A reminder that our Darkness Into Light walk is going ahead at 4.15am tomorrow morning, May 10th. It is not an official Darkness Into Light event, however as always every cent raised will be going towards Pieta House. Thank you to all our volunteers who have made it such a success over the last couple of years and who are working hard to ensure the same again tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming a massive crowd at Monaduff in the morning for what is such a worthy cause.

ACFL Division 2 

We played Ballymahon on Saturday evening last and held on for a 2-5 to 0-11 draw at the finish. We started brightly with a couple of points from Pauric Gill and a Martin Cassidy free for a foul on Gill, before Cassidy pounced on a breaking ball to first time an excellent strike into the net. Ballymahon came back after this and we led 1-2 to 0-4 at half time. The second half started well when Cassidy converted a penalty after Gill was taken down and we held a five point lead with ten minutes to go, after points from Cian Cassidy and a Martin free for a foul on Gill. Ballymahon brought it back level before another Cassidy free for a foul on Paul McGee nudged us back in front but Ballymahon came back upfield for the equaliser. There was one last chance for a winner but Cian Cassidy’s effort just trailed narrowly wide. The team and scorers were as follows: Podge Gill, Sean McKenna, Cian Murphy, Caelum McGee, Paul McGee, Aaron Quinn, Tom McGee, Mark Breslin, Kaelum Gill, Jamie Nertney, Pauric Gill (0-1), Kevin Whitney, Cian Cassidy (0-1), Kevin Whelan, Martin Cassidy (2-3, 1-0 pen, 3f). Sub: Cian Brady.  Short a number of players for various reasons it was great to have Podge Gill and Cian Brady back out and performing so well. The next match is Division 4 this Saturday against Ardagh Moydow. Best of luck to the team and management. 

Corn Hill Challenge 

The Corn Hill Challenge is back this year after a hiatus of a number of years, this time in conjunction with Fr Manning Gaels, and kindly sponsored by Longford Precast. May 18th at 9am is the date and time for the big event, with the link for registration now on all our social media channels. Chipped time, T-shirt, medal and refreshments (kindly sponsored by ABC Childcare) all included. It is €35 to enter the 10-mile race, €25 for the 10k, €10 for the 5k and €5 for all U-16s. 

Darkness Into Light 

Fr Manning Gaels and St Helens are again running Darkness Into Light this year at 4.15am on May 10th at Monaduff. There is no registration needed. Donations on the day and there will be light refreshments in the clubhouse after. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, May 5th. The Jackpot was €2,000 

Thank you to all who support our lotto.  The next draw will take place in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Monday, May 19th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Kate Lennon (Derryheelan),  Anna Mai Fitzsimons (nee Reilly, formerly Townagh), and Cissie Larkin (Aughadowry) who all passed away recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas orthu 

ACFL Division 2 

We play Ballymahon in the next round of the league this Saturday in Monaduff at 7pm. We were awarded the points for the Killashee match which was due to take place last Sunday. Best of luck to the team and management. We wish Stephen Cosgrave a speedy recovery from the severe injury he sustained in the last Division 4 match against Ballymahon 

Corn Hill Challenge 

The Corn Hill Challenge is back this year after a hiatus of a number of years, this time in conjunction with Fr Manning Gaels, and kindly sponsored by Longford Precast. May 18th is the date for the big event, with the link for registration coming soon. Chipped time, T-shirt, medal and refreshments (kindly sponsored by ABC Childcare) all included. It is €35 to enter the 10-mile race, €25 for the 10k, €10 for the 5k and €5 for all U-16s. 

Darkness Into Light 

Fr Manning Gaels and St Helens are again running Darkness Into Light this year at 4.15am on May 10th at Monaduff. There is no registration needed. Donations on the day and there will be light refreshments in the clubhouse after. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in The ‘98 Bar, Ballinamuck on Monday last, April 21st. The Jackpot was €4,200. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

7, 15, 19, 22 

Congratulations to Samantha Tully, Lamagh, Newtownforbes who was our jackpot winner. 

Thank you to all who support our lotto. Thank you to the ‘98 for the use of the premises and facilitating the draw. The next draw will take place in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5th. The Jackpot is now €4,200. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Scór Sinsir 

Hard luck to our Question Time team of Pauric Gill, Joseph Gill, Ciaran Cooney and Gabriel Higgins who were in the All-Ireland final last Saturday in Castlebar and missed out on qualifying to the stage event. 

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to our senior manager Trevor Clendenning and family on the passing of Trevor’s grandmother, Edith. May she rest in peace. 

New Arrivals 

Congratulations to Sean Whelan and Rachel on the birth of their son, Tadhg. Congratulations to Padraig O’Neill and Ciara on the birth of their son, Cillian. We wish all a life of health and happiness. 

ACFL Division 4 

Well done to the reserve team and management who got the defence of their ACFL Division 4 league title off to a winning start after a 6-13 to 0-7 win over Ballymahon last Saturday. The teams were evenly matched early on but a goal on the stroke of half time from the impressive Aiden Gray, after an excellent Mark Hughes pass set the Gaels up for a comprehensive victory. The team and scorers were as follows: Cody Lee, Cian Murphy, Cian Brady, Tom McGee (1-0), Stephen Cosgrave, Caelum McGee (1-0), Kevin Whitney, Kevin Whelan (0-3), Petie Collum (1-0), Mark Hughes (0-2, 2f), Oisin Kane (1-0), Aiden Gray (1-3), Padraig O’Neill. Subs used: Sean Gibbons (0-1) for Petie Collum (inj), Declan Donnelly, Ryan Cowe (1-4), Nathan Maher, Cathal Quinn. We wish both Aiden Gray and Petie Collum speedy recoveries from the injuries they sustained in the match. 

Corn Hill Challenge 

The Corn Hill Challenge is back this year after a hiatus of a number of years, this time in conjunction with Fr Manning Gaels, and kindly sponsored by Longford Precast. May 18th is the date for the big event, with the link for registration coming soon. Chipped time, T-shirt, medal and refreshments (kindly sponsored by ABC Childcare) all included. It is €35 to enter the 10-mile race, €25 for the 10k, €10 for the 5k and €5 for all U-16s. 

Darkness Into Light 

Fr Manning Gaels and St Helens are again running Darkness Into Light this year at 4.15am on May 10th at Monaduff. There is no registration needed. Donations on the day and there will be light refreshments in the clubhouse after. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in The ‘98 Bar, Ballinamuck on Monday last, April 21st. The Jackpot was €4,200. 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 Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Scór Sinsir 

Best of luck to our Question Time team of Pauric Gill, Joseph Gill, Ciaran Cooney and Gabriel Higgins who are in the All-Ireland final this Saturday in Castlebar 

Packie Gorman RIP 

Fr Manning Gaels was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Club President Packie Gorman last week. Packie was a nippy, skilful corner forward who was a vital asset in our club’s 1953 Senior Championship and Senior League double success. He initially began his footballing career in the blue and gold of the Ballinamuck ‘98s, however, when that club dissolved in 1949, he quickly became a key man for the then-named Drumlish Young Irelands (Éire Óg). He was proudly responsible for the decisive goal which saw Young Irelands advance to the 1953 county final. Packie’s excellent performances for our club saw him rewarded with a call up for the county junior selection the following year. Unfortunately, as was all too common at the time, he joined the ranks of the emigrants and moved to England for a number of years. Upon his return he joined the newly-established Ballinamuck GFC and later played a crucial role in reuniting Éire Óg as Fr Manning Gaels, and remained an ardent supporter of his beloved maroon and gold throughout his life. Packie’s vivid memories of matches, club meetings, people and places were invaluable when publishing the recent history of the club. He was truly a well of knowledge and above all else, a thorough gentleman. To his family, neighbours and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy. Solas na bhFlaitheas air. 

ACFL Division 2 

We fell to a disappointing 3-16 to 3-9 defeat at the hands of Cashel on Saturday evening last in Monaduff.  Gaels started brightly and led 1-3 to nil after 15 minutes with the points coming from Martin Cassidy frees for fouls on himself and Kaelum Gill, and the goal came from Pauric Gill. Misfortune then struck three times in as many minutes as we lost the influential pairing of JP Farley and Mark Breslin to injury and then Jamie Nertney was somehow sent to the line for an apparent second bookable offence. The sides were level 1-4 apiece at the break and on the resumption Pauric Gill put us one clear before a Martin Cassidy black card saw the Gaels temporarily reduced to 13. Cashel struck for two more goals during this period and led by seven, but Gaels battled back and came back to within one point with five minutes remaining. The scores in this period were thanks to Pauric Gill, Martin Cassidy frees for fouls on Gill, and two goals from powerful bursts upfield from Aaron Quinn, one of which went directly in and Kevin Whelan got a terrific flick to the other. However after this Cashel retained their composure and struck a couple of two-pointers and ran out comfortable winners in the finish. The team and scorers were as follows: Paddy Collum, Paul McGee, JP Farley, Sean McKenna, Caelum McGee, Aaron Quinn (1-0), Mark Hughes, Mark Breslin, Kaelum Gill, Oisin Kane, Pauric Gill (1-2), Jamie Nertney, Cian Cassidy (0-1), Kevin Whelan (1-0), Martin Cassidy (0-6, 6f). Subs: Leon McKeon, Kevin Whitney, Nathan Maher. Best of luck to the ACFL Division 4 team and management who start the league against Ballymahon this Saturday at 7pm in Monaduff.  

Corn Hill Challenge 

The Corn Hill Challenge is back this year after a hiatus of a number of years, this time in conjunction with Fr Manning Gaels, and kindly sponsored by Longford Precast. May 18th is the date for the big event, with the link for registration coming soon. Chipped time, T-shirt, medal and refreshments (kindly sponsored by ABC Childcare) all included. It is €35 to enter the 10-mile race, €25 for the 10k, €10 for the 5k and €5 for all U-16s. 

Darkness Into Light 

Fr Manning Gaels and St Helens are again running Darkness Into Light this year at 4.15am on May 10th at Monaduff. There is no registration needed. Donations on the day and there will be light refreshments in the clubhouse after. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in Dillon’s of Ballinamuck on Monday last, April 7th. The Jackpot was €4,000. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

6, 14, 26, 30 

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €4,200! 

The three €50 winners were: 

Colin Hannify 

Karen Townsend 

James McQuade  

Thank you to all who support our lotto. Thank you to Dillon’s for use of the premises, providing refreshments and facilitating the draw. The next draw will take place in The ‘98 Bar, Ballinamuck on Bank Holiday Easter Monday, April 21st. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers.