GRASSROOTS
unquestionably goes to our Minor girls who staged a most remarkable comeback on the way to overcoming a highly fancied Tourlestrane side in the “B” C’ship final in Quigbar on Sunday morning. In doing so they brought the title back to the club for the first time since 2010 and for only the second time in all and the victory will undoubtedly raise morale in the club going forward. THE game started well for our girls with county intermediate panellist Leah Kelly kicking the opening point to get her side off to a flying start but for the next twenty minutes it was all about Tourlestrane scoring 4- 1 without reply and seemingly on course for a landslide win. However this particular bunch of ‘ Farnan’s players have always shown tremendous character and they were going to have to produce this quality in spades to salvage anything from this situation. In a whirlwind finish to the half the side came right back into contention aided by a brace of goals from Alanna Cunnane along with four further points, three from Kelly and one from Noleen Ruane. And even though the opposition got through for a goal and two points in the same period the half time scoreline of 5- 3 to 2- 5 had a more manageable appearance, albeit with a sizeable mountain still to climb. TO say the second half was frantic would be a gross understatement. To win the game the girls in “Blue and White” would have to outscore their opponents by at least eight points and this they did with a point to spare just in case. A second brace of goals along with a well taken point from the side’s top scorer Cunnane, a goal from Aisling Giblin, two further points from Kelly and a superb contribution of 1- 1 from substitute Chantel McCloat brought the team’s tally for the half to 4- 4, easily outscoring the South Sligo girls tally of 1- 4 in the same period. Tourlestrane threw everything at it in the final few hectic minutes but some stalwart defending by the ‘ Farnan’s defence coupled with a number of heroic saves from netminder Siobhain Lang enabled the side to hold out for an historic and well deserved 6- 9 to 6- 7 victory when referee Colm Gunning sounded the final whistle.. Following the game the cup was presented to team captain Leah Kelly. CONGRATULATIONS to all concerned, to the players and their parents for their commitment and especially to joint managers Don McCloat and Anne Cunnane whose dedication ensured the club was able to field a team in this important grade. TEAM: Siobhain Lang, S. McDermott, Cassandra McCloat, N. Ruane ( 0- 1), H. Davis, C. Dunne, K. Lang, M. Mahon, E. Kearins, A. Brady, L. Kelly, capt. ( 0- 6), A. Giblin ( 1- 0), L. Devaney, A. Cunnane ( 4- 1), R. McHugh. Subs : Chantel McCloat ( 1- 1), S. Cunnane, Shona Lang ( all used); S. Devaney, C. Connolly. FOR team centre half back Claire Dunne, who turned in another assured performance in the final, it was definitely a week to remember. Clare, who was representing St. Farnan’s GAA Club, emerged as the overall winner in a novel skills competition at the Sligo GAA Annual Development Squad Fundraiser held in the Knocknarea Arena on Friday week last. The competition, which included most of the top budding male footballers in the county, consisted of ten different skills with the winner of each going forward to the final. As overall winner she was presented with a 100 euro voucher for herself and a 400 euro coaching workshop for her club. Congratulatios to Claire on what was surely a remarkable achievement. ANOTHER club player, Rachel O’Brien, also took part. THANKS to all club members and supporters who supported the recent Derek Ryan concert which was a fundraising event in aid of the Ladies Co. Bd. Almost forty tickets were sold by the club for the event. CONGRATULATIONS to Bill Carney Breaghwy winner of the 2,600 Jackpot in our Club Lottery Draw on Monday October 17th. The next Club Lotto Draw takes place on Tuesday November 1st at 8.30pm. Thank you to everyone for their continued support for this important fundraiser. Volunteers to assist with the running of the Lotto are urgently needed. Anyone who can spare a couple of hours once every eight weeks or so would be very welcome and can contact Thomas Kilfeather 087- 2626849 or Sean Herron 087- 7691850. Jackpot is now 800 euros.
Our U21 Boys opened their championship campaign with an away fixture against Shamrock Gaels in Coola on Saturday last. The sides were level 0- 08 to 1- 05 at the interval but in the second half the Joe Brady managed St Molaise Gaels side produced some excellent passages of play to run out winners on a scoreline of 1- 19 to 2- 09.
Our intermediate championship winning side are currently preparing for a Connacht semi final clash with Sean O’Heslins Ballinamore in Carrick on Shannon on Sunday November 6th at 2.30pm.
The winners of this fixture will qualify for the Connacht final to be played on Sunday November 20th.
The Cultural Committee of Sligo County Board have set Saturday November 26th as the date for the County finals of Scor na nOg with a venue yet to be confirmed. County winners will represent Sligo in the Connacht finals in Claremorris on January 15th. Competitions include Music Group, Ballad Group, Ceili Dancing, Set Dancing, Recitation/ Storytelling, Novelty Act/ Dramatic Presentation and Solo Singing.
Anyone interested in booking a Table at the Club Christmas Market on Dec 4th at a cost of 20 euros please contact Brenda at 087- 9507662 or Siobhan at 0868875992.
ST. PATRICK’S
U21’ s St Pats defeated Coolera in their final group game on Sunday last. St Pats showed a big improvement on their game against Castleconnor. St Pats now advance to the semi final were the will play St Molaise Gaels. St Pats team on duty was Joe Curran, Enda Clarke, Joe Mc Munn, Thomas Keaveney, Ciaran Giblin, Conor Cadden, Connell Kearins( 0- 1), Jack Egan( 1- 0), Aaron Keaveney, Dean Mahon( 1- 0), Ciaran Brady( 0- 2), Niall Connolly( 3- 4), Eunan Curran( 0- 4), Kenneth Mooevin Farrell. Final score was St Pats 5- 11 Coolera 2- 6. Joker Jackpot St Pats Joker Jackpot now stands @ € 1600. Next draw takes place on Saturday Oct 29th @ 10pm in The Rafters Bar. Tickets available from all usual outlets. Thank you for your continued support. Congratulations Congrats to Aisling Brady, Alanna Cunnane, Sorcha Cunnane, Holly Davis, Aisling Giblin, Eimear Kearins, and Michaela Mahon who succeeded in helping St Farnans that captured the Minor B championship on Sunday last against Tourlestrane. Well done to all involved.
TOURLESTRANE
HARD luck to our Minor Ladies who were defeat in the championship final on Sunday morning last in Enniscrone. The team kept fighting right to the finish having gone down by 5 points and kicking into a strong wind. THE team lead at half time on a scoreline of 5- 3 to 2- 5 having played with the aid of a stiff Atlantic wind. Goals came from the feet of Tara Walsh, Sarah Cunney, Michelle Carney, Dearbhla Jone and a wonder goal from Laura Surlis. Leonie Gaughan, Tara Walsh and Cathy Brennan all registering scores on the board. Collette Walsh pulling off some outstanding saves in the first half ensured our girls went into the break with a 7 point lead. THE girls faced a tough challenge in the second half having to oper- ate without Claire Hegarty who sustained a hand injury in the first half. The half opened brightly though with three unaswered points from Tara Walsh, Cathy Brennan and Laura Surlis. St. Farnan’s then took full advantage of their purple patch scoring 3- 2 without replying, putting them a point in front. Leonie Gaughan stepped up to the mark and converted a free to put the teams level in the 21st minute of the second half before St. Farnan’s hit another 1- 2. SARAH Cunney had no intention of leaving the game behind her and after a huge amount of work from the back line up to the full forward line, CATHY Brennan blasted the ball to the back of the net but time had run out for our girls as the final whistle sounded. THERE was some fantastic football played with a 11 of the team lining out for the club in the U- 16 A Championship Final on Thursday. WELL done to the team and management on a great year. TEAM: Collette Walsh, Catherine Marren, Sinead Mooney, Shauna Walsh, Katie Molloy, Claire Hegarty, Rebecca O’Hara, Sarah Cunney, Leonie Gaughan, Dearbhla Jones, Molly Kennedy, Laura Surlis, Michelle Carney, Tara Walsh, Cathy Brennan. Subs: Justine Lang, Caitriona Mooney, Rachel Walsh, Ellen Bailey ( inj.). THE club would like to wish a speedy recovery to U- 16 player Claire Hegarty who suffered a dislocated hand in the game. BEST of luck to our U- 16 team and management who play Drumcliffe/ Rosses Point in the U- 16 A Championship final this Thursday evening. HARD luck to our U- 21 team who suffered defeat in the championship at the hands of St. Mary’s on Sunday last. Regardless of the result, the team still qualify for the semi final of the tournament. CONGRATULATIONS to Eamonn O’Hara, David Durkin and former club man, Con O’Meara who represented Sligo on the Ireland Masters team in the International Compromised Rules tests. Eamonn was vice- captain of the team. OUR Senior men are continuing their preparations for the Connacht Club Championship. Tourlestrane will face the Mayo Club Champions on the weekend of the 5th/ 6th of November in Markievicz Park. The Mayo final takes place this Saturday in McHale Park between Castlebar Mitchells and Knockmore. THE club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the Hunt Family, Tullycusheen, on the untimely death of Regina Hunt. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam