Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Funeral Mass
Back in January 4th one of our former residents, June O’Neill, formerly of the Green, died in New York. On Monday 25th August her Funeral Mass will take place in St. Mary’s church at 11am.Following her Funeral Mass interment will take place in Clonbonny cemetery.
Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival will take place, this year, in Newtowncashel on Sunday 31st August. Leading up to the event there will be a Harvest Festival Table Quiz in the Peer Inn, Lisnacusha on Friday night next 8th August at 9.30pm. The proceeds of the table quiz will go to St. Christopher’s Longford a charity that should be close to the hearts of everyone in the county. Please come along on Friday night take part in the quiz whilst have lots of fun in the company of many friends.
On Friday night 22nd August in Gav’s bar Kenagh, the official Press night will take place at 9.30. The committee welcomes everyone to come along and be part of the launch of this year’s festival.
Finally, you are reminded to come along to support the Harvest Festival and Working Field Day in Newtowncashel on Sunday 31st August. The festivities will kick off at 12noon and it will continue until 6pm – 6 hours of great entertainment.
The Ray Flynn Mile
The Co. Longford Tourism Committee is hosting the inaugural Ray Flynn Mile in Longford Town on Saturday, 23rd August, in honour of the Longford native, who holds the Irish record for the 1500 meters and the mile, as well as a world record as part of an all-Irish 4×1 mile relay team. This race will be run on the Ballinalee Road, beginning at the roundabout and finishing at St Mel’s Cathedral Car Park. Registration begins at 1.00pm with the race itself starting at 2pm. The meeting point will be the Enterprise Centre on the Ballinalee Road. The event will help form part of a running festival weekend in Longford that includes the 13th Annual Longford Marathon, scheduled for Sunday the 24th of August. The Ray Flynn event will include an elite race, an over 40s race, and juvenile races. People who just want to support the tourism committee are most welcome and are invited to walk the mile with friends or family. Registration is €10 for adults and €4 for juveniles, and advance registration is available through Eventbrite, www.eventbrite.ie People who are registered to run in the marathon on the following day can run the mile event at a subsidised fee of €5.
This is a very special opportunity for everyone within our parish to celebrate a very special man from Longford but also one of our own that has achieved so much on the world athletic scene. Ray, a special one, is one of the finest people that you are ever likely to meet and your attendance will be an acknowledgement not only of a national legend but a true legend from our own county – a man we are really proud of.
World War One Exhibition
World War One Exhibition will take place in the Library from Monday 11th August for two weeks. The exhibition covers all aspects of the Great War, with particular focus on the contribution of the locals of Lanesboro. All are welcome to come along.
Annual 5k Series
The 4th Annual Ros 5k Series starts on Wednesday 20thAugust. The first race is in Roscommon, followed by Boyle 27thAugust, Taughmaconnell 3rd September with the final race in Lanesboro on 3rd September. Entry fee is €10 per race on the night or €25 euro for the four races. Entries can be made online www.roscommon5kseries.com and all enquiries should be directed via email to roscommon5kseries@hotmail.com. You can also check the Facebook page Roscommon 5K Series. Lough Ree Athletic Club wishes to thank all those who contributed to the recent church gate collections in Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
With the Lanesboro run taking place on Wednesday 3rd September and being hosted by our own Lough Ree Athletic Club there is lots of time for all local joggers and runners to prepare for the run. It would be great if the run was the biggest yet in our own area. The race will start at Clonbonny at 7pm.
Championship Returns
Last weekend the football championship returned on both sides of the bridge for both Rathcline and St. Faithleach’s to mixed fortune. Rathcline travelled to Killoe to take on Ballymore and returned home with a comprehensive looking scoreline. The scoreline flattered to deceive and there will be much improvement necessary to progress to the final stages of the Intermediate championship. Rathcline will play Carrickedmond in a vital game in Ballymahon on Sunday next at 2pm.
St. Faithleach’s following their great victory over Strokestown entertained Western Gaels and unfortunately they came out on the wrong side of a 1-16 to 0-11 point defeat. While they are in a strong position to progress to the quarter finals the need to get back on the winning trail is very important. Faithleach’s have that opportunity on Sunday evening next when they will take on St. Aidans in the final game of their group at 5pm in Kiltoom.
We wish both teams every success and encourage supporters from both team to get out and support their teams in these crucial games.
Rathcline Lotto not won
The Rathcline GAA lotto took place on Saturday night last the six numbers drawn were 11, 12, 19, 21, 43 and 45. There was nobody with four of the numbers and the jackpot of €1400 was not won. The four winners of the €25 were; Karena Mulvihill, Newtowncashel, Gerry Cox, Doughill, Brid Keegan, Ballymahon and Dominic Mc Grath, Derrygeel. The next draw will take place on Saturday night next for a jackpot of €1,500.
The Royal Canal Heritage Walk
As part of National Heritage Week, Longford Tourism is hosting a heritage walk along the route of The Royal Canal from Richmond Harbour in Clondra. Led by Fr Tom Murray this interesting and informative walk will take in some of the beautiful scenery of the newly opened Royal Canal Cycleway. Refreshments will be served afterwards in The Richmond Inn, Clondra. The walk starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening 26th August.
Sympathy
It is with great sense of loss as we extend our deepest sympathy to Berney and Margaret Carberry and family, Lough Ree Park, Padraig and Mary Brewster, Clonbonny and the extended Carberry family on the tragic death last week of Anthony Carberry, formerly Cloontuskert. Our hearts goes out to Berney and Mary and their families at what is a very trying time for all of the family.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The next outing of the society is our captain, Mike Brennan’s day to Royal Tara Golf Course, Navan.
The date set is this Wednesday 13th August and the tee is booked from 11.30am to 12.30.
We look forward to a wonderful day at this lovely mature woodland course.
For your diaries please note the following dates: Athlone, Wed, 10th September, 12 to 1 pm.
Dunmurray Springs, Kildare, Friday, 3rd October; tee times will be announced later.
Finally our AGM and Christmas fun outing will hopefully be held in Strokestown in November.
Happy golfing to all and keep it straight and long!
Annual Family Day
Costello’s Nursing will again host their annual Family Fun Day at their care centre, Ballyleague, on Saturday 16th August from 2pm to 6pm.
On the day there will be a visiting pet farm with live music and much more events.
All families and friends of relatives in the Home are invited to attend.
Barry Raftery Memorial Conference
Professor Barry Raftery died in August 2010 leaving an amazing legacy following a distinguished career. Nothing sums his life up better than an appreciation written by Gabriel Cooney in a quarterly review of world archaeology, Antiquity.
The future of the Mid-Shannon Peatlands, Amenity, Archaeology and Bio Diversity is the topic of the conference and it should draw a huge interest due to its range and tremendous and immediate interest to our area. The conference will take place at Corlea Interpretive Centre on Friday 29th August. Admission is only €10 which includes tea/ coffee am and pm and also lunch. Registration will take place at 10am.
At 10.20am Dr. John Feehan will open the conference with a lecture on ‘The Past of Mid summer Peatlands. 11.10am Dr. Ronan O’Flaherty will speak on the Guardians of Midhir – Cranes in our past and future. At 11.40 local archaeolist Brian O’Hara will spak on Experimental and Community Archaeology. The morning session will close with a talk from Eoin Donnelly, a forester and woodright who is in the process of building a replicia Viking house.
The afternoon session will commence Longford County Senior Planning officer Donal Mac an Bheatha on the Future of the Mid Shannon Peatlands. Wetlands Heritage chairman Kieran Mc Entee and Tom Egan, Land project Manager from Bord na Mona will speak on the Shared Vision of the two groups. The conference will finish with a Walk in the Bog with David Fallon, Ecologist with Bord na Mona who will talk and present Biodiversity on the Walk.
Barry Raftery’s input into the development at Corlea was remarkable and it is only fitting that his name should be honoured at this memorial conference. The excellent Wetlands Heritage committee have worked so hard in the development of this programme and it is one that should not be missed. The calibre of the contributors goes without saying and there is a lasting education to be garnished from the conference.
Charity Concert – The Last Rose of Summer
Local pianist, Peter Regan returns to St. John’s Church, Battery Road Longford on Friday, August 22nd at 8:00 p.m. to give another electrifying concert, “The Last Rose of Summer”. All proceeds will go to Co. Longford Hospice and St. John’s Church. Joining him will be violinist, Phoebe White and mezzo-soprano, Heather Fogarty. Tickets are €15, students €10 and are available from Denniston’s Music Shop, Longford or text 086 256 0408. Come along for an evening of magical entertainment in aid of a worthy cause.
Strictly Come Dancing
The Rathcline and St. Faithleach’s clubs have come together to host what will be a very special and unique evening out when they will host ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ next November. Both clubs are actively seeking dancers for the event and you are asked to be positive in your response if you are approached.
Strictly Come Dancing has been a big hit everywhere it has been held and I am sure that it will be no different when both clubs come to stage it in November. The merging of the clubs for this event is a huge bonus as it allows the talented from both sides of the bridge to come together and produced a night never to be missed or forgotten.
Don’t worry about your dancing skills as the entire event will be co-ordinated and choreographed by the Midlands Drama School over an eight week period.
Don’t wait to be asked to come on board as one of the dancers just give your name to Lorraine 0876827966 or Helen 0860809377 and these ladies will take you through what will be required. Come along and be part of a wonderful night as well as get trained to dance over an eight week period.
Limited number of seats left
The annual day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Sunday 24th August leaving Lanesboro at 7am. At present there are just a very limited number of seats remaining. The bus will travel via Scramogue, Rooskey and Carrick on Shannon. As the bus booked is from Farrelly’s and will leave Kenagh at 6.40am and will also pick up at Derryhaun at 6.50am.
Anyone wishing to make a booking should do so immediately by contacting Mary at 043 33 21969.
Tarmonbarry 100km cycle challenge
The annual Tarmonbarry 100km (10am) 50km (11am) and 20km (12noon) cycle takes place this Sunday 17th Aug. Registration at St. Barry’s hall from 8.30am. The 100km and 50km routes start and finish in Tarmonbarry and take cyclists through Lanesboro. A hot meal will be provided to all after the event. Enquiries to 086 8815493
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior Football Championship: Our Seniors were defeated by Western Gaels on Sunday last at home. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 0-11 Western Gaels 1-16. Team: S. Connor, D. Harrison, C. Gunn, D. Murray, C. Brennan, B. Murtagh (0-1), H. Kenny, A. McCormack, S. O’Grady, D. Hussey (0-1), D. Rooney, K. Farrell, D. Murtagh (0-5), C. Murtagh (0-4), E. Kenny. Subs: D. McCormack, A. Dooney, J. Walsh, P. Trautt. We wish Alan McCormack a speedy recovery from injury sustained in the game. Many thanks to the field committee and all involved in the preparation and upkeep of the club grounds for last Sundays Championship Games. Thanks also to our Stewards & all who helped out on the day. Next Championship game is against St. Aidans, Sunday 17th August at 5.00pm in Kiltoom.
Minor Men – D4 Championship: Our minor men were defeated by Kilbride on Friday evening last in Kilbride. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 1-16 Kilbride 6-10. Team: J. Farrell, J. Sweeney (0-1), L. Parker, C. Gannon, R. Guinan (0-2), J. Hussey (1-3), D. Kelly (0-2), D. Foley (0-4), S. Phillips (0-3), J. Kelly (0-1), E. Tynan. Sub: C. Gannon. Next game is against Elphin this coming Thursday 14th August at 7.00pm in Elphin.
Minor Ladies – D1 Championship: Our Minor Ladies have a game against Strokestown this coming Tuesday 12th August at 7.00pm in Ballyleague.
U14 Boys – D3 Championship County Final: Best of luck to our U14 boys and management in the Championship County Final against Kilbride this coming Friday 15th August at 6.00pm in Dr. Hyde Park.
U14 Girls – Summer League County Final: Hard luck to our U14 girls, defeated by St. Marys in the Summer League Final on Sunday last at home. Final Score: St. Faithleachs 5-04 St. Marys 6-07. Well done to all the girls on the panel and their management throughout their Summer League campaign.
U14 Girls – D1A Championship: Our U14 girls have their 1st Championship game, against Clan na nGael on Sunday 17th August at 6.00pm in Johnstown.
U12 Boys – D3 Spring League County Final: Best of luck to our U12 boys and management in the League County Final against Western Gael this coming Wednesday 13th August.
U10 GoGames Blitz: The U10’s blitz takes place in St. Faithleachs this coming Saturday 16th August at 11.00am.
Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others: St. Faithleachs Mothers and Others Team are holding a Blitz this coming Saturday 16th August at 5.00pm. Training continues Monday evening at 8.00pm.
Club Rossie Evening at the Races: congratulations and well done to David Harrison who took 2nd place in the Club Rossie “Fastest Club Footballer” 100m Sprint at the Roscommon Races on Tuesday evening last. Congratulations also to Darragh Hussey, winner of the Club Rossie “Best Dressed Gent” sponsored by Edward Donnellan Menswear.
Lost & Found: A few items of clothing have been left behind in the club following our recent Cul Camp. Please contact Henry Kenny 0877981923 for further details, if you are missing an item.
St. Faithleachs GAA Club Fundraising Draw: Tickets now available for our Fundraising Draw. 1st Prize – Belgian Blue/BlondeX (DOB 15.2.14) or €1,000. 2nd Prize – B&B and Dinner for 2 (Value €250 at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. 3rd Prize – €100 Meal Voucher. 4th Prize – 1 Tonne Bag of Turf. I have forwarded you copy of the ticket for the Heifer. Tickets €5 each or 3 for €10. Draw will take place Friday 2nd January in the clubhouse. Your support is much appreciated.
Strictly Come Dancing – Fundraising Event: On November 22nd St Faithleachs will join forces with our near neighbours Rathcline, in an event the like of not seen before in the locality. The two Clubs will come together in producing a “Strictly Come Dancing” event, coordinated & choreographed by the Midlands Drama School. Members from both Clubs are presently working together to organise this event, which is sure to be a night not to be missed. Both Clubs have sent forward members to form an organising committee. This committee is now looking for parties interested in taking part in the event. All couples will go through an 8 week period of training and coaching from the Midlands Drama School. Further details will be announced in due course. If you are interested in taking part in this event please contact Lorraine on 0876827966 or Helen on 0860809377
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 8.30pm. All welcome. The results of last week’s games – winners- Paddy/Mick, runners-up, Sean/Josie. The last game winners were Tommie/Frank and ticket winners – Josie, Noreen, Sean and Seamus.
Congratulations: To Brian Horohoe and Jodie Walsh who got married last weekend.
Sympathy: The club extends deepest sympathy to the Carberry family, formerly Cloontuskert, on the death of Anthony Carberry, former St. Faithleachs GAA club player. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Rathcline GAA
Rathcline men had their second game in the championship on Friday night against Ballymore. After a sluggish start which saw the scoreboard read 3 -1 in favour of the north Longford men, Rathcline stepped up their efforts and replied in style, with sharp forward play and good team work out in the middle. Goals win games and Rathcline scored 3 on the night from Shane Kenny, James Hanley and Ryan Fallon. They played lovely football in every position around the pitch and lead 2 -5 to 6 pts at half time. As expected Ballymore came out determined in the second half, and their midfielders took the game to our lads. Rathcline defended well, and broke at speed, some lovely scores coming from our forward line, and with a lot of subs used, all squad members took their chances. Ballymore had a few chances but the back line held firm. The game ended on a score line of Rathcline 3-10, Ballymore 11 points. That’s two wins out of two, well done to the management and especially the team who continue to improve with each game; there will be sterner tests ahead. Thanks also to the supporters who made their way to Killoe, it is greatly appreciated. We are out again in our third match of the championship this coming weekend, please support.
As was mentioned before, Rathcline are looking for local people to strut their stuff for a very special fundraiser, strictly come dancing! There have been positive meetings with our neighbours Faithleachs and this will be a joint fundraiser for both clubs. If you fancy giving it a go then please contact Lorraine Farrell or Pat Connerton. There is training for all competitors and this will be a night of sheer enjoyment not to be missed!
The whole club would again like to thank all the stewards and those who helped mark the pitch for the intermediate match against Cashel and Killashee. A large crowd attended and the club thanks everyone who helped out on the day.
Rathcline Minor Club
First up, congratulations to our U 16 team who beat Northern Gaels during the week in the championship. It ended on a score line of Western Gaels 5-14 to Northern Gaels 1-9. A comprehensive victory, which owed a lot to the effort from management and players. Well done to the management of Phadraig, David, and Mick. The lad’s next game is Clonguish in two weeks’ time.
Our U 14’s are playing Tuesday in Mostrim and Friday they take on Clonguish in Clonbonny. A busy time for the team, but they have a great squad, and we wish them the best of luck!
U 12, U 10 and U 8 training as usual this week.
With holidays and parents away, the U 6 training has ceased for the year. It was wonderful to see so many kids out at training and parents willing to come out and support. These years are important for children at this age, and they showed wonderful aptitude for the game. We hope to see you all again next year.
Our Minor team play Monday evening against Ardagh in the 1st round of the championship. The game is at 7.30 and is in Ardagh.
Rathcline Ladies
Rathcline played Killoe in the final game of the championship series. On paper it looked like our girls may struggle against the power house that is Killoe, but things didn’t work out that way. A wonderful performance from the Rathcline ladies saw them beat Killoe. The squad was used fully and some really determined displays from the most senior to the newer player saw the Rathcline ladies win by 4 points, it maybe is a season of what might have been, but well done on the win!