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

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