Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Margaret and Mike Bawle and Helen and Pee Farrell and their families Newtowncashel on the death of their sister Carmel Taylor in England recently. Carmel, Margaret, and Helen are all formerly Gill’s from the Rathcline Road.
Historic Day
Saturday will always be marked down in Ballyleague, the parish of Kilgefin as a day of fabulous history. It was the Saturday that the lotto after seven months announced that they were ensuring that the lottery would be won. For the parish winning the lottery would not trump the achievement of St. Faithleach’s when they won the Connacht Intermediate Final in Pearse Stadium, Galway.
Going into the game and against Galway Intermediate Champions, a very experienced and strong Cumann Peile Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir, the St. Faithleach’s side were seen as underdogs. This ranking had no bearing on the performance of this team, a team that never gives up, a team that refuses to die nor conceded.
They started off in whirlwind fashion scoring a goal and a number of points before the dreaded black card struck for the mandatory 10 minutes. Half time came with nothing between the sides. Naomh Anna halfway during the second half were holding a four-point lead before the St. Faithleach’s lads stormed back to draw level. Both sides exchanged points to finish level after 60 minutes.
Extra time had us all on tender hooks with scores hard to come by. Going into the final seconds of the twenty in extra time Naomh Anna scored a point and there was great deflation especially amongst all of us gripped to the radio commentary of Willie Hegarty. With time for one final attack a long ball by Cathal Gunn was launched into the square and the ball ended in the net putting St. Faithleach’s two points ahead. With the kick out came the final whistle and wild scenes of ecstasy amongst the huge number of St. Faithleach’s supporters in attendance.
This was a victory that was celebrated on both sides of the bridge and following the final whistle it was amazing how busy the street got with people want to meet and discuss the nail-biting finish and the fabulous performance.
This was the first time St. Faithleach’s won a Connacht Final thus creating their very own huge piece of history. It was fitting the cup for the Intermediate Final was named in the honour of a great St. Faithleach’s man. It was equally fitting that the Gerry Byrne, Gene’s brother, was a team mentor for St. Faithleach’s. It was very emotional to see Gerry lifting the cup in front of his fellow parishioners and panel.
Speaking to manager Wally Burke in the shop during the week I felt a great sense of confidence and it was great to see his belief and tremendous work came to fruition in a most spectacular way. Along with wally, the backroom team is made up of the afore mentioned Gerry Byrne, Enda Kenny, Alan Brehon and Stevie Connor working with the goalies.
According to the GAA website the All-Ireland semi-final will take place on Saturday or Sunday week 29th/30th where they will meet Trim, Co. Meath. The venue for the game will be fixed early this week.
We would like to congratulate the team management and panel on a magnificent victory.
Local Connections
There is much celebration the Padraig Pearses club with their Connacht senior Championship win over Knockmore on Sunday week past. Playing leading roles on the Padraig Pearses team were Anthony and Tom Butler sons of Brendan and Margaret Butler. Margaret is formerly Margaret Kelly from Cloontuskert. Padraig Pearse will play Kilmacud Crokes in the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday or Sunday week. We wish them well in their quest for All Ireland glory.
Rathcline Draw Results
The Rathcline Christmas/New Year draw took place on Saturday night last in Adie’s bar. The winner of the first prize of €3,000 was won by Paddy Casey Rapperihill, second prize of €1,000 was won by Maura Kenny, Fermoyle, 3rd prize of 2 tickets to see Ed Sheeran in Croke Park in April was won by Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Enniskillen, 4th prize of €250 was won by Clare Durcan c/o Marie Farrell, Ulster Bank, Roscommon and the 5th and final prize was won by Sean Casey, Rapperihill.
The club would like to thank everyone that sold and bought tickets making it a very successful draw.
Convert your old VHS Tapes
Like many of us there are a multitude of old VHS tapes hanging around our houses and we do not know what to do with them. Declan Gilmore has come up with the solution. He will convert your old VHS tapes to DVD, USB or memory stick. Declan has the facility to convert and now he is offering a local opportunity to get your old VHS tapes converted.
Call Declan at 086 8342935
Lack of Civic Pride
It has been brought to my attention by a number of walkers about the littering along the newly created bog walk. This walk was created to create a better and healthier environment for everyone. Just as you turn onto the bridge there is a crate that was used in the pouring of concrete, and it has sat there for a little while neatly out of the way.
In recent times some person(s) have started using the crate as convenient place for dumping their rubbish. Undoubtedly, this will draw vermin to the crate and provide a hazard to those going out for a walk on this fabulous bog walk.
Last week I wrote about the arrival of the Great Spotted Woodpecker to the are and there is no doubt, but many more new species of birdlife and wildlife will be attracted to the area as the wetlands continues to develop. The last thing we need is that the area should be used as a rubbish dumping ground and we ask whoever is doing it to stop doing this.
Whoever is dumping is going to a lot of trouble as they have to carry the bags a fair distance to dump them in this crate.
Fermoyle NS Enrolment
Happy New Year to All!!
Fermoyle National School is now taking enrolments for the next academic year 2022/2023.
You are invited to email the school office fermoylens@gmail.com with your contact details if you wish to enrol child and forms and details will be sent out to you.
St. Faithleach’s Lotto
The latest St. Faithleach’s lotto took place on Tuesday last 11th January in the clubhouse for a jackpot of €12,000. The numbers drawn were 5, 9, 22 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and the jackpot of €12,000 will, again, be available for the next draw.
The three winners of the €40 prizes were Alan Farrell, The Yacht Bar, Michael Hanley, Ballyleague and Tommy Hanley, Mountcashel.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday 25th January in the clubhouse.
The club thanks everyone for their support of the draw and more importantly for the support of the team in Galway on Saturday. For those unable to make it to Galway we appreciate your continued great support and thank you.
Ballyboro FC
The under 12s were in fine fettle when they got the better of Stonepark by three goals to one. Trailing by a goal at half time, three goals in the second period by lethal striker Oisin Dillon secured the spoils for Ballyboro in what was a fine all round team performance. Ballyboro: Stephen Farrell, Jack Cassidy, Darragh Donlon, Cathal Hanley, Josh Curran, Shane Farrell, Tim Kenny, Hayden Smyth, Oisin Dillon. Subs: Alfie Brehon, Alysha Kaya, Ferac Pulcu, Shane Carroll.
The under 10s gave a display that augurs well for the future when they got the better of Ardagh following an entertaining tussle. Panel: Adrians Dnavott, Darragh Shanley, Cian Morgan, David Kenny, Tom Hession, Malachy Martin, Tyler Murray, Lorcan Vesey, Andrew Nolan, Donncha Farrell, Alfie Mollaghan, Patrick Casey, Cian Shea, Thomas Fallon, Jarine Johnston, Lee Carberry Brian Raftery.
The under 14s tested top of the table Spartec Granard for long periods of the game on Sunday last. Ballyboro scored first with a well taken goal by Rian Hogan. A closely contested first half ended all square 1-1. Two second half goals for Granard settled the issue but the Ballyboro boys can be well pleased with their display. Team: Mikie Sorohan, Dan Casey, Aidan Kelly, Michael Nolan, John Farrell, Ethan Slattery, Leon Malkowski, Noah McLoughlin, Cody Phelan, Rian Shanley, Rian Hogan. Subs: Eoghan Mullooly, Diarmuid Hanly. Eoghan Mullooly, Ciaran McGloin
The under 16s found Spartec Granard a tad too good for them. Trailing by a goal at half time a spectacular free kick from all of 30 yards by Wesley Hughes gave Ballyboro hope, but two further goals for Granard gave them a deserved win. Ballyboro: Aidan Kelly, Jack Brogan, Cormac O’Dowd, David Cox, Luke Johnston, Euan Cullen, Kevin Donlon, Anthony Cox, Daragh Creedon, Wesley Hughes, Eoin Cox. Subs: James Mimnagh, Nathan McCloat, Luke Cullen, Paulius Bulione.
The under 12 girls were defeated by Gaels United, A 5-0 scoreline definitely flattered the Drumlish girls as it was only in the last 5 minutes that they forged ahead. In fact, for long periods of the game the Ballyboro girls were in the ascendancy but found goals elusive. Panel: Clodagh Martin, Leon Mimnagh, Saoirse Feeney, Grace Farrell, Sadhbh Neilan, Faye Hogan, Siun McElgunn, Rosie Farrell, Zoe Hassett, Alysha Bermingham, Ava Donoghue.
Rathcline 50/50
The Rathcline club’s 50/50 draw took place on Tuesday night 10th January in Clarke’s Bar. Winning the 50/50 draw was Mike and Gary Kenny, Newtowncashel who won the princely sum of €242. The draw on Monday night 17th January is taking place in the Yacht Bar. The club would like to thank everyone for their continued support.
Tickets are available online https://member.clubspot.app/club/rathcline-gaa/fundraiser/tickets or in any of the local shops and the club would encourage your support.
Tidy Towns
On Tuesday 4th January the jackpot stood at €6,400 and if it was not won it will rise to €6,500 for the 18th of January draw. The winner of the €50 prize was Josh, Emma and Zara Curran and the three €20 winners were Molly, Lucy and Emma, c/o The Yacht Bar, Rían Ó Ceallaigh c/o XLNTEE and Sarah Hopkins c/o Mags.
Lanesboro Library
Tel: 0433321291 Email: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Poetry & Music Circle
Next meeting of the Poetry & Music circle takes place on Thursday 27th January 3-4.30pm.
All welcome.
Knitting & Crochet Group
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Tuesday 2-4pm. All welcome.
Recycle Your Christmas Cards
For the month of January, you can recycle your Christmas cards at Lanesboro Library.
#ReduceReuseRecycle
Foreign Currency & Used Stamps
We are still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of Koins for Kids. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
We also collect used stamps in aid of ISPCC. Thank you.
St. Mary’s Church
Mass attendances
The numbers that can attend Mass in St. Mary’s Church is now set at 120. Feel free to return to a mass of your choice. Please avail of the sanitising stations in and around the church and please ensure you wear your mask.
Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays in the church from 10.30am until 8pm. It is very important that there will be at least two people in the church for each hour of the Adoration.
Mass intentions will continue to be booked for weekdays for the present. People wishing to book masses can do so by contacting Fr Sergiy before or after mass during the week in the Sacristy. All that have booked masses are asked to rebook them for weekdays for the foreseeable future.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament has resumed on Friday evenings, starting this Friday evening and it will take place between 6pm and 6.45pm. Exposition will be followed Mass at 7pm. It is also an opportunity to avail of the opportunity for Confession.
Soul Booster Programme
During his homily at Mass last week Fr. Sergiy was offering a soul booster programme for all those that wanted to avail of it in the Church. The booster he was offering was one for your soul when he said that confession was his booster to anyone that wanted to avail of a soul booster between 6 and 6.45pm.
Parish contacts
Fr. Sergiy can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. For added support and assistance, you can also contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.
Shannon Gaels Club notes
The Shannon Gaels minor club would like to congratulate our neighbours and friends St. Faithleach’s club on the fabulous achievement of their Intermediate team on their historic Connacht Championship victory. We wish them well in the All-Ireland semi-final.