Leitrim must travel to the Banner county to meet Clare in the 1st round of the Tommy Murphy Cup on July 19th. The draw was made this evening in Croke Park and was aired live on TV3 with the preliminary pairings of Kilkenny & London drawn first. First drawn teams get home advantage and the full lineup of games is as follows:
Prelim: Kilkenny v London
Round 1 –
Kilkenny / London v Sligo
Antrim v Carlow
Clare v Leitrim
Wicklow v Waterford
29-Jun-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Under 15 residential School.
10 footballers and 5 hurlers will spend three days this week attending a residential school of excellence at N.U.I. Galway. They will join with 75 young footballers and hurlers from the four other Connacht Counties. Over the three days they will cover various aspects of coaching and games development. We congratulate those selected and hope the have an enjoyable three days.
Primary School Coaching.
The second block of primary school coaching has concluded and we would like to thank all coaches for their effort over the past few months. Thanks to all school principles and Boards of management for their cooperation with the scheme. We look forward to working with you all again in September.
Under 8 & 10 blitz club blitz.
Our latest series of under 10 Go-Games blitzes concluded last week. The next series of games were not scheduled to take place till September but at the request of clubs we will organise a round of games for Saturday 12th July. We will publish a full list of games in the next few weeks.
Vhi GAA Cul Camps 2008
Parents please note that its still not too late to register for the Vhi GAA cul camps.
If parents dont have a form they can download one from the GAA website www.gaa.ie. Return all forms to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck – on – Shannon, Co.Leitrim. List of camps for 2008 are as follows.
Monday 30/06/2008 – Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon, Aughawillan.
Monday 07/07/2008 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.(Bornacoola GAA grounds)
Monday 14/07/2008 – Aughavas, Gortletteragh, Dromahair.
Monday 21/07/2008 – Fenagh, Drumkeerin, Leitrim.
17-Jun-08 by Thomas Keenan
Galway advanced to the Connacht SFC final following a four-point victory over Leitrim in Pearse Stadium.
After trailing by two points at half time Leitrim got to within a point of Galway after the break but a goal from substitute Cormac Bane proved decisive in spite of a fine ten-point overall contribution from Leitrims Emlyn Mulligan.
Galways Matthew Clancy opened the Scóring with a second minute point but two frees from Mulligan edged Leitrim into an early lead. Padraig Joyce replied with two points and then a goal from the Tribesmens captain after 12 minutes advanced Galway into a four point lead as Joyce cut in from the right before sending a left footed strike past Enda Lyons.
Fiachra Breathnach was denied a second Galway goal on 15 minutes by Lyons as the home side enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.
A Michael Meehan point stretched their lead to five points but a goal on 26 minutes had Des Dolans men right back into contention.
Philip McGuinness and Declan Maxwell exchanged passes with Maxwell finding the net via the post to cut the lead to just two points. Donal Brennan had a penalty shout for Leitrim five minutes after Maxwells goal when he appeared to be pushed by the Galway goalkeeper but the appeals were waved away by the referee.
Two further points at either end sent Galway in for half time enjoying a narrow two-point winning margin, 1-08 to 1-06.
Emlyn Mulligan may be a newcomer to inter county action but his fine contribution of 10 points, all from frees, in only his second championship match for Leitrim always gave the underdogs a chance of creating an upset.
Two frees from Mulligan either side of two points from Michael Meehan left little between the teams in the evenly contested first 10 minutes of the second half.
Cormac Bane and Declan Maxwell, with Leitrims sole second half score from play, exchanged points but Leitrim reduced the lead to the bare minimum 20 minutes into the half when Mulligan again found the range with a free kick.
However, the game turned inÓgalways favour just a minute later when the Tribesmen again raised the green flag to stun Leitrim and end the comeback. Meehan set up half time substitute Bane who made no mistake from close range.
Further points from Meehan and captain Joyce stretched the lead to six points as Leitrim heads dropped following the goal. Bane scored Galways last point of the game on 69 minutes while three pointed frees from Mulligan left four points between the teams at the full time whistle.
GALWAY: P Doherty; G Bradshaw; F Hanley; D Burke; D Meehan; D Mullahy; G Sice; N Coleman (0-01); M Lydon; P Conroy; P Joyce (1-04, 1 free); N Joyce (0-02); M Clancy (0-01); M Meehan (0-04, 1 free); F Breathnach.
Subs: B Cullinane and C Bane (1-02) for Lydon and Conroy half time; M Comer for Burke 42m; S Armstrong for Breathnach 47m.
LEITRIM: E Lyons; D Reynolds; J McKeon; M McGuinness; G Reynolds; B Prior; S Foley; G McCloskey; M Duignan; D OConnor; P McGuinness; M Foley (0-01); E Mulligan (0-10, all frees); D Maxwell (1-01); D Brennan (0-01).
Subs: D Duignan for OConnor half time; J Glancy for M Foley 49m; B McWeeney for D Reynolds 64m; C Duignan for Brennan 69m.
15-Jun-08 by RTE.ie
Leitrim team was announced tonight (Thursday) in advance of the Connacht Senior Football Championship encounter against Galway in Pearse Stadium on Sunday. The lineout has one change from the team that started against New York as Ciaran Duignan is replaced by Philip McGuinness. Michael Duignan is declared fit to start while Colin Regan is unlikely to participate due to a knee injury.
| 1 | Enda Lyons | Carrigallen |
| 2 | Dermot Reynolds | St Marys |
| 3 | John McKeon | Drumreilly |
| 4 | Michael McGuinness | Mohill |
| 5 | Gary Reynolds | Carrigallen |
| 6 | Barry Prior | Aughawillan |
| 7 | Shane Foley | Kiltubrid |
| 8 | Gary McCloskey | Bornacoola |
| 9 | Michael Duignan | Bornacoola |
| 10 | David O Connor | Bornacoola |
| 11 | Philip McGuinness | Mohill |
| 12 | Michael Foley | Kilcock (Ke) |
| 13 | Emlyn Mulligan | Melvin Gaels |
| 14 | Declan Maxwell | Drumreilly |
| 15 | Donal Brennan | Cloone |
13-Jun-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Going to the Galway Game ?
If you intend travelling to the Connacht Semi Final on Sunday week and you wish to purchase a ticket then contact your local club secretary immediately as Clubs are currently calculating their requirements ahead of the distribution early next week.
Ticket Prices
Stand €30
Terrace €20
Under 16 €5(terrace only)
There will be a concession for Student/OAP of €10 on Terrace tickets given at the venue on Match Day and €10 Concession to OAP only on Stand Tickets. Under 16 tickets are for terrace only.
Tickets are also available online by following the new link on the left hand menu to the Ticketmaster website.
06-Jun-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Kevin Higgins scored a goal three minutes from end of extra-time to secure the Connacht junior football championship title for Roscommon at Pearse Stadium yesterday.
Roscommon seemed poised for victory in normal time but Leitrim corner-forward James Holohan steered over a superb equaliser as the game went into stoppage time.
ScórERS — Roscommon: K Higgins 1-2; D Moran 0-5 (3f), C McHugh 1-1, B Mullen 0-2. Leitrim: D ODonnell 0-4 (2f), J Holohan, D Gilhooley (2f) N Doonan 0-2 each, P McGowan, R Cox, C Prior 0-1 each.
Roscommon — M Miley; R Brady, R Cox, D Flynn; N Carty, J Nolan, C Garvey; M Killilea, M Reynolds; K Higgins, B Mullen, J McKeague; F Cregg, D Moran, C
19-May-08 by Irish Independant.ie
The following is the Leitrim Junior team to play Roscommon in the Connacht Junior Football Final in Pearse Stadium on Sunday at 2pm.
| 1 | Cathal McCrann | Gortleitreach |
| 2 | Wayne Gilgunn | Achadh na Sileann |
| 3 | David Flynn | Carraig Alainn |
| 4 | Liam Ferguson | Sean Ui Eislin |
| 5 | Aidan Bohan | Cill Tiobraid |
| 6 | Michael Greene | Naomh Muire |
| 7 | Daniel Beck | Maothail |
| 8 | Daniel Lowe | Naomh Muire |
| 9 | Noel Doonan | Carraig Alainn |
| 10 | Patrick McGowan | Droim Da Eithear |
| 11 | Damien ODonnell | Cluain |
| 12 | Christopher Prior | Achadh Mhaolainn |
| 13 | Ray Cox | Eanach Dubh |
| 14 | DeclanÓgilhooley | Gaeil na hAilne |
| 15 | James Holohan | Droim Oir Bhealaigh |
17-May-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Tickets go on sale this evening (Friday) in Páirc Seán for the double fixture in Pearse Stadium, Galway and Leitrim interest will be on the opening game between Leitrim and Roscommon in the Junior Championship Final.
This is and All Ticket event and the prices are as follows:
Stand €30
Terrace €20
Students & OAPs Full Price Refunds €10 ( Terrace only)
will be paid to people with current cards at Designated Stiles
Designated Stiles:
No 20 Dr Mannix Road
No 34 Rockbarton Rd
OAPs Stand stile 62
Patrons are reminded that all persons (including children, students and O.A.Ps) Must have a ticket.
Also available through Connacht GAA Office,Ballyhaunis 094-9630335. ( Credit Card bookings accepted) or online at www.connachtgaa.ie or at Ticketmaster outlets.
Patrons are requested to arrive early for the games and co-operate with stewards and Gardai.
Please leave the vicinity of the stadium tidy.
Gates open 12.45pm.
16-May-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Connacht Senior Football Championship 2008
New York v Leitrim – 3pm NY time – 8pm Irish time
Gaelic Park, Bronx, New York.
Ref: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)
The Leitrim team list is as follows:
| 1 | Enda Lyons | Carraig Alainn |
| 2 | Dermot Reynolds | Naomh Muire |
| 3 | John McKeon | Droim Óir Bhealaigh |
| 4 | Shane Foley | Cill Tiobraid |
| 5 | Gary Reynolds | Carraig Alainn |
| 6 | Michael McGuinness | Maothail |
| 7 | Barry Prior | Achadh Mhaoileann |
| 8 | Gary McCloskey | Barr na Cúille |
| 9 | Michael Duignan | Barr na Cúille |
| 10 | Emlyn Mulligan | Gaeil na Meilge |
| 11 | Declan Maxwell | Droim Oir Bhealaigh |
| 12 | Ciaran Duignan | Na Fianna (BAC) |
| 13 | Donal Brennan | Cluain |
| 14 | David O Connor | Barr na Cúille |
| 15 | Michael Foley | Cill Choca (Cill Dara) |
| 16 | Noel Gill | Cill Tiobraid |
| 17 | Adrian O Flynn | Gleann an Chairthe Cluainín |
| 18 | Ciaran Kennedy | Maothail |
| 19 | Stephen Feeney | Droim Caorthainn |
| 20 | James Glancy | Naomh Muire |
| 21 | Francis Holohan | Droim Oir Bhealaigh |
| 23 | Barry McWeeney | Achadh na Sileann |
| 22 | RonanÓgallagher | Maothail |
| 24 | Niall Murray | Achadh na Sileann |
| 25 | Philip McGuinness | Maothail |
| 26 | Darren Duignan | Gortleitreach |
| 27 | Fintan McBrien | Achadh Easa |
| 28 | Colin Regan | Gaeil na Meilge |
| 29 | Philip Howard | Barr na Cúille |
| 30 | James Glancy | Gleann an Chairthe Cluainín |
11-May-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Leitrim brought their greater experience and fitness to bear to comfortably see off the challenge of New York in front of a packed Gaelic Park in the Bronx on Sunday.
Leitrim supporters, estimated to number 2,500, swelled the attendance and cheered on their team inÓglorious sunshine in front of one of the biggest crowds seen at the famous New York venue.
The visiting team were professional in the way they approached this game and apart from a ten minute spell in the first half, they never allowed the home side to get into any sort of rhythm or dictate affairs to any real extent.
Championship debutant Emlyn Mulligan finished this game with an impressive 0-11, ten from frees.
There was a very physical edge to this game with New York having no fewer than nine yellow cards before Dermot Keane saw red in the final seconds.
Leitrim, for their part, chipped in with five yellows as referee Paraic Hughes stamped his authority on proceedings.
With three Leitrim natives on the New York panel, this Championship game saw the unusual spectacle of brother playing against brother with Drumkeerins Alan and Michael Foley lining up against one another.
Des Dolans side got off to a perfect start playing with the aid of the breeze and immediately took the game to New York.
Indeed New Yorks over physical approach got them into trouble in the first half with four menÓgoing into the referees book, while two Leitrim players were also shown yellow.
Leitrim were in control of the football for the first fifteen minutes and raced into a 0-05 to nil lead with three points from the accurate boot of Mulligan and one each from David OConnor and Declan Maxwell.
The hosts found it very difficult to breach a solid Leitrim defence and were restricted to shooting from distance. Their first point didnt register until the 18th minute when full forward Dan Doona from Kerry pointed a free.
Mulligan replied with a free after some hesitancy in the New York defence to stretch the lead for the visitors, but the home side then hit a purple patch and the Leitrim rearguard and midfield found it difficult to build moves.
During this passage of dominance New York popped over two quick points from Adrian OConnor and Mark Dobbin to cut the lead and Doona missed a kickable free and Robert Moran squandered a 45 which could have added pressure on Leitrim.
However, the visitors steadied themselves and finished the half strongly with some fine points as they cut through the New York defence.
Mulligan kicked two more frees, Donal Brennan finished a great team move with a point from the left and midfielder Michael Duignan added another directly from a New York kickout to leave them 0-10 to 0-03 in front at the interval.
The second half was dominated by Leitrim but there was a lethargy to their play for long spells before a final flourish in the last ten minutes added to their total.
Fitness was key and countless fouls by New York allowed Mulligan to punish them from placed balls.
Added to this was the tremendous work rate of midfielders Duignan and Gary McCloskey and the whole defence which effectively shut out the New York challenge.
In the end, it was all too easy and the huge Leitrim crowd were delighted with the result and can now look forward to a Connacht semi-final place against either Galway or Roscommon.
NEW YORK: Pa Ryan, Joe Bell, Aidan Power, Alan Foley, Lonan Maguire, Dermot Keane, Johnny Goldrick, Kenny OConnor (captain), Adrian OConnor (0-01, free), Liam ODonnell (0-02, two frees), Paddy Smith (0-01), Mark Dobbin (0-01), CJ Molloy, Dan Doona (0-01, free), Robert Moran.
Subs: Paul Mulhearne for Molloy (35 mins), Kevin Lilly for Dobbin (45 mins).
LEITRIM: Enda Lyons, Dermot Reynolds, John McKeon, Shane Foley, Gary Reynolds, Michael McGuinness, Barry Prior, Gary McCloskey (captain), Michael Duignan (0-02), Emlyn Mulligan (0-11, 10 frees), Declan Maxwell (0-01), Ciaran Duignan, Donal Brennan (0-01), David OConnor (0-01), Michael Foley.
Subs: Phillip McGuinness (0-01) for C. Duignan (26 mins), Barry McWeeney for Brennan (58 mins) Darren Duignan for OConnor (62 mins), Fintan McBrien for M Foley (66 mins); James Glancy for Maxwell (71 mins).
Referee: Paraic Hughes (Armagh).
11-May-08 by RTE.ie
Exiles face uphill battle against Leitrim
By Simon Lewis, New York, Sourced on IrishExaminer.ie
AS IF life isnt difficult enough for the New York footballers, an injury crisis has been added to the list of exiles woes ahead of tomorrows Connacht SFC clash with Leitrim at Gaelic Park.
The usual complaints of a continuing player drain from the Big Apple and lack of match practice still apply, not that you will hear them from New York Manager Paddy Kearney and his selectors Pat Scanlan and Willie Lowry. Yet Kearney now has to cope with the loss of some of the key players he did actually have at his disposal. Kearney has a quartet of fellow Kerrymen either missing or doubtful while he lost the services of goalkeeper David Hopkins over a player registration issue with the North American board.
Beauforts Damien Breen and Spas Ross Donovan will both be absent through injury while Glenbeigh midfielder Ken OConnor and Beaufort forward Dan Doona, are both struggling with injury. Given their experiences with the Kingdoms panels at minor, U21, and in Doonas case, senior level, their absence would be another cruel blow to the New York cause.
Kearney places some of the blame for the injuries on the new all-weather Fieldturf surface at the redeveloped Gaelic Park, which played host to the first All-Ireland Championship match on an artificial surface 12 months ago when Sligo beat New York.
Greeted as a godsend as it enables training through the harshest of New York winters, particularly now that lights have been installed, Kearney is aware of the irony of it having also brought a spate of injuries.
"I know its beenÓgreat for Gaelic Park and to be able to train there, but I dont think its the best for training," said Kearney.
"The two big injuries that were getting now seem to be shin splints and quads which is very strange. And a lot of boys have beenÓgoing over on their ankles.
"Some blame it on not wearing the right boots but weve had different people going over and theyve nearly all had different types of boots on so it cant be that."
Doona is coming back from a quad muscle injury and missed a recent run out against a hastily-assembled scratch Boston side at Gaelic Park in the Bronx, in which the home side were beaten by the visitors.
"That was not a good sign," Kearney said of the defeat before adding, "Dan was not sure about playing but he gave it a shot and lasted about 15 minutes."
Match practice has been Scórce, with the only other tune-ups coming against visiting Kerry champions Feale Rangers and an Irish Army side.
"One national league game (for the inter-county sides) is as good as two months training for us," Kearney said.
"But we wont cry. Leitrim will be bringing a very strong squad and the most we can do is give it a shot."
One of the plus sides for Kearney is the emergence of a core of homegrown New York footballers on the senior panel.
"On the panel I would say we have seven or eight Irish-American players that have come through from the minors and that bodes well for the game here. I really enjoy working with these young fellas because they absolutely love playing."
Due to the injury doubts, Kearney will wait until the last possible moment before naming his team, but based on previous selections against Feale Rangers and the Army, New York could lineout with American youngster CJ Molloy, nephew of Donegal All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy, among the forwards. Leitrim native Alan Foley could face his brother, free taker Michael Foley, while defensive cohort Sean Munnelly will also be playing against his home county and American forward Thomas McGovern has a father from Leitrim.
If the 6ft 5in OConnor overcomes knee and hand problems he will lineout in midfield alongside his 6ft 7in brother Adrian OConnor. If he fails to pass fit, Robbie Moran will drop from the forwards into midfield.
NEW YORK probable (SFC v Leitrim): P Ryan; S Munnelly, J Mitchell, A Power, A Foley, D Keane, L Maguire; A OConnor, R Moran; M Higgins, D Hartnett, M Dobbin, D Doona, L ODonnell, CJ Molloy.
10-May-08 by IrishExaminer.ie
Final preparations for tomorrows game went according to plan today as the full squad got a good run out in gaelic Park. The weather today was dry and a little humid but more pleasant then yesterdays downpour. Tomorrows weather is forecast to be a little cloudy but warmer than today at 20-22 deg C.
The team will not be announced until tomorrow prior to the game when all eyes will focus west as the 2nd game of the All Ireland series takes place at 8pm Irish time.
We will of course be providing the Live scoreboard feature both on this website and on your mobile phone on mobile.LeitrimGaa.ie.
Local Stations Shannonside FM and Ocean FM will also carry the full coverage as John Lynch and Kevin Blessing take the game to the air waves.
Last night word is that the supporters had a very enjoyable night in gaelic Park after Aughnasheelin and Astoria Gaels drew in a very evenly matched game followed by a function hosted by Aughnasheelin.
Its now less than 24 hours to throw-in and wed like to wish the team and management the very best of luck.
10-May-08 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
