Archive for category: General

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06-Mar-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

The Late Josie Murray RIP

It is with sadness and regret, not alone in Carrick-on –Shannon, but throughout Leitrim and indeed much further afield, that we learn of the passing  the footballing legend Josie Murray. After a short illness, borne with great tolerance and dignity, Josie lost his battle with life on this morning (Thursday) at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Born in 1938 he attended The Presentation Brothers National School where his natural athletic ability was quickly identified and nourished. He represented St. Marys at every level and was a member of their first winning county championship team in 1958 wearing the number 6 jersey. He added his second county medal sixteen years later when he played at corner back with Sheemore Gaels, an amalgamation of St. Marys, Kiltubrid and Fenagh. He too won numerous hurling championship medals with St Marys as he was also a talented hurler and played on the county hurling team over many years.

While his achievements with his local club are well documented it is with his beloved Leitrim that Josie will be best remembered. He captained the famous Leitrim minor team that won the Connacht championship in 1956 and gave a heroic display at his customary centre half back position in losing to Dublin in the All Ireland final. He quickly moved on to the senior panel and was an integral part of the great senior county team that was defeated in the Connacht finals of 1958,59,60, and 61. He represented Connacht and was unfortunately on the losing teams of 1961, 63, 64 and 65 on St. Patricks Day. In recognition of his talent and skill he was chosen as centre half back on the Leitrim team of the Millennium.

On finishing school Josie commenced employment with local firm John Gilmartin and later moved to New York where he played football for Leitrim while working there. Josie and his beloved wife Evelyn moved back to Ireland to raise their family and Josie moved to Dublin and commenced working with Bus Eireann, quickly moving to the rank of Inspector. While in Dublin he was an avid supporter of all things Leitrim and was a founding member of the Leitrim Golf Classic and the Dublin Branch of the Leitrim Supporters Club helping in no small way in the efforts towards raising funds to promote the fortunes of all Leitrim teams. Indeed only last May he was a prime mover of a golf classic in Carrick-on-Shannon to raise funds for the Leitrim Senior Team on the eve of the Connacht Championship and when Tommie Moran compered a great “Up for the Match” night prior to the County Final in the Bush Hotel just last September Josie was one of his guests who reminisced on the St. Marys club over many years and did so with wonderful wit and charm, finishing off his contribution with a great rendering of one of his favourite songs.

Josie’s deep faith was evident from his commitment to the local church. He was always available to prepare for the various celebrations taking place by placing bunting and flags suitable for the occasion in the church grounds. He was also a Chairperson of the Church Finance Committee.

To his wife Evelyn, sons Declan, Niall and Keith, brothers Johnny and Seamus, and to his extended family all Leitrim Gaels extend their heartfelt sympathies.

Funeral Arrangements:

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis  

12-Feb-15 by Leitrim GAA

IMPORTANT Child Welfare & Protection Training Information for ALL Clubs The Irish Sports Council has recently changed the structure of Child Welfare & Protection (Code of Ethics) workshops for Clubs. The details of the three stages of training are outlined here as follows: 1. Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course All Coaches, Childrens Officers and Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course. This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport. 2. Safeguarding 2 – Club Childrens Officer (C.C.O) A person appointed to the Club Childrens Officer position in a club must have completed safeguarding 1 (Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop) and should complete the NEW Club Childrens Officer 3 hour workshop. This course will help the Club Childrens Officer to carry out the function of their role in the club and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Childrens Officer Action Planning document as part of the training. 3. Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person(DLP) A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed the Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles. The third part of the ISC Child Welfare & Protection Training Programme is the Designated Liaison Person workshop. This workshop is currently under review and will be available to clubs in the Spring /Summer of 2015. Club Childrens Officers Club Childrens Officers should be child centred in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centred ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders Designated Liaison Person Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TULSA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochán / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Childrens Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisations child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role. For further information on any of the Irish Sports Council new changes to the Code Of Ethics workshops please contact: Leitrim Sports Partnership, 071 9650498/Email; sports@leitrimcoco.ie

10-Feb-15 by Leitrim Sports Partnership

Cumann Luthchleas Gael

Coiste Chontae Liatroma

Part time Hurling Coach

Leitrim GAA, in partnership with Connacht GAA Council, wishes to recruit a part time hurling coach. The successful candidate will be responsible for the implementation of our hurling coaching programmes for 2015 in the following areas:

Primary & Post primary schools hurling coaching programme. This programme will consist of two eight week blocks of coaching, Block one March – May and Block two September – November 2015.

Coaching at our GAA Cul camps

Candidates should have:

• A minimum Foundation award hurling coaching qualification
• Child welfare and protection course complete
• Garda vetting clearance certificate
• Experience of coaching children
• Good organisational and communication skills
• Own Transport

Interested candidates should send current CV to:

Games Development Manager

Leitrim GAA, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, Ck-on-Shannon, Co.Leitrim.

The closing date for applications is Friday 30th January 2015 at 5pm

20-Jan-15 by Leitrim GAA

The late Patsy Guckian. Shannon Lodge, Ck-on-Shannon and St Marys GAA Club

Leitrim GAA wishes to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the late Patsy Guckian, Shannon Lodge, Ck-on-Shannon, who passed to his eternal reward yesterday. Patsy, a former employee of ESB, was a lifetime GAA stalwart giving so much of his spare time towards the development of underage players in the St. Mary’s, Kiltoghert, Club over the 1980’s and early 1990’s and indeed also shared his expertise as selector with various county underage teams of that era. He also served as a Leitrim Senior selector in the mid 1980s. The unprecedented success of the St Mary’s underage teams in the 1980’s and into the 1990’s was testament to the work spearheaded by the genial Patsy.

Indeed in 1988, with Patsy at the helm, St Mary’s won all of the underage championship titles on offer from Under 12 to Under 21, a haul of trophies never before achieved or since matched. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the St Mary’s Club Patsy was presented with the Ciba-Geigy sponsored GAA Provincial and County Club Person of the Year Award in 1986.

This improvement of standards in the county town club, no doubt spurred on other clubs in an effort to match the St Mary’s underage machines of that era and the stock of Leitrim teams at all levels improved greatly. Ultimately the underage players of St. Marys, who were the product of Patsy’s dedication, went on to share in the Club’s second SFC win of 1995, the year in which they also won the Intermediate and Minor A Championship titles, an unprecedented haul of silverware that that is unlikely to be repeated in the future.

A former club player with both Annaduff and St. Marys, Patsy also represented Leitrim in the early 1960s.

Patsy is survived by his wife Gladys, sons Brendan and Pat, daughters Aine and Michelle. His remains will repose at his residence in Shannon Lodge, Ck-on Shannon today (Wednesday) from 2pm to 5pm with removal to arrive at St Mary’s Church, Ck-on-Shannon at 7pm. His funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 12 noon with burial immediately afterwards in KiltoghertCemetery.

Ar Dheis De go raibh se.

14-Jan-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO