Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Mon. 7.30 pm
Lotto:
The following were winners of €20 each at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in the Moylurg Inn; Martin Purcell, Tom McGarty, Karl Keenan, Geno and Catherine Mattimoe, Sandra McCrann, Louise Kennedy, Tom Connolly, Nicole McDermott, John McPherson and Vincent McDonagh. The house prize was won by Gerry Tighe. The jackpot was not won and it will be at €2,600 for this week's draw which will be held in Dodds on this Saturday nigh. Mary Clifford's team will be in charge.

O’Gara Cup Final Roscommon Gaels 2.8 Boyle 1.9.
Our McGovern Directional Drilling team fell at the final hurdle when they lost by two points to Roscommon Gaels in an exciting O'Gara Cup Final which was played in Elphin on Saturday. This was a pretty good game. Boyle at times played some of their best football in terms of quality and directness of approach for spells. However this was mixed with spells of indirect football. An Aaron O’Connor goal after ten minutes gave Boyle a good platform with Boyle playing with the wind. Rory O’Donohoe had a good point on 20 minutes followed by a great Mark O’Connor point. However the tall Brian O’Gara contributed to difficulties in front of the Boyle goals and led to their goal on 25 minutes. The half time score was Boyle 1.5 Roscommon Gaels 1.4. The second half was pretty evenly contested but a Gaels goal, on seventeen minutes, after a shemozzle (spelling!) in front of the Boyle goals gave them a goal advantage. Boyle fought back to level terms but the loss of a ball going forward led to a Gael’s shot hopping over the bar as time ran out. This was followed by the insurance point almost immediately. As I said this was a good game with good football and some good displays. One has to bear in mind that Roscommon Gaels are a senior side if not a great one. So next year continues with achievable possibilities. Best for Boyle included Aaron O’Connor, Cian Smith with my ‘Man of the Match’ going to Darrren O’Connor. The team lined out as follows: T. McGarty, B. Supple, C. Boylan, C. Beirne, D. Casey, J.S. Lyons, S. Purcell, S. Tonra, C. Cox, D. O’Connor, A.0’ Connor, Mark O’Connor, R., O’Donohoe, L.Conroy, C. Smith with L. Conboy, A. Finn and P. Lavin. Thanks to the panel and the management for their committment throughout the season. It was a successful season in that they achieved one of their main targets, promotion to O'Rourke Cup football, for next year. This will provide top opposition for next year. Their hopes for championship success fell victim to score differences after an unexpected loss in their first outing to St. Barry’s despite victory in their other pool game to Fuerty. However if they can manage to do ok in the O’Rourke Cup this should provide a good base for an Intermediate challenge in 2010. Thanks also to McGovern Directional Drilling for their much appreciated sponsorship and to our loyal supporters.

November Club Meeting:
The November meeting will take place on Tuesday November the 10th at 9 pm in the Royal Hotel.

U 16s’ in Ahern Cup Final:

The U16s’ qualified for the Ahern Cup Final following a hard fought semi-final win over Eire Og in testing conditions in Boyle on Sunday. They now await the winneres of the other semi final between Elphin and St Croan’s and it is likely that this final will be played in Boyle this coming weekend. This team is also awaiting their league semi-final opponents.

U 21s’:
The U21s will meet Eire Og in the championship play-off on the weekend of November the 14th.

Juniors:
Sunday will be a big day for the Feelystone junior team as they will entertain Western Gaels in the Abbey Park at 12noon in the Division 4 North Semi Final.

U 8 Training:
Training has moved indoors for our very young players with Under 8 training in the Sports Complex on Mondays from 6pm to 7pm and for the Under 10s on Tuesdays also from 6pm to 7pm.The Club extends its sympathy to the Keville Family on the death of Vera.