|
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 2nd
May '08
Compiled by Martin Dolan and Tony
Conboy
Lotto:
There was no jackpot winner in the most recent club Lotto draw which
was held in An Craoibhín.The €20 winners Paul Kelly, Barry Lowe, Martin Dolan,
Jim and Marie Feighan, Ernest Monson, Tom McQuaid, Jimmy McDermott, Fionnuala
Carty, John Dennedy and Pat Nicholson.The house prize was won by Peter
McLoughlin.This weeks draw will be held An Crannóg with Team A under Aidan Lavin
in charge.The jackpot will be €2,800.
Under 14s’ convincing win over
Roscommon Gaels:
The under 14s had a comprehensive 8.7 to 2. 9 win over
Roscommon Gaels in the League on Wednesday evening April 30th in Abbey Park.
This was an excellent performance. Some of the goals were really top drawer and
one volley in the first half was of Drogba vintage. This is a good side with a
number of very strong players able to shrug off opposing tacklers. A couple of
things that might be looked at are their wish to go for goal a bit too much
perhaps. Sometimes when I see high teen point scoring I am more impressed. The
other point I felt was the sometimes ‘go it alone’ policy up front when an
inside forward had made space or a good run. Once when talking to a fifties
County footballer I wrongly said about Gerry O’Malley winning a lot of games ‘on
his own’. He responded to my indiscreet suggestion by saying: ‘Sure we might
have won a few more if he played with the rest of us!’ Their next outing is in
the Abbey Park against Oran on Thursday evening, May 8th, at 7 pm. Boyle have in
recent times defeated two Roscommon Gaels sides, the under 14s’ and their crack
U 16 team.
Under-10 Blitz a Visual and Sporting Treat:
The eagerly
awaited Roscommon Herald sponsored football blitz for the 8 to 10 age group will
commence on Wednesday evening next May 7th at 7pm in the Abbey Park.The blitz is
being jointly run by Boyle and Shannon Gaels and it will take place over the
next 4 Wednesday evenings and it will alternate between Boyle and Croghan with
the opening evening in Boyle.This Blitz guarantees every player in this age
group a game and all are encouraged to come along and participate in what I
contend is the purest and most enjoyable Gaelic football event of the season.
The Abbey Park is in great shape at the moment and the winter rest has really
helped that. It is a tribute to the people who brought it to this level and keep
it in shape. Get the picture at the height of the U 10 Blitz.
‘Senior’
Juniors and ‘Junior’ Juniors:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team play St
Josephs at Kilteevan this weekend while the Feelystone Division 4 team will play
Kilglass Gaels in Kilglass (see fixtures for details of both games as fixtures
at these levels can be like desert mirages).
Boyle Ladies:
Sean
Daly told me that Boyle Ladies participated in one of their best games and
performances last week against Four Roads. They really gave a star-studded Four
Roads team a scare. There will be a time interval now before the Championship
but this performance really gives the team a boost of confidence in the
meantime. I’d like to note the activities of the Ladies Club more but I don’t
get the info!
Thanks:
The Club wishes to acknowledge the generous response to the
weekend collection for under-age football.
Keeping an Eye on Boyle from the
Big Apple:
Austin Beisty called me from New York last week. He keeps totally
in touch with the goings on in Boyle and few are more knowledgeable on this
area. He tells me he is coming home for ’The Back to Boyle’ Festival in early
August. Hopefully we will have a decent Boyle game during his visit.
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Alan Cooney (who has made a welcome
comeback to the GAA scene this season) and Martina Cryan on their marriage on
Friday May 2nd.
‘Lost’/ Missing:
I am not referring to the odd T.V. series
but the Club is appealing for information on the whereabouts of a crossbar,
belonging to one of the under-age goals which has gone missing recently. I have
heard of a rash of thefts, from cars parked at the beginning of the ‘dual
cabbage way’ in Rockingham, of outboard motor engines to order, equipment from
building sites and even oil from heating tanks but the ‘borrowing ‘ of a
crossbar, without permission, is new ground. ‘Is anything sacred?’ my uncle used
to say. As the crossword might indicate ‘the committee’ aren’t best pleased!
Please, if you are aware of any information contact Aidan at 087 2677865 or
Boyle Garda station. Hopefully it is just a misunderstanding.
Have a
nice May Bank Holiday Weekend!
A Sin a Bhfuil Production ...
Antoin
O Conbui agus Martin O Dolain.
P.S. I asked recently if anyone had a
set of left-handed golf clubs for sale with no results. This is my last call.
P.P.S. If anyone has interesting snippets regarding Boyle GAA Club, old
or new, I’d only be too happy to include them here for the record.
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 28th
April '08
Compiled by Martin Dolan and Tony
Conboy
Under-Age Teams:
U 14s:
It was a
weekend of mixed fortunes for Boyle football teams. The under 14s suffered
their first league loss of the season when they went down to Castlerea on a
scoreline of 2 6 to 1 7. Their next game is at home to Roscommon Gaels in the
Abbey Park on Wednesday evening at 7.15pm. All panel members are asked to be
present and ready for action at least half an hour in advance of starting
time.
U 16s:
The U16s lost to strong Clan na Gael team in the
championship on Sunday evening. The scoreline of 0 14 to 0.8 does not reflect
the closeness of the game as Boyle had come back from a slow start to within
a point and they also missed a penalty.
Senior Club
Teams:
'Senior'Junior Team Convincing Win against Kilmore:
The McGovern
Directional Drilling team continue their 100% record in theTansey Cup
following their pretty comprehensive 1.18 to 1.3 win over Kilmore on
Saturday. The team was: T. McGarty, B.Supple, S.Gallagher,
M.Kennedy, J.Lyons, D.Casey, T.Egan, S.Tonra, C.Cox, K.McLoughlin, A.O'Connor,
R.O'Donohoe, M.O'Donohoe, M.O'Connor, P.Simon with L.Conboy,
D.Dooley and C.Boylan. They have no game next weekend as the previously
proposed game versus Oran which was expected to be played has again fallen
victim to postponement.We will patiently wait its refixing!
'Junior'Junior Team:
The Feelystone team will have its next outing,
which is against Kilglass Gaels, on the weekend of 10th/11th
May.
Extended Training Facility:
The Warren training pitch is now
fully kitted out with changing unit and portaloo.The Club wishes to thank
Paula Sharkey and the Ladies Club for their assistance.
Well Attended
Meeting:
The Club had a well attended monthly meeting last week at which
muchprogress was made.
Best Wishes:
Best wishes are extended to
Semus Gallagher Jnr. who is leaving for Dallas,Texas, on work commitments
this week.
Congratulations:
Congratulations are again extended to
Gary Wynne and the Roscommon minor team on their good win over Sligo on
Saturday and to our Derry man SeanYoung on his county's success in the
National League Final against Kerry at Parnell Park. The scheduling of the
game at the same time as the Munster versus Saracens European Rugby Cup
Semi-Final minimised its impact.
--
T.
C.
Lotto:
There was no jackpot winner in the most recent club Lotto draw which
was held in An Craoibhín.The €20 winners Paul Kelly, Barry Lowe, Martin Dolan,
Jim and Marie Feighan, Ernest Monson, Tom McQuaid, Jimmy McDermott, Fionnuala
Carty, John Dennedy and Pat Nicholson.The house prize was won by Peter
McLoughlin.This weeks draw will be held An Crannóg with Team A under Aidan Lavin
in charge.The jackpot will be €2,800.
Under 14s’ convincing win over
Roscommon Gaels:
The under 14s had a comprehensive 8.7 to 2. 9 win over
Roscommon Gaels in the League on Wednesday evening April 30th in Abbey Park.
This was an excellent performance. Some of the goals were really top drawer and
one volley in the first half was of Drogba vintage. This is a good side with a
number of very strong players able to shrug off opposing tacklers. A couple of
things that might be looked at are their wish to go for goal a bit too much
perhaps. Sometimes when I see high teen point scoring I am more impressed. The
other point I felt was the sometimes ‘go it alone’ policy up front when an
inside forward had made space or a good run. Once when talking to a fifties
County footballer I wrongly said about Gerry O’Malley winning a lot of games ‘on
his own’. He responded to my indiscreet suggestion by saying: ‘Sure we might
have won a few more if he played with the rest of us!’ Their next outing is in
the Abbey Park against Oran on Thursday evening, May 8th, at 7 pm. Boyle have in
recent times defeated two Roscommon Gaels sides, the under 14s’ and their crack
U 16 team.
Under-10 Blitz a Visual and Sporting Treat:
The eagerly
awaited Roscommon Herald sponsored football blitz for the 8 to 10 age group will
commence on Wednesday evening next May 7th at 7pm in the Abbey Park.The blitz is
being jointly run by Boyle and Shannon Gaels and it will take place over the
next 4 Wednesday evenings and it will alternate between Boyle and Croghan with
the opening evening in Boyle.This Blitz guarantees every player in this age
group a game and all are encouraged to come along and participate in what I
contend is the purest and most enjoyable Gaelic football event of the season.
The Abbey Park is in great shape at the moment and the winter rest has really
helped that. It is a tribute to the people who brought it to this level and keep
it in shape. Get the picture at the height of the U 10 Blitz.
‘Senior’
Juniors and ‘Junior’ Juniors:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team play St
Josephs at Kilteevan this weekend while the Feelystone Division 4 team will play
Kilglass Gaels in Kilglass (see fixtures for details of both games as fixtures
at these levels can be like desert mirages).
Boyle Ladies:
Sean
Daly told me that Boyle Ladies participated in one of their best games and
performances last week against Four Roads. They really gave a star-studded Four
Roads team a scare. There will be a time interval now before the Championship
but this performance really gives the team a boost of confidence in the
meantime. I’d like to note the activities of the Ladies Club more but I don’t
get the info!
Thanks:
The Club wishes to acknowledge the generous response to the
weekend collection for under-age football.
Keeping an Eye on Boyle from the
Big Apple:
Austin Beisty called me from New York last week. He keeps totally
in touch with the goings on in Boyle and few are more knowledgeable on this
area. He tells me he is coming home for ’The Back to Boyle’ Festival in early
August. Hopefully we will have a decent Boyle game during his visit.
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Alan Cooney (who has made a welcome
comeback to the GAA scene this season) and Martina Cryan on their marriage on
Friday May 2nd.
‘Lost’/ Missing:
I am not referring to the odd T.V. series
but the Club is appealing for information on the whereabouts of a crossbar,
belonging to one of the under-age goals which has gone missing recently. I have
heard of a rash of thefts, from cars parked at the beginning of the ‘dual
cabbage way’ in Rockingham, of outboard motor engines to order, equipment from
building sites and even oil from heating tanks but the ‘borrowing ‘ of a
crossbar, without permission, is new ground. ‘Is anything sacred?’ my uncle used
to say. As the crossword might indicate ‘the committee’ aren’t best pleased!
Please, if you are aware of any information contact Aidan at 087 2677865 or
Boyle Garda station. Hopefully it is just a misunderstanding.
Have a
nice May Bank Holiday Wee-End.
A Sin a Bhfuil Production
Antoin
O Conbui agus Martin O Dolain.
P.S. I asked recently if anyone had a
set of left-handed golf clubs for sale with no results. This is my last call.
P.P.S. If anyone has interesting snippets regarding Boyle GAA Club, old
or new, I’d only be too happy to include them here for the record.
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 23rd
April '08
Compiled by Martin Dolan and Tony
Conboy
Fixtures:
• Tansey Cup; Boyle versus Kilmore at Boyle, Saturday April 25th at
7pm.
• U-14: Boyle versus Castlerea at Boyle, Thursday 24th at 7pm.
• U-14:
Boyle versus Roscommon Gaels at Hyde Park, Monday 28th at 7.30pm.
• U-16: Boyle
versus Clann na Gael at Kilteevan, Sunday 27th at 6pm i.e. County Division 'A'
Semi-Final.
County Minor Championships:
• Roscommon versus Sligo, at Hyde Park,
Saturday 26th at 7pm.
Basketball Fixture which arrived too late for me to
include in the Roscommon People, from Geno:
Mayo Basketball Cup Final (where
Boyle compete):
U-16: Boyle versus Castlebar at Boyle on Friday 25th at 8pm.
Your support appreciated.
Ladies:
• U-14 Division 2 Championship, Wednesday
23rd Boyle versus Michael Glavey’s at Boyle at 7pm.
• U-14 Division 2
Championship: Monday April 28th, Boyle versus Castlerea at Boyle at
7pm.
(Result at U-14: Strokestown 2.16 Boyle 1.5).
• The Junior Ladies play
Four Roads in the Semi-Final of the Winter League.
Under-Age
Teams:
Under 16s’ in County Semi-Final:
Boyle under-16 team face Clann na
Gael in the County Championship Semi-Final on Sunday next in Kilteevan at 6pm.
The team had a great win over Roscommon Gaels in their last game but every game
is equally difficult at this stage. Support for this team, who are obviously
contenders this year, is important so parents and supporters are urged to come
out to cheer this team in this vital game.
Under 14s’:
The under 14s’
start their League campaign with a match against Castlerea in the Abbey Park on
this Thursday evening the 24th at 7pm.They will meet Roscommon Gaels in their
next game on Monday evening next, the 28th of April in Hyde Park. This game is
being brought forward because of clashes with other fixtures.
Under
12s’:
There will be no under-12 training on this Sunday because many of our
players will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations to all
who are being confirmed.
Disappointing Turn-Out for Meeting:
There was a
disappointing attendance at the Minor Club meeting on Friday night, the
18thlast, when parents were especially asked to come along to discuss the
advancement of underage activity in the
Club.
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Pat Goldrick who was a key part
of last year’s successful Feile organising committee which was the recipient of
an award in the Leitrim People of the Year Awards on Saturday night.
Congratulations and well done also to the Roscommon minor team and their
mentors and especially the Boyle connections-Gary, Tom and Joe on their win over
a dogged Leitrim team last week end and good luck against Sligo in Hyde Park on
Saturday evening next.
Lotto:
The jackpot was not won in
last weeks Club Lotto draw which was held in the Moving Stairs.The following
were the €20 winners; John and Patricia Cummins, Carmel Goldrick, Sean Purcell,
Eugene and Mary Halligan, Barry Lowe, E.Kearns c/o Liam, Sabrina Corrigan, Jason
Harrington, Camillus McQuaid and Seamus Cooke.The house prize winner was
Catherine Flaherty.This weeks draw will be held in An Craoibhín on Saturday
night and it will be run by Team C under Kathleen Hanmore.The jackpot will be
€2,600.
The ‘Junior’ Junior Team:
On the playing fields the Feelystone
Junior team lost to Shannon Gaels in Croghan on Sunday on the scoreline of 2. 4
to 1.4. Their slow start contributed to this first defeat in the League. Their
next game will be against Kilglass Gaels on the week-end of 10th/11th
May.
The ‘Senior’ Junior Team:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team had
a good challenge game with Kilturbrid of Leitrim last Saturday night. It is
expected that they will meet Kilmore this coming Saturday in Boyle at 7pm. They
are also awaiting news of the scheduling of the often postponed game versus
Oran.
Sidelines:
Roscommon had a good win over Cavan, in the last game of
the League, in Hyde Park last Sunday, though both teams were demoted to Division
3 irrespective. I still think that Cork got away with breaking the rules in this
League. Wexford are still pursuing their objections to the way Cork were dealt
with which had implications for other counties. It was an audience of all ‘card
carrying’ supporters on Sunday last at Hyde Park. Mike Ryan, the U 21 Manager,
has taken over as Manager of the senior team for the Championship. This is a
pretty meteoric rise for Ryan but who knows what is going on in Roscommon
GAA.
• The County GAA big fund-raising day will
be in Puncherstown on Thursday the
24th.
• Commiserations to both Leitrim and Sligo who have been demoted to
Division 4 and thus are denied a second round (should they lose the first round)
in the Championship and go to the Murphy Cup. Pat Duignan tells me that justice
was denied to Leitrim versus Limerick last Sunday.
• I see Dublin and Meath
‘fuelled the passion’ again in Parnell Park outdoor Fight Club arena. I’ll be
looking forward to Colm O’Rourke’s column next Sunday.
• It was a great
hurling League Final with Tipperary defeating Galway. It demonstrates that there
are at least five or six contenders in the All-Ireland hurling championships
this year.
Sin a bhfuil
Antoin O Conbui.
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 14th
April '08
Compiled by Martin Dolan and Tony
Conboy
Under-Age Teams:
Under 16s’ Create Major Upset!
Boyle 2.7 Roscommon Gaels
1.8.
Pride of place this week goes to the under 16 team which not only
defeated St Bridgets in the League last week but went on to beat Roscommon Gaels
in the Championship on Sunday in Kilteevan on a scoreline of 2. 7 to 1. 8. This
was a great team effort with Cillian Cox showing great leadership as Captain.
They will now face Clann na Gael in the County Semi-Final. This Gaels team
haven’t been beaten for years and Boyle lost to them controversially in the
County Community Games Final around five/six years ago now.
The team was: T.
Lowe, M. Goldrick, C. Lavin, D. Smith, P. Sweeney, C. Cox (Capt.), Ml. Hanmore,
C. Griffin, C. McLoughlin, K. Roe, C. O’Neill, N. Keville, C. McPadden,
M.O’Connor, G. Gunning with J. McCrann, R. Daly, C. Doherty and L.Harrington.
The team mentors are David O’Connor, Donal Kelly and Peter Gavigan who were
otherwise engaged at the week-end and so the subs Dessie and Stephen stepped in,
to effect.
In asking someone who was at the match about it he referred
to:
· The all-round display of the team,
· That everyone
did their bit.
· Tadgh Lowe’s kick outs were a big benefit.
· The full back line selected to try and curb the much vaunted Ros.
Gaels full forward line did just that.
· Ciaran O’Neill’s scoring
of a 45m kick against the wind
· The contribution of Jake McCrann
when he came on and particularly his piece of skill in retrieving a ball going
wide near the end line and his punching of the ball over the bar (an old
chestnut of mine).
This is a great revival and hopefully they can go on
from here.
The under 14s bowed out of the Feile competition when losing
to a physically stronger Padraig Pearses outfit in Ballyleague on Wednesday the
9th. They really missed young Lavin and I suppose the overall balance of the
Pearses team was that bit stronger. They will be back in training on Thursday
evening with assembly at the Abbey Park..
The ‘Junior’ Junior Team
Win:
The Feelystone Junior team had a good win over Michael Glaveys on
Saturday, Boyle 0.9 Michael Glavey’s 1.2. It was great to see the return of
former stalwarts such as Alan Cooney and Richie Walsh and it was especially good
to see Cian Smith again in a Boyle jersey. Looking at the team list I see David
Conroy back as well. I hope he can transfer the accuracy of darts to football.
ties There was a great display from John Carroll at full -foward. He ensured
that there was more than one Clara man making the headlines last week!
The
team was: T. McGarty, C. Beirne, C. Boylan, B. Kennedy, M. Kennedy, J. Lyons, B.
Millett, C. Cox, C. Egan, A. King, K. McLoughlin, A. Cooney, D. Dooley, J.
Carroll, D. Conroy with: J. McDermott, R. Walshe, S. Duignan, C. Smith.
I
also hear that Lee McKilleen is on the GAA comeback trail. Lee is a fine soccer
player and was a key GAA player on the best under-age club team I was associated
with, in the middle nineties. From memory that team and panel went something
like this: Karl Keenan, Kieran McGoldrick/Aaron McMorrow, David Monson, Damian
Keenehan, Niall Moore, Ciaran Cooke, John Harrington, Rock Hanmore, Cillian
Egan, David Kelly, Michael O’Dowd, Cillian Conboy, Darragh Dooley, Lee
McKilleen, Caomhin Young/Damien Dooley with: Peter Burke, S. Spellman. S.
Purcell, H. Clifford, C Montgomery, A. Finn, D. Dockery, J. Maughan, T. Egan,
Kevin Tiernan, Colin Beirne, Mark O’Donohoe, Kieran Furey and Brian Taylor.
There were a lot of fine players there. There was such a good panel then that we
entered a second team and competed well at perhaps U 14.
The ‘Senior’
Junior Team:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team are due to play Oran this
weekend-see fixtures for confirmation.
County Minors Boyle
Connections:
Good wishes to Gary Wynne, Tom Ryan, Joe Sweeney and Gerry and
the County Minor Team who commence their Championship campaign against Leitrim
in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday evening.
Congratulations are extended
to Pat Goldrick who is in training for a post in Croke Park.
1943 All-Ireland
football to be presented:
On Sunday next, at half time in the Roscommon
versus Cavan League game at Hyde Park, the football used in the 1943 All-Ireland
drawn Semi-Final will be presented to Roscommon GAA by Terry McKenna from
Thurles whose father was the referee of the game and who retained the ball
subsequently. I am pleased to have played a part in that. For more information I
should have a piece in the Roscommon People this week.
Thanks to Moving
Stairs:
The Club expresses its thanks to Barry Lowe for his generous
sponsorship of meals for the junior team in the Moving Stairs.
New GAA
President Elect:
Cork’s Christy Cooney was elected President of the GAA to
succeed Nicky Brennan. While I do not know a lot about Mr. Cooney I felt that
the strength of the three candidates was well down on other years. The GAA is
lucky in the quality of its administrators over the years. The three General
Secretaries; Paddy O Keefe, Sean O Siochain and Liam Mulvihill have been
outstanding Secretaries. The past Presidents have all had varying ranges of
abilities and no one of them could be regarded as poor. Brennan, Kelly,
McDonagh, McCague, Quinn, Boothman, Buggy, Ryan, Murphy, Keenan, Fanning and so
on.
Sidelines:
While I do not want to intrude into Eddie’s domain I
really thought that the Liverpool versus Arsenal, Champions League second leg
game was an outstanding game.
Tipp. Under 21 Football Final Early
90s’:
Sean on the home page referred to Eddie Maroney’s commentary of a Tipp.
U 21 football Final from the early 90s’. I have been promoting Eddie’s cause for
Sainthood for years now and have given copies of the tape of the match to
numerous people – many of whom forgot to give it back of course - but what else is
new? It is, by me, the funniest piece on tape bar none. The picture on my
surviving copy of the tape is barely visible being a tenth generation copy,
(Kieran Emmett R.I.P. “Tony, what would you think the following ad for my auld
car on the Ros. Herald would sound like: ‘Ten careful owners’). The teams
involved in Tipp. were Nenagh and Aherlow and Eddie was commentating on the
video for Aherlow. If you want a copy of the tape try Eddie at Aherlow. It will
get him!
Dear
Tony,
I was one of those you kindly loaned
the tape to,
and I hasten to add that
I gave it back :-)
Yes, St. Eddie of
Aherlow sounds just about right!!
M.B.E:
Congratulations to my friend Paddy Henry ex St.
Mary’s College student, now living in the South of England, who was nominated in
the Queen’s honours list with an M.B.E. Not my thing exactly but fair play to
Paddy an absolute gentleman.
I enquired about a good set of left-handed
clubs for a poor price but I am under-whelmed by the response but still open to
offers.
A Sin a Bhfuil Production
Slan.
P.S.
I wonder does our
Australian constituency read this.
P.P.S.
Regards to John Tierney in Hong
Kong and his parents at the home address in Cavan. I might see youse Sunday!
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 10th
April '08
Compiled by Martin Dolan and Tony
Conboy
Boyle 1.11 Kilglass 0.7.
The McGovern Directional Drilling sponsored Boyle
Junior A side had a convincing win over Kilglass Gaels, on Saturday last, at
Kilglass in the Tansey Cup. Seamus Gallagher made an impressive return at full
back while Aaron was equally impressive at centre forward. The team was as
follows: T. McGarty, M.Kennedy, S. Gallagher, C. Beirne, Ml. P. Gilmartin, D.
Casey, A. Finn, S. Tonra, C. Cox, K.McLoughlin, A. O’Connor, M. O’Connor, R.
O’Donohoe, L. Conroy, M. O’Donohoe with D. Dooley, B. Supple, M. McGovern, K.
Kelly, J. Lyons. Their next game will be against Oran on the weekend of
19th/20th. The Feelystone Junior team have a home game this weekend against
Michael Glavey's (see fixtures).
Lotto:
Last weeks Lotto draw took
place in Dodd’s. The jackpot was not won. The €20 winners were as follows; John
Finneran, Brian Supple, Tom Callan, Martina Mullaney, Forest View, John and
Marguerite Nally, Martina McDonagh, Seamus Cooke, Joseph Cleary, Co.Clare,
Rebecca Candon and Gerry Quinn. The house prize was won by Jimmy McGee. This
week’s draw will take place in the Moving Stairs on Saturday night. Michael
Gilmartin's team will be in charge. The jackpot will be
€2,400.
Under-Age teams:
U 14s’:
Boyle 5.16 Kilbride 3. 6 (Half
time Boyle 2.8 Kilbride 3.4).
The U14s had good win over Kilbride in the
Abbey Park in the Feile competition. This game took a few turns with Boyle only
leading by a single point at the end of the first half, Boyle 2.8 Kilbride 3.4.
Boyle turned on the power in the second half to run out convincing winners.
There are a number of top players in this side. Enda Smith gave an exhibition of
football and his catching was sublime. Michael Lavin is a fine forceful player
though he has a tendency to hold on to the ball too much. Jordan Nally at full
forward also caught the eye as a traditional full forward in terms of securing
possession. Whether Boyle have the all round team to go the distance and qualify
from Roscommon for the National Finals of Feile in Cavan is the question. It
would be a great thing of course and we have not achieved it before. Having seen
the occasion that Feile is from last year we should strive to achieve
qualification. We will learn more about this on Wednesday evening when the side
play Pearses in Ballyleague in the County Semi-Final on Wednesday evening (check
this fixture as change is possible). Unfortunately this seems to be clashing
with Roscommon’s U 21 Connacht Semi-Final versus Mayo. However I’ll go to the
Boyle Under 14 game. The team is: J. McDermott, P. Nally, G. Gunning, B.
McQuaid, L.Brennan, C. Goldbrick, J. Morris, E. Smith, T. McKenna, B. Barry,
Ml.Lavin, D. East, C. Tivnan, J. Nally, E. Lavin with N. Brennan, D. Boylan, S.
Filan and J. Cuffe.
U 16s’:
The U 16s lost to a stronger Michael
Glavey's outfit in Ballinlough last weekend. They will meet St Brigid's in their
next league game in Kiltoom on Thursday evening and they will meet Roscommon
Gaels in the championship on Sunday next (again see
fixtures).).
Defibrillator Training:
There was a very successful
defibrillator training session for club members held at the weekend. The club
wishes to thank Michael (Sam) Casey who expertly conducted the course. There
are now 16 people in the club who are trained to use the defibrillator in the
event that it is needed. It will be securely positioned at the dressing rooms in
the Abbey Park this week.
Extra Training
Facility:
The club is extremely lucky to have the fine training pitch at the Warren
now available for use. Thanks is expressed to Peter Gavigan for rolling this
pitch on Saturday. A number of teams are currently using it. Teams and team
managers are reminded that the training rota is now operational for both
pitches.
The club hopes that those who are "immigrating" to Aranmore Island
this coming weekend will have a great time and that they brush up on their
"cupla focail"! And in the name of the fada play safe!
County Under 21s’ in
Connacht
Final:
Good luck to Roscommon U 21s in the Connacht Final on Wednesday evening at
Kiltoom.
Sympathy of the Club:
The sympathy of the club is extended to
Aideen Kennedy, Grange and to Noel Collins family, Elphin on the recent death of
their sister Mary, also to Pauline Carty, Knockarush on the death of her father,
Francis and to the Scott family, Elphin on the death of E.J. who won much county
title with his club in the fifties.
Roscommon GAA Issues:
T.C.
A good performance by the U 21s’ is
necessary for the morale of the County, after the traumas of the recent senior
defeats to Monaghan, Cork, Armagh, Westmeath and Dublin. Some of these defeats
sent me to the record books and I couldn’t find such defeats anywhere in the
past seventy years. As Oscar Wilde says in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest: ‘To
lose one parent is unfortunate but to lose both seems like carelessness’.
Apparently the going of John Maughan wasn’t handled as it might be. He did not
make a gallant exit either with some of his comments, especially the use of the
word ‘customers’ (depicting some Roscommon supporters, a comment first used by
Graheme Souness at Liverpoool, I’m told). Still the attrition rate for Roscommon
Managers seems excessive. Apparently he and his management were getting uncalled
for abuse from a small section of supporters but Martin Brehony seemed to
broaden the brush stroke in the Independent on Wednesday April 2nd. Abuse from
the sidelines, while it has been there ad finitum, is another thing the GAA has
to focus on. While we may say it is only a small group they seem to be pretty
nasty. Colm O’Rourke referred to them on Sunday 6th in the Sunday Independent.
Are we worse in Roscommon than elsewhere in that respect? There was a contra
argument in the Sunday Tribune about the ‘customers’ and their important role in
the GAA. I think that reasonable people have to challenge those who indulge in
outlandish behaviour in their midst. I have heard–not often- scurrilous language
being used by supporters against managers, players and of course referees. Where
to now? Are our expectations too high? Being competitive against Westmeath is
hardly an excessive expectation? I hope the young team coming through are not
damaged psychologically by it all.
While I am meandering a bit the thing
that strikes me about Roscommon now is the lack of strong leadership. It is
generally accepted that the County Chairman, Michael McGuire, is a gentleman but
perhaps he is too much so. One hears rumblings of people not having the Fianna
Fail solidarity in bad times and good in the County Board. I tried to return to
going to County Board meetings two or three years ago (as I had done decades
earlier) and in the murky atmosphere of the Hyde Centre Bar I thought better of
it. I would have good hopes for the input of Micheal Fahey, the current County
P.R.O. I remember powerful Chairmen like Dr. Donal Keenan and Micheal
O’Callaghan and a County Secretary who had the qualities of a saint, Phil
Gannon. We could do with a combination of these qualities now. Another important
dispute rumbles on also, that is, the ownership of Hyde Park between the County
Board and Roscommon Gaels. Its resolution seems intractable.
With all these
issues some of the ‘customers’ may revert to the armchair as I do now.
Olympic Torch Run:
(Unpolished Thoughts)
What a golden opportunity was
offered to Tibetian protestors against the Chinese occupation of their country
with the Olympic torch run. In my mind the golden age of sport has passed. It
probably occupied the immediate decades after WWII. Then soccer prospered with
the likes of Real Madrid. Even though I never followed it too much domestically
I was aware of Shamrock Rovers. Athletics was represented by Ronnie Delaney,
Herb Elliot, Peter Snell and the bare- footed Bikela. The GAA saw the emergence
of Down and in Roscommon there was Gerry O’Malley. I followed boxing then with
Billy Kelly, Harry Perry, Freddie Gilroy and then the greatest in Cassius Clay.
Rugby saw Mike Gibson and the great Barbarian try around 1973. All the sports
seemed to encompass an innate decency. Perhaps it is the rose tinted glasses of
reflection. The Olympics faded in the seventies though Hitler’s 1936 Olympics
showed the dangers much earlier. For Olympic officials to claim that it is
non-political is to be taken cum grano salis. The great international festivals
of sport are often vehicles of propaganda. That is why it is in China. In 1980
the U.S. boycotted Moscow because Russia had invaded Afghanistan. In 1984 Russia
not surprisingly reciprocated regarding L.A.though a stroke of propaganda genius
would have been to have participated eg. England at Landsdowne Road early
seventies. Barcelona got the games because the I.O.C. had the Spaniard
Samaranch then as president, a man with a fascist background. Sydney nearly
rescued the games though Marion Jones and co. has stretched credibility.
Here we have GAA payment debates, rugby (with the present exception of
Munster) is endangering itself, and soccer is becoming a mercenary game though
this week we could make excuses for Manchester United and of course there is
always Kilkenny hurling.
Of course there are many reasons why the world of
politics, sport and economics is very nervous of upsetting the Chinese the
perceived power of the coming century.
It is in the innocent enjoyment of
very young participants that one sees sport at its purest. So enjoy it and
them.
T.C.
BOYLE GAA CLUB NOTES - 10th
April '08
Adult Teams:
The weather has been literally a spoilsport during the past
week with the Feelystone team's Division 4 league game versus Shannon Gaels
falling victim.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team's game against Oran or
Kilmore also did not take place. It is expected that they will play Kilglass
Gaels in Kilglass this coming weekend (see fixtures for details).
Minor Club
Teams:
The under 16 'B' game versus St Brigid's did not take place last week
end. They will be in action against Michael Glavey's in Ballinlough at the
weekend (again see fixtures).
The under 14s had a successful week in the
Feile competition having had convincing wins over Strokestown and
St.Michael's.Their next game is against Kilbride on Wednesday evening but to
confirm see fixtures. Indeed being in the Junior Leagues there will be a lot of
that this year, shifting sands.
Under 12 training takes place on Wednesday
evening at 6pm.All players are asked to be in the park and togged out at
5.45.
This will be followed at 7pm by under 10 training.
Congratulations
to Sean Young;
The club wishes to congratulate the "forever young" Sean Young
who has just commenced his thirty sixth season as coach to Boyle teams with an
undiminished enthusiasm.
Lotto Needs You:
The club is anxious to recruit
more volunteers to assist with the fortnightly Lotto. This is the lifeblood of
the club and all help will be greatly appreciated. Names can be given to Aidan
Lavin at 087 2677865.
Defibrillator Training:
Defibrillator training
takes place on Saturday in the Resource Centre.
Roscommon's Woes
Continue:
Roscommon went down to another bad defeat to Westmeath on Sunday
last. There is an air of doom and gloom about the side at the moment. This is
certainly not the kind of mood to bring to Parnell Park next Saturday night for
the game against the Dubs. The question now is not victory or defeat but the
possibility of another major defeat like against Armagh. I cannot remember
Roscommon having had such a bad run in terms of the margins of defeat and so on.
The celebration at promotion to this division was not well founded. It also
exposes the Minors of 2006 to that virus.
On a positive note the county U
21s' had a good spirited win over what was deemed a good Sligo side on Saturday
in Kiltoom.
The Demands on a Successful County GAA Player:
In last
Sunday's Independent's Sport's Section page 9, Donal McAnallen, brother of
Cormac, the Tyrone star who died suddenly on March 1st 2004, while listing his
brother's achievements also gave the balance sheet of their great cost as
follows: 'Ostensibly it was the greatest year of a great life [2003] but the
world doesn't know how much he endured in that year. Due to a knee injury he
missed all but two games in the National League in 2003. In late March he was
sent off for a clumsy tackle-a mere yellow card offence- in a club game….While
suspended Cormac missed the NFL semi-final. Three times between May and August
he visited A&E after games: his cheek-bone was fractured by an elbow in an
Ulster SFC game; and twice he was concussed in club games, the latter after a
late tackle. He also shipped off-the-ball strikes in Croke Park. He began to
suffer from frequent headaches and sleepwalking.
The trip to Australia in
2003 was a trial for Cormac. It was badly organised……..In the first game he
scored an own goal and was sent off for defending a team-mate, even though he
did not strike anyone. Critical comments (largely unfair) were made about him in
the media, and these hurt him. He rang home in tears. It was a relief for him to
get an early flight home. In a club game in November, a late tackle wrecked his
knee for the next three months. On his return he felt chest pains but
disregarded them. In late February he caught a cold or virus, which some people
ascribe to his waiting 20 minutes, in playing gear for a T.V. interview, in the
bitter cold, after a McKenna Cup final….He was inundated with requests to attend
functions all over the country. “This will have to stop”, he reacted with a
sigh. Six hours later, it did stop, but not as we had hoped. He died. It was
regarded as a Sudden Cardiac Death '.
Errata:
As I write I am
keeping an ear on 'Questions and Answers' and Brian Lenihan (Minister for
Justice) on his duties regarding the 'borders of the state' [A very muted
Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) in 'A Few Good Men'] having completed his
subbing for Willie O' Day in defence of Bertie. Watch Brian the next time you
see him reviewing the troops at their passing out at Templemore. He seems to me
to have a Fr. Dougle step and twinkle about him! His aunt, Mary O'Rourke, was
one of the Bainnestoirs in a T.V. series. It makes a change from being the Grand
Dame of Kildare Street.
Three Searches (I don't know why I do
this):
1. Tony Hegarty Irish dance teacher Boyle in the 1960s'. I had
one response (P.C.) but I want to know where he was in later life or is
now.
2. Anyone a good set of left-handed clubs at a bad
price?
3. Anyone have a discarded GAA History of Roscommon, edited by
someone who didn't keep a few for a rainy day, for a friend?
Sin e
anois:
Antoin agus Mairtin; (though of course Martin would not be
responsible for any controversial material posted here).
PS/
Paddy C.:
I see our mate, from the 1985 St. Mary's Reunion, Paddy Henry has been awarded an
M.B.E. !
25th March:
Lotto:
The Lotto draw took place in Dodd's on the 15th. The jackpot was not
won. The €20 winners were Marie Kennedy, Aidan Sheerin, John Higgins, Peter Mc
Kenzie, Paul Flaherty, Gerry Guinn and Monica c/o Scanlon's, Jason Harrington,
Kevin McDonagh, Turlough O'Gara and Charlie Candon. The house prize was won by
Aoife Brady. The next draw will take place in The Moylurg Inn on next Saturday
29th with Aidan Lavin's team in charge. The Jackpot will be €2,200.There is
still a small number who have not returned their 'Lotto direct debits'. Michael
Gilmartin, Club Treasurer requires them immediately.
Tansey Cup
Win:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team had a good win over St Dominic's
last week on the scoreline of 1.13 to 0.1 in the Tansey Cup. They will play Oran
in the Abbey Park this weekend (see fixtures for details). This was a pretty
easy win as the score-line suggests. The team was: T.McGarty, D. Kelly, C.
Boylan, C. Beirne, Ml.P.Gilmartin, T. Egan, A. Finn, S.Tonra, C. Cox,
R.O'Donohoe, L.Conroy, A. O'Connor, M.O'Connor, L. Conboy, B. McQuaid with Kyle
McLoughlin, M.O'Donohoe. They are down to play Oran first team next week-end
which will be a much more competitive game.
The Junior- Junior
Team:
The Feelystone Junior team also had a convincing win over Western Gaels
on the scoreline of 2.8 to 2.3 in the Division 4 League. They are due to meet
Shannon Gaels this weekend and this fixture will be confirmed during the week.
The team was: T. McGarty, C. Beirne, C. Boylan, C. Horan, M. Kennedy, B.
Millett, B. McQuaid, C. Cox, K. McLoughlin, David Kelly, Donal Kelly, S.
Spellman, D. Dooley, David Callaghan, M. O'Donohoe with Colm Brennan, L. Egan,
R. Molloy, A. Cooney. This side is scheduled to play Shannon Gaels next
week-end. Managers, a vocal Vinnie Flanagan and a very active Dessie McLoughlin,
probably a good mix.
Under-Age games:
The under 14 Feile game
with Strokestown was postponed due to the death of the mother of Brendan Cregg,
Chairman of the County Minor Board. They now meet on Wednesday the 26th in Boyle
at 5.30.
The under 16s', with David O'Connor as Manager, play Padraig
Pearses on Easter Monday evening in the Abbey Park. This team's following
fixture is against St Brigid's in Kiltoom on Sunday the 30th of
March.
Roscommon Minors easy win over Sligo in Boyle:
The Abbey Park
was in excellent condition for the Connact Minor League game on Saturday evening
the 22nd last as Roscommon easily accounted for Sligo. Gary Wynne is the manager
with assistance from Joe Sweeney and Tom Ryan.
Defibrillator
Training:
Defibrillator training for those who have volunteered for training
will take place on Saturday 5th April.
Club Meeting:
There was a
very constructive open club meeting held last week.
Sympathy:
The
club expresses its sympathy with Brendan Cregg, County Minor Board Chairperson
on the death of his mother and with the Kearins family Strokestown on the death
of Donal who was President of Strokestown Club.
Sidelines:
I think
Roscommon are due to play Dublin in Parnell Park next week-end. Having seen some
snippets from the Dublin versus Monaghan game the Dubs. Look like a side pretty
intent on the business of winning. Our victory in Parnell Park (I forget how
long ago that was, perhaps four/five years ago), was a memorable
one.
Wheel of Fortune:
Mark O'Connor's win of the first prize of
€3,500, in Boyle's Easter Fishing competition on Lough Key shows that Gaelic
Football is a training ground for all sports. It is a little reminiscent of
Ireland beating Pakistan on St. Patrick's Day '07!
Paul Purcell (who also
played Gaelic, a while ago) took the first prize of €2,000 at the Good Friday
Poker game in the Town Hall.
As Del Boy used to say:
"Tel a viv."
|
