2018/19 INTO/GAA Mini 7s

The 2018/19 Mini Sevens Regional Competitions will commence on Tuesday 18th September for the boys and Wednesday 19th September for the girls’ competition. Please consult attachment for your relevant group. Please note that these fixtures are weather dependent and may be called off at short notice if pitches are unplayable. Games throw in at 10.00 am sharp and should finish by 1.00pm. These games are seven minutes a side played by seven players. Schools may bring a panel of 10 players and unlimited substitution is allowed.

Schools are awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In the event of two schools ending on the same number of points, a head to head will apply. If three schools end on the same number of points there will be a three-way play-off.

Boys Competition

  Annaduff GAA St Osnat’s GAA Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA Allen Gaels GAA
A Mohill Kinlough Fenagh Drumcong
B GS Liatroma GS Cluainín Ballinamore Drumshanbo
C Annaduff Killenummery Aughavas Leitrim
D Bornacoola Drumkeerin Drumlea Gortletteragh
E Carrick Drumlease Carrigallen Aughawillan

Girls Competition

  Annaduff GAA St Osnat’s GAA Ballinamore Sean O Heslin’s GAA Allen Gaels GAA
A Mohill Kinlough Fenagh Drumcong
B GS Liatroma GS Cluainín Aughavas Drumshanbo
C Annaduff Drumkeerin Ballinamore Gortletteragh
D Bornacoola Drumlease Carrigallen Leitrim
E Carrick Drumeela Cloone

5 Team Draw

Round 1 AvB, DVE

Round 2 CvD, AvE

Round 3 BvC AvD

Round 4 CvE BvD

Round 5 AvC, BvE

4 Team Draw

Round 1 AvB, CvD

Round 2 BvC, AvD

Round 3 AvC, BvD

AIB/GAA Toughest Rivalry Episode 1: Meet The Managers – The Toughest Rivalry

AIB, the creators of hit shows The Toughest Trade, Jeff and Kammy’s Journey to Croker and Behind The Gates have sponsored the AIB All Ireland Club Championships for 27 years. AIB recently extended their sponsorship of the GAA All Ireland Football Championship for a further five years.

In 1998, Erin’s Isle met Castlehaven in the AIB GAA All Ireland Club Semi-Finals. With 13 minutes remaining Erin’s Isle and Dublin star player, Charlie Redmond, receives a red card widely regarded as harsh. Two points down with seconds remaining the game looks likes its Castlehaven’s. When a long ball towards the Castlehaven goal seems to be dribbling wide only to be picked up by an Erin’s Isle forward, scooped back and shot towards the net by Niall Crossan. The ball hit one post, then a second post before shooting out. The goal was awarded, Erin’s Isle claim the game by one point but the debate over whether the goal was in fact a goal still rages.

Friday, July 13th 2018: The first episode of AIB’s eagerly anticipate new series, The Toughest Rivalry, airs today. The series introduces renowned Premier League Manager Harry Redknapp and former Sampdoria, Juventus and Italy striker, manager and World Footballer of the Year in 1995, Gianluca Vialli to the culture of GAA in Ireland.

Both Premier League powerhouses will take charge of two rival GAA clubs. Vialli with Erin’s Isle in Dublin, and Redknapp with Castlehaven in West Cork. The two teams faced off in an infamous 1998 AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Semi-Final, where Castlehaven were defeated by a last-minute questionable goal. The controversial ending left both teams with unfinished business.

Episode 1 is now available to view here: https://youtu.be/GiTIrRcJYUU

The series will culminate in an epic rematch, set to take place at the end of the summer with Vialli and Redknapp managing their teams and using their managerial expertise to improve and make a difference to their respective teams.

AIB, proud sponsor of both Club and County, believe that GAA, as #TheToughest sport of all, is built upon rivalries be they local, county, provincial or national. GAA rivalries, despite being as intense as any in world sport, are rivalries of the very best kind. These rivalries bring out the very best in GAA players, fans and their communities.

Over the next eight weeks, AIB’s exclusive eight-part video series will reveal how Harry and Gianluca fared as they swapped their soccer managerial skills for those of a GAA manager.

This week the two managers travel to their respective destination and get to grips with the task ahead.

AIB’s ‘The Toughest Rivalry’ will air each Friday on www.youtube.com/aib and AIB’s other social channels.

For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from Harry and Gianluca’s journey follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and facebook.com/AIBGAA.

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Initiative

Hurling Initiative – This year in Leitrim, Cumann na mBunscol Liatroma, in conjunction with Leitrim GAA Coaching and Games Committee decided to run a hurling initiative due to the poor number of schools registering interest in hurling competitions (3 schools out of 38).  Our determination is to make hurling as accessible as possible to all primary school pupils.

The Plan – We met with National Hurling Development Manager Martin Fogarty, Connacht Hurling Development Officer Damien Coleman, Hurling Coach Michael Carroll and Leitrim Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan and explored possible issues and devised a plan. We liaised with our Games Development Manager Thomas Keenan to buy equipment (200 helmets, 200 hurls, and 200 sliotars) and we made up six packs each containing 30 of each. Each pack also contains the Hurling Fun-Do information pack which contains fun, easy-to-do skills and drills.

In this regard, we would like to acknowledge the subsidising of the equipment by Leitrim GAA to reduce the investment cost to Cumann na mBunscoil Liatroma.

We would like to thank the above people for the input and advice that they have given us to bring this initiative to a reality. We look forward to the schools of the county getting involved and we are hopeful that with the encouragement and help of the Coaching and Games Development and buy-in from our schools and teachers that current primary school pupils of all ages will enjoy an experience that will foster an interest in the camán and sliotar.

These kits will be delivered to six schools at a time for six-week “Sessions”. During this six-week session, a hurling coach will visit the teachers in the school to help them devise a six-week programme. This is designed to help make the school self-sufficient and not entirely reliant on hurling coaches. We believe that everyone can be a hurling coach. After the six-week session is over, all six schools will come together and have a blitz, giving the children a chance to use their newly-learned skills with other children who are at the same level as themselves in a fun, non-competitive way. Schools do not pay to borrow these kits for the sessions but have the option to buy the sets after the six weeks should they choose to do so. This offers them a free trial before they commit to buying the expensive gear.

We are currently piloting the scheme in six schools with a full rollout in January. There will be three sessions between Jan – June 2018 and with five sessions planned for the 2018-19 school year and the target is to have every school in the county trying hurling for six weeks for free. More info is available and Leitrim schools can register their interest at cnmb.leitrim@gaa.ie or follow us @cnmbleitrim on Twitter.

Our photographs feature pupils from Scoil Mhuire NS, Bornacoola, St Brigid’s NS, Drumcong, Aughnasheelin NS, Drumkeerin NS and St Joseph’s NS, Aughavas, making excellent use of the equipment.

Official GAA Press Release – Melvin Gaels GAA Club – Healthy Clubs Project

Melvin Gaels GAA amongst the first official GAA Healthy Clubs to receive national recognition

· The award-winning Healthy Clubs Project (HCP) aims to turn clubs into hubs for health in their communities

· With almost the same number of GAA clubs as GPs across Ireland, the project offers a new setting in which to deliver health promotion and interventions

· Leading GAA ambassador Seán Cavanagh strongly commends the club for their leadership

November 4th – A special ceremony with governmental representation in Croke Park today saw 58 GAA clubs recognised as the first official ‘Healthy Clubs’ on the island of Ireland.

Eight Connacht clubs, including Melvin Gaels GAA in Leitrim, can now proudly fly a flag above their grounds (endorsed by both Healthy Ireland and the Public Health Agency in NI), letting their members and communities know that they value health and wellbeing as much as leagues and championships.

In January 2016, almost 100 clubs applied to participate in Phase 2 of the project (just 16 participated in Phase 1 between 2013-2015). Many cited the dearth of services in their communities that are tackling issues such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, mental health and suicide. They wanted to be part of the solution.

Clubs engage with their members and community before identifying health themes upon which to focus on. Most common include healthy eating; physical activity for non-playing members; emotional well-being; engaging older members of the community; youth development; gambling, drug, and alcohol education; and inclusion and integration. Almost half of the clubs (29) also opted to become completely smoke-free venues as part of their 18-month journey.

Progressive GAA club, Melvin Gaels is the first in Leitrim to receive national recognition. Their innovative Melvin Gaels Million Minutes health challenge had a tremendous impact on the club and the wider community. Collectively they achieved their target of logging a million minutes of physical activity over eight weeks. The challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week, gathering each Friday evening for a health-related discussion in Kinlough Community Centre, joining the walking/running group each Saturday evening, or by kindly donating prizes or running classes for those taking part. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play.

Former Tyrone football captain Seán Cavanagh is a big supporter of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project (HCP) and presented the clubs with their official flag and plaque in Croke Park on Saturday, November 4th. He said “I’ve seen myself how the GAA brings communities together in so many different ways so it’s fantastic to see the association taking a leadership role in developing healthier communities. The Healthy Clubs around the country are having a positive impact on so many children and young people and as a parent, I think it is fantastic. Through this project, I think people will start to appreciate the role of the GAA in our communities even more.”

The innovative Healthy Club model was developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE’s health promotion division, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and is supported by Irish Life through a CSR investment. In an era of unprecedented societal health challenges, the Healthy Club Project aims to harness the potential of the GAA club setting to deliver evidence-based health promotion information and interventions, backed up by appropriate policies and partnerships. Its potential to be replicated by other sports is currently being explored by a working group involving the FAI, IRFU, and Athletics Ireland.

Similar work is being undertaken across European sports associations, and for the past three years the GAA has contributed its learnings to the EU-wide Sports Clubs for Health project. This culminated with the GAA’s Community & Health manager, Colin Regan, presenting on the Healthy Club project to a sub-committee of the EU Parliament in Brussels in April.

The Healthy Clubs project is being independently evaluated by a team from Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research. While the final report into Phase 2 won’t be available until December, the research team have already noted significant successes (see editor’s notes for examples of successful interventions).

Aogán Ó Fearghail, An Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael said, “The 58 Healthy Clubs recognised today have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of a sports club. Health and wellbeing is core to what the GAA is all about and these clubs help bring that to life. I’d like to thank our partners, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency, and Irish Life, for helping to make the Healthy Club project the success it is. We look forward to growing it from strength to strength.”

Recognising the achievements of the clubs in Croke Park at the Healthy Club Recognition Event is Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Department of Health (ROI). She said, “Today is all about recognition for the clubs and the volunteers who make this happen at club level. I would like to congratulate all of the clubs and volunteers involved and acknowledge the contribution that they are all making to bring the vision for Healthy Ireland to life: where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential”

David Harney, CEO, Irish Life said, “Irish Life are delighted to work with the GAA on the Healthy Club initiative. The GAA reaches into every community on the island of Ireland and has a significant role to play in the health of the nation through its promotion of Gaelic Games. The association’s Healthy Club initiative brings a new dimension to this work. It enables people to

access health in an exciting new way. We believe this work has the potential to improve the future health of communities across the country.”

There are numerous benefits to clubs that take part in the GAA HCP including exclusive access to Healthy Club resources and support. The independent evaluation by Waterford IT’s Centre for Health Behaviour Research of Phase 1 of the HCP revealed its potential to increase membership, improvements in health-promoting activities, better opportunity to link the local community with club activities and opening up new funding avenues all the while enhancing the health of the nation and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.

The GAA hope to extend the project to 150 clubs in Phase 3 (with expressions of interest to open in early 2018) before opening the project to all interested clubs in 2020. There are 1,600 clubs in Ireland and over 400 abroad. For more information, visit: www.gaa.ie/community Follow: @officialgaa or Like: www.facebook.com/officialgaa/ #gaahealth

For more information or to request an interview please contact:

Wilson Hartnell:

Emma Walsh, Tel: 0873170897 or E: emma.walsh@ogilvy.com

Amber Brown, Tel: 087 779 9719 or E: amber.brown@ogilvy.com

Melvin Gaels Million Minutes

Earlier in the year, Melvin Gaels GAA Club inspired its local community off the field to record one million minutes of health-enhancing physical activity. The initiative was part of the Melvin Gaels’ involvement in the GAA’s Healthy Club project and intended to increase awareness of the importance to health of regular physical activity while bringing the community together to achieve this goal collectively. The idea was the brain child of the Melvin Gaels’ Healthy Club project team leader, Katherine Williams, who was ably assisted by Mary McSharry, Ciara Barrett, and Mary Rooney. The innovative challenge captured the imagination of all elements of the local community, young and old, from families and individuals to schools and businesses. They all contributed by logging their minutes each week. The initiative highlighted the broad variety of physical activity that locals are engaged in, ranging from the ever-popular walking to yoga, cycling, athletics, karate, gymnastics, horse-riding, strength and conditioning, surfing, kayaking, gardening, dancing, tai-chi, to good old-fashioned play. Each Friday of the eight-week challenge participants were invited to gather at the Kinlough Community Centre to log their weekly minutes of physical activity and to enjoy an array of health-related workshops and speakers covering topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, healthy checks, functional movement, mental fitness and emotional wellbeing.

 

 

2017 Under 21 Football Championship Draws

2017 Under 21 Football Championships

The following are the Groups & Regulations for the Under 21 Championships

15 a side

Group 1                                                

(A)  Ballinamore-SOH    (B) Fenagh/Gortletteragh   (C) Melvin Gaels

 

Group 2

(A)  St.Brigids     (B )  GlencarManorhamilton  (C)  Mohill

 

Round 1  A v B   C  Bye

Round 2  B v C   A Bye

Round 3  C v A   B Bye

Final    Top Team in each Group to contest the Final.

 

13 a side

Bornacoola/St.Marys

Dromahair

Kiltubrid

St.Francis

St.Josephs

Fixtures to be made later.

Each team to play each other once.

Final      Top Two Teams to contest the Final.

Rule 6.21(4) will determine Table Placings in both Competitions.

Venues: First team out to have home advantage. If home team’s pitch or home team’s nominated pitch is unplayable they must travel to their opponent’s pitch. If the opponent’s pitch is unplayable the CCC will decide on an alternative venue.

Finals at neutral venues

The 13 a side will start on Sunday, October 29th @ 12 noon.

The start date for the 15 aside will depend on Aughnasheelin/Mohill progress in Connacht Club Championships.

Job Advertisement – Games Development Administrator – Leitrim GAA

Games Development Administrator 

Leitrim GAA

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is Ireland’s leading sporting and cultural organisation with membership approaching one million people and in excess of 500,000 playing participants at all levels. Inspired by its amateur status and supported by the voluntary efforts of all its members, the GAA devotes its entire resources to the development of Gaelic Games and Culture nationally and in local communities.

Connacht GAA in conjunction with Leitrim GAA County Board wishes to recruit a Games Development Administrator who will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of agreed GAA games development policies and programmes in Leitrim.

Key Responsibilities

  • Organise, coordinate and implement (where necessary) a regular programme of Games appropriate to the age and ability of the various playing groups as outlined by the County Games Development Manager.
  •  Organise, coordinate and implement a series of Coaching and Skill Development projects and initiatives appropriate to the age and ability of the various playing groups as outlined by the County Games Development Manager.
  • Deliver a programme of courses and workshops appropriate to the requirements of Coaches, Administrators and Referees, which allows such stakeholders to fulfil their various functions in a Games Development context.
  • Support Clubs, Primary Schools and Post Primary Schools through coaching inputs and strategic support.
  • Report on the implementation of programmes/projects on a regular basis and, in particular, ensure that accurate data relating to the implementation of the programmes/projects is available on a quarterly basis through the use of the GAA Games Development Information Management System (MIS).
  • Maintain key lines of communication with project stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the projects.
  • Introduce and implement a variety of initiatives to support the development of a sustainable sports system by managing the identification, recruitment and training of key personnel within Clubs, Schools and the County to effectively develop Gaelic Games in the community.
  • Work as part of a team in conjunction with other full time and voluntary personnel to deliver set goals and objectives for all GAA sports.
  • Liaise with Provincial and County Games Development Personnel and attend meetings and personnel training as required, to support the development of the function and the role.
  • Complete any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the County Games Development Manager, Designated County Officer or the County Games Development Committee.

Essential Criteria:

  • Excellent Gaelic football coaching skills with a minimum of 3 years’ practical coaching experience in a professional or voluntary capacity;
  • Third Level degree in Sports Science or a related area;
  • Award 1 level GAA coaching qualification;
  • Clear and detailed knowledge of the GAA’s coaching schemes and initiatives;
  • Strong organisation and problem solving skills with a demonstrable ability to work in high-pressure situations;
  • Exceptional interpersonal and teamwork skills with a demonstrable ability to build and sustain good relationships and manage conflict;
  • Strong administrative, IT and reporting skills;
  • Demonstrable ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines; hands-on approach to getting things done.

Desirable Criteria: 

  • Qualified GAA Tutor;
  • Have completed the GAA Child Protection in Sport awareness programme.

Other specific requirements

  • Access to own car with a full clean driving license;
  • Ability to work and attend evening and weekend meeting/activities in addition to normal day to day activities.  

Please note the post is subject to Garda Vetting. 

Candidates interested in the above role should apply with an up to date cover letter and Curriculum Vitae at https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1651142 on or before 3pm on Friday, 29th September 2017. 

The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.

Coaching and Games Development – Leitrim GAA

Allianz League Fixture Change of Venue

Due to Kennedy Park, New Ross, having been deemed unplayable, Allianz League Rd 1 Wexford v Leitrim has been moved to Belllefield, EnniScórthy. Throw in 2pm. 

 

 

27-Jan-16 by Declan Bohan – PRO

Leitrim Championships Regulations 2015

Regulations governing qualification for concluding stages of 2015 Leitrim Connacht Gold Senior, Fox Monumentals Intermediate and Pyramid Bookmakers Junior A Football Championships

The top two teams in each group proceed automatically to the quarter finals. Final group positions will be determined as per Rule 6.20 (4) T.O. 2015.

The best third placed team shall automatically constitute the seventh quarter finalist with Rule 6.20 (4) (c) (ii)-(iv) being used to determine any possible tie among third placed teams across groups.

The remaining two third placed teams to play off,the winner of which will proceed as the eighth quarter- finalist and the losing team will play in a Relegation Semi Final.

Rule 6.20 (4) T.O. 2015 is as follows:

If a championship is partly organised on a league basis,the following Regulations shall apply:

(a) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win,and one for a draw.

(b) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams.

(c) Except where provided for otherwise in County Bye-Law or in Competition Regulations, when Teams finish with equal points for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:

(i) Where two Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition;

(ii) Scóring Difference (subtracting the total scores Against from the total scores For);

(iii) Highest Total score For;

(iv) a Play-Off.

 

 

 

28-Jul-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

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

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

Leitrim GAA Awards night Saturday January 24th Bush Hotel

 

Leitrim GAA Annual Awards Ceremony takes place in Bush Hotel on this Saturday night January 24. Patrons are equested to be seated by 8pm. Ticket orders through Runai Coiste Chontae Liatroma Attracta O Reilly at secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie or 086 1708499.

Leitrim Minor Team, Connacht MFL Winners 2014, will be presented with their medals and in addition to the following Award Winners, the function will feature the Leitrim Launch of the 2015 Leitrim GAA Supporters Club.

Coiste Chontae Liatroma Awards 2014

Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Gerry Finneran (Glenfarne Kiltyclogher) 

County Player of the Year Emlyn Mulligan (Leitrim) 

Senior Club Player of the Year Ciaran Gilheaney (Aughawillan) 

Intermediate Club Player of the Year Kieran Meehan (St. Patrick’s Dromahair) 

Junior Club Player of the Year Colin McWeeney (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert) 

Referee of the Year James McCaffrey (Aughnasheelin) 

Club Grounds of the Year Carrigallen GAA 

U16 Player of the Year Fintan Gallogly (Aughavas) 

Minor Player of the Year James Mitchell (Mohill) 

Coiste na nÓg Referee of the Year Declan Tiernan (Cloone) 

County Hurler of the Year David McGovern (Naomh Peregrine, Dublin) 

Club Hurler of the Year Clement Cunniffe (Carrick Hurling) 

Young Hurler of the Year

Juvenile Handballer of the Year Alan Wrynne (Fenagh St. Caillins)

Senior Handballer of the Year Martin Raftery (Fenagh St. Caillins)

Ladies County Player of the Year Michelle Guckian (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert) 

Ladies Senior Club Player of the Year Anna Conlon (St. Patrick’s Dromahair) 

Ladies Intermediate Club Player of the Year Ciara McPartland (St.Francis) 

Ladies Junior Club Player of the Year Caroline Guckian (Fenagh St. Caillins)

 

 

 

 

07-Dec-14 by Leitrim GAA

Matt Gaffey honoured by Leitrim GAA

The Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award is presented  by the Leitrim Supporters in Dublin in honour of one of its founding members & former county player of the 50/60’s Jim Lynch.

This award means a lot to the supporters in Dublin & to the recipients who are recognised for a lifetime of service & contribution to the GAA in Leitrim.  The award also means a lot to the Lynch family and every year since its inception a member of the Lynch family  has presented the award. So I would like to especially welcome  Jim/Martina who is with us tonight 

This  year’s hall of fame winner Matt Gaffey came from Galway as a secondary school teacher to Marian College Mohill in 1968 and in 1971 was Manager of the first Mohill Senior team to win a Senior Championshi since 1929.  In 1971 Matt was what we call multi tasking’ as he also managed local neighbours Eslin to win the Leitrim Junior Championship the same year.

Matt’s involvement with the Mohill club has been a long and distinguished one. From the early 80’s Matt started managing under age teams and thus began an era of huge success for the club enjoying success at virtually every grade including U-14, 16, 18 and 21.  The titles brought home are too numerous to mention but worthy of note are back to back U-21 championships in 85 & 86, minor championship & league doubles in 83 & 86 and U-16 titles in 95, 96 & 97

Matt again took up managing the senior team in the late 90’s winning the intermediate championship in 1999.  He gained promotion with this team and consolidated the clubs position  as a force in senior football again.  

Matt resumed involvement with the underage teams and success continued when the U-14’s won the county championship in 2011.  Over the years Matt worked with many great club men most notably the late BrendanÓgallagher, John Dugdale, Pascal McKeon, and Peter Logan.

Also  important was Matt’s ability to bring people from all walks of life and different abilities to the Park.  There is no doubt that football under Matt’s tenure ship was as inclusive and unprejudiced a place as it possibly could have been, and many a young man was kept out of mischief as Matt corralled them to the park and threw them a jersey.  Numerous players who pulled on the Green and Gold of Leitrim had played under Matt at club or school level. 

Gaelic football retained an elevated status on the Marian College curriculum and it gained a reputation for nurturing football talent in Leitrim.  A rich history of sporting success became the hallmark of the school right up until its amalgamation into Marian College Community School in the mid noughties.  Marian College was inscribed into many pieces of silverware over the 40 year period Matt was involved. The successes included a number of Corn Breffni titles in the 80’ & 90’s. It’s biggest day was when they won the Connacht Colleges C Final in 2004.

Matt has coached school teams and club teams for over 40 years.  He was involved in over 50 FINALS, with 36 wins, 33 of them with Mohill.

One of Matt’s main goals is to pass on some of his knowledge to the younger generation of coaches in Leitrim.  A GAA tutor for 12 years he qualified as a master tutor in 2008 and has become heavily involved in the GAA Coaching programmes.  He is a member of the Connacht Council Coach Education Committee.  He is also involved in developing policies and strategies at national and provincial level which will improve the game played, the standard it is played at and the safety and enjoyment of those playing them.  Over his career his contribution to sport has been acknowledged by Matt receiving among other awards:-

1986  CIBA Giegy Leitrim GAA Clubman of the Year

1999  Rehab People of the Year Award

2006  Invitation to meet the President in Aras An Uachtaran for outstanding contribution to sport

2009  Special Award for Coaching in Connacht Colleges over 40 years

2010  Exceptional Services to Sport – Leitrim Sports Council

2011  AIB National Coaching and Development Award. AIB recognise one person in Ireland for their contribution to football coaching

Matt has made an enormous contribution to Mohill GAA Club, St Finbars Hurling Club, Mohill Town Soccer Club and Marian College Basketball teams.  He was known as the penalty king with the Mohill Town Soccer team and he is a huge Man Utd fan.

Over the years Galway men through their footballers have caused many difficult days for Leitrim Supporters. We can be truly grateful that this very proud Galway man came among us and got fully involved in transferring his football expertise to Mohill and our proud county.

tonight we honour his contribution to the GAA in Leitrim but Matt’s greatest contribution over 5 decades has been to the well being of youth, and the fitness and health of young men in his club, community and county.

There is no more fitting person to be inducted into the Jim Lynch Hall of Fame than Mohill’s Matt Gaffey.

 

 

 

 

 

26-Jan-14 by Eamonn Duignan

Leitrim GAA Awards night

The Leitrim GAA Award winners for 2013 will be honoured at the Dinnéar Ceiliúradh of Coiste Chontae Liatroma in the Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon on this Saturday evening, January 25th at 8pm.
 
The award recipients have been chosen for their excellence in Club Grounds, Football, Hurling, Handball, Refereeing and Ladies Football during 2013, while Mohills Matt Gaffey will be honoured with the Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award for a lifetime of service to the Association at school, club and county level.
 
Comhghairdeas to all the award winners.
 

Coiste Chontae Liatroma Awards 2013

Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Matt Gaffey (Mohill) 

County Player of the Year Robert Lowe (St. Marys Kiltoghert)

Senior Club Player of the Year James Glancy (St. Marys Kiltoghert)

Intermediate Club Player of the Year Fergal Clancy (Glenfarne Kiltyclogher)

Junior Club Player of the Year Barry Lupton (Mohill)

Referee of the Year Ray Mc Brien (Aughavas)

Club Grounds of the Year (Fenagh St. Caillins GAA)

Minor Player of the Year Michael Clancy (Dromahair)

U 16 Player of the Year Alan Mc Tigue (Allen Gaels)

Coiste na nÓg Referee of the Year Gerry Gallogly (Aughavas)

County Hurler of the Year Clement Cunniffe (Carrick Hurling)

Club Hurler of the Year Stephen Feeney (Cluainín Iomaint)

Young Hurler of the Year Pierce Dolan (Ballinamore Hurling)

Lady Handballer of the Year Mary Shanley (Allen Gaels)

Juvenile Handballer of the Year Alan Doonan (Fenagh St. Caillins)

Junior Handballer of the Year Shane Doonan (Fenagh St. Caillins)

Senior Handballer of the Year Leo Logan (Allen Gaels)

Ladies County Player of the Year  Anna Conlon (St Patricks Dromahair)

Ladies Senior Club Player of the Year  Marina Gray (St Josephs)

Ladies Intermediate Club Player of the Year  Olivia Reynolds (Cloone)

Ladies Junior Club Player of the Year  Ann Marie Gallagher (Drumkeerin)

All those attending the function are asked to be present for the scheduled start time of 8pm.

 

 

20-Jan-14 by Colette Fox – PRO