Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Lottery Winners
Saturday night proved to be a very exciting night in the area when the news broke at 11pm the one of the winners of the National Lottery draw had bought their ticket in O’Brien’s Corner Shop. Word spread rapidly throughout the area and many names were linked with the win of almost €1.3 million. Sunday morning the excitement increased as everyone waited to see if the lucky winner was a local or someone passing through. Early in the morning a man checked his ticket only to be told that he was to contact the National Lottery and me thinking that this was the winner began to check his numbers to discover that he was the only person in the country that had 5numbers and the bonus. He was very excited to learn that he was the winner of €25,000 and made his merry way back to his home.
Later in the morning the Hand family, arrived to check their tickets and low and behold they were the winners of the €1.3m. The unbridled excitement had to be seen to be believed as they danced on the shop floor and where well-wishers extended their congratulations the very lucky family. There could not be a nicer family to be in receipt of such luck and we would like to wish them every health and happiness with their great win.
Death
The entire communities of Kilgefin and Rathcline were saddened to learn of the death on Tuesday last 9th April at Galway Clinic of Paul Enright, Cloontuskert. Paul was ill for a time and everyone that knew Paul knew exactly how he battled his illness with a serious resolve and will to live. Paul was predeceased by his father Mick a number of years back and only 8 weeks previous by his partner Bríd Dunne. Paul had a career in the army where he trained and had a successful career as a chef. He was a member of the 4th Cavalry Squadron based in Longford. Following his retirement from the army he continued his chef profession in many restaurants where he built up a great name. Paul was a man who loved his club St. Faithleach’s from the very start of his playing right through to recent times where he was a mentor with club teams. He was also an avid follower of the Roscommon county team and travelled the country wide to follow them. In his earlier years he was an excellent athlete with Lough Ree AC winning an All-Ireland silver medal. Paul was always known for his forthrightness and fair play. He was a marvelous and loyal friend who never let you down. He was supportive at all times and his generous heart ensured that everyone was help and cared for in every way. His passing will leave a great void in our hearts and minds but his memory will always bring a smile. The attendance at the reposing of his remains at the home of his sister in Cloontuskert on Thursday and again at the removal of his remains to the Church of the Holy Rosary Ballyleague was ample testimony to the esteem in which Paul was held. His remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert cemetery following Requiem Mass. To his mother Pauline, sister Mary Margaret, brother Denis, brother in law Padraig Hoare, sister in law, Pauline, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Leinster Towns Rugby Final
If you are following the fortunes of Longford Ruby club this year you will know that they are playing in the Towns Cup Final in Edenderry on Sunday next. This is a major achievement for the Longford club. Not since their reformation back in the mid-sixties have they reached this stage of the competition despite having some excellent teams. The Towns Cup in rugby is similar to the All-Ireland final and this makes the appearance in the final by Longford as an outstanding achievement. Longford will take on Tullamore in Edenderry on Sunday at 3.30. Down through the years there has always been a local involvement in Longford rugby and this year is no different. Local Ballyleague man Damian Curley, is team manager of the Longford side and over the past numbers of years Damian has worked tremendously hard with teams in the club. We congratulate him on his fine achievement and wish himself, the other team management and the players the very best of luck on Sunday.
Damian’s work has not gone unnoticed as he was recently appointed to the management team of Leinster Junior rugby team for the interprovincial series.
Lanesboro/Ballyleague Badminton
Commiserations to our Grade 6 Men who narrowly lost out to Drumlish in the Midlands Men’s League Final held recently. On the team were Noel Moran, Charlie Mc Conway, Owen Casey and Mark Bermingham. Our Grade 5 Ladies play their final in Mullingar next Wednesday April 17th at 8.15pm. Lastly, Our Mixed Grade 5 team meet Simonstown Co. Meath in the Leinster Inter-League Quarter Finals. This game will be held on Friday, April 19th in Kenagh Sports Complex at 8.30pm. All Support is greatly appreciated! A busy week ahead for the club, Best of Luck to all involved!
Pre Marriage Courses
Are you planning to get married in 2013? If so there as courses being arranged by ACCORD on Monday 13th and Thursday 16th May and again on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June. For bookings and further information you are advised to contact ACCORD at 043-33 47222 or book online at www.accord.ie
Church Gate Collection
At all masses next weekend at St. Mary’s Church the annual collection for the blind will take place. You are asked to once again extend you usual generosity to this very worthwhile cause.
Coffee Morning
Costello’s Nursing Home in Ballyleague is holding a Coffee Morning in their Nursing Home on Friday 26th April from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The coffee morning is in support of Alzheimer Association. You are all invited tio go along on the day and support an excellent cause.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
Lough Ree Golfing Society’s first outing of the new golfing season will take place in Strokestown Golf Club on Saturday week 27th April. The first tee is from 11.00am. All intending players are asked to assemble at 10.30.
Have you signed up yet?
The course for defibrillator training will commence at the end of April of first week in May. There is a great need for new people to be trained in the use of the defibrillator and also those that need to be up skilled. To be skilled in the use the defibrillator when there is a need for it can mean the difference of life and death for someone. It is very vital for all associations, not just sporting ones, to have a minimum of two people competent in the use of the defibrillator.
A new training course for beginners and a recertification course will take place in Lanesboro very soon. If you need to be recertified or want to do the course can you please leave your name into O’Brien’s immediately. Call in or phone Martina at 043-3321107.
Death
It was with great regret and sadness we learned of the death on Friday 5th April at the Regional Hospital, Mullingar of John Moran, Carraroe. Jack as he was most commonly known had suffered ill health for a number of years in acceptance and dignity. He was a man from one of the oldest and most respected families in the parish. Jack had a tremendous interest in all things local and indeed was a great supporter of all parish events. Jack worked with Bord na Mona and until his ill health he successfully farmed his land with a great diligence and care. He was a great neighbour and he was an integral part of the parish and farming community. His passing will leave a great void as we all remember his warmth and warmness. His remains reposed at his residence on Sunday and he was then removed to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro. Following the Mass of the Resurrection on Monday last his remains were laid to rest in Cashel cemetery. To his wife Breda, son Patrick, daughters Johann and Elaine, sisters sr. Evelyn and Margaret Kilroy, brothers Fr. Pat and Phonsie, relatives and many friends we would like to extend our deepest sympathy.
Lanesboro Branch Fine Gael AGM
The AGM of Lanesboro Fine Gael was held on Friday last. The meeting was well attended and lively debate took place.
Committee elected: Chairperson Gerard Farrell, Vice Chair Albert Cooney, Secretary Deirdre O’ Dowd, Treasurer Adie Farrell, Vice Treasurer Pat Brennan, PRO Louis Skelly.
James Bannon TD and Councillor Paddy Belton attended with Nicky Mc Fadden TD sending her apologies. The development of the new fire station was welcomed, everyone agreeing on the boost it will give to our area. It was agreed at the meeting that following the completion of the development of the new Fire Station in Lanesboro the old station should be gifted to the community. Appreciation was paid to the hard work of Adie Farrell on this project.
Funding for development of the Community College has been granted and this is at an advanced stage of planning.
Furthermore the investment on the N63 Lanesboro to Longford road and the improvement of the road was favourably discussed.
WHI Talk
Local man Jimmy Casey will give a talk continuing the series of talks for the Wetlands Heritage Ireland community group.
The talk will be based on the book “Lough Ree and its Islands”, published by Three Counties Press in 2006. We will hear about the islands and foreshore of Lough Ree with all the history and stories of its people who lived in this beautiful environment from earliest times up to the present day. It promises to be a wonderful evening and you are invited to go along and enjoy a great evening on Thursday 25th April at 8pm in Cooney Hotel Ballymahon.
Shannon Gaels
Sympathy – the club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Breda, Patrick, Johann and Elaine Moran on the death of Jack Moran, to Barry, Allison, Sarah and Mark Clarke on the death of their mother Peg Clarke and also to Pauline Enright, her daughter Mary Margaret and son Denis on the death of Paul Enright.
Well done to our under 14 team began their league with a win over Mostrim and also to our under 16 team that had a win over Killoe Óg in their first game of the league. The U14 team will play Drumlish this Tuesday and the U16 team will take on Colmcille in Grattan’s on Thursday.
Good luck to Shane Kenny and Owen Sorohan and their county minor team mates who play the first round of the Leinster Minor Championship in Portlaoise this Wednesday.
The club would like to say a very special thank you to Michael Gill; Rathcline Road who obtained 2 ruby balls autographed by the Irish Rugby team and presented them to the club. They will be raffled for in the near future.
Training for under 8, 10 and 12 players will commence soon and every player must have paid membership to be allowed train.
Lough Ree AC
The club organised a very successful sports day for Primary Schools in the area on Wednesday last. The club was blessed with a fine day, so an enjoyable day was had by all. Six schools participated: Lanesboro, Fermoyle, Newtowncashe, Ballyleague, Cloontuskert and Ballagh – any more would have made it difficult to manage the numbers. As it was to cater for 50/60 entrants int eh 3rd/4th class Ball Throw put officials to the pin of of their collar to cope – that was only one event. For that reason the club is extremely grateful to the teachers who travelled with the children, parents and the club officials and last but not least some students from lanesboro community College who were made available on the day. A big thank you to all!
Large numbers assured plenty of good competition and that was what was what happened. Previous medal winners were beaten by unknowns. In football, you hear of theman of the match but the club has the class act and it came in the form of John Phelim O’Reilly, Cloontuskert 3rd/4th class. John P won the sprint, 400m, Ball Throw, Long Jump – all the individual events open to him. He then helped the Abbey school defeat Fermoyle in the 3rd/4th class relay – one of the many great duels between the two schools.
It was pleasing to see a bistribution of medals – John P and sarah Hoare prominent for the abbey, John Cullen and Gillian Banahan for neighbouring Ballagh, with Ballyleague checking in with Marie Kelly and Eanna Donohue. Across the river fermoyle dominated with Richard Prior and Aoife Nolan having doubles. Newtowncashel stars were Maeve Derwin and Alanna Flood, whi,e sisters patrycia and Victoria jedrych kept the Lanesboro primary school in the picture with wins. The full results will soon be published.
Like the rest of the community the club were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul Enright. Paul was an outstanding athlete in his younger days. Fabian remembers vividly the day he won an All ireland silver medal for his 2nd place finish in the u12 800m – possibly because it was the first individual medal to come the way of the emerging Lough Ree club. The club extends its deepest symapthy to his family. May he rest in peace.
Rathcline GAA
Club Rathcline Lotto Draw – The Jackpot total of €300 was not won this weekend with numbers drawn as follows: 1, 15, 20, 27, 41, and 42. Congratulations to our four €25 winners this week as follows: (1) Joseph & Martha Farrell – The Yacht Bar (2) Peter Mullooly & Mags Gillen, Lanesboro; (3) Frank & Mairéad Nally – Athlone Rd., Roscommon (4) Tom Greene – Rathcline. Next week’s Jackpot will €400.
Senior League – Commiserations to our senior team who were narrowly defeated by Slashers in the first round of the Senior League on Sunday 14th April. Pardon the cliché, but the game was most definitely a game of two halves with the wind being a major factor for both sets of teams. The first half was controlled by Slashers as they raced into 1-08 to 0-02 lead at half time. Great credit must be given to the Rathcline lads in the second half for eating into the lead with goals from James Hanley and Patrick Mullooly. Fantastic scores from Liam Connerton, Derek Casserley pulled the deficit back to two points. With Rathcline in the ascendancy for the whole of the second half, time ran out for our lads on what could been a fantastic start to the league campaign. Final Score: Rathcline 2-06, Slashers 1-11. There were many positives to be taken from the performance against the County finalists and there is a lot to be optimistic for the rest of the league campaign. Round 2 takes place next Saturday 20th April at 5:15pm in Clonbonny when the team host Carrickedmond for the first senior home game of the year. Please come out and support the team on the day.
Sympathies – Rathcline GAA would like to extend sympathies to the Moran Family Carraroe on the passing of Jack last weekend. To the Donoghue family, Lehery on the passing of Anne on Sunday 31st March and finally to the Clarke Family Lanesboro on the passing of Peg on Wednesday last 3rd April.
Punchestown 2013 – There is only one more week to the 11th Annual Longford GAA Race Day at Punchestown on ‘Gold Cup Day’ Wednesday 24th April. Rathcline GAA has always held the best Club representation at the event and this year we are looking to repeat this feat especially with club man Brendan Gilmore holding the chairman’s position in the County Board. The subsidised ticket price of €100 includes the following: Location at the final Fence, four course meal, hot afternoon refreshments, admission to the races, race card, celebrity tipsters, bar facilities and bookies in the pavilion; all of which represents fantastic value for money. With less than a month to the big day, interested personnel need to book their seats as early as possible to be a part of the Rathcline GAA contingent. €20 Deposits can be given to: Liam Connerton (086) 8776450, Albert Cooney (086) 8118580 & Chris Cullen (087) 2500120.
Shannon Gaels/Western Gaels – Congratulations to our Western Gaels teams who had brilliant fortunes in both the U14 and U16 league campaigns last week. Our Under 14 team had a comprehensive victory over Wolfe Tones Óg on Tuesday evening last in Clonbonny with a final score: Western Gaels 5-14, Wolfe Tones 2-04.
The team play Rd.2 on Tuesday evening coming 16th April with an away match to St. Vincent’s in Monaduff at 7pm. Rd 3 will take place the following week 23rd April with a home match vs. Granard/Ballymore.
Our U16 started the league campaign (Division 1) on Thursday evening last with home match to Killoe Óg. The team played extraordinary well to achieve a well-deserved win over last year’s reigning champions. Final Score: Western Gaels 7-07, Killoe Óg 4-06. Round 2 for the Juvenile team takes place this coming Thursday evening 18th April with a home match to St. Colmcilles in Dunbeggan at 7pm. Well done to all concerned.
Training for U6, U8, U10 and U12 will commence shortly in Clonbonny. The Shannon Gaels Executive would like to remind parents that membership is due for all players in each age group. It is important that such fees are paid before this training commences in the club.
Croagh Patrick Sponsorship Walk 2013 – This year’s event has been scheduled for Saturday 11th May. Sponsorship cards are readily available from our financial committee members or indeed any executive member. We are looking for a big uptake from the parish and to make it a weekend to remember. This event is more than just a fundraiser for the club but a social outing for our members, friends and parishioners with a night out in Westport town. Based on previous year’s outings to Croagh Patrick, the club has experienced an enjoyable and rewarding day out with lots of crack in the process.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Paul Enright RIP: This week the loss of a great servant suffered. Paul, not only a St. Faithleachs GAA club member but a great friend to everyone in the club and community. He was a loyal member and took pride in St. Faithleachs GAA Club. In his early years Paul played and all levels and his playing career emulated in 1992 when he was on the team that captured the Intermediate Championship and League double. When his playing days finished Paul didn’t shy away and was involved with a number of our underage teams. Well known for his cooking and bar skills, Paul along with his late partner, Brid Dunne, took charge of St. Faithleachs GAA Clubhouse. We would like to express our sympathies to Paul’s mother, Pauline, his brother, Dennis, his sister, Mary Margaret and extended Enright Family, to the Dunne family, to colleagues in Ex 4 Cav Sqn, to neighbours and friends. Paul’s passing has left a large void in our lives but the memories of his short time with us, has put a smile on all our faces. ‘Ar Dheis de go raibh a Anam’
Senior League – O’Rourke Cup: Our Seniors had a win at home to Tulsk on Sunday last. A minutes silence was observed before this game as a mark of respect to Paul Enright (RIP). Final Score – St. Faithleachs 4-8 Tulsk 0-7. Team: S. Connor, D. McCormack, A. McCormack, C. Gunn, D. Murray, B. Murtagh(0-1), P. Wallace, S. O’Grady(0-1), M. Reynolds(1-1), K. Farrell, H. Kenny, C. Gannon, C. Murtagh(1-3), D. Rooney, D. Murtagh(1-2). Subs: E. Kenny (1-0), R. Cox, J. Quigley, D. Thompson, J. Walsh. Next weekend our seniors play against St. Croan’s in Ballintubber. See fixtures for details.
Junior Ladies: Our Junior Ladies had a win at home to Four Roads on Sunday last. Leading by 4pts at half-time, against the wind, the ladies gained total control in the 2nd half & executed the game with a comfortable win. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 6-10 Four Roads 2-06. Well done to all Players on the Panel, along with their Management, who have now qualified for the League Final. Team: C. Kenny, C. Brennan, A. Ormsby , C. Cleary, J. Melia, Q. Cox, R. Costello, A Mc Loone(0-3), J. Geoghegan, E. Kenny, L. Mc Loone(0-2), K. Murphy(1-4), M. Corcoran(2-1), A. Lannon(3-0), A. Nerney. Subs: M. Farrell, M. Malone, N. Carty, T. Nerney, P. McCormack. Best of luck to Amanda Mc Loone and the Roscommon ladies team in the NFL semi-final against Limerick this coming weekend.
U16 Championship: Our U16 boys play their 1st Championship game at home against Michael Glaveys this coming Thursday evening at 7.00pm.
U14 Boys – Féile: Our U14 boys were defeated in the replay match against Padraig Pearses on Saturday last.
U14 Girls – Féile: Our U14 Girls had a win over St. Barry’s in the 1st Round of Féile on Monday last. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 4-05 St. Barry’s 2-0. Team: D. McCaffrey, K. Browne, N. Hegarty, C. Curley, L. Cox, S. Hoare, A. Curley, S. Scally(0-1), M. Kelly, J. Banahan(0-2), N. Parker(1-1), E. Collier, K. Byrne, E. Irwin(2-1), L. Farrell. Subs: I. Farrell, L. Fahy, J. Brennan (1-0), C. Kelly. Next round against Boyle this Monday at 6.45pm in Boyle.
U12 Girls: Our U12 Girls play against St. Dominic’s on Sunday next at 6.00pm in Ballyleague.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse, 9.00pm. All welcome.
Sympathy: The Club extends deepest sympathy to Phonsie & Peggy Moran & Family on the death of Jack Moran. The Club extends deepest sympathy to the Clarke Family on the death of Margaret (Peg) Clarke.