Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes 26th March 2012

Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Correction
My apologies to Padraig Wallace and Lorraine Melia. Last week I inadvertently recorded that Padraig Wallace got engaged but my error was that it was not to Janet Melia but her sister Lorraine. I wish the happy couple many years of happiness.
Death
The area was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar on Monday 19th March of Brendan Carberry, Killinure. Brendan, from the well-known musical Carberry family from Derryhaun, his proficiency in a talented family was the Bodhran. Brendan with his wife Deirdre and children Kevin and Katie came to live in the parish a number of years ago. He was distinctive by his cap and full beard, he was a man who loved all things Irish and had an abiding love of the game of hurling, music and culture. He was a man of great kindness and gentleness who endeared himself to everyone that had the good fortune to know him. He was a renowned raconteur and could hold an audience in the palm of his hand. Brendan was a very familiar figure in the town and was much loved and his company always enjoyed. To borrow a line from the ballad of James Connolly “gone is a man that loved Ireland so well”. His remains reposed at his residence on Wednesday last and on Thursday was removed to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro for his Funeral Mass and following Mass his remains were laid to rest in Clonbonny cemetery. A measure of his popularity was clearly evident by the attendance on both Wednesday and Thursday. To his wife Deirdre, daughter Katie, son Kevin, father Peter, mother Trish, brothers Peadar and Noel, sisters Kitty, Mag and Pat, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Whist Drive – Change of Date
As St. Mary’s Parish hall has been pre-booked for the first Friday of the month and the Social Services Whist Drive will now take place on this Friday night 30th March at 8.30. Your continued support is tremendous and the committee urges all other card players to join in the monthly Whist Drive and enjoy the hospitality and fun in card playing. It is a great social night and a night to share with friends.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the pair’s competition that was held on 7th and 14th March are: Overall winners – 1st Phil Chalmers & Cyril Hussey, 2nd Una Lawlor & Brid Mc Dermott and 3rd Loretto Cooney & Kathleen Kelly. The first session winners were Frank and Frances Brennan and the second session winners were Mike Flynn & Mary Mc Gushin.
The results of the competition held on Wednesday last 21st March are: N/S 1st Phil Chalmers & Cyril Hussey, 2nd Gemma Douglas & Elish Gray, and 3rd Renee Walsh & Mary Mc Gushin. E/W 1st Una Lawlor & Brid Mc Dermott, 2nd Noreen Dunne & Mae Casey, 3rd Mike Flynn & Mary Mc Gushin.
25 Card Drive
The annual 25 Card Drive (Partners) takes place as usual on Good Friday night 6th April commencing at 9pm. You are invited to go along and enjoy, what traditionally is, a great night. Tickets are now on sale from all Rathcline GAA executive. Even if you cannot attend please buy a ticket as there will be a draw for all non-playing purchasers of tickets. Refreshments will be served to add to the night.
Penance Services
The Penance Services for Easter will  take place in Ballyleague on Monday 2nd April at 8.30pm, Newtowncashel on Tuesday 3rd April at 8pm and Lanesboro on Wednesday 4th April at 7.30pm
Easter Ceremonies
The Easter ceremonies for St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro are as follows; Holy Thursday at 7.30pm. Good Friday ceremonies at 3pm and again at 7.30pm, Holy Saturday at 7.30pm and Easter Sunday at 9.30am and 11.30am.
Free Pooper Scoopers
All dog walkers are asked to note that free pooper scoopers are available in O’Brien’s Corner Shop. Hopefully all dag owners will avail of these and keep our streets free from dog excrement.
New Shop on Main Street
The new Ladybird shop sited between the Yacht Bar and Buds to Bloom florist will open its doors for business on this Thursday 29th March at 10am. Donations of clothes, books, delph, toys. Linen, etc. will be welcomed during shop opening hours 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.
Victor’s Dung comes to Lanesboro
An award winning comedy is coming to St. Mary’s hall Lanesboro on Saturday 28th April. This hilarious play written, directed and starring former county Leitrim footballer Seamus O’Rourke has been packing each and every venue since its tour began. It is a night of laughter not to be missed. Tickets, priced €10, are now on sale in O’Brien’s and as there are only a limited number on sale early booking are advisable.
Build up to St. John’s celebrations
The build-up to the St. John’s 150th celebrations are continuing with the time capsule presently doing the rounds of the schools. The candles are selling very well at €7 each and on Sunday last a supply of very attractive commemorative wall plates arrived. They will sell for at only €20 each and there is just a limited supply. The candle and plate can be bought in O’Brien’s, Gareth Johnston’s Health Bank or from members of the committee.
Lanesboro Library
Irish Cancer Society ‘Daffodil Day’ merchandise will remain available at the Library. Please support this most worthy cause.
Lanesboro’s Indoor Market
Every Friday in St. Mary’s parish Hall Lanesboro the very popular and growing Indoor Market takes place. A large number of locally produced items as well as a great selection of goods are available. The market takes place from 11am to 1.30pm and it is a place well worth a visit if only to browse and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and light snacks that are available. The range of goods on sale are local home baking, local jams, free range eggs & mushrooms, gold, silver, gemstone and costume jewellery, goats milk beauty products, books, bric a brac & cd’s, Forever aloe vera products. John King (Healer and Angel Cards readings), fabulous hand-made cards and hand-made knitted scarfs/hats. There is also a range of dried flowers arrangements and handbags. Drumsna Garden Centre flower arrangements available. This week Ulster Bank is available for any queries. Free car parking to rear of building (beside the playground). Tea, Coffee and light snacks will also be available. Contact 087 3965568 for answers to queries.
Parade committee announces winners
The organising committee of the Lanesboro Ballyleague St. Patrick’s Day hugely successful parade announced the winners of the different categories in this year’s parade. The overall winning float was Top Filling Station, Ballyleague, Most Original –St. Faithleach’s GAA club, Best Business – Michael Hanley, Best Club – Ballyboro Scouts, Best Junior Float – St. Mary’s National School, Newtowncashel, Best Dressed Window, joint first – Costello’s Nursing Home Ballyleague and local butcher Terry Mc Loughlin, Main Street.
The results of the St. Patrick’s Day draw organised to help defray the cost of running the event are; 1st €300 Mark Doolan, 2nd €200 Denis Devereaux, 3rd €200 Martha Farrell, 4th €100 Cormac Casey, 5th €100 Sean Connaughton and 6th €100 Christopher Morgan.
The St. Patrick’s Day chairperson, Teresa Costello, would like to thank the entire community for making the parade such an outstanding success. She expresses her sincere thanks to all that worked so hard in the preparation of their colourful floats, the stewards for their total co-operation, all the sponsors of the event and to you the public that turned out in such great numbers to support and enjoy the great day.
To Actin da Magot, the ticket sellers, Madaleine and Martina for the catering and Donlon for the face painting
Teresa would like to pay special thanks to the hard working committee who were such a pleasure to work with, the parish choir and the dancers for the beautiful music, song and dance at the traditional mass
Shannon Gaels
The club is delighted to announce that they will host a play by the Mot Theatre group on Saturday 28th April. Tickets are available from O’Brien’s.
The club would like to thank everyone that had an input into their St Patrick’s Day Parade. It was a most enjoyable day and event for all.
Our minor team was unlucky to go down by one point in the special minor league on Saturday last. The league continues on Sunday next in Clonbonny at 12noon when the lads take on Clonguish Óg.
Our Under 14 panel continue training on Sunday morning next in preparation for the first round fixture the following week. Parents are asked to note training time and the game the following week.
The club is actively seeking parents and anyone interested in the development of our underage age club to make themselves available to the club for the rest of the season. The club looks to develop many plans during the season and it take the support and man/woman power to attain the goals set.
Any young person interested in refereeing go games and under 8 and under 10 games are asked to contact Sean Kenny. A course will take place on Tuesday next 10th April and it would be great to have a good number from the club taking part.
Lanesboro Community Games
It has been a week of Success for Lanesboro Community Games.
The Project Team of Conor Sorohan, Sean Kenny and Harvey Myhill got first prise for their excellent presentation of their Ideal country “Ballareik”.
In the County Talent Solo Singing competition, Aisling Casey won a gold medal, getting first prise from a large field of contestants.  Aishling’s performance of the classic Leonard Coen Song Hallelujah was a huge undertaking for her first time on stage, but after a few small nerves Aisling made this song her own it was a match for any of the X-factor versions of the song.
In the County Art Competition, Lanesboro had two gold medallists, Jack Casserly and Tanya Farrell with James Gavigan winning a bronze medal.
The results of the County U-10 Handwriting competitions in which Aoife Nolan and Cillian Cox represented Lanesboro are unannounced as yet.
All of the above gold medal winners will represent Lanesboro and Longford at the first weekend of the National Community Games finals in May.  Having seven children reaching this stage across a number of disciplines is a great level of success and hopefully this number will be extended further when our U-16 Table Tennis Team plays the Leinster matches and the hand writing results are announced.
Well done to all the children who took part in the county competitions and for the parents assistance in getting them to the various venues.
Rathcline Ladies GAA
The ladies had their first game of the league on Saturday evening last and they had a great start to the season by defeating Dromard on a scoreline of 0-21 to 1-. The next round will take place on Easter weekend and the fixture is presently not to hand. Under 14 training continues on Saturday morning at 10.30am.  All girls on the panel are asked to attend on time.
The club thanks Cian O’Brien for the fitness testing and all ladies enjoyed the test and are looking forward to their results on Friday night.
Clothes collection: In a bid to raise funds for the club the clothes collection is back on track and your support will be greatly appreciated. If you, your family or friends have sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers, blankets, shoes, toys or teddy bears you are asked to drop them top Mike Greene’s house on the Green. Your support will be of great benefit to the club.
Rathcline GAA
Congratulations to our Reserve League team and management after winning their third game on the trot away to Carrickedmond last Sunday. It finished 2-12 to 1-10 to Rathcline, a result which leaves Rathcline top of the table ahead of the break for the Senior League. There will be a six week break in the competition before resuming against Sean Connolly’s.
Our senior team kick off the league this Saturday against reigning county champions Longford Slashers. The game throws in at 6.15pm at Clonbonny. It would be fantastic to get as many parishioners out as possible to support the lads under new manager Enda Macken.  Also, the tireless work to prepare Clonbonny for the opening game of the season must be complemented.
Congratulations to the Rathcline Ladies on a great start to their League campaign, they defeated Dromard at Clonbonny last Saturday.
The club extends its sympathy to the Carberry family, Killinure, after the recent death of Brendan Carberry.
The Annual Longford GAA Race Day at Punchestown Racecourse will take place on Wednesday, 25th April this year. Anybody interested in attending can contact Liam Connerton, Albert Cooney or Chris Cullen.
Finally, the club are currently in the process of compiling a number of old photographs to display on the Clubhouse walls. If anybody has any old images of past events or people who were connected with the club (in any capacity), the club would greatly appreciate the opportunity to borrow these photographs to scan and hang on the walls. Rathcline GAA has a fantastic history and tradition, and it would be great to display that history for all to see.
Church gate Collection
The Longford Branch of Multiple Sclerosis is holding their annual Church Gate collection at all masses on Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April. Your generous support will be appreciated.
St. Faithleach’s GA
O’Rourke Cup: The seniors had a win over St. Brigid’s on Friday last in Kiltoom. Final score – St. Faithleachs 1-11 St. Brigids 1-05. Team: S. Connor, A. Murtagh, A. McCormack S. Ormsby, C. Gunn, C. McCormack C. Brennan(0-1), M. Reynolds, D. Murray, H. Kenny(0-1), B. Reynolds(0-2), D. Harrison(0-2), C. Murtagh, E. Kenny(1-4), D. Rooney. Subs: B. Scally, P. Wallace, R. Cox (0-1), J. Quigley. The next game against Strokestown takes place this coming Sunday evening at 6.00pm in Ballyleague.
U16 Boys: The U16 Boy had a win over Clan na Gael on Saturday last. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 4-13 Clan na Gael 4-03. Team: E. Farrell, J. Farrell, D. Nerney, J. Irwin, C. Connelly, D. Barry, D. Kelly(1-2), M. Cox(0-3), J. Sweeny(0-1), D. Foley(2-0), C. Gannon(0-4), J. Hussey(0-2), S. Walsh(1-1). Subs: L. Parker, J. Kelly, J. Donlon, R. Guinan, M. Gill.
U16 Girls: The U16 girls had a win over Kilmore on Friday last. The final score was – St. Faithleachs 7-09 Kilmore 5-05. Team: L. Hoare, E. Kenny, N. Carty, S. Brennan, J. Geoghegan(1-6), R. Banahan(1-1), N. Parker, T. Nerney, K. Murphy(3-2), R. Costello(1-0), C. Brennan. Subs: M. Banahan (1-0), N. Scally, A. Curley, L. Cox, K. Browne, E. Hegarty.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. All welcome.
Women’s Mini-Marathon: Calling all the ladies who would be interested in taking part in the Mini-Marathon in June to raise funds for the Development of the new stand at St. Faithleachs GAA Club. . Sponsorship Cards now available. Your support would be greatly appreciated
Club Membership: 2012 Membership now overdue. Adult €40, Student €20, Family €80.
Midland Motor Club Rally: St. Faithleachs GAA Club grounds were a height of activity this weekend as the Midland Motor Club Rally took place. Many thanks to all involved. Thanks to all who helped out in many ways on the day & all who supported the event.
50th Year: 2012 brings a very important year for St. Faithleachs GAA Club as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. This is an exciting time for the Club & Parish. In an effort to complete a history of the past 50 years of the club we are looking for your help. There are many photographs & artefact from down through the years which we would dearly love to see. If you, or anyone you know may be in possession of such items, please contact a member of the Committee or email us at stfaithleachgaa@gmail.com.