Into The West

Vol 4.
Issue 8 July/August, 2013
Mayo poised for glory
Galway minor Ladies win All-Ireland
OFFICIAL GAA PUBLICATION
2.50
Presidents Note
A CHAIRDE GAEL, ITH the GAA season coming to an alltoo-soon end, it must be noted what exciting football and hurling championships we have had to date. On the home front the Connacht final was a unique occasion and in fairness to London they battled hard and they contributed to a very enjoyable occasion. Obviously Mayo put distance between themselves and Paul Coggins' side, but the same can be said for the rest of the counties in the province, whom they have left behind in terms of their fitness, teamwork, strength and skill levels. You cannot argue with them being champions for a third year in a row and they are worth winners of the JJ Nestor Cup again. Their performance against Donegal surpassed all expectations of them and I am very confident they can go on an achieve further success in the near future. Outside of the football final, the people of Castlebar should be applauded for their welcoming of the London team and supporters. The work put in by the Chamber, the local businesses, the MacHale Park Committee and the Mayo County Boar was remarkable and they really contributed to making the Connacht final much more than the very important football match that it is. Well done to everyone. Congratulations also must go tot he Mayo minor footballers, who emerged
Secretarys Note
victorious from a very competitive Connacht championship. In the final they hit Roscommon with two early goals, which proved too difficult to recover from. But having seen both teams in the All-Ireland quarter-finals against Westmeath and Kildare, I won't be at all surprised to see them meet again in the All-IreEFORE the Connacht final we predicted it to be a memorable occasion and what an event it was. Mayo emerged deserved winners of the competition after impressing against Galway and Roscommon before delivering a fine showing against London in the decider. However, credit must go to Paul Coggins' side who exceeded all expectations by beating Sligo and Leitrim before logging a very respectable performance in the final. Since their provincial victory Mayo have gone on to superbly avenge last years All-Ireland final defeat to Donegal and reach the semi-final stage once again. Ahead of them is a Tyrone team that is famed for its determination and difficulty to beat, so James Horan's charges face a tough test. But I am hopeful that they can go on to reach the final once again. I was also delighted to see the Mayo and Roscommon minors reach the All-Ireland semi-finals. Both sides impressed me in the Connacht final and what an occasion it would be to see them face off again in the All-Ireland final. Fingers crossed. Away from the inter-county scene, it has been great to see so many of our young footballers and hurlers out in force in the GAA camps all summer. It is great to see everyone take such enjoyment from the camps, which afford our players of tomorrow the chance to hone their skills while having great fun at the same time. I'm sure those youngsters have taken great inspiration from the success of out teams thus far this year, so hopefully they will have plenty more to draw from before the GAA season comes to a close. Is mise, le meas JOHN PRENTY Runai, CLG Cuige Connachta
land final. Word has just reached us of the victory of the Galway minor Ladies team in their All-Ireland final replay success. Firstly they performed heroically to force the replay, but to then go on and score two late goals to win the title is a great achievement for them. In the Ted Webb Cup final Mayo EW claimed the trophy after defeating a very promising Leitrim side. It was a keenly contested game and many players from both sides showed tremendous promise. The hurling season has so far been a very disappointing one of Galway, when so many people expected them to kick on from last year's near miss. Hopefully there will be some success to celebrate before the season is over. But for some teams the season is not quite finished. Here's hoping we'll be celebrating further All-Ireland successes by the time the next edition is put together. Good luck to all of our teams! Is mise,
FRANK BURKE, President, Connacht Council GAA
Into the West

Keep yourself in the loop. Sign up today for your free electronic copy of the magazine emailed directly to your Inbox. To sign up, email [email protected] Into the West is produced by the Connacht GAA Council. Editor: John Fallon. Published by: Pdraig Corcoran. News and photographs for inclusion can be emailed to [email protected]. To obtain an electronic copy of the magazine each quarter, free of charge, email: [email protected]. Next edition: September/October 2013. Deadline for advertising and copy will be announced on the Connacht Council website www.connachtgaa.ie.
Cover Photos Main Picture: Donal Vaughan celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Donegal in the All-Ireland senior football quarter-final at Croke Park. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE Inset: Galway captain Megan Heneghan lifts the cup after their All-Ireland Ladies Minor A Championship Final Replay win over Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
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Mayos toughest test to come page 4
A lot done, more to do OShea and OBoyle - page 8
Mayo Minors reclaim high ground - page 13
Connacht title for Galway girls page 16
Mayo face toughest test of the year ..........................4 Connacht Writers GAA Personalities of Month ..........5 Mayo blitz champions ...............................................6 Horan impressed with teams passion .......................8 A lot done, more to do say OShea and Boyle .............8 Three-in-a-row for Mayo............................................10 Mixed emotions on a special day ...............................12 Young Tribesmen ousted in extra-time ......................14 Mayo minors reclaim high ground ............................13 Connacht glory for Galway girls.................................16 All-Ireland SFC qualifiers - Round 1 ...........................17 All-Ireland SFC qualifiers - Round 2 ...........................19 All-Ireland SFC qualifiers - Round 3 ...........................22 All-Ireland SFC qualifiers - Round 4...........................23 Galway shattered by Dubs .........................................24 Cunningham not happy with sluggish Tribe ...............25 Lathargic hurlers crash out .......................................26 Galway girls claim minor All-Ireland..........................28 International Hurling Festival ...................................30 Sligo and All-Ireland Puc Fada...................................40 Around the Province - Connacht Puc Fada .................42 T. J. Murphy passes away...........................................44 Whats in a name?......................................................51 Cathal Cregg joins the team at HQ .............................52 Focus on Galway........................................................54 Focus on Leitrim........................................................62 Focus on Mayo...........................................................64 Focus on Roscommon ................................................68 Focus on Sligo............................................................71 Focus on Camogie......................................................74 Ladies Football All-Ireland qualifier ..........................75 Focus on Handball ....................................................78
All-Ireland qualifiers page 17
Leinster hurling championsip final page 24
Louise Ward celebrates minors All-Ireland victory - page 28
Whats in a name? page 51
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ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW
Mayo face toughest test of the year

By COLM GANNON Mayo Advertiser
WEEK out from throw in, and there are no new major injury concerns for Mayo ahead of their meeting with Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final, according to James Horan. The Mayo manager met the assembled local and national press corps in Breaffy House and when quizzed on the injury front the Ballintubber man said he has nothing new to report. I dont think theres anything new since I talked to you last. Some of the guys who were out injured are making good progress. The two main injury concerns coming out of the last two games, Michael Conroy and Tom Cunniffe, were coming along well according to the former Ballintubber boss. Mickey [Conroy] trained last night and played very well so hes back up and running, so were delighted with that. On Cunniffe, who twinged a hamstring, the Mayo boss said: Hes making good progress, the medical team are working very hard with him. Hes not back training yet, but hes very close to it. Some of these are seven to 10 day ones and youve to see how they pan out. While putting a big score up on the defending All Ireland champions might look on paper as a near perfect performance, there is still plenty of room for improvement, Horan believes. Huge room for improvement, firstly we played for about 55 minutes. To be successful the further you go, you need to stretch that out to 70 to 72 minutes. Its the worst weve been in regard to incomplete hand passes in the year. We had 18 incomplete handpasses, which is way to much. Our turnovers up front were significantly lower than our average for the year to date, in some of those areas we know we need to improve on. On the flip side, some of the things that we did in the quarterfinal were excellent. Our scoring and our return from play, the movement and angles of running, they were great to watch and a joy to behold. While we did a lot of things very, very, well there are still areas we need to improve on. Mayos glut of goals in this years championship has been one of the key reasons for their big wins in their four games so far, the most pleasing thing for Horan is how his side worked to create those goals. The one [thing] that is most important is that a huge percentage of our goals have come from turnovers from our forwards. If you think of a couple against Galway, even the last day the first goal, Cillians very disciplined tackling, and we won the turnover and
Kevin [McLoughlin] slipped it in to him. Thats a very encouraging trend on the type of goals weve scored. When it was posed to him that there is talk around the county about an AllIreland final already and if it would affect his players, Horan was adamant that it does not effect the players at all. No, no. The approach weve taken for the last three years is that we take it one game at a time. Thats exactly what we do, we play each game, we prepare as well as we can for it and we go out and play as well as we can for that 70 minutes. Thats exactly what we do and look to improve in every game we play. In the Donegal game in the quarter final we played well for 50-55 minutes and well look to improve on that again for the semi-final. It doesnt really affect the team. I can genuinely say that. Were focused on what were doing. Were ambitious guys and looking to be as good as we can. Going into the game as favourites against a team like Tyrone who have built up a huge championship pedigree over the past decade is not something that will faze Mayo he believes. Weve been favourites in every game weve played this year, genuinely it hasnt come into the equation for us, you can ask any of the guys. We are where we wanted to be and have started to play the football we know we are capable of and were just really looking forward to having another crack on August 25 and seeing can we go one better. Mayo are in the unique position of having a number of players who can play in a number of positions Horan said, and he did not rule out trying something like playing Keith Higgins in the half-forward line again, as they did at the start of the quarter-final. We see ourselves as a very attacking orientated team that has a great flow to how we play. We tried Lee Keegan in numerous games at wing forward in the league, we played Cathal Carolan at wing back, we swapped him and Lee around, Tom Cunniffe has played in numerous positions. Were very lucky that we have a very versatile team that can play pretty much in a number of different positions. I think were probably unique in that regards, thats something thats of benefit to us and well use it as we see fit. It's very much a case of four games won and two more to come. But in the Mayo camp all focus is on Tyrone. They'll worry about All-Ireland after that if they can pick up the win.
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PERSONALITIES OF THE MONTH
Mayo's Aidan O'Shea the winner of the July Player of the Month award. Photo: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
Mayo footballers honoured by GAA sports writers

AYO footballers are having another glorious summer and their retention of their Connacht title and then demolition job on All-Ireland champions Donegal has seen them pick up the Connacht GAA Writers Personality of the Month for July and August. Midfielder Aidan OShea is a contender for Footballer of the Year and he was outstanding as Mayo brushed London aside by 5-11 to 0-10 to win the Connacht title for the third year in a row. It was the first time Mayo have strung three consecutive titles since they won four on the trot when they last won the AllIreland title in 1951. OShea, who has been selected as the July winner, was again outstanding in the magnificent 4-17 to 1-10 win over reigning All-Ireland champions Donegal
in a game that was noteworthy for a second successive hat-trick by Cillian OConnor. The Young Player of the Year for the past two season hit a second-half hat-trick against London when he returned from a shoulder injury to come on at the interval and hit the net three times. But to follow that up with a hat-trick against the All-Ireland champions takes some beating and OConnor has been chosen as the August winner. The Mayo duo will be presented with their awards at the Connacht GAA Banquet at the end of the season. They will be joined by previous winners Wayne McKeon (January), Darragh McCormack (February), Frankie Dolan (March), Michael Gordon (April), Mark Gottsche (May) and Lorcan Mulvey (June).
Mayo manager James Horan congratulates his goalkeeper Robert Hennelly after the All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final against Donegal. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE Cillian O'Connor celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Donegal at Croke ParkPhoto: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
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Mayo blitz c
ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL
ON TARGET: Mayo captain Andy Moran shoots for goal during Mayo's All-Ireland quarter-final win over Donegal at Croke Park.
Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
Mayo ..................4-17 Donegal ..............1-10

By MIKE FINNERTY Mayo News
EOPLE that have been following the fortunes of Mayo football all their lives had never seen anything like it. A stunning display of pace and power,
an exhibition of football that blew the reigning All-Ireland champions out of the water, and a performance that has seen Mayo installed as the outright favourites to win the Sam Maguire Cup with two games still left to play. This was almost as good as it gets for those of us with Mayo blood in our veins. Almost. Nobody will know this more than James Horan and his players who are already preparing for the challenge of tackling Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final on
August 25. By knocking out the reigning All-Ireland champions for the third year in a row, Mayo have put themselves in a position to finish what they started when Horan took charge. Last Sunday the team that he has built showed that their graph remains on an upward curve. Consider these statistics if you will. Thirteen different Mayo players scored, the team racked up 4-15 from play (including a record-breaking second successive
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hampions
hat-trick from Cillian OConnor), and Mayo were 12 points up at the halfway mark. Between the 20th minute and the 45th minute the Connacht champions outscored their shell-shocked opponents by 2-9 to no score. All but two points of that tally came from play. It was as unprecedented as it was incredible. It is also worth remembering that Donegal tagged on 1-4 in the last ten minutes to gloss the final scoreline, with pride the only thing left to play for at that stage. They had been broken down and beaten before half-time. From the very first whistle Mayo were rampant and ravenous all over the field. Keith Higgins, who0went to work inside. The end result was a blur of movement and angled runs as the ball was switched constantly, space was created and exploited, and scores started to flow. At the other end, Tom Cunniffe, Ger Cafferkey and Chris Barrett tied down Messrs McBrearty, Murphy and McFadden respectively. Between them, the Donegal strikers only managed 1-1 from play, and McFaddens goal came in the 70th minute. To underline Mayos defensive solidity these days, it was also the first goal they have conceded in four matches. A good start was imperative for Mayo and was duly delivered when Cillian OConnor and Alan Dillon gunned points inside the first two minutes. The floodgates opened three minutes later when OConnor robbed Eamon McGee of possession on the endline. Kevin McLoughlin weaved his way towards goal, and set up OConnor for a clinical low finish to the Donegal net. It was to be the beginning of the end for the champions. Their initial response was positive as Michael Murphy and Mark McHugh kicked scores into Hill 16, but Mayo were in no mood to compromise. Their training ground manoeuvres paid dividends again on 13 minutes when Keith Higgins, in an advanced role, picked out Donal Vaughans run in behind the Donegal cover. The centre-back rolled in goal number two and the die was cast. In the 22 minutes that followed, Mayo produced some mesmerising passages of football. They passed and moved effortlessly, left tired and demoralised Donegal men trailing in their wake, and played like they owned the place. They nailed seven points in-a-row before half-time from six different players, and jogged down the tunnel ahead by 210 to 0-4. The Mayo supporters in the crowd of 63,466 stood to applaud them off the field, hoping that there was more to come. The team didnt disappoint either, tacking on 2-7 over the course of a second half that ticked slowly towards its inevitable conclusion. Cillian OConnor claimed his hat-trick with goals in the 40th and 45th minutes to bury Donegal once and for all, and their fans were streaming towards the exits when the dust settled. The last quarter was a formality, with only a red card for Eamon McGee after he stamped on Enda Varley and the dismissal of Aidan OShea in injury-time for a second booking, breaking the monotony of Mayo dominance.
O'Connor hat-trick seals memorable victory for Horan's men

We will find out soon where this Indian summer will end for Mayo, but on days like this its all about enjoying the journey. MAYO: R Hennelly; T Cunniffe, G Cafferkey, C Barrett (0-1); L Keegan (0-1), C Boyle (0-1), D Vaughan (1-0); A OShea, S OShea (0-1); K McLoughlin (0-1), A Dillon (0-2), K Higgins; C OConnor (34, 2fs, 45), A Freeman (0-2), A Moran (01). Subs: C Carolan for Cunniffe (26), R Feeney (0-1) for Dillon (46), E Varley (01) for Moran (49), D Coen for OConnor (54), K Keane (0-1) for Boyle (57). DONEGAL: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; Declan Walsh, A Thompson, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, R Kavanagh; M McHugh (0-2), R Bradley, R McHugh; C McFadden (1-0) M Murphy (0-6, 4fs, 45), P McBrearty. Subs: K Lacey (0-1) for Thompson (24), M McElhinney for N McGee (h-t); David Walsh (0-1) for Bradley (h-t); L McLoone for Kavanagh (44), M Boyle for McGrath (60). REF: J McQuillan (Cavan).
DARE TO DREAM: Mayo supporters in the Cusack Stand before watching their side impress at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
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A lot done, more to do, say OShea and Boyle

THAT'S THE WAY: Mayo manager James Horan cracks a smile after his side notch up another score. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Horan impressed with team's passion

By BILL KIELY, Media West Ireland
AYO manager, James Horan, said he hopes his side will continue to perform the same no matter what is put in front of them after they dismantled Donegal and gained revenge for last years All-Ireland final defeat. An 18-point drubbing of the defending champions was not what anyone expected, but Horan put it down to ignoring their opponents' reputations. We were looking to play as good as we could, regardless of who we were playing, Horan said. The class and respect that the Donegal management showed us after last years final always stuck with me. Even there on Sunday, straight after the game, Jimmy McGuinness and Rory were straight down. Ye guys can have fun with whats in the newspapers, but they just showed their class again. And true to Horan's word, Donegal boss Jim McGuinness was full of praise for Mayo in defeat. You have to take your hat off to Mayo, said McGuinness. They were absolutely fantastic. I suppose the bottom line is they had a serious hunger and they took the hunger into the game. We hope they can go on and win the All-Ireland now after such a long spell.
By DANIEL CAREY, Mayo News
Colm Boyle
AYO midfielder Aidan OShea expressed his delight at demolishing All-Ireland champions Donegal but warned: Its only a quarter-final. The 23-year-old put in a man-of-thematch performance as Mayo gained revenge for last Septembers defeat in the All-Ireland final. James Horans side have been installed as favourites for the All-Ireland title, but OShea predicted that a very strong Tyrone team will present a huge challenge when the two sides meet on August 25. Weve beaten the All-Ireland champions for the third year in a row, so were delighted, he said shortly before boarding the team bus in the bowels of the Hogan Stand. It was a good allround performance, probably a bit slack towards the last 20 minutes, but overall, we cant have
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DRIVING IT ON:
Mayo's dynamic midfielder Aidan O'Shea powers past the Donegal cover. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
any complaints. But its only a quarter-final. OShea has been garnered widespread praise for his awesome display, which came despite an early caution. He was shown a second yellow card late in the game, but as it wasnt a straight red, he will be available for the All-Ireland semi-final. It was felt in advance of the quarter-final that Mayo needed a big game from the former DIT student, and he delivered his finest performance in the green and red. I thought the first yellow [card] was a bit harsh, to be honest, the Breaffy clubman said. But you just have to be careful. It was early in the game, and one late tackle and youre gone. Obviously, I got sent off towards the end, which was a bit disappointing, but it [the first yellow] didnt inhibit me for the game. Mayos lightning start which yielded two goals in the opening 14 minutes was a virtual carbon copy of Donegals last September. OShea praised the work-rate of the forwards and noted that Mayo were cutting Donegal open at times, noting: We could have got more goals. Its well documented we were slow starting last years All-Ireland final and it cost us the game, he added. A lot of people have been saying we havent been tested over the last couple of months. But we were really well prepared and youve seen that from the start today; we were up and at it. And we got the goals, which is key in any
game, and I think [they] came at great times. OShea has been impressed with Tyrones Sen Cavanagh, whos in very good form and has been leading the charge for the Ulsterman. The Allergan Pharmaceuticals employee notes that Mayos semi-final opponents have been slowly getting right at a good time in the season. Weve a huge amount of work to get done over the next couple of weeks, to knuckle down and get ready for them, he concluded. Meanwhile, Colm Boyle warned that Mayo were coming up against a very good Tyrone side who have great momentum and have come through a tough qualifying campaign, and had a great win on Saturday over Monaghan. So its all to play for, the wing back noted. The Clifden-based garda said he hadnt paid any attention to the pre-match war of words between the respective management teams, opting instead to focus on the game and not read anything in the build-up. Nor is he bothered by the favourites tag which now rests on Mayos shoulders. Theres no problem there, he said. So far as I know, we were the favourites going in today. Its 50/50 once you cross the white line. Once you get on the pitch, itll be us versus them and weve to raise our game again. Theyre going very well, were going well at the minute, so its going to be a battle.
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CONNACHT SFC FINAL
Three-in-a-row for Mayo as
POSSESSION: Ger Cafferkey of Mayo
goes past London's Caolan Doyle. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Mayo ..........5-11 London ......0-10

By MIKE FINNERTY Mayo News
T was the best of times and the worst of times for London in the Connacht final. They came to McHale Park with hopes and dreams of making their mark on their first Connacht Senior Final but saw them dashed by a Mayo side that have developed the knack of winning most kinds of games over the last three years.
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All has changed, changed utterly in this provincial championship since London almost ambushed Mayo at Ruislip back in 2011. So there was to be no happy, fairytale ending to Londons Connacht championship story as Mayo took care of business in their own time. On a baking hot day, when Mayo produced a performance that was more solid than spectacular, they captured their third Connacht title in-a-row for the first time since 1950. And we all know what happened later that particular year. In front of a big crowd (especially considering the circumstances) of 21,274, Mayo ran
in three second half goals to break Londons spirit and rack up their 44th provincial title. This now leaves them level with Galway at the top of the roll of honour. Three goals from super sub Cillian OConnor put the gloss on a disjointed Mayo display, but that doesnt change the fact that this game was over as a contest long before the final whistle. To their credit, London didnt take a step back all day, but the gap between teams that ply their trades in Division 4 and Division 1 every year was all too obvious at times. In both quality and quantity, Mayo had the upper hand, but
London lost nothing in defeat. Mayo were far from flawless as they put their unfamiliar guests to the sword; nineteen wides and a litany of missed chances leaving the winners with plenty to work on ahead of the All-Ireland quarter-finals next month. On a positive note, Mayo kept a clean sheet for the third game in a row as recalled goalkeeper, Rob Hennelly, came through with flying colours. London also didnt help their own cause with some careless shooting from close range; substitute Colin Daly missing one glorious chance to hit the net early in the second half. As it turned out, it was goals
CONNACHT SFC FINAL
London are outclassed

at the other end that made all the difference. First half strikes from Alan Freeman on ten minutes and rookie Darren Coen thirteen minutes later set Mayo on the road to victory, both of them coming after a ponderous London defence lost the ball as they attempted to work it clear of the danger area. As a result of those two green flags, Mayo led by seven points at half-time, despite not firing on all cylinders. London were having issues of their own up front, and managed just one point from play in that opening half. Lorcan Mulvey did tack on four frees though to keep the scoreboard moving. Aidan OShea was completely dominant at midfield in the first 25 minutes but Mayo kicked a succession of wides to leave London in the game in theory at least. However, the arrival of Cillian OConnor at the interval changed everything. He managed to rack up 3-3 during his cameo appearance, including a well-taken goal from a penalty on 55 minutes. Excellent counter-attacking
TAKE THE HIT: Mayo wing-back Colm Boyle in action against Gregory Crowley of London during the Connacht final.
Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
moves, and some incisive support play, created the openings for OConnors first two goals that were finished from close range. By the time the Ballintubber marksman had finished his scoring spree, Londons challenge had long expired. They were eighteen points down when the dust settled. To their credit, the Exiles kept battling away and were rewarded with a couple of late points from Padraig McGoldrick and Lorcan Mulvey that brought their fans to their feet. This wasnt a vintage performance from Mayo but it was more than enough for them to copperfasten their grip on the Nestor Cup. Now for the serious business. MAYO: R Hennelly; T Cunniffe, G Cafferkey, C Barrett; L Keegan (0-2), K Higgins, C Boyle; A OShea, S OShea;
K McLoughlin (0-2, 1f), A Dillon, R Feeney (0-1); A Moran (0-1), A Freeman (1-2), D Coen (1-0). Subs: C OConnor (3-3, 10pen, 3fs) for D Coen (h-t); M Conroy for A Freeman (45 mins); D Vaughan for R Feeney (48 mins); E Varley for A Moran (54 mins); S McHale for G Cafferkey (60 mins).
of the Connacht Council Proinsias de Brca before the Connacht senior football final. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
GREETINGS: London captain Seamus Hannon is greeted by President
LONDON: D Traynor; P Butler, S Curran, D McGreevy; S Hannon, S Mulligan, T Gaughan; C Doyle, P Geraghty; G Crowley, D Dunleavy (0-1), C McCallion; E ONeill, L Mulvey (0-7, 6fs), C Magee. Subs: C Og Greene for T Gaughan (26 mins); C Daly for C Doyle (32 mins); S Kelly (0-1, 1f) for E ONeill (44 mins); B Mitchell for C McCallion (56 mins); P McGoldrick (0-1) for D Dunleavy (66 mins). REF: C Lane (Cork)
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CONNACHT SFC FINAL
Mixed emotions on a special day

By DANIEL CAREY, Mayo News
Hollow us wanti
By EDWIN McGREAL, Mayo News
UNHAPPY the land that is in need of heroes, Galileo said in Bertold Brechts Life of Galileo. Herr Brecht obviously wasnt in McHale Park for the Connacht final, because the Mayo GAA faithful were very content indeed and not short of idols. They stood on the pitch as Andy Moran promised I wont hold ye long and then launched into a five-minute speech. Two hours later, there was still a smattering of fans around the ground. They have reasons to be cheerful. Not since the 1950s have Mayo clinched provincial silverware three times in succession. Still, a team with bigger fish to fry will, the argument goes, have learned little about themselves from proving themselves the piranha of the western pond. Make no mistake Roscommon and Galway arent as bad as people make them out to be, responded James Horan, pointing to their performances against Tyrone and Armagh respectively. Im sure there wont be too many people worried about [us] after watching that game today. But we know what were capable of if we get everything right, and well be looking to do that in two weeks time. Sideline regulations have been a bug-bear among managers this season. Its clearly been nagging at the Ballintubber man too, given how he responded to a question about tough London tackling. There was a couple of variations on rugby tackles going in there today, so wed a lot of substitutes that we were trying to bring on, and Im not quite sure of the situation on sidelines, Horan began. Theres five of my crew allowed on, but besides that today, there were a number of Connacht Council people and a number of other people on the sideline, so its very, very hard to make substitutions now. The GAA really do need to look at that rule. I think its absolutely ridiculous, the situation thats there at the moment. Horan noted that Mayo started well Aidan OShea was bossing the game but having taken a six-point lead, they eased up. That was disappointing, that we didnt keep the foot to the floor for the full game, he said. Weve standards for ourselves, and maybe we didnt achieve the standards like we can. Keith Higgins was also singing off the room to improve hymn-sheet. There [was] a lot of stuff out there that wouldnt be good enough in every game, but fair play to London, said the Ballyhaunis defender. They made us work hard. It was a tough day to play football out there. Everyone talks about the lovely weather, but at the same time, the heat is a killer. We didnt do ourselves any favours in certain periods of the game, said Alan Dillon. But the goals really killed them off. Weve a lot of stuff to work on, but two weeks time is the aim, and its a new competition. We will meet a team coming through the qualifiers who have been on the road and we have to meet that challenge head on, added wing back Colm Boyle. For all the jokes about their population, the odds facing London have often seemed reminiscent of Sisyphus, the Greek king condemned to spend his time pushing a boulder uphill, only for it to roll down at the end of each day. Twice this summer, theyve pulled off the heretofore impossible, but last Sunday, Mayo pushed the rock back down the slope. Asked if he saw an All-Ireland in Mayo, London boss Paul Coggins was emphatic. Oh, absolutely. Thats what theyre going for. Theyll have it tough theres a lot of great teams around. My job is to get the London team back on the road again, and try and make it to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Mayo are already there stepping into the war zone, enemy (as yet) unknown. As Celine Dion put it, this is getting serious..
HEN the words Cillian OConnor and potentially season-ending shoulder injury were uttered in the same sentence last May, you would imagine James Horan would be delighted to be winning a Connacht final eight weeks later by 16 points with the Ballintubber man hitting 3-3 off the bench. Youd be wrong. Horan wasnt happy and he has good reason not to be. Mayo were a real mixed bag on Sunday. A final tally of 5-11 in a Connacht final shouldnt be sniffed at ordinarily, but the fact that it was London, with all due respect for their remarkable achievement in getting this far, makes it a far from spectacular tally. Consider Mayo only scored 16 of the 35 scoring chances they created. Thats a figure James Horan will zoom in on this week and seek to improve on if Mayo are to advance to the latter stages of the championship. He questioned the decision-making of his own players in possession and sometimes they tried to go for a goal chance when it wasnt on. Taking the point when the goal was on has been a previous criticism of this Mayo team. Striving for the right balance is still a work in progress. Mayo coughed up 23 chances to London not great for a Division 1 team playing the bottom team in Division 4. London only created one fewer scoring chance than Mayo in the second half. There were a few too many sights of goal as well for Mayos liking. But how much do we have to adjust our analysis to take into account that it was London that Mayo were playing? Quite a bit. How often did you see a Mayo player fly by a London opponent as if he wasnt there? Kevin McLoughlin cruised into open country so often in the first half that he almost got disorientated with the amount of space he found himself in. How often did we see a Mayo player physically dominate the man coming to tackle them? Aidan OShea was the best example of this, but he wasnt the only one. The results of three years of strength and conditioning are there for all to see. Complacency would have crept in ever so slightly into the Mayo psyche in advance. They were 1/500 favourites and for all the romance
Page 12
CONNACHT SFC FINAL
victory leaves ng much more

of the final, no one suggested the unthinkable. A Mayo win was a given. The champions started with purpose, but any complacency in their minds would have cranked up a notch or two when they saw with their own eyes how much quicker and stronger they were than their opponents. Do you really need to accelerate into fifth gear when youre overtaking a tractor? You do what you have to do, and while Mayo would have relished putting away old rivals like Galway and Roscommon, they wouldnt have the same axe to grind with London. Mayo under James Horan always work towards process and per-
HAT-TRICK HERO:
Cillian O'Connor celebrates after scoring his second of three goals in the Connacht final. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
formance, allowing results to follow if the fundamentals have been taken care of. But human nature being what it is, knowing that you will get by with less than your best, it is hard to strive beyond that. Its a rare student that will seek 500-plus points in the Leaving Cert when 250 will secure his first-choice college course. If Mayo were in a league-type system and needed to beat London by 25 points to qualify, they would have made that margin. But they didnt need to, the edge was gone from proceedings by the end of the first quarter, and they eased off the accelerator as the tractor slipped into the rear-view mirror. Ideal preparation for an All-Ireland quarterfinal Sunday wasnt. But if Mayo had made the most of their chances and beaten London by 30 points, would that have been any better off? Probably not. We now know that the Monaghan challenge game was a much better run out for Mayo. Well soon know if Mayos comfortable Connacht campaign, winning three games by an average of 15 points, is a blessing or a curse. For now Mayo can take great solace in the fact that Cillian OConnor is back on board.
Page 13
CONNACHT MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Young Tribesmen O'Donnell encouraged by minors ousted in extra-time

Mayo ...........5-8 Galway .......2-11
(after extra-time)
By JOHN FALLON Media West Ireland
ALWAY hopes of a first Connacht minor title since 2007 ended in extra-time as Mayo goaled twice to reach the provincial decider. Corner-forward Tommy Conroy scored 2-2 from play as Mayo eventually off the Galway challenge in an entertaining semi-final at Hyde Park. Mayo seemed poised for success when Cian Hanley, younger brother of Aussie Rules star Pearce, finished to the net to put Mayo a goal in front in the dying moments of regular time. But Galway, who had only managed two points with the wind up to then, rallied and points from Eoin McCormack and Michael Daly reduced the deficit before McCormack displayed nerves of steel to land the equaliser in the third and final minute of stoppage time. Earlier, Galway looked for victory when they finished the opening level at 2-4 each after playing against the wind. Goals from Niall Lee and Peter Cooke rocked Mayo but they hit back with Conroy getting his first goal and then Darragh Doherty found the net after Conroy had cracked a shot off the post. Mayo battled well against the wind and with the sides deadlocked after twice exchanging points, they hit the front when Hanley got a goal two minutes from the end after having an effort taken off the line by Luke Burke,
before Galway forced extratime. Galway again failed to make wind advantage count in extra-time, managing just a point from Niall Lee and they were in serious trouble when impressive sub Conor Byrne sent in a cross which Conor Loftus finished to the net to leave it 4-6 to 2-10 at the interval in extra-time. Galway tried to get back into the game in the second period but a couple of points from Liam Irwin frees increased Mayos lead before Conroy wrapped up the issue with his second goal two minutes from the end to set up a Connacht final date with a Roscommon side chasing a third successive provincial title. SCORERS Mayo: T Conroy 2-2, L Irwin 0-5 (5f), C Loftus 1-1, C Hanley 1-0, D Doherty 1-0. Galway: P Cooke 1-2 (0-1f), N Lee 1-1, E McCormack 0-4 (3f, 1 45), R Fahy 0-1, E Tierney 0-1, M Daly 0-1 (f), P Mannion 0-1. MAYO: M Mulligan; D Kenny, S Cunniffe, E Doran; R Finn, S Coen, M Hall; V Roughneen, D OConnor; B Walsh, C Loftus, C Hanley; D Doherty, L Irwin, T Conroy. Subs: S Conlon for Finn (27), C Byrne for Doherty (51), S Burke for Walsh (54), M Plunkett for Hanley (61). GALWAY: J Healy; L Burke, C Reilly, B Shaughnessy; N McDonagh, D Horan, C Brady; R Fahy, E Tierney; J Lyons, M Daly, P Cooke; N Lee, E McCormack, P Mannion. Subs: D Corbett for McDonagh (50), J Donnellan for Lee (53), S Lawless for Cooke (55), C Mannion for Lyons (60), C Raftery for Mannion (80). REF: R McBrien (Leitrim).
OSCOMMON minor football manager Fergal ODonnell succinctly pinpointed the reasons for his teams three-point defeat in their recent Connacht final. We conceded two goals early on and while we had the majority of possession we had some bad wides. We shouldnt have conceded the second goal. We turned over the ball when we had possession. We hit the crossbar and hit a few wides. A few key players had more wides today than theyve ever had before, ODonnell maintained. The manager felt that over-carrying the ball, something that was obvious against Sligo, cost his side once again. We kept plugging away but we panicked in some of our shooting. We over-carried the ball against Sligo and we over-carried again today. We told the players before the game that we needed to send quick ball into our forwards and to move the ball quickly but we did the same thing as we did against Sligo. We learned the hard way today, we had the luck against Sligo but we didnt have the luck today, the manager commented. Mayo manager Enda Gilvarry acknowledged that Roscommon were the better team at times during the game. We got the goals at the right time. Roscommon were the better team at times but our forwards have been able to get goals all year. It was the same today and I hope that continues. We didnt get the ball into our forwards in the second-half and I would blame Roscommon for that, they were winning the ball, Gilvarry noted. This final was never going to be easy and Roscommon have to be given great credit for the way they brought the game to us. Im a little bit disappointed that we didnt maintain the advantage we had, we could have held out a little bit better, the Mayo manager said.
By NOEL FALLON, Roscommon Herald
CHAMPIONS: Mayo captain captain Stephen Coen lifts the Connacht minor football cup after victory over Roscommon in the decider. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
Page 14
CONNACHT MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Martin Flannery of Roscommon, in action against Mayo's Tommy Conroy in the Connacht minor final.
Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Mayo minors reclaim high ground

Mayo ....................3-7 Roscommon ........1-10
ARLY comers to McHale Park, Castlebar were treated to a thrilling Connacht Minor Football Championship final. In the end Mayo prevailed, but only just against a Roscommon side that showed tremendous fighting spirit after being hit with two exquisite goals inside the first six minutes. In a game that was remarkably similar to their Connacht League encounter early in the season, Mayo failed to wilt when at times Roscommon threatened to overwhelm them. Throughout this compelling match, Roscommon held the high ground at midfield where Cathal Compton and Tadhg ORourke were outstanding. Mayo were forced to live on scraps as the Rossies crowded the area and won most of the breaking ball. They deployed a two-man full forward line in which Diarmuid McGann and Diarmuid Murtagh were extremely dangerous. Mayo were forced to line out without their regular full-back Seamus Cunniffe who picked up an injury in training. Sen Conlon, who replaced Cunniffe, played in the half back line and proved to be a more than adequate replacement. Overall, the rearguard must take great credit for this win as they defended heroically. All six of them, together with goalkeeper Mark Mulligan, made some telling contributions at various stages. The Mayo attack didnt fire on all cylinders, but still delivered the goods with limited possession. They possess a propensity to score goals when least expected. This was exemplified four minutes into the game when Darragh Doherty found the net with a great effort after he spotted Shane Mannion off his line. Two minutes later, Liam Irwin scored a sublime goal that he crafted out of nothing, and dummied two defenders before unleashing a
By AUSTIN GARVIN, Mayo News
pile-driver to the net. The goals provided a cushion that sustained Mayo to half-time as they hit points from Val Roughneen (free), Stephen Coen (an inspirational score), Liam Irwin (free) and Tommy Conroy. The Rossies replied with points from Diarmuid McGann (three, including one free), and Diarmuid Murtagh (two frees). Mayo did well to restrict them to such a meagre total, as Ultan Harney hit the crossbar, and several other chances were kept out by last-ditch defending. Mayo got a great start to the second half when Stephen Burke scored a fine point and Conor Loftus fisted a goal after Cian Hanleys initial effort was saved. This left Mayo 3-5 to 05 to the good and seemingly home and hosed. But Fergal ODonnells men responded with purpose and dominated for large tracts of the half. They scored a further 1-5 with Mayo only able to add two pointed frees to their total from Liam Irwin. Mayos mettle was well and truly tested during the Rossies spell of dominance, but they answered every question asked of them with some great defending. Roscommon were awarded a penalty with
four minutes left that looked harsh, and Diarmuid Murtagh tucked it away. Mayo followers were on tenterhooks as Roscommon went in search of the winning goal. With time running out, Liam Irwin showed great character when he pointed a free from distance to leave Mayo a goal ahead. Overall, Mayo showed great courage in winning a game that at times looked beyond them. The spirit shown in the Galway game was there again in abundance. Having said that, spirit in itself will only take you so far. While the midfield pairing did well on occasions, they were beaten in the air by two fine fielders. Mayo will have to take remedial action in an effort to win more ball in this vital area. Breaking ball is another issue that will have to receive attention before Mayo oppose Westmeath in the quarter final. Lake County manager Tom Carr was in attendance and will have taken notice. Without question Enda Gilvarrys men can play better. Winning when not at ones best is the reason the Kilcoyne Cup now rests on Stephen Coens sideboard. MAYO: M Mulligan (Claremorris); M Hall (Breaffy), E Doran (Achill), D Kenny (Aghamore); R Finn (Claremorris), S Coen (Hollymount/Carramore, 0-1), S Conlon (Castlebar Mitchels); V Roughneen (Balla, 0-1, 1f), D OConnor (Ballintubber); C Loftus (Crossmolina, 1-0), S Burke (Ballinrobe, 01), C Hanley (Ballaghderreen); D Doherty (Kilmaine, 1-0), L Irwin Breaffy, (1-3, 0-2f), T Conroy (Kiltane, 0-1). Subs: C Byrne (Moy Davitts) for D Doherty; M Plunkett (Ballintubber) for V Roughneen. ROSCOMMON: S Mannion; D Neary, S Mullooly, M Flannery; R Daly (0-1), E McGrath, S Pettitt; C Compton (0-1), T ORourke; N Connaughton, U Harney, J Earley; J Gannon, D McGann (0-4, 2f), D Murtagh (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2f). Subs: H Walsh for N Connaughton; S Farrell (0-1) for S Pettit); M Murtagh for E McGrath. REF: R McBrien (Leitrim).
Referee Ray McBrien with Roscommon captain Ronan Daly and Mayo captain Stephen Coen before the throw in. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Page 15
CONNACHT SENIOR LADIES FINAL
Connacht glory for Galway girls
WINNERS: Galway's Tracy Leonard was in fine form as the Tribesgirls defeated Mayo in the Connacht senior Ladies final at Tuam Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
A 1-3 haul from Aileen Gilroy and 0-5 from Cora Staunton was not enough for Tesco Homegrown Division 1 finalists Mayo as Galway held firm. Mayo blew a ten-point lead against Galway in last years provincial show-piece but they were never allowed to build up that kind of advantage on this occasion as boss Barry Downey had his homework done. Galway were 0-6 to 0-1 ahead midway through the first half before Gilroy netted to bring Mayo back into contention. At half-time, Galway led by 0-9 to 1-3 and they held out comfortably in the second half as temperatures and tempers soared. GALWAY: J Connolly; N Ward, R McPhilbin, M Coyne; O Dixon, E Flaherty, S Burke (0-2); A Clarke (0-1), G Conneally; T Leonard (0-1), C Cormican (0-1), B Hannon (0-1); R Leonard (0-1, 1f), A Daly (0-3), E Concannon (0-6, 4fs). Subs: L Joyce for Cormican, A Newell for R Leonard. MAYO: Y Byrne; M Corbett, N Tierney, A Bell; C McManamon, K Sullivan, S Tierney; C Egan, C McManamon; M Carter, C Staunton (0-5, 3fs), F McHale; S Rowe, A Gilroy (1-3), L Cafferkey (0-1). Subs: C Connelly for Corbett, N Kelly for McManamon, C Hegarty for Cafferkey. REF: Des McEnery (Westmeath).
Galway . . . . . . . .0-16 Mayo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

ALWAY caused a shock to retain their TG4 Connacht Ladies football title against a disappointing Mayo in Tuam Stadium. Galway scored a 0-16 to 1-9 victory against Mayo at a sweltering Tuam Stadium with Edel Concannon hitting 0-6 for the Tribeswomen.
By BILL KIELY, Media West Ireland
Page 16
ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS - ROUND 1
Walsh stands down after Sligo exit

Derry .................0-15 Sligo ....................0-8
By DECLAN ROONEY Media West Ireland
LIGO'S championship campaign is over for 2013 and consequently Kevin Walsh's five-year stint as Yeats County manager has also ended. Walsh called time on his Sligo managerial career after his side tasted a 0-15 to 09 defeat against Derry at the Centre of Excellence in Owenbeg. Just six points separated the sides at the full-time whistle, but in truth that scoreline was flattering to Sligo to say the least. By the 15th minute the home side had opened out a 0-7 to 0-0 advantage thanks to some slick, flowing football from their forwards. After that they reverted to a more defensive style of play, choosing to soak up Sligo's pressure in preparation for tougher tests. Perversely, Sligo will feel that they should have finished closer to Brian McIver's side than they did. They kicked ten wides in total five in each half but they also fluffed the game's best goal chance ten minutes before the break. Four of those wides arrived from Adrian Marren early in the second-half when just six points stood between the sides. In fairness to Marren one of those wides looked to have been incorrectly judged to have missed the target, but he also hit a couple of really poor frees that he usually would be confident of slotting. It wasn't just up front that the Sligo problems emerged as a lethargy seemed to hamper their play at stages. Conceding just two frees in the second-half could be a sign of a team with impeccable tackling technique which they displayed at times but it could also suggest that their defending lacked intensity. At the other end Derry conceded 15 in the same time period. Read what you like into it. Before the throw in Walsh made three personnel changes and with it handed David Kelly his first start of the season. While the Tubbercurry attacker was clearly lacking in match fitness, he was not helped by the delivery of poor quality ball into him. On the rare occasions he got good ball in his hands, he was quickly crowded out by a combination of Dermot McBride and Declan Brown. If Kelly can retain his fitness until next season, we may see him back to his best in the black shirt. While there was still 55 minutes remaining after Derry's rapid-fire start, in reality Sligo's hopes of a win had gone after the first act. They seemed helpless to stall
OVER AND OUT: A disappointed Ross Donovan and Brendan Egan walk off the field at the end of the game after defeat to Derry in the championship. Photo: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
Derry's attacking prowess, with James Kielt's play-making abilities and the free running of Lee Kennedy and Ryan Bell proving unstoppable. It was Enda Lynn that got them off the mark in the game's first attack and a minute later Sean Leo McGoldrick kicked a great point from the right after Charlie Kielt spotted him all on his own. Bell kicked his first in the sixth minute, before Ciaran McFaul split the posts with style after a move with James Kielt's fingerprints all over it. Mark Lynch and Bell added further points before Kielt freed Kennedy clear on goal, but he elected to take a point instead of going for the jugular. A goal at that stage would have ended Sligo's challenge, but instead they seemed to get to grips with Derry's game plan as the free man Adrian McIntyre began to cut out Derry's previously precise deliveries. Marren finally got Sligo off the mark with a free in the 16th minute after Brendan Egan was felled by Brown. James Kilcullen kicked Sligo's second point in a row five minutes later with a great score from distance, and had Charlie Harrison hit the net when one-on-one with
Eoin McNicholl, just two points would have separated the sides. But the former skipper fluffed his goal chance and Derry kicked two further points to take a 0-9 to 0-3 lead in at the break. Sligo faced the second-half with the win at their backs and they set about trimming the lead with a frees from Marren and Mark Breheny by the 42nd minute. But Bell responded with a sublime score off the outside of his boot from wide on the right and after Marren kicked his fourth wide of the half, Lynn hit his second point to edge the Derry lead out to seven points again. Lynn repeated the dose in the 58th minute and substitute Eoin Bradley did well to shake of the attention of Neil Ewing to score a good point six minutes after his introduction. And Bell capped a fine team display with a massive point from distance as Derry ran out easy winners from third gear. The game may have been dominated by Walsh's decision not to return to the manager's position for 2014 and after an average division three campaign, which was followed by two championship defeats including a Connacht championship loss in Ruislip it can come as no surprise. The loss to London certainly knocked the stuffing out of the squad and they must shoulder their share of the blame for Walsh's departure. But perhaps, with a fresh outlook and a new voice, the good days might not be too far away for Sligo football. SCORERS Derry: L Kennedy & R Bell 0-4 each, E Lynn 0-3, M Lynch(1f), C McFaul, E Bradley & S L McGoldrick 0-1 each. Sligo: M Breheny 0-4 (3f), A Marren 0-3 (3f), J Kilcullen 0-1. DERRY: E McNicholl; M Lynch, C McKaigue, D McBride; C Kielt, S L McGoldrick, D Brown; P Bradley, PJ McCloskey; C McAtamney, J Kielt, E Lynn; C McFaul, L Kennedy, R Bell. Subs: E Bradley for McFaul (53), E McGuckin for J Kielt (59), A McAlynn for McAtamney (63), B Gormley for Lynn (65), B McCallion for P Bradley (68) SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, R Donovan, N Ewing; J Kelly, M Quinn, S McManus; J Kilcullen, B Egan; M Breheny, K Sweeney, P Hughes; D Kelly, A Marren, A McIntyre. Subs: K Cawley for McManus (h-t), F Quinn for Sweeney (44), N Murphy for Hughes (53), K Byrne for Marren (62), S Gilmartin for Kilcullen (65). REF: Martin Higgins (Fermanagh).
Page 17
Galway get season back on track

Galway ................1-12 Tipperary ...........0-11
ALWAY recovered from a poor opening half when they had the wind to see off Tipperary in the second-half and claim their first win in the All-Ireland qualifiers since 2004. Galway lost their last seven qualifier games and looked set for another shock when they led by just a point having played with the strong wind in the opening half. But Alan Mulhollands men regrouped after the break and got control of the match with an accomplished display to put their 17 points Connacht quarter-final loss to Mayo behind them. Tipperary brought plenty of players back behind the ball when they were playing against the wind and it paid a big dividend as Galway were unable to break down a crowded Tipperary rearguard. Galways cause was not helped by shooting nine wides in the first-half, seven of them in the opening 15 minutes, but they were forced to shoot under pressure by the fired-up Tipperary defence. Danny Cummins got Galway off the mark after three minutes but they did not score again for 18 minutes when Sean Armstrong got the first of three points in the opening half when he landed an effort from 45 metres. But Tipperary built patiently from the back and with wing-back Brian Fox going forward regularly, they managed to create plenty of openings and might well have been in front at the break had they not kicked seven wides. Conor Sweeney hit four of them from placed balls but he was in superb form from play and struck three great scores as the sides exchanged points five times in the opening half. It took a superb save from Paul Cracker Fitzgerald to keep out an effort from Michael Meehan, while at the other end Manus Breathnach did well to deny Steven OBrien after a good solo run. Sweeneys second point after 22 minutes put Tipperary in front for the first time and he also edged them in front four minutes from the break as the prospect of a shock result increased. Galway finished the half strongly with Paul Conroy finding the range from distance and then Armstrong pointed a free from 45 metres to leave the Tribesmen ahead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval. But Galway made a great start to the second-half with points from Mark Hehir
UP AND RUNNING: Galway defender Keith Kelly drives past George Hannigan during the Tribesmen's Round 1 qualifier win over Tipperary at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Ray Ryan / SPORTSFILE
and Amstrong pushing them 0-8 to 0-5 and while Peter Acheson responded with a pointed free, Galway hit back. Danny Cummins floated over a free and then lofted in another effort which goalkeeper Fitzgerald punched but it fell to debutant Michael Farragher and he slotted it low into the bottom right of the net. It was Galways first goal in a qualifier match since 2007 against Meath and it put them ahead by double scores after 46 minutes. Galway continued to dominate proceedings and Cummins extended the lead with his third point as the Tipperary challenge disintegrated. Michael Meehan worked his way through the visitors defence to shoot an excellent point after 52 minutes to make it 1-11 to 0-6. Tipperary needed to get a goal to get back into contention but Galway continued to play full of confidence and Farragher added to his goal with a point from 20 metres Conor Sweeney hit two frees for Tipperary and with Cummins unable to finish a gilt-edge chance for Galway, a point from sub Bernard OBrien reduced the margin to 1-12 to -9 with six minutes remaining. The home supporters in the crowd of
3,608 began to get more concerned when Sweeney landed another free to leave five between them with as many minutes remaining. Sweeney had a goal effort touched away by Breathnach in the closing stages but they never looked like saving the day as they failed to build on their solid performance in the opening half when they had Galway in so much trouble but in the end Mulhollands men did enough to win and advance to the next round with a far from convincing victory. GALWAY: M Breathnach; C Forde, F Hanley, K Kelly; C Doherty, G ODonnell, G Sice (D ONeill 68): P Conroy (01), G Higgins; J OBrien (T Flynn 68), S Armstrong (0-4 1f), M Farragher (1-1, F O Curraoin 61); M Hehir (0-1), M Meehan (0-2,1f, M Martin 60), D Cummins (0-3). TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, P Codd, J Coghlan; B Fox (0-1), D Lynch (B Mulvihill 49), D Leahy; H Coghlan (0-1), S OBrien (0-1f, A Matassa 60, 0-1); L Allen, P Acheson, I Fahey (B OBrien 61, 0-2); C Sweeney (0-5, 2f), P Quirke, G Hannigan. REF: P OSullivan (Kerry).
Page 18
Evans side fall just short of Red Hand raid

Roscommon ..........1-7 Tyrone ...............0-12
By IAN COONEY Roscommon Herald
YRONE got out of Hyde Park with a narrow two points win after escaping a Roscommon ambush. The Rossies could have sparked a major shock had they taken their scores during a late onslaught, with the Red Hands on the back foot and fighting for survival. Tyrone appeared to have weathered an earlier storm when they kicked six points on the spin early in the second half to go six clear, but they were breathing huge sighs of relief at the final whistle as they squeezed through to the third round of the Qualifiers. Roscommon, fielding with a new-look attack with the surprise omission of Senan Klbride, Donie Smith and Kevin Higgins, made the early running, but lacked a cutting edge up front. With both sides deploying sweepers, an untidy stalemate endured for the opening 14 minutes, until Cathal Cregg won the free that Conor Devaney converted from the 20 metre line. Tyrone struggled to break down a defence in which Niall Daly, Paddy Brogan and Neil Collins were up for the challenge. Tyrone had toiled for almost 18 minutes by the time Sean Cavanagh opened their account from a 45 metre free. And they went ahead three minutes later when Mark Donnelly's industry was rewarded by a neatly executed point. Roscommon's tackling and the selfless workrate of their players forced a series of turnovers, and they drew level when corner back Neil Collins got on the end of a tidy move to fist a point 10 minutes before the break. It was Collins who sent in the searching ball for Devaney to run on to for a sensational 30th minute goal, finishing to the roof of the net at the second attempt after Pascal McConnell kept out his initial effort. Tyrone had a goal chance when Martin Penrose picked out Joe McMahon, but Darren O'Malley denied the full back, with Conor McAliskey bringing the sides level from the resultant '45. They went in at the break deadlocked on 1-2 to 0-5, and when Darren McCurry kicked four points, followed by scores from Sean Cavanagh and Penrose, they looked set to go through with plenty to spare. But substitute Kevin Higgins sparked another Roscommon flourish with a point, and further scores from Cathal Cregg (3) and Donie Shine had the Rossies right back in it.
TIGHT: Neil Collins in action against Conor Gormley of Tyrone at Dr Hyde Park.
Photo: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
However, they lacked a clinical finisher in the closing stages, when they shot a handful of wides with Tyrone on the ropes. The Red Hands managed just one point, a sixth from McCurry, in the final quarter, but managed to hold on and win by two. The Rossies made a heroic exit, and manager John Evans will look to 2014 with confidence as he embarks on the second phase of a bold project. ROSCOMMON: D O'Malley, N Collins (01), N Carty, S McDermott, D Keenan, N Daly, P Brogan, C Shine, K Mannion, C Daly, E Smith, C Cregg (0-3 (2f), I Kilbride, D Shine (0-2, 2f), C Devaney (1-1 (0-1f).
Subs: D OGara for Smith (40), K Higgins for Kilbride (44), M Finneran for Daly (49), C Compton for Devaney (53), S Kilbride for D Shine (65), TYRONE: P McConnell, R McKenna, Joe McMahon, C McCarron, C Clarke, P Harte, C Gormley, C Cavanagh, S Cavanagh (0-2, 1f), Mattie Donnelly, Mark Donnelly (0-2), Ciaran McGinley, D McCurry (0-6 (4f), M Penrose (0-1), C McAliskey (0-1, '45). Subs: K Gallagher for Mattie Donnelly (47), R O'Neill for McAliskey (47), S Warnock for McKenna (57), K Coney for McCurry (63), P McNeice for Mark Donnelly (66) REF: D Gough (Meath)
Page 19
Goal rush ends Leitrim season

Armagh ..............8-13 Leitrim ..............0-10
HOT STUFF:
Armagh's Eugene McVerry is tracked by Ciaran Egan during the home side's All-Ireland qualifier defeat at Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada. Photo: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
dale again defended the dropping of four of their panellists for failure to comply with team rules on socialising, saying their absence had nothing to do with their Connacht championship defeat to London and their heavy loss to Armagh. Wayne McKeon, Tomas Beirne, Shane Moran and Conor Beirne were all axed from the Leitrim squad five weeks before their championship opener against New York, but instead Dugdale laid the blame of their poor campaign on their debilitating injury problems. Reports leading up to this game suggested that just 16 players were able to train, with leading light Emlyn Mulligan, centre back Enda Williams, Paddy Williams and Alan Wynne among those to miss out. And despite their crisis, Dugdale and Barney Breen have no regrets about their decision to come down hard on ill-discipline in the camp. As is said before there were no winners in that situation but I can categorically say that not for one second have Barney or I have had any hesitation over that decision. To be a county footballer you have to adhere to standards as a group and anyone who is not prepared to do that hasnt got the commitment to be a county footballer. There is commitment on and off the field and despite the devastating results them boys in there are looking to raise standards that was not reflected in the result today but you have to raise standards and say enough is enough. Everyone has to be committed 100 percent and I would make no apology for that, it is my philosophy. Myself and Barney had no hesitation for any minute, there are no winners in this but the boys were excluded, they excluded themselves but to me they are not the reasons we didnt beat London. The reasons we didnt beat London was the injury toll, said Dugdale, who played with Leitrim in 1994, when they last won the Connacht title. Much of the attention inside the county will now turn to the future. Even before the Armagh game, faceless commentators online had signed Breen's and Dugdale's exit papers. However, Dugdale refused to comment
EITRIM joint manager George Dug-
on their future and he said he was still unsure if he would continue in the job. Our two-year term is up so it is not in our hands at this stage. I hadnt reflected on anything other the match, so I have to go home and think about it but it is not in our hands, it is up to the county board. I'm not going to comment one way or the other because it is just too close to a devastating result. There are a lot of people to consider here, a wife and family, whether there is actually a job there a lot of permutations, he said. Leitrim's fate was sealed with their inability to silence Armagh's impressive forward line. Three goals from Eugene McVerry, two from Jamie Clarke and another from Tony Kernan gave the Armagh full-forward line a tally of 6-8. Kevin Dyas and Mark Shields completed the scoring for Paul Grimley's men, and the former Kildare assistant manager, said he hopes to face stronger opponents in the net round on the back of two easier outings against Wicklow and Leitrim. Yes, absolutely, it has been good the way it has worked out so far but with due respect to everybody, we want a really big team to play now. I knew at half-time (against Cavan) that the tactics needed tinkering but the learning curve was when you were training for something you see it through and you dont be looking for a way out. But I have put my hands up and said I refused to change the tactics and people
can criticise me for doing that but that was my call and for as long as I am here I will always do what I think is the right thing for the team, said Grimley. After such a heavy defeat it is hard to see where Leitrim go from here, but after shaking off their Ulster championship disappointment, Armagh will prove a difficult draw in round 3. SCORERS Armagh: E McVerry 3-0, J Clarke 2-3, T Kernan 1-5 (3f, 1'45), A Kernan 0-4 (4f), K Dyas & M Shields 1-0 each, S Harold 0-1. Leitrim: K Conlon 0-8 (7f), R Cox (1f) & D Sweeney 0-1 each. ARMAGH: P McEvoy; J Morgan, B Donaghy, P McKeown; A Kernan, C McKeever (capt), M Shields; J Lavery, S Harold; C Rafferty, K Dyas, E Rafferty; J Clarke, T Kernan, E McVerry. Subs: S Campbell for E Rafferty (27), C O'Hanlon for McVerry (48), F Moriarty for Shields (53), A Forker for C Rafferty (56), S Forker for Clarke (63). LEITRIM: C McCrann (capt); F McMorrow, C Egan, D Beck; S McWeeney, G Reynolds, B Prior; D Sweeney, B Brennan; P McGowan, J Glancy, P Brennan; K Conlon, R Lowe, A Croal. Subs: R Gallagher for McGowan (6), R Cox for Croal (h-t), C Clarke for Beck (45), G Reynolds for McMorrow (56). REF: Fergal Kelly (Longford).
Page 20
Galway edge past Dise

Galway .........1-12 Waterford ...0-14
ALWAY have made some inglorious exits from the All-Ireland qualifiers in the past decade but they seemed poised to surpass all those when they trailed by a goal with 15 minutes remaining against a Waterford side who had only ever won one game since the back door system was introduced. Galway failed to score for the opening 23 minutes of the second-half when they were playing against the stiff wind at Pearse Stadium as Waterford turned a three points interval deficit into a deserved lead with six unanswered points. Corner-forward Paul Whyte led the way for Waterford with 0-8, with the 21-year old getting half his haul from play as he tore open the home defence. Unlike the rest of the country, it was grim and wet in Salthill and Galway produced a performance to match the weather before Michael Meehan rescued them with a goal six minutes from time. Three points from Meehan in the opening six minutes suggested a facile win for the Tribesmen, who ended nine years without a qualifier win against Tipperary last week. Galway, as with the Tipperary game, struggled to break down a side who kept plenty of men behind the ball and with Whyte in top form Waterford were in with a fighting chance when they trailed by 0-10 to 07 at the interval. Paul Conroy landed some excellent scores from distance and Galway needed that input with half of the starting attackers failing to score or even register a wide. The home followers in the crowd of 2,345 shifted uncomfortably in their seats as Whyte and captain Gary Hurney wiped out their lead inside
CONSOLATION: Paul Conroy offers a hand to Waterford's Paul Whyte after their brave fight in Round 2 of the qualifiers at Pearse Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Ray Ryan / SPORTSFILE eleven minutes of the restart and the prospect of one of the biggest shocks in years gained momentum when Hurney edged them in front and Whyte landed two more to lead by 013 to 0-10 in the final quarter. Sean Armstrong got Galways first score of the secondhalf twelve minutes from the end and Michael Martin left just one between them two minutes later. Then Armstrong set Meehan up for the crucial goal six minutes from the end and the Tribesmen held on to deny Waterford their biggest scalp in decades after a brave performance. Flynn for Higgins 49, S Denvir for Doherty 52, F O Curraion for OBrien 60.
GALWAY: M Breathnach; C Forde, F Hanley, J Duane; C Doherty, G ODonnell, G Sice; P Conroy (0-4, 2f), G Higgins; J OBrien; S Armstrong (0-1f), M Farragher; D Cummins (0-1), M Meehan (15, 1f), M Hehir. Subs: K Kelly for Forde 28, M Martin (0-1) for Hehir 45, T
WATERFORD: S Enright; N Walsh, T OGorman, M OGorman; C OKeeffe, S Briggs, C Phelan; T Prendergast, S Ahearne; T Grey 0-1, G Hurney (0-2), A Doyle (0-2); B Wall (0-1), P Whyte (0-8, 3f, 145), L O Lionin. Subs: R Ahearne for Wall 60, D Allen for Prendergast 68. REF: D Fahy (Longford).
Page 21
Cummins goal sinks Armagh

Galway ................1-11 Armagh ...............0-9
HIS was a huge step forward for Galway football and a proportionately big set-back for an Armagh side who may have been lulled into a false sense of security after their facile wins over Leitrim and Wicklow. The foundation for Galways deserved win came from a midfield pairing of Paul Conroy and U-21 Tom Flynn, and intelligent use of the ball low into the attack. Galway were clearly fired up for this one and won most of the 50-50 collisions and with Armagh, as expected, opting for a two-man full-forward line Galway kept three in their full-back line throughout. Donal ONeill kept a tight rein on Jamie Clarke and regularly found Johnny Duane coming back to lend a hand and Armaghs biggest threat was minimised. Galway were three points to the good by the time Tony Kernan finally got Armagh off the mark with a free after 12 minutes and there was just a point between the sides when they key score of the game came after 24 minutes. Conroy landed a 50 metre free from the left just short and Danny Cummins, although possibly inside the square, rose highest to fist the ball across goal and into the left corner. That put Galway ahead by 1-4 to 0-3 and two points from play from Michael Martin pushed them further ahead. Grimley responded with a couple of substitutions and one of them, Stefan Campbell, got the first of three points and Aaron Kernan also found the range to leave them 1-6 to 0-5 adrift at the break. Armagh needed a solid start to the second-half and while the wides continued to mount, points from Campbell and Etan Rafferty halved the deficit. But Galway responded well and Michael Martin took on the responsibility and kicked a key point when he cut back inside in the right corner and floated over the point of the match after 48 minutes. It was a score which inspired Galway and deflated Armagh in equal measure. Campbell hit back with a third point but Michael Meehan tacked on two more frees for Galway and Armagh managed just one score in the final 21 minutes, a late point from McKeever. In between Galway played some excellent possession football and Conroy and Gary Sice both burst forward to fire over points and the Tribesmen stayed running
ON SONG: Galway forward Michael Martin in action against Paul McKeown during Saturday's
Round 3 qualifier against Armagh at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Ray Ryan / SPORTSFILE
to the end to secure a deserved victory. Having Armagh taking care of Leitrim by such a big margin and Wicklow as well, this really was set up for us, added Mulhiolland. Them coming down here, maybe lulled into a false sense of security after those two victories. We knew we had a big performance in us and thankfully, we did perform when it really mattered most, he added. SCORERS Galway: M Meehan 0-4 (4f), M Martin 0-3, D Cummins 1-0, P Conroy 0-1, S Armstrong 0-1 (1f), J Duane 0-1, G Sice 0-1 Armagh: S Campbell 0-3, C McKeever 0-2, T Kernan 0-1 (1f), A Kernan 0-1 (1f), E Rafferty 0-1, C Rafferty 0-1
GALWAY: M Breathnach; J Duane, F Hanley, D O'Neill (C Forde 43-45 blood); S Denvir, G O'Donnell, G Sice (M Farragher 63-65 blood); P Conroy (M Martin 68-70 blood), T Flynn; J O'Brien (S Walsh 57), S Armstrong (F O Curraoin 62), C Doherty; M Martin (M Farragher 68), M Meehan (A Varley 67), D Cummins. ARMAGH: P McEvoy; P McKeown (F Moriarty h-t), B Donaghy, J Morgan; A Kernan, C McKeever, M Shields; J Lavery, S Harold (K Toner 33); C Rafferty (S Campbell 28), K Dyas, E Rafferty (S Forker 62); J Clarke, E McVerry (A Forker 55), T Kernan. REF: Rory Hickey (Clare).
Page 22
Proud footballers lose narrowly

Cork ....................1-17 Galway ...............1-16
By FRANK KEARNEY Media West Ireland
ALWAY came agonisingly close to one of the major upsets of the season when it took a late surge from Cork to capture a place in the All-Ireland senior football quarter finals at Croke Park. Reflecting back on this game the loss of Danny Cummins through injury early in the game probably cost the Tribesmen dearly as not alone was he causing havoc to Cork full-back Michael Shiels, but after his departure Shiels grew in confidence and it was a late point from the defender in the first minute of injury time that eventually denied Galway at least extra-time. Galway led by three points with five minutes left to play when Cork struck for goal and followed with four points to kill off the Galway challenge. However a late missed point chance from the outstanding Paul Conroy was to prove critical after Michael Meehan crashed a late free to the net in what turned out to be the last throw of the dice for Galway. It was the lively Cummins that opened Galways account after great work from Paul Conroy and Tom Flynn as Cork raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. The duo that dominated U-21 football many years ago, Michael Meehan and Sean Armstrong, began to show the class of former years and with Conroy and Flynn dominating midfield and Cummins ever alert and dangerous Galway had raced into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead by the 20th minute. Despite the departure of Cummins at that stage Galway still held a one point advantage at the break with Manus Breathnach pulling off a wonder save from Pearse ONeill six minutes from the break. Galway had played into the crossfield breeze in the opening half and with Meehan (4), Armstrong (2) along with Cummins and Conroy all on target it was a refreshing start to Galways first appearance in headquarters in five years as the scoreboard read Galway 0-8 Cork 0-7 at half time. When Danien Goulding levelled the game in the opening minute of the restart, it only ignited the Tribesmen to step up a gear. Michael Martin combined with Sean Armstrong to restore Galways lead and after Breathnach made another super stop from Mark Collins, Meehan and Conor Doherty combined to set up Conroy for his second point.
SHOWING CLASS: Galway forward Sean Armstrong showed his class on the big stage and outpaced Cork's Paudie Kissane on Saturday in Croke Park. Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
After Meehan won a free, he duly pointed and Doherty and Michael Martin pushed Galway into a five point advantage with ten minutes gone in the second-half. If Galway could kick on from there they would have booked a quarter final spot but Cork were able to introduce players the calibre of Paul Kerrigan, Paudie Kissane and Donnacha OConnor into the game in quick succession and Cork suddenly took control. But Cork began to take control of the midfield area and although Fintan O Curraoin came into the fray for Flynn, the Rebels began to take a grip. Successive points from Goulding, Brian Hurley and Collins cut the deficit to two, but a Gary Sice point for Galway, their first in nine minutes was badly needed. When Armstrong set up Meehan to score again, it looked as if Galway had weathered the
storm as Galway had restored the three point advantage. Then with five minutes left to play after a Pearse ONeill effort came back off the woodwork, ONeill was on hand to follow up and crossed to Aidan Walsh who flicked the ball into the Galway net. Now level, Cork sought to win the game and four unanswered points left too much of a gap before Michael Meehans strike came too late to force extra time. GALWAY: M Breathnach; D O'Neill, F Hanley, J Duane; S Denvir, G O'Donnell, G Sice (0-1); P Conroy (0-2), T Flynn; J O'Brien, S Armstrong (0-4,1f), C Doherty (0-1); M Martin (0-1), M Meehan (16, 1-3f), D Cummins (0-1). Subs: S Walsh for Cummins (22), M Farragher for O'Brien (52), F O Curraoin for Flynn (53), A Varley for Martin (57).
Page 23
LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Dublin ............2-25 Galway ...........2-13

FTER winning the Leinster title last year Galway were rocked by a hungry and determined Dublin team as the Metropolitans captured the Bob OKeeffe Cup for the first time since 1961. Dublin simply out-hurled and outskilled Galway and once again the concerns of many who have repeatedly called for a stable Galway team came to the fore with the management having to withdraw both starting midfielders, two of the attack and one of the defence. Indeed there were a few others that were also lucky to have finished the game as there were several options with regard to taking players off. It is fine to say that Galway have had less warm-up games, while Dublin had plenty, but the Galway management had a whole league campaign to try and get it as near to right as possible. It is now back to the drawing board for their next game against either the winners of Clare v Wexford or Kilkenny v Waterford. On last Sundays performance it is hard to see Galway advance against either opposition. The opening stages of the game were positive as Joe Canning (twice), Conor Cooney and Iarla Tannian scored four points in the opening ten minutes that left the game all square after Paul Ryan and David OCallaghan hit a brace each for Dublin. In the next 15 minutes Dublin virtually wrapped up the Leinster title when they outscored Galway by 1-7 to 0-1. The goal came on 24 minutes when Paul Ryan was set up by OCallaghan and he fired home a rasper. Two Joe Canning points had Galway still in the game at the break, but with a mountain to climb as the scoreboard read Dublin 1-12 Galway 0-7. Although Canning hit the first two points of the second half, it got much worse for Galway as Ryan followed up on two points with a second goal and
Galway shat by Dubs
Page 24
LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Dublin led by 2-14 to 0-9 five minutes into the second-half. However the introduction of Galway substitutes began to have a telling effect. Aidan Harte and Conor Cooney fired over two points before Damien Hayes sent a perfect long delivery into the hands of Joe Canning who beat three defenders before crashing the ball to the net. David Burke fired home a second goal and when Canning and substitute Jonathan Glynn added further points the margin was down to six with ten minutes still to play. That was to be as good as it got for Galway as Anthony Dalys men struck the last six points of the game and left Galway shattered and sore. SCORERS Dublin: P Ryan 2-7 (0-4fs), D O'Callaghan 0-4, R O'Dwyer 0-3, C Keaney, J Boland, J McCaffrey, C McCormack 0-2 each, M Carton, D Sutcliffe, S Lambert 0-1 each. Galway: J Canning 1-7 (0-4fs), D Burke 10, C Cooney 0-2, I Tannian, J Regan, A Harte, J Glynn 0-1 each. DUBLIN: G Maguire; N Corcoran, P Kelly, P Schutte; S Hiney, L Rushe, M Carton; J McCaffrey, J Boland; C Keaney, R O'Dwyer, D Sutcliffe; D O'Callaghan, P Ryan, D Treacy. Subs: C McCormack for Treacy (53), O Gough for Schutte (55), S Durkin for McCaffrey (57), M Schutte for O' Callaghan (60), S Lambert for O'Dwyer (67). GALWAY: J Skehill; J Cooney, K Hynes, F Moore; J Coen, S Kavanagh, D Collins; I Tannian, J Regan; D Burke, C Cooney, C Donnellan; D Glennon, J Canning, N Burke. Subs: A Smith for Regan (21), A Harte for Tannian (ht), D Hayes for Donnellan (ht), J Glynn for Glennon (46), A Callanan for Cooney (63). REF: J Ryan (Tipperary).
Cunningham not happy with sluggish Tribe

ALWAY hurling manager Anthony Cunningham conceded his undercooked team has a lot of work to do ahead of their All-Ireland quarter-final. We have a bit of catching up to do on Dublin but we're not out of the championship yet. They showed fantastic skill, fantastic fitness levels and fantastic strength and they were the clear winners. As we reminded Dublin there after congratulating them, we are still only one step behind them now and it is do or die the next day. Four matches versus one match. Everyone knows whether it is minor or senior or junior, the more matches you have it builds
your confidence and skill levels. We are still looking forward to this day three weeks, he said. While Cunningham rightly lauded Dublin for their deserved victory, he said he was disappointed with his team's poor opening half. The better team won on the day. It took us a good while to get going. We were a bit late to the breaking ball there in the middle third. We made some battle there for quite a while in the second half. We'd be happy enough with that aspect of it but not happy early on when we were sluggish. That first goal. James might be disappointed and they had a shot from a free early on, so their intentions were there to go for goals. We started okayish but as the match wore on their championship sharpness showed, he said.
DIFFICULT TO SWALLOW:
A dejected David Burke watches the cup presentation after the Leinster hurling final at Croke Park. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
tered
BASH: Fergal Moore takes a heavy hit from David O'Callaghan during Sunday's Leinster hurling final at Croke Park. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
Page 25
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING
Lethargic hurlers crash out

Clare .......................1-23 Galway ..........2-14
LARE stormed through to a first All-Ireland SHC semi-final since 2006 with a comfortable victory over Galway at Semple Stadium. The Banner County ran out six-point winners in Thurles to set up a semi-final showdown with neighbours Limerick on August 18. Clare produced another power-packed performance as free-taker Colin Ryan helped himself to 0-10 for the winners, including eight frees. Galway, like they were in the Leinster final, were desperately flat and not even Joe Canning could bail them out here as the Portumna man endured a frustrating afternoon. He was even taken off frees in the second-half but Galway almost staged a late revival as goals from Jonathan Glynn and sub Niall Healy gave the Westerners hope. Galway were just two points down, 2-13 to 1-18, with eight minutes remaining but Clare found the extra gear to kick for home. At half-time, Clare held a comfortable seven-point advantage, 1-12 to 0-8. Galway, well beaten in the Leinster final by Dublin, were desperately flat once again and battle-hardened Clare took full advantage. Galway did start well as they registered the opening two scores of the game through Portumna pair Canning and Hayes before Colin Ryan opened Clares account with a pointed free in the third minute. Galway moved 0-4 to 0-2 in front but Clare reeled the Tribesmen back in and the sides were level at 0-5 apiece before Hayes edged the Westerners back in front once again. But Clare levelled through the impressive Pdraic Collins and they
By JACKIE CAHILL Media South
IN THE HAND: One of Galway's better performers against Clare was Jason Grealish on his first senior inter-county start. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Page 26
CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
would hold that advantage comfortably all the way to half-time. And they were given huge oxygen with Conor McGraths 23rd minute goal, brilliantly slotted into the corner after he burned Kevin Hynes for pace. Hynes had endured a torrid time against Paul Ryan in the Leinster final and when he found himself isolated against the deadly McGrath, Galway paid a heavy price. Galway rarely threatened for the remainder of the half although Clare goalkeeper Patrick Kelly pulled off a good save to deny Niall Burke on the half hour mark. Clare were five points clear at that stage, 110 to 0-8, and further points from Ryan (free) and wing-back Patrick OConnor, after the Banner men had forced yet another turnover, ensured a handsome interval lead. SCORERS Clare: C Ryan 0-10 (8f), C McGrath 1-2, P Collins 0-4, B Bugler, P OConnor, J Conlon, T Kelly, D Honan, N OConnell & F Lynch 0-1 each. Galway: J Canning 0-7 (5f, 1 '65), J Glynn & N Healy 1-0 each, D Hayes 0-3, A Harte, D Burke (f), J Cooney & C Donnellan 0-1 each. GALWAY: C Callanan; K Hynes, F Moore, J Coen; S Kavanagh, D Collins, J Grealish; A Harte, A Smith; D Burke, C Cooney, J Glynn; D Hayes, J Canning, N Burke. Subs: I Tannian for Smith, D Glennon for C Cooney, J Cooney for Coen (all half-time), C Donnellan for N Burke (48), N Healy for Harte (60).
Cunningham takes solace from defeat

By BILL KIELY Media West Ireland
ALWAY manager Anthony Cunningham is determined to remain on as Galway hurling manager for another year despite a disappointing end to their 2013 championship with defeats to Dublin and Clare. Oh absolutely (I'll stay on). We are in it because we love it and we would have to say the county board, the hurling board and management structure that is there is tremendous and I have to thank them even though its difficult times, he said. We struggled formwise for two matches, for most of the match against Dublin in the Leinster
final and the first half today. But we will be heartened with the secondhalf, to come back with two great goals and came back very close. We missed a couple of chances then to probably go very close to a draw and to win it. Theyre fine lines but well go back to the drawing board and kick on from here. From time to time, form dips. Wed be very happy with the effort our guys put in. It was extremely difficult. We have at least 20/22 guys who are very, very even and we will be looking for new players for the years ahead so its not the end of world but its the end of the Championship for us and well have to build on it for next year.
OFF DAY: Joe Canning takes a free for Galway as they crashed out of the hurling All-Ireland senior championship at the quarter-final stage. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
Page 27
Galway girls clai All-Ireland after

Galway ...............3-13 Dublin ................2-14
Siobhan Gavin, left, Galway, celebrates with team-mates Shauna Hynes and Megan Kelly, right, after the match. Photo: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
MINOR A LADIES FOOTBALL FINAL
By JACKIE CAHILL Media South
UPERSUB Leann Walsh netted in the eighth minute of stoppage time to clinch the All-Ireland Minor A Ladies Football title for Galway in Mullingar. Dublin had netted two last-gasp goals in a thrilling drawn encounter in Nenagh, but this time it was Galway who raised two green flags in additional time, to stun the champions in a superb replay. Dublins dreams of back-to-back All-Ireland crowns were dashed in dramatic fashion in front of a bumper Cusack Park attendance. Boosted by second half goals from Leah Mullins and Kate Dwyer, in the space of 20 seconds, the Sky Blues were in cruise control. They led by seven points on three occasions in the second half but still Galway refused to yield as referee John Niland added on a huge amount of extra-time for stoppages.
The Tribeswomen needed a Ciana N Churraoin free to salvage a draw at the first time of asking and there was more late drama last night. In the sixth minute of injury time, Louise Ward banged home her second goal for Galway to cut the gap back to just a single point, 2-13 to 2-14. And there was still time for one more decisive twist as Walsh, introduced in the second minute of stoppage time for Re-
aney, struck gold with a low angled drive across the boughs of Emer N afa and into the bottom corner. Walshs late heroics earned a fourth minor A crown for Galway - and their first since beating Donegal in the 2010 final. In the battle of the sharpshooters, Dublins Carla Rowe finished with a tally of 0-11, as ten points from Olivia Divilly kept Galway in touch when they were struggling for long spells.
The Galway squad, who were crowned All-Ireland Ladies Minor A Champions after their replay win.
Page 28
m minor epic replay

Like its predecessor, this was a game that had almost everything, with each team losing a player to the sin-bin in the second half. The sides were level, 1-6 to 0-9, at the end of a first half that was level four times. Inspired by Rowe, Dublin cruised into a 0-6 to 0-1 but Ward netted a superb 17th minute individual goal to haul Galway back into contention. Three minutes later, Ward had a chance to raise another green flag but the influential centre forward screwed a penalty wide. Divilly hauled Galway level, and put them ahead, with three unanswered points but three from player of the match Rowe had Dublin 0-9 to 1-4 clear. That was before points from Megan Kelly and the lively Divilly hauled Galway level at the break. Galway had Emilie Gavin cleared to play from the start despite the fact that the Galway wing back was sent off in the Nenagh stalemate. SCORERS Galway: O Divilly 0-10 (6f), L Ward 2-0, L Walsh 1-0, C Ni Churraoin 0-2, M Kelly 0-1. Dublin: C Rowe 0-11 (7f), K Dwyer 1-1, L Mullins 1-0, M McGrath & M Davoren 01 each. GALWAY: C Ni Laoi; A Meagher, S Gormally, M Joyce; E Gavin, N Ward, M Glynn; S Gavin, M Heneghan; O Divilly, L Ward, S Hynes; E Reaney, C Ni Churraoin, M Kelly. Subs: A Hynes for Meagher (h.t.), S N Shuilleabhin for Joyce (44), L Walsh for Reaney (60+2). DUBLIN: E Ni Eafa; A Curran, M Ni Scanaill, N Harney; O Carey, D Mullany, K Murray; A OBrien, M Lamb; M Mohan, C Rowe, N Rickard; K Dwyer, L Mullins, M McGrath. Subs: Rutledge for Mohan (45), K Murphy for Rickard (55), M Davoren for McGrath (56), C McGuigan for Mullins (57), F Tuite for Lamb (60+2). REF: J Niland (Sligo).
MINOR A LADIES FOOTBALL FINAL
Galway captain Megan Heneghan lifts the cup after their spectacular AllIreland Ladies Minor A Championship Final Replay victory over Dublin at Cusack Park, Mullingar. Photo: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
Louise Ward (below) celebrates scoring her side's first goal. Photo: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
Photo: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
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INTERNATIONAL HURLING FESTIVAL
New hurling regions to star at
Buenos Aries team.
ER Lingus in partnership with Etihad Airways, will host the first ever International Hurling Festival in Galway this September. Sixteen overseas teams will participate in the competition including teams from New York, San Francisco, Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The tournament will also serve as an opportunity to promote the game of hurling in developing regions by including teams such as Buenos Aires, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and a European team made up of non-Irish nationals. The qualifying games will take place in regional towns, Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Gort with the finals being staged at Pearse Stadium. This unique festival will also bring together the Best of Irish with a full food, craft and entertainment schedule of events planned for Saturday 21 September at the Salthill grounds. Two of the teams travelling to the International Hurling Festival in September are Buenos Aries and Allentown (US), not
areas you would traditional associate with hurling, but areas that are now flourishing in a sport that is allowing their team and club to travel to Galway to take part. In 2012, Connacht Hurling Director Damien Coleman under a directive from the GAA, was sent to Buenos Aries, to a small town called Hurling Ham, where he embarked on a two week adventure to energise the hurling club and deliver on coach education. The Hurling Club, whose chairman Ronnie Quinn is third generation Irish has evolved from the rugby and hockey teams, the two main sports in this region and has an amazing 2,000 members. We went with a three pronged approach taking in the juvenile and adult section within the club. We delivered a foundation level coaching course through an interpreter, this was a first for me, remarked Damien. There was serious interest from everyone at the club, to find out more about the game of hurling but also in technical side
of the game and its coaching techniques. Hockey is one of the biggest sports in the country and the coaches from these teams sat in and participated on the foundation course and were looking to see how the GAA coaching templates could in fact, benefit their game! From Damien's trip, a three-month window was identified where the GAA season could run. This is a definite work in progress, the GAA season now runs for 8-12 weeks and already since the trip there has been three exhibition matches between Argentina and Ireland, these matches have lead to help the selection for the team to travel to Galway for the International Hurling Festival. In the last game the Argentinian Hurling team had their first win over Ireland which is showing the progress of their development. This potential of this project was spotted by Pat Daly, GAA National Coaching Director and through the two-week trip and the ongoing work by the club executive,
Argentia v Ireland Buenos Aries.
Connor O'Donnel hand passes to his center back.
Dan O'Donnell scans the field.
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International Hurling Festival
Allentown GAAs team.
hurling is continuing to grow and the fruits of this will be displayed during their time here in September playing in the International Hurling Festival. Back in the US, The Allentown Hibernians Hurling Club was started early in 2008 when Pat ODonnell met Jeff Purtell, who would go on to become the first club chairman. Jeff realized it may be possible to start a club after hearing about the success of other American-born hurling clubs in the US. Hurling looked very appealing to him, however Pat had no idea what it was! Almost immediately the recruitment drive started. Jeff bought a couple dozen hurls and sliotars and they held their first team practice, at that time the team consisted of Jeff, Pat and Pats brother Danny. Things werent looking too promising!! Things began to progress though and a few months in the club and team were now registered as a Junior C Division side within Philadelphia GAA. The team has continued to grow in numbers and in sub-
stance, hosting a tournament in 2011 and in 2012 with four teams playing. Club Secretary John Driscoll explains: For our club playing outside of America may be the greatest thrill ever. Many times over the years we have been told this sport will never be taken for real outside of Ireland. To be recognized by the GAA and Aer Lingus as a part of this great sport we are honoured. We intend fully to show that we are passionate about the sport and will compete with everything we have. With only three or four members who have lived in Ireland the club, this festival will give an opportunity for us all to experience Ireland together! At the larger competitions there are chances to meet people who came from Ireland. These meetings gave many of our members their first chance to meet a true Irishman. Irish tunes are often played at our events. We put on an Irish fry after a Thursday evening round of games last year and served almost 40 people. The majority
never had tasted black or white pudding and a rasher before. We even count out our push ups in Irish to get a little of the language into our guys minds. The festival has definitely added an air of excitement but the selection process also added a certain stress level to the early part of our season. As things smooth out this will become a major topic of conversation. The opportunity to represent the United States of America in an event such as this is an honour. To go to Galway with its rich hurling traditions is fantastic. For many who are new to the sport the name Joe Canning is the first that comes to mind when we discuss video clips we watched. To play in his county means a lot, said Driscoll. The International Hurling Festival will run from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 September 2013. For more information log onto, http://www.hurlingfestival.com, Like http://www.facebook.com/aerlingushurling or Follow http://www.twitter.com/AerLingusFest
Dan O'Donnell takes his point.
Dave Mahon ready to clear.
Joey McFadden prepares for the jab lift.
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The Barley House

2012 NACB JR C Championship Philadelpia.
first exposed to hurling during a layover in the Shannon, Ireland airport on their way to Iraq. Love for the game was instant and the Soldiers made good on their pledge to adopt the game as a way to maintain their bond. Today, the Wolves are the reigning North American Junior C Hurling Champions. The Wolves play under the sanction of the Northeast Division of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The team has played throughout the United States and this year will be traveling to Ireland to compete in an international hurling tournament. TEAM CAPTAIN (JR. C): WARREN PERRY Warren M. Perry was born in Bangor Maine in 1966. He lived around the world including places like Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia and in virtually every part of the United States. He currently lives in Bow New Hampshire with his wife, Susan, and three children, Erin, Kathleen, and Michael. He is a Colonel in the United States Army and serves as an advisor to the New Hampshire National Guard. He began playing the sport of hurling in the spring of 2011 after seeing a demonstration by the Barley House Wolves at a wellness fair in Concord. He enjoys the opportunity to continue to play competitively and has a tremendous respect for the history and traditions of the fastest game on grass. The club was started as a positive outlet of military members returning from war. It has broadened to include military members, veterans, civilians and Irish-born members, all pursuing the camaraderie of a fantastic sport that comes from a great culture. Hockey and lacrosse players seem to have the best transition into hurling. They both require stamina physicality and toughness as well as fine tuned sticks skills amidst heavy action. The Barley House Wolves previously travelled to Galway in the spring of 2010 to take in
some sights and play in a few matches. They played against both the St Mary's GAA Jr. C in Athenry as well as an infantry team out of Renmore Barracks. And given their history there, they are looking forward to returning.
PEN PICS
ALAN MANGAN Born in Youghal, Co. Cork, Alan immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1994. He became involved with the club after moving to Exeter, New Hampshire in 2012. He had heard about the club on Irish television and made contact through their Facebook page. Alan has served as the club Manager since coming on board, and led the team through its undefeated 2012 season to its first NACB Championship. He considers it an honour to travel with the club back to the land where hurling was born and compete in The Gathering. ALEC FOLEY Born in Odessa, Texas and currently living in Manchester, New Hampshire, Alec met the team at Manchesters 2011 St. Patrick's Day parade. He had heard of the game prior to that, seeing the All-Ireland SemiFinal played in Croke Park in 2007, and became very interested from there. Alec is excited to show the passion that American players have for this great Gaelic game!
February/March 2011 Irish America
As part of a warm up to the Galway international hurling festival, we focus on one club, The Barley House Wolves, which was created after its founding members a group of US soldiers saw the game on TV in Shannon Airport.
HE Wolves were founded by members of C Co, 3/172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) of the New Hampshire Army National Guard upon redeployment from Iraq in 2005. The Soldiers of Charlie Company were
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Wolves
DARRAGH MADDEN Darragh Madden was born and raised in Athenry, Co. Galway. He moved to the United States in November 2000 and he and his wife settled in Hopkinton, NH. Darragh first learned about the Barley House Wolves through a local newspaper article. He joined the team in 2009 and has been playing with the Wolves ever since. He enjoys the camaraderie, physical toughness, and desire to win shared by his fellow teammates. Darragh is especially looking forward to the Gathering because it will be located in his native County Galway. He will be honored to part of the team on his home turf. EDDIE CLEMENTS Edward Clements Jr was born in Winchester, MA and raised in Salem, NH. After graduating from high school he joined the US Army as a mechanic. Eddie deployed with C Co 3-172nd INF (MTN). Upon returning from deployment Ray Valas and Ken Kinsella started the Barley House Wolves as a way for the guys from Charlie Company to keep in touch. Eddie is an original member of the Wolves, he immediately fell in love with the game and has been playing since the Wolves were formed in 2005. He was part of the Wolves trip to Ireland in 2010, the Wolves played friendly matches against St. Mary's GAA and an Irish Army team. Eddie is honored to be invited to play the tournament, and excited to play in Ireland once again. STUART KREMZNER Stuart Kremzner was born in Princeton, NJ and grew up in New Hampshire. Professionally he is an exercise physiologist and coach. Stuart directed and started up several of the Nation's premier sports training/sports medicine facilities in Utah, Illinois, and New Hampshire where he works training athletes, military, and law enforcement. Being a team member of the Barley House Wolves and attending the Gathering is a great honor to represent the club at an International level. It will be a great learning opportunity to visit the country where Hurling was born and to experience the sport in it's finest, refined environment.
www.HurlingNH.com www.facebook.com/barley.wolves?fref=ts twitter.com/hurlingnh

MIKHAEL GREGOIRE Mikhael is from Island Pond, Vermont and currently resides in Hooksett, New Hampshire. He is an accountant, a former United States Marine, and an Iraq War Veteran. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, shooting, enjoying adult beverages, and making the acquaintance of lovely young ladies. Hes been hurling for 4 years. SEAN McCARTY Born and raised in New Hampshire, Sean joined the club in 2009. He is a full time firefighter with a wife and 9 month old son.
LORE FORD Lore Ford joined the club in 2008 after a successful recruiting campaign by Ray Valas. Playing at the half-forwards and half-backs he was selected as MVP in 2009. He has served on the board as Registrar and Secretary and was recently elected as the Chairperson. DENNIS TRAINOR Dennis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and currently resides in Derry, New Hampshire. He first heard about hurling in 2008 by watching a Wolves practice. Hes been playing with the club since 2009, and in 2010 he participated on the club trip to Galway. Dennis was voted team MVP for the 2011 season. PAT NAUGHTON Pat is a 21 year old student at the University of New Hampshire, where he studies Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology. He also plays hockey and baseball. He joined the club in 2012 after receiving some of hurls for Christmas. Pat is now in his second year with the Wolves. SEAN NAUGHTON Sean is a 27 year old Surgical Technology student at Maine Medical Center. From Goffstown, New Hampshire, he currently resides in Portland, Maine. Graduate of Saint Michael's College with degree in Biology. He also plays hockey, baseball, and tennis. He joined the club in 2012 after receiving a couple of hurls for Christmas, and hes been a staple at midfield/half forward ever since. He first heard of the game as a kid when using his dads hurl as a living room hockey stick. About the gathering, he says, I have always wanted to make a trip to Ireland and I can't think of what could be much better than playing the game there.
WILL MULLEN William Mullen was born in Methuen, MA and was raised in Concord, NH. After earning his degree in Culinary Arts from Laconia Tech he began a career in the art of cooking. William discovered the game of hurling from working at the Barley House and soon after joined the Barley House Wolves. He has been a member of the team for three years. He is both honored and excited to have the opportunity to play hurling in the game's home country. TANNER STARMER Tanner was born in Concord, New Hampshire, and now resides in Henniker, New Hampshire. He studied Forestry at the University of New Hampshire, and is currently attending classes at the New Hampshire Fire Academy. Tanner is in his second year with the Wolves. He was introduced to the sport and the club by teammates Ruairi OMahoney and Dean Williams. Of The Gathering, he says, I cant think of a better way to spend my first trip to Ireland than playing the game Ive learned to love in the land where it was created.
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The Denver Gaels side, who claimed the North American Junior B Championship in 2000.
INDIANAPOLIS GAA The Indianapolis GAA traces its roots back to a wedding in 2002 where the game was introduced by the groom to some of his American friends. The group stayed at this small size for quite awhile, however in 2005, two native Irishmen joined forces with this group and got the club moving again, combining their leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport. Gaelic Games in Indianapolis were here to stay. The club has grown from the seven or eight members in the early stages to over 300 members today. The Indianapolis GAA currently supports two nationally competing mens hurling teams at the Junior A and Junior C level as well as a Junior Camogie team and a Junior D football team. Indianapolis proudly sports champions in NACB Junior B hurling in 2012, Junior C hurling in 2008 and Junior Camogie Shield Championship in 2011. In addition to the national teams, the Club supports an eight team intraclub summer league, a four team Gaelic football league, and a two team Camogie league. The club plays all year round as well, by renting an indoor soccer field and playing modified rules hurling and football. Finally, the Indianapolis GAA supports the social aspect of the club through various events throughout the year such golf tourneys, social get-togethers and community service events. MILWAUKEE HURLING CLUB The Milwaukee Hurling Club (MHC) first introduced the Irish sport to Milwaukee in 1996 with 24 members and a dream. In 1997, four teams were formed which enabled the club to hold regular games. In 2002, the MHC added youth teams to its roster. The MHC invites individuals of all ages and skill levels to participate and become a part of Milwaukees
Fastest Game on Grass! From these early beginnings the Milwaukee Hurling Club has expanded tremendously and is still made up of 99% American born players. The Milwaukee Hurling Club has grown by leaps and bounds, and achieved international recognition for its remarkable achievements: The MHC was the first Americanfounded hurling club. Now in its 18th season, the Milwaukee Hurling Club boasts a playing membership of 350 people, fielding 11 sponsored co-ed teams, travelling teams in both hurling and camogie, and six youth teams for youngsters from four to fourteen. Awarding of the GAA Presidents Medal to founding member and MHC Operations Coordinator Dave Olson in 2006 the first such honour for an American. Dave has also served as GAA North American Hurling Development Officer. North American County Board championship titles including two mens junior B hurling titles and three at the junior camogie level. The MHC was honoured with a visit from former GAA president Nicky Brennan and other officials in July of 2007. Milwaukee Hurler Dan McAuliffe had the honour of competing as the first American born player in the 2008 M Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada. Irish President Mary McAleese in 2006 attended the Spirit of Galway hurling match at Milwaukees Irish Fest Our traveling teams of all codes and grades have been grateful for the support of M Donnelly. NAOMH PADRAIG HURLING CLUB, SAN FRANCISCO The club was founded in 1992 as a result of the disbandment of another club. It was predominantly a Galway club in its formative years but has always had a
strong Limerick and Tipp presence. Naomh Padraig has two Senior North American titles to its name, 1997 and 2010. Our secretary is Barry O'Brien hailing from Kildimo, Co Limerick, a resident of San Francisco since 2007 and a Project Manager with a leading Irish Pipeline Construction company ever since. ST JOSEPHS GAA CLUB, SILICON VALLEY St Joseph's Hurling Club was founded in 1995, bringing Gaelic Games to the people of Silicon Valley. A seven year stretch of unprecedented success followed, with the mens teams winning six hurling titles, two Gaelic football titles, and the womens Gaelic football team winning their championship in 1999. After the 2002 season, the club was disbanded. Recently, an increase in the areas Irish population as well as an upsurge in interest in Gaelic Games from the local community resulted in the club being reformed in time for the 2012 hurling season. Currently, St. Josephs competes at the Junior B level. Although many of the players are locally settled Irish, St. Josephs has established itself in Silicon Valley, and actively seeks players from the area. Stanford University has a successful collegiate hurling team and has contributed both players and facilities to St. Josephs. The club has recently embarked on an ambitious program to bring hurling to the young people of Silicon Valley and had a very successful Introduction to Hurling for Youth day this year. We hope to continue this endeavour, expanding the reach of juvenile hurling in the San Francisco area. For our members and players, hurling brings a great sense of community, purpose and belonging. Being part of this GAA club has been pivotal in settling members into the broader Irish commu-
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nity. It has been especially helpful for new arrivals to Silicon Valley, and hurling has become more important to many of our members than it ever was when they were living in Ireland. Five St Josephs members will voyage to Galway for The Gathering. Naturally, it is driving us to improve our playing standards and we all look forward to making the trip to our Real Home. BRITAIN http://www.britain.gaa.ie/" The British team will be made up of players from all across Britain, excluding London, but this is the first time the team is playing together as Britain'. The British team will mainly consist of members of Warwickshire squad that won Lory Meagher Cup. Management team consists of Stan Murray-Hession and Steve Ahern (joint managers of Lory Meagher cup winning Warwickshire team) and Gary Kelly (Secretary, Provincial Council of Britain GAA). Brendie Brien, Chairman of the Provincial Council of Britain GAA, and a native of Killimor in Galway, will also travel as part of the backroom team. Given work and sporting commitments, a lot of the players involved dont get the chance to get home to Ireland often. Even for those who get home regularly, the opportunity to play hurling in Ireland with their new team, and catch up with family and friends is very enticing and there is a lot of interest from players looking to be part of the trip. Traditionally, the first port of call for the large majority of hurlers coming to Britain is to find themselves a new GAA club, which means that they build up a new circle of friends within weeks of landing. People who play hurling, or football, overseas generally find that they always have access to work and accommodation, two of the big concerns when they make the decision to leave home.
New South Wales in action in the Australian championship.
The game of hurling, and the values it brings out in people, is proving a big draw to people in Britain, and is seeing the game grow steadily. This panel will include at least three players who were born and grew up in Birmingham, and are All-Ireland medal holders. Outside of the team, mentors and officials, it is expected that at least 500 people will travel from Britain for the weekend, in support of the four teams from the province, as well as the large numbers of family and friends who will travel from all over Ireland to meet up with the players. For those born in Ireland, its great to be getting the opportunity to play hurling in Ireland for their adopted team, and to show their family, friends and former teammates at home that they have kept the traditions of hurling alive despite living overseas. For those born in Britain, there is a big excitement at getting to play the game of hurling in Ireland, and to line out on the fields where the game was first played centuries ago.
ST GABRIELS, LONDON The St Gabriel's Hurling Club in London was founded in 1961 and has had a glorious and illustrious 52 year history. The club's success last October in adding another London Senior Hurling Championship to bring their total to 15 titles and puts St Gabriel's at the summit as the most successful existing hurling club in London's GAA history. Their county title success in early October was added to in early November when they won our 10th Ryan Cup. In early February 2013 the club reached the All-Ireland Intermediate Club final in Croke Park and although they did not win it was a great occasion for the club to play in an All Ireland final at the GAA's historic home for the first time and they hope to be back there soon. Over the past 52 years the club has had a huge impact on the London GAA landscape with players and officers representing London, and also by promoting the ideals of the Gaelic Athletic Association in the UK capital. Our club crest sports the following slogan Ag Couth Na hIomna', meaning Promoting Hurling' The Club is represented by two adult teams, the Senior A and Senior B teams. EUROPE NON-IRISH: The European hurling journey continues this year on the winding road to Galway where for the first time, European GAA will send a panel of non-native players to compete in the Gathering hurling festival. This is a truly momentous occasion for all the players and the geographical spread of players shows how truly global our game has become and how it is being adopted by the natives of the following clubs/countries: St.Brieuc Brittany, France Budapest, Hungary Paris and Toulouse, France Munich and Cologne and Dresden, Germany Zurich, Switzerland
Action from the Australian GAA championships.
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JP Ryan's GAA club show off their new colours
The mentors and management are thrilled to showcase all is healthy and vibrant with hurling in European circles and the players themselves are chomping at the bit to showcase their talents on a world stage. Europe Abu!!! EUROPE (IRISH) There will be a combination team pulled from all clubs across Europe with Irish born players who will travel home in September to represent Europe at the ALIHF, There is no team shot for these as literally they are coming together for the weekend. The clubs they are coming from are as follows: European Irish born Panel Gothenburg GAA - Malachy Magee Toulouse GAA - Eddie Kelly Belgium GAA Shane Ryan, Fergal Mythen, Brian Hurley, Kevin Keary Dresden GAA - Diarmuid Kelly, Eoin Meagher, Ivan O Connor, Kevin O'Toole The Hague GAA - Barry Heffernan, Shane O'Sullivan, Jason Ryan, JP Griffin Luxemburg GAA - Eoin O'Sullivan, Damien Higgins Amsterdam GAA - Fergal Walsh, Brian Murphy. Jack O'Gorman Zurich GAA - Kevin Lally, John Kirby KILBURN GAELS Kilburn Gaels Hurling Club is based in NW London. The senior club was founded in 1997 as an amalgamation of the two
former London based clubs Desmonds and Glen Rovers. The Juvenile club was established some years earlier in 1991. Both clubs are affiliated to the London GAA Board. The senior club competed initially in the Intermediate Championship, winning the league and championship in 2000. The club was promoted to the senior grade in 2001. Since promotion, the senior club has progressed well reaching the championship semi-finals in four successive sea-
sons, 2003 2006. In 2006 the senior team made the breakthrough into the senior finals in both the league and championship competitions, finishing as runners-up in both. The club truly came of age in 2010 when it won the London Senior Championship, the Senior League and the Ryan Cup all in the same year. It followed this up in 2011 by winning the Tom Semple Cup in Thurles, the Ryan and Collins cup again. In 2012 we won the London Senior
Belgian side Eoin Ruadh in European championship action.
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League and successfully defended the Tom Semple Cup in Thurles. The juvenile club first came together when Mick ODwyer and Brendan OConnor started his Saturday morning training sessions for youngsters in Gladstone Park, where the club continues to train to this day. Early days saw the club travelling to Birmingham in search of fixtures. This changed with the establishment of a few other underage clubs in the capital and the first London championships were held in
1994. Kilburn Gaels has distinguished itself with many championship victories over the years. ROBERT EMMETTS The Robert Emmetts hurling club was founded in 1948 in Bow Palais in East London on the 20th of March, with the football club initiated less than six months later. The inaugural AGM of the Robert Emmetts Hurling and Football Club on 13th February 1949 saw the election of
Stephen Fitzgerald as our first football captain. The club's first fixture was against Thomas McCurtains on Sunday the 16th of May at the back of Wanstead flats. Many fine men came through the Robert Emmetts hands, notably Bill Horgan of Cork, who played centre back on their first ever county championship-winning team back in 1951. Bill later became chairman of the club. Another stalwart of Robert Emmetts back then was Fintan Lawlor of Co. Laois who played his last game at the ripe old age of 61 (they don't make them like they used to!). In the 80s the reins were taken up by Rogie Maher of Co. Limerick and none other than Tom Redmond who put in sterling work to get the Emmetts to where they are today. Rogie has since left to go back to his native Limerick while Tom is still steering the ship today. The club has had a very successful run over the past 10 years, winning five senior hurling county titles (most recently in 2011) and winning the junior football championship in 2007. THE DENVER GAELS The Denver Gaels were founded in 1996 by a group of Irish based in Denver, Colorado. Initially the club only played mens football, but since then the club has grown to a club of over 100 active players and have teams in four codes. The club has won North American County Championships in 2000 (Jr. B Football), 2004 (U12 and 14 Football), 2007 (Jr. C Hurling and U16 and U18 Football), and 2011 (Junior Camogie). In
Action from the European hurling championsips.
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2004 they hosted the North American County Championships in Boulder, Colorado. The Denver Gaels run year-round competitions from indoor hurling and football in the winter to pub league competitions in the summer. In July, The club invite teams from all over the US to play in a Denver hosted friendly tournament and throughout the year, we participate in local community activities from charity races to volunteering time at local schools to teach GAA sports to students learning about international sports. Manager Eamonn Ryan joined the Denver Gaels in 2004 after moving from Ireland to Boulder, Colorado. Eamonn grew up in Glanmire, Co Cork and played hurling for Sarsfields Hurling Club and football for Glanmire football club. He also played junior and senior hurling for St Judes hurling club in Dublin for six years prior to moving to the US. Prior to becoming hurling manager, Eamonn served as Denver Gaels club chairperson from 2009 2012. Team captain Patrick Folan hails from Dorchester Massachusetts. He moved to Denver Colorado in 1996 and started playing hurling with the Denver Gael in 2008. His strong Galway ties must have helped him develop his hurling skills because he is now one of the clubs top scorers, using playing left or right half forward. Patrick has recently been certified as GAA foundation level coach and he is actively involved in coaching new and existing players in the club. Patrick (Pat) can often be seen sporting the Galway county colors on the hurling field! Hurling and Gaelic games are a great point of connection for the players and Irish community in Denver. We dont have the biggest Irish community in Denver, but the GAA helps it flourish for all groups. For the Irish moving into our community, it is a great way for them to immediately make friends and feel a real sense of belonging. For Irish Americans (1st, 2nd, and even further generations) its a great way for them to stay connected to Irish culture, and preserve the tradition of their family. Beyond that weve grown the games to Americans with no Irish connections, who have fallen in love with our games and the rich social atmosphere that enjoy. We have quite a few players with little to no direct Irish connection, of our players about 20% are Irish born, 60% would claim Irish-American, and 20% have no Irish connections whatsoever. The Festival has certainly given a boost to our club. The opportunity to play in Ireland, in some cases in front of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins is absolutely massive. For quite a few of our players this will be their first time travelling to Ireland so just having the opportunity to visit the country is incredible. Beyond that were very excited to play and meet other teams from around the world.
Vancouver's Aindriu Doohan during the NACB final against Boston in 2012.
We have two players with significant connections to Galway. The first is Patrick Folan, our team captain. Patrick is the son of Bridget (Keane) Folan of Carraroe but raised in Rosmuc, Co. Galway and Stephen Folan of Carna, Co. Galway. He is the youngest of four children and was born and raised in Dorchester Massachusetts. He still has family living in Co. Galway. Patrick and his wife Ann and were married in the Catholic Church of Carraroe, which was the same Church that Patricks mother, was baptized in. For Patrick hurling in Galway is and will be a great honor. Another Patrick, representing the Denver Gaels also has deep connections to Galway. This is Patrick Ream. His maternal Grandparents were from a small town outside Tuam called Briarfield. Although both parents were from Galway they didnt meet until many years later in Utica New York. It turns out after they started talking that their family farms actually backed up to each other and they had never met until that day in upstate New York. Patrick Ream went to Galway in 2005 with two fellow members of the Denver Gaels including Tim Shaw who is on the Denver Gaels panel for this tournament. After visiting the Moylan family they simply stepped over the stone wall and met the Jordan's, the other side of his family. Its a small world indeed. NEW YORK The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Cummann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Contae Nua Eabhrac), or New York GAA, is one of the County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area. The county board is also responsible for the New York inter-county teams. The first organized hurling and Gaelic
football club in New York was founded in 1857. In the following 30 years, the New York, Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Brooklyn, Geraldine and Men of Ireland clubs were set up. The Gaelic Athletic Association's successful North American tour had a notable effect on the growth of hurling in New York and North America in general by the end of the nineteenth century. CANADA Canada GAA is a very active and vibrant Association in the North American country where Irelands sports of hurling and football is played by both Irish and Canadian natives right across Canada. Currently there are 40 teams embracing both men and women who are playing both of Irelands national games in Canada. The game of hurling was re-introduced to the city of Vancouver in 2008. Vancouver entered the North American Junior Championship in 2010, and was crowned champions at their first attempt. In 2011, the Vancouver Hurling team was renamed, Joseph P. Ryans (Vancouver), in memory of Joseph Ryan, a founding member of the GAA who later immigrated to Canada and who is buried in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Hurling in the city has continued to grow and 2013 will see the role out of a 7-a-side city league, along with continued involvement in the North American Championship and a number of other tournaments in both the United States and Canada. In the city of Toronto, the Toronto Hurling Club have re-invigorated the sport of hurling in the city. Founded in 2010, the club competes annually with teams from across Canada and the United States for the North American Championship. Locally, they compete in the city championship and provide an important social outlet for Irish immigrants and Canadians seeking to learn more about Irish culture.
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Being invited by the Galway County Board and Aer Lingus to send a National team representing Canada in a prestigious Hurling Tournament is a huge honour and privilege for the country's GAA association. Joseph P. Ryans Vancouver will proudly send ten players to Ireland along with two selectors who will make up part of the management team while the Toronto Hurling Club will proudly send eleven players and two selectors for management. MIDDLE EAST The Middle East All Stars are delighted to be participating at the Aer Lingus International Hurling Festival as part of the Gathering. Hurling started in the Middle East back in 1985 when two teams in Al Kharj just outside Riyadh played in an inter firm game at Almarai. The Boys from the Glens of Antrim played a Munster select and there was skin and hair flying in the sands of Saudi Arabia. Over the years further games were played in Saudi between Kentz and Aramco before an official tournament was set up in Bahrain in 1993 which saw the emergence of new clubs Naomh Abdulla Dhahran, Naomh Alee Riyadh and the Bahrain Irish now the Arabian Celts and the tournament has been running ever since celebrating its 20 years anniversary this year. Other clubs sprung up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman originally with Kuwait, Al Ain and Sharjah joining later. The Middle East All Stars feature players from all clubs around the Middle East and feature players like Killian Coleman who played for the Cork minors back in 98, Aidan Clarke who was on the Down Team in 2010, Shane Rackard who was Hurling MVP at the Asian Gaelic Games in 2012 and Andrew Keary an All-Ireland winning captain with the Galway minors in 2005. The team also features a player, Terry Kehoe, who is in the Guinness Book of Records for hurling when his Club Cloghbawn in Wexford set a world record for a hurling match that went on for 24 hours back in June 2012. The Middle East County Board is the newest Board in the GAA Family. Previously part of the Asian County Board the Middle East Board was set up in June 2013 with over 1,000 people playing Gaelic Games in the Region. Middle East Chairman, James Kennedy said: We are delighted to be part of this wonderful initiative by the GAA & Aer Lingus and are really looking forward to competing in Galway in September where the Middle East All Stars will be making their debut and I cant think of a more fitting occasion for that to happen. CHICAGO The team is made up of all the four hurling clubs in the Chicago Region, and three of the teams play at senior level and the All American team is junior level The management consist of Paul Reynolds and Anthony Murphy who are both from Galway, along with Thomas Liston from Limerick and Martin Redmont from Chicago. Many players who move to Chicago do so just for the summer months. This gives them the chance to keep up their playing level and also helps to raise the standard of the players who participate year round; it really makes for an enjoyable competition. This helps the clubs not only by having new players to participate and bring new ideas to their clubs but to enable them to integrate into a thriving association Most of the players are Irish or come from an Irish background, but the chance to represent Chicago in an International Competition is regarded as a massive honour for the club. AUSTRALASIA The team is made up of the All Stars selected at the 2012 Championships which were held in Perth. Players come from three units of the association: Western Australia (Perth), New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland (Brisbane) The Austarlasian captain is Oisin Lynch from Brisbane who won the Best Player at the 2012 Championships. There are joint Mangers/Coaches John Whelahan from Perth and Damien Moroney from Sydney. Physio is Clare Gough from Adelaide and Tour Manager is Paddy Hegarty from Melbourne. Many players who arrive in Australia aren't aware that hurling is played in almost all Australian States and New Zealand. they are pleasantly surprised at the standard and love being a part of a Club that also allows them not only to play but to integrate into a thriving association.
Ireland: 20 (includes post and packaging) UK: 25 (22) Rest of Europe & Asia: 25 America: 25 (US$35) Australia: 25 (Aus$33) South America: 25
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AROUND THE PROVINCE AROUND THE PROVINCE AROUND THE PROVINCE
Sligo GAA Puc Fada
U-16 Competitors (L to R): Competition winner Adam Kerrigan, Coolera/Strandhill club; second place Kieran Devaney, Easkey/St Farnans club, and third placed, Tony OKelly-Lynch, Naomh Eoin. Photos: John Doyle, Sligo
Keith Raymond Calry St Josephs club taking part in the Sligo GAA Puc Fada held on Culleenamore beach.
All Ireland Poc Fada Finals
LONG PUCK: Galway goalkeeper James Skehill in action during the M. Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada Finals in the Cooley mountains. Skehill picked up first place in the team event alongside Tipperary's Brendan Cummins. Photo: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
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Sligo hurling manager Declan Loughnane of the Tubbercurry club, taking part in the Sligo GAA Puc Fada held on Culleenamore beach.
Niall Cadden Coolera Strandhill Club, taking part in the Sligo GAA Puc Fada held on Culleenamore beach.
Eventual winner Chris Madden of the Calry St Josephs club, taking part in the Sligo GAA Puc Fada held on Culleenamore beach.
Niall Cloghan Naomh Eoin Hurling club, taking part in the Sligo GAA Puc Fada held on Culleenamore beach.
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Connacht GAA Puc Fada
Pictured at the presentation of third place in the Connacht GAA Puc Fada competition in Bekan were Connacht secretary John Prenty, Colm Callanan (Kinvara, Co Galway), Humphrey Kelleher, Chairperson National Puc Fada competition and Toby Connors, Chairperson Coiste Iomana Connacht
Pictured at the Connacht finals of the Puc Fada competition held in Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan were Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty, Connacht winner James Skehill (Cappatagle, Co Galway), Humphrey Kelleher, National Puc Fada Chairperson and Toby Connors, Chairperson Coiste Iomana Connacht Senior Puc Fada contestants plus Ladies winners Cliodna Daly (Mullagh, Co Galway) pictured at the Connacht Puc Fada finals held in Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan, Co Mayo. Pictured (L to R): John Prenty, Connacht GAA secretary, Kerril Wade (Galway), Colm Callanan (Galway), Cliodna Daly (Galway), Gerry Fallon (Roscommon), James Skehill (Galway), Humphrey Kelleher, National Puc Fada Chairperson, Chris Madden (Sligo). Front row: Donal O'Brien (Mayo) and John Duffy (Mayo). Missing from photo Alan Duffy (Leitrim) and Toby Connors, Chairperson, Coiste Iomana Connacht
Pictured at the Galway finals of the Puc Fada held in NUI Galway sports ground, Dangan were Toby Connors, Chairperson Coiste Iomana Connacht, James Skehill, (Cappatagle) winner, Colm Callanan (Kinvara) second place and Damien Coleman (Director, Connacht hurling).
Pictured at the Galway finals of the Puc Fada competition held in NUI Galway Sports Grounds, Dangan were standing (L to R): Sean McManamon, Toby Connors, James Skehill, John Connors, Colm Callanan, Aidan Ryan, Damien Coleman. Kneeling: Kerril Wade, Anthony Daly and Joe McNamara
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Give Respect Get Respect Initiative

By DENIS OBOYLE
CONNACHT INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION OFFICER
F you have attended any of this year's Connacht Championship games you may have seen the 'Give Respect Get Respect' Initiative taking place at half-time. You may even had an opportunity to read all about it in your match programme. The GAA Give Respect Get Respect campaign, which was first introduced in 2009, continues to flourish, particularly at under age level. The aim of Give Respect Get Respect still remains the same in that it seeks to ensure that Gaelic Games are promoted and played in a positive, fair and enjoyable manner where players, coaches, spectators and referees give respect and get respect from each other. The Connacht GAA Inclusion and Integration Committee have made the promotion of the initiative a priority for 2013. In this regard, the official launch of the Give Respect - Get Respect sign for all GAA club and county grounds, recently took place with the chairmen of the County Boards in Connacht in attendance. It was great to have the solidarity of the Connacht County Chairmen supporting the promotion of the Give Respect - Get Respect Initiative. While the campaign may have originally been targeted at underage teams, the Give Respect Get Respect Initiative has recently expanded and is now promoted and delivered at all levels within the GAA, regardless of age, competition or ability. Furthermore, the term RESPECT can be broken down as follows: Responsible, Encouraging, Supportive, Positive, Enabling, Considerate and Tolerant. According to Tony Watene, GAA National Inclusion Officer: the two most significant changes to the Give Respect - Get Respect Initiative since it's inception in 2009 is that the initiative now applies to all units in the GAA regardless of age, competition or ability and that Coiste Bainist gave permission for the Give Respect - Get Respect logo to be put on the sleeve of any GAA jersey in future, he said. At the 2013 Connacht Championship games
The Connacht Inclusion and Integration Committee launch of the 'Give Respect - Get Respect' sign for all GAA club and county grounds, by the Chairpersons of the County Boards in Connacht. (L-R): Cyril Feehily (Sligo), Sean Martin (Roscommon, deputising for Roscommon Chairman Michael Fahey), Mattie Kilroy (Connacht GAA Respect Initiative Co-ordinator), Paddy McNicholas (Mayo), Noel Tracey (Galway) and Joe Flynn (Leitrim). Photo: James Molloy
you may have seen children from schools and clubs of the participating Counties highlighting the Respect Initiative message through the playing of our Games. The following are some of key features of the Respect Campaign, which may take place: The GAA Respect Initiative originally targeted at underage teams is now promoted and delivered at all levels within the GAA, regardless of age, competition or ability. Referees and the opposing teams are to be welcomed by the host Club prior to each game. Players shake hands with their opponents before the game commences. The match itself is played under the auspices of the GAA Go Games Referees communicate decisions in an effective manner Team coaches wear designated 'Respect' bibs and are the only personnel allowed along the sideline area. Players and coaches line up at the centre of the pitch after each game to shake hands with the referee, opposing players and coaches. A designated spectators area is clearly marked two metres from the playing area. Host Clubs will endeavour (resources and facilities permitting) to offer visiting teams the opportunity to socialise after each game refreshments. providing light
Connacht GAA Council Secretary, John Prenty and Mattie Kilroy, the Connacht GAA Respect Initiative Co-ordinator, with the Connacht GAA 'Give Respect - Get Respect' sign. The Give Respect - Get Respect sign has recently been erected at the entrance to all the playing pitches at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
The Galway U-17 maroon hurlers who took part in the minor hurling development blitz recently.
The Connacht GAA Council leads the way in recently erecting the Give Respect - Get Respect Signage at the entrance to all the playing pitches at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. According to Mattie Kilroy, Connacht GAA Respect Initiative Co-ordinator, the rectangular Give Respect - Get Respect sign, can also include ones club and/or county crest. It is intended that this sign will be erected at the entrance to each club and county GAA grounds throughout Connacht during 2013 to actively promote the 'Give Respect - Get Respect' Initiative. For information on how to order a 'Give Respect - Get Respect' sign for your club or county grounds, details were recently sent to all GAA Club and County Secretaries throughout Connacht. Also you can contact Mattie Kilroy, Connacht GAA Respect Initiative Co-ordinator, by e-mail at [email protected]
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CONNACHT GAA TED WEBB CUP
Leitrim fall short of Ted Webb glory

Mayo EW ..............1-9 Leitrim .................1-6
ISAPPOINTED but proud can sum up the reaction of manager Shane Heslin after Leitrims loss in the Ted Webb Cup Final. Heslin, who headed up the management team with Adrian Cullen, Pat McWeeney, John Sheridan and Sean Watters, said that a poor start cost his team dearly last Saturday but promised that the players on the U-16 squad would go on to good careers with Leitrim. Were just disappointed we werent able to win it, said Shane, Three points, not a whole hell of a lot in it, just a kick of a ball in the end and we were going at them at the end and maybe if we had a bit more belief at the start and go at them, it might have made a difference. It is a final, it is probably the first final those lads have been in with Leitrim and it is a bit of an occasion you know and it takes from lads but they will develop and theyll come back. And Shane backed the current squad to progress in the years ahead even if they are up against the bigger resources of other counties It is progress, theyve beaten this Mayo team already, theyve beaten the Sligo A team, the Roscommon A team to be here. That in itself is progress but it is a numbers game at the the end of the day. You can see what Mayo have, they have big physicality and were picking out of a small base to deal with that. Theyre doing their strength and conditioning, theyre doing their fitness work and that is the way it has to start. They certainly werent dis-
Frank Burke ,President of Connacht GAA Council presents the Ted Webb Cup to Joint Mayo EW Captains Sheroze Akram (Ballaghderreen) and Jonathan Burke (Swinford)
graced and they are well able to hold their heads high after it. Leitrim qualifier for the final after a difficult run throught he qualifier games, but they saw off Mayo EW by 1-7 to 0-3 before defeating Roscommon for the second time in four days to seal their place in the final. In a much closer game than the destruction of the Rossies, Leitrim still prevailed by 2-6 to 1-5 against their neigbhours to book their place in the Final. Mayo EW managed to overturn their defeat to Leitrim in the second round to take the ultimate honouyrs, but they needed a big win over Sligo Black to reach the final.
LIGO U16 Footballers won the Ted Webb Shield at the Connacht Centre of Excellence following a 2-13 to 3-4 win over Roscommon. Sligo led 0-4 to 0-1 from the boot of Nathan Rooney before Ryan Feehily fired a low shot to the net and Paddy OConnor pointed to leave it 1-5 to 0-1. Roscommon responded before the break with a goal to leave the half-time score 1-5 to 1-1. Sligo played with the strong breeze in the second half and both teams traded points before a second Roscommon goal left the score 1-8 to 2-4. Sligo then raised their game and scored four unanswered points before a great run through the Roscommon defence by Ryan Feehily who laid the ball off to
Sligo U-16 take Ted Webb Shield
Cathal Herron to score Sligos second goal. Roscommon scored a consolation goal with three minutes remaining before Nathan Rooney fired over the last score to give Sligo victory. Afterwards Connacht Council President, Frank Burke presented the Shield to Sligo Captain, Darragh Cummins. SLIGO: Niall Crawley, Aaron Kearns, Gary Walsh, Conor Sweeney, Ryan Feehily 1-0, Paul Kilcoyne, Sean Power, Darragh Cummins 0-1, Finnian Cawley 0-2, Darren OHara 0-1, Nathan Rooney 0-6(0-1f), Paddy OConnor 0-1, Patrick Burke, Cathal Herron 1-2, Nathan Mullen. Subs: Richard Lang, Luke Gilmartin, Kevin Banks, Kyle Cawley, Mark ODowd.
Great servant of Sligo GAA passes away

LIGO GAA is deeply saddened at the passing of Tommy Joe Murphy, Tubbercurry, one of the countys best known personalities and staunchest supporters who gave a lifetime of loyal and dedicated service to the Gaelic Athletic Association at club, county and national level. Tommy Joe had a very successful playing career with Tubbercurry GAA Club winning County SFC medals in 1946, 1950 and 1951, captaining the team in the latter two years. He also won two County SFL medals with Tubbercurry in 1950 and 1954. Tommy was an outstanding goalkeeper on Sligo senior county team between 1952 and 1954 but played much of his club football in outfield positions. He played in goals on the Sligo senior team which had a memorable series of games in the 1951-52 NFL cam-
T. J. Murphy RIP
paign. Impressive wins over Offaly, Roscommon and Longford put Sligo through to the quarter finals. A close encounter with Donegal at Glenties resulted in a one point win for the northerners. In 1952 and 1953 Sligo fought two memorable championship battles against high flying Mayo who were All-Ireland champions in 1950-51. Tommy Joe was outstanding in those two games at Charlestown and Corran Park, Ballymote, both of which Sligo lost by just three points. He memorably saved a penalty from Padraig Carney in the 1953 game at Corran Park, although the rebound was bundled to the net. Tommy Joe was Chairman of Tubbercurry GAA Club in 1965-1967 and again in 19821984. He held many other positions in the club at various times including Vice-Chairman and was elected Club Patron on his retirement as Chairman in 1984. He was also Chairman of Kilcoyne Memorial Park, Tubbercurry, for a number of years including 1984, the GAA Centenary Year, when the Park was awarded the AIB GAA Sligo and Connacht Club of the Year awards. He was also Chairman of the County Centenary Year Committee and represented the Past Players of Sligo in the National Parade prior to the Railway Cup
final in Ennis. Tommy Joe also was chosen to Chair the County GAA Commission in 1981 which delivered a wide ranging and progressive report. He was a loyal supporter who was always willing to step forward to act on various committees when required. He gave years of service to the County Activities Committee, the forerunner of the current CCC. Tommy Joe represented Sligo on Ard-Chomhairle in 1975-1978 and served on a number of national committees. Sligo GAA extends deepest sympathy to his wife Christina, sons James, John, Walter, Brendan, David, daughters Elizabeth and Catherine, daughters in law, sons in law, grand children, relatives and friends. Tommy was predeceased by son Toms last year. Go ndana Dia trocaire ar a anam uasal Gaelach.
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Connacht GAA U-14 inter-county blitz
Galway Maroon's U-14 hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 inter county blitz held at Connacht GAA centre Bekan. Back row (L to R): Ciaran Kelly (Tommy Larkins), Jason Greaney (Killimordaly), Sylvester Zwierczyk (Ballygar), Dara Kenny (Ballinasloe), Eoin Gaffney (Mullagh), John Sheil (Kilnadeema/Leitrim), Cathal Cooley (Abbeyknockmoy), Jason Madden (Portumna). Front row (L to R): Dan McDonagh (Killimor), Conor ONeill (Padraig Pearses), Daniel Loftus (Turloughmore), Brendan Lynch (Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry), Jonathon Boland (Kilconieron), Darren Morrissey (Sarsfeilds), Oisin Reilly (Ballinasloe), Ronan McDonagh (Turloughmore).
Galway Whites U-14 hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 intercounty hurling blitz held at Connacht GAA centre, Bekan Back row (L to R); Brendan Madden (Meelick-Eyrecourt), David Price (OranmoreMaree), Brian Fox (Carnmore), Alan Organ (Ballindereen), Cormac Neilan (Michael Cusacks), Brian Furey (Ardrahan), Neil Huban (Kinvara), Shane Dolphin (Mullagh). Front row (L to R); Conor Hanniffy (Oranmore-Maree), Eoin Farrell (Salthill-Knocknacarra), Liam Mulvanney (Liam Mellows), Fiachra Morrissey (Craughwell), Conal Finn (Gort), Brendan Connolly (Kinvara), Ronnie Galvin (Craughwell).
Mayo U-14A hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 inter-county blitz held at the Connacht GAA centre. Bekan. Back row (L to R): David O'Sullivan (Coach), Michael Freyne (Tooreen), Hugh O'Sullivan (James Stephens), Conor Hunt (Tooreen), Aiden Morrisroe (Cashel Gaels), Tomas Duffy (Cashel Gaels), Bobby Douglas (Tooreen), Uneeb Hassan (Ballyhaunis), Kieran Doherty (Tooreen), Kaylem Connolly (Westport), Hannan Iqbal. Front row (L to R): Finnian Burke (Ballyvary), Paddy Ward (Cashel Gaels), Shane Kennedy (James Stephens), Billy McVann (James Stephens), Luke Hurley (James Stephens), Cormac Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Eoin Delaney (Tooreen).
Mayo U-14B hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 inter county blitz at the Connacht GAA centre, Bekan. Back row (L to R): Sean Freyne (Tooreen), David Judge (James Stephens), Tomas Dillon (Cashel Gaels), Gareth Jordan (Westport), Liam Moffett (Cashel Gaels), Kevin Grogan (Westport), Dara Fehilly (Castlebar), Mark Cusack (Ballyvary), Jack Doocey (Ballyvary). Front row (L to R): James Freyne (Tooreen), Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), John Heraty (Moytura), Chris Walsh (James Stephens), James Gallagher (Westport), Keelin Gallagher (Westport), Jason Potter (Ballyvary), Jamie Maxwell (Cashel Gaels).
Ballinasloe U-14 hurlers at the Connacht GAA Club hurling Feile held at Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount
Annaghdown U-14 clubs hurlers at the Connacht GAA Club U-14 hurling feile held in Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount
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Padraig Pearses U- 14 hurlers at the Connacht GAA club U-14 hurling feile held at Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount.
Tuam U-14 hurlers at the Connacht GAA club U-14 hurling feile held at Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount.
Drumcliff/Rosses Point U-14 hurlers at the Connacht GAA U-14 club hurling feile held at Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount.
Glencar/Manorhamilton U-14 club hurlers from Leitrim at the Connacht GAA U-14 club hurling feile held in Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount.
Caiseal Gael, Mayo at the Connacht GAA U-14 hurling club Feile held in Padraig Pearses GAA club, Woodmount.
Athleague/Tremane, Roscommon at the U-14 Connacht GAA club hurling feile held at Padraig Pearses GAA grounds, Woodmount.
St Dominic's Roscommon at the Connacht GAA U-14 club hurling feile held in Padraig Pearses, Woodmount.
Sligo U-14 hurlers at the Connacht GAA inter county blitz held in Connacht GAA centre Bekan .
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Mattie Kenny quits as hurling coach
Leitrim U-14 hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 intercounty blitz held at Connacht GAA centre, Bekan.
Roscommon U-14 hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 inter county blitz hosted at Connacht GAA centre, Bekan.
Roscommon U-14 hurlers pictured at the Connacht GAA U-14 intercounty hurling blitz held at the Connacht GAA centre, Bekan.
he review into Anthony Cunninghams position as Galway hurling manager will not be impacted by the decision of coach Mattie Kenny to resign recently. Kenny stepped away from the management team headed up by Cunningham and which also includes former All-Star Tom Helebert. Galway hurling officials are to sit down with Cunningham in the next week or so. Galway hurling committee chairman Joe Byrne said yesterday (SUN) that Kennys decision will not impact on the review. The review will take a few weeks and we hope to sit down with Anthony in the next week or so. No date has been set for that but it will be part of the overall review. Mattie announced on Friday night that he was stepping away from his role but, obviously, the review will continue, said Byrne. It will be the first review of Cunningham and his management team since they took charge in 2011. The first review was schedule for the end of the second year of a Cunninghams three-year term. His first year in charge yielded an historic Leinster hurling title before they were defeated in the All-Ireland final replay by Kilkenny. This year has been disappointing, after a relegation battle in the league they surrendered their Leinster crown to Dublin before bowing out of the championship to Clare.
INTO THE WEST

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Niall McInerney Connacht U-16 hurling blitz
Pictured at the Liam Mellows GAA grounds at the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 hurling blitz are the Liam Mellows minor hurlers who represent the club in this annual tournament in honour of the late Galway and Clare hurling great.
Pictured at Liam Mellows GAA grounds, Galway are the Sligo U-16 hurlers who took part in the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 hurling blitz recently.
Pictured at Liam Mellows GAA grounds are the Mayo U-16 hurlers who took part in the Niall McInerney Connacht U-16 hurling blitz recently.
Pictured at the Liam Mellows ground, Galway are the Leitrim U-16 hurlers who took part in the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 hurling blitz recently.
Pictured in Athenry at the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 intercounty blitz are a divisional side from Galway U-16 developmental squads.
Pictured at Athenry GAA grounds at the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 hurling blitz are a divisional side from Galway representing their U-16 development squad.
Pictured at Athenry GAA grounds at the Niall McInerney Connacht GAA U-16 hurling blitz are a divisional side representing Galway's U-16 developmental squad.
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Connacht GAA Minor Hurling Development Blitz
Mayo U18s Pictured are the Mayo Minor Hurlers who were in action recently at the Connacht GAA Minor Hurling Development Blitz at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan, where they played development games against Sligo, Roscommon and the Galway U17 side. Back row (L to R): James Lyons (Ballyhaunis), Mark Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Stephen Coughlan (Westport), Shane Nugent (Castlebar), Davod Freyne (Tooreen), Morgan Lyons (Ballyhaunis), Jack Forde (Moytura), Shane Healy (Ballyhaunis), John Judge (Tooreen), Fergal Boland (Tooreen), Robert Lee (Westport), Robert Comer (Ballyvary). Front row (L to R): Tomas Grimes (Westport), Zack OToole (Westport), James Gallagher (Castlebar), Corey Scahill (Castlebar). Cyril Collins (Ballyhaunis), Ryan Kelly (Caiseal Gaels), Sean Mulroy (Ballyvary), Naoise Kenny (Castlebar), Brian Murphy (Castlebar).
Galway U-17 team whites
Sligo U-18 team.
Sligo U-18 team 2.
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Mayo U-15s shine in Salthill
Pictured are the Mayo GAA U15 Hurling Development Panel who were in action recently at the Connacht GAA U15 Hurling Development Blitz which was held in Pearse Stadium in Galway. Back row (L to R): Adrian Hession (Mayo GAA - Games Promotion Officer), Noel Regan (Ballyvary), David Conlon (Castlebar), Sean Kenny (Tooreen), Martin Ward (Caiseal Gaels), Brian Peoples (James Stephens), Bobby Douglas (Tooreen), Conor Browne (Castlebar), Nathan Boles (Tooreen), John Cassidy (Tooreen), Bryan Moloney (James Stephens), Keelin Horkan (Caiseal Gaels), Michael Raleigh (Coach). Front row (L to R): Shane Hegarty (Castlebar), Michael Freyne (Tooreen), Cormac Phillips (Ballyhaunis), John Geraghty (Westport), Niall Walsh (Belmullet), Aiden Morrisroe (Caiseal Gaels), Hugh O'Sullivan (James Stephens), Luke Hurley (James Stephens), Daniel Huane (Tooreen), Paul Lambert (Westport).
THE Mayo U-15 hurlers put in an excellent days hurling winning all of their four bouts in the development round robin blitz held in Pearse Stadium recently. The Mayo attack led by Brian Peoples (James Stephens) at full forward
were in fine form accounting for 8-29 over the course of the day. At the other end of the field, Mayo goalkeeper Bobby Douglas (Tooreen) stood firm throughout , only conceding one goal throughout the two hours of play. The splendid surface
of the Galway GAA county ground in Salthill added to the excitement of the day. Results: Mayo 1-10, Sligo 0-3; Mayo 5-8, Galway City 0-3; Mayo 1-6, Leitrim U16 1-4; Mayo 1-5, Roscommon 0-4.
Sligo Under 15 hurlers at Academy Day In pearse Stadium
Galway City Under 15 hurlers at Academy Day In pearse Stadium
Leitrim Under 15 hurlers at Academy day in Pearse Stadium
Roscommon Under 15 hurlers at Academy day in Pearse Stadium
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Whats in a name?
In this exclusive interview retired State Solicitor, Liam MacHale, of Ballina, gives an interesting and factual account and the life of Archbishop John MacHale of Lahardane and subsequently Castlebar Mitchels naming the county grounds in his honour.
Rome in the city of Genoa. At the annual general meeting of Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club the Secretary, Sam McCormack, stated: If our club thinks the place worthy of the name we shall call our field MacHale Park. May we also suggest to the Urban Council that the beautiful new road along side be called MacHale Road. By 1935 the houses on MacHale Road were constructed. The road did not extend from one end of the pitch to the other. During the period 1930 1935 Castlebar Mitchels expended sizeable sums of money developing the playing area. Today, we look on the fruits of their labours and admire their foresight and energies and thank them for their dedication and foresight. From the times of Archbishop John MacHale the establishment had decreed that all Irish people spell their name Mc and all Scottish people Mac. This MacHale refused to do. People can be forgiven for taking the short cut. Relatives of the Archbishop resolutely followed the MAC pattern. A few years ago I visited the Basilica of St Pauls Outside the Walls in Rome and behind the high altar carved in stone on the wall are the names of the church-men who attended the rededication of the Basilica in 1857. There are columns of names and in the centre of the middle column was John MacHale, Archbishop of Tuam. On my return to Ireland I penned a letter to the Chairman of the County Board pointing out that if the Italian stonecutters in Rome could get the spelling correct, that the denisons of Michael Park in Castlebar should be able to do like. I offered a trade change the spelling and I will donate a bust of the Archbishop for your boardroom. Today sees the happy conclusion and a meeting of minds. The sweetest music is the sound of your own names especially when it is spelt correctly.
OHN MacHale was ordained to the priesthood in 1814 and his training began in a Hedge School in Lahardane, followed by seven years under the tuition of Patrick Staunton in Castlebar where he learned Greek, Latin, English and Irish. Thereafter he then went to Maynooth and the Trustees of the college later appointed him Lecturer in the Chair of Dogmatic Theology. He was to remain on the staff for 10 years. Professor Rev. John MacHale wrote many public letters addressed to the establishment during that time under the nom de plume Hierophilos defending the rights and religious freedom of the native Irish people. He became a pen friend to many but one in particular, Daniel OConnell with whom their correspondence was regular. Years later when Rev. John MacHale had become Archbishop of Tuam he received a letter dated 8th April, 1840, from London from the Liberator telling him he proposed launching a great popular movement, a Repeal Organisation, and sking could he have permission to invade the province. MacHales letter of sanction is dated 11th April, 1840. On 25th July, 1840, a huge meting was held in Castlebar at which over 20,000 people attended and a parade, two miles long, led in the speaker. The Repeal and Catholic Emancipation which ultimately followed later in the century were not witnessed by OConnell who was imprisoned in 1844 and died on his way to
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ATHAL Cregg has recently been appointed as the Strength and Conditioning Officer with Connacht GAA. Cregg is a member of the Western Gaels GAA Club in Roscommon and is the current captain of the Roscommon senior inter-county team. He has completed a Sports Science Degree and a Research Masters in Exercise Physiology, both from DCU. While in his third year of his degree, Cregg was based for nine months at the Sportsground in Galway with the Connacht Rugby senior team and got a close-up look at the
world of professional rugby and their preparation. For his final year project he worked in conjunction with Dublins Bryan Cullen PHd and undertook a study which looked at fitness profiling of elite level adolescent (1518 year olds) Gaelic football players. This study has recently been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. For his own research masters Cregg in conjunction with Sligos David Kelly compared the effects of Endurance Training and Interval Training in club level GAA players and is hoping to get this published in the near future.
When Cathal finished his studies he spent some time travelling to the US and Australia and spent some time with some of the top training facilities and teams there. In the USA, he spent time with world-renowned Strength and Conditioning coach, Mike Boyle, in Boston and also observed the work of Eric Cressey in Hudson, Massachusetts. In Australia, he met up with former Cavan player, Nicholas Walsh (this years Irish International Rules Conditioning Coach) who is Strength and Conditioning Coach with new AFL outfit GWS Giants. While in Melbourne, Cregg also
Roscommon senior football captain, Cathal Cregg, has joined the team at Connacht GAA Centre, Bekan, Claremorris, recently as Strength and Conditioning Officer, and brings a wealth of talent, experience, knowledge with him which will greatly enhance the expertise and professionalism of the centre.
Cathal the tea

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observed a sessions with AFL outfit Collingwood. Cregg is now based at the new Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan in Mayo which boasts a 3G pitch, five quality grass outdoor pitches, gym, full kitchen, canteen, lecture theatre and a number of meeting rooms. In his role as Strength and Conditioning Officer he works with clubs, schools and development squads in each of the counties. It is all part of a plan to provide services to clubs, schools and development squads with minimal cost. In the past to access these types of
services has been difficult and when they have they have ended up paying out huge amounts of money. These services include fitness testing, movement screening, video analysis and nutritional information. The centre has a fully-furnished video analysis suit where teams can come and get their training/game recorded and which can be analysed live for teams to watch after their training/game. Teams can also send in their game on DVD if it has been recorded at another location. Cregg also provides fitness testing for teams to identify strengths and
weakness in areas such as body composition, speed, power, agility, strength and endurance. The movement screen is used to quickly and effectively identify weaknesses in a players fundamental movement patterns which may leave a player been more predisposed to injury. Once these weaknesses have been identified programs can be put in place to rectify the weaknesses. Another aspect of his job is to provide education to coaches so as to make sure best practice is being implemented all the time.
Cregg joins m at H.Q.

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Cumann na mBunscol add to Connacht final occasion

Action featuring Souel Gaels GAA Club, South Korea, during a pre-match exhibition game at this year's Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Final. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
OLLOWING a thrilling Connacht minor football final, the children of Cumann na mBunscol Connacht played their part in what was a truly historic occasion in Elverys McHale Park. Children from all corners of the province lined out in the colours of Mayo and, for the first time ever for a Connacht Final, London. Adding to this unique occasion were the children of Seoul Gaels, also making their debut in a Connacht Final. As has become customary in recent times, Cumann na mBunscol Connacht continued to promote the GAAs Give Respect, Get Respect initiative, this time in front of more than 21,000 patrons. The children of Cumann na mBunscol Connacht lined up in front of the main stand, along with their new friends from South Korea for the traditional Respect handshake prior to commencing their exhibition games. Once more this year, the McHale Park crowd were treated to a fine exhibition of
Cumann na mBunscol football. We witnessed some lethal finishing close to goal as well as some classy long range scores. The children displayed a great range of passing, tackling, blocking and fielding, all in the spirit of the Give Respect, Get Respect initiative, under the watchful eyes of our two Young Whistlers from Drumshambo and Drumcong National Schools, Co Leitrim. Meanwhile, the boys and girls from Seoul Gaels put on a wonderful display of all they have learned from Castlebar man, Conor Melvin and his colleagues on the Korean Peninsula. This Connacht Final was the first time a senior provincial decider involved a team based outside of Ireland. How long before we see an Asian based team on this stage? Following the exhibitions, all of the children gathered at the tunnel to welcome the senior football teams of London and Mayo onto the field of play. The children then had the honour of meeting An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Uachtarin Cumann Luthchleas Gael, Mr Liam ONeill
who both took the time to greet the children as they stood in their guard of honour. This rounded off a fabulous, historic and unique occasion for the children involved. Thank you to the teachers from all over Connacht who helped make this such a special occasion and indeed to all the teachers throughout the province who do so much work for Cumann na mBunscol, promoting Gaelic Games in our primary schools. Also, thank you once more to Mayo Games Manager, Billy McNicholas, and his crew for their help in setting up the pitches. We are very grateful to the Connacht Council and all our County Boards for their wonderful support throughout the year. A number of children, both players and Young Whistlers, will now go on to represent their schools, counties and province during the Cumann na mBunscol exhibition games in Croke Park later this year. We know that theyll do us proud and we wish them well. Sin a bhfuil don bhliain 2013!
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FOCUS ON GALWAY FOCUS ON GALWAY FOCUS ON GALWAY
Salthill-Knocknacarra setting the standard for underage fun

ALTHILL-KNOCKNACARRA GAA Club marked the closure of the school year with two football blitzes. First out were the nursery players from age five years to eight years who played a series of minimatches and demonstrated their developing skills in front of parents and club supporters before being presented with their medals by the club senior and county players. Lots of he SKGaa juvenile players showed off their various county allegiances with a variety of county jerseys on view. The medals were appreciated but the array of cakes, cookies, drinks and sweets prepared by the parents were appreciated even more. Next up was the ATAK-UBFit sponsored Galway City third and fourth class inter-school tournament. School kids from Claddagh National School, St John The Apostle, Scoil Iognaid, St Pats, Scoil Fhursa and Scoil Einde enjoyed an all-intensity, round robin matches, before being presented with prizes and pennants from Paul Fleming from ATAK Sports. The inaugural football event was organised by Eoin O'Donnellan, former senior manager of the successful SKGaa All-Ireland Club champions. Almost 200 juvenile players, boys and girls attended the County Culcamps in both football and hurling/camogie in early July, which augurs well for the Club academies hosted in the prairie at the end of August. Summer football continued for all SKGaa boys and girls and following their July Culcamps, as the U11 players hopped on the boat to Inis Mr. The weather was fantastic and the welcome from the Aran Island footballers was equally as warm. The teams lined out on the most westerly GAA pitch in the land and played some stylish football with nifty footwork, strategic handpassing, committed tackling and wonderful interlinked play all on view for a large contingent of watching Islanders and snaphappy tourists. Beach picnic, crab hunting and a quick sea dip before the SK squad and juvenile football director, John Daly cruised home to Salthill.
Gearoid Armstrong with a young Meath fan Scoil Fhursa.
St. Patricks National School, Lombard St.
Tom Burke with a young Cork supporter
St John Apostle, Knockncarra.
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Galway senior and interme championships reach quar

By Joe Keane
N what is generally accepted country wide as one of the most competitive and exciting hurling championships which have produced seven different All-Ireland club champions, there is still plenty of thrills expected in 2013 with some surprise teams left in the quarter-finals. The competition which is now run in two knock-out rounds followed by a group stage, and the last eight started off at the end of April with a preliminary round game between 2012 finalists Loughrea and Liam Mellows. Loughrea progressed in one of the least exciting games so far in the championship while Liam Mellows later found themselves fighting relegation where two former All-Ireland champions Athenry and Sarsfields among others join them. After ten first round games, all the losers got a second chance. All-Ireland club champions St Thomas had a tough examination from neighbours Ardrahan in the opening round and despite losing on the day, Ardrahan have become one of the teams of the competition so far and were the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals. Athenry proved to be the first big casualty of the opening rounds and more big names were to follow later. Sixteen winners progressed to the group stages where some great games were played. The group of champions, all
Shane Dolan puts Craughwell on the attack Athenry.
Photos: Joe Keane.
former winners of the All-Ireland championship, St Thomas, Portumna and Clarinbridge plus the intermediate champions of last year, Killimordaly, produced some pulsating matches with the two qualifiers in doubt right up to the last day. In one of the games of the year so far St Thomas came unstuck badly to a brilliant Portumna side that rolled back the years, particularly Damien Hayes and Joe Canning. Portumna themselves then suffered a surprise defeat to a Paul Coen inspired Clarinbridge which set up a winner takes all game between the Bridge and St Thomas where the current champions rediscovered their form with a great perform-
ance with county star Conor Cooney mighty all through. In another group Loughrea proved they are still very hard to defeat and qualified once again for the last eight and are still title contenders. The John McIntyre managed Castlegar just got over the line with a goal and a point in injury time against Kinvara in the same group. But one of the upcoming teams must be Turloughmore with all the young players coming and they qualified along with Ardrahan and in doing so ended the title hopes of fancied Gort and Mullagh sides. The final group contained the lesserfancied clubs to win the title later on in the
Shane Kavanagh of Kinvara and Noel Kelly of Sarsfields tussle for possession.
Eamon Hayes of Tommy Larkins in opening round action against Clarenbridge.
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diate hurling ter-finals stage
Liam Hodgins of Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry clears his lines against Kiltormer.
year and in the end Padraig Pearses and Beagh made it through. We now look forward to those quarter-finals and with the draw as it turned out all four semi finalists will fancy their chances of getting back there. QUARTER-FINAL DRAW Turloughmore v Beagh Ardrahan v Portumna Padraig Pearses v Loughrea St Thomas v Castlegar Just like in the senior championship, the Intermediate competition has been just as exciting with some great games played.
As with the senior the first two rounds were knockout and the group stage followed. The meeting of neighbours Kilnadeema/Leitrim and Loughrea was one of the highlights of the opening round and after a great battle Kilnadeema/Leitrim just got over the line and have shown great form since winning all their games. The favourites at this stage must be Cappataggle who were impressive most of the way through so far. Last years finalists Ahascragh/Fohenagh made a slow start but later picked it up to qualify. Cathal Mannion continues to be the chief scorer again this year. The teams who have made the best improvement over the
championship so far are Kilbeacanty, Abbeyknockmoy and Killimor with Kilbeacanty in particular most impressive when knocking out a fancied Rahoon/Newcastle side. Other fancied sides to fall were Mellick/Eyrecoart, Ballindereen, Kilconieron and Oranmore/Maree. It will make for a strong shield competition for those sides. QUARTER-FINAL DRAW Kilnadeema/Leitrim v Kilbeacanty Killimor v Abbeyknockmoy SEMI-FINALISTS KCappataggle and Ahascragh/ Fohenagh
Conor Kavanagh of Kinvara takes on Brian Mahony and the Loughrea defence.
St Thomas Eanna Burke and Barry Keane of Clarenbridge tussle for possession.
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Busy summer sees Craughwell players kept on their toes
Craughwell U-8s
UNE and July has been a busy period in the Club. Our Seniors were in action in the Hurling championship while the Juvenile committee organised an U-8 and U-12 hurling tournament and a trip to Na Fianna in Dublin , in which four buses went to the capital. 140 Kids and 60 adults travelled which was a huge tribute to the parents and kids. The U-8 tournament was a huge success with teams coming from Dublin as well as around Galway. Every player got a medal and each team had four matches each. The responses from the trainers and parents has been extremely positive and commented upon by the Connacht Coaching committee as the right way to hold a tournament. We also head an U-12 tournament which was very competitive with Durlas Og from Tipperary coming out winners in the Cup and Shield. Again, all reports were positive back on this. The trip to Na Fianna was a mammoth logistical exercise with U-10, U-12 and U16 hurling teams making the trip plus siblings and parents. We cannot express our thanks enough to Na Fianna on the welcome they gave us and the food and beverages they laid out for the players etc. It was a highly enjoyable day, pity about re-
COUNTY FINAL
sult in croker. Craughwell U-16s keep on course for a double. Our U-16 won the Division North 1 Football League versus Mountbellow and beat Salthill in the league final versus Salthill, while the Hurlers have qualified for the Semi-final of the A championship. The U-16 Footballers qualified for the North Board football Final against Mountbellew/Moylough which was played on Tuesday 16th July in Tuam stadium. Craughwell ran out winners on the scoreline of 4-7 to 1-9. It was a fantastic team effort but Darragh Gilligan in goals was man of the match and pulled off several outstanding saves in the last 10 minutes of game. The team for the final was Darragh Gilligan, Niall Horan, Eric Callanan Aaron Brereton(0-1), Ian Fox, Andrew Greaney ,Brian Concannon (0-1), Cillian Mcdaid Gavin O Toole(1-1) , Shane Cosgrove(1-0), Eoin Lally(0-2), Liam Forde(1-0) Conor Dolan (1-1), Eddie Martin and Josh Mcfarlane(0-1). Subs used, Dylan Morgan, Adam Morrisey, Sean Garman.
With the high number of teams in Division 1 football, the winners of the North
meet the winners of the West in the County Final proper and so as North Board champions, Craughwell finally came face to face with Salthill/Knocknacarra for the first time on Wednesday the 24thJuly in Duggan Park. Craughwell started well with two points from Liam Forde and Eoin Lally but Salthill quickly drew level. Salthill then took the lead with a well taken goal and point but true to form the Craughwell lads bounced back with scores from Eoin Lally (0-3) and a great goal and point from Josh Mcfarlane resulting in Craughwell leading 1-6 to 1-4 at half time. Eoin Lally started the second half with a well taken point but Salthill then started on the front foot and soon drew level with Craughwell. Through the excellent full back line of Niall Horan, Eric Callanan and in particular Ian Fox, Salthill could not threaten for goals and so picked off points when they could. The outstanding half backline of Brian Concannon, Andrew Greaney and Aaron Brereton launched attack after attack which resulted in a superb goal by Conor Dolan who was a constant threat when moved to full forward. The midfield battle proved to be one of the key deciding factors in the match and Cillian Mcdaid and captain Eddie Martin showed their class by edging out the two Salthill players both
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U-10 Squad at Na Fianna Club, Dublin, on 7th of July, 2013.
of whom are on County Ted Webb Football team. The final 10 minutes were pulsating with great football being displayed by both sides. Eoin Lally added another 03, two of which were from frees following great work by Shane Cosgrove, Liam Forde and Gavin O Toole. Salthill brought the score down to the minimum before Cillian Mcdaid gained possession with a great catch from the kickout, the referee finally blew full time to relief of the great craughwell support. The game was de-
scribed by County board officials as one of the best finals witnessed at this grade and it was fitting that the crowd were treated to an Eddie Martin captains speech which was appreciated by both sides. This was an outstanding team performance and none of it would be possible without the support and commitment of the entire squad who played in key matches to qualify for the final. The management would like to thank Parents for their continued support especially those who helped
with lifts to games and performed the thankless jobs such as umpiring. Congrats to our U-16 Hurlers who qualified for the A Championship Semi-finals , their journey started on the 18th of April away to Turloughmore. The Hurlers have been impressive in most of their games, put up large scores in all their games, they have averaged 15 scores in every match, and meet Kilnadeemna Leitrim in Mid-August in the Semi-final. I
Craughwell U-16 Hurlers.
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Crowe pounces for champs

EAMIE Crowe saved defending champions Salthill/Knocknacarra with an added-time winner to reach the Galway SFC quarter-final after Tuam Stars staged an incredible comeback in the closing stages. John Ross Bodkin scored from the penalty spot three minutes from time and Gary O'Donnell levelled moments later, but Crowe gave the champions a hard earned 1-9 to 1-8 win. Michael Meehan struck a crucial penalty for Caltra but later went off injured as his side advanced to the quarter-finals of the Galway SFC with a one-point win over neighbours Mountbellew/Moylough. Meehan struck a memorable 13metre free late on against Cork in Croke Park, but seven minutes into the second-half in Ballinasloe he produced a similar velocity shot to fire Caltra ahead. The Tribes' attacker limped off in the closing stages to receive treatment to his troublesome ankle injury with the scores level, but the 2004 All-Ireland
champions pushed on to clinch a 1-13 to 1-12 victory. In the battle of the Gaeltacht teams, Naomh Anna Leitir Moir staged a terrific second-half comeback led by Patrick Mark O Flatharta to oust An Cheathru Rua. O Flatharta kicked an amazing nine frees in the second period alone as Naomh Anna recovered from a 0-9 to 05 deficit to reach the last eight. A red card for Peadar O Conghaile late on didn't help An Cheathru Rua's chances of a comeback as they eventually fell to a 0-15 to 0-12 defeat. Red hot favourites Corofin made hard work of their win against NUI Galway, eventually emerging 0-17 to 0-6 winners over a drastically understrength students, who had just one survivor Einne O hEochaidh from their 2013 Sigerson Cup team. Corofin led by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time, but they needed a lively four minutes to get there with four points from brothers Alan (2), Colm and Barry O'Donovan. But they took control after the restart as substitute Ciaran Comer and Jason Leonard saw they home. Six points from Nicky Joyce and an-
other four from his cousin Padraic Joyce proved insufficient for Killererin as four-goal Cortoon Shamrocks edged their second round replay at Tuam Stadium. Joseph Donnellan goaled twice in the second-half for Shamrocks, who hit a significant blow just before the break when Martin Connell lobbed the ball over the advancing Alan Fahy to give his side a one-point lead at the break. Killererin had earlier hit five points in a row as Padraic Joyce rolled back the years with a trademark performance in what could be his last ever championship match, but once Fergal Heverin hit Cortoon's fourth ten minutes from time, there was no way back for the 2010 champions. City side St Michael's remain in contention for a first ever county title after five points from former Galway senior Eddie Hoare saw them past Annaghdown. Each side had a man sent off with Jamie Downes and Shane Collier both picking up two yellow cards, but a late kick from St Michael's saw Eamon O'Donnell and Pat Regan score to clinch a 0-12 to 0-11 win.
Naomh Feichin An Clochan SuperValu win

LIFDEN GAA club Naomh Feichin has been named as the Connacht winner in their Community Den Fund competition. Picking up the provincial prize of 5,000, Naomh Feichin will now go on to represent Connacht in the All-Ireland stages of the competition, where another cash prize is up for grabs. The Super Valu Community Den Fund competition aimed to reward the GAA club that makes a real difference to their GAA community and the following entry earned the award. Naomh Feichin Club is special because we have been serving the local community for over 100 years. We are a rural club in a large parish. The Club did not have its own grounds until the early 80s, when Members raised the money to purchase the land for the pitch and when this was done they set out to raise the money for the dressing rooms. The club is made up of many members who are not just involved in our club, but many other community groups. The club knows how hard it is to fund raise and to have money for facilities and buses. When you live in a place like Clifden, you dont have the facilities and you have to travel long distances to Events and games. Being the only Pitch in the area that stays open all year around, the club has offered their facilities to all community groups and schools free of charge. With 7 primary Schools and 1
Secondary School in the catchment area, the club helps out with coaching, pays for equipment, and jerseys. The other community groups and clubs that use our pitches and facilities are: RNLI sponsored run- showers & toilets & parking. Special Olympic Club- Pitch & Dressing Rooms, accessible Toilet. Clifden Pony Show Committee Extra Parking Connemara West Community Games Pitch & Dressing Rooms Young Anglers Club Pitch 7 Primary Schools Fundraising Events, Sport Days, Games, Coaching, Equipment, etc. Clifden Community School Pitch & Dressing Rooms, Coaching , Equipment, etc Clifden Fire Station- 7 a side Fund raiser. GAA Galway County Board - Pitch & Dressing Rooms The Clubs own Social Projects. Also the Emergency Services use the pitch to land their helicopter in medical emergencies, so that local people can get to Galway hospital quicker. The Club have made a difference to the lives of it club members and to the community because the members had the foresight to purchase the field all those years ago and to offer all its facilities to the community and still remaining to be a GAA Club at the heart of its community, because without the community
the Naomh Feichin An Clochan GAA Club would not have a heart. The heart of this club is the community. The Club and community would benefit a lot from having an extra 5,000. As you can see from question one we do not have a lot of money at the end of the year to spend. If we had that money we would put a small kitchen area into the store room. We could then offer club members, coaches, parents, players a hot cup of tea and a sandwich and a chat. This would make a big difference not just to the club, but to all that use the Changing rooms and pitch. Clubs and community groups would be able to use it during their events. If we won the 10,000, we could purchase a second hand prefab and put the kitchen area into that and some sofas and chairs, where club members and community groups can meet, Some Parents have over 15 miles to travel to the grounds, Parents can wait in comfort for their children instead of waiting their cars on cold wet days. We do not have a club house so we would have to have a gala dinner in the local hotel, and have the GAA President open the community Kitchen or Community Room. It would mean a lot to the club if the GAA President came to Clifden, for the dinner, 100 years in waiting. We are a small club in a large rural area working hard for the community and not just for county titles. Congratulations to Naomh Feichin!
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The Cappataggle U-11 hurlers who claimed the East Galway A League title. Back Row (L to R): Michael Boderick (Mentor), Micheal Finn (Mentor), Ciaran Nevin, Liam Hession, John Lydon, Cormac Kenny, Dara Hession, AJ Lawless, Evan Clancy, Tiernan Bowes, Jamie Malone, Micheal Lawless (Mentor) Front Row (L to R): Tom Cafferkey, Donnacha Rogers, Caelum Dunne, Oisin Headd, Ross Finn, Lewis Coughlan, Liam Collins, Oisin Finn, Niall Delaney, Jamie Stankard, Ricky Martyn, Jack Finn, Adam Burke, Sean Raymond. Missing from photo: Thomas Naughton, John Ross Doherty, Cathal Daly, Joesph OConnor
Hayes and Kelly passing on their skills

For the local man Hayes he remembers taking part in similar camps as a youngster and the influence it had on him. That's what I was remembering when I was asked to become a Centra ambassador. I re-
member taking part and afterwards the problem was getting the hurl out of my hand. Hopefully we can encourage the next generation of hurlers to come through and work hard on their game, he said.
CORES of young hurlers in Galway were treated to a skills extravaganza thanks to Tipperary's Eoin Kelly and Galway's Damien Hayes at the latest Centra Family Community Event in Athenry GAA club. To celebrate Centra's fourth year as sponsor as the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, Ireland's largest convenience retailer teamed up with some of the biggest stars in hurling to develop the game through a series of community hurling events. And speaking at the third of the ten camps to be held nationwide, two time All-Ireland winner with the Premier County, Eoin Kelly, underlined the importance of the basic skills of the game for youngsters. It is vital for any young hurler to develop their skills. Camps like this one run by Centra play a huge role in doing that. It is bringing the game back to the community and back to a family event, said Kelly.
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FOCUS ON LEITRIM FOCUS ON LEITRIM FOCUS ON LEITRIM
St Mary's GAA 7s tournament a huge success

ST. Mary's GAA club, Leitrim recently hosted a 7s tournament in conjunction with the Carrick 400 celebration year. In total 16 men's and 16 ladies teams took part, with the action taking place across six different club grounds in Leitrim and two in Roscommon with the Shannon Gaels club. The 7s tournament proved a brilliant success with Galway side Kilkerrin/Clonberne taking the honours in the men's final, while Leitrim side Aughawillan emerged victorious in the womens section. Unfortunately for the home club, they lost out in both the men's and Laideis finals, but they paid tribute to all the teams that travelled to take part and the clubs that gave the use of their grounds.
The Aughawillian Ladies, who won the Carrick 7s tournament.
The home team, St Mary's, who lost the decider in the Carrick 7s.
Dromahair show great form

Dromahair ..........2-16 Ballinaglera ..........1-5
By JOHN CONNOLLY Leitrim Observer
HE odds on Dromahair claiming the Championship may have tumbled in recent weeks but they cruised into the last eight in impressive style. Without Paddy McGowan and Kevin Conlan Dromahair were seen by some as being vulnerable but they bossed this encounter in Leitrim Village.
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The scoring power offered by Conor Kelly, Christy McGowan and Cian Clinton means Dromahair will have a significant say in the destination of this years championship but it was more than just the forwards who impressed, Adrian Fowley and John Evans were dominant in midfield while Fergus Meehan and Barry Loughlin showed all their experience in a well marshalled full back line. Five points inside the opening 10 minutes put Dromahair in control as Ballinaglera failed to make any impact on the contest. The score that put Dromahair five
points clear was truly a special one as Christy McGowan scored from a ridiculously tight angle, almost on the endline, to put his side in control. Three Conor Kelly points in as many minutes (one free) further extended the lead and it was difficult to see how Ballinaglera could salvage anything from the contest. Ballinaglera registered their first score of the game from a Seamie McMorrow free but Clinton completed the scoring to give Dromahair a 0-12 to 0-1 lead at the break. Ballinaglera upped the intensity after the break with Seamus McGovern doing
FOCUS ON LEITRIM FOCUS ON LEITRIM FOCUS ON LEITRIM
Big hitters avoid each other in Leitrim

By JOHN CONNOLLY Leitrim Observer
AN intriguing draw has seen the favourites kept apart for the GWP Intermediate Championship Quarter-Finals after the draw was made. Favourites Ballinamore Sean OHeslins face a tricky encounter against Glencar/Manorhamiltons experience laden second string in Drumkeerin while St. Patricks Dromahair face a tough task against an Aughnasheelin team coming in under the radar. Eighth place play-off winners Fenagh St. Caillins face a derby with neighbours Eslin while the remaining tie sees an all north-Leitrim derby with Drumkeerin taking on Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher, both games taking place in Drumshanbo In the relegation semi-finals, Aughavas face Ballinaglera while Cloone, fresh from the disappointment of losing the eighth place playoff, take on Leitrim Gaels. The draw for the Pyramid Bookmakers Junior A Champoionship Semi-Finals also sees some intriguing ties with Mohill taking on neighbours Gortletteragh while St. Patricks Dromahair take on St. Marys Kiltoghert.
Galway side Kilkerrin/Clonbernem who won the Carrick 7s.
St Mary's lost out in the Carrick men's final.
to reach last eight

his utmost to get his team back in the game. Enda McGuire and Patrick McGrail were both punished for early misses when Declan Fowley struck for the games opening goal. Fowley timed his run perfectly to meet Brian Feeneys delivery and with two outstretched hands he placed the ball past Padraig Clarke. To their credit Ballinaglera kept battling and were rewarded for their efforts when Seamus McGovern released Enda McGuire and he shot low into the Dromahair goal. That goal didnt signal the start of a comeback but Ballinaglera outscored Dromahair over the next 15 minutes - two points to one. With nine minutes remaining Cian Clinton dispatched a penalty after Declan Fowley was fouled to further increase the lead. Subsitutes Gerard Kelly and Bertie Cunningham both pointed in the closing stages for Dromahair while two of Ballinagleras shining lights Seamus McGovern and Seamie McMorrow pointed but they proved to be little more than consolation scores. DROMAHAIR: Kieran Meehan, Fergus Meehan, Stephen Keegan, Barry Loughlin, Jamie Conlon, Conor Farrell, Sean McTiernan, Adrian Fowley, John Evans, Cian Clinton (1-6), Declan Fowley (1-0), Brian Feeney (0-1), Fergal McMorrow, Christy McGowan (0-4), Conor Kelly (0-4). Subs: Gerard Kelly (0-1), Bertie Cunningham (0-1). BALLINAGLERA: Padraig Clarke, Kieran Feeney, Adrian McGourty, Padraig Cornyn, Barry Gilmartin, Tomas Cornyn, Rory McPartland, Anton McGourty, Seamus McGovern (0-1), John Crawford, Seamie McMorrow (03), Enda McGuire (1-1), Patrick McGrail, Colm McGuire, Shane Mulvey. REF: Francis McGloin.
Page 63
FOCUS ON MAYO FOCUS ON MAYO FOCUS ON MAYO
Ballinrobe GAA Club

SEAN GRIMES
FORMER Mayo minor, U21, junior and senior player Sean Grimes recently came out of retirement to play for Ballinrobe in the Michael Walsh Cup - and, in the process, completed a remarkable record. Ballinrobe were short a large number of players for the game, and Sean, who is a team mentor, came to the rescue. He played in goal and thus he can now claim to have played in every single position on the field for Ballinrobe at senior level. Unfortunately, Ballinrobe lost, and while Sean says he enjoyed the experience, he didn't reveal any longsuppressed ambitions to be a career goalkeeper.
Some young Ballinrobe footballers pictured before their recent U-8 Go Games blitz with Carras (Kilmaine-Garrymore) in Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe. Ballinrobe GAA club hold their under-age Skills Academy each Wednesday (6.30pm) and Saturday (9.30am)
Page 64
Islandeady U-16 take title
The Islandeady U-16s who defeated Ballinrobe in the Division 3 final.
ONGRATULATIONS and well done to the Islandeady U-16 team and management who pulled off a famous and well earned victory to land the Division 3 League Title in sunny McHale Park. The boys in green were quick out of the blocks and had six points on the board before Ballinrobe scored after 19 minutes.
They continued to dominate the first half and led 0-9 points to 1-1 at half time. They resumed where they left off in the second half with a tremendous display of skill, work rate and an exhibition of point scoring from sharp shooter Paul Doyle. There were great scenes of joy when the final whistle blew with Islandeady 1-15 to 2-2 winners. Division 3 League Title Winners Panel
2013: Nathan Barrett, Liam Foy, Maitiu McCormack, Martin Gallagher, David McMaster, Barry Walsh, Seamie Lally, Pat Carolan, Dylan Gallagher, Paul Doyle, Niall McHale, Donal Walsh, Kevin Ward, Killian O'Brien, Jonathan Concannon, James Hughes, Daniel Devaney, Cathal Hastings, Willie Joe McHale, David O'Donnell, Daniel McDonagh, Seamus Tiernan, Esdrass Kimpwene.
Ireland: 20 (includes post and packaging) UK: 25 (22) Rest of Europe & Asia: 25 America: 25 (US$35) Australia: 25 (Aus$33) South America: 25
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Right: Pictured are the coaches and the Camp Champs at the recent Garrymore GAA Kelloggs Cul Camp held recently. The camp drew a crowd of 148 young GAA enthusiats to garrymore over the five days of fun games and activities. Back (L to R): Darren Hennelly, Ciaran Finn, Sean Prendergast, Jayme OBrien, Darren Coen, Barry Sheridan, Caolan Crowe, Paul Mannion. Front (L to R): Aimee Bell, Marina Cawley, Stephanie Delaney, Aoife Cunningham (Girls Champ), Jack Colleran (Hurling Champ), Justin Cummins (Boys Champ), Aoife Carroll, Ger McHugh (Supervisor). Photo: Adrian Hession. Left: Pictured are the coaches and the Camp Champs at the Mayo GAA Kelloggs Cul Camp held in Claremorris GAA Club recently. Back (L to R): Adrian Hession, Darren Coen, Alan Feeney, Caolan Crowe, Jamie OBrien, Eamon Lyons. Front (L to R): Aimee Bell, Ger McHugh, Shakira Merry (Girls Football), Patrick Kirrane (Hurling), Luke Gallagher (Boys Football), Marina Cawley.
Right: The Mayo U14A Hurling side who were in action in the Connacht GAA Intercounty Feile Blitz Day at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan recently. Back (LtoR): David O'Sullivan (Coach), Michael Freyne (Tooreen), Hugh O'Sullivan (James Stephens), Conor Hunt (Tooreen), Aiden Morrisroe (Cashel Gaels), Tomas Duffy (Cashel Gaels), Bobby Douglas (Tooreen), Uneeb Hassan (Ballyhaunis), Kieran Doherty (Tooreen), Kaylem Connolly (Westport), Hannan Iqbal. Front (LtoR): Finnian Burke (Ballyvary), Paddy Ward (Cashel Gaels), Shane Kennedy (James Stephens), Billy McVann (James Stephens), Luke Hurley (James Stephens), Cormac Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Eoin Delaney (Tooreen). Left: The Mayo U14B Hurling side who were in action in the Connacht GAA Intercounty Feile Blitz Day at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan recently. Back (LtoR): Sean Freyne (Tooreen), David Judge (James Stephens), Tomas Dillon (Cashel Gaels), Gareth Jordan (Westport), Liam Moffett (Cashel Gaels), Kevin Grogan (Westport), Dara Fehilly (Castlebar), Mark Cusack (Ballyvary), Jack Doocey (Ballyvary). Front (LtoR): James Freyne (Tooreen), Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), John Heraty (Moytura), Chris Walsh (James Stephens), James Gallagher (Westport), Keelin Gallagher (Westport), Jason Potter (Ballyvary), Jamie Maxwell (Cashel Gaels).
Page 66
Pictured are the Mayo Minor Hurlers after their recent qualification for the All-Ireland Minor C hurling final in Markievicz Park in Sligo. The Mayo side overcame hosts Sligo (1-17 to 0-7) and Cavan (1-16 to 0-2) to claim their place in the final. They will now meet Monaghan on Saturday 7th September in the final, after the Farney side had wins over Tyrone and Louth in their respective blitz in Monaghan. The Mayo side is managed by Brian Finn (Tooreen) with John Regan (James Stephens) and Adrian Brennan (Ballyhaunis) as selectors. Back (L to R): Mark Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Stephen Coughlan (Westport), Morgan Lyons (Ballyhaunis), Rob Lee (Westport), Fergal Boland (Tooreen), Shane Healy (Ballyhaunis), Sean Mulroy (Ballyvary), Cyril Collins (Ballyhaunis), Shane Nugent (Castlebar), Davog Frayne (Tooreen), John Judge (Tooreen), Daniel Cunnane (Tooreen), John Morley (Tooreen), Jack Forde (Moytura), Robert Comer (Ballyvary). Front (LtoR): Naoise Kenny (Castlebar), Tomas Grimes (Westport), Ryan Kelly (Caiseal Gaels), Zack OToole (Westport), James Lyons (Ballyhaunis), Corey Scahill (Castlebar), James Gallagher (Castlebar), Conor Murphy (Castlebar).
Page 67
FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON
Pictured with Michael Rock (MC), Cynthia Clampett (CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice) and Paul Earley (Judging Panel) are a selection of the competitors from "It takes two" - the Roscommon GAA fundraiser for Hospice
Stephen Murphy of St. Dominics was the winner of "It takes two" - the fundraiser for Mayo Roscommon Hospice, hosted by Roscommon GAA. Photo: Andrew Fox / www.andrewfox.ie
Roscommon GAA County Board Treasurer Joe Gilligan and Roscommon GAA County Board Chairperson Michael Fahey present Ollie McGuinness and Paul Foxe (Mayo / Roscommon Hospice) with a cheque for 11,240 which was raised at the recent "It takes two" fundaiser organised by Roscommon GAA. Photo: www.hursonphotography.com
Ollie McGuinness and Paul Foxe (Mayo Roscommon Hospice) present a holiday break sponsored by the Hodson Bay/Galway Bay Hotel Group to Stephen Murphy, winner of the "It takes two" ; the Roscommon GAA fundraiser for Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Photo: www.hursonphotography.com
Pictured with local Hospice volunteers are some of the participants in "It takes two", the recent Roscommon GAA fundraiser for Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Photo: www.hursonphotography.com
Page 68
FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON FOCUS ON ROSCOMMON
Reunion at the Races
Supporters enjoying the recent Roscommon GAA Reunion at the Races at Roscommon Racecourse .
Emmet Durney, Reubans Catering presenting a sponsorship cheque to Joe Gilligan, Roscommon County Board Treasurer at the Reunion at the Races. Photo: Andrew Fox
Supporters enjoying the recent Roscommon GAA Reunion at the Races at Roscommon Racecourse.
Paul Staunton, Athlone Town Centre presenting a sponsorship cheque to Joe Gilligan, Roscommon County Board Treasurer at the Reunion at the Races. Photo: Andrew Fox
Willie and Bernie Compton, The Central Bar Strokestown presenting a sponsorship cheque to Joe Gilligan, Roscommon County Board Treasurer at the Reunion at the Races. Photo: Andrew Fox
Eamon collins, Collins Boyd Engineering presenting a sponsorship cheque to Joe Gilligan, Roscommon County Board Treasurer at the Reunion at the Races. Photo: Andrew Fox
John Murphy, sponsor of the Roscommon Senior Football team presents a cheque to Joe Gilligan, Roscommon County Treasurer. Roscommon GAA promotes and supports the work of Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Photo: Andrew Fox
Page 69
ROSCOMMON KEPAK SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Four Roads march on

Four Roads .........0-13 Athleague ...........0-12
By MARTIN WYNNE Roscommon Herald
LATE point from Micheal Kelly saw Four Roads edge out Athleague by the narrowest of margins and seal their place in the knockout stages of the senior hurling championship. It was a result that consigned their opponents to the Losers Group, where they will be forced to slug it out with last years beaten finalists Padraig Pearses. It was not where Athleague wanted to be at this time of the year, but they can at least take some positives into the qualifiers after a spirited second half display against the reigning champions. The stifling heat at Ballyforan left both sides looking lethargic in the opening half. Athleague were particularly sluggish and they could only manage two scores for the entire half, both of them close-range frees. The opening point of the game went their way, Robbie Fallon finding the target after
Peter Leahy was fouled inside the 20-metre line on four minutes. Enda Rogerson replied for Four Roads in the ninth minute, but Fallon restored Athleagues advantage two minutes later. The next five scores went to Four Roads as they built up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by half-time. Johnny Coyne got three of them, and those scores were sandwiched between a couple of Enda Rogerson efforts. The opening four scores of the second period were shared. Fallon got the Athleague scores, the second a long-range free. Micheal Kelly and Coyne replied for Four Roads. The contest finally caught fire near the end of the third quarter when Athleague rattled off four scores in a row. Cormac Kelly kick-started the fightback with a well-struck effort from long range in the 40th minute. David Delaney, Gary Fallon and David Flaherty added three more to bring the sides level by the 43rd minute. Micheal Kelly stopped the rot with a welltaken point after a strong run in the 44th minute. Cormac Kelly responded for Athleague within 30 seconds, but an Enda Rogerson free edged Four Roads ahead again. That pattern continued over the final quarter as the sides went score-for-score but Athleague could never get their noses in front.
Fallon got their final three points, all from frees, but on each occasion Four Roads hit back with scores at the other end. Coyne edged them ahead in the 51st minute. An Enda Rogerson free from near the right touchline put them back in front on 55 minutes, after Fallon had equalised 90 seconds earlier. The winning score from Kelly arrived in the 59th minute, although Athleague will be kicking themselves after late opportunities were spurned by Cormac Kelly and Robbie Fallon. FOUR ROADS: N. Fallon; S. Curley, B. Donnelly, Martin McLoughlin; J. Rogerson, P. Kelly, C. Coyle; M. Kelly (0-3), J. Moran; J. Lawlor, Mark McLoughlin, C. Dolan; E. Rogerson (0-5, three frees), J. Coyne (0-5), A. Lawlor. Subs: B. Kelly for A. Lawlor (39 mins), R. Kelly for Moran (46 mins). ATHLEAGUE: D. Connell; J.P. Murray, A. Moore. M. Keaveney; D. Heavey, T. Bannon, D. Delaney (0-1); A. Cunniffe, C. Kelly (0-2); M. Connaughton, S. Moore, E. Bannon; P. Leahy, D. Flaherty (0-1), R. Fallon (0-7, six frees). Subs: G. Fallon (0-1) for Moore (halftime), T. Reddington for Connaughton (half-time). REF: A. Clogher.
Roscommon championship reaches quarter-final stage

OSCOMMON County Board has issued the following statement regarding the draws for the knockout stages of the local championships that took place recently. The draws for the knockout stages Shannonside FM senior football championship and the county intermediate football championship took place in Strokestown on Sunday evening following the last group game between Strokestown and Elphin. The format of this years draws were slightly different to last years as there were a number of pre-conditions attached due to two motions which were passed by clubs at the annual special fixtures meeting. A motion from Boyle proposed that teams who met in the group stages could not be drawn to meet again in the quarter-finals. A motion from St. Brigids proposed that the teams that topped the groups would receive a seeded position in the quarter-final draw and that one second placed team would be drawn as the fourth seed, on an open draw basis. Earlier this year permission was granted to the organising committee which enabled the seventh quarter-final to be drawn by means of an open draw which would remove the need for an extra play-off in both competitions. All of the above factors combined to form a very
complex draw process, which had to be completed in a number of stages.
ROSCOMMON SFC FIXTURES

Shannonside FM Senior Football Championship 7th place team: Western Gaels 8th place play-off: Castlerea St. Kevins v Kilmore. Quarter-Finals St. Brigids v St. Faithleachs Clann na nGael v Elphin Roscommon Gaels v Western Gaels St. Aidans v Castlerea St. Kevins or Kilmore. Semi-Finals Winner of St. Brigids v St. Faithleachs will play winner of Clann na nGael v Elphin Winner of Roscommon Gaels v Western Gaels will play winner of St. Aidans/Castlerea St. Kevins/Kilmore. Shannonside SFC Relegation play-offs: Kilbride v Strokestown. The winner will play senior football in 2014. The loser will play Padraig Pearses to determine what team will be relegated to the intermediate championship.
INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES Group B play-off (to determine what team finishes second and third as St. Brigids conceded their Round Three game with ire g). ire g v St. Barrys 7th place team: loser of ire g v St. Barrys 8th place play-off: St. Dominics v Clann na nGael Quarter-Finals Oran v Kilglass Gaels St. Michaels v winner of ire g v St. Barrys Boyle v winner of St. Dominics v Clann na nGael B Tulsk Lord Edwards v loser of ire g v St. Barrys Semi-Finals Winner of Oran v Kilglass Gaels v winner of Tulsk Lord Edwards/ire g/St. Barrys Winner of Boyle/St. Dominics/Clann na nGael B v winner of St. Michaels/ ire g v St. Barrys. Intermediate Football Championship Relegation play-offs: St. Croans v St. Ronans. The winner will play intermediate football in 2014, the loser will play St. Brigids to determine what team will be relegated to the Junior A championship.
Page 70
FOCUS ON SLIGO FOCUS ON SLIGO FOCUS ON SLIGO
The Owenmore Gaels U-16 team pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup on its recent visit to the club. The club U-16's won the Sligo U-16 B League in 2013.
To obtain an electronic copy of the magazine each quarter,

Tourlestrane GAA club is proud to announce Michael Cunney and Celtic Metal Work, New York, as our new main sponsor of our club. Michael is a Tourlestrane native (Carane) but moved to America in the late 80's. He currently lives in New York with his wife, Ailish, a Curry native, and their three children, daughters Mikayla and Kristen and son Kevin, a keen footballer. We would like to sincerely thank Michael for his support and are looking forward to working with him and his family over the next three years
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Page 71
SLIGO SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
Late points sees Harps conquer Bunninadden

Eastern Harps .......1-16 Bunninadden .........1-11
AJESTIC displays from a few senior players allied to a run of seven points on the trot without reply in the final quarter greatly assisted Eastern Harps overcome earlier accuracy deficiencies in their defeat of neighbours Bunninadden in this close but none too exciting encounter played at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry. Eastern Harps may be missing highly influential players like Paul McGovern, Paul Taylor, Tony Taylor and Michael Doddy in this season's championship while trying to blood in some youngsters to compensate however it was the scintillating performance of four seasoned players in particular Paddy Grady, Ross Donovan, Thomas Cryan and Brendan Phillips that were the main dynamics of this second round Group A victory. The abrasive Paddy Grady may have played many good matches for Harps with his midfield fielding always notable but this surely was his finest hour as putting the ball high into the midfield area in this match was like kids throwing biscuits to a hungry monkey such was the determined way he attacking the ball, caught it cleanly and powered his way menacingly forward. Little behind Grady in overall effect were defenders Ross Donovan and Brendan Phillips who held their lines well while being extremely creative going forward full forward Thomas Cryan too had a marvellous match winning ball high and low, distributing it fast and accurately while his free taking was of the highest order also, finishing the game with seven points. Others to impress for Harps were goalkeeper
Stephen Heraghty, play anywhere defender Kevin Cryan, captain Kevin Gallagher and forward Niall McGill now beginning to find his 2010 form when he was the senior championships top scorer. Bunninadden too showcased a number of wonderful players in this match as they competed so strongly with Harps for long periods. Indeed it was a remarkable performance by them given that they had not played a senior championship match for five years. They went toe to toe with Harps in the first half while winning the third quarter handsomely and going a point in front 1-10 to 1-09 after 45 minutes but a lack of experience from a few of their younger players plus a narrower panel told in the final quarter. In Vincent Frizzell at full forward they had the games top scorer with 1-06 who gave the Harps defence a torrid time throughout and vied with Paddy Grady and Thomas Cryan for the games best performer. Centre half forward Kenneth Kerins had a brilliant third quarter, his two right wing points from distance bringing gasps from the sizeable crowd while wing back and county panellist Michael Gormley was outstanding throughout catching cleanly and swiftly moving forward to attack. Midfielder Padraig Doohan and half backs Karl Brennan and Sean Leamy can be satisfied with their contribution also. On reflection the enthusiasm and notable level of skill Bunninadden brought to this senior championship match suggests they can still leave their mark on its history given the scenario that all three group teams are still in the running for honours after their group games conclude. Having missed a couple of good chances Harps opened the scoring on four minutes and raced into a three points to one lead before the pendulum swung Bunninadden's way as notching three points on the bounce they went ahead by one point 0-04 to 0-03
after 15 minutes. An attacking move after 17 minutes by defender Kevin Cryan up the right wing saw him take the ball almost to the end line where his fine accurate cross to the far post found Niall McGill who placed the ball in the net for Harps only goal. McGill tagged on another long range point before a high ball into the Harps goalmouth was expertly fielded by Vinnie Frizzell who was promptly grounded by Ross Donovan. Frizzell cooly finished the penalty to leave the half time score Harps 1-08 Bunninadden 1-05. An early second half point sent Harps four points clear before Bunninadden thundered into the game once more scoring five points without reply to go a point in front with fifteen minutes left and well poised for victory such was the quality of their current play. However their momentum suddenly disappeared in the final quarter as the shadows of evening fell and so Harps went on to notch a match winning seven points on the trot before an injury time Bunninadden point left them five points adrift at the final whistle. EASTERN HARPS: Stephen Heraghty, Patrick Gallagher, Robert Reid, Ross Donovan, Kevin Cryan, Brendan Phillips, Peter Rafferty, Paddy Grady, Kevin Gallagher, Shane Regan (0-01) John Rafferty (0-01) Daniel Flaherty (0-02) Fiachra Gorman (0-02) Thomas Cryan (0-07) Niall McGill (1-03). Subs: Brian Craig, Declan Hannon. BUNNINADDEN: David Flannery, Liam og Gormley, Thomas Perry, Peadar McManus, Karl Brennan, Sean Leamy, Michael Gormley (0-01) Padraig Doohan, Noel Kerins, Johnathan Hodgins, Kenneth Kerins (0-02) Kieran Gilligan (0-01) Evan Brennan, Vincent Frizzell (1-06) Joseph Rogers (0-01). Subs: Mark Gormley, Sean O Donnell, Conor Gormley. REF: Pat Kilcoyne.
Experienced Geevagh edge Group D tussle

Geevagh ........................0-18 Coolaney/Mullinabreena 0-15
ATTLE hardened Geevagh showed that the experience of playing senior championship for a number of years in recent seasons counted as they overcame the challenge of a spirited but physically weaker Coolaney/Mullinabreena side in this close and entertaining Group D second round fixture at Kilcoyne Park in Tubbercurry. Midfield dominance, so important at all times, went to the winners through the efforts of Shane McManus and the outstanding Kevin Byrne while Cormac Hughes had spells in this zone also to good effect. However despite the superiority of the men from the east in terms of physique and ball winning ability the younger Coolaney/Mullinabreena side competed well and were in this match until well into the final quarter mainly due to the excellence of a couple of their forwards allied to some wastefulness on behalf of the Geevagh men. Indeed Coolaney/Mullinabreena may have gone to the dressing rooms at half time in front rather than one point down had they opted for points on a few occasions rather than goals which were duly blocked by the alert Geevagh defence with the resulting turnovers culminating in scores for Gee-
vagh at the opposite end. Coolaney / Mullinabreena got off to a good start with an early Kieran Finan point from play and raced into a three points to one lead after ten minutes as Geevagh seemed slow to settle, an early injury to wing back Denis O'Rourke who had to be replaced not helping matters. However with their midfield getting on top and county minor player Kevin Henry in outstanding form in their attack they forged their way back into the game but in the remainder of a tit for tat first half found it difficult to get away from the south division side. Two points from Kevin Byrne and Jimmy O'Reilly got Geevagh off to a good second half start but in true championship style back came Coolaney / Mullinabreena once more mainly through the efforts of Kieran Finan and Shane O'Brien to level the match for the fourth time by the three quarter stage. It looked as if either side could claim the points at this stage however it was Geevagh using all their experience and finally hitting the target more accurately that had the better of the final ten minutes to emerge three point winners. Wing forward Jimmy O Reilly hit a purple patch in this final quarter scoring three excellent points from play while Keith McGrath and Tomas o Reilly were among their scorers also. Captain Kevin Byrne proved to be the most influential player on the field for Geevagh through-
out ably assisted by Shane McManus, Eamonn McDonagh ( dismissed late on on a second yellow card) Cormac Hughes , Kevin Henry and Jimmy O Reilly. Durable midfield player Pat Cawley missed the game as did county player Pat Hughes who is in the USA at the moment. Centre half back Barry Kivlehan ably assisted by the Gorman brothers proved reliable defenders for Coolaney/ Mullinabreena, captain Brendan Coleman did well at midfield while in attack top scorer Kieran Finan, Shane O'Brien and the hard working John McGowan caught the eye most often. GEEVAGH: Darren Kearns, Martin O Reilly, Liam McDonagh, Daniel Smith, Dominic Kearns, Eamonn McDonagh, Denis O Rourke, Shane McManus (0-01) Kevin Byrne (0-02) Kevin Henry (0-07) Keith McGrath (0-02) Jimmy O Reilly (0-04) Tomas O Reilly (0-02) Cormac Hughes, David O Reilly. Subs: Colm McManus, Shane Hargadon. COOLANEY/MULLINABREENA: Francis Brennan, Aiden Coleman, Sean Gorman, Shane Marren, Stephen Barrett, Barry Kivlehan, Conor Gorman, Brendan Coleman, Declan McCormack, Shane Kivlehan (0-01) Raymond Connolly (0-01) John McGowan, Kieran Finan (0-08) Shane O Brien (0-03) Eoghan O Dowd (0-01) Sub: Niall O Dowd (0-01) REF: Marty Duffy.
Page 72
SLIGO DIVISION ONE LEAGUE FINAL
Tourlestrane take honours thanks to powerful rst-half

Tourlestrane .......0-15 St John's ..............1-8
OURLESTRANE retained their Division 1 League title with hard fought victory over St John's in a pulsating final at Kilcoyne Park. It was John's who got off the mark first with a well taken score from Ian Rossiter. But Tourlestrane replied in due fashion with six unanswered points as they took a grip of proceedings A free from John Quinn got Tourlestane off the mark and this was then followed by Shane Dunne point as they took the lead. Quinn had three more points while James Leonard also got his name on the score sheet. Rossiter kept St John's in touch with t his second point of the match but Brian Egan claimed the ball inside the 45 and flashed the ball over the bar to five points between the sides once more. St.John's made a change as they brought on Dara McGarty but his stay on the pitch didn't last long as he was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident on the 26 minute .
Tourlestrane seemed to use the extra man to their advantage when Barry Kirrane scored his second point of the match. But John's showed real character before the half time whistle as first Rossiter reduced the margin with fine score and this was then followed up with timely boost for the North Sligo side as Charlie Harrison came up through the midfield and he passed the ball into David Burke who toepoked the ball into the back of the Tourlestrane net. Brian Egan ensured that Tourlestrane went in at the break three points in front . Whatever Fergal Kelly said at half time seemed to work as John's got the first two points following the restart as Ian Rossiter and Killian Sweeney got on the scoreboard , reduicng the gap to just a single point . Tourlestrane got their first score of the season half with a free from John Kelly after Shane Dunne was fouled . Eamon O'Hara came on as second half substitute but just like Dara McGarty his evening finished early as he was shown a straight red, also for an off the ball incident. Charlie Harrison reduced the gap the gap once more after great run from Conor Kearins . On the 54 minute the sides were
level after a Sweeney point Tourlestrane produced the goods when the pressure was on with a 56th minute free from Quinn putting them back in front. The same player then fisted a great point to widen the gap and then Alan Dunne added on the insurance score to seal the title for the South Sligo men. TOURLESTRANE: Seamus Gildea, David Durkin, Barry Walsh, Noel Gaughan, Gary Gaughan, Brian Kennedy, James Leonard 01, Shane Dunne 0-1, Adrian McIntyre, Stephen Henry, John Kelly 0-2(0-1f), John Marren, John Quinn 0-7(0-4f), Brian Egan 0-1, Barry Kirrane 0-2. Subs: Gerry McGowan for Barry Kirrane, Eamonn O'Hara for Gary Gaughan, Alan Dunne 0-1 for John Marren, John P Lang for David Durkin, Gary Gaughan for Gerry McGowan ST JOHN'S: Philip Greene, Eoin Flanagan, Ronan McGarrigle, Charlie Harrison 0-1, Neal Hayes, Michael McNamara, Conor Kearins, David Burke 1-0, David Rooney, John Scanlon 0-1, Killian Sweeney 0-2, Shane Stenson, Dara McGarty, Ian Rossiter 0-4 (0-2f). Subs: Stephen Kearins, Ross Gordon and Jim Sheridan REF: John Gilmartin.
Page 73
FOCUS ON CAMOGIE FOCUS ON CAMOGIE
Galway girls beat champions

Galway ...............0-10 Wexford ..............0-8
FTER losing their opening game to Kilkenny, Galway camogie girls got themselves right back into contention in the All-Ireland championship when they defeated Wexford at Wexford Park. Galway paved the way for success in the opening half with a comprehensive display of skill and scoring when aided by the strong breeze. Indeed Wexfords only response in the opening half were two pointed frees from Ursula Jacob in the 10th and 32nd minute. Niamh McGrath scored five of Galways first half points four from play, with Ann Marie Hayes, Niamh Kilkenny and
Brenda Hanney also on target as Galway led by 0-8 to 0-2 at half time. If Galway dominated the scoring in the opening half it was Wexfords turn when they were wind assisted in the secondhalf. Successive points from Ursula Jacob, Shelley Kehoe and Kate Kelly left Wexford trailing by just a point six minutes from the end. Indeed one felt that Wexford would have gone ahead had they not sent Shelley Kehoe away from the attacking area to police Niamh McGrath at the other end. However the turning point came when Shelley Kehoe came forward and watched her effort to level the game come off the posts and Galway cleared their lines and pushed the ball quickly upfield where Noreen Coen scored Galways first point of the second-half six minutes from the end. That score broke Wexfords momentum and although an Ursula Jacob free reduced the deficit again to a point, Niamh
Kilkenny provided the insurance point for Galway. GALWAY: S Earner; T Manton, S Dervan, H Cooney; S Coen, T Maher, L Ryan; N Kilkenny (0-2), M Dunne; E Haverty, N McGrath (0-5, 1f), E Kilkelly; B Hanney (0-1), A M Hayes (0-1), A OReilly. Subs: S Cahalan for Coen (45), M Brehony for Hanney (45), N Coen (0-1) for Haverty (50), C McGrath for Dunne (50), R Glynn for Cooney (61). WEXFORD: M DArcy; C Donohoe, N Lambert, K Atkinson; S Sinnott, M Leacy, S Redmond; J Dwyer, F Doran; K Kelly (0-1f), S Kehoe (0-1), F Kavanagh, E OConnor, B Gordan, U Jacob (0-6f). Subs: Stacey Kehoe for Dwyer (24), S McGovern Glynn for OConnor (26), L Hammell for Shelley Kehoe (61). REF: G ODowd (Cork).
Galway Camogie book place in last eight

Galway ............3-12 Clare ................1-12
the second half when Ann Marie Hayes blasted to the net. And after a great Galway move Molly Dunne crashed to the Clare net Galway took control and outscored Clare by five points to two in the closing stages.
GALWAY: S Earner; T Manton, S Dervan, H Cooney; S Cahalan, T Maher, L Ryan; N Kilkenny (0-2), M Dunne (1-1); E Kilkelly (0-1), N McGrath (0-6, 4f), E Haverty; B Hanney (11), A M Hayes (1-0), A OReilly (0-1). Subs: N Coen for Kilkelly (38 mins), R Glynn for Cahalan (47 mins).
ALWAY booked their place in the All-Ireland Camogie championship when they defeated Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday. Galway lost their opening game to Kilkenny but victory over Wexford was followed by another comprehensive second-half display that set them up for victory. Top class performances from Ailish OReilly, Molly Dunne and Lorraine Ryan provided real leadership for the Galway side who will now play Derry in their final group game next weekend. Ailish OReilly and Brenda Hanney had Galway off to a flying start but Clare responded with a succession of points and after Emma Kilkelly left the sides level, Brenda Hanney broke through for a well finished goal midway through the opening half. After Clare finished the opening half strongly, Galway got the perfect start to
Photo from the official launch of the Ballygar Camogie Club at the Mattie McDonagh Centre where guest of honour, Galway hurling legend, Joe Connolly was in attendance.
Page 74
LADIES FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
Great start eases ladies through

Mayo ...................5-11 Westmeath .........0-11
By KEVIN EGAN
DEVASTATING start was the key to a comfortable victory for the Mayo ladies last Saturday afternoon in Longford, as three early goals killed off any dreams of a Westmeath upset. Mayo, 1/10 favourites, opened with a Lisa Cafferky goal and followed that up with a second from Cora Staunton, immediately giving them a platform for victory. Both goals were tinged with a little luck Cafferky got away with two hops in the build-up to her low finish, while Stauntons strike should have been better dealt with by goalkeeper Niamh Mulligan. But Mayo had Westmeath pinned back in their own half throughout the opening stages and teenage corner forward Sarah Rowe got a nicely-taken point. Westmeath finally opened their account through a ninth-minute free, but probably wished they hadnt as Mayo swiftly and effortlessly moved the ball down the centre of the field from the resultant kick-out and earned a penalty. Kathryn Sullivan, Martha Carter and Fiona McHale were all involved, and when Cora Staunton picked up possession inside the square, Niamh Mulligan felt she had little choice but to drag down the Carnacon player.
Staunton placed a perfect penalty low to bottom left corner, while the Westmeath captain went to the sin-bin. Westmeath dug in hard while they were down to 14, but Mayo were still able to tack on three more points while Westmeath only scored their second immediately after being restored to the full complement. Niamh Mulligans poor day continued with her first kick-out after resuming in goal, as a weak effort went straight to Cora Staunton some 30 yards away. With open country in front of her, Staunton drove decisively at goal and finished well with her left foot. The next four points were shared, but four more Staunton points either side of the break gave Mayo a 4-10 to 0-4 lead with 25 minutes to play. It also signalled a severe drop in intensity from Peter Clarkes charges. Aileen Gilroy and Deirdre Doherty were dropping very deep for Mayo, and while this meant Westmeath struggled to find space, it also left Staunton and Sarah Rowe very isolated at the other end of the field. Westmeath continued to play with three in the full-back line, so both defences were completely on top in a dour half. A fast break was the most likely source of a score and that was exactly how it turned out when Mayo scored their fifth goal in the 45th minute, capitalising on a free kick dropped short into Yvonne Byrnes hands. Quick hand-passing up the
field led to Rowe and Staunton combining in front of goal and for the second time in the game, Staunton was dragged down in the square. Yet again the offender Westmeath wing back Laura Brennan was sin-binned, and yet again Stauntons spot kick was immaculate. A late surge from Westmeath aided by yellow cards for Martha Carter and Fiona McHale gave them five of the last six points, but by that stage Mayos thoughts were already on the quarter-final draw. MAYO: Y Byrne; M Corbett, N Tierney, S Tierney; K Sullivan, M Carter, C Connelly; C Egan, F McHale; D Doherty (01), A Gilroy (0-1), C McManamon; S Rowe (0-1), C Staunton (4-8, 2-0 pen, 04f), L Cafferky (1-0). Subs: Carol Hegarty for C Egan (43 mins); A Bell for M Corbett (43 mins); L Ryder for S Tierney (47 mins); N Kelly for C Hegarty (53 mins, inj), D Hughes for C McManamon (57 mins). WESTMEATH: N Mulligan; A Martin, T Durkan, A Giles, K Boyce-Joyce, L Duncan, L Brennan; R Kearney, MA Foley (0-1); K Hegarty (0-1), L Walsh (0-2), J Maher (0-1); C Kelly, F Leavy (0-3, 3f), C Blundell. Subs: S Keegan for C Kelly (10 mins); N Mulligan for S Keegan (20 mins); S Dolan (0-3, 1f) for C Kelly (41 mins); L Kiernan for C Blundell (41 mins); A Brady for T Durkan (55 mins). REF: M Farrelly (Cavan).
Ni Churraoin snatches draw for Tribesgirls

Dublin ................3-10 Galway ...............3-10
at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh
IANA Ni Churraoins injury-time point salvaged a draw for Galway at the end of an incredible All-Ireland minor A ladies football final against Dublin at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. Holders Dublin had come from eleven points down to almost snatch victory at the death when sub Margaret Mohan and wing-forward Carla Rowe netted stoppage time goals. But there was still time for Ni Churraoin, sister of Galway senior footballer Fiontan, to respond and earn a deserved replay for the Westerners. Galway won comfortably when these counties met in an All-Ireland U16 semi-final two years ago but looked winners from an early stage as three first half goals helped them to
By JACKIE CAHILL
lead by 3-5 to 0-5 at half-time. Ni Churraoin, Emma Reaney and Shauna Hynes all netted for the Tribeswomen and redhot favourites Dublin, who trailed by 0-3 to 3-5 approaching the break, were in all sorts of trouble. The Sky Blues couldnt capitalise on sin-binnings for both of Galways corner backs Michelle Joyce and Alice Meagher as the Tribeswomen had the upper hand. The second half was even more bizarre as both sides finished without their full compliment of players.Galway wing-back Emilie Gavin was issued with a straight red card 13 minutes from time. And in the closing minutes, Dublin lost the services of Muireann N Scanaill and Mohan to yellow cards. Shortly after half-time, Leah Mullins dragged Dublin back into contention with a scrappy goal from close range, after Rowes free caused havoc in the Galway full-back line. Bit by bit, Dublin inched their way back into contention but Galway were five points ahead in stoppage time before Mohan and Rowe struck to turn the game on its head. In front of a vocal attendance, it looked like
there was more heartbreak on the cards for Galway against Dublin but N Churraoin stepped forward with a fine point from play to level the game. And Galway, powered by the Ward sisters Nicola and Louise, felt aggrieved soon after when Delahunty awarded a free out to Dublin for overcarrying when Tribes wing-forward Olivia Divilly appeared to have been fouled. Delahunty blew for full-time seconds later to end the game that had everything. SCORERS Dublin: C Rowe 1-2 (0-2f), M Mohan 1-1, L Mullins 1-0, M Davoren 0-2, M Lamb, C McGuigan, Rutledge, M McGrath & K Dwyer 01 each. Galway: C Ni Churraoin 1-3 (0-1f), S Hynes 1-2, E Reaney 1-0, O Divilly 0-2 (1f), N Ward, L Ward & D Kehoe 0-1 each. GALWAY: C N Lao; A Meagher, S Gormally, M Joyce; E Gavin, N Ward, M Glynn; S Gavin, M Heneghan; O Divilly, L Ward, S Hynes; E Reaney, C Ni Churraoin, M Kelly. Subs: D Keane for Kelly (44), N Conway for Joyce (56), S N Shuilleabhin for Meagher (60+3). REF: K Delahunty (Tipperary).
Page 75
FOCUS ON LADIES GAA FOCUS ON LADIES GAA
Ladies finals set to go pink

breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the country with over 2,500 women being diagnosed with the disease every year. Research has shown that the risks of cancer can be reduced drastically through simple lifestyle changes including becoming physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, these are two factors that can be positively affected by taking part in ladies gaelic football which caters for women of all ages and abilities. Speaking at the announcement of the new partnership between the LGFA and the Irish Cancer Society, LGFA President Pat Quill said We are extremely happy to announce our new partnership with the Irish Cancer Society. This will form a major part of our 40th All Ireland Final celebrations and will add a huge amount of colour and extra atmosphere to an already fantastic occasion. The work the Irish Cancer Society do is amazing and we are delighted that we will be able to help out in some small way through helping drive awareness as well as contributing all profits raised from the sales of bandanas directly to help them continue their great work. Were delighted to be the chosen charity for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association this year, said John McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Cancer Society. One of our key goals for 2013, as we celebrate our 50th birthday, is to begin to implement our new strategy A future without cancer. It is great to have the support of the LGFA, especially in their 40th year. We now know that positive lifestyle choices can hugely reduce someones risk of cancer so it is great to be associated with an organisation that does so much to promote sport in Ireland in young people in particular. Being active in sport from a young age is a great thing to do for your health. We look forward to working with the LGFA over the next year. The Irish Cancer Society is the leading provider of cancer information, advice and support on all aspects of breast cancer as well as being the leading funder of breast cancer research. Tickets for the TG4 Ladies All Ireland Football Finals will be on sale via the Ladies Football Offices who can be contacted at 01 836 3156 or through [email protected].
HE Ladies Gaelic Football Association recently announced an exciting new partnership with the Irish Cancer Society. The two associations will combine to set the World Record for Most people wearing Bandanas at the 40th Ladies Football All Ireland Finals in Croke Park on September 29th. The pink bandanas will be on sale at Croke Park on All Ireland Final day, from the Croke Park Hotel and other outlets along with being available from the LGFA offices from September 16th, the specially designed bandanas will be pink in colour. All proceeds from the sale of the bandanas will go directly to the Irish Cancer Societys Action Breast Cancer programme. The record will be set at half time of the TG4 Senior All Ireland Final and every ladies football fan from every part of the country is being urged to come to Croke Park to help support a great cause whilst having some brilliant fun and enjoying top class ladies football action. There is no family in the country that has not been affected by cancer and
Connacht accelerate referee programme

ing. 23 referees from the five counties were selected and attended day one recently. National Development Officer Lyn Savage was the co-ordinator of the National Referees programme and will be assisting Connacht in implementing the programme. Connacht GAA aim to increase the standard of refereeing across the province and ensure all referees are up to date with the rules and have completed the required courses on an annual basis. These referees will be officiating in their own county and the province throughout the year where they will be assessed in order to develop. In addition, Connacht will be running two referee workshops to up-skill all PPS (Post Primary Schools) referees and create a database for the PPS within the province. Post Primary Schools will be able to select referees from this database. The Province has been split in two and these workshops took place in Charlestown Co. Mayo on Thursday and Claregalway, Co. Galway. This is a big step for Connacht and are the first Province to run an accelerate programme of its sort. Thanks to all the referees within our province that takes time out to officiate in our games at club, school and county level.
ONNACHT Ladies Gaelic Football Council recently reviewed their referee's programme and the Connacht Referee Panel. As part of this review, a number of referees officiating at county level were identified as having potential to become a member of the Provincial Referee panel. All referees identified and selected within the counties must complete the four contact days scheduled as part of the accelerate programme. These referees will be monitored throughout the year and have to meet certain criteria to stay on the programme. The four modules between July and next May will look at all aspects of referee-
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Page 76
FOCUS ON LADIES GAA FOCUS ON LADIES GAA
The Galway U-16 girls who lost to Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. Back Row (L to R): Sinead Burke (Dunmore), Roisin Godwin (Miltown), Valarie Brosnan (Barna), Jessica Flaherty (Corofin), Ciara Quinn (Annaghdown), Sarah Donnellan (Salthill/Knocknacarra), Aine Murry (Mt'b/Moylough), Ciara Naughton (Caltra), Ciara Burke (Claregalway), Siobhan Divilly (Kilkerrin/Clonberne), Elle Glynn (Claregalway), ine Ryan (Men'gh/Skehana), Caitlin Maloney (Tuam/Cortoon), Ciara Campell (Claregalway), Karen Dowd (Claregalway), Orla Murphy (Claregalway), Eleanor Stafford (Naomh Mhuire). Front Row (L to R): Sharon Devaney (Tuam/Cortoon), Ciara Mannion (Caltra), Eimear O Kane (St Furseys), Marie Treacy (Kilkerrin/C'berne), Chelsea Blade (Corofin), Aoife Creaven (Corofin), Shauna Hynes (Miltown), Caoimhe Boyle (Kilkerrin/C'berne), Shauna Molloy (St Fursey's), Ailbhe Mahoney (Kilkerrin/C'berne), Megan Glynn (Claregalway), Holly Keating (Killannin).
U-16 girls lose to Cork in semi-final
Cork ...................3-10 Galway ................0-8

ALWAYS U-16 girls footballers bowed out of the championship on Saturday last in Limerick to a very strong Cork side after a brave display in Limerick on Saturday. Galway started the half playing with the wind but found themselves a goal behind inside the first minute when Cork centre-forward, Kate O Keeffe, found the back of the net.
Galways first score arrived from a free by Caoimhe Boyle in the eighth minute and she closed the gap further with a second soon after, but in the 14th minute another Cork attack ended in a goal for Hannah Looney and Galway found themselves up against it. Midway through the half Galway responded with their best spell of the match when star forward, Shauna Hynes, scored three points without reply, but in injury time OKeefe got in for her 2nd goal to give the Rebelettes a 3-5 to 0-5 lead at the break. The girls from the west knew they had
a mountain to climb and started the second-half brightly when Shauna Hynes kicked another point but Cork replied with Scally kicking four of Corks five secondhalf points, while Megan Glynn completed Galways score with two points late on. GALWAY: A Creaven, S Donnellan, A Mahoney, E Glynn, J Flaherty, O Murphy, A Ryan, C Boyle (0-2, 2f), M Glynn (0-2,1f), S Molloy, S Hynes (0-4), S Divilly, C Maloney, C Naughton, C Burke. Subs: C Blade for Flaherty, S Burke for Ryan, S Devaney for Divilly, C Campbell for C Burke, E OKane.
Page 77
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
Castleconnor crowned Connacht handball club champions
By MICHAEL McGEE
AOIFE QUINN WINS PLATE FINAL IN ONE WALL NATIONALS. In the Irish One Wall Nationals held in Breaffy House in Castlebar at the end of June. Overall 400 players from all over the Country took part along with players from Peurto Rico and England. Sligo were represented by Odhran, Oisin and Aoife Quinn from the Castleconnor Club together with Laura and Conor Finn from Ballymote making their debuts in the One-Wall Nationals Odhran Quinn was beaten by Corks Eoghan Sheehan 18-14 in the Boys U-14 singles. In the plate Odhran partnered Ciaran Faulkner but were narrowly defeated by Gavin Coyle and Jack Tobin 21-19. Oisin took part in the Golden Masters section and beat Londons Oliver OSullivan in the opening game but fell to Downs Brian Havern in round 2. Quinn and OSullivan were runners up in the plate doubles final. Aoife lost her opening match to Eimear Beatty in the Girls U-15 singles. Exam commitments hampered her preparation but she had better luck in the plate when teaming up with Kildares Hannag Dagg winning the plate final 16-8 over Mairead Kenny and Doireann Murphy. Also representing Sligo were Laura and Conor Finn from the Ballymote Club. Conor took part in the Boys U-11 Singles grade. Conor won two out of his three contests before losing out to a Roscommon opponent 31-14. Laura Finn took part in the girls U-13 grade and in her first round easily overcame her Galway opponent. Laura was defeated by Tyrones Elizabeth McGarvey the eventual runner up in this grade. The Finns making their competitive debut in the nationals equipped them-
ASTLECONNOR are Connacht handball club champions for the first time in their history. The Castleconnor Club in Sligo qualified for the All-Ireland Interclub 60 x 30 championships semi-finals following victory over Roscommons Mount Talbot in the Connacht final played in Williamstown Galway recently. Castleconnor defeated the Roscommon Club champions 113-89 in a well contested final. In their semi-final contest Castleconnor scored a comfortable 83-39 win over Galways Loughrea Club the previous day. Earlier Castleconnor outscored Collooney 120-94 in the Sligo final The winning team members were Jason Earlis, Mark Murphy, Tom Foody,Martin Cooney and Joe Gorman
selves very well and no doubt we will be hearing much more about the flying handball Finns from Ballymote in the years ahead. Peurto Rican Herman Mendez won the Mens Open title his second Irish win in the Nationals in three years while Downs Lorraine Havern overcame Mayo Amy Corri-
The Castleconnor team who were recently crowned Connacht handball club champions. Back row (L to R): Mark Murphy, Tom Foody and Martin Cooney with their clubs mascots. Missing from photo is Joe Gorman.
gan in the ladies final. Corrigan and Havern will be joined by Corks Killian Carroll and Armaghs Conal McKevitt who will represent Ireland in the World games In Cali Columbia next month. Handball is a demonstration sport in these games and it is hoped GAA Handball will become and Olympic Sport in the near future
The Castleconnor and Mount Talbot Teams after the Connacht inter-club final.
Page 78
ALL-IRELAND 60x30 SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Roscommon pair take glory
HE St. Comans doubles pair of Damien Martin and Rikki OGara caused a big upset in the senior 60 x 30 championship in Cashel last weekend when they defeated 2011 All-Ireland senior champions Barry Goff and Colin Keeling of Wexford on a scoreline of 5-21, 21-18, 21-18. This was a superb display by the Roscommon lads, who showed tremendous composure and determination to rally after losing the first game 21-5. The scoreline didnt really reflect the tough nature of the exchanges in the earlier part of the match when the Roscommon lads matched the hard-hitting Wexford pair shot for shot. But a strange succession of straightforward mistakes and lapses in concentration saw them go from leading 5-4 to losing 21-5. Thankfully, their experience came into play when analysing the game during the break as
they knew that once they cut out the unforced errors and, most importantly, started killing the ball, they were capable of winning. And so it proved as OGara immediately killed the first four balls in his favourite right corner to make a statement of intent. Although the scores were tight right through the second, it was noticeable that the Roscommon lads were much more aggressive with their shot selection. On the other hand, the Model County men were getting more and more safety-conscious. Goff, in particular, tried to make it a game of stamina, but in Rikki OGara he met a younger, faster and extremely agile opponent who covered every inch of the court and made some amazing picks. He also ruthlessly killed any half-chance that came his way. Martin took the ball on the fly at every opportunity to keep the opposition on the back foot, and with these
tactics Roscommon won the second 21-18. At this stage, with both momentum and youth on their side on a stifling hot day, it looked very promising for the Rossies. They started the third like they wanted to end matters as soon as possible, racing into a 12-2 lead. The Wexford lads now seemed dead and buried and were making more and more mistakes, and not long after they trailed 17-5. However, like true champions, they showed remarkable recuperative abilities and started an unlikely comeback, chipping away steadily at the huge lead. Amazingly they managed to claw back all the way to 15-17 before the Roscommon boys made it 20-15. The Wexford lads refused to die and reached 18. Then, in extremely tense circumstances, both sides had four hands each without scoring before the Rossies finished off a tremendous match with an OGara kill.
Kilmactigue handball gathering
Back row (L to R): Francis Mc Cann, Shane Bruen, Seamus Howley, Seamus O'Donnell, Jimmy Hegarty, Ben Ginty, Padraig Maye, Ollie Cassidy, Peter Cassidy. Front row (L to R): Tom Golderick, Fr. Tom Quinn, Tommy Ginty, Jimmy Roper.
By Michael McGee
N historic handball celebration took place in Kilmactigue as part of the Gathering on the Bank Holiday Sunday August 4th last. It brought back special memories of the 1940s and 1950s when handball was a popular sport and pastime in Kilmactigue. The old handball alley is 101 years old. The historic court was originally a three wall court but oddly enough when a back wall was erected in the late 1950s interest in handball sadly declined.
The idea to the handball gathering was to recreate a typical village scene from days of old when locals congregated at the ball alley after Sunday Mass and played each other sometimes even for a small wager before going home (usually late) for their Sunday dinner. A number of inspired locals have restored the alley to its former self especially Seamus ODonnell, Matt Barren, Brendan Kennedy, Seamus Molloy, Milo Maye and Joseph Gallagher. An exhibition match took place in brilliant sunshine between Sligos Francis McCann and Shane Bruen and Mayos the Cassidy brothers Ollie and
Peter. Seamus ODonnell spoke prior to the start of the match and reminiscence about past players and games played in the old court. Mayo won the match but more significant the handball alley again reverberating with the sound of handball being played brought back many cherished memories for the large crowd that attended. Padraig Maye and All-Ireland handball champion and an International Athletics Champion who played in Kilmactigue said he hopes that the exhibition match will be the catalyst to a new generation to take up the game.
Page 79
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
HANDBALL
Construction of Collooney handball court begins

Back row (L to R): Connell Cannon, Seamus Duffy, Paddy Walsh, Micheal Flynn. Front row: Michael McGee, Shane Bruen, Stanley Harte, Micheal Bruen and Hugh McGarry, club chairman.
HE eagerly awaited start to the new Collooney handball 40 x 20 court finally began recently writes Michael McGee. It is a momentous and historic occasion for the Sligo club in what has been a long time coming. The Club has been in existence since 1928. The then Chairman Alfie Higgins a signal man on the Midland Railway and WP McElroy and Secretary approached the land owners the Cooper Family of Markree Castle who kindly donated a plot of ground on the Fairgreen. At the official opening in 1928 Joe and Paddy Bergin who had local connections and were residing in Tipperary played Jim Hunt and Eddie Perry from Sligo. Others who played included Joe Lane, Guard Cunnion from Ballintogher, Jim and Mickey ORourke from Ballisodare. In 1996/97 the height of the walls was extended to 27ft and the installing of a new floor. Dressing rooms were added in 1999.The old galvanised roof was replaced in 2001 with a modern roof. With the added facilities Collooney hosted many Connacht handball championships matches and a number of All-Ireland semi-finals and finals. The idea of a 40 x 20 handball court was first mooted in 2007 by Paddy Walsh, and Stanley Harte club stalwarts and others who were coaching the young players in Collooney. Its a pity they dont have a 40 x 20 Court with a glass back wall to train in. Club Chairman Hugh McGarry immediately recognised the potential in the young players but without the proper facilities they could not advance the coaching. I was also very conscious that if Sligo had a home game and venue we didnt have a Court with
a full glass back wall that could accommodate a crowd that would see all the action the St. Marys facility in Sligo was made up of concrete and glass back wall. And with the idea now firmly ingrained in McGarrys mind a committee was formed. Fundraising for the new handball court began in 2008 with tickets sales bringing in 13,000 initially. In August of 2009 Andy Healy (a Sligo native) President of the Boston Sligo Association handed over $2,000 to the club following a St. Patricks Day fundraiser in Boston to club officials in Collooney handball club. Most recently the Club was grateful to receive 50,000 from the Department of Arts Sports and Tourism in January. The plans for the handball court was unveiled in January 2011 in Collooney. Indeed the handball club got much satisfaction from the local Owenmore G.A.A Club with its award winning grounds and more recently the playground in the Fairgreen. Chairman of the Owenmore G.A.A Club Martin Cannon spoke at the unveiling of the plans as did Sligo G.A.A Chairman Cyril Feehily and P.J. Moran the technical advisor. Present at the unveiling of the plans were Cyril Feehily Chairman Sligo G.A.A. Board, Michael McMorrow former Chairman Sligo Handball Board, Martin Cannon Chairman of the local Owenmore Gaels Club, P.J. Moran Civil Engineer, and Fr. Pat Peyton P.P. who is a great supporter of the club. Hugh McGarry Chairman Collooney Handball Club and invited guests. All Sligo handball clubs were represented. The Club have taken a loan out of 76,000 from Clan Credo and the money is being paid back by
two sources of revenue the Bingo and from the club members themselves who put in 5 every week. The club welcomes anyone who is willing to contribute to the project to come on board. The bingo will be running for 3 years in September each Thursday night and is successful to date. Former Chairman of the Collooney Club Brendan Carey was the first who suggested that the club get involved in the weekly bingo and this has been running every week since. The project almost never got off the ground according to the Chairman. It was vitally important that the new 40 x 20 Court would be built adjacent to the existing 60 x 30 court so that the two facilities would be side by side in the one venue. At first The Park Committee who own the park were reluctant to give up any ground. The club got around this stumbling block by buying additional ground beside the Park and in turn exchanged that ground for the ground on which we are now presently building the 40 x 20 court. The Park Committee were happy with this, thus allowing the project to proceed. McGarry played a pivotal role in this making sure that the project would progress and has worked tirelessly on it.
The cost of the entire project is costing 200,000 to build. The club nominated the legendary Paddy Walsh to deliver the commencement notice to Sligo County Council. Walsh the club coach along with Mick Kelly, Stanley Harte and Shane Bruen has twenty eight All-Ireland handball titles in a glittering career going back to 1974 when he won his first All-Ireland medal. The sod turning ceremony took place on Friday May 18th 2012 and was attended by local politicians, G.A.A. Officials and the people of Collooney. What pleased the Club most was the entire Collooney community turned out for the celebrations. Local G.A.A stalwarts Michael Flynn and Maureen Mullin were given the honour of turning the first sod on the clubs new handball court. Maureen Mullin was treasurer of the St. Feichins Community Games from 1973-1998 and Treasurer of the Teeling Centre for the past 27 years. Michael Flynn was handball trustee back in the 1970s. Next month there is rock festival on the Fairgreen but already all in the Collooney handball club are rocking with the prospect of a new and modern 40 x 20 handball court. Dreams are made of this
Aidan Malone, Keith Lavin and Shane Malone starting the building to the new 40 x 20 handball court in Collooney.
Page 80

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Vol 4.

Issue 8 July/August, 2013

Mayo poised for glory

Galway minor Ladies win All-Ireland

OFFICIAL GAA PUBLICATION

FRANK BURKE, President, Connacht Council GAA

Mayos toughest test to come page 4

A lot done, more to do OShea and OBoyle - page 8

Mayo Minors reclaim high ground - page 13

Connacht title for Galway girls page 16

All-Ireland qualifiers page 17

Leinster hurling championsip final page 24

Louise Ward celebrates minors All-Ireland victory - page 28

Whats in a name? page 51

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

Mayo face toughest test of the year

PERSONALITIES OF THE MONTH

Mayo footballers honoured by GAA sports writers

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

Mayo ..................4-17 Donegal ..............1-10

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

O'Connor hat-trick seals memorable victory for Horan's men

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

A lot done, more to do, say OShea and Boyle

Horan impressed with team's passion

By DANIEL CAREY, Mayo News

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

CONNACHT SFC FINAL

Three-in-a-row for Mayo as

POSSESSION: Ger Cafferkey of Mayo

goes past London's Caolan Doyle. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Mayo ..........5-11 London ......0-10

CONNACHT SFC FINAL

London are outclassed

Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

GREETINGS: London captain Seamus Hannon is greeted by President

CONNACHT SFC FINAL

Mixed emotions on a special day

CONNACHT SFC FINAL

victory leaves ng much more

CONNACHT MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Young Tribesmen O'Donnell encouraged by minors ousted in extra-time

By NOEL FALLON, Roscommon Herald

CONNACHT MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Mayo minors reclaim high ground

By AUSTIN GARVIN, Mayo News

CONNACHT SENIOR LADIES FINAL

Connacht glory for Galway girls

Galway . . . . . . . .0-16 Mayo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

By BILL KIELY, Media West Ireland

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS - ROUND 1

Walsh stands down after Sligo exit

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS - ROUND 1

Galway get season back on track

By JOHN FALLON Media West Ireland

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS - ROUND 2

Evans side fall just short of Red Hand raid