SPORT ROUND-UP
Reviving the memories of O’Grady’s win
Recent awards presented to two leading FAI Schools players for 2022 brought back memories for a Sligo recipient, ex-Sligo Rovers captain Conor O’Grady, who is Head of Academy at The Showgrounds.
This year’s FAI Schools International Players of the Year were John O’Donovan (Men’s U-18) and Hannah Healy (Girls U-15). O’Grady, an All-Ireland winner with Summerhill College, was the FAI Schools Boys U-18 International Player of the Year in 1999.
Rowing Ireland award for Colsh from Ballymote
Ballymote’s Brian Colsh has been named as the Up-and-coming Rower of the Year at the Rowing Ireland Awards for 2022. Colsh, a member of University of Galway Boat Club, having previously began his rowing career with Sligo Rowing Club, excelled at international level this year. He took bronze in the men’s single sculls ‘C’ final at the World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, and he also won a bronze medal in the men’s double sculls ‘A’ final at the World Rowing U-23 Championships in Varese, Italy. For the event in Italy, Colsh teamed up with Konan Pazzaia (Queen’s University Boat Club) for what proved a successful competition for the Rowing Ireland representatives.
Colsh was part of the Irish team that won silver in the quadruple scull category at the European Junior Rowing Championships in Belgrade in 2020. He was initially coached by his dad, Tom, at Sligo Rowing Club. A national champion in the Junior 15 age group five years ago, he was runner-up in the men’s single sculls (at senior level) in last year’s Irish Rowing Chanmpionships. In April of this year, Colsh won two titles for University of Galway at the University Rowing Championships held on Lough Rinn. Colsh won the men’s senior single sculls and was also part of the winning team in the men’s senior doubles sculls event.
Freshers teams from ATU Sligo are beaten
Two Freshers (first year) Gaelic football teams from ATU Sligo were beaten in the knockout stages of their respective competitions recently. Ballinode-based
ATU Sligo lost to University of Limerick, 1-21 to 2-9, in the HE Fresher Football League Division One quarter-final. In the HE Fresher Football League Division Three quarter-final, ATU Sligo’s second XV lost out to Mary Immaculate College Thurles, 1-8 to 1-2.
GAA folks are mourning McCague
The GAA world is mourning the passing of former president Sean McCague
– the Monaghan native died on Thursday last. Before his high-profile spell in administration (he was GAA president in 2000-2003), McCague made his name in inter-county management – he guided Monaghan senior Gaelic footballers to three Ulster Senior Football Championship titles (1979, 1985 and 1988) as well as a National Football League title in 1985.
He was president when current Sligo boss Tony McEntee won an All-Ireland title with Armagh in 2002 – that year eventual champions Armagh beat Sligo after a replay in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
EXPRESSIVE: Edwin Mullane (St Molaise Gaels GAA Club) competing in the recitation/storytelling category at the recent All-Ireland finals of the GAA’s Scór Sinsir at the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre, Castlebar.
CHEQUE PRESENTATION: Members of Ballisodare Bay Cycling Club present a cheque to local charity SHOUT Cancer Care (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust). This donation was raised by the cycling club’s annual sportive that took place earlier this year.
Sligo trio play for Connacht in Ashbourne
Three players from Sligo – Pat Carty (Tourlestrane), Aidan Hynes (Calry-St Joseph’s) and Stephen Melvin (Owenmore Gaels) – were on the Connacht panel for the M.Donnelly GAA Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie All-Ireland championship finals on the Sunday before last, November 20. Pat Carty also coached the Connacht squad at Ashbourne Community School along with Calry-St Joseph’s GAA Club’s Tim Hynes, who chairs the Sligo GAA Games For All committee.
Stephen Melvin scored two goals for Connacht in their round-robin games, as the western province drew with Ulster but lost to Leinster and Munster. Connacht were beaten by Leinster in the Shield decider – the main competition at the Co. Meath venue was won by Munster.
Morley leaves the hotseat at Curry GAA
Kenny Morley has stepped down as manager of the Curry senior Gaelic footballers. Morley, a former Curry player, guided the south Sligo club to the Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship title two years ago and this year’s Furey’s Coaches Senior Football League Division Two title.
Curry were beaten semi-finalists in the 2021 Homeland Senior Football Championship – bringing holders Tourlestrane to extra-time – and they also won last year’s Benson Cup.
They retained their senior status for 2023 with a relegation play-off final win over Coolaney-Mullinabreena.
Last month Morley and his management team (Brian McDonagh, Sean Davey and Noel Caffrey) guided Curry to Sligo U-21 ‘B’ Football Championship
honours. Taking over from Morley is Bunninadden’s John O’Flaherty, who has Mark Heslin as part of his backroom team.
Meanwhile, Curry GAA Club’s annual general meeting takes place this Sunday, December 4, at the clubhouse (5pm start).
Davitt’s goal is shortlisted in TG4 comp
The first of Jack Davitt’s two goals for Sligo in April’s Connacht GAA U-20 Football Championship final against Mayo at Markievicz Park has been shortlisted for TG4’s Football Goal of the Year.
The St Molaise Gaels attacker netted with a clinical right-foot shot after 13 minutes – after exchanging passes with Eastern Harps’ Matt Henry – and he goaled again nine minutes later to help Sligo lead 2-3 to 0-8 at half-time.
Two late goals in the second-half – Eoghan Smith and Jack Lavin on target – gave Sligo a one-point win, 4-4 to 1-12, and the county’s firstever provincial title at this level. That first-half goal from Davitt, who was named Player of the Match in the Connacht decider, is one of six goals on the Cúil na Bliana shortlist. To vote for Davitt’s goal, go to the TG4 website at tg4.ie.
Sligo runners will compete in cross-country
A number of Sligo athletes are on Connacht Athletics selections for Sunday’s 123. ie National Novice & Uneven Age Cross Country Championships at Garryanne in Co. Cork. Saoife Cullinan and Grace Foley, both of Sligo AC, are on the Connacht Girls U-11 team.
Picked on the Connacht
Boys U-11 team are Darragh Steels (Sligo AC), Moss Deasy (Sligo AC) and Luke Ballantine (Sligo). Ronnie Bailey, Sligo
AC, is on the Connacht Boys U-15 team. North Sligo AC’s Darragh McGee has made the Connacht Boys U-17 selection. The host club is east Cork’s St Catherine’s AC.
Big games in AIL Women’s Division
There is Sligo interest in this Saturday’s knockout fixtures in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division.
The McDermott sisters from Riverstown, Aoife and Sonia, are part of the Railway Union
side – the competition holders – that take on Old Belvedere in an all-Dublin Eneriga All-Ireland League Women’s Division semi-final. Galwegians, who are captained by Drumcliffe’s Nicole Fowley, have a Conference semi-final at home against Suttonians.
Gilmartin will take charge of a provincial final
Sligo GAA referee John Gilmartin is the main match official for a provincial final next Monday, December 5. The
Curry man takes charge of the Connacht GAA Mezzino Post Primary Schools Junior ‘A’ Football Championship final between St Gerald’s College (Castlebar) and Roscommon CBS at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence (11am start).
Gilmartin was the man in the middle for this year’s Homeland Senior Football Championship final between holders Tourlestrane and St Mary’s at Markievicz Park, a game that went to extra-time.
Cycling club give an award to Niall Hopper
Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club have selected Niall Hopper as their Club Person of the Year for 2022. Hopper was presented with this award at the club’s recent annual general meeting. In a post on the club’s Facebook page, Hopper’s extensive contribution was outlined.
The statement said: “A relative newcomer to the sport when he joined the club a few years ago, he made an immediate impact with his affable manner and willingness to roll up his sleeves and do numberous different jobs. ‘Versatile’ would be too small a description for this guy.”
It added: “We hope that Niall will continue the outstanding work-rate which he has shown to date.”
Meanwhile, the club’s annual fundraising event – the Santa Cycle – takes place this
Sunday, December 4. Starting from ATU Sligo, Ballinode, the local route – from Sligo town to Strandhill and back
– is approximately 30km. The cycle gets under way at 11am, with registration from 10am. Proceeds are in aid of the Sligo Lions Club Christmas Food Appeal.
New faces join Shamrock Gaels committee
There are three new faces on the Shamrock Gaels GAA Club executive committee for 2023. Elected at the club’s annual general meeting, which took place on Sunday last, were Paul Brennan (secretary), Niall Kearns (assistant secretary) and Paul Higgins (coaching officer).
Paul Brennan takes over from Ursula Lyons, Niall Kearns replaces Chris O’Neill and Paul Higgins gets a role previously held by Shane Quigley. At the AGM, Ursula Lyons, Chris O’Neill and
Shane Quigley were thanked by the club for displaying “dedication and commitment” in their respective roles.
Sligo Ladies will start LGFA NFL in January
The Sligo Ladies Footballers will play seven games in next year’s Lidl Ladies National Football League. Again managed by Tourlestrane’s
Anthony Brennan, Sligo will compete in Division Three along with Clare, Kildare, Longford, Down, Louth, Offaly and Wexford.
Clare were relegated from this year’s Division Two and Offaly were the Division Three champions in 2022.
Sligo begin their campaign with a home game against Clare on Sunday, January 22, 2023. They are then away to Down (January 29) and Louth (February 5) before hosting Wexford (February 19).
Round five is their campaign’s third away fixture – against Longford – on February 26, followed by home games against Kildare (March 19) and Offaly (March 26). The top two teams will contest the Division Three final on Sunday, April 16.
Ex-Sligo boss Walsh gets a Cork role
Former Sligo senior Gaelic football team manager Kevin Walsh will be working as a coach with the Cork GAA senior Gaelic footballers for 2023. Walsh was at the helm for back-to-back National Football League promotions with Sligo, bringing them from Division Four to Division Two, and he was also in charge for Sligo’s All-Ireland Junior Football Championship success in 2010. Tourlestrane’s Gerry McGowan is now with Roscommon GAA senior Gaelic football team management for 2023. The ex-Sligo player sent the last two seasons as a coach with Clare’s senior Gaelic football team. Roscommon’s new manager is Kildare’s Davy Burke. Elsewhere, Luke Bree (Coolera-Strandhill) is part of the Leitrim GAA senior Gaelic football team management – as a selector – for the season ahead. This year he was with Roscommon GAA’s senior Gaelic football management. Knockmore’s Ray Dempsey, the former Tourlestrane senior team manager, is Limerick’s senior Gaelic football team manager. He previously managed Mayo at Minor and U-21 level.
Easkey disco is a fundraiser for hurling club
Easkey-St Farnan’s Hurling Club are holding a fundraising disco party night, featuring hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, at the Castle Inn, Easkey, this Saturday night. Starting at 9pm, admission tickets cost €10. There are lots of prizes up for grabs on the night.
Easkey recently won the AIB Connacht GAA Club Junior Hurling Championship title and are currently preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final against either Ulster champions Setanta or Kilburn Gaels, who won the All-Britain Junior Hurling Championship (beating Fullen Gaels). Donegal club Setanta play
BRIAN’S PRIZE: Ballymote’s Brian Colsh is presented with the Up-and-Coming Rower of the Year award at the 2022 Rowing Ireland Awards. Making the presentation is Neville Maxwell, president of Rowing Ireland. Also pictured are Brian’s parents, Rosaleen and Tom.
Kilburn Gaels in an All-Ireland quarter-final this Saturday at Carrickmore, Tyrone (1pm).
Meanwhile, the jackpot now stands at €7,400 in the Easkey GAA Club-Eoghan Rua LGFA Club combined lotto. There was no jackpot winner in the draw made on Monday of this week – the five winners of consolation prizes were Michael Finnegan, Elizabeth Dunphy, Pat Sweeney, Gerard Keaveney and Michael P Doherty. The next draw takes place on Monday, December 5.
DRP hold a successful awards gig
Drumcliffe-Rosses Point GAA Club hosted a successful Juvenile Awards event last Saturday night at Rathcormac Hall. The night honoured the achievements of the club’s underage hurling and Gaelic football teams, from U-12 level up to Minor, during 2022.
The club will have an end of season night out for its adult members on Thursday, December 29, at County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point. Meanwhile, the club is holds its AGM this coming Sunday, December 4, at the old school, Rathcormac (7pm start). All club members are welcome to attend.
Sligo face the Rossies indoors in January
Sligo’s senior Gaelic footballers will return to the University of Galway Connacht GAA Airdome at Bekan next month – January – for 2023 FBD Connacht GAA Senior Football League. Tony McEntee’s men will take on Roscommon indoors in a semi-final scheduled for Friday, January 13.
The Tony McEntee-managed Sligo lost to Roscommon in the competition semi-final last January and were also beaten by the Rossies in this year’s Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship semi-final. Roscommon, now with a new manager on board, Davy Burke, will play in Division One of next year’s Allianz Football League.
In the other FBD Connacht GAA Senior Football League
fixtures, Leitrim face Galway in a quarter-final on Friday, January 6, with the winners of this game progressing to a semi-final against Mayo on Saturday, January 14. The final of this warm-up competition is scheduled for Friday, January 20.
FAI Cup final hero is back with Rovers
Anthony Elding, who scored the winning goal for Sligo Rovers in the FAI Men’s Cup final in 2013, is returning to The Showgrounds – as head coach of the club’s U-17 men’s team. Elding, a prolific striker during his playing career, had two spells at The Showgrounds – the first of these, in 2013, saw him score 19 goals in all competitions, including a memorable goal against Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium that earned Rovers their fifth FAI Cup.
Since retiring from professional soccer as a player, Elding has been steadily building a coaching profile – the UEFA ‘A’ coaching license holder has been working with underage teams at Longford Town.
The 40-year-old, from Boston in England, expressed his delight at joining the coaching staff at the Sligo Rovers
Academy. Speaking to www. sligorovers.com, he said: “I appreciate this opportunity that has been given to me by Sligo Rovers and Conor O’Grady [Head of Academy]. I’m honoured to be a part of the club’s next phase.
“To see so many former players involved in the club, from the first team down to the U-14s, is just incredible.”
Bernardine is leaving the County Board
There will only be a one change to Sligo GAA County Board’s executive committee at the annual Sligo GAA Convention that takes place on Tuesday next, December 6, in the Clayton Hotel (7.30pm). Secretary Bernardine McGauran, Calry-St Joseph’s, is stepping down – as per the five-year rule.
Previously the County
Board assistant secretary, she was Sligo’s first female County Board secretary when elected at the Sligo GAA Convention in December 2017. Taking over from McGauran is Owenmore Gaels’ Deirdre Gethins, who has chaired the Cóiste na Óg committee for two years. Coolera-Strandhill’s Sean Carroll is heading into his third year as County Board chairman.
EVENT: At the 2022 SSE Airtricity Women’s National League Awards, which took place last Thursday night at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin, were Sligo Rovers senior women’s team members Aoife Brennan and Emma Doherty.