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Club Notes 11th June 2006

Gaels late surge not enough

Senior Hurling Championship 2006
Athleague 0-10 Roscommon Gaels 2-3

ATHLEAGUE gathered another two valuable championship points on Sunday afternoon at the County Hurling Grounds where they defeated Roscommon Gaels by just one point. The performances of Mervyn Connaughton at midfield for Athleague and David Casey in the Roscommon Gaels goal served as a refreshing antidote to the general thrust of this game which lacked the intensity, fervour, and application generally associated with championship sport.
Neither team played impressively on the day. Roscommon Gaels's first-half performance was such that they could not claim to have deserved victory while Athleague can consider themselves very lucky not to have been pipped in the final 10 minutes by a resurgent Gaels attack.
Both teams will surely be very disappointed with yesterday's game. For Athleague the failure of the full-forward line to score more than one point during the game and, perhaps more importantly, the broken arm sustained by full-back Colm Moran will be sources of worry for manager Kieran Connell when he reflects on this game this week.
Gaels manager Mick Brehony will be dissatisfied with his team's paltry accumulation of just two points in the first half and will be displeased with the performance of his half-back line in the first half.
The predominance of the home team's half-forward line was key to Athleague's prevalance. Points from play from Declan McGeeney and Kevin Regan were the direct recompense for this dominance but perhaps the most significant benefit accrued from the superiority of Regan, McGeeney, and Reddington was the space afforded to Connaughton who scored three points in the first-half as a result of this.
Each of the Athleague midfielder's three first-half points were steered over from in front of the press box into the Fuerty end following the creation of space by the half-forwards. These scores were ultimately the difference between the teams.
Gerard Clogher and David Casey both played excellently for the town team on a day when Roscommon failed to ignite. A flurry in the final 20 minutes -- which yielded a two-goal bounty -- gave the players license to drive away from the County Grounds in disappointment and dejection.
In truth Brehony's side did not deserve to win the game however and the cooler light of melancholic analysis this week will dispell the disappointment and, hopefully, will inspire the players to enhance their application for impending fixtures.
Were it not for the athleticism of Casey between the posts -- whose splendid saves from first Gary Fallon in the 14th minute and then Brendan Boyle on the stroke of half time were replications of David Fitzgerald's repulsion of Joe Deane's shot in Thurles in Sunday's Munster Semi-Final -- the game would have been purely academic by half time.
Athleague began reasonably well and led by three points after 16 minutes. Two points from Connaughton in the first seven minutes preceded Fallon's goal attempt before Brendan Boyle extended Athleague's lead with a point in the 16th minute.
Keith Gately had an effort on goal clip David Connell's right-hand post at the factory end in the 20th minute before Connaughton's third point in the 24th minute. Just when it seemed that the Gaels would end the half without a score Keith Gately and then Gerry Clogher dissected the uprights in quick succession to reduce the margin to two points on 30 minutes. A Kevin Regan free and a second acrobatic save from Casey brought a lacklustre first half to a conclusion after three minutes of injury time.
Points from Regan and Connaughton in the opening five minutes of the second half extended Athleague's lead to five points. With imminent defeat staring them in the face Roscommon Gaels emerged from their lethargy as the game entered the final third and Shane Naughton flashed in a goal from 20 metres after picking up a loose ball dropped by Clogher. With almost no effort the town side were within three points but they failed to press in the subsequent 10 minutes as Regan, Declan McGeeney, and then Regan again steered three points over for the leaders.
Brendan Boyle then had a goal disallowed three minutes from time for a square ball before Garry Waldron's 59th minute point and Ger Clogher's goal one minute into injury time mildly entertained the spectators but in the end Athleague emerged as fortuitous and unimpressive victors.
ATHLEAGUE: David Connell; Tommy Mulligan, Colm Moran, Niall Connolly; David Delaney, Kevin McGeeney, Alan Cunniffe; Mervyn Connaughton (0-4), John Connolly; Kevin Regan (0-4, 0-3 frees), Declan McGeeney (0-1), Tom Reddington; Gary Fallon, Brendan Boyle (0-1), Shane McGeeney. Subs used: J.P. Murray for Moran (inj., 23 mins); Frank Farrell for S. McGeeney (38 mins); David Flaherty for Delaney (38 mins).
ROSCOMMON GAELS: David Casey; Kenny Doolin, John Maloney, Padraig Nolan; Fintan Doyle, Eoghan Browne, John Hynes; Cian O'Brien, Paul Lennon; Gerard Clogher (1-1), Padraig Conlon, Keith Gately (0-1, free); Garry Waldron (0-1), Shane Naughton (1-0), David Waldron. Sub used: David Clogher for Conlon (54 mins); Val Browne for Maloney (blood sub, 42 mins).
Referee: Michael Carroll.

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Féile Skillstar (Hurling)

The Roscommon Féile hurling skills competition was held in Fuerty on Tuesday, 22 May. All the hurling clubs took part and, with the honour of representing the county at stake, it was very keenly contested.

The winner was Cillian Egan of Roscommon Gaels.
Hugh Rooney (Castlerea St. Kevin's) came second. Tadgh Cogavin (Pearses) and Brian Donnelly (Four Roads) shared third place.

Anthony Flaherty, chairman of Coiste Iomana, presented the trophies to the winners. He congratulated the winners and complimented all the participants on the level of skill displayed. He thanked the clubs for their support for the event and Fuerty for the use of their pitch at short notice.

He wished Cillian Egan every success when he represents Roscommon in the national Féile Skillstar competition in Cork in mid-June.

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Roscommon Gaels Dinner Dance 2006

A huge crowd attended our annual Dinner dance held in the Royal Hotel on Friday January 27th 2006. In attendance on the night were the chairman of the County Football Board Michael Mc Guire; the Chairman of the Hurling Club Board, Brian Mc Donald; Sean Flanagan, chairman of the Ladies Board; Fr Eugene Mc Loughlin, Hall of fame nominee, Mr Gerry Flanagan, as well as the 1980 County Football Champions.

Special awards Recipents on the night were Roisin Mc Manus (young lady footballer of the Year); Eimear Miley (Senior Lady), Damien Healy (Young Hurler); Keith Gately (Senior Hurler); Sean Gilleran (Young Footballer); Gerry Flanagan (Hall of Fame) and Gerry Kelly (Club person of the Year). Congrats and well done to all.

Thanks to the sponsors of the awards, Roscommon Tile Centre, Owen Hoare, Declan Molloy, John Gillooly, The Stevens Family, Maura Comiskey, and Martin O’ Keeffe. Thanks to all those who sent spot prizes to the event, Philip Mullen, Tom Connolly, Eamonn Gleeson, O’ Briens Chemist, Willie Walsh, The Railway Bar, Veterinary Services, Johnny Mac’s, Michael Finneran T.D., Gerry Tully (G+H), Mc Sharry’s. Thanks to the Royal Hotel for the lovely meal; the band Dave and the Blue Tax; and a special thank you to Seamus Duke, who did a great job as M.C. on the night. A great night was had by all.

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Club Dinner Dance 2005

The club held its very successful annual presentation dinner dance in the Royal hotel on Friday 28th January. Seamus Duke was master of ceremonies on the night and the club would like to sincerely thank Seamus for a job well done. Michael Mc Neela Chairperson welcomed everybody to the function. Special guests on the night were Brendan Lynch, John J Nerney, Liam Kilmartin, Dr Hugh Gibbons and Jamesie Murray of the 1943 and 1944 All Ireland winning team. Stephen and Delores Banahan, Brian Mc Donald chairperson of the Co. Hurling Board, Séan Flanagan, chairperson Ladies Co Board, and Fr Eugene Mc Loughlin. Stephen Banahan thanked the club for their contribution to the County, He welcomed Michael Mc Neela as club chairperson and complemented all the officials for their co-operation during the year and congratulated the 2005 Co. champions. He welcomed Brian Mc Neela to the County panel and wished the club every success in 2005.

Séan Flanagan congratulated the County Champions and wished them and the ladies the best during the current season. Jimmy Murray in a few words thanked the club for their invitation and urged the young lads to put their heart into the playing of football for the Primrose and blue. "Come on young lads" were his words.

Cyril Mahon ably spoke and thanked the club for their generosity and said it was a great honour for him, which he will always treasure. He remembered with great affection the street leagues when he was in 5th and 6th class and the lads that played both with him and against him. He paid tribute to the late Br. Dwyer and all the Christian Brothers for their great work. He reminissed on 1962 in Croke Park on his first game for Roscommon Gaels and the opening of St Mary’s Pitch in Lisalway in 1959. The presentation of awards took place admist the speeches and were as follows; Young footballer of the year sponsored by J Gillooley, went to James Mc Dermott. Senior Footballer, sponsored by Declan Molloy went to Michael Costello. Young ladies footballer sponsored by Martin O’ Kefee went to Karen Kelly. Senior Ladies sponsored by Martin O’ Kefee went to Nicola Kelly. Senior Hurler, sponsored by Maura Comiskey was Fintan Doyle; Junior Hurler, sponsored by the Stephens family was Kenneth Doolan.

Clubperson of the year, sponsored by Owen Hoare was Stella O’ Gara and the Hall of Fame award for 2004 was a great footballer and Hurler of the fifties and sixties, Cyril Mahon. The presentation of the County senior Championship medals was made by Stephen Banahan and the presentation by Michael Mc Neela to club members who were married during 2004, Benny and Rosemarie Penny, Gerard and Linda Costello, Jackie and Noel Gately, Ciaran and Thelma Mc Brien, Ollie and Marie Mc Guinness and Tom and Silvana Lyons were given a special presentation. Michael also presented the special guests from 1943 and 1944 with a moment of the occasion and finally Stella O’ Gara presented Brian Mc Neela (captain of the Gaels senior team with photographs from the County Final. The music was supplied on the night by Dave and Blue Tax and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.