Wednesday, April 28, 2010

News 28 - 04 - 10

Bornacoola – All Ireland Champions
The old adage that if at first you don’t succeed, you should try, try again, certainly rang true for our Question Time team, who finally captured that elusive All Ireland title in their fifth All Ireland final appearance in Killarney on Saturday night last. It was worthy reward for Liam Rabbite, Aidan Dockery and Louise Staunton who have worked incredibly hard over the last couple of months, and indeed years, to ensure glory for the club. Indeed, they entered the history books as the first team ever to score full marks in a senior All Ireland Scor final in question time, as they came home four marks ahead of nearest challengers Cornafean of Cavan. For Aidan, it is his second All Ireland honour, having previously won Bornacoola’s first ever All Ireland title in Recitation. For Louise, it was likewise her second honour, having been part of the Scór na nÓg Question Time winning team some years ago. For Liam, it was his second big trophy of the month, as he got married to Irene Guckian last Easter Monday.
The trio were welcomed back to the parish by a huge crowd on Sunday night last as indeed were the Leitrim competitors in Figure Dancing (Glencar/Manorhamilton), Novelty Act (Sean O Heslins), Ballad Group (St Marys) and Instrumental Music (Leitrim Gaels). Louise Staunton also represented the Bors in the Recitation and while seasoned observers felt she had done enough to take home the honours, unfortunately the prize went elsewhere. Gabhaim comhgairdeas agus buíochas ar son an chlub do Aodán, Liam agus Lousie. Táimíd go léir an bhródúil astu.

Club Draw and Presentation Night
The Club Draw for April takes place in the Copper Still this Saturday night, May 1st with music by Brian Williams. The Awards for Club Players of the Year in their various divisions as well as the Club Person of the year award will be presented. All are welcome to attend for should be a most enjoyable night which will get underway from 10pm.

Lá na gClub
Following the success of the inaugural Lá na gClub last year, the GAA have again asked clubs all over the country to organize a day of celebration at their premises to honour Lá na gClub. This year it will take place on May 9th and the day’s activities in Bornacoola will kick off with an outdoor service at the club grounds which will get underway at 2pm. There will also be a host of other activities taking place on the day, including the presentation of medals to last year’s successful U-14 team. In preparation for Lá na gClub, a general tidy up of the grounds will take place on Saturday week, May 8th from noon and we will be looking for volunteers to lend a hand on that occasion.

Master Class
The highlight of the upcoming Dromod festival this Sunday is the over-40’s meeting of Bornacoola and Annaduff in our own GAA grounds at 12 noon. Many players from our storied past will return to the Black and Amber for one day only. Indeed it’s been so long since some of them pulled on the Bornacoola jersey that this will be the first opportunity ever to witness them playing football in colour.
While the final team selection is being kept a closely guarded secret, rumours have been doing the rounds that James “Ravanelli with a Belly” Mc Keon, Padraig “You should have seen me in the 70’s” Jones and Micheal “Messi, vey Messi” Mc Gowan are likely to feature at some stage. Meanwhile Willie Mc Gushin has confirmed he’ll play if he can find the knee cap he lost in the 80’s in time for throw in on Sunday. The action gets underway at 12 noon but supporters from both sides are advised to get there in time for the warm-up. Just in case, like.

Golf Classic
The bi-annual Bornacoola Golf Classic will take place this year in Carrick on Shannon Golf Club on May 29th. It will cost Eur240 to enter a team of four and there will be a host of attractive prizes on offer. Tee Sponsorship is also available at a cost of Eur100. As always the club will be looking for members to help out with the organizational and fundraising aspects of what is always a most enjoyable day. If you are in a position to lend a hand, we’d ask you to contact Micheal Mc Gowan on 086 2561023.

Fixtures
All games were cancelled last weekend as a mark of respect to the late Philly Mc Guinness. This week there will be a full programme of fixtures. You can check on the games Bornacoola are involved in on the fixtures page of the Observer or online at www.leitrimgaa.ie.

Monday, April 19, 2010

News 19 - 04 - 10

Philly Mc Guinness, R.I.P
All of Leitrim GAA was deeply shocked by the news that Mohill and Leitrim star Philly Mc Guinness had passed from us on Monday last having received an injury in a league game on Saturday evening. Philly was an immensely popular character, quiet and unassuming but with a devilish sense of humour. He played football with style and panache and always seemed to have time on the ball even in the tightest of corners – the true mark of a good player.
Along with his brothers John and Michael, he helped guide Mohill to the County title in 2006, playing a vital role in their semi-final victory over ourselves and later in the final against St Marys. Philly was a fierce competitor and never left an ounce of energy or endeavor behind him on the field of play. We admired him enormously as a tenacious, clever and fair opponent.
Off the field, he was a gentle and easy going character who lived for football and for a bit of craic with the lads. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
CLG Barr na Cúille extends its heartfelt sympathies to his mother Phil, to John and Michael, to all of his relations and friends and to everyone involved with Mohill GAA. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sé.

Scór All Ireland Final
A huge weekend ahead for the club as we go in search of All Ireland glory in Killarney. Louise Staunton (Recitation) and our Question Time team (Aidan Dockery, Liam Rabbitte and Louise Staunton) will represent Bornacoola in the All Ireland finals of Scór Sinsear in the INEC auditorium in Killarney this Saturday.
Leitrim will also be represented in dancing, instrumental music, novelty act and Ballad group. If you are interested in going along to Killarney, you can contact our Scór officer Martina Hackett (087 7963512) who will supply details of how to secure tickets for what will be a sold out 2,000 seater auditorium and also how you can get on the Leitrim bus for the finals. Go neirí go geal le gach duine a mbeidh páirteach i gCill Áirne ar son Barr na Cúille agus Liatroma.

League Division 2
The Senior team recorded another victory in Division 2 of the league in Dromod on Saturday last against Glenfarne. Two first half goals by Damian Moran set Bornacoola on their way and despite some nervous moments in the second half, we held on for a 2-8 to 0-9 victory.
Team and Scorers: Dara Gavigan, Jason Conroy, Conor Mc Cauley, Damian Mc Guinness, John Mc Guinness, Morgan Shanley, Niall Mc Gowan, Colm Farrell, Niall O Connor, Declan Shanley (0-1), Mark Mc Closkey (0-5), Jonathan Duffy (0-1), Philip Howard, Michael Duignan and Damian Moran (2-1). Subs: John Bohan for N O Connor, Paul Hackett for J Duffy and Feargal Howard for D Shanley.

Ladies Action
The Ladies team played Ballinaglera in the league on Sunday afternoon. Despite being a competitive game throughout, the Ballinaglera girls held a six points half time lead and their greater efficiency in front of goal allowed them to record a comfortable victory.
The Bornacoola team was Cora McCauley, Rachel Duignan, Niamh Reynolds, Michelle O Beirne, Alison McKeon, Maeve Duffy, Charlotte Faughnan, Jillian Duignan, Leonie Duffy, Kelly Howard, Joanne McGushin, Sheena Faughnan, Fiona Reilly. Subs used: Naomi Faughnan, Lisa McGowan, Aine Faughnan.

Lá na gClub
Following the success of the inaugural Lá na gClub last year, the GAA have again asked clubs all over the country to organize a day of celebration at their premises to honour Lá na gClub. This year it will take place on May 9th and the day’s activities in Bornacoola will kick off with an outdoor service at the club grounds which will get underway at 2pm. There will also be a host of other activities taking place on the day, including the presentation of medals to last year’s successful U-14 team. In preparation for Lá na gClub, a general tidy up of the grounds will take place on Saturday, May 8th from noon and we will be looking for volunteers to lend a hand on that occasion.

Master Class
The highlight of the upcoming Dromod festival day – which takes place on Sunday May 2nd (May Bank Holiday) – will doubtless be the over-40’s meeting of Bornacoola and Annaduff in our own GAA grounds at 12 noon. Scouting is already underway for the Bornacoola team and already a number of players have been spotted secretly preparing for the big game on the back roads of the parish.
Anyone who is interested in taking part can contact Shay Reynolds (087 9030882), Feargal Mc Gill (087 1217038), Micheal Mc Gowan (086 2561023) or Tom Moran (087 2465344).

Golf Classic
The bi-annual Bornacoola Golf Classic will take place this year in Carrick on Shannon Golf Club on May 29th. It will cost Eur240 to enter a team of four and there will be a host of attractive prizes on offer. Tee Sponsorship is also available at a cost of Eur100. As always the club will be looking for members to help out with the organizational and fundraising aspects of what is always a most enjoyable day. If you are in a position to lend a hand, we’d ask you to contact Micheal Mc Gowan on 086 2561023.

U-16’s
We are currently seeking a sponsor for the U-16’s so if anyone is interested in sponsoring a set of jerseys, we’d ask that you contact club Secretary Shane Reynolds (087 9751883) or Youth Officer Seamus Mallon (086 8334614)

U-14 League
The U-14’s completed their league campaign when hosting Aughnasheelin on Friday night last in Dromod. The visitors proved too strong for a very young Bornacoola outfit. However the lads can take some solace from the fact that they finished third in the five team group behind Aughnasheelin and second placed Cloone.

Club Draw
Our next Club Draw is scheduled to take place in the Copper Still on Saturday night, May 1st.

Monday, April 12, 2010

News 12 - 04 - 10

Division 5
The Division 5 team played Kiltubrid in beautiful sunshine in Dromod on Sunday last. The Bornacoola line-up included a lot of our up and coming underage players, but it was the visitors who left with the spoils on a 0-14 to 1-6 scoreline.

Croke Park
Our U-12’s (and friends) had an extremely enjoyable day in Croke Park last Thursday as they played three games at headquarters as part of the Connacht Council’s underage initiative. History records that the Bornacoola Hugh O’Neill’s first ever game as a GAA club took place on April 1st 1889 when they played Rooskey Pat Molloy’s (the forerunners of Kilglass Gaels) in a challenge. Little would anyone have imagined that on another April day, over 121 years later, the underage teams of the same two clubs would play each other in Croke Park but that is exactly what transpired last Thursday.
It was a proud day for both clubs and indeed for all of the other teams who participated. Bornacoola’s other games were against Melvin Gaels and Clann na Gael of Roscommon.
Our thanks to Seamus Mallon, Declan Bohan and Niall O Connor for looking after the boys on the day as well as the ever patient bus driver and former Annaduff star Ken Mc Manus. A word also to the supporters who traveled. It was a memorable day to see the black and amber jersey in competitive action on the sacred sod and one that none of those present will forget too easily.

Adult Fixtures
The Senior team have their fourth Division 2 game of the season when Glenfarne travel to Dromod on Saturday evening. The Junior A team are in action in Division 3 on Sunday. Throw-in for that one is 2.30pm.

Master Class
The highlight of the upcoming Dromod festival day – which takes place on the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend – will doubtless be the over-40’s meeting of Bornacoola and Annaduff in our own GAA grounds. Scouting is already underway for the Bornacoola team and already a number of players have been spotted secretly preparing for the big game on the back roads of the parish. Anyone who is interested in taking part can contact Shay Reynolds (087 9030882), Feargal Mc Gill (087 1217038), Micheal Mc Gowan (086 2561023) or Tom Moran (087 2465344).

Golf Classic
The bi-annual Bornacoola Golf Classic will take place this year in Carrick on Shannon Golf Club on May 29th. As always the club will be looking for members to help out with the organizational and fundraising aspects of what is always a most enjoyable day. If you are in a position to lend a hand, we’d ask you to contact Micheal Mc Gowan on 086 2561023.

Minor League
The Minor team concluded their league campaign on Bank Holiday Monday when they were narrowly defeated by Aughavas on a scoreline of 4-5 to 3-4.

U-14 League
The U-14 team traveled to Aughavas last Friday and put in a very creditable but ultimately unsuccessful performance in an open game. This Friday evening, the boys welcome Aughnasheelin to Dromod for a 6.30pm throw-in

Scór All Ireland
Louise Staunton (Recitation) and our Question Time team (Aidan Dockery, Liam Rabbitte and Louise Staunton) will represent the club in the All Ireland finals of Scór Sinsear in the INEC auditorium in Killarney on Saturday, April 20th. Leitrim will also be represented in dancing, instrumental music, novelty act and Ballad group. If you are interested in going along to Killarney, you can contact our Scór officer Martina Hackett (087 7963512) who will supply details of how to secure tickets and also how you can get on the Leitrim bus for the finals. Go neirí go geal le gach duine a mbeidh páirteach i gCill Áirne ar son Barr na Cúille agus Liatroma.