Monday, March 30, 2009

Top Corner;
I’ve given up…trying to ask people to distinguish between rubbish and recycling bins.

The Club Season Really Begins:
The McGovern Directional Drilling intermediate team resume their O'Gara Cup campaign with a visit to Croghan to play Shannon Gaels.The game is fixed for Sunday next April 5th at 2.30pm-see fixtures for confirmation. This is really, in my view, the start of the Club season at Intermediate level. We had a win Against St. Brigid’s Seconds and against a very weakened Ml. Glavey's but played poorly against St.Dominick’s. Shannon Gaels and Boyle are always keen tussles so this game should tell us a bit of where we are at. The team played Drumkeeran in the Park on Saturday evening. One player who impressed me there was Cian Beirne.

U 14s’:
The Under 14s’ play Padraig Pearses in the County Feile competition on this Wednesday evening at 7pm in the Abbey Park. From what I hear the U 14s’have a good side this year. We have never qualified to represent Roscommon in the Feile so maybe this year. Where is Feile this year?

U 16s’:
The Under 16s’ defeated Padraig Pearses at the weekend, despite almost conceding a substantial half-time lead.

Minors:
Our minors suffered another defeat on Sunday-this time to Clan na Gael. I am told it was a very good game in which the difference was a very good player –Shine- for Clann. The minors are restricted with a very small panel but they are still a good side and you never know in the K0 atmosphere of the championship what would happen. They have no game this weekend.

Dangerous Vandalism at the Park:
The Club wishes to express its concern re the wanton act of vandalism to the electricity meter and fittings in the Abbey Park. The culprits should count themselves lucky that they didn't suffer serious consequences as 220 volts of electricity pass through that system. The matter has been referred to the Gardai.

Best Wishes to Abbey Team:
Best wishes are extended to Abbey College second years who will play Castlerea in the Connacht semi-final on this Tuesday in Tulsk.

Congratulations:
Congratulations are extended to Club players Cian Smith and Kyle McLoughlin who both celebrated their twenty first birthdays at the weekend and to former player Enda Commons who celebrated a significant birthday.

Roscommon:
Roscommon were pretty poor against Cavan though I thought Seanie Purcell really pushed himself with his energetic display.Their last League game is against Down on Easter Sunday in Roscommon. I am not sure if they are safe from the danger of relegation but there are big challenges ahead for the team in the Championship.
Go raibh maith agat,

Monday, March 23, 2009



Lotto Goes Again:
Lotto ticket purchasers should note that there is a statistically better chance of winning a lotto jackpot in the Boyle GAA Club than anywhere else, as the Club jackpot has been won for the fifth time in the past twelve months. The most recent lucky winner was Mary O'Connor from Knock, Milltown, Tuam, who picked up €1,300 at the draw which was held in Creighton’s recently. She bought her ticket while watching her grandson play for Mayo against Roscommon in a recent Connacht Minor League game in Abbey Park. The following were also €20 winners; Eddie Egan, Joe and Mary Sweeney, David O'Connor, John and Majella Flynn, Martin Dolan, Hal Cawley, Lorcan Egan, Martina Roddy, Christy Wynne and Kevin O'Connor. The house prize was won by Teresa Handel. This week’s draw will be held on Saturday night in Daly's and Team C will be in charge.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
The Club took second prize for its entry in the recent St Patrick's Day Parade. Thanks to Jan who initiated the idea. Indeed it would have looked bad if we did not have an entry especially in this the 125th Anniversary of the Association. It was a pity that the three County representatives were unavailable as it was a significant public relations opportunity. Also there was a reticence of some people who were asked by Jan to get involved, which was a pity. In the heel of the reel it was a very good effort, well received and we should have a regular entry like the Angling Club. Thanks again to all who participated and to Clifford Haulage for provision of their lorry and to John Finneran for use of his shed for preparations. Thanks also to Mary Beirne and McDonag’s shop for allowing their windows for the GAA display over the week.

Puncherstown Race Day:
Those interested in particpating in the County Board Race Day at Punchestown are reminded that 4 places are still available and details may be had from Club Secretary, Kathleen Hanmore.

Juniors Win in Tulsk:
On the playing fields the Feelystone Junior team had a good win over Tulsk in Tulsk on Saturday.The management team of David O’Connor, Paul Beirne, Dessie McLoughlin and Bernie Shannon were satisfied with the overall display in which Ciaran Beirne was outstanding in goal and there were excellent displays from John Healy, Peter Lavin, David Callaghan, Michael O'Donnell and Darren O'Connor.

Minors Go Down to St. Ciaran’s:
An under-strength minor team went down to St Ciaran’s in Fuerty. They will meet Clan na Gael on Sunday evening next at 5 p.m. in the Abbey Park, when it is hoped that they will get back on winning ways.

U 16s’:
Our Under 16s' resume their league campaign on Sunday next at 12 noon when they entertain Padraig Pearses.

U 14s’:
The Under 14s’ open their season on Wednesday April 1st with a Feile game versus Padraig Pearses in the Abbey Park at 7pm.

Aidan Ray Menswear:
Club members are reminded that club hoodies are available from Aidan Ray Menswear, Patrick Street.

Coffee in the Park:
Rory Nevin and his coffee plus service is expected to become a regular provider of refreshment at the Abbey Park so I wish him well.

Tenders for Dressing Rooms:
Contractors should also note that completed tenders for construction of the Club dressingrooms should be with Christopher O'Dowd, Architect by this Friday 27th March.

Boyle Ladies Club;
Boyle ladies were unsuccessful in their first game of the season when they lost out to a stronger Michael Glaveys selection in the Abbey Park on Sunday. Their next game is away to Strokestown on 10th April-more details nearer to date.
U10/U12 training continues every Monday and Friday from 6 to 7pm. U14 training commences this Friday 27th March from 6 to 7pm at the Warren training pitch. New members are welcome.

Monday, March 16, 2009


Top Corner:
We wish all Boyle GAA followers at home but especially abroad a happy St. Patrick’s Day. We are thinking especially of the Australian constituency of Roch Hanmore, Cillian Conboy, Cillian Egan, Seamie Gallagher, Mark O’Donohoe, Niall Greenan, Robbie Molloy, Miss Flaherty. Also Austin Beisty in New York who tunes in here and Paddy Conlon in the posh city of Wolkingham! My apologies to names I should have added here. As Matt Burke says;”Have a good one”.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig do gach Gael í Mainistir na Buille agus ar fud an domhain.
St. Patrick’s Week;
Hopefully there will be a big turn-out for the parade on Tuesday and that the Club entry will be ok as befits Jan’s efforts. Thanks to Mary Beirne of McDonagh’s Shop for her co-operation in allowing the windows for the GAA window display.
Bins:
Would people using the bins in the park try harder in distinguishing between ‘recyclable’ and ‘rubbish’ material. It is not happening to the extent that a ‘recyclable’ bin can be rightly put our as such at the moment.

Thank:
The Club wishes to thank all who helped in any way to achieve the successful hosting of the Connacht Minor League games in the Abbey Park on the last two Saturdays. The Club wishes to thank all involved in the preparation of the float for St Patrick's Day parade and the decorating of McDonagh's window with GAA memorabilia-special thanks is due to Jan and Tony.
Minors v St. Ciaran’s:
Our minor team is scheduled to play St Ciaran’s, in Fuerty, on Sunday next the 22nd in the Division 1 minor league has been postponed to the 29th in Boyle at 5 p.m.
Junior’s first Outing:
The Feelystone junior team is scheduled to start their Division 4 league campaign versus Tulsk this weekend-see fixtures for details. The manager is David O’Connor.
Abbey College:
Congratulations to Abbey College second year footballers who had a good win over Glenamaddy in Tulsk last week.They will meet Castlerea in the Connacht semi final, possibly on 31st March. (We also congratulate Boyle Celtic U14s who have qualified for the Connacht Cup final versus Corofin following a 2 nil win over Westport on Saturday). Both of those teams are substantially the same.
Big County U 21 Connacht C’Ship Game:
Well done, again, to the Roscommon senior team and all players and managers associated with Boyle Club who were involved. Next up is Tipperary on Sunday and looking at results they are going to be a difficult team as well. There is also a very important U 21 Connacht C’Ship match against Mayo. Is that on Saturday the 21st? We will see then if the minors of ’06 can follow through at under 21 level. From their challenge game record they are going well but did Cork U 21s’ dump Kerry over the week-end?
Training to the Warren Pitch:
The Club advises ALL teams and managers that ALL teams must use the Warren training pitch for training during daylight hours until further notice and when the time changes it will have to be used exclusively for training. This will remain the position until the Abbey Park training pitch recovers following extensive use in recent months.Team managers are also advised to take notice that if challenge matches are being arranged, they should inform their respective club secretary-senior secretary or minor secretary- so that the County Board can be informed for clearance and insurance purposes. Furthermore, they should inform the pitch co-ordinator at least a week in advance so as to avoid duplication of pitch usage.
Missing Cup ..again.
We have issued a request for the recovery of a cup which T.C. is nearly sure he loaned to a winning team and which has not been returned. He would appreciate if the holder would make contact with him. It should be visible enough in a home. Basically, this is a last ditch call.
Tenders for Development:
Contractors are reminded that the closing date for return of completed tenders for the construction of new club dressingrooms is Friday 27th March.
Sin e, slan is beannacht.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Top Corner:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
The Club will be participating in the forthcoming St Patrick's Day parade and preparations are ongoing. Jan Flanagan is the architect but anyone with ideas or who would be willing to help should contact her. So we are asking all club members to be aware and join in if possible. We may also be doing up a window display for the occasion. Original material for that would be welcome.

Missing Cup:
I’ve mentioned this before but I am missing a good GAA cup with drop handles with a twist feature. Naturally I’d like if someone had some information on same. I feel I loaned it after a ’shield’ win by some under-age team.

Lotto:
There was no jackpot winner at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in the Crannog. The numbers drawn were 9/18/22/27. The following were €20 winners; Fiona and Terry Mattimoe, Kay Baxter, Bernie and Maurice Mullins, Trevor Conroy, Deirdre O'Connor, Peter Perry Senior, Enda Commons, Enda Regan, Joe McDermott and Bernie Murphy. The house prize was won by Pat Kennedy.This week’s draw will be held in Creighton’s with Michael Gilmartin's team in charge. The jackpot will be €1,300.

O Gara Cup:
Our depleted McGovern Directional Drilling team was defeated by one point by St Dominic’s on Saturday in a cold, wet and windy Knockcroghery. As they used to say in Galway about performances like this; ‘we were vera bad’. Since the role of Martin and I is that of a P.R. department it might be as well not to dwell too long on this game. I imagine that the players themselves know how they played and most of them will want to forget it. The extenuating circumstances were the conditions. At half-time St. Dominick’s led by 0.5 to 0.1 or was it 2 with Boyle playing against a strong wind. There was a mixture of hope/expectation that, with the wind in the second half, Boyle would improve but it took 18 minutes for Boyle to add to their score in as St. Dominick’s added a few points and looked in control. A late surge by Boyle almost snatched a draw with a Conroy goal but the final score ended St. Dominick’s 0.8 Boyle 1.4. Apart from good displays by the full back line of Cian Beirne, Conor Boylan and Barney Supple the goalkeeper McGarty, Ciaran Cox at midfield and Conroy at times in the forwards the remaining players will know they were well below par. They have a break until early April for their next scheduled game which will be a trip to Croghan to take on Shannon Gaels.
The team: McGarty, Beirne, Boylan, Supple, Finn, Lyons, Gilmartin, Cox, O’Connor, McLoughlin, Conroy, O’Donohoe, Smith, Conboy, Simon with O’Connor and Callaghan.

Minors, a Good Win:
Our minors started their Division 1 league with a good two point win over Roscommon Gaels on a cold, wet and windy (again) Sunday morning in Lisnamult. There were two fine goals in this game. Donal Smith was responsible for the first (like one he scored for the U 16s’ a week ago). The second was a match-winning one towards the end when Mark O’Connor showed a deft touch by flicking the ball past the Gaels keeper after an excellent build up. This was a very good performance against a strong side, last year’s champions. They can now face any team with a measure of confidence and while all the results may not go their way they should be in the shake up at the ‘business end’ of things. They are scheduled to host Clan na Gael in the Abbey Park on Sunday next at 12 noon-see fixtures for confirmation. This is a game to look forward to.
The team: C. Beirne, M. Hanmore, T. Lowe, T. Tymon, B. McLoughlin, C. Cox, G. Kelly, C. Griffin, C. Lavin, D. Smith, C. O’Neill, C. Goldrick, C. Rushe, M. O’Connor, S. O’Toole and T. McKenna.

Roscommon Quarry Out a Win:
Well done to our representatives on the county team which had a hard fought win over Longford on Sunday (in cold, wet and windy conditions!), and congratulations to Sean Purcell on scoring the only goal of the game. Good luck against Louth on Sunday next.

Mayo v Roscommon Minors at Boyle:
Boyle hosted a Connacht Minor League game on Saturday last when Roscommon lost out to Mayo. Gary Wynne and his boys will be back in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening next when they take on Leitrim in the second round of this competition -see fixtures for starting time. All stewards are asked to be in the grounds one hour and fifteen minutes before throw in.

All-Ireland Club Final Tickets:
It is expected that the Club will be getting 4 All Ireland Club Final tickets. Those interested in having their names included for consideration should contact Club Secretary, Kathleen Hanmore at 086 1229421 before 8pm on this Friday 13th March. Crossmaglenn v Kilmacud Crokes and Portumna versus the John Mullane captained Waterford Champions make up an attractive double bill.

GAA Wear:
Aidan Ray Menswear, Patrick Street, Boyle has offered to stock Boyle Club socks and togs and they will be in a position to stock club hoodies and jackets if there is sufficient demand.Those wishing to purchase such items should contact the premises. It is good that a local shop, with such a GAA record, is going to stock GAA gear and mean that people do not have to leave town to acquire same. The Club is anxious that members and supporters would shop local for all such items.

Tenders Sought for Dressing Rooms:
The Club is in the process of seeking tenders from contractors for the construction of new dressing rooms in the Abbey Park. Tender documents can be obtained from Christopher O'Dowd, Architect, Bridge Street, Boyle from this Wednesday and they must be returned to him not later than 5pm on Friday 27th March.


Boyle Ladies Club;
Boyle Junior Ladies start their season with a league game versus Michael Glaveys on St Patrick's Day in Ballinlough at 12 noon.Your support will be appreciated.Training for U12s and U14s continues on each Monday and Friday evenings from 6pm to 7pm in the Abbey Park training pitch. It's great to see the return of our existing members and the influx of new players.Those wishing to register should come along to any of the training sessions and be accompanied by a parent or guardian.Registration fee is €25.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Top Corner:
Training and Pitch Usage:

I am told that the training pitch continues to deteriorate due to over -usage on a grand scale. Managers will just have to use the training ground opposite Kevin Mullen's shop.
Gum shields!
I'd like to get a loan of a copy of the Ireland versus England rugby match at Croke Park in 2007. Could anyone oblige?

O'Gara Cup:
Boyle will play their third O'Gara Cup game of the season on Saturday next when they travel to Knockcroghery to meet the home team St Dominics-see fixtures for details. St. Dominick's are always a tough team especially at home.

County Minor Games in Abbey Park:
Abbey Park is the venue for the Connacht Minor League game on Saturday at 4.30pm between Roscommon and Mayo.Football supporters are asked to come along and supprt the young Rossies under the managership of our own Gary Wynne and assisted by Joe Sweeney. Club members will be required to assist as stewards and they are asked to assemble at the Park at 3pm. Abbey Park will host a second Connacht Minor League game on Saturday 14th when Leitrim will be in town.

U 16s':
The U16s had a good win over Roscommon Gaels in the Division 1 County League on Saturday last. At half time the sides were level with a great goal by Donal Smith for Boyle. This was an excellent performance by a very good side. There are so many good players on this side that it may be unfair to nominate one but the performance of Donal Smith, despite the ragged attention of the opposition, was outstanding.
Something I noticed, on a cold wet afternoon, was the lack of proper clothing by substitutes such as track suits and wet covering.

The Minors:
The minors will commence their league campaign with an away game to Roscommon Gaels on Sunday-see fixtures.

U 14s':
The U14s start training on Thursday evening at 7pm in the Abbey Park training pitch. Mary Clifford will be on hand to collect all outstanding registration fees.

Scor:
The Club made a token return to Senior Scór at the weekend.It is hoped that there will be a more concentrated effort next year to participate in the full range of activities.

Good Luck:
Good luck to our panelists on the Roscommon team in next Sunday's match against Longford.

Congratulations:
Congratulations are extended to our club members and connections who rubbed shoulders with the stars of the film world last weekend at the premiere of the film "The Spirit of Kells". One of the main people behind the film is Boyle animator, Paul Young, son of Club stalwart Sean and his wife Anne who with another Boyle GAA person are featured in the film credits!

Minor Club
The GAA is offering scholarships to the Gaeltacht. All players, between the ages of 14 and 18, who wish to be considered for this great educational offer should contact Jan Flanagan at 071 9662733.

St. Patrick's Day Parade:
Jan also wishes to hear from those who would be interested in helping with the preparation of a float for the forthcoming St Patrick's Day Parade. The Club wishes to make a special effort to mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the GAA in Co Roscommon.