GRASSROOTS

ST JOHN’S

Cul Camps

The Cul Camp for our club started Monday in Stenson Park, Cuilbeg. It runs from Mon to Fri 21st from 10 am to 2.30pm each day. Over 80 children have booked in so far but if there are some who have not registered they can do so when they come along. Family Fun Sports Day 2017 Following on the hugely successful event last year, the Family Fun Sports Day for this year will be held on Sunday July 30th in Stenson Park, Cuilbeg starting at 2.00pm. Registration starts at 1.15pm. Photos will be taken on the day which will appear in the Club Book launching later this year to mark the club’s 30th anniversary. We would encourage all families in our area to come along for a great days of fun and sport. St Johns Summer Camp This camp will be held from Tues August 15th to Thurs 17th in Stenson Park, Cuilbeg from 10.00am to 2.30pm each day. Cost is E20 . Register at 9.30am on Tues 15th August. Camp Director is John Reilly.

For more information on these and other club activities check the club website www.stjohsgaa.ie Under 14 Championship Our K& D Developments-sponsored Under 14 team having been narrowly beaten by Tourlestrane in their League final begin their Championship campaign with an away fixture against Enniscrone-Kilglass on Fri next July 21st at 7.00 in Enniscrone. The other championship fixtures are against Calry-St Josephs in Stenson Park on 04/08 and away to Easkey on 18/08. The St. Johns team and substitutes in the League Final was Peter Meehan; Conor Leonard, Callum Murrin, Ray Mc Carney; Seamus Burns(0-2), Cormac Roddy, Nathan Mc Loughlin; Zach Mahon, Ronan Kelly(0-2); Ronan Flynn(0-1), Darragh Mc Goldrick, Marcus Flohr(1-0); Liam Lee, Keelin Roddy, Ciaran Quinn; Tyler Haxell, Sean Moore, John Hanbury, Lee Conway, Darragh Walsh, Adam Kenny, Marc Lyttle Senior Football League Div 2 Our Burns Skoda Car Sales-sponsored team having suffered defeat to Geevagh in the Benson Cup final last weekend travelled to Ballintogher to take on St Michaels in the second last League game and came away with both points when they overcame the home side on a 3-6 to 0-6 scoreline. On an evening when the wet, slippy pitch made playing difficult St Johns led by 1-2 to 0-4 at half time with the goal coming from Ryan Mc Manus and Oisín Cox and Alan Keane scoring the points. On the resumption our lads increased their lead with further goals from Keane and McManus and points from Keane, Conor Greene and Paul Mc Namara. The final League game will take place next Sunday July 23rd at 1.00 in Stenson Park against Bunninadden.

Minor Football League 3 Final Good luck to the players and management of our Minor team who contest the Div 3 League final at 7.00 on Thurs evening next July 20th against Castleconnor in The Centre of Excellence, Scarden. Under 12 Boys

Our U.12 and U.11 teams went down to stronger Tubbercur- ry-Cloonacool teams in Tubbercurry on Wed last. The final round of the league is due to take place in Stenson Park, Cuilbeg on Tues July 25th against Owenmore Gae ls.

This is a last call for articles for out Celebration magazine. If you are interested in writing an article –long or short- on any aspect of the life of St Johns over the last 30 years then please get in touch with me at 086 0793791.

Good luck to Cathal Jordan and his Sligo U21 hurling teammates who play Donegal in The All Ireland C U21 final in the Markievicz Park on Sat next at 5.00 as a curtain-raiser to the Donegal – Galway All Ireland Qualifier game.

COOLERA/STRANDHILL

Senior League

The senior footballers continued their good run of form in the league with a one-sided victory over Castleconnor. In a good team display our boys ran out 6-14 to 1-08 winners. Under9/10 Hurling

Our under 9 and under 10 hurlers travelled to Oxfield last Wednesday to participate in a blitz. On an enjoyable evening, the young stars acquitted themselves well.

Minor Semi-Final

Our minor boys defeated Coolaney/Mullinabreena 3-07 to 0-10 in the League semi-final last Thursday. In a tight match it took a late goal from Kieran Prior to make the tie safe. They go on to play Tourlestrane in the final. Club Summer Camp Following the success of the GAA Cúl Camp our own club Summer Camp sponsored by New Ireland Assurance will be held at Ransboro from August 8th-11th for all 6-12 year olds. Further details and bookings can be got from Tommy Craddock on 0877866845. Under 12 Girls

The under 12 girls suffered defeat away to a very strong Tourlestrane team last Friday. A slow start left the girls trailing by 3-05 to 1-00 at the end of the first quarter, and despite putting in three strong quarters this was to prove too big a deficit to claw back. 3-03 from Alana Wilson, 2-01 from Orna Murphy and a Nessa O’ Sullivan point saw the full time score at 8-07 to 5-05 in favour of the home side. Although this was a stern test for our girls there were many positives to be taken from the evening, not least of which were the brilliant defensive displays of Mary-Kate McPartland and Lisa Kilfeather, who were well supported by Lulu Mooney. Nessa O’ Sullivan and Orna Murphy worked tirelessly in midfield. The accuracy of Alana Wilson kept the girls in contention throughout, and she had plenty of help from Ellen Walsh, Úna Griffin and Orlaith Beirne. The girls play Shamrock Gaels in Ransboro Park on Friday evening in the third round. Team; Áine Morahan, Anna McDaniel, Laoise McKenna, Lulu Mooney, Mary-Kate McPartland, Lisa Kilfeather, Orna Murphy, Nessa O’ Sullivan, Orlaith Beirne, Alana Wilson, Ellen Walsh, Clodagh Martyn, Úna Griffin, Lauren Healy, Ava Griffin, Bronagh Cusack, Grace Bailey.

Junior Girls make winning championship start

Our Junior girls’ team made their championship debut with a home fixture against last year’s beaten finalists Shamrock Gaels on Sunday morning. After a close first half which had the visitors leading 2-05 to 1-05, the girls put in a very impressive second half, scoring 1-14 to win 2-19 to 2-05. In a whole team effort, there were very impressive displays in attack from Laura-Ann Laffey, who accounted for 0-09, Attracta Halloran (0-03), Ciara Healy (002), Pamela Higgins (1-01) and Ellen Given who scored two long range second-half points in her junior debut. Ciara Redmond (1-01) and Ruth Goodwin were prominent in midfield, while Jacqui Mulligan (0-01) marshalled the defence, well supported in particular by Jessica Halloran and Aislinn Doggett. The girls travel to Curry next Sunday for the second round. Team; Sarah Lindsay, Aislinn Doggett, Kaela Kerrigan, Cara Gilligan, Jessica Halloran, Jacqui Mulligan, Laura Joyce, Ruth Goodwin, Ciara Redmond, Attracta Halloran, Laura-Ann Laffey, Ellen Given, Ciara Healy, Pamela Higgins (Claire Stenson), Eimear McCallion (Eimear Joyce) Senior Hurling Following on from a good win over Cluainín Iomaint in the Dermot Molloy League, winning 4-15 to 2-13, the senior hurlers had an away tie with Western Gaels on Saturday evening in the championship. The home side proved too strong and ran out 1-21 2-05 winners.

ST MOLAISE GAELS

WELL done to our U10 Boys winners of the Plate competition at the Mick Shannon Tournament hosted by Aodh Ruadh club in Ballyshannon on Saturday last. Our senior men secured their Division I League status for the season after an exciting draw at home to St Mary’s on Sunday last. Despite trailing by five points with less the 10 minutes remaining and having lost outstanding midfielder Paddy McGowan with a serious leg injury the home side produced a storming fightback and a punched goal from Daniel Keaney followed by two excellent points from Alan McLoughlin and Diarmuid Gallagher left the sides level at 3-09 to 1-15. There was still time for Mark Breheny to put the visitors ahead with a free but with virtually the last kick of the game Gaels substitute Ben Roberts calmly pointed to give the home side a deserved share of the spoils. Best wishes to Paddy MacGowan for a speedy recovery from his injury. Also on Sunday our Junior Ladies were in championship action with a home fixture against Curry. Despite a fine effort from our Girls it was a good win for the visitors. On Tuesday evening July 11th our two Boys U12 squads had good wins away to Ballymote/Bunninadden in the Division I and III Leagues. In the U16 Boys A League semi final Gaels were beaten 2-12 to 1-09 at home to Curry. Friday night July 14th saw a top of the table clash in the Division IV League at Monsignor Hynes Park as our Junior mens squad entertained league leaders and neighbours Drumcliffe/Rosses Point. It was the visitors who took the spoils as two second half goals secured a 3-05 to 0-09 victory. On the same evening our U12 Girls were beaten by Drumcliffe/Rosses Point in the A championship. This Wednesday evening July 19th our U8 and U10 Boys are away to Coolera/Strandhill with all matches throwing in at 7.00pm in Ransboro. On Friday evening July 19th our U14 Boys have a home A championship fixture against St Mary;s at 7.00pm. Our next Club Lotto Draw take place on Monday next July 24th at 8.30pm. Thank you to everyone for their continued support for this important fundraiser. Our annual “Cash for Clobber” fundraiser coincides with the return of underage coaching. If anyone has old clothes and footwear that they don’t need the Club would be delighted to take these. Goods can be left at the Club rooms on any Saturday morning. This year’s Kellogs Cul Camps takes place at Monsignor Hynes Park next week from July 24th to 28th. Bookings can be done online at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie. Co-ordinator for our Camp is Jimmy McLoughlin at 087-3915055.

DRUMCLIFFE/ROSSES POINT

OUR senior men’s footballers picked up a vital two points in the Furey’s Coaches Division 1 on Sunday with a 1-13 to 0-12 win over Eastern Harps in Gurteen. The win moves the team onto five points with one league game remaining (against Curry) next Sunday. A draw or better will ensure our Division 1 status for next season. The Junior men’s footballers made it seven wins out of seven in Division 4 on Friday evening with a 3-5 to 0-9 win over neighbours St Molaise Gaels in Grange. They now face Castleconnor on Saturday evening in Oxfield at 5pm, with the top two teams qualifying for the league final. The team’s Junior ‘B’ Championship campaign is scheduled to begin on August 20th. A depleted ladies intermediate team found the going tough in their opening championship game away to CT Gaels last Sunday morning as they went down by 5-12 to 1-8. We were missing a number of regulars and hope to have some of them back for our home match against Calry/ St Joseph’s on July 30th. Victory here would secure us a place in the county semi-finals. A little piece of hurling history for the club was made in Tourlestrane last Monday evening when the first ever Benbulben Gaels minor hurling team played their inaugural match in the minor hurling championship. The game against Tourlestrane/ Curry ended in defeat but this developing team acquitted themselves very well. Well done to all the players and the management team of John O’Callaghan and Aidan O’Reilly on reaching this significant milestone in the development of club hurling. Well done to our boys U16 footballers who booked their place in the Division 3 league final after a 5-13 to 3-8 semi-final win against Owenmore Gaels in Scarden last Wednesday evening. We play St John’s in the final at the same venue this Monday evening (17th). Throw-in: 7pm. Please come along and support the team if you can. Our U14 hurlers began their championship campaign with a comprehensive win (6-13 to 2-1) over Tourlestrane last Friday evening. Good luck to our U12 hurlers who travel to St Brendan’s Park to play Castleconnor on Tuesday at 7pm. The boys U14 footballers play their opening championship match this Friday evening when they host St Farnan’s/St Pat’s in Oxfield at 7:30pm. We are in a four-team group. The top two will qualify for the knockout stages. The girls U12 footballers enjoyed an impressive 8-8 to 3-7 win in the championship against St Molaise Gaels last Friday evening in Grange. We host Tourlestrane in our next round robin match this Friday evening at Oxfield. Well done also to our two boys U12 teams who both enjoyed league wins over Eastern Harps last Tuesday evening. We congratulate the Yeats United girls soccer team who had a fabulous week in the San Marino Cup last week, reaching the final of the competition. Well done to all involved. The club’s monthly meeting for July takes place on Monday 31st in Oxfield at 9pm. Our Saturday morning nursery coaching for U6-U10 players at Oxfield now takes a break for a few weeks. We plan to resume on August 26th. In the meantime, keep practising. More than 140 children aged 6-13 are taking part in the GAA’s Kellogg’s Cúl Camp at Oxfield this week. It is great to see record numbers for this very popular summer camp. Our thanks to our local co-ordinator Mary Power for all her work, and to Sligo GAA for facilitating the coaches etc. Well done to the five club members who were part of the Sligo U14 development squad which played two games against Roscommon in Kiltoom last week. The five in action were: Ben Kelly, Cian Oates, Desmond Gillen, Ciarán O’Reilly and Hugh Keaney.

ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS

INTERMEDIATE

OUR intermediate team secured a place in the Division Three league final with two games to spare thanks to a 1-17 to 1-5 win over St Mary’s at Quigabar last Saturday evening. Despite the concession of an early goal the team responded well and controlled the game. Preparations for the league final now begin in earnest, with the team travelling to Cloonacool for the penultimate round of the league next Sunday at 1pm. MINOR

THE Enniscrone-Kilglass/Easkey minor team had suffered a disap- pointing loss to Owenmore Gaels at Connolly Park last Thursday evening in the Division One Shield semi-final. Losers by the narrowest of margins 2-7 to 1-9, the team never got going and struggled to get to the pace of the game after a long lay-off. The team now begin their preparations for the championship.

U-14

OUR U-14s kick off their championship campaign when they host St John’s at Quigabar next Friday evening at 7pm. Best wishes to the players and management for the upcoming campaign.

U-12

OUR U-12s extended their winning run to eight games with a 0-14 to 0-13 defeat of St Patrick’s at Dromard last Tuesday. In a very close encounter, our boys just about edged it in a thrilling finish. This means they qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners, and play Tourlestrane at home in the semi-final on August 8th. COUNTY Scene

IT was a busy weekend on the county scene, with Joseph Martin playing for the Sligo U-14s and Gavin Duffy and Oisín Hynes playing for the U-15 side. Josh Ellis, Ciaran O’Dowd, Eoin Hallinan and the Sligo minors are continuing their preparations for their All-Ireland quarter-final against Derry on the bank holiday weekend. On the Masters front, both Declan Cawley and Michael Moyles were involved with the Sligo side that beat London on Saturday afternoon in Swinford. Well done all.

BALLYMOTE

A committee meeting will take place in Doddy’s on the 25th of July at 9pm, can all members attend. Last Friday night in Doddys Bar the reunion took place of Ballymote 1960 County Minor Champions. A very enjoyable night was had as stories and re-establishing friendships took place. Chairman Frank Gallagher addressed and welcomed everyone. Neal Farry recalled games leading to and including the final and rectified the unfinished business by presenting Fr Pat Rodgers with a replica medal as Fr Pat was unable to play in the final due to commencing his priesthood studies in Mount Argos. Coach of this team is Aflie Banks and he was represented by his son Alan who received a piece of O’ Riain pottery on behalf of Ballymote GAA and Ballymote Community Parks Committee. Minor team was: Denis Kennedy, Jim Sreenan, Justin Henry RIP, Thomas Keenan, Paddy Cunney, Stephen Benton, Tommy McCann, Brendan Coleman, Brendan Benton RIP, Shane Gilhawely, Joe McGovern, Neal Farry, Paddy Prior, Sean Davey, Marcus Henry, Pat Rodgers, Liam