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. 

ACFL Division 2 

We followed up our win over Ballymore last week with a good 4-10 to 1-10 win over Sean Connollys in Ballinalee last Saturday. The sides were level coming up to half time, with the Gaels squandering a number of goal chances, but two majors from Pauric Gill and Jamie Nertney gave our side a commanding lead at the break. On the resumption Nertney ran through for another goal, and this was a lead the Gaels maintained until the finish. The team and scorers were as follows: Cody Lee, Paul McGee, JP Farley, Sean McKenna, Caelum McGee, Aaron Quinn, Tom McGee, Mark Breslin (0-1), Kaelum Gill (0-1), Oisin Kane, Pauric Gill (1-1), Jamie Nertney (2-0), Cian Cassidy (1-2), Kevin Whelan (0-1), Martin Cassidy (0-4, 1f). Subs: Sean Gibbons, Leon McKeon, Mark Hughes, Sean Hourican, Padraig O’Neill. Best of luck to the team and management as the play Cashel in Monaduff, this Saturday at 7pm. The club would like to wish a speedy recovery to Orrin Greene who sustained a bad injury recently 

Scór Sinsir 

Well done to our Quiz Team of Joseph Gill, Ciaran Cooney, Pauric Gill and Gabriel Higgins who came third in the Leinster final last Sunday in The Downs and now go forward as Longford’s sole representatives at the All-Ireland finals in Castlebar on April 26th. Hard luck to our Figure Dancers and Novelty Act who bth narrowly missed out 

St Vincents Annual Monster Bingo 

The Annual monster Bingo takes place on Sunday, April 13th in the ‘98 Hall in Ballinamuck at 3pm. There is €2,500 in prize money to be won as well as a monster raffle. Please support 

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. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in Dillon’s of Ballinamuck on Monday last, April 7th. The Jackpot was €4,000. 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. Thank you to Cathal 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. 

Longford 

Hard luck to Paddy Collum, Enda McGahern and the rest of the Longford team and management last Sunday on their extra-time defeat by Wicklow. Paddy had a terrific match with a number of goal-line clearances and excellent kick-outs. Best of luck to the squad as the now prepare for the Tailteann Cup.  

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Agnes McNamara (nee Collum), who passed away recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas uirthi. 

ACFL Division 2 

We collected our first points of the new league campaign when registering a good 2-19 to 2-13 win over Ballymore in glorious conditions in Monaduff on Sunday last. Gaels started very well and raced to a 1-2 to nil lead early on, thanks to Martin and Cian Cassidy. We stayed in front until half time, with Mark Breslin and Kevin Whelan winning the battle for possession around midfield, and led 1-11 to 0-11. The scores came from Martin Cassidy frees for fouls on Cian Cassidy and Pauric Gill, Gill, Oisin Kane, Dean Cosgrave and five from the ever-dangerous Cian Cassidy. Great work from Paul McGee found Jamie Nertney on the edge of the square on the resumption and he made no mistake in planting the ball in the net. That, along with a neat Kane point saw the Gaels hold a commanding seven-point lead that was almost extended when Martin Cassidy just shot wide when going for goal. Ballymore came storming back and soon went into a one-point lead with two goals in rapid succession. However, the Gaels immediately restored their lead with two frees from Cassidy, both for fouls on Gill and they did not lose the lead again, as more points came from Nertney, Martin Cassidy and finally Cian Cassidy rounded off an excellent performance with the club’s first two-point score. The team and scorers were as follows: Cody Lee, Paul McGee, JP Farley, Sean McKenna, Dean Cosgrave (0-1), Aaron Quinn, Tom McGee, Mark Breslin, Kaelum Gill, Oisin Kane (0-2), Pauric Gill (0-2), Jamie Nertney (1-1), Cian Cassidy (0-7, 1tp), Kevin Whelan, Martin Cassidy (1-6, 5f). Subs: Sean Gibbons, Caelum McGee, Kevin Whitney. Best of luck to the team and management as the play Sean Connollys in Maguire Park, this Saturday at 7pm. 

Scór Sinsir 

Well done to our Quiz Team of Joseph Gill, Ciaran Cooney, Pauric Gill and Gabriel Higgins who won the Senior Scor Question Time on Thursday evening last in Pearse Park. We wish them, along with our Figure Dancers and Novelty Act, the best of luck in the Leinster Final this Sunday. 

St Vincents Annual Monster Bingo 

The Annual monster Bingo takes place on Sunday, April 13th in the ‘98 Hall in Ballinamuck at 3pm. There is €2,500 in prize money to be won as well as a monster raffle. Please support 

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. 

Lotto 

Our lotto draw took place in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, March 24th. The Jackpot was €3,800. The numbers drawn were as follows: 

4, 11, 12, 25 

There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €4,000! 

The three €50 winners were: 

Gerard Canning 

Paddy Maxwell 

Brenda Rogers 

Thank you to all who support our lotto. Thank you to Cathal for use of the premises, providing refreshments and facilitating the draw. The next draw will take place in Dillon’s of Ballinamuck on Monday, April 7th. Please play again on Clubspot by selecting the Fr Manning Gaels option or from the usual ticket sellers. 

Longford 

Best of luck to Paddy Collum, Enda McGahern and the rest of the Longford team and management this weekend in the Leinster championship against Wicklow. Well done to the Longford minors on their draw with Kildare at the weekend. It was great to see Alex Karytinos play a key role at corner back and well done also to Finbar Thomas who is on th panel. 

Sympathy 

The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Kathleen Conroy (nee Gray, formerly Currabawn) who died in New York recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas uirthi 

Scór Sinsir

Congratulations our Novelty Act and Figure Dancers who made it through to the Leinster final last Sunday. Hard luck to our Instrumental Musicians and Recitation who narrowly missed out. Best of luck to our Question Time team in the county final this Thursday.

Corn Hill Challenge

The Corn Hill Challenge is back this year after a hiatus of a number ofyears, 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.

Lotto

Our lotto draw took place in O’Reilly’s Bar on Monday last, March 24th. Results are currently on the club website and social media and will be published in next week’s notes.

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, entry into the draw for All Ireland tickets and the chance to win a night away for 2 in Kilronan Castle. To pay please contact Registrar, Graham Lee or through the Clubspot app.

ACFL Division 2

The league got off to a disappointing start last Saturday when we were defeated 2-14 to 2-9 by Grattans. The team and scorers were as follows: Cody Lee, Paul McGee, Aaron Quinn, Seán Gibbons, Tom McGee, Kaelum Gill, JP Farley, Mark Breslin, Jamie Nertney(0-1), Dean Cosgrave(0-1), Cian Cassidy(1-0), Clayton Finn, Oisín Kane(0-1), Kevin Whelan (0-1), Martin Cassidy (1-5, 4f). Subs: Mark Hughes, Caelum McGee. The next round is this Sunday in Monaduff against Ballymore. Best of luck to the team and management.