Re Secretary for our Club  –  As you are all aware our Rúnai Shirley is stepping down from her position after several years of trojan work for our Club – It is vitally important that we have a Secretary for our first meeting of the year in early January so it is up to every member to ensure this happens, there is loads of help there for whoever steps up to the role.

Membership Rates for the Year ahead  –  Family €60  –  Player (Working) €60 –  Player (Student) €50 – Adult non Player €40 – Juvenile €20.   Annual Lotto Tickets for 2018 are now available  –  €50 for the full year – they make a great present.

Don’t forget our Club Dinner Dance will be taking place on February 17th with Awards being presented on the night and the Co Board Awards Dinner Dance is taking place on February 3rd with 3 or our Club Members being honoured at that Intermediate Player Barry McWeeney, Senior Referee Brendan Sammon and for the 2nd year running Ciaran Cullen the U 17 Player of the Year – last year it was U 16 which Aaron Hoare won – a great achievement for our little Club.  Heres to 2018.

Happy New Year to all our Readers at home and scattered throughout the world and to John and all at the Sports Desk at the Leitrim Observer.

Lotto Draw Results  –  Noumbers Drawn were 1, 9, 22, 25  –  House Draw  Damien Flynn  –  Sponsored Draw Smyths  Joe McGirl  –  Lotto Monthly Draw  Yearly Ticket Aidan Rudden,  –  €25 Michael Domican, Josh McGovern, Alan Banks, Philip Roddy,  Gerry Smith.
Our Special Christmas Lotto will take place in Ossies on Saturday, December 23rd with loads of extra Prizes  –  make sure to have your ticéidí in the draw and come along to Ossies on the night and kick-start Christmas meet up with old and new friends.  Annual Lotto Tickets for 2018 are now available  –  €50 for the full year – they make a great present.

Re Secretary for our Club  –  As you are all aware our Rúnai Shirley is stepping down from her position after several years of trojan work for our Club – It is vitally important that we have a Secretary for our first meeting of the year in early January so it is up to every member to ensure this happens, there is loads of help there for whoever steps up to the role.

Membership Rates for the Year ahead  –  Family €60  –  Player (Working) €60 –  Player (Student) €50 – Adult non Player €40 – Juvenile €20.   Annual Lotto Tickets for 2018 are now available  –  €50 for the full year – they make a great present.

Comhghairdeas – To our Seit dancers who took the honours at Scor Liatroma in Beal an Atha Mor on Sunday afternoon last – well done and best of luck as you head to represent your Club agus Contae in the Connacht Final.  Well done to Brendan and Julie who are doing great work in keeping the Seit dancing alive in Achadh ná Síleann.  Commiserations to the Grúpa Ceol who also represented our Club.

Finally – Nollaig Shona to all our Readers at home and special Christmas Greetings from all at our Club here in Achadh ná Síleann to all of our people scattered across the world wishing you a Healthy and safe Christmas and Happiness for the New Year 2018.  A big go raibh maith agaibh to John and all in the Sports Department at the Leitrim Observer for all their help throughout the year and also to PRO Declan on the new Club Notes Section on the Leitrim website – wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas.

Our AGM took place on Saturday last with a disappointing turnout after the very successful year for our Club.  We had very detailed reports from our Officers and a few lively discussions to keep us all warm.  Officers  for the coming year  –  Cathaoirleach Brendan Reynolds – Leas Cathaoirleach Joe McGirl, Rúnai – not filled – Assistant Rúnai  Lorraine Flynn – Cisteoir Brendan Meehan, Assistant Cisteoir Martin Beirne – Club Registrars Brendan Meehan and Jerome McWeeney – PRO Máire Ní Mhaoilbhlia – Coaching Officer Shane McNulty – Cultúr agus Teanga  Brendan Reynolds – Children’s Officer Sean Mahon – Development Officer Philip Roddy – Health Club Officer Niall Murray – Insurance Officer Brendan Meehan – best of luck to all our Officers for the year ahead and  failte to Lorraine who has come on board.   Our Club is delighted to have David Casey on board for another year and good wishes to David his Management Team and our footballers for the year ahead playing in the Senior Championship.

It is vitally important that we have a Secretary for our first meeting of the year in early January so it is up to every member to ensure this happens.  Shirley has done trojan work in this Role for the past few years, there is loads of help there for whoever steps up to the role.

Membership Rates for the Year ahead  –  Family €60  –  Player (Working) €60 –  Player (Student) €50 – Adult Non-Player €40 – Juvenile €20

Lotto Draw on Sunday night next in Smyths Siopa Ol  – our Jackpot is €15,775 – make sure to have your ticket in the Draw.   Annual Lotto Tickets for 2018 are now available  –  €50 for the full year – they make a great present.  Our Special Christmas Lotto will take place in Ossies on Saturday, December 23rd with loads of extra Prizes.

Under Age Training from U 6 to 11  continues each Saturday from 10 to 12 noon in the Sports Hall in Ballinamore.

Lotto Draw  –  Lotto Nos  –  1, 17, 18, 2  –  House Draw €25  Francis Dolan  – Sponsored Terry Shortt – donated back to the Club  –  €25 Helen Duignan, Michael McGovern, Pat O’Rourke, Noel Dolan, Rosemary Goldrick, Dessie Wisley.

Dates for the Diary  –  Club AGM will take place this  Saturday, December 9th at 4 30pm in the Club Rooms – Our Secretary is not putting her name forward for re-election and as it is an important role in the running of our Club,  it is really important that there are nominations for the AGM  –  look forward to seeing a big crowd there after the very successful year we have had  – our Club is only as strong as you the members.

The Club will be holding a Celebration Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 17th in the Landmark Hotel, Ck on Shannon -Presentation of Championship Medals and Awards on the night  –  more details later.

Scor na nOg will take place on Sunday, December 10th in Ballinamore at 2pm so best of luck to those representing our Club.

Under Age Training from U 6 to 11  continues each Saturday from 10 to 12 noon in the Sports Hall in Ballinamore.

Comhghairdeas – to Vincie Mulvey and Emma Harte who were married last Friday in Daingean with Reception in the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore, a great day was had by all and best of luck for the future Vincie, Emma and the gorgeous Caoileann.  Bon voyage to Liam Bernadette and children as they return to New York later in the week and congratulations Liam on the big birthday  – a nice surprise party for Liam on Sunday nite last in Ossies.

Comhghairdeas to Wayne and Riona Gilgunn on the birth of their baby girl Sadhbh a little sister to Donnacha.

Comhghairdeas to our own Martin McHugh who was honoured at the Leitrim Sports Awards on Friday night last in Lough Rynn in the Special Achievement Category – what a way to finish the year Martin with this Award,  your first Club  Intermediate Championship Medal and all being part of the Leitrim Longford Masters who won the All Ireland Masters Plate a few weeks   ago – all at the age of 47 and after overcoming Cancer twice – an inspiration to us all well deserved Martin.  Comhghairdeas to our neighbour Maeve Quinn on her Hall of Fame Award also at the Sports Awards – well deserved Maeve.

Lotto on Sunday night next in Shortts Bar  –  Jackpot  €15,000 make sure to have your ticket in the Drum.  Annual Lotto Tickets for 2018 are now available –
€50 for a full year – they make a great present.

Dates for the Diary  –  Club AGM will take place on Saturday, December 9th at 4 30pm in the Club Rooms – Our Secretary is not putting her name forward for re-election and as it is an important role in the running of our Club,  it is really important that there are nominations for the AGM  –  look forward to seeing a big crowd there after the very successful year our Club have had.

The Club will be holding a Celebration Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 17th in the Landmark Hotel, Ck on Shannon – presentation of Championship Medals and Awards on the night  –  more details later.

Scor na nOg will take place on Sunday, December 10th – venue to be decided.

Under Age Training from U 6 to 11  continues each Saturday from 10 to 12 noon in the Sports Hall in Ballinamore.

Lotto Results  –  Nos 1, 11, 12, 17  –  House Draw €25  Susan McGirl, Sponsored Jim Coen  –  €25 Aidan McGovern, Sharon Banks, Damian McGovern, Hugh Prior, Robert Harness

County Board Awards – What a year for our Club with winning the Intermediate Championship and now the County Board Awards have been announced and 3 Awards coming to Achádh ná Síleann – Comhghairdeas to Barry McWeeney who is being honoured as Club Intermediate Player of the Year – Ciaran Cullen who is being honoured as U 17 County Player of the Year and last but by no means least the man in Black Brendan Sammon who is being honoured as Senior Referee of the Year – well done to all three on very deserving Awards so a good night to look forward to in early February.  Also Comhghairdeas to our own Martin McHugh who has been nominated in the Special Achievement Category at the Leitrim Sports Awards which takes place this Friday night – best of luck Martin with your well deserved your nomination.

Dates for the Diary  –  Club AGM will take place on Saturday, December 9th at 4 30pm in the Club Rooms – Our Secretary is not putting her name forward for re-election and as it is an important role in the running of our Club,  it is really important that there are nominations for the AGM  –  look forward to seeing a big crowd there after the very successful year our Club have had.

The Club will be holding a Celebration Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 17th in the Landmark Hotel, Ck on Shannon – presentation of Championship Medals and Awards on the night  –  more details later.

Scor na nOg will take place on Sunday, December 10th – venue to be decided.

Under Age Training from U 6 to 11 – Continues each Saturday from 10 to 12 noon in the Sports Hall in Ballinamore.  Well done to Dearbhla Gunn who represented her School and  County at the Connacht Schools Athletics competitions in Kiltoom last Saturday – Dearbhla was competing against competitors from 5th and 6th Classes – she is in 5th class a fantastic achievement – she ran a great race to finish 19th out of more than 100 competitors so well done Dearbhla you represented your Family, School, Parish  and County with pride and we all very proud of you – so keep up the running.

Comhghairdeas to Ciaran and Emma Moran on the birth of their baby son Ryan and  a sister to Lily.  We send good wishes to Seamus Prior on his recuperation and hopefully, we see you out on the bicycle again soon Seamus.

Lotto on Sunday night November 19th in The Commercial – Jackpot €15,625 make sure to have your ticéid in the Drum – thank you to all the young lads who are out selling ticéid.

St Brigids U 21s were pipped at the post by Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins on Sunday morning in Achadh na Síleann on a scoreline of 3 8 to 1 11 – a last-minute goal dividing the sides – this has been a great competition with some good football played.

Dates for the Diary  –  Club AGM will take place on Saturday, December 9th at 4 30pm in the Club Rooms – look forward to seeing a big crowd there.

The Club will be holding a Celebration Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 17th at the Landmark Hotel, Ck on Shannon – presentation of Championship Medals and Awards on the night  –  more details later.

Scor na nOg will take place on Sunday, December 10th – venue to be decided.

Comhghairdeas to Louise and Michael Domican on the birth of their baby boy Tadhg.

Lotto Results – Nos 2, 7, 18, 26  –  House Draw Padraic Mulvey  –  €25 Alannah Smith, Gerry Flanagan, Geraldine Dolan, Peter Beirne, Daire McNiff, Cillian McWeeney (Yearly Ticket) – Annual Lotto Ticéid for 2018 now available.

St Brigid’s U 16 – The girls played Glencar Manor last Saturday and are now in the Shield.

St Brigid’s U 21 – The lads played Fenagh Gortletteragh on Sunday in Gortletteragh – this was a high scoring game with some good displays from both sides ending up with a scoreline of Fenagh Gortletteragh 4 18  –  St Brigids  3 8 – next game with Ballinamore on Sunday next November 12th at 12 o’clock in Aughnasheelin.  Well done to Mohill on a great performance on Saturday last against Castlebar Mitchells in Castlebar.

Dates for your Diary  –  our AGM will take place on Saturday Evening December 9th.  Scor will be taking place early December.

Gaeltacht Scholarships  –  Leitrim County Committee GAA is offering grants for attendance at Gaeltacht courses 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 GAA clubs, boys or girls. Some of the grants are part-sponsored by Gaeltacht colleges. In the case of cash grants, when students return they can claim their grant money on production of evidence of having successfully completed the course. Application forms can be printed from the link on the Leitrim GAA Website or can be had from the Secretary of any GAA club. The closing date for applications is Friday 10 November 2017.

Best Wishes – All at our Club would like to send good wishes to Frank Mulvey who is presently in hospital – we are all thinking of you Frank and family and please god you will be back to full health before long.  Bon Voyage to Keith Sammon who departed for the US at the weekend –  best of luck and enjoy your time in the US but don’t forget to come home to us Keith.

Lotto on Sunday night in Priors – Jackpot €15,550 – make sure to have your ticead – well done to our younger members who are around our parish on their bikes selling lotto tickets so please support them if they call to you  – stay safe on the roads boys.

Fixtures: Under 21 championship kicks off on Sunday 5th November St Brigids play Gortletteragh – venue to be confirmed.

Coaching: Leitrim GAA Coaching and Games Development Committee is delighted to welcome back former Leitrim Senior Coach John Morrison to the county on Thursday evening November 9th next as he conducts a ‘Game Senses’ coaching workshop at County Centre of Excellence. Bookings are now being taken for this workshop and you can reserve your place by contacting Leitrim GAA Games Promotion Officer James Glancy on (086) 4082561 or email james.glancy.gda.leitrim@gaa.ie.The cost of the workshop will be €5.People interested in a DVD copy of the two Donie Buckley workshops and the Paddy Christie workshop may order them directly from James Glancy at the above contact details. Orders placed in advance will be available for collection at the November 9 workshop.

Gaeltacht Scholarships: Leitrim County Committee GAA is offering grants for attendance at Gaeltacht courses 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 GAA clubs, boys or girls.Some of the grants are part-sponsored by Gaeltacht colleges. In the case of cash grants, when students return they can claim their grant money on production of evidence of having successfully completed the course. Application forms can be printed from the link on the leitrim gaa website or can be had from the Secretary of any GAA club.The closing date for applications is Friday 10 November 2017.

Comhghairdeas to our County U 16 footballers and their management team  who had a good win over Laois in the Fr Manning Cup at the weekend – next game is against Meath next Saturday – good luck to team and management.

AIB Connacht Club Connacht Intermediate Championship Our Championship run came to an end in atrocious weather conditions at the Centre of Excellence  in Ballyhaunis on Saturday it was one of those days where things just did not go our way – the scoreline did not do our lads justice as with wind and rain lashing down our lads did play some good football.  Lads what a summer you have had – you have lifted the hearts and souls of all Achadh ná Síleann people the world over – each and every one of you can hold your heads up with pride and be very proud of what you all achieved in 2017.  A big go raibh a maith agaibh to Team, Management and all at our Club who have put in such a huge effort all year to be crowned Intermediate Champions 2017.  Go raibh maith agaibh to our wonderful supporters who travelled from near and far all summer to cheer on the lads and especially those who made the journey to  Ballyhaunis on Saturday last in terrible weather conditions – hope none of you gets the flu from the drenching you got.

 Photo Memories Summer 2017  –  The Club will be compiling a Souvenir DVD/Photo Book of the Championship 2017, if anyone would like to have their photos included can you email them to shirleysammon@gmail.com or send by Whatsapp to 086 608 3516 or stick them on a USB – whatever suits.  Please send them on Friday of this week October 27th.

Lotto Results from Draw October 23rd –  Numbers drawn were 4, 13, 21, 25 – House Draw Patricia Flynn – Sponsored Mickey Flanagan, Monthly Draw Declan Sammon, €25 Jennifer Prior, Sean Mahon, Senan McTeigue, Catherine Prior, Cora Gill.

Fixtures – Under 21 championship kicks off on Sunday 5th November.

Coaching – Leitrim GAA Coaching and Games Development Committee is delighted to welcome back former Leitrim Senior Coach John Morrison to the county on Thursday evening November 9th next as he conducts a ‘Game Senses’ coaching workshop at County Centre of Excellence. Bookings are now being taken for this workshop and you can reserve your place by contacting Leitrim GAA Games Promotion Officer James Glancy on (086) 4082561 or email james.glancy.gda.leitrim@gaa.ie.The cost of the workshop will be €5.People interested in a DVD copy of the two Donie Buckley workshops and the Paddy Christie workshop may order them directly from James Glancy at the above contact details. Orders placed in advance will be available for collection at the November 9 workshop.

Gaeltacht Scholarships – Leitrim County Committee GAA is offering grants for attendance at Gaeltacht courses 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 GAA clubs, boys or girls.Some of the grants are part-sponsored by Gaeltacht colleges. In the case of cash grants, when students return they can claim their grant money on production of evidence of having successfully completed the course. Application forms can be printed from the link on the Leitrim GAA website or can be had from the Secretary of any GAA club.The closing date for applications is Friday 10 November 2017.

Comhghairdeas  – to our neighbours Sean O’Heslins on their Pyramid Bookmakers Junior A Championship win on Sunday and also our neighbours on the other side Ballinaglera on their Dunnes Bar ACL Division 2 win.

Connacht Club Championship  –  After all the celebrations and excitement of our Intermediate Title we now turn to next step on the road when we head to Markievicz Park on Saturday at 2pm to play the Sligo Champions St Johns – we need everyone to come along and cheer on our Champions, they deserve everyone’s support.  Best of Luck to our Team and Management as we look forward to a great game.  The gremlins were at work last week with my notái as I omitted a paragraph  –  It was a proud day for Cathaoirleach of  Leitrim GAA Terence Boyle as he presented the cup to his fellow Aughnasheelin man Barry McWeeney.  A big go raibh maith agaibh to the Boyle Brothers who organised the bonfires at Cornabrone and the Scutch Mill – well-done lads.

Lotto on Sunday night next in Pat Joes with a Jackpot of €15,475 so make sure to have your tickets in the drum.  Results from last draw  Numbers drawn 3 19 20 27 – House Draw €25 Brendan Meehan, Sponsored Liz Flynn  €25 Ciaran Moran, Kevin Boyle, Tom Burns, Stefan Hoare, Joe McKiernan, Tommy Flynn.  Well done to our young club members who have put in a great effort going around on their bikes selling tickets.  St Bridgets U 15s were beaten by a very strong Drumkeerin team in the re-fixed Shield final on Saturday last in Fenagh – a great bunch of players who played some great football all year keep it up, lads.

Storm Ophelia has passed  and thank God everyone stayed safe and headed the warnings and no reports of any damage – most of our banners and flags survived with only a handful taking to the skies.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS  2017  –  ACHADH NÁ SÍLEANN – What a year it has been for our Club and Parish – unbeaten in the Championship and now Intermediate Champions the heartbreak of the last few years flowed down many faces on Sunday in Pairc Sean when the final whistle sounded what joyous scenes were witnessed.   What a cavalcade of cars arrived back to Achadh na Sileann with a stop at Pol an Easa and then onto Beal an Atha Mor – more joyous scenes  where the celebrations went on long into the night – The team visited our school on Monday which was very exciting for all our young boys and girls – Comhghairdeas to the whole Panel, David, Adrian, Damien and Richie and all the great people in our Club who have been there through thick and thin – Lads you have given our small area such a lift that will keep us all going for many a long winters day and night.  A big go raibh maith agaibh to all our Supporters who travelled from near and far to be in Pairc Sean, to all the supporters from our neighbouring Clubs – great to see Ballinamore decked out in Green and White and all the Posters  all along the way to Pairc Sean – a big thank to all who turned out Parish Green and White. A big thank you to our generous Sponsors – we will have more on them over the next few weeks.  Shirley has still some Hats and Teeshirts available and she will be placing another order by the weekend so anyone who needs to get a jacket or top please let her know 086 608 3516 asap.

Congratulations to St Bridgets U 17 boys who won the Shield final on Saturday in Aughavas to our reps Aaron, Ciaran, Niall and Richard well-done lads.  Thank you to Aughavas GAA for the hospitality refreshments were appreciated. St Bridgets U 14 girls have a final coming up could be Saturday next – more news later.  Under 15 boys play the Shield Final on Saturday next at 12 noon – no venue at moment.

Comhghairdeas to Dearbhla Gunn who came 1st out of 90 girls from 5th and 6th classes in Leitrim Cross Country Running – well done Dearbhla keep up the training.