Manorhamilton

Round 3
St Osnats v Glencar/Manorhamilton
Aughawillan v Cloone

Group 2 – Round 1
St Marys v Fenagh-St Caillins
Aughavas – bye

Round 2
Fenagh-St Caillins v Aughavas
St Marys – bye

Round 3
St Marys v Aughavas
Fenagh-St Caillins – bye

Group 3 – Round 1
Dromahair v Kiltubrid
Leitrim Gaels – bye

Round 2

Kiltubrid V Leitriim Gaels

Dromahair – Bye

Round 3 Dromahair v Leitrim Gaels Kiltubrid – bye

Quarter Finals W 2nd Group 1 v First Group 3 X 2nd Group 2 v 2nd Group 3

Semi Finals First Group 1 v Winner Match X First Group 2 v Winner Match W