Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Involve yourself in Lough Ree Environmental Summer School
An invite to all people from the local areas to become involved in the Lough Ree Environmental Summer School and Arts Festival which take place from this Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July. This year’s Summer School will be officially opened by Fr. Peter Mc Verry- a priest who has spent many years working with the homeless people living in Dublin.
The full programme of events commencing on Thursday are: Art exhibition from 12 noon to 6 pm in the Co-Op Hall. Michael Casey will officiate at the opening of the Arts Festival and this will be then followed by the Official Opening of the Summer School, this will commence at 7.30pm in the Co-Op Hall. Friday – Art exhibition in the Co-Op Hall from 12 to 6pm. Animal Magic Show in St. Mary’s Parish Hall at 2pm.There will be a charge of €5 for this show. Art Exhibition by Brigit Beemster at 4pm free of charge. Environmental Challenge – Seminar and tour in Lough Ree Power at 4pm free of charge. Caring about your mobility in the Co-Op Hall at 8pm, free of charge. At 9pm M.J. Farrell will launch his book entitled Life in the Universe.
Saturday – Art Exhibition in the Co Op hall from 12 noon to 6pm. Nature Art Workshop for adults by Gordon Darcy from 10am to 12 noon in the Co-Op Hall, admission €10. This will be followed by a Nature Walk in the Lakeland area also by Gordon Darcy, admission €10. Lilac Blues will play a concert in St. John’s Church at 8pm and this concert will include poetry reading by local poet Kieran Furey, admission €10. Sunday – Art Exhibition 12 noon to 6pm. Environmental Mass in Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague, at 11am. Service in St. John’s Church, Lanesboro at 11.30am. Céilí Boat trip with Dick Warner at 11am, admission €25. Céilí with the Annaly Céilí Band in St. Mary’s Hall at 3pm, admission €10. Lake Trip at 3pm with Dick Warner, admission €15.
Local Art Group BrushStrokes in association with the Summer School will host an exhibition of the work of local artists in the premises of Mark Shields on Main Street. Go along and admire the work of our own local artists.
Lanesboro Pike Angling
There will be a Pike Boat fishing competition on Sunday 26th July on Lough Ree. Fishing will take place between 11am and 4pm. Entries will be taken from 10.30am at Lanesboro harbour. The entry fee is €25 per boat with a maximum of 4 rods and no more than two rods per person. All boats must have a proper holding tank. There will also be prizes for junior fishermen. Membership may be taken out on the day, membership fee adults €10 and juniors and OAP’s €5.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the family and extended family of the late Margaret (Babbie) Fallon, Ballinahinch who died and was buried last weekend.
Ballyboro
The very best of luck to our four U12 players, Cian Gannon, Jonathan Hussey, Shane Phillips & Kevin Sorohan who travelled to Spain last Saturday to participate in the Donosti Cup International Football Tournament 2009. A fantastic opportunity for the lads along with 25 players from County Longford who are representing Ireland in this International Youth Tournament played in accordance with FIFA and Spanish Football Federation Rules. Teams drawn in their group (B12) include Spain, Almenia, Venezuela, Portugal & France. The Opening Ceremony took place on Sunday and Kick-off of 1st round matches began on Monday morning last where they competed against Kostkas (Spain). Many thanks to all who contributed towards sponsorship for the lads during the months of preparation prior to their trip. A proud achievement for our local lads flying the tri-colour in Spain this week, we wish them all the very best for an enjoyable tournament and every success with Team Ireland.
Birth
Congratulations to Mark and Deirdre Kenny, Blenavoher on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Wednesday last was a wonderful day in the history of the Shannon Gaels Minor Club. The club was offered the opportunity to represent Longford in the Leinster underage blitz as part of the GAA’s 125 celebrations and they took the invitation with both hands. The young under 8 players, mentors, parents and supporters from the parish were thrilled to be heading to Dublin to represent both parish and county on the hallowed grass of Croke Park. It was wonderful to see the young players running out onto the pitch representing us and it was also pleasing to see them representing us so wonderfully.
For our under 8 players to be given the chance it was indeed marvellous testimony to the regard for the underage programme and structure within the club. The underage setup of the Shannon Gaels club is one of inclusion for every young person that wants to play football. The coaching structure is now in place for the plan to work for the minor club now and in the years ahead. This coaching programme has taken some time to set up and the committee along with the many parents and coaches that have got involved have made the Shannon Gaels Minor Club one of the leading clubs in the midlands. Each day the club strives to move on to greater heights and this will happen with a continuing flow of coaches and parents making themselves available and striving to make the trip to Croke Park more than a one off visit.
Croke Park is the ‘field of dreams’ and where every player both young and old does their utmost to follow their dream and reach Croke Park with either club or county. The dream for the people of the parish is to have those young players back in Croke Park representing us in the future. This can and will happen if the minor club continues to develop their coaching structures and the coaches and parents retain the same drive and determination that has got the club to where it stands today.
The club continues to up skill its coaches on a regular basis with the many seminars they hold during the year. It is a great addition to the club that now all coaches are developing their coaching skills and that each team is being coached in a similar style. If you are interested in becoming a coach in the club please contact Sean Kenny, Seadna Ryan or Cian O’Brien.
The club would like to thank the parents of the under 8 for partaking in the sponsored walk on Monday evening last to raise fund for the new kit that the team wore in Croke Park. The club would also like to thank everybody that sponsored those parents and contributed in and every way. The young players looked magnificently in Croke Park and once again thank you to everybody. The club would also like to make special mention of all the people from the parish that travelled to Croke Park and were so vocally supportive of the team. We hope it will not be the last time that the green white and blue colour will grace the sod of Croke Park.
Congratulations – The minor club would like to congratulate Mark and Deirdre Kenny on the birth last week of a baby girl.
‘Wheelbarrow Race’ Only four week to go to! The event that stopped traffic on the streets of Lanesboro last year is back and it will take place this year on Bank Holiday Saturday, 1st August. There was great interest in the event last year and it proved to be a hilarious show that had a great crowd lining the street and cheering on the contestants. The race is again from St. Mary’s Church to the bridge with some obstacles thrown in for good measure. Contact Joe O’Brien, Brendan Keane, Michelle Lisle, Jimmy Flood, Sean Kenny or Seadna Ryan.
DVDs – The club is taking final orders for copies of the ‘Search for a Star’ DVD. If you would like to order your copy can you do so by next weekend when the final order will be made by the club? Orders to be made in O’Brien’s Shop.
Min Féile – The club was invited by Tang/Maryland to send their under 14 team into a 125th Anniversary Mini Féile last week. The hosts proved to a wonderfully hospitable and club would like to sincerely thank them for their invitation and the welcome afforded to us. Also in the competition were Round Towers from Clondalkin, Dublin. All games were competitive and it was a tremendous experience for our young players and a competition that we will learn greatly from.
Cúl Camps – The club hosted the annual Cúl Camp last week. Although the numbers were slightly down on previous years the week proved to be a tremendous success. We would like to thank Longford County Minor Board for organising the camp and the coaches for their great work during the camp. The club would like to thank St. Faithleach’s club for agreeing the hosting the camp on their excellent grounds while the work on our ground continues in Clonbonny.
Leinster Junior Final – The club encourages everybody within the minor club to go and support the County Junior team in the Leinster Final replay on this Wednesday in Pearse Park. All team mangers will be sending out texts to their panels to attend and it is very important that all are bedecked in the Longford colours.
We wish the junior team every success on Wednesday and wish the county senior also great success as they take on Kerry on Saturday evening in the second round of the All Ireland qualifiers. We again urge all parishioners to go along and support the county team.
Birth
Congratulations to David and Lisa Malone, Lehery on the recent birth of a baby girl.
Cemetery Sunday
Cemetery Sunday continues on Sunday next 12th July with Mass in Lanesboro cemetery at 6pm. The following Sunday 19th July Mass will be celebrated in Clonbonny cemetery again at 6pm.
Education in Kitui
A collection of clean dry clothing, ladies, gents and children, also bed linen, curtains, towels and shoes are requested by Fr. Nicholas Maanzo. The collection will be taken up before 12noon on this Thursday at St. Mary’s Hall and Cloontuskert National School. The proceeds will go towards the support of education in Kitui and your support will be appreciated.
Thank You
Patricia Mc Gann, Ballyleague, wishes to thank most sincerely all who sponsored her in the recent Women’s Mini Marathon on behalf of the John Paul Centre, Galway.
A cheque for the full proceeds has been passed on to the John Paul Centre.
Illegal dumping, burning and burying of waste
Longford County Council would like to remind people that the use of bog land or any land for the illegal dumping, burning or burying of waste material is illegal and anybody caught doing so is liable for prosecution under the Waste Management Act 1996-2008 and may face fines of up to €20,000 if prosecuted for such offences.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The summer bridge is doing well but the club could do with a few more tables. I’m sure the good weather is having an effect. The results for Monday 29th June are: Gross: 1st: Mike Flynn / Geraldine Cafferty, 2nd: Joan Donnellan / Barbara Ferguson and 3rd: Hannah Clyne / Joan Browne. Nett: 1st: Mike Flynn / Geraldine Cafferty, 2nd: Ken Jones / Mary McDermott, 3rd: Brendan Dowling / Goretti Kenny
N/S Nett and Gross: 1st: Joan Donnellan / Barbara Ferguson, 2nd: Joan Browne / Hannah Clyne
and 3rd: Mark/Peggy Crehan. E/W Gross: 1st: mike Flynn / Geraldine Cafferty, 2nd: Kathleen Hanley / Mary Fallon and 3rd: Brendan Dowling / Goretti Kenny
Nett: 1st: mike Flynn / Geraldine Cafferty, 2nd: Ken Jones / Mary McDermott and 3rd: Brendan Dowling / Goretti Kenny
Please remember to write your names or numbers next week, and don’t lose a score sheet.
Congratulations to John Godden on his becoming a National Master. A great achievement.
Lough Ree Athletic Club
The official results of the All Ireland team events (teams of two) from the U9, U10 and U11 competitions held recently in Templemore are to hand. They make interesting reading. Four of the five teams that qualified travelled and pride of place must go to the “babes” of the outfit, who took part in the U9 Long Jump.
Richard prior and Bryn Peters were originally placed fourth in a three way tie in the Connaught Championships. The boys improved their combined jump by just under 1 meter putting them in fifth place overall. The four clubs better than them were Leevale (Cork City), Athenry, Tipperary Town and Waterford.
Connaught champions Lara O’Sullivan and Niamh Chawke did equally well to fifth in the U11 Ball Throw. Only Tipperary, Waterford, Trim and Middleton were in front of them. Lara added 3.66m to her winning throw in Athlone while Niamh added nearly another meter to her figure. Well done girls!
Liam Ross and Bryn Peters were 100th in the U9 60 meters after finishing third in Athlone. Connaught champions Ballinasloe won gold and Athenry were fourth so the Lough Ree youngsters were always performing in good company. The surprise of the day must come from the U10 girls Ball Throw team where Zoey Mc Dermott and Seoighe Mulvihill were runners-up to GCH Galway in Connaught with Claremorris in third place. The Lough Ree pair improved their combined throw by over 3½meters and finished seventh, Claremorris did much better by taking third place for All Ireland medals.
The U10 boys who did not travel and split Athenry and Craughwell in Connaught will be pleased to learn that the same teams finished 6th and 8th in Templemore, bring on 2010. In case you may think that Connaught is the weaker province it is worth noting that Galway and Mayo clubs came away with 12 sets of medals including 4 sets of gold, all in sprinting.
Next weekend will bring out the Under 12 to Under 15 age groups for the finals in Tullamore and we wish them well.