27 January 2023 Roscommon People

WANTED: More female election candidates in 2024

on the topic of ‘Promoting Women’s Participation in Politics’. Speaking in Gleeson’s, Rita Kearney of RWN said that women – “particularly those from minority backgrounds” –

are vastly underrepresented in county councils.

She added: “This imbalance in local politics leads to deficits in planning and decision-making…there was a consensus at the meeting that by bringing more balance to representation – in this case by having more women involved in local politics – Ireland will be a better place”.

Just four of the 18 county councillors in Roscommon are women – Valerie Byrne, Emer Kelly, Orla Leyden and Kathleen Shanagher. At Oireachtas level, Roscommon’s representation includes Deputy Claire Kerrane and Senator Aisling Dolan.

The Roscommon People understands that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin in Roscommon are all anxious to run more women candidates in the 2024 local elections.

See more on page 32.

GAA Air Dome in Bekan last Friday night for the FBD League final between Roscommon and Mayo. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

MOATE LANESBOROUGH Ι GALWAY

AGRICULTRUAL LEASE

I own a large farm and I currently all of my land on a short term basis to a neighbouring farmer. He recently approached me and asked me to enter into a longer term lease with him. Are there any tax advantages of entering into a longer term lease agreement? Please advise me.

Tax rules were amended in recent years in an attempt to encourage farmers to lease their lands on a long term basis to other active farmers. Land leasing occurs when a land owner (Lessor) leases his land to another active farmer (Lessee).

I understand that tax measures were introduced in recent years whereby a land owner would be exempt from income tax on lease rental income to up various exemption limits. The lease term and the maximum tax exemption limits are as follows:

• 5 to 7 year lease: up to €18,000 rental income per year;

• 7 to 10 year lease: up to €22,500 rental income per year;

• 10 to 15 year lease: up to €30,000 rental income per year;

• 15 year plus lease: up to €40,000 rental income per year.

The rental income eligible can include income from both land and agricultural entitlements. The lease must be in writing and stamped by Revenue Commissioners in order for the Lessor to avail of the enhanced income tax incentives.

The tax reliefs do not apply to leases to a spouse/son/daughter/sibling but are applicable on leases to a niece or nephew. The rental income up to each threshold is income tax exempt but the universal social charge (USC) and PRSI still applied on this lease income. Leases for five years or longer will now be exempt from stamp duty.

The lease agreement should at the very least include details on the length of the lease, the annual rent and payment procedure, details of the land use and the upkeep of the land, insurance details and treatment of Basic Payment Entitlements. I would recommend that you engage a solicitor to advise you and draft the lease

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway.

A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

Byrne Carolan

I loved the Six Pistols! ESPECIALLY

Johnny Rotten!

Sex, not Six!

Huh?

The Sex Pistols!

and offered our services as roadies…’ Endangered

Really? I thought it was the SIX Pistols! I thought there was Johnny, Sid Vicious… and, er,…four others. You know, like The Jackson 5, only one more!

They were nothing like The Jackson 5! Really? Are you sure they weren’t called The Six Pistols?

ABSOLUTELY SURE! The Sex Pistols! Oh okay, but I think ‘six’ would have been better.

Well, you might think so, but it wouldn’t have been as edgy! I mean, these guys were…punks!

There’s no need to be derogatory…

I mean punk rockers! They were rebels!

I KNOW THAT! That’s why I reached out to Johnny this week!

Huh?

(They pause to ask the barman to turn down the colour as Dancing with the Stars comes on)

Will I explain?

Please do explain what you mean about reaching out to Johnny…I’m confused!

Johnny Rotten! I rang him at the weekend!

My friend, I worry about you sometimes… You know he’s a contender to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest… Yes, yes!

But not with the Six Pistols… SEX PISTOLS!

Ardern

The Prime Minister of New Zealand shocked the political world by announcing she is resigning (no later than February 7th), quitting the role at just 42 years of age because she “no longer has enough in the tank”

PIC OF THE WEEK: Cillian Greene, Aaron Harte and Daniel Connelly supporting Roscommon during the FBD League final against Mayo last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

They’re gone, long gone…

I KNOW!

He’s in the Eurovision running with another band…Public Image Ltd. The six bands on the shortlist will be on the Late Late on February 3rd…

Can’t wait! Look, I KNOW all of this. But what’s it got to do with you?

Well, Johnny Rotten has Irish connections. So I did some investigative work…

Some googling?

Well, yeah, but point is, I got HIS NUMBER. So I rang him! To offer our services as roadies!

WHAT?

Well, I reckoned if Johnny and his band qualify for the Eurovision, we could get a free trip to Liverpool! What a week it would be! So, I rang him and offered our services as roadies!

YOU DIDN’T!

I DID!

(They pause to watch Shane Byrne strutting his stuff)

He was a great listener…initially!

Huh?

Johnny Rotten…

You didn’t get speaking to him!

I did! I told him all about Ireland’s rebel pedigree when it comes to the Eurovision!

Huh?

I explained about Dana, Jedward… and Dustin!

Oh dear…did he hang up?

Far from it, he’s a lovely guy! I said we’d be interested in becoming his chief roadies if he makes it to Liverpool!

Did he hang up then?

NO! I explained how we know our music, are free and easy, that we’re very sociable, and how Liverpool is such an ‘Irish’ city!

I can’t believe Johnny Rotten gave you the time of day…

He seemed genuinely interested in my offer…he began to talk his language… to me…

I don’t understand…

Last thing he said to me was…‘Please don’t call me back, I’ll call you…

PUNK!’

ATHLONE

Jacinda

David Moran

After a 14-year inter-county career – during which he won three All-Ireland senior medals – Kerry midfielder David Moran announced he is hanging up his boots

Jacqui Hurley

The popular TV and radio presenter has been named as the new host of The Sunday Game highlights show, replacing Des Cahill

Nadhim Zahawi

There have been numerous calls for the UK Conservative party chairman to resign after revelations about his financial and taxation affairs

Foley defends record on DEIS schools

< DAN DOONER

Minister of Education Norma Foley visited local schools on Thursday last where she officially opened two new extensions at St Comán’s Wood Primary School and a new sensory and biodiversity garden at Cloverhill National School.

The Minister, who also visited CBS Roscommon and Convent of Mercy, where she opened a new multi-sensory room and outdoor recreation area, said she was pleased to meet teachers, students, and members of the wider school community.

Minister Foley opened two new extensions and was treated to a musical performance by talented students at St. Comán’s Wood before addressing staff, the student council, and local public representatives.

She later visited Cloverhill National School, where she unveiled a plaque and cut the ribbon on the school’s new sensory garden and public space.

Speaking to the media following the ceremonies, the Minister addressed concerns around the designa-

tion of DEIS schools and highlighted an ‘historic’ teacher-pupil ratio low.

“I’m very conscious that the risk of education disadvantage is not limited to DEIS schools, and it’s for that reason we have introduced and continue to introduce a number of additional supports,” she said.

“For example, we now have the teacher pupil ratio at a historic low. We’re seeing all the additional resources coming into schools in terms of teachers who are principals being given a guaranteed administrative leave day. We are also seeing schools with more than two special education classes with administrative teaching principal allocations. We are looking at a lot of resources in terms of special education teaching.

“There’s a considerable amount of work done in the last two and a half years and certainly more work needed to be done”.

The Minister said that “tens of millions” of euro had been invested in schools across Roscommon, and also praised local educators.

“I want to acknowledge the great work that’s being

done in schools in providing opportunity of equality for students irrespective of their ability or background.

All children get an opportunity in education and the Department is supporting that in terms of the tens of millions being invested,” she said.

“It’s quite a testament to the excellence in education that we see delivered here that we are now seeing schools growing and growing with extensions upon extensions and the improvement of facilities”.

On the provision of additional resources to schools in Roscommon, which have taken in refugees and students under International Protection, the Minister said her Department was working closely with the Department of Children.

She said that there were currently 14,000 Ukrainian students in the Irish education system and all were accommodated within existing school capacity.

“To support that, we have made additional staff available in terms of English as an additional language (ELT) teachers. We are also providing whatever supports that are needed,” she said.

“We are working closely with the Department of Children in the hope that they might be

Minister opens new extensions at St Coman’s Wood Primary School

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Welcoming the Education Minister to St. Comán’s Wood Primary School, where she officially opened extensions at the school’s junior and senior sites, Principal Úna Feeley paid tribute to the Department of Education’s work on providing free books to students as well as the Minister’s action plan on bullying.

Ms. Feeley did however urge Minister Foley to exercise caution when it comes to what is included in the primary curriculum.

“Children have lots of little voices and worries in their heads – sadly some have more worries than others. I would ask you to ensure that the RSE curriculum in primary schools continues to be age appropriate and that the content continues to strive to keep children safe and address all the little worries in their heads but does not introduce questions for them that they don’t yet have at 4 to 12 years of age,” she said.

Ms. Feeley also raised concerns regarding DEIS schools in Roscommon, and claimed the criteria used for designating disadvantaged schools was not working.

She said the school had stu-

dents from 29 different nationalities and fully supported the introduction of a European language into primary schools.

She also paid tribute to Cllr Dónal Kilduff and Kilduff Construction and engineer Albert Looby for their work in completing extensions in both the senior and junior sites. The extensions include new classrooms, a sensory room, and facilities for those with disabilities.

Addressing the student council, members of staff and local public representatives, Minister Foley paid tribute to staff, students, and the board of management for the work they did throughout Covid. She also thanked the Parents’ Association for the role they play in education.

“I know there a great things achieved here every single day because of the limitless ambition the staff have for the students they serve,” she said.

To the students, she said: “You are our absolute reason for being here, we serve you. Before I became Minister I worked for a long time as a teacher and they were the happiest and best days of my life because I learned a great deal from the students.

People often think the teachers are doing the teaching and the learning is done by students

but the learning is also done by teachers too.

“In relation to DEIS, we’ve had the single biggest expansion at a cost in excess of €32 million,” she said.

“The criteria used is the same

criteria used across the country without fear or favour. It has worked for some; it did not work for others. The criteria speaks of ‘concentrated disadvantage’ and where there was the greatest concentration level that’s where

the DEIS status was awarded,” she said.

“That is not to say that there are not children who are at risk of education disadvantage in every school. I think it’s significant that since I’ve become Minister

that we have reduced the pupilteacher ration to 23:1. That has never happened before in this country. We’ve also increased a variety of different supports in schools and more needs to be done”.

in a position

to match their accommo-

dation provision with our school availability. “There’s also terrific work

being done by schools on the ground and the resources are being provided by the Department. That work

will continue but we are hopeful that where we have capacity, accommodation can be found”.

Minister for Education Norma Foley was given a warm greeting by students at St Coman’s Wood Primary School in Roscommon town on Thursday last as part of her tour of local schools. Also pictured are Senator Eugene Murphy, Cllr. Orla Leyden, Coman’s Wood Principal Úna Feeley, and Cllr. Marty McDermott.

St Coman’s Wood Primary School Principal Úna Feeley, Cllr Marty McDermott, Minister for Education Norma Foley, Senator Eugene Murphy, Cllr Orla Leyden, Cllr Kathleen Shanagher, and Cllr Donal Kilduff pictured at St Coman’s Wood Primary School during the Minister’s visit on Thursday last.

Cloverhill’s

outdoor space ‘a dream come true’

Minister for Education Norma Foley officially opened a new recreational, sensory and biodiversity space at Cloverhill National School during her visit to the county on Thursday last.

Funding for the new space was provided by Roscommon LEADER Partnership with match funding generated by the local school community.

Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, Principal Catherine Mullarkey said staff and students were thrilled to welcome the Minister to Rockfield.

“There was great excitement here all week and the students were delighted to welcome Minister Foley to open our new facilities.

"We are also very grateful to Roscommon LEADER Partnership for their support. It was our dream to have a clean and safe environment for our students and the local

community,” Ms Mullarkey said.

“Children need space to learn in classrooms as well as outside where they can socialise and play the games they love”.

The Cloverhill NS Principal says students are already making great use of the all-weather pitch, soft play area and sensory garden, and there are further plans to add to the space this year.

“Our younger students love the soft play area while the sensory garden is so important for students with additional needs,” she said.

“We will be working with our creative schools artist to create things for the space and we will also be planting in the biodiversity garden in the spring. The children will be part of all that.

“Again, we’d like to thank LEADER because this makes such a difference for our school and the surrounding community. This space was just a big field before which was wet for six months of the year so we were confined to

a small yard space. It’s a dream come true to have this space that the children can use all year round”.

Speaking at the school on Thursday last, CEO of Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Martina Earley said: “LEADER has funded the work for €70,700 and the community raised match finance of €25,000. We funded it because it’s open to the whole community. It’s a recreational, sensory and biodiversity garden, and the community hopes it will be a place for families of all communities to come and get to know one another,” she said.

“It’s about building a sense of place in an inclusive way. This project sums up everything the LEADER programme is about: bottom-up community development. We are very happy to have supported it and the community were great to work with”.

Cllr Marty McDermott, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, Seamus McDermott (Board of Management), Minister for Education Norma Foley, Principal Catherine Mullarkey, Senator Eugene Murphy, Cllr Orla Leyden, Cllr Kathleen Shanagher, and Senator Aisling Dolan pictured at the unveiling of a plaque at Cloverhill National School during the Minister’s visit on Thursday last.

Minister for Education Norma Foley and students cut the ribbon on Cloverhill National School’s new sensory garden and playground on Thursday last. Also in the picture are Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, Principal Catherine Mullarkey, Senator Eugene Murphy, Cllr Orla Leyden, and Seamus McDermott, Board of Management.

< DAN DOONER

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A column by Roscommon People editor paul@roscommonpeople.ie

ALL WEEK

Seeking John Rogers

It was a strange week, right enough. Of course the Burke family took it by the scruff of the neck. It had been a little while since we’d heard from the Burkes – or seen them – but they were back this week, returning to the spotlight with an exclusive new video short that rivalled any of those ‘Harry & Meghan’ trailers on Netflix.

You must have seen it…or maybe you didn’t. But half the country has seen this latest footage of ‘Indignation: The Burke Family’ which premiered across social media on Thursday.

The location was a hotel room, where the Wilson’s Hospital School Board of Management were due to discuss the case of suspended teacher Enoch Burke. The controversial teacher (since dismissed), his siblings and their mother caused such a disturbance, gardaí were called.

The scene shows patient gardaí standing by as members of the family repeatedly chant ‘Where is John Rogers?’

I wondered who this John Rogers is. Was it the former Attorney General? Apparently not. Who could this elusive person be, this man who wields such power and influence?

It turns out Mr Rogers is chairperson of the school’s board of management, and was due to chair Thursday’s disciplinary hearing. It is understood that Mr Rogers wasn’t present because he had taken ill the previous evening, not that any such detail would placate the very noisy Burkes.

Meanwhile, Paschal was in trouble. It seems strange – in keeping with the week – that question marks over relatively small expenditure on posters to do with an election over six years ago could threaten the career of one of our most prominent politicians. But the fate of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe was looking surprisingly perilous as the weekend went on, particularly when the focus switched from nondeclared election expenses to his close ties with businessman Michael

Stone. The controversy continues as I write (the 2020 election now implicated), but I tend to agree with Matt Cooper and Pat Rabbitte who both tut-tutted at the weekend about how rather unscandalous our scandals are these days, compared to the ‘glory days’ of Haughey, Burke, Lawlor, Lowry & Co.

The strange week continued, as if mysteriously controlled by the dauntingly formidable Burkes. Johnny Rotten might be Ireland’s Eurovision entry, the headlines teased. Kilmacud Crokes barely had their hands on the All-Ireland Club trophy when reports emerged of them having an extra player on the pitch in the closing stages. And still there was no sign of John Rogers.

Argos pulling out of Ireland was bad enough for their staff; the news also played with our emotions…do we file Argos visits in our memory bank as a cold, soulless part of tedious afternoons in shopping centres – or as cherished

links with our youth that should now be remembered with a warm sense of nostalgia?

Across the water, Manchester City manager Pep had a rant at his own team’s supporters. Strange week. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was silly enough to film a social media video from the back of a moving car…while not wearing a seatbelt.

Barry Cowen and Willie O’Dea were let loose on national radio to defend Paschal and keep the vultures at bay (as it was radio, I couldn’t tell if they were wearing capes or not). New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern declared ‘I’m out’ at just 42 years of age. Sales of Prince Harry’s book topped 20,000 in Ireland. A British newspaper called Paul Mescal British… again.

You may say it’s all fine, but is it really? Some of this could have been avoided. We needed a hero this week. Where was John Rogers?

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Over the moon…

The newspapers and websites note that newly-weds GAA legend Mick O’Dwyer (86) and Geraldine McGirr (65) are very happy.

Meanwhile, 93-year-old retired astronaut ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and his partner, Dr Anca V Faur (63), are also very happy, following their wedding on Friday.

And the Daily Telegraph sub-editor who came up with the headline ‘Over the moon: Buzz Aldrin ties knot at 93’ is presumably also very happy (maybe even buzzing).

SUNDAY

Super Saka

A short Sky Sports feature on Bukayo Saka before the big Arsenal-Manchester United game today confirmed what has

been pretty obvious about the young Arsenal star: that he is a very likeable and modest young man.

Sky took Saka back to his old school (mind you, at 21 years of age, he can’t be that long gone!) and staged a quiz between the Arsenal ace and some current pupils (and a couple of his former teachers). His interaction with them was a refreshing insight into how grounded he is –even as his dancing feet and brilliant football brain propel him towards superstardom.

In the match itself, Saka delivered another sensational performance, capped by a great goal. He is the most exciting player to emerge from the English football grassroots in many, many years.

MONDAY

Living forever?

On a break while working from home, disaster strikes as I inadvertently catch five minutes of daytime TV on RTE. It’s a world I’m unfamiliar with.

Dáithí and Sinead are asking their studio guests about new research which suggests scientists might be able to reverse ageing in the near future.

Initial experimentation on mice has apparently increased their life expectancy by 23%. The way Dáithí and Sinead were talking, this will be trialled on humans within five years, and they (Dáithí and Sinead, whatever about the scientists) reckon people might “live forever” in the future.

As I was taking all this in, the hosts turned to an expert on video link… who else but our old friend, Professor Luke O’Neill. “It’s like turning a dial!” Luke enthused about the reverse ageing breakthrough, while I contemplated a future in which the genial professor and Pat Kenny talk science for eternity.

Naturally, omnipresent Luke was very cheerful about the prospect of us all living to be at least 200 years of age. I wonder what John Rogers would make of it all?

Angels’ mother and daughter duo

< MIRIAM KERINS

There’s a growing, almost overwhelming, appetite spreading right across the country for trusted, professional, qualified practitioners to administer non-invasive cosmetic treatments.

Local lady Ciara Raftery is one such trusted professional, who, along with her daughter Angel Delaney, has pledged to satisfy this demand by launching Aesthetic Angels, a salon providing an array of luxury therapies and services. It’s located at The Square, Roscommon.

The resourceful pair, who already come from a healthcare background – running contract cleaning company Raftery’s Cleaning Solutions Limited – decided to put their transferable skills and knowledge to good use and retrain as aesthetic practitioners, providing treatments for both men and women.

“We’ve always had an interest in beauty and felt that we’d love to do it. We felt that last year, the timing was right for both of us, so we went for it!”, said Ciara, an advanced aesthetic practitioner, who specialises in an array of treatments from carbon peeling to anti-wrinkle injections to tattoo removal, etc.

Complimenting those treatments is Ciara’s daughter Angel, a professional lash

and brow technician specialising in Phi Brows.

This mother and daughter work well together for the simple reason they’re the best of friends: “Myself and Angel get on so well it’s ridiculous. We’re both likeminded, with similar tastes in everything, and we laugh so much, which is important.

“We’ve been toying with going into this line of business for a while. We found the premises in The Square in Roscommon town in November, and we’re still refurbishing it; ripping everything out to create beautiful private treatment rooms ahead of our February 3rd opening”, said an excited Ciara.

Making a positive change in clients’

lives by placing them and their expectations at the very heart of what they do will be central to Aesthetic Angels’ business ethos. As Ciara says: “I love when I can make someone feel good about themselves; it’s just lovely to see people happy. It’s also important to build up a relationship with clients because it’s not just about giving someone large lips, you need to have a thorough consultation with a client and develop a treatment plan with them. I find people like to go to the same person and build up a rapport with them”.

While the ladies offer a range of luxury treatments across the board, including lash extensions and brow lamination, etc., Ciara wishes to make it clear that “all clients availing of aesthetic treatments must be over 18 years of age. We will also be offering discounts on packages and operating a loyalty scheme”.

In their bid to provide patrons with the complete head-to-toe, feel-good experience, this enterprising pair have managed to convince, what Ciara teases is “a wellknown barber” to join them.

“We also have a nail technician who’ll provide a full nail service, and we have two more openings available, so we’re hoping that people in the industry will join us so that we can provide people with a full service”.

Owners Angel Delaney and Ciara Raftery pictured in their new Beauty Salon & Cosmetic Clinic, Aesthetic Angels, opening in Roscommon Town on the 3rd of February.

Inside the new Aesthetic Angels Beauty Salon & Cosmetic Clinic opening on the 3rd of February in Roscommon Town.

LETTER TO EDITOR

Enoch Burke’s moral courage

Roscommon town

Dear Editor, Mr Enoch Burke has more moral courage than many other people in this society. If there is anybody fit

to be standing up in front of a class, it is this man.

In his eulogy for his brother, John F Kennedy, Robert Kennedy said: “Moral courage is a rarer commod-

ity than bravery in battle or great intelligence”.

Yours sincerely, Joseph Murray

Kerrane presses Taoiseach on home care ‘crisis’

Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway

Claire Kerrane has told the Taoiseach that a greater sense of urgency is needed by his Government to tackle the home care crisis.

Brendan ready to take reins…

Congratulations to past chairperson of Roscommon LGFA and well-known Michael Glavey’s officer Brendan Cregg who was elected presidentelect at the Connacht AGM on Tues-

Raising the issue in the Dáil, Deputy Kerrane said: “Hundreds of people continue to wait for home care in counties Roscommon and Galway. Some people are waiting up to eighteen months, despite having been approved for home care – but they are still not receiving it. This is due to the long-running recruitment and retention crisis within the home care sector.

within the sector and (to) tackle the waiting list backlog.

“Last November, Minister Butler published a report on the Home Care Workforce. Nothing new was identified as regards the issues. This report included sixteen recommendations, which we need to see prioritised.

“Loved ones are being put in a really difficult position and our most vulnerable are being let down. They are being left longer in hospitals, or moved into nursing home care when they could be at home – the place where they want to be.

GAA Centre of Excellence.

day night at the

Brendan will take up the presidency at the AGM in 2024. Congrats also to Roscommon Gaels’

“With recent nursing home closures, the loss of step-down beds and a lack of respite, home care is absolutely essential. Yet this crisis has been allowed to continue, and there has not been the urgency needed by Government to deal with the crisis

“We need a sense of urgency from Government to see all sixteen recommendations implemented. This will improve recruitment and retention, ensuring that those who need care in their homes receive it”, concluded Deputy Kerrane.

NOTICE OF RATES HAVING BEEN MADE

COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT OF ROSCOMMON

Notice is hereby given that the County Rates have been made on the property thereto on the above named County Health District.

The Annual Rate on Valuation of the ordinary expenditure of the County Council for the service of the financial year ending 31st December 2023 is 0.225.

wish their education to revolve around abundant nature and outdoor schooling. We have small class sizes which provides great opportunities for all children.

wellbeing and physical health in our natural surroundings.

Facilities include a football and basketball pitch, nature park, very spacious school yard, sensory garden, children’s playground, general purpose room, as well as excellent classroom and special education resources. Our school also offers free lunches from Freshtoday to all pupils.

As well as focusing on the academics of school, we seek to immerse your child in a rounded development of individuality, If you wish to view our school and meet our staff with your child, please email cbns1875@gmail.com or contact 094 96 40388 or 086 8865345. Please follow us on Facebook to see regular updates of our daily school lives!

The Rate Books are now in my custody and may be inspected by any person affected thereby, at the Offices Áras an Chontae Roscommon County Council between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. The said rates will be payable from and after publication of this notice.

The above rates were made on the 24th January, 2023.

Dated this 24th January 2023

Sean Mullarkey A/Head of Finance & ICT (Incl. Digital Transformation).

Photograph shows Pat Heneghan (Roscommon delegate to Connacht), Michelle Hughes Walsh (Connacht PRO), current Connacht LGFA President Con Moynihan, and Brendan Cregg, president-elect.

Connacht

ladies Secretary and past Roscommon LGFA PRO Michelle Hughes Walsh who was elected Connacht LGFA PRO at Tuesday night’s AGM.

Jonathan, Ava, Ruby and John Moffatt supporting Roscommon at the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan last Friday night during the FBD League final against Mayo.

News G D The page

Pride of Place Awards for local groups

< DAN DOONER

Three Roscommon initiatives featured at this year’s IPB All-Ireland Pride of Place Awards which took place last Saturday at The Clayton Hotel in Dublin.

Innovative disability access initiative Lough Ree Access For All was a runner-up in the Community Tourism category. The programme, which is based in Ballyleague Lanesboro, allows boating and angling enthusiasts

with disabilities to access the lake.

Lisnamult Tidy Towns and Residents’ Association also took home a runner-up award in the Urban Neighbourhoods category. The group has a childcare facility (Greenfields), community sports

park, and an astroturf pitch which is used by sports groups all year round.

The Melting Pot service in Roscommon town featured in category seven of the Community Wellbeing award. The service,

which features an Internet café, charity shop, and the Dinners4U meal delivery service, offers a safe space for people to meet socially.

Paying tribute at Monday’s meeting of Roscommon County

Council,

€3.2m raised by Christmas FM in just 15 years

Christmas FM, the festive music station, raised a total of €294,706 in 2022 for children’s charities Barnardos, Barretstown, Make A Wish Ireland, and Community Foundation Ireland under its new ‘Magic of Christmas’ initiative.

This brings the total amount

Hannah touches down!

Congratulations to Creggs youth player, Hannah Coen,

ons

Local musician to perform at world woodturning event

Ballintubber musician, Fiona Sirr, will feature at the ‘Meet The Woodturner’ online event which takes place this weekend (27th to 29th).

The event features some of the world’s best woodturners with demonstrations and talks taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Fiona has recorded 12 brand new clips, which will be seen for the first time this weekend. For more, visit meetthewoodturner.com.

raised by the radio station, run by a core management team and army of volunteers, to €3.2 million since it first hit the Irish airwaves 15 years ago.

Co-founder Paul Shepherd said: “We are delighted to have raised €294,706 for The Magic of Christmas initiative. We

couldn’t have done it without our loyal listeners who tuned in and generously donated throughout the festive season.

“We would like to thank The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for granting us the license to broadcast festive music across Ireland, and our premier FM

sponsors for 2022 - Cadbury, Coca-Cola, and An Post.

“We would also like to thank The Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley who kindly donated the studio this year. As always, we are so grateful to all the team and volunteers who help make Christmas FM so magical each year”.

Student support!

Supporters cheer on the Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar hurlers last Friday as they claimed the Connacht Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship with a very impressive 8-15 to 2-10 victory over Colaíste Chroí Mhuire an Spidéal in Carnmore.

Cathaoirleach Tom Crosby, who attended the awards with members of the Council executive, congratulated the groups and wished continued success to all community groups in the county.

Lisnamult Tidy Towns and Residents’ Association were named as runners-up in the Urban Neighbourhood category at the IPB Pride of Place Awards, which took place at The Clayton Hotel in Dublin last Saturday.

who scored a try for Connacht in their defeat to champi-

Munster in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship last Saturday. Hannah is pictured at the Sportsground with Keeva and Lola Glennon, daughters of Creggs Ruby Development Officer, Michael Glennon.

Lough Ree Access For All, runners-up in the Community Tourism category at the IPB Pride of Place Awards, which took place at The Clayton Hotel in Dublin last Saturday.

Enrolment

What Can We Offer:

• Low pupil-teacher ratio ensuring individualised learning

• Strong ties to the local community

• Well-resourced classrooms

• Aistear play-based learning

• Welcoming and inclusive of all children

• Catering for the academic and social needs of children of all abilities.

• Delivering the curriculum using a variety of methods in a friendly, warm, supportive, and caring environment.

School Initiatives and Activities:

• Sport: Gymnastics, Soccer, Gaelic Football, Hurling/Camogie, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics (Participation in the Active School Flag Programme)

• STEM: Participation in Science/Engineering/Maths Week, individual use of laptops and tablets, coding, cyber safety, Google workspace accounts for senior students, Doodle Learning App in Maths and English giving every child a personalised work programme tailored to their strengths and weaknesses

• The Arts/Music: Participation in BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers), Creative Schools (run by the Arts Council), trips to the Theatre, Tin-Whistle in Senior Classes, Christmas Play

Feevagh N.S., Dysart Enrolment Evening

Tuesday 14th Feb. from 6:00-7:00 pm

• Environmental Education: Working towards our 8th Green Flag, Participation in Incredible Edibles (3 consecutive gold awards) run by AgriAware encouraging children to grow their own fruits and vegetables

Come along and see our wonderful, modern school. All Welcome!

Supervision for Infants from 2.10pm to 3.10pm

2023 Admissions Now Open

• Wellbeing – Participation in the Amber Flag Programme creating a healthy, inclusive environment that supports mental well-being

Contact info@feevaghns.ie for an Enrolment Form, phone 090

Low pupil-teacher ratio ensuring individualised learning

Strong ties to the local community

Well-resourced classrooms

Aistear play-based learning Welcoming and inclusive of all children

Feevagh NS says ‘yes’

Catering for the academic and social needs of children of all abilities. Delivering the curriculum using a variety of methods in a friendly, warm, supportive, and caring environment.

languages

Fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils from Feevagh NS, Dysart, are taking part in the primary language sampler module, ‘Say Yes to Languages’, starting this year on January 18th. The module, which is being made available for the second year following its extension by the Department of Education, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm last year, and this interest looks set to continue with 700 schools having registered to take part in 2022/2023.

‘Say Yes To Languages’ offers an introduction into a variety of modern foreign languages and Irish Sign Language (ISL), while also looking to raise awareness among pupils of the diversity of languages being used by their peers in their schools and community. Over 500 schools took part in the module last year, which saw French, Spanish, ISL, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Romanian, Arabic, Lithuanian, Polish, Tamil and Portuguese being taught across the country.

Pupils in Feevagh NS will be saying ‘Oui’ to French, which will be delivered over an eight-week period during the normal school timetable.

Sport: Gymnastics, Soccer, Gaelic Football, Hurling/Camogie, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics (Participation in the Active School Flag Programme)

Speaking about the module, Principal Martina Murray notes: “It is a fun, interactive, and engaging programme, which really begins to set the foundations for an ongoing positive relationship with languages. This will be of great benefit to the pupils as they continue through their education, hopefully bringing with them a love of languages”.

STEM: Participation in Science/Engineering/Maths Week and tablets, coding, cyber safety, Google workspace accounts for senior students, Doodle Learning App in Maths and English giving every child a personalised work programme tailored to their strengths and weaknesses

The Arts/Music: Participation in BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers), Creative Schools (run by the Arts Council), trips to the Theatre, Tin Classes, Christmas Play Environmental Education: Incredible Edibles (3 consecutive gold awards) to grow their own fruits and vegetables

Tutors of the module may be teachers or part of the wider school community, including parents, native speakers, or other staff members. Lesa Rice will be delivering the module this year at Feevagh NS and is excited to have the opportunity to share her passion for French with the pupils.

Wellbeing – Participation in the Amber Flag Programme creating a healthy, inclusive environment that supports mental well

A suite of resources has been produced including lesson plans for teachers and tutors and ‘language passports’ for all participating pupils to show their family and friends. Packs have been sent to participating schools to help support both the teaching and learning, but also awareness-raising objectives of the module. More information regarding the modules, tutor expression of interest and supports are available at languagesconnect.ie/primary.

PPLI tutor Lesa Rice pictured with fourth, fifth, and sixth class pupils from Feevagh NS.

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S

unique take on life ...

‘The Galway emergency department was packed as tightly as sardines in a tin’

people that are turning up at our hospital doors. However, as I wrote that piece little did I think that I was about to experience firsthand the chaos that is currently taking place in every emergency department across the country.

A couple of weeks ago I told readers how the decisions to close the A&E departments in Ennis, Nenagh and Roscommon hospitals (among others) had come back to haunt us, with the inevitable result that our health service is completely unable to deal with the numbers of sick

It was on Tuesday morning of last week, at a time when the whole place was in the grip of hard frost and freezing fog, that I set off to the old Regional Hospital in Galway, bringing with me a family member who had woken up in excruciating pain. We hit the slippy road shortly after 7.30 am and arrived safely at the hospital at around 9.15 am. As always, parking was a nightmare. After depositing my patient at the ED, I spent the guts of half an hour looking for a space to park the car.

When I arrived into the waiting room I was

Money madness!

We have always been told that your health is your wealth – and the older you get the more you realise that it’s true – but sometimes something will catch your eye that makes you wonder what it must be like to be really wealthy.

For some reason it seems to me Russia has a lot of the wealthiest people on the planet. Long before he decided he wanted to take over Ukraine, there was a rumour over in Cabo Roig in Spain (which we sometimes manage to get to) that Putin himself owned a mansion overlooking the marina.

It goes without saying that the mansion is safe from the prying eyes of a curious Irishman (and everyone else), but local rumour has it that it can only be described as palatial, and that no expense was spared on its refurbishment.

Anyway, as I looked out on my newly-updated 131 Passat (only because my 08 one took a terminal illness) I thought of the most expensive private jet in the world, owned

by one of Putin’s best mates, Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov (I won’t be writing that again, so you’d better remember it now). I wondered how one man could have so much wealth. His Airbus A340-300 cost him €228 million. He then spent a mouthwatering €160 million doing up the interior. Apparently he did up a few bedrooms and put in a 20-seater dining table!

The thought crossed my mind that if he had called me during my furniture days, I could probably have done him a better deal (at least on the table, that’s if he didn’t mind a bit of woodworm)! However, now that I’m fully retired, I suppose there’s no use thinking about such things.

All I can think about is the sad fact that with millions of people starving around the world, and as Putin continues to inflict untold hardship and misery on the Ukrainian population, his mate can be flying round the place in his almost €400 million jet. It’s a strange world!

relieved to see that it wasn’t overcrowded. I said to myself that maybe it wouldn’t be too bad today – I was of course completely wrong. Before too long the place was packed as tightly as sardines in a tin. There were people everywhere – some even waiting outside – but as always, the staff were perfectly courteous and professional, and did their utmost best under the most extreme pressure.

My family member got seen fairly quickly and, being in severe pain, we hoped that maybe a trolley would be made available to try to provide them with some comfort. Sadly, there was nothing available, so it was a case of sitting on one of the hard chairs until something could be found. Thankfully, at about 12 midnight, after 14 hours of sitting on the chair, a bed (remarkably) came available. As I write this on Monday

Social media video exposed despicable animal cruelty

I am not a fan of social media, as oftentimes videos emerge that are almost an invasion of people’s privacy. Usually, they feature someone – probably the worse for wear after consuming too much alcohol and unaware that their actions are being filmed –making a complete ass of themselves. No harm in that, until some so-called friend posts it all over the Internet and causes untold embarrassment and shame to the poor idiot.

Thank God there was no social media back in our day or we too would

have had plenty of reasons to want a hole to open up and swallow us.

However, sometimes a video can actually have a positive effect. This week a video of appalling cruelty to a donkey, near Edenderry, has led to a Garda operation which saw seven donkeys being seized by the authorities. The video, which showed a white donkey being dragged along behind a car, with a rope tied around its neck, is both horrifying and upsetting. It begs the question how anyone could do such a terrible thing.

And finally…

Thankfully it led to the donkey in question and six others being rescued from whoever inflicted such cruelty on an innocent animal. I can only hope the Gardaí can prosecute the perpetrator and make him or her pay dearly for their despicable act.

It has often been said that people who mind and look after animals, and treat them with kindness, are usually good to humans as well. I wonder what sort of person did that to a helpless donkey?

morning, six days after our arrival at the ED, we have just done the repeat journey and our patient is safely back in Crosswell.

As we reflect on the experience, the overriding feeling is that the staff are being hugely stressed under the pressure of the enormous numbers that are presenting themselves at our emergency departments. There can be no doubt that the health service is almost at breaking point.

However, on the plus side, the doctors and nurses are, as a rule, remarkably resilient. Even though their working conditions are in some instances atrocious, they continue to provide the best possible care to their patients. All they need is the support of the Government and for the necessary resources to be put in place. However, as that has been the case for decades, we won’t hold our breath.

In Creggs, we have just had a rugby weekend that has to rank with any of those we have enjoyed since our club’s foundation way back in the 1970s.

On Saturday night, in front of the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a match in Creggs, our first team finally got the better (after trying for 30 years) of the holders of the Junior Cup, the formidable Connemara All Blacks, our lads winning a rip-roaring quarter-final by 14 points to 12. Then on Sunday, in front of another great crowd, the seconds won their semi-final with a comprehensive win over Our Lady’s Boys Club from Galway. So both teams have something to look forward to. Of course, as we all know, nothing is won until you actually have the cup (although Kilmacud Crokes might yet find that even that can sometimes be wrong).

Anyway, it was an amazing weekend, and the buzz around the village reminded me of old times. What it will be like if we win a cup or two I can only imagine. I’m not keen to mention any individuals, but it was a special day for Luke Meehan, who, having missed the last 16 months through injury, marked his comeback with not one, but two tries. He told me to write that…so if you see him, make sure he gets to read it! You owe me a pint, Luke!

Our man Frank on first-hand experience of the pressures on the health service; Animal cruelty; Mouth-watering money matters… and a great weekend for Creggs RFC

Nan Keane, a long-time Creggs supporter, ventured out in inclement weather to cheer on her team in the Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final against Connemara All Blacks last Saturday night. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Warm tributes to ‘much-loved and gifted’ teenager

DOONER

Tributes have been paid to a brave Knockcroghery teenager who sadly passed away following illness on Tuesday, 17th of January last, surrounded by his loving family. 16-year-old Matthew O’Brien from Farbreagues was laid to rest following Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Knockcroghery last Friday.

He was described as “a popular and very pleasant” student at Roscommon Community College, where he played hurling and football and was a member of the school’s successful junior football team last year.

St. Mary’s National School, Knockcroghery said Matthew was “a bright and cheerful young man who adored his siblings and always brought good humour to those around him.

“He was one of the most talented hurlers to represent our school and will always be remembered for his exploits in the County Final in 2018. It is a heartbreaking time for the family and we want them to know that we are here for them and support them through this difficult time”.

Matthew was a passionate member of St. Dominic’s GAA Club, and teammates and mentors, along with Roscommon Community College classmates, accompanied him on his final journey through Knockcroghery last Friday.

St. Dominic’s GAA Club said: “It is with a profound sense of grief and heartbreak we learn of the passing of Matthew, one of our much-loved and gifted minor club players.

“His death will leave a huge void amongst family, teammates, many, many friends and the community at large.

“In Matthew’s all too short life he has left us with a huge legacy of all that is good, both on and off the field of sport. May all of us who mourn his death, cherish his memory, and recognise the worth of his wisdom and love.

“Matthew will be laid to rest in his muchadored number 5 St. Dominic’s hurling jer-

Roscommon Girl Guides extend

thanks

sey. We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to all Matthew’s family and friends; our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of immense grief”.

St. John’s Athletic, Tremane Hurling Club and Tremane Gun Club also paid tribute to the teenager.

Cherished eldest son of Richard and Patricia and much-loved brother to Abigail, Isabelle and Rion, Matthew will be sadly missed by his grandparents John and Mary Macklin and Michael and Patsy O’Brien, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends.

The Macklin and O’Brien families acknowledge the kindness and care shown to Matthew during his illness and conveyed their appreciation to everyone for their support at this time.

Roscommon Girl Guides would like to thank everyone who supported our recent Church Gate collections, held at the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon town, and at Kilteevan and Derrane churches.

A total of €859 was collected in Roscommon, while €208 was collected at Kilteevan & Derrane. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Loughglynn Community Centre Committee AGM

Loughglynn Community Centre Committee will hold its AGM on Thursday, January 26th at 8 pm in the Community Centre. New members are most welcome to attend.

RWN to host AGM

The open annual general meeting (AGM) of the County Roscommon Women’s Network (RWN) will be held on Tuesday, February 7th, from 6 pm in Roscommon Women’s Network, Riverside Centre, Athleague (F42K685). If you would like to attend, or would be interested in joining the RWN Board of Directors, please call our office at 094 9621690 or email info@rwn.ie.

Pictured

< DAN

Matthew O’Brien, Rest In Peace,

Miriam’s MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

We need to break the culture which allows depraved abusers to flourish

Last week, following what I’d call a ‘code red’ situation regarding the increase in the number of women killed in this country last year (and, I’ll add, a phenomenon which continues), a call from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) was made ‘urging our government to set up domestic homicide reviews’. Well done to the IHREC for at least trying to take action. It’s been proposed that this domestic homicide review (DHR) would include representatives from the HSE, social services and the Gardaí who would ‘investigate after someone is killed following domestic abuse’, in the hope it will ‘help prevent and eradicate domestic homi-

cides’. So far so good. However, given in 2021 there were 817 sex crimes with a domestic abuse motivation reported to Gardaí, (compared to 205 offences the previous year, representing a ‘399 per cent increase’ and accounting for a ‘quarter of all sexual offences’ reported that year), it’s clear the time for ‘reviewing’ has come and gone. What we need now is immediate and urgent action.

How many women need to lose their lives in violent circumstances before wider society – and our law-makers – work together to break down the culture which allows these depraved, twisted, power-hungry cowards to flourish?

Only last week, the Court of

Appeal heard that a violent individual who ‘raped a woman with a mild intellectual disability’ on a side street, then imprisoned her in his home where he ‘raped her twice again’, was handed down ‘an extraordinarily lenient sentence because ‘he can’t speak English’. I won’t repeat what I said when I heard what I’d call the trial judge’s pathetic reasoning, but suffice to say, the air turned blue, and he-who-was-eatinghis-breakfast nearly choked on his fried eggs.

Apparently, at the time of sentencing, the judge had ‘factored in’ this rapist’s status ‘as a foreign national with no English, which would make prison life more difficult for him’.

Denis Naughten stepped up and took action

It’s not in my nature both as a voter and (especially not) as a journalist who must remain fair and balanced at all times, to show bias towards any politician.

However, I have to say well done to Independent Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten, left, for his part in the ‘new protocol’ at Roscommon Hospital which allows ambulances to bring patients (who meet certain clinical criteria), and who’d otherwise become victims of the trolley crisis, directly to the hospital.

We all remember how former Taoiseach Enda Kenny promised to ‘protect and defend’ the A&E at our local hospital; then, no sooner was he elected, he oversaw its closure. And yes, I know I should ‘let it go’ but I won’t! I’m sick to my back teeth of the way in which the good and decent people of this county have their rights abandoned and their entitlements erased by those in power…and breathe!

Back to Denis, a man who, when everyone else seemed to wring their hands and shake their heads in exasperation, stepped up, took action, and provided results.

Go raibh maith agat Denis!

Well, prison is meant to be difficult. Prison is meant to be a deterrent against reoffending. Prison is not meant to be party-central.

Let me make it clear: rape is rape in any language; therefore if you commit this horrific, violent crime on Irish soil, whatever your nationality, you’d better be prepared to do the time, as per our legislation. End of!

When I read the litany of injuries sustained by that poor woman, I was extremely angry. I wondered why the sentencing judge, (who, albeit acted within their discretion regarding the so-called mitigating circumstances of this perpetrator), felt a full sentence ‘would be 50 per cent more severe for

him than a local’. My heart bleeds…not!

This slap-on-the-wrist approach of making allowances for a rapist/violent abuser is never going to prove a deterrent to an offender; nor is it going to educate any man with aggressive, threatening behavioural tendencies towards women and children to take responsibility for their actions. Rather, it’ll have the opposite effect of making them think they can do what they like, when they like, to whomever they like, without the fear of ever facing a punishment.

As I write readers, women and children in this county are living in fear for their lives; yet, it seems, (in this case anyhow), that the original court

pulled back on penalising a violent offender.

Thankfully and, may I add rightly, justice has been served because, in their wisdom, the Court of Appeal deemed the ‘discount’ this particular disgusting individual received was ‘excessive’ and his jail term has been increased.

*For those who need help, Women’s Aid’s 24-hour national freephone helpline is available on 1800 341

900; the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s national 24-hour helpline is 1800 77 8888. In an emergency please, please, dial 999.

My thoughts are with the victim; I hope she can focus on her future and will rebuild her life knowing she is a strong and brave survivor.

Internet killed the Argos store

Argos, a retail group which has been almost an institution in our family – as in ‘sure you’ll get that cheaper in Argos’ – revealed it’s closing all 34 of its outlets in Ireland by the end of June, resulting in a loss of 580 jobs, some of which will affect local Rossies.

A staple of any Irish family (and it was voted ‘most-looted shop in Britain, 2011’ – probably because it stocks everything) you could say that Argos has reached cult status.

Memorable for its inexpensive jewellery – remember the cheesy, yet obligatory Elizabeth Duke clown necklace of the ‘80s – and the miniscule in-store

pens provided so shoppers could jot down their order numbers for the cashier, Argos is now sadly, no more (as of this June). In fact those little pens and order slips haven’t been a feature of Argos for a long time, this following its decision to scrap their physical A to Z flip-through catalogue in favour of online browsing.

Yes folks, it’s been a while since I’ve sat on the sofa, catalogue in hand, precariously balanced cup of coffee on the armrest, as I leafed through thousands of glossy pages circling ‘stuff’ and ‘thingamajigs’ I didn’t need, but wanted anyway!

Mind you, the demise of Argos won’t affect the younger smartphone-browsing-generation who’ll fail to see the significance of the annual Christmas ‘book of dreams’ that you handed your kids to make their ‘Santy list’ – and, in my case, to keep the little darlings quiet for an hour or two.

Farewell Argos, no more will we hit you up for our electrical items, bikes, garden sheds, TVs, and everything else a good Irish home needs. Your absence as an employer (and my thoughts are with those losing their jobs), and as a supplier, will be felt nationwide.

Roscommon Credit Union to host stage 1 of National Credit Union Schools Quiz 2023

Roscommon Credit Union is to host stage 1 of the National Credit Union Schools Quiz 2023 this Sunday, January 29th in Kilbride Community Centre at 11 am. Registration is open

from 10.15 am. We look forward to welcoming over 140 pupils from primary schools across the county. Wishing schools and pupils the very best of luck.

Roscommon Credit Union AGM 2022

Members of Roscommon Credit Union Ltd are cordially invited to the 56th Annual General Meeting, to be held virtually via zoom on Monday, 30th January 2023 at 8pm. Pre-registration

is required. To register please visit us in branch, call us on 090 6626657 alternatively register online at www.roscommoncu. ie/eAGM Only registered members can

attend, registration closes on Monday, 30th January 2023 at 1pm. We look forward to seeing our members on the night. Bernie Moran, CEO, Roscommon Credit Union.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Famous birthdays ... this week

Athlone, with Ireland’s first all-electric bus service having been launched in the town by Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan

RTE presenter Jacqui Hurley, who is a popular choice as new presenter of The Sunday Game highlights show (stepping into the role vacated by Des Cahill)

Ellen DeGeneres (American comedian and TV host, will be 65 on Thursday)

J Cole (American rapper, turns 38 on Saturday)

Oprah

(American TV host and author, celebrates 69th birthday on Sunday)

Creggs RFC, with victory over Connemara All Blacks on Saturday propelling the firsts into the Connacht Junior Cup semi-final

High-flying Arsenal, with a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester United maintaining their highly impressive form in the Premier League, with their pursuit of a first title since 2004 very much still on course

Northern Ireland snooker star Mark Allen, who continued his purple patch by winning the World Grand Prix, defeating Judd Trump in a thrilling final (winning ball in chosen pocket, £100,000 in back pocket)

Tom Selleck (American actor, will turn 78 on Sunday)

It’s been a BAD week for…

Argus employees, this after the company made a shock announcement confirming it will close all its Irish stores – with the loss of nearly 600 jobs – by this summer

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (at least in perception terms), this after police issued him with a fine for not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car while filming a video for social media

Controversial teacher Enoch Burke, who was dismissed from his position at Wilson’s Hospital School in Multyfarnham, this after he persisted in turning up for work despite being suspended

Frank Lampard, who was sacked as manager of Everton on Monday, this after a very poor run of form shattered morale and left the club facing a desperate battle to avoid relegation Munster outhalf Joey Carbery, a surprise omission from Ireland’s squad for the forthcoming Six Nations’ rugby tournament (Joey can bounce back)

“ The things people say…

Winfrey

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant” -Robert Louis Stevenson

Martina and Daniel Carroll pictured with Mary Brady at the FBD League final between Roscommon and Mayo last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Joe Reichenbach supporting Mayo and Lorna Mullaney cheering for Roscommon during the FBD League final last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Ger and Oisín Connelly pictured during the FBD League final between Roscommon and Mayo last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

It’s been a GOOD week for…

Enoch Burke

Mark Allen

Man (60s) killed in Ballinasloe crash

< DAN DOONER

A man in his 60s has died and one other person was injured following a three-car collision in Ballinasloe on Sunday evening.

The crash happened at the Ashtree Junction in the town at approximately 6.30 pm.

The man, who was a driver of one the vehicles, was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where he has since passed away. One other person was taken to hospital as a precaution. There were no other inju-

ries reported. The road remained closed overnight on Sunday as a forensic investigation took place. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward, in particular any road users who may have camera footage and were travelling in the Ashtree Junction and Station Road areas of Ballinasloe between 6 pm and 6.45 pm on Sunday. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090-9631890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any Garda station.

Tony O’Connor,

John Joe Staunton, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo

Roscommon supporters Veronica and Michael Nally with Mayo supporter Carmel Regan pictured at the FBD League final last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Teachers’ religious beliefs shouldn’t trump students’ rights to educational secularism (and welfare)

Let’s talk about ...

ENOCH BURKE

Despite being formally dismissed from his teaching role last week following a disciplinary hearing, Enoch Burke appeared on the grounds of Wilson’s Hospital School (yet again) on Tuesday.

The controversy surrounding Burke first made headlines last year, when his opposition to referring to a student by their preferred pronouns and chosen name – due to Burke’s religious beliefs – led to clashes with management, his conduct ultimately landing him a suspension. This suspension was not adhered to however, with Burke showing up on the school grounds on several occasions thereafter – even when the school secured High Court orders to bar him from doing so.

The controversy surrounding Burke has gained a lot of exposure, not just because of the nature of his initial objections and his blatant non-compliance with court orders, but also due to the chaotic scenes that played out with other members of the Burke family at the teacher’s recent disciplinary meeting. Enoch’s family share his position that he’s being religiously discriminated against in losing his teaching post, as his basis for refusing to recognise the student’s preferred gender identity is that doing so would violate his evangelical Christian beliefs. But this case is not about Burke’s views on trans/non-binary people, whether religiously based or not.

Burke was not fired, jailed, or even suspended because of his views. His suspension was linked to unprofessional behaviour in the weeks following the circulation of a schoolwide email which asked that teachers address a student by a new name and use their preferred pronouns. According to the school, after already objecting via email, Burke then interrupted a school chapel service in June, calling for the then-principal to withdraw the instruction. As a result of this and more alleged confrontational behaviour, “serious concerns” expressed by the school’s board of manage-

ment led to Burke’s eventual suspension.

And so far, Burke’s behaviour post-suspension has only served to validate such concerns, with the teacher having now turned up to the Westmeath school on a number of occasions in recent months. It was this ignoring of his suspension that eventually led to Burke being arrested in late August and jailed for contempt of court. Any teacher acting in the way Burke did, irrespective of the initial issue, would (and should) have faced the same consequences – his views on ‘pronouns’ are not what’s relevant there.

But Burke’s views nonetheless have become a focal point in discourse surrounding him. When the story made national and international headlines, too much media coverage misrepresented his personal plight as being solely based on his anti-trans views, when this is just not the case. Perhaps if Burke hadn’t publicly confronted school authorities, instead expressing his objections more appropriately, and the school had still moved against him, then he would be closer to progressing the case for religious discrimination that he wants to make.

But even if this were the case, can his initial stance really be justified? Can we say that the right to personal religious beliefs of any teacher supersedes any student’s rights to personal beliefs and personal expression? Especially here, considering how recognising students’ gender expression is intrinsically linked to their welfare, as according to a 2018 study, for each additional context (at home, school, work, socially, etc.) in which a transgender youth’s chosen name and pronouns are used, their risk of suicidal behaviour is reduced by more than half.

Burke did not have the student whom the email referred to in any of his classes. Conceivably, he could very well have continued his teaching without ever having to encounter a situation where he’d have to choose between his views and the administration’s instruction. Burke is not exercising his right to freedom of religion so much as demanding the school’s compliance with valuing his personal beliefs over the welfare of its student.

Burke is entitled to his religious views and personal beliefs on gender, but so too are students equally entitled to personal expression and their own beliefs on gender. As I see it, if the school had indeed listened to Burke and completely withdrawn their school-wide instruction as he requested, it would blatantly imply that faculty’s religious beliefs trump the personal beliefs of their students on an administrative level. And in the interest of

Church and State, this would be unacceptable. Surely it’s a truism to say religious ethos should have no place in our education systems. The religious beliefs of any person at any administrative level in our schools should not unduly influence protocol or students’ experience. Burke’s request to withdraw the instruction, if granted, would have meant exactly this; his religious beliefs would’ve been the sole cause for schoolwide protocol being reversed, plausibly to the detriment of the student’s experience. Again, Burke could arguably have continued his work without ever compromising his religious ideals as, since he didn’t teach the student, having to address them wasn’t going to be a day to day issue.

The ramifications being faced by Burke have arisen as a direct result of his unprofessional and illegal actions, not because of his particular views – and it’s important to highlight that. However, to say the inappropriate way Burke approached all of this (including his objection) is the sole reason the school were right to not accommodate them, is also untrue.

Our education system continues to suffer from being overly entwined with religion. As of 2021, about 88% of the State’s schools remained under Catholic patronage, the number of Catholic schools falling just 2% over eight years despite various government commitments. It’s a slow

process, but we are aiming to move towards secularised education, and the school accommodating Burke’s request would’ve been akin to a ‘backslide’ in this regard.

This is not, as Burke maintains, a case of a teacher’s right to religious freedom not being recognised in the workplace. This is a case of a teacher trying to claim that his personal religious views trump the school’s protocols and the personal beliefs and welfare of its students – and then subsequently acting in blatant contempt of the school administration and of court orders.

Burke claims the school’s actions amounts to “abuse of children”; a lofty accusation and an ironic one considering the school is the ‘side’ acting in the interest of its students, and Burke is the one showing up at a school he’s no longer employed at (and in defiance of court orders).

Accommodating or placating people like Burke would set a very bad precedent, both in terms of student welfare and educational secularism, so it is a relief to see this situation play out as it has.

However, it also highlights the fact that while the Irish education system is ‘on paper’ removing itself from religion, there are still people and facets within it that try and uphold the established religious ethos’ to the detriment of some students’ beliefs and rights.

Alannah Ita Healy

(A student’s perspective)

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Sandra McDermott, Ethel Tarpey and Therese Killian Gately. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Lelia McCaffery and Tom and Isabelle Sexton. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Bernie, James and Emma Cuddy. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Gospel Reflection

Sunday 29 January

In the readings since Christmas, Jesus has been revealed as the new royal son of David and Son of God. He is sent to lead a new exodus that brings Israel out of captivity to the nations and brings all the nations to God.

As Moses led Israel from Egypt through the sea to give them God’s law on Mount Sinai, Jesus too has passed through the waters in baptism. Now, in today’s Gospel, He goes to the mountain to proclaim a new law – the law of His Kingdom.

The Beatitudes mark the fulfilment of God’s covenant promise to Abraham – that through his descendants all the nations of the world would receive God’s blessings (see Genesis 12:3; 22:18).

Jesus is the son of Abraham (see Matthew 1:1). And through the wisdom He speaks today, He bestows the Father’s blessings upon “the poor in spirit”.

God has chosen to bless the weak and lowly, those foolish and despised in the eyes of the world, Paul says in today’s Epistle. The poor in spirit are those who know that nothing they do can merit God’s mercy and grace. These are the humble remnant in today’s First Reading, taught to seek refuge in the name of the Lord.

The Beatitudes reveal the divine path and purpose for our lives. All our striving should be for these virtues – to be poor in spirit; meek and clean of heart; merciful and makers of peace; seekers of the righteousness that comes from living by the law of Kingdom.

The path the Lord sets before us today is one of trials and persecution. But He promises comfort in our mourning and a great reward.

The Kingdom we have inherited is no earthly territory but the promised land of heaven. It is Zion where the Lord reigns forever. And, as we sing in today’s Psalm, its blessings are for those whose hope is in the Lord.

-Scott Hahn Ph., www.salvationhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon)

‘Evangelising the Culture’ seminar on Saturday

Conscious that being inactive in the missionary life of the Church is not an option for devout Catholics, a group of lay Catholics in the Roscommon area have come together to form St Patrick’s Team.

Their initial project is to host a seminar in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone, under the title ‘Evangelising the Cul-

ture’. This event will be held on Saturday, 28th of January and will bring together some Catholic catechetical groups with programmes old and new, offering them a platform to showcase their faith formation methods.

Keynote speakers include Dr Alexander O’Hara, Fr Brendan Kilcoyne, Fr Maurice Colgan

OP, and David Quinn (of the Iona Institute). Presentations will be made by Faith on Fire, Altaration (on the Mass), Alpha Ireland, Called to More, and NET Ministries. Further details and the registration form can be found at www. saintpatricksteam.ie. Doors open at 9.15 (for tea/coffee) and the sessions begin at 10.30 am.

Parish Youth Mass this Saturday

The next Parish Youth Mass will be at 7 pm on this Saturday, 28th of January, in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon. This Mass has been especially designed for young people, by young people, but everyone is invited to attend. The theme of this month’s Mass is coming from darkness into light.

The Bridge Club

Roscommon & Happy ‘71 Bridge Clubs: Coleman Cup (Team of 4) – 1st: Mary and Pearse Mellett, Judy Adamson and Olive Fahy; 2nd: Larry Shine and Larry Curley, Phil and Seamus Cooney; Session 1: Joan Donnellan and Margaret Gillen, Ann Flynn and Marie McSharry; Session 2: Mary and Terry O’Keeffe, Mary McDermott and Ann Kilduff.

St Coman’s Bridge Club: 1st: Breege Weir and Pat Pierse; 2nd: Martina Hanley and Helen Earley; Gross: Nuala Costello and Chris McGrath.

Ballymurray Bridge Club: Section A – 1st: Jill Farrell and Pat Lyons; 2nd: Mary Law and Susan Farrell; Gross: Honor Lynn and Geraldine Relihan. Section B – 1st: Annette Gaffney and Jane Hunt; 2nd: Fiona Neilan and Kitty Blighe; Gross: Ethel and Brian Keenan.

Young Senan McNama pictured with Christine and Tom Moran, all supporting Roscommon at the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan last Friday night during the FBD League final against Mayo. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Abbey Hotel Weddings’ promotional offer extended

WIN GOODIES IN JANUARY GIVEAWAY!

Following the success of our recent wedding fair, the Abbey Hotel (Roscommon) have extended our 10% discount off select wedding packages’ offer until this Saturday, 28th of January.

We have some fabulous wedding supplier goodies up for grabs in our January Wedding Giveaway extravaganza, including a stunning Flower Arch display from ‘Your forever flowers’, a gorgeous wedding day decor set from Mint Celebrations, a special occasion cake supplied by Pete’s Pops Cake Supplier, a complimentary makeover from EL Make Up Artist Lizzie Loughlin, plus a complimentary bag piper arrivals from O’Ceilligh Bag piper.

Perhaps you attended our wedding fair last Sunday and have additional questions and wish to make an appointment to book? If so, we want to hear from you.

There are Open Viewings of our ballroom this Friday and Saturday with a complimentary glass of bubbly for all newly-engaged couples who book.

To schedule an appointment to register for our free draw which is open to all new weddings booked before Saturday, 28th of January, simply email weddings@abbeyhotel.ie. (T&Cs apply. All winners will be notified on January 30th).

The tooth hurts!

< DAN DOONER

Independent TD Denis Naughten told the Dáil last week of a local family carer who could not find a dentist in Roscommon, Mayo or Leitrim that would take her medical card.

Describing the “deplorable situation within the public dental service”, Deputy Naughten said the woman told him she “felt like she was begging” in order to receive treatment.

“Mary is a single parent with two adult children for whom she is their primary carer. She put it to me that it is not easy to survive on her welfare payments,” he said.

“She is someone who worked all

In the Chamber

her life. She was forced out of employment back in 2015. She paid all of her taxes like everyone else. She said she felt like she was begging to get the help she urgently needs”.

Another example given involved a man with an intellectual disability, who ended up in the A&E at University Hospital Galway with facial swelling, hallucinations, and confusion due to his dental issues, despite being on an emergency waiting list for over two months.

Deputy Naughten said the situation for children is just as bad, with many missing out on vital checkups.

“Just 499 primary school children in County Galway had such a

No reply from O’Gorman on Council visit

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman has yet to reply to an invitation to visit Ballaghaderreen, members were told at Monday’s monthly Council meeting. It had been agreed at a meeting before Christmas that an invite be extended to the minister to discuss growing concerns over additional resources for the town following the arrival of an additional 112 refugees there.

check-up in the first half of 2022,” he said.

“With regard to our orthodontic services, in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, we have 1,343 children waiting. Some are waiting up to two years to start treatment”. The local TD said it also seems some children with a disability have been “completely forgotten” with reports of children with autism in mainstream schools unable to avail of primary school dental services.

“Neglecting our public dental services and oral hygiene leads to emergency dental issues, advanced oral lesions, chronic ill health and sepsis that all add to pressure on our emergency departments, which just cannot cope,” he said.

It was hoped that Minister O’Gorman would meet with members of the local community and local schools to address the issues. However, councillors were informed that no response had as yet been forthcoming from the minister’s office.

Pride of Place groups congratulated

Three Roscommon community groups who took part in this year’s IPB Pride of Place Awards at The Clayton Hotel in Dublin on Saturday night were congratulated at Monday’s Council meeting.

Roscommon featured in three categories with Lough Ree Access For All taking home the runner-up prize in the Community Tour-

Dáil hears of ‘deplorable situation’ in public dental services locally

At this month’s meeting of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Emer Kelly put forward a motion calling on the Council to write to the Health Minister with a view to incentivising dentists to take part in the Medical Card scheme.

Cllr Kelly, who highlighted the high number of GPs opting out of the scheme and difficulties in accessing services, received widespread support across the chamber.

Cllr Tony Ward, who sits on the HSE West Forum, described the situation as “totally wrong”, and claimed that a number of medical card holders had been forced to borrow money in order to pay for treatment. He vowed to continue to raise the issue at the forum.

ism category while Lisnamult Residents’ Association were also runners-up in the Urban Neighbourhood category. The Melting Pot, Roscommon were also featured in the Community Wellbeing Initiative.

Fallon calls for action on ash dieback

In a motion that was passed at Monday’s meeting, Cllr Laurence Fallon called on the Council to write to the Government to request a national assessment with a view to allocating funding to remove dangerous trees affected by ash dieback.

Cllr Fallon said the main reason for such an initiative was the danger posed by trees close to public roads. He said 80 to 90 per cent of

Irish trees would be affected and the only solution was to remove them before they caused harm to members of the public.

Cllr Liam Callaghan called for a representative from Coillte to attend a future meeting of the local authority to discuss the body’s involvement with a UK investment fund. He said the fund’s ongoing acquisition of land in rural areas would leave the agricultural land market “very volatile”.

Cllr Anthony Waldron also introduced an amendment to the motion calling for funding for training aimed at removing ivy from potentially decaying trees.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said the local authority would not be involved in the felling of any trees on private land but would consider the removal of trees along public roads on a case-by-case basis.

DAN DOONER

Independent TD Denis Naughten

Tormeys Solicitors LLP announce results of the Barra Flynn Memorial Scholarship 2022

Tormeys Solicitors LLP, one of the longest established and largest Solicitors firms in the Midlands, were delighted to announce the winners of the Barra Flynn Memorial Scholarship 2022 following a presentation at their offices recently.

In terms of the history of the Scholarship, Tormeys Solicitors LLP provides an annual scholarship to Leaving Certificate students from the Athlone, Moate, Ferbane, Ballymahon, Roscommon, Ballinasloe and Tullamore School areas.

The fund is awarded to students that attain the highest Leaving Certificate points and who have chosen to pursue a legal course at a Third Level Institution.

This is the 30th Annual presentation of the Scholarship and whilst there are now a number of scholarships presented by Corporate Bodies in the Athlone area, Tormeys Solicitors was the first to embrace this incentive to encourage young adults to study law.

The Scholarship Fund in total is valued at over €2,500.00 with €1,200.00

for First Place, €600.00 for Second Place and €300.00 for Third Place. To recognise the school’s contribution, Tormeys Solicitors also donates the sum of €500.00 to the winning school.

In 2000, to commemorate the Millennium, Tormeys Solicitors LLP introduced the presentation of the Perpetual Trophy to the school with the highest cumulative points for law students within that year. The winner of the 2022 School Prize was Athlone Community College.

The First Place Student winner of 2022 was Ellie Keaveney, daughter of Hilary and John and past pupil of Moate Community School. Ellie is now studying law and history at Trinity College, Dublin.

This year saw joint Second Place winners, Emily Sheehan, daughter of Maria and Barry and past pupil of Athlone Community College and Liam Hennelly, son of Des and Eileen, and also a past pupil of Athlone Community College. Emily is currently

studying law and history at Trinity College while Liam is studying business and law at UCD.

Tormeys Solicitors would like to thank all of the applicants who participated

in the Scholarship and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Tormeys Solicitors LLP, winner of the Sunday Independent’s Irelands Best Law Firms of the Year

2023 and Midlands 103 Legal Firm of the Year 2023, would like to thank all its clients for their loyal and continued support and we look forward to many years of continued success.

Pictured at the Scholarship presentation are winners Ellie Keaveney, Emily Sheehan, Liam Hennelly and Grainne Macken with representatives from Tormeys Solicitors LLP, Clodagh Shine (Partner), Tony Henry (Managing Partner), David Keane (Solicitor) and Michelle Carty, Event Coordinator, together with Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn).

Pictured at the Scholarship presentation is First Place Winner Ellie Keaveney, past pupil of Moate Community School, pictured with Tony Henry, Managing Partner of Tormeys Solicitors and Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn).

Pictured at the Scholarship presentation is Joint Second Place Winner, Emily Sheehan, past pupil of Athlone Community College, pictured with Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn).

Pictured at the Scholarship presentation is Joint Second Place Winner, Liam Hennelly, past pupil of Athlone Community College, pictured with Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn).

Pictured at the Scholarship presentation is Grainne Macken, Deputy Principal of Athlone Community College, Winner of the Best Overall School Award, pictured with Tony Henry, Managing Partner of Tormeys Solicitors LLP and Patrick Flynn

Why it’s important your SUV has the correct tyres

Over the past ten to 15 years, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have come to dominate the car sales charts in Ireland. So far this year, SUVs account for eight out of the top ten selling vehicles across the country, from the Nissan Qashqai to the Hyundai Tucson, and more compact options like the Ford Puma and the Opel Mokka.

As well as being practical, the SUVs in the market now are considered to be some of the most comfortable cars that money can buy. But while much of their appeal is down to the features and technology onboard an SUV – it’s also a result of their shape and design, which is inspired by their off-road heritage.

Research by Continental Tyres has shown that the main reason SUV or 4x4 owners purchased their car was for the elevated driving position and extra headroom, leg room and storage space.

And because their roof lines don’t sweep down towards the boot of the car as they do on a saloon or estate, visibility is improved, and space can be used more effectively.

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland says: “SUVs have become very much the predominant vehicle choice for car buyers in Ireland. SUVs are generally larger and thus heavier than a traditional hatchback or sedan so drivers of SUVs need to keep that fact in mind when it comes to replacing tyres on their vehicle. Another important consideration for SUV drivers is how and where they generally drive their vehicle”.

Continental has put together a checklist to run through when you’re thinking about tyres for your SUV.

• Is it electric, hybrid or does it have a traditional combustion engine?

• How powerful is it?

• How large and heavy is it?

• Do you often tow heavy loads?

• Is it an AWD (all-wheel drive), 4WD (fourwheel drive/4X4/four-by-four) or 2WD (twowheel drive)?

• Do you often face tough conditions like gravel, mud, snow, and steep inclines?

• And will you use it in the city or suburban areas?

newsbriefs

Roscommon Gardening Club meeting

Roscommon

RSPCA church gate collections

Roscommon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold church gate collections this week at the following locations: St. Michael’s Church, Drumlion on Saturday and Sunday (28th and 29th), and St. Mary’s Church, Aughrim on Sunday 29th

Your support, as always, is greatly appreciated.

Group walks in Ballymoe

Group walks from the Fr. Flanagan Memorial Centre, Ballymoe take place every Wednesday evening at 7.30 pm and on Saturday mornings from 10 am. Contact 0858834328 for more information.

Healing Mass in Curraghboy

A special Mass for Healing will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy, Athlone on Friday, February 3rd, commencing at 8 pm. The celebrant will be Fr John Walsh. Confessions will be available from 7 pm, and the Rosary will begin at 7.30 pm. Individual Blessings for Healing and Blessing of the throat for St Blaise’s Day will take place after Mass. All are most welcome to attend.

SUVs have become a hugely popular choice for families.

Mr. Dennigan continued: “It’s important first to consider the capability of your SUV – and then what you’re going to ask of it. Most small to medium SUVs will come fitted with summer onroad tyres on the basis they’re going to be used for 100 per cent on-road driving. Larger SUVs and 4x4s may well come with tyres that have a degree of off-road and/or all-season capability.

“If you regularly use off-road tyres on tarmac, you might be in for a hard, noisy ride. And vice versa – use on-road tyres on irregular terrain, and you’re likely to struggle for grip. Get it right though, and you’ll enjoy the best experience at the wheel of your SUV, with maximum safety and comfort for everyone on board”.

Like most manufacturers, Continental Tyres has special ranges of tyres designed for SUVs. The CrossContactRX – which comes fitted to the new Land Rover Defender 130 – is designed for 90 per cent on-road driving, and 10 per cent off-road. Or if you want more off-road capability than that, the CrossContact ATR is designed for 70 per cent on-road and 30 per cent off-road use.

Continental has also adapted its tyres to suit the specific needs of electric and hybrid SUVs –where the weight of the battery is an extra consideration. The Mercedes EQC, Kia Niro, Kia EV6 and Polestar 2 all come fitted with specially designed SUV tyres from Continental.

Roscommon

please visit www.cancer.ie

Gardening Club will hold its next meeting on Monday next (January 30th) at 8 pm in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. The speaker for the night is Brendan Farrell who will give a talk on Eco & Biodiversity. New members welcome.

Pictured at the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day Supporters’ launch 2023 in Croke Park were Roscommon volunteers Monica Fallon and Mary Raftery, Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power and Father Ted star and launch host, Pauline McLynn. Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 24th. For more information,

Advice for people at higher risk from COVID-19

Who’s at higher risk?

You are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 if you:

• are aged 75 or over, even if you’re fully vaccinated

• are aged 65 or over and have a health condition that puts you at higher risk, even if you’re fully vaccinated

• are aged 65 or over and you’re not fully vaccinated

• are immunocompromised and have a weak immune system

• have a health condition that puts you at higher risk and you’re not fully vaccinated

There is a full list of conditions that put you at higher risk on hse.ie

Advice for keeping well if you’re at higher risk:

1. Make sure you’re up-to-date with all your recommended vaccines, including your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and your flu vaccine.

2. Act quickly if you have symptoms of COVID-19 – stay at home and take a test if one is recommended for you.

3. Keep a list of any medicines you are taking regularly.

4. Protect yourself day to day – wear a face mask, especially in crowded areas, wash your hands and let fresh air into your home.

5. If possible, stay away from people who have symptoms of respiratory illnesses and ask visitors to your home to delay their visit if they’re not feeling well.

When to see a doctor

You should contact a doctor urgently if you are at higher risk and you have COVID-19 symptoms or you have a positive COVID-19 PCR or antigen test.

Treatments for COVID-19

Some people who are at higher risk from COVID-19 may be recommended anti-viral medication which can be effective within 5 days of onset of illness.

If your doctor decides that treatment is right for you, you’ll start treatment as soon as possible.

If COVID-19 treatment is not recommended for you, your doctor will provide you with the care that is right for your condition and symptoms.

Treatment for COVID-19 is free of charge through the HSE if it is recommended for you.

Further information

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatment, please visit www.hse.ie or call HSELive on 1800 700 700

Entertainment, Culture & Arts

Roscommon CCE branch activities

The Roscommon branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will run beginners and improvers group classes in tin whistle and fiddle from Thursday, February 9th. For further information re: venue, times, cost and booking, please contact the secretary on 087 9316673.

Branch sessions for young musicians will continue on the second Sunday of every month in Roscommon Community Sports Park building in Lisnamult from 5 to 6 pm.

Senior sessions are held in Beár an Ráille on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 8 to 10 pm. All welcome.

Countdown to All-Ireland Drama Finals in Glenamaddy

Glenamaddy Theatre Festival are thrilled to be hosting this year’s AllIreland Confined Drama Finals in April. We look forward to welcoming the nine qualifying groups and visiting patrons who will experience the hospitality for which Glenamaddy has been noted since the hosting of the first Glenamaddy Theatre Festival in 1960.

The Glenamaddy Theatre Festival Committee, led by Director Coman Keaveny, is confident that the hosting of the All-Ireland Confined Finals – the third such hosting of the event over the past 30 years with the last being held in 2010 – will be a momentous occasion and is committed to meeting and exceeding the high standards that patrons have come to expect from the prestigious event.

Last Monday, January 23rd, RosFM (Roscommon’s community radio station) debuted a new programme called ‘Mark My Words’, focused on addressing issues affecting people with disabilities.

The programme is presented by Mark McClean, who himself is confined to a wheelchair following a traffic accident. Every Monday, between 12 noon and 1 pm, ‘Mark My Words’ will address all the issues and latest news affecting people with disabilities with special guests news and features.

This week, RosFM will also air a special programme called ‘Integration in Ireland’. This one-hour programme was made by members of the Afghanistan community from the EROC centre and members of the Ukrainian community in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. The participants undertook a ten-week QQI Level 3 media expression course at RosFM under the supervision of Deirdre Hunt, which was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The participants researched, recorded, and edited the programme as part of the course. The programme will be repeated next week on Wednesday, February 1st, between 3 pm and 4 pm.

The latest winner of the RosFM 50-50 draw was Helen Kearney, who won €202 after the latest draw on Friday, January 20th. The next draw will be held in studio on Friday, February 3rd, at 2.30 pm.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the draw so far.

RosFM is once again appealing for volunteers to join the station. There are roles in music presentation, current affairs, and news and sport. Full training will be given. For more details, email info@ rosfm.ie or call into our new studios on the Lanesborough Road in Roscommon Town.

For now, the committee’s focus is on preparing for the upcoming finals which will run from April 13th to April 21st next in Glenamaddy Community Centre, with curtain up at 8 pm each night. Patrons can be assured of a very warm welcome where Glenamaddy Community Centre will be transformed into a wonderful theatre for the nine nights with ample space and seating

and an ambience that will equal any of its counterparts.

The draw for the finals will take place on Sunday, 2nd of April in the Town Hall Theatre, Glenamaddy which will determine the nine-night programme.

Audiences will be enthralled by the standard of performances, which will be adjudicated this year by Geoff

For further information please visit our website www.glenamaddydrama.ie where season tickets costing €110 are

currently on sale. Nightly tickets will be released for sale on the website from 1st March 2023. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact the Festival Secretary by email on glenamaddydrama@ gmail.com. There will also be a range of fringe events to coincide with the festival so keep an eye on our website and social media platforms.

Pilgrim St for ‘Backstage’ in February

garnered a glowing word of mouth endorsement from venues around the country with their powerhouse live performances.

Strongly

Drawing from fellow luminaries such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, The Pogues and Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions outfit, Pilgrim St bring their infectious

melodies, harmonies and songs to Backstage Theatre on Saturday, 4th of February.

With a setlist made up of covers and their own original songs, they have graced the stages of Electric Picnic and Vicar Street as well as touring all over the country.

Tickets to see Pilgrim Street/St in Backstage are €25 and available on 043 3347888 or backstage.ie

RosFM news: new show, latest 50-50 winner!

The Glenamaddy Theatre Festival Committee, led by Director Coman Keaveny, is confident that the hosting of the All-Ireland Confined Finals will be a momentous occasion and is committed to meeting and exceeding the highest of standards.

They’ve been making waves on the music scene across Ireland – and now this February Pilgrim St are set to entertain Longford audiences with an unmissable gig for music lovers.

influenced by Bluegrass, Old Time Country and Folk Music, fused with traditional folk songs from this side of the Atlantic, Pilgrim St bring a warm

and lively atmosphere to their music and have

O’Keeffe. Geoff is highly experienced in all elements of drama production.

The Glenamaddy Festival committee are honoured to welcome him to the north Galway town and will assure him of their best attention.

GOING OUT

Patrick Ryan and Vince Moran pictured at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub in Frenchpark on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

David Rocke and Cora Naughton pictured at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub in Frenchpark on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

The Cummins sisters from Ballinagare pictured with Stuart Hanly from Frenchpark at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

David Rocke, Marrian, Peter and Liam Noone pictured at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub in Frenchpark on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Detty Shannon and Andy Hopkins pictured at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub in Frenchpark on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Elaine Murrin and Mike Rogerson pictured at the fundraising auction held at Farrell’s Pub in Frenchpark on St Stephen’s Day in aid of two local ill children, Lucy Croghan and Donnacha Horan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Georgina Finneran, Eamon Scanlon and Gary Finneran. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Margaret and Kevin Sexton. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Peter Mullen, Kieran Madden, Mary Raftery, Dermot Cox, Frank Nally and Tom Brady. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Alison, Cian, Harry and Ivor Trimble. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Paul Biesty and Sean Mahon. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Western Alzheimer’s Charity Walk on St. Stephen’s Day were Paul Scanlon and Cathal Shanagher. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Farmers reminded of TBESS deadline

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm Business Committee, Shane O’Loughlin, has warned farmers intending to engage with TBESS that claims deadline for the first month covered by the scheme, September 2022, is fast approaching.

“The TBESS provides support to qualifying farm businesses in respect of energy costs in the period from September 1st 2022 to February 28th 2023,” he said.

“The scheme is open to farmers and other businesses that have experienced an increase of 50 per cent or more in their electricity and/or natural gas average unit price and those that fulfil the criteria can claim for 40 per cent of the increases in their energy bills. The increase in energy bills must be between the claim period and the reference period in question.

Mr O’Loughlin further explained: “A claim period is a calendar month from September 2022 to February 2023. A reference period is the corresponding calendar month in the previous year.

“So, for example, September 2021 is the reference period for the September 2022 claim period and this is where the first deadline is looming: January 31 is the last day to claim for the increased energy costs of September 2022 relative to September 2021”.

This scheme is expected to continue until the end of June of this year but Mr O’Loughlin believes extending it should be a priority “given that energy prices from utility companies are not falling”.

“There is a limit of €10,000 applies to the total payments that a qualifying business can claim for each month,” he concluded.

‘Crisis in sheep sector must be averted’

IFA Sheep Chairperson

Kevin Comiskey has strongly criticised factories for further cuts on lamb prices and said the weakening of prices at a time when production costs are at an all-time high is not acceptable and must stop.

The IFA Sheep Chairperson said input costs on sheep farms has increased in the past 12 months by over 40 per cent and farmers do not have the capacity to absorb this level of cost increase which has eroded the income levels in an extremely vulnerable sector.

“Factories have failed to provide strong and meaningful prices to farmers who have invested in finishing

lambs throughout this period and this week in particular which only serves to undermine confidence in the sector,” he said.

The Sheep Chairperson said factories imposing weight cuts on lambs in an attempt to flatten prices is unacceptable and only sends negative messages to farmers committed to finishing lambs.

“Direct payments make up over 100 per cent of FFI on sheep farms and farmers are becoming increasingly unviable in the sector with current prices and the failure of the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to provide meaningful direct supports to the

Landowners should block ‘Go Vegan’ adverts

ICSA president Dermot Kelleher has called on all landowners to block any more adverts from Go Vegan World on billboards on their land.

“Farmers are really annoyed at the diesel-powered Dublin buses advertising campaign against Irish farming, being run by the Go Vegan World group,” he said.

“However, for too long now, billboards around the country have been used to disseminate the anti-farming propaganda and it is time for rural Ireland to stop facilitating this. Many of these billboards are erected on land near motorways and it is time for the landowners to call a halt”.

Mr Kelleher has also called for transparency around who is actually bankrolling these Go Vegan World campaigns.

“It is crystal clear that millions of euros are flowing into Ireland to fund campaigns which conservatively cost several millions to run. Go Vegan World and the Eden Sanctuary are very reluctant to provide full transparency about who is paying for all of this. The question is why are they so shy about being open on this?”

Despite the recent inclement weather conditions and hazardous road conditions, almost 400 animals were presented for sale on Thursday last. For those who braved the weather conditions they were not disappointed as a great trade prevailed for all categories of stock on offer.

In the bullock ring, quality lighter stores peaked at €3.19 a kilo while the heavier lots made up to €2,270. The heifer ring had a similar tone with stores making up to €3.48 a kilo and heavier lots topped out at €2,060.

The weanling rings witnessed the bulls making up to €3.42 and heifer weanling topped out at €3.40 a kilo. The cows with calves at foot made up to €1,760 while springer cows peaked at €3,020. Increased numbers of dry cows saw prices peak at €2,490.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (Thursday) with our weekly sale of bullocks, heifers, cows, calves, runners, and weanlings.

All sales commence at 11 am with three rings in operation.

Sample prices for bullocks: Ch 490kgs €1560, Lm 455kgs €1420, Lm 545kgs €1620, Sim 530kgs €1600, Ch 510kgs €1530, AA 585kgs €1740, AA 550kgs €1720, Ch 630kgs €1950, AA 755kgs €2270, Lm 685kgs €2150, Lm 650kgs €2050.

Heifers: BBx 425kgs €1350, Ch 415kgs €1250, Lm 355kgs €1050, Lm 470kgs €1530, BBx 430kgs €1500, Lm 440kgs €1420, AAx 685kgs €2060, AA 605kgs €1950, Ch 595kgs €1940.

sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, Teagasc has forecasted margins from sheep production to decline further this year with current prices insufficient to cover the increased costs of production.

The outlook for 2023 forecasts feed prices to increase by a further 10 per cent with no weakening of fertiliser prices which have increased 195 per cent on 2021 levels. Other direct costs are forecasted to increase by 4 per cent in 2023.

Kevin Comiskey said there is real concern within the sector for the spring trade and action needs to be taken immediately to support farmers.

Dry cows: Fr 480kgs €990, Fr 490kgs €940, Lmx 870kgs €2490, Ch 805kgs €2250, Lmx 790kgs €2100, Lmx 740kgs €2080, Lm 735kgs €2040, Fr 710kgs €1930, Hex 795kgs €1860,

Weanling bulls: Ch 295kgs €1000, Ch 280kgs €960, Lm 280kgs €880, Lm 250kgs €820, Chx 465kgs €1460, Lm 445kgs €1400, Lm 430kgs €1400, Ch 390kgs €1380, Lm 320kgs €1000, Lm 385kgs €1320, Sim 440kgs €1270.

Weanling heifers: Ch 270kgs €920, Ch 235kgs €760, Lm 255kgs €800, Lm 335kgs €1050, Lm 335kgs €990, Lm 400kgs €1180.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed to IFA that capital allowances on slurry storage will be available for three years, according to the association’s Farm Business Chair, Rose Mary McDonagh.

Then Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, announced on Budget Day a scheme of accelerated capital allowances for the construction of slurry storage.

In the Budget 2023, Tax Policy Changes document that was subsequently published by the Department of Finance, it states that this scheme would be open for three years. The cost of the facilities could be written off over two years, rather than the seven-year period that previously applied for such capital expenditure.

Mary McDonagh said: “It’s understood that the eligible period for these measures was initially set for six months - to June 2023 - in the Finance Bill

due to the EU Agricultural Block Exemption Regulations (ABER) requiring updating as happens with many taxation measures related to agriculture.

“Subsequent to the publication of the Finance Bill, in November last, IFA received confirmation from the Department of Agriculture that once the ABER is

approved, the Department of Finance will put the appropriate legislation in place to extend this measure beyond June 30th next, as intended”.

Friday, January 27th at 11 a.m.

Special

Bullocks

February 3rd at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers

Also Dry Cows and Bullocks

Bookings accepted until Monday, 30th January at 5 p.m.

January 31st at 4 p.m.

Sale of Weanlings

Booking accepted until Thursday, 26th January at 5 p.m.

4 in-calf Cows due from 1st March onwards 19 Cows in Calf to the P/B Lim Bull due from the 1st of March onwards

15 Cows in Calf to the P/B Charolais Bull due from the 1st of February onwards

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lambs & Cast Ewes

Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. Stock must be penned by 9.30 a.m. – Gates close at 10 a.m.

Speaking after the recent IFA Farming and Climate Summit in Thomond Park, IFA Rural Development Chair Michael Biggins welcomed news that “all options were being explored” to support 46,000 farmers who applied for ACRES last year but called for urgent clarity for all those affected.

“We’ve known for some time now that the Department of Agriculture is looking into some form of ‘gap’ payment for those who have applied for Tranche 1, but are not successful. However, as to what that looks like, how much it will be, or how it will be administered, that has yet to be decided,” Mr. Biggins said.

The Rural Development Chairperson said farmers cannot be left in limbo when it comes to payments.

“Agri-environmental scheme payments

make up a substantial part of family farm income each year, particularly for low-income drystock farmers,” he said.

“We’ve raised and highlighted the issue with the Department for some time, and while it’s welcome that all options are being explored, farmers need greater clarity, and quickly, so they can plan for the months ahead. Whatever form of ‘gap’ support materialises must be simply administered and tangible, not purely token support and a box-ticking exercise,” he said.

Mr. Biggins added that every valid applicant must receive a payment in 2023, whether as part of Tranche 1 or an advanced Tranche 2.

“With all the pressure on the sector to meet its climate ambitions, it’s important that farmers on the ground do not lose out,” he concluded.

Wednesday, February 1st Special Entry of 20 Suffolk Cross 2nd and 3rd Crop ewes lambing from the 1st of February onwards

There was a large entry of stock on offer at our heifer sale last Friday with a strong trade for all stock. Heifers averaged €3.01 per kilo up to €3.38 per kilo. We had another good showing of dry cows which made an average of €2.61 per kilo up to €3.33 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside with online

bidders also active. We had a larger number of sheep on offer at our weekly sale of lambs and cast ewes. Prices for finished hoggets peaked at €154. The tops for stag ewes fetched €169. We also had a special entry of in-lamb ewes with prices ranging from €150 to €220.

The next sale of lambs

and cast ewes is Wednesday next (February 1st) at 11 am. Yard opens at 8 am and all stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www.

livestock-live.com.

Sample prices for dry cows: Char X 890kgs €2680, BBX 815kgs €2650, Lim X 655kgs €2180, Lim X 865kgs €2560, Char X 790kgs

€2400, Lim X 840kgs €2480, Char X 645kgs €2040, Lim X 775kgs €2450, SIX 695kgs €2220, Lim X 750kgs €2240.

Heifers: Lim X 385kgs €1300, Char X 745kgs €2160, Lim X 640kgs €2040, Char X 530kgs €1740, Char X 525kgs €1700, Lim X 465kgs €1400, Char X 440kgs €1390, AAX 545kgs

€1620, SIX 535kgs €1590, Char X 590kgs €1840, Lim X 590kgs €1900, Char X 640kgs €1920, Lim X 610kgs €1860, Char X 545kgs €1710, Lim X 457kgs €1500.

Finished Hoggets: 52kgs €154, 59.3kgs €152, 51.8kgs €151, 51.6kgs €151, 51.2kgs €149, 47.7kgs €145, 48.3kgs €138.

IFA

Rose

Roscommon Ulster Bank branch to close on April 21st

DAN DOONER

Ulster Bank has confirmed that its Roscommon town branch will close completely on April 21st after ceasing transactions at the end of March.

The branch, located just off the Square in the county town, is not included among 25 branches nationwide in the Permanent TSB rebrand.

The bank also confirmed that all its remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close for good in April as part of its departure from the Irish market.

Jobs blow for Athlone and Longford as Argos announces Irish closure

Athlone and Longford suffered a jobs blow last week as retail giant Argos announced it would be closing all its stores in the Republic of Ireland by June of this year.

The company said it made the decision to end its operations here following a “long period of careful consideration and a thorough review of its business and operations”.

The retail firm employs 580 people across 34 outlets in the Republic, including stores in Athlone and Longford. It said there would be no change to its operations in Northern Ireland.

Argos confirmed it would propose an enhanced redundancy package for effected staff that “goes beyond its statutory obligations”.

Irish stores will remain open until June 24th at the latest and customers will no longer be able to pay for orders via the website or place orders for home delivery after March 22nd.

Ulster Bank customers have received notice in recent months advising them of the need to switch to a different banking provider.

All branches will cease transactions on March 31st while Ulster Bank’s services through An Post will also cease on that date.

Customers will no longer be able to make cash or cheque lodgements at the counter or machine after March 31st while withdrawals will only be available at ATMs. Foreign Exchange services will also be closed.

Aldi announces 360 new jobs and minimum wage increase

Aldi has this week announced 360 jobs across its Irish stores as well as an increase of its minimum pay rate to €13.85 for employees, making it the first Irish supermarket to introduce the new Living Wage from February 1st.

The announcement comes on the back of a recent survey, commissioned by the retailer, which found that 77 per cent of the population have financial worries due to the ongoing costof-living crisis. Aldi says it has added additional discounts of over 40 per cent on healthy eating

and food staple items to help combat the crisis.

Group Managing Director Niall O’Connor said: “We continue to be very aware of this impact, and even more committed to our customers in helping them weather this storm.

“We will continue to shield and protect them with low prices starting with even bigger discounts over the coming year”.

On Aldi’s plans for the coming year, Mr O’Connor said: “We are pleased to announce the creation of a further 360 new jobs in addition to roles currently available

Local IHF Chair:

‘VAT increase is the last thing we need!’

< DAN DOONER

The Chair of the Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim branch of the Irish Hotels Federation has said a potential VAT increase is the last thing the sector needs during a cost of living crisis.

across the country, as we look to continue to grow the Aldi team.

“Our wider commercial plan in Ireland will see us continue to expand and develop our store network. We have plans to open six new stores this year, the first of which will be opening shortly in Adamstown. This store will represent the first store opening in Dublin since we announced our ambitious €73 million investment plans for the capital, which will see us build and open 11 new Aldi stores over the coming five years”.

Michael Yates, who is also General Manager at the Diamond Coast Hotel in Sligo, expressed deep concern about the impact the proposed VAT increase would have on an industry still recovering from the pandemic.

“With many of our key tourism markets experiencing a cost-of-living-crisis, the last thing the Government should be contemplating is an increase in consumer taxes such as tourism VAT,” he said.

“Consumers in Ireland and across our overseas markets are already being squeezed by exceptionally high levels of inflation and other pressures on their

finances, which means there is a very real risk that many will pull back from spending on discretionary items such as holidays and breaks away”.

Mr Yates said any increase from 9 per cent would have a huge impact on inflation while damaging Ireland’s competiveness as a tourist destination.

“Now is not the time to jeopardise the recovery by increasing tourism VAT. The focus of the Government should instead be on safeguarding tourism livelihoods and securing the long-term sustainable recovery of our industry,” he added.

According to recent research by the IHF, despite an uplift in tourism during the second half of 2022, hotel room occupancy remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Looking ahead to the year ahead, many hotels and guesthouses have reported reduced levels of forward

bookings compared to the same period in 2019.

57 per cent reported reduced bookings from Great Britain, 37 per cent said there was so far a downturn in visitors from the rest of Europe, and 41 per cent highlighted fewer bookings from the US.

Of particular concern among hoteliers is the bleak economic outlook for the UK, which has traditionally been the largest source of overseas visitors.

Ulster Bank Roscommon will cease operations on April 21st.

<

Athlone suffered a jobs blow last week as retail giant Argos announced it would be closing all its stores in the Republic of Ireland by June of this year.

< DAN DOONER

Michael Yates, IHF Roscommon Chair.

Pictured at the St Brendan’s Ladies & Men’s Football Presentation and Social Night at the Shearwater Hotel recently were St Brendan’s Ladies Team who were Connacht 2021 Junior Champions. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the St Brendan’s Ladies & Men’s Football Presentation and Social Night at the Shearwater Hotel recently were St Brendan’s Junior Connacht Champions 2020 and League Champions 2021. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Tom and Geraldine Carey with Aoibhinn Goode pictured during the FBD League final between Roscommon and Mayo last Friday evening in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Roscommon supporters Clíodhna & Ruth O’Brien with Claire Glennon pictured at the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan last Friday night during the FBD League final against Mayo. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

This week, Cathal Meares of RE/ MAX Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a prime roadside residential farm of 42 acres, located at Granaghan, Stroketown, Co. Roscommon.

Comprised in folios RN8644, RN53, and RN15435, these were prime roadside farmlands, located just off the R371 Lanesboro to Strokestown route and offering a quality residential farm in one holding.

Standing on the farm are two storage sheds with a concrete yard, holding a cattle pen and cattle crush servicing. Upon entering the lands, there is a four-bedroomed residence in need of modernisation.

The BER rating for this property is F, with the location and potential making this a very attractive property to come to market. Services on land include a well and mains water and ESB.

RE/MAX Team Earley are currently looking for similar farms in all areas for cash buyers. For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt Roscommon on 090-6626579, email teamearley@ remax.ie, or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 086-3519492 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.

Roscommon to mark International Women’s Day by ‘reversing gender numbers’ in council chamber

Women throughout County Roscommon are being invited to take part in a ‘flipping’ great idea! For one day only, there will be a complete reversal of the gender balance in Roscommon County Council chamber to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th.

This was one of the exciting plans to emerge from a recent meeting organised by Roscommon Women’s Network in Gleeson’s Townhouse in Roscommon Town. ‘Promoting Women’s Participation in Politics’ attracted a full house with women from all over the county showing great interest in the 2024 local elections.

Plans are now afoot for a follow-up event and a flip or reversal of the gender balance at the council chamber on International Women’s Day on 8th of March, 2023. All women living in County Roscommon are invited to a planning meeting on Thursday, 23rd of February in Gleeson’s Townhouse, Roscommon at 7 pm to help organise the International Women’s Day event.

The recent meeting, hosted by Rita Kearney, a Board Member of Roscommon Women’s Net-

work (RWN) in partnership with Roscommon County Council, focused on raising awareness of the importance of women getting more involved in local politics – with a particular focus on the 2024 local elections.

Rita Kearney, a board member of RWN explained: “The aim was to raise awareness of women’s role in local politics, specifically in County Roscommon.

“Women – and particularly those from minority backgrounds – are vastly underrepresented in county councils generally in Ireland. According to the National Women’s Council based on evidence after the 2019 local elections, women hold just 26% of council seats and only 10 councils have 30% or more women councillors. In addition, this disparity is more marked in rural areas.

“This imbalance in local politics leads to deficits in planning and decisionmaking. Though there are moves to address this at national and local level, there is still a long way to go. There was a consensus at the meeting that by bringing more balance to representation – in this case by having more women

involved in local politics – Ireland will be a better place”.

Over 30 women from around the county attended. Councillors Orla Leyden, Kathleen Shanagher, Valerie Byrne, Emer Kelly and Senator Aisling Dolan shared their experiences of how they began in politics and their journeys since then.

Among those who attended were young women from Comhairle na nÓg who spoke about their latest mental health initiative, representatives of the See Her Elected programme, who shared information on their campaign to raise awareness about the 2024 local elections, members of Roscommon Women’s Network, and women who came with a great deal of curiosity and passion.

There was great energy and excitement in the room and another discussion will take place on Thursday, 23rd of February in Gleeson’s Townhouse, Roscommon at 7 pm to help organise the International Women’s Day event. All women living in Co. Roscommon are invited.

Information on this event will be shared in local media and social media platforms.

(Right)

Pictured at the Roscommon Women’s Network meeting in Gleeson’s, Roscommon on Thursday last were Amy O’Dowd, Cllr Kathleen Shanagher and Cllr Valerie Byrne. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

(Above) Pictured at the Roscommon Women’s Network meeting in Gleeson’s, Roscommon on Thursday last were Rachel Trimble, Cllr Orla Leyden and Rita Kearney. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon Women’s Network meeting in Gleeson’s, Roscommon on Thursday last were Margaret Mulligan, Nora Fahy (Project Manager, Women’s Network Roscommon) and Tara Farrell, CEO of Longford’s Women’s Link. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon Women’s Network meeting in Gleeson’s, Roscommon on Thursday last were Mairead O’Shea (See Her Elected Communications Manager) and Cllr Emer Kelly. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES ... 2023 can be positive for local businesses and communities

As the county continues to bounce back from two years of economic hardship due to the forced lockdowns following the outbreak of Covid-19, Dan Dooner asked three prominent residents for their perspective on how 2023 might pan out for local businesses and communities…

Castlerea businessman and Chairperson of the Enterprise Hub committee, Benny O’Connell, has said the town is on a high and looking forward to a successful 2023.

“Recent developments in Castlerea such as the works at Somers Park and funding for the Castlerea Enterprise Food Hub have been very positive,” he said.

“At the foundation of all this is the work of the Town Team and County Council in making the town look well. I always felt that this was the first thing that was needed in order to make it a more attractive place to work and do business in.

“As retailers we have to make an effort too because ‘Shop Local’ shouldn’t be automatic. If we have good offering then people are more likely to ‘Try Town First’”.

Looking ahead to what he hopes will be

a positive year, Benny highlighted the sporting achievements of the O’Rourke sisters and said: “Action speaks louder than words and local volunteers have a major role to play in Castlerea and other rural towns.

“We’re also lucky in Castlerea to have employers like Harmac Medical and the local Mart underpinning the economy as well as our local councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice, who has done Trojan work for the town”.

Athleague-based auctioneer Ivan Connaughton says the ability to work from home and improved transport networks will make Roscommon an increasingly attractive proposition for those seeking to escape overcrowded cities.

“We are seeing that on a daily basis now and Covid-19 really changed the dynamic in terms of working from home,” he said.

“In Athleague we have a hot desk facility at the community centre for those looking to work from home and other rural towns and villages now have it too. There’s a place for people to go to access high-speed broadband and this is a huge opportunity for rural villages,” he said.

Ivan also believes high property prices in Irish cities have had a knock-on effect in Roscommon.

“The property market has pushed people towards living here in Roscommon and into the midlands and

this is a huge boost,” he said.

“The key is having better train and bus services from rural areas to Dublin and Galway. We are lucky in Roscommon to have three major train lines and this enables people to commute”.

Meanwhile, Elphin County Councillor Valerie Byrne says her “glass is always half full” but believes North Roscommon has been let down by the Industrial Development Authority.

“I feel the IDA have let down Roscommon and especially North Roscommon. I’m sure there are lots of businesses out there that could be set up here,” she said.

“Roscommon is so central to everything…an hour and a half and you are

in Galway or Dublin or one of three airports. We also have the infrastructure and it is regarded as a good place to live and rear children,” she said.

“We have to make the county an attractive place for businesses and that’s where Roscommon County Council comes in”.

Cllr Byrne said a reduction in the number of vacant properties in Elphin is a sign of progress but called on central Government to do more in terms of local infrastructure.

“I’m all for walkways and cycleways but it’s important not to forget about footpaths and roads in rural towns,” she said.

“Get local infrastructure right and the walkways and cycleways can then be the icing on the cake”.

Looking ahead to the coming year, the local councillor said she was hopeful.

“Hopefully there will be no more delays to the N5 project which will help to open up the north of the county. We’ve come through a few hard years and now it’s time to get businesses up and running again,” she said.

“It’s about having a good town that people are happy to come to. Working from home has been a positive development and it has kept some people in the countryside. These people are needed in the community for local groups and committees. Nothing happens in this country without the work of volunteers so that’s very important,” she concluded.

Peter Pringle’s death puts events of 1980 in Ballaghaderreen back in public eye

and Garda Henry Byrne shocked the nation, devastating two families and numbing the local communities in which the popular officers were so highly regarded.

in Roscommon

< PAUL HEALY

The recent death of Peter Pringle (84) led to renewed media focus recently on the murder of gardaí John Morley and Henry Byrne following a bank robbery in County Roscommon in 1980.

Pringle, later cleared of any wrongdoing and deemed to have been wrongly convicted, was one of three men who were sentenced to death for the capital murders of the two gardaí.

The shooting dead of Detective Garda John Morley

On July 7th 1980, an armed gang carried out a raid at the Bank of Ireland in Ballaghaderreen. Gardaí intercepted the bank robbers at Shannon’s Cross, near Loughglynn village. After the gang’s vehicle collided with the patrol car, its occupants opened fire on the gardaí. Detective Garda Morley and Garda Byrne were shot dead.

Three men – Colm O’Shea, Patrick McCann and Peter Pringle – were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Just weeks before they were due to be executed, their sentences were commuted to 40 years in prison. In 1995, having served almost 15 years in

jail, Pringle was released after his conviction was deemed unsafe and quashed. O’Shea and McCann both served 33 years in prison, before being released in 2013.

Well-known journalist Mick Clifford recently wrote an article in the Irish Examiner on the speculation that Pringle was ‘the third man’ in the criminal gang in Ballaghaderreen on that day in 1981. Mr. Clifford also contributed to a discussion on RTE Radio 1’s Liveline last Friday, as did Mr. Pringle’s widow, Sunny, herself a former death row prisoner.

Pringle was arrested in Galway city two weeks after Henry Byrne and John Morley were shot dead. He claimed then – and ever since – that he had nothing to do with the events of July 7th 1980 in West Roscommon. After the Court of

Criminal Appeal found his convictions to be unsafe and unsatisfactory in 1995, Pringle’s wrongful conviction led to him taking a number of civil actions against the State. He became a human rights campaigner, a role which saw him campaign against the death penalty. By then separated from his first wife, Pringle married Sunny Jacobs, who herself had been on death row in America many years earlier. In 1976, Jacobs and two men – including her then boyfriend Jesse Tafero – were convicted of the murder of policemen Phillip Black and Donald Irwin. She was placed on death row, but was exonerated 17 years later.

Peter Pringle, of Connemara, Co. Galway (and formerly of Killybegs, Co. Donegal) died on December 31st, 2022.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris lays a wreath during a commemoration ceremony to honour the memory of Garda Henry Byrne and Detective Garda John Morley at Shannon’s Cross, Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon in July 2020, on the 40th anniversary of the murders.

Photograph: Michael McCormack.

Was wrongly convicted of murder of two gardaí

Castlerea businessman and Chairperson of the Enterprise Hub committee, Benny O’Connell

Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton

County Councillor Valerie Byrne

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Oakwood Private Nursing Home Limited, intend to apply for Permission for retention of the following:

1. The addition of 2 No. fire escape stairwells to the east and west gable of rear nursing home annex previously granted nursing home use under PD13/390.

2. Alterations to rear annex elevation (south) with provision of 4 additional windows.

3. The provision of 12 additional bedrooms within the rear annex (formerly 8 now increased to 20).

4. The relocation of existing boiler house.

5. Increase in floor area of oratory by 5 sq m.

6. Along with connections to all services and all other associated site works at Oakwood Private Nursing Home, Oakwood Village, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, F45 XT27

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Collins Boyd Engineering Ltd. Engineers & Architects Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. Ph (090) 6634421

Fax: (090) 6634423

Email: info@collinsboydeng.com

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, County Roscommon

We Alan and Deirdre O Hara, intend to apply for permission for development at this site Cloongrehan, Cootehall, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

The development will consist of a planning permission for the renovations and extensions to existing dwelling house and upgrade existing septic tank to new One 2 Clean Wastewater Treatment Plant with percolation area and all site development works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Alan and Deirdre O Hara

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission on behalf of Maurice and Fiona Hamrock for a change of house plan consequent to PD/21/180 to that previously granted for the construction of an extension to an existing dwelling house, construct a garage, waste water treatment system, close two existing roadside entrances, create new roadside entrance & associated siteworks at Clooneen, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors.

Phone: (087) 2222874

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Full planning permission sought to retain the 2 no. existing agricultural cattle sheds and the existing silage storage slab with associated concrete aprons. Full planning permission sought to retain and complete the existing Dungstead.

Full planning permission also sought to construct a new agricultural slatted shed with associated cattle holding / loading area with all ancillary site works, at Cuilleenoolagh, Dysart, Co. Roscommon on behalf of Padraic Meares.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Sean Maloney and Associates, Tuam. Tel: (093) 26977

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We Edward and Blaithín Conlon, intend to apply for permission for development for the site located at Ballinagard Cottage, Ballinagard Rd, Roscommon, F42 DF43. The development will consist of the construction of a two storey extension to the existing Ballinagard Cottage, and all ancillary site works

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed:

Conlon Consulting Engineering Ltd (Agent) on behalf of Edward and Blaithín Conlon.

PROPERTIES

RENT/WANTED

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, wish to apply to Roscommon County Council for outline planning permission to remove existing shed and mobile home and construct 10 no. detached houses at Knockglass, Ballinameen, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Marc Cunningham

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, MCN Property Ltd intend to apply for permission for development at St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of the Change of use of ground floor of existing commercial unit from Public House to Day Centre use.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Seán McNeill

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Colin Glynn wish to apply to Roscommon County Council for permission to construct 01 no. dwelling, garage, waste water treatment system and polishing filter and new entrance onto public road and all associated site works at Garrynagawna, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: David Marshall I MRIAI Architect

John Madden & Associates

Blackhall St., Mullingar Co. Westmeath T: 044 9344347

F: 044 9347868 E: info@johnmadden.ie W: www.johnmadden.ie

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Pat McCrann, intend to apply for Permission for (I) The demolition of 2 existing outbuildings along with. (ii) The demolition of existing pub building and ancillary sheds, neighbouring former shop and residential building together with existing cottage ruin walls.

(iii) The construction of 2 No. 3 bedroom townhouses, 4 No. 2 bedroom townhouses and 2 No. 1 Bedroom apartments. (iv) The construction of a 2 storey Café/Restaurant unit.

(v) Along with new roadside openings onto Old Circular Road and Castle Street, ancillary parking, signage, green areas, connection to all services and all other associated site works at Cloonbrackna Td., Castle Street, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Collins Boyd Engineering Ltd. Engineers & Architects Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. Ph (090)6634421 Fax: (090)6634423 Email: info@collinsboydeng.com

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Uisce Éireann intend to apply for full planning permission for the construction of an additional stormwater holding tank, kiosk and all associated site development works at the existing Uisce Éireann terminal pumping station and an adjacent area to the north of the existing site in Ballaghaderreen, Costello, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Roscommon County Council, Planning Office, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, County Roscommon, F42 VR98 from 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to Roscommon County Council, Planning Office, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, County Roscommon, F42 VR98 in writing within a period of 5 weeks from the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and on payment of the prescribed fee of €20. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or mayrefuse to grant permission.

Signed: Uisce Éireann, Colvill House, 24-26 Talbot St, Mountjoy, Dublin 1.

O’HANRAHAN

Seamus

Roxboro,

Who passed away on 26th January 2022.

As we lovingly remember Seamus on the First Anniversary of his death, Rosaleen, Siobhán, Marie, Shane, brother, sisters and extended O’Hanrahan family wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many kind expressions of sympathy and support on our sad loss.

Thank you to all who attended the Removal, Funeral Mass and Burial, for the many Mass cards, online condolences and phone calls. Also to those who donated to the Irish Cancer Society and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. A special word of thanks to all our neighbours, friends and relatives who helped us in many ways throughout the year and continue to support us.

A sincere thank you to Dr. Keenan, Dr. Donegan, Dr. De Brún and the staff of Roscommon Medical Centre. Thank you to the staff of both McGuinness Pharmacy and Hynes Pharmacy. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the medical teams of the National Ambulance Service, Roscommon Palliative Care, RHS Home Care, Regional Mullingar Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital Rathgar for their excellent care to Seamus during his short illness.

A heartfelt thanks to Fr. Eugene McLoughlin and Deacon Seamus Talbot who visited Seamus at home and celebrated the Funeral Mass. Thank you to Natalie and Hazel Murray for their beautiful singing and music throughout the Mass. A note of appreciation to Smyth’s Funeral Directors for their professionalism and caring Funeral arrangements. Thank you to the gravediggers for preparing Seamus’ final resting place with such care and attention. Thanks to the Grealy family, Abbey Hotel, for their hospitality.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, we trust you will accept this acknowledgement as a token of our deep appreciation and gratitude. Mass has been offered for your intentions.

Forever loved and missed by all his family.

Seamus’ First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, 28th January 2023 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Derrane at 7pm.

MULLEN

Patrick (Pat) Moher, Lanesboro. Who passed away on the 31st January, 2018 (5th Anniversary)

HENNIGAN

Anne (Nancy)

Castletanna, Fourmilehouse, Co. Roscommon (8th Anniversary)

CONNOLLY

Tom and Nell

Newtown Ballymacurley, Co. Roscommon. Who passed away on 1st February and 26th February 2021 (2nd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Anne who passed away on 14th January 2015. Also remembering at this time her husband, Cornelius (Sonny), who passed away on 26th August 1976

We miss you from your fireside chair your loving smile and gentle air. Your vacant place no one can fill we miss you Mother and always will.

Always lovingly remembered by her son Tommy Joe.

Anniversary Mass in Four Mile House, Church on Sunday, 5th February at 11am.

MOORE Mary

(17th Anniversary)

May the winds of Heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear, how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here.

Sadly missed by Maureen, Tommie, Mark, Alan, Brenda, Gary, Shane and Niall.

We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain, to walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

Loved and remembered by Martin, Anne, Orla, Ciara and Rory.

We are sending a dove to Heaven with a parcel on its wings, be careful when you open it, it’s full of beautiful things. Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs, to say how much “We miss you” and to send you all our love.

Loved and missed every day by your daughter Nuala, Kevin, Donna, Stacey, Kelly and Sarah.

BRADY Robert

Hermitage, Ballinagare, Co. Roscommon. (4th Anniversary)

In loving memory of my dear husband Robert, father, son, brother, grandfather and uncle who passed away on the 27th January, 2019

LOHAN (née Lyons) Una

Glinsk, Castlerea, Co. Galway (7th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Mary, late of Carrenterriff, Dysart, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon who died seventeen years ago on January 21st 2006.

Love Lives On Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone.

A smile for everyone, a heart of gold, the very best this world could hold. Never selfish always kind, these are the lovely memories you left behind.

Always remembered by Eileen, Siobhan, Lorraine, Fiona, Claire and extended family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Saturday, 28th January at 6.30pm.

A tribute of love to a Mother so dear, so close to our hearts each day of the year. We still have memories to treasure and hold of a wonderful Mother more precious than gold.

Remembered by your sons, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, extended family and friends

Anniversary Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday, 29th January at 10am.

Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, for as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in the heart.

Sadly missed by your loving husband George, your children, grandchildren and extended family.

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday and the days before that too.

We think of you in silence, we always speak your name, now all we have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part, God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Ethel and children Bobby, Michelle, Liam, Amanda and Paul, sons-in-law Junior and Eugene, daughters -in-law Breege, Louise, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

May the winds of Heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear, how much we love and miss you, and wish you were still here. Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord.

Loved and remembered by his brothers Marty and Timmy, sisters Marion, Stella, Eileen, Tish, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and all the extended family.

Fourth Anniversary Mass will be held in The Sacred Heart Church Ballinagare on Saturday, 28th January 2023 at 8pm.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

DONLON Thomas (Tom)

Moher, Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon Who died on 13th December 2022

After 80 years of selflessly giving of himself to nurture and support his family, neighbours, friends and the local community, our beloved Tom, predeceased by his loving wife Theresa, passed away peacefully on 13th December 2022 after a short illness, bravely borne. Tom’s heartbroken children Carol, James, Susan and Pamela, daughters-in-law Martina and Myra, son-inlaw Declan, beloved grandchildren Emma, Clíona, Jade, Eoin, Alanna Jo, Ella, Christian, Mariana, Cian and Chloe, great-grandchild Lottie, brothers, sisters and extended family, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported us during this time.

Sincere thanks to all those, from near and far, who attended Tom’s Reposing, Funeral Mass and Burial, or watched online, those who sent Mass Cards, messages, floral tributes and other expressions of sympathy and to all those from across the local community of neighbours and friends for your support - we also acknowledge your loss. A special thanks to Eileen and the Mullen family for your assistance with Funeral preparations.

We thank Fr. Larry Behan and PP Fr. Dan Udofia who delivered a beautiful Funeral Ceremony, singer Teresa Costello and all those who participated in the Mass, making it a fitting farewell to Tom and a celebration of a life well lived.

To Dr. Colm Farrell, Lanesboro, staff of Roscommon Hospital and particularly the staff of Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague for their loving care of Tom in his final days. To Gerard Farrell, Funeral Director, for his help and professionalism and to the Abbey Hotel for catering after Tom’s Funeral.

As there are so many people that paid their respects and provided invaluable support, it is not possible to thank you all individually, so please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation. Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Tom’s Month’s Mind Mass will be held in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Sunday, 29th January at 11am.

May he Rest in Peace.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. G.F.

Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

McCROSSAN

Danny & Josephine

Celtic Avenue, Roscommon

In loving memory of our dear father Danny who died on the 25th November 2019 and our dear mother Josephine who died on the 30th January 2021.

AND ANNIVERSARIES

CORCORAN

Carmel & Michael

Killoy, Lecarrow (20th Anniversary & 43rd Anniversary)

Cherished memories of Carmel who passed away on 25th January 2003 and Michael who passed away on 7th January 1980.

Many a lovely memory, many a silent tear, always treasured memories of parents we loved so dear.

HEALY

Patrick (Paddy) Tullyroe, Roscommon (4th Anniversary)

MONTH’S MIND MASS

Ardsallaghmore, Roscommon

A smile for all, a heart of gold two of the best this world could hold.

Never selfish, always kind these are the memories you left behind.

Always remembered and sadly missed by their daughters Roseanne, Philomena, sons Willie, John and Paul and all of the family.

HEVICAN

Mary Bridget

Lisnamult, Roscommon (27th Anniversary)

Cherished memories of our dear mother and grandmother Mary Bridget, who passed away on the 1st February 1996 R.I.P.

Loved and remembered always by your sons and daughters Marie, Padraig, Annette, Seamus and Micheal, sons-in-law, daughtersin-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

CARMEL CORCORAN (20th Anniversary)

No longer in our lives to share but in our hearts you’re always there.

Lovingly remembered by your sister Phil and family.

CARMEL CORCORAN (20th Anniversary)

Sadly missed along life’s way quietly remembered every day.

Sadly missed by your sister-in-law Kitty and family.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 25th February in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery at 7pm.

NEARY

Treasured memories of a loving husband, dad, grandad and great-grandad who passed away on the 27th January 2019.

Rest In Peace

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

Lovingly remembered by Una and family. Paddy’s Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Friday, 10th February at 7pm.

O’CONNOR Patsy

Carrigeen, Knockcroghery (2nd Anniversary)

In loving memory of a wonderful father and grandfather who passed away on 5th February, 2021

Peter’s wife Monica, daughter Anita, sons Leonard, Raymond, Peter, Dermot and Andrew, son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Daragh, Catia, Fiona and Lorraine, his loving grandchildren, brother Andy and extended family would like to thank most sincerely all those who sympathised with them on their recent sad loss.

Thank you to all who attended the Removal, Funeral Mass and Burial, those who sent Mass Cards, called to the house, sent letters of sympathy, floral tributes and who made contact offering their condolences and to all those who travelled long distances to be with us.

A very special thank you to the wonderful staff of Roscommon County Hospital and to the Palliative Care Team who were so kind and loving in their care to Dad and to all the family in the final days. Sincere thank you to our GP and friend Dr. John Keenan for looking after Peter so well through the years.

A special word of thanks to Fr. Douglas for his many visits to dad at home and in hospital. Thank you most sincerely to Fr. Raul, Fr. Kevin and Fr. Morris for celebrating the beautiful Mass. Thank you to Margaret, Joanne, Maura and Moira for the beautiful singing and to Darren and John for accompanying with the lovely music.

Thank you also to the Ambulance Service, of which Dad was so proud, for escorting him on his final journey with such a professional Guard of Honour.

Thank you to Pat Smyth and staff for their dignified and professional assistance with carrying out the funeral arrangements. Thank you to the gravediggers who prepared Dad’s final resting place. Thank you to Anne Harlow for the beautiful flowers, and to Hannon’s Hotel and their staff for the refreshments after.

Finally, to all our family, our kind and supportive neighbours and friends, a sincere thank you.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our appreciation and gratitude.

As each day dawns we think of you, as each night falls we pray for you. And in between, no matter where, deep in our hearts you are always there.

Loved and sadly missed by your daughter Philomena and granddaughter Roseanne and all the family.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Special thanks also to Our Lady, St. Jude and all the saints. M.R.M.

PRAYER

TO ST. EXPEDITE

My St. Expedite of urgent and just causes, please intercede for me with our Lord Jesus Christ, succour me in this hour of affliction and despair my St. Expedite, you who are a Holy warrior, you who are the Saint of the afflicted, you who is the Saint of the desperate, you who is the Saint of urgent causes, protect me, help me, give me strength, courage and serenity. Hear my plea. (Make request). Clearly express what you want and ask him to find a way to get it to you. My Saint Expedite, help me to prevail through these difficult hours, protect me from all those who want to harm me, respond to my plea with urgency, bring me back to that state of peace and tranquillity, my Saint Expedite, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life and I will speak your name to all those who have faith. Now promise to give Saint Expedite a specific offering when your desire is granted. Amen. Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and make the sign of the cross. Be sure to provide the offering you promised, if Saint Expedite grants your petition. Thank you so much for everything, for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen. M.C.

In

Frank

In loving memory of Frank who passed away on 17th March 2021

CLARKE

Kathleen (née Neary)

4 Stoneyvale, Rooskey, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon

Who passed away on 24th January 2020

We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain.

To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

So Rest In Peace dear loved ones and thanks for all you’ve done We pray that God has given you the crown you’ve truly won.

Sadly missed by Christopher.

Until we meet again

Those special memories of you Dad will always bring a smile, if only we could have you back for just a little while. Then we could sit and talk again, just like we used to do. You always meant so much to us and always will do too. The fact that you’re no longer here, will always cause us pain, but you’re forever in our hearts until we meet again.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all of the family.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. John’s Church, Lecarrow, on Friday, 3rd February at 7pm.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

Peter’s Month’s Mind Mass will be held in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Roscommon Town on Saturday, 28th January at 7pm.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

FARRELL

James (Jim)

Corlackin, Creggs, Co. Galway

Who passed away on 28th December 2022.

We thought of you today, but that is nothing new.

We thought of you yesterday and days before that too. We think of you in silence,we often speak your name.

Now all we have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Deeply missed by his wife Patricia, son Justin, partner Jenifer, grandson JJ, brothers Don and John, sister Olive, relatives and friends.

Month’s Mind Mass in St . Micheal’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday, 29th January at 10am.

John Francis Slatta, Kilglass, Co. Roscommon. Who passed away on the 17th March 2020

Mary Teresa Slatta, Kilglass, Co. Roscommon. Who passed away on 26th January 2021

Matthew

loving memory of Matthew who passed away on 14th January 1988

Christina

In loving memory of Christina who passed away on 22nd January 1990

SUTTON

Peter

Who passed away peacefully on 22nd December 2022

CONNOLLY

Michael (Mickey)

London and formerly of Corderryhugh, Athleague, Co. Roscommon

Who passed away on the 23rd January 2022

As we remember the late Michael (Mickey) on the First Anniversary of his passing, we, the Connolly family wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the kindness, support and sympathy shown towards us at the time of our great loss.

We wish to thank everybody who visited, called, sent texts, online messages, had masses offered and sent floral tributes. Also our kind neighbours and friends who brought food and refreshments to our homes and supported us in any way.

Thanks to Fr. Louie Kitt who celebrated Michael’s Mass in St. Anselm’s Church in Tooting Bec, London - Fr. Eugene McLoughlin and Fr. Donal Morris for celebrating the Mass in the Church of the Assumption, Cremully, who, together with the hymns and music provided by Margaret and Sean Kiernan made the beginning of Michael’s final journey so memorable and to all who contributed to the celebration of Michael’s life. Our heartfelt thanks to all who attended the Removal, Funeral Mass (in London and Cremully) and Burial in Athleague Cemetery.

To Don O’Dwyer, Funeral Directors in London and to the Smyth family in Roscommon, thank you for your professionalism and also John who brought Michael home. Not forgetting the lads who prepared Michael’s resting place with such care and dignity.

Michael had a very special bond with Fuerty and Athleague GAA Clubs. This became very evident as members of both clubs carried him shoulder high to the Church and to his final resting place. The journey to Athleague Cemetery was made so memorable by the sight of the ‘Guard of Honour’ present as the funeral passed by both Fuerty and Athleague GAA grounds. A special thanks to Padraig Cuddy for his touching Graveside Oration also to musicians Joachim Dunne and Sean Kilgarriff for their graveside rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’.

Finally thanks to An Garda Siochana for the escort from Castlecoote to Athleague, also for the respect and dignity shown by the Garda Members on the occasion.

To those who helped in any way, your contributions helped to ease the burden of our loss.

As it would be impossible to thank everybody individually you have our deepest gratitude and the Holy Sacrifice of Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Michael’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Cremully, Castlecoote at 11.30am on Sunday, 29th January.

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this you for this special favour. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Say for three days and promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. M.F.

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this you for this special favour. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Say for three days and promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. M.F.

Rogers Funeral Directors Rooskey

STAUNTON

Joan

Mote Park, Roscommon Who passed away on the 27th January 2022

On the First Anniversary of Joan’s passing, Joan’s three sons Luke, Gavin and Tomás, her parents Ted and Mary, her sisters, brothers and extended family, would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers, support and presence of family, friends, neighbours and colleagues at the time of Joan’s passing and throughout the year since. The outpouring of care and support from all members of the community, near and far, has been nothing short of humbling and heartening.

We wish to acknowledge everyone who joined us in laying Joan to rest. Those who visited our home, attended the Funeral Home, Funeral Mass (in person or online), the Burial, sent Mass cards, messages of condolences, letters of sympathy, floral tributes and food during this difficult time. No act of kindness has gone unnoticed.

Thank you to all those who went to great lengths and travelled long distances to extend their sympathies and share their fond and precious memories of Joan.

A special thanks to Luke, Gavin and Tomás’ friends for all their support at the time of the Funeral and throughout this past year. At the most difficult time in their lives, you showed up for them and their family in a way we will forever be grateful to you for.

Our sincerest gratitude to St. Dominic’s GAA for their Guard of Honour at the Funeral Mass and for the Mass they arranged for Joan when she was ill.

Our heartfelt appreciation to Tremane GAA and our great neighbours who lined the road outside Joan’s house on the morning of the Funeral.

We say a very special thank you for the Guards of Honour by Roscommon CBS, Ballymurray National School and Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar.

Thank you to Pat and Gillian Smyth for their guidance with the Funeral arrangements and throughout all stages of the process. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the grave diggers Brian O’Roarke and Jimmy McNeill who prepared Joan’s final resting place.

Our sincere appreciation to Joan’s uncle, Fr. Pat Brennan, for celebrating her Funeral Mass and making it so personal. We also thank the 13 other priests for the honour of having them concelebrate Mass with him.

A special word of gratitude to Canon Eugene McLoughlin who said prayers in the Funeral Home, concelebrated Mass with Fr. Pat and for his visits to Joan’s house at the time of her passing and throughout the years.

To Donnacha Beades and Aileen O’Connor - thank you for the meaningful music and singing in the church at the Funeral Mass. Thanks also to Knockcroghery Parish Choir for their music at Joan’s Month’s Mind.

Thanks to Oonagh Hegarty (The Paper Lane), who prepared the Mass booklets.

We thank Hannon’s Hotel and staff for their catering and hospitality on the day of the Funeral.

Though words seem unable to express just what you all have done for us, we will be forever grateful for all the support, comfort and help we received at the time of Joan’s passing and throughout the past year.

As it would be impossible to reply to everyone, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our sincere appreciation and gratitude that we will never forget.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

Joan’s First Anniversary Mass will take place in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery at 7pm on Friday, 27th January 2023.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention favour). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. I.G.

COYLE Niall

Correal, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon (13th Anniversary)

Treasured memories of a loving brother, who passed away 28th of January 2010

If we could have a lifetime wish and one dream come true, we would pray to God with all our hearts just to see and talk to you. A thousand words won’t bring you back, we know because we’ve tried, and neither will a thousand tears we know because we’ve cried. You left behind our broken hearts and precious memories too, but we never wanted memories, we only wanted you.

Loved dearly and never forgotten and deeply missed by Irene, Fiona, Ena, Kieran, Noelle, Brian, Edel, Aine and Niamh, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Anniversary Mass in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Four Roads on Sunday, 29th January at 11am.

COSTELLO

Everlasting memories of Ann, who died on 28th January 2010

You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you we know you are walking by our side. Loved and missed forever by all her family.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Friday, 27th January at 11am.

NAUGHTON Gerard

Melitta Park, Kildare Town.

Who died 4th February 2019 (4th Anniversary) Rest In Peace

LYONS Mikie

Creeve, Donamon, Roscommon (7th Anniversary )

On the 4th anniversary of Gerard’s death his wife Julie, children David and Sinead and extended family remember Gerard with love.

Sadly missed along life’s way quietly remembered everyday.

A Mass will be celebrated in memory of Gerard.

THANKSGIVINGS

In loving memory of Mikie who passed away on 27th January 2016

A silent thought A quiet prayer For a special person in God’s care. Always remembered by his sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinaheglish on Sunday 29th January at 11am.

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Special thanks also to Our Lady, St. Jude and all the saints. B.K.

Ann Cloonbrackna Court, Roscommon (13th Anniversary)

Sports PEOPLE

Burke’s baptism of fire as Tyrone come to town!

Rossies hoping for positive league start

for survival will be much better. Up front, we have good forwards who can get the scores to win this game if provided with sufficient ball. Hopefully we will see a rousing performance to get the campaign off to a good start. I predict a surprise result.

Prediction: Roscommon.

Elsewhere in Division 1

< SEAMUS DUKE

With the distractions of the much-maligned preseason competitions out of the way, the ‘real’ senior Gaelic football action gets underway this weekend. For Roscommon, it is the dawning of a new era, with a new manager in place.

As Roscommon fans know, the county’s capacity to stay in Division One is always uncertain. This year will be no exception.

The Roscommon team will not be named until late in the week. Conor Hussey could be given the number 3 jersey, with new team captain Brian Stack lining out at centre-back. Davy Murray is a doubtful starter as he is carrying a knock, while Eoin McCormack, Conor Daly, Colin Walsh and Niall Daly all have solid shouts for defensive positions.

In midfield, Keith Doyle could line up alongside the returning Tadhg O’Rourke. Eddie Nolan could also figure in this sector as the season goes on.

Up front, Donie Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh and Conor Cox look nailed on starters, with the likes of Ciaráin Murtagh, Daire Cregg, Ben O’Carroll, Adam McDermott, Paul Carey, Peter Gillooly and Dylan Ruane all in with a shout. Fit-again Enda Smith played in a challenge game against Fermanagh last Sunday and could start at centre half-forward.

Tyrone began their McKenna Cup campaign in fine style with a couple of good wins, but they were decisively beaten by Derry in the final last Saturday night (3-11 to 1-5). Some of their supporters made their annoyance known on social media. Of course with multiple AllIreland winners from 2021 – and their general top flight pedigree – they are very formidable opposition for Roscommon on Sunday.

Tyrone will approach the game with a conservative mindset for the first 25 minutes at least. Holding on to possession will be the order of the day. Both sides will have to be patient and take their chances as the play opens up. On the question of playing style, I have been impressed with Davy Burke’s very honest views on how he wants his side to play. More of the negativity that we saw last weekend (against Mayo) will almost certainly result in Roscommon struggling in this ultra-competitive division. We simply have to play a more positive brand of football.

Common wisdom dictates that six points mean safety in Division One – and that tally must be Roscommon’s aim. The home games will be crucial.

There is a feeling that Roscommon have tightened up considerably in defence – if that’s a common theme of the campaign, the prospects

Mayo v Galway (Saturday, MacHale Park, 7 pm)

The authorities are expecting in the region of 20,000 people for this clash of the old rivals (it’s live on TV too). I wasn’t too impressed with Mayo last Friday night. Galway are deserved favourites. It should be a cracker.

Prediction: Galway.

Monaghan v Armagh (Saturday, Castleblayney, 6.30 pm)

It will be interesting to see if Armagh have kicked on after a very impressive season in 2022. If they have, they should win this opener.

Prediction: Armagh.

Donegal v Kerry (Sunday, Ballybofey, 2 pm)

If you are going to catch Kerry, this is the day to do it. They are only back from their team holiday, and will be without the Clifford brothers. Donegal are without one of the alltime greats themselves in Michael Murphy. Kerry might be good enough to scrape it.

Prediction: Kerry. -SD

Niall Murray extends Connacht contract

Murray

He

Aoife boosts Olympic chances with Elite win!

contract and extend my stay at my home province. The club gave me my first opportunity and since then I’ve loved every minute. Now I want to do everything I can to keep improving and helping the club succeed”.

Head coach Andy Friend said Murray had become a key player for Connacht.

Commenting

“I’m really pleased to sign a two-year

“Niall is a brilliant young professional who’s game continues to go from strength to strength. He’s always had a natural athleticism about him, and recently he’s added extra physicality and bulk to his game. He’s becoming one of our key forward leaders too, so we’re delighted to see him commit to Connacht for at least a few more years”.

Castlerea boxer Aoife O’Rourke boosted her chances of Olympic qualification when she stormed to her fourth Elite national boxing title at the National Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Tarmon fighter was dominant throughout the 75kg final, and emerged the convincing 5-0 winner over Aoibhe Carabine from Geesala Boxing Club.

The win means she is almost certain to be selected on the Irish team for the Olympic qualifiers which take place later this year.

New Roscommon manager Davy Burke giving instructions to his team during last Friday’s FBD League final against Mayo. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Allianz National Football League Division 1: Roscommon v Tyrone on Sunday in Dr Hyde Park at 1.30 pm

< DAN DOONER

Connacht Rugby this week confirmed that Roscommon lock Niall Murray has signed a new two-year deal with the province.

first made his debut in December 2019 and has gone on to make 47 appearances for his home province.

was also a part of the Ireland U-20 side that won a Grand Slam in the 2019 U-20 Six Nations.

on the new deal this week, Murray said:

Horseracing this weekend starts this afternoon (Thursday) at Gowran Park, featuring the Grade A Thyestes Chase and the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle, first race off at 1.05 pm.

Tomorrow evening racing is at Dundalk, first race at 4.30 pm. Saturday action is at Fairyhouse, racing away at 12.32 pm. Sunday sees action in Naas, and racing is at Punchestown on Monday, scheduled for 1.50 pm.

On Saturday ITV racing is covering of nine races, including five at Cheltenham, and four from Doncaster.

Freezing temperatures continued to take their toll on racing cross channel with cancellations at venues including Haydock, Taunton, Ascot, Fakenham and Lingfield.

Hopefully this marks the end of the weather interruptions, with meetings later this week still subject to inspection with Cheltenham and Doncaster both optimistic about racing this weekend.

Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene and the Arkle victor Edwardstone are still scheduled to meet as the Clarence House Chase will now take its place on the Cheltenham Card next Saturday where they will now meet 4 runners. Editeur De Gite has been supplemented by Gary Moore at a cost of £2,250 to join Joe Tizzard’s Amarillo

Short putts

Carrick

Horses for Courses

Sky,

Emmet Mullins’ stable star and last year’s winner Noble Yeats could be aimed to retain his Aintree crown with Sean Bowen aboard. Bowen, who has won on him twice since after the owner’s son Sam WaleyCohen hung up his boots after the win last April will ride the 8-Y-O gelding in Saturday’s Cotswold Chase where he is vying for favouritism with Protektorat, third in the Gold Cup. The 2020 King George winner Frodon with Byrony Frost is also in what appears to be a high class field but take the Irish horse to win.

A field of 18 has been declared for today’s Thyestes Chase in Gowran, with 14 of the 18 entries coming from three yards. Gordon Elliott has declared half the field with nine; Willie Mullins three to run and two reserves; Henry de Bromhead relies on Gabby’s Cross.

Mullins has won the race on eight occasions, including four of the last ten, and of his three in the final field the lightly raced 11-year-old Carefully Selected, is preferred by Paul Townend. Elliott has top weight Escaria Ten and he has every chance but his Pencilfulloflead with Rob James claiming 7lbs, who has had his problems, finished fourth on his comeback in the

Handball

Clonmel Oil Chase and could win on that form. Barry Connell’s Espanito Bella and Henry de Bromhead’s Gabby’s Cross are not out of it if you are looking for some value.

Typhoo is odds on for Elliott in the Galmoy Hurdle and should account for his five rivals. The only danger to him appears to be Sean Mulryan’s Longhouse Poet who won at Limerick over the Christmas and is in form.

In the Beginner’s Chase, Sir Gerhard makes his chasing debut taking on four runners. WP Mullins’ 2021 Campion Bumper and 2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle is having his first run since being defeated at Punchestown Festival last April but will be odds on.

Racing News

David Christie added to his already formidable team of hunter chasers at Thurles on Sunday with Ferns Lock accounting for WP Mullins’ Billway. Christie’s gelding is only 6-Y-O and with Barry O’Neill in the saddle easily beat last year’s Cheltenham winner by 20l. Christie trains four of our best hunter chasers when you add in Vaucelet, winner of the Stratford Champion Chase, Wing Leader, winner of five of his last six track races, and Limerick maiden winner Ulti-

mate Optimist. Be careful with your ante post bets, a no runner no bet option is a must.

Entries for the five handicap races and both Grade 2 bumpers at next weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival have been released. Two-time Festival winner Joseph O’Brien’s A Wave Of The Sea, WP Mullins’ Gaelic Warrior and Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou feature among the handicap entries along with more recent big-race scorers. The likes of Stuart Crawford’s Lily Du Berlais, Elliott’s Better Days Ahead, Tom Mullins’ Fascile Mode and WP Mullins’ Fancy Girl catch the eye in the bumper races at Leopardstown on Saturday and Sunday, February 4th and 5th. Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge will be in action in the Irish Arkle and the better ground and drop in trip will suit the gelding.

With the flat season on the horizon, the Aidan O’Brien trained 2-Y-O Little Big Bear is Europe’s 2022 champion juvenile, achieving the highest rating since O’Brien’s Pinatubo, with 128, in 2019. The son of No Nay Never was allocated a rating of 124 in the annual 2-Y-O classifications, 5lb superior to the runners-up, both Group 1 winners, stablemate Blackbeard, who won the Newmarket Middle Park Stakes and Andrew Balding’s Chaldean, winner of the New-

by Tom Red

The time sheet of now open for the Flynn’s Bar Spring League. To enter, long into BRS and place your name. The league will consist of six weekly rounds in a 9-hole Stableford format. Entry fee is €30 which will be deducted from your competitions purse once teams are picked. There were over 120 participants last year and with €1,000 in prize money it is hoped to have similar numbers in 2023.

Results of last weekend’s Gents’ competition: Cat 1 Paul Kelleher (22 points); Cat 2 Sean Duignan (19); Cat 3 Gerry Curley (17).

The club has a new website! Log on to www.carrickgolf.ie.

Roscommon

Liam Bagnell was the winner of last Sunday’s Men’s 15-hole competition with 36 points with Andrew Lawlor runner-up with 35.

The sheet for the Ladies’ Spring Matchplay is now up in the locker room. The format is Foursomes in February, Fourball in March, and Singles in April. The draw for teams will take place at the end of January.

market Dewhurst. He is the 12th O’Brien-trained horse to be named the top two-yearold and is the best since the 128-rated Pinatubo in 2019.

Little Big Bear was beaten on his debut at the Curragh, and is unbeaten since. The colt easily won at Naas and crossed the channel to win the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. He stepped up to Group 3 at the Curragh winning the Anglesey Stakes and ended the season with an impressive victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, also in the Curragh. He remains on track and ante post favourite for the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, which will be held on May 6th despite a clash

the coronation of King Charles

Point-to-Point News

Racing is scheduled to return to the Northern circuit on Saturday at picturesque Tyrella in Co. Down under the mountains of Mourne and overlooking the Irish Sea with 85 entries. There are two meetings in the south on Sunday, at Cragmore near Askeaton in Limerick with 119 entries, and the second at Ballyvaddock outside Midelton in Cork with 141 entries. The Tyrella meeting is scheduled for 12 pm with Sunday meetings away at 12.30 pm.

Rossies’ in ‘She’s Ace’ action

Three local players took part in the She’s Ace competition in Fermoy, Co. Cork last weekend with Fiona Tully and Alanna Coggeran impressing as they reached the final stages.

Fiona breezed through her group before defeating Kildare’s Molly Dagg 31-20 in the semi-final.

The decider pitted the Coman’s woman against Galway’s Ciana Ní Churraoin, who had a close win over Tyrone’s Eilise McRory in her semi-final.

With the game at 11-8 in Ciana’s favour, the officials were forced to move the game to Conna, a 15-minute drive away, due to the wet court. Fiona hit three super serves on the resumption and went up 12-11 before Ciana regained her momentum to take the first 15-12. The Rossie recovered to take the second and force it to a tiebreaker but luck was on Ciana’s side and she won out 11-5.

Fiona’s next competition is a trip to Houston, Texas in three weeks’ time and then it’s the Senior Ladies’ Championship, which will take place over three separate weekends.

Alanna Coggeran had a good run in the 17 & Under grade, beating Aoibhe Ryan (31-17) and Cliona Ní Chonghaile (3117) en route to defeat in her semi-final against Galway’s Emma Kinane.

Alanna’s Kilglass clubmate, Niamh Hall, was making her debut at the competition. She partnered with a Cork girl in the 11 & Under grade which was played as a fun event. Together they won three of five games.

Cumann na mBunscoil

The Primary Schools handball competition took place in St. Coman’s last Saturday with a number of closely contested matches.

Lisacul’s Grace Corrigan was the dominant force in the Girls’ U-13 grade, beating Ballyfeeney’s Caoimhe O’Gara in the semi-final and Clodagh Rogers in the final. Grace is looking to replicate her older sister Shauna’s run in the same competition a few years ago when she won the Connacht title and competed strongly in the All-Ireland series.

Lisacul’s Senan Johnson won an entertaining Boys’ U-13 final against Roxboro’s Mark Farrell. He had earlier beaten Ballyfeeney’s Eoin Grehan in what was the match of the day.

The Boy’s U-11 event was the most closely contested of the day with Seanie Car- thy of Gaelscoil de hÍde defeating Fourmilehouse’s Josh Clark.

The Connacht finals will

be held on the weekend of February 4th/5th, most likely in Sligo.

John Heneghan RIP

St. Coman’s Handball Club would like to extend sympathies to the family of John Heneghan. John was a key member, player, and coach at the club and guided juniors through one of the club’s most successful eras. John enjoyed

playing the 60x30 code and competed for years in championships and Garda tournaments. His daughter Claire and sons Aidan and Ciaran competed at a high level, and amassed numerous titles on the national and international stage. John has contributed to a great legacy of participation, professionalism, and volunteerism at the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

(News from local golf clubs)

Venita Williams’ Funamble Sivola, and David Pipe’s Sizing Pottsie.

Galway’s Ciana Ní Chonghaile (winner) and Roscommon’s Fiona Tully pictured with National Handball President Dessie Keegan following their ‘She’s Ace’ final in Co. Cork.

with

Ferns Lock and Barry O’Neill are clear at the final fence at Thurles.

THE GAIN LINE

Super weekend for Creggs rugby!

Following the first team’s battling 14-12 Connacht Junior Cup win over Connemara last Saturday evening (see report on page 45), Creggs Seconds enjoyed a convincing 42-3 win over OLBC in the semi-final of the Connacht J1C Cup at home on Sunday.

Leading 16-3 at the break thanks to a try from John Martin and the place-kicking of Mark Brandon, Creggs turned on the afterburners in the second half.

Luke Meehan’s converted try stretched the lead to 20 points before Padraig Geraghty crossed to put the game well beyond the visitors. Further tries from Enda Naughton and Meehan sealed a resounding win and sealed Creggs’ place in the final against Oughterard.

Youth Rugby

Girls’ U-18s: Creggs U-18 Girls will look to continue the defence of their Connacht title when they take on Tuam/ Oughterard in the Division One League semi-final on Saturday.

The amalgamated side, which features two Connacht senior players and three U-18 internationals, will be the favourites for this tie, but Creggs will not give

up their crown lightly.

The U-18 Girls Seconds, meanwhile, have a Division Two semi-final replay on the first weekend in February.

Boys’ U-15 Maroon: The Maroon team lost out 53-14 to Ballinasloe in a participation game in Creggs last Sunday morning. The visitors currently sit top of the Division Two table and were well worth their win. The Maroons have their last league game next Saturday at home to Monivea at 12.30 pm.

U-15 White: The White team travelled to Ballina for their participation game on Saturday where they went down 23-14 to a strong home side. Creggs used this game to prepare for their top

BUCCANEERS RFC

of the table clash away to Sligo on Sunday. They are facing a semi-final play-off in the coming weeks with the opposition yet to be decided.

Boys’ U-16s: Following their recent victory over Sligo, the U-16s lost a challenge match against Buccaneers last weekend. Creggs were in the game right to the finish, eventually going down 21-7.

Boys’ U-14s: Creggs travelled to Athlone, where they defeated near-neighbours Buccaneers 2712 in the league last weekend. Tries from Kian Hughes (2), Luke Hayes, Sam Walsh, and good place-kicking from Walsh and Harry Waldron helped the visitors to an impressive win.

Soccer Ballaghaderreen dent Town’s title hopes

Ballinasloe Town’s Premier Division title hopes suffered a major setback last weekend when they suffered a shock 4-3 defeat away to Ballaghaderreen.

Cian McCann put the hosts in front after just ten minutes with Danny Browne doubling their lead eleven minutes later. Liam Lynch pulled one back for the visitors before half-time before a Paddy Callaghan brace seemed to have put the game beyond Ballinasloe in the second half.

Niall Stack and Niall Quinn, however, set up a grandstand finish with two goals for the visitors before the final whistle. Despite Ballinasloe’s best efforts, the hosts held on to claim a valuable three points to leave the title-chasing visitors seven points off joint leaders Boyle Celtic and Moore United.

Meanwhile, St. John’s Athletic will now need to beat Kilkerrin United in their remaining first round game to make the top half following the mid-season split. The Lecarrow side were denied all three points at Moylough last Sunday when Joseph Whyte popped up in injury-time to rescue a 2-2 draw for the hosts.

Next up is the final league game at home to Sligo at 3 pm in Creggs next Saturday.

Mini Rugby

Over 100 Creggs players visited Buccaneers for a blitz last Saturday morning. Huge thanks to the hosts as well as parents and guardians for attending. 22 members of the U-12 Girls’ team travelled to Galway on Saturday to provide the half-time entertainment at the Women’s Interpro game between Connacht and Munster at the Sportsground. It was a great turnout for the club and the girls even featured on TV!

In Division One, Ballinagare Manor United were comfortable 3-0 winners over Ballinasloe Town B at home. Goals from Vando and Aidan Dowd (2) keep their title hopes very much alive.

In the Connacht FA Women’s Shield, Ballaghaderreen WFC are through to the second round following a comfortable 4-0 win away to Ballinasloe. Rebecca Finan and Caoimhe Feeney scored a brace each for the visitors.

Finally, goals from John Stokes and Daire Dowd gave Ballinagare Manor United a 2-0 win over Cloonfad United in the Reserve League.

Fixtures

Friday, January 27th

Norio’s Premier Division

Kilkerrin United v St. John’s Athletic. 2 pm

Saturday, January 28th

RDFL Reserve Division (12 pm)

Ballinagare Manor United v Shiven Rovers

Moore United v Cloonfad United

Sunday, January 29th

Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup (2 pm)

St. John’s Athletic B v Shiven Rovers

Ballymoe FC v Cam Celtic

St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Dunmore Town Cloonfad United v Rahara Rovers

Joe Concannon Women’s Challenge Cup (First Round) (2 pm)

Boyle Celtic v Colemanstown

Ballaghaderreen WFC v Ballinasloe Town St. Cuan’s/Kilkerrin United v Shiven Rovers

Cam Celtic v Castlerea Celtic

Give a little, Get a lot… Ahead of the new season, we are asking you to contribute to our club. There are many areas where you skills can be applied - administration, IT, club shop, marketing, coaching, etc. Every little helps!

Buccs shot down at Rifle Park

Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B: Banbridge 43 Buccaneers 15. High-flying Buccaneers were shot down at Rifle Park on Saturday when a revitalised Banbridge were in rampant mood as they outgunned the visitors 43-15. It was almost a total reverse of the scoreline at Dubarry Park where Buccs won 44-13, which was not as clearcut as the margin may have suggested and there were other similarities on this occasion. However, it was the Ulstermen who came flying out of the traps to gain ascendancy over the disappointing and disappointed Pirates raiders.

U-20s beaten in Naas

JP Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2: Naas 23 Buccaneers 19. The U-20s travelled with a young team to Forenaughts for their showdown with Naas on Sunday, where they

were narrowly defeated. The club congratulates the players who have made the step up to AIL level and also outhalf Ruaidhri Fallon, who represented the Roscommon senior team in the FBD Connacht Final against Mayo on Friday night. The club looks forward to seeing him back in the Buccaneers’ jersey soon.

Weekend fixtures

Buccaneers Seniors are home to St. Mary’s College in the Energia All-Ireland 1B on Saturday. The Seconds host Creggs in the Connacht Junior 1A at 2.30 pm on Sunday. The Thirds are also at home against Ballinrobe in Connacht J2A at 2.30 pm on Sunday. Finally, the U-20s travel to Dublin to take on Seapoint, also on Sunday.

Reunion reminder

A reminder that the 20th reunion of the 2003

U-20 side, which reached the All-Ireland final, will take place ahead of the Energia All-Ireland League match against St. Mary’s this Saturday. Groups or individuals can be catered for. Contact club administrator Geraldine at 0861732711 to book.

U-15s beat Galwegians

Buccaneers U-15s enjoyed a hard-fought 15-7 win over Galwegians in the Connacht League at Dubarry Park on Sunday. The hosts were fully deserving of their win with For all their good play Buccs could only muster a 3-pointer in the first half.

Half-time brought the required reset and a Hugo Hannon try was converted by Andy Cotton before the visitors scored following an interception. This Buccs team are a resilient bunch, however, and the result was confirmed with a try from the returning Nathan Kelly.

Witamy Cię! Dołącz do naszego klubu w 2023 roku.

Skontaktuj się z Michałem 0877665993 Dziękuję Ci.

Sponsor us… Would you like to support youth football in your local community? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you. We sincerely thank all local businesses for their financial support in 2022.

Coaches’ hopes for club and country…

Olímpia Club - That the kids have a

positive experience and enjoy soccer in our club and that they can say that they learnt something.

Country - To see continued growth with girls soccer in this country and that the women’s team play well in the World Cup.

Alastair Club - That our club would become even more inclusive, that many different nationalities will join and feel part of the club and that we can develop girls’ soccer teams through all the age groups. For this to happen, we need more volunteers.

Country - It would be great if the Republic of Ireland’s women’ team have a successful tournament in their first World Cup and inspire others to start playing.

Respect for All… Our codes of conduct for coaches, players and parents are available to view on our website - www. roscommontownyouthsoccer.ie Give respect. Get respect.

Wise Words… Success is where preparation and opportunity meet - Bobby Unser

(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer)

In association with the C’mon The Town

Buccaneers U-15s enjoyed a hard-fought 15-7 win over Galwegians in the Connacht League at Dubarry Park on Sunday.

Player Registration…

Registration for new and returning players for the 2023 season will commence soon… watch this space!

Creggs U-14s enjoyed a fine win over Buccaneers last weekend.

Grey day for All Blacks at The Green!

In international rugby the All Blacks are the team to beat – at Connacht Junior Rugby level the Connemara All Blacks carry a similar reputation in relative terms.

Last Saturday night Creggs welcomed the renowned west Galway club to the village for a Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final. A huge crowd turned out to see the contest, possibly the biggest attendance ever at a game at The Green.

It was a chance for Creggs to once again showcase their magnificent facilities. Indeed the club’s new stand was bursting at the seams for the match. The rain swept downfield from the village end and a big crowd of noisy visiting fans made their presence felt from the kick-off.

However, it was the home side that dominated early on. In fact the All Blacks never even got near the Creggs line in the first half. Converted tries from Eoghan Coyle and Mark Purcell saw the home side ahead by 14-0 at the break. Indeed if Shane Purcell had converted three further penalty opportunities the game could have been over at half-time.

Needless to say Connemara were much better with the elements at their backs in the second half. Still, you always got the feeling that this was going to be a big night for Creggs. The All Blacks reduced the margin to

Precarious

siastically,

Mind

it

would

< SEAMUS DUKE

Creggs’ David Gacquin and captain Brian Diffley jumping for joy as Eoghan Coyle goes over for a try during last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final against Connemara All Blacks.

Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

The Creggs RFC team (and subs) that faced Connemara All Blacks in the Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final last Saturday. Creggs won the game by 2 points on a scoreline of 14-12. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

seven with a converted try in the 57th minute, and ten minutes later they got over in the corner for another. The conversion was missed on this occasion, leaving a slender two-point gap.

that lead may have been,

but Creggs held out for a historic 14-12 win. The Connemara All Blacks have broken the hearts of Creggs on numerous occasions over the years –but not this time. At the final whistle, the Creggs players celebrated enthu-

while local fans cheered a memorable victory, many heading off to relive the match in the local pubs.

you,

was only a quarter-final. There is much water to flow under the bridge before any talk of silverware

be justified. But Creggs crossed this formidable bridge on Saturday evening. There have been many great days at The Green over the years, and this memorable one was up there with any of them.

Creggs’ Mark Purcell tries to dislodge the ball from the hands of David Reilly of Connemara All Blacks during last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final in Creggs. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Shane Purcell of Creggs get his tackle in a fraction too late as Connemara’s Kevin Keogh gets his pass off to Mark Joyce during last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final in Creggs. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Lennon: ‘Armagh will be our biggest test’

Ladies look to bounce back after Tyrone defeat

< SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon Ladies footballers face a tough task on Sunday next as they face a very strong Armagh side in the second round of the Lidl Ladies National Football League at Kiltoom (throw in at 2 pm).

Armagh were the easy winners of their opening round tie against Cavan (2-8 to 0-5) while Roscommon went down by three points to Tyrone in Omagh last Sunday, 1-15 to 1-12.

Roscommon fielded no fewer than six debutants against Tyrone and manager Ollie Lennon will have been encouraged by his team’s display.

“We played well and we probably should have been ahead by half-time but overall Tyrone deserved to win it on their second half display,” he told the Roscommon People on Monday, With Laura Fleming leading by example, Roscommon more than matched Tyrone in the opening half and four points

from her and two from Aisling Hanly while another from the very impressive Aisling Feely saw the sides locked at 0-7 apiece at half-time.

But Tyrone were stronger after the break and a goal from Niamh Hughes in the 39th minute opened up a gap that was to prove decisive. Tyrone sub Maria Canavan kicked five points after her introduction and by the 52nd minute they led by 1-14 to 0-11. But Roscommon finished well. Captain Laura Flem-

ing scored a great goal in the 59th minute and Aisling Hanly pointed in injury-time before a late point secured the win for Tyrone.

This weekend’s clash against Armagh will be a daunting task for Roscommon. “Armagh are the strongest team in this division. They would have designs on winning the senior All-Ireland title. But in Division Two you have to play top class teams and we look forward to it. It’s a pity that the

Five-star Holmes leads Coláiste Mhuire to hurling glory!

Congratulations to Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar, who claimed the Connacht Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship last Friday with a very impressive 8-15 to 2-10 win over Colaíste Chroí Mhuire an Spidéal in Carnmore.

Four first-half goals from Harry Holmes (the first a wonderful solo effort) helped the Ballygar school into a 4-6 to 1-7 half-time lead.

Holmes continued his oneman demolition job in the second as he netted for the

fifth time before a fine sole run by Harry O’Sullivan finished with him finding the net. Further goals followed for a rampant Coláiste Mhuire side as David Mannion and Cian Downey raised green flags to put the gloss on a memorable win.

Best on the day for the Seamus O’Kelly and Jonathan Waldron-managed side were Harry O’Sullivan, Cian Downey, Eoghan Naughton, David Mannion, Cathal Maloney, Rory Coyle, and man of the match Harry Holmes.

game is clashing with the men’s match but we just have to get on with it,” Lennon concluded.

Roscommon: Helena Cummins; Aine McGrath, Aisling Shanagher, Saoirse Wynne; Ellen Irwin, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Roisin Wynne; Ruth Cox, Caoimhe Cregg; Laura Flaming (1-5, 5 frees), Aoife Gavin (0-1), Millie Hagen; Aisling Hanly (0-2), Aisling Feeley (0-4, 1 free), Niamh Feeney.

Sub: Amanda Creighton.

Walking on Air!

Convent wins Connacht senior football title

The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon were crowned Lidl Connacht LGFA Senior ‘B’ football champions following a thrilling 2-11 to 1-12 win over St. Attracta’s, Tubbercurry at the Air Dome in Bekan on Thursday last.

The team, managed by David O’Reilly, secured the school’s first senior football ti-

The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon were crowned Lidl Connacht LGFA Senior ‘B’ football champions in Bekan on Thursday last.

Pictured are the Roscommon Gaels

tle since 2009 thanks to goals from captain Aisling Hanly and Siofra Hession.

The side features players from Roscommon Gaels, Oran, Kilbride, St. Ciaran’s, Four Roads, St. Croan’s and St. Dominic’s.

The Convent will now face an Ulster school in the All-Ireland semi-final with details yet to be confirmed.

Fresh from leading the Convent of Mercy to Connacht victory last Thursday, Kilbride star Aisling Hanly (pictured in action during last season’s NFL semifinal win over Kildare) will be hoping to continue her rich vein of form as Roscommon take on Armagh this Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured is the Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg team which won the 2022 Roscommon Minor Championship. They were presented with their medals last Sunday evening in the Marian Hall, Gorthaganny. Guests on the night were Chairman of Roscommon GAA Brian Carroll and former Roscommon footballer Paul Earley.

players who are part of the panel. Pic: Roscommon Gaels Facebook page

Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar won the Connacht Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship last Friday with a 8-15 to 2-10 victory over Colaíste Chroií Mhuire an Spidéal in Carnmore.

Burke: ‘We’ll be playing a more positive style’

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Roscommon manager Davy Burke has pledged that the long-term plan for his team is to play a more positive style of football than was in evidence in last weekend’s dour FBD League final.

Roscommon’s hopes of early-season silverware were dashed by Kevin McStay’s Mayo in a tense, dour and very defensive game played at the NUIG Connacht GAA Air Dome last Friday night.

Afterwards, Burke told the Roscommon People: “We played well for long periods of time…no goal conceded. So you’d have to be happy enough overall, in that defensively it was decent – but going the other way it wasn’t great. 90 per cent of our wides were scoreable, I’d say. Look, we probably put an emphasis on defence this week, you probably saw a bit of that tonight. Maybe we didn’t manage the scale right, but for me I’m happy enough overall”.

Burke said the plan had not been to be “as negative” and to “go backwards all the time”, quipping that he will be trying his best to get that approach “out of the lads”.

“I look for a bit more positivity myself,

but you have to be pragmatic too, I understand that. You can’t be kicking the ball when there are 15 men behind the ball, but I would like to see a better, more offensive plan going forward”.

So is the new manager happy with progress since his appointment? “Happier, I’d say. There’s a huge amount to work on. That was a glorified challenge match on an artificial surface in the middle of Mayo somewhere…so let’s not get too mad. We lost by four points, I don’t think any manager should be too happy with that. We had 12 wides, and we played with a man down for ten minutes as well (black card). Look, ultimately we’re getting better, there’s no doubt in my mind we’re getting better. We’ve a bit of quality to add in – a bit of competition. The big thing is that nobody on that team is safe because I fervently believe that it’s the downfall of every team. You have to have competition for places”.

Burke was reflecting on one of the lowest scoring inter-county matches played at the venue since it opened, a game in which defences were very much on top, both sides funnelling players behind the ball when not in possession.

The first half was a particularly hard watch. Mayo, slightly better in attack, went in 0-5 to 0-2 ahead at the break. They led 0-3 to no score by the time Niall Daly got Roscommon’s opening point in

‘No harm in winning silverware’ – McStay on winning start

Mayo manager Kevin McStay was happy to get some early-season silverware into the cabinet.

“We’re in a block of training for the last two or three months with a view to being ready for the league in just over a week’s time.

“This is just a rung on the lad-

der, if you like. It’s an important one because it’s a final and once you’re in a final, we agreed we wanted to win it. There’s no harm in winning the silverware that’s on offer at all, your mood, your morale, everything is helped by it”.

the 21st minute, and it was deep into injury-time when Diarmuid Murtagh added Roscommon’s second score. From a Roscommon point of view, while the defence was playing well, the attack looked toothless.

However, the introduction of Donie Smith and Conor Cox at half-time resulted in a marked improvement in Roscommon’s attacking play. An early Diarmuid Murtagh point narrowed the gap, but in truth Mayo never looked like losing the match.

Keith Doyle kicked a great score in the 41st minute to give Roscommon hope and two fine efforts from Conor Cox kept his side in touch, but Mayo responded through Enda Hession and Jordan Flynn to keep the margin at four.

When Donie Smith then kicked two su-

perb points within a minute, there were only two between the teams with five minutes to go (0-10 to 0-8). Mayo kicked on again and two points from sub Cillian O’Connor and another from Conor Loftus saw them over the line. Roscommon sub Peter Gillooly kicked a consolation point in injury-time, but in what represents a good start to the managerial term of Kevin McStay, the cup was going back to Mayo for the first time since 2012.

Roscommon will point to some positives, such as an improved defensive display, with Brian Stack, Conor Daly and Robbie Dolan prominent. Conor Carroll was impressive between the posts and has certainly put his hand up for a starting position. Keith Doyle had another good game in midfield. Up front, Roscommon’s performance improved with the

introduction of Donie Smith and Conor Cox, but scoring just nine points and returning a total of 12 wides is a worry.

The slate will be totally wiped clean now as all eyes turn to Dr Hyde Park this Sunday and a huge Division One clash against Tyrone. It will be a baptism of fire for Davy Burke and his players.

Teams & scorers

Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession (0-1); Donnacha McHugh, Conor Loftus (0-1), Stephen Coen (0-1); Jordan Flynn (0-1), Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1, ‘45); Fionn McDonagh (0-1), Bob Tuohy, Bryan Walsh; Aiden Orme, Conor McStay (0-1), Ryan O’Donoghue (0-4, 3 frees, 1 mark). Subs: Jack Carney for McDonagh (29), Aidan O’Shea for Tuohy (47), Eoghan McLaughlin for Walsh (49), Paul Towey for McStay (51), Sam Callinan for McHugh (53), Cillian O’Connor (0-2, 1 free) for Orme (57), Ruairí Keane for Hession (63), Ethan Gibbons for O’Donoghue (68), Fenton Kelly for Loftus (73), Joe Tuohy for Coen (73).

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Conor Daly, Eoin McCormack; Robbie Dolan, Brian Stack, Niall Daly (0-1); Rúáidhrí Fallon, Keith Doyle (0-1); Cian Glennon, Ciaráin Murtagh, Dylan Ruane; Diarmuid Murtagh (0-2), Ciarán Lennon, Paul Carey. Subs: Donie Smith (0-2) for C Murtagh (h/t), Conor Cox (0-2, 1 free) for Carey (h/t), Adam McDermott for D Murtagh (44), Darragh Heneghan for Glennon (51), Connell Kennelly for Ruane (51), Colin Walsh for N Daly (56), Ben O’Carroll for Lennon (56), Paul McGrath for Fallon (68), Peter Gillooly (01) for McCormack (70), Dylan Gaughan for O’Carroll (72).

Referee: Michael McGirl (Leitrim).

Stat Attack

Wides: Mayo: 8 (5, first half); Roscommon 12 (4, first half)

Red cards: Mayo 1 (Rory Brickenden, 2 yellows); Roscommon 0

Black cards: Roscommon 1 (Eoin McCormack 19); Mayo 0

Yellow cards: Roscommon 0; Mayo 5 (Rory Brickenden 2, Cillian O’Connor, Conor McStay, Fionn McDonagh)

Attendance: Approx. 1,200

Man of the Match: Conor Loftus (Mayo)

The Roscommon players line up prior to Friday’s FBD League final in the Connacht GAA Air Dome. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Roscommon’s Paul Carey attempts to tackle Mayo’s Fionn McDonagh during last Friday’s FBD League final in the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell