Congratulations to Saoirse Wynne All Ireland winner of the U10 hurdles 60m at the Community Games

Tuesday 12.00 midnight.

While there will be a bit of reference towards the end of this post the TWO main messages tonight are:

1. At 6.30 tomorrow Wednesday the Minors play Roscommon Gaels in the C'Ship Semi-Final. Your support is earnestly requested. These are two top teams at this level so it should be a cracker as Carson used to say.

2. The launch of the 'Walk to Croker' takes pace in the Club rooms at 8.30 (also tomorrow Wed. night)with a number of GAA legends in attendance. It is hoped that there will be a top crowd there also. The posters are out and about. There is still a need for people to 'firm up' the days they are available. Of course there is a need for a substantial number more of volunteers. There is also a requirement for a large number for Saturday and Sunday in Dublin. We were hoping that Boyle people living in Dublin would help out.

We have had very encouraging contact with Marc Cunningham in 'The Downs' Club outside Mullingar and with Ronan Hever in Maynooth and Conefrey's Bar in Edgeworthstown amongst others.

Errata: There is a very good letter in this week's Roscommon Herald -page 8- regarding the illogical/ irrational/ conflicitng/ contradictory/ chaotic/ vexing and downright anti-west of the Shannon fare-pricing structures of C.I.E. The letter is headlined: 'Shame on Iarnrod Eireann'. Apparently one can get a return to Dublin for €15 from Longford (but this was pulled at the eleventh hour on a recent Sunday) while it is €44 from Boyle. (While I am not good at internet booking it is said that there are concessions there).

Another recent vexing thing was the sight of perhaps 30 cars 'clamped' near Croke Park on the Sunday of Ros. v Tyrone. Some people seem to think that Croke Park is a major irritation rather than bringing millions of euro and major employment to that area of Dublin city. Maybe Croke Park should have moved to a green field site in the midlands, a few years ago, since it is such a frustration to so many people in its present vicinity!

There was another interesting letter by accomplished letter writer and Sunday Miscellany contributer Jack Fallon on Saturday's Irish Times.

It was nice to see, on the Sunday Independent Sports section, page 6, reference to the Boyle Walk to Croker thanks to Eamon Sweeney.

I see that Steve Earl's (Galway Girl composer) latest album is titled 'I'll Never Get Out of this World Alive'. Groucho Marx (I think) said: 'I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be around when it happens'.

Just a reminder for people using the bins in the park: I am not convinced that the recycle bin is the correct bin for: used tea bags, sour milk cartons and banana skins!

Monday 1.15 am.
Congrats to the Irish Warriors team in Oz on their great win in the International Oz Football competition final there on Sat. Further details on the 'Australian Football International Cup' web site.

Note the details below of the 'Walk to Croker' launch on Wed. at 8.30 and the very important minor c'ship game the same evening at 6.30 v Ros. Gaels, for which support is canvassed.

It was a successful week on the playing fields for all Boyle teams.

The U14s had a good win over Strokestown in the Garda Cup semi final. They will play Elphin in the final in the Abbey Park on Thursday 8th September.

The U16s had a well merited win over old rivals Strokestown in the County Division 1 Championship semi-final in Elphin on Saturday last.This was a superb match with the lead changing hand frequently. The old cliche that goals win matches was never so appropriate as on this occasion. Boyle won this game through two excellent goals from Cian McKeon and a further three goals from Micheal Lavin. Final score Boyle 5 7, Strokestown 2 6. Well done to the lads and the management on this never say die performance.They now await their County Final opponents from the other semi final.

The entourage moved on from Elphin to Kilmore on Saturday evening to the Intermediate Championship Quarter Final in which the McGovern Directional Drilling team had a clear cut win over Kilglass Gaels. They will meet old rival St Dominics in the County Semi Final.

The National Automation Limited minors will commence their championship campaign when they take on Roscommon Gaels in the Abbey Park on this Wednesday at 6.30pm.Please spread the word.

Many thanks to Michael Brennan, Paul Beirne, Martin and Paul Purcell and others who ensured that everything was in readiness for the St Ronan's versus Eire Og game in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening.

All fully paid up Club members are eligible to make application to purchase a limited number of All Ireland Football Final tickets. Applications must be made to Club Secretary Kathleen Hanmore by 7pm on this Wednesday evening 31st August and a draw will be held to determine the successful purchasers.

The official launch of the "Road to Croker" fundraising walk will be held in the Clubrom on this Wednesday evening at 8.30pm. All club members and all who are intending to participate in the project are invited to attend. There is already a considerable number of volunteers listed to walk but the Team Captains for each day of the walk are anxious to hear from those who have not yet indicated their intention to walk. The following are theTeam Captains;- Monday -Mark O'Connor, Tuesday-John Cummins, Wednesday-Jan Flanagan, Thursday-Margaret O'Neill, Friday-Martin Dolan, Saturday-Aidan Lavin, Sunday-Kathleen Hanmore.

The sympathy of the entire Club membership is extended to the O'Donnell Family, Roscommon and Boyle on the sudden death of Mrs. Ada O'Donnell, mother of Fergal, and to Michael Furey and Family on the passing of Michael's aunt,

Ladies Club;
The Boyle Ladies will play Western Gaels in the County Junior Championship on this Tuesday at 7pm in the Abbey Park. Your support is requested as this game will determine who will top the table in this group. The U14s played Padraig Pearses on Monday evening. They will travel to Johnstown on this Wednesday to play Clan na Gael. They will also be in action on Saturday next in the Sean Daly Memorial Cup competition in the Abbey Park. All teams who have been invited to participate in this competition are asked to confirm their attendance immediatly.

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

9am.
Ireland came from 5 goals or so down with a dramatic late charge to win the Int. World Cup in the M.C.G. in Melbourne over favourites Papua New Guinea. Log into Austr. Football Int. Cup for details. T.C. Congrats Roch/John/ and JOE Cunnane. T.C. the same one. I'm rushing!

2pm. Back from Gorthaganny and the Dermot Earley memorial I'll refer to same anon. Off now to Elphin and Boyle U 16s' v Strokestown.

5pm. Two up one to go. I am just after coming home from a cracking U 16 win over Strokestown at Elphin. Boyle 5.7 to 2.6. It wasn't as easy as the score suggests and there were many swings and roundabouts. A class goal from young Cian McKeon on 19 minutes of the second half led to a Boyle winning revival. Cian addded another great goal two minutes later with Ml. Lavin getting 3 goals but probably my 'Man of the Match' would go to Evan McGrath. Cian's was one of the great goals like Paraic Downes in Oran v Pearses at U 16 in 1996, though we lost that semi-final. If you do not come to see the U 16 team and the minors next WED. (not Sat.) at Boyle v Ros. Gaels in th C'ship then you are really missing out.
And so to Kilmore for Boyle V Kilglass in the Int. C'Ship.

11/12pm.
3 out of 3 then.
Boyle advanced to the Intermediate C'Ship Semi-Final with a comfortable win over a below par Kilglass Gaels at Kilmore. Boyle had a winning lead at half time 0.9 to 0.3 and it looked as if they would pull even further away after a penalty three minutes into the second half. They could only add 2 further points in that unsatisfactory second half while Kilglass could only add one. The final score was: Boyle 1.11 Kilglass Gaels 0.4.
The Boyle team was: T. Lowe, A. Finn, S. Purcell, Ml. O'Donnell, C. Beirne, M.O'Connor 0.1, D. Casey, S. Tonra, C. Cox, D. O'Callaghan 0. 2, C. Smith gl. pen, K. McLoughlin, M. O'Donohoe 0.1, D. O'Connor 0.1, D. Smith 0.6- 1 fr. with J. Suffin and A. O'Connor that I saw.
Among the better performances from Boyle Seanie Purcell: did well in the unaccustomed role of full back. David Casey showed power and experience while C. Cox had one of his best games for some time but the performance of the day, in terms of many aspects, such as scoring, vision and football nuance, was that of Donie Smith -on his week's journey from Croke Park to Kilmore- . I imagine we'll be hearing a bit of that 'into the future' as they say in the States.
In the other Intermediate results; Pearses-C'Ship favourites- beat Tulsk and now meet the winners of St. Ronan's (who defeated Eire Og in a qualifier) and Fuerty while Boyle play traditional rivals of late, St. Dominick's. This Sun. evening's top game is Castlerea V Western Gaels in Elphin.
Sin e after a busy Sat. Tomorrow's highlights (!) a 'Church Gate Collection' and M.C.n the 'Wheel of Fortune' in the Gym for the Summer Show. This a throwback to the very old days at St. Mary's College. Of course there is also the Dubs. v Donegal and the Galway minors v Dublin and the 'long sod of turf competion' at the show.
Goodnight T.C.

I'll deal with the Walk poster above anon.

Friday. 7.30.

3 Big Games tomorrow. First up is Roch and the boys in green, Roch/John Tierney and Mr. Cunnane in Melbourne. I wonder is there a streaming recording of this?

Then the Boyle U 16 team take on Strokestown in Elphin at 2.30. Is this the Co. Semi-Final?

Then at 7, in Kilmore, the Boyle Intermediate side play Kilglass in the Co. C'Ship quarter finals.

The best of luck to all involved in these games.

In the morning there is the unveiling of the Dermot Earley memorial at his home at Gorthaganny at 11am.

The fine Irish poet, Paul Muldoon, is in The Dock at 2pm!

Mae Moran is making s presentation on Paddy Moran in Ardcarne Church at 9pm.

That should sort out most of the day with a few items from the domestic list! So I don't think I'll not stir out tonight. (That sounds like a tweet).

'And so to bed' (Samuel Pepys) blog.

Wed. 2pm.

I see Ireland has qualified for the final of the AF Cup in Oz with Roch Hanmore mentioned in dispatches and with other local connections in John Tierney (son of Christine O'Callaghan and grandson of Micheal and Nellie) and x Cunnane from Tulsk. They beat New Zealand in the Semi Final last night and meet Papua New Guinea in the final on Saturday before a regular game-Hawthrons v Western Bulldogs- at the MCG in Melbourne. So a quiz question looming there; What two well connected Boyle men played in a World Cup Final in the MCG in Melbourne?
So Roch/John and X, if you happen on this, the best of luck on Sat. It is a fine achievement.

For further info. and an a/c of the Semi Final chase it up on the web as I'm sure the vast majority of youse are more adept at that than I am.

Ciaran got your post. Thank you.

Mon. 11.20am.

Road to Croker Meeting Wed. at 9 and each Wednesday night with the 'Official Launch' onj Wed. the 31st. Along with the 'full day' walkers/collectors people who might be able able to give a part of a day to give a 'dig out' in say Longford/Mullingar or some such place on an evening are also asked to contact Kathleen or Aidan or one of the captains whose names I'll have here anon. It is necessary to 'firm up' the names and days NOW so we know the picture.

The following were €20 winners at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held recently in the Railway Bar; Finola Doherty, Paul and Anita Kearney, Tom McGarrity, Eileen McGowan, John Joe Carty, Paddy Doran, James McGee, Damien Wallace, Marie McPadden and John Mitchell. The house prize was won by Alice Mattimoe. The numbers drawn were: 1/7/8/27. There was no jackpot winner and it will stand at €4,100 for this week's draw which will be held in Clarke's Bar on Saturday night next. Team B will be in charge.

The U14s have their Garda Cup game with Strokestown in the Abbey Park on this Thursday at 7pm.

The U16s will also play Strokestown opposition on Saturday next at 2.30 pm in Elphin in the Division 1 Championship semi final.

The National Automation Limited minors and the Cooney Motors/ Cooneys Centra teams will have no action this weekend.

The McGovern Directional Drilling team will travel to Kilmore on Saturday evening next to take on Kilglass Gaels in the Intermediate Championship quarterfinal at 7pm. All supporters are asked to come along for this important fixture.

The Club extends its thanks to the Roscommon minor team panel and management for having given us such an enjoyable year. It was a wonderful achievement to reach the All Ireland Semi Final and to go down narrowly to an excellent Tipperary team. The Club is proud of them and especially Donie, Enda and Tadhg.

Thanks is extended to the minor club who brought a coach load of underage members to Croke Park on Sunday. An enjoyable day was had by all.

The Club extends its congratulations to Saoirse Wynne, daughter of Boyle senior team manager, Garry, and Ann, who won the Community Games National title in the U10 hurdles on Sunday in Athlone and to Kate Murphy who won bronze in the U8 gymnastics.

The Road to Croker fundraising project is taking shape. Team captains have been appointed to take charge of each of the six days of walking. It is anticipated that ALL adult club members-male and female, will participate on at least one of the days. Those who have not already done so are asked to confirm with Club Secretary Kathleen Hanmore (086 1229421) regarding which day they will be available to participate in walking or collecting. The next planning meeting for this project will be held in the Clubrooms on this Wednesday at 9pm. Members of all three sections of the Club are requested to attend.
Go raibh maith agaibh
Martin Dolan
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529.

I am posting this on Thursday night at 10.45pm. If there is anyone coming through Roscommon town to Boyle tomorrow perhaps that person might contact me on 071 9662436 as I need a message collected in Ros. I seem to have 'lost' my mobile today hence the landline no.

Paddy, received your post with enclosure for which many thanks.

Last night's 'Walk to Croker' meeting advanced the planning process. There is a great need for volunteers who say they are interested in walking/collecting to 'firm up' the exact dates in which they will be available between Monday the 12th to Sunday the 18th. There is a real need for at least 12 people per day. Captains for each day are in place to coordinate each day's Walk. Hopefully there will be a mix of personnel and not a concentration of a particular group on any day.

While there is a social/cameraderie notion to the project let there be no doubt but that the underlying very serious core reason for this project is the collection of a substantial amount of money. This is necessary to reduce the debt burden from the approx. €130,000 owing at the moment. Without doing this the option is to reduce current expenditure and postpone, indefinitely, any futher development plans. It may be necessary to realise that this is not for the benefit of the likes of Tony Conboy, Aidan Lavin, Kathleen Hanmore, Martin Dolan, Martin Purcell, Michael Brennan or the other senior activists in the club. This is for the present and future generations who avail of the fine facilities now in place. Also the present executive would like to able to see a reasonable balance of payments balance sheet for any incoming AGM executive. So let everyone put the shoulder to the wheel...please... and give this project the push it deserves. It was great to see the number of fresh faces at the meeting of Aug. 11th. There is also the hope that Boyle people in Dublin and along the route will come on board. We are really appealing to the younger set in Dublin to come on board definitely. The Saturday/Sunday in Dublin is key.

That's my sermon for now !!

There will be meetings each of the three remaining Wednesday nights up to the event and there will be a 'Launch' on Wednesday August the 31st at 8.30 in the Club rooms.

Tues. 12.30pm.
Walk to Croker Matting Wednesday 9pm.

I am keeping an eye on the AFL International Cup in Oz. Ireland has had two impressive wins to date over England and X. If you want to see more log on to AFL International Cup. Ireland meet Sweden tomorrow. The local interest is of course the inclusion of Roch Hanmore on the panel plus John Tierney granson of Micheal O'Callagahn and Cunnane x Tulsk GAA. Apparently Ireland have strengthened their team with the inclusion of eligible fringe AFL players like Asaki O'Hailpin and are expected to be in contention.
I had a newspaper interview extract forwarded to me showing Roch's soft and romantic side with his proposal to his Australian girlfriend Mandy et al.

Mon. 9.30am.
Walk to Croker: The next meeting re. the 'Walk' is on this Wednesday night at 9.There is a most encouraging positive response to the request for volunteers to take part in the "Walk to Croker" fundraising project. Team Captains have volunteered and been appointed to take charge of each day of the walk. We are anxious that all interested in participating in walking or collecting would give their names to Club Secretary Kathleen Hanmore at 086 1229421 or to any of the Club officers, stating day or days of availability. The project will be undertaken over six days, commencing on Monday 12th September, with an average of twenty miles being covered daily. We ware hoping to have up to twenty volunteers in action from Monday to Saturday and we will need at least forty to cover collections in Dublin on All-Ireland Sunday. Hopefully our numbers will be boosted in Dublin by Boyle residents there on the Saturday evening and on Sunday before and after the All-Ireland...so please let us know or get a group organised to meet us when and where required in Dublin for a few hours.

Congratulations to Castlerea St Kevins on winning the Keenan Cup Final against Tulsk on Tuesday last in the Abbey Park. Thanks to all who assisted in the hosting of the final of this competition which is of special significance to Boyle. Special thanks is due to Martin and Paul Purcell and Michael Brennan who ensured that the pitch was in perfect condition.
Our U14s will commence their Garda Cup campaign on Thursday evening at 7pm when they travel to Ballyfarnon to play St Ronans.
The U16s are awaiting details of their upcoming County Semi Final fixture. Three members of ths panel were in Fr Manning Cup action in Longford on Wednesday last. Regrettably the side lost to Westmeath.
The National Automation Limited minors have been busy preparing for their upcoming championship with some useful challenge games.
The Cooney Motors/ Cooney's Centra junior team had a good win over Elphin in the Tansey Cup on Saturday evening in the Abbey Park.This leaves them well positioned in this competition. They have no game this weekend.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team will play the County Intermediate Championship Quarter Final against Kilglass Gaels in Kilmore on Saturday week the 27th at 7pm.
The Club extends best wishes to the Roscommon minors, especially Donal, Enda and Tadhg when they take on Tipperary in the All Ireland Semi Final on Sunday next in Croke Park.

Ladies Club:
Boyle U14 girls Championship games resume this week, on Friday they play St Barrys away, on Monday 22 August they play Clann na Gael away. Full details will be given at training.
Boyle Junior Ladies are scheduled to play Western Gaels in Boyle this weekend, check fixtures for details.
Boyle Ladies GAA wish Donie, Enda and Tadgh the best of luck in Minor Semi final this Sunday.
Go raibh maith agaibh,
Martin Dolan/Fiona Mattimoe/T.C.
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529

Sat. 11.30 pm.

‘The Walk to Croker’ will be an ongoing theme of this blog for the next month or so. It will probably become one of the Club’s most notable events. Years ago Tulsk Club engaged in a re-creation march of the Tain, Queen Maeve and the brown or was it white bull of Cooley epic. A couple of years ago Seamus Nugent headed up a Kilglass Gaels walk to Croke Park. Both are now parts of the folklore of those clubs. This is our time to create our folklore. Below is a summary of last Thursday night's planning meeting by the ‘Walk’s’ originator, Kathleen Hanmore.

Tony,
Tus mhaith leath na h-oibre (a good start is half the work).This motivational sean-fhocail could certainly be applied to the Planning stages of the Clubs' Walk to Croker. All three sections of the Club, together with a number of parents, attended the second planning meeting on Thursday night last. Enthusiasm and energy were palpable and many useful and well thought out ideas were proposed to make ‘The Walk’ a success.
Plans are ‘afoot’ to undertake a ‘recce’ of the proposed route to ascertain the best collection points. It is encouraging, that even at this early stage, Captains for the six days of the walk have emerged. Their details will appear on all pre- walk publicity which is being produced by Purcell Print. So please do get in touch and join the fun!
It has also been decided to seek the support and publicity of all forms of media along the route and nationally. GAA clubs on the route will also be contacted.The assistance of Boyle ex-pats, family and personal connections in the various towns and especially those in Dublin will also be sought.
It is planned to "kit" out walkers with a t- shirt and high-vis vests. While conscious and appreciative of the many demands on local businesses for sponsorship, any support and every contribution towards the walk will be much appreciated.
While Barack Obama's visit may be a distant memory, his mantra of "Is feidir linn" is very much in evidence in Boyle GAA Club.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday (please note change of day) at 9pm.

Thurs. 12.50ish(am) and it is just pouring rain outside.

Road to Croker Meeting tonight, Thurs., at 9. If there are readers in Dublin or along the route please contact us as we will need all the support and contacts that we can muster, along the route, for that week.

Roscommon Co. Board €100 Members Draw winners August 2nd
posted 2 Aug 2011 11:46 by PRO Roscommon. [ updated 2 Aug 2011 11:54 ]
Congratulations to the following who were winners at the first Roscommon GAA Members Draw which took place at the Roscommon Races a few moments ago:
1st Prize - €10,000: John Callaghan (Seller - Ballinameen)
2nd Prize - €3,000: Alana Glynn (Seller - Roscommon Gaels)
3rd Prize - €1,000: Paddy & Phil Kenny (Seller - St. Brigids)
4th Prize - €1,000: Rory Naughton (Seller - St. Dominics)
The next draw will take place in September and the final draw will take place in October.

I really recommend the Sunday Indo back page with Eamon Sweeney. Last Sunday he had a good piece on the GAA polituburo seeking an apology from the Wexford goalie for remarks made on twitter or where ever. Also there was an excellent account of the incremental confrontation between Kildare and Donegal from Tommy Conlon (who once worked with the Ros. Her.)with; "...if ever there was a game quarried out this was one. Cassidy arrived at the end of it and unleashed the long-distance shot that travelled all the way into Donegal folklore. ... Michael Murphy,with a deft chip up, that bought the two most precious commodities on the night; a second of time and a pocketful of space." (Does the full stop go inside or outside the quotation marks? Please advise!) Amongst the great writing of modern times is that of sports jounalists a number of them being American but I think Keith Duggan's piece on the Connacht final the equal of any. Eamon Sweeney, of Gurteen and St. Mary's College, is not be missed either.

I had a chat with a former 70s' Boyle under-age star, home from East London, yesterday, Declan Fitpatrick of Forest View. He told me his brother is now the proprietor of the pub at the foot of Croagh Patrick so perhaps I'll give it a go.

There is a return of the North-West C'Ship (in a number of grades) this year with Boyle v St. Ronan's as the club's opening Intermediate fixture. Fixture dates etc. t.b.a.

The Dermot Earley memorial beside his home in Gorthaganny, being produced by Feeley's, will be unveiled on Sat. August the 27th by President Mary McAleese at 11.30am. It's a great pity that Dermot wasn't around to contest the Presidency. It would be something to see the percentage turnout in Roscommon if he was.

Roscommon's Supporters Club in Dublin will honour the 1961/62 Roscommon senior teams at a dinner in Croke Park on Saturday October the 15th. There will be a visit to the GAA museum incl. the Dermot Earley section, beforehand, at 5pm.

For details of the various ways of accessing tickets for the All-Ireland Semi Final it is best to see the Roscommon Herald outline on page 10 of its Sport's Section. It shows there are more ways to skin a cat than one. If there is a club bus going let me know in time so that I can mention same.

I got a complimentary missive from Melbourne yesterday, for which I thank the sender, with the additional info. that: "you will see Stuart Daly (Glaveys & Ros) far left back row (bush hair) playing with us, great bitta stuff" on the green and gold team. If anyone knows connections of Stuart you could guide them to the pic.

If there are spelling mistakes above it is that my head is going faster than my fingers and then my fingers often insist on taking two keys instead of one, to be sure, to be sure, like the double yellow line outside the Abbey! No spell check on blog I think.

'Goodnight and Good Luck' Ed. Murrow.

Tues. 11.15ish pm:
We wish Eoin Lavin, Luke Brennan and Colin Goldrick the best of luck tomorrow evening (Wed.) in the Fr. Manning Cup Final at Longford v Westmeath, and also Ml. Lavin in the Shield final for Leitrim v Sligo. It is great to see 3 Boyle players on the County Minor side and 4 involved at U 16 level.
The Tansey Cup game v Elphin is on Sat. evening at 7.30 in Boyle.
Plans for the Walk to Croker are gathering momentum with the next meeting on this Thursday night the 11th at 9pm.

A la v Kilbride in Kilbride July 6th '08.

I'd like to thank Tadhg Egan, Vancouver, for forwarding me these pics. of two Boyle legends now plying their football trade in Melbourne. Apparently Killian (with a K) Egan and Damien Keenehan (not Keeneghan) are staying in the same house but playing for different teams. Damien was captain of the winning team. Apparently the weather for the game was pretty Irish. Damo's hairstyle has a disticnt Oz flow to it. Killian is in the team picture above, third from right, back row.

Mon. 9.32am ish..Road to Croker (R.T.C.).... A full attendance of the three sections of the Club-the senior and minor clubs and the ladies club-is expected for the next meeting which will be held in the Clubroom on this Thursday 11th August at 9pm to advance plans for the "Road to Croker" fundraising walk to Croke Park in September.

The following were €20 winners at the most recent Club Lotto draw which was held in An Craoibhín recently;-John Healy, Dermot Hayden, Pat Wynne, James and Ailish Goldrick, Seamus Cooney, Jason Harrington, Christy Dunne, Sean Cooney, Karen Purcell and Oriel Regan. The house prize was won by T.J. McDonagh. The jackpot wasn't won and it will stand at €4,000 for the next draw which will be held on Saturday night next in the Railway Bar. Team A will be in charge.
The Keenan Cup Final between Tulsk and Castlerea St. Kevins will be held in the Abbey Park on this Tuesday at 7pm. This is an important annual fixture for the Club as the trophy for this competition for U11 teams from north west Roscommon is in memory of the late Ernan Keenan from Boyle.
The U12s "A" team will play Castlerea St Kevins in Castlerea on Sunday at 12 noon. The U12 "B" team will play Padraig Pearses in Woodmount on Monday next 15th at 7.30pm.
The U14s will commence their Garda Cup campaign within the next week or so.
The U16s had a vital win over St Croans in Enfield last week, thus qualifying for the Division 1 County Semi Final. Club members are asked to support the County U16 team which will play the Final of the Fr Manning Cup competition in Longlord Slashers grounds, Longford on this Wednesday evening at 7pm. There are a number of Boyle players on the panel.
The National Automation Limited minor team had a useful outing recently in preparation for the upcoming championship.
The Cooney Motors/ Cooneys Centra junior team had mixed fortunes recently. They bowed out of the County Junior A Championship against Clan na Gael in Boyle last week, but they beat the same opposition a few days later in the Tansey Cup. Thanks to Kathleen who organised the catering on both evenings. They are scheduled to play Elphin in the next round of this competition in the Abbey park on Saturday evening at 7pm.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team suffered a two point defeat to St Brigids in the O'Rourke Cup on Friday evening last in Kiltoom. This was a lively encounter with a lot of positives to be taken from it.
Thanks to all who purchased full or shared tickets for the County Board draw, thus enabling the Club to achieve its target.
Supporters are reminded that tickets for the All Ireland Semi Finals on Sunday week may be purchased from the County Board of direct from Croke Park at www.tickets.ie . It's expected that large numbers from the Club will travel to support Donal, Enda, Tadhg and the rest of the Roscommon Minors when they take on Tipperary.
All users of the Abbey Park facilities are reminded to ensure that all doors, windows, gates etc are secured on leaving the premises.

Boyle Ladies Club:
Boyle GAA Club (Mens, Minor & Ladies) are walking to Croke Park on the week
leading up to All Ireland Finals, Boyle Ladies Club require volunteers to
walk, collect and assist with this fund raiser to reduce the debt on the
Clubroom. Meeting this Thursday night at 9.00pm in Abbey Park. Please
attend.
Boyle U14 girls train every Wednesday and Friday, next game v St Ciarans
(away) Monday 12 August full details will be given at training.
Boyle Junior Ladies next Championship game v St Mary's weekend of 21 August.
Go raibh maith agaibh,
Martin Dolan/T.C./Fiona Mattimoe.
P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club
086 2413529.

Sat. 9.49.'The Road to Croker' Notes.

There was a large and enthusiastic attendance at Thursday night's meeting in the Clubroom to unveil preliminary plans for the forthcoming "Road to Croker" project when members of the three sections of Boyle GAA -- the adult and minor male clubs and the ladies club will join forces for a fundraising walk to Dublin in the week leading up to the All Ireland Football Final.

The walk will be undertaken in stages commencing in Boyle on Monday 12th September and arriving in Dublin on Saturday afternoon 16th September, with collections being done in towns and villages along the route and in Dublin on Saturday and Sunday when Dublin will be crowded with supporters for the All Ireland Finals. The route to be taken will follow the "old" road to Dublin, thus avoiding motorways.Approximately thirty kilometres will be walked daily.

Team leaders are being recruited, and some have already volunteered, to take charge of each day's walking and collecting. A minimum of a dozen volunteers will be required on each of the six days so as to share the walking and to ensure that there are sufficient numbers to collect in the towns and villages. While a dozen is the minimum, it is hoped that there will be nearer to twenty per day.

We will also need substantial numbers to assist with collecting in Dublin on Saturday evening and again on All Ireland Sunday, when hopefully we will be supporting the Roscommon minors.
We are encouraging club members and parents of players etc to give some of their time during the course of the week. If we get sufficient numbers, there will be no need for anyone to give more than one day to the cause.

The enthusiasm shown at Thursday night's meeting was most encouraging and it is evident that there is already a substantial core group enlisted.

Those wishing to become involved in this historic and important project are asked to text Club Secretary, Kathleen Hanmore at 086 1229421 or to contact any of the officers of any of the three clubs. The next meeting re the project will be held in the Clubhouse on Thursday next 11th August at 9pm and all interested in becoming involved are asked to attend.
The Club is also appealing to the many Boyle natives and indeed those interested in Gaelic Games in Boyle or Co. Roscommon, who live in Dublin or in any of the towns along the route, to contact us if they wish to help in any way with the effort .
Thanks,
Martin

Wed. 12.40am..also Wed. 11.56 pm below.
Just to let you know there is a revised time for the Walk to Croker meeting on Thursday night is now at 9.30 not 8.30 as previously advised. Hopefully there will be a big turnout for same as it's all shoulders to the wheel time again.

I have had some additional information on the composition of the Irish/Autralian Football team with Boyle connections. As already posted Rock Hanmore will join up with the Irish AFL team in Oz....(The Irish Warriors), and one of the Irish based players heading out to play is John Tierney from Bailieborough, Co. Cavan. John is the son of Christine Tierney and grandson of Micheal O'Callaghan and could easily have represented Forest View Green Warriors as a youngster. John has been in Oz with a Gaelic football yonks ago and played for Cavan for I think four years as a minor and later the Cavan teams including senior but injury and maybe playing too much too young blighted his GAA career.
He has been with the Warriors for 2 seasons and was on the team that won the European Cup last year in Sweden. So thats another player with Boyle connections. The best of luck to all involved.
I got a very good note from Canada, parts of which I will post, maybe tomorrow night. I'm in the middle of a turf campaign in my spare time these evenings. There is a bit of Dunkirk feel, at the moment, about getting it home.

Wed. 11.56. Turf home.
Extract from Canadian reader's letter:
“Interesting article about Roch, I see big Joe Cunnane from Tulsk is also on the panel of players. Joe was once on the Underdogs on TG4 I think.
I also saw a very interesting picture of Killian and Damo on facebook. They both live together but both were on different teams in the final in Melbourne a week ago. The pitch was a mud bath, not very Australian like weather! Damo was the captain of the winning team. I can send ya the pics if you are not linked up on facebook yet.
I also won a championship myself here this weekend. I was playing midfield no less for the Vancouver Harps in the Western Canada GAA championship held in Calgary this weekend. My partner at midfield Cillian Finn played Midfield for Meath against Roscommon in the 2006 All-Ireland Minor Semi so he lorded it for us in the middle, good player. Before the game I told him " Look Cillian .. you do the jumping and I'll do the thumping"... joke.. but I remember Tom Ryan regaling that story of his first game for Boyle when John Finneran was his midfield partner! It was weird before the game they would call out the team and say "Cillian and Tadhg at midfield", I hadn't heard that for a while. It was a 12 hour drive from Vancouver through the Rockies, pretty spectacular drive. I used to complain when we had to travel 1 hour to play Pearses back in the day! We now get to play in the All-American championship finals in San Fran in September.”
Lotto from last week end. It took place on Sunday night in The Craoibhin because of the games on Saturday. The numbers drawn were: 6/18/19/28. There was no Jackpot winner. The €20 winners were: John Healy/Dermot Hayden/Pat Wynne/James and Ailish Goldrick/ Seamus Cooney/ Jason Harrington/Christy Dunne/Sean Cooney/Karen Purcell/Oriel Regan. The house prize went to T.J.McDonagh. The next draw, for a Jackpot of €4000, will take place in The Railway Bar on Sat. August the 13 with team ‘A’.

Monday 11pm (Not long after coming home from the U 16 win over St. Croan's in Ballintuber!)
Boyle GAA Clubs (Adult Males, Minor Males and Ladies Club) are joining forces to embark on its most ambitious fundraising project ever in this coming September. It is intended to walk to entire journey from Boyle to Dublin, starting on Monday 12th September, collecting funds along the way and in the various towns and villages along and in proximity to the route. The journey will be undertaken in stages and we will arrive in Dublin on the evening of Saturday 17th September, the eve of the All Ireland Football Final. This is a massive undertaking which will require the committment of very many members of the three clubs. It is intended that different club members will volunteer for walking and collecting on the different days throughout the week, so that the burden can be shared. It should be a fun occasion and a great chance for the many club members to get to know each other in an environment other than in the context of playing or attendance at football matches. It is estimated that at least 20 volunteers will be needed on each day.
The full support of all three football clubs is earnestly needed to make this event a success. The Clubs are in need of the funds to help expedite the clearance of the debt that has been incurred in the developments in the Abbey Park in recent years and to enable the Club to embark on further enhancements to Club facilities to cater for the needs of future generations of Boyle footballers-male and female.
Just think of the comraderie that can be built up from this undertaking-don't even think of sore feet etc! To paraphrase a more famous person-ask not what your club can do for you, but ask what you can do for your club and for the future generations!
There will be a special meeting in the Clubroom on this Thursday evening at 8.30pm to announce details of the project. It is essential that the three clubs-senior and minor, male and ladies clubs are all represented.
Martin Dolan
P.R.O.

Monday 2.05 am.
The big games for the club this week begin this evening Monday with the trip of the U 16s’ to Ballintubber to play St. Croan’s at 7.30. Any support would be very much appreciated. The seniors have a difficult task on Friday evening when hey travel to Kiltoom to take on St. Brigid’s in the Abbey Hotel Division One League.
The Club will host the Keenan Cup Final between Tulsk and Castlerea St. Kevin's in the Abbey Park on Tuesday next 9th August at 7pm.
Our U14s are awaiting the commencement of the Garda Cup competition.
The Cooney Motors/ Cooney's Centra team lost to a stronger Clan na Gael outfit in the Conty Junior ‘A’ Championship on Friday evening last in Boyle. Special thanks to Kathleen who organised the catering at short notice in Friday evening. They will meet the same opposition on this Wednesday evening in the Tansey Cup at 8.15pm in the Abbey Park.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team will resume their O'Rourke Cup campaign on this Friday when they will make the long journey to Kltoom to take on St Brigid’s at 8pm.
Thanks to all who purchased full tickets or shared tickets for the upcoming County Board Draw and thus enabled the Club to achieve its sales quota. Hopefully some of the prizes wil come our way.
There will be a very important meeting of the Club on this Thursday night in the Clubroom at 8.30pm to advance the preparations for the Club's ambitious fundraising project-"The Road to Croker" when the Club will walk to Dublin on the week leading up to the All Ireland Football Final. All members of the Senior and Minor Club and the Ladies Club are asked to attend as this is a joint effort involving the officials and players from all three sections of the Club.
Congratulations to Donal, Enda and Tadhg and the entire Roscommon minor panel and managementon their excellent victory over Armagh in Croke Park on Saturday. Comiserations to Sean and the Roscommon senior team and management who bowed out of this year's championship with a brave performance against Tyronee. Hopefully they will build on the sound foundation that has now been established.
(ntdwgaa; I believe there were a number of thefts from cars in the Forest Park over the week end so if going there of having friends go there be vigilant and alert the Gardai if you see something obviously amiss. It is a holiday spoiler for visitors. T.C.)
Is it Ml. Gilmartin who is the pro for the golf club? Nice one in the golf notes this week. "The prize for the longest drive on Ml. Keville's Captain's day went to Gerry Lavery who drove all the way from Kerry".It was great to see Mayo upset the odds with their fine win over Cork. Another bad call in the disallowed Kildare goal. I was pleased to catch up with Justin McCormack, in Maye's bar in Dorset St. Dublin on Sunday before the big game. Justin is making a name for himself in team management in the capital as manager of St. Brendan's who are nicknamed 'The Dark Force'. A touch of Star Wars Jedi/ Darth (?) Vador about that. The clampers were out in force for GAA supporters around Croke Park on Saturday afternoon].

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