The Ireland Lights Up – Every Step Counts challenge due to start tonight, Thursday the 9th, is off due to the icy conditions. It will go ahead next week

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in Cassidy’s Olde Village Inn, Drumlish on Monday last, January 6th. The Jackpot was €2,800. Results are currently on the club website and social media and will be published in next week’s notes. The next draw will take place in Dillon’s of Ballinamuck on Monday, January 20th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Night at the Oskars 

Further to last week’s notes the club would also like to give a thank you to our movie sponsors – O’Reilly’s Bar, Mulleady Properties, The Mulleady Group, Des & Madeleine Dillon, Rhyne Rock and James & Niall Farrell. Thank you to all businesses and families who put ads in our booklet. Thank you also to our guest judges Jimmy Jests and Darragh Greene as well as our MC Dave Harrington who all provided such great entertainment on the night 

Club Membership 

Club Membership for the forthcoming year is now available. The cost is €50 for adults and 

€40 for students/OAPs. Membership is required for all playing members. Membership entitles you to attend monthly club meetings and if received before March 31st, entitles you to a vote at next year’s AGM and entry into the draw for All Ireland tickets. To pay please contact 

Registrar, Graham Lee or through the Clubspot app. 

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Terence Reynolds (USA, formerly Cloncowley) who passed away recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas air. 

Ireland Lights Up 

As part of our first health and wellbeing initiative for 2025 Fr Manning Gaels, GAA is taking part in the Ireland Lights Up & Every Step Counts Challenge. This initiative encourages people across the country to get active while supporting their physical and mental well-being. The Ireland Lights Up & Every Step Counts Challenge is open to all members and non-members of the Club. It will commence on January 8th and to help people get motivated we will be lighting up the Clubs Walking Track at Monaduff on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm commencing this Thursday January 9th and running every Thursday evening till February 13th, 2025. This also aims to make exercise more enjoyable and safer for everyone. Refreshments will be served in the Clubhouse afterwards. It is combined with the Every Step Counts Challenge, so get tracking your steps to help Fr Manning Gaels reach a combined target of 4000km and be in with a chance of winning a prize for the club Here’s how to join the Every Step Counts Challenge 1. Download the MyLife App (Irish Life) 2. Select Leinster GAA – choose Fr Manning Gaels GAA 3. Start tracking your steps and help us reach the target. The challenge is open to everyone, so let’s join together and encourage each other to get fit and active throughout January and February. Spread the word to all your friends, family, and neighbours, and let’s make every step count.  

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60. 

Oskars

A very memorable ‘Night at the Oskars’ was had by all last Friday night in Lough Rynn.

Well done to the winners:

Best dressed movie: The Snapper

Best supporting actress: Georgina McCormack (Bridemaids)

Best actress: Breda Lynch. (Misery)

Best supporting actor: Eoin Brady (Pat Mustard, Fr Ted)

Best actor: Joint winners, Podge (Tommy Shelby) + Paul O Hara (Forrest Gump)

Best movie: Peaky Blinders.

Thank you to everyone who supported this event. A special word of thanks goes to our main event sponsor, Mickey Whelan and Maplewood Residential. A lot of work went in over the last number of months and the club would like to thank all the actors, Kevin Rowe Events, Lough Rynn, our sub committee of Mike Mulleady, Lorraine Corrigan, Podge Gill, Pauric Gill, Graham Lee, Aiden Gray and Stephen McDermott and all our workers on the night who made it the huge success that it was. Go raibh maith agaibh

Lotto

Our Christmas lotto draw took place in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, December 23rd. The Jackpot was €2,600.

The numbers drawn were as follows:

1, 8, 21, 23

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €2,800!

The three €50 winners were:

Podge Gill

Joseph Murray

Derek O’Neill

The four €200 Sellers Prize winners were:

Dean Cosgrave

Thomas Gill

Ann Carthy

Rachael Murphy

The Christmas prize winners were as follows:

Hampers: Catherine Reilly & G McDonnell (c/o Drumlish PO)

Whiskey: Donal Murtagh, Sarah McGirl, Pauline Duffy

Box of Chocolates: Patricia O’Hara, Michael Hurson, Tom Cassidy

Thank you to all who support our lotto. The next draw will take place in Cassidy’s Olde Village Inn, Drumlish on Monday, January 6th. Thank you to Cathal for doing the draw, for the use of the premises and for providing refreshments. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers.

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60.

St Stephen’s Day

There was a huge turnout for our St Stephen’s Day charity walk in aid of Mary’s Meals. Thank you to everyone who came and supported it.

Club Membership

Club Membership for the forthcoming year is now available. The cost is €50 for adults and

€40 for students/OAPs. Membership is required for all playing members. Membership entitles you to attend monthly club meetings and if received before March 31st, entitles you to a vote at next year’s AGM and entry into the draw for All Ireland tickets. To pay please contact

Registrar, Graham Lee or through the Clubspot app.

Happy New Year

We would like to wish all our members, players, supporters, coaches and sponsors a very happynew year. Thank you to everyone who helped us in any way way during the last 12 months. Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh.

Thank You

Thank you to Padraig O’Brien and all the sports team at the Longford Leader for their publication of our club notes during the year and their continued, excellent coverage and promotion of our games. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

County Convention 

Pride of place this week goes to our tireless Chairman Mike Mulleady on his election as Vice-Chairman of Longford County Board. He was elected on the first count, with 44 votes. This is a great honour for Mike, his family and the club. Congratulations to our Secretary Lorraine Corrigan on her re-election as Irish Language and Culture Officer. We wish the new Chairman Derek Fahy and the committee the very best of luck for 2025. 

Senior Manager 

At an Executive meeting on Friday evening last Trevor Clendenning was ratified as the senior team manager for 2025 along with Paddy McKeon, Graham Lee and Liam Lynch. Trevor needs no introduction as a footballer as he was a key figure in Longford Slashers’ last three Senior Championship wins and he represented the county at all levels. We wish him, his backroom team and the panel of players the very best of luck for next year. 

 

Lotto 

The lotto draw took place in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, December 9th. The Jackpot was €2,400. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

1, 13, 14, 16 

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €2,600! 

The three €50 winners were: 

Geraldine Beirne 

Orla Conaghan 

Jimmy Connor 

The next draw will take place in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday, December 23rd. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60. 

Oskars 

The date, December 27th, for our ‘Night at the Oskars’ event, kindly sponsored by Maplewood Residential, is fast approaching. Tickets cost €30 and can be purchased from any member of the executive.  

St Stephen’s Day 

The club is hosting a charity walk on St Stephen’s Day in aid of Mary’s Meals. The walk will take place from Monaduff towards Gaigue Cross on the new walkway.  

Junior Player of the Year 

Congratulations to Aiden Gray who was deservedly named Junior Player of the Year and is the second winner of the Fergal Mulleady Perpetual Trophy. 

Annual General Meeting 

Our annual general meeting was held on Sunday, December 8th in Monaduff. The meeting was very well attended. Secretary Lorraine Corrigan gave a comprehensive report on the events of the previous year in advance of the meeting, as did Treasurer Stephen McDermott in his Income & Expenditure for 2024. Chairman Mike Mulleady then expressed his gratitude to the outgoing committee and all those who supported the club in any way during the year. He spoke on events on and off the pitch and thanked the team and management for their efforts during the year. He congratulated the club on winning the Intermediate Championship and the ACFL Division 4 title. He also congratulated St Vincents and St Helens on their successes during the year and remarked on how it was a historic year for the club with the publication of our 135 year history, which saw the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, in attendance for its launch. He expressed sympathy with all in the parish and connected to the club who had bereavements during the year and in particular mentioned two greats of the club, Jimmy Breslin and Johnny Cooney, who had passed away recently. The club voted to have an U-14 Player of the Year award in memory of Johnny Cooney. A fitting tribute to a man who dedicated a lifetime to underage football in the parish. A minute’s silence was held and the meeting concluded with a prayer for the deceased members of the club and the Chairman wished everyone a happy Christmas and new year. The officers elected for 2025 were as follows: 

Chairman: Mike Mulleady. 

Vice-Chairman: Seamus Gallagher. 

Secretary: Lorraine Corrigan. 

Assistant Secretary: Pauline Corr. 

Treasurer: Stephen McDermott. 

Assistant Treasurer: Betty Creegan. 

PRO: Pauric Gill. 

Registrar: Graham Lee. 

County Board Delegate: Derek McKeon 

Development Officer: Thomas Gill 

Irish Officer: Michael Lennon. 

Children’s Welfare Officer: Dessie Connell 

Players’ Representative: Podge Gill 

Additional Executive Members: Kathleen Brady, Von Corrigan, David Cassidy, Paddy O’Neill, Seamus Noonan, Aiden Gray, JP Murphy, Brian Duffy. 

The club would like to wish the new committee all the best for the coming year and thank last year’s committee for all their hard work.  

The following awards were decided on the night: 

Senior Player of the Year: Sean Whelan 

U-21 Player of the Year: Jamie Nertney 

Club Personality of Year: Pauric Gill 

Congratulations to all concerned on their well-deserved accolades. 

Lotto 

The lotto draw took place in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, December 9th. The Jackpot was €2,400. Results are on the club website and social media and will be published in next week’s notes. The next draw will take place in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday, December 23rd. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60. 

Annual General Meeting 

The AGM takes place in Monaduff clubhouse at 5pm this Sunday, December 8th. It was postponed last week as a mark of respect for the late Jimmy Breslin. 

Oskars 

The date for our ‘Night at the Oskars’ event, kindly sponsored by Maplewood Residential, is fast approaching. Tickets cost €30 and can be purchased from any member of the executive.  

St Stephen’s Day 

The club is hosting a charity walk on St Stephen’s Day in aid of Mary’s Meals. The walk will take place from Monaduff towards Gaigue Cross on the new walkway. More details to come closer to the date. 

Jimmy Breslin – Tribute 

Regrettably for a second time last week Fr Manning Gaels was deeply saddened to have lost another club legend. 

Jimmy Breslin first came to prominence as a talented minor who was midfield on the club’s first ever appearance in a minor championship final, which unfortunately ended in defeat against Clonguish in 1950. His efforts for the club focussed on the administration side of the GAA after this and he played a major role in reunifying the club as Fr Manning Gaels in 1969, becoming a Trustee. He served as Treasurer from 1972 until 1974 and was a selector with the senior team in 1972. Jimmy helped with underage teams throughout the 70s and into the 80s and came back as an Assistant Treasurer in 1998 & 1999. Throughout the years he worked behind the scenes supporting and fundraising for the club and in 2006 he was made Vice-President and then the following year he was elected a Club President, which became for life.  

His love for the Gaels and passion for gaelic football was borne out by the fact that all five sons wore the maroon and gold and won championships with the club. The decades of service to the club from the Breslin family as a whole is incalculable. Jimmy proudly recollected that it stretched back to the old Drumlish & Ballinamuck ‘98s in the early 1900s. 1996 stood out for him as a memorable year when the Gaels ended our 41-year famine with James and Davy playing starring roles. He was proud that Davy, James, John and Mark all played senior championship in the forward line together in 1984, something which was said to not have happened in Longford before. This past year was also a memorable one as grandson Mark played a leading role at midfield for the Gaels in the intermediate championship success and Liam and Cian were stars in Longford’s historic success in the Leinster minor championship.  

Jimmy had an incredible knowledge of local history and love for his native parish and above all else he was a gentleman. Predeceased by his loving wife Tess, we extend our deepest sympathy to his children David, James, John, Mark, Paul, Pauline, Joan, and Clare; sisters Kay, Agnes, Peggy and Maureen; grandchildren, extended family and friends. Solas na bhFlaitheas air. 

Lotto 

The lotto draw took place in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, November 25th. The Jackpot was €2,200. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

19, 26, 29, 30 

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €2,400! 

The three €50 winners were: 

Patricia Crowe 

Ann Marie Mallon 

Kathleen Reynolds Casey 

Thank you to all who support our lotto. Thank you to Cathal for doing the draw, use of the premises and for providing refreshments. The next draw will take place in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Monday, December 9th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60. 

Annual General Meeting 

The AGM takes place in Monaduff clubhouse at 5pm this Sunday, December 8th. It was postponed last week as a mark of respect for the late Jimmy Breslin. 

Oskars 

The date for our ‘Night at the Oskars’ event, kindly sponsored by Maplewood Residential, is fast approaching. Tickets cost €30 and can be purchased from any member of the executive. Fundraising efforts continue as Pakie and Mark Duffy’s 5kn Fun Run takes place this Sunday. Pauline and Amanda Duffy have a Ladies Night in O’Reilly’s Bar this Saturday night 

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Keane, Main Street, who passed away last week. Solas na bhFlaitheas uirthi 

Johnny Cooney – Tribute 

Our club was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Johnny Cooney last week. Johnny was an exceptionally hard worker for the senior club from the 1970s onwards, where he was a selector with teams of every grade as well as being Assistant Treasurer and on many finance committees raising vital funds over the years. He had a passion for Scór, and he also co-ordinated the club’s cultural efforts for many years.  

However, it is with our underage club St Vincents where Johnny was best known. From the late 60s onwards, Johnny was a constant with underage teams. There was scarcely a role within the club that he did not do at some point. He was Chairman from 1972 until 1979 and again from 1999 until 2002. He was also Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and finally County Board Delegate from 2003 until 2018, when he then became Club President. There are too many teams to mention, of which he was the trainer and selector, for over 40 years. Two of the teams he spoke fondly of being involved with were the Juvenile League winning team in 1971 and the Minor Championship winning amalgamation with Lough Forbes Gaels the following year. He was a true driving force for the underage club over the decades. Many players would not have played at all were it not for Johnny driving around to the houses to collect lads in his car. Entire teams often hopped out of his Morris Minor, as he ensured that that no boy would be left behind. All he ever wanted was to see St Vincents do well and he was very proud to see his three sons represent the maroon and gold, winning many leagues and championships. A well of local knowledge and information, he was also the go-to man whenever clarification was sought on the rules and bye-laws of the GAA.  

Pre-deceased by his loving wife Eileen, and sister Sheila, we extend our deepest sympathy to his sons Ciarán, Seán and Diarmuid, brothers Kevin and Michael, sister Mary, extended family and many friends.  

Solas na bhFlaitheas air. 

U-21 Championship 

The U-21s received the points from Rathcline at the weekend and that concluded the championship for our lads. Thank you to the panel of players for the efforts and the management team of Paddy Collum, Gearoid Nertney and Paddy McKeon. 

Lotto 

The lotto draw took place in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, November 25th. The Jackpot was €2,200. Results are currently on the club website and social media and will be published in next week’s notes. Thank you to all who support our lotto. The next draw will take place in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Monday, December 9th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

 

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60. 

Annual General Meeting 

The AGM takes place in Monaduff clubhouse at 8pm this Thursday evening, November 28th. It was postponed last week as a mark of respect for the late Johnny Cooney. 

Oskars 

The date for our ‘Night at the Oskars’ event, kindly sponsored by Maplewood Residential, is fast approaching. Tickets cost €30 and can be purchased from any member of the executive. The fundraising efforts continue this week as Pauric Gill is ‘Buried Alive’ from 9am until 9pm in O’Reilly’s Bar this Saturday and Breda Lynch’s wonderful Christmas hamper is currently being raffled on Clubspot. Pakie and Mark Duffy’s 5km Fun Run was postponed at the weekend as a mark of respect for the late Johnny Cooney and will now take place on December 8th.  

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of both Anne Ball, Ballinamuck, and John Bohan (USA), who passed away last week. Solas na bhFlaitheas orthu 

U-21 Championship 

Hard luck to the U-21s who were beaten by Grattans on Wednesday evening last, 4-7 to 1-9. The team and scorers were as follows: Cody Lee, Sean Gibbons, Caelum McGee, Nathan Maher, Sean McKenna, Paul McGee (0-2), Rory McEvoy, Kaelum Gill, Jamie Nertney (0-1, 1f), Sean Hourican, Oisin Kane (0-5, 1f), Chris Crowe (1-0, pen), Orrin Greene, Jim Rogers (0-1), Eoin Curwin. Subs used: Jack Nertney, Mikie O’Neill, Kieran Mulligan, Eoin Murtagh. They played Carrickedmond Legan on Sunday in Michael Moran Park. The final score was 5-16 to 0-3. The team and scorers were as follows: Kieran Mulligan, Seán Gibbons, Caelum McGee, Rory McEvoy, Seán McKenna, Jamie Nertney (0-1, 1f), Paul McGee, Mikie O’Neill, Kaelum Gill, Nathan Maher, Oisín Kane (0-2), Jack Nertney,Orrin Greene, Auley Thomas, Ruairí Mimnagh. Subs used: Chris Crowe, Seán Hourican, Jim Rogers, Aaron Brady. The final match in the group is against Rathcline this Sunday in Monaduff at 2pm 

Lotto 

The lotto draw took place in The ‘98 Bar, Ballinamuck on Monday last, November 11th. The Jackpot was €2,000. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

2, 3, 7, 16 

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €2,200! 

The three €50 winners were: 

Gabriel Higgins 

Frank McCann 

Iwona Ksiazczaka 

Thank you to all who support our lotto. The next draw will take place in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday, November 25th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Our Club: The Fr Manning Gaels Story 

The Gaels history book can be purchased in Seamus Kane’s, Whitney’s, Kiernan’s, Drumlish Post Office and the shop in Ballinamuck or by contacting Pauric directly, particularly if you want it posted. The book costs €50. There are also a limited number of special hardback copies of the book available. Please contact Pauric directly if you would like one. These books cost €60.  

Annual General Meeting 

The AGM takes place in Monaduff clubhouse at 8pm this Friday evening, November 22nd. 

Oskars 

The date for our ‘Night at the Oskars’ event, kindly sponsored by Maplewood Residential, is fast approaching. If your business, organisation or family would like to take out an advertisement in the commemorative booklet, please contact the page here or any member of the executive.