Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Mon. 8.52.
The U10s’ and U8s’ will play Elphin in a special blitz competition on this Thursday evening in the Abbey Park.
The U12s’ lost to Clan na Gael during the week.
The U14s’ had a good win over Strokestown in the Championship on Thursday evening last in Boyle. Their next outing is against St Dominick’s in Knockcroghery on this hursday evening.
The U16s’ and the National Automation Limited minors will start their competitions in early July and training is ongoing.
The Cooney Motors/ Cooneys Centra juniors commence their championship campaign on Friday week the 1st of July with a home game against Castlerea.
The highlight of the weekend was the McGovern Directional Drilling Intermediate team's hard earned win over St Michael's in the George Bannon Sports Intermediate Championship courtesy of two excellent late points from Liam Conroy. Cometh the hour (nearly) cometh the Conroy. St. Michael’s were quick out of the blocks and at one time in the first half went into a significant lead but a cheeky improvised goal by Darren O’Connor (to keep the sequence going) brought Boyle back into the game. This was followed by a very well taken goal by the impressive David Callaghan. David is maturing and has the potential to become a key player for Boyle. Boyle was lucky to go in at half time on level terms but they were playing against a very strong wind. Boyle went into a four point lead in the first part of the second half but to my mind did not use the breeze enough to get the ball forward out of danger and into attacking zone. Another issue was the use of the ‘lost’ zones in the corners. Anyway St. Michael’s stuck to their task with a grim determination and this resulted in a keenly fought ending with the sides level as time ticked away but Conroy, a great servant of Boyle club for decades now, getting the vital scores which were simplicity personified. (Note to newer generation of Boyle players, Liamo won’t always be there to dig you out). For Boyle Tadgh Lowe in goals was faultless, the full back line was stretched at times. Boyle’s top player this season, in my book, Mark O’Connor provided the rock at half back while Seanie Purcell provided the subtlety and nuanced play which is so important. The forwards had their moments with hard work by Kyle McLoughlin but it took the introduction of experience to do the simple translation into scores. A win is a win and a win after a very competitive game has to be more beneficial than not. This means that they have remained unbeaten throughout the three game group phase of the championship and they are now in the quarter finals. Final score Boyle 2.8 St. Michael's 1.10. Well done to the players and management. The team: T. Lowe, Ml. O’Donnell, J.S. Lyons, A. Sharkey, C.Beirne, M.O’Connor, S. Purcell, S. Tonra, C. Cox, K.McLoughlin, C. Smith, D. O’Callaghan, J.Suffin, D. O’Connor, M.O’Donohoe with L. Conroy and A. O’Connor with T. McGarrity, C. Boylan, B.Supple, A. Tiernan, D. Smith, C. O’Neill, K. Feighan, P.Simon, C. Garvin, K.Supple, Ciaran Beirne, Marc O’Connor, L. Conboy, B. McCrann. There are a number of Junior C’Ship games coming up soon which provides opportunities for other players to get into team contention.
Thanks to all who helped out at the double header in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening last, especially those involved in pitch preparation, operation of scoreboard, the Club Lotto ticket sellers and those involved in traffic management and stewarding. There was a fine response to the call for stewards.
The Club officers still have some tickets for the County Board fundraising draw, as you might imagine! It is important for the longterm financing of the Club that its quota of tickets is sold as it will reduce the cost of club affiliation next year.
Congratulations to former Club player Pat Carty and his bride Olivia Gilligan who got married recently. Best wishes to the Roscommon minor team and management in the Connacht Semi Final in Castlebar on Sunday next, and especially to our three Boyle representatives, Donal and Enda Smith and Tadhg McKenna.
n.t.d.w.gaa. If you are an E.S.B. customer check the blue panel on your most recent bill and you will see a 14% discount offer. This has to be pursued and if you don’t do it you will not get it or be chastised by the E.S.B.!
Apparently there is a new surge of thefts i.e. flower pots etc. I was wondering where they’d gone.

Ladies Club;
The U10 girls continue training on Fridays at 5.30 pm while the U12s train on Mondays and Fridays. The U14s train on Wednesdays and Fridays. This panel is scheduled to play St Ciarans away on Friday evening next. The Junior Ladies are scheduled to play Shannon Gaels in Croghan this weekend-see fixtures for details.

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