Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Calling all Longford Supporters
With practically every county board struggling to raise funds to support the training of county teams the recently formed Club Longford and Longford County Board have come together to launch their new draw next weekend and they are looking for the support of every Longford person home and abroad to support the draw to help in giving the county players every opportunity to play at their full potential. The county board for the second year running lost their lucrative means of financial security for the year when once again the race day at Punchestown had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.
The Rathcline club over many decades have been major contributors to the county teams, coaching, team management, county executive and club members serving on many committees helping to run the affairs of the county board and teams right up to the present day.
Presently we, in our parish, have the privilege of having clubman Albert Cooney as County Chairman, John Finn and Seadna Ryan on the Club Longford executive and we also have 5 of the Rathcline senior footballers on the Longford panel namely Daithí Mulvihill, Liam Connerton, Iarla O’Sullivan, brothers Shane and Oran Kenny and we have Seadhna Ryan, Jakub Kajan and Richard Prior on the county U20 panel – all representing our community and are all well deserving of our full support.
Tickets are priced €50 each or three for €125. The first prize is a Hyundai Tucson Executive along with a holiday voucher to Centre Parcs to the value of €2,000. The second prize is €2,000. Third prize is Croke Park Concert VIP tickets to the value of €1,000. Fourth prize is €1,000 and the fifth prize is €500.
Tickets can be bought from any of the above mentioned or from the Rathcline club or you can contact me at joeaobrien@outlook.com.
Death
Friday 30th April brought an end to a life well lived when the news broke of the death of Pat Kelly, Ballinwooley, Curraghroe in Roscommon University Hospital and in the loving care of his niece Mags. Babs as he was most commonly known was a giant of a man with a giant heart. Babs was very popular and greatly respected by everyone, young and old. He had the same warm and cheery welcome to everyone and if you ever encountered him, he, no doubt, left a lasting memory. Babs had a heart of gold, was ever obliging and he had words at will and some of his sayings will live on for many years to come. In his early days he travelled the country delivering turf for the late Sonny Fitzpatrick before going to work in England for a few years. On his return he took up employment with Bord na Mona until his retirement. He was renowned for always travelling in his Massey Ferguson tractor and no distance was ever too far. For him no deed was too big or too small. Babs was a legend in his own time and the sadness that greeted the news of his passing was clearly evident in the grief expressed over the days by so many.
Babs was removed to St. Mary’s Church, Ballagh for his Funeral Mass before being laid rest in Kilgefin Cemetery. The removal of his remains was led to and from the church by his beloved Massey. To his sister Masie, her husband Sean Kelly, dedicated niece Mags, nieces, nephews, relatives and so many friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Book your boat trip.
After a lot of hard work and preparation, the town’s new passenger boat service for trips on the river Shannon commenced daily sailings on Tuesday May 4th. This service is on board the new access for all boat which will bring out both people with disability and also able-bodied passengers on the Shannon from the bridge and the marina in Ballyleague at 10.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
This is a great and very welcome boost for the town and tourism in the locality. We have been waiting for decades for our own daily passenger boat service and here it is. Trips will be of 90 minutes duration and longer if required with angling and sight-seeing or other activities available. Weekend sailings will be available in July, August, and September.
To book a seat call Lisa or Dylan here in town at 04333 21734 or go online today and book at www.loughreeboattrips.com
Sean-Nós Dancing
Beginners Sean-Nós dancing classes are starting online via Zoom on Saturday 15th May 11am-12 for 4 weeks in the lead up to Cruinniú na nÓg. Maeve Donnelly and two other dance teachers will deliver the classes online and classes are free and all ages welcome. To register contact Patricia Briody, Ballymahon Library 090 64 32546 or email pbriody@longfordcoco.ie
Death
The area was shocked and saddened when the news broke of the death at the University Hospital, Galway on Tuesday 4th May of Betty Brocklehurst, (Glynn), Lakewood, Ballyleague. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Ethel O’Shea, brother Robert, sisters Patsy, Frances and Trixie. Many years ago, Betty and her family came to work and live amongst us in Lanesboro. A short time later they bought and opened Samantha’s Restaurant that was quickly recognised as excellent restaurant and was very successful for many years. Betty also ran a very successful Bed & Breakfast business. She was a native of Longford Town was a friendly and welcoming lady. She had that wonderful warm welcoming smile and her softly spoken manner endeared her to everyone. Betty was a very creative and artistic lady who found art and beauty in many a thing that the ordinary eye would discard. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother who shared her love equally amongst all her family.
Betty’s remains were removed to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Saturday last for her Funeral Mass before being laid to rest in Ballymacormack Cemetery in her native Longford Town parish. To her husband, Pete, daughters Samantha, Wendy, Louise, Aideen, her brothers Billy, Eddie, Johnny, Ritchie and Sonny, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Searching for Coaches
Rathcline Ladies are looking forward to getting back into training during the coming week. With a growing number of girls/ladies wanting to play there is an urgent need for trainers and coaches required for our U14 and U16 Teams. If you are interest in helping the development of these young footballers, you are asked to contact Declan Fox or Antoinette Kenny.
Death
We were greatly shocked on Friday last when word broke of the death the previous night Thursday 6th May at Mullingar Regional Hospital of Patrick Kenny, Killinure. P as he was more commonly known locally was a man, I knew all my life. I remember his time working with the Kiernan family in their painting business – firstly with Josie Kieran and later with his son Jerry Kiernan. In his earlier years he was a man very fond of music and dancing and could be seen at dance in all the local ballrooms. P was always a friendly man and his warm and genuine manner endeared him to everyone that came to know him. He was a sincere, thoughtful and most obliging of men. He was off a very quiet disposition and he always shunned the limelight in preference to a quiet and unobtrusive lifestyle. The memory of his warmth and smiling face will live forever and his passing tinges the hearts all of us that knew P with a great deal of sadness. However, we will always remember all the laughs and that we shared in those heady days of our youth.
His remains reposed at his sister Geraldine and Pat Green’s home at Elfeet, Newtowncashel, before being removed on Saturday to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro for his Funeral Mass. He was later laid to rest in his family plot in Lanesboro Cemetery. To his sisters Ann, Josephine, Kathleen, Ethna and Geraldine, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
50/50 returns
The Rathcline club’s 50/50 draw marked its return on Monday night 3rd May. The winning ticket was in the name of Mark Kenny, Blenavoher. Tickets are available online https://member.clubspot.app/club/rathcline-gaa/fundraiser/tickets or in any of the local shops that are open and we would encourage your support.
Free Living Well Programme
New dates have been added to the HSE, Free Living Well Programme.
The news dates are 18th May, 20th May, and 26th May
The Living Well Programme is a workshop for adults living with a long-term health condition. The workshop is delivered over six workshops (2.5hrs x6) and is free of charge to those diagnosed with a mental or physical illness.
You will develop self-management skills and confidence to live well with your health condition.
Please book your place by calling: 086 6078950 or email: olga.maguire@mayocil.ie
St. John’s Church Services Returns
Church Services will return to St. John’s Church Lanesboro on Sunday 23rd May – Holy Communion service 11.30am and will continue on Sunday 13th June – Sunday service 11.30am and on Sunday 27th June – Holy Communion service
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library is delighted to announce that the Library will be open again from this Wednesday 12th May.
You can browse and borrow or order your favourite books online and we will let you know when they are ready for you to collect
Photocopying and Scanning services are available
Send us your printing and we will print for you.
Computer and Study facilities are unavailable as per Government guidelines.
The library opening hours are Wednesday 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm; Friday 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Saturday 10am-1pm
Grow it Forward with free seeds from your local library
GIY, in partnership with Healthy Ireland and public libraries will distribute 50,000 free food growing kits as part of a new ‘Grow it Forward’ initiative.
Get your #GrowItForward Seed Kits while stocks last at the Library!!
Contact us if you would like to try growing Carrots, Tomatoes, Peas, Beetroot & Oriental Greens. Included in the kits also are some gift tags so you can share your produce with friends & family throughout the growing process!
Email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie or call 0433321291 to register for a seed kit.
Sean-Nós Dancing
Beginners Sean-Nós dancing classes are starting online via Zoom on Saturday 15th May 11am-12 for 4 weeks in the lead up to Cruinniú na nÓg. Maeve Donnelly and two other dance teachers will deliver the classes online and classes are free and all ages welcome. To register contact Patricia Briody, Ballymahon Library 090 64 32546 or email pbriody@longfordcoco.ie
Ballyboro
The fun coaching sessions for the under 6s are proving to a great success. Once again last weekend the coaches welcomed a great number of excited youngsters who displayed great enthusiasm in their respective pods. The sessions continue on this Sunday at 10pm.
Since training resumed a couple of weeks ago the Astro has been a hive of activity as players relished the chance to practise their skills on its pristine surface. At every age level many new players have registered, and they are all very welcome in the club.
The next few months promise to be very eventful. Special Leagues will commence for all age levels in early June. The fantastic new grass pitch will be ready for use in the near future and preparations are underway for the Official Opening of the Development with some very special guests in attendance.
Thank You
Locally the annual Pieta House Darkness into Light event proved to be a huge success locally with a great number of locals walking the 5k while a large number of the Orcas swimmers took to the water supporting this very worthy cause.
A very big thank you to everyone that took part in the event and also to the huge number that contributed so generously.
Friendly Phone Call Service
This service is organised by Longford Community Resources. If you or someone you know would like to have a friendly chat or if you want information on local services just phone Terri 087 2915367 or email terri@volunteerlongford.ie. Peter is another person that can be contacted for information – just call Peter on 083 3051786.
Coming closer to Car Draw time
The days are running for your opportunity to be in for the chance to win a car in the Killashee GAA draw. Tickets are priced at €50 each or 3 for €130. You can buy your tickets online at hhtp://linktr.ee/Killasheegaa
In a final push for sales members of the club will be out and about our parish over the next coming weeks.
St. Mary’s Church
Trócaire Deadline
The collection of next weekend is the deadline to donate to this year’s Trócaire collection. You can put your donation into an envelope and drop it into the Parochial house.
Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays in the church from 10.30 to 8pm. It is very important that there will be at least two people in the church for each hour. Of the Adoration.
Celebration of Mass
When Mass is celebrated online the first two rows of the church are clearly visible. The new system has now been fully put in place and to avail of Mass online click on Churchtv.ie/Longford/Lanesborough to join in the Mass ceremony in our church.
Weekend Masses
We returned to public worship on Monday 9th May and the following rules and restriction will be in place.
Mass: the maximum number allowed at Mass will be 50.
Holy Communion: will be distributed in the hand only.
Holy Water fonts will remain empty.
Funerals: a maximum of 50 mourners are permitted in the church
Marriages: a maximum of 50 guests are permitted at the marriage ceremony
First Friday and Communion Calls: calls may take place with prior approval of the household.
Confession: the Sacrament may take place in the Church and not in the confessional
Everyone attending the Church are reminded to observe social distancing, and to avail of the hand sanitising stations in the Church.
Weekend Masses
As we return to public Masses, we also return to Masses spilt by townsland and commencing on Saturday evening Mass we welcome those from Aughamore, Aughaloughan, Augharanagh, Barnacor and Blenavoher.
At 9.30am Mass the townslands of Carraroe, Carrowstrawley, Cashelbeg, Church Road, Church View and Clonbonny are invited to attend.
11.30am Mass will see parishioners from Clonfower, Corrigeen, Cullentra, Curraghrua, Cnóc na Gaoithe and Derrygeel attending.
Shrine Candles
You are reminded that the price of the candle shrine candles are 25c. Your usual generosity will be appreciated.
Mass intentions will continue to be booked for weekdays for the present. People wishing to book masses can do so by contacting Fr Sergiy before or after mass during the week in the Sacristy. All that have booked masses are asked to rebook them for weekdays for the foreseeable future.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume on Friday evenings, starting this Friday evening and it will take place between 6pm and 6.45pm.
Parish contacts
Fr. Sergiy Ruchenko can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. Alternatively, you can contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who are assisting Fr. Sergiy during his ministery in the parish.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Young people welcomed.
Last week saw the club register a nice number of new players to the club. We extend a very warm welcome to the young people and their parents and we hope that we can give each and every one of them a wonderful experience with us in the Shannon Gaels Minor Club.
The club is continuing to welcome new players and their parents and if you would like to join with us in the club, I advise you contact Mark at Secretarybng.shannongaels.longford@gaa.ie or call into O’Brien’s Shop for further information.
Congratulations
We would like to congratulate our secretary on winning the 50/50 on Monday night 3rd May on its first draw back in a number of months.
The draw takes place every Monday night and your support will be appreciated.
Current training schedules
The current timetables have just been announced and all players are asked to be in attendance. Wednesday – Under 15/16/17 at 6pm and Under 18’s at 7pm. On Friday Under 15/16/17 at 5.30pm; Under 7 at 6.40pm, Under 9/11/12-13 at 6.30pm (4 groups with half pitch each). At 7.30pm on Friday the Under 18’s train.
Underage lead coaches
The following is the list of lead coaches with each age group. If you need to contact any of them, please contact our secretary Mark 085 1744376 or Secretarybng.shannongaels.longford@gaa.ie or call into O’Brien’s for contact details or phone me (Joe) at 086 2460840.
Under 7 – John Healy and Michelle Kelly; Under 9 – Paul Hession and Vinnie Farrell, Under 11 – Mark Kenny and Duncan Murphy, Under 12’s and 13’s – Stephen Rooney and James Casey, Under 14 and 15 – Sean Farrell and Lee Cullen, Under 16 and 17 – Padraig O’Dowd and Sean Casey, Under 18 Seadna Ryan and Sean Kenny.
Foundation level courses
If you are interested in being involved with us in coaching teams the following should be of interest to you.
There are 2 foundation courses now live which can be completed online and then an in person practical in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park
The online content for both courses closes as follows:
Football ends on May 21st (practical on May 22nd)
Dual ends on May 28th (practical on a Saturday in June TBC)
Sympathy
Padraig O’Brien has been publishing our club notes and reporting on our games in the Longford Leader for a great number of years. His brother Benny compared some of our Search for a Star nights in the parish hall. We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to both of them and the extended O’Brien families on the untimely death of their brother Tom last week.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to our assistant treasurer and county board representative Vinnie Farrell, his family and the Kenny family on the death of his uncle P. Kenny last week.
The club would like to extend its sympathy to Tina and Stephen Dowd and family on the recent death of Tina’s father Sean McNiff.