Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Excellent Comments
Over the past week the Lanesboro and Ballyleague has received some tremendous comment. In a time when we see less and less river tourism it is always gratifying to hear some positive comment and feedback.
On Wednesday night last three Japanese young ladies arrived in Lanesboro. They had heard of the very popular weekly music session in Clarke’s Bar and decided to wait for the night’s session. It proved to be a magical night in the history of the Wednesday session as each of the young ladies played the fiddle and joined in a fabulous night. The night was truly international as a young group from Germany also arrived in town by boat just in time for the session. The Wednesday night session in Clarkes is unique as I have been informed that it is the only regular live session along the Shannon and has gained notoriety for the quality of its musicians each and every Wednesday night. These weekly sessions are beginning to find their own reputation far and wide.
A keen Irish boat man along with his friends was travelling down river when he has an engine mishap. He struggled to reach Lanesboro and they spent a few days here while having his mechanical faults rectified. During a conversation he was telling me of his travels north and south on the river and her found Lanesboro and Ballyleague to be the liveliest and friendliest town along the river. He was loud in his praise and stayed on a few extra days to enjoy the treasures of our area.
It is wonderful that our area is receiving public acclaim for all the right reasons and that people are now coming to Lanesboro and Ballyleague for its warmth and hospitality.
Got your Ticket Yet?
The sale of tickets for the very popular night at the dogs at Longford Greyhound track on Friday night 28th June has been excellent throughout the past two weeks. Each time the parish of Rathcline goes to the dogs at Longford track it proves to be hugely successful and a wonderful parish night out. The Rathcline Ladies and the Shannon Gaels Minor club are both delighted with the wonderful response they received in all they asked of businesses and also of locals in the buying of tickets. The history of the night out at the dogs has created a wonderful feel good factor for everyone and we hope that there will be the biggest attendance ever from the parish at the greyhound track on Friday week.
It is very important that everyone that buys a ticket comes along to a night of fun and laughter, a night of thrills and spills and most important a night of parish celebration in support of two tremendous clubs in our parish.
If you would like to be part of the night either through sponsorship or by just buying tickets for the night you can contact Madeleine Murray, Sean Kenny, Michael Greene, Brendan Keane, Seadna Ryan or O’Brien’s Corner Shop.
Launch of Gathering Weekend
Tremendous work has been done in preparation of the Gathering weekend in Lanesboro on August Bank Holiday weekend. Without doubt it is the place to be for anyone that has any connection to Lanesboro and parish of Rathcline. The committee encourages everyone to contact their own friends, relatives and invite them to Lanesboro for a ‘parish hooley’ like no other. Come on back to Lanesboro on August Bank Holiday weekend.
On Thursday evening 27th June in Adie Farrell’s the committee invites everyone to come along to the official launch of the Gathering weekend at 9pm. Come along and discover the wonderful line-up of events that have been put in place for our Gathering.
To host the weekend festival is proving to be very expensive but it is a cost that we are fully confident will be covered by sponsors, contributors and support of people of Lanesboro and Rathcline throughout the world by supporting the events leading up to the event and also attending the functions throughout the weekend.
The weekend will be very special as it is a long time ago since we have had a festival in the town – it goes back to Lanesboro carnival – we hope that the fun and excitement of those days can and will be replicated throughout the weekend. The memory of the carnival with all the big bands taking place down the back lane still remains a warm and very happy memory. Let us all relive those memories and tell the younger generation of the wonderful times at Lanesboro carnival.
The Gathering is seen as a welcome home to Lanesboro and the parish whether they are in Ballyleague, Killashee, Dublin, Sydney, New York or any and all places in the country and throughout the world. Already we have heard of people that have made plans to be here for the weekend and we hope to hear from more and more people as the days draw closer.
Come along on Thursday week and let us all have a great night at the launch of the Gathering. Light refreshments will be served.
Notes for Next week’s Leader
May I ask anybody that has notes to be included in the Longford Leader that will be on sale on Wednesday 26th June to have them with me on or before Sunday 23rd June.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club Celebrates
There are very few groups in our community that does as much great work in the protection and saving of lives than Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club. Since its formation in 1983 the club has proved to be a most vital cog in search and rescue throughout the midlands and further afield.
Last year the club suffered a massive loss when a fire broke out in its clubhouse causing tremendous damage to their boats, their equipment van, oxygen tanks and compression pumps for the refilling of oxygen tanks. All in all over a hundred thousand euro of damaged was done by the fire.
Less than one year on and the club have made a staggering recovery and on Sunday 7th July the club will celebrate the reopening of their club house and the blessing of the boats. Not only are they celebrating the reopening but they also celebrate 30years of their existence since that famous and wonderful day back in 1983. The official opening ceremony will take place at 3pm.
The club will host a family fun day and barbeque with musical entertainment and boat trips in the car park along the banks of the Shannon. The club invites you all to come along for what promises to be a wonderful occasion for their double celebration.
LCRL Showcase
Longford Community Resources Ltd (LCRL) is holding a showcase event in the Temperance Hall Longford on Friday the 28th of June, from 11am until 2pm. This occasion provides the opportunity for people from around the county to come in and view the work carried out by LCRL within local communities in Co. Longford. Exhibitors will include representatives from local community groups, enterprises and local initiatives that have benefited from the programmes administered by LCRL. All are welcome to call in, browse through the projects and chat to exhibitors and LCRL staff.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The entire club was shocked and saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of Mrs Marie Sheeran, Ballyleague, recently. The thoughts and prayers are with her family, Niamh and Niall. Marie taught a lot of people to play Bridge in her time. May she rest in peace.
A reminder that Summer Bridge started last Monday night and continues every Monday at 7.45 pm. in the Co-Op Hall, (opposite the Chinese takeaway.) All grades welcome.
Results: Monday 10th June: N/S: 1st Katharine Harrison and Mae Casey, 2nd Ann Fallon and Anne Delaney and 3rd Loretta Cooney and Maureen Hynes. E/W: 1st Chris McGrath and Celia Ansbro, 2nd Margaret O’Dowd and Elsie Maxwell and 3rd Nora Kelly and Una Clarke.
Hope you all enjoyed the good weather but remember, on a wet night, even a warm night, there is no better place to be than at Bridge.
If you know of anyone interested in Beginner’s Lessons in the Autumn, contact Joan on 086 2350161.
Calling all Golfers
Do you play golf? If yes why not go along and join the local Lough Ree Golfing Society on their next outing to Moate Golf Course on Saturday week 29th June. The tee is booked from 11am and please arrive earlier for the draw. A big crowd is expected on this lovely and very popular midland course. The more players that the society has on Saturday week the better the deal! So bring your friends as well.
For your timetable the society is in Longford on Saturday 3rd August and Athlone on Friday 6th September. Further information on those two outings will be published nearer the time.
Gathering 25 Drive
To help defray the costs of the Gathering there will be a Monster 25 Drive (partners) in St. Mary’s Hall Lanesboro on Sunday 21st July at 9pm. There will be €500 in prize money and refreshment swill be served.
If you are not a card player you can still support by buying a ticket priced at only €5. You can put your name on it and it will be entered into the draw for non-playing ticket buyers for which there are many raffle prizes. Tickets are now on sale throughout or from organiser Tom Feeney or O’Brien’s and you are asked to be as generous as possible in support.
Schools Championship Winners
There was great joy and elation following the tremendous victory in the Primary Schools Championship Final by Lanesboro Primary School in Pearse Park on Saturday last. They had a wonderful and hard earned victory over a very strong and determined Clondra NS. The victory was all the sweeter as Clondra had a convincing win over Lanesboro earlier in the year in the league competition but this time the Lanesboro team were determined to turn the tables which they did in style. The team was made up of Cian Glennon, Dean O Reilly, Keith Irwin, Brian Casey, Jakub Kajan, Séadhna Ryan, Kevin Tansey, Dúileach Ryan, Brian Lyons, Rebecca Stauvse, Óisín Mc Gowan, Michal Kajan and Cormac Casey.
Badminton Club
The Battle of the Boyne graded open competition from 4th to 15th June in St Marys D.S Drogheda saw a number of club members making several journeys to Drogheda. Many great matches were played with some fantastic results. The event saw wins in Grade 5 and 6 both mixed and double. Grade 5 Mixed winners Ann Duffy and Karl Crawford. Grade 5 Ladies winners Ann Duffy and Edel Mc Dermott. Grade 6 Mixed winners Mark Bermingham and Carol Manning. Grade 6 mens winners Mark Bermingham and Owen Casey. Grade 6 Ladies runners up Regina Scally and Carol Manning. Grade 5 mens runners up Frank Casey and Karl Crawford. This was a brilliant result again for the Lanesboro Ballyleague Badminton club with great dedication and commitment shown by all involved.
Siamsa
An Irish language summer course (SIAMSA) will take place on from Monday 8th July to Friday 12th July in Gaelscoil Longfoirt. The course will take place from 9.30am to 3pm each day and will cater for students from third to sixth class. Further information and application forms are available from Yvonne Ní Mhurchú phone 087-2642665.
Free Pre-School Year
Head Start pre-school for 2½ to 5 year olds is now taking enrolments for September 2013 and on an on-going basis for the free pre-school year and non ECCE children. For more information you are asked to contact Denise at 043 33 21321 after 1pm.
Time to prepare and tend to family grave
As the dates have just been announced for the blessing of graves and mass in the three cemeteries in the parish of Rathcline kit is time to start preparing and tending to your family graves. It is very important – not only for these dates – to have your family graves looking well kept. The first date is in Rathcline cemetery on Sunday 7th July, followed by Lanesboro on Sunday 14th July and finishing in Clonbonny on Sunday 21st July. People with family members interred in any of the graveyards are encouraged to tend to their family graves
Shannon Gaels
Coaching for U6, U8, U10 and U12 will continue in Clonbonny on Friday in Clonbonny from 7pm to 8pm.
The U8s & U10s will play Dromard in a challenge match in each grade this coming Saturday morning in Clonbonny at 11am. It will be great to have as many parents as possible attending and cheering on these young players.
Preparations for the U14s are on-going for the first round of the championship in a couple of weeks’ time. The team had an excellent challenge game with Slashers on Friday night last. Féile competition will take place on Monday 29th July and the team is working hard towards a very successful outcome in that competition. Training will continue on the usual Thursdays and Saturdays.
Training for U16 and minor players continues this week. Training will recommence in full in the next week or so in as our students complete their exams. All players must get back into the training routine so as to give themselves every chance in the upcoming championships.
The club congratulates Lanesboro Primary school on their magnificent win in the Cumann na mBunscoil schools championship last weekend. It was a marvellous win for the school after being in so many finals in recent times. Well done to everyone concerned.
At present members of the club are going around the parish in relation to the Club’s fundraising night at the dogs in Longford Greyhound track on Friday night 28th June. You are asked to be as supportive as possible and if you would like to contribute you can contact Sean Kenny.
School Bus service to Roscommon
A new bus to the second level schools in Roscommon will commence with the new school year in the Mercy Convent, CBS and Community College. A limited number of seats are available. For further information you are advised to contact Tom 086-8293328.
Whist Drive
A Whist Drive in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind will take place in Ardagh Community Centre on Friday night next 21st June at 8.45pm. All card players are invited to go along and support a most wonderful cause.
Lough Ree AC
It was another busy weekend on the athletic front. County Roscommon Community Games (field events) took place at Sky Valley Rovers football grounds on Saturday. On Sunday there was athletics for all grades from U13 upwards in Athlone, making it a long day.
The Co. Roscommon fixture went ahead despite the rain on Saturday and Kilgefin had only one entrant for the field events. Larissa Noone was the sole representative and boy didn’t she do well by winning the U16 Discus. The winner of the Boy’s Discus caught the eye, on enquiring it transpired he was a neighbour’s child – Ryan Murray, son of Tommy, (The Green) who represented Lanesboro in 1973 in the U14 Shot Putt. His grandfather, the late Jarlath, our former President would have been very proud.
Now for the Connaught championships and the long day in Athlone. It proved to be a worthwhile and satisfying day as the club did not come home empty handed. Gold medal winners were:- Tanya farrell U16 Discus, James Skelly U18 3000m and the evergreen Mark Brady in the senior Shot. Mark was also 2nd in the Discus.
Silver medallists were:- The U16 girls relay team, beating Roscommon AC on the line, namely Tanya Farrell, Sarah Farrell, Hayley Rooney and Anna Peters. Last and certainly not least was Orla Keane’s 2nd in the 80m. This was the best result of the day, in what was a most competitive event. Orla was 4th last year against some highly rated girls, so Connaught silver in 2013 was well deserved. Stephen O’Dowd U15 and Anna Peters U16 did the club proud with bronze medals in the Shot Putt. Well done to Dylan Horkan, Caoimhe Flood and Casper (our Polish athlete) for keeping the flag flying in their events. We did notice the “Kenny stable” from Kenagh was in form again on Sunday with Thomas Mc Gann being placed second in the U15 100m and third in the U15 200m.
Maeve Dervin with Newtowncashel connections also impressed by taking silver and bronze in the middle distant events.
Finally, a word of thanks to those who contributed to our Annual Church Gate collection on Saturday and Sunday last. We are not forgetting those that stood at the table – they deserve a word of thanks also. We believe we are getting a different date for Ballyleague.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior League – O’Rourke Cup: Our seniors drew with St. Brigids on Friday evening last at home. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 1-08 St. Brigids 1-08. Team: S. Connor, D. McCormack, A. McCormack, B. Scally, C. Mc Cormack (0-1), D. Murray, H. Kenny, S. O’Grady, B. Murtagh (0-2), P. Wallace, E. Kenny, D. Rooney (0-1), J. Quigley, D. Hussey (0-1), C. Murtagh (1-2). Subs: K. Farrell, R. Cox, C. Gannon (0-1).
Junior League – Our junior men played against Tulsk on Tuesday evening at 8.00pm in Tulsk. See fixtures for details of game at the weekend also.
Junior Ladies – Championship: Our junior ladies play against Michael Glaveys next weekend. See fixtures for details
“It Takes Two”: Well done to our contestants, Qona Cox aka “Tina Turner” & her backing girls, Janet Melia, Michelle Kenny & Ursula Kilcoyne who represented St. Faithleachs GAA Club in “It Takes Two” fundraiser for Mayo/Roscommon Hospice on Saturday night last in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. The club would like to pay a special word of thanks to Qona & the girls who gave a tremendous performance of “Proud Mary”. The club would like express many thanks and much appreciation to the huge following of supporters for our contestants on the night and to all who voted throughout the week, in support of raising much needed funds for Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
U12 Boys – Spring League: Our U12 boys were defeated by Tulsk on Friday evening last. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 1-04 Tulsk 4-10.
U8/U10 Go Games Blitzes: Many thanks to all who helped out for the hosting of the U10’s GoGames Blitz on Saturday last in St. Faithleachs GAA. Well done to all teams that took part – St. Faithleachs, Kilbride and St. Aidan’s. Our U8 participate in the GoGames Blitz next weekend; see fixtures for details of venue.
St. Faithleachs GAA Cúl Camp 2013: Cúl Camp takes place from Monday 15th July to Friday 19th July (10.00am to 2.30pm). Application forms available through local schools or at St. Faithleachs GAA clubhouse or at training sessions. Cúl Camp for Children aged 5/13yrs. Charge: €35 per Child. (Reduced rates for a family)
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse, 9.00pm. All welcome.
Bon Voyage: The Club wishes Martin Reynolds best wishes on his current travels.
Rathcline GAA
Club Rathcline Lotto Draw – The Jackpot total of €200 was not won this weekend with numbers drawn as follows: 1, 6, 8, 15, 26, and 28. Congratulations to our four €25 winners this week as follows: (1) Michael Murray – Barnacor (2) Kevin Diffley – Ballymahon (3) Rory Donnellan – Lanesboro (4) Eamon Farrell – Tullyvrane. Next week’s Jackpot will €300.
Senior League – Commiserations to our senior team who lost to Colmcille on Friday evening last in Fr. McGee Park. Final score: Rathcline 0-09, Colmcille 2-14. Training continues as normal this Wednesday and Friday night and we hope to see all our Under 21’s taking an active part in session. Similarly, we hope that all Reserve League 2 players will be in attendance especially in the weeks leading up to the final with Ballymahon.
Congratulations to Scoil Muire gan Smal on their championship final victory over Cloondra on Saturday afternoon last in Pearse Park. We done to everyone involved with team.
Club Fundraising – In the last decade, there has been a huge amount of work completed in Clonbonny. No one will argue that we have one of the finest GAA facilities in the midlands with a fantastic new All Weather Pitch with a state of the art Clubhouse. With such facilities, comes a cost and the cost on our club is roughly €20,000 a year for the next six years. At this time of the year, Rathcline GAA normally makes plans in developing a fundraiser which will service our annual debt of our club to our local Credit Union. Last year, we asked our parishioners to subscribe to new annualised lotto format. This venture was hugely successful in so far as the Club fulfilled its commitments to our Credit Union as well as giving out nearly €10,000 in prize money over the 12 month fundraising term. This year, it has been agreed to copy the template/initiative of other clubs around the midlands where €100 donations from Patrons will go directly to our Club needs. It is seen as a hugely efficient way of meeting club targets where 100% of every €100 donation will go to clearing the club debt for the year. Rathcline GAA is looking for at least 200 people in the parish to join in this venture to fulfil the loan requirements. Fermoyle National School lead the way with the first donation of the campaign and we hope that the rest our parishioners, patrons, members and supporters can do their best for our club in similar fashion. Recognition for such donations has yet to be finalised by the financial committee but any help will not go unnoticed. Members of our financial committee will be in contact with households in the parish in the coming weeks. Rathcline GAA is the heart of the community and our parishioners have always delivered for our club. We have no doubt that this venture will be a huge success.
Shannon Gaels – Coaching for U6, U8, U10 and U12 will continue in Clonbonny on Friday in Clonbonny from 7pm to 8pm. Our U8 & U10 will play Dromard in a challenge match this coming Saturday morning in Clonbonny at 11am.
Western Gaels – U14 – Preparations are on-going for the first round of the Championship in a couple of weeks’ time. The team played exceptionally well in a challenge match with Slashers on Friday night last. We are also looking forward to competing in the Feile competition which will take place on the 29th July. To this end, training will continue every Thursday and Saturday per the normal regime.
U16 & Minor – Training for U16 & Minor continues this week per the normal routine. The frequency of the training campaign will pick up in the next week or so in advance of the first round of the championship in both age groups. Now that the exams are completed, we need to get all players back out on the pitch as soon as possible. Players will get the usual text message in advance of training.
Fundraising – Galway Races – The inaugural Rathcline GAA Race day will take place at the Galway Races on Monday 29th July. The club hope to replicate the success of that achieved by Longford County Board at Punchestown only on a much smaller scale which will satisfy the needs of our own club. The occasion will present our parishioners, members, supporters and friends a fantastic afternoon of horse racing on opening day of the 2013 festival. The club have agreed in principle an attractive hospitality package with the organisers in Ballybrit which surpasses that seen at the Annual Punchestown County Board Fundraiser. Most people will be familiar with the Galway Races but for those who are not; a great day out is always guaranteed. Ballybrit at the end of July is always the highlight of the horse racing calendar in Ireland and it is the aim of Rathcline GAA to tap into the atmosphere, banter and craic to serve our own needs as well as giving something back to our supporters. For more information, please contact Albert Cooney, Alan Fayne or Liam Connerton. Table bookings are now being accepted by the club.
