Lanesboro – Ballyleague Notes
Rose of St. Faithleach’s
Congratulations Cliodhna Thompson daughter of Gerry and Martha Thompson, Ballyleague who was selected as Rose of St. Faithleach’s at a sell-out pageant organised by the club in their clubhouse on Saturday night last. There was tremendous competition from the 10 entrants and the judges had an extremely difficult time in picking the winner. Cliodhna will now go forward to represent the club and parish in the Rose of Roscommon and we hope in the Rose of Tralee. We wish Cliodhna the very best of luck in the competition.
Ulster Bank comes to Lanesboro
Members of the staff of Ulster Bank will attend the Parish Hall in Lanesboro on this coming Friday from 11am to 3pm. With the impending change in banking in Lanesboro it may be worthwhile to go along and speak to the staff.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competitions held on Wednesday 24th and 31st March are: 24th N/S 1st Elish Gray & Barbara Ferguson, 2nd Marie Sheeran & Mary mc Gushin, 3rd Mona O’Flaherty & Bernadette Gillen. E/W 1st Bríd Mc Dermott & Una Lawlor, 2nd Peg Clarke & Patsy Canavan, 3rd Bridie Deffew & Maureen Hynes. 31st 1st Mae Casey & Noreen Dunne, 2nd Renee Walsh & Mary Jameson, 3rd Phil Chalmers & Cyril Hussey.
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 7th April are: N/S 1st Marie Sheeran & Mary Mc Gushin, 2nd Mona O’Flaherty & Bernadette Gillen, 3rd Loretto Cooney & Maura Hanly. E/W 1st Brendan Dowling & Bernie Kyne, 2nd Noreen Dunne & Mae Casey, 3rd Patsy Canavan & Peg Clarke.
Will all members please note that names are now been taken for the President’s Prize and will be taken on Wednesday night. The Presidents Prize will take place on 21st and 28th April.
Tea Day
Costello’s Nursing Home invites all people of the area to the annual Alzheimers Tea Party on Friday 16th April at 11a.m. Come join us for tea, coffee, cakes and a chat in aid of the Western Alzheimer’s Association.
Sympathy
We have a large Polish community living in our area and they are shocked and saddened with the tragic events of last weekend when their President Lech Kaczynski and state officials tragically died in an Aeroplane crash in Russia. We extend to them our sincere sympathy.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Training continues for under the 8, 10 and 12 panels on this Thursday night from 7 to 8pm. Parents are asked to ensure all the players are in attendance.
Under 14, 16 and 18 competitions are about to commence and all panel members are asked to make the special effort for all training sessions.
Congratulations to Shane Donohoe and his teammates who won the Leinster Minor League in Parnell Park recently. The club wishes Shane and his teammates the very best of luck as they take on Offaly in the first round of the Leinster championship in Tullamore on Saturday next at 3pm.
We have a number of our under 14’s called into the county under14 training panel. We wish Shane Kenny, Sean Costello, Eugene Maguire, Andrew Ward, Gary Gallagher and Oisin O’Sullivan. We also have three called into the under 15 training panel and they are Garth O’Reilly, Eoin Sorohan and Jack Rooney. We wish these young men well and hope they avail of the expert training that county training affords. It is an honour to be called to county training and it should be openly embraced as a mean to further developing skills and abilities against others throughout the county and indeed when they play teams from other counties. Be proud lads as we are of you and achieve to your maximum ability.
Lanesboro Badminton Club
The club is delighted to say Congratulations to the Grade 6 Team who, last week, secured their place in the Leinster Mixed League Semi-Finals. On the Team are Kieran Healy, Stephen Herraty, Noel Moran, Keith Healy, Maura Duffy, Regina Scally, Gráinne Gallagher and Edel Mc Dermott. The team, who will represent Longford, will travel to Baldoyle, Dublin this coming Sunday 18th April to take part in the Finals. Anyone who would like to come support should contact any of the committee members.
More success comes in the form of Kieran Healy, Stephen Herraty and Edel Mc Dermott who took part in the Leinster Individual Championships recently. The players, who represented Longford in Doubles and Mixed pairings, won out their heats against Offaly and Meath and will now travel to Dublin to compete in the Leinster Semi-Finals Sunday 25th April. Support is most welcome.
Thank You
The Rathcline GAA club and game organiser Tom Feeney would like to thank everybody that donated spot prizes sponsored and bought tickets for their card game on Good Friday night. Your support was much appreciated.
Nob Nation comes to Longford
Since 2006 Nob Nation has been a feature on both RTÉ 1 and 2. Oliver Callan is the main man providing the characters on this tremendously popular take off. The series features almost 100 characters, including Biffo, Dame Enda, Gareth Fitzgerald and others based on people from Irish and international public life involved in politics, sport and entertainment. All voice acting is performed by Callan and Oliver will bring his wacky humour to the Longford Arms on Saturday night next 17th April. Tickets are on sale in the Longford Arms and it is a night not to be missed.
Former Green Resident Dies
It is with great sadness we learned of the sudden death on Wednesday last 7th April of Danny O’Brien, Trim, Co. Meath. Danny was son of Peg and the late Gerry O’Brien and is fondly remembered for their time on the Green. We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Phil, son Dόnall, daughter Kate, mother Peg, brother Willie, sisters Mary and Mary Theresa, relatives and friends. Burial took place in his adopted home of Trim, Co. Meath on Friday last.
Western Alzheimers Tea Day
Innis Ree Lodge Nursing Home, Ballyleague, will be holding a Tea Day in aid of the Western Alzheimers Roscommon on Friday morning 16th April at 11.00. The staff would like to welcome any member of the public to attend on the day. If you have any question please contact Siobhán 043 3327300
Ballyleague area Defibrillator scheme
Circulatory Disorders including heart failure remain the single biggest killer in Ireland each year. Defibrillator schemes in rural communities are a vital element in the chain of survival of heart attack victims. We are located at least fifteen minutes from the nearest hospital and ambulance service. When someone’s heart stops beating normally it is vital that they get Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Defibrillation within minutes. The Lanesborough and Ballyleague areas have set up Defibrillator Responder schemes with the help of donations from many local households. The Ballyleague scheme started off with many enthusiastic volunteer responders but as individual’s circumstances have changed the scheme is currently being maintained by very few responders. We urgently need more adult volunteers to help maintain a full 24 hour, 7 days a week service in our community. If you live and work within five minutes of Ballyleague, are willing to train in basic life saving skills including CPR and use of the Automatic External Defibrillator, have a car at your disposal when needed and are able to help please contact Tom Gill at 0863489818 or Ronan Collier at 0879036272 where more details of the scheme will be explained to you. If you can help this local worthwhile volunteer service, training will be provided and you will receive the support of all other responders on both sides of the bridge.
Death
The death took place on Friday 2nd April at the Midland Hospital, Tullamore of John Carter, Church View. John, an Englishman, retired to Lanesboro with his wife Rita some years ago. He was a popular, jovial and friendly man and excellent neighbour. To his wife Rita, family and friends we extend our deepest sympathy. John was removed from Farrell’s Funeral Home on Easter Sunday evening to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro and burial took place following his Funeral Mass on Monday to Clonbonny cemetery.
Kilgefin Community Games
U10 and U13 Handwriting Competition 2010. There were a total of 50 entries in Kilgefin. The standard was very high again this year and the judges deemed the following to be the best in each category. U10 Girls: 1st Rachel Mary Flynn, 2nd Ciara Kelly, 3rd Una Geoghegan. U10 Boys: 1st Ian Trautt, 2nd Oran Walton, 3rd Dylan Donlon. U13 Girls: 1st Ellen Hegarty, 2nd Megan Banahan, 3rd Denise McCaffrey. U13 Boys: 1st Michael O’Donnell, 2nd Connor Smith, 3rd TJ O’Neill
Two from each category go through to the County Handwriting competition in Kilbride on Tuesday 13th. Good luck to you all and thanks to everyone who took part in the competition.
The local Art competition will be judged next week.
The Kilgefin track and field events will take place on Sunday 9th May at St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds.
Pike Boat Fishing Competition
On Sunday 18th April next Lanesboro Pike Angling club will be holding a Pike Boat Competition for the Mick Casey Perpetual Trophy on Lough Ree from 11am to 4pm. Entries will be taken from 10.30am at Lanesboro harbour. The entry fee is €25 per boat with a maximum of 2 rods per person and 4 rods per boat. Membership may be taken out on the day – adults €10, juniors and OAP’s €5
Thursday night Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo takes place on Thursday 8th April at 9p.m. Note the new starting time. The snowball this week stands at €2000.
St. Faithleach’s GAA notes
2010 Rose of St. Faithleach’s: On Saturday night last a fantastic night was held in the Club House for our 2010 St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Rose entry to the Rose of Roscommon Competition. Chairman of the Organisation Committee, Derek Thompson welcomed our 10 Roses along with the large crowd of supporters on the night. He thanked our main Sponsor, Beauty HQ, Cloonadra & Sponsors of our Roses. 10 Roses to participate were: Laura Cox – Ballyleague/Lanesboro Credit Union. Cliodhna Thompson – Sherper Group, Kilrooskey. Catherine Quigley – Lifebelt Bar, Ballyleague. Sinead Hudson – Kane’s SuperValu, Lanesboro. Jodie Walsh – Lough Ree Co-op, Lanesboro. Mairead Thompson – Flemings SuperValu, Roscommon. Claire Connaughton – J & M O’Brien, Lanesboro. Maria Quigley – Hurson Photography. Michelle Donoghue – Trautt’s Checkout, Cloontuskert. Mairead Farrell – Hugh Baxter, Ballyleague. Judges, Myra Glennon, John Ward & Mairead Hanly Casey had a tough task to decide the winning Rose from such an outstanding bunch of young ladies. Our M.C for the night, Eugene Murphy put in a great performance while interviewing the Roses with some great moments including Salsa Dancing. Our very own St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Escorts, Senan O’Grady & Brian Scally did a fantastic job on the night, suits Sponsored by John Ward Menswear, Roscommon. Huge Congratulations to our Winning Rose, Cliodhna Thompson, Sponsored by Sherper Group who was crowned our 2010 St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Rose. Judge Myra Glennon presented Cliodhna with the St. Faithleach’s Sash & Tiara along with Bouquet of Flowers & Beauty Treatments Sponsored by Beauty HQ, Cloonadra. Cliodhna Thompson was delighted to be chosen as the 2010 St. Faithleach’s Rose & is looking forward to representing the Club in the Rose of Roscommon Selection Night in Kilronan Castle on 23rd April where she will be escorted by Brian Scally, St. Faithleach’s GAA Club. All of our participating Roses on the night were presented with a Rose along with a Beauty Gift, Sponsored by Beauty HQ. Chairman of the Organisation Committee, Derek Thompson thanked the following – Our Main Sponsor, Beauty HQ, Cloonadra. Our 10 Sponsors of each of our 10 Rose Participants. The three Judges, Myra Glennon, John Ward & Mairead Hanly Casey who were presented with a small gift as a token of appreciation from the Club. Our Escorts, Senan O’Grady & Brian Scally who were presented with a Gift Voucher. Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon for Meal Voucher. Compere on the night, Eugene Murphy. All who donated prizes for our Raffle on the night & all who purchased tickets. Roisín Collier who provided Music for the night. All involved in the Organisation Committee, especially Bernie Cotter who did tremendous work. Michelle Hurson Photographer for the night. Thank you to the staff of the Club House. Thank you to all who supplied food. Thank you to all who attended to support the night & all who helped out in any way. A final special word of thanks to our 10 Rose Participants for the event who made it such a fantastic night.
Junior: We had a win at home to St. Brigids on Saturday last. Final Score – St. Faithleach’s 0-15 St. Brigids 0-4. Team: S. Connor, A. Guinan, J. Vesey, D. McCormack, J. Tarmey, D. Murray, J. Connor, A. McCormack, D. Ryan, B. Scally, J. Quigley, P. Cox, J. Casey, A. Brehon, D. Rooney. Subs: B. Doyle, B. Hussey, N. Kelly, A. Kenny.
Minor Boys: We had a win over Kilglass Gaels on Monday last at home. Final Score – St. Faithleach’s 4-8 Kilglass Gaels 3-8. Team: C. Farrell, J. Wallace, D. Gibbons, K. Healy, D. Connerton, N. Kelly(0-2), D. Rooney(0-1), K. Farrell, C. Murtagh(1-5), L. Connell(3-0), M. Neilon. Subs: K. Kelly, R. McDermott.
U12 Boys: Well done to our U12 Boys who took part in the U12 Blitz held in Boyle in Saturday last playing against Boyle, Kilbride & Castlerea.
2010 Club Membership: Membership now due for this year. Adults €40, Students €20, Family €80.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. Results of last week’s games: 12 games – Mark/Noreen. 10 games – Joe/Tom. Last game – Dan/Mike. Ticket Winners – Tom, Mike, Sean, Joe.
Fundraising Development: Many thanks to all who have supported our Development Fundraising to date. Members will be calling to areas during the week, all support greatly appreciated. You can also donate to any Executive Committee Member at the Club House.
U10: Training Tuesday evening at 6.30sharp. Any players yet to register please complete Membership Forms available from your U10 Manager/Mentors at training.
Upcoming Events: Minor Club – Blind Date to be held in the Club House, 24th April. Adults Table Quiz in April. Sponsored Walk will take place on 23d May. Pool Tournament will be held in the Club House. Entry fee €10. Names for the competition are currently being taken in the Club House.
Club Notifications: Anyone wishing to be notified of Club Events by Text, please contact Michael Cleary at (087) 2238293.
Club Merchandise: Anyone wishing to order St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Merchandise, please contact Derek Thompson at (087) 8172668.
Get Well Wishes: To Gerry Byrne & Maire Donlon who are hospitalised at present, we wish them a speedy recovery.
Congratulations: To Frank Quinn, Ballyleague who received Sports Award with NUI Galway. Congratulations to Michael & Pauline Enright, Cloontuskert who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday last.
Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op
Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op are doing excellent work throughout the community and are working to create a more beautiful and enhanced area. Their work is ongoing and demanding. It is especially demanding on funds and to that end the committee encourages you to support their weekly lotto which is the means of getting all their work done. Lotto envelopes are on sale in all local shops and your support is greatly encouraged.
Lough Ree AGM
The Athletic Club held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24/3/2010 in the Parish Hall in Lanesborough. The Chairman (F. Walsh) in his address apologised for the delay but was pleased to see a well-attended meeting. He started by proposing a vote of sympathy to the Kelly and Kenny families on their bereavements during the year. The late Tommie John Kelly was a past chairman and his son Michael a former athlete. Tommie John’s daughter Margaret is very much involved with St Ronan’s where her son Tom is an outstanding athlete. The Kenny’s are also involved with Lough Ree Athletic Club with Shane, Oisin and Oran being very active, indeed Shane is an athlete that all the younger athletes look up to.
The Chairman referred to the success of the local inter-schools competition (Primary) the help and co-operation of the teachers and the talent of some of the children. The one hi-cup that arose during the year was the church gate collection. It is one of our few sources of income and needs better organising and planning if it is to be successful. Finally the Chairman thanked his fellow officers for their help and work-rate during the year, the Ballyleague Hall Committee for the use of the hall during the winter months, Supervalu who sponsored our hoodies and Mary Sorohan who sourced and managed the distribution of the same hoodies, which have proved to be so popular
The Treasurer (M. Mullooly) was glad to report that club is in a healthy financial position. One of the Treasurer’s functions is to the manage club funds prudently but when it comes to athletic competitions, payment must accompany entries and in the past the club has needlessly wasted money by entering athletes who subsequently did not turn up. We hope to rectify this situation in the coming season. Listening to the Chairman’s report the Treasurer added a tribute to the athletes from Killoe who competed with distinction throughout the year.
The Secretary (S. Peters) was loud in his praise for the competition confined to the local Primary Schools and was pleasantly surprised by the success achieved by some of the youngsters at the County and Connaught Championships. Suffice to say that 20 Connaught Track and Field medals were won in addition to the six cross-country medals. He is hoping for better results at this year’s competition
The Secretary also complimented the parents for their input and support and found it most helpful and encouraging. He hopes to give more time to Relays this coming year as children enjoy team events! In this respect he agreed with the Chairman’s remark that a parent looking after or managing an Age Group would help considerably. Finally he had a word of praise for the athletes who were asked to join the Connaught Regional Squad Training and was glad of the feedback from athletes of the activities that they enjoyed during the year, athletes particularly mentioned the disco and bowling evening.
The officers elected for the coming year were as follows:
Chairman Fabian Walsh
Secretary Steve Peters
Assistant Secretary Mary Sorohan
Treasurer Margaret Mullooly
Child Welfare Officer Marie Peters
Coaches Pat Costello, Wayne Donohue, Rosie Masterson
AED Training
Any members of the community who are interested in AED training can give their names in to the Co-Op. Training nights will be organised over the next few weeks. It is imperative that those already trained update their skills every 90 days to keep Cert Valid. Remember – should there be an emergency always dial 999 first – the ambulance service will then call the responder on duty. Call the Co-Op office for more information on
043-3327070