(See the week's blog programme in second posting from last night) t.c.
Intermediate Championship First Round
Two Halves -the Bright and the Dark- in Boyle's performance
Boyle 1.11 St. Barry's 1.8.
 Mon. 1am. Boyle won the first game of the Intermediate Championship at the Abbey Park on Saturday evening. This was certainly a game of two halves and illustrated the good and the bad of Boyle's performance.
The first half saw something of an exhibition of good direct football with some fine scores. While it took Boyle 9 minutes to get on the scoreboard they pressed on with all areas performing well. Midfield did very well with Ciaran Cox having one of his best games. The positioning of Sean Purcell at midfield was a matter of comment but having a player of his all round ability at the centre of play is very important and it worked very well in this half where, with Cox breaking the ball effectively, the picking up of the broken ball was a vital issue and Boyle did fine here. The ball was being advanced quickly and in a varied way which paid dividends. The full forward line was very effective in this half with fine fielding by Donie Smith and he being fouled a number of times for frees. Lochlainn Conboy had his best half for a long time and Darren O'Connor (my Man of the Match) had a fine game all through. Jim Suffin after a spectacular catch showed his potential with a searing run right down the middle to crash the ball to the net from around 25 yards, on 30 minutes, for one of the finest goals seen in the Abbey Park for a long time. Another little detail was a nice/clever quick free leading to a point by L.C. on 23 minutes. I wonder why this kind of intelligent quick free (which can often unhinge opposition slow to reorganise)is not used more in the middle third of the field. Barry's 2nd point was the result of some querying of the referee's decision which resulted in the ball being brought forward to a scoring position. Still with Boyle leading at half-time on the score of 1.8 to St. Barry's 0.3 the 8 point lead looked a comfortable one considering also that the team was playing so well all through the field.
However the second half exhibited many of the old flaws and in summary was a mess. When Boyle opened the scoring through a Darren O'Connor point after 2 minutes Boyle's lead stood at 9 points and extended to 10 with a Donie Smith point on 10 minutes. Barry's reduced this to 6 with a messy goal and a point. Boyle 1.10 Barry's 1.4.However a great run and point from Seanie Purcell on 14 minutes was reassuring, Boyle 1.11 Barry's 1.4. However, incredibly, this was the last Boyle score and Barry's added 4 more points and if their free taking was reasonable they could certainly have got a most unlikely win or certainly a draw. This resulted in Boyle going from a very comfortable half-time situation to a nail-biting finale as Barry's sought an equalising goal.The reason for this almost collapse must exercise the minds of all involved between now and the next game which is against Eire Og way out in August, incredibly also. Among the reasons for this regression was the way so many players became so engaged with the referee who they saw as making a series of wrong calls. This may or may not be the case but the obsession with the calls of the referee nearly caused Boyle the game. Indeed the constant disputing of his decisions certainly could not have helped him empathise with Boyle as he brought the ball forward a number of times,had a free retaken from a more advantageous position, yellow carded and eventually red carded a Boyle player and so on. While encouraging fellow players is OK barracking a referee or officials is very counter-productive and just not clever. If as I've said earlier Barry's free-taking was even reasonable they were in with a shout. While Boyle won they need to be conscious that they beat an understrength team (emigration and missing young Keeenan)which to my mind were no better than junior side on the day. Three years ago Boyle failed to progress due to inferior scoring difference. I don't know if that system obtains this year but if it does then this collapse could prove costly. Another flaw in the second half was the old habit of trying to retain the ball on the wrong side of the half way line instead of letting the ball into the inside forward line which had proven so effective in the first half.
So which half is the real Boyle? I think that the answer is in the next game and hopefully some lessons will be learned from Saturday night's game with a more balanced display. Indeed if I was a coach I'd like to review a video of this particular game to see both sides of the coin. Also while I have felt that the gut feeling manager is more of my time  the report of a statistician from this game would also be interesting in terms of frees given against x,y,z, broken ball mop ups, pass completions and interceptions and so on.
Looking at the team in he first half I felt this is a new Boyle team, of youngsters really, and this is the team we'll be following for the next decade or so. There are the likes of Brennan,Furey, Goldrick, McGrath, Enda Smith, the McDermotts, Lavins, Harrington and more, to supplement it in the coming years. As I've been saying from time to time the future looks bright and hopefully the first half last Sunday showed us a glimpse of that future.
It is a pity in term's of the team's performance in the halves, they were in the wrong order.
The team on Sunday was: Tadhg Lowe, Aaron Sharkey, David Callaghan, Cillian Cox, Cian Beirne, Tadhg McKenna, Michael O'Donnell, Sean Purcell(0.1), Ciaran Cox, Jim Suffin (1.0), Mark O'Connor (0.1), Karl Feighan, Donal Smith(0.1fr.), Darren O'Connor (0.2), Lochlainn Conboy (0.6 2fr.). No subs were used so as to ensure eligibility for upcoming junior games. Listed were: Ciaran Beirne, Stephen Tonra, David Kelly, Michael Hanmore, Michael Bermingham, Jonathan Lyons, Marc O'Connor, Colm Brennan, Shane Spellman, Kieran O'Neill, Tomas McGarty, Kieran Supple, Brian, Furey, Enda Smith, Conor Lavin, Peter Lavin.
t.c.
                       

Sun. 11.58pm.The following were €20 winners in the most recent Boyle Club Lotto draw which was held in Daly's;- Gerry Carty, Carmel and Gerry Tivnan, James Dodd, Lorcan Egan, John and Olivia Kelly, Louise Higgins, J.P.Molloy, Sadie Higgins, Richie Walsh and Aoife Brady. The numbers drawn were: 12/13/26/27. The house prize was won by Clodagh Sharkey.There was no jackpot winner. This week's draw will be held in the Moylurg Inn on Saturday night next with Team 'B' in charge.

The U12s have action in both Division 1 and Division 4 on Sunday next. The Division 1 team is scheduled to meet Clan na Gael in the Abbey park at 12 noon, while the Division 4 team is due to play St Michaels in Cootehall, also at 12 noon (Please note that times are liable to change see fixtures for details).

The U14s have a bye this week and therefore have no game.

The U16s and National Automation Limited minors have a break in action until after the school exams.

The Cooney Motors/ Cooneys Centra juniors will play Strokestown in Strokestown in the Tansey Cup on Saturday evening next.

The McGovern Directional Drilling team made a solid start to the George Bannon Sport Intermediate Championship when they had a three point victory over St Barrys in sweltering heat in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening last. It was a good team display, especially in the first half with impressive score taking by Lochlainn Conboy and Darren O'Connor. Thanks to all who helped in any way in contibuting to the smooth running of the Intermediate Championship double header on Saturday, including those who marked the pitch, the Boyle Rural Social Scheme under Gerry Tivnan who had the grounds looking well, the Gardai for traffic arrangements, Niamh and Melissa for operating the scoreboard, to the two Marys and Kathleen for the catering, Patrick and Luke for selling the Club Lotto tickets and to the stewards who looked after the car parking. The Club would have liked to have had more stewards on the occasion. The Club also wishes to thank Aaron Sharkey and Kevin Tiernan of the Moylurg Inn for sponsoring an excellent meal for the Boyle team after the game.

It was great to see Kyle back with us for the game on Saturday evening.

The Club extends its congratulations to the Boyle Community Games U14 Quiz team which won bronze medals for finishing third in Ireland at the National Finals in Athlone on Saturday. The team, which has strong Club connections, comprises of Cillian Doyle, Tara Duggan, Ronan Flanagan and Jonah Tighe, with Matthew Callan and Alan McCauley. We wish all Commumity Games competitors from Boyle the best of luck in the County Athletics Finals in Ballyleague on Saturday next.

Boyle Ladies;

25 girls aged between 8 and 12 participated in a 'Gaelic 4 Girls' blitz in Monaghan on Saturday last. It was a fun filled day with plenty of matches. Well done to all invloved. Thanks to the parents and other relatives who travelled and helped in any way.

Go raibh maith agaibh,

Martin Dolan

P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club

086 2413529

Mon. 9 pm. Our U10s' commence their season on Tuesday in the Abbey Park when they take on Tulsk. The U14s had their game with Strokestown postponed last week. They will play St Dominics on this Wednesday evening (not Thursday as is usual), in the Abbey Park.The U16s received a championship walkover from Roscommon Gaels last week. Their next game will be away to St Brigid's on Friday the 1st of June. The National Automation Limited minors will have no competitive action until after the State exams, but they will need to keep in shape for the defence of their title. The McGovern Directional Drilling Intermediate team will commence their Intermediate Championship campaign on Saturday evening next at 7pm in the Abbey Park when they will take on St Barrys. This game forms the second game of an attractive championship double header in Boyle as Tulsk and St Ronan's will meet in the opening game at 5.30pm. All Club officials are asked to be in attendance at 4.15pm to act as stewards.

This is the final week of availability of County Board Draw tickets. The first series of draws will be held on this coming weekend. There are 33 chances of winning and the total prize fund is €50,000. Tickets are available from Club officers.Those who have been given tickets to sell or to purchase are requested to return the remittance or ticket by Thursday at the latest.Remember that all unsold tickets must be returned.

Thanks is expressed to those who helped at the Couty Board bridge collection on Saturday.

Ladies Club;

Details of the upcoming Junior A Championship fixtures have been received. The Boyle Ladies will have away games with St Ciarans on 24th June and Ballinameen on 3rd July, and home games with Shannon Gaels and St Marys in August. Training will continue in advance of championship commencement.

Go raibh maith agaibh,

Martin Dolan

P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club

Quiz;

Friday night next the 18^th in the Moylurg at 9pm in aid of Cancer Care West. Dessie Mcloughlin and a number of Curlieu Wheelers are supporting with their cycle in France this July. (Note to organisers re. quizzes: they have to be promoted/pushed. They don’t just happen in terms of getting a crowd. This happened not long ago with a Girl Guides quiz in Daly’s t.c.)   

Dia dhibh,

The following were €20 winners in the last Club Lotto draw which was held in Creighton's Bar;-Gerry Nerney, Perpetua McGee, Gary Wynne, Aiden Sheerin, Joe Tormey, Karen Dwyer, Maria Coleman, Peter McDernott, Arthur Wheeler and John McGuinn. The house prize was won by Marcus Lyons. The next draw will be held on Saturday night next in Daly's, with Aidan Lavin's team in charge. 

The Club completed its successful fundraising campaign with the holding of the draw for the trailer load of timber and other prizes on Sunday last in the Clubroom.The load of firewood will be wending its way to Daniel Doherty, Knockroe, Castlerea (seller Michael Bermingham). The second prize of a voucher for heating oil, kindly sponsored by David O'Connor (Corrib Oil), was won by John Naughton, Drum, Athlone (seller Ernie Keenan). The third prize- a cash prize of €100 was won by Henri Clifford, Maple Drive (seller Mary Clifford). The Club extends its thanks to all who promoted and supported this fundraiser. Thanks is especially extended to Michael Furey, whose brainwave this was, and for the provision of his trailer to display the firewood, also to Michael and to Billy Hanmore and Michael Brennan who assisted in the movement of the trailer to the various locations  during the campaign.Thanks also to David O'Connor for his sponsorship and to Martin Purcell (Purcell Print) for his generosity with the draw cards.

It was a dissappointing week for the Club on the playing fields, with narrow defeats in four fixtures with the exception being the National Automation Limited minors. The U14s lost narrowly to Roscommon Gaels in Lisnamult. They will play Strokestown in their next league outing, in the Abbey Park on Thursday evening. The U16s also suffered a narrow defeat to Padraig Pearses in Woodmount at the weekend. Their remaining league game versus Western Gaels will be re-fixed after the termination of the Junior Cert exams. Meanwhile, they will commence their Championship campaign on this Friday in the Abbey Park when they will meet Roscommon Gaels. As stated, the minors had a good 0. 11 to 1.7 (scoreline?) win over Western Gaels in what was a good team performance in windy conditions on Sunday. They will now have a break until after the state exams.

The Cooney Motors/ Cooney's Centra juniors lost to St Ronans on Sunday in the Abbey Park. They are scheduled to meet Western Gaels next weekend-see fixtures.

The McGovern Directional Drilling intermediates suffered a one point loss to Tulsk in the O'Gara Cup on Saturday in Tulsk. Best wishes for a speedy recovery is extended to Cian Smith who was accidently injured in the game. Their next outing will be in the championship on Saturday week 26th when they will play St Barry's in the Abbey Park at 7pm. It is expected that there will be a double header on that occasion with Tulsk and St Ronans also doing championship battle.

The Club made a special presentation to All Ireland medal winner and club stalwart John Joe Nerney, to mark his recent ninetieth birthday. In expressing his appreciation of the award, John Joe showed that he is fully tuned in to GAA activities by making some astute comments on football happenings at local and national level.

Liam Conroy was formally presented with his cheque in the amount of €5,800 which he won on the Club Lotto recently.

The Club expresses its thanks to Michael Gilmartin, Kathleen Hanmore and Michael Costello for completing and submitting a lengthy Sports Capital Grant application form within a very short schedule. It is to be hoped that their hard work will yield results.

Best wishes are extended to the Roscommon senior panel and management in the Connacht Championship versus Galway on Sunday next, and especially to our Boyle representatives, Sean Purcell, Donie Smith, Tadhg Lowe (Donie and Tadgh getting called up after theri U 21 heroics) and also to Joe Sweeney and James O'Boyle of the manageemnt team.The Club will also be assisting the Club Cairde Ros Comáin bridge collection at the weekend.

Boyle Ladies Club;

The junior ladies went down narrowly to Claregalway in an exciting Connacht League game in the Abbey Park on Monday last. They lost to Ballinameen in a junior league game played in galeforce conditions in Ballinameen on Sunday. A disappointing first half performance, when they had the wind advantage, left too much to do despite a gallant second half effort.The U12 girls played a thrilling draw with St Michaels in a wet Cootehall last week.

Go raibh maith agaibh,

Martin Dolan

P.R.O. Boyle GAA Club

086 2413529    

Mon. 1 am. It is getting busy with club activity.
The U14s will play Roscommon Gaels in the Division 1 League on Thursday evening in Roscommon.
The U16s suffered a two point loss to a good St Dominic’s side on Friday last. They will make the long journey to Woodmount to play Padraig Pearses on Friday evening next in their next league outing.
The National Automation Limited minors play Western Gael on Bank Holiday Monday. They will play again in the Abbey Park on Sunday next at 12 noon.
The Cooney Motors/Cooney's Centra juniors will play St Ronans in the Abbey Park on Sunday next in the Tansey Cup.
The McGovern Directional Drilling team will play Tulsk in Tulsk on Saturday evening next in the O'Gara Cup.
Well done to the Roscommon U21s and their management on putting up a brave display against the Dubs in the All Ireland Final on Sunday. Despite losing, they can be proud of their performances in this year's championship and we look forward to many more years of enjoyment from this great group of footballers.
ALL club team managers are implored to comply with the instructions of the pitch co-ordinator, especially in regard to use for match warm ups, which should be done on the training pitch.
Those who wish to act a stewards in the forthcoming Connacht Senior Championship game in Hyde Park, Ros.v Galway, are asked to attend a training course for stewards which will be held in Hyde Park on Saturday next from 9.30am to 3pm. Each club is requested to provide at least five stewards. 
Tickets for the upcoming County Board draw are available from Club officers, and they must be purchased this week to be in the drum for the first set of draws which will be held  next weekend.
The Club wishes to thank the Kennedy Family of Kelly's Londis and the Purcell Family of Kelly's Gala for their kindness to those involved in the sale of tickets for the Club's own draw on Saturday last.
Thanks also to those who assisted. Congratulations to Jonathan Conroy and his fiance on their engagement at the weekend.
Boyle Ladies Club;
The junior ladies had a good win over Roscommon Gaels in the Junior League in the Abbey Park on Friday last. They play Claregalway in the Connacht Junior League in Boyle on Bank Holiday Monday evening-result next week.
Mise, le meas,
Martin Dolan/T.C.
P.R.O./Dept. Boyle GAA Club

086 2413529    

Friday 8.55pm.

Please note due to lack of Sales on this Extra Train Service for the game on Sunday next, Iarnród Éireann have decided to cancel it.

I would appreciate if you could circulate to club members.

Our Regular Service will depart Castlerea at 08.47hrs, Roscommon at 09.06hrs and Athlone at 09.31hrs arriving at Tullamore Station at 11.05hrs.

Return train depart Tullamore at 16.33hrs and 19.39hrs.

Tickets available at www.irishrail.ie.

Many thanks,

Train to Tullamore on Sunday

Friday 1.39 pm. U 16 game v St. Dominick's this evening in the Abbey College field @7ish.

Ladies fixture this evening this Fri. @ 7.30 v Ros. (hauled!!!) Junior Co. League and on Mon. @ 6pm v Claregalway in 2nd round of Junior league both games in the Abbey Pk. Boyle in O'Gara Cup v St. Mls. Monday at 11am
Thurs. 10.30 pm. this is a kind of rolling (small) news situation.
1. Tomorrow is dedicated as Rossies Day and it is suggested that people show their colours by donning some of the blue and gold. It will be interesting to see what that brings so anyone with a camera I wait the results.
2. ****** I've just heard of a very important 'big' match in the Abbey Park at 12 noon (high). apparently it an Army League final between Galway i.e.Renmore and Athlone. so if you are around and have time to spare you could drop in.
3.tomorrow night in the Bush Hotel there is a tribute to Shannon Gaels legend Paddy Mulvey at 9.30. I hope to get over.
Sin e .....for now anyway!
Thursday 6pm. A. Observations. Pity about the ticket confusion and the fact that they are not easily accessible in Boyle and North Roscommon. This will have to be improved. I reckon there are a good few people who would go if this issue was made easier.
B. I hear that cars are the modus of travelling to under age games or some of them at least. I think it has come to the time when car drivers/owners should be compensated by the parents of those who they are carrying outside their own children. Travelling to say Pearse's is a pretty expensive trip now with the astronomical cost of of petrol/diesel. So the time for the travelling €3/4 or so is on us.In a local context it is great to see the increasing use of bicycles. Decades ago we cycled miles to school. I wonder can cycling to school make a comeback?
C. We all watch ads. I am impressed by at least 2 at the moment. One is the heart alert which is very obvious and striking. The second one concerns the peer pressure to drink, eroding the personal choice of the individual, young people here. One of the real curses of Irish drinking was/is the round system. This I believe has contracted in recent years but decades ago it was insidious.(I think it was a ral Irish thing). I imagine there are few people who will remember a GAA campaign to stop the ROUND system maybe 30 years ago. The GAA has an issue at the moment with Guinness sponsorship which is problematic. There seems to be no rumblings of opposition within rugby to the Heineken sponsorship. So take a hard look at this cautionary drinking ad. as Donie's song goes ' We should have stood on our own two feet'.
D. Johnny Lyons is taking part in a sponsored beard shave this coming weekend in The Mayfly, Ballinafad with an impressive supporting cast. Good luck to Sligo in New York at the week-end. This was a great occasion for the followers of Connacht counties years back but the crash burst that bubble as well.       


1. Boyle v St. Michael's is on Monday (Bank holiday) at 11am. That should give you a 'clear run at the day'.
2. The train notice below reminds me of the times (as recorded on papers of yore etc.) when 'match specials' were a standard for events such as games and races etc.
3. It is good to see the colours getting put up especially on the Crescent today. I see from realboyle that Londis has an assortment of Ros. material available.
4. I misnamed the person in my Query below. It was Ossie Bennett who was the masseur to Roscommon and mostly to the great Tipp. hurling teams of the sixties. Ossie Kilkenny is, I am told involved with the backroom team of U 2!! I haven't heard of any connection between him and the Dub. U 21 player. The query re. the Kilkenny connection to the 'Slated Halls' on the Green still stands.
5. Michael Regan has added the names of Gene Kelly/Fergus Chapman/Liam Coen/Ray Gannon/Padraig Langan to the 1980 school pic. list.

CUSTOMER NOTICE

Football All Ireland U-21 Championship

Roscommon V Dublin – Tullamore

Sunday 6^th May 2012

Train Service will operate as follows:

                                   

Depart Castlerea                      11.25hrs

Depart Roscommon                 11.42hrs

Depart Athlone                        12.14hrs

Arrive Tullamore                     12.45hrs

Return Train Departs Tullamore Station at 16.33hrs(4.33hrs) serving Athlone, Roscommon & Castlerea.

Tickets  available on-line at www.irishrail.ie or at your local Iarnród Éireann Station

Passengers are not permitted to bring Alcoholic Drinks on board the train.

Advance booking is essential