Bertie Allen Cup:
Competitive action got underway last Sunday afternoon for our Senior team in glorious conditions in Michael Fay Park against Longford Slashers in the first round of the Bertie Allen Cup. Unfortunately the result did not go our way and the home team ran out 1-20 to 0-14 winners in the end. The full time result did not give a true reflection on proceedings as there was only one point separating the sides with 8 minutes remaining and we were leading at half time 0-10 to 0-9. There were plenty of positives to take from the game, including the performances of our younger players, particularly Dan Gorman and Mark Breslin. The next round is at home to Granard this Friday evening at 8.15.
The team and scorers were as follows:
Aiden Gray, Mickey Kelly, Fergal Reilly, Dan Gorman, Aaron McGee, Mark Hughes, Eoin Keane (0-4 (3f)), Mark Duffy, Mark Breslin (0-1), Diarmuid Cooney, Dean Cosgrave (0-1), Pauric Gill (0-3), Petie Collum, Seán Whelan, Martin Cassidy (0-5)
Substitutions: Ciarán Cooney for Mark Breslin, David Cassidy for Fergal Reilly, Stephen Cosgrave for Aaron McGee, Cian Brady for Mark Duffy
Lotto: The Lotto draw was held last Monday, March 20th in Dillon’s Bar, Ballinamuck. The jackpot was €5,200. The numbers drawn were as follows:
01, 12, 15, 21.
There was no winner.
€30 winners
- Camilla Clarke, Drumlish.
- Cathal O’Reilly, O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish.
- Evelyn O’Hara, Cloonaugh, Drumlish.
- Dolly Murtagh, Clonmacart, Drumlish.
- Robert McGrath, Main Street, Drumlish.
Sellers Prize
- Paddy Howe.
- Malachy Scott.
The next draw is in Gallagher’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday April 3rd. The jackpot is now €5,400. Tickets are available from the usual outlets and from any member of the executive.
Senior Challenge: The Gaels had their final challenge match before competitve action against a slick Mohill outfit last Friday evening under lights in Monaduff. The final score was 1-15 to 1-7 in favour of the visitors. The team and scorers were as follows:
Michael Heslin, Mark Hughes, Cian Brady, Dan Gorman, Mark Breslin, Fergal Reilly, Eoin Keane (0-2, (2f)), David Collum, Seán Whelan, Stephen Cosgrave, Martin Cassidy (1-0), Ciarán Cooney (0-1), Kevin Whitney, Pauric Gill (0-2), Diarmuid Cooney (0-1).
Substitutions: Liam Lynch (0-1), Cian Cassidy, Ryan Crowe, Timothy Bouvin
Thank you to Mohill for travelling up and we wish Padraic Davis, Pete McWade, Ian Higgins and the squad the very best of luck for the coming year.
Longford Seniors: Hard luck to Paddy Collum and the Longford seniors on their defeat to Laois on Saturday night last in the National League. The next game, away to Antrim, is a must win game for Longford if they are to secure their place in Division 3.
Longford U21s: Hard luck to Frank McNamee and his Longford U21 team after they fell short to Dublin on Wednesday evening last in Mullingar. Great credit goes to the whole squad, management and backroom team for the tremendous effort that was put in all year.
Suicide Behaviour Awareness and Training Programmes: The following Suicide Behaviour Awareness and Training Programmes will be delivered in Longford in April. The full training schedule for 2017 is available upon request:
- A.S.I.S.T. (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two-day intensive and interactive workshop designed to provide participants with skills which will enable them to recognise the immediate risk of suicide and provide safety, help and support to those at risk. It is on April 5th & 6th in the EDI Centre, Mastertech Business Park, Longford from 9 to 5 both days with registration at 8.45am on Day 1.
- SafeTALK is a 3½ hr ‘suicide alertness’ programme that prepares participants to identify and engage with persons who may be having thoughts of suicide. Participants also learn how to provide practical help by using the steps of TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keepsafe) and gain information on the supports and resources available locally, regionally and nationally. It is on April 27th in the EDI Centre from 10 until 1.30 with registration at 9.45 am. Please note that individual SafeTALK workshops can also be delivered upon request to groups with a minimum of 15 participants.
If you would like to book a place(s) or would like to discuss any aspect of Suicide Prevention please contact Eddie Ward as follows:
Eddie Ward Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention – Longford/Westmeath,
Health Service Executive,
The Health Centre,
Longford.
Tel: 086 380 1152 Email: eddie.ward@hse.ie
Club Membership: Money for club registration is due from all players and anyone else who wishes to become a member of Fr. Manning Gaels for 2017. Membership is €30 for adults and €15 for students. Monies must be received by this Friday, March 31st in order to receive full voting entitlements at next year’s AGM and entry in the All-Ireland ticket draw.
Croke Park Pitch Renovation Open Day: This is a unique opportunity to see GAA Pitch Renovation and hear sports turf
industry professionals speak on matters relevant to quality pitch maintenance on Sunday April 23rd at Croke Park. Please see the club website for further details on the programme of events. Register for this event by contacting Mr Kieran McGann, National Pitch Maintenance Workgroup on:
Email: ktmcoare@gmail.com or Phone: 086-7773100
Congratulations: Well done to local band Brave Giant on their terrific performance on the Late Late Show last Friday night. Their latest superb single “The Time I Met the Devil” currently occupies number 3 on the Irish music charts and is available for download on iTunes. Everyone at the Gaels wishes our fellow clubmen Podge Gill, Mark Prunty, Emmett Collum and Dromard man Ross McInerney continued success in their music careers.
St. Vincent’s Monster Bingo: Please support our minor club’s 7th annual Monster Bingo on Sunday next April 2nd in the ’98 Hall, Ballinamuck. There is €2,500 to be won in prize money along with Easter Eggs and there will also be a monster raffle on the day.
Monthly Executive & Club Meeting: There will be a Fr. Manning Gaels executive meeting on Thursday night, March 30th in Monaduff at 8.30pm. This will be followed by a club meeting at 9.30pm.