Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Quirky Quiz
Lanesboro Gathering Festival G2 is holding a fundraising event on Friday week 24th October. This is the Friday of October Bank Holiday and Lanesboro is the place to be on that night for a very unique and quirky quiz. It will challenge your worldly knowledge on all aspects of life and you will be royally entertained throughout the night.
- When local celebrity Noel Ward left Clarke’s Bar on the last day of September how many steps did he take to get to his house on the Longford Road?
We are asking all sections of the local communities to get behind this fund raiser both as a means of raising much needed finance and also as a social night out with a difference.
You are invited to get all your friends, work friends and club colleagues out for what promises to be a unique and fabulous night. This will be a night not to be missed by you or any of your friends near or far.
Community Games in Jeopardy
Kilgefin Community Games for many years has been a wonderful organisation in the parish. It has led the way in so many disciplines and even in the strength of its organisation in the parish. It is very sad to have received the following notice from a once proud organisation that caters so well for the spirit of the youngsters and indeed the parish. Please make a special effort to attend the proposed meeting.
Kilgefin Community Games is holding an emergency meeting on Tues, 21st Oct at 8pm in Ballyleague Hall to try and form a committee to ensure the continuation of Community Games in the parish. Unless there is sufficient attendance, it is with great regret that the community games committee will be disbanded. Please take the time to attend this meeting. It would be a huge loss to the children in the parish of Kilgefin if they did not have the opportunity to participate in Community Games. If you are not able to attend the meeting, but would like to get involved in any way, please contact Shane on 0861610013.
St. Faithleach’s go for Glory
Sunday next 19th October will see the men of St. Faithleach’s continue their march towards a county senior championship in Hyde Park Roscommon. St. Faithleach’s came through a rigorous test in their semi-final victory over Padraig Pearse’s. They may be underdogs as they attempt to deny St. Brigid’s a five in a row but they have the spirit to conquer and we hope that on Sunday next the Fahy Cup will be winding its way back to Ballyleague. The parish of Kilgefin is rightly proud of their young heroes and their support is clearly evident with the amount of bunting and flags flying in support of the team.
We hope that a huge crowd from the area will travel to Roscommon to support the team and cheer them on to victory. We wish the panel and mentors every success and we wish for a glorious day for the people of Kilgefin.
Wedding
The marriage took place on Saturday 4th October of Alicia Mc Dermott, daughter of Mary and the late Alex Mc Dermott, Lisnacusha, and Walter Halloran, Carrowmore, Liscarney, Westport, Co. Mayo. Matron of Honour was Ciara Mc Manamon friend of the bride, Bridesmaids were Carol Ferguson and Johann Martin both friends of the bride. Bestman was William Halloran, brother of the groom and Groomsmen were Marty Joyce and Colin Mc Kiernan both friends of the groom. Pageboy was Ethan Mc Ging nephew of the groom and Flower girl was Emily Mc Dermott niece of the bride.
The marriage ceremony was celebrated by Fr. Michael O’Reilly assisted by Fr. Michael Murtagh. The wedding reception was held in the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone. We wish the happy couple many years of wedded bliss.
Death
The news of the death on Saturday 4th October was greeted with a great sadness and sorrow when we learned of the passing of Geraldine Mc Caffrey, Ballyglass, Ballyleague. Geraldine moved the area many years ago and became a popular figure in the area. Her warm personality and outgoing manner endeared her to everyone that came to know her. Geraldine was in failing health for the past year or so and she accepted her cross with great spirit and dignity. Her passing will leave a great void in the entire area and her warm welcoming smile will be sadly missed.
Her remains reposed at her residence in Ballyglass on Sunday until the removal of her remains to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague for her Funeral mass. Following her mass her remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert cemetery. To her sons Niall, Keith and Denise, brothers and sisters and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Community College Parents Association
At the recent annual general meeting sympathy was extended to Jimmy Flanagan, College Principal on the death of his father and teacher Ailbhe Sheehan on the death of her mother during the summer months. Sympathy was also extended to all those who had bereavements in the past year.
Best wishes were extended to Ms. Rosaleen Lardiner on her retirement from the school
Monsignor Laurence Connaughton
Monsignor Laurence Connaughton the son of two Rathcline parishioners who was born and reared in the US died in New York on Friday 29th September. Laurence was predeceased by his parents Frank Connaughton, Lehery and Lizzie Fallon, Lismacmanus and his sister Maura Mannion. Monsignor Laurence was a regular visitor to Ireland and his parent’s native parish Rathcline. He still has many relatives living in the parish who remember him fondly and grieve his passing. We extended our deepest sympathy to all his relatives.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
On Saturday night last 11th October the following numbers were drawn for the Rathcline GAA lotto 2, 21, 29, 32, 40 and 42. There was no winner of the €2300 jackpot and the jackpot for next Saturday night 18th October will now rise to €2400. The four winners of the €25 prizes were Tommy Farrell Gurteengar, James Irwin Cloonadra, Caroline Ginty Ballyleague, and Teri & Charlotte Skelly Rathcline. Lanesboro Bridge
The results of Lanesboro Bridge competition held on Wednesday last 8th October are; N/S 1st Loretto Cooney and Freda Kenny, 2nd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey and 3rd Bernadette Gillen and Maureen Hynes. E/W 1st Brid mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin and 3rd Maura Hanley and Mairead Gill.
Birth
Many congratulations to Mervyn and Karen Johnston, Rathcline, on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Tickets available for Strictly Come Dancing
Tickets became available last week for the Strictly Come Dancing across the Bridge that will take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone on Saturday 29th November. Even at this early stage ticket sales are excellent with a lot of people booking or buying their tickets. This promises to be a fabulous night with a host of locals taking to the stage in search of the inaugural Strictly Come dancing over the Bridge title. This night is a joint venture between St. Faithleach’s and Rathcline GAA clubs who are putting a huge effort into making the night a wonderful success. You can play your part too by coming along and supporting the dancers on the night. 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. It would be a shame to miss out on your tickets for this night so make your purchase or booking immediately.
Gospel Choir
Longford Voices United is a new gospel choir based in Longford who are making a name for themselves. As part of their growth they need to raise funds and on Friday night next 17th October they will hold a “Fun Auction” in the Sin Bin Event centre at Longford Rugby club. The auction will commence at 8pm and for €5 you will be entered into a draw and the disco that will follow.
The auction is an auction of services i.e. someone to do your ironing, massaging, Twitter lessons, soccer coach to do sessions with 11-14year olds.
The choir meet every Thursday evening at 6.15pm in Respond House (opposite the EDI Centre) and they welcome new people to join the choir.
Register of Electorate
The draft register for 2015/16 is now being prepared. If you live in Co. Longford and wish to vote in upcoming elections you are asked to check to ascertain if you are registered correctly to vote. If you are or have a family member who will be 18 years or over by the 15th February then it is very important to check to see if they are on the voting register. You can check the voting register on www.checktheregister.ie or by phoning 043-3343311.
Registration forms are available online on the following link Registration Forms or from your local post office, library, garda station and local county council offices and must be returned by 15th February.
Badminton Open Night
The Lanesboro Ballyleague Badminton club will hold their Adult Open Night is on Thursday 16th October from 9-11pm. Junior membership starts from €40 for one child and adults at €75, with family rates also available
Meeting for Parents
Following on from the success of last year’s Computer Science Club it has been decided to run the club again this year. There will be a meeting of parents on Thursday night 23rd October in the Lough Ree Resource Centre at 8pm. If you as a parent feel your youngster wants to be involved in the club them you should attend this meeting.
Primary School Cross Country
It was a busy week for National Schools in this area with the Primary Schools County Cross County Championships taking place. The County Roscommon venue was Summerhill College, Athlone while Moyne Community College hosted the Co. Longford Championship and a fine venue it was. Paddy Mc Phillips and Longford AC deserve every credit for organising a great event. Indeed, they introduced an extra event (a great idea) for first years but it did not receive the support expected.
3rd/4th class boys – Fermoyle were second in the team event which was won by Killoe, team comprised Kieran O’Dowd 6th, Jamie Hagan 9th, Kevin Farrell 17th and final scoring member of the team Alex Forde. These were followed home closely by Daire Cox, James Killian and Aaron Kenny.
3rd/4th class girls – Fermoyle did not have a team, Aoife Kennelly was 9th and Ella Hogan 16th.
Stars of the day were the 5th /6th class girls Fermoyle who won the team gold medal by just 3 points from Colehill. The scoring four were Aoife Nolan 5th, Eabha Healy 8th, Caoilinn flood 11th and Roisin Brennan12th. They were followed home by class mates Hazel Johnston, Anna Maguire and Laura Fox.
In the boys 5th/6th Óisín Kenny ran a great race to finish in 9th place.
Alannah Flood representing Newtowncashel Primary School ran a great race to finish in 2nd place in the 5th /6th Class Race and could have taken gold if the race was a bit longer. Aisling O’Dowd and Patrick Lane representing Cloontagh both ran well in the 3rd/4th Class race. Indeed Patrick came out for the first time to the Clonbonny run with Lough Ree Athletic Club on Tuesday last and ran the fifth fastest time on the night.
17 National Schools took part in the Longford championship which is an excellent representation by the primary schools in the county. It was disappointing that Lanesboro Primary school were not represented. David Dalton, Lanesboro Community School who ran a great race in finishing in third place in the first year boys event and came home with a medal for his efforts. For the record All Ireland champion Cian Mc Philipps won the inaugural running of this race.
Results from the Roscommon cross country are sketchy but we do know there were huge numbers participating with over 160 taking part. Cloontuskert were represented in the 5th/6th class competitions without success.
It is great to see that a great number of those mentioned for participation and excellent runs are also name on the 50 plus that take part in the Tuesday evening runs in Clonbonny at 5pm.
There are still some obvious names missing that are excellent runners and who would ensure that the competition each Tuesday would be more and more competitive. Hopefully from Tuesday those names will start to appear on the attendance list and feature highly in the race times. There are only a few runs left before the changing of the time and the end of the runs.
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Community Games Under 13 Project Competition winners will continue to display their project entitled ‘The Role of the Internet’ in the library for the next week. The winners of the competition are Áine Kennelly and Patrick Smyth. Many hours were spent preparing this project and well done to all involved on winning 4th place medal in the recent National Finals of Community Games in Athlone. All are welcome to go along and see their wonderful work.
Have you some spare time?
Athlone Midlands Samaritans are seeking additional volunteers to maintain their befriending service. There is no experience necessary as training will be provided. If you are interested you are invited to call or text 085 2845010. The Samaritans provide a 24hour emotional support on Freephone 116123
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Monday 6th October are: N/S: Gross: 1st Eileen Kelly and Nancy Dolan, 2nd Joan Browne and Patricia McGann, 3rd Margaret Gillen and Mai Casey and 4th Joan Donlon and Fergal McGuinness. Nett: 3rd Nett: 1st Eileen Kelly and Nancy Dolan, 2nd Joan Browne and Patricia McGann, K. Hanley and Mary Fallon and 4th K. Kelly and Tom Feeney E/W: Gross: 1st Des and Eileen Watts, 2nd B. Dowling and Goretti Kenny, 3rd Nora Kelly and Una Clarke and 4th Mary Mulvihill and Helen O’Shea. E/W Nett: 1st B. Dowling and Goretti Kenny, 2nd Mary Mulvihill and Helen O’Shea, 3rd Nora Kelly and Una Clarke and 4th Des and Eileen Watts.
Shannon Gaels
Next weekend promises to be one of the busiest weekends of the year and we all hope that it will also be one of the most successful.
On Saturday our minors kick things off at 2.15 when they play Colmcille in the Minor B championship final in Pearse Park. This team despite losing Shane Kenny through injury have been performing excellently and we have high hopes for a great success. Their training has been closely monitored by Niall Donoghue, Mickie Hand, Sean Mimnagh, Ciaran Kenny and Johnny Moran. The time and effort everyone has put in is deserving of success. We would encourage everyone to come along and support the team.
Following that game at 3.45 our U-12 team will take on Northern Gaels in the championship final. This has been a real success for the club with all the youngsters giving everything in Clonbonny during training and their results so far have been a justified reward for the players and their team management of Padraic Farrell, Ciaran Prior and Seadna Ryan. Again we ask everyone to come along and support the lads and hopefully we can take two trophies out of Pearse Park in the one day – a feat not done since 1966.
On Sunday the U14 team will play in the championship shield final. The venue is thought to be Pearse Park prior to Carrickedmond’s Leinster championship game the time is not yet known but it will be posted in O’Brien’s window. Our U14 were unlucky in the league final at the weekend and we are looking forward to a change of fortune this weekend. The lads have prepared well by Mark Clancy and Jimmy Ruske and we hope that there will be a great turnout to support them on Sunday.
The club would like to wish St. Faithleach’s the very best of luck in the Roscommon county final on Sunday.
The club would like to extend its sympathy to Seamus and Mary Flynn and family on the recent death of Seamus’s brother Brendan. The club also extends its sympathy to the Moran families on the death of Phonsie Moran Ballyleague.
Tickets available for Strictly Come Dancing
Tickets became available last week for the Strictly Come Dancing across the Bridge that will take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone on Saturday 29th November. Even at this early stage ticket sales are excellent with a lot of people booking or buying their tickets. This promises to be a fabulous night with a host of locals taking to the stage in search of the inaugural Strictly Come dancing over the Bridge title. This night is a joint venture between St. Faithleach’s and Rathcline GAA clubs who are putting a huge effort into making the night a wonderful success. You can play your part too by coming along and supporting the dancers on the night. 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. It would be a shame to miss out on your tickets for this night so make your purchase or booking immediately.
Rathcline GAA
Our Intermediates had a heavy defeat to Carrickedmond on Friday night in Cashel. The league final was our last game of the season and it was a disappointing way to end the year. We wish Carrickedmond the best of luck in the Leinster club championship. The club would like to thank team and management for the effort put in all year.
Our 50/50 draw will take place on Monday, the club as stated before has debt to pay off every year in relation to the new pitch in Clonbonny. It’s €2 an envelope and you can buy as many as you want. The draw takes place in Adie’s on a Monday night and if total collected is €400, then an envelope is picked from the drum and the winner takes home €200, we do hope this takes off as it is frequently more difficult to raise sufficient funds for the running of the club on a weekly/yearly basis.
There was no outright winner of the lotto this week. The numbers drawn were 2, 21, 29, 32, 40, and 42. The weekly €25 winners were, Tommy Farrell Gurteengar, James Irwin Cloonadra, Caroline Ginty Ballyleague, and Teri & Charlotte Skelly Rathcline. Next week’s jackpot is €2400.
The club would like to wish our neighbours St Faithleachs all the best in their championship final against St Brigids. After witnessing all the excitement in the semi here’s hoping that the red and white can win the championship in the Hyde. All the best from Rathcline GFC.
Rathcline Minor Club
A very busy week ahead for the Minor club as they contest finals. First up is the mouth-watering clash of Western Gaels and Colmcille in the Minor B Championship final. As stated numerous times these minor boys have outdid themselves this year in mixing it with A championship teams. A wonderful style of football has been played all season and it’s just reward for their commitment that they now play in the final. This promises to be a tight match with two fairly even teams. The match takes place in Pearse Park on Saturday at 2.15. We are asking Rathcline supporters to go in and shout the lads on; we wish the team and management of Herbie, Ciaran Kenny, Sean Mimnagh, Mickie Hand and Johnny Moran the very best of luck!
The U 12 team also line out for the Division 2 final against Northern Gaels. The match takes place in Pearse Park straight after our Minor team contest their final. So it’s going to be a busy day for all involved. This U 12 team have come on rapidly this season and it’s a huge occasion for them, we are sure they can do the parish proud and again it would be nice to see parents and supporters go into Pearse Park and cheer on the lads. The best of luck to the team and management of Padhraig, Seadna and Ciaran.
Our U 14 team take on Carrick Sarsfields in the A championship Shield final on Sunday. Although there is no venue yet, supporters are asked to check our Facebook page and fixture list for details. Another great effort from the U 14 team sees them take on old rivals Carrick Sarsfields which promises to be an interesting final. This is another underage team who have punched above their weight all season. We wish the squad and management of Jimmy Ruske and Mark Glancy the very best of luck!
The club would like to pass on their sympathies to Teresa Ryan and the Ryan family on the passing of her sister Dympna, may she rest in peace.
Scór is practicing every Saturday night in the Hall at 8 pm. The club have performed brilliantly over the last few years and with the practice sessions going well, the club are already looking forward to competing this year.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Hudson Bay Hotel Group – Senior Football Championship County Final:
Our senior team and management take centre stage this coming weekend in the County Final against St. Brigids, on Sunday 19th October in Dr. Hyde Park Roscommon. We are extremely proud of our senior panel of players and their management and we wish them the very best of luck. Many thanks to our supporters and all who have been busy in preparations with the red & white colours throughout the parish. All roads lead to Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday next so please come along with the club colours and show your continued support.
Minor Men – D4 Championship: Our minors were defeated by Kilbride in the semi-final on Sunday last at home. Final Score: St. Faithleachs 0-06 Kilbride 1-11. Well done to all players on the squad and management for their dedication, commitment and efforts during the year and many thanks to all the supporters throughout.
U13 Boys – Féile Roscommon: Our U13 boys were defeated by St. Brigids in the quarter-final on Saturday last in Ballyleague. Well done to all players on the panel and their management on a great Féile campaign.
Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others: Best of luck to our Mothers & Others Team and their management, who are participating in the LGFA Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others National Blitz in Dublin on Saturday next 18th October. With over 100 teams taking part, this is a great occasion for our mothers & others and we wish them every success in the tournament.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 9, 11, 16 and 19. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners were – J & M Mangan, Tina Dowd, Michael Hanly, Shay Rohan and Rachel Connaughton. The next draw takes place on Tuesday 21st October for a jackpot of €12,000.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. All are welcome. The results of last week’s games are – joint winners, Sonny/Padraig & Tom/Brendan. The ticket winners were – Tom, Dan, Tom and Jack.
Fitness class will commence on Tuesday 21st October in Ballyleague Hall from 8.30-9.30pm for 8 weeks. The cost is €35 for the 8 weeks or €5 per class. Places are limited; please call Qona Cox on 0862260309 for more information.
Halloween Disco: The club is holding a Halloween Disco on Friday 31st October in the clubhouse. Come along and celebrate Halloween with a Bonfire and Fancy Dress at 8.30pm. Spot prizes on the night.
Strictly Come Dancing – Fundraising Event: Tickets are now on sale for “Strictly Dancing over the Bridge” our joint fundraising event with Rathcline GAA which will take place on Saturday 29th November in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. Tickets €20 are available from committee members and local outlets or you can contact Helen Kelly on 0860809377 and Brenda Quigley on 0868896969 directly regarding same. Transport to the event will be available on the night, details to follow. People are advised to get your tickets early as limited number available.
Sympathy: The Club extends deepest sympathy to the McCaffrey family on the death of Geraldine McCaffrey (née Dockery), Ballyglass.