Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Great Celebrations as Phil celebrates 100
Seldom written about by this correspondent has been the celebration of 100th birthday by any of our residents. On Saturday week past Phil Ginty, Knock, along with his family and friends celebrated his 100th birthday with a Mass in St. Mary’s Church followed by a celebration party at his home. Phil was surrounded by his daughters Angela, Eileen and Marian and sons Tom, Philip, twins, Seamus and Gerry and Joe, grandchildren great grandchildren who travelled from all over the world to be with him for his marvellous celebration. His wife Nellie was unable to attend the celebrations due to her failing health.
It is remarkable to see how well and active Phil has been and still is as all his life he could be seen doing work around his home and this continues right up to recent times. He has, as always, a wonderful outlook and like and his positivity is a wonderful thing. Phil’s great health is a joy with his mind being so active and alert and the entire community celebrates his great health and wonderful achievement of reaching his 100th year. We wish him the very best of good health as he enters into the beginning of a new century.
Leinster campaign begins for Ladies
The next challenge for the girls is the short trip to Milltown, Co. Westmeath on Saturday next 5th October for the first round of the Leinster club championship where I am sure they will again do us proud. The game has been timed for a 2pm throw in. Their last campaign in Leinster brought them on a great run and we hope that Saturday will be the beginning of another great campaign in Leinster.
Lanesboro Badminton Club
It’s that time of year again to dust of those rackets or maybe invest in a new racket and join Lanesboro Badminton club for a season of fun and competition. There will be an open night for adults on Thursday 26th September at 8.30pm in St. Marys Hall in Lanesboro. The date for the junior club is Saturday 5th October, with registration at 4.45pm for juveniles and 5.45pm for secondary school pupils. If you like to learn how to play badminton or have any questions just drop in on the 26th or contact any of the members for information.
The Quare Land
A play by John Mc Manus ‘The Quare Land’ will be staged at St. Mary’s Hall Lanesboro on Saturday night week 12th October. This comedy has been receiving rare reviews on it tour around the country and we are privileged to have it come to our parish. Tickets are priced at €10 each and are available from O’Brien’s. Call into or phone Martina 043-3321107 for reservations.
Defibrillator Training
Names are again being taken for new people interested in training in the use of the defibrillator and also for those that need to do the refresher course. There can never be enough trained in the use of the defibrillator and if you have not yet been trained in its use you should leave your name to Martina O’Brien. Both the refresher and training courses are to commence in the near future.
GAA Coaching Course
It is proposed to hold a Foundation level coaching course for people interested in coaching GAA teams at all levels. This course is suited to any parent, or young person interested in helping out with teams in the coming year or indeed years. It can be the stepping stone for people to get themselves involved in coaching and who knows where it will end. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Joe O’Brien.
Whist Drive
Lanesboro Social Services will host its monthly Whist Drive in St. Mary’s Parish Hall Lanesboro on this coming Friday night 4th October at 8.30pm. Every card player is invited to come along and enjoy an evening of card playing and fun while supporting a most marvellous cause that supports those in need in our own community.
Shannonside Camera Club
Members are reminded that the AGM will be held on Tuesday 8th October in the ESB Sports & Social clubhouse at 8pm.-anyone interested in the club is cordially invited to attend.
Moving Premises
Good luck to Martina O’Brien, who will move her chiropody clinic practice in Dublin Street Longford to her new premises 6 Keon’s Terrace, Longford this week.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to John Molloy and his extended family, Cloontuskert and the Green on the death of his brother Oliver Molloy, Cambridge, England last weekend.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 25th September are: North / South -Elish Grey & Geraldine Cafferty, 2nd Frances & Frank Brennan and 3rd Una Clarke & Eileen Kelly. East / West – Una Lawlor & Brid Mc Dermott, 2nd Noreen Dunne & Mai Casey and 3rd Bernadette Gillen & Mona O’Flaherty.
Athlone Samaritans
Athlone Midland Samaritans urgently needs volunteers. No experience is necessary as training will be provided. If you would like to volunteer please call 0852845010 immediately.
If you have the time it should be put to exceptional use and to help those in need of the vial Samaritans
Thatching Course
There are just six places on the 2nd section of the training course for thatching – starting next Monday week October 14th….the training in the 1st section has already started and is under the professional guidance of EDI Longford – Joe Leonard is the master thatcher on site so it’s a great opportunity to learn these traditional skills from a real professional …there is also a free SAFE PASS course on the first 2 days of the training so it’s a great chance to upgrade your skills if you want to take part in section 2 – please give your name into Joe at Daybreak shop, Ballyleague.
October Book Festival at Lanesboro Library
On Wednesday 16th October at 1.30pm there will be a ‘workshop’ with Author Alan Early including a reading from his Arthur Quinn trilogy, a couple of Viking-based and story-telling games and a questions and answering session. This workshop is suitable for 5th and 6th class children.
On Friday 18th October at 2.15pm there will be a Seamus Heaney Poetry workshop for Second Level students with Frank Galligan
Finally Tuesday 29th October at 2pm there will be a Halloween Arts and Crafts.
Create you very own Halloween masterpiece, all materials provided. Please book in advance as numbers are limited. Will suit children aged between 9 and 12.
Thank You
The Ginty family wish to thank the many people for making their father Phil’s 100th such an enjoyable occasion by attending his celebratory Mass and party afterwards and for their generous gifts.
The family would like to thank Fr, Mickie O’Reilly for saying Mass and Teresa Costello for singing during the ceremony. They would like thank the following musicians for providing the music at the party: Joe Mc Grath, Jimmy Flanagan, Noel Carberry, Peadar Collins, Conor Boland, Sean Owens, Henry Holmes and Willie Kelly. A special thanks also to caterer Stephen Dowd, photographer, Declan Gilmore and the Longford Leader for their good wishes.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The following are the results of the competition held on Monday 23rd September are: Gross and Nett; N/S; 1st Loretta Cooney and Eileen Kelly, 2nd Joan Browne and Patricia McGann and 3rd Mairead Gill and Maura Hanley. E/W: 1st Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan, 2nd B. Dowling and G. Kenny and 3rd P. Walshe and N. Dunne
The club extends sincere condolences to Phil Chalmers, Bridie Mc Grath and Hannah Clyne on the death of Mrs K Casserly, sister of Phil, mother of Bridie and aunt of Hannah. May she rest in peace.
Best of luck to Mrs Patricia Mc Gann who was recently elected President of Lough Ree 2000 Bridge club. The club members hope she has an enjoyable year
Harvest Festival Service and Thanksgiving
The Harvest Thanksgiving Service will take place in St John’s Church, Lanesborough on Sunday 13th October at 3pm. This traditionally is a hugely attended service and this year it is expected to be no different for what was a rich harvest and the great weather ensuring the harvest was bountiful and collected with great ease and hardship free. Everyone in the community is invited to come along and attend.
Rural Transport Service
The No.19 bus service to Lanesboro every Friday morning travels from Newtowncashel, via Derrygowna and Newpark regions.
The bus arrives in Lanesboro before 11am and departs back through the same route at 12.45pm. The provider is Farrelly’s – Kenagh (3322222) and the driver is the very popular Peter Hudson (087-2739193). Any enquiries can be directed to either parties or to Seamus Lee in LCRL at (3345555).
It has been noted in the past few weeks that numbers have dropped; this in the main is due to sickness/illness, which includes Mary Sweeney, who was the “driving force” behind a number of the South Longford services. For FTP Holders the service is FREE, and for others it is €3 Single – €5 return.
Social Dance Classes
Social Dance classes in the Quad centre every Thursday evening and it’s for absolute beginners in Jive, Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Slósh dance. No partners are needed. All ages are welcome and it will take place from 8.15pmpm to 10.15pm. For further information you are asked to call 087-3536502.
Badminton Club
Badminton has returned every Tuesday and Thursday night from 8.30pm in St. Mary’s hall. Anybody who missed the open night and wishes to join they can go along and join on the night. Junior badminton will return on Saturday 5th October – Registration will take place for U12s at 4.45pm with badminton at 5pm. Registration for Under 18s will take place at 5.45pm with badminton taking place at 6pm.
Bridge for Beginners
Are you interested in learning to play bridge? Beginners classes will commence on Monday 7th October in Roscommon at 8.30pm. To get greater details or book your place you are invited to phone 086-2350161 or 086-1607913. If enough express interested from this area classes could be held in Lanesboro.
Baptisms
Two recent baptisms took place in St. Mary’s church, and we would like to congratulate Gabriella and Zoltan on the baptism of their son Oliver Juhasz, Church View and also to Scott and Charlene on the baptism of Ria Faye Cassidy, Radharc na Muileann.
Death
The death took place at University Hospital Galway on Saturday 23rd September of Catherine Maloney, Meadowbrook, Ballyleague. Catherine formerly Mc Carthy, The Green, was predeceased by her parents Tim and Ita, brothers John and Patsy and sister Mary. She had been in ill health for a time and she fought it with a great spirit and dignity. Catherine was a bright intelligent, talented lady and very artistic and she done some great work with the local art group Brushstrokes. Catherine will be sadly missed by everyone that had the pleasure to come to know her. Her remains reposed at Farrell’s Funeral Home on Sunday until the removal of her remains on Monday to St. Mary’s church. Following her Mass her remains were laid to rest in Clonbonny cemetery. To her sons Trevor and Aaron, daughter Nicola, sister Ann, brothers Tommy, Tony, Timmy, Martin, Eugene, Gerard and Stephen, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Music School
Are you interested in learning to play guitar, piano, drums, banjo, bass, violin or learn to sing? This school is for all ages and talents with Rock, pop and traditional being catered for. If the answer is yes then you should make contact without delay to 087-3536502
Connection to Clare Team
The entire country seemed to celebrate the winning of the All Ireland Hurling Final replay on Saturday last by Clare. The game to everyone that seen it was one of the most remarkably skilful and exciting All Ireland finals. A closer eye than normal was being taken in Ballyleague in the result by the O’Grady family. Wing back Pat O’Connor is son of the legendary Clare hurler Pat O’Connor from Tubber and the elder Pat is first cousin to Donal O’Grady. No doubt the excitement extended from Clare to here.
Marathons for Muireann Programme
As we all know Declan O’Flaherty and his wife Gina are doing tremendous work in raising funds for the three different support groups that continue to support him with their daughter Muireann. Muireann has a very rare disease she can’t walk, she can’t talk, she can’t feed herself and she requires constant monitoring. She is frequently unwell. She takes a daily cocktail of medication including anti-seizure tablets but she is receiving fantastic support from the three organisations as well of the undying love of her family.
Next Saturday 6th October will be the first of 3 fundraising events that I encourage you to support. There will be a walk, jog, run over 4 miles in Lanesboro. Registration will take place at the Community College from 12 noon with the event commencing at 1pm. The entry is €10 for an individual or €15 for family.
On the 19th October there will be a Dog Night in Clarkes bar and on Sunday night in the Co-Op hall there will be a card game. More details to follow on the last 2 events.
Rathcline Ladies GAA
The Ladies will make the trip over the Westmeath border to Miltown on Saturday next for the first round of the Leinster Intermediate championship at 2pm. We look forward to a great day for the club.
The clothes collection is on-going and if you have any clothes you want to dispose of please contact Mike or Madaleine.
The club urges support to all the events being organised in the Marathons for Muireann.
The club wishes Dara Mc Gann the very best as she makes her recovery and let us hope that it will be a speedy recovery. The club wishes Aoife Bannon well in her time in England where she undertakes her studies.
Shannon Gaels
Well done to our U16s who had a tremendous victory over a very strong St. Vincent’s team at the weekend in the semi-final of the U16 Shield on a scoreline of 2-13 to 2-12. They will now play Colmcille in the final. See fixture to see if game is scheduled for this coming weekend.
The club encourages everyone that can travel to Miltown to go along and support the ladies in the first round of the championship. The game throws in at 2 and the minor club wishes the Ladies well.
Rathcline GAA
Leinster Championship Quarter Final – After the heroic exploits of our Ladies Football team in winning the county championship two weeks ago, our girls now turn their attention to giving the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship the very best shot with an away match to Miltown of Westmeath in the quarter final of the competition. The game will take place in Miltown next Saturday 5th October at 2pm. Directions to the venue will be posted on the ladies section of the club website: www.rathcline.gaa.ie. We hope a large crowd will travel to support our girls representing both our club and county in this competition. Next Saturday’s winners will earn the right to play either the Laois or Kildare champions in the Leinster semi-final. The girls have done the parish proud this year and we fully expect the rollercoaster journey continue beyond Saturday. Best of luck to the team, management and executive in their final preparations for the game.
Division 1 – Commiserations of our senior team who lost out Abbeylara in final round game of the Division 1 on Saturday evening last in Lynch Park. The team must now wait to see if the club qualifies for a promotion/relegation match with St. Mary’s Granard (runner up – Division 2) for their right to retain Division 1 status for 2014. The club’s fate in Division 1 depends on the result between Colmcille and Carrickedmond which is due to take place on Saturday 12th October.
U16 – Congratulations to our Western Gaels under 16 team whose ‘never say die’ performance over St Vincent’s has earned the club a place in the Shield final. The lads performed magnificently on Saturday afternoon with final score: Western Gaels 2-13, St Vincent’s 2-12. Great credit must be bestowed upon the management team of Cathal Chapman, Cathal Twaddle, John Moran, Padraig Kenny and Mick Shorthall for preparing the team for this competition. And let’s not forget the fantastic consultancy service offered by Mickey Hand in the backroom team. The team will now play St. Colmcilles in the final with date time and venue to be confirmed. To win the Shield Final would cap off a fantastic year for Western Gaels and one which all players, parents and supporters can be massively proud of. Well done lads.
Club Rathcline Lotto Draw – In the last decade, there has been a huge amount of work completed at our Clonbonny GAA facility. No one will argue that we have one of the finest GAA facilities in the midlands with a fantastic new All Weather Pitch which complements the state of the art new Clubhouse which was opened in 2005. Unlike most other clubs around the county, Rathcline GAA caters for three individual Clubs in our parish. The facilities are used on a daily basis by our Senior Club, Minor Club and Ladies Club for training, playing matches and indeed hosting committee meetings and events. With such fine facilities, comes a cost and the burden on our club is roughly €20,000 a year for the next seven years. Normally at this time of the year, Rathcline GAA make plans to develop a fundraiser which will service our annual debt of our club to our local Credit Union. Last year, we asked our supporters and friends 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 we are going to roll out our second term of the annualised lotto starting on the October Bank holiday weekend (Saturday 26th October). The format will be exactly the same as Phase 1. We hope that all last year’s participants will subscribe to this venture and we extend the invitation to any newcomers that wishes to join this venture. In the coming weeks, members of our financial committee will be in contact with households in the parish about possible subscriptions to the fundraising venture. Rathcline GAA has always been the heart of the community and our parishioners, supporters and friends have always delivered by supporting our club through the good times and the bad. We have no doubt that this venture will feature heavily on the continued success of our Club.
Shannon Gaels U12’s will compete in the Shane Brennan tournament next Saturday 5th October. And it’s that time of the year again when games are being moved indoors with our U8’s competing in Clonguish on Wednesday evening at 6:30pm.
Congratulations to Grattan’s on comprehensive win in the Junior Championship final last weekend.
Sympathies – Rathcline GAA extends its sympathies to the McCarthy family Lanesboro on the passing of Catherine Maloney nee McCarthy last weekend.
Extra vigilance needed – Due to the increased occurrences of robberies throughout the country, especially at GAA Clubs, we are asking all our patrons be extra careful in terms of leaving valuables in cars in the parking area during matches / training sessions.
U21 Championship – Rathcline kick off the first round of the Under 21 Championship in two weeks’ time with a home match to Fr Manning Gaels on Sunday 13th October. All eligible players are asked to make themselves available for this competition.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
U21 D2 Championship: Our U21’s have their 1st championship game, away to St. Dominic’s, this coming Saturday 5th October at 4.30pm.
U12 Boys – Summer League: Our U12 boys finished off the League with a convincing win over St. Ciaran’s in Fuerty on Sunday last. The final score was – St. Faithleachs 7-14 St. Ciaran’s 5-08. Well done to all players on the panel and their manager/mentors on their achievements throughout the year.
Fitness Challenge 2013: Last remaining spots for St. Faithleachs Fitness Challenge, please contact Ray Cox on (0866085272). Fitness Challenge begins Tuesday 8th October. Details of the programme will follow.
Lucozade Sport Club Crusade: Thanks to all who are supporting St. Faithleachs GAA Club, in collecting bottle caps for the “Lucozade Sport Club Crusade” Please continue to drop your Bottle Caps into our Collection Bag in the Club House.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 4, 6, 11and 20. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners were – Jack Mc Gloin, Michael Neary, Maureen Curley, T. Murray. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 8th October for a jackpot of €9,600.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 9.00pm. All are welcome. Last week’s results – winners were, Pat Joe/Pakie. Runners-up, Kathleen/Michael.
Congratulations: To John Frances Donlon & Ann Harkin on their recent marriage.
Lough Ree AC
From “the notes” last week we had the results of the Co Longford primary Schools cross-country – some good some not so good! This week it is Co. Roscommon’s turn and the venue is A.I.T. this Wednesday. It will be interesting to see how Cian Walton will fare; he certainly looks impressive on the Tuesday evening runs in Clonbonny. Cian was again to the fore on the 24th September run finishing in 8.43 mins followed by Iarla O’Sullivan. Clodagh Kiely 3rd was the leading girl followed by Anna Peters. Byron Deignan caused ‘raised eyebrows’ and Louise Costello showed the greatest improvement for the distance – nearly 2 mins. The full results can be seen in O’Brien’s window.
Active Age
Lanesboro Ballyleague Active Age group will resume its activities on Tuesday next 8th October in St. Mary’s Hall at 2pm. New members are very welcome.