Leitrim create their own big jackpot
THEY walked, they ran, they soloed, they cycled. It didn’t matter how they moved, the target was the same for a fundraising venture that turned out to be a splendid success.
Leitrim people at home and abroad have once again shown how much they value their inter-county teams by raising over €100,000 in the ‘50 Miles in January Challenge’.
The original target was €50,000 but exceeded expectations by over 100pc, ensuring that the county teams will be well-resourced whenever the new season starts.
It’s a wonderful story of devotion to the GAA cause by Leitrim people. As county board chairman Enda Stenson pointed out, Leitrim doesn’t have an industrial base, which when added to the fact that they have the smallest population of any county, makes it very difficult to attract big sponsors.
It heightens the need for selfreliance and, as demonstrated by this initiative, being a Leitrim supporter is very much a state of mind. And a proud one at that. The end result is a true sign of sporting hope, even if pitches everywhere remain cold and silent for now.
TYRONE legend Ryan McMenamin believes more women should be following the example set by their counterparts in American Football and get involved in GAA intercounty management.
The current Fermanagh football boss is on the hunt for another member for his backroom team having lost former Tyrone colleague Joe McMahon to the new Red Hand set-up under joint-bosses Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher and he’d be more than happy to have a female on board with the Erne squad.
McMenamin admits his surprise that there have been so few women involved with management teams of men’s inter-county sides, but he’d have no hesitation if it was the right candidate.
“I don’t think it’s a case of ‘if’ it could happen, it really should be happening. You look at it happening in the NFL (American Football), female coaches at the Super Bowl, so I don’t see any problem with it,” said McMenamin. “Women are as passionate about football as the men, they know the game, it’s just a matter of time.”