Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Annual Dinner Dance
The Annual Pioneer Total Abstinence Dinner Dance will take place in the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule on Friday week 14th November. Traditionally this is the dance of the year where a wonderful night is thoroughly enjoyed by all that attends. Make it a night in your diary and go along with your friends. Music on the night will be provided by Chuck and June. Tickets are on sale from Breda Moran, Tom Nohilly or Anne Carroll.
AGM
The AGM of Lanesboro Tri Club will take place on Sat 8th Nov at 8:15pm in the club rooms, located in the Co-Op Hall, Lanesboro. It is very important that all members be in attendance. If you would like to become involved in a vibrant, exciting and growing club then come along on the night.
€470 for 50/50 winner
The 50/50 draw took place in the Peer Inn on Monday night on Monday night last. The draw is beginning to rise in popularity, so much so, that the winner of the draw received €470. Michael Donlon, Derryhaun, was the lucky winner. The draw next Monday will take place Adie’s. Add your €2 into the draw and perhaps you will be the winner of a substantial amount. Tickets are on sale in all local shops and from members of the senior, minor and ladies club.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Liz and John Cuffe and family, Kilrooskey on the death last week of Brian Mc Guire, Fourmilehouse, Roscommon. Brian was brother of Liz.
Local Connection to Cavan County Champions
Recently, Cavan Gaels won their 12th county championship. Since 2001 they won 12 county titles and leading members of that amazing run of titles for the town team were the brothers Reilly. Both brothers Dominic and Eamon have amassed an amazing 18 county medals between them. Local lady Claire Browne, Ballyleague married Eugene Reilly and they reside in the Cavan town area and they are the proud parents of these two fine sportsmen. It is always nice to see the children of our former residents doing well and acknowledge their achievements, whether it is in life or on the sports fields. We will follow Cavan Gaels in their provincial and All Ireland championship campaign with greater interest and wish them every success.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Edie and Patsy Moran, Gardenstown on the sudden and untimely death of their son Edward in England.
First Call Out
Over the past couple of week we have noticed extra activity by the local fire brigade crew as they were putting things together and settling into their new Fire Station on the Longford Road.
On Thursday last a woman was taken at knifepoint in Longford Town and they set off in the direction of Lanesboro. On the outskirts of Killashee they crashed their car as they tried to make their getaway. Lanesboro fire brigade crew were called out to the accident which made it their first call from the new station.
The building is nesting well into the area and is not obtrusive and its style has been commended from many quarters. We wish the crew of P.J. Hynes, Kevin Madden, Brendan Keane, Vinnie Mc Gowan, Sean Mimnagh, Pat Rock and Noel Horohoe many successful years in their new base
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to John, Lena and Ann Collins, The Green, on the death recently of John’s mother, Mrs. Maureen Collins, Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
Ladies Says Thank You
The Rathcline ladies club hosted the Allison Smyth Memorial tournament on Saturday last in Clonbonny. This annual game between Garrycastle from Athlone and our ladies senior team is always played in a great spirit. For the record, Garrycastle won the game this year.
The ladies would like to thank the Garrycastle Ladies club and Frank Toher for his excellent refereeing. The presentation was made by Allison’s mother Pat, sister Janice and brother Gordon. Afterwards both teams and mentors were entertained in the clubroom and the ladies committee would like to thank everyone that provided the refreshments and those on the day that helped. The day was a great success and the club would like to thank everyone that turned up and also Brigid Mullooly for her photography.
The presentation of the U14 medals to the victorious girls will take place in Clonbonny on Saturday evening next at 6pm. The girls receiving medal on the evening will be Ciara Healy, Áine Bannon, Grainne Chawke, Leah Wyse, Áine Kennelly, Emma Casey, Sarah Farrell, Zoe Gallagher, Orla Keane, Lucy Ann Myhill, Roisín Sheahan, Eimear Gavigan, Aisling Farrell, Aoife Nolan, Emily Fallon.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday last 29th October were: N/S 1st Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin, 2nd Frank and Frances Brennan, 3rd Cyril Hussey and Elish Gray. E/W 1st Patsy Canavan and Maureen Hynes, 2nd Bríd Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor and 3rd Mae Casey and Noreen Dunne.
Mass for Deceased Members
The annual Mass for deceased members of the staff of ESB Lanesboro will take place in the Sports and Social clubhouse on Wednesday 12th November at 8pm.
ESB Retired Staff
A general meeting of ESB Lanesborough Retired Staff will take place in the Sports and Social Clubhouse at 2.30pm on Wednesday 5th November. Ciaran O’Callaghan of ESB Medical Provident Fund will attend
Bridge Closed
On Sunday morning last the bridge was closed whilst the dancers of Rathcline and Faithleach’s came together for a photo shoot and video advertising the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing ‘Over the Bridge’. It was sight to behold as the dancers from both sides came together in their club colours for the promotion.
Tickets for the night, Saturday 29th November, in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone are selling very fast and at the rate of sale it looks as if the night will be a total sell-out. Now is the time to buy or order your tickets so that you will not miss the night of the year for both clubs.
The dancers closing the bridge on Sunday were Alan Fayne, Martina Healy, Lee Cullen, Ursula Kilcoyne John Coffey, Brendan O’Sullivan, Rachael Collins, Fidelma Brennan, Jodi Horohoe, James Quigley, Claire Egan, Kenneth Madden, Gerry Nerney, Michelle Killian, Aaron Madden, Caoilfhionn Thompson, Daithi Mulvihill, Patrice Nolan, Colette Wyse, Darragh Hussey, Rita Mc Cormack, Geraldine Hanley, Padraig Murray, Steve Ormsby, Susan Linnane, Caroline O’Reilly, Ollie Trimble, Helen O’Donnell, Michelle Carroll and Brendan Ward.
Tickets are priced €20 each and are on sale in O’Brien’s or from the committees of both clubs. You can book your tickets by phoning O’Brien’s 043-3321107 or emailing your request to joea@iol.ie.
If you wish to avail of the bus that will be travelling on the night you are asked to just text your name, the number of seats required to 089-2420497. This is a text only service. The buses will leave from St. Faithleach’s clubhouse and from outside St. Mary’s church, Lanesboro.
Clothes Collection
If you have old clothes you want to pass on or dispose of now is your opportunity as the clothes collection will be closing in the next two weeks. Contact Mike Greene for the arranging of drop off or collection.
Community College Open Day
Lanesboro Community College will hold its open day on Thursday 20th November.
Pupils from the local and surrounding national schools are all invited to attend and witness the wonderful work being carried out by students and teachers alike in the school. That evening both, parents and students are invited to come in, speak to individual teachers, and get an up close view of all that is happening. With 95% of the Leaving Cert students being offered a third level course this year, it can be said with absolute confidence that your child will not get a better preparation for life anywhere else. Added value includes the intimacy of a smaller school where your child will feel an integral part of a larger family and where each student is valued as an individual in his or her own right. Teachers take a personal interest in each and every student and this leads to a high level of maturity and self – confidence in all our graduates. So come along on the evening and see for yourself! The Principal’s address will take place at 7:00 sharp.
Remembrance Service
A Remembrance Service for victims of the wars will take place in St John’s Church Lanesborough at 11.30am on Sunday next 9th November. Everybody is invited to attend.
Lanesborough Gun Club
There was a great turn out for the longest and heaviest pheasant competition on Sat 1st of Nov. Congratulations to Louis Rhatigan who claimed the prize for longest pheasant and to Thomas Rhatigan who bagged the prize for heaviest pheasant. Well done to both.
Longford Toastmasters
Are you looking for a new social outlet over the winter months? Join Longford Toastmasters on the first and third Thursday of every month at 8.20pm in The Longford Arms Hotel. In addition to a fun, friendly and sociable evening, you will have the opportunity build your self confidence so that you feel comfortable speaking up in public. A great basis for improving your ability to speak up at meetings, give presentations and make speeches. For further information, please contact Mary on 086 1219281.
Social Dancing
Social Dancing has recommenced in Ballyleague hall. It takes place every Friday night at 8.30pm. The classes cater for all levels of dancers from beginners to advanced dancers and they would like to invite you to come along every Friday for a great social evening.
Bingo
Bingo will take place on Sunday next in Newtownforbes at the Clonguish GAA Complex. A total of €2,500 will be there to be won. The first number will be called at 3pm.
Lanesboro Library
Italian Classes commenced in the Library on Monday evening last 3rd November. The Class runs every Monday evening for one hour for next 6 Mondays from 7 to 8pm. Cost of classes is €30. Contact Stella on 043 332 1291 if you would still like to join.
Local Nurse, Nurse of the Year
The Nursing Home Registered Nurse of the Year Award will be announced at an awards ceremony at the City West Hotel on Thursday next 4th November. This year a nurse working in the Innis Ree Nursing Home has been nominated for this prestigious award.
Philomena Walsh, Rathcline Road, has been nominated; she has worked at the Innis Ree for the past nine years. Philomena is married to T.J and they have two children, Derek and Eilish.
We wish Philomena the very best of luck on Thursday.
Shannon Gaels
Last Sunday in Dunbeggan in the Division 1 League Final our minors played Slashers in what was a pulsating game by two strong and well prepared teams. The previous meeting of the two sides drew great praise from everyone that was in attendance as to the quality of play, work ethic and sportsmanship of both sides. Second games between the same two sides seldom, if ever, have the same quality or commitment. Last Sunday proved to be an exception to that as both sides resumed where they left off and the quality of the game was again outstanding. It was another fantastic hour of football between the two teams and in the end our lads ran out victors on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-12.
This team have been together training since last January with excellent numbers in attendance at all sessions. They were very dedicated and worked exceptionally hard and on Sunday last they got their deserved reward of a county final victory. All of this cannot happen without the backing of an excellent management and in Niall O’Donohue, Sean Mimnagh, Mickie Hand, Johnny Moran and Ciarán Kenny they had just that. A special word of thanks must also go to the parents for all the time they put into getting their sons to training and matches.
The year closes down now and as we look back it is great to see that as a club we are again competing with the big guns. A lot of hard work has gone in the past number of years and it is great to see our youngsters being competitive. It gives each one of them a great personal sense of wellbeing and satisfaction and that is clear from their body language. Our young players now exude confidence and hopefully they will go on to bigger and better things.
For the club to have take part in 7 county finals in one season is a great achievement and to have won four of them is a great result for the club. We look forward to many more successful day in the years ahead.
The club will hold its AGM on Sunday 14th December. As all of the present executive have to stand down it is very important that the club executive remains at the high standard set by the present group. The club would like to hear from anyone that is interested in coming onboard and continuing with the forward drive both on the field and also, as importantly, off the field with the continued development of Scór and the talents shows from time to time.
Mentioning Scór, preparations are ongoing for the Longford Scór na nÓg that we will host on Sunday 30th November. This is a great honour for the club to be asked to host the county final. All our participants for the final night are presently working hard at their preparations.
The club encourages everyone to support the 50/50 draw that takes place every Monday. Just put your €2 in the blue envelope and hopefully you will be the lucky winner.
Strictly Come Dancing ‘Over t he Bridge’ takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on Saturday 29th November. Tickets from Joe O’Brien or senior executive.
Lough Ree AC
Last weekend the club changed from running on the road to running a disco. The motive was not to raise funds, but to organise something that the youngsters would enjoy – a disco at Halloween seemed to fit the bill and hoping to be able to pay expenses at the same time. “All is well that ends well”, and an enjoyable time seems to have been had by all. The club had had some small prizes to present based on the seven road runs during September and October with a rule that nobody that nobody could get more than one. The different categories were; attendance, outstanding performance, consistency, improvement and last but not least thoughtfulness – the winner here was Abbie Mitchell – it may have taken her nearly16 minutes to finish the run, but finish the run she did. It is said that Abbie did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings by passing them out! Cian Walton and Clodagh Kiely will receive their trophies in due course.
A word of gratitude to those who made this enjoyable night possible: Stephen Donohue for the disco music, the two Margaret’s Susan, Nicole and Shauna for the shop and photographer Brigid. Mark was drafted in as a bouncer/chucker out but had a quiet evening. Last but certainly not least, the parents who had to endure two hours of mayhem! Many thanks to the Lough Ree Resource directors for making the hall available.
Congratulations to Alannah Flood who was in 10th place in the Girls U12 Connaught Country Championship in Loughrea on Sunday. The course was very tough and the driving rain and cold made conditions very tough. Other details are sketchy and will be included next week.
The U11, 13 and 15 athletes are out next Sunday in the Connaught Championships. The venue for the runners is the beautiful Westport.
Check Lough Ree Facebook for pictures from the disco.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
U21 – D3 Championship: Our U21s had a win over St. Michaels today in Strokestown. Final Score – St. Faithleach’s 8-20 St. Michaels 4-03. Team: J. Farrell, J. Irwin, M. Cox(0-2), C. Gannon, J. Walsh(0-1), J. Sweeney(0-1), C. Gunn, K. Farrell(2-3), D. Murtagh (3-6), D. Rooney(0-2), J. Hussey(0-2), S. Phillips(3-2), C. Gannon. Subs: J. Kelly (0-1), S. Sweeney. Next game is the Semi-Final against Shannon Gaels. Details TBC.
Senior Management: The club would like to acknowledge the effort and commitment Enon Gavin and his selectors Gerard O’Donnell and David Kilcoyne have given over the past two years. Akin to his playing days Enon did not fall short of giving 100% commitment to his job. Falling short at the final hurdle is no representation of this effort and commitment. St. Faithleach’s would like to wish Enon, Deirdre and family best wishes for the future.
AGM: St. Faithleach’s minor club AGM takes place on Friday 14th November at 9.00pm in the clubhouse. St. Faithleach’s senior club AGM takes place on Friday 21st November in the clubhouse. Mass for deceased club members will take place at 8.30pm followed by senior club AGM immediately afterwards. All members of the club are urged to attend, including our senior/junior players and junior ladies. New members most welcome. We encourage parents of our underage club members to attend the minor club AGM and hopefully take an active role in the clubs sporting activities for the year ahead.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. All welcome.
Strictly Come Dancing – Fundraising Event: Tickets for “Strictly Dancing Over the Bridge” are selling fast and we encourage you all to please purchase your tickets as soon as possible, as this will be a sold out event. Our dancers from Rathcline and St. Faithleach’s are well into their preparations and training and the event promises to be a fantastic night. (Saturday 29th November in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone). Tickets (€20) available from both Rathcline GAA Club Executives & St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Executives and many local outlets. You can also book your tickets by contacting the following: Joe O’Brien’s 043-3321107 or emailing your request to joea@iol.ie, Helen Kelly 0860809377 and Brenda Quigley 0868896969. Transport to the event will be available on the night, please text your name and phone number to 0892420497 if you are interested in availing of a bus to and from the event. (€10 Return)
St. Faithleach’s GAA Minor Club Fundraising Draw: Tickets available for “Bella” the Heifer, 1st Prize in our fundraising draw. The list of prizes are as follows: 1st Prize – Belgian Blue/Blonde X (DOB 15.2.14) or €1,000. 2nd Prize – B&B and Dinner for 2 (Value €250 at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. 3rd Prize – €100 Meal Voucher. 4th Prize – 1 Tonne Bag of Turf. Tickets are priced at €5 each or 3 for €10. The draw will take place 2nd January next in the clubhouse.
Scór na nÓg: For anyone interested in trying to establish Scór in the Club, please contact Jacqui on 0861721181. Disciplines include figure dancing, solo singing, recitation/story telling, instrumental music & ballad group or set dancing. Take this opportunity to let your talent shine. To qualify for Scór na nÓg you must be under 17 years of age. This competition will start mid November.
Congratulations: to Mairead Thompson & Ollie Pender on their Engagement.
The Club extends deepest sympathy to the Nelson Family on the death of Tom Nelson, Curraghroe.
Tennis Club
It was a busy weekend – despite the Halloween school break. Coaching for children aged 5 years to 8 years takes place every Saturday in Ballyleague hall at 6pm. Fee – €5 per child. You don’t even need a tennis racquet. Training for kids aged 8 to 12 years old continues from 7pm to 8pm in the hall every Saturday (€5 per child) and then the over 12s and adults training with our professional coach is on Sunday morning at 9.30am on the marina tennis court – There is now 15 adults there every Sunday so place is running out…..many thanks to Ronie Masterson for her kind sponsorship and to Brenda and Adrian and Mairead who have also helped in recent weeks…your support is much appreciated…to register for the weekly tennis e mail: loughreebaytennisclub@gmail.com or call 0433327691
Rathcline GAA
After a wonderful year, the Western Gaels Minor team finally got their hands on some silverware. The lads beat Slashers on Sunday to clinch the Shield, the team proved they could play with the best all season, but this game was the last chance at winning something and fair play, they took it. In the first half Slashers started the better with 2 points against the breeze but the Gaels responded with points from Peter Lynn and Shane Kenny. Conditions were poor, and to be expected for this time of year but both teams worked hard and following on from other games between Western Gaels and Slashers, this was always going to be a tight match. So it proved with the scores locked at 4 points all heading toward the end of the first half. A man who has become known for poachers goal changed the game in the closing minutes of the first half. A high played in around the square resulted in a flicked goal from Andrew Ward, which put the Gaels 3 points up at half time on a scoreline of 1-4 to 4 points. Slashers responded straight away after the restart, 2 points saw them close the gap and it was all set up for a pulsating finish. Western Gaels again through commitment and graft came up with a cracker of a goal from Shane Kenny with 15 minutes gone. The Fermoyle native ran through a few tackles and let a low shot fly from 20 yards out which found the corner of the net. It was a game changer but to be fair to Slashers they had to respond and did, scoring points from play and frees to reduce the deficit again to 2 points with around 7 minutes to play. Frees from Daniel Howlin, Shane Kenny and a point from play for Kevin Sorohan steadied the ship for the Gaels and try as Slashers did, they could not redress the balance. A fantastic win for management and squad on a score line of 2-9 to 12 points. The boys have had a long season and took some hard losses in finals and semi’s throughout the latter end of the championship. But what a wonderful way to finish a season. They stayed together, were trained well and got their due reward. Congrats again to squad, management and all involved in Western Gaels 2014!
The Alison Smyth Memorial match took place on Saturday at 3. Another year passes and again we get served a belter of a match between Garrycastle and Rathcline. The sport never ceases to amaze me, as both teams put on a great show of talent, fight, and determination in a game that means a lot to supporters and players of both teams. Garrycastle bossed most of the 1st half, but the old guard for Rathcline mixed with some new young players kept Rathcline in the match with a never say die attitude near the end of the 1st half. A very competitive affair, both teams slugged it out for the first period of the second half but it was Garrycastle who pulled away in the last 10 minutes. Great credit to both teams, the Smyth family, and also those that provided sandwiches and buns for after the match. There was a great family, and community feel to the day and thanks again to Garrycastle and supporters for travelling to Clonbonny. It was a match played in the spirit of a woman who didn’t take defeat lightly, and a performance that was a fitting tribute to Alison. Thanks to everyone again for turning up.
The dancers of Rathcline and Faithleach’s have been extremely busy, with lessons and practice going on behind closed doors at weekends. It has added to the excitement to the build up, to what can be and will be a really wonderful occasion. The committee have been doing a fantastic job in promoting this event, but people are getting very curious about the show as the dancers have really been practicing hard and it’s all been top secret. One can only wait and see, but it guarantees that this event should not be missed!!