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.