Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Rathcline Ladies
The Rathcline Ladies GAA club would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support throughout the year. There was great success on the field and the addition of an extra team (U12) in the coming year shows the growing interest there is in ladies GAA.
If you have an interest in coming to the club as a new player, as a returning player or want o be involved in the helping out of team then you will be warmly welcomed into a warm and sociable club that seeks achievements both on and off the field.
The club extends its sympathy to all that suffered bereavements in the past year. They also congratulate everyone that celebrated special occasions during the year and hope that 2014 will be filled with great happiness and memories.
The club wishes Gerald Farrell and his new senior club executive the very best for the coming year and we look forward to working with you.
The clothes collection will recommence again in the coming weeks so if you have any cast offs following the Christmas we would greatly accept all. You can drop all off to Mike and Madaleine or they will arrange collection.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bernie and Jimmy Flanagan and family on the sudden death of Bernie’s brother in law Liam Byrne, Dublin and Inishbofin last week. Liam was a regular visitor to Lanesboro and was a warm and friendly man.
Three Deaths in our Community
Over the past seven days we have lost three men who made a huge difference to our community since they came to live amongst us. It has really been a tough time not only for the families of those three men but also for the many whose lives they affected in so many positive ways. All men will be hugely missed in our community – our community will be much the poorer by their passing.
Phil Ginty
Early on Wednesday morning last 18th December Phil passed away peacefully at his home in Knock. Phil, with his wife Nellie, came to live in Lanesboro many years ago. Back in mid-September he celebrated his 100th birthday with great family and local celebrations. He was a very active man up to recently and indeed when he was not gardening in the tunnel at the rear of his house he could be seen up at the two story level on a ladder doing what he felt was jobs of necessity. He was a painter and decorator with exquisite taste and the quality of his work in each and every job was left in pristine condition- he was an artist of the highest degree. Phil was born and reared in Ballinamuck and was a very proud Longford man and took great pride in all achievements of the county and his adopted home in Lanesboro. Phil will always be remembered for his warmth and his charming smile endeared him to everyone that had the pleasure to know him.
Phil’s remains reposed at his home in Knock on Friday and on Saturday he was removed to St. Mary’s church for his Funeral Mass. Following Mass his remains were laid to rest in Clonbonny Cemetery. To his wife Nellie, daughters, Angela, Eileen and Marian, sons Tom, Philip, Seamus, Gerry and Joe, his sister Marie, relatives and many friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Barney Ross
On Thursday morning last 19th December at his residence in Church View the death occurred suddenly of Barney Ross. Barney was predeceased by his son Gerard. Where do you start when remembering Barney Ross? He was a larger than life character who seen it all and not only did he see it but he also done it. From his time working in Ireland, England and New York, Barney had many tales to tell. He was a very talented musician and for a long time toured the local circuit with his band ‘Burning Oil’. Barney was also a daily communicant and played a large part in St. Mary’s Church. He was a man with a tremendous sense of humour and loved nothing more than having a laugh. He had stories to tell of his times and they were legendary but Barney will always be remembered for his goodness and kindness and his ability to see the good in everyone. He was also a marvellous raconteur and his stories will live long in the memory. Barney had a heart of gold and he wore it proudly on his sleeve as anyone will tell you. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and the multitude that travelled from far and wide to attend his removal and funeral. Barney’s remains reposed at Farrell’s Funeral Home on Saturday last before being removed to St. Mary’s Church. On Sunday afternoon following his Requiem Mass he was interred in Clonbonny cemetery.
To his wife Nancy, sons David, Brian and Paul, daughter Lil, brother John, sister Mary Frances, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Frank Carty
On Thursday evening last 19th December our community suffered with a third death in two days when the news broke of the death of Frank Carty, Samons Lane, Ballyleague. Frank was predeceased almost 7years ago by his late wife Una. Frank and his late wife came to Ballyleague where Frank took up employment with ESB. Along with his wife they also farmed the family land. Frank was a man who always had our community at heart and became involved with many organisations who were attempting to bring employment to Ballyleague and Lanesboro. He was a great community activist and it was a pleasure to have worked with him on committees. Frank was never a shrinking violet; he was always forthright with his comments. He wanted the best for us and was prepared to speak his mind to promote us. He was a great conversationalist and it was always a pleasure to spend time chatting with him as he had great stories to tell of his time working in England and the lessons learned in life. Frank will be sadly missed by all that had the pleasure to have known and got to know him.
His remains reposed in his family residence on Friday and Saturday until his removal on Sunday to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. The Mass of the Resurrection took place on Monday and following Mass he was laid to rest alongside his wife in Cloontuskert. To his family Nuala, Deirdre, Dermot, Brendan and Una, sister Sheila, relatives and friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
40 years of Lough Ree Athletic Club
The athletic club is organising a reunion on Saturday 28th December in the Parish Hall, Lanesboro at 8pm to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the club. All current and former athletes and anyone associated with the club, currently or in the past are invited to come along and join in the celebrations.
As light refreshments will be available, the club would like to have some idea of numbers that they will have to cater for. Please indicate if you will attend by texting your name to 086-3925835 ir email louhgreeas1973@gmail.com
Great credit to Alannah Flood who made the long journey to Waterford to represent Connaught and the club in the All-Ireland cross-country for uneven age groups. This interprovincial event was run in conjunction with the inter-county and inter-club championships for girls under 11 years. This resulted in massive numbers facing the starter and 150 finishers. The Cashel lass finished in the forties, a respectable performance. No money can buy the experience gained from this race. Indeed the fact that Alannah has no club mates with her was an added handicap.
Primary schools remember that the club will have its usual “Fun Run” from the track at the Community College to the parish Hall on Christmas morning at 12.15pm. The run is in conjunction with the Newtowncashel/Lanesboro MS run. A great occasion and one not to be missed!
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.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the lottery on Saturday night last were 1, 2, 6, 25, 30 and 42. There was no winner of the Rathcline GAA lottery for a jackpot of €400. The for winners of €25 each were Kathleen Donlon and Fiona Gillen, Seamus Carroll, Michael Brehony and Brendan Ward. The jackpot for Saturday night next will rise to €500.
Congratulations Shane
We would like to extend our congratulations to Shane Kenny on his appointment as captain of the Longford Minor team for the coming year. It is a great honour and privilege for his parents and extended family, the Shannon Gaels minor club and our parish to have a county captain. Shane is oldest son of Sean and Maura Kenny, Fermoyle and we wish him every success for the coming year.
Samaritans Seek Support
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. In a time that there is so much stress, depression and death it is very important that the excellent services of the Samaritans can be availed of by everyone that feels they are under pressure and need somebody to talk with if only someone to listen.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition that took place on Wednesday 11th December are; North/South 1st Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen, 2nd Frances Brennan and Frank Brennan and 3rd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray. East/West; 1st Una Lawlor and Brid McDermott, 2nd Philomena Walsh and Katherine Harrison and 3rd Bernadette Clancy & Mary Mc Gushin.
The results for Wednesday 18th December are; North/South; 1st Gemma Douglas & Elish Gray, 2nd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey and 3rd Una Clarke and Eileen Kelly. East/West; 1st Frances Brennan and Frank Brennan, 2nd Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin and 3rd Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen.
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 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.
Ballyleague Renewal
Below are some pictures from the recent visit by Santa Claus to the Thatch Ballyleague.
