Positive Vibes as LeitrimGAA Handball Marks a Remarkable Year of Growth and Achievement in 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, Leitrim GAA Handball can reflect with pride on a year marked by significant growth, strong community involvement, and notable success at regional, national and international levels.
The past year has seen participation across the county continue to rise, with Leitrim’s four handball clubs now catering for over 100 juvenile players. While many enjoy the sport socially, an increasing number are competing at a high level, highlighting the healthy balance between participation and performance within the county.
The season began on a positive note in January with the successful running of the Shannonside League. Featuring over 60 games and involving juvenile players from Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo, the league provided valuable competitive opportunities and set the tone for the year ahead.
One of the standout stories of 2025 was the continued success of Fenagh’s Sophie Kane. Sophie enjoyed an exceptional year, winning the Connacht Under-13 40×20 title and claiming medals at European level. Her performances were recognized when she was awarded the Juvenile Leitrim Sport Star of the Year for her achievements in handball both nationally and internationally.
Sophie’s sister, Katie Kane, also had a strong season despite struggling with injury. Highlights included winning gold at the European Tour Under-17 one-wall competition in Belfast and finishing runner-up in the Ladies B grade at the same event. Katie also collected further honors throughout the year at Connacht and national level.
Success was spread across clubs and age groups. Annaduff’s Maxim Gilmartin and Fenagh’s Daniel Kane were Connacht Under-15 boys’ doubles champions, while Maxim also won the Connacht 60×30 schools’ championship with Mohill Community College and secured a bronze medal at the National Community Games Under-16 boys singles finals. He later reached the semi-final of the All-Ireland Under-14 60×30 championship.
At All-Ireland level, Daniel Kane and Maxim Gilmartin played exceptionally well reaching the Under 15 40×20 doubles final, earning silver medals, while Nora Smith of Manorhamilton finished runner-up in the Girls Minor 60×30 All-Ireland final. Manorhamilton players Joel Smith and Anthony Flynn also featured prominently, finishing runners-up in Connacht Silver Masters B doubles competitions across both 40×20 and 60×30 formats.
Leitrim once again demonstrated its ability to host major events, welcoming the Connacht Juvenile A Finals to Fenagh, Annaduff and Drumshanbo, and hosting All-Ireland Ladies 40×20 Championship matches in Drumshanbo. Connacht 60×30 championship games were also hosted in Drumkeeran during the summer.
Coaching and development remained a central focus throughout the year. National school teachers across the county undertook handball training courses, while additional coaching and teacher education sessions were delivered in Annaduff by GAA Handball Regional Development Officer Clare Conway. Increased parental involvement and volunteer engagement on club committees further strengthened the county’s handball structure.
Player welfare continued to be a priority, with Leitrim GAA Handball completing updated risk assessments and child safeguarding statements. Over 20 coaches and mentors completed safeguarding training during the year, reinforcing the county’s commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment.
Despite challenging weather conditions, local events such as the Manorhamilton one-wall tournament proved highly successful, adapting seamlessly when play was moved indoors. Cormac Scarff wins the boys title, with Arro O’Reilly winning the plate. Abbie Kane wins the girls title, with Emma Curry winning the girls plate.
As the season moved into autumn, Fenagh’s Ed Lee featured prominently in his first foray into wallball competitions, finishing runner-up in the Connacht Diamond Masters final, having achieved silver in the All-Ireland Ruby Masters 60×30 final earlier this year, underlining Leitrim’s core strength and foundations at adult level.
Overall, 2025 has been a year to celebrate for Leitrim GAA Handball — a year of achievement nationally, with growing progress, participation and immense pride locally. The dedication of players, volunteers, and supporters has laid a solid foundation for continued success, and the county looks forward to building further on this momentum in the 2026 seasons to come.
Photo: Silverware for Leitrim at the Irish Wallball Nationals – Katie Kane (Girls 17 and under plate), Adam Neary ( Boys 13 and under plate), Sophie Kane ( Girls 13 and under plate).
Photo:Leitrim’s Ed Lee celebrates with supporters after his Connacht Final victory.
Photo: Coaches and parents from Annaduff and surrounding Handball clubs who completed the GAA Handball Foundation Coaching course delivered by GAA Handball Regional development officer – Clare Conway.
David Mahon
Liathróid Láimhe Liatroma
Fenagh Handball Hosts Connacht 4-Wall 2nd Level schools Championship28th January 2026 - 7:24 pm
GAA Club Summit
Club DevelopmentThe GAA Club Summit brings together Gaelic Games volunteers from across Ireland and beyond for a day of expert-led seminars, interactive exhibitions and inspiring forums.
It takes place in Croke Park on Sat 7th Feb and tickets and further info are available here: gaa.ie/clubsummit.
FBD Plate Final Leitrim v London
County FootballOur Senior footballers will play London in Plate Final of the FBD League this weekend in the Connacht COE.
Best of luck to the panel, Steven and his background team. Please come out and show your support!
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 London
📅 | Saturday, 17 – January
⏰ | 6:30pm
📍 | Connacht COE, Bekan, F12 WF21
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://www.universe.com/events/fbd-league-2026-plate-final-leitrim-v-london-tickets-H425XT
New GAA Digital Calendar
GeneralNever miss a match with the GAA Digital Calendar! Add Leitrim’s fixtures to your calendar now at https://ql.e-c.al/3DEi4cN
All Allianz League fixtures are live on the calendar and Championship, U20 & Minor fixtures are being added as fixtures are confirmed.
FBD Round 2 Team Announcement
County Football📣 Leitrim Senior Team Announced
#fbdleague – Round 2
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Galway
📅 | Saturday, 10 -January
⏰ | 1:00pm
📍 | Tuam Stadium, Co. Galway, H54 XY05
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://www.universe.com/events/fbd-league-2026-r2-galway-v-leitrim-tickets-5MFBZS
🎥 Streaming https://page.inplayer.com/connachtgaa/item.html?id=5077391
FBD League Round 2 Leitrim v Galway
County FootballOur Senior footballers will play Galway in Round 2 of the FBD League this weekend in Tuam.
Best of luck to the panel, Steven and his background team. Please come out and show your support!
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Galway
📅 | Saturday, 10 – January
⏰ | 1:00pm
📍 | Tuam Stadium, Galway, H54 XY05
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://www.universe.com/events/fbd-league-2026-r2-galway-v-leitrim-tickets-5MFBZS
The late Mary White, Dundrum, Dublin. RIP.
RIPConnacht Student Bursary Awards 2026
GeneralCongratulations to the five Leitrim recipients of the @ConnachtGAA Student Bursary Awards 2026.
Our recipients were Colm McLoughlin and Ruairí O’Rourke, Fenagh St. Caillin’s, Eanna McNamara, Aughavas, Alan Beirne, St. Mary’s Kiltoghert and Eamonn Healy, Annaduff.
Pictured are the recipients with Connacht Council Communication Officer Hugh Linn, Connacht Council President Vincent Neary and Connacht Council Treasurer Dermot Gannon.
Change of Venue
County FootballDue to an unplayable pitch in Elphin, today’s game v Roscommon in the FBD League will now be played in the Connacht GAA centre, Bekan, F12 WF21 at the later time of 2.30pm.
All tickets purchased already are still valid and the game will still be streamed.
Remarkable Year of Growth and Achievement in 2025 for Leitrim Handball
HandballFBD League Round 1
County FootballThe FBD League returns this weekend with an opening game against Roscommon in Elphin.
Best of luck to the panel, Steven and his background team. Please come out and support the team!
🏐 | Leitrim 🆚 Roscommon
📅 | Sunday, 4-January
⏰ | 1:00pm
📍 | Orchard Park, Elphin, Co. Roscommon, F45 XE83
🎟️ | Advance ticket sales only https://www.universe.com/events/fbd-league-2026-r1-roscommon-v-leitrim-tickets-F4HPXJ
2025 Leitrim GAA Convention – Motions and Nominations
GeneralLeitrim GAA Convention will take place in the Bush Hotel on Wednesday, December 17. The bye laws & motions for Convention and the 1st County Board meeting in January are contained in the pdf: 2025 – Convention – Proposed Bye Laws and Motions
The PDF is divided in to sections related to: LEITRIM BYE LAWS 2026, GAA Congress Motions, Árd Comhairle, Club Championship, Club Leagues, Underage Football, Referees’ Education/Administration, Competition Regulations & Gaeilge.
Comhdháil Bhliantuil 2025
Ainmniúcháin
Chairman: Declan Bohan (Bornacoola)
Vice Chairman: Joe Cox (Annaduff); Adrian McCaffrey (Eslin)
Secretary: Attracta O’Reilly (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert)
Assistant Secretary: Alan Armstrong (Mohill)
Treasurer: Martin McCartin (Drumreilly); Joe Cox (Annaduff)
Assistant Treasurer: John Mulvey (Ballinaglera)
Coaching Officer: Brian Breen (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins)
Oifigeach Cultúra agus Teanga: Claire Crossan (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert)
Communications Officer: Aoife Keenan (Gortletteragh)
Demographic Officer: Appointee recommended by the outgoing County Committee
Planning & Training Officer: Appointee recommended by the outgoing County Committee
Youth Officer: Appointee recommended by the outgoing County Committee
Connacht Council: (2) Sean McGoldrick (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert); Martin McGowan (Allen Gaels)
Central Council: Pat Feely (Glencar Manorhamilton)
Comhdháil Connacht: (4) Declan Bohan, Attracta O’Reilly, Martin McCartin
Comhdháil Bhliantúil: (4) Declan Bohan, Attracta O’Reilly, Martin McCartin
2026 Football Fixtures – FBD League, Allianz National League and Connacht Championship
County Football2026 FBD League
The draw and competition details for the 2026 FBD League have been finalised & Leitrim away in round 1 against Roscommon and are at home against Galway in Round 2.
Round 1: 3rd /4th January – Sligo v Mayo; Galway v London;
Sun, Jan 4th – Roscommon v Leitrim in Elphin at 1pm
Round 2: 9th/10th January – London v Sligo; Mayo v Roscommon
Sat, Jan 10th – Galway v Leitrim in Tuam at 1pm
Finals: 17th /18th January 2026
Competition Regulations:
2026 Allianz Football League
The 2026 Allianz Football League Roinn 4 schedule has been confirmed for Leitrim, with three home games in Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada and four trips to Wicklow, London, Tipperary, and Carlow.
Leitrim begin their campaign on the road against Wicklow in Echelon Park, Aughrim, before hosting Waterford in Carrick-on-Shannon. A trip to London follows in mid-February, ahead of a Round 4 home tie with Antrim.
March brings three crucial fixtures: away to Tipperary in Round 5, a local derby against Longford in Round 6, and a final-round clash away to Carlow.
Our 2026 Allianz Football League Roinn 4 fixtures are confirmed 💚💛
Rd 1 – 25 Jan – Wicklow v Leitrim (A), Aughrim – 2pm
Rd 2 – 1 Feb – Leitrim v Waterford (H), Páirc Seán – 1pm
Rd 3 – 15 Feb – London v Leitrim (A), Ruislip – 1pm
Rd 4 – 22 Feb – Leitrim v Antrim (H), Páirc Seán – 2pm
Rd 5 – 1 Mar – Tipperary v Leitrim (A) – Semple Stadium – 2pm
Rd 6 – 15 Mar – Leitrim v Longford (H), Páirc Seán – 2pm
Rd 7 – 22 Mar – Carlow v Leitrim (A), Netwatch Cullen Park – 1pm
Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship 2026
In the Connacht section of the 2026 Championship draw Leitrim will meet Sligo in the quarter final with the winners meeting Galway in the Connacht semi-final.
On the other side of the draw London host Mayo & New York host Roscommon.
Master Fixtures list for 2026 via GAA.ie
The Allianz Football League Finals will take place on March 28/29 with the Division Two, Three, and Four Hurling Finals also scheduled for that weekend.
The Allianz Hurling League Division 1A and 1B Finals will be on April 4/5.
The provincial football championships begin on the weekend of April 11/12. The Munster and Connacht football finals are on the weekend of May 9/10 with the Leinster and Ulster football finals on the weekend of May 16/17.
It’s worth remembering that the All-Ireland SFC and Tailteann Cup will both have new formats in 2026.
The All-Ireland Senior Football Final is slated for Sunday, July 26 while the Tailteann Cup Final will take place on Saturday, July 11.