Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sat. 12 noon. Tomorrow, Sunday the 28th, will give us a guideline as to where we are, 'going forward' (!). The U 16s', a very good side, play Oran, away, at 12 and the Intermediate team play Strokestown in Strokestown, at 2.30, in the Division One League. Boyle are missing a good few players through migration, injury et al but we will see how we stand up to those constraints with the 'big boys' tomorrow.

Richard McGee told me yesterday, a former Boyle Gaelic football, from a good number of years ago (maybe even decades) who was 'prayed for' recently. He was Tom Carroll who was known by the lovely nickname of 'Pronto' (possibly movie influenced). Richard said: "He was a dainty footballer" and saw him play in 'Flynn's field in Greatmeadow'. He was a miller with Stewarts and went to Australia. I presume he has connections in Boyle since he was 'prayed for'. So, in the unlikely event that you read this, and if you are in contact with his family in Oz tell them Boyle GAA remembers Tom and perhaps someone might let me know where in Oz the family live.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

ntdwgaa--Fiddlers Elbow this Friday the 26th supporting fundraiser for Brian Colleran who was seriously injured in a car accident in December.
U-12 and U-16 Fixtures:
Below are the U-12 and U-16 fixtures for this season. Those involved should print these out and paste them on the inside of the hot press door, beside the 'Now Doc' phone number,for reference. I'm sorry that they are so extended but my computer skills are of my age, if you undestand!

Sunday 9th May 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Clann na nGael v St Dominics Johnstown
Boyle v Roscommon Gaels Boyle
St Brigids v Strokestown Kiltoom
Padraig Pearses v Bye Pairc an Piarsaigh

Sunday 16th May 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
St Dominics v St Brigids Knockcroghery
Strokestown v Padraig Pearses Strokestown
Clann na nGael v Boyle Johnstown
Roscommon Gaels v Bye Hyde Park

Sunday 23th May 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Boyle v St Dominics Boyle
Roscommon Gaels v Padraig Pearses Hyde Park
St Brigids v Clann na nGael Kiltoom
Bye v Strokestown Bye

Sunday 06th June 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Boyle v St Brigids Boyle
St Dominics v Padraig Pearses Knockcroghery
Roscommon Gaels v Strokestown Hyde Park
Clann na nGael v Bye Johnstown

Sunday 13th June 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Bye v St Dominics Bye
Strokestown v Boyle Strokestown
St Brigids v Roscommon Gaels Kiltoom
Padraig Pearses v Clann na nGael Pairc an Piarsaigh

Sunday 20th June 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Padraig Pearses v Boyle Pairc na Piarsaigh
St Dominics v Roscommon Gaels Knockcroghery
Clann na nGael v Strokestown Johnstown
St Brigids v Bye Kiltoom

Sunday 27th June 2010
U-12 Football League Div 1
Team 1 Team 2 Venue
Strokestown v St Dominics Strokestown
Padraig Pearses v St Brigids Pairc an Piarsaigh
Bye v Boyle Bye
Roscommon Gaels v Clann na nGael Hyde Park

Top team league winners

U-12 Championship Sunday 15th August
Final: Saturday 2nd October


Sunday 28th February 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Venue

Oran
v
Boyle
Rockfield Oran

Clann na nGael
v
Castlerea
Johnstown

Roscommon Gaels
v
Padraig Pearses
Hyde Park

Strokestown
v
Bye
Bye



Sunday 21st March 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Venue

Boyle
v
Roscommon Gaels
Boyle

Padraig Pearses
v
Strokestown
Pairc an Piarsaigh

Oran
v
Castlerea St Kevins
Rockfield Oran

Clann na nGael
v
Bye
Bye



Sunday 28th March 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Venue

Castlerea St Kevins
v
Boyle
O Rourke Park - Castlerea

Strokestown
v
Clann na nGael
Strokestown

Roscommon Gaels
v
Oran
Hyde Park

Bye
v
Padraig Pearses
Bye



Sunday 18th April 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Referee
Venue
Time

Castlerea St Kevins
v
Roscommon Gaels
TBC
O Rourke Park - Castlerea
13:00

Boyle
v
Strokestown
TBC
Boyle
13:00

Clann na nGael
v
Padraig Pearses
TBC
Johnstown
13:00

Oran
v
Bye
TBC
Bye
13:00



Sunday 9th May 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Referee
Venue
Time

Boyle
v
Bye
TBC
Bye
13:00

Padraig Pearses
v
Castlerea St Kevins
TBC
Pairc an Piarsaigh
13:00

Roscommon Gaels
v
Clann na nGael
TBC
Hyde Park
13:00

Strokestown
v
Oran
TBC
Strokestown
13:00



Friday 14th May 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Referee
Venue
Time

Castlerea St Kevins
v
Strokestown
TBC
O Rourke Park - Castlerea
13:00

Boyle
v
Clann na nGael
TBC
Boyle
13:00

Oran
v
Padraig Pearses
TBC
Rockfield Oran
13:00

Roscommon Gaels
v
Bye
TBC
Bye
13:00



Sunday 23rd May 2010

U-16 Football League Div. 1

Team 1

Team 2
Referee
Venue
Time

Padraig Pearses
v
Boyle
TBC
Pairc an Piarsaigh
13:00

Strokestown
v
Roscommon Gaels
TBC
Strokestown
13:00

Bye
v
Castlerea St Kevins
TBC
Bye
13:00

Clann na nGael
v
Oran
TBC
Johnstown
13:00
Semi Finals: Sunday 27th June

Team 3 V Team 2

Team 4 V Team 1

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Per. the Minor Board Secretary, Charlie Candon: Roscommon coaching personell with Roscommon Sports Partnership are running a number of 'Code of Ethics and Best Practise' courses which are now I think mandatory for people involved in under-age coaching. They are part of the football foundation award courses. The one in Boyle takes place in the Abbey Community College at 7 pm on Tuesday March 2nd with a fee of €10 per person. Willie Hegarty Roscommon GAA Games Manager is the man to contact at www.gaaroscommon.ie/coaching.
There is a great response to the Bowling Night with a big number of teams down even now, and more to come. The time sheet for teams will be posted here anon so it up to every team captain to make appropriate arrangements. The presentations will take place in the Moylurg afterwards in what is being promoted as a Pre-Oscar Party Night since the Young family and Boyle interest will be looking towards the Oscars on the Sunday night. This celebration is open to all of course, so spread the word.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Meeting tonight 8.30 (?)re. bowling night, pitch opening, Co. Board Draw, St. Patrick's Day parade et al. Please try and attend.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Successful Weekend: It was a successful weekend in the Abbey Park with two home victories.
The minors started their Division 1 league campaign with a good 1.13 to 1.9 win over St Brigid’s. The side was behind 1.7 to 1.5 at half time but there was a much improved performance in the second half and added five points without reply in the first half of the second half. This is a good well balanced side. However the St. Brigid’s side, while having some good players and playing good football, they looked a weaker side than usual for Brigid’s. The Boyle minor team was as follows: B. Furey, C. Lavin, T. Lowe, L. Harrington, M. Goldrick, C. Cox, Ml. Hanmore, T. McKenna, C. Griffin, E. Smith, D. Smith, C. McPadden, L. Roddy, C. McLoughlin and Mark O’Connor. There are a number of strong and excellent players here and they probably will not be at their best until next year it is important that Boyle make an impression at minor and later U 21 level.
The Feelystone junior team recorded their second win in the Tansey Cup with a comprehensive win over a weakened Castlerea St Kevin’s team. Boyle started impressively and it was pretty obvious early on that Boyle were on their way to a comfortable win. Their next outing will be a trip to Elphin on Saturday March the 6th.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team will start their O'Rourke Cup campaign on Sunday next the 28th in Strokestown when they will take on the home team-see fixtures for details of starting time. Support will be appreciated as this will be their first venture into senior league for a few years. The U 16s will also commence their Division 1 league campaign on Sunday next with a trip to Oran-see fixtures.
There are still some slots available for the fundraising bowling night which will be held on Saturday March the 6th in Carrick on Shannon. This promises to a very good event and arrangements are being made for the post bowling celebration to take on a pre-Oscar party in the Moylurg bearing in mind Paul Young’s possibilities in Los Angeles. Oscar interest is rife in Boyle and Sean and Ann Young will be rubbing shoulders with the Hollywood glitterati on March 6/7th as they support Paul and Cartoon Saloon as they bid to win an Oscar for "The Secret of Kells". We wish them every success. (I attended a play in Galway last week and saw two Boyle people starring there in a NUIG Dramasoc production, Jarlath Tivnan, brother of Conor and Ciaran Beirne who won the minor player of the year for 2009. Talented people, Boyle seems to have them in spades)
Bowling entries to Michael Gilmartin immediately and please spread the word in your place of work or wherever as it is, in no way, a GAA only event.
Regarding the Insurance issue posted here last week there is an interesting account of the problems of the present scheme in Sunday’s Independent Sport’s section, page 7 “GAA Forced to rejig injury scheme”.
Under 14 training will begin on this Thursday evening the 25th at 7pm in the Abbey Park training pitch.
Boyle will be involved in adult Scór on the coming weekend.
Lotto Results: The following were €20 winners at the Club Lotto draw which was held in Wynne's Bar recently;-John Kelly (Elphin), Jonathon Lyons, Brian Supple, David O'Connor, Martin Henry, Kevin McDonagh, Martin Downes, Leah Downes and Gerard Casserly. The numbers drawn were: 4/7/11/18.The house prize was won by Sabrina Farrelly. The jackpot was not won and it now goes to €3,400 for this week's draw which will be held in Mattimoe's on this Saturday night. Michael Gilmartin's team will be in charge.
Well done to the North Roscommon Athletics Club for their magnificent achievement in hosting the All Ireland Cross Country Finals in the Forest Park on Sunday.
Congratulations to the Ballinameen quiz team on winning the All Ireland Scór quiz final at the weekend. Well done also to the Boyle Foroige team who ran the Ballinameen team close in a quiz in Ballinameen last week.
Boyle Ladies Club;
The U16 girls will commence their league campaign with a trip to Kilmore to play the natives on Sunday next at 4pm.Under 12 training will continue on each Monday and Friday at 5.45 pm in the Abbey Park training pitch. New members are especially welcome.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Regarding Players' Personal Insurance;
I have just got this email from the named. I imagine it will do the rounds. Insurance cover is a real issue. I don't know what merits this option has, so if people analyise it and even send me their assessments we can see what people think of it. In any event it is a personal choice. T.

From: peadar gardiner [mailto:peadar@rightchoice.ie]
Sent: 19 February 2010 16:02
To: peadar gardiner
Subject: Insurance Personal Cover - €30 per month (€1 per day!!)

Please see below details of New Personal GAA Insurance Scheme. This scheme can be used for all sports Soccer, Rugby, Basketball, Cyclists Hockey Athletics etc…

It can also be used for employees/self-employed persons who require Accident Protection.

I would be grateful if you could forward these details to Club Members as there may be an interest in this new product. I will gladly meet any of your Members to discuss if they require further information.

Kind Regards

Peadar Gardiner
Crossmolina / Mayo GAA

New Improved Scheme for GAA Members
Due to the in adequacies of the current GAA Scheme with Coyle Hamiliton Acorn Life (www.acornlife.ie) one of Irelands largest Insurance company have developed a product specifically for Sports people including GAA players.
This is a new product which started in February 2010 which will cover all Sport Persons at just €30 per month (€1 per day)
Brian McEniff Director of Acorn Life and Former Donegal & Ulster Manager and Player has helped formulate this new product and has designed a protection plan with a range of options to suit Sportspersons.
As a member of a GAA club you are automatically insured through the GAA Insurance scheme. Anyone who has had to use this scheme had found huge delays and red tape in order to receive a payment for injury. It can take up to 12 months for a payment!!
The GAA have stated that “it is the responsibility of the individual player to ensure adequate cover is in place commensurate with his/her specific needs”
As a result Acorn Life has developed a product which will support all you and your Family’s needs when you need it most.
At €30 per month (€1 per day) the following cover will be put in place:
• Personal Accident Benefit (If you are out of work through an injury this will pay you €250 per week) e.g. of Injuries – Ankle, Jaw, Wrist, Achilles, Ribs, Collarbone, Foot , Shoulder, Arm etc… are all covered.
• Accident Injury Benefit (This will pay a lump sum of between €500 - €2,000 if you sustain a football injury e.g if you fracture your leg this will pay you a €2,000 lump sum)
• Hospital Cash - €100 per day that you are in Hospital
• Accidental Death - €15,000
• Life Cover - €5,000
Example:
A fracture of the Upper Leg sustained during a match that results in 4 days in Hospital followed by 8 weeks absence from work while recuperating would result in a claim for €3,900 (€GAA Insurance Personal Cover - €30 per month (€1 per day!!)2,000 Accidental Injury Benefit, €1,500 Personal Accident Benefit and €400 Accident Hospital Cash Benefit)
We pride ourselves in adopting a proactive approach to reviewing our customer’s financial needs. The policy is primarily designed to provide benefits for a period of 10 years. This Plan is available to applicants from 20 to 35 years of age.

If you would like further information on this new Product, I can send you a Brochure in the Post or give me a call at any stage to discuss
Many thanks
Peadar Gardiner
Director
087-9845132
Right Choice Life & Mortgages
N17 Business Park,
Galway Road, Tuam
Co Galway, Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)93 27720/27721
Fax: +353 (0)93 27716
www.rightchoice.ie

Thursday, February 18, 2010


Under 14 training will commence under lights in the Abbey Park training pitch on Thursday next 25th February at 7pm.

Meeting, Tuesday the 23rd, regarding Bowling Night on Saturday, March the 6th, in Carrick on Shannon such as St. Patrick's Day entry, Lotto etc. There is a very positive response to the 'bowling night' and it promises to be an enjoyable experience! Teams of 4 €50. Please indicate if you will have a team participating, to Stephen Bohan or Club officers. Indeed teams from other adjacent clubs, factories, offices, shops, farms, hospitals, housing estates, pubs, petrol stations, schools, Garda stations, L.D.F., I.C.A. et al would be welcome to put in teams! So spread the word.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Boyle Juniors Comfortable Start:
Boyle 1.13 Oran 1.3.

Boyle got their playing season off to a winning start on Sunday when the Feelystone team had a comprehensive win over Oran in the Tansey Cup in the Abbey Park. Boyle led at half time by 7 points to 1. The team was; T.McGarty, B. Supple, J.Healy, C. Beirne, Ml. O’Donnell, A. Tiernan, C. Horan, K. McLoughlin, C.Cox, Ph.Hunt, D. O’Callaghan, L. Conboy, D. O’Connor, C. Smith with C. Cox, J.McDermott, P.Lavin, K.Keenan, with David Monson, Karl Kelly, J. Lyons, Mark O'Connor brother of Darren. While it was a good start Oran were surprisingly weak. People who caught the eye on Sunday included Alan Tiernan for his anticipation at centre back where he hovered up a lot of ball; David Callaghan at centre forward with four points and a few misses; Ml. O’Donnell a newish young player with energy and pace, veteran John Healy; Daren who worked very hard at full forward and Cillian Cox with trademark determination. Anyway this does not take from all the others who all played well. They will be in action, at home again, on Sunday next when they will host Castlerea St Kevin’s in the second round at 2.30pm. This game will be preceeded by the first game of the season in the U16 Division 1 League between Boyle and St Brigid’s which will throw in at 12 noon So there is a very good card there for the early comer. The McGovern Directional Drilling team will start their O'Rourke Cup campaign the following Sunday with a trip to Strokestown. This team will face a tough championship draw with the news that they are grouped with Eire Og and St Brigid’s ‘B’.
The monthly Club meeting will be held in the Royal Hotel on this Tuesday night at 8.30pm. All members are requested to attend. Entries are flowing in for the monster bowling night in Carrick on Shannon on Saturday 6th March. This is a fundraiser for the clubrooms which are nearing completion and males and females of all ages are invited to form teams and submit entries to Michael Gilmartin at 086 2039182.
Hard luck to Roscommon who tried valiently on Saturday versus Fermanagh and to Sean who worked so hard. Their next game is versus Offaly, away, on March 7th/versus Antrim, home the 14th/ v Louth, away, the 21st/ v Wexford, home, the 28th/ v Sligo, away, April 11th.
Boyle Ladies Club;
Under 12 training will resume on Monday 22nd February in the Abbey park from 5.45 pm. It will continue on each Monday and Friday thereafter from 5.45 pm to 7 pm. New members are especially welcome. The U16s' will commence their championship campaign with a trip to Kilmore to play the home team on Sunday next at 4 pm.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Friday 11. am.
  • The Juniors play Oran on Sunday next, St Valentie's Day (!) in the Park, in the Tansey Cup at 2.30. The season is on.
  • The minors are out on Feb. 21st. and the U 16s' and Seniors on the 28th.
  • The monthly club meeting takes place on Tuesday night next, at 8.30, in the Royal Hotel.
  • The Bowling Night takes place on Satuday evening March 6th. Please book your team promptly. It should be an entertaining night!
  • Boyle's Group for the Intermediate C'Ship, I'm led to believe, is with St. Brigid's i.e. Second Team and Eire Og.
  • The organisers i.e. Majella Dodd and co., are looking for stewards for their big athletics event in the Forest Park on Sunday the 21st of Feb. from 11 am ish. If you can spare some time contact 086 068 1035.
  • Best of luck to the Ros. team and management on Saturday evening in Enniskilleen. It's not an easy ask, after the second half, last Sunday, against Cavan, but the show must go on as it has done for a hundred years and more.
  • St. Patrick's Day parade.
  • ntdwgaa..Barry Feely is compiling a booklet, recording stories and anecdotes of Boyle characters down the years, such as Noel Derby, Paddy Hever et al. If anyone has such a story, they could email it to me and I'll pass it on. He is also looking for photographs of the following: Bea McGowan who worked in the Convent laundry, Stephen Maughan, Dr. McLoughlin, a priest; Fr. Paddy Sharkey of the Heart of Ireland fame and Noel Derby. While I'm at it, if anyone has a Father Tonra History of Ardcarne or a Roscommon GAA History for sale let me know.
  • I visited the nearly finished new dressing rooms complex a few days ago with John Joe Nerney and it is very impressive. John Joe told me of their dressing room, a big tree, further down in the corner. May 1st is the proposed opening but this has to be confirmed so Paddy don't make any travel plans yet!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Please note the Vodaphone offer as outlined here below on Feb. 5th.
Minor Board Meeting:
I attended the Club's Minor Board Meeting last night, Monday. It dealt with many issues and rattled on apace.
Among the issues dealt with were;
1. The injury report protocol. It is most urgent that, when a plyer gets injured, that the referee is made aware of it, that it is in his report and that the relevant forms are got and passed on to the Insurance Officer, Ml. Furey, and submitted within a week or so. Attention to detail and accuracy are vital. The current operators of the scheme are just looking for loopholes to throw out claims. The draw on the scheme is enormous and Croke Park is subsidising it to a large extent.
2. Insurance (it really is not insurance just a scheme) no longer covers physiotherapy except in exceptional circumstances. The person's own health insurance V.H.I etc is the first call.
3. The whole physio. issue in the Club will be strictly monitored and the Chairman is to be made aware and give sanction for same.
4. Tansey Cup, the Park Sun. 14 v Oran at 2.30. Seniors v Str. Sun. 28th away.
5. Bowling night Sat. March 6th in Carrick, 7 to 10.30 with prize presentation in the Moylurg afterwards. €50 for a team of 4, family, friends any composition. 48 teams needed again non GAA people, no problem! Other clubs have done this and it has been most successful.
6. The opening of the new dressing rooms is scheduled for Sat. May 1st so a good deal of work on board before that.
7. The Club is participating in teh St. Patrick's Day parade and people are asked to keep their availability in mind for that and if they have any ideas pass them on to Jan Flanagan.
8. Boyle have a good and challenging Minor team this year so hopefully all will make the effort to turn out and that those who are just a little reluctant to do so are encouraged by others.
9. There are a number of requirements, for coaches, now in terms of having different coaching levels and ethics courses done. The people involved in under-age coaching will be informed so please cooperate.
10. Players are not eligible to play unless membership is paid.
11. Clubs now are run like businesses and I was very impressed by the business-like quality of last night's meeting. As I have said a number of times, Boyle GAA Club is in a good place now and potentially on the edge of a more successful era so let's all keep up the momentum.
Regards to Damien/Mark/Seamie/Rock/Cillian/ John Harrinton/ Damien Dooley and the Diaspora abroad.
Slan. T.C.

Monday, February 8, 2010

I believe that Boyle seniors played a challenge in the College field, against some club from Leitrim, yesterday the 7th. That's all I can say as no one told the P.R. department!
Lotto:
The following were €20 winners at the Club Lotto draw which was held in Kate Lavin's on Saturday last; Vincent Flanagan, Martin Purcell, John and Patricia Cummins, Canon Gerry Hanley, Sandra McCrann, Martin Wynne, Liam Conroy, Martin Boston, Maria McPadden, Mary Brady and Maureen McQuaid. The house prize was won by Darren O'Dowd. The jackpot was not won. This week's draw will be held in Wynne's Bar on Saturday night with Team A-Aidan Lavin's team in charge.
Juniors First Game Sunday:
Competitive action gets under way on Sunday next when the Feelystone team will start their Tansey Cup campaign with a home game against Oran-see fixtures for details.
Seniors:
The McGovern Directional Drilling team is preparing for the commencement of their O'Rourke Cup campaign on February the 28th against Strokestown.
U 16s and Minors’:
The U16 league will commence on February the 28th also and the minor’s league will commence on 21st February and both of those teams are being prepared.
Senior Scor:
Senior Scór is about to commence and those interested in participating should contact Martin Dolan at 086 2413529 immediatly.
Concessions:
Club members are advised of the special offer that it has negotiated with Aidan Ray Menswear. A special deal has also been agreed with Vodafone whereby those who use that mobile phone network may sign up and have Vodaphone contribute 5% of their monthly bill costs to Boyle GAA Club. Details may be obtained from Kieran Supple or Karl Keenan or view a broader outline of the scheme posted here a week or so ago.
Clubrooms Opening:
Plans are well advanced for the opening of the new clubrooms circa 1st May. An exciting programme of events to mark the occasion are currently being prepared. Fundraising to defray the cost of the facilities is ongoing. The Club will hold a monster bowling night in Carrick on Shannon on Saturday evening 6th March. It is intended that this will be a fun night for all age groups-male and female.Those wishing to enter teams or to participate on teams should contact Michael Gilmartin at 086 2039182. A golf classic is also being planned for April.
Oscars:
The Club will be represented at the forthcoming Academy Awards ceremonies in Hollywood as Paul Young, son of Sean and Anne, is one of the main persons behind the film "The Secret of Kells" which has been nominated for an Oscar award in the best Animated Picture category.
Paddy McDermott Award:
Congratulations to Paddy McDermott on his Boyle People of the Year Award last Friday night. Paddy was a star player with Boyle in the fifties with his brother Seamus. He also played a number of times for the county. He was a great and diligant club officer for many years subsequently, especially in his role as Treasurer. Well done Paddy and justly deserved.
Sympathy:
The Club extends it sympathy to Shannon Gaels stalwart John Heslin and his family on the passing of Nuala.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

St. Patrick's Day Parade:
Last year Boyle GAA Club participated in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It may have one of the first times that a considerable effort was made, rather than just teams parading. Hopefully Jan and Co. will get the thinking caps on again and we are well represented in this year's event.If anyone has ideas regarding a possible
float entry theme etc. please let us know and we'll pass same on.
County Minor Panel Representation:
I am hearing rumours of one of our best representations on the county Minor panel for some time. There are three players mentioned; Donal Smith, Ciaran O'Neill and Tadgh Lowe. Someone please confirm. Anyone ideas on the best representation on a County team by Boyle club historically. I saw three Boyle players on the Senior team early last year if I am not mistaken; David Casey, Sean Purcell and Damien Keenehan. The most impressive was the three on a League team versus Antrim at Hyde Park; Gerry Cregg, Tom Ryan and Niall O'Donohoe thouh g I seem to remember another trio comprising of two of the above with Jonathan Conroy in another match. Anyone ideas on above ?

Friday, February 5, 2010

Vodaphone Offer to Clubs;
(Please note this offer and spread the word with your friends, whether they be GAA people or not. Apparently it is very good, and painless way, of accruing some funds. It is especially painless for people who are already Vodaphone customers.
Kieran Supple is coordinating an offer from Vodaphone for their users. In this Vodaphone will donate an extra 5%, of the bill cost, to the local GAA Club if nominated. The details are outlined by Kieran below. It is especially valid for people who are with Vodaphone now. Please take the time to read Kieran's outline that follows and consider the option. We need all the funding we can get to pay for ongoing developments. If you want to know more, please contact Kieran.T.C.)
'The Vodaphone GAA Club Offer':
Supporters, friends, acquaintances, players, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts even grannies and granddads – they can all be stars for Boyle GAA club.

I want to let you know about a fantastic way to help raise money for Boyle GAA club, without it costing you a cent. It’s the Vodafone Support your GAA Club program. For everyone that joins, Vodafone Ireland will match an extra 5% of their pay monthly phone bill or any top up and donate it directly to Boyle GAA club.
If you’re already a Vodafone customer all you have to do is log onto www.supportyourgaaclub.ie, click on the ‘sign up here’ button, enter in your Name, Number and select Boyle GAA club from the drop down menu and click summit. That’s it, hassle-free and takes about thirty seconds. Absolutely nothing changes for the phone user – their bills and top ups all stay the same – all that happens is that Vodafone will donate (not you - nothing extra comes from your bill or top up) 5% of your monthly bill or top ups to Boyle GAA club. There are no contracts or tie down options, if at any time you decide to switch networks or package deals this has no bearing on it.
You do not have to be a member of Boyle GAA club to avail of this offer, supporters, players, friends, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts even grannies and granddads can all be helping to support the club without it costing them a thing. For anyone who does not have internet access, someone who has, can sign you up on your behalf. Or alternatively, there will be sheets going around amongst players and team managers which you can put your name and number on we will sign you up on your behalf. The only people who cannot sign up are Vodafone business users (i.e. company mobile).
If you are not a Vodafone network user and would like to switch or thinking about changing networks Vodafone will donate a once-off switching bonus to the club and also continue to donate 5% of bill use. You can log onto www.supportyourgaaclub.ie and click on “switch to Vodafone” button and there is an option there to have Vodafone call you and talk you through their different packages and find out if one suits your needs. It is important though, if switching to Vodafone, that you indicate that you wish them to make their donation to the Boyle GAA club. Some of Vodafone’s offers at the moment include free Vodafone to Vodafone calls and texts, free texts to any network, a mix of free calls and texts, if on ‘pay as you go’ 120euro free call credit to start with, and loads more options. It is definitely worth looking into some of their offers as you may get a better deal than you are currently on.
Remember, the more people who join and nominate Boyle GAA club, the more Vodafone will donate to help support it. So, I would like you to please consider joining the program.
Remember it won’t cost YOU a cent.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Boyle GAA Club Lotto Results:
There was no Jackpot winner at the Club draw in Lavin's last Saturday night. The numbers drawn were; 14/18/23/26. The €20 winners were; Vincent Flanagan/Martin Purcell/John and Patricia Cummins/ Canon Gerry Hanly/Sandra McCrann/Martin Wynne/Liam Conroy/Martin Boston/Maria McPadden/Mary Brady and Maureen McQuaid. The house prize went to Darren O'Dowd. The next draw will be in Wynne's Bar on Saturday, February the 13th with Team 'A' in charge. The Jackpot stands at €3,300. Thank you for your support.
Minor Board Meeting:
There will be a meeting of the Minor Club on Monday next, February the 8th, in The Royal Hotel at 9 pm. Garda vetting forms for trainers et al, for forwarding to the County Board, are to be completed. This is an important and necessary issue now. Also insurance officer Ml. Furey will attend the meeting and has 'a few isssues he would like to highlight'. Sounds ominous! There was also a mention at the County Board meeting of a night for registration 'on-line training' in Boyle recently. Registrar Mary Clifford was surprised she wasn't made aware of this for whatever reason.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

“We should have stood in bed”
Three or Four

The above was the response of a New York boxing manager one time when his fighter was ‘robbed’ of a decision in Italy. Once more, a little like the Mary Celeste, I guided Tida through the intermittent fog, of a late January evening, on my way to a County G.A.A. meeting. It was in Roscommon town, always Roscommon town. My earliest such meetings were in the early sixties in Fahey’s Bar in Goff Street. They obviously have an allure, which is hard to shake off, with me! This was a Fixtures analysis meeting in the offices of the board and how the Championships might be run in 2010. The Fixtures Committee had produced a working paper with various ideas and choices. It was a long agenda, much too long as it turned out. There were three options as to the structures for the coming year's Championships for Intermediate and Senior. The options were really down to the number of teams per group; three, four or six. You’d imagine that this debate wouldn’t become almost as intractable as Northern Ireland talks. The Chairman had set down a time parameter of two hours for the discussion. From his professional experience he was well acquainted with the attention span of his audience. I thought, from my own previous life’s experience, that it was a somewhat generous time span, even for serial GAA meeting attendees. Anyway, of course, it was ignored. The existing three-group-option was more or less ignored, for the most part, in the debate. Despite the eloquent and passionate promotion of the six-team option by the Strokestown delegate, Sean, it seemed a few bridges too far for the delegates. “We’ll take our beating, as we always do” Sean concluded magnanimously as the six-group option failed to gather momentum. Something like an hour and a half was spent on the four-team option and it looked, for much of the time, ‘a no brainer’ as they say in investment circles! It seemed to have certain reasonable logical arguments in its favour such as teams fielding on the same day, the avoidance of long time lapses between games and the earlier beginning of the Junior Championship. The Chairman also tipped the hat in its direction. The storm clouds began to appear when another important official extolled the virtue of our championships and the way we run them. In this we were apparently ‘light years ahead of Meath’. We didn’t puff out our chests as we might, being sceptical. At next winter’s solstice I’ll be on the look out. Boyle had experienced the three team option last year and it was not a totally happy experience. As the debate entered the final furlong, and a vote was about to be called, a hurling official was asked what he thought and responded, somewhat along the lines of; ‘If you go for this option then it will destroy the hurling championship’. This was a pretty weighty contribution at such a late point of the debate and must have shaken the hurling vote out of its slumbers. In one sentence, the vote, regarded as being in the area of three-appropriately- for the three team option, slid, like the gold in ‘The Italian Job’ bus to the other end of the spectrum. Anyway, a dishevelled vote was taken with 27 for groups of three and 26 for the groups of four, as far as I remember. The ‘Status Quo’ survived. I thought, but of course didn’t say, that in such a close scenario a written vote might be better. Anyway I was conscious of the number of my interjections already and that it would be inappropriate to over contribute.
A further complicated, if shorter and sharper, debate took place on the make-up of the last two quarter finalists. Apparently ‘scoring difference’ is a rule from on high and if you do not have a degree in GAA legal science regarding rules etc. you are at a distinct disadvantage here. While rule books floated hither and thither along the front bench I hadn’t brought mine but scribbled a note to myself that I would have to get an updated version and have it very visible at the next meeting a la Mr. Bean. I was really just a substitute delegate on this occasion. We actually await a ‘ruling’ from on high- Croke Park- regarding the status of the ‘scoring difference’.
Then there were questions of trying to reduce postponements especially using minor excuses to gain them. This too got holed below the waterline, will need serious redrafting and is now in the aspirational tray.
Status Quo:
A discussion on the O’Rourke and O’Gara Cups was next on the agenda. I suggested that the top team be declared the winner. This was on the basis that Boyle has been top of the league proper around three times in the last decade or so but due to the requirement of having to play a semi-final, and, if won, a final, have not actually won the O’Gara Cup on those occasions. It was late now and the Chairman’s 7.30 fears of concentration becoming shredded were coming to pass. Promotion and relegation was another issue. The Status Quo was coming into its own. Top two winners up, bottom two ‘loosing’ (as per ovehead projection) teams down, with the third from bottom in Division One meeting the third from top in Division Two, stayed in place.
The Chairman’s initial fears about issues of this importance not getting their due had come to pass.
Cut and Thrust:
A Clann na Gael delegate got a grenade response from an otherwise benign Fuerty delegate, Dominick, when the Clann man complained about the comfort zone of Fuerty pitch especially for the elderly supporter at double headers. ‘A Clann official begged us in Fuerty to take the match’ Dominick responded. There was the undercurrent of, 'if you come with the begging bowl again, in the foreseeable future, it may be passed along'. In fairness though a week is long time in GAA politics.
Even the distinguished fraternal delegate, to the ruling Central Council, also met with a volley when he took a look across 'no man's land' finding it stoutly occupied. He was supporting ideas on restricting the County Junior team. Indeed he was having difficulty with the politburo of the Central Council, in the distant capital, in having a very worthy policy idea advanced, regarding improving the lot of the proletariat club player.
Hanging On:
The meeting ended at around 10.30 and for some reason I had a headache. I tried to reduce the testing drive home to the hills by latching on-at a safe distance of course-to a car in front to enable an easier driving challenge in the fog. However they always seemed to be driving a few miles too fast for me and one productive spell ended with the lead car, disappointingly, turning towards Elphin at Shankhill. The idea came into my head that the fog was just a metaphor for the whole event. The New York boxing manager's claim had a good deal of merit.

Monday, February 1, 2010



Pitch Rota Meeting:
Thanks to all team managers and their representatives who attended a very successful meeting, last week, at which training rotas for the various pitch and rota allocations were decided. As a result, Martin Purcell is preparing the rotas and all they will be given to all team managers during the coming week. Thanks to Martin for his ongoing efforts.
Games:
The competitive season is nearly upon us with the Feelystone Junior team due to commence their Tansey Cup campaign with a home game against Oran on February the 14th and the McGovern Directional Drilling team is due to travel to Strokestown on February the 28th for their first O'Rourke Cup game.
Scor:
Expressions of interest have been received regarding participation in Senior Scór. The closing date for receipt of entries is February the 17th and all who wish to participate should contact Martin Dolan at 086 2413529 immediately.
Bowling Fundraiser:
A meeting make arrangements for a fundraising bowling night will be held on this Tuesday the 2nd at 8.30pm in the Royal Hotel. Your interest and attendance would be appreciated.
Discounts:
Club members are reminded of the offers that are available to them from Aidan Ray Menswear and from Vodafone.
Best Wishes:
Sean and David and their county team colleagues and management are wished every success in their National Leagus campaign which commences on Sunday next in Hyde Park against Cavan. This followed by Fermanagh on the 13th (?) Away; Offaly March 9th A.; Antrim March 14th H.; Louth March 21st A.; Wexford, March 28th H.; and Sligo, Apr. 11th A.
Challenge V Geevagh:
There was an interesting challenge for the Senior League team versus Geevagh in the Abbey Community School Pitch on Sunday morning. Boyle are seriously depleted by the number of injuries, emigration and so forth. Among those on the injured list at present are: Kieran Supple, Ml. P. Gilmartin, Stephen Tonra, Paul Simon. The scratch team on Sunday was as follows: T. McGarty, B. Supple, T. Egan, C. Beirne, A. Sharkey, M.O’Connor, Ml. O’Donnell, C. Cox, A. O’Connor, D. Callaghan, Ph. Hunt, P. Lavin. C. Smith, D. O’Connor and L. Conboy with D.Kelly, J. McDermott, J.Healy, C. Horan. Missing L. Conroy, J.S. Lyons, C. Beirne, N. McKenna, S. Purcell and D. Casey. Geevagh are a team that Boyle could play a series of challenges against, to mutual benefit, since the games are played in the right spirit and of course Michael Brennan ensures that no niggardly and mean spirited play develops and would therefore be carried to the next game. On Sunday there were interesting contributions from Ml. O’Donnell at wing back and Tadhg Egan at full back and the inclusion of Phillip Hunt. Peter Lavin did well in securing possession but will have to get to know when to pass and lay it off.
Ladies:
The Ladies had their Presentation night in the Golf Club last Saturday night. I haven’t heard anything about it. Perhaps what happens in the Golf Club stays in the Golf club!

Sin E. M.D./T.C.
(I’ll have an a/c of last week’s County Board Meeting up later).