GRASSROOTS

CLOONACOOL

OUR Junior squad continues to prepare for the up-coming championship semi-final with training at the usual times and further challenge games being organised for the coming weekend. The U/13 squad had a good victory over Eastern Harps in their quarter final match last week and are now through to the semi-final of this competition on a date to be announced. Our Intermediate championship winning squad of 1997 had a get together last weekend in Brennans, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of that great victory.

Our minor team were comprehensively defeated by Shamrock Gaels in the championship semi-final last week.

The annual sports have not gone ahead in recent weeks due to the very inclement weather in recent times.

Sympathy is extended to the Kilcoyne, Davey and Marren families on their recent bereavements.

TOURLESTRANE

AFTER a minute’s silence for Mairead Davey RIP Our Senior men faced Calry/St Josephs on Sunday in Markievicz Park in the quarter final of the SFC and it ended up a battle to beat the wind as well as each other with a strong breeze at the park. We went in at the midway mark ahead by 8 points to 3 but some could say the scores should have been higher for both teams. Still with all to play for in the second half Tourlestrane took their scores and pulled away and eventually ended the game playing against 13 men and came away with a ticket to the semi final stages v Tubbercurry on a scoreline of 16 points to 9. Following this game we travelled over to Bunninadden to see the Minor lads play Ballymote/Bunninadden in their rescheduled match where once again today the wind played the game with the two teams. The host teams were much stronger and broke away with a very sound lead at the half time whistle. Not to be beaten yet our lads came out and battled hard to narrow the gap with some well placed goals and points exchanged by both the teams not willing to let go and finally going into the fourth minute of added injury time announced by Gus Chapman referee, and with Tourlestrane 4 points behind our lads were awarded a penalty which Mark Lundy scored well, unlucky for our Minors having fought back the whistle blew and Ballymote/ Bunninadden won by a point. Friday night last we witnessed a very exciting game of football played under lights at home when our Minor girls and Drumcliffe/Rosses Point finished level after swapping leads on a number of occasions throughout the match. Extra time although planned was not an option due to a power outing at the final whistle so a replay was the decided outcome in the near future. Final score Tourlestrane 3-7 DRP 2-10. Our u16 boys were beaten by Calry/St Josephs in Scardan on Thursday night. The club wishes to extend sympathy to the family of Annie O Hara Tullinaglug RIP who passed away during the week. May she rest in peace.

SHAMROCK GAELS

PREPARATIONS are well underway for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ with the dancers busy with rehearsals for the 17th November date in the Clayton Hotel - put the date in your diary. The Girls U16 team take on Eastern Harps in the final of the B Championship this Saturday at 2PM in Collooney - please come out and support. The Boys Minor team had a comprehensive 7-17 to 2-8 win over Tubbercurry in the A Shield semi-final last Friday. They now await the winners of the other semi-final this Friday in Scarden at 6PM. The U16 boys play Tourlestranne this Tuesday in the semi-final of the B Championship at 7PM. The winners of the monthly draw were Naomh Quinn, Andy Kearns and Paul Higgins. The lotto jackpot stands at €2,100 with the next draw this Saturday 7th October in Hartes. Thanks to all who supported the annual Church gate collection this weekend with over €1,000 collected.

ST PATRICK’S

THE Ox Mountain Challenge. The Inaugural Ox mountain Challenge takes place on Saturday next October 7th @ Skreen/Dromard Community Centre. The 10 mile road race begins @ 1pm. and the 4 mile fun run/walk starts @ 1.10pm. Stewards needed on the day anyone interested place report to the centre @ 12noon or contact any committee member. Check out our Facebook page for further details. Joker Jackpot St Pats joker Jackpot now stands @ €4100 as there was no winner in last weekend draw. Next draw takes place in The Beach Bar on October 14th @ 10.15pm. The club thank you for your continued support. Tickets available from all usual outlets. Winners in last weekends draw were Brendan Gallagher, Martin Giblin, & Ann McDermott. U13’s Team News St Pats U13’s were defeated by Enniscrone in their final league game. The club wish to thank the management and players for their time and efforts.

ST FARNAN’S LADIES

THE U-14’s got back to winning ways with some style courtesy of a resounding victory over St. Michaels in the final game in the group stages of the “C” C’ship. The side have now progressed to the final of the competition in which they will meet Owenmore Gaels, the only side to have beaten them in the competition to date. Details of the fixture have yet to be announced. The Sligo Ladies Co. Bd. are holding a Dinner Dance in the Clayton Hotel on Friday next, October 6th, at which a number of county teams which enjoyed success over the last few years in different grades will be honoured. Most of the teams concerned have representatives from our own club involved so any support on the night would be welcome. Enquiries to any club official. Weddings and births seem to be coming thick and fast these days for our former players. Congratulations to Laura Flatley and her husband Daniel Beirne on their recent marriage and to Catriona (Feeney) Lynott and her husband Colin on the arrival of their baby boy in the past week. Good luck to the St. Farnan’s Intermediate men’s team and their management in next Sunday’s Co. Final against St. John’s.

BALLYMOTE

BALLYMOTE GAA Club would like to extend sympathy to the Marren and Davey families at the sad death of Mairead Davey. May she rest in peace. Ballymote Junior team have qualified to Junior Championship final after a very comprensive win over Owenmore Gaels last Saturday evening in Bunninadden. Ballymote played excellent football and were in control throughout this game. We now await our opponents from the other semi-final Tourlestrane or Cloonacool. Final score Ballymote 5-17 Owenmore Gaels 1-10. Well done to our Minor team beating Tourlestrane last Sunday in the ‘A’ semi-final shield competition. This was a very tight game with Ballymote/Bunninadden winning it by one point. Final score Ballymote/ Bunninadden 2-13 Tourlestane 3-9. Shield final will be next Friday against Shamrock Gaels, in Scarden at 6pm. Good luck to team and management. It was a week of mixed fortunate for U 13 Feile team beating St Johns last Monday to reach quarter-final only to lose against Coolera/Strandhill. Well done to everyone involved, final score Ballymote/Bunninadden 4-9 Coolera/Strandhill 9-6. Ballymote GAA Club are holding Boston Tea Party 7th October in Coach House Hotel. Everyone welcome to this event, contact Maria White or any committee member if you wish to attend. This promises to be a fun night with a DJ till late.

ST MARY’S

THE curtain has come down for our Senior Team on this year with the heartbreak of Championship defeat at semi-final stage. It was a particularly difficult loss as it was by the slimmest margin on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-09 and we had looked comfortable when our lead stretched in the second half to 5 points. After a sluggish start to the game, we got the benefit of a fortuitous goal from Kyle Cawley that brought us into the game. The break worked to the Marys lads benefit and we looked a different side when we came out of the dressing room in the second half, taking control and building what appeared an unassailable lead which would bring us to a fourth consecutive Championship final. However, Eastern Harps had other thoughts and used all their experience to keep chipping away at our lead. Then when the match was back in the balance in the final moments of the game, Harps got the decisive goal. Although the Marys lads created some subsequent chances, we could not convert a levelling score. We wish Eastern Harps all the best for the final. The U14 girls team also suffered defeat when they lost their A Championship final to Calry. It was always going to be a big ask for the St Marys girls as this Calry team has dominated the County from the first day of the season and swept aside all opposition with ease apart from our match with them in August when we got the upperhand. The early stages of the final were even and we were on terms with a goal and a point from Lisa Kelly. However Calry increased the pace of their game and pinned us into defence. Heroic defending led by Eden Rooney and brave goalkeeping from Laoise Treanor were critical to keeping the scoreline to 6 points at half time. The Marys girls reorganised knowing they needed better balance and had to get the scoreboard moving. It was not to be and Calry’s neat passing game engineered a couple of quick goals which we were not going to recover from. Fair play to our girls who kept playing to the final whistle, and creating chances, which eventually led to a penalty impressively despatched to the top corner by Aine Gorman. Congratulations to Calry players and their management team led by Caroline Oates. We look forward to future matches, when our girls will look to get the result. Thanks to the St Marys management team of Colin Ledwith, Siobhan Mulholland and Anna Gorman and congratulations on a hugely impressive season that saw our girls develop their game, reach both finals and bodes so well for next season. The St Marys squad was captained by Helen Monaghan and comprised Laoise Treanor, Megan Kilcawley, Eden Rooney, Diana Mc Donagh, Rachel Cawley, Sorcha Gorman, Allie O’Shea, Kayla Breheny, Casey Cox, Aine Gorman, Helen Monaghan, Emma Ledwith, Allanah Conlon, Cianna Ruddy, Hannah Burrows, Lisa Kelly, Grace Mulholland, Kate Gavin, Tara Keaveny, Tara Una McGarry, Aine O’Connor, Roseanne Kelly and Aifric Sherlock. Many of the girls will be involved next Sunday at 4.30 when the U16’s take on Tourlestrane in the A Championship final – venue Coolooney and all support is welcome. Last weekend was the final Saturday morning coaching session of the year and everyone who participated can take a well deserved bow. This year has been particularly good with tremendous numbers of players, coaches and volunteers, carrying out the very necessary tasks led by coordinator Enda Brady, and without which the coaching could not happen. There was a traditional end of season party last Saturday to formally close the coaching and fun was had by all. St Marys offer our deepest sympathies to the Cawley family in Rathedmond on the untimely death of Noirín and may she rest in peace.

GEEVAGH

GEEVAGH’S bid for the Connaught Ladies Senior Championship came to an abrupt end when they were overwhelmed by Kilkerrin / Clonberne at Ballyhaunis on Sunday last. Geevegh suffered a severe setback as early as the first minute when resolute full back Yvonne Frazer was forced to retire with a shoulder injury after breaking up the game’s first attack. Yvonne’s absence and the ensuing defensive reshuffle had an unsettling effect on a team that never quite came to grips with the marauding Galway attack. To their credit Geevagh continued to compete right up to the final whistle never resorting to negative or unsporting tactics. Goalkeeper Aisling Sweeney, midfielder Sarah Reynolds, and forwards Jemma Brehony and Elaine O’Reilly were among those to impress on what turned out to be very difficult day.

CALRY/JOSEPH’S

A bumper weekend for the club saw the u/14 girls win their county final against St Mary’s. Scoreline 7-07 to 3-03. Congratulations to all the team and management. THE u/16 boys were up next when they faced Castleconnor away, for a place in the county final. Deep into injury time and trailing,we were awarded a penalty and up steps 14 year old Dara O’Boyle with nerves of steel to convert the penalty and put us through to the county final!!!. On Sunday morning the u/13 Feile team won their quarter final by 4-11 to 3-02 against Easkey. Again, congrats to all the team and management. Underage indoor hurling commenced on Friday evening last in the tennis club and will continue to do so on Friday evenings from 6 to 7, large numbers turned out and it was a massive success. Her final underage training session (u6 to u/10) takes place this Saturday morning from 10 to 11 at Hazelwood, a presentation will be made to all our underage players after the long season. On Saturday evening, our Junior team lost out to Drumcliffe/Rosses point by 2-18 to 1-05. Once again, congrats to the team and management on a fantastic season. The senior football team put in a gutsy and energetic display in the quarter final of the County Championship ip on Sunday in Marchievicz Park against a determined and committed Tourlestrane team. Ten minutes into the second half our team were two points behind and dominating the play, and then disaster struck as there were two players sent off on double yellow cards offences, within a few minutes of each other, and Tourlestrane finished with a number of scores to win the game 0—16 to 0—9. Special thanks to management team of Noel Kearins, Vinny Fowley and Tim Hynes and the players for their time , commitment and hard work during the year.

ST JOHN’S

KENNEDY Intermediate Championship Final: On Sunday next at 2.00pm our Burns Car Sales sponsored team will take the field in The Markievicz Park in The Kennedy Intermediate Final where they will have St Farnans from West Sligo as opponents. Our lads have performed well in the championship so far but on Sunday they come up against a team who completely demolished Geevagh, who were one of the title favourites, in their semi final. This is the same St Farnans team who had a comprehensive victory over St Johns in last years Benson Cup final and once again victory will elude us unless everybody performs to 100%. Finals are big occasions and sometimes teams get caught up in the occasion and as a result their efforts do not bear fruit if everybody is not totally focussed on the job in hand. Dara McGarty and his management team have put in a supreme effort throughout this year and the response from the players has been phenomenal and if that effort is maintained until the final whistle on Sunday then victory can be ours. We face a St Farnans team who have many top class players and we will have to produce our ‘A Game’ if we are to regain Senior status for next year. We all wish the team and management the best of luck on Sunday and in this our club’s 30th anniversary it would be a fitting finale to win the championship. It may be a good omen that the last time St Johns won the Intermediate title in 2001 the team captain was Dara Mc Garty and Michael Mc Namara and Fergal Kelly were standout players on that day. On Sunday Dara, Michael and Fergal will be on the line directing operations along with Gerry Quinn. The efforts of the team will be greatly helped if all our club supporters come along and get behind the team on the day. So please come to the Markievicz on Sunday and cheer on our heroes. MINOR Championship

OUR minor team completed their championship campaign when on Friday evening last they travelled to west Sligo to play Castleconnor in St Brendan’s Park . Forced to field without many players who were away in Third level Colleges, they relied on a large number of under 16 players and as a consequence they suffered a heavy defeat to a strong home side. Thanks is due to the team and management for all their efforts during the year.

THE St Johns club wish to express sincere sympathy to Sean Davey and family, Curry and the Marren family, Tourlestrane on the tragic death of Mairead Davey last week. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

COOLERA/STRANDHILL

UNDER 13 Féile

OUR u13 Feile Team had a deserved win over Ballymote/Bunninadden in Corran Park on Sunday. A vocal travelling support saw Andrew Lynch find the net in the first minute after a powerful run by Ciaran Langan. The Strandhill native then goaled himself, followed by fine scores from Luke Mc Ternan, Donnacha Beirne, Oisin O Neill and Mark McDaniel. Jamie Kilfeather had provided a couple of good assists when he too scored to leave his side leading by four goals going into the interval. The strong breeze favoured Ballymote in the second half but an industrious performance saw the west Sligo side again outscore their rivals. Oisin O Neill was on the mark, quickly followed by a Ross Doherty penalty and fine work by Alfie McDermott set up Mark McDaniel for the final score. The backs in particular performed well as a unit with Owen Mc Kirdy,Tadgh Doggett, Sergei Donaghue and Rory Kinane coming in for special mention. Next up is an away semi-final with Castleconnor next Sunday. MINOR Semi-Final THERE was disappointment for our minors on Friday evening when they were defeated by St. Farnan’s on a score of 1-15 to 2-11. First to settle the boys were on the scoreboard with an early goal from Kieran Prior, who added four points before half time. There were first half points too from Tristan Gilligan and Leo Doherty, as well as a second goal from Caleym Malone leaving the boys ahead by two points at half time. St. Farnan’s however were stronger in the second half, and cut the deficit. A tense final fifteen minutes saw the teams exchange points but unfortunately it was to be St. Farnan’s who prevailed. UNDER 14 Girls

OUR under 14 girls were unfortunate to lose out in the championship final last Saturday when they were defeated by St. Nathy’s 5-05 to 2-10. To their credit, the girls battled to the very end, but it wasn’t to be their day. Junior B Semi-Final OUR junior footballers made their exit from the championship at the semi-final stage when they were beaten by St. Molaise Gaels 2-12 to 1-11. Connacht Semi-final BEST wishes to our junior ladies when they play Tuam-Cortoon in the Connacht Semi-Final on Saturday. Please give them your support. TUS Scheme Coolera - Strandhill GAA Club, Ransboro, wish to appoint a person for general maintenance duties under the TUS Scheme. For information contact Gerard Mullaney, Sligo Leader at mullaneygerard@eircom.net or mobile at 086/8221995.