Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Leinster Club Ladies
Saturday last saw our ladies team take part in the Leinster Intermediate championship for the first time in Milltown, Co. Westmeath. Despite playing as good as they could the result went against them. We congratulate them on a wonderfully successful year and look forward to them getting stronger in the year ahead as they join the senior ranks.
One anomaly in the Leinster championship and in this writers opinion it is a woeful situation. On Saturday last our INTERMEDIATE ladies played Milltown, the winners of the Westmeath SENIOR championship in the Leinster Intermediate championship. It is a decision by the Leinster Ladies Council that makes a mockery of the efforts of an Intermediate club that has designs on winning a provincial championship. Longford senior ladies winners play in the Leinster senior championship as should be the case with the Westmeath Ladies champions. If there is a junior championship in Westmeath, where do their junior ladies play – it would seem very unfair and belittling to the champions to discover they cannot play in the Leinster championship. So much for the promotion of Ladies football.
Play this Friday Night.
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 starring Seamus O’Rourke and Shane Carroll, has been receiving rare reviews on it tour around the country and we are privileged to have it come to our parish.
The last thing ninety year old bachelor farmer Hugh Pugh expects, as he takes his first bath in four years, is a visitor. But here he is: Rob McNulty, a stressed out developer looking to buy one of Hugh’s fields to extend his golf course. A field that Hugh never even knew he owned. A field in Leitrim, of all places. A straightforward enough transaction then, one would imagine. But the cantankerous old Pugh has so many stories to tell, and now he has a captive audience…
John has won the PJ O’Connor award for drama on RTÉ and has also came third in the same competition. He is now a member of the New Playwrights Programme at the Abbey Theatre. This is a play definitely not to be missed and a wonderful night’s entertainment is assured. Tickets are priced at €10 each and are available from O’Brien’s. Call into or phone Martina 043-3321107 for reservations. Tickets are also available on the door on the night.
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.
Parents and Prospective Coaches
Shannon Gaels GAA club intends to run a Foundation Coaching course in the near future. For all parents and prospective coaches this course is essential and it will help every child to be coached in the correct and proper manner. The course will be over a few evenings and it is very important that everybody with the intention of helping with underage teams even at coaching session should have this course done. As part of best practice within the Shannon Gaels club it is essential that everyone do this course. To enrol please contact Joe O’Brien 086-2460840 or joea@iol.ie or you call to shop and leave your name.
Rathcline Cemetery
Due to the continuation of the dry spell people are bringing water in milk and other containers to put on the flowers on their family graves when visiting. The committee would like that if you do bring such containers that you bring them back home with you. They also want to bring to your notice that there is no need to bring water when visiting as there is a water tap and watering can provided at the graveyard for this very purpose.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Denis and Anne, Connolly on the death of their brother, Denis Connolly, Birmingham, England and formerly Fairymount, Kilrooskey who died on Friday 217th September.
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 Samaritans
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Terry and Maureen Hynes and family, Rathcline, on the death of Terry’s brother Mike Mulrook, Ballinderreen, Co. Galway recently.
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.
Harvest Festival Service and Thanksgiving
The Harvest Thanksgiving Service will take place in St John’s Church, Lanesborough on Sunday 13th October at 4pm. The preacher at the Harvest service will be Canon Ronnie Burke, Riverstown. 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.
Where were you?
The scheduled AGM of the Lanesboro Community Games committee planned on 1st October 2013 could not be held due to insufficient attendance. The outgoing committee has rearranged the meeting for Tuesday 15th October at 8.30 pm in the Co-Op hall. Lanesboro Community Games received an award for having the second highest level of child participation in the county last year; it was disappointing to have had no parents present at the AGM. Failing a better attendance and willingness to participate at the rescheduled AGM, Lanesboro Community Games will be suspended for the coming year.
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.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the completion held on Monday last 30th September are; N/S: 1st E. Kelly and Nancy Dolan, 2nd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan and 3rd Des and Eileen Watts. E/W: 1st Loretta Cooney and Noreen Dunne, 2nd Mary Conmy and Mary Jameson, and 3rd Mary Fallon and Kathleen Hanley.
Bridge continues every Monday in the Co-Op hall opposite the Chinese takeaway. You are asked to be seated and ready to start at 7.45 pm.
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
Lasraí Writers’ Group
On Monday next 14th October Lasraí Writer’s group will resume its monthly meeting at 7pm in the Convent of Mercy Meeting Room. This is an excellent group doing great work in the literary scene and if you have even a fleeting interest you should go along to see what the group is about.
Choir Members Sought
The Edel Loftus choir are now meeting to prepare for Christmas. The choir will meet in St. Mary’s Church, on the gallery, after 11.30am Mass on Sunday next 13th October. New members are invited and will be very welcome and all other members are asked to attend the meeting. The choir is open to male and female members so why not go along and enjoy being part of the choir.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results for the competition held on Wednesday 2nd October are: N/S 1st Frank and Frances Brennan, 2nd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey and 3rd Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen. E/W 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin and 3rd Maura Hanly and Mairead Gill
Christmas Lightening
You are cordially invited to a meeting in St Mary’s Hall, Lanesboro on Tuesday 15th October2013 at 8pm.
The main topic of discussion will be the Christmas Lights in Lanesboro for Christmas 2013 and the cost involved.
If you are unable to attend and wish to make a comment or suggestion we would ask that you put it in writing and leave at the Lanesboro Tourism Office before Friday 11th October.
Wedding
The marriage took place at St. Cecilia’s Church, Curraghroe on Friday 4th October of Siobhán Tarmey, daughter of Jimmy and Elizabeth Tarmey, Cloontuskert and John Folan son of Micheál and Carmel Folan, Cashel, Co. Galway. Matron of Honour was Michelle Mc Glynn, sister of the bride and bridesmaid was Maggie Folan, sister of the groom. Bestman was Emlyn Clancy friend of the groom and Sylvain Lapierre brother-in-law to the groom. The marriage ceremony was celebrated by Fr. John Mc Manus, P.P. Kilgefin. The wedding reception was held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. We wish the happy couple many years of wedded happiness.
Lough Ree AC
Starting with the Tuesday run at Clonbonny there was over 30 youngsters taking part despite the fact that the day was not pleasant.
The O’Sullivan’s must be getting the right grub, as they brought in the best times – Iarla finishing in 8.34 min followed in by brother Óisín in 8.36min. Alannah Flood was close on their heels and the best of the girls in a time of 8.46min followed by Cian Walton who was instructed to take it easy as he was competing the next day in the schools cross-country. He did as he was told finishing 4 seconds slower for the 1¼mile run. Byron Deignan proved that last week’s run was no flash in the pan by taking another 48seconds of his time. The full results are to be seen in O’Brien’s window.
Roscommon Connemara on Primary Schools had their cross-country championship last week in Athlone. The results from the venue are rather skimpy. We hear that Cloontuskert were 3rd in the 3rd/4th class boys 800m, but they had left before the results were called.
Roxboro had some good individual results but did not check on their team placing. Bryan Mc Loughlin and Shay O’Malley finished in the top ten in the 3rd/4th class and 5th/6th class respectively for individual medals. These were great results when there were over 145 finishers. It is heartening to see former athletes passing down the baton i.e. Caroline mc Loughlin and Jacqueline O’Malley, formerly Chalmers, past stars with the club.
Finally congratulations to the organisers of last Sunday’s Fun Run and Walk and of course all those that took part. It was an outstanding success in every way and a great community outing. Well done to all.
A reminder: The Connaught Schools will take place at Moyne Community College on Saturday next 12th October.
Clothes Collection
Cloontuskert NS is holding a clothing collection on Monday, 14th October. Please support this fundraising initiative by gathering up all your old clothes, shoes, belts, handbags, household textiles, etc. Bags can be dropped into the school any day before Monday, 14th October. We are also collecting old mobiles phones so these can also be dropped into the school any time up to 9.30am on Monday, 14th.
Please help us raise funds for our school by supporting this venture. We appreciate your continued support.
Thank You
Last Sunday, there was a fantastic turnout of local families – young and old – who walked or ran in the Marathons4Muireann Lanesboro 4k Fundraiser. Over €3,000 was raised by the event. Afterwards, Josie O’Sullivan, who spearheaded the initiative, complimented all those who helped out, and was delighted to see so many fit young people in the parish. The event was also attended by Muireann’s grandmother, Mary, and extended family.
Muireann O’Flaherty is two and a half, and is the youngest daughter of Declan & Gina O’Flaherty. Muireann has an extremely rare neurological disorder which requires her needing constant care. The Lanesboro 4k was part of a number of events aimed at raising €100k for three charities -Jack and Jill, Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Brothers of Charity. Speaking to the large group before they headed off, Declan thanked everyone for their efforts and the support that the people of his hometown of Lanesboro and Ballyleague had shown. On the October Bank Holiday Weekend, Declan plans to run from Athlone to Dublin (a distance of over 3 marathons) finishing at Temple Street Hospital before running the Dublin City Marathon the next day. For more details check out the website; www.marathons4muireann.com
St. Faithleach’s GAA
U21 Championship: Our U21’s were defeated by St. Dominic’s on Saturday last in Knockcroghery. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 2-12 St. Dominic’s 1-10. The next game is against Elphin this coming Saturday 12th October. See fixtures for details of venue and time.
U16 Boys – D2 Championship Final: The best of luck to our U16 panel of players and their Manager, Bob McCormack in the championship county final against Strokestown. See fixtures for confirmation of date, time and venue for the final.
U14 Girls min– D2 Championship Final: Best of luck to our U14 panel of players and their manager and mentors in the championship county final having defeated St. Mary’s in the semi-final on Saturday last at home. The final score was – St. Faithleachs 6-11 St. Marys 3-01. See fixtures for confirmation of date, time and venue for the final.
Fitness Challenge 2013: St. Faithleachs Fitness Challenge kicks off this Tuesday evening 8th October at 8.30pm. Anyone who has yet to register please be there at 8.00pm. Hope all participants are looking forward to 8 weeks of hard work and great craic.
Upcoming Play: Further details to follow regarding the clubs participation in an upcoming play.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 9.00pm. All welcome
Be Slim and Beautiful for Christmas
For the first time in Longford – starting 14th October at 7.30pm there will be a weight loss challenge for 12 weeks leading to a beautiful, fit and healthy you for Christmas. Each night you will receive information from the unique body scanner which will tell you about your percentage (%) body water, body fat, muscle mass, physique rating and metabolic age. This will be followed by an educational, informative and fascinating information session and discussion about nutritional requirements and products. This could change your life for the better for only €58. Be part of it and don’t miss out – places are limited. Call Anne now 086-1223464. Meetings will take place in the Drama Room of Stonepark school every Monday night at 7.30pm commencing on Monday 14th October.