Seachtain na Gaeilge – Tráth na Gceist

The annual Seachtain na Gaeilge quiz will take place in Leitrim on Friday 26th February at 8pm in the Allen Gaels clubhouse at Shane Mc Gettigan park, Drumshanbo. All clubs are asked to send a team. The quiz which starts at county level, sees the the winning teams through to the Connaught final and winners from there go on to the All Ireland Finals in Croke Park on St Patricks Day. This year three teams will qualify for the Connacht Finals from each County. The Connacht Finals are to be held on 9th March in Ballyhaunis. There can be three to four persons on a team and all questions are team questions as Gaeilge.

Scór Sinsear

The semi-final of Scór Sinsear Liatroma is scheduled to take place on Saturday 26th of February in Carrick-on-Shannon at 7pm. The county final will be held in Ballinamore on the 5th of March with the county title winners going forward to the Connaught final in Elphin on the 12th of March. Entries for the Leitrim semi-final to be with Runai Maura Mulvey by Friday 18th if possible.

 

 

08-Feb-11 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor

Michael Poniard from the Glencar Manorhamilton club is one of the most consistent hurlers at both club and county level over the past few years. A dual player of distinction Michael has represented his county in both codes. He is a very committed and loyal player and this was borne out by his outstanding performances in the county hurling jersey throughout 2010. Michaels GAA achievements include:- Leitrim club hurler of the year 2005, Senior B hurling championships 2005, 2006. Senior football championships 2008, 2010, u21 football championship 2004, minor championship 2000.

Keith Connolly plays his club hurling with St. Vincents in Dublin. Qualifying under the Inter County Transfer rule, Keith has represented Leitrim for the past three years. Despite his club commitments in Dublin Keith has been an ever present at county training and games and was honoured as county team captain in 2010. Keith is a whole hearted player and was outstanding throughout Leitrims league and championship campaign this year.  Keiths GAA achievements include:- Under 14, 15, 16 Dublin club championship both hurling and football winners. Under 14 Dublin Feile winners hurling. Under 14 football All Ireland Feile winners. Under 21 football championship winners. Runner up junior hurling championship 2008, Intermediate hurling 2009, senior hurling 2010.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma extend congratulations to Michael and Keith on being selected on the Lory Meagher Championship 15 team for 2010.  A huge honour for themselves and their clubs.  Both players will be presented with their award at a banquet in Croke Park on Saturday 18 December.

 

 

28-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

The Senior Hurling League is continuing at pace at present. Only one game remains to be played and so far the teams involved are competing well on the mid week format.

Recent results are;
Gortlettragh 1-20 Glencar/Manor 0-8
Glencar/Manor 1-13 Saint Mary”s 2-10

One game left to play i.e. Glencar/Manor V Gortlettragh.

League Table

Team              Played Won Draw Lost Points
St Mary”s             4      2       1       1       5
Gortlettragh          3      2       0       1       4
Glencar/Manor      3      0       1       1       1

 

 

13-Sep-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

Over the last few weeks, a number of games have taken place in The Senior Hurling League. Gortlettragh are to be commended for providing their fine pitch for most of the games and coming up with the idea of a Hurling League in the first place.

 

Below are the results of the Leitrim Hurling league so far:

Gortlettragh 0-16 St Marys 2-15

St Mars 1-12 Glencar/Manor 2-6

St Marys 2-5 Gortlettragh 2.-10

 

The remaining fixtures are as follows
1st Sept Gortlettragh V Glencar/Manor
6th Sept Glencar/Manor V St Marys
13th Sept Glencar/Manor V Gortlettragh

 

 

 

02-Sep-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

The Leitrim Senior Hurlers had a fantastic win over South Down last weekend on a Scórline of 1-13 to 1-12.  Leitrim scored a last minute goal to edge out their opponents and now advance to meet Cavan this Saturday in Kingspan Breffni Park.  The match is scheduled for 12pm (E.T. if necessary).

We wish the team and manÓgment the very best of luck.

 

 

11-Jun-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

Allianz NHL Div 4 – Round 5

Monaghan 2 – 11
Leitrim 1 – 12
Lady luck certainly did not smile on the Leitrim hurlers on Sunday afternoon in Ballinamore when they took on Allianz NHL Division 4 unbeaten side and table toppers Monaghan.
Monaghan came from behind to grab a Scórcely deserved victory over Leitrim with goals by Sean Leonard and Brian Phelan in the last five minutes of an entertaining tie.

Prior to that Leitrim led this encounter from the 24th minute until Phelans strike in the 70th minute, which put the Farney men, who had been facing an unexpected defeat, ahead again. After controlling the exchanges for 46 minutes it certainly was very disappointing for Leitrim to surrender the win in the closing stages of this contest.

Despite the defeat it was undoubtedly Leitrims best all round display in their five games of the league, even though only slightly better than their come from behind win over South Down a few weeks ago in Carrick.

All the Leitrim backs performed well and curtailed the Monaghan forwards to limited Scóring opportunities until the crucial final five minutes while Vinnie McDermott at fullback and young Sean McWeeney at wing back were rock solid.

Keith Connolly turned in an excellent display at midfield while his partner Michael Poniard put in a tremendous amount of good work. All the Leitrim forwards worked hard with Ian Bermingham, Clement Cunniffe and Liam Burns to the fore.
It is hoped that all our suspended, injured and unavailable players get back to training now for the Lory Meagher Cup and build on this great hearted performance.

Leitrim: Paul McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Vincent McDermott, David Tiernan, Morgan Quinn, Sean McWeeney, Kieran Boyle 0 – 1, Keith Connolly 0 – 2, Michael Poniard, Paraic McWeeney, Clement Cunniffe, Ian Bermingham 0 – 6(2f.), Michael Burns, Liam Burns 1 – 0, Cathal McCrann 0 – 1. Sub Kevin OConnor 0 – 1 for M. Burns (12 mins).
Referee: Ashley Stapleton (Laois).

 

 

 

29-Mar-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

Allianz NHL Div 4 – Round IV

Longford 3-20
Leitrim 1 -08

Leitrim and Longford played out a very disappointing Allianz NHL Division 4 in Pearse Park, Longford on Sunday last.

scores were level on a number of occasions early on and little by little Longford began to pull clear and when Conor Burns got a red card after an altercation with his opponent, Leitrim were trailing and facing an uphill battle and went in at half time 7 points down.
On resuming, Leitrim upped their game but missed a number of chances early on. The game then turned into a very scrappy affair and Longford duly took the honours with some long range points. Leitrim badly missed Clement Cunniffe through injury.

Leitrim: Paul McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Niall Guckian, Shane Guckian, Seán McWeeney, Michael Poniard, Kieran Boyle, Vincent McDermott, Keith Connolly, Paraic McWeeney, Ian Bermingham, Conor Burns, Michael Burns, Mark Hayes, Liam Burns, Subs Gary Coone for Mick Burns, David Tiernan for Kieran Boyle(inj), Morgan Quinn for P. McWeeney and Kevin


 

 

23-Mar-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

Allianz NHL Div 4 – Round III

Leitrim 3 – 15, South Down 3 – 10.

Leitrim staged a dramatic come-back to win their first Allianz NHL Division 4 game of the season in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday after a tough encounter with South Down.

scores were level on a number of occasions and Leitrim were reduced to 14 men on 42 minutes after Paraic McWeeney got a second yellow card. At that stage, Leitrim were trailing by four points but for the remainder of the game, every Leitrim player battled as if their lives depended on it.

In the last throes of the game Liam Burns scored a goal and a point to ensure victory for Leitrim. Clement Cunniffe was back to his best from both open play and frees despite carrying an injury and each player responded inÓgreat fashion to get this victory.

Leitrim Team and scorers: Paul McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Niall Guckian, Shane Guckian, Seán McWeeney, Michael Poniard, Kieran Boyle, Vincent McDermott, Keith Connolly, Paraic McWeeney, Clement Cunniffe 0 – 9(4f.), Ian Bermingham 0 – 1, Michael Burns 0 – 1, Liam Burns 2 – 3, Mark Hayes 1 – 1. Subs Conor Burns for Bermingham (66 mins.), Gary Coone for Mick Burns, Conor Beirne, David Tiernan and Kevin OConnor

 

 

15-Mar-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

Allianz NHL Div 4 – Round 2 (28 February 2010)

Fermanagh 1-16 Leitrim 0-14

Fermanagh scored a decisive win over Leitrim at the end of a tough battle in Brewster Park, Enniskillen on Sunday.
Leitrim got off to a great start and dominated the first 20 minutes where they led by 0-6 to 0-3. However, just before half time, Fermanagh got a rather fortuitous goal and added a point to leave the sides level at half time.
Midway through the second half, there was nothing between the sides but in the last 15 minutes of the game, Leitrim seemed to run out of steam and Fermanagh ran out 5 point winners.

Leitrim Team ; Paul McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Davis Tiernan, Sean McWeeney, Kieran Boyle, Vinnie McDermott, Michael Poniard (0-1), Keith Connolly (0-2), Clement Cunniffe (0-5,3f), Conor Burns, Ian Bermingham (0-3,2f), Fearghal Carroll, Mick Burns, Dan OBrien, Liam Burns. Subs; Mark Hayes (0-1) for Conor Burns, Gary Coen, Kevin OConnor

 

 

01-Mar-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO/Hurling

AGM of Leitrim Hurling Board

At a well attended AGM of the Hurling Board held recently in The Bush Hotel, the new Cathaoirleach Joe Flynn and Rúnai Diarmuid Sweeney attended and pledged their support for Hurling within the County in the coming years

The three Officers Cathaoirleach Paddy Phelan, Rúnai Michael Doorigan and Cisteoir Martin Cunniffe were all re elected unanimously.

The meeting undertook to have more hurling games throughout the year and hoped that the inclusion of Michael Doorigan on the Fixtures committee will aid the smooth running of all competitions. The inclusion of hurling on the Master fixtures Plan will facilitate this also.

 

 

24-Feb-10 by Paddy O Connor – PRO – Hurling

New Cavan Manager Brendan Nelligan enjoyed a winning debut at Breffni Park, helped by profligate Leitrim recording 15 wides.
With former London star Kevin Downes to the fore , Cavan opened up a 0-3 to 0-2 lead in the opening quarter.
Clement Cunniffe gave Leitrim a foothold but their limitations up front soon became all too obvious.
Cavans frontmen laboured initially before enjoying a 13-minute purple patch in which they notched 1-5 without reply.
However, four minutes after Mark McEntees 28th-minute goal for Cavan, Dave McGovern raised a green flag to give Leitrim hope.
But Cavan regained control and with Bernard Gaffney shining, hit five points without reply. Leitrim refused to cave in and got a late consolation through Shane Kiernans goal.  Final score Cavan 1.17, Leitrim 3.4.
scorers — Cavan: B Gaffney 0-9 (0-3f, 0-3 65s), K Downes 0-6, M Entee 1-1, G Brennan 0-1. Leitrim: C Cunniffe 1-3 (0-1f, 0-1 65), S Kiernan, D McGovern 1-0, D OBrien 0-1.
Cavan — M Curry; D Neary, M Carr, A Sheridan; B Devine, C Nelligan, A Nelligan; P Sheridan, G Brennan; C Brennan, B Gaffney, R OHanlon; K Downes, M McEntee, M OConnell. Subs: J Rosney for R OHanlon (20), S Og Brady for M OConnell (66).
Leitrim — P McKiernan; K McGrath, nÓguckian, S Guckian; K Boyle, V McDermott, M Poniard; K Connolly, C Cunniffe; D McGovern, I Bermingham, F Carroll; M Hayes, D OBrien, M Burns. Subs: C Burns for M Hayes (30), L Burns for I Berminghan (38), P McWeeney for F Carroll (47), S Kiernan for M Burns (55), D Tiernan for K McGrath (65).
REF — C Groome (Offaly).

Match Report courtesty of the Irish Independent

 

 

23-Feb-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

All Ireland wins for Leitrim are rare events but in two successive years, 1983 and 1984, Leitrim won All Ireland Hurling titles.

In 1983 Leitrims under 16 hurlers won the All Ireland (Special) hurling title beating Longford in the Final in Croke Park. This competition was later called the All Ireland "C" competition. Indeed until the Leitrim Ladies won the Intermediate football title two years ago, this was Leitrims only success at All Ireland Final level in Croke Park. The final was played on the same bill as a Donegal v Galway All Ireland Senior Football semi-final on the 16 August.

The Captain of that famous team was Joe Casey from Aughavas who led the team up the old Hogan stand to get their medals. The team contained players from Ballinamore, Carrick on Shannon, Mohill and Elphin. The Mohill players, and Joe Casey, lined out with Ballinamore as Mohill did not have a hurling club in those years. Elphin played in Leitrim for a few years and contributed greatly to the team.

The following year Leitrim won the corresponding Minor hurling title. The final was played against Longford in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada and 11 of the starting team in the 1984 Minor final were on the starting line-out on the under 16 team a year earlier.

Now, 25 years later, the players on both teams will come together for a celebration in the Bush Hotel on Friday 24 April at 9.00. It promises to be a wonderful occasion as the men who brought two hurling All Irelands celebrate their historic wins. The significance of those victories can be gauged by the fact that Leitrim have never even reached the final of either competition since then.

Pictured here is the team that won the under 16 title in Croke Park in 1983:
Front ( L to R):Paddy Murray (St Marys), Ciaran Mahon (Ballinamore), Joe Casey (Ballinamore), Gerry ORourke (Elphin), Aidan Dockery (Elphin), Dermot McKeon (Ballinamore), Michael Moran (Elphin). Back: Brian Beirne (St Marys),Matthew Hynes (Elphin), Dermot OBrien (Ballinamore), Niall Keely (St Marys), Conor Harte (Ballinamore), Martin Nolan (Elphin), Ray Kelleher (St Marys), Pat Galvin (Elphin). The mascot is Cormac Ó Suilleabháin (Ballinamore)

 

 

11-Apr-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan