Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Mercy Nuns to leave Lanesboro
What we have become familiar with since 1953 and the friendships we have had over all those years is about to come to an end. Part of our history is about to depart from Lanesboro and I know for sure that is will create great sadness with everyone living in the parish and those that have had contact with the Sisters of Mercy either through the Primary school or the Secondary school that included the boarding school.
The Sisters of Mercy brings back great memories from a very early age. Their impact in Lanesboro and the surrounds has been magnificent. We all have our memories of nuns from our time of growing up and they influenced our lives in many positive ways.
Their devotion to education be it in Primary and Secondary level cannot be overlooked and the success of so many of their students is clearly evident to the wonderful work they have done in their two schools for so many years.
They have been a caring order and the work they have done with so many families in need of support and hope has been outstanding and has brought many back from situations that were so devastating.
It has been announced that the Convent of Mercy will close during the summer and it will be a sad time for us as a community to lose what has been an integral part of our life for the past 60 years.
We cannot say enough of their work over the years, right up to the present day, other than say, Lanesboro will be much the poorer for their departure and we will never forget their magnificent contribution to our community and the surrounding communities.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Monday
The uniqueness of our parade starting in a different parish, county, parish, province and diocese is something that makes our parade inimitable has gained great attention and comment from many sources. This is our opportunity to add to the uniqueness by making the parade bigger and better than anything gone previously.
Many clubs and associations are already putting their plans into being as they construct their floats for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballyleague and Lanesboro.
Make you plans to come along and make the day another very special and memorable day in our community.
Support St. Patrick’s Day Raffle
The St. Patrick’s Day committee in an effort to defray costs are presently selling tickets for a raffle that will take place in Clarke’s Bar on St. Patrick’s Day night. You are encouraged to buy tickets and support the great work of this hard working committee. Tickets are priced at only €2 each or a book of 3 for €5. Tickets are on sake locally and I hope that everyone will support.
All roads lead to Lanesboro on Monday
Be part of the he uniqueness of our parade starting in a different parish, county, parish, province, county council area, constituency and diocese is something that makes our parade inimitable has gained great attention and comment from many sources.
This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with a great interest being shown by many in putting in flats for the parade. The long range weather forecast is for a mild day and some sunshine. As you already know there is no better place to be than in Lanesboro Ballyleague when the weather is good.
I believe the plans of many are almost at completion with a number finding hidden talents in float making. We look forward to seeing their ideas and handiwork.
The parade will commence from St. Faithleach’s club grounds at 2,30pm and make its way through the twin villages – make sure you are there in good time to get the best vantage points. Prior to the parade there will be traditional Irish music on the street creating an atmosphere.
Be in Ballyleague and Lanesboro this St. Patrick’s Day for another spectacular day.
Bishop Francis Duffy visits Lanesboro
On Sunday next, 16th March, the recently appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois will visit Lanesboro and celebrate 11.30 am Mass. We welcome Bishop Francis to our parish and hope he enjoys his visit to our parish.
Boro continue winning ways
On a windy Saturday afternoon Boro Celtic played their penultimate league game against the 2012 league champions Mostrim Utd. A wind assisted Boro started the game strongly with Barry Clarke hitting the crossbar with a header in the early exchanges. Boro continued to create chance after chance and were soon on the score sheet through Daragh Hussey who ran onto a fine through ball and swept the ball by the Mostrim keeper and into the back of the net. Boro continued to press and towards the end of the first half were awarded a penalty after Aiden Dooney was up ended in the box. David Rooney calmly converted the spot kick to see Boro 2-0 up at the break. The second half started with the visitors having the strong wind behind them and trying to make the most of it. Mostrim created a couple of good openings only to be foiled by the excellent Mark Tarmey in goals. The Mostrim persistence was however rewarded when from a corner the ball was headed across the box and a driven finish was applied, 2-1. Boro then stepped up their efforts in order to close out the game and after a series of chances they made the breakthrough for their third. The ball was picked up by James Hanley who drove forward into the box and with quick feet left the defender standing and then dinked the ball onto the head of Rooney who netted his second of the day for the final score of 3-1.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the completion held on Monday night are Gross/Nett: N/S – 1st Joan Donlon and Fergal McGuinness, 2nd Kathleen Kelly and Tom Feeney, 3rd Bernadette Gillen and Margaret Gillen and 4th Patricia McGann and Joan Browne. E/W – 1st Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan, 2nd Mary Mulvihill and Helen O’Shea, 3rd Nancy Dolan and Mairead Gill and 4t Noreen Dunne and Philomena Walsh.
Classes for Improvers in Longford Bridge centre starting on a Thursday night. Contact Joan or Una if you are interested. Lessons will be conducted by James Connolly.
The Club members extend sincere sympathy to Eileen Kelly, Roscommon, on the death of her brother in England.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Mrs Mona O’Flaherty and family, Ballyleague on the death of her brother Gerard Kelly in Canada recently.
Engagement
Congratulations to Karen Duffy, daughter of Noel and Breda Duffy, Moneen and Anthony Kelly son of Jimmy and Marie kelly, Ballymurray, Co. Roscommon who announced their engagement recently.
Liam plays leading role
On Wednesday night last in Portlaoise Longford visited the grounds that has haunted them for many years and hoped that this was the night to break the hoodoo. Early on it did not look too good with Longford gifting Laoise with at least a goal and two points. As half time approached Longford were very slowly clawing themselves back into the game and really needed an injection of a major score. Who popped up only our own Liam Connerton who was on hand to finish a Longford move to the net. After the resumption of the second half Liam was again on hand to bring Longford closer still with a great point. He was moved to the half forward in the second half and from there he had a great influence in the Longford victory.
Adding to the local flavour on the panel is Eoin Sorohan and it is wonderful to have two players on a county panel heading for a Leinster semi-final and hopefully a Leinster final.
We congratulate Liam, Eoin and their team mates and wish them well back in Portlaoise where they will take on Dublin for a place in the Leinster U21 final.
Charity Shop
The Asthma shop has recently acquired a very good range of furniture –coffee tables, sofas and chairs to match. The furniture section of the charity shop is open this Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
The shops welcomes contributions of ladies, gents and young people’s clothing, books and electrical items – only if in proper working order. The charity shop is open 6 days a week Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Farm Lab Diagnostics
Johnston’s Pharmacy, Main Street, is now a collection point farmers that are customers of Farm Lab Diagnostics, Elphin. For further information contact the Farm Lab in Elphin.
Connaught Champion
Many congratulations to Mark Brady, Church View on winning the Connaught Indoor Shot Putt at senior grade. This was a well due win for Mark who continues to represent the Lough Ree Athletic Club. Mark does great work throughout the year for the club and we congratulate him on his wonderful success and we wish him much more glory days.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Mrs Isobell Murray, Church Road, and her family on the death of her brother Tim Driscoll, Brooklyn, New York. Many of us over the years got to know Tim and his passing will leave a great emptiness in our minds and hearts. He was a one in a lifetime man and our memory of him will always bring a smile to our faces. And there is no doubt that the old Irish saying applies greatly to Tim “ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann”.
Birth
Many congratulations to Emma Donlon and Jamie Hanifee, Church View on the recent birth of a baby boy
Engagement
We would like to extend our hearties congratulations to Sheila Kenny, daughter of Eamon and Freda Kenny, Blenavoher and David Gilmore, son of Sean and Marian Gilmore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on the recent announcement o
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the Lanesboro Bridge club competition held on Wednesday night last 5th March; 1st Loretto Cooney and Freda Kenny, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray, and 3rd a tie between Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey & Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin.
ESB AGM
ESB Lanesborough Retired Staff and Pensioners Association Annual General Meeting will take place on this Thursday 13th March in the Sports and Social Clubhouse at 2 pm. Mr Dave McCabe General Manager ESB Medical Provident Fund will give a talk and answer questions at 2 pm.
Class of 1974 Reunion
There is a 40th Anniversary reunion of the above Leaving Certificate class from St Josephs Convent of Mercy Lanesborough this summer. We are in the final stages of the organisation of the event and we would love to hear from anyone who has not been in touch yet. Contact Geraldine Kirwan (Gilhooley) on 086-380468 email geraldinegilhooley@hotmail.com or Bernie Harold on 086-2888185 email haroldbernie@gmail.com
5 Year Plan Launch
The Tidy Towns committee will launch its Tidy Towns Five Year Plan 2014-2018 on this Thursday, 13th March in St Mary’s Hall at 830pm. All members of the community are invited to attend and to have your ideas included in the plan. The objective of the Plan is to guide the efforts of the committee as it continues to work towards making our community a nicer place to live in and to visit. Your support of our weekly lotto helps the committee to continue the programme of works.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual Ardagh and Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from Tuesday 27th May to Sunday 1st June and the pilgrimage director is Monsignor Bernard Noonan, Moate and his phone number is 090 64 81180. Rev. Michael Scanlon will take charge of the special section for the sick and his phone number is 090 64 57122. Places are available on the pilgrimage and they can be booked with Joe Walsh Tours, Dublin phone 01 2410812.
Rathcline Lotto
Last Saturday night the following numbers were drawn for the rathcline GAA lottery – 5, 6, 14, 17, 25 and 38. The jackpot of €700 was not won and the jackpot for next Saturday nights draw will now rise to €800. The four winners of the €25 prizes were Kevin Murray, Derrygeel, Sean Keane, Clonbonny, Oliver Curran, Rathcline and M & N Nolan Motors, Newtownforbes.
Clothes Collection
If you have old clothes and bed linen that you no longer require you can give them to the Rathcline Ladies club who are presently doing a clothes collection. You can drop them off with Mike Greene on the Green or contact Mike or Madaleine Murray to arrange collection
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library is holding an exhibition during the summer on World War One and would love to hear from anyone with local stories, photographs or memories of people who fought in the war. Contact Stella 0433321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Shannon Gaels
Registration night will be announced in the next week. Can all parent that have not registered their players please do so on the appointed night.
Concert for All
On early April the club will be holding another one of their fabulous nights of entertainment in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Shall we say a concert with a difference – live music and not so live music, talent in abundance and indeed a lack of talent in equal amounts, belly aching galore as this will be one of the most memorable nights ever in Lanesboro Parish Hall. On Saturday 112th April. There is a great amount of local talent available and we are using it all.
Tickets will be on sale in the next week and as the show will be for one night only you are advised to get your tickets early – there is no doubt but it will sell out in record time.
Hard luck to our under 14s who gave of their best in the Féile competition last weekend.
The club would like to thank the senior club for hosting the Connaught Minor league game Longford v Roscommon on Sunday last. The club would like to thank all that took time to help out in the preparations and also on the work they done on Sunday.
With the number of county games in Clonbonny on the past number of weeks it gives us a great sense of county pride to see our county colours being worn in the Clonbonny.
Well done to the county minors on continuing their winning ways with a hard earned 2 point win over Roscommon on Sunday.
The club would like to encourage all club supporters to come out and support the club float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Well done to Liam Connerton and Eoin Sorohan and their Longford team mates who reached the Leinster U21 semi-final by defeating Laois on Wednesday last and wish them well on Wednesday week when they take on Dublin in Portlaoise.
Our U16 team will play Longford Slashers in Farneyhoogan on Friday next at 5pm
On Monday 17th March our minor team will take on Colmcille at 12.30pm in Stonepark in the Special Minor League.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Junior Ladies – D3 League: Our Junior ladies had a win over St. Marys on Sunday, at home. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 5-05 St. Marys 3-08. Team: P. McCormack, A. Ormsby, E. Kenny, T. Nerney, J. Melia, N. Scally, A. Mc Loone (0-2), J. Geoghegan, E. Hegarty, L. Mc Loone (1-1), R. Banahan (0-1), M. Corcoran (1-1), R. Hanly. Subs: K. Murphy (3-0). Next game is away to Four Roads this coming Sunday 16th March at 12.00pm.
Minor Men – D4 League: Our minors have a League game away to Elphin, this coming Sunday 16thMarch at 12.00pm.
U16 Girls – D2 Championship: Our U16 Girls had a win over Padraig Pearses on Sunday, at home. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 6-10 Padraig Pearses 1-02. Next game at home to St. Barry’s, this coming Sunday 16th March at 4.00pm.
U16 Boys – D2 League: Our U16 Boys had a win over St. Croan’s in their 1st League Game on Sunday, at home. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 6-13 St. Croan’s 1-01. Team: M. O’Donnell, K. Nerney, C. Mangan, S. Farrell, C. Kennelly, L. Parker, M. Gill, D. Kelly(0-1), D. Nerney(2-1), C. Smyth(0-1), S. Walsh(1-5), R. Guinan, E. Tynan(0-1), J. Donlon(1-3), J. Gill(2-0) Subs: C. Gannon, G. Carberry, D. McDermott(0-1). Next game is at home to Western Gaels, Wednesday 26th March at 6.30pm.
U14 Boys: Training takes place this coming Sunday 16th March at 12.30pm. Please check with your manager for confirmation of details.
Senior Club Social & Presentation Night: Our senior club’s presentation night takes place in the clubhouse on Saturday 29th March. Further details will follow.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Preparations are underway for the Lanesboro/Ballyleague St. Patrick’s Day Parade. St. Faithleachs GAA Club will once again have a float in the parade and we welcome all our members to take part
Membership/Registration: St. Faithleachs GAA 2014 club membership is now due. Adult Players please contact senior club registrar, Brian Scally. Minor and under age players please contact minor club registrar, Sean Cox or your management for membership forms/registration details. Adult Players €60, Under 18yrs, Students €30, Family €100 and Social Membership €30. Please Note, Registration Fee must be paid before players can train/compete for the club.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. All are Welcome. Results of last week’s games – Winners, Michael/Kieran. Runners-Up, Sean/Seamus. Last game, Sean/Frank.
Sympathy: The club extends deepest sympathy to the Maura Mc Loughlin and family on the death of her husband, Peter Mc Loughlin, Ballyleague. The club extends deepest sympathy to Marian Murphy and family, Ita Trimble and family, Elizabeth Fallon and family on the death of their brother, James Cahill, Whitehall.
Rathcline GAA
Hard luck to our reserve league team, who were defeated by Mullinalaghta, on Saturday. It was a decent performance by the players. A note to all players, if you are able to play, please contact Joe Rooney the day before next game.
Best of luck to Liam and Eoin and all involved in the County U 21’s this Wednesday. Longford take on Dublin in the Leinster semi-final. The match takes place in Portlaoise, your support would be appreciated.
The club would like to congratulate the Longford Minors who beat Roscommon at the weekend, in the Connaught league. Well done to Shane and all involved. A big thanks to all the club members who helped in getting pitch and facilities ready.
Minor Club
It was not to be for Tracey Tobin in the Leinster semi-final of Scór, last Friday night. Tracey who represented the club at solo singing has been a great ambassador the club in the competition. Well done on getting to the semis!
A minor club fundraiser will take place on the 12th of April in the parish hall. Comedy, drama and music will be showcased by the clubs greatest talents. Rehearsals have been ongoing in the last few months. This sounds like a fantastic night out, so please put it in your diaries.
Hard luck to the U 14’s who took part in the Féile competition, in Grattan’s at weekend.
Rathcline Ladies
Training continues for senior ladies on Wednesday and Saturday.
Attention to all U 14 and U 16 players, training starts next Sunday morning at 11, a web text will be sent to all relevant players.
A final call for registration, you cannot train or play until you are registered with the club, so please contact Madeline if you have not already registered.