Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Top Corner:
Intermediate team versus Ballinameen Saturday the 9th in Ballinameen at 6.30.

La na gClub Sunday the 10th assemble at the Crescent, in club colours, for Mass Parade from 10.30ish. Anyone with club flags please bring them also. Show where we're at after 125 years.


La na gClub:
Sunday next 10th May is Lá na gClub, a very special day for the Club as it will mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the GAA. Boyle Club has put together a substantial programme of activities, starting with assembly of all Club teams-male and female- in their colours at the Crescent at 10.30 to parade to St Joseph's Church behind the Boyle Marching Band to attend and participate in a special Mass. After Mass all will parade to the Abbey Park where the Centenary Flag will be raised and the Lá na gClub will be officially celebrated. This will be followed by a barbeque, underage football exhibition, long kick and long puck competitions and other novelties. All parishioners, especially those who have had past or present involvement with the Club, parents and supporters are cordially invited to come along. The responsibility is placed on all team managers to ensure that they have full panels of players available for participation for the entire event. This is a once-off event and their full participation is required.

Lotto:
There was no jackpot winner at the last Club Lotto Draw which was held in Dodd’s. The following were the €20 winners;John and Marguerite Nally,Tom Callan, Marian McGovern, Colm Loftus, Joseph ODowd, Pauline Regan, Joan McDermott, Alice Mattimoe, Noel Doherty and Ciaran Sheerin. The house prize was won by Mary Rooney.The next draw will be held in The Moylurg Inn on Saturday night next 9th May with Aidan Lavin's team in charge and the jackpot will be €1,300.

U 14s’:
The Under 14s had a very good win over Roscommon Gaels in the league. Their next game is away to Castlerea on this Thursday at 7pm in O'Rourke Park.

U 16s’:
The Under 16s’ lost to a stronger Michael Glaveys outfit in the champioship semi final at Ballinlough. It was hard to tell a disbelieving activist over the mobile that the half time score was Michael Glavey’s 1.9 Boyle 1.0 (from McPadden). The team did much better in the second half but the vital scores came too late to give a real opportunity of a dramatic comeback. Still the goals from McPadden –a volley- and McLoughlin were fine efforts. There were a few little things here for coaches to watch eg. the provision of balls for the goalkeeper 9since we were chasing the game), a coach close to the keeper to help him direct his kicks especially away from power players on the opposition side etc. These small things sometimes provide the edge and come naturally with experience! However this team has many fine players and they were beaten by a strong and well balanced side. They will have a football break now until the Junior Certificate exams are over.

Minors:
The Think Energy minor team lost to a much stronger Padraig Pearses opposition on Sunday evening in the Abbey Park. This team is struggling with numbers and it was hard to see young McKenna being asked to play after coming from the soccer game in Newbridge. Likewise, they will have no fixtures unter after examinations.

Juniors:
The Feelystone junior team played St Ronans in Ballyfarnon on Monday-result next week.

Intermediates:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team had a 7 point win over Creggs on Sunday in the O'Gara Cup. This was a bit of a struggle against a fairly weak side. Boyle led by 1.4 to 0.5 at half time. A mistake late in the second half narrowed the lead to three points 1.10 to 1.7 and gave Creggs a glimmer but a clever point (fisted!) by substitute Darren O’Connor gave the necessary four point lead. Kyle McLoughlin confirmed the result with a very good goal shortly afterwards. The final score was 2.12 to 1.8 (?). Improvement will be required for their next outing which is a visit to Ballinameen to meet the home side at 6.30pm on Saturday the 9th.

Main Pitch Needs Consideration:
All team managers are asked to note that training and pre-game warm ups are NOT ALLOWED on the main pitch at Abbey Park.All teams must train at the Abbey Park training ground or at the Warren as per the training rota.Only official matches may be played in the Abbey Park and these must be cleared with the pitch co-ordinator. The pitch has had to cope with an enormous work load of games in recent times. Hopefully when the Abbey College pitch comes on stream there will be some relief.

Boyle Celtic U 14s’:
Hard luck to the Boyle Celtic U14s’ who did not achieve their Connacht title dream at the weekend.

Abbey College:
The Abbey Community College second years will play their long awaited Connacht Final against Strokestown in Ballinlough at 1pm on this Wednesday. Support would be greatly appreciated. Well done to the Abbey College juniors who have also qualified for a Connacht Final.

Minor Club Church Gate Collection:
Thanks to all who contributed so generously to the Minor Club annual collection at the weekend.

Ladies Report:

Juniors:
Boyle Junior ladies lost out to a stronger Ballinameen team last week, they
now have a break from games due to the County League Final.

U 12 'Lions':
Boyle U12 Lions had a good win over Strokestown and now play Roscommon Gaels
in Boyle this Wednesday 6 May at 6.30pm (this game was re-scheduled due to
La na gClub)

U 12 'Cubs':
Boyle U12 Cubs play Shannon Gaels away on Wednesday 6 May at 7.00pm

U 14 Girls:
U14 Girls are training every Tuesday and Friday.

All member of Boyle Ladies GAA are expected to participate in the La na
gClub day in Boyle this Sunday 10 May 2009. All Managers, teams of U10/U12,
U14 and Junior Ladies meet on Crescent for parade at 10.30pm to St Joseph's
Church for 11.30pm mass and then parade to Abbey Park for a fun-filled
afternoon activities.
That's it!