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.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM takes place in Monaduff clubhouse at 8pm on Friday evening, November 22nd.