Junior Championship preview with Martin McGowan

A weaker than expected Leitrim team take on neighbours Fermanagh in a unique Connacht Junior Championship First Round clash next Friday evening, May 1, in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada hoping to spark another run to a Connacht Final.

Last years Junior side were desperately unlucky not to win the Connacht Junior Final against Roscommon and the expectations were that this years side would feature many of the expanded Leitrim Senior panel brought in by Mickey Moran and John Morrison.

However, Junior team Manager and Senior selector Martin McGowan admits that next Fridays team will not feature all those eligible to play for the Countys second string side as the proximity of the May 31, clash with Roscommon is taking precedence.

"We have 20 players on this years panel who are eligible for the Junior team as they didnt play Senior Championship last year. But with the proximity of the RoscommonÓgame, we dont want to risk injury for any of the lads," Martin revealed.

"We will have seven or eight guys from the squad. There are guys like Paddy McGowan who is eligible to play but Paddy is involved with Dromahair and the Celebrity Bainisteoir Final the following week so it would be very unfair to him to ask him to play on Friday."

Among those who are eligible but are likely to miss out on Friday are Tomas Beirne, Ray Cox, DeclanÓgilhooley, St. Marys James Glancy, Shane Canning, Colm Clarke, BrendanÓgallagher, James Holohan & Daniel Beck – all of whom have seen action in the National League this year.

However, Martin reveals that Leitrim will still have a strong team out on Friday against Fermanagh – "We havent picked the squad yet but I think we may have David Flynn, Liam Ferguson, Bornacoolas John McGuinness, Sean McGourty, Philip Farrelly and Darren Sweeney and maybe Damien ODonnell from the Senior training squad.

"Mohills Ciaran Kennedy, John McGuinness and RonanÓgallagher will be involved while Mark Creegan from Cloone, Emmett Mahon and Dara McKiernan from Kiltubrid and St. Marys Anthony Conway will be coming in. Sean Murray from Ballinamore might also be coming in.

"There is a lot of experience among the players who have lined out at every level for Leitrim. But it is hard to know exactly where we stand. We have had a couple of challenge games and there is a good squad of players there now."

As for Fermanagh, Martin is somewhat in the dark about the challenge of the Ernemen – "We dont know a lot about Fermanagh and well just have to take their challenge at face value. Im sure theyll be well prepared like all northern teams, move the ball fast and will be tough opposition.

"There is no Ulster Junior Championship so Cavan played in Leinster last year while Fermanagh got permission to play in Connacht this year.

"There is always an expectation to do well in the Junior after we reached the All-Ireland Final in 2004 but well just get on with the game, take it as it comes and just see how it goes," concluded Martin.

The winners of the game will face Mayo in a Connacht Semi-Final on Friday, May 15, with the Final being held as the curtain raiser for the Leitrim and RoscommonÓgame on May 31, in Carrick-on-Shannon.

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

 

 

 

 

29-Apr-09 by LeitrimObserver.ie

Coaching News

Coiste Chontae Liatroma – Coaching news

Under 8 & 10 Club blitz

Our under 8 & 10 play and stay blitz will commence on Saturday next 2nd May. These blitz are played under the Go – Games ethos of every one play s and players rotate positions after every quarter. Blitz will be played on a home and away basis for the first two weeks. First named club in each group will act as host. Clubs should ensure that their young referee s are given the opportunity to referee these games.
Pairings for blitz on Saturday next 2nd of May
Gortletteragh + Mohill, St.Osnats + Glenfarne, Cloone + Aughavas, Leitrim Gaels + Annaduff, Dromahair + Melvin Gaels, Aughnasheelin + Kiltubrid + Bornacoola

Saturday 9th May
Mohill + Gortletteragh, Glenfarne + St. Osnats, Aughavas + Cloone, Annaduff + Leitrim Gaels, Melvin Gaels + Dromahair, Kiltubrid + Aughnasheelin + Bornacoola, Drumkeerin + Allen Gaels, Fenagh + GlencarManorhamilton, Drumreilly + Carrigallen, St. Mary s + B/more Sean O Heslin s.
Clubs please note that blitz dates & times can be rearranged to suit clubs involved but all effort should be made to play them as close to the arranged date as possible.

 

 

Under 16 development squad

Our 2009 under 16 development squad will commence training on next Monday, May 4th in Ballinaglera GAA grounds at 10.30am. All players please note the following bus routes and times.

Kinlough 8.55, Manorhamilton 9.15, Dromahair 9.25, Drumkeerin 9.35, Drumshanbo 9.55, Ballinaglera 10.10.
Ballinamore 8.20, Carrigallen 8.40, Aughavas 8.55, Cloone 9.05, Mohill 9.15, Masonite 9.25, Ck-on – Shannon 9.35, Leitrim 9.45, Ballinaglera 10.10.

Coaching booklets
Coaches of all teams are always looking for new ideas and ways to coach skills, game set ups etc, so with thanks to John Morrison we have two publications, "Head, Hands & Feet" and "Games for better Team play" which coaches can purchase at a very modest cost of €15 each. All coaches should obtain copies of both publications as they are excellent reference books.
Some Fun do packs are still available at €50 per pack, and we would urge all coaches working with children up to under 12 to obtain a copy.
Both the booklets and the Fun do packs can be got by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087-6591049 or email thomas.keenan@leitrim.gaa.ie.

Vhi Cul camps 2009
Application forms for this years Vhi GAA cul camps will be distributed to all schools this week and to all clubs over the next two weeks. A new on-line booking and payment system will commence on April 21st and we would encourage parents to avail of this method of registration if possible as it will make life much easier for us all. This new site can be accessed from the GAA website, www.gaa.ie or from the Leitrim GAA website. If parents do not wish to use the new system they can still fill out the paper application form and forward direct to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on-Shannon. Which ever way you decide to book, can you please do so as early as possible as this will assist greatly with camp organisation.
A complete new kit has been designed for all those attending this year camps and the good news for parents is that camp registration fees for 1st & 2nd family members will remain the same as last year with a reduction of €10 for the third family member. This years camps will commence on Monday 6th July and will follow the same format as last year.

06/07/09 – Aughawillan, Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon.
13/07/09 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.
20/07/09 – Aughavas, Dromahair, Gortletteragh.
27/07/07 – Drumkeerin, Fenagh, Leitrim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27-Apr-09 by Thomas Keenan

Coaching news

Skill development days
The skill development days for our under 12 & under 13 players will continue on Saturday next in Kinlough only. To be eligible for the schools players must be in their last year at both ages ie. under 12 born in 1997 and under 13 born in 1996. Following is the list of clubs for Saturday next.
Kinlough: Ballinaglera, Dromahair, Drumkeerin, GlencarManorhamilton, Glenfarne, Melvin Gaels.
All players who attended Ballinamore & Annaduff venues will be contacted later in the year for the next stage, so keep practising.

Ladies GAA Coaching course
A FUNdamentals coaching course for all coaches working with Ladies football teams will take place on Saturday next 25/04/09 in Newtown Manor hall Dromahair, commencing at 10am. Cost per coach will be €20. A limited number of places are still available.
All coaches wishing to attend on the day should contact development officer for the ladies board Patricia Bohan on 087-2505031 or email pbohan@eircon.net

Coaching booklets
Coaches of all teams are always looking for new ideas and ways to coach skills, game set ups etc, so with thanks to John Morrison we have two publications, "Head, Hands & Feet" and "Games for better Team play" which coaches can purchase at a very modest cost of €15 each. All coaches should obtain copies of both publications as they are excellent reference books.
Some Fun do packs are still available at €50 per pack, and we would urge all coaches working with children up to under 12 to obtain a copy.
Both the booklets and the Fun do packs can be got by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087-6591049 or email thomas.keenan@leitrim.gaa.ie.

Vhi Cul camps 2009
Application forms for this years Vhi GAA cul camps will be distributed to all schools this week and to all clubs over the next two weeks. A new on-line booking and payment system will commence on April 21st and we would encourage parents to avail of this method of registration if possible as it will make life much easier for us all. This new site can be accessed from the GAA website, www.gaa.ie. If parents do not wish to use the new system they can still fill out the paper application form and forward direct to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on-Shannon. Which ever way you decide to book, can you please do so as early as possible as this will assist greatly with camp organisation.
A complete new kit has been designed for all those attending this year camps and the good news for parents is that camp registration fees for 1st & 2nd family members will remain the same as last year with a reduction of €10 for the third family member. This years camps will commence on Monday 6th July and will follow the same format as last year.

06/07/09 – Aughawillan, Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon.
13/07/09 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.
20/07/09 – Aughavas, Dromahair, Gortletteragh.
27/07/07 – Drumkeerin, Fenagh, Leitrim.

 

 

21-Apr-09 by Thomas Keenan

BallinamoreSean O Heslins win the novelty act event at the All Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals

Ballinamore/Sean OHeslins won the novelty act event at the All Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals, which took place in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney yesterday.

Included in the Ballinamore/Sean OHeslins novelty act group that claimed victory in Killarney were Raymond McHugh, Brendan Brennan, Tommy Moran, Ross Dooner, Bríd Sullivan, Philip McHugh and Sean McKeon.

Leitrims other representatives at the All Ireland Scór finals Glencar/Manor were narrowly defeated in the figure dance event by the Emyvale dance troupe from Monaghan.

Dancing for Glencar/Manor troupe that narrowly missed victory yesterday in Killarney were Nicole OHara, Amanda Sweeney, Edel Fowley, BronÓgh Rooney, Shane Connaire, Emmett McMorrow, Michael Joe Rooney and Aidan McLoughlin.

Meanwhile the winners of yesterdays six other All Ireland Scór finals were – solo singing – Freemount, Cork – instrumental music – Corofin, Galway – recitation – Moate, Westmeath – ballad group – Clara, Offaly – question time – Allenwood, Kildare and set dancing – Abbeyknockmoy, Galway.

 

 

19-Apr-09 by PJ Leddy

Club action continues this weekend

The action this weekend is firmly with the clubs as the county scene moves over after being the main focal point in recent weeks. With the all county leagues already up and running thanks to the early start in mid February most teams have 3 games under their belt and the next number of weekends should get everyone to the half way point in the league.

Division 2 opens proceedings tonight in Cloone as Cloone host Drumkeerin at 7:45pm. Cloone have 2 wins out of 2 so far and will no doubt be looking to register their third. Drumkeerin have one under their belt and will be looking to move out of the group of 4 on equal points in the mid to bottom of the table.

Two more fixtures are scheduled in Division2 for Saturday evening as Glenfarne/Kilty meet Aughnasheelin and Aughavas play Eslin. The final two games are on Sunday with Carrigallen v St Marys and Annaduff v Dromahaire.

Division 1 recommences on Saturday afternoon at 3pm as Gortletteragh host Annaduff. Annaduff have the better start of the two with two wins while Gortletteragh will be looking to register their first points of the season.

The remining five Division 1 pairings are fixed for later on Saturday evening at 6:30pm. Table toppers Allen Gaels are away to Mohill, Kiltubrid entertain Drumreilly, Aughawillan host Ballinamore, Melvin Gaels take on Bornacoola and Glencar Manor are home to St Marys.

Sunday is a busy day for Divisions 3, 4 and 5 with 10 fixtures across the 3 divisoins. Four of the fixtures are in Division 3 as Glencar/Manor meet Allen Gaels, Bornacoola face Ballinaglera, Mohill play St Caillins and Annaduff host Gortletteragh. Ballinaglera and Mohill top division 3 at the moment.

Division 4s fixtures start at 1pm with Aughawillan home to Aughavas and joint table toppers Leitrim Gaels meet Ballinamore.  

Division 5 is busier with Kiltubrid home to Glenfarne/Kilty, Drumreilly host Aughnasheelin, Mohill versus Carrigallen and Ballinamore home to Leitrim Gaels.  Mohill are top with St Osnats and Aughansheelin in close pursuit at the top the table in Division 5.

 

 

17-Apr-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Coaching News

Coiste Chontae Liatroma –  Coaching news

Skill development days.
The skill development days for our under 12 & under 13 players will continue on Saturday next in Ballinamore, Anaduff and Kinlough. To be eligible for the schools players must be in their last year at both ages ie. under 12 born in 1997 and under 13 born in 1996. Following is the list of clubs for each venue.

Kinlough: Ballinaglera, Dromahair, Drumkeerin, GlencarManorhamilton, Glenfarne, Melvin Gaels.
Ballinamore (St.Feilims ground): Aughawillan, Aughavas, Aughnasheelin, Carrigallen, Cloone, Drumreilly, Fenagh, Kiltubrid, Sean OHeslins.
Annaduff: Allen Gaels, Annaduff, Bornacoola, Leitrim Gaels, Mohill, Gortletteragh, St.Marys.

Ladies GAA Coaching course.
A FUNdamentals coaching course for all coaches working with Ladies football teams will take place on Saturday 25/04/09, venue to be confirmed. Cost per coach will be €20.
All coaches wishing to attend on the day should contact development officer for the ladies board Patricia Bohan on 087-2505031 or email pbohan@eircon.net

Coaching booklets.
Coaches of all teams are always looking for new ideas and ways to coach skills, game set ups etc, so with thanks to John Morrison we have two publications, "Head, Hands & Feet" and "Games for better Team play" which coaches can purchase at a very modest cost of €15 each. All coaches should obtain copies of both publications as they are excellent reference books.
Some Fun do packs are still available at €50 per pack, and we would urge all coaches working with children up to under 12 to obtain a copy.
Both the booklets and the Fun do packs can be got by contacting Thomas Keenan on 087-6591049 or email thomas.keenan@leitrim.gaa.ie.

Vhi Cul camps 2009.
Application forms for this years Vhi GAA cul camps will be distributed to all schools after the Easter break and to all clubs over the next two weeks. A new on-line booking and payment system will commence on April 21st and we would encourage parents to avail of this method of registration if possible as it will make life much easier for us all. This new site can be accessed from the GAA website, www.gaa.ie. If parents do not wish to use the new system they can still fill out the paper application form and forward direct to Thomas Keenan, Pairc Sean, Ck-on-Shannon. Which ever way you decide to book, can you please do so as early as possible as this will assist greatly with camp organisation.
A complete new kit has been designed for all those attending this year camps and the good news for parents is that camp registration fees for 1st & 2nd family members will remain the same as last year with a reduction of €10 for the third family member. This years camps will commence on Monday 6th July and will follow the same format as last year.

06/07/09 – Aughawillan, Manorhamilton, Ck-on-Shannon.
13/07/09 – Kinlough, Drumshanbo, Mohill.
20/07/09 – Aughavas, Dromahair, Gortletteragh.
27/07/07 – Drumkeerin, Fenagh, Leitrim.

 

 

16-Apr-09 by Thomas Keenan

Emlyn Mulligan ruled out for 2009

Following a scan this morning Leitrim GAA can confirm that Emlyn Mulligan has a full cruciate tear that will rule him out of club and county action for 2009. Emlyns knee injury was originally feared to be a partial tear which he received in the 3rd round of the Division 1 league against Annaduff last Saturday week.

The scan this morning was expected to lead to immediate surgery to repair the suspected partial tear but the scans confirmation of a complete tear means that an operation is futile for some weeks and it will take the rest of the year for a full recovery.

Melvin Gaels performance in the league will be compounded by this news as Emlyn is a prolific scorer for his club as well as his county. The clubs campaign in the ‘Group of Death in the senior championship is not made easier with his absence.

The preparations for the County team for the RoscommonÓgame will also suffer as Emlyn is a key member of the panel and his Scóring record in recent times speaks for itself when you consider that he was the 2nd highest scorer in the Connacht Championship last year.

 

 

15-Apr-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

Leitrim vote for rule change

The clubs of Leitrim voted in favour of the proposed new playing rule changes at last nights County Board meeting in Páirc Seán.  A lively debate ensued as the motions for congress were discussed with arguments and considerations for and against the changes.

When the votes were cast the numbers added up in favour of the proposed rule change and the delegates from Leitrim in this weekends National congress in Cork are charged with voting in favour of the rules.

 

 

 

15-Apr-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO

NFL – Rd 8 – Leitrim v Clare

Leitrim survived a determined Clare comeback at Carrick-on-Shannon, where Leitrims Ray Cox and Gary McCloskey and Clares David Russell were dismissed for yellow-card offences in the first half.

 Leitrim 2-9 Clare 1-9

A strong opening quarter earned Leitrim a one-goal victory over Clare at Carrick-on-Shannon this afternoon.

A Colm Clarke goal saw the hosts take a 1-5 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and although Leitrim edged into an eight-point interval lead, Clare bounced back on the restart.

Both sides scored two points each inside 11 minutes of the restart with Dermot Reynolds and James Glancy on target for the hosts.

Timmy Ryan and Michael OShea took scores from play for Clare to leave the score at 2-7 to 0-5.

Declan Maxwell edged Leitrim nine points clear but Clare ralled with a Gary BrennanÓgoal and a second Ryan point to cut the gap at 2-8 to 1-6 by the 50th minute

Clare continued to eat into Leitrims advantage and although the hosts only scored one point in the closing quarter, Mickey Morans side stood firm to take a three-point win.

 

scorers —

Leitrim: J Glancy 0-5 (0-4f.) C Clarke 1-1, S Canning 1-0, R Cox, D Reynolds, D Maxwell 0-1 each.

Clare: G Brennan 1-2, E Coughlan, T Ryan 0-2 each, F ODea, M OShea, D Tubridy 0-1 each.

 

Leitrim — nÓgill; M McGuinness, P Gilmartin, D Flynn; B McWeeney, J McKeon, J Glancy; G McCloskey, S Canning; D Reynolds, C Clarke, B Gallagher; R Cox, T Beirne, J Glancy.

Subs: J Holohan for Cox (y/c 15), D Maxwell for McCloskey (y/c 27), S Foley for Gilmartin (45), G Reynolds for Glancy (45), D Beck for Flynn (59).

Clare — J Hayes; M McMahon, K Dilleen, D Ryan; N Considine, G Kelly, G Kelly; F ODea, D Russell; G Brennan, E Coughlan, S Collins; M OShea, T Ryan, D Tubridy.

Subs: C OConnor for Russell (y/c 25), L Markham for ODea (ht), T Madigan for Considine (49), L Healy for OConnor (65).

Ref — D Corcoran (Mayo)

– Leitrim 2–9 Clare 1–9

 

 

13-Apr-09 by

Fenagh

Fenagh Handball Club held their AGM recently. More news later.

 

 

12-Apr-09 by Peter Heaney

Leitrims Hurlers of 25 years ago to Celebrate All Ireland Wins

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

Celebrity Bainisteoir – The Semi Final

Congratulations to Dromahair who won their semifinal by 1 point.  Final score line 2-06 to Rockwell Rovers 0-11.  They are now through to the final in Parnell Park on May 8th. 

Report to follow later …

 

 

11-Apr-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO