Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Lotto:
There was no jackpot winner at the most recent Boyle Club Lotto draw which was held in Mattimoes recently. The following were €20 winners; Mary Fallon, Michael O'Dowd, Pat Clarke, Breege Connolly, Trudy Lavin, Maureen McQuaid, Mike (Jnr) Smith, Mary Cox, David Hyde and Tom and Dympna McGarty. The house prize was won by Daithi O'Connor. This week's draw will be held in Creighton's on Saturday night next with Aidan Lavin's team in charge. The jackpot will be €2,300.

U 14s’ Win:
Pride of place must go to the U14s on winning the County Division 1 League title by virtue of an exciting second half performance against old rivals Strokestown in Tulsk on Saturday. This was an excellent team performance and the players and their mentors- Bernie Shannon, Sean Young, Pat Goldrick, Aidan Lavin and Paul Beirne are to be commended on plotting this victory against an opposition to whom they have lost in the championship and Garda Cup previously this year. The panel is comprised of T.Halligan, R.Nerney, P.Nally, J.Regan , B.McQuaid, E.McGrath, L. Brennan, C.Goldrick (Capt), M.Lavin, S.Finan, E.Lavin, R.Finneran, J.Sweeney, D.Mattimoe, P.Goldrick, N.Brennan, J. Cuffe,N.Kearney, D.Boylan, D.King and C.O'Neill. The Club also wishes to thank Gary O'Connor, Contractor and Kevin Mullen, Abbeytown Express for their continued generous support to this team.

U 12s’:
The U12s will meet St Ciaran’s in the knock-out stages of the Division 1 Championship on Sunday next at 12.30 in Fuerty.
U 16s’:
The U16s will play St Dominics in the Division 1 County Semi-Final in Knockcroghery on Sunday next.
McGovern directional Drilling Intermediates:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team will meet Roscommon Gaels in the O'Gara Cup Final on Saturday in Elphin at 5.30pm. Full support is requested as this is their last chance to take home some silverware this season.
Junior Win:
The Feelystone Junior team had a good win over Tulsk in the Junior B Championship on Sunday.
Scor:
Details have been announced of the forthcoming Scór na bPaistí (primary school level) and Scór na nOg (under 18) talent competitions. It is intended that the Club will participate in both of those competitions this year. Events include music, recitation, ballad group, questiontime, novelty act, solo singing and set dancing and figure dancing. Details are available from Martin Dolan at 086 2413529 or from the primary schools in the parish.
Club Sympathy:
The Club extends its sympathy to the Montgomery family, Forest View on the tragic loss of Irene.

Boyle Ladies Club;
The Club congratulates Castlerea St Kevins on its victory over Boyle in the Junioe A County Final which was played in Cstlerea on Saturday last. It was a great game of football which was played in excellent weather conditions and on an excellent surface in Frenchpark but unfortunately it was not to be our day. Thanks to the panel and the management team of Gerard Sheerin, Tom Commons,John Cummins and Teresa Ward for their dedication and committment throughout the season. Thanks also to Fergal for his help and to the large crowd of supporters who travelled to Frnchpark. Thanks to all who decorated the town in Club colours for the occasion. All will take a well deserved break but it is anticipated that they will resume with a 5k run on St Stephens Day!
U 14 Girls:
Boyle U 14s played three games last week. They lost to Roscommon Gaels but they were successful against Ballinameen and Oran. They have no games this week but training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Ladies Junior ‘A’ Final:
Castlerea 1.16 Boyle 1.11.
Castlerea Prove Too Strong
Castlerea proved too strong for a gallant Boyle side in the Final of the County junior ‘A’ Final on a lovely Saturday afternoon in a finely appointed Frenchpark pitch.There is no reason for the Boyle ladies to be too disappointed as they were beaten by a good side who had a number of fine players and a team who had come down from Intermediate this year. I suppose the fact that Boyle had beaten Castlerea earlier this year gave them an expectation that they could repeat the win in this final. Castlerea led by 0.10 to Boyle 1.6 at half time. The Boyle goal came just before half time from a dipping free from Nicole McDermott. Castlerea had a real ace in Rachael Ryan at centre forward who was responsible for so many of their scores. I made her game tally eight points. Boyle did threaten when the play had opened up towards the end of the extended first half but they just did not get the return they might have. Still there were good Boyle points from Brid McGowan after a good run, a very good score from Aishling Dolan and Sinead O’Donohoe added two in quick succession on 24 and 25 minutes. Meanwhile Castlerea were creating chances though missing a number in the first half when they had at least seven wides to a very meagre number for Boyle. With the lift of the goal and a slight wind assistance it was hoped that Boyle would push on but it was not to be. Early in the second half Boyle had a number of chances but did not convert these and it was not until the 11th minute that Danielle Gaffney got their first of the second half from a free. By that time Castlerea had added a number of points with Rachael Ryan responsible for four points and Stacey McGarry adding another. Nicole McDermott got a point for Boyle on 12 minutes after some good interplay but Boyle flagged and it was another ten minutes before Maria Keenehan added point number nine to leave Boyle three points in arrears. Eleanor Kennedy put Castlerea four in front and the same player sealed the game with a goal on 28 minutes shortly after a Caitriona Hanmore shot had come back off the crossbar. This put Castlerea into a seven point lead and despite two late points from Danielle Gaffney and Brid McGowan they were deserving winners. Still while this was disappointing for Boyle and a number of players will feel that they did not play up to their normal level Castlerea were a strong side. The Boyle side cannot be faulted for effort and commitment and they must always recognise that while it is always more enjoyable to win there is a lot of satisfaction and return in participation and involvement. They must continue to build from where they are and remember that they have come a long way in a short time. Credit also to their management for their efforts and the fine support that the team has.
The starting Boyle team was; Saoirse O’ Flaherty, Aoifa O’Connor, Sinead Keenehan, Sarah Keenehan, Aine O’Connor, Sinead Cummins, Suzy Keenehan, Maria Keenehan 0.1, Caitriona Hanmore 0.1, Danielle Gaffney 0.3 frees, Nicole McDermott 1 goal a free 1point (C) Aisling Dolan 0.1, Helena Sheerin, Brid McGowan 0. 2, Sinead O’Donohoe 0.2.