Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Lough Ree AC
The club celebrated its 40th year of existence in the Parish hall on Saturday 28th December 1973 – 2013 and the occasion proved to be quite enjoyable to a good size attendance. Cllr Mark Casey opened the proceedings by introducing the first committee members, that is, those who are still available, while asking for a minutes silence for deceased members. He included young athletes who already have passed on, some as recent as the past 12 months. He concluded by introducing the present chairman.
Fabian Walsh welcomed all present, and noted that some had travelled a distance to be there, also members of the Roscommon county board, Mattie Reid, Bobby Begley, to mention a few. Bobby (Mullingar Harriers) is currently a member of the Irish Olympic Council.
The chairman apologised for the short notice but the club wanted to to show their appreciation to all of those that helped out during the years. As most people would be home for the Christmas it was better “late than never”.
Tributes were paid to Rathcline and St. Faithleach’s GAA clubs for making their fine premises available to the club if the occasion arose and the Ballyleague hall committee for the weekly use of their facility.
The chairman went on to compliment all medal winners – too numerous to name so confined himself to some excellent achievements, starting with two Bank of Ireland awards that came the way of two athletes for excellence. Three more obtained scholarships to American and Irish Universities, not forgetting those that represented their country at International level at home and abroad – even as far away as Borneo in Asia. He was pleased to see some of them present – Jo-Ane Casey, Margaret Mullooly, Gillian Clyne and Willie Farrell. Willie was selected for the Irish Schools team in the International against England, Scotland and Wales. Afterwards he joined Mullingar Harriers as Lough Ree had not affiliated a senior club. Indeed Bobby Begley was anxious to meet him.
It was nice to see Fr. Reilly present, as he was “not behind the door” when discussing cross-country! Brigid Mullooly intrigued the audience with her photographs and slides while Stephen Dowd must be complimented for looking after the catering, Bernard Keane for his sponsorship, the hall committee and last but not least the musicians who entertained all.
Finally, the chairman asked guest of honour to present the Athlete of the year awards to Alannah Flood and Cian Walton and a token of the clubs appreciation to Margaret Mullooly (athlete in 1973 and treasurer 20130 while acknowledging the work of Steve, Susan and Marie in keeping the show on the road.
So ended a most enjoyable evening
Rathcline Ladies
AGM – The Ladies AGM will take place on this coming Sunday evening 12th January in the clubhouse in Clonbonny at 5pm. This is a meeting for everyone to attend. It would be great to see everyone interested in ladies football in the club and parents of all the players coming along to the meeting. The club is developing greatly and the development can only continue with the support of everyone. Your attendance ensures that the club remains strong going into the new season.
Presentation evening – The club will host a presentation evening for the U16 girls who won the county title last year on Saturday 18th January at 5pm in the clubhouse. The club invites parents and those interested in our club to come along and join in the celebration for these great girls.
Clothes Collection – The clothes collection is back again. If you have old clothes please contact Madaleine or Mike.
County teams – we have a number of players on county team panels and we would like to acknowledge their efforts with the county teams. At senior level we are represented by Claire Greene, Sinead Farrell, Lauren Farrell and Laura Healy. At U16 level we have twins Sarah and Tanya Farrell, Laura O’Sullivan, Hayley Rooney, Anna Peters and Niamh Chawke. At U14 we have Ciara Healy and Áine Bannon. We wish all our girls and their teammates the very best of luck during the 2014 season.
New Year Draw
The Rathcline GAA club have just launched their annual New Year draw. The funds collected from this draw will go towards insuring the club for the coming year and will also pay for registration of members and players along with the entry fees to all competitions. This draw is hugely important to the club and they would ask absolutely everyone to support by buying tickets and also encouraging others to buy. Tickets are priced at only €10 and the prize structure is – 1st €1500, 2nd €750, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €200, 6th €200, 7th €200 and 8th €200.
The draw will take place in the Swan Tavern on Friday night 25th January at 11am. Tickets are available locally or from O’Brien’s.
Shannon Gaels
During the Christmas period our choir under the directorship of Tracy Tobin sang at St. Mary’s Church on two occasions. This is another string to the bow to the minor club who show that apart from football and Scór they offer the young people of the parish so much more. The choir has proven to be wonderful with such a wide variety of talents and tunes in their repertoire. The choir has a vast array of musical talent so well matched together by Tracy. They receive wide acclaim for their performances during not only Christmas but on the other times they performed during the past year.
If you have children talented in music we would warmly invited them to come along to the club and be part of something fantastic that continues to grow in our club.
Your talent is your success no matter where you feature in our club and we are very pleased to highlight your talents
The choir and musicians that performed at Christmas are: Owen Murray, Tanya Farrell, Orla Keane, Stephen O’Dowd, Megan Daly, Catherine Mullooly, Conor English, Tara Leigh Lulham, Sarah Farrell, Niamh Chawke, Aisling Casey and Niall Keane.
We thank all of them along with Tracy and Brendan Keane for all the time they put into making Christmas special.
Year of the Father – within the club we are dedicating the year 2014 as the ‘year of the father’. We are encouraging more and more fathers coming also to the pitch when there are club events on and to take a greater role in the club. We are not asking for a huge involvement something like putting down the flags and removing them after games. Keeping water containers topped up, sweeping the dressing rooms after game and finally joining us for a cuppa after training and matches upstairs in the clubhouse. We have a great ladies family working during the year and this year we want to extend it all to the fathers. Come along, small jobs to team managements mean a lot and we can all share in the successes that we are sure will come in abundance this year. There may be sad times but at least we will share these rare times together.
Christmas Draw all club supporters are encouraged to support the Rathcline senior club draw. Tickets, priced €10, are freely available throughout the club and the draw will take place on Saturday 25th January in Adie’s.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Roy and Maureen Fitzsimons, Rathcline, Albert Fitzsimons, Ballyleague and extended Fitzsimons families in our community and Dublin on the death of Leslie Fitzsimons, Blessington, Co. Wicklow over the Christmas period.
Engagement
Congratulations to Rachael Kiernan daughter of Joe and Teresa Kiernan and Cian Beirne, son of Pat and Anne Beirne, Mahoraveen who announced their engagement during their break at home from Australia for the Christmas holidays.
Engagement
Congratulations to Melissa Farrell and Brendan Rooney on the birth of a baby boy over the past weekend.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Steve and Teresa Ormsby and family, Ballyglass on the death last weekend of Steve’s aunt Mrs Nora Joyce, Foxford, Co. Mayo.
Death
The sudden death occurred on Saturday 28th December at Tallaght Hospital Dublin of Donal Hyland, Vilianstown, Gaybrook, Mullingar of Donal Hyland. Donal was son beloved son of Mary and the late Sean Hyland. Donal was born and spent the early stages of his life in Augharana before moving to Mullingar. His death is a tremendous loss to his family and wide range of friends who have nothing but great memories of their time with this excellent young man.
Donal’s remains reposed at his mother’s residence before being removed to Gainstown’s Church for his Funeral Mass. Burial took place following mass to Kilronan cemetery. To his mother Mary, brothers Michael and Martin, sisters Patricia, Frances and Anita, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Please contribute – Longford Social Services
Due to the number of funerals over the weekend the Church Gate collections for last weekend did not take place as a respect to the grieving families. If you wish to make a donation towards the Meal on Wheels service that does so much great work in our community you can do so by making a donation in the collection box in O’Brien’s. You are asked to be as generous as possible to help maintain what is a wonderful service not only for our community but also the entire county.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Patsy Cox and family, Ernagh, Gerry Cox and family, Doughill and the extended Cox family on the death at the weekend of Mrs Alice Feehily, Corskeagh, Strokestown.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Ann and Paddy Fayne and family, Aughakeel on the death last week of Ann’s mother, Mrs Rita Cullinan, Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the lottery on Saturday night 6th January were 4, 25, 35, 38, 42 and 43. There was no winner of the Rathcline GAA lottery for a jackpot of €600. The for winners of €25 each were Garvan Gethins, Clonbonny, Hughie Smyth, Main Street, George and Jean Mc Dermott, Killashee and Brid Keegan. The jackpot for next Saturday now rises to €700.
Lanesboro Library
Photographs of some of the events held during The Gathering 2013 will be on display in the Library until the end of January courtesy of Christine McDonogh. The County Longford library would like to say a big thank you to Christine.
Opening hours over the New Year – Library will open on Mon 30th December from 2pm to 5.30pm and on Tues 31st December from 2pm to 6pm The library will be closed on Wed Jan 1st. Normal hours resume on Friday Jan 3rd.
Calendars
There are just a limited number of Brush Strokes calendars left. The sale of the calendar was once again tremendous and for those that have not yet got theirs time is running out. Priced at only €5 each you should not miss this excellent calendar.
Ronan Mc Cormack Rosactive Weekend
Last year was the first year remembering the passing of Ronan Mc Cormack Charity Challenge with a variety of events to raise money for charities. The response was thoroughly phenomenal and the event will again take place this year on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March.
Ronan was a local lad, a larger than life character with a great attitude to life and his passing deprived us all of many happy days in his company. This is a wonderful way to acknowledge and celebrate his life and we should all support in whatever way we can be involved during the weekend. The entire weekend is in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation and Roscommon Special Olympics.
Saturday will commence with the 100km cycle from Roscommon to Mountbellew and back again to Roscommon. Alternatively you can cycle the 100km from Carnmore in County Galway to Mountbellew and back again to Carnmore. The cyclist will meet up in Mountbellew before returning to their original starting point. To register to and from Roscommon email Jacquelinemc@eircom.net and to and from Carnmore shanehynes12@gmail.com
To register for the cycle it is €30 the 5km is €15 or the cycle and 5km €40.
On Saturday night there will be a Social Nigh t in Foxe’s bar which will include a Dart competition – the fund of which will go to Special Olympics Roscommon.
On Sunday 2nd the day’s events will commence at 10am with Invacare Series Elite Paracycycle Criterium featuring Ireland’s Elite Paracyclists – sign in 8.45 to 9.30am.
At 11am “Taking the Dis” a 2km Push, Cycle or Roll to showcase the talents of people with different abilities – sign in from 9 to 10am.
12 noon will see the commencement of the 5km Sub 30 Run – a close circuit road race – sign in 10 to 11.30am.
At 12.30 5km Lappers Challenge a Fun Run or Push around the streets of Roscommon Town – sign in from 10.30 to 12noon.
Lanesboro Karate Club
Matsubayashi: Shorin Ryu International Lanesboro will resume training on the 13th January in St. Mary’s Hall. The club welcomes all members back from the Christmas and New Year break and look forward to the year ahead.
Junior classes are from 6.30 to 7.30pm and senior classes are from 7.30 to 9pm. For newcomers the first class is free.
The club would like to congratulate junior member Zoe Gallagher on achieving her junior black belt and senior member Octavian Patrasca on achieving his 1st Dan black belt and also club instructor Kevin Mc Kenna on his 4th degree black belt. The achievements were all awarded at different examinations in Hombu Dojo, Athlone during December.
For more information contact 086-0807012 or email: shorinryulanesboro@gmail.com
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Minor Club, Presentation and Family Night: Our minor club’s presentation night took place in the clubhouse on Saturday night last. Congratulations to Michelle Corcoran, Ladies senior player of the year 2013 & Joan Geoghegan/Emma Kenny, joint ladies young player of the year 2013, as voted by the players. Congratulations to Diarmuid Murtagh, recipient of a “Special Merit Award” on behalf of St. Faithleachs GAA minor club in recognition of his achievements with Roscommon GAA County Minors. Medals were presented on the night to our 2013 Teams as follows: Junior Ladies – D4 League Runners-Up, Minor Men – D2 League Winners, Minor Ladies – D2 Championship Runners-Up, U16 Boys – D2 Championship Runners-Up, U16 Girls – D2 Championship Winners and U14 Girls – D2A Championship Winners. Many thanks and much appreciation to Joe & Martina Cribbin of Daybreak Ballyleague, sponsors of a “new set of jerseys” presented to our Junior Ladies team. Thanks to Enon Gavin who presented all medals and awards on the night. Thanks to Mary Mangan, photography. Thanks to the clubhouse staff, DJ entertainment, all who supplied food and refreshments and to our minor committee for the organisation of this event. Special thanks to the parents, members and all who attended to support of the event.
Membership/Registration: 2014 player registration and club membership is now due. Adult players €40, Under18 players €20 and family membership €80. Registration fees must be paid before players can train or compete for the club. Please contact the clubs registrar or manager/mentors of your age group.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm.
Recorded by Joe O'Brien
