GRASSROOTS

ST JOHN’S

Intermediate Football The Dara Mc Garty- managed Intermediate team begin their season with a Benson Cup game against Owenmore Gaels which will take place in Stenson Park next Saturday at 5.00. St Johns Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot prize in the draw that took place on March 4th. Thanks to all patrons who support our club lotto. St John’s Magazine Memorabilia and articles about the life and times of St John’s over the last 30 years will be welcomed by the organising committee or if you would like to write an article about the GAA in general please contact us at 086 0793791. We have received quite an amount of photographs so far for which we are grateful, but I’m sure there is lots more out there which club followers would love to see in the magazine. Congratulations Congratulations and well done to St John’s star Charlie Harrison and the Sligo senior team on their hard- fought, but well- deserved victory over Laois in the Allianz League. This victory, coming after last week’s reverse to Antrim, leaves the team in joint second place with a good chance of promotion after a much- improved second half display. Hopefully this good form will continue next Sunday when they take on Longford in Pearse Park, Longford. It was great to see Charlie back in the starting line- up and hopefully he will get an injury- free run for the rest of the year. St Patrick’s Day Parade St Johns will have a float in the St Patrick’s Day parade and we urge supporters to turn out in force to encourage our members taking part.

OWENMORE GAELS

THE club is running a 6 week nursery for children aged between 4 and 6 years old ( born in 2011/ 2012). It continues this Thursday 16th March 6- 7 in the Teeling Centre. Fun programme and an introduction to GAA with fundamental movement and basic skill development. All welcome If parents would be interested in getting involved please contact Jason on 086 103 4731. CLUB registration is now online. Visit www. owenmoregaels. ie for more details. There is a current vacancy available at the club with the TUS Scheme. If interested please contact Gerry Mullaney 0868221995. Plans for our new stand are complete and displayed in clubhouse. We are now in the planning permission stage. Anybody willing to join the fundraising drive with € 20 per month for one year please contact Niall 0877609420. The Lotto draw took place in The Owenmore Inn on Monday 6th March. The numbers drawn were 12, 13, 23, 31. There was no winner of the € 6,000 Jackpot. Congrats to our ‘ Match 3’ winners Kathleen Kane & Ultan Doherty who each win € 50. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and continues to support the club. As there was no winner this week, the Jackpot rolls over to € 6,100. The next draw will take place in Connollys Bar Monday 20th March. The Club shop is now online. Club Merchandise includes jerseys, socks, shorts, club tops, trousers and jackets. Get yours now! Visit our facebook page for details.

COOLANEY/ MULLINABREENA

The senior team get their new season underway next Saturday 18th march with a Kiernan Cup fixture against Tourlestrane , in Cloonacool at 5pm . Lotto tickets are still available from any club officer, this is the Club’s main fundraiser for the year and the continued support of the local communities is greatly appreciated. All tickets are to be returned to a finance meeting in St. Nathy’s Hall on Monday 20th March at 9pm. The first draw will take place at the end of March. We will hold a Table Quiz in the Happy Landing, Coolaney on Saturday 25th March at 9.30pm, proceeds will go towards equipment for underage teams.

COOLERA/ STRANDHILL

Coolera - Strandhill GAA Club, Ransboro, wish to appoint a person for general maintenance duties under the TUS Scheme. For information regarding eligibility requirements, please contact Gerard Mullaney, Tus Programme Supervisor, Sligo Leader at mullaneygerard@ eircom. net or alternatively, by mobile at 086/ 8221995. Lotto There was no winner, of the club lotto draw which took place on Monday March 6th. The numbers drawn were 2, 10, 21, 22. There was one match three winner; Bree’s of Strandhill. The jackpot now stands at € 13900. The weekly lotto draw takes place at 9pm every Monday night in Coolera/ Strandhill GAA Club House, Ransboro Park. For details, contact Joe Gildea or Rose Cawley. Please check the club website www. coolerastrandhill. com for further details. Membership This year’s membership is now due, and must be completed by Friday March 31st. You can now register on- line via the club website www. coolerastrandhill. com. Alternatively application forms can also be obtained from any committee member or registrar Shane Kennedy. All players, coaches, mentors and managers must be registered members of the club. Please complete your membership as quickly as possible. Madrid Harps GAA Invitational Tournament. Congratulations to Ellen Monaghan, Mary Stenson, Gráinne Redmond and Caoimhe O’ Sullivan who were members of the Mercy College Senior team that travelled to Madrid to take part in the Madrid Harps Invitational Tournament. Having beaten the hosts in the semi- final the Mercy went on to win the final. Well done girls. We wish them well in the Colleges County Final this Thursday ( 16th) when they take on St. Attracta’s in Cloonacool at 12.00.

CLOONACOOL

Hard luck to St. Attractas Community school Tubbercurry Junior squad on their recent defeat in the All- Ireland championship semi- final. They had a wonderful year in colleges football, and this run of success can only bode well for the future. Well done to them all and their management team.

The U/ 16 team had a good start to the league campaign with a win over Bunnindden/ Ballymote last weekend.

The following coaches were appointed at underage level to assist their Tubbercurry counterparts for the coming season. U/ 12 - Des Haran, U/ 14 - Kieran Clarke, U16 - Bill Carty, Kieran McIntyre, Shane Gallagher, U/ 18 - Fergus Leonard, Sean O Dowd. The Junior team management will be looked after by Club secretary Fergus Leonard and club chairman Bill Carty. Junior team squad training continues on Tuesday and Saturday evenings in preparation for the coming season. All players young and old are asked to make themselves available to Cloonacool G. A. A. club for the season ahead. Any player with travel issues or problems are asked to contact the team management A. S. A. P. as they ask for full commitment from every single player named on the panel.

Sympathy is extended to the family, relatives, and friends of the late Rose Murphy, Dublin, who went to her eternal reward recently. May she rest in peace.

ENNISCRONE/ KILGLASSIWHILE

the playing area is now complete, the club needs to raise € 59000 to bring our indoor astro turf complex to completion ( heating, electrics, toilets, dressing room, kitchen, meeting room etc.). In this regard, the club will require the generosity of the community: individuals, families and businesses, both at home and abroad. As previously advertised, you can sponsor a brick at € 100, a block at € 250 or a wall at € 1500. The official launch of our fundraising efforts took place last weekend, and there will be a draw for cash prizes of € 1000 and € 500 for those who donate prior to the May Bank Holiday weekend. There will be teams in the various areas/ townlands to contact to donate, and there will also be weekly collection points held around the parish to facilitate people who wish to donate. The first of these takes place on Monday evening ( March 13th) from 8pm to 10pm in Sheridan’s Bar, Kilglass. The following Monday ( March 20th) there will be a collection evening in Gilroy’s, Enniscrone from 8pm to 10pm. Further details of other payment methods online will be made available this week. Your support at this extraordinary time in the club’s history is greatly appreciated. Our intermediate team get their 2017 season started next Sunday afternoon, when they play Tourlestrane in the opening round of the Abbott Cup. Throw- in is at 2pm in Tourlestrane. Best of luck to the squad and management for the coming year. Our U- 16 team have a rearranged fixture against neighbours Easkey in their opening round fixture in Division Two next Sunday morning. Throw- in at 11am in Easkey. Best of luck to everyone involved. Well done to our U- 14 boys on getting 2017 off to a winning start with a win over Coolera/ Strandhill in a challenge game last Sunday. Training continues this week. There was no winner of last weekend’s blotto draw. The jackpot for next Saturday’s draw is € 6100. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

ST MOLAISE GAELS

THERE are still some tickets available for our Club Gala Night in the Radisson Hotel Ballincar this Saturday night March 18th. No tickets will be available at the door on the night. 2016 Intermediate championship winning team will be presented with their medals on the night and there will be a number of other presentations also. All Ireland winner, 2 time All Star and Masterchef Finalist Armagh’s Oisin McConville will be our Guest Speaker and the night will be compered by Micheal O’Domhnaill of TG4 fame. Tickets for the event which includes a 4 Course meal and Music from “Inside Out” are priced at 35 euros each and available from Grange Post Office, SIobhan Watters, Brenda Donagher and Johnny Watters. St Molaise Gaels picked up three titles at the County Scor finals in Ballintogher on Saturday night last. Our Quiz team of Tommy Currid, Michael White, Tom Rodgers and Declan Shelley were victorious by three points with St Farnan’s runners up. Grainne Kilfeather was a winner in the Solo Singing competition while Gene Sheerin made it a hat trick of wins in the Recitation section. Congratulations and thanks to our competitors for representing the Club and they now go on to represent Sligo in the Connacht finals in Tubbercurry on Saturday week March 25th. Underage coaching for Boys and Girls from U6 to U12 continues this Saturday March 11th. Girls U6 to U14 10.00am to 11.00am and Boys U6 to U12 11.15am to 12.15pm. Registration can be done on any Saturday morning once coaching commences. Our next Club Lotto Draw takes place on Monday March 27th at 8.30pm. Thank you to everyone for their continued support for this important fundraiser. The competitive football season opens this weekend with our senior team entertaining Eastern Harps in the 1st round of the Kiernan Cup on Saturday at Monsignor Hynes Park. Throw in is at 5.00pm. On Sunday our U16 Boys open their Division I League campaign also with a home fixture against Coolera/ Strandhill at 4.00pm. The Club extends sympathies to the McGowan family Derrylehan on the death of Kenneth McGowan.

EASTERN HARPS

Our senior men get their season underway on Saturday in the first round of the Kiernan Cup away to St. Molaise Gaels at 5pm. Our Juniors play Shamrock Gaels at 12 noon on Sunday.

The ladies will begin their season with a Spring Cup tie on Sunday against Calry at 10am. Venue TBC. Well done to Zara Stafford, Aideen Coyle and Rachel Hogge who all started for the Sligo minors in their one point win over Leitrim in the Connact Championship.

Our Pole Position quiz team have their second round against St. Molaise Gaels which will be aired on Ocean FM on Sunday evening. We would like to thank Nicholas Murray, Thomas Murphy, Ciaran McGovern and Martin Doherty who represented us in the SCOR quiz last Saturday. Last Thursday in the Radisson hotel we were delighted to accept the “Community

Participation Initiative Award” in the inaugural Sligo Sports Star Awards.

Bingo continues every Friday night in Gurteen Hall at 8.30pm. The jackpot is € 1,900 in 47 calls or less. The in house lotto is € 500.

ST MARY’S

Chairperson Peadar Niland presided over a tremendous dinner dance last Saturday night in the Sligo Park Hotel. As in previous years, a huge crowd representing all parts of the Club was in attendance. A great night was had by all and we can look forward to continuing the Club spirit throughout the season on the playing field. The honour of being the first team to open competitive action for St Marys in 2017 fell to the U16 boys who hosted Castleconnor in Kent Park last Sunday. In an entertaining fixture, our lads under the management of Francis Fidgeon showed they have good potential, and will be a team to watch this year. The match ended in a score of 2- 12 to 3- 11 to Castleconnor. At underage level, Well done to the u14s county girls on securing a draw with Leitrim on Sunday in Cloonacool.. final score Sligo 5- 9 Leitrim 6- 6.. Congratulations to club members Hayley Kilgannon & Sadbh Brennan on their win of the Moynihan Cup in the Inter- varsity championship on Saturday & also congratulations to Sarah Keaney who won an All Ireland Medal with Marino College, well done to all the girls & their teams. The excitement of youth was evidenced in Summerhill last Monday when our nursery program commenced and thanks to everyone who made this possible. The programme continues for 4 weeks ( until Saturday morning coaching commences on April 1st), and if any other young star in the making wishes to try the games, U6 is at 7pm with U8 at 8pm. Elsewhere training of the various squads is progressing in preparation for their respective Seasons, and there is always a welcome in each for new players. A reminder that Saturday morning Coaching will commence on Saturday 1st April, and in preparation, a clean- up day is planned for the previous Saturday ( March 25th). The annual Bord na nÓg flag day is timed for Saturday March 18th, and we are looking forward to participating in the St Patrick’s Day parade.

SHAMROCK GAELS

THERE was no jackpot or match 3 winner of the lotto jackpot last weekend. The numbers drawn were 12, 17, 21, 28 with the house draw won by Doreen Keville. The jackpot now stands at € 2,400 with the next draw on Saturday 25th March in Sean Macs. The first game of the season took place last Sunday with the U16 team losing 2- 10 to 3- 13 to Geevagh/ St Michaels. The team was: Gareth Keville, Aaron McKenna, Ryan Brennan, Dylan Mullen, Conor Kearns, Shane McCann, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sean Carroll ( 2- 0), Lee Duignan ( 0- 2), Paul Leydon ( 1- 6), Jason Kilkenny ( 0- 2), Brendan Hailstones, Darragh Kelly, Eoin Dodd. subs used Adam Kearns, Andrew Mc Greevy. The next game is on 3rd April away to Tubbercurry. The Junior team are due to play Eastern Harps next Sunday at 12.00PM in the first round of the Abbott Cup while the Senior Team are out the following Saturday 25th, playing Collaney/ Mullinabreena in the first round of the Kiernan Cup. Well done to Gaels girls, Nadine Hargadon, Ellie McDermott and Kate Brady who were with Sligo U14 panel today who drew with 5- 9 to 6- 6 with Leitrim in the Connacht Championship. Well done also to Louise Merrick, Aoife Morrisroe, Rachel Boyd and Roisin Kearns who were with the Sligo Minor team who had a great 2- 10 to 3- 6 win over Leitrim in an exciting encounter in Kent Park. Best of luck to Sligo Minors and Karl McKenna, Ben Tuohy, James Carroll, Evan Lyons and Daniel Lyons who take on Roscommon in the second round of the league this Thursday 16th in Scarden at 8.00PM. The club is delighted to announce The Clayton Hotel, Sligo as our official club sponsor for the coming three years - more details later. The club won € 1,000 in the National Club Draw - unfortunately we had no other winners from the club - thanks again to all for your support The full list of winners are available at http:// www. gaa. ie/ news/ 2017- national- club- draw- winners/ The club wish to express sympathy with the family and relatives of Joe Gilmartin, Sooey who died at the weekend.

BUNNINADDEN

ALL underage players from minor down to U6 are required to complete registration forms signed by their parents in line with new guidelines on child protection and welfare by the GAA. There will be a registration evening on this Wednesday March 15th at 7 until 8.30 in the community centre and on Saturday March 18th from 3.30 until 4.45 at the community park. Thanks to Kieran Brett, Tom Doohan, Tadgh Brennan and Keith Henry for competiting in the Scor Sinsir Quiz on Saturday they finished 3rd on the night. The U/ 16 Bunnanadden/ Ballymote played Tubbercurry/ Cloonacool on Sunday in Corran Park Ballymote. With a score of 5: 13 Tub- bercurry/ Cloonacool to 3: 05 to Bunnanadden/ Ballymote. Commiserations to the St. Attracta’s junior team who lost to P. S Chorcha Dhuibhne of Kerry in the All Ireland Championship Junior A final. With a score of 1: 16 to 1: 12. As a team they have accomplished so much. Well done to the Management and the team, who should be so proud.

ST MICHAEL’S

THE Senior team are on duty next week on Saturday evening at 5pm weather permitting this will be a home venue for St Michaels against Bunninadden in the Benson Cup. Training continues as usual. The under 16’ s amalgamation of Geevagh and St Michaels had their first game against neighbours Shamrock Geals and ran out convincing winners with a score line of 3- 13 to 2- 10. Training is starting this week at the following grades, Under 6 Nursery programme commences on Thursdays in Ballintogher Community Hall at 6.30pm. Under 8 commences in Coola Sports Complex on Fridays at 7.30pm. Under 16 commences in Scarden on Thursdays at 7pm. We are looking forward to seeing you all at your venues. Congratulations to Ryan Walsh on winning his All Ireland medal with DCU Freshers. The club wish to express sympathy to the family of Peter Joseph ( Peter Joe) Gilmartin Drumee Ballintogher. DRUMCLIFFE/ ROSSES POINT THANKS to everyone who supported and helped organise our clothes recycling collection fundraiser last Saturday in Oxfield and Rosses Point. Over 1300kg of clothes was collected A special thank you to Enda Waters for the trailer and to Fenton Ewing in Harrys Bar for supplying refreshments on the day. Going to the Parade in Sligo or Grange this Friday? Then why not bring the family along afterwards to our St Patrick’s Day Family Hot Pot event in Rosses Point, starting at 2pm. We’ll have some delicious food to suit all tastes, spot prizes and TV screens for the All- Ireland club finals. Our nominated charity for this event is the RNLI. All are welcome. Congrats to our U12 boys who won the JK County Sligo Pella Tournament at the Sligo Tennis Club on Sunday last. The boys came out of a tough group consisting of Coolera/ Strandhill, St Molaise Gaels and St Johns, before overcoming Calry/ St Joseph’s in the semi- final and near neighbours St Molaise Gaels in the final. Congrats to the all the boys who played and contributed to what was a great team achievement. Caolán Hartigan, Conor Gillen, Daire Scanlon, Donnchadh O’Brien, Patrick Phelan, Fionn McNulty, Joe Campbell, Mark McDermott, Mathew Percy and Rían O’Callaghan ( C).

TUBBERCURRY

HALL of Fame PRIDE of place this week goes to our very own Mick Burke who received a Hall of Fame award at the recent Sligo Champion Sports Awards. Mick has been a fantastic servant to Sligo GAA and especially his adopted home club Tubbercurry. A Tipp man through and through Mick is enjoying their success on the hurling pitches of late. He has passed on his wealth of hurling knowledge to many a youngster in both Tubbercurry and indeed the whole of Sligo and if you’re ever looking for him chances are you’ll find him lining the pitch in Tubber or brushing out the dressing rooms. Congratulations Mick. This is well deserved. ST. Attractas HARD luck to St Attractas juniors who after a dream start leading by 6 points at half time went down on a scoreline of 1.16- 1.12. to P. S Chorcha Dhuibhne in the All Ireland semi final. While the lads will be very disappointed with the result it shows that they can compete with the best and on another day the result could be so much different. Roll on the next few years when no doubt with plenty more hard work success will come their way. U16 WELL done to our U16s who started their league campaign with a 3.5- 5.15 victory over Ballymote/ Bunninadden. U10 Coaching continues on Friday evenings in Cloonacool. U14 coaching on Tuesday evening from 6.307.30 in Kilcoyne park.