Boyle GAA Blog ...by Tony Conboy

Sat. 8 pm.
Luka’s Star Turn:
I had meant to mention this earlier but….I didn’t! Perhaps I was unwittingly waiting for the Ecumenical season. I’ve seen a good few fine performances this year, mostly, as it is my game, in Gaelic. I think of the Smiths, McKenna and a plethora of other under-age players such as Cian McKeon, Furey, Brennan, Lavin and co. However it was only on Friday night of last (not this) week that I saw a contender for the performance of the year on the field. It happened in soccer on a terrible evening at Celtic Park under lights.
I missed nearly all the first half and heard a groan as I entered the arena which meant that it was a goal for the opposition. So it was and so ‘City’ of Sligo had gone 2:1 up. Though Boyle had played against the elements, the fact that they had a player dismissed early on, did not bode well. I’m close to the point of this tale. Not long into the game’s second half came the first sign, with a headed goal from Michael Corrigan. 2:2. Then it started, as the star of the show, Luka Roddy, raced through for the third goal 3:2. Not long after, a similar scenario obtained for the same man, 4:2. The goals seem to mesh in my mind as they were of very similar origin and style of execution. In that they were clinical, precise, no fumbling or messing and were dispatched with the precision of an assassin. The great goal scorers I remember have been Gerd Muller, Van Basten, Rush and so on. Still I never remember x number of chances followed by x number of goals. Then came Luka’s third goal as City could not cope with the long high ball as it bounced over the last line of that defence, which was keeping a high line, 5:2. ‘Bomber’ reeled off; “5 chances 5 goals” as Johnny counted down the time, with veteran supporters Paddy and the Kearns clan in close attendance. We could relax. Then Luka got another chance with the same result. The goalie just shaking his head and Luka’s marker, who had earlier teased his young opponent, wasn’t smiling now though. In fairness to ‘City’ they seemed to go with the flow and no nasty stuff obtained. They might not have been amused but they could have been bemused. Anyways-as my old uncle used to say- then came number 6, same man, same route down the middle of the open highway, same clinical finish 6:2. Then came a consolation score for City to end 6:3 or was there another goal. I had forgotten the severe weather early in my stay which was made very almost benign by the fare on display and this from a team with the manager a pivotal on-field player. We left heads wagging, smiling and smug.
In any event Luka’s tally was four in one of the star turns, from a Boyle sportsperson, this year.
I had seen this side play some fine football in an earlier win against Cliffony, 2:1. So in the off –Gaelic-season if you see the lights beaming around Celtic Park you could do well to get down there for some good football, in great facilities and perhaps be lucky enough to see Luka or maybe Lee or someone else giving a star turn for the hoops.
The side was: Kyle Suffin, Ml. McHale, Ml. Corrigan, John Connolly, Noel McKenna, Owen O’Donohoe, Lochlainn Conboy, James Carty, Aaron Calpin, Luka Roddy, Lee McKilleen with Conor McPadden, Ciaran Harrington also Alan Duffy, Conor McGowan. Unavailable Sean Purcell, Colm Brennan and Dessie Carlos.
Here you have the legendary mix of youth and experience. Legends (not as in calendars or anything like that) like McKenna, McHale, O’Donohoe and the young guns of McKilleen, McPadden, Carlos and Carty with ‘Top Gun’, on this occasion, Roddy.
Happy Christmas.


Thurs. 10 p.m.
Mass this Friday evening at 8.15.
The Club has arranged a special Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Boyle on this Friday evening the 2nd of December at 8.15pm. The Mass will be offered for a speedy recovery, to good health, of our popular playing member Kyle McLoughlin, who is currently undergoing medical treatment. All who know Kyle and the McLoughlin family are invited to come along. Refreshments will be provided in the Clubroom after Mass.

Sunday Fundraising Game:
Boyle Club will join forces with neighbours Ballinameen on Sunday next 4th December with an attractive fundraiser in support of the Connolly-Keane fire tragedy, which will be held in the Abbey Park. It will commence with an Under 12 friendly between Boyle and Ballinameen at 1.30 pm. This will be followed by a game involving the adult panels from both clubs at 2.30 pm. Meet after in the Moylurg Inn. Support will be appreciated for this very worthy cause.