Thursday, September 29, 2011

Thurs. 10.30.
Ad spaces are available in the County Finals programme and are priced at €50 for a half page. Rates for other sizes are available on request. Ads must be paid for no later than Wednesday October 5th. The payment can be dropped into the Roscommon GAA Office. No money = No ad.

Boyle Junior Ladies play St Marys in the Junior A League Final this Saturday
in Croghan, throw in 2.00pm, please support

Roscommon County Board Golf Classic:
Roscommon County Board together with the Roscommon GAA Golf Society are holding a fund raising Golf Classic on Friday 30th Sept and Sat. the 1st Oct. in Roscommon Golf Club.
The golf competition will be a four man Stableford team competition, €240 entry fee, which includes Steak Dinner on your return to the clubhouse. Prize giving will take place on Saturday evening with prizes for teams finishing in the top seven places.
If you are aware of any keen weekend golfers who might be interested please spread the news.
If you would like to enter a team, or for all Tee time information, please contact Eddie Miley at 086 2561563.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and looking forward to a great turn out on Friday/Saturday next.
Brían Mác Stibhin
Runaí

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Thursday 9 am.
Charlie Candon, Sec. of the Minor Club will call to minor training tonight, Thurs., to get details of relevant people for the County final programme.

Also there is a request for ads. from the participating club areas. It would be nice to have your ad. in the Boyle notes or beside the Boyle team minor pic.in the programme, for future refence etc. especially if the team wins....which of course we all hope they do.
Details here: Ad spaces are available in the programme and are priced at €50 for a half page. Rates for other sizes are available on request. Ads must be paid for no later than Wednesday October 5th. The payment can be dropped into the Roscommon GAA Office. No money = No ad.

The Walk to Croker review meeting tonight at 9. All associated asked to attend for report etc.
If you are a member of the Boyle minor panel or management please read below and forward your required piece to me
tconboy1@eircom asap. (TO CHARLIE CANDON NOW, THURS. AM) I don't know if the Minor Club officers have this in hand but just in case. And if you are a member of the panel and see this please alert the other members to it and the requirements. The County Final programme is a very good production and it will act as a fine souvenir of the occasion for you. So it is in your interests as well as everything else. T.C. (Help me out here, please!)
A chara,
I know that your Division One Minor Football Cship Semi-Final has not take place yet but as the date for the final, and the deadline from our printer is fast approaching I thought that I would give you advanced notice of what is required for the Match Programme, in the event that your Minor team is successful.
In order to produce a suitable souvenir for your players and supporters I'd appreciate it if your committee could get the following information for me:
• A brief History / profile of your Club, including a list of major achievements and the names of the current Officers - Approx 300 words
• A profile of your Team Manager - A short paragraph, max 150 words
• A profile of your Team Captain – A short paragraph, max 150 words
• Players Pen Pics – name, age, honours won
• A photo of the panel, including a caption
I will need the above information no later than October 1st
Finally, I will require the team list / line-out of your panel, with the players names in English and Irish (and their jersey number) submitted in Word format.
I'll need this information before 9:30am on the Wednesday prior to the final (October 5th). This is for programme purposes and will not be released to anybody apart from the printers. Changes to the line out can be announced on the PA system prior to final and players should be reminded that they have to wear the jersey numbers they were given in the programme. As this is the last item that goes into the programme it needs to be on time, as the programme has to be proof read on the Wednesday evening for printing on the Thursday morning in order to have it ready for the Friday.
Ad spaces are available in the programme and are priced at €50 for a half page. Rates for other sizes are available on request. Ads must be paid for no later than Wednesday October 5th. The payment can be dropped into the Roscommon GAA Office. No money = No ad
In addition to the programme I'll be producing a poster for you to display in your locality and graphics that can be used on your Club website. These will be forwarded to you over the coming days. If you have any questions about any of the above don't hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Colm

Monday, September 26, 2011

Mon. 11 am per Martin Dolan.
It was weekend of mixed fortunes for Boyle on the playing fields. The National Automation Limited minor team had an impressive win over Clan na Gael in the Division 1 County Minor Semi Final in Kiltoom on Friday night last. They are now looking forward to a County Final date with Michael Glaveys in Hyde Park on Sunday week 9th October.

The McGovern Directional Drilling team completed their O'Rourke Cup programme with a narrow loss to Kilmore in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening last. This defeat unfortunately results in their relegation from Division 1 after a season which promised so much. The panel should take encouragement from the fact that in most years four wins would see them safe and a number of their defeats were by minimal margins. Their objective should be to achieve promotion back to Division 1 next season. Thanks is extended to the entire panel and the management team and to sponsor Tony McGovern.

The Cooney Motors/Cooney's Centra juniors will play Castlerea St Kevin’s in the Tansey Cup in the Abbey Park on Saturday next at 5.30pm.

The U14s’ have completed their activity for the season. Thanks to the panel and the management for their efforts and looking forward to seeing the lads back in action at U14 or U16 levels next year.

The U16s’ are waiting the fixing of their Division 1 League Final versus St Croan’s.

There will be a Club meeting on Thursday night at 9pm to wrap up all outstanding matters relating to the recent "Walk to Croker". All who participated in the walk and representatives from the three sections of the Club are asked to attend.
Boyle Ladies Club;
Boyle Junior Ladies are scheduled to play the Junior League Final versus St Mary's on this Saturday-time and venue to be confirmed. The Club wishes to thank King and Moffatt Electrical and King Kabish for their sponsorship of a set of training tops for the U14 girls panel. This panel bowed out of the U14 Championship in a keenly contested semi final with Shannon Gaels last week. Thanks is extended to the panel of girls and to the management team of Pat Leonard and Mary Flynn for their work during the season.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Sat. 9.40 pm ish

Fine Boyle Effort—But No Dividend.
Kilmore 2.10 Boyle 1.11.
In a keenly contested game Boyle came up just short in a championship style encounter, in the Abbey Park this evening. Kilmore just shaded the result deservedly so I imagine. Their forwards threatened consistently and got some good scores. The two goals were of course the winning of the match and despite a game effort by Boyle, especially towards the end; Kilmore had moved too far ahead to be reeled in. So it is back to Division Two League next year. It is not a nice prospect but has to be dealt with and didn’t just happen because of tonight. At the end of the 11 game campaing the stats saw us come up short and perhaps the stats didn't lie.I said after the C’Ship loss to St. Dominick’s that next year’s Intermediate C'Ship would present an achievable challenge. After tonight we have a second achievable challenge, that of coming back to Division 1. So it all starts next spring or whenever.
If one was a neutral I imagine that this evening’s game would be regarded as a pretty good, fast paced encounter. There were a number of very good scores, lively performances and a question if Boyle could engineer a winning comeback at the end.
Seani Purcell, my Boyle player of the year, started off with a good point on 3 minutes. Boyle were 4 points to 3 up on 18 minutes following points by Aaron O’Connor, Donie Smith free and Aaron again. Boyle had a chance of a goal or least a fisted point before Kilmore’s 4th point which Donie Smith trumped a moment later on 21 minutes. No fisted points and another thing completly missing in recent games that I've observed is the demise of the good shouler over the sideline! Then came one of the crucial goals as Kilmore, moving at pace, cut through the Boyle defence. They added three points on 27, 28 and 30 minutes to go in at half time with a good lead of 5 points 1.7 to 0.5.
There was a Boyle resurgence at the start of the second half with points from Lochlainn Conboy and Donie Smith, both frees and a fine point from Mark O’Donohoe on eight minutes. The score now stood at Kilmore 1.7 Boyle 0.8. Kilmore added an eighth point but midway in the half cut the Boyle defence open again (aided by some wayward Boyle passing if I remember rightly) on 15 minutes for their second goal. Kilmore 2.8 i.e. 14 points Boyle 0.8. Kilmore went further ahead on 18 minutes but Cillian Cox surged up field and started a Boyle revival with a great goal on 22 minutes. This reminded me of the Pat clarke 'let's get stuck into this' attitude. 2.9 to 1.8. Mark O’D. added another good point to leave just three in it with 5 minutes remaining. However Kilmore got an insurance point a minute later. There were a couple of occasions at this juncture when a cooler approach to setting up scores might have paid dividends but chance were forced and went astray. Despite two pointed frees from Lochlainn Conboy in those tense dying minutes Boyle did not create a goal chance that might have put them in the necessary winning position (due to results elsewhere a win was needed). The Kilmore goals were decisive. They were too far ahead at half time and still so midway in the second half. Their attack was potent, mobile and got some fine scores. Some traditional errors repeated for Boyle despite the fine efforts of all. So the season ended disappointingly despite the huge effort of management and the team. I have suggested how 2012 might be approached in my notes after the championship defeat on Sat. the 10th.
The Boyle team tonight: T. Lowe, A. Finn, C.Cox (1.0), Ml. O’Donnell, S. Purcell 0.1, M.O’Connor, C. Beirne, C. Cox, K. McLoughlin, D. Callaghan, D. O’Connor, A. O’Connor 0.2, Donal Smith 0.4. ( 3 fr.), L.Conboy (0.3 fr.), Mark O’Donohoe 0.2. with Tadgh McKenna, Cian Smith, S. Tonra.
P.S. I am putting this together at 9ish on Sat. evening and if playing is tiring being a Boyle supporter is, let’s say, testing/challenging/stressful also.One could say kinda shreddded on the evening of Strokestown. I’ll have to take a break!
I say all the above with the awareness that all do their best. Some go above and beyond the call of duty. One should not forget the club executive and the supporters.I am assuaged by the suggestion somewhere that we all do our best (translated I suppose that means; what we do is the best we can do!) and that the term, I used so often in another life, ‘Could do better’ is invalid.
And now up on the horse again for the U 16 League final v St. Croan’s and the County minor Final v Ml. Glavey's!

Slan

T.C.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Sat. 1.40 pm.
THE BIG GAME TODAY (Sat.) IS BOYLE SENIORS V KILMORE IN A MUST WIN GAME (for keeping their Division One status) AT THE ABBEY PARK AT 5.30. HOME ADVANTAGE WILL HELP. GOOD SUPPORT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED SO MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO GET THERE. …please!





Friday 12.30am.

Minor Co. Semi-Final. Boyle not at their best but reach their second minor final in a row.

Boyle 1.11 Clann na Gael 0.11.

The positive element is that Boyle ARE IN the County Minor Final for the second year in a row. Also this is a very good team as demonstarted in the classic game v Roscommon Gaels some weeks ago in the Abbey Park.It struggled somewhat tonight against a team not as good as Roscommon Gaels in my view.

The performance was inconsistent tonight and I'm sure that both they and their management will know that the mistakes will have to be reduced, the performance, tempo and will to win bar raised. There were uncomfortable periods and,while Boyle overall were a better side, Clann missed a lot of chances, had goal opportunities and Boyle can thank goalie Jason McDermott for a fine end-of-the-boot save late in the second half when Clann were putting the Boyle rearguard under severe pressure.

While Boyle got off the mark early with a good point from Donal Smith this was cancelled out and Clann went ahead on 14 minutes. It took Boyle nearly 18 minutes before they came good. They added another five points before half time and looked as if they were going on to a comfortable win, leading 7 points to 3 at half time.

While Clann opened the second half with a point a good Boyle move ended with Enda Smith punching the ball across the square for Dylan East to finish it to the net on four minutes. Boyle 1.7. Clann 4 i.e. a six point lead and it looked good for Boyle. However the Boyle performance dropped for the next 15 minutes and the Clann performance improved consideably tacking on points on 5,11,12,16 and 18 minutes. Now the score stood at Boyle 1.7 Clann 0.9. Also during this period only last ditch defending kept the Boyle goal intact. A Micheal Lavin point stemmed the tide followed by a Jake McCrann point and Conor McPaddden's 4th point in the 24th minute. Boyle 1.10. Clann 0.9. Clann didn't give in and a goal was always a danger. A Clann point in the 28th minute left 3 between the sides and still we feared the drawing goal. Boyle had some chances, one of a goal which would have sealed the issue but the chance passed due to the lack of the clinical touch. A point might have been a better option. Substitute Eoin Lavin soothed things with a good point to leave a gap of 4 which Clann brought back with a further point deep in injury time. So while it was a close run thing it was a win that leads to another big occasion on County Final day on October the 9th v Michael Glavey's before the St. Brigid's v Elphin game. Boyle have now overcome two top sides in close encounters which is a good sign of a team that can roll with the punches and come through because it has the quality and top players and players who come through for the occasion. All now need to make the final push in preparation for the final and it looks as if there will be competition for a number of places.

Amongst the things I saw this Friday evening was:1.the sloppy handling 'not securing the ball' in terms of holding onto possession. It was a pinball machine effect at times. Perhaps the conditions were a little greasy but they looked fine on a perfect pitch.2. In the second half especially Clann cleaned up a lot of the breaks at midfield. Young Evan McGrath had done a good deal of work in this department in the first half but in the second half this reduced. Donal Smith was double marked for quite a bit of the second half and the second Clann player cleaned up the breaking ball. (Damo Keenehan was an expert at this, a Richie mcCaw at the breakdown). 3. There were a few times as a forward Enda/Donal or whoever was coming through the middle but the zone in front of the goal was occupied by Boyle players and their defenders.4. The old thing of passes going astray, one particularly around the Boyle 30 yard line at a crucial time in the second half led to a point for a Clann. 5. While I might exaggerate this sometimes, forwards coming out the field with their backs to the kick out bugs me. Judging the bouncing ball on a soild ground is a skill and sometimes a forward could gamble and turn and hope it goes over the back to a clear space behind. Perhaps remedial action in terms of substitutions might be accelerated.

Still having given my observations we ARE in a county minor 'A' final for a second year in a row. That is a great achievement for all involved and a real bonanza for us to look forward to and I hope that the town rises to that occasion.

The team: J.McDermott, L.Brennan, B.Furey, L.Harrington,P.McDermott, T.McKenna, E. McGrath, E. Smith 0.1, D. Smith 0.2, P. Sweeney, C. Goldrick 0.1, C. McPadden 0.4, D. East 1.0, M.Lavin 0.1, L. Roddy with J.McCrann 0.1, M. Goldrick, E. Lavin 0.1 and Conor Tivnan, Dylan Mattimoe, Shane Filan.

Best for Boyle were the goalkeeper McDermott, backs McKenna, Furey and McGrath, the Smiths at midfied, upon whom the team hinges, and in a forward line that is much more potent than it showed tonight the go to player was McPadden with a good contribution from Lavin on his appearance.

Friday 9.30am.

Two big games tonight and tomorrow: The minors take on Clann na Gael in Kiltoom at 8 pm tonight.

The seniors have a vital last home game at 5.30, tomorrow, Sat., against Kilmore. Both teams require a win to stay in Division One so it all to play for. Hopefully home venue will be helpful.

One thing we could look at, in these times, is the travelling arrangements for games. Someimes when I arrive in say Johnstone or worse Woodmount and then see another Boyle car arrive with say two people I think there must be something we can do to coordinate travel arrangements.

I am going and have two seats available tonight for instance if you call me. T.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Thurs. 8.30 pm.


The minor game is still in Kiltoom tomorrow night at -8- definitely.


I've just finished another GAA book, basically on the All-Ireland of 1982 when Offaly stopped Kerry's 5 in a row bid. Simply, I recommend it. It is called 'Kings of September' by
Michael Foley.

Thurs. 1.45 pm. The following may be of interest to some club members, I have in an email an application form for anyone interested.


Connacht GAA Bursary Awards 2011/12
Connacht GAA, in support of the National Student Bursary Scheme, will once again award bursaries of €1,000 to students attending Higher Education colleges as part of its ongoing commitment to Player Welfare.
The scheme, which is now in its fifth year, will be open to members of the Association who are attending a full-time Higher Education course and who are active participants in their Higher Education club. Students who hold other GAA-related or a college scholarship/bursary will not be eligible to apply.
Connacht GAA welcomes applications from those students in our province, (Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon & Sligo), regardless whether their attendance is at a college inside or outside of Connacht”.
Each bursary granted will be for €1000 and payment will be made annually in two instalments of €500. Further information and application forms for this year’s scheme are currently available to download from www.connachtgaa.ie.
Connacht GAA Office,
Clare Streeet,
Ballyhaunis,
Co. Mayo
www.connachtgaa.ie
Phone: 094)9630335
Email: reception.connacht@gaa.ie
The closing date for application will be October 14th, 2011.
Applications received after the closing date will not be eligible for consideration.

Thurs. 8.30 am. Thanks for that Karl (Keenan) in Western Oz. The team in the Laegue v St. Dominick's was; T. Lowe, A. Sharkey, Cillian Cox, Ml.O’Donnell, C. Beirne, S. Purcell, J.S.Lyons, Ciaran Cox 1, K. McLoughlin 1, A. O’Connor 1, Donie Smith 3, D. Callaghan 2, M.O’Donohoe 4, D. O’Connor 1, L. Conboy1(pen.) 4, with C. Cmith 1 and J. Suffin.
Half time Boyle 0.7 St. Dominick’s 0.2 Final score 1.18 to 0.4.
Wed. 9pm.The minor fixture is like the stock echange (which I watch all the time) in terms of movement. The minor game has now been switched to Kiltoom on Friday night at 8 or is it 8.3o? (Maybe somone might book a bus instead of 4/5cars going up!)


The Senior game stays put as is in the Abbey Park on Sat. at 5.30 v Kilmore.The junior game has gone out to Sat. October 1st (!) already and if the response from the panel does not improve it might be scrubbed.


It is hoped to have a get-together of those who did the Walk maybe around Friday the 30th. the review notes and list of participants will be posted soon. In the overall context the Walk was a success, not the major success that we had hoped and that our efforts deserved but it generated a nice sum that we didn't have previously. Of course the event had to be done to know the ins and outs of it all. Also it generated a fine camaraderie amongst the people who participated and was enjoyable to boot. So apart from the money collected there were other positives from which the club will benefit. While the contribution of a number of people like Aidan Lavin, Martin Dolan and Mary Smith was just phenomenal many more came up very much trumps, like those who did a number of days on the road, those who helped along the way, and of course all our sponsors. This is only a preliminary note and a comprehensive approach to recognising those who deserve to be so recognised will follow.I haven't heard from Oz or Canada for some time. What's the story?


Slan for now.


Wed. 1.50pm.
I have been asked to post that the Minor C'Ship Semi-Final v Clann na Gael has been moved from Ballyforan to KILBRIDE at 9pm on Friday night under lights of course. The change of venue allows for a bigger support from Boyle so make the effort if you can.
The very important Division One O'Rourke Cup game is on Sat. in the Abbey Park at 5.30 v Kilmore.
The Juniors play a deciding league game on Sunday at 1.3o(?) v Casterea.
So another busy and important week-end for the club with very important games.
I'm hurrying so....
Slan

Monday, September 19, 2011

Mon. 1.50 pm. Welll Done To All INVOLVED IN THE MAJOR ‘WALK’ (AD)VENTURE. We will be reviewing the project anon and will post a list of the many people to be thanked here. For the moment I post Martin Dolan’s post.

The Club has successfully accomplished its historic "Walk to Croker" project. After six long days of walking and fundraising, the Club members arrived in Dublin on Saturday afternoon last and carried out an intensive bucket collection mission around the City Centre and Croke Park area until after the conclusion of the All Ireland Final on Sunday. The proceeds have not yet been tallied but it is anticipated that they will help with the financing of the Club in the short-term without having to burden the local community. The Club extends a sincere "thank you" to the many members of the three sections i.e. the Senior, the Minor and Ladies Club who participated in the walking and the fundraising and who gave unselfishly of their time. Thanks is also extended to the many others from within the community and in the various locations along the route who participated so actively in the project, and to the many who provided for the practicalities of the venture such as collection buckets, drinks and fruit for the walkers, those who sponsored the vehicle and those who sponsored the fuel. All will be acknowledged in the coming weeks.

Lotto: The following were the winners of €25 each in the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in the Abbey Bar;Peter Wynne, Michael Costello, Karl Keenan, Peggy Feely, Joe Simon, Mary Rushe, Mary and Michael Brennan, John Nevin and Joe McDermott. The house prize was won by Mary Moran.This weeks draw will be held in The Patrick's Well on Saturday night next with Team D in charge. As the jackpot was not won last week it will stand at €4,400 on this weekend.

The McGovern Directional Drilling senior team picked up two valuable O'Rourke Cup points when they overcame St Dominic’s in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening last. They will meet Kilmore in the last round of the O'Rourke Cup on this Saturday at 5.30pm in the Abbey Park. Support is requested for this important fixture.

The National Automation Limited minors will face Clan na Gael in the Division 1 County Semi Final in Ballyforan on this Friday evening (under lights) at 8.30pm. Support is also requested for this major fixture.

The Cooney Motors/ Cooneys Centra junior team will play Castlerea St Kevins in the Abbey Park on Sunday next at 1.30pm in the Tansey Cup. The Club extends its sympathy to the Keenehan families, Boyle and Galway and to the relatives of the late Peter Burke, Lucan and formerly of Lahausk, Strokestown.
Boyle Ladies Club;
The Ladies lost to a stronger Western Gaels team in the Junior A County Final which was played in Cootehall on Saturday last. The girls will have an opportunity to return to winning ways when they play the Junior League County Final on circa 1st October. The Club wishes Western Gaels every success in their forthcoming Connacht Championship.
Mise le meas,
Martin Dolan
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529.

Sunday, September 18, 2011



Sunday's Team - Click on photo to view a large version

Saturday, September 17, 2011




Saturday's Team - click on photo for a larger version
Above; Owen Garvin, Aidan Lavin,Kathleen Hanmore, Ml.gilmartin (a formidable front row). Margaret O'Neill, Stephen Bohan, Pat Goldrick, Eugene Halligan, Thomas Halligan plus the Dub. diaspora below.

******MEET ON THE CRESCENT AT 7.50 AM SUNDAY FOR TRANSPORT TO THE EASTERN FRONT ******.

This is just a holding statement (Sat. 8.30 pm). This was a better Saturday for the club. A preliminary report from the Walk epicentre at Croke Park was that they had a ‘pretty good day’ on the collecting front. The count is where it all becomes concrete. The bus is just leaving Dublin at 8. The group pictured on the bus were joined in Dublin by Tom Kennedy now resident in Leixlip, John Healy, Mick McHale, Cianan Conboy and Justin McCormack. I expect to see a pic. of John and Mick on some of the Sunday papers! We sincerely thank Tom K. and the lads for their help. It is greatly appreciated. I am told that the group were treated regally in Tom Maye’s pub in Dorset Street. Tom is originally from Croghan area and I call into his pub on Dorset St. when I am in the area not that I’d be much good as a customer. But if anyone from this area is in the vicinity you might support someone who is a great supporter of all things Roscommon in Dublin. I do not imagine that Tom tunes in here but thanks a million Tom. Just one more river to cross tomorrow and if anyone can dredge up the energy for one more whack at this they should come to the Crescent for 8am tomorrow and I’m sure that transport will be available.
Tomorrow may be the All-Ireland but it is also the ‘Walk’ final and could make the venture a real success. So set the clocks and go to bed early and maybe encourage your Boyle contacts to give it one more effort anytime from 10.30 in Dublin meeting around Maye’s or contact Aidan.
The Senior League McGovern Directional Drilling team had a resounding win over St. Dominick’s this evening the Abbey Park. This was done in a refreshing, creative, direct and relaxed style. The half time score was Boyle 0.7 St. Dominick’s 0.2. I know Doms. Were missing a number of players and perhaps were not ‘really up for it’ but the final score of Boyle 1.18 St. Dominick’s 0.4 tells a tale. I’ll list the team et al later.
Commiserations to the Ladies team who went down to a very strong Western Gaels side on the score of Western Gaels 1.15 Boyle 1.5. I await the report on same. Well done on your season.
Congratulations to our twin club in Dublin, St. Brendan’s Grangegorman, Dublin who had had a convincing win by over 30 points this evening. There is a big Boyle influence on this team and they are in Smithfield-a pub nothing to do with horses- tonight. This could be the start of major career for their manager Justin McCormack and now the management avenues are all opening up for Justin whose phone will be sparking in the management recruitment season.
Was that not a really great marvelous performance by Ireland in the rugby World Cup? A thriller, even on the radio!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Sat. 1am. The two key days of the Walk are Sat. and Sun. so all can go to Dublin are earnestly asked to make the effort and all who are in Dublin, and can lend a hand, for whatever period of time, on either day, are asked to do so.
The two big games this Sat. are; 1. the Ladies Junior 'A' Final v Western Gaels at Cootehall at 1.30 and 2. the very important Corrib Oil Senior League game which sees a rematch of Boyle v St. Dominick's in the Abbey Park at -note- 5.30. The minors have a challenge in the College Field v St. Croan's at 3(?)
8.45pm. Pictured above are the Boyle collectors and members of the Hever family outside Maynooth GAA Club's premises. Apart from the Boyle resident crew the picture above includes: Maynooth Club Secretary Hilary McCabe and the Hever Clan including Ronan and Adrian, Adrian's wife Cathy along with Paddy, Roisin, James, Clodagh and Sean Hever after refreshments in the clubhouse. (Thanks for that Ronan).



Fri. 6.45. I'd like to remind GAA people, who can, that the Anniversary Mass for Fergus Ahern takes place tomorrow Saturday at 11am. Fergus was instrumental in the donation of the Ahern Cup, in memory of Rory Ahern, for the U16 tournament.
Friday 6.15pm. I have just had a preliminary report from Aidan from Maynooth. The first thing he wishes to do is to thank Ronan and Adrian Hever and their wives Kathy and Michelle for their welcome and help in Maynooth. Also included in his thanks is the dynamic Club Secretary, Glaswegian Killary McCabe 'the hearbeat of the Maynooth Club'. Hillary proudly informed the Boyle contingent that the first 'Walk' from Maynooth to Dublin took place in the first days of the Easter Rising. Proposals are being exchanged regarding inter-club games and exchanges at under-age level. So today's collaboration could see a more long-lasting relationship emerge between the clubs. Aidan wished the Maynooth Club well with their 20 acre development of 6 pitches and state of the art facilities and he felt the Hever families could not have done more for them and it was a great boost coming towards he end of long, tiring but 'interesting' week. (It is what I would have expected from these Elphin St./Forest View gentlemen. So take a bow the hever families of Maynooth. T.C.) I have some more pics. which my pic. posting dept. hopefully will get to a bit later!







Update from Maynooth ... photo courtesy Brian Furey








Update from Enfield... photo courtesy Brian Furey.


Friday's Team - Click on photo to view a larger version

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thursday 11.55pm.
Friday leaving the Crescent at 8.20. Saturday and Sunday leaving at 8.
The main message from tonight's meeting is the hope that more collectors will make themselves available for Sat. and Sun. in Dublin. If that does not happen then we will not nearly maximise our possibilities and the enormous efforts that have gone into organising the whole project. Perhaps there are people who might come on board again for Sat./Sun. even if they have done a day already.
The schedule for Sat. is arriving in O'Connell St. (maybe based close to Tom Maye's Pub Dorset St.) between 1 and 1.30pm. The schedule for Sun. is to meet up at 10.30 ish. There are 10 to 12 venues identified such as 3/4 train stations/Bus Aras/O'Connell St./Dorset St./Drumcondra pubs eg. Kennedys & Fagan's/Quinn's and McGrath's pubs/ North Circular Rd. past Jones's Rd., Gills Pub et al / Barry's Hotel and that particular ST. to Mountjoy SQ with the buses there etc/Car Parks and so on i.e. approx 12 to 15 teams of 3 people each.

Thursday 4/7. 8.45 pm. I arrived back an hour ago from today’s ‘Walk’. I had wondered, in the accounts coming back from the first three days, of people having, we’ll call it, ‘a fun day’/'enjoying themselves'. Well our team had a ‘fun/enjoyable’ day today also. We had a GREAT team ably led by Margaret O’Neill who started the day talking to Hector on 2FM’s ‘Breakfast with Hector’ Radio Show. A number of people along the route referred to hearing about us on that show, that we were coming! Thanks to the Bonnicci family for arranging same. We did pretty well considering the testing environment out there. But one has to emphasise that the reception we got was very good/considerate/decent and from time to time appreciative of what we were about. Our team engaged with potential customers with courtesy/humour and the kind of sales pitches which might take a long,long time to learn at ‘sales colleges’. They were brilliant. Do not be shy, ask, do not ignore places as ‘not worthwhile’. Judge how many might go into a premises. Don’t overpower. Humour/Smile. Let the adrenaline take over. Be polite and thankful always. Try and get a hook into a potential customer. What breed of dog is that? Does that dog bite? An easy one would be a car reg. for say LM; what part of Leitrim do you come from? If someone says, going into a shop, ‘I’ll get change and see you when I come out’…wait. Use the van to catch up on your group. In Enfield, as it will be tomorrow, divide either side of the street and work the street like politicians used to do. Try and come up with a strategy that you know what has been ‘done’ by other groups. Bowl into bars etc. Don’t be shy. Engage…lovely day. When asked a question such as; ‘What are you collecting for?’ ‘I am collecting for Boyle GAA Club. We overstretched ourselves, during the Celtic Tiger and owe a lot of money. The answer I got, along with a few euros, was, ‘I know all about that’. Enjoy and be seen as if you are enjoying yourself and if someone does not come up trumps it isn’t the end of the world. The first few approaches are the hardest. Get confidence from each other and create a team bond. Go for it. I’m sorry if the teacher is breaking out in me!

We are back to Sat./Sun. of course and people there coming out to help and people in Boyle contacting their Boyle friends in Dublin et al to come out and help for an hour or two. Boyle Junior Ladies team sponsored by Green Veterinary and Kennels play Western Gaels this Saturday 17 Saturday in the Junior A Championship Final in Cootehall, throw-in 1.30pm. Please support. I'm going to a meeting now, 8.45pm, and I may post some ideas from that later plus posting a representative pic. from today. Slán.



Back:Pat Duignan, Regina McLoughlin, Mary Smith, Claire Conway, T.C., Aidan Lavin, Barry Lowe. Front: Eilish Goldrick, Carmel Goldrick, Margaret O'Neill (Team Capt.), Mary Clifford.

Thursday's team - Mullingar to Moyvalley

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mary Clifford, Jan Flanagan, Bernie Mullens, Keith Suffin, Fidelma Morris, Owen Garvin, Michael Costello, Bernie Shannon.



Wed. 8.50 pm.
1. The team worked hard today in Mullingar and I am told they had some fun despite the difficult collecting environment out there. I will post a ‘night watchman pic. in a short while.
2. If you are an early bird then tune in to R.T.E. 2FM ‘Breakfast with Hector’ which begins at 7am.I am told he will be talking to Thursday’s captain Margaret O’Neill at 7.15 am. The team move from Mullingar through Kinnegad to Moy Valley tomorrow.
3. There will be a short meeting, tomorrow night Thurs. at 9pm, to discus arrangements for the big Dublin week-end push on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning before the game and after the game. Some ‘briefing notes’ for the week end will be posted here afterwards. It is a tremendous effort by so many people and of course there is the hard core whose contribution is above and beyond the call of duty.
4. The call is still out for people to contact their friends in Dublin to lend a hand for whatever period of time they may be able to give at the week-end. We would like the St. Brendan’s lads to let us know what their position is and anyone else available. R.O’D. and co. please copy.


Wednesday's Team - click on photo for larger version






Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tues. 11.35 pm. A note from Kathleen; There will be a short meeting on Thursday night at 9 pm to review progress and finalise arrangements for Saturday and Sunday especially.

Click on any photo to view a larger version




Some of Tuesday's group (including Roscommon Mayor Eugene Murphy in Rooskey): Martin Dolan, Mary Flynn, Lyola Kelly, Liz Gannon, Aidan Lavin, The Mayor of Roscommon, Eugene Murphy, John Cummins, Patricia Cummins, Laura Gannon, Paul Beirne, John Filan

Tuesday 8.30. Day 2/7. The second day completed. The message coming out that it is a pretty dificult market out there. So well done to today's team. Tomorrow's captain is Jan Flanagan, meeting on the Crescent at 9, and the route is from Edgeworthstown to Mullingar. I feel Jan has her homework done so hopefully things will go well. There are a couple of cars going to Mullingar for the afternoon, say for 2.45 or so, in the old Mullingar road, with a particular meeting at Lidl at 3. So if anyone feels like going tomorrow please contact Jan.

Thursday it is Margaret O'Neill's team from Mullingar to Moy Valley, not a very urban area. Friday Martin Dolan's team and Saturday it is Aidan Lavin with Kathleen Hanmore (and everyone) on Sunday.

I have tried to rustle up support in Dublin for the week-end so if any of you have Boyle friends in Dublin try and enlist them, if even for an hour or so for Sat. afternoon or Sunday morning or evening.


Tuesday's Team. Click on photo to see a larger version


Tuesday 9.40....I should be gone.

John Cummins, Captain of todays team led his group off from the Crescent to start in Rooskey through Newtownforbes with the main pitch being Longford arriving there at 1 ish. They end up in Conefrey's bar in Edgewortstown.

They are gone and so should I....

Monday, September 12, 2011


Click on any photo to see a larger version...



Cian, Mark, Colin and Seanie meet up with the Heineken Cup (on its way to a function in Geevagh per Master Hughes) in Carrick on Shannon.



?, Aidan, Johnny, Colin (again!), Mark, Seanie, David and Seamus Nugent of Kilglass Gaels arrive at goal number one....a couple wilting a little.



Mon. 11.45 pm. Round two of the Roscommon GAA Members Draw took place yesterday at half-time in the St. Brigids v Western Gaels Senior Football Championship Semi-Final and the prize winners were as follows:
1st Prize: Marian Rice and Maura Reddington, (Seller - Fuerty)
2nd Prize: John Callaghan, (Seller - Ballinameen)
3rd Prize: Ciaran Guihan, (Seller - St. Ronans)
4th Prize: Tommy Beirne, (Seller - Kilglass Gaels)


Mon. 8.45pm.

As related at midday, the Walk got off successfully and with Martin Purcell beating out the step on the drum with the flags flying. Carrick was quiet today as people were wondering about the possible storm. However it was mission accomplished as the group proceeded through Jamestown, Dromod, Drumsna and on to Rooskey. Seamus Nugent of Kilglass Gaels joined the group in Dromod and the day ended in Cox’s bar in Rooskey. All went fine with the proceeds and the day being analysed. There were no hitches and by the week end it should be a well oiled machine. Tomorrow’s group backboned by the ladies group, captained by John Cummins, travel via Rooskey, Newtownforbes, Longford and end up in Conefrey’s Bar in Edgeworthstown. The big venue here is of course Longford and all energies and collecting strategies will be required there. The group leave from The Crescent at 9am. If anyone wished to join the group, especially in Longford at midday, there is, I believe, transport going which will facilitate that with transport home by the bus. So that is it, less dramatic than I imagined. I suppose that is a plus! One down 6 to go. Tune in to Sean's pics of the setting off on realboyle.
Once again the call is still out for the week end in Dublin.

Mon. 1.40.



‘Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday and all is well’. I know I’ve used that phrase a few days ago but I should have kept it for today when it is more appropriate.
The WALK got on the road successfully this morning with a fanfare and what pomp and pomposity we could muster. Well done to the principals of course and well done to the supporters who came and gave encouragement this morning. There are many ‘spakes’ to encompass a project like this such as; ‘Every journey begins with the first step’ and so on. While there are many to thank and that will be done in as fulsome a way as possible later first thanks to Canon Gerry Hanly for setting us off on a positive note with his blessing. Scoil na nAingeal Naomha provided the first of the really nice touches that we hope will decorate this week when they provided a ‘guard of honour’ outside the school for the walkers and the entourage. Well done all for that and especially the Principal, John Francis McLoughlin for his endorsement. The initial report from Carrick is tentative so I’m off now as the fingers trying to type quickly are throwing up errors by the new time. So a good start. We again ask for support from collectors and 'encouragers' in the big centres Longford/Mullingar/Maynooth and especially Dublin.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Below there are 3 posts as follows: Sun. 1.45/Sun. 6.30pm/Sun. 11pm.
It has been suggested that this blog will be the notice-board for the coming week and the ins and outs of the Walk. So I’ll do my best, if I get material, to facilitate that role. I hope to post at least three times per day. Circa 9am; 1.45 pm; and a review of that day circa 8 pm. Hopefully this will include useful information/tips from day to day.
The first notice:
Walkers and supporters are asked to attend at the Abbey Park on Monday morning (tomorrow) by 9.25am as Canon Gerry Hanly will inaugurate the walk with a blessing for success and the safety (which is paramount) of participants. So all WALKERS and SUPPORTERS PLEASE attend at 9.25. There will be no ish involved here. This is where serious starts.
The Walk will proceed through the town to the Crescent and back to the Carrick Road and East to Carrick-on-Shannon where they will be at approx. 1pm. Their day will conclude in Rooskey. The Captain for the day is Mark O’Connor with his team drawn from the Intermediate panel.
Sun. 6.30pm.
Boyle Junior Ladies "Green St Veterinery & Kennels"
sponsored team overcame
Shannon Gaels last Saturday to reach the Junior A Final. The opposition for
the final is Western Gaels and this game is fixed for Saturday 17 September
time and venue to be confirmed.
Boyle U14 girls had a good win V Padraig Pearses and are through to Division
1A semi final when they meet Shannon Gaels this Friday 16th in Croghan throw
in 6.45pm. Full details will be given at training.
Please support both teams in these games.
The Club wishes everyone involved in the Walk to Croker a SAFE TRIP.


Sun. 11.00 pm. per Martin Dolan. The Boyle GAA Club (Senior, Ladies and Minor) are currently participating in their historic "Walk to Croker" fundraising walk. The entourage departed from the Abbey Park on Monday morning, with a blessing from Canon Gerry Hanley. Stage one took the group from Boyle to Rooskey. Tuesday sees the walk arrive in Edgeworthstown. Mullingar will be the main fundraising location on Wednesday, while it will travel to Moyvalley on Thursday and on to Maynooth on Friday. The intrepid walkers will arrive in Dublin on Saturday afternoon and they will be augmented by maximum club members on Saturday and Sunday in the City. It is expected that club members will travel to the larger towns during the week and to Dublin at the weekend to assist in the fundraising. Details are available from the Club Secretary and the Walk Captains.


It was a mixed weekend on the playing fields. The U14s started what was hoped to be the first leg of a treble when they won the Garda Cup Final against Elphin in the Abbey park on Thursday last. The U16s went down in the U16 Division 1 County Final when they lost narowly to Clan na Gael in a game that never reached any great heights on a fine new Strokestown pitch. Thanks to the lads and the management who have given us an enjoyable year and hopefully they will show their true form in the upcoming league final. Congratulations to the Clan lads.


Our woes continued in Strokestown on Saturday when the McGovern Directional Drilling team lost narrowly to a St Dominics, who were the better side on the day,in the Intermediate Championship semi final. The Boyle lads will meet St Dominics again in the O'Rourke Cup in Boyle on Saturday next at 5.30pm. The Senior Club extends its congratulations to the Boyle Ladies who had more luck at the weekend when they qualified for the County Final on Saturday and they are wished every success in the County Final against Western Gaels on Saturday next. Thanks is extended to Paul Purcell who looked after the Abbey Park on Saturday while the rest of the Club were away in Strokestown and Ballinameen.

Boyle Ladies Club;
The Junior Ladies had a good win over neighbours Shannon Gaels in the Junior A County Semi Final in Ballinameen on Saturday evening last in Ballinameen. They will be in action again on this Saturday in the County Final against Western Gaels at a time and venue to be confirmed. Full support is requested for this important fixture. It is not the only important upcoming fixture as the U14 girls had a good win over Padraig Pearses in the Division 1A semi final last week and they are through to the County Final when they will also meet Shannon Gaels in Croghan on this Friday evening 16th at 6.45pm. Support is again requested for this important event. Many Ladies Club members will be participating in the "Walk to Croker". It is hoped that members will travel to the major towns and to Dublin at the weekend to assist the collectors and the walkers,
Go raibh maith agaibh,
Martin Dolan
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529

Saturday, September 10, 2011


Sat. 10.45pm. Boyle Disappointed on the Double.
Boyle set out today with good hopes that they would bring home a cup and get to another final. Alas through the vicissitudes of sport it didn’t turn out that way. I am not really going into the fine detail of the games, I was too involved and then too disappointed at the end. The first thing to say is that everyone involved put in a huge effort, players, management and executive and deserve great credit for that. The supporters too were out in force. It is suggested that when a man falls off a horse that he must try and get back on there as soon as possible. Boyle has a bright future and we saw a good deal of that this evening in terms of the coming generation of Boyle teams. The Intermediate team has an opportunity to get back in the zone on Saturday night next with an important O’Rourke Cup game on Saturday next against their victors tonight, St.Dominick’s. Maybe even how they respond on Monday to the Walk will test their resilience and spirit. (weather and all that considered). The U 16s’ too have another big game with a league Final outing v St. Croan’s plus involvement with the minors.
I gather you know the results from above.
The under U 16s’ went down to Clann na Gael by the narrowest of margins on the score of Clan na Gael 0.7 Boyle 0.6. After a very poor first half the score stood at 2 points each. Boyle levelled the game 23 minutes into the second half but Clann had two winning points on 27 and 28 minutes despite a late Boyle point. There were massive efforts by many players but Evan McGrath was fantastic at midfield with Dylan Mattimoe, Thomas Halligan and Cian McKeon also to the fore. Hopefully I’ll have a team pic. up anon. So well done to all and hold your heads up and look forward to the next game and days like the semi-final in Elphin.
The Intermediate side were beaten by a St. Dominick’s side that maximised their strengths and were resourceful, clever and resilient. Boyle crept into an early lead but St. Dominick’s got the final 4 points of the first half to go in with a lead of 7 points to 4. The teams were level by the 13 minute of the second half at 8 all. But Boyle were unable to tack on any more scores subsequently and St. Dominick’s added two, number 9 on fifteen minutes and a clincher in a nail biting finale. In this period Boyle shot a number of wides from a variety of angles, from play and frees and this was the dividing line. The introduction of David Casey in the second half seemed as if it was going to provide the momentum but it too got stifled. Even in defeat there were a good number of pretty good performances such as those of Donal Smith (0.3), Darren O’Connor (0.2), Cillian Cox, Aaron Sharkey, goalie Tadgh Lowe, and Seanie Purcell.
From now the target remains for next year when I believe that Boyle will be a more formidable force with attainable objectives. So next spring we do as we always do and start again with today’s disappointment-and it was not just both teams disappointment but the broader clubs also- recorded but behind us.

There will be brighter days.
3pm.
It is batten down the hatches as there is a storm on the way due Sunday evening/night.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Sat. 11am. 'The day dawns with scent ofmust and rain...

Below my window the awakening trees

Hacked clean for better bearing, stand defaced

Suffering their brute necessities,

And how should the flesh not quail that span for span

Is mutilated more? In slow distate

I fold my towel with what grace I can

Not young and not renewable, but man.'

(Mirror in February by Thomas Kinsella)


I miss Ciarain Mac Mathuna's 'Mo Cheoil Thu' on Sunday mornings.


I hope to give reports on the two big games below by, say, 9pm ish! So if you wish tune in then! (I am constantly using exclamation marks. As Sean O'Dowd sometimes says oops!). By the way there are fine sets of pics. on realboyle' flickr on the happenings of the week including the fine concert of last Wednesday which demonstrated-again-the plentiful and varied talent of the region.


Friday 11.30pm.

'Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday and all is well'.


The U 16 County 'A' Final, Boyle v Clann na Gael, is at 4, in Strokestown's new pitch, near the secondary school, on the Tulsk Road.

Boyle Intermediates v St. Dominick's in the Co. Semi-Final at 6.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Brian Conway, Captain of the successful Boyle U 14 Garda Cup winning team, with his acceptance address and thank yous. In the background is Miss Kelly who presented Cian McKeon with his 'Man of the Match' award; Supt. Mullarkey of Boyle Garda Station who made the medal presentation and Seamus Nugent of the Northern Board who run this prestigious competition.



Thursday Night.

U 14s’ Cruise to Garda Cup Win.
Boyle had a pretty easy win over Elphin at the Abbey Park on Thursday evening. Cian McKeon put his stamp on the game in the opening minutes and barring a major change of direction Boyle were always in the driving seat from there to the end. I was surprised that Elphin were not near the Elphin young teams I became accustomed to some years ago. Anyway Boyle can only do their best and it was a very comfortable win here and the score was pretty high by the end though Elphin played to the end. So congratulations and well done to the team and management, Kieran McKeon and Johnny Lyons. I was pleased for two players whose fortunes I tend to follow here, Jack Moran and Sean Mullens. Sean got a cracking goal with a firm fist midway in the first half.
The team lined out thus: S. Brown, L.Casey, J. McKeough, A. Bonnici, C. Beirne, M.Austin, J.Cox, D. Gardiner, B. Conway (Capt.), C. Flanagan, C. McKeon, G. Gilmartin, Ml. Lavin, C. Deery, S. Mullens. The subs listed, most of whom played were; D.O’Driscoll (inj.), M. Doherty, K.O’ Connor, J. McDonnell, E. O’Driscoll, J. Rhodes, O.Regan, J. Moran.
The medals were presented by Supt. Mullarkey of the Garda Siochana with Garda Fergal O’Donnell also in attendance. Seamus Nugent of the Northern Board presented the Cup to the winning Capt. Brian Conway who thanked all appropriately. Miss Kelly, daughter of the late Sgt. John Kelly, presented the ‘Man of the Match’ award to Cian McKeon whose scoring average prospered on the evening! There are a number of excellent players on this side also and there are some very big men to boot. I am led to believe there is a significant rugby influence involved. If they can give Gaelic the commitment then there is no reason why they should not be challenging for top honours in the years ahead.
There was a large gathering present and again as Seamus Nugent remarked the final was well presented by Boyle Club. A minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect in memory of recent bereavements. The referee was Pat Casey, a Ballinameen stalwart.
Now it is on to Super Saturday and the Co. U 16 Final v Clann na Gael and the Co. Intermediate Semi-Final v St. Dominick’s at Strokestown’s new pitch.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Slight editing 1.15pm.
Wed. 9.30am
2 Disperate (not desperate) events this evening:

The Garda Cup Final Boyle v Elphin (like old times) in the Abbey Park at 6.30 not 7 on tomorrow Thurs. not Wed.

This will be followed by a Walk detail meeting. There is an urgent need re. the walk/collection for MORE volunteers so PLEASE contact Kath. or any of the Day Captains and contact people you know in Dublin for the Sat./Sun.

The Benefit Concert from 8.30 in The Hall with a host of musicians and performers. M.C./T.c. Entry €10 approx. but remember the 'widows mite' story.

Majella Dodd and Co. have a road race (distance?) starting at the back of the Post Office at 7 to do with the Athletic club.

I'm off.........

Monday, September 5, 2011


Mon. 12 midnight approx. (This is a rolling blog but that cannot continue!)
The Garda Cup final has been brought forward from 7 to 6.30 on Thurs. because the lights at the Abbey Park are not adequate. Someone took this evening’s early black skies really to heart. ‘Walk Meeting’ on Thursday not Wed. because of the Concert.
I’ve been told that the minors will ‘probably’ be contesting their semi-final v Clann na Gael on Friday Sept. the 23rd. Venue etc t.b.a.
The Intermediates will meet St. Dominick’s on Sat. in the C’Ship semi-final but it seems as if they will meet again in the Senior League on the following Saturday in Boyle though the Walk is at a crucial stage that day!
I believe the GAA are threatening the full house All-Irelands with the big increase in ticket prices from 70 to 80 euro for top price tickets. It is a real issue for families where a number of people wish to go to the final and can get tickets. I see John Power former Kilkenny hurler complaining about that this past week-end. One also has to bear in mind the number of other games in a campaign plus the extras in going to a game in Dublin. There were tickets on sale by genuine individuals on Sunday and also at the GAA shop on Dorset Street and opposite Gills Bar. With the Dublin population there should be no issue with having a full house on the 18th but say it was Donegal v Kerry what might the story be? The least that should have happened is that the prices should have remained as of last year. In no way should they have gone up.
It's a while since I've seen a programme with as much rubbish content as last Saturday night’s R.T.E.’s ‘Up for the Match’. The two items with Marty Morrissey were dire. You wouldn’t use them as 11th hour Scor entrants. The Tipp. musical contribution was embarrassing while the Cats group were no great shakes. The personnel for these programmes is becoming pretty predictable and Micheal is just everywhere. If someone comes up with a prize I’d run a competition here for predicting the ‘guests’ for the football ‘Up for the Match’. Possibilities would include Paddy Cullen, Jimmy Keaveney, Pat Spillane, Darragh O’Shea, Micheal again, President C.L.C.G. again or U 2!




Mon. 1.30pm. There is a planning meeting for the 'Walk' captains tonight at ? Captains have been advised.
The big games this week: Thurs. Garda Cup Final in Boyle v Elphin @ 7.
Sat. in Strokestown the U 16s' play Clann na Gael in the County Final at 4 followed by the County Intermediate Semi-Final, Boyle v St. Dominick's @6. So a really bonanza double header for Boyle fans there. Put into your week-end planner.
The Ladies play Shannon Gaels on Sat. also details to follow.
Sun. Night the 4th of Sept. 12.00 midnight approx.
Just a reminder. On Wednesday night next the 7th, in St. Joseph’s Hall at 8.30, there is a big concert of the top entertainers in traditional and other genres being organised by Bernie Flaherty. The concert is in aid of the East Africa Famine Relief. The artists include Patsy and Pauline Hanly, Harry Bradley, James Carty, Breda and Aiden Shannon, Tommy Finn and Fiona Doherty, Colm O’Donnell , Brendan Maloney, Paul Emmett , Brendan Howley, Derek Caldbeck, Matt Burke and many more. Please try and support and spread the word on same in the few remaining days.
A lot of text tonight, so good luck. As Kieran Emmett used to say: ‘It’ll shorten the Winter’.
I have seen the very good Sunday Game coverage of the All-Ireland final. I was at the game. I don’t know if it was a great game but Kilkenny were pretty awesome in the sense that they dominated this game. The only analytical question is how Tipp. finished as close as they did on the final scoreline. It is hard to mention a Kilkenny player who had other than a top game today and that extends to 17 players. Some of the performances were magnificent. While J.J.Delaney got the panel’s ‘Man of the Match’ from Tommy Walshe and Michael Fennelly I was surprised that Noel Hickey wasn’t in the hat. What was Tommy Walshe doing with the mild swing that clipped the referee? While Henry was very good but not brilliant what an achievement to come back from two cruciate injuries to take his eighth medal and challenge Ring and Doyle who have 9. It is probably the only significant record that Kilkenny do not have. As Michael Duignan said: 'with a fit Henry, Kilkenny are almost unbeatable in the games that count'. Anyways there is a lot of material for posting here so I’ll post the business letters. (T.C.)
'Walk to Croker’ (update) per Martin Dolan: There was a large and enthusiastic gathering at the Official Launch of Boyle GAA Club's forthcoming "Walk to Croker", which was held in the Clubroom on Wednesday night. Tony Conboy M.C., "interviewed" the various dignitaries, including Shannonside fm commentator Willie Hegarty, Club President John Joe Nerney, Senior Club Captain Ciaran Supple, Ladies Club Captain Sinead O'Donohue and Minor Club player Donie Smith. The Club is deeply indebted to Roscommon Senior Manager Fergal O'Donnell who attended and gave an inspirational address and formally launched the project. Club Chairperson Aidan Lavin returned thanks on behalf of the Club.
The historic "Walk to Croker" project will commence on Monday next Sept. 12th, with assembly in the Abbey Park and a ceremonial walk around the Town before departure on this epic journey. The walk will be done in six stages and the walkers will arrive in Dublin on Saturday afternoon the 17th of September. Six Team Captains have been appointed to take charge of each day of the walk. The Captain for the first day-Monday 12th- will be senior player Mark O'Connor and he will be accompanied by many of the Club's current senior male panel. They will travel from Boyle to Rooskey, via Carrick on Shannon, Jamestown, Drumsna and Dromod. Seamus Nugent, who did a similar and very successful walk for Kilglass Gaels in 2007, will join the walkers in Dromod. Day 2-Tuesday 13th is "Ladies Day" when the Ladies Club with their Chairperson John Cummins at Captain. They will walk from Rooskey to Edgeworthstown ending at Conefrey’s Bar which has Boyle connections. The big location on this section will be Longford Town. The walkers will arrive there circa 1pm. It is hoped that Club members might travel to Longford to augment the numbers of collectors for an hour or so. Day 3 -Wednesday 14th will have Jan Flanagan in charge. They will travel from Edgeworthstown to Mullingar. We are being helped there by connections with the Downs Club. Again it will be appreciated if extra personnel might travel to Mullingar in the mid afternoon to augment the number of collectors. Day 4- Thursday 15th will be led by Margaret O'Neill and it will move from Mullingar to Moyvalley via Kinnegad. Day 5-Friday 16th will have Club P.R.O. Martin Dolan in charge. The walk will advance from Moyvalley to Maynooth via Enfield and Kilcock. Maynooth is the big one on this day and the Club is appealing to Club Members living or working in the Dublin area and those on the way home for the weekend to meet up with the collectors in Maynooth on Friday afternoon. We will have the assistance of Boyle connections in Maynooth. Saturday 17th is the last day for walking as the entourage moves from Maynooth to Dublin. The leader on Friday will be Club Chairperson Aidan Lavin. This day will take in Leixlip and Lucan and the entrance to Dublin, finishing in O'Connell Street circa 4pm. We will have Boyle in the city coming on board there. Kathleen Hanmore, Club Secretary will be the leader in the Capital on Sunday the 18th (All-Ireland Football Day) when collectors will be in action around the Croke Park area before and after the All Ireland Football Finals. The Club is appealing to as many Club members as possible to make a special effort to get to Dublin to help on the two weekend days. Assistance from ex-Boyle and ex-Co. Roscommon people in the Dublin area will be much appreciated. While the Walk can be a significant social and historic project the objective is a very serious one of collecting money. So collectors need to very conscious of that objective. Another thing is to be careful on the roads as the last thing we need is an accident.
General Notes: There are a number of very 'big' games this week listed below.
The following were €20 winners at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in Clarke’s recently;-Vincent Egan, Paul Kelly, Eugene Cregg, Jonathan Wynne, Colm Loftus, Elaine Purcell, Dillon McGovern, Vicky Emmett, Colm Brennan and Claire Kelly. The house prize was won by John Mitchell. There was no jackpot winner and it will stand at €4,200 for this week's draw which will be held in the Abbey Bar on this Saturday night. Team "C"-Kathleen Hanmore's team will be in charge.
The U 12s’ are continuing their competitive season. The U14s have a big game this week as they face Elphin in the Garda Cup Final in the Abbey Park on this Thursday at 7pm. Support will be appreciated for this important game. The David O'Connor Auctioneering U16s’ also have a big engagement as they will take on Clann na Gael in the Division 1 County Championship Final in Strokestown (new pitch Tulsk Road near Convent Secondary School) on Saturday next at 4pm. This will be the curtain raiser to another major game involving the Club as our McGovern Directional Drill team will take on St Dominick’s in the Intermediate Championship Semi Final at 6pm. Clearly this is the biggest competitive weekend of the year to date for the Club. The National Automation Limited minors had a great win over Roscommon Gaels in the Division 1 Minor Championship in the Abbey Park on Wednesday evening last. They will meet Clann na Gael in the semi-final of this championship. The Cooney Motors/ Cooney Centra juniors are awaiting news of their next outing. The Club is appealing for more walkers on each of the days, and especially for the weekend in Dublin--see above. All team managers are asked to ensure that pitch co-ordinator Martin Purcell is advised of any proposed fixtures, be they games or training sessions. If anyone finds an umpire's green flag, please leave it at the Clubroom!
Boyle Ladies Club; The Ladies Club hosted a very successful Sean Daly Memorial Cup U14 competition on Saturday in the Abbey Park. Congratulations to Shannon Gaels on winning the cup. Thanks to Paddy and Monica Daly who presented the trophy to winning captain Aisling Egan. The Boyle U14 girls were very busy last week. They defeated Padraig Pearses in the Abbey Park on Monday and they lost to Clan na Gael in Johnstown on Wednesday. They play St Ciaran's in Fuerty on this Monday. They are scheduled to play the championship quarterfinal on this Friday evening. Details will be provided at training. Boyle Junior Ladies sponsored by Green Veterinary Centre and Kennels had a great win over Western Gaels in the Abbey Park on Tuesday last. This was an excellent display by both teams win Boyle coming out on top by two points. This ensures that they have topped the group table. They are scheduled to take on Shannon Gaels in the County Junior Semi Final on Saturday-see fixtures . The Ladies Club thanks Barry Lynch of Green Veterinary Centre and Kennels for sponsorship of a set of jerseys for the girls. The "walk to Croker" project requires more volunteers for the Ladies Club. Those wishing to take part should contact John Cummins or any of the Team Captains. The Ladies Club wishes good luck to the various male and female club teams in action in important games this week.
Go raibh maith agaibh,
Martin Dolan/Fiona Lavin/T.C.
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Fri. 10.15 pm. The ladies team names has arrived:
Laura Gannon, Angela Moran, Saoirse O Flaherty, Jenni Conroy,
Suzie Keenehan, Sinead Cummins, Caitriona Leonard,
Maria Keenehan, Caitriona Hanmore,
Emer Killalea, Nicole Mc Dermott, Danielle Gaffney,
Sinead O'Donohoe, Sinead Keenehan, Sharon Conroy.
Subs used: Coleen Regan, Nicole Kerins, Aisling Dolan, Natasha Regan, Orla Nicholson. (Thanks Angela).


Fri. 9.30am:


I missed out on one team list of the last few days below and that is the Ladies team who turned their game around so well against Western Gaels on Tuesday evening. So someone might forward same please...always please even if not mentioned!


I see from this am's paper reviews considerable resistance-especially in Kilkenny- to the prices for All-Ireland Final hurling tickets of €80. Very understandable in these times and compounded if you have family multiples. The market and times dictate. It would be some indicator if there was a significant fall attendance. Anyone going from Boyle Sat. or Sun. early might let me know as I'm going up for one more time. It looks as if it will be a special game.


Thursday 11pm.


I’d just like to add the names of the teams who gave the outstanding performances of the last few days with three wins:
The David O'Connor Auctioneering U16s’ was as follows; Kuba Karpowicz, P.Goldrick, P.Nally, J. Regan, R. Finneran, L. Brennan, D. Mattmoe, E.Lavin (0.1), E. McGrath, S. Filan, C. Goldrick (0.4), C. McKeon (2.0), D. Boylan, T.Halligan, Ml. Lavin (3.1) subs B. Conway, D. King, E. Beirne, E. Reid (The club would like to welcome Ewan Reid to Boyle and GAA activities here), J. Sweeney injured. They defeated Strokestown in Saurday’s cracker at Elphin. They play Clann na Gael in the Co. Final shortly.
The McGovern Directional Drilling Intermediate team which overcame Kilglass Gaels was; T. Lowe, A. Sharkey, S. Purcell, Ml. O’Donnell, C. Beirne, M.OConnor (0.1), D. Casey, C. Cox, S. Tonra, D. Callaghan (0.2), D.O’Connor (0.1), K. McLoughlin, D. Smith (0.6), C. Smith (1.0 pen.), M.O’Donohoe (0.1) Subs used J. Suffin, A.O’Connor, C. Cox.
The National Automation minors: J. McDermott, L. Brennan, B. Furey, L. Harrington, E. McGrath, T. McKenna, G. Gunning, D. Smith (0.3), E. Smith (0.4), E. Lavin, C. Goldrick (0.4), C. McPadden (0.2), D. East, Ml.Lavin, P. McDermott (0.1) subs. P.Sweeney (0.2), L. Roddy (1.0) with M. Goldrick, J. Nally, C. Tivnan, D. Mattimoe, D. Boylan. Their probable opponents in the semi-final are a very strong Padraig Pearses.


I'd also like to add the fact that Eoin Kennedy of Dublin (son of Eugene and nephew of Pat and Joe of Boyle) remains on course for a phenomenal eighth successive All-Ireland senior singles title after defeating Dessie Keegan of Ballaghaderreen in the semi-final. He now meets Robbie McCarthy of W'meath in Abbeylara on Sat. next at 4pm. If Eoin wins, then he will surpass the record of the the prince of Boyle handballers Paddy Perry of the 30s'. (Paddy Perry won 3 Dublin senior titles in the one day....Gaelic football and hurling with Garda and handball defeating Peter Berry even though Paddy played with a serious ankle injury). It is a great pity that handball, where Boyle was once supreme, is not being played in the town now.


I'd like to compliment Sean O'Dowd of realboyle.com for the fine set of pics from the unveiling of the Dermot Earley memorial last Saturday morning in Gorthaganny.
View a slideshow of the Dermot Earley photos [here...]


and also the photos posted of the Walk launch [here...]



Query: Does anyone remember a Mister McNicholas who won an All-Ireland senior medal with Mayo probably in '36. He was a schools inspector and was down as having lived in Boyle for a time.

(Click on photo above to view a larger version...)

A quick post. I told you (so) this was going to be a game not to miss and so it transpired. The minors had a fine win over Roscommon Gaels at the Abbey Park last evening. I attended a cracking U 16 game in Elphin on Sat. but this was even better as a nail biting classic with fine football by both sides and a Boyle win with the dream late goal. Hopefully I'll get back to this tonight but in the meantime well done to all involved. This was just the quarter final and there are other big obstacles to climb. I felt that the crowd (though there were a lot of Gaels fans also) and the Abbey Park played a significant role.
The Ladies had a fine win over old rivals Western Gaels on Tuesday evening. They got off to a bad start. I had to leave and I was very pleasantly surprised with the turn of events and the Ladies win.
The Walk to Croker was launched last night with Willie Hegarty, John Joe Nerney, Fergal O'Donnell, Aidan, Sinead O'Donohoe, Kieran Supple, Donal Smith, Seamus Nugent and a good and enthusiastic gathering.
Roch any pic. of the Oz team?
I'm off to the Abbey.