Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Mon. 21st. 10pm.
Former award winners might look at the cups in their cupboards because we are missing the Henry Feely Cup which was originally donated for the Senior Player of the Year but morphed into the Clubman of the Year subsequently. It was around until very recently so I imagine it should not be too difficult to find.
The charge to get into the U 21 match on Saturday was €15. This was €5 too dear in my view. League games are just €10 which is good. I knew or was on nodding terms with about 70% of the Roscommon supporters in Carrick so really it is the hard core of activists and supporters who are being hit at these kind of matches especially. There is a resistance emerging to o.t.t. pricing now so the Connacht Council would want to take heed.
Michael Gilmartin was the lucky winner of the much coveted first prize in our Club fundraising draw, of a weekend for two in New York for the Roscommon versus New York, Connacht Senior Championship game at the May weekend. It is indeed fitting that Michael should be the winner as he has made a huge contribution in his role as Club Treasurer and subsequently to the efficient managing of the Club finances during its development projects in recent years and we wish Michael and Monica and Gareth a very enjoyable trip.
Second prize of a weekend in Kilronan Castle was won by Caroline Simon of Corrigeenroe, while the third prize of a mid-week break in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna was won by Pat Conroy, Forest View. We hope that they will also enjoy their prizes. Thanks to all ticket sellers who made the draw such a success by their trojan efforts, and thanks especially to all purchasers and to Londis and Supervalu for their help which was a great boost to sales. Also thanks to the clubs who supported us. The prizes were drawn at a very enjoyable and well attended function in our new Clubhouse and the tickets were drawn by County Board Vice Chairperson, Seamus Sweeney, a former Boyle player. Seamus also presented medals to the successful Division 4 Feelystone team of 2010. The following Player of the Year awards were also presented;-U21-Michael O'Donnell. Junior Footballer -John Healy, Senior Footballer-Aaron O'Connor. The Club Person of the Year was awarded to Bernard Shannon and the Hall of Fame went to long time Club stalwart Pat Clarke who holds All Ireland medals in U21 football (1966) and in handball, as well as having held various officer positions in the Club and with the County Handball Board down the years. The recipients responded with applomb on receiving their awards. The M.C. was Tony Conboy and to the officers and those involved in organising the event.
The following were €20 winners at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in Mattimoes;-Gerry Carty, Olive and John Filan, Vincent McDonagh, John and Angela Gannon, Marian McGovern, Pat Nicholson, Vincent Brady, Emer and Ruth Kelly, Joe Rooney and Karl Cuffe. The house prize was won by James Sharkey. There was no jackpot winner and a jackpot of €3,000 will be on offer for this week's draw which will be held on Saturday night next in the Patrick's Well. Aidan Lavin's team will be in charge.
It was a successful weekend on the playing fields. The minors had a good win over St Brigid’s in the Division 1 League in Kiltoom on Friday night. They will entertain Padraig Pearses in the Abbey Park on Sunday next. The U16s’ defeated Padraig Pearses in the Abbey Park on Sunday in the Division 1A League by the score of 2.10 to 1.7. This is a good side. Hopefully goalkeeper Kuba will recover from a foot injury.
The Cooney Motors/ Cooney’s Centra team had a hard earned win over Western Gaels in an entertaining game which produced a good deal of good football. This was in the Tansey Cup at home on Sunday. The score was Boyle 8 to 6 at half time and Boyle stayed in the lead ending 14 to 11 victors. Good wishes for a speedy recovery is extended to Jonathan McDermott who suffered an injury on Sunday. The McGovern Directional Drilling senior team will travel to Frenchpark next weekend to take on Western Gaels in their second O'Rourke Cup game of the season.
The Club congratulates Paddy Mulvey of Shannon Gaels on being honoured with his Gradaim an Uachtarain Award in Dublin last week. Well done to St Brigid's who, although not winning, did us proud in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day. The Club extends its sympathy to the Brogan family, Boyle, on the passing of Mrs Mary Brogan.
Well done to Roscommon teams over the week-end. I think the minors drew with Mayo (?); the U 21s’ pulled away from Leitrim in the second half and now meet Galway in the Connacht Final in this Cadbury sponsored tournament. The seniors dug out a good win against Clare in Ennis. They have a big game again next Sunday in Aughrim, Wicklow. A win there would almost certainly mean promotion thought there are two games to come against Kilkenny and Leitrim. Then it is off to New York!


Boyle Ladies Club;
Boyle Ladies Club is holding their registration evening for all age categories on Sunday next from 5pm to 6pm in the Clubroom in the Abbey Park. Underage player’s annual registration fee is €40 with a concession for two or more girls from the same family. It is important that all girls attend with a parent/guardian to register. New members are very welcome at all age levels.
Boyle Junior Ladies recorded a decisive, league win over Ballinameen in Ballinameen on Sunday. This was a fine team performance and very well done to the U16 girls who accounted well for themselves in their first outing with the adult team. Training for this panel every Wednesday and Friday from 7pm too 8.30pm. The U16 girls will meet St Dominic’s on Sunday in the Abbey Park at 3.30pm-please support. This panel also trains on Wednesdays and Fridays. The U12 girls train on Mondays and Fridays from 6pm to 7pm. The U14 girls train on Wednesdays and Fridays form 5pm to 6pm. It is important that all panel members attend training as the Feale competition will be held in early April. The Roscommon County U14 girls take on Leitrim on this Friday evening at a Leitrim venue yet to be decided. Best wishes to Boyle Club representatives on the panel-Melissa Goldrick, Sarah Halligan, Melissa Mattimoe and Sinead Meehan and to U14 County Team Manager Pat Leonard.

Go raibh maith agaibh,
Martin Dolan/T.C.
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529.