Presentation Night: A very successful presentation night was held in the Breffni Arms on Saturday night-week last, the 14th of March. We hope to have some pictures on next week's paper. Thank you to Eamon and Philomeana Gray and the Staff of the Breffni Arms for the absolutely fabulous food and very well presented facilities, to Peter Masterson Black Steel for his excellent choices of music which created a joyous atmosphere, to anchorman John Duffy for his knowledge, wit and controlling the flow of events on the night, to Laura Martin, Jamsie Martin, David Pettit, Anthony Magure and Frank Smith for planning and organising the night, but most of all to the hard work and diligence of the Senior Ladies and Men's team and management who put the hard work in to earn such deserving and very significant victories, ones which will be a major marker in the history of the club. On the night medals were presented to the successful ladies players who won the 2014 Longford Ladies Junior Championship under the astute tutelage of Paul McEntire and Nickey O'Hara. Longford Senior League Division 1, 2014 medals were also presented to the Dromard Senior men's team who won the Senior League for the first time since 2007 under the management of Enda Macken and selectors Kevin Hourican and Ciaran Macken. Guests of honour on the night were Helen Brady, Kiltycon, who presented to the Ladies team, and Pat Jones, Crott, who presented to the men's team. In turn both Pat and Helen were given beautiful presentations to honour their life long work, commitment and huge service to Dromard GAA. Jamsie Martin, joint senior team captain, amongst others, spoke at length of the huge impact that Pat Jones had on the players and the club right back down through the years, how Pat had been involved in getting players our, coaching, and successfully managing underage teams which culminating in our first Senior Championship win in a huge number of years back in 1999, and indeed his ongoing contribution to the club in the many successes we have had since the 1999 championship win, both in the background administration, and in his guidance of the club, and in practical terms, in his involvement with the senior team every night at training sessions and at every senior game. Laura Martin, as one of the last playing members (in addition to Helen Conefrey) who had played under Helen Brady, gave a talk about the history of the Ladies Club and the work that Helen Brady did for the Ladies club over a huge number of years. As Laura said, ask a busy person if you want something done and Helen sure was busy. Having a young family of her own, and also involved in Community Games, Helen played the major role in running the Dromard Ladies club for a very very long number of years. Helen ran the club meetings, attended county board meetings, looked after the finance of the club, organised functions, games, refs, pitches, etc, an endless number of jobs. Her concern for the club and for its players and the kind, organised and efficient way she went about her business was mentioned on several occasions. An unassuming and unsung hero, Helen's drive and efforts kept the Ladies club alive and brought it to where it is today. Pat and Helen received a much deserved standing ovation from a crowd who very much respected and appreciative of their vast sacrifices, successes, contributions to the club, and to its players of all ages going back many generations. Ar son Droim Ard CLG, go raibh maith agat go mór do do chuid iarrachtaí móra.
Lotto: Lotto Results for Monday the 16th of March 2015. The numbers drawn were 8, 15, 17, 26, and 8. There was no jackpot winner. The winners of the €20 draw were; to Kitty Donohoe, Bridie Kelly, Cian McEvoy and Nuala McLoughlin. The €20 seller's prize went to Danny O'Toole. Next week's jackpot is at 5,600 euros. Reminder that the €2 lotto tickets are avail at Moyne Cross Stores, Corrigan's Fuel Service's, or from any club officers. Or to purchase an annual lotto so that you are automatically entered into the weekly draws visit www.Dromard.Longford.GAA.ie
Longford U21's: Hard luck to Longford U21's and our representative number 10, Ross McNerney, following their loss to Dublin in the Leinster Semi-Final last Wednesday night the 18th in Navan. This was a brilliant game of football with the reigning Leinster and All Ireland champions, Dublin only getting on top in the last 10 minutes after a titanic battle.
Sympathy: The club would like to sympathise with the extended Donohoe family, Main Street Carrigallen,on the death of Peter Donohoe(Auctioneer) last week.
St Patricks Dromard Schoolboys: Our Schoolboys maintained their winning way's on Thursday last the 19th against an excellent Colehill National School. Colehill were well organised and hit the ground running with an early goal and a point before Dromard Schoolboys started scoring. An excellent display from Danial Conboy up front brought Dromard back into contention by the end of the first half, trailing by a goal. As the second half took off Dromard began to take control, with the fullback line of Eoin Garvey, Ollie Duffy and Stephen Donohoe getting to grips with their opposition. Fionn Hourican at centre half back set the tone with a number of fine catches and his fellow half backs of Jason Grimes and James Brady followed. Shane O'Brian and Oisin O'Toole worked hard all day against and excellent Colehill pairing. The long kick-outs from Cathail Reilly (goalkeeper) were well worked. The half forward line of Calum McEntire, Matt Duffy and Ryan O'Connor worked well, creating space and taking some excellent scores. Up front, the already mentioned Danial Conboy, was well supported by Michael Gormley and Joshua Gray. Dromard eventually ran out winners by 4 points. All Subs were introduced. This leaves the schoolboys with an excellent chance to make the semi-finals later in the year. A special word of thanks to the Dromard Club grounds men Jamsie Maguire and Thomas Donohoe for having the pitches setup for the game. Also to the teachers for their excellent work coaching the team and of course the supporters who came along to cheer on the boys.
Senior League Div. 1: Dromard 1-11 Carrickedmond 2-12. We did not have the start we wanted in the opening senior game of the 2015 season when we lost our first home game in Pairc NaGeal in over 12 months to the newly promoted Carrickedmond. In fairness, Carrickedmond were well worth their victory, they appear much sharper, moved the ball better, penetrated the Dromard defence with well worked attacks, and engineered many excellent scores. In the two middle quarters, Dromard looked like they might push on, but in an already depleted side, the loss of Jamsie Martin and then Diarmuid Masterson and Kevin Donohoe through injury, plus looseness in defence and the lack of direct attacking play, didn't help our cause. Dromard line out: Sean McNerney, James Mimnagh, Niall Vance, Padraig Martin, Peter Masterson, Diarmuid Masterson, Paul McGee, Peter McEntire, Ronan McEntire, Ross McNerney, Peter Reynolds, Kevin Donohoe, Conor Duffy, Declan Mimnagh, Gary Maguire, Emmet Masterson John Sheridan
Division 3 League: Dromard 1-8 v Killoe 2-12. Dromard opened their 2015 Division 3 League campaign with an away fixture against Killoe at Emmet Park at 3pm on Sunday last. Killoe started the stronger with a potent attacking game, but Dromard gradually got to grips. Our defence, who were assisted by good kick-outs, turned the ball over on many occasions and we had plenty of attacks of their own. We showed tremendous spirit and probably shaded the next two quarters. After a closely contested first half, playing with the aid of the breeze, Killoe led by a single point 1-5 to 1-4 at the break. The Dromard goal was a fine effort by Peter Mimnagh following a good move from defence. Perhaps, had there been more direct play like this the end result would have been better. Both sides traded points early in the second half, with some fine scores from Martin McGee and Peadar Kiernan in particular. However, a very strong finish, perhaps due to superior fitness by the Killoe side saw them run out clear winners in the final quarter. This was a spirited first outing by the Dromard team who will now step up their preparations for the remaining fixtures. With a number of other players unavailable on the day due to work and travel commitments, to come into reckoning and with a solid management team now in place, the performance on Sunday can be built on and improved in the coming weeks. Thanks to the new management team of Gerry Sheridan, Peter Mimnagh Snr, Con McLaughlin, and Aidan Gray who have agreed to oversee this group for the 2015 season. Training will be on Wednesday nights at 8pm for home based players, and away players need to get consistent training in, while joint training for all will be on Sundays at 12:30pm. The Dromard team lined out as follows: Oisin Hourican, Enda Kiernan, Ronan Smith, James Conefrey, Niall McManus, Alan McLaughlin, Thomas Conefrey, Noel Reynolds, Peter McEntire, Martin McGee, Conor Duffy, Jimmy Kiernan, John McNaboe, Peter Mimnagh, Peadar Kiernan. All subs were used including Michael Reynolds, Fergal Berry, Liam Doherty, and Patrick Mimnagh.
Reserve League 1: This Saturday coming it's the turn of the Reserve League 1 team to take the field when we play Mostrim in Pairc NaGeal at 5pm. After a closely fought 1st round game, where several key players were unavailable, we narrowly lost out to the Geals in a wet and windy Mondaduff. We cannot afford attendance to be the main issue on Saturday, it's a home game and so it's vital that both team and management ensure a 100% turn out to get back on track in this competition.
County Seniors: Good luck to Frankie, Diarmuid, Ronan and Ross and the Longford County Senior Team in their vital top of the table clash v Offaly this Sunday the 29th at 3pm in Pearse Park.
Fixtures: Mon 23rd: Code of Ethics Course @6:45pm Pearse Park, Cumann na mBunscol Girls.
Tue 24th: County Board Meeting @ 8pm. Wed 25th: Gaelic 15 Injury Prevention St. Mel's College @ 8pm. Thu 26th: Cumann na mBunscol. Referee In service on the Black Card @8pm. Sat 28th: Reserve Lg1. PNaGael,Dromard V Mostrim 5pm. Co U14 Football Dev Trials in Allen Park. Co U15 Dev Coaching. Sunday 29: Pearse Park Longford V Offaly 3pm. U16 Dev Squad v Offaly. Mon 30th: Longford GAA Cookery Demo, LD Arms @7:30pm. U14 Dev Trials in Allen Park 6:45pm-8pm
Tue 31st: U14 at 6.45pm, PNaGael, St. Francis V St. Colmcille's. Wed 1st: Go Games Info Night in Pearse Pk, @ 7pm. Thu 2nd: U18 St. Francis/St. Vincent's V CarrickS at 6:45pm. Sat 4th: Reserve Lg1, in MFay Pk, Slashers V Dromard 6pm. U14 Dev Squad. U15 Dev Squad V Leitrim. U10 Go Games Blitz 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm. Easter Sunday 5th: at Cullen Park: Carlow V Longford 3pm. Mon 6th U18 at 7pm
Minor Football League Division 1 Rd. 2. All games at 7pm at McGann Pk: St D/Moydow V St. Francis/St. Vincent's. National Go Games Week
Code of Ethics Course on the 23rd of March: Longford GAA are holding a Code of Ethics in Pearse Park at 6:45. The Dromard club have 7 members enrolled on the course namely Peter Darcy, Dermot Reilly, Niall Vance, Paul McGee, Peggy Kiernan, Paul Hourican, and Joe Murphy. Every person who deals with kids within a GAA setting needs to do this course. This is the last course that will be run this year and costs €10 which is payable on the night and only those on the list can attend.
Gaelic 15 Injury Prevention Workshop On Wednesday 25th of March Longford GAA will be holding a workshop on exercises that can be used to prevent injury to our players or as a standard warm up routine, including (running, strengthening, sport balance, jumps, hamstrings and sport specific activities. Places are free of charge for both workshops but must be booked by contacting Damien on 087 912 6556.
Go Games Information Night on Wednesday 1/4/15 in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park at 7pm to agree fixtures for all U8 & U10 blitzes, to revise all information surrounding the roll out of the Go Games program, to get up to date information regarding the expanded U12 Longford Leitrim Mini League, to provide contact details and input into the running of the Go Games program for 2015.
U10 Blitz for National Respect Go Games Week 4/4/15: Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday 4/4/15 where each club will be invited to attend an U10 blitz. There will be 3 blitzes held starting at 2pm, 3:30pm and 5pm with a limited number of slots in each blitz so we are requested to pick which blitz we want to attend at the information night as outlined below.
Concussion Awareness Workshop, Monday 13th April: Longford GAA will be holding a Concussion Awareness Workshop in Pearse Park at 7:30pm, free of charge but must be booked by texting the names to Damien 0879126556. A Doctor will deliver this workshop and a large number of relevant resources will be made available. Concussion is a very serious issue and this workshop should be attended by a large number from the Club from Adult and Child level including trainers/managers, players, club officials, parents, match officials, club medical personnel, regular match goers, etc.
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