Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Opportunity to Play Your Part in the Gathering
Sunday next is the ideal way for the entire community to play their part in the Gathering. The Gathering 2013 committee will host a 10 Road race and a 6k jog or walk or buggy push in the parish on Sunday 7th April starting at the car park at 2pm. The full proceeds of the day will go towards the creation of the Gathering weekend that takes place on August weekend.
The fun run/walk and buggy push has been created so that everyone can avail of the opportunity to support.
Registration is fron 12.30 to 1.30pm in St. Mary’s Parish Hall and entry fee is just €10.
There will be two routes one of 10k and the other 6k. Both routes will take you up the Rathcline Road, at Rathcline crossroads the 6k participants turn left and continue across to the Ballymahon Road and left again back into town. The 10k runners carry on to the top of the hill of Carraroe, they then turn down through Lisreevagh, and at the end of the road they turn left through Killinure to the Ballymahon Road junction and back through the town to the finish at the car park.
We are hoping for a massive turnout and we encourage your support in this race. This is a parish event and we want all runners, joggers and walkers and their friends to come to Lanesboro and take part in what should be a wonderful community event.
Call for accommodation
Both Lanesboro Triathlon club and the Gathering committee are urgently seeking to draw up a data base of property for rent during the ‘Two Provinces’ Sprint Triathlon on Sat July 13th 2013 which this year will also incorporate Triathlon Ireland National Series and also for the Gathering on August Bank Holiday weekend. Please contact Joe O’Brien or Siobhan Mimnagh as soon as possible.
Co Longford VEC visits Lanesboro Library
The Adult Educational Guidance Service (Co Longford VEC) will visit Lanesboro Library on Tuesday April 16th from 2-4pm. If you are interested in getting back to learning and want to know what’s available locally, come and chat with Mary or Liz, both qualified guidance counsellors, who will be happy to go through your options with you. This is a free service and all are welcome.
Club Rathcline Lotto
Following the great jackpot win last week by Michael Murray the jackpot returned to the starting point of €100. The numbers for the lotto drawn on Saturday last were 5, 11, 12, 17, 42, and 44. There was no winner of the jackpot and the four winners of the €25 prizes were
The Jackpot total of €100 was not won this weekend with numbers drawn as follows: Derek & Shane Casserley, Clonfower, Terri & Charlotte Skelly, Rathcline, Pat Clyne, Kilmore, Carrick on Shannon and Michael Sorohan, Ballyleague. Next week’s jackpot will rise to €200.
Pre Marriage Courses
Are you planning to get married in 2013? If so there as courses being arranged by ACCORD on Monday 13th and Thursday 16th May and again on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June. For bookings and further information you are advised to contact ACCORD at 043-33 47222 or book online at www.accord.ie
Living History – begins this Thursday
Kieran Feeney is producing a major audio visual for the Lanesboro Gathering on August weekend. The first evening is on Thursday week 4th April at 10pm in Adie’s followed each Thursday in Clarkes 11th April, Joe and Martha Farrell’s 18th and the Peer Inn on Thursday 25th April.
Kieran is looking to gather stories and reminiscences from all parts of the parish and he would like to invite people from every part of the town and parish to one of his evenings of stories. It would be fantastic if a lot of people from throughout the town and parish came along with their stories to make an audio history of the parish. Everyone has a story to tell and we ask young and old to attend. Kieran is looking to speak to people from all the areas of the town new and old estates and through Main Street and Knock. From Lisawley, through Lehery and Mahoraveen right across to Clonfower. From Augharana, through Blenavoher, Carraroe and Rathcline to Rathcline Road, From Cashelbeg through Carrowstrawley and Lisnacusha, through Thureen, Lisreevagh, Killinure, Tullyvrane, Green Gardens and Lough Bonnow through Barnacor
Kieran looks forward to meeting you there for a great night of stories and memories.
Defibrillator Training closing soon
Training courses for both new people interested in training in the use of the defibrillator is soon to begin There is a great need for new people to be trained in the use of the defibrillator and also those that need to be up skilled. To be skilled in the use the defibrillator when there is a need for it can mean the difference of life and death for someone. It is very vital for all associations, not just sporting ones, to have a minimum of two people competent in the use of the defibrillator.
A new training course for beginners and a recertification course will take place in Lanesboro very soon. If you need to be recertified or want to do the course can you please leave your name into O’Brien’s immediately. Call in or phone Martina at 043-3321107.
Whist Drive
Are you a card player? Lanesboro Social Services committee invites you to come along to their monthly Whist Drive in St. Mary’s hall on this Friday night at 8.30pm. A great night of card playing and fun is assured and it is where card players make new friends or meet old friends. If it has been a while since you played cards or even attended a Whist Drive why not come along on Friday night and enjoy the excitement of a Whist Drive while supporting a wonderful committee doing excellent work. All this excellent work can only be done by your support of the Whist Drive.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday last 27th March were: N/S 1st Kathleen Kelly and Mary Mc Gushin, 2nd Elish Gray and Cyril Hussey and 3rd frank and Frances Brennan. E/W 1st Brendan Dowling and Mike Flynn, 2nd Bernadette Gillen and Mona O’Flaherty and 3rd Una Lawlor and Brid Mc Dermott
Connaught and Leinster Finals
The week ahead holds momentous occasions for two young men – one each side of the bridge. Shane Donohoe and his Longford teammates will take on Kildare in the Leinster Under 21 final in Portlaoise on Wednesday at 7.30pm. Shane is son of Martin and Fiona Donohoe, Rathcline Road.
On Saturday next in Hyde Park, Roscommon at 6pm, Ciarán Murtagh, along with the Roscommon U21 teammates play the Connaught Final against Galway this coming Saturday. Ciaran is son of Andy and Breda Murtagh, Strokestown Road.
We wish both lads and their teammates the very best of luck and hopefully there will be celebrations on both banks of the Shannon this week.
A Day at the Gold Cup
Punchestown races are the pinnacle of the National Hunt racing in Ireland every April. Longford GAA host a day out at the Punchestown festival each year and this year will be their 11th consecutive year. This year Longford are hosting their day on the biggest day of the Punchestown festival, Gold Cup Day. This year is a proud one for the Rathcline club as this is the first year of the tenure of county Longford GAA chairman of Brendan Gilmore. Each year that passes the Rathcline club contingent that attends gets bigger and it is hoped that this year will be our biggest ever in support of Brendan.
The price of tickets for the day is €100 and for that you will receive a four course meal, hot afternoon refreshments, admission to the races, a free race card, and a well-known racing celebrity will give their views and tips of the days racing. It is not uncommon for more than one racing celebrity to turn up and there is no doubt the same will happen this year. There will be bar and Tote facilities available in the pavilion which is sited at the final fence where you will have a first class view of the thrills and spills of the final fence and run to the finishing line. As the saying goes ‘there is a great bang for your buck’ with all that is on offer for only €100. If you want to be part of the rathcline group travelling – and we recommend you should – you can book your ticket and transport, if you so wish, with and of the following; Liam Connerton (086) 8776405, Albert Cooney (086) 8118580 & Chris Cullen (087) 2500120. Deposits of €20 are being taken at the moment by the lads. Make your booking early and make sure of your place at a wonderful day out.
Rathcline GAA
Club Rathcline Lotto Draw – The Jackpot total of €100 was not won this weekend with numbers drawn as follows: 5, 11, 12, 17, 42, and 44. Congratulations to our four €25 winners this week as follows: (1) Derek & Shane Casserley – Clonfower, (2) Terri & Charlotte Skelly – Rathcline; (3) Pat Clyne – Kilmore, Carrick on Shannon (4) Michael Sorohan – Ballyleague. Next week’s Jackpot will €200.
Reserve League 2 – Round 4 of this competition which was scheduled for last weekend was cancelled with Cashel forfeiting the game to Rathcline. The net result is that Rathcline pick up another valuable two points in the League table which consolidates the team’s position at the top of the table. Round 5 will take place this coming Sunday 7th April when Rathcline play Carrickedmond in Michael Moran Park at 2.30pm. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Croagh Patrick Sponsorship Walk 2013 – This year’s event has been scheduled for Saturday 11th May. Sponsorship cards are readily available from our financial committee members or indeed any executive member. We are looking for a big uptake from the parish and to make it a weekend to remember. This event is more than just a fundraiser for the club but a social outing for our members, friends and parishioners with a night out in Westport town. Based on previous year’s outings to Croagh Patrick, the club has experienced an enjoyable and rewarding day out with lots of crack in the process.
Punchestown 2013 – Longford GAA are hosting the 11th Annual Race Day at Punchestown on ‘Gold Cup Day’ Wednesday 24th April. Rathcline GAA has always held the best Club representation at the event and this year we are looking to repeat this feat especially with club man Brendan Gilmore holding the chairman’s position in the County Board. The subsidised ticket price of €100 includes the following: Location at the Final Fence, Four Course Meal, Hot Afternoon Refreshments, Admission to the Races, Race Card, Celebrity Tipsters, Bar Facilities & Bookies in Pavilion; all of which represents fantastic value for money. With less than a month to the big day, interested personnel need to book their seats as early as possible to be a part of the Rathcline GAA
contingent. €20 Deposits can be given to: Albert Cooney (086) 8118580 & Chris Cullen (087) 2500120.
Best of luck to the Longford Under 21 team who take on Kildare in the Leinster championship final in Portlaoise on Wednesday next coming at 7.30pm.
The annual Good Friday “25” Card Drive (Partners) took place last Friday night 29th March in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. The fundraiser turned out to be a massive success with card players coming from near and far. Special thanks go to our chief organisers – Joe Rooney and Brendan Rhatigan. Every year, the fundraiser runs off with the minimum of hassle and is testament to the prep work put in behind the scenes by both men. Many thanks to Albert Cooney, Jimmy Flood, Tom Feeney and Johnny Hanley for helping out on the night. Competition winners on the night are as follows: 1st Prize (€120): Eugene & Jerry, 2nd Prize (joint €40ea): Pat Joe & Sean, Frank & Francis, Paddy Flood & Mark Mc Loughlin, Peter Smith & Padraig Murray. Table prize winners (€20ea) on the night include: Sean & Seamus, Ann & Kathleen. The club would like to thank the following people for the donation of spot prizes for the card drive: Top Filling Station Ballyleague, Sorohan’s Bar, Super Value, Sheradon’s Restaurant, Ping’s Oriental, Terry’s Butchers, Clarkes Bar, The Yacht Bar, The Swan Tavern, O’Brien’s Corner Shop, Casserley’s Spar, Chris Cullen, Maggie Gillen, Mark Casey, Tom Feeney and Kevin Hanley. Spot Prize winners for the non-playing patrons included: Chris Cullen, Liam Connerton, Pauline Rhatigan, Evan Rooney, Kevin Hanley, Alan Hanley, Pat Connelly and Una Lawlor. And the final spot prize draw of the night was for the card players with the winners as follows: Michael Finan, David Kelly, John James Reilly, John Byrne, Brendan Rhatigan, Harry Skelly, Tom Rooney and Ger Skelly. Rathcline GAA would like to thank Pat Connelly – Gurteengar; for his very generous contribution to the club on the night.
Shannon Gaels/Western Gaels – Commiserations to our Western Gaels Minor team who were narrowly beaten by Southern Gaels in Round 3 of the Special Minor League on Sunday 31st March. The team under stewardship of Kevin Hanley continues to improve and get stronger with each game and will be a force to be reckoned with when the league and championship proper starts later in the season.
Best of luck to the Juvenile U16 Western Gaels team who start their league campaign on Thursday evening coming 4th April at 7pm with an away match to Northern Gaels in the Laurels. We wish the management team of Padraig Kenny, Mick Shorthall, Cathal Twaddle and John Moran the very best of luck for the coming year. Also, best wishes to our U14 Western Gaels team who start their league campaign with a home match against Mostrim on Tuesday next 9th April at 7pm in Clonbonny. The management team consists of Sean Kenny, Ciarán Kenny, Wayne Donoghue & Michael Hanley. U14 training continues at the weekend in Clonbonny as normal. The management will be in contact with all concerned during the week.
Well done to Michael J Reilly on the continuation of the schools coaching program in the parish. Michael J has done a fantastic job thus far as he enters the final term for the 2013 schools season.
Clonbonny caretaker duty remains with the Minor Club and Ladies Club for the month of April. Team 2 is now in operation since Monday 1st April. Team members include Seadna Ryan, Declan Connor, Johnny Hanley & Johnny Myhill.
The senior club would like to complement the trojan work out carried out by the caretakers in the month of March. Well done to all concerned.
Finally, Shannon Gaels puts out a renewed appeal for help with the underage setup in the parish. Anyone who has time to kill in the evenings is more than welcome to come along and lend a hand with training sessions and games. The more the merrier!
Longford Rural Transport
Longford Community Resources Ltd. through the Co. Longford Rural Transport Programme operates 23 rural transport services throughout Co. Longford. A recent re-structuring proposal endorsed by the Minister for Commuter and Public Transport outlines a number of changes to the Rural Transport Programme nationally; including the setting up of Regional Transport Units which will place the Co. Longford Rural Transport into the new Eastern and Midlands Regional Unit with counties Westmeath, Laois and Offaly.
Longford Community Resources Ltd. is holding public meetings to give an opportunity to service users and the general public to discuss this re-structuring proposal and our local one will take place in ‘the Hill’ Newtowncashel on this Thursday 4th April at 7pm.
If you are concerned about the future delivery of this service in Co Longford and how it may affect the more vulnerable population in rural areas, we would like to invite you to attend the public meetings and be part of the discussion on the future of the Co. Longford Rural Transport Programme.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague bingo continues every Thursday night in Ballyleague Hall. This Thursday night the snowball stands at €2900. You are reminded that for the summer bingo will now commence at 9pm every Thursday night.
Prepare yourself for huge Mr and Mrs
A massive Mr and Mrs show is presently being prepared for the Peer Inn on Friday night 17th May. The night promises to be a huge night in the area and the entire night is in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation. The Mr and Mrs Show will be hosted the very popular and widely known couple Joe and Claire Finnegan. The music on the night will be provided by the excellent Actin da Maggot.
Tickets for the night and the draw cost only €5 and so far there is a magnificent array of prizes for only the €5 and they include: Niall Horan One Direction has given us a signed poster; Olympian boxer John Joe Nevin will be donating a signed pair of boxing gloves for the event. The GAA have donated two premium level tickets to the Leinster final. The Wine Port Lodge VIP experience one night break, The Sheraton Hotel Athlone one night break, signed jersey from Connaught rugby club, signed Donegal football jersey, a voucher for the Chinese in Roscommon town, , Longford Meal voucher for the Black Olive restaurant, a Voucher to View Mount House, Longford, two tickets to Kenny Rogers at the INEC, Killarney, The Wright venue in Dublin has donated a VIP night for 15 friends with a choice of suits. Two tickets to Mike Denver at one of his dates in Roscommon. One night stay at Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa Ballyfarnon.
That is an amazing array of prizes for only €5 and it also includes admission to the night. Tickets are on sale in all local shops and you should without doubt buy some tickets and therefore support a very worthwhile cause such as the Irish Heart Foundation.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior League – O’Rourke Cup: Our seniors had a win over Western Gaels at home in Ballyleague on Sunday last. The final scoreline read – St. Faithleachs 1-10 Western Gaels 1-08. Team: S. Connor, B. Scally, A. McCormack, C. Gunn, K. Farrell, C. Gannon, D. Murray (0-1), S. O’Grady (0-1), M. Reynolds, H. Kenny, B. Murtagh (0-2), A. Dooney (0-2), D. Rooney (1-2), E. Kenny, D. Murtagh (0-2). Subs: P. Wallace, D. McCormack, C. McCormack.
U16 Boys – League: Our U16 boys were defeated by Strokestown on Saturday last, in Strokestown. The final scoreline read – St. Faithleachs 2-04 Strokestown 1-17. Team: M. O’Donnell, J. Farrell, L. Parker, M. Gill, J. Irwin, D. Nerney, C. Mangan, M. Cox (0-1), D. Kelly, S. Phillips (1-1), J. Hussey, C. Connelly, K. Nerney, D. Foley, C. Gannon (1-2).
Minor League: Our minor men play against St. Aidans at home this Tuesday evening at 6.00pm followed by game against Tulsk on Sunday next in Tulsk at 11.00am.
U14 Boys – Féile: Our U14 boys play against Padraig Pearses at home this coming Friday evening at 6.30pm.
Best of Luck: To Ciarán Murtagh, along with the Roscommon U21 county team in the Cadbury Connacht U21 Football Championship Final against Galway this coming Saturday 6th April in Dr. Hyde Park.
U14 Girls: Well done to our U14 girls, Amy Curley & Marie Kelly, along with the Roscommon U14 Girls who defeated Leitrim in their championship game on Saturday last.
Easter Raffle: Many thanks to all who supported our Easter Hamper draw. We would like to express a special word of thanks to Maureen Gibbons for her organisation. At present the details of all winners are not to hand and will be published next week. Thanks also to the organisers of our Easter Egg Hunt which took place at St. Faithleachs GAA club grounds on Easter Sunday last.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 11, 19, 21 and 24. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 prizes went to – Jacinta Madden, Jimmy Grealy, Andrew Flynn, Gwen Curley and Maire McGann. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 9th April for a jackpot of €8,300. The yearly lotto payment is now due.
Cards: The card game continues every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 9.00pm. All welcome. Last week’s winners were – P/Michael, Runners-Up – Michael/Ann, Last game – Sonny/Joe. The ticket winners were – Kevin, Mark, Annie and Padraig.
Congratulations: To Brendan Reynolds who celebrated his 30th Birthday & Lee Connell who celebrated his 21st Birthday. The club expresses it best wishes to Peter Wallace & Orla McGowan on their engagement.