28 October 2022 Roscommon People

Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injury Claims

What is Cerebral Palsy?

If part of the brain that controls the muscles is dam aged while the brain is growing, cerebral palsy can result. Cerebral palsy can lead to weakness and lack of co-ordination of the muscles and can exhibit itself as abnormal muscle tone and strength.

Does a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy suggest a poorly or negligently managed birth?

Not always. The exact cause of Cerebral Palsy is unknown. It is known that if the brain is damaged whilst it is growing then this can lead to Cerebral Palsy. However, in some situations, a lack of oxygen to the brain during labour and delivery can result in Cerebral Palsy.

How will I know if my child has a legal case for Cerebral Palsy or a birth injury?

If it can be established that a mother’s pregnancy, labour and delivery were mismanaged by the de livery team and the injury to the baby’s brain could have been avoided, had competent medical treatment been given then certainly questions will need to be answered by the hospital and the delivery team.

How can Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors help me?

Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors Medical Negligence Solicitors have particular expertise and experience in advising clients on Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injury matters. We expertly review all medi cal records and engage the very best professional specialist opinion to analyse and comment upon any substandard care and/or breach of duty.

If you have concerns and queries regarding your labour and the delivery of your child and would like to discuss this with our specialist medical negligence solicitors, please contact us in confidence on 090 6478433. Your call will be dealt with sensitively and in the strictest confidence.

WATCHINGPeople

With PAUL HEALY

county board

What a weekend!

You’re SO embarrassing!

I’m telling you, people are beginning to appreciate my GAA pedigree…finally!

So you claim…(rolls eyes)

Will I go over it again?

I expect you will…

(They pause to check if Boris Johnson is re ally, really gone from the spotlight, at least for now)

So I was having a quiet pint on Thursday evening, when a few ‘GAA heads’ hap pened to come in…

Yes…

And one of the camps preparing for the senior ladies final – I can’t disclose which – approaches me…

So you say…

They were aware that I was an accom plished player in my day, and that my promising coaching career was unavoid ably cut short.

Yeah, because your team lost eight on the trot…

We were purists! The results were going to come!

After that disastrous run as a manager long over a decade ago, you rightly packed it in!

I took a break from management…

You were ousted!

Point is, a respected Gael approaches me on Thursday night and asks would I make a motivational speech to the ladies.

Yeah…

THEN, in a bizarre coincidence, one of

my hurling buddies pops in, overhears our chat, and asks if I’ll talk to his play ers ahead of the hurling final! Sounds like you’re as popular as Ant & Dec…

I had to politely decline both parties! I couldn’t choose! But it definitely whet ted my appetite for a comeback!

(They pause to propose a belated toast to Des Cahill on the occasion of his relin

that!

quishing of the host’s chair on The Sunday Game)

Sorry if I embarrassed you at the Hyde on Sunday, it’s just that my confidence is now sky-high. I really feel in demand for my GAA expertise!

Fancy approaching the County Board chairperson like that, on county final day!

It was just a brief chat…

You literally offered your services to the county board. “Hey Brian, I could be a selector for the new manager, I could even be the new manager. Can I tell you some of my theories on the game?”

SO EMBARRASSING!

He seemed keen! I think I saw him typ ing my number into his smartphone… No, he was checking the score in Leeds v Fulham!

He was very courteous…

And very patient! Look, there might be some delayed contribution you can make to the GAA in your middle-aged years, but please don’t get ahead of yourself!

Colm O’Rourke’s 65!

Yeah, but he’s Colm O’Rourke! Anyways, congratulations to Strokestown on a fantastic win. And to all other winning teams last weekend. Agreed! And hard luck to all beaten final ists.

Hold on, I better take this call, it’s a Cas tlerea number…

Can’t it wait?

NO! It could be the Aoife O’Rourke camp. You do know I was a promising boxer in my youth?

Tony Lavin

Tony came off the sub’s bench to score a dramatic, late winning point for Strokestown as they won their first county senior title in 20 years, defeating Boyle in a tense decider at Hyde Park

Liz Truss & Rishi Sunak

It’s over. After just 44 tumultuous days in office, Liz Truss resigned as Conservative Party leader, bring ing her stint as Britain’s shortest-serving Prime Min ister to an end. On Monday, Rishi Sunak succeeded her as Conservative Party leader, and on Tuesday he officially became the UK’s new Prime Minister

Aoife O’Rourke

Aoife O’Rourke successfully defended her Euro pean Middleweight Boxing title by winning gold in Montenegro, continuing the sensational run of form of the Castlerea siblings (her sister, Lisa, won a world title earlier this year)

Cristiano Ronaldo

After allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute against Spurs – he walked down the tunnel in a show of petulance before the final whistle – the Manches ter United star was left out of the squad for Satur day’s game against Chelsea by unimpressed man ager Erik ten Hag

PIC OF THE WEEK…proud dads: Padraic Mulry with Inde-Mae, Micheal Kelly with Sadie, and John Moran with Caoimhe following Four Roads’ win over Pádraig Pearses in the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Naughten calls on CEO to intervene in postal row

said the delays and the issue of addressing mail in Monksland as Co. Westmeath was “totally unac ceptable”.

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Fine Gael councillor John Naugh ten has called on Acting Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan to inter vene in the ongoing issue of postal delays in the Monksland area.

Cllr. Naughten said there was “much annoyance” in Monksland and surrounding areas due to post al delays caused by mail being ad dressed to Co. Roscommon.

He said the issue had arisen dur ing the successful Save Roscom mon campaign of 2016.

“Residents living in Co. Roscom mon have told me that both post and parcels had been labelled as ‘delayed’ due to the wrong coun ty being used on the address and ‘Athlone, Co. Westmeath’ being put on the (new) label beside it,” he said.

Cllr. Naughten called on Acting Chief Executive Shane Tiernan to intervene “once and for all” and

“During the Save Roscommon campaign, it was made quite clear that the people of Monksland wanted to remain in County Ro scommon,” he added.

During the meeting, Independent councillor Donal Kilduff high lighted further issues with the eir code finder service.

He told members that Roscom mon addresses such as Monks land, Bealnamulla, and Hill of Berries were listed as Co. West meath.

“The Athlone Municipal Dis trict Office is also listed as West meath,” he said, questioning whether something more “sinis ter” was afoot.

“I remember my father (former councillor, Paddy Kilduff) being very animated once about these issues. I remember him saying they were just trying to acclima tise the people for a takeover (of South Roscommon by Westmeath County Council). Of course I thought he was being paranoid but sure enough, a takeover bid was launched,” he added.

Cllr. Tony Ward said he had

raised a similar motion a number of years ago and said the issue was not unique to Monksland.

“I don’t know what part of ‘Ro scommon’ they don’t understand. I would hope that the Chief Ex ecutive would be in touch with An Post,” he said.

“We received a commitment from An Post back then that this wouldn’t happen again”.

Cllr. Emer Kelly said there were similar issues along the Galway border and proposed that those areas also be included in Cllr. Naughten’s motion while Cllr. John Keogh said it was “utterly offensive to have Roscommon struck off addresses to be replaced by Westmeath”.

Cllr. Laurence Fallon said: “We are not County Westmeath and we have no desire to be Westmeath. This is not acceptable and it is dis appointing that An Post have not definitively solved this”.

Fianna Fáil councillor and local postman, Joe Murphy, said the is sue of county addresses was not unique to South Roscommon and caused similar problems in border towns such as Rooskey (via Car rick-on-Shannon sorting office) and Tarmonbarry (via Longford sorting office).

He said delays were most likely occurring due to confusion over which sorting offices are responsi ble for the delivery of mail in these areas.

“What happens is the post labelled Roscommon comes into Roscom mon and we can’t send it to Ath lone with that address on it because it will come back to us so not alone will it be late one day, it’ll be late by two days. What I normally do when I come across this is put ‘Via Athlone/Westmeath’ on it and that should cover it,” he said.

“By all means write to An Post because I wouldn’t like if this was happening to me”.

Cllr. John Naughten

Loughglynn Playground and Recreational Committee meeting

Loughglynn Playground and Recreational Com mittee will be holding a public meeting in Lough glynn Community Centre on Friday, the 4th of November at 8 pm.

committee is seeking donations/suggestions

land that could be used for the purpose of a

in Loughglynn.

All members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

Castlerea ICA meeting next Tuesday (1st)

A meeting of the Castlerea Guild of the ICA will be held in ‘D Gaff’ on Barrack Street, Castlerea at 8.15 pm next Tuesday (November 1st).

members are welcome.

Dr Jude Lohan pictured with TUS President, Professor Vincent Cunnane and colleagues Declan Doran, Patrick Fitzpatrick, and Jim Gilchrist at the Compendium of Active Learning and Assessment for Student Engagement, held recently at TUS Thurles Campus, Conference Centre, by the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (CPID).

Chris O’Dowd

BAFTA nomination for Chris O’Dowd

Boyle native, Chris O’Dowd, is among this year’s nominees for the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Children and Young People Awards which return for the first time in three years next month.

The Moone Boy and Brides

Fundraiser for Galway Hospice Dialysis Unit

A fundraiser for Galway Hospice Foun dation Dialysis Unit takes place in Kilkerrin Pastoral Centre this Sunday (30th) after Mass. Arts & crafts, food & cakes, etc. Crochet too. Raffle on the day. Please support.

North Galway Vintage & Heritage Club Autojumble

North Galway Vintage & Heritage Club Mega Autojumble takes place on Sun day, November 13th in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre (F45 VP66).

There will be up to 50 auto jumble stands in attendance and indoor and outdoor spaces. Catering will be pro vided on the day. Traders by invitation only. Contact Danny 086-510445/Peter 086-2478129.

maids star was nominated in the performer category for ‘Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth’.

The ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, November 27th, will be hosted by TV and radio presenter, Lindsey Russell.

Banks, p.l.c. is an authorised agent and servicer of AIB Mortgage Bank u.c. in relation

mortgages. AIB Mortgage Bank u.c. and Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. are regulated by the Central

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

column by Roscommon People editor paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Thursday

Yes, it’s over…

Liz Truss resigned today as British Prime Minister, bringing to an end a period of uncertainty about both UK politics and the credibility of this column.

Keen readers may recall that in the early stages of last week’s offering on this page I had speculated that Ms. Truss might not even survive to “the end of this column”. Well, she did. But just about.

I don’t for one moment suggest that my musings should have been any consideration for a woman who was undoubtedly under pressure, but I am grateful for a ‘credibility score draw’ on this one, whereby I speculated that Liz could be gone by Thursday, then sug gested she looked likely to last the week, then returned home with a copy of the Roscommon People at lunchtime today to discover that she had announced her resignation. Like I say, Liz and I are fine. She may have messed up a few things, but she treated this column with a certain degree of respect.

On a more serious note, I feel sympa thy on the proverbial ‘human level’ for the humiliation Liz Truss and her family have been through. That said, she clearly wasn’t ‘cut out’ to be Prime Minister, and it was probably best to end this sorry saga.

Now what’s all this talk about a hungov er, dishevelled Etonian scampering from a beach in the Caribbean to the nearest airport?

Friday

Mock the Week, the popular BBC comedypanel show presented by Cork’s Dara Ó Briain, ended its 17-year run tonight. I believe the relevant word to sum up its fate might be ‘axed’.

I used to be a fan, but gave up watching years ago, having tired of its shamelessly pre-planned, semi-scripted format. The show established the careers of numerous previously relatively unknown comedians, most famously the controversial (and brilliant) Frankie Boyle. It made Ó Briain a household name in the UK.

I had long grown tired of MTW, but happened to see tonight’s final episode, and in fairness they left the stage with an admirable lack of self-importance. Undoubtedly the show was a big success in its peak years. I always preferred Have I Got News For You, but that show is now

a pale shadow of its former self.

By far the best of the comedy panel shows now is the brilliant, always entertaining Would I Lie To You? Long may it continue!

Saturday

They’re very, very excited at Sky News, where they’re treating former PM Boris Johnson’s return on a flight from a holiday abroad as some sort of major, solemn event. Apparently he may want his old job back.

You couldn’t make this up. They’re actually breathlessly announcing that Boris has boarded a flight to come back to Britain, they’ve a grainy photo of him in his airplane seat, a reporter says there were “one or two boos” from fellow pas sengers…and then there’s endless footage of ‘his’ plane arriving on the tarmac.

This isn’t a Hugh Grant comedy; it’s the real-life farce that Britain finds itself trapped in.

Saturday/Sunday

It had been billed as a big weekend for Roscom mon GAA, and so it proved. On Saturday, Four Roads won their 14th Roscommon senior hurling title this century. It sounds even better this way: 14 of the last 23. That remarkable tally includes an eight-in-a-row from 2008-2015. They really are Roscommon hurling royalty! (Four Roads also won the U-17 county title, defeating St. Dominic’s in the final).

Also on Saturday, Clann na nGael confirmed how the pendulum has decisively swung in their favour in ladies football. Victory over Kilbride meant a successful title defence for Clann, an ominous sign for pretenders to the crown. Oran had an excellent win in the Junior B final which

completed a double bill in Ballyforan. Sunday’s first game at Hyde Park was a very entertaining contest, Elphin/Ballinameen eventu ally seeing off Éire Óg/Michael Glavey’s in the U-20 Division 2 final.

The County Senior Football final wasn’t a par ticularly memorable game in terms of quality, but it was contested with great, honest endeavour and was ultimately a fascinating battle of wills. There was nowhere to hide for the men charged with eyeballing history in this all-northern showdown. A dramatic finale had the large attendance riv eted. It was a day of heartbreak for Boyle, players and mentors bereft as victory slipped from their grasp. Strokestown got just reward for a fiercely committed display. Any time Boyle looked like moving a few points clear, Strokestown stubbornly stayed in touch. They had several excellent performers. Substitute Tony Lavin was their hero in the end, kicking the winning point in the 5th minute of time added on. It was Strokestown’s day; in fact it was Strokestown’s year. As a former resident of the town, I am very happy for everyone associated with the club. I hope Boyle’s long wait for glory ends soon.

Monday

There were more unprecedented scenes in the world of Westminster politics today. A source told the Roscommon People: “People have never seen anything like it. When the news broke overnight that Boris Johnson had pulled out of running for PM – and that there would be an anticlimax today in the Conservative Party lead ership race – we saw some of the most incredible scenes ever witnessed here”.

According to our sources, Sky News presenters

and political correspondents from various media outlets have never been at such risk of collectively imploding.

Our source continued: “It’s carnage. There are unconfirmed reports of reporters angrily tearing up scripts with phrases like ‘Blonde Bombshell to return’ and ‘Can Tories be this crazy?’ and ‘Five more days of drama to go as grassroots to choose’.

“Last night, when they heard the Boris soap opera was cancelled, there were unprecedent ed scenes as reporters and editors were seen elbowing one another in a desperate scramble to get into any pub to drown their sorrows.

“This morning, we have cameras perma nently outside the houses of all the main political correspondents, waiting to see will they emerge and wave at us while we shout questions at them.

“This really is devastating for reporters. There are even reports that some of them may resign their ‘seats’ and become PR advi sors or Government spin doctors”.

One Sky reporter who did not wish to be named told the Roscommon People: “I still intend to stand in front of 10 Downing Street and stare solemnly into the camera at every opportunity. If I’m asked anything I’ll just speculate that there are rumours that Boris is plotting a comeback in a few years and that who knows, Rishi might trip over that damn cat on his way into Number 10. I’ll certainly be scrolling on my phone while on camera to give every impression that prominent back benchers are texting me while I’m live on air. I’m not giving up!”

Asked if there is a real possibility of stabil ity at the heart of British politics now and if he may have to go back to reporting on extreme weather events, the reporter became emotional and said “I think I’ve said enough for now”.

Tuesday

Rishi Sunak has succeeded Liz Truss and become the latest UK Prime Minister. Boris will lie low, for now at least. Rishi seems to be a nice enough chap, though no doubt he has all the ruthlessness required for this role. He and his wife Akshata Murty have a combined estimated wealth of about £730m (€842m) so it remains to be seen how clued in the new PM will be to the cost of living crisis impacting millions of people in Britain. Today, Mr Sunak went to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles and set the formalities in motion. There is absolutely no suggestion whatsoever that the twinkle-eyed King asked Rishi for the loan of a few bob.

Liz Truss resigns as British Prime Minister

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NOTICE IN RELATION TO SPECIFIED DEVELOPMENT

N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny Road Project

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) that Roscommon County Council proposes to carry out the following works:

The improvement, including widening and straightening, of approximately 3.95km of Standard Single Carriageway National Secondary route, consisting of 3.3km of offline construction and 0.65km of online widening, to typically provide a Type 1 single carriageway including 7.3m carriageway with 2 x 2.5m hard shoulders and 2 x 3m grass verges and including local road improvements/ realignments, farm/accommodation roads, watercourse crossings, fencing, drainage, landscaping, utilities and service diversions, accommodation works and other ancillary works at Tulsk, Carrownageelaun, Cargin Demesne, Lissacurkia, Carrowkeel, Carrownrinny, Sheegeeragh and Manor Townlands, County Roscommon.

A Screening for Appropriate Assessment report and Environmental Impact Assessment screening report in respect of the development have been carried out and are available for inspection. Roscommon County Council as the Competent Authority has concluded that the proposed project, individually and in combination with other plans and projects, is not one which requires an Appropriate Assessment (AA) or an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and is not likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Pursuant to Article 120 of the Planning and Development Regulations (as amended), where any person considers that a development proposed to be carried out would be likely to have significant effects on the environment, he or she may, at any time before the expiration of 4 weeks beginning on the date of the publication of this notice apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have such effects.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development, along with the Screening for Appropriate Assessment Report and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report are available for inspection and for purchase (at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy) from Thursday 27th October 2022 to Wednesday 30th November 2022 inclusive, during office hours Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays at the offices of Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon Town and the Roscommon National Roads Regional Office, Racecourse Road, Roscommon Town. Plans and particulars of the proposed development will also be available for inspection online on the Roscommon County Council website at www.roscommoncoco.ie/!RDWO8P

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be emailed to roads@roscommoncoco. ie or delivered in writing to the undersigned on or before 5.00 pm on Friday 16th December 2022.

Signed: Greg O’Donnell, A/Director of Services Roads and Transportation, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chonate, Roscommon Town, F41 VR98.

Deadline looming for Dermot Earley Bursary

The closing date for receipt of applications for the an nual Dermot Earley Bursary is this Friday, October 28th. To apply online applicants must visit Roscom mon County Council’s My Online Services where they will be asked to login or register an online ac count with Roscommon County Council's online services.

The Dermot Earley Bursary is a Sports scholar ships intended for persons of outstanding sporting ability who have participated at International, Nation al, Inter-Provincial, Inter-County or Senior Club level who have displayed outstanding potential or dedica tion to their sport.

Two awards of €1,000 each will be made for the current 2022/2023 Academic year – one to a male athlete and one to a female athlete. The Scholarship will be awarded to a student, who has completed their Leaving Certificate in 2022, and in their first year at a third level college studying a Level 6, 7 or 8 course with notable achievement in sport.

An application must be made by a third party that

is a sporting club or organization, on behalf of the nominee. Only one male and one female athlete may be nominated by a third party. Recipients must make themselves available for photo sessions and other promotional events on behalf of Roscommon County Council.

Applicants should demonstrate: excellent poten tial and outstanding ability in their particular sport as well as a desire to represent their County at their sport. Applicants must also be a resident of county Roscom mon. The applicant must satisfy the academic crite ria for entry to a third level college and be registered as a full-time student before final acceptance of the scholarship award. Each Sports Scholarship award is assessed on an individual basis by the Sports Scholar ship Committee

Applicants may be short-listed and will subse quently be interviewed as part of the selection process with interviews place in January, 2023. Awardees must declare all other sponsorships and grants at the time of application.

New innovative library service launched

Sense-Ability is an exciting new venture being de livered through the library services of Roscommon, Leitrim, and Sligo County Council library services.

The initiative is designed to support children and adults who are Neuro-diverse namely autistic people and those with ADHD, DCD/Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and/or Intellectual disability.

Sense Ability is a joint project between Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon library services to provide ac cess to sensory equipment and educational tools for families living with autism, Asperger’s or any addi tional sensory need.

The project consists of three elements, first, the libraries hosted a series of online webinars from ex perts in neurodiversity to raise awareness and provide information for parents. Also, each library service has set-up sensory rooms for use by the public in Bally mote, Roscommon and Mohill libraries, these provide a therapeutic environment with a variety of equipment that helps users calm and focus themselves.

As a result, users can be better prepared for learn ing and interacting with others, these spaces are pro vided free of charge to library users. Castlerea Library has also installed a wheelchair accessible ‘Cubbie’ Sensory Hub.

The final element of the service launched this week in Ballymote library by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Michael Clarke. This ele ment is a catalogue of sensory toys and educational equipment which can be borrowed from libraries throughout Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.

This unique collaboration between the three li brary services was made possible by funding from the

Department of Rural and Community Development. The Sensory Toys and Tools catalogue contains the specialised lending collection of toys for children and teenagers that has been carefully compiled with Oc cupational Therapy guidance and advice.

The collection will be available to borrow free of charge for parents and schools with Neuro-diverse children and is held in branches throughout the par ticipating counties.

Membership is free to any individual who lives, works or goes to school in any of the three collaborat ing Counties for which the loan period is three weeks. Users may borrow up to three items at a time.

To register, users must have a referral from an Oc cupational Therapist, Medical Practitioner, Resource Teacher or other professional working with them. When registered, patrons will receive a dedicated Sense-Ability library card which must be used only to borrow items from this collection.

Teachers or Special Needs Assistants must supply a referral letter from their school principal to register to borrow on behalf of the school. Equipment should only be used on the advice of a qualified professional. Library staff can assist users of this service, but cannot make recommendations on equipment. Con tact details for one’s respective County can be found at www.roscommoncoco.ie/Sense-Ability.

One can also request items online using your Sense-Ability membership barcode and PIN number at roscommon.spydus.ie. Details of the initiative are available to view on the Roscommon Co. Library Fa cebook page on Twitter @RosLibrary and on Insta gram, @roslibrary.

Local engagement for Innovation Week

National Innovation Week which continues to this Friday, October 28th offers public servants across the local authority sector a chance to learn, share ideas and network with like-minded colleagues from across the sector. The programme offers events throughout the week where public servants are encouraged to embrace innovation in the delivery of services to the general public.

A wide range of events and activities are taking place for the benefit of staff of Roscommon County Council throughout this week in Aras an Chontae. The Innovation Week reflects Roscommon County Council’s positive and enthusiastic commitment to embrace change, innovation and efficiency in the public service, sharing new and ground-breaking initiatives to improve and enhance its services to the public.

Among the initiatives taking place this week is the launch of a new video which highlights the public’s experience of using the innovative ‘My Online Services’ data portal for customers of the

local authority. To date, ‘My Online Services’ has been hailed as a pioneering and innovative service, supporting communities in making online applica tions for grants and services.

The portal is also a major tool for accessing information about the many supports and services provided by Roscommon County Council ahead of plans to further develop and enhance services. This latest video will add to the three existing videos already available on My Online Service

The new video was produced by Roscommon County Council’s Digital Team spearheaded by Una Ni Chuinn. The launch was followed on Monday by a presentation from Eilis Mullooly and Aileen Clif ford, Business Advisors, LEO (Roscommon Local Enterprise Office) who addressed the theme of Inno vation in LEO with the use of Submit.com, a system of processing grants. LEO have also highlighted the work of fantastic innovating clients who are building modular homes and developing mart apps with in novation supports

News

Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed make presentation to RUH’s ACAD staff

Members of Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed visited Roscommon Univer sity Hospital on Tuesday evening where they presented a plaque to staff at the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre (ACAD) in ac knowledgement of their wonderful work.

The plaque was created by Willie Creighton, a Master Woodturner and past President of the Irish Woodturn ers Guild from Co. Mayo. The piece was crafted from wood harvested in the Fitzgerald Estate close to the Na tional Museum in Turlough, origi nating from a tree which was several hundred years old.

Willie and members of the Men’s Shed presented the plaque to Direc tor of Nursing Ursula Morgan.

Speaking after the event, Balla ghaderreen Men’s Shed PRO Pat Towey said: “Consultant Plastic Sur geon Deirdre Jones and her team are very well respected in this field, and it’s a testament to their professional ism that the ACAD Department is a

busy place providing care and kind ness to patients who attend for day procedures. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the wonderful facilities provided by the staff and management of Roscommon Uni versity Hospital.

“When you attend as a patient there is always, a warm welcome, a friendly face and a thorough medi cal examination. We wish to also commend Ann Marie Murphy of the HSE. Her support for our shed over the last five years is very much ap preciated. She is our guiding light in health and wellbeing matters”.

Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed was established in 2017 and is a local hub for men of all ages. Member ship has grown in recent years and the Shed has become a hive of activ ity, accommodating men from three different counties.

Mr. Towey continued: “For what ever reason, there is a general census that men will provide the best care for their animals or farm machinery

but are very casual with their health. As we progress in life, our wellbeing needs attention, our mind, body and in this instance our skin.

“We were delighted to host an evening recently with Nurse Bernie Finneran. Her knowledge, expertise, and her presentation were excellent and it really woke us up in terms of addressing skin conditions that pre viously were left unattended.

“Bernie very kindly spoke with some of the group in private after wards. I wish to stress the impor tance of inviting health profession als into groups like ours. There is so much stigma associated with some illnesses that vulnerable men choose to live with a problem rather than seek medical assistance. A shed visit may just save a man’s life”.

The PRO concluded that such pro grammes delivered within Men’s Sheds. “Such programmes deliv ered within a shed are essential and aid members’ wellbeing and selfesteem”.

Congratulations to Creggs Rugby captain Brian Diffley (right) and teammates Eoghan Coyle, Ronan Dowd, and Ronan Cahill, who brought home yet more honours for Creggs RFC recently following

successful ‘Westlife’

Creggs

page

FRC’s ‘Storytelling’ project gives immigrants a voice

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Service users at South Roscommon Family Resource Centre have been afforded the opportunity to share their stories thanks to a unique video project in conjunction with Healthy Ireland and Roscommon County Council.

The Storytelling project features the rich personal stories of Lucy Tomasie wicz and Dorotha Dumiela from Poland, Andreas Kompus a Slovakian Roma, and Bianca Fachel and her parents Leilia and Ismar Fachel Sarda from Brazil.

The participants share personal details about their lives growing up in their home countries and how they came to live in Ireland.

Speaking at the first airing of one of the videos, South Roscommon FRC coordinator Sarah Brennan said it was hoped the project would raise aware ness of the services on offer.

“We are a relatively new Family Re source Centre, having started our work at the very beginning of lockdown, but over the past two years and a half years we have been fortunate to meet and work with lots of families from all sorts of different backgrounds,” she said.

“Very often the centre is so busy that it’s difficult to know much about our clients and visitors beyond their very immediate needs”.

Sarah said that funding received from Healthy Ireland through Roscommon County Council enabled the centre to learn about people’s experiences.

participated in the process – Lucy, Dorotha, Andreas, Bianca, Leilia and Ismar - and to Mike (Hourigan) who recorded the film, and to Sarajane Mc Naboe who facilitated the workshops.

“I’d also like to give a special thanks to Valerie, Maria and Marie who have been a source of great support to us this week, and our team here at the FRC, who work so hard to make this centre a place of welcome for every one, and especially to Felicia without who we wouldn’t be here today”.

The stories featured include that of Polish woman Lucy, who grew up in a small village in Poland before moving to Ireland for a better life. One month after arriving in Roscommon, Lucy met her now husband Michael, who is also from Poland in Rockfords Nite Club.

Lucy’s compatriot, Dorotha, who moved to Ireland 15 years ago after falling in love with the country on a summer break, said she now has two homes.

“Telling my story was like therapy and I really appreciate it,” she said.

Andreas Kompus is a member of the Roma people from Slovakia. He details his difficult childhood in a small Slova kian town where Roma were ostracised by other members of the community.

Andreas was just a child when his family came to Ireland. He described his first night sleeping in his own room as “heaven”, and said their lives have completely changed for the better.

at

“It was a wonderful opportunity to learn what life was like in their country of origin, what made them move to Ireland, and what life has been like for them since,” she said.

“We’re so grateful to those who

Brazilian woman and talented musi cian Bianca Fachel also features in the video. She has started a family here and also built a music studio at her home in Roscommon. She was recently joined by her parents.

The videos will soon be available on YouTube.

Pictured at the launch of South Roscommon Family Resource Centre’s Storytelling project were FRC Co-ordinator Sarah Brennan, Bianca Fachel, her son Jacob and her parents Leilia and Ismar, project facilitator Sarajane McNaboe, Felicia Loughrey (South Roscommon FRC) and Cllr. Orla Leyden.

‘Flying without wingers’

Master Woodturner Willie Creighton and members of Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed make a presentation to Director of Nursing Ursula Morgan and ACAD nursing staff at Roscommon University Hospital.

People

Glenamaddy artists raise money for Comfort Care Treats Fund

In honour of International Men tal Health Day, which took place recently, a small-scale art auction was held in Glenama ddy in aid of the Comfort Care Treats Fund for the Roscom mon University Hospital Men tal Health Unit.

The auction was held at the home of CCTF Volunteer Hel en Raftery Dunne (Ballyhard, Glenamaddy), and saw a num ber of talented teens and adults come together to showcase their artwork, raising the fabulous sum of €600. The money, all of which is to be spent directly on inpatients, was accepted by Adrian Tully (A/CNM) and his colleague Patrina on behalf of service users. No salaries, ex penses or administration fees were deducted.

CCTF Volunteer Helen Raf tery Dunne said: “A special word of thanks to all the won derful artists who contributed their time and talent for this fun draiser without hesitation. They are Amy Ward (Newbridge), Carmel Dillon, Cathy Mannion Devlin, Edelle Purcell, Ellen Igoe, Fiona O’Brien, Jamie and Shane Trayers, Hannah Man nion, Lisa Dillon, Marie Bar low, Marita O’Flanagan, Mar

Planning sought for seven homes in Strokestown

Avenir Homes Ltd have ap plied for planning permission for the construction of seven houses in the Lisroyne area of Strokestown.

The planning application for the two-bedroomed bungalows was submitted to Roscommon County Council on October 5th and a decision is expected to be made on November 29th

According to the application, permission is sought to con nect to existing sewer, surface water and watermain networks which service the existing estate known as Lisnaree on which full planning permission was previously granted for an identi cal development.

Missing man found safe and well

Gardaí have confirmed that a Roscommon man who was re ported missing from his home in Elphin last month has been found safe and well. Darren Greenfield (51) was reported missing on Sunday, September 11th after he was last seen in Drogheda, Co. Louth.

The Gardaí thanked the public and the media for their assis tance in locating Mr. Greenfield.

tina Raftery Geraghty, Mary O’Regan, Sabrina Comer, Rói sín Gavin and Sinéad Shanks.

“Also, it would be remiss of me to neglect to acknowledge the wonderful assistance from John Dolan (National Picture Framers Guild,) who expedited a meticulous job on the framing of the beautiful artwork. Míle buíochas”.

Should your group of organisa tion wish to nominate Comfort

Care Treats Fund as your cho sen Corporate Social Responsi bility recipient or for your fund raiser, please feel free to contact CCTF Volunteer Helen Raftery Dunne on 087 6175097 or email ballyhard@hotmail.com. Alternatively, you can contact CCTF via post at CCTF, c/o Mr Adrian Tully, Dept. of Psy chiatry, Roscommon University Hospital Mental Health Unit, Athlone Road, Roscommon.

Monster Auction in Lecarrow coming soon

St John’s Community Centre, Lecarrow and com mittee are hosting their annual Monster Auction on Sunday, 6th of November from 2 pm.

Following on from the success of previous events, this year’s showpiece is sure to be bigger and better than before.

Organisers are predicting a huge auction, with in the region of 350-400 lots expected. Donations are being sought for the auction and all items are welcome.

Goods in saleable condition are welcome and can be either new or second-hand. Items wel come include working electrical equipment, furniture, services, livestock, vouchers, fuel, bric-à-brac, unwanted gifts or cash donations.

If you have not already donated or would like to arrange collection of items for the event, please ensure to have them left to the community centre no later than 10 pm on Thursday, 3rd of Novem ber. To arrange a collection, please contact any committee member or David on (086) 8952283 or Arnold on (087) 6269443.

The auction will be conducted in the same format as in previous years, with pre-viewing on the morning of the auction from about 12

noon. All lots must sell on the day and will be without reserve. Food and refreshments will be available to purchase on the day.

People wishing to bid at the auction must pur chase a bidding number which will cost €3 and is available on entry to the hall. Don’t miss out is the advice and please arrive early for viewings on the day.

Gospel Reflection

Sunday 30 October

Our Lord is a lover of souls, the Liturgy shows us today. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He is slow to anger and compassionate toward all that He has made.

In His mercy, our First Reading tells us, He overlooks our sins and ignorance, giving us space that we might repent and not perish in our sinfulness (see Wisdom 12:10; 2 Peter 3:9).

In Jesus, He has become the Saviour of His children, coming Himself to save the lost (see Isaiah 63:8–9; Ezekiel 34:16). In the figure of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel, we have a portrait of a lost soul. He is a tax collector, by profession a “sinner” excluded from Israel’s religious life. Not only that, he is a “chief tax collector”. Worse still, he is a rich man who has apparently gained his living by fraud. But Zacchaeus’ faith brings salvation to his house. He expresses his faith in his fervent desire to “see” Jesus, even humbling himself to climb a tree just to watch Him pass by. While those of loftier religious stature react to Jesus with grumbling, Zacchaeus receives Him with joy. Zacchaeus is not like the other rich men Jesus meets or tells stories about (see Luke 12:16–21; 16:19–31; 18:18–25). He repents, vowing to pay restitution to those he has cheated and to give half of his money to the poor.

By his humility he is exalted, made worthy to welcome the Lord into his house. By his faith, he is justified, made a descendant of Abraham (see Romans 4:16–17). As He did last week, Jesus is again using a tax collector to show us the faith and humility we need to obtain salvation. We are also called to seek Jesus daily with repentant hearts. And we should make Paul’s prayer in today’s Epistle our own: that God might make us worthy of His calling, that by our lives we might give glory to the name of Jesus.

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club

1st: Phil and Seamus Cooney; 2nd: Larry Curley and Phyllis O’Shaughnessy; Gross: Mary and Terry O’Keeffe.

St. Coman’s Bridge Club

1st: Kitty Dowd and Celia Ansboro; 2nd: Evelyn Curley and John O’Gara; Gross: Geraldine Relihan and Honor Lynn.

Ballymurray Bridge Club North/South – 1st: Mary Doyle and Kate Walshe; 2nd: Breege Weir and Pat Pierse; Gross: Eve lyn Curley and Judy Adamson. East/West – 1st:

Martina Mulvey and Maura Dowling; 2nd: Ann Shine and Kathleen Corcoran; Gross: Valerie and Pat Finneran.

Kilbride Bridge Club

1st: Eileen Dowling and Jane Hunt; 2nd: Frances Keane and Brid Gillooly; 3rd: Bridie and Tom Moran.

CCTV Volunteer Helen pictured with Adrian and Patrina (Roscommon University Hospital), presenting a cheque for the fundraised money following the art auction that took place recently in Glenamaddy.

David Diffley

Roscommon Bridge Club

1st: Olive Fahy and Judy Adamson; 2nd: Celia Ans boro and Anne Kilduff; Gross: Tommie Murphy and Tresina Smyth.

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

FRANK BRANDON

Groundhog Saturday: How TV repeats can spoil a night in!

Our man Frank on the tedium of TV repeats; A lament for classic old comedy stars; Memories of Miss Ellie’s…and when Niall and Lewis came to town…

It’s Sunday evening, and as I sit at my kitchen table writing this piece my thoughts are with all of you folk out there who have to pay €160 a year for your television licenses.

There are not that many benefits to

being over 70 years of age, but being exempt from paying the TV license is one of them. And from what I can see on our national television networks, not having to pay anything must be regarded as a bonus.

As most of you know by now, I am partial to an odd pint of the black stuff. So most Saturday nights you will find me on a high stool, hopefully with my elbow on a suitably situated counter and a nice pint of Guinness in my hand – when it comes to drinking I am ambidextrous, which means I am equally as good with either hand.

However, last night I decided to stay in, and as the evening darkness

kicked in, having picked out two pro grammes that I thought would be nice to watch, I settled down for a lovely Saturday evening’s entertainment.

The first programme was Celebrity Bainisteoir, a reality show in which different football clubs are managed by well-known people who play off amongst each other until a win ner eventually emerges. Last night’s teams were managed by husband and wife Brian Ormond and Pippa O’Connor.

Carol follows Pippa on social media and I thought she would really like to see her in action, and so we both sat down to watch it. All was going well

Harvest Festival this weekend

Don’t forget the annual Creggs Harvest Festival takes place this weekend. I hope

make

think I’ll be featuring in the Suck Valley AC 10k or 5k timed run on Monday morning, but I hope

Memories of Miss Ellie’s

Recently a couple of us were talking about Miss Ellie’s Nightclub in Roscommon and the many great late nights we had there, back when the fledgling Creggs Rugby Club used to hold fund raising buffets in that venue on a regular basis.

Those were the famous times of nightclubs having to provide meals for the punters, and ‘Chicken in the Rough’ was the favourite menu item of the era. Some rule had been brought in that made it compulsory for nightclubs to provide a meal for everyone, although if memory serves me correctly most of those in attendance had very little interest in any type of food.

Anyway, that would have been the end of that, but then on Saturday during a bit of spring clean ing we came across a ticket for a fundraising dance that Carol and I ran in Miss Ellie’s for the Irish Cancer Society way back in March 2000.

Joe Finnegan, still of Shannonside fame, was the MC on the night, and among the artists ap pearing were Sonny Ward, Seamus Ward, and Jack the Lower’s daughter, Brina Hegarty. There were also bands called Ankle and Les Chancers. Admission was 5 pounds and I remember that when it went ahead on some Thursday night, the place was packed.

Those were the days when Miss Ellie’s was the centre of our social lives, when Chicken in the Rough was a big part of our weekly diets. As I look back on my life since then, I’m not sure that either of those things were that good for me, but I wouldn’t have missed them for the world!

to make it along to the school later that evening when the Bard of Connacht will be announced. I hear that the €1,000 in prize money has attracted poets from near and far so it will be interesting to see who becomes the new Bard of Connacht. It’s great to see

until Pippa announced that herself and Brian were nearly a year mar ried! Now that would have raised no red flags at all with me as I wouldn’t have a clue, but immediately Carol knew that we weren’t watching what I had assured her was the 2022 Celeb rity Bainisteoir.

After digging a little further we dis covered that they had got married in 2011, and the programme I was so excited to have found was in fact a repeat of the 2013 series. Howev er, even though I had to eat a bit of humble pie, I was still fully confident about the second programme lined up.

Advertised on the TV schedule and in the paper as ‘the new series of Tommy Tiernan’s show’, I was sure the programme would be a great hit, but as we watched his opening in terview with retired state pathologist Marie Cassidy, the penny dropped that we had seen it all before; it too was a repeat.

On a Saturday night when lots of people are off work for the weekend and need to be entertained, it’s hardly good enough from our national net work. Please God next Saturday night will find me back in my usual posi tion and the only repeat will be “pour me another pint, please”.

Where’s Groucho?

that the village is back to two pubs with Jenni having taken over Gannon’s Bar and of course Mikeen’s will be in full swing also for the Harvest Festival, so I might just have to go along and support the local efforts!

The other day a friend of mine (who is pretty much of my vintage) asked me where have the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy movies disap peared to?

We both bemoaned the fact that their very funny films are never shown anymore. In the early days of television, the Marx Brothers in particular were simply fantastic, and while a lot of the readership of this paper may never have even heard of them before, the antics of the four brothers (but espe cially the monumental rascal, Groucho) were es pecially memorable.

And so as I searched through the channels today (Sunday) I was delighted to come across a black and white film starring Abbott and Costello, which was a throwback to the days of the Marx Brothers and others. While it was thoroughly silly and totally unbelievable, it was great craic and a reminder of times long ago.

Maybe RTE could go through their vinyl vaults and dig out a load of those black and white movies – and then that €160 fee would be well worth it!

Niall and

Back to television: over the last couple of weeks Virgin Media have been showing a documentary about Niall Horan’s homecom ing to Mullingar.

Along with his friend and Scottish super star Lewis Capaldi, Niall undertook a road trip around Ireland, finishing up in his home town of Mullingar. Having busked on Dublin’s Grafton Street to the enjoyment of hundreds of lucky shoppers, the pair then thrilled fans in Clarke’s pub in Mullingar by playing a gig in what used to be Niall’s local.

I have to say the two of them came across as pretty well grounded for such major stars. And so it is a pity that he ended up landing himself in hot water by – of all things – having a pint in the Guinness Storehouse.

Why that simple act has caused controversy is

black stuff…

beyond me, but criticism has been coming his way for “setting a bad example” for his young fans. It’s a strange thing that having one pint can upset so many people.

The whole thing led to Niall’s mother defend ing her son’s innocent partaking of a couple of pints, adding that while in Clarke’s he was in fact drinking a pint with zero alcohol. Whether he was or not doesn’t really make any differ ence as he never showed any sign of being un der the influence, and surely nearly everyone who visits the world famous Guinness Store house samples a drop of the black stuff?

I think the reaction was way over the top, and typical of the spotlight that modern-day celebrities are put under. Drugs are certainly a no-go area, but a solitary pint is hardly worth commenting on.

And finally…

On Sunday week last I stood on the sidelines in Creggs RFC as our lads took on Westport, and then I watched Aoife O’Rourke win her first round fight in the European Champion ships on someone’s phone, in the company of her two younger sisters and her father Kevin.

On Sunday she arrived back to Ireland as the gold medal winner and European Cham pion (again), and I just hope we all can ap preciate all that she and her sister Lisa have done for Roscommon, Connacht, and Ire land. Congratulations again Aoife! What an ambassador you are for Roscommon, and what amazing careers the two of ye have had so far, and will no doubt continue to have in the future. Well done!

Groucho

Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan in Virgin Media’s ‘Niall Horan’s Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar with Lewis Capaldi’.

of

being forced to work excessively long hours, called for additional funding to expand Westdoc services in Ballydan gan, Taughmaconnell and surrounding areas. She also called for Health Minis ter Stephen Donnelly to take immediate action.

sequently, Minister of State Anne Rab bitte confirming news of the funding.

< PAUL HEALY

There was a boost for the Out of

southeast Galway

the Ballinasloe

of €436,000 in extra Gov ernment funding.

News of the funding comes after a number of GPs held a meeting in the Shearwater Hotel at which they high

the increased pressure they are under.

At the time, Fine Gael Senator Ais ling Dolan, who said local GPs were

Last week, a cross-party meeting of public representatives from the area was held and was attended by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Min ister of State Anne Rabbitte. Present from Roscommon-Galway constituen cy were Deputies Michael Fitzmarice and Claire Kerrane as well as Senators Aisling Dolan and Eugene Murphy. Deputy Denis Naughten was represent ed by Cllr. Dr. Evelyn Parsons.

Arising from that discussion, a joint submission on the need for funding was put to the Department of Health. Sub

Welcoming the breakthrough, Sena tor Dolan said the funding will go to a number of the group practices in the Ballinasloe catchment area (including South Roscommon and south-east Gal way) and will reduce risks to patients and enhance doctor safety.

Senator Dolan thanked Dr Genevieve Flynn and all the GPs who met with the HSE and public representatives. She described the funding as “life-chang ing” for GPs who had spoken of exces sive work hours.

“I have raised the need for this fund ing a number of times in the Seanad and worked with government colleagues to highlight the crisis in our GP networks. HSE Community Healthcare West have supported this request from the GP net

work to expand the Westdoc service and now the Ballinasloe and Southeast Galway area is included,” she said.

“These supports will also improve the quality of life for GPs, reducing risks to patient and doctor safety and will assist in recruiting GPs to our region”.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy expressed his thanks to Minister Anne Rabbitte for facilitating the meeting and also to Dr. Evelyn Parsons for her con tribution. He indicated that in his view it will take a certain period of time to get the system up and running as “the GPs will have to try and organise how this will work”.

He added: “I, like many Oireachtas members in the region, had been aware of a lack of GP Out of Hours service as members of the public were expressing concern”.

Halloween Fun Walk at Mote Park on Saturday

A Halloween Fun Walk (for all the family) which will take place at Mote Park, Roscommon on this Saturday, October 29th, is a fundraiser in aid of the Ballymurray NS Development Fund.

All proceeds from the fun event will go towards developing new facilities at a school which is currently attended by approximately 100 pupils.

It’s an event for ‘all the family’ and people are encouraged to come along in fancy dress if they wish.

The walk will commence at 11 am on the day with people meeting at the Athlone Road entrance to Mote Park. Ensuring a wonderful Halloween atmosphere, there will be face-painting, story telling, tricks or treats, etc. There will also be a Tea/Coffee stand and a raffle will be held.

Entry is €10 per adult and €20 per family and while tickets are available on the day, they can also be obtained from Ballymurray NS or www.eventbrite. ie (just search for Halloween Fun Walk). Additional donations can be made to the Ballymurray NS Development Fund on www.gofundme.com

Coffee morning event for Hospice

Cuisle Active Age Group is hosting a coffee morning and Bring & Buy sale in Monksland Community Centre, Athlone at 10 am on Monday morning next (31st) in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. The event will include children’s face-painting, a bumper raffle, home-baked goodies, Christmas cards and lots more. All are welcome. Please support.

Roscommon ICA meeting on Tuesday

The November meeting of Roscommon Town ICA takes place on Tuesday (November 1st) at 8 pm in Hannon’s Hotel. New members welcome. Email: rostownica@ gmail.com.

At the October meeting, the guest speaker gave a very interesting talk on ‘Inner Self Care’ outlining the importance of reflection and how to cultivate a sense of wellbeing.

‘Night of Healing’ at Athlone Springs

A ‘Night of Healing’ will take place in the Athlone Springs Hotel (N37 F9T3) on Wednesday, November 2nd from 7 pm to 11 pm.

The event will be led by Catholic Lay Evangelist, Robert Meehan. Robert will pray with the sick of body and mind and people can expect to see ‘healing miracles’ on the night. No booking is required and further details are available from Robert on 087-4508733 or by email: www.fireandloveministries.com.

Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan

Happy Four Roads supporters pictured at the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final between Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Miriam’s MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Gone in 44 days: Liz Truss has nobody to blame but herself

And just like that, she’s gone… resigning after a mere 44 days as leader, making her the shortestserving PM in the history of the UK. After dragging out the political turbulence which has overwhelmed her country for nearly an entire year, Liz Truss has left the building. Well, good rid dance to her and her endless array of power suits!

Mind you, while I don’t feel sorry for Liz, I must say on some level, I’ve strangely got a teensy-weensy smidgen of respect for any woman who has such a remarkable capac ity for trimming her sails to the prevailing political winds. I mean, remember how one-time remainer Liz, without even blinking an eyelid, proved that, unlike her socalled heroine Maggie Thatcher, the lady was definitely for turning, and, with the vehemence of a zeal

ous convert, she unapologetically became a Brexiteer!

Remember how she campaigned hard to secure a job which we now know she was manifestly unqualified to take…yet she took it! Remember how, so confident she knew best, Liz appeared not to bother asking for the support of her cabinet, even (it seems) shun ning all advice from the Office for Budget Responsibility, resulting in the nation she led plunging to the brink of recession. Well readers, she did promise them ‘a new era’ and, wearing my pedantic hat, I’d have to say…she didn’t lie!

Remember how, merely a wet day in the job, Truss, with the petulance of a rebellious teenager, not only violated public spending curbs, she sent the pound spiralling to its lowest value against the US dollar, forcing the Bank of Eng

Can we afford these late opening hours?

Earlier this week Justice Minister Hel en McEntee brought a memo to Cabi net seeking to ‘modernise’ our nation’s antiquated licensing laws. Woo hoo… about time someone dragged us into the 21st century!

These new laws will now be standardised across seven days of the week, allowing pubs to open from 10.30 am to 12.30 am. They will also allow nightclubs to have the option to remain open until 6 am, al though there’s a requirement that no alco hol should be served after 5 am; but hey, we can still have the craic and dance ‘till we drop up to 6 am!

I believe this move to be progressive, but I do kind of wish it had been made when I was younger and capable of diving headfirst into a nice cold bottle of Sauvignon Blanc while doing the Macarena. I’m also wondering where Helen McEntee expects people to find the money to spend on these extra hours of craic, deoch agus rince, when we’re all struggling to keep up with our ever-increasing energy bills?

I don’t wish to sound like the typical party bore, but wouldn’t it be better if the Gov ernment helped families battling with the cost of living – rather than seducing us to spend the little we have drinking and danc ing ourselves dizzy ‘till dawn?

land to make a mortifying and his toric intervention. What a massive misfire that was! Yes folks, when I look at all the evidence of those 44 days, it seems to me that, given her actions, Lizzy was possibly more in love with the idea of being the PM than she was of actually taking care of business.

‘A new era’ was born alright, but it was clearly the wrong era, and I have to say the Maggie Thatcher wannabe’s wounds are not just deep, they’re self-inflicted because she has, quite literally, got nobody to blame but herself and her mas sive ego.

Her reign was not simply a fiasco, it was an unmitigated disaster. Indeed one might say that while her predecessor Boris Johnson’s leadership called into question the Tory party’s propriety and decency, Liz’s reign did the same

for its capability and competence. What a mess.

Last week, by the end of her tenure, Liz’s popularity levels were mortifyingly plummeting faster than Vladimir Putin’s. Don’t believe me?

According to a YouGov poll, Truss was at minus 70 per cent with Putin standing at minus 84 – if that statistic had continued to decline, she’d quite possibly have overtaken the invad ing little despot before the month was out! How humiliating.

And now, having driven away any friends and allies (remember how she jettisoned long-time pal Kwasi Kwarteng) who’d tried to advise and warn her, Truss was, last week, still trying to front it out, insisting, against all proof, the she was right and it was merely the implementa tion of her plan that was wrong. However, despite her massive fizz-up, and her spectacular fall

from grace, Lizzy won’t go without. Even though she only spent just over a month in the role, Truss, like all former British PMs will, under the Public Duty Costs Allowance (PDCA), be eligible to claim the enviable sum of Stg£115,000 per year; that’s €131,828.00 to you and me! I don’t know about you readers, but I believe incentives should only be given out as a reward for good performance, and not for making massive foul-ups.

I’ve no doubt, moving forward, that Anglo-Irish relations will remain challenging, however I hope Rishi Sunak (our neighbour’s former Chancellor of the Exchequer, now newly-declared leader) has a more, let’s say mature, competent and stabilising effect than Ms Truss, especially when it comes to matters regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol.

If you’re feeling anxious, please take PJ’s advice…

Back in 2005 when he was just starting out playing the character of struggling musician ‘Whistling Jake Stevens’ on TV’s Naked Cam era, I invited the then relatively unknown come dian PJ Gallagher to be my ‘Man Friday’ guest on RTE’s The Afternoon Show.

As we chatted, we bonded over our mutual love of dogs, motorbikes, and ‘stuff’, much of which was personal and nobody’s business.

However, it was because PJ was so genuine and because I liked him so much, that I watched last Friday’s Late Late Show interview with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and four dogs sleeping on my lap.

I hoped Ryan Tubridy would not interrupt this man with a barrage of questions as he poured

his heart out to the nation. Indeed I hoped that, rather than being constrained by the show’s running-order deadline, Ryan would allow his guest the space to deliver his story in his own way, and in his own time.

I can only imagine how challenging it must have been for PJ to speak so candidly and so bravely about his struggles with mental health and his “overwhelming anxiety that kept build ing and building and building”. Indeed, while I found it particularly distressing when PJ re vealed, “I really didn’t want to live anymore”, I took comfort in the fact he pointed out how he had, and still has, a fantastic support network; one which he said quite literally saved his life. PJ’s revelations were not only brave and raw,

they were also inspirational. With that in mind, as we all deserve to be happy and we all deserve to treat ourselves with compassion and human ity, can I urge those who are feeling anxious or having an ‘off day’ to please do what PJ did and seek help from those who love and care for you?

We all experience bouts of anxiety and unhap piness in our lives, (and in some ways this can be a positive thing because it alerts us to pos sible danger), but when these feelings start to overwhelm us, we should all take PJ’s advice – which is to “Talk, open your mouth”. You can do this by chatting to a trusted friend, family member, work colleague or your doctor. You can also call the Samaritans anytime on 116 123.

PJ Gallagher appeared on RTE’s Late Late Show last weekend.

Castlecoote Tidy Towns Monster Fundraiser

Castlecoote Tidy Towns are holding a ‘Monster Fundraiser’ this Saturday (29th) starting at 9.30 pm in PJ’s of Castlecoote with music on the night. This is the group’s first fund raiser in four years and is essen tial in order for the Tidy Towns to survive.

Thanks to everyone who con tinues to support Tidy Towns. Prizes on the night include briquettes from Farrell’s Mill, a €50 meal voucher from Dolan’s Restaurant and Bar, a €50 voucher from All Creatures Veterinary, a gift set from As sumpta’s, wine and chocolates from Castlecoote Stores and much more.

So come along and enjoy the night and dress up if you like!

Also on Saturday, there will a fun day for all the children in the locality from 3 pm to 5 pm. All children are to bring their own carved pumpkins for dis play at St. Ciaran’s Community Centre. There will also be facepainting and picture colouring. A cake sale is also planned with a cuppa for everyone.

Come along and enter the spir it of Halloween. Thanks to all the parents and helpers plus the committee and thank you to our sponsors of prizes on the day. Many hands make light work!

Murphy on expansion plans for St Attracta’s NS

Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed recent confirmation that the Department of Education will provide funding for an expansion of St Attracta’s National School in Ballaghaderreen.

“St Attracta’s was recently approved funding under the Department’s Additional Ac commodation scheme,” said the Senator.

“This will provide for seven gen

eral classrooms, an ensuite toilet, an assisted toilet, and two special needs rooms. This development will be of great benefit to the pupils, staff, and the whole school community, and it is greatly

Kilbride supporters Sean Rock, Darragh Feely, Rossa Feely, Paul Rock and Senan Naughton pictured at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon LGFA Senior Championship final at Ballyforan on Saturday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches

Roscommon men confront the big issues in new group

Sons, fathers, brothers, husbands, boyfriends, grandads or uncles – no matter where you live or who you live with or what you do, most of us have men under some of these titles in our lives who, to be fair, we would be utterly lost without – people who are the heart and soul of our family. They are also often the rock on which a strong relationship is built and the men and the lads who gener ally speak to their best friends or partners on almost every topic every day of the week. But when it comes to men’s health, I’m afraid it’s a different story.

All too often we men keep very quiet about troublesome health problems and feelings relating to stress or anxiety for fear of losing face, being labelled as ‘weak’ or of being ac cused of being unable to cope with the many difficult stresses and strains of life.

I am big enough to admit I have seen it myself and have probably been guilty of the very same thing over the years. As part of the male ‘herd’, I have gone along to umpteen football matches and social events and sat down afterwards in the inevitable post-mor tem among the males in the pub or the club and talked for hours about possibly EV ERYTHING else under the sun in this world EXCEPT our own men’s health issues. We can talk about Ronaldo or Mo Salah for hours and hours on end, text and slag each other on Facebook or Twitter for days, but just try and mention men’s prostate problems or the big ‘C’ – and listen to the silence.

Change is happening

I’m glad to report that in the last 18 months since I began a new job with Roscommon LEADER Partnership where I work with men’s groups and men’s shed members all over the county on a daily and weekly basis, I have seen the first signs that this historic weakness of our gender may well be chang ing.

In case you didn’t already know it, the ‘men’s shed’ is a worldwide, communitybased project where men can come together on a regular basis to learn, share skills, have a laugh and make long-lasting friendships. The men’s shed movement was first founded down under in Australia in the 1980s, and has since expanded to other countries including Ireland, the UK, America, Canada, Iceland and Estonia, to name but a few.

In recent years we have all seen that Ireland has become one of the leading nations for men’s sheds, with this island having the most sheds per head of population. Currently, there are over 450 sheds in Ireland, with at least 10,000 men visiting a shed for a mug of tea or an activity once a week. Here in Roscom

mon we are lucky to have quite a few of them around the county. These include a brand new one just kicking into gear in Roscommon town at the moment – meeting every Friday morning at 11 am and on an other weekday evening at their new meeting point in the Roscommon LEADER Partner ship offices on the Lanesborough Road (the

building formerly known as the HSE primary care centre).

Even though the men’s shed movement has a national structure, all sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activi ties carried out by sheds differs from one to the next. Many sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, metalwork, gardening, carpen try and community work, but there is really a blank canvas there for most involved. If they decide they want to go on a history tour or a day’s outing somewhere instead, they gener ally do that – depending on what the mem bers decide. In some parts of the country there are more ‘special interests’ sheds that focus on activities like music, fishing and restora tion work too, so every need can be catered for. The new Roscommon group has one man with a keen interest in restoring old tractors, for instance, and also a great chess player who can teach you how to play. So, like I say, all interests can be catered for.

Movement grows

Having started in 2009, the Irish men’s sheds movement had its birth in Tipperary where the first shed was formed. Following the forma tion of the first shed, the movement began to

grow rapidly. There are now over 400 sheds registered with the Irish Men’s Sheds Associ ation, and at least 12,000 men visiting a shed every week. Following the formation of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in 2011, the movement began to receive national recogni tion of their value to Irish society. In 2013, the Irish men’s sheds movement received recognition at the very highest level when President Michael D. Higgins became patron to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.

The Association has also received govern mental and European recognition of their contribution to Ireland. In 2018, the Associa tion received the European Citizens’ Prize after being nominated by Irish MEPs. Most recently, the organisation was named as one of the twelve Sustainable Development Goals Champions by the Irish Government for 2019/2020.

I have had the pleasure of visiting some of the most successful sheds around the country in the last 12 months and I have to say that no matter where you go, it is hard to beat the efforts of the Ballaghaderreen group! The lads down there have a fantastic workshop on the ground floor of a building they did up (right in behind Durkin’s). On the first floor they have huge social space for a large TV, pool table, kitchen and much more. It really is a terrific set-up and a credit to them all.

New group in Roscommon

Here in Roscommon town, the men’s group is still in an early stage of their development and chairman Tom Harrison has steered them quietly out of the Covid pandemic into a place where up to ten members now meet on a weekly basis for a cup of tea, a chat and often something much more engaging. In the last 12 months this group has conducted day trips to a range of fascinating venues around the county – including Gerry Browne’s fantastic organic garden centre, the Drum Heritage Centre, the Roscommon Museum, the Lough Ree Access for all boat and the famine workhouse at the back of the Sacred Heart Hospital. The group has already shown they are not afraid of tackling the big issues such as mental health, and I strongly recom mend them to you.

Guides such as Marie Gillooly, Marian Harlow and Gerry Browne have escorted the group along their journeys and I know they are now keen to welcome up to another ten members for the autumn and winter season of activities. If you would like to join the men’s group please contact Tom Harrison on 086 8278111 or email: roscommonmensgroup@ gmail.com and they will come back to you with details of their meeting times.

In case you didn’t already know it, the ‘men’s shed’ is a worldwide, community-based project where men can come together on a regular basis to learn, share skills, have a laugh and make long-lasting friendships.

Guides such as Marie Gillooly (third from left), Marian Harlow and Gerry Browne have been hosting day trips to a range of fascinating venues around the county for members of the fledgling Roscommon Town Men’s Shed.

Strokestown supporters celebrate county final win

Mick McCormack

Hail Halloween…a seasonal silver lining!

talk about ...

HALLOWEEN

student’s perspective)

Alannah Ita Healy

We’ve reached the last stretch of October, and with the familiar return of Ireland’s miserable autumn rain comes a silver lining; Halloween is just around the corner. The pumpkins are carved, the costumes organised, and the scene is set for a wonder fully spooky bank holiday weekend.

Indeed, there does seem to be a lot of Halloween events planned to take place this weekend, from the Púca Festival to Farmaphobia, pumpkin patches to haunted houses. Perhaps it’s due to Halloween falling at the end of the weekend this year, allowing for more events to take place, or perhaps it’s simply due to how much further we are now from the pandemic than we were at this time last year.

After all, it was October 2021 when we saw night clubs reopen for the first time after the pandemic forced

their closure in March 2020. A year on, and looking back, the progress made since is undeniable. While we were indeed beginning to see things open up then, there were still a host of restric tions and Covid etiquette to abide by, the likes of which don’t apply today – those heading on a night out to celebrate Halloween this weekend don’t need to show proof of vaccination, face masks are no longer manda tory in public settings, etc.

Post-Covid, people are more inclined to get excited for stuff like Halloween, more inclined to appreciate the social aspects of these big calendar events after missing out on so many. And considering how compara tively restricted we were last year, this is, in effect, our first ‘normal’ Halloween since the pandemic hit, which gives us all the more reason to celebrate it right.

Oíche Shamhna shona duit!

For many, Halloween is an enjoyable but largely nostal gic holiday, reminiscent of childhood trick-or-treating and bobbing for apples, and not much beyond that.

It’s sometimes relegated to being a ‘children’s holiday’.

However, we have a unique link to Halloween in Ireland, given that it originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain (or Oíche Shamhna) marked the end of the Celtic year and was believed to be a time when

the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. The Celts celebrated it by light ing bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits.

I think it’s unfortunate that despite originating here, over the years Halloween became quite Americanised, leading to it not being widely known abroad as a holiday with Irish roots. It’s another reason why it was so great to see so many Irish Halloween

events planned to take place around the country over this weekend, events that put an emphasis on celebrating our link to the holiday.

After all, many of these traditions around Halloween originated here; from dress ing in costume to finding the ring in the bairín breac, carving lanterns to bobbing for apples. Given all that it offers, Halloween can be such an enjoyable holiday at any age, and its Irish roots are all the more incentive for

us to celebrate it – this year especially, considering the absence of restrictions.

In any case, whatever your plans for the bank holiday weekend are – whether you plan on doing noth ing, whether you go for a night out, stay in to hand out sweets, go to a scary movie screening, etc. – here’s hop ing it’ll distract you from the miserable autumn rain for a while and do a bit to help lift your ‘spirits’!

Oíche Shamhna shona duit!

Pictured at a private screening of Skylark in conjunction with Creative Heartlands at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday last were Eileen Moynihan, Mary Smyth and Sally Martin. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at a private screening of Skylark in conjunction with Creative Heartlands at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday last were Stephen Byrne, Mary Smyth, Rose Byrne (writer and producer), Christine Braithwaite (Director), Damien Lumsden (actor), Malie Mo Copnall (actress), Michael Hourigan, Creative Heartlands Film Manager and Dmitry Lebedev (Director of Cinematography and photography). Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at a private screening of Skylark in conjunction with Creative Heartlands at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday last were Rose Byrne, Christine Braithwaite and Michael Hourigan. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the private screening of Skylark in conjunction with Creative Heartlands at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday last were Dmitry Lebedev, Christine Braithwaite, and Jeremy Cullen, Roscommon Local Enterprise Office. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

TAKE A BREAK

Last call for healthy lunch heroes in Roscommon!

The programme offers children the opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork and commu nication skills, all while learning to change their eating habits for the better.

According to Food Technologist and Chartered Scientist Oonagh Monahan, the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club empowers children to make healthy food choices, that can stay with them for life: “The friendly, supporting environment of

the classroom is the perfect place to help improve children’s knowledge of the nutritional value of the food they eat. Incorporating healthy eat ing habits as part of our everyday lives is one of the most impactful steps we can take, and the earlier we begin the better”.

The school lunch box should pro vide about 25% to 35% of a child’s energy and nutrient needs. Yet stud ies have shown that packed lunches are deficient in ‘healthy’ foods and tend to be high in sugar, saturated fat and salt, while low on starchy foods and fibre.

Broadcaster and Healthy Heroes Lunch Club Ambassador Marie Crowe knows all too well the im portance of a healthy school lunch:

It’s been a GOOD week for…

Strokestown footballers, after they ended a 20-year wait to re turn to the summit of Roscommon club football, defeating Boyle by 0-11 to 0-10 in Sunday’s county senior football final

Four Roads hurlers, who won the county senior hurling title with victory over Padraig Pearses in the final last Saturday

Clann na nGael ladies, who defeated Kilbride in last Saturday’s senior football final, therefore completing a two-in-a-row

The Ireland cricket team, who defeated Scotland and the West Indies to sensationally book their place in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup – then following up with victory over Eng land yesterday (Wednesday)!

Aoife O’Rourke and the Irish women’s boxing team, after a record-breaking seven medals were won at the European Cham pionships in Montenegro, including three golds – one of which was claimed by the Castlerea woman, who retained her Euro pean title

Rishi Sunak, who became Britain’s first Hindu Prime Minister earlier this week, taking the top office at just 42 years of age

Northern Ireland golf superstar Rory McIllroy, who returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time in more than two years via victory in the CJ Cup tournament in South Carolina

American teenager Sasha Yonkay, after a message in a bottle which he threw into the sea in America in 2019 was found on a remote beach in Donegal

“As a mum of three boys I am acutely aware of how difficult it can sometimes be to make sure they head out the door with a healthy lunchbox every day.

“The Healthy Heroes Lunch Club programme is fantastic as it edu cates both children and adults on the best options that offer both great taste and nutritional value. It also fosters a lovely sense of mentorship with those children in fifth and sixth class as they play such a crucial part in helping younger students with the programme”.

For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit healthyheroes.ie or email healthy heroes@realnation.ie.

For updates, check our social channels

It’s been a BAD week for…

Liz Truss, who bowed to internal Conservative Party pressure and re signed as British Prime Minister, her 44-day tenure in Downing Street meaning she is the shortest-serving UK PM in history

English actor and comedian James Corden (now an established chat show host in the US), who has been fiercely criticised on social media after a New York restaurant owner briefly barred the star from his premises, this after the businessman alleged that Corden had been “extremely nasty” to staff on two separate occasions

Fans of BBC comedy quiz show Mock the Week, after its 17-yearrun on BBC Two came to an end last Friday night, with host Dara Ó Briain in the chair for one last time

The things people say…

“I just tried to get the ball over the bar to be honest. I never realised that it was the last kick of the game. I thought there was a minute or two left. Ah I just can’t believe it!”

-Tony Lavin, scorer of Strokestown’s winning point in the county senior football final

Bill Gates (American businessman, will turn 67 on Friday)

Winona Ryder (American actress, turns 51 on Saturday)

Julia Roberts (American actress, will be 55 on Friday)

Matt Smith (English actor, celebrates 40th birthday on Friday)

Supporters pictured at the U-20 Division 2 Final between Elphin-Ballinameen and Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

Four Roads’ Donal Kelly and Maria Sheridan pictured at the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final between Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, one of Ireland’s leading primary school nutrition programmes, created by teachers and behaviour change ex perts, has issued a call for schools in Roscommon to register as soon as possible as places quickly fill up.

The Strokestown team paid a visit to St Mary’s Primary School, Strokestown on Tuesday with the Fahey Cup in tow, following their County Final win over Boyle last weekend. Pictured are past pupils Colm Neary (Man of the Match) and David Neary (team captain) with young footballers of the future, Joseph Kelly and Tomás Dolan.

Cormac Coyle lifts the Mickey Cunniffe Cup following Four Roads’ win over Pádraig Pearses in the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Four Roads’ manager John Cunniffe celebrates with Mikey Lohan following the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Supporters pictured at Sunday’s County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormackSupporters pictured at Sunday’s County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Siobhan Hoare and Shauna Keena celebrating after Oran’s win in the Roscommon LGFA Junior B Championship at Ballyforan on Saturday.

Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Sisters Dee and Caitríona Regan pictured after Oran’s win in the Roscommon LGFA Junior B Championship Final at Ballyforan on Saturday. Caitríona Regan received the Player of the Match award. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Connacht LGFA President Con Moynihan presenting Oran’s captain Claire Curley with the shield following her team’s win in the Roscommon LGFA Junior B Championship Final at Ballyforan last Saturday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Young supporters pictured at Sunday’s County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Young Boyle supporters pictured at Sunday’s County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormackConcentration: Young players who had featured in the Division 2 U-20 final watch the action unfold in the senior final at Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

Lots of fun in store at Creggs Harvest Festival!

Creggs Harvest Festi val takes place this weekend and promises fun for all the family. There are lots of outdoor activities this year, including a Mini Rugby Blitz on Saturday and a 10k and 5k run and walk on Monday. There are also lots of events celebrating local herit age including a book launch, historical walk and a night of traditional music on Friday night.

The community will come together on Saturday night for a tea party from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm and there will also be great fun in the village on Sunday at the annual craft fair and dog show.

Friday

The festival gets underway on Friday with a Schools Quiz in Creggs NS at 6 pm. There are prizes for the first three teams and quiz master for the even ing is Seamus Ward.

This is the 175th anniversary of the Famine of 1847 and a number of historical events over the course of the Harvest Festival will look at this event and how the local area was affected.

William Gacquin will give a talk in the Historical Centre at 9 pm on the subject of the famine. Afterwards, at 10 pm, there will be a night of traditional music and a ceili in the centre. Children from Creggs NS got involved with the Famine project and their work will be on display in the historical centre all weekend.

Saturday

The village will be busy on Saturday morning as Creggs RFC has organised a Mini Rugby Blitz. This Saturday morning will see a range of pitches in use as the blitz takes place. A major develop ment is currently underway at the club, with new dressing rooms and gym in progress and due for completion next year.

Later on Saturday, a local history book will be launched in the Historical Centre. Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice will perform the launch of ‘The Burkes and the Pollocks’, a book by local historian Martin Duffy from Milford. Copies of the book will be on sale on the night and afterwards will be available in Roarke’s shop in Creggs and Dowds in Glinsk.

The community will gather in the Community Hall in Creggs NS on Saturday night

for a Parish Halloween Tea Party Creggs Style, which promises to be great fun and an opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours. People are being asked to host a table for the event and a number of tables have been organised, but more are wel come. If you can host a table, please contact any committee member and let them know. All are welcome on the night.

Sunday

Sunday gets underway with a bake sale in aid of Creggs Tidy Towns in the Com munity Hall in Creggs NS.

Once again, your assistance is welcome and if you can get baking in advance of Sunday’s sale, members of the local Tidy Towns group would be delighted with your efforts. The bake sale takes place at 12 noon and will be a great place to pick up some bank holiday treats.

A craft fair takes place in the school hall on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Crafters from all over the region will be in Creggs for the day, so please go along and support their efforts. It’s a great opportunity to pick up gifts for friends and family, so make sure to sup port our local crafters.

Now is the time to get pampering your pooch as the annual Creggs Dog Show also takes place on Sunday, with registration from 12 noon and judging from 1 pm. The show is always a great family oc casion and brings dog lovers from all around the Connacht region and beyond to Creggs for the day. There are a variety of classes to choose from and there will also be a dog agility display on the day.

Children from the locality will enjoy a Children’s Hal loween Tea Party at 1 pm on Sunday, so be sure to bring your little ones along to that, which will be a nice way for local children to meet up at the beginning of the mid-term break.

At 1.30, the historical theme of exploring the famine in the local area will continue with a historical walk from Coalpits to Friaryland, led by Christy Cunniffe. The Clonfert man is no stranger to Creggs, having compiled the heritage audit of the area and is very familiar with the history and heritage of the local area. Walkers will gather outside the historical centre at 1.30 pm. The walk will take approximately two hours.

A new addition to this year’s

Harvest Festival is a timed 10k and 5k run and walk, which is being run in conjunc tion with Suck Valley AC, the local athletic club. All are wel come to take part in this run and walk. The 5k route will go out from the village along the Glinsk Road to St. Mary’s Church and back again to the village. The 10k route will also go out the Glinsk Road to Crosswell, where participants will turn left at Keany’s shop and go up to Milford Cross before running or walking back to the village.

Monday

Monday is Fair Day in Creggs, always a great op portunity to meet and greet neighbours and friends. The traditional Fair Day will no doubt see lots of transactions and banter along the village street.

The Bard of Connacht will be revealed at an event in Creggs NS on Monday even ing. The poetry competition has proved a great hit with poets all across Ireland and beyond. The ten finalists will have their poems read and the four winners will then be revealed. With prize money of €1,000 on offer, the competi tion attracted a high level of entries and a high calibre of poems.

The event will bring to a close the annual Harvest Fes tival and what will hopefully be a fun-filled weekend for all involved.

The Creggs Harvest Festival committee.

The lost village of Mallyree

walk

led by community archaeolo gist and heritage

Christy Cunniffe, who has done a lot of work on the heritage of the local Creggs area when he, along with Zena Hoctor, compiled the Creggs Heritage Audit some years ago. The audit brought together a range of sources on the history of the area and Christy’s in terest and knowledge will no doubt be to the fore dur ing this walk.

Walkers will meet at 1.30 outside the Heritage Cen tre in the village. They will then travel to Coalpits, where the walk begins. Along the route, walkers

will hear about evictions in the townlands of Coalpits and Rosalin in 1849, when 110 people were evicted, having just survived the rigours of the famine, which caused immense suffering and hardship in the local area.

Next the walkers will travel to what was the vil lage of Mallyree, a village which was wiped off the map during famine times, either by famine and its at tendant disease or the ‘im provements’ sought by the local landlord Denis Kelly of Aughrane. Maps of the era show the village oblit erated in the last half of the 19th century and Christy Cunniffe will speak about the possible causes.

Along the walk, those taking part will remem ber Danny Brennan from Friaryland, who kept the story of Mallyree alive into

the 21st century. He often spoke of Mallyree and the fate of the villagers there. Sadly, Danny passed away earlier this year and this walk will help keep alive a story that he often told of the village being wiped out during the famine.

As local inhabitants reeled from the effects of famine, another threat loomed on the horizon, that of evic tion. In 1849 John Mahon, agent to Rev E. Paget, James Lyons and Maria Thewles evicted 110 peo ple from the townlands of Rosalin and Coalpits. The townlands were part of the Rookwood Estate and John Mahon was a land agent for many estates in Galway and Roscommon. Along the way the walk ers will hear some of the personal testimonies of those who witnessed and survived the famine in the

area, including police re ports from Bernard Cum mins, the sub-inspector who oversaw the police in Ballygar and also Thom as Mulvihill and John Kilduff of Funshin, who wrote to the Lord Lieuten ant in Dublin giving out about their landlord Sir Joseph Burke of Fairfield who had seized their stock and animals in lieu of rent leaving them destitute in September 1846 as the dif ficulties of a failing potato crop were just beginning.

Part of the route will take place on an old famineera road, which has since been replaced by ‘the New Line’, a new line of road constructed probably as famine relief work in 1846 and 1847.

The walk will finish at Knockaunbaun old grave yard.

The walk will take ap proximately two hours and those taking part are advised that sturdy and waterproof footwear is needed.

music in local pubs

pub is open under the management of Jenni Rogers and Jenni has great

plans

this venue in coming months. There is a speed pool

on Friday night

Odd Sox play on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, in Roarke’s, DJ Browne will be on duty on

Saturday night and Simon Cooke will play on Sunday night, with Deccie Walsh providing the music on Monday from 5.30 pm, which is always a fun way to finish out the annual festival.

Bard of Connacht to be revealed

The new Bard of Con nacht will be revealed at an event in Creggs NS at 5 pm on Bank Holiday Monday evening.

Some weeks ago, Creggs Harvest Festival put out a call for poems on the them of the Irish Famine of 1847 as the festival is going to mark the 175th anniversary of this event during the weekend. A very significant prize fund of €1,000 was put in place, with the winner getting €500 and the Vin nie Keaveney Memorial Trophy and runners up receiving €250, €150 and €100 and certificates.

Organisers were delighted with the quality

and volume of entries received and the event will culminate on Monday next when the winners will be announced.

This week organisers will be inviting the top ten entrants to come to Creggs for Monday’s event and read their poem and later that evening the winning entry will be revealed and a new Bard of Connacht established for the year.

The innovative po etry competition was the brainchild of Larry Kilcommins who has put much work into the event in recent weeks and he is hopeful that this competi tion will evolve into a

Bard of Connacht

announced

ten finalists for the

of Connacht have been selected. They are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Gerry Beggan, Galway, ‘Dado’s Famine Letters’

• Mick Beirne, Kil dare, ‘Eibhlin’s Story’

• Anne Byrne, Boyle, ‘The Dying fields’

• Patrick Deane, Carrick-on-Shannon,

‘Colloquy of the Black thorn’

• Rory Duffy, Athlone, ‘A Silent Carol’

• Seán Hallinan, Ballintubber Abbey, Co. Mayo, Fear Gortach’

• Margaret Kiernan, Mullingar, ‘The Empire Without a Setting Sun’

• Maeve McKenna, ‘Lain’

• Kieran O’Neill, Ballymoney, ‘The Muted Land’

• Dominick Tobin, Shankill, Dublin ‘Is that the wind I hear?’

All ten finalists will read their poems at an event in Creggs NS on Monday, October 31st at 5 pm and the identity of the Bard of Connacht will then be revealed. First prize will win €500

and the Vinnie Keaveney Memorial Trophy, second, third and fourth prizes will receive €250, €150 and €100 respectively and a certificate.

Larry Kilcommins of Ballinakill Kilbegnet Historical Society, which organised the competi tion in conjunction with Creggs Harvest Festival, thanked all who entered the competition, and said that the standard of entries was very high, which will be reflected in the final ten poems at Monday evening’s event. He also thanked all who helped in the organisation of the event and said that poets from all across the country will be converg ing in Creggs on Monday evening next.

Launch on Saturday of book on two landed families in Kilbegnet

A new book entitled, ‘The Burkes and the Polloks in the Parish of Kilbegnet (Creggs/Glinsk) on the Gal way-Roscommon Border’, will be launched on this Saturday, October 29th, in the Parnell Heritage Centre at 7 pm. The book was written by Martin Duffy, for merly of Milford, Creggs.

As the title suggests, the book is about two landed families who reigned in the parish from the period 1200 to 1910.

The book also discusses the life of Charles Stewart Parnell, his visit to Creggs in 1891, and the unveiling of a plaque in his honour there in 1946.

The history of the transfer of the lands from landlord to tenant after the Land Act of 1903 is also discussed, with particular reference to the lands in Glinsk, the land clearances there, and the evictions arising.

The book will be launched by Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, as part of the Creggs October Festi val. Copies of the book will be on sale after the launch, as well as at O’Rourke’s in Creggs and Dowd’s in Glinsk.

Martin Duffy

The new Bard of Connacht will be revealed at an event in Creggs NS on Bank Holiday Monday as part of the Creggs Harvest Festival.

Entertainment, Culture & Arts

Galway Comedy Festival 2022 up and running –some tickets remain

This week, Galway is Ireland’s comedy capital, the centre of all things mirth, mayhem, and “care fully curated craic”, as Galway Comedy Festival 2022 takes place.

More than 100 comedians, including Irish come dy greats, international stars, and emerging talent, have their flights booked, hotel accommodation sorted, and venues prepped, in preparation for coming to Galway for what is Ireland’s biggest comedy festival.

The festival, which takes place from Tuesday, October 25th, to Monday, October 31st, will also see some 15,000 comedy fans arrive in the city to

laugh and enjoy the more than sixty shows taking place across seventeen venues.

Thousands of tickets have been sold, with a dozen shows already sold out. However, plenty of tickets are still available for what promises to be a memorable week of laughter and hilarity, at what is arguably one of the premiere events in Galway’s cultural calendar.

For this year’s #GCF22, Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, Daniel Sloss, Jimeoin, Deirdre O’Kane, Kevin McAleer, Rich Hall, Reginald D Hunter, Ardal O’Hanlon, Rory’s Stories, Andrew Max well, Colin Murphy, and Emma Doran are all taking to the stage for the first fully in-person, no restrictions necessary, post-pandemic comedy fest in three years.

Galway is letting its hair down and enjoying the best comedians live onstage. Get your tickets now and be among the thousands ready to have the best laugh they will enjoy all year. Tickets are on sale now through galwaycomedyfestival.ie.

Spooky fun! Enjoy Samhain at Strokestown Park

The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, is delighted to wel come all to experience Samhain at Strokestown Park.

This spooky season, families are in vited to join Enchanted Croi theatre at Strokestown Park and be guided through the mists of time into Ireland’s ancient past, to celebrate and discover the traditions of Samhain in old Ire land.

Jack O’Lantern and an Cailleach will lead the way through the autumnal veils this Halloween. The site-specific performance hosts ghosteens galore, and will feature spooky stories, spells

of wonderment and the shrill sounds of the banshee! Costumes are not only welcomed, but encouraged. This event takes place this bank holiday weekend, on Sunday, October 30th, and Monday, October 31st, at 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm. Tickets cost €15 per child, and accom panying adults enter for free.

Meanwhile, adults are invited to step into the darkness at Strokestown Park with Enchanted Croí Theatre and be immersed in Bram Stoker’s Gothic Classic ‘Dracula’ once again. This time… revisited, unearthed, and re born. This adult-only event will take place on October 29th at 9 pm, with

drinks on arrival. Tickets cost €18.50.

As if all this spookiness wasn’t enough, join Planet Science Kidz for a SpookTacular Science experience. Children can look forward to gooey bugs ‘n’ slime, giant slime bubbles, slime monsters, slime falls, erupting potions, coke geysers, and air rock ets. Don’t miss out on this hands-on STEM Hallowe’en Lab: Come dis cover science and make a fun mess on the 5th of November, with sessions at 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm. Tickets cost €25.

All tickets must be pre-booked on strokestownpark.ie/events.

Enchanted Croí Theatre will perform Bram Stoker’s Gothic Classic ‘Dracula’ as part of an adult-only Halloween event this weekend in Strokestown Park.

‘Now that’s what I call… carefully curated craic!’

Rosaleen Timothy, Catherine Tiernan and Mary Murphy pictured at the launch of ‘The Joys of a Second Rattle at Life’ by William Tiernan. The launch was held in the Fr Flanagan Memorial Centre, Ballymoe, last Saturday night. Pic: Mick McCormack

William Tiernan, Eileen Cuddy, Teresa and Seamus Curley pictured at the launch of William’s latest book ‘The Joys of a Second Rattle at Life’ in the Fr Flanagan Memorial Centre, Ballymoe, last Saturday night.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Pictured at the launch of William Tiernan’s new book of poetry ‘The Joys of a Second Rattle at Life’

County champions: Members of the winning St Croan’s ladies team and management pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber. Pic: Mick McCormack

Grainne Tarmey, Kathy Connaughton and Ciara Egan pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber, celebrating St Croan’s Ladies’ recent county final win. Pic: Mick McCormack

Sinead Keegan, Claire Keegan, Amy Malone, Ava Malone and Aisling Tarmey pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber, celebrating St Croan’s Ladies’ recent county final win. Pic: Mick McCormack

Anna Shanagher, Katelyn Hester, Eileen Kenny and Sean Kenny pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber, to celebrate St Croan’s Ladies’ recent win. Pic: Mick McCormack

Leah Egan, Aoibhin Collins, Eimear Collins and Ellie Coen pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber, celebrating St Croan’s Ladies’ recent county final win. Pic: Mick McCormack

Dylan Sharkey, Riley Shaughnessy, Jack Glynn, David Curley and Fionn Murphy pictured in Kenny’s Bar, Ballintubber for a special event to celebrate St Croan’s Ladies’ recent county final win. Pic: Mick McCormack

Rain fails to dampen spirits at Castlerea Show!

This year the committee of Cas tlerea Agricultural Trade and Craft Show took on the chal lenge of hosting a show after a two-year absence due to Covid. Reporting on the success of this year’s show, the committee stated: “This was a challenge that the committee faced head on and thankfully it paid off as a successful show was held on what must have been the wettest August bank holiday Monday in history. The show must go on

whatever the weather!

“The 2022 committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who volunteered their time to help on the day as without volunteers it would be impossible to run a show. We would also like to thank the public for coming out and sup porting the show despite the wet weather. So much work goes into running this event it was great to see so many people at the show and enjoying them

Castlerea MART WATCH

Larger numbers of stock presented for sale this week due to the recent inclement weather conditions.

Heifer weanlings and dry cows noticed considerable increases in the numbers presented for sale but trade has held well for all categories of stock with the topquality lots still making very fancy prices.

Cows with calves at foot made from €1,200 to €1,600, springers made from €1,240 to €1,800, and runners made from €250 to €860 for continental lots.

There were 360 bullocks on offer at Monday’s sale with a good trade for all classes, and quality stores making up to €1,770 while heavier lots made up to €1,850.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (Thursday, 27th) with our weekly sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners, and weanlings.

All sales commence at 11 am.

Sample prices for heifers: Lm 420kgs €1330, Ch 415kgs €1270, Lm 400kgs €1150, BBx 465kgs €1520, Lm 490kgs €1460, Ch 470kgs €1390, Ch 755kgs €2020, Ch 688kgs €1960, Lm 670kgs €1900, Sim 640kgs €1830, Ch 680kgs €1890. Dry cows: AAx 955kgs €2240, Lm 850kgs €2070, Lm 905kgs €2070, AA 850kgs €2060, Lmx 805kgs €1970, Lm 700kgs €1300, AA 680kgs €1550, Sim 630kgs €1420, Ch 745kgs €1490.

Weanling bulls: Ch 295kgs €1030, Ch 270kgs €1030, Ch 255kgs €1100, Lm 295kgs €980, Ch 360kgs €1350, Ch 330kgs €1100, AA 425kgs €1140, AA 330kgs €1140.

Weanling heifers: Chx 270kgs €1000, Ch 235kgs €950, Ch 270kgs €880, BBx 355kgs €1560, Ch 315kgs €1300, Sim 320kgs €1280, Lm 315kgs €1060.

Bullocks: Ch 495kgs €1580, Lm 480kgs €1480, Lm 540kgs €1780, Lm 515kgs €1740, Lm 520kgs €1560, Ch 585kgs €1800, Ch 550kgs €1770, AA 575kgs €1690, Ch 640kgs €1860, Lm 640kgs €1760, Lm 750kgs €1850, AA 675kgs €1800, Lm 700kgs €1740.

selves on the day.

“This year the committee was delighted to welcome local box ing champions Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke to officially open the show. The O’Rourke family have always been great support ers of Castlerea Agri Trade and Craft Show down through the years and the committee was delighted when they agreed to perform the official opening.

“This year the committee worked tirelessly to produce

a show of high quality with something for all the family in all sections from home produce, art, cattle, goats, dogs, sheep, amusements Bonny Baby and of course music from Trevor Moyles Danny Arnold and the Castlerea Brass and Reed band and a Jiving competition with Sandra Ganley of Jiving Jun iors. The committee would like to thank all the loyal sponsors and supporters without whom it would be impossible to hold a

show. A special word of thanks to Castlerea Livestock Mart who provide us with superb fa cilities every year and were our main sponsor for 2022.

“Finally, we would like to encourage new volunteers to come and get involved with the show for next year.

“We would urge anyone with an interest in crafts, trades, food or agriculture and those with an interest or skills in IT to come to the AGM and join the

committee to begin planning for and even bigger and bet ter 2023 Castlerea Agricultural Show. There are many skills to be gained from being involved in the planning and running of events like this so the show is also a great way to build on a variety of skills, get involved in event management and build on existing interests.

“Hopefully we won’t need the wellies and umbrellas as much in 2023!”

ICSA reiterates need for competition in anti-parasitics

ICSA Animal Health and Welfare Chair Hugh Far rell has reiterated the need for competition in the antiparasitic market.

Mr Farrell, who ad dressed the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture last week, said that “com petition is critical” when it comes to ensuring that farmers have access to anthelmintic doses which play an important role in animal health and thrive.

“We are very concerned that an unduly onerous and over-restrictive pre scription only regime will be introduced, and we are fighting to ensure that we find workable solutions that keep product available at a fair price to farmers,” he said.

Mr. Farrell suggested that the Department of Agri culture must ensure that it does not bring in rules which are anti-competi tive.

“ICSA believes that there is a risk that excessive amounts of bureaucracy and burdensome red tape

is being imposed on the agri-food sector,” he said.

“While farmers are well aware of issues from the repeated use of one type of anthelmintic on cattle or sheep, this is exclusively a problem from the per spective of animal perfor mance and health.

“ICSA believes that there is a real risk to competition in relation to anti-parasitic products which up to now have been sold by veteri nary practitioners, licensed merchants including co-op shops and pharmacies”.

Mr. Farrell said the vari ety of outlets selling such products has been critical in ensuring fair prices for farmers.

“This is especially the case for generic prod ucts which usually offer far better value than the original patented products. Competition between out lets not only offers price benefits but also ensures that there are more phar maceutical manufacturers competing to sell generic options,” he said.

“ICSA supports the posi tion of the Licensed Mer chants Association in seek ing to ensure that practical solutions are found to de liver full competition”.

He added that a failure to ensure full competition in

relation to anti-parasitics would further threaten the viability of farmers and po tentially lead to the under use of products.

“This in turn would be contrary to the need for greater efficiencies in ani

mal performance. Lower animal performance is contrary to the objective of finishing cattle and sheep at an earlier stage which is now a policy objective in terms of climate targets,” he concluded.

Macra rejects land sterilisation measure in Dairy Food-Vision Report

Macra has rejected the exit/ reduction measure contained in the Dairy Food-Vision final report which was sub mitted to Minister for Ag riculture Charlie McCona logue on Tuesday.

Macra’s National Presi dent, John Keane described the proposed measure as “an attack on every corner and community of rural Ireland.

“The measure will do noth ing but to further inflate the land market and force fur ther pressures on farmers,” he said.

“It does nothing to sup port generational renewal, which is the biggest threat to sustainability on farms.

Sterilising land by not al lowing breeding ruminants to be on these farms is just a non-runner for Macra and its members”.

Mr. Keane added that what was being proposed would take €1 billion out of the ru ral economy every year.

“The measure proposes to remove 100,000 cows from farms. National Farm Sur vey data from 2021 shows that gross output per cow was almost €2,500. When multiplied by 100,000 cows this gives you a drop in farm income of €250 million an nually,” he said.

“Research shows that for every €1 in income to

a farmer it generates be tween €3 to €4 in the rural economy. Essentially what is being proposed here is to remove almost €1 billion from the rural economy an nually”.

He added that the measure would remove land from production and remove op portunities for young people.

“Macra proposed an onfarm succession scheme to the Vision Group that sup ports the older generation to step back and support the young people to step forward and become active farmers. This will deliver real change, not land sterili sation,” concluded Keane.

ICSA Animal Health & Welfare chair Hugh Farrell stresses the need for competition in the anti-parasitic market at sitting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Farming

Lack of Government support for climate measures a major stumbling block

Commenting on the recent publication of the Dairy Vision Report on climate measures that can be taken in the agriculture sector, the President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack said Irish farmers were ready to play their part but would not ‘be made fools of’.

“ICMSA has engaged constructively in the pro cess to date but the real ity is that the outcomewhich the association has

not agreed to - is a list of additional costs and po tential income losses on farmers. The reality is that the Government cannot expect farmers to sign up to an agreement where no Just Transition measures have been proposed,” he said.

“Farmers are already playing their part and are willing to do more but the costs and potential income losses are very significant

and for an agreement to be concluded, detailed nego tiations need to take place that respect the position of farmers and ensures ad equate financial resources are put in place to allow farmers meet additional requirements”.

Mr. McCormack said the absence of any firm com mitment to date of Gov ernment financial support is a huge concern and must be addressed.

Taoiseach asked to intervene on Lough Funshinagh

< DAN DOONER

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been asked to directly intervene in the current humanitarian crisis faced by eight families in the Bal lagh and Lisphelim area of South Roscommon.

Local Independent TD Denis Naughten along with six other TDs from across the country tabled a Dáil motion yesterday (Wednesday) seeking the estab lishment of a cross-departmental and cross-agency taskforce to ad dress emergency climate adapta tion measures to protect homes nationwide.

The motion came on the same day the Joint Committee on Agri culture, Food and the Marine met with local representatives from the Lough Funshinagh Flood Ac tion Group to discuss flooding at the turlough.

“The motion, which was drafted

on foot of correspondence from Roscommon County Council to the Government seeks a number of reforms to the current legisla tion, without which the only op tion that may be open to families facing the threat of flooding, where works impact on a des ignated habitat, is to have the homes demolished and the fami lies relocated,” Deputy Naughten said.

“On foot of that I asked the Taoiseach to establish a national taskforce and set as the first item on the agenda the authorisation of flood alleviation works at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon, as a case study”.

Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he would exam ine the proposal and that he would consult with Ministers, adding: “We have to move in a more pro active way on adaptation meas ures across the country”.

There was a very large entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s gen eral sale with a strong trade for all classes. Bullocks averaged from €2.38 per kilo up to €2.67 per kilo, Heifers fetched from an average of €2.65 per kilo up to €4.00 per kilo. Dry Cows made an average of €2.10 per kilo up to €2.49 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also active.

This Friday (28th) there will be a Special Sale of Bullocks as well as heifers and dry cows.

There was a very good entry of top-quality weanlings on offer at our weekly sale held on Tuesday evening last with a steady trade for both bulls and heifers. Bull wean lings fetched from an average of €2.76 per kilo up to €4.39 per kilo, while heifer weanlings made from an average of €2.69 per kilo up to €4.75. We also had 47 in-calf heif ers on the night with the top price

of €2,560 for a Lim heifer with her time up. There was a very good attendance of customers ringside with online buyers also active.

We had a smaller number of sheep on offer at this week’s sale of lambs and cast ewes. Prices for finished lambs peaked at €145 for 58kgs. Store lambs fetched up to €106. The tops for stag ewes fetched €146. Our next sale of lambs and case ewes is Wednes day next (November 2nd) 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 885kgs €2200, Char X 880kgs €2160, Lim X 860kgs €2070, Char X 930kgs €2100, BBX 730kgs €1470, Lim X 770kgs €1780, Lim X 735 kgs €1780, SIX 685 kgs €1440 Char X 675kgs €1600, AAX 690 kgs €1540, Lim X 665 kgs €1480.

Bullocks: Char X 610 kgs €1580, Lim X 520kgs €1330, Lim X 470kgs €1250, Char X 460kgs €1140,

Heifers:

€4

€1030

350kgs €1000

€2.85

285kgs €900 - €3.15

€840 - €3

Friday, October 28th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks

145

Friday, October 28th at 7 p.m.

40 Outstanding

Springing Heifers

Tommie Regan’s Annual Sale of outstanding Springing Heifers with selection of Limousins, CHX and Belgium Blues.

In calf to the

(IVOR).

Friday, November 4th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers

Also

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Monday, 31st October.

Tuesday, 1st November at 4 p.m.

Special Sale of Weanlings

Bookings accepted up to 5 pm on Thursday, 27th October. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Tuesday, 1st November at 6 p.m.

24 Excellent Quality

Springing Heifers

In-calf

Lambs & Cast Ewes

Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. Stock must be

by 9.30 a.m.

at 10 a.m.

Irish Vendéen Sheep Society

22nd Annual In-Lamb Ewe Show

on Saturday, 29th October 2022 Show at 11.30 am

Followed

kilo,

kilo,

kilo.

Finished lambs: 58kgs €145, 55kgs €145, 52.5kgs €143, 56.5kgs €143, 51.5kgs €141, 50.5kgs €140, 46kgs €140, 54.3kgs €140, 51.3kgs €138, 50kgs €136, 47.8kgs €136, 48kgs €133.

300 kgs €870 - €2.90 per kilo,

Store lambs: 41.3kgs €106, 40kgs €105, 38kgs €100, 37.1kgs €100, 36kgs €95, 36.6kgs €94, 32.1kgs €93, 33.8kgs €85.

sale (1.00 pm)

Roscommon MART WATCH

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack.

Ballyleague

of the River Shannon and benefits from an array of local shops, supermarkets, schools, bars, restaurants, various sports facilities, an abundance of water activities, public transport links, Lanesborough Commons Woodland Walk and Ballyleague Marina. Lanesborough is located between the towns of Longford 15 minutes away and Roscommon 10 minutes away.

by appointment only. Set on approx. 1.45 acres with mature lawns and a private tarmacadam driveway, this home is in turnkey condition.

auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and all offers to sell

primely located and substantial

cenced

restaurant

located in the heart of Ballinagare Village on the main N5 Western

Four-bedroomed family home in Roscommon town for sale

This week, Pat Hughes Auc tioneers is delighted to bring to the market a well-maintained family home, situated on a ma ture site surrounded by trees in one of Roscommon’s most sought after areas.

Accommodation consists of a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, utility room, four bed rooms and a bathroom. The house is situated on a quiet

road, offering the owner peace and privacy while still benefit ing from the many local ameni ties.

Located within walking dis tance of all Roscommon has to offer, it is only a five minute walk from the local church, school, railway station, shops, supermarket, the Abbey Hotel and the county library, and only ten minutes from Roscommon

town centre.

Coming to the market with four acres of land, this property offers huge potential for further development in this renowned residential area, subject to plan ning permission being granted. For further details or to arrange an appointment to view, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

Team Earley

This week, RE/MAX Team Earley are pleased to advise that have they closed the sale of an apartment located at 18 Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon Town.

This was a most impressive, one-bedroomed, second-floor apartment, presented in excellent condition. Living accommodation is comprised of an entrance hall, kitchen, dining/living room, bedroom and bathroom. The property is heated via storage heaters, with double-glazed win dows fitted throughout.

The apartment is situated in a prime loca tion within the centre of Roscommon Town. There is access from both the front and rear, and there is ample free parking available. All the amenities one would require are available

nearby, including schools, preschools, hospital, various retail shops, supermarkets, pubs, restau rants, hotel, Loughnaneane Park, playgrounds, church, hospital, medical centre, Roscommon Castle, various sporting facilities and public transport links.

RE/MAX Team Earley are currently looking for similar properties in all areas for cash buy ers/investors.

For further details or to arrange a free consul tation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac di rectly on 086-3519492 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.

rear of the property. Pat is considering every offer in excess of €350,000 for this Residence.

office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Large Castlerea dwelling in need of reconstruction for sale

For sale with Pat Hughes Auc tioneers is a large five-bed roomed, two-storey dwelling in need of reconstruction, situated on a 0.5 acre site in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. Accommodation consists of a kitchen/dining room, sitting room, living room, five bed

rooms and a bathroom. The res idence is in need of total mod ernisation and reconstruction.

The property is well located, approximately two miles off the main Castlerea to Roscom mon Road, and is surrounded by mature trees. The property is situated approximately 45

Pat Hughes closes sales on local properties

Pat Hughes Auctioneers have confirmed that they have recent ly closed the sale of No. 16 Ab bey Street, Roscommon Town. They have also reached sale agreed on a two-bedroomed residence on approximately five acres at Rosdaul, Williamstown, Co. Galway, and a four-bed roomed residence on circa two acres at Ballyfarnon, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Due to continued success, Pat

Hughes Auctioneers urgently require all types of property in and around the Roscommon area for disappointed underbid ders.

If you are thinking of buying or selling, or for details on all properties on offer, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers for their free, confidential advice. Con tact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauc tioneers.com.

minutes from Knock Airport, convenient to Williamstown, Castlerea, Ballymoe, and Ro scommon.

For further details or to make an appointment to view, con tact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

1.5 acre site on the market near Portrun

On the market with Pat Hughes Auctioneers is a site of approximately 1.5 acres, located at Fearagh, Bally murray, Co. Roscommon and situated within walking distance of Portrun Bay.

For further details or to make an appointment to view con tact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

35 acres of top-quality land for sale

On the market with Pat Hughes Auctioneers are approximately 35 acres of top-quality agricul tural land, located at Moneylae, Glenballythomas, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.

Located in one of Roscom mon’s most renowned farming areas, the lands are laid out in one block, situated approxi mately three miles from Tulsk village on the main Tulsk to Frenchpark Road.

For further details, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

Legal: Martina Dolan, Solicitor, Groarke & Partners Solicitors, 33 Deanscurragh, Longford, Co. Longford

Businesses welcome announcement of later opening hours for night-time economy – Ibec

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed this week’s announcement from Government to allow longer opening hours for pubs, clubs, as well as additional supports to help businesses and communities adjust to licensing law changes.

The group said that focus must now turn to ensuring late-night transport arrangements, events, public safety and policing and other key elements of the night-time econ omy are sufficient to support the amended operating hours for those operating in this important sector.

Ibec Executive Director,

Membership and Sectors, Sharon Higgins said: “The night-time economy is a core component of the wider Experience Economy.

Today’s announcement will be key to revitalisation and growth of the cities, towns, and villages across the country.

“Government must examine how other countries, and cities in particu lar, address licensing and regula tions alongside late-night transport arrangements, events, public safety and policing, diversity and inclu sion, and quality of life issues.

“This is an important first step in revitalising the broader night-time

economy. Ibec looks forward to continuing to work with Govern ment in implementing some of the ambitions for the Experience Economy as set out by its Night Time Economy Taskforce. This in cludes the role out of night-mayors or night-time economy advisors that can assist in coordinating the implementation of key measures, as well as promoting greater diversity in premises types.

“Each of these measures can un derpin economic competitiveness, boosting resilience, diversity, and inclusivity of urban centres across the country”.

Irish Water upgrades water mains at Lisnamult and Cremully/Aghagad

Irish Water has confirmed that it has completed up grade works at two water mains in County Roscom mon this week.

The state-owned body said it had replaced old pipework in Lisnamult on the outskirts of Roscom mon town, and between Cremully and Aghagad in Fuerty, which it added would mean fewer outages and bursts for both com munities.

The works included 1.5kms of new pipes between Cremully and Aghagad and half a kilo metre of new water main at Lisnamult under Irish Water’s National Leak Reduction Programme.

Irish Water’s Networks Regional Lead Declan Cawley explained that his team is working with Ro scommon County Council

to prioritise leakage reduc tion in the areas that need it most.

“We were aware of the pressure issues for our customers in the Lisna mult area, but the new pipework has resolved that,” he said.

“Meanwhile, the project in Cremully means locals there are not inconvenienced by regular bursts. These works have reduced the amount of treated water being lost underground, safeguarding the area’s

water supply for the future”.

Both projects will help Irish Water achieve its 2030 goal of a national leakage rate of 25 per cent.

Since 2018, Irish Water has invested more than €500 million to upgrade

the underground water network across the coun try through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. The group said a further €250 million would be invested every year up to the end of 2030.

Roscommon businesses urged to review security ahead of Halloween period

Business owners in Roscom mon have been urged to review security and protect buildings and sites as an increase of 40 per cent to 50 per cent in unwanted activi ty across the country is anticipated in the coming days.

The warning comes from secu rity specialists Netwatch who say that warehouses and building sites are likely to experience the highest increase in unwanted activity or security breaches, which has been the pattern around Halloween in recent years.

Colin Hayes, Head of Business for Netwatch said: “We are urging all business owners to review their safety provision and ensure that all

loose materials are secured over the Halloween period. A well-lit, locked and secured area with no visible targets will deter most Hal loween criminals.

“Along with intentional criminal activity, there will always be an element of bonfire material col lection from sites. Warehouses, construction sites, yards and unoc cupied premises are particularly vulnerable. While the majority of incidents are minor, there are often serious incidents each Halloween which result in severe damage to businesses”.

“In our Business Security Risk & Cost Survey in 2021 we saw that insurance and public liability

influences security for 82 per cent of Irish businesses. We believe around the Halloween holiday pe riod, this is a major worry and risk for businesses”.

Netwatch offered the following tips to deter criminal behaviour over the Halloween period: “Keep the perimeter well lit: Falls are a huge cause of injury on Hal loween. Keeping lights on over night will prevent accidents and deter vandals. Installing motion sensor floodlights will accomplish the same goals while conserving energy.

“Limit access to the proper ty: Keep all entryways locked and be certain to secure windows. Con

trol who holds keys. Review your current security plan: Test alarms and review your entire security system. Your system may not be as effective and efficient as newer sys tems currently on the market.

“Train employees to watch for unusual behaviour: Criminals tend to lurk or investigate an area before committing a crime. Teach your employees to watch out for suspicious behaviour and have a proactive plan to deal with these individuals.

“Keep materials secure: Ensure all potential bonfire material i.e. pallets or building materials, are kept safe and secure, out of harm’s reach”.

Free event on sustainable energy transition for Roscommon businesses

Smart investment in sustainable and low-carbon technol ogies can help local businesses future-proof their opera tions, according to international Economy, Sustainability and Climate Change advisor, Dimitri Zenghelis, who was speaking ahead of a free online Climate Ready Academy Masterclass for Irish businesses.

The Masterclass, ‘Achieving Sustainability and Resilience in Turbulent Times: The costs and benefits of making the transition’, hosted by broadcaster Anton Savage, will take place on Wednesday, November 2nd at 1 pm and is open to businesses, organisations and industries from across the country. The interactive session will focus on the transition to a low-carbon society and how businesses and organisa tions can lead change, while also managing and navigating risks; particularly around energy supply and rising supply chain costs. Attendees will also get insights into how to plan for the transition, and the challenges and opportunities that they will encounter on the journey.

Dimitri Zenghelis, International Advisor in Economy, Sustainability and Climate Change said: “The energy transition is inevitable and well underway. Industries, businesses and organisations that do not adapt or embrace it, will eventually become unviable.

“The current geopolitical situation has made the process more difficult, with rising energy costs and new demands for public spending impacting the perceived fiscal ability to fully invest in the transition.

“This masterclass will explore some immediate actions that can be taken, both at an individual business level and at a wider policy level”.

The Climate Ready Academy Masterclass on sustainable energy transition will take place virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, next from 1 pm to 2 pm. Those wishing to attend the free event can register via: https://www.clima tereadyacademy.ie/masterclasses/

With

Aengus Oates Financial Services

Aoife’s

double

Castlerea’s Aoife O’Rourke became a double European Champion when she retained her crown last weekend. She is pictured with her gold medal and trophy in the middleweight 75kg final during the EUBC Women’s European Boxing Championships 2022 last Saturday.

Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Aoife O’Rourke retains her European title

tional form as she made it back-to-back

Budva, Montenegro last

Castlerea

the Women’s

O’Rourke,

Historic week for Team Ireland

Team Ireland returned home from the EUBC European Women’s Box ing Championships in Montenegro on Sunday with a total of seven med als following a hugely successful tournament.

Saturday proved to be yet another red-letter day for women’s boxing as five Irish fighters entered the ring in Budva for the finals of their respective weight divisions with three earn

ing gold on the night. Olympic champion Kellie Harrington won a unanimous decision over Czech boxer, Lenka Ber nardova in her lightweight final while Amy Broad hurst added a second gold in the space of just 20 minutes. Castlerea’s Aoife O’Rourke made it a golden hat-trick in the final Irish bout of the night.

Meanwhile, Christina Desmond and Caitlin Fryers took home silver medals following impres sive performances in the light-middleweight and light-flyweight finals. It was the first time in the 111-year history of the Irish Athletic Boxing

Association that Ireland had five boxers in conten tion for gold medals at the finals of an elite champi onship tournament. Five of Team Ireland’s ten fighters made it to the gold medal fights while two others, featherweight Michaela Walsh and Shannon Sweeney at 48kg, both earned bronze medals.

Team Ireland, led by head coach Zaur Antia, and including coaches John Conlan, Dmitrij Dmitruk, Eoin Pluck, and physio Rob Tuomey, topped the medals table, and was named ‘Best Team’ at the champion ships.

Elzbieta Wojcik – who was also her opponent when Aoife claimed gold at the championships in

Madrid in 2019 – in the middleweight final on Sat urday night to secure her second European title and Ireland’s seventh medal in what was a historic cham pionships.

The Tarmon fighter was on the offensive from the off as she forced Wojcik back with her punching power and aggression.

The Polish southpaw responded bravely but she couldn’t live with O’Rourke’s relentless flurries and spent much of the first round on the back foot.

O’Rourke continued her assault in the second round, raising the tempo and finetuning her shot selection as Wojcik began to wilt from the quantity of accurate shots coming her way.

At one point in the second, the Polish fighter stumbled back against the ropes and O’Rourke took full advantage to earn a 10-8 on the scorecards of two judges.

The title was now in O’Rourke’s sights and she showed no signs of slowing down in the final round to earn a unanimous verdict and bring another European title back to Castlerea.

< DAN DOONER

Golden girl receives hero’s welcome in Castlerea

Aoife’s family including

and current IABA

joined her on stage as Cas tlerea celebrated another monumental success for the O’Rourke family.

spoke highly of

her coaches at last week’s European Championships and said seeing her Irish teammates picking up a record haul of medals had spurred her on ahead of the final fight against Pol ish boxer Elzbieta Wojcik.

“In the warm-up area I had the likes of Kellie Harrington, Amy Broad hurst and Michaela Walsh, Caitlin Fryers and Shan non Sweeney and they had

all collected their medals. I’d seen the medals and the joy and it just gave me more motivation going out for my fight to go and get the win,” she said.

Lisa O’Rourke was in Montenegro to support her sister and she said: “It was great to be there for her first fight to the finish and see her on top of the podium”.

MC Paschal Fitzmaurice

thanked both O’Rourke sisters and the wider O’Rourke family for their support of local clubs and events and said their late grandfather Donie O’Rourke would be “a very proud man”.

Aoife’s mother Anne O’Rourke said she was “very proud” of her suc cess in Montenegro.

“It was great to be there to see her for every fight and not alone for her (Aoife) but for the way it all happened (for Team Ireland). It was just a fan tastic week,” she said.

Dad Kevin said the fam ily was delighted with the girls’ recent success: “It’s a credit to the girls, the effort they put in, and the people that train them. From the first day they started to where they are today, the help they got along the road is what’s brought them to where they are,” he said.

Sisters Aisling and Ailish also expressed their pride in Aoife’s European win while there was also a special shout out to the other O’Rourke sister, Áine, who is currently in Australia.

Aoife O’Rourke of Ireland, left, is declared victorious after defeating Elzbieta Wojcik of Poland in their middleweight 75kg final during the EUBC Women’s European Boxing Championships 2022 at Budva Sports Centre in Budva, Montenegro. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Calls for Aoife

DAN DOONER

This month’s meeting of Roscommon County Council heard calls for Ao ife O’Rourke to be honoured with the ‘Freedom of Roscommon’ following her gold medal win at the European Women’s Boxing Championships in Montenegro last Saturday.

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice, who acted as MC for Aoife’s homecoming in Castlerea on Sunday evening, praised the Tarmon fighter, who has now won two European gold medals following her success in Madrid in 2019.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement. Aoife and her sister Lisa are huge ambassadors for County Roscommon and I’d like to propose that like Lisa, Aoife be given the Freedom of Roscommon,” he said.

Lisa O’Rourke was granted the freedom of the county following her sensational gold medal win at the IABA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul earlier this year.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice’s proposal was seconded by Cllr. Anthony Waldron who said Aoife’s homecoming last Sunday was a great night for Castlerea with many young people in attendance.

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Tom Crosby opened Monday’s meeting by congratulating Aoife on her most recent success but said the proposal to grant her the Freedom of Roscommon would need to be sent forward to the Council’s Corporate Policy Group for discussion.

Team Ireland coach, Zaur Antia, offered an insight into the team’s preparations for last week’s Women’s Euro pean Boxing Champi onships in Montenegro.

Speaking as Team Ireland closed in on what was a historic European Champi onships which saw them take home seven medals, including three gold, Antia said: “What a team! To bring home seven medals, with five boxers in the finals –incredible!

“The boxers’ prepara tions for this competi tion have been excel lent. They included a sparring camp with Team GB in our highperformance base at the Institute of Sport, and a 12-day training camp hosted by Turkey.

“Every member of the team has per formed extremely well throughout the tourna ment and gained very important experience.

Boxing Championships.

Pic: Mick McCormack

I

in Budva of John Conlan,

Dmitrij Dmitruk, Eoin Pluck and physio, Rob Tuomey. Boxing is an

sport, but the success of each boxer is a team effort”.

FARMING

GARDENING

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Peter Mullooly, am applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct a dwelling house and garage with wastewater treatment system and raised mound percolation area and all associated site development works at Mote Demesne Td, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: AOL Design Ltd.

Consulting Engineers C/O Albert Looby, Killeenboy, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon.

Tel: (090) 66 28184

Mobile: (086) 8167365

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 a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning 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.

of an advertise ment or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertise ment will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertise ment, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertise ment previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for non-publication. Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a specific week or at all, whether or not a particular week has been stipulated by the advertiser, and the company will not be liable for any loss claimed by such omission, whether from all editions or any particular edition or editions of the pa per. Right is reserved to alter any advertisement without liability for any compensation for such alteration. Further, the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inac curacy in the printing of any advertisement.

PLANNINGS PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL CREEHARMORE, BALLYFORAN, CO. ROSCOMMON.

I hereby apply to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Gareth Kennedy for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, domestic garage, new treatment plant and percolation area and all associated site works at the above location.

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 on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within a 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: Noel O’ Brien and Associates

Mountbellew, Co. Galway

Phone: (090) 9679506

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Anthony Doolan, Chairperson of Lisnamult Residents and Community Association intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct spectator stand alongside main soccer pitch, and all associated site development works at Lisnamult Community Sports Park, Lisnamult, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon.

Phone: 090 6626974

Mobile: 086 8115449

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 a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning 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.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Eircom Limited (t/a eir) intend to apply for permission to erect a 21m high monopole telecommunications structure (with 3 No. 3.9m high omni antenna giving an overall height of 24.9m), together with panel antennas, dishes and associated telecommunications equipment and remove a 15m high monopole telecommunications structure at the eir Exchange, Gorticmeelra (Td), Donamon, 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 to the authority in writing 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.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Deeney Engineering and Planning Services, are applying to Roscommon County Council, on behalf of Edward Teeling, for Retention Planning Permission for:

1. Retention of revised boundary to that previously granted under PD/06/942, and all ancillary site works.

2. Retention of elevation changes to that previously granted under PD/06/942, at Driney TD, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

This 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 to the authority in writing on payment of a prescribed fee within a period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Deeney Engineering and Planning Services Tel: 086 2503109

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Fergal and Rebecca Beattie, intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission, to construct a new 1.5 storey rear extension to an existing dwelling, alterations to the existing front and side elevations, removal of 2 existing chimneys, a new roof along with internal layout changes to the existing dwelling, new side and rear boundary fences, decommisioning of an existing septic tank and installation of a new waste water treatment system with percolation area and all associated site works at, Knockadangan, [Townland Tromaun] Athleague, Co. Roscommon, F42 VH74.

Signed: JN Jacqueline Naughton, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

M: 087 403 7803

Email: jacquelinenaughton@outlook.com

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.

PLANNINGS

Gerry Hynes

MRIAI

Registered Architect

Qualified registered architect with experience in domestic new build and extensions, commercial, agricultural and building reports. also Planning Applications and Ancillary Certifier for larger projects.

Gerry Hynes

M.R.I.A.I. White Cottage, Doon, Strokestown, Roscommon F42 DF10

Phone: 087 2527290 Web: www.gerryhyne sarchitect.com Email: gerryhynes01@ gmail.com

PROPERTIES TO LET/ RENT/WANTED

CHAZEY PROPERTIES: We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange ref erences, read meters, set up tenancy agree ments and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732

< HOUSE SHARE: In Ball inlough, large ensuite bed room, €400 per calendar month, all bills included, references required. Please whatsapp 086 8443173 for details

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE that KILTEEVAN GUN CLUB have preserved parts of the lands and bogs in the townlands of An naghmore, Aughma gree, Ballinaboy, Beldere, Beechwood, Cloncellan, Derrinterk, Derrycarbery, Emoe, Doogramore, Killeenboy, Kilteevan, Cloonlarge, Carramore, Killerney and Carton. The Association has pre served as a game sanctu ary parts of townlands of Cloontogher, Clooneigh, Doogramore and Kiltee van occupied by the rep resentatives of George Kilmartin in these town lands.

Persons found in pursuit of game in the lands and bogs referred to above will be prosecuted.

Signed: The Secretary.

Martin

Martin

Martin

CIP,

APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA 091 380900

Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA 091 380900

380900

380900

Mountbellew, Co. Galway

087 9818153 Mountbellew, Co. Galway info@mhla.ie www.mhla.ie

087 9818153 Mountbellew, Co. Galway info@mhla.ie www.mhla.ie

9818153

Appointments

SITUATIONS

VACANT

< CHILDMINDER

REQUIRED: Every 2nd weekend from 2pm to 5pm, Saturday and Sun day, Roscommon Town. Tel: 087 3204333

REQUIRED:

a 600 sow unit. The suc cessful

in

have a

with an average working week of 45

which in cludes some weekend

Roscommon Sports Partnership, an equal opportunities employer, funded by Sport Ireland, invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following position:

Roscommon Sports Partnership, an equal opportunities Ireland, invites applications from suitably qualified persons for

Office Administrator Part time fixed term contract @ 18.5 hours per week until September 2022 Immediate start. Office based position Working days/hours to be determined Candidate Booklet and Application forms are available on our website www.rosactive.org or by email to info@rosactive.org.

Roscommon Sports Partnership (RSP), an equal opportunities employer, funded by Sport Ireland, invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following position:

Office Administrator Part time fixed term contract @ 18.5 hours September 2022 Immediate start. Office based position Working determined Candidate Booklet and Application forms are available www.rosactive.org or by email to info@rosactive.org.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Completed application forms, must be received no later than 12.00 noon on Friday the 25th of March 2022, by email to info@rosactive.org or by post to Roscommon Sports Partnership CLG, GRETB Offices, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Completed application forms, must be received no later than 25th of March 2022, by email to info@rosactive.org or by Partnership CLG, GRETB Offices, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon, Canvassing by applicants or their representatives will

Canvassing by applicants or their representatives will disqualify.

1-year fixed term contract at 35 hours per week. Candidate Booklet and Application forms are available on our website: www.rosactive.org or by email: info@rosactive.org.

(A

A minimum sal ary of €36,500

Lara gan

Ltd., Elphin, Co. Roscommon

email: laraganmilling@gmail.com

< BAR STAFF

REQUIRED: For pub in Roscommon Town, must be available for weekend work. Experience desirable. Apply with CV to: doorly196@gmail.com

< KIND PERSON REQUIRED: For a few hours weekly for company for lonely lady. €10 per hour, Carrick on Shannon area. Please apply to: PO Box No 3057 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

SITUATIONS WANTED

< LADY AVAILABLE: To do household cleaning/ light housework 4-5 hours a week. Roscommon Town / Castlecoote / Athleague / Creggs / Ballymoe area. Please apply to: PO Box No 3058 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

Completed application forms, must be received no later than 12.00 noon on Friday the 4th of November 2022, by email to: info@rosactive.org or by post to: Roscommon Sports Partnership Ltd, GRETB Offices, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Canvassing by applicants or their representatives will disqualify.

Due to the expansion of our Team, we are looking to recruit an Accounts Assistant to join our busy office. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring all relevant information is accurately recorded in the company’s ERP system and that statutory returns are accurately completed and submitted to the relevant body on time.

our Team, we are looking to recruit an Accounts Assistant to join our busy candidate will be responsible for ensuring all relevant information is accurately company’s ERP system and that statutory returns are accurately completed and body on time.

The role will include but is not limited to:

l Responsibility for all elements of the Sales and Purchase ledger, ensuring customer and supplier invoices are recorded in a timely manner.

l Processing payments to international suppliers.

l Maintaining accurate Debtors,

not limited to: all elements of the Sales and Purchase ledger, ensuring customer and are recorded in a timely manner.

payments to international suppliers.

accurate Debtors, Creditors and General Ledgers

reconciliation of bank accounts including USD and GBP accounts.

VAT, Intrastat and VIES returns

Expenses, including Credit Cards

Reports

Customer Queries responsibilities as required

years relevant experience in a similar fast-paced type role organizational and analytical skills and the ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines

with the ability to adapt to new challenges and work under pressure with meticulous attention to detail communication skills both verbal and written MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.

Revenue Online Service would be an advantage but not essential experience would be an advantage but not essential be provided

THE

ROSCOMMON SPORTS PARTNERSHIP CLG

ROSCOMMON SPORTS PARTNERSHIP

ROSCOMMON SPORTS PARTNERSHIP CLG

UNFAILING NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY

Oh Holy St. Anthony, gen tlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may re quire a miracle, even so, you are the ‘Saint of Miracles’. O gentle and loving St. Antho ny, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Publication promised for a great favour received. L.M.

TIERNAN

Brian

Cartron, Kilrooskey, Roscommon (40th Anniversary)

Who passed away on the 25th October 1982 R.I.P.

WARD

Edward (Ned) Scregg, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon (9th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Ned who died on the 27th October 2013 R.I.P.

In loving memory of FINAN Kathleen

Celtic Avenue, Roscommon

Who passed away on the 29th October 2021 (1st Anniversary)

No matter how life changes, no matter what we do, a special place within our hearts is always kept for you.

Sadly missed by your loving daughter Kathleen and family.

(née Moore)

Margaret (Peggy)

Dysart, Roscommon

We lost a father with a heart of gold how much we miss him can never be told. He shared our troubles and helped us along if we follow his footsteps, we will never go wrong. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

As we look upon your pictures sweet memories we recall of faces full of sunshine a smile for one and all. You are always close behind us in everything we do you were a special father God’s gift to us was you.

Sweet Jesus take this message to our dear father up above tell him how we miss him and give him all our love. We hold him close within our hearts and there he shall remain to walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again

So, rest in peace dear loved one and thanks for all you’ve done. We pray that God has given you the crown you’ve truly won.

Deep are the memories Precious they stay No passing of time Can take them away

Always loved and sadly missed by his sons Con and Aidan and daughter-in-law Kathleen

The Rose Behind The Wall

A rose once grew where all could see, sheltered beside the garden wall, and, as the days passed swiftly by, it spread its branches, straight and tall.

One day, a beam of light shone through a crevice that had opened wide, the rose bent gently toward its warmth then, passed beyond the other side.

Now, you who deeply feel its loss, be comforted, the rose blooms there its beauty even greater now, nurtured by God’s own loving care.

M cGOVERN Michael

Curraghrevagh, Creggs, Co. Galway

Who passed away on the 2nd November 2021

Margaret “Peggy” Roach (nee Moore), of Westwood, MA, USA and formerly of Dysart, Co. Roscommon, Ireland passed away in the comfort of her loving family on August 31, 2022. Beloved wife of James Roach for 60 years. Cherished mother of Eileen Murray (Woodbridge, VA), Sheila (Copper Mountain, CO), Brian (New Haven, CT), Carmel and her husband Dan Bergeron (Medway, MA), Deirdre and her husband Bartley Leech (Athenry, Galway). Grandmother of Colin, Fiona, Roisin, Nora, Aoife, Kieran, Lorcan, Aidan, Sinead, Caitriona, Martin and Mairead. Great-grandmother of Saoirse and Sinead. Sister of Maura (Ballygar, Galway), George (Dysart, Roscommon), Rory (Stoughton, MA), Sr. Lena (Roscommon), Francis (Stoughton, MA), Vincent (West Roxbury, MA), Joe (Ballinasloe, Galway) and Sr. Rita (Wicklow). Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins in the US, UK and Ireland. Predeceased by her sister Bernadette (Cheltenham, UK).

Peggy emigrated to Boston in 1956 where she worked for the New England Telephone Company on the long distance lines. She met Jim at the Hibernian Hall on Dudley St. in Roxbury and they married in 1961. They lived in Westwood for 59 years where they raised 5 children and were parishioners of St. Denis Parish and she volunteered in the CCD office. For 33 years, she was the CFO of American Milling Company which she co-founded with Jim in 1979. Peggy was an active member of the Irish Cultural Centre, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Roscommon Association of Boston, the Irish Music Club of Greater Boston, and Norwood Irish Music Club.

Peggy loved meeting friends at ceilis and Irish social dances, walking with Jim at Castle Island and with friends in Islington, spending time with her grandchildren, going on cruises, and cheering on the Celtics and Red Sox.

Margaret’s Month’s Mind Mass will take place on Saturday, 5th November at 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Thursday, 27th October at 7pm.

DOWLING Rose

Lisgobbin, Co. Roscommon (9th Anniversary)

, KENNY Michael

Tully, Fourmilehouse, and Glenview, Roscommon Who died October 27th 2008 (14th Anniversary)

Deeply loved and missed by her husband Michael, her children Michael, Paul, Annmarie and Catherine, her grandchildren Shauna, Zoe, Laura, Hannah, Cian, Katie, Molly, Conor , Alice and her daughter-in-law Claire and sons-in-law John and Walter.

Anniversary Mass will be held in Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Sunday, 30th October at 11.30am.

TRAYNOR Brian

Ballygar, Co. Galway

We Michael’s daughters Mary, Ann, Sheila, Biddy, Claire and Michelle and his extended family wish to express our sincere thanks to all who sympathised and supported us in our recent bereavement.

Thanks to all those who called to our home, attended Dad’s Removal, Funeral Mass and Burial. Thanks also to those who sent Mass Cards, online condolences, floral tributes and to those who travelled long distances, we are truly grateful.

Thanks to all our kind neighbours and friends who supported us all at this difficult time.

We would like to sincerely thank Dr. John Keenan and the staff at The Medical Centre, Roscommon and to Ollie and his staff at McGuinness Pharmacy for the excellent care given to Dad down through the years and especially in his final week.

To the staff of Galway Hospice and the Palliative Care Team and to Breanne and Loretta who took such good care of Dad in his final week and were such a good support to us all.

Heartfelt thanks to Dad’s wonderful carers Angela, Ann and Teresa for the exceptional care given to Dad over the years.

Our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Morris for your support, kind words and for celebrating Dad’s Funeral Mass in such a beautiful way, thank you to Fr. Pravin and Fr. Kearney who concelebrated the Mass and to Fr. Breslin who administred the Last Rites for Dad.

To Bill Haugh and Eoin Kenny a sincere thank you for the beautiful singing in the Church and Graveyard.

To all who participated in any way in Dad’s Funeral Mass a sincere, thank you.

Thanks to all who prepared Dad’s final resting place.

To the staff of the Abbey Hotel for their hospitality following the Funeral.

In loving memory of Rose, who died on October 27th 2013 R.I.P.

A special day, another year, a loving thought, a silent tear, a little prayer to keep in touch with someone loved and missed so much.

Loved forever and sadly missed by her husband Pat, son Michael, daughters Martha and Sylvia, sons-inlaw and grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Derrane on Saturday, 29th October at 7pm.

He has gone across the river, to the shore of evergreen and we long to see his dear face, but the river flows between. Someday, sometime we shall see, the face we loved so well, someday we’ll clasp his hand and never say farewell.

Loved and missed by the Kenny family.

Anniversary Mass in Four-Mile-House Church on Sunday, 30th October at 11am.

In loving memory of Brian who passed away on the 4th of November 2020 (2nd Anniversary)

A silent thought, a quiet prayer, for a special person in God’s care.

Missed everyday and remembered by his wife Evelyn and family.

Anniversary Mass will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Ballygar on Friday, 4th November at 7.30pm.

To Pat and Gillian Smyth of Smyth’s Funeral Directors for their professionalism, compassion and guidance with the funeral arrangements.

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 Dad and thanks for all you’ve done, we pray that God has given you the crown you’ve truly won.

Michael’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Kilbegnet on Sunday, 30th October at 11.30am.

Doohan,

In

GALLAGHER

Mary Kilmore, Athleague, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Mary a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who passed away on 24th October, 2020 R.I.P.

MOYLETTE

Thomas (Tom) Willsbrook, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

In loving memory of Tom who passed away on the 18th October, 2020

TULLY (née Cryan)

Annette Gallowstown, Roscommon Who passed away on the 26th October 2021 (1st Anniversary)

Thou

Fondly

daughters Ann and Veronica, grandchildren and extended family.

First Anniversary Mass in Drum Church on Tuesday, 8th November at 7pm.

HOLMES

Gerry Main Street, Ballygar, Co. Galway and formerly of Ballymachola, Co. Mayo. (3rd Anniversary)

Who passed away on the 9th November 2019

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

Loved and sadly missed by her husband Eamon and all the family.

In loving memory of COX Michael (Mickey)

Whose 30th anniversary occurs on 26th October.

Silent memories keep you near, as time unfolds another year.

Out of our lives you may have gone, but in our hearts you still live on.

Loved and missed by Margaret and family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea on Sunday, 30th October at 12 noon.

DUIGNAN Eamonn Ardagh/Frenchpark

In loving memory of Eamon who passed away on the 29th of October 2021 (1st Anniversary)

On the First Anniversary of Annette’s passing, her husband Christy and the Tully and Cryan families and extended family would like to express their sincere thanks to all who sympathised with them on the sudden loss of their beloved Annette.

Our heartfelt thanks to our family, neighbours and friends who provided emotional and practical support to us during this difficult time.

Thanks to all who sympathised with us, those who visited our home, attended the Funeral Mass, watched online, who telephoned, travelled long distances, especially those who travelled from England. To all who sent Mass Cards and floral tributes and to those who shared lovely memories in person or online, we say thank you.

Thanks to Sean Mulry, Hannon’s Hotel and to all who brought food and refreshments to our home. A special thank you to Fr. Kevin Fallon for his support and for celebrating Annette’s Funeral Mass. Thanks also to Fred Mulryan for the beautiful music and singing at the Funeral Mass.

Thanks to the gravediggers who prepared Annette’s final resting place.

Heartfelt thanks to Pat Smyth for his professional and dignified manner in fulfilling our requirements for Annette’s funeral arrangements. Thanks to the management and staff of Hannon’s Hotel who provided the meal after Annette’s burial.

Heartfelt appreciation to Eileen and Des Morris at “Ben View” guesthouse in Clifden and to the Gardaí in Clifden for their kind assistance and support on the morning of Annette’s passing.

Thanks to Roscommon Show Society for doing a Guard of Honour on the day of Annette’s funeral.

A special thanks to Dr. O’Meara and his team in Roscommon University Hospital, to the doctors and staff in Tullamore University Hospital, UHG and Merlin Park for all their care shown to Annette.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

How do I put on paper the feelings I have inside. Heartache and emptiness when the one I loved has died.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated at 10.30am on Tuesday, 1st November in St. Mary’s Church, Ballygar.

In loving memory of our dear husband, father and grandfather. Always in our prayers, Julie and family.

You have left our home but not our hearts.

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 Je sus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will be come your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and fa vour will be granted. C.J.V.S.

Deep are the memories, precious they stay, no passing of time, can take them away.

Deeply loved, sadly missed and always remembered by his wife Detta and family Gerard, Dara, Miriam and Karen, family and friends.

You were so very special and had the nicest ways, you did so much in life and never asked for praise.

You had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold.

You left the sweetest memories this world could ever hold.

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.

Always remembered by your brother John, sisters Mary, Kitty, Bridie, Patricia, sister-in-law Margaret, brothers-in-law Padraig, Donnie, Seán, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins and friends.

Anniversary Mass will be held in Church of the Sacred Heart, Ballinagare on Saturday, 29th October at 10am.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Annette’s First Anniversary Mass will take place in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 29th October at 7pm.

GILLERAN

Luke and Kathleen Hillside House, The Walk, Roscommon

NOVEMBER REMBERANCE

Never forgotten, hard working, quiet people.

From your daughter Anne, grandchildren Aíne and Ruhiri (away), great grandchildren Eva, Alana and Christopher. Carolyn (Ruhiri’s partner) and Liam (Aíne’s partner).

KELLY

Jim Ballinleg, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon (14th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Jim Kelly. Rest in Peace.

Lovingly remembered by Phil and family.

Roscommon Senior Camogie Final: Athleague v St. Dominic’s on Saturday in Ballyforan at 11 am

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Athleague will be hoping to win their third Roscommon senior camogie title in a row when they take on St. Domi nic’s in Ballyforan on Saturday morning.

There has not been much be

tween the sides over the past three years and St. Dominic’s will be keen to regain the title that they last won in 2019.

Athleague will have the likes of Rachel Fitzmaurice, Laura Fleming and Chloe Whyte-Lennon in their side while Dominic’s will be look ing to Niamh Fitzgerald, AnnaCampbell and Áine O’Meara to bolster their bid.

It’s a toss up between the two but Athleague look marginally the stronger side and go into the decider as favourites.

Prediction: Athleague.

GAA Results

Hodson Bay SFC Final Strokestown 0-11 Boyle 0-10

Kepak SHC Final Four Roads 3-14

Pádraig Pearses 0-15

RosGal Loss Assessors Ltd JBFC (Group A) Castlerea St. Kevin’s W/O St. Michael’s

Fixtures

Friday, October 28th

RosGal Loss Assessors JBFC Quarter-Final

At Johnstown: Oran v Pádraig Pearses. 8 pm

Saturday, October 29th

King and Moffatt JAFC Final

At Dr. Hyde Park: St. Ronan’s v Pádraig Pearses. 3 pm

RosGal Loss Assessors JBFC Quarter-Finals

At Rockfield: St. Brigid’s v Michael Glavey’s. 4 pm

At O’Rourke Park: Tulsk Lord Edwards v Éire Óg. 4 pm

At Kiltoom: Castlerea St. Kevin’s v Clann na nGael. 8 pm

Sunday, October 30th

Callington Ltd IFC Final At Dr. Hyde Park: Éire Óg v St. Dominic’s. 2.30 pm

Roscommon teams in Connacht Club action

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Roscommon senior ladies football champi ons, Clann na nGael will not have had too long to enjoy their excellent win over Kil bride last Saturday as they face the daunting task of taking on Kilkerrin-Clonberne this Saturday in the Connacht Club Champion ship.

Clann were well beaten when the two sides

met in last year’s Connacht semi-final and it will be interesting to see how they have pro gressed in the interim.

They will certainly want to be more com petitive this time around and speaking after the county final last weekend, manager Fin bar Egan said they were determined to give the Galway side a much tougher test this year. Elsewhere, in the Connacht Club Interme diate Hurling Championship, Roscommon

champions Four Roads will be in action against Mayo champions Tooreen this Sun day in Athleague at 2 pm.

Roscommon teams have struggled against the Mayo champions in recent years and it will be a huge test for John Cunniffe’s men. However, if the Black and Amber can repro duce the form we saw in the second half of the county final against Pádraig Pearses they won’t be too far away.

Niall Murray pictured with his parents Aidan and Bernie at the recent launch of ‘Relentless: The Connacht Way’, a new documentary presented by Red Bull Media House chronically the highs and lows of Connacht Rugby from a player’s perspective. Pic credit INPHO

GAIN LINE

Creggs beat All Blacks in round two

Connacht J1A League: Creggs RFC 44 Conne mara 22. Creggs main tained their impressive start to the league campaign on Friday night last when they were 44-22 winners over Connemara in round two.

Both sides had won their opening fixtures but it was the hosts who started brightest and opened up a 17-0 lead within the first 15 minutes.

Connemara worked their way into the game, howev er, and the Creggs lead was cut to ten points (27-17) by the half-time break.

The second half saw Connemara get within five points with their fourth try of the evening but Creggs once again upped the pace and finished strongly with two tries in the last ten min utes for a comfortable win.

Creggs’ try scorers were Shane Dowd, captain Bri an Diffley, Eoghan Coyle, Bradley Heunes and Ryan Horan with penalties from Shane Purcell (2) and Mark Purcell (1), and con versions from Shane (3) and Mark Purcell (1).

Youth Rugby

Connacht U-18 Girls League: Creggs RFC 12 Sligo RFC 14. A weak ened Creggs U-18 White team lost out to Sligo last Friday night in the league, going down by two points at home.

Short six regulars, Creggs trailed 14-0 at one point but fought back bravely and were held up just short of the line in the final play of the match.

Creggs’ try scores on the night were Jemima Adams Verling and Rachel Mc Donald with one conver sion from Shauna Walsh.

Connacht U-16 Girls League: Tuam/Ough terard 24 Creggs RFC 0.

The Creggs U-16 Girls en dured a tough encounter in Tuam last weekend as they went down by 24 points in the league to a strong com bination side.

While they didn’t get the result they wanted, this spirited team welcomed two debutants in Olivia Kelly and Molly Coleman, who both acquitted them selves well on their first day out.

Connacht U-14 Boys League: Galwegians RFC 15 Creggs RFC 17.

The Creggs U-14s have been on a roll lately and having beaten Loughrea by 31-5 on Wednesday last, they travelled to Gal wegians on Saturday to make it two wins in four days.

Club captain Brian Dif fley and first team centre Bradley Heunes delivered a rousing team talk before the match and this seemed to do the trick as Creggs scored an early try through Andrej Anic, which was

converted by Henry Wal dron.

It was tit for tat thereaf ter with a Sam Walsh try sandwiched between two Galwegian efforts to leave the half-time score 12-10 in Creggs’ favour.

Walsh went over again early in the second half for Creggs’ third try with the Galway side hitting back to set up a nervy finish. Creggs held on, however, to secure a valuable win.

Connacht U-16 Boys League: Creggs RFC 31 Galwegians RFC 5. Creggs continued their good form with a convinc ing win over Galwegians at home on Saturday. This team is fast becoming a side to watch out for with new recruits expected shortly.

Connacht U-15 Boys League: The Creggs White

When Saturday Comes…

After claiming a notable win away to Mervue United, the Boys’ U-14 team are at home this Saturday in the Connacht Cup with Ballinrobe Town AFC our visi tors at 2 pm. The Boys’ U-12 team are on

C’mon

The Town

(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer)

In association with

Thank

team secured an impressive home win over Corinthians in round two of the league on Sunday morning last despite the visitors scoring the first try of the match.

Three Creggs’ tries en sured they held a 17-10 lead at the break and a fur ther three tries in the sec ond half made sure of the points.

Creggs’ try scorers were Conor Diffley, Cian Kier nan (2), Cian Trimble, Har ry Kilcoyne, and Jack Finn with Cian Trimble adding one penalty and three con versions.

Creggs are away to Gal way Bay this Saturday in round three.

Mini Rugby Saturday morning saw Claremorris Colts RFC ar rive in Creggs for a Mini

WELCOME10.

Wise Words…

Don’t

Keep in touch…

Check out the ‘News’ section of our web site (roscommontownyouthsoccer.ie) and our social media channels for regular up dates.

Our email address is: info@roscommon townyouthsoccer.ie.

Blitz with over 200 boys and girls being cheered on by parents, grandparents and supporters.

This week, Ballinasloe RFC are in town for anoth er Blitz as part of Creggs Harvest Festival.

Club Lotto

Creggs RFC supporters are asked to assist with the club’s financial needs by subscribing to the weekly Lotto draw. The jackpot currently stands at €5,200 and the cost is just €2 weekly. Last week’s ‘Lucky Dip’ winner was George Chamberlain. Don’t forget…there will be a special draw this week end for two Ireland v South Africa tickets at the Aviva. Draw includes everybody registered in our Lotto on October 30th.

Junior C Football Championship Shield

Soccer results

Norio’s RDFL Premier Division St. John’s Athletic 3 CP Ajax 2

Boyle Celtic 3 Kilkerrin United 0 RDFL First Division

Ballinasloe Town B 2 Cloonfad United 4

Ballymoe FC 3 Cam Celtic 5 RDFL Second Division

Glen Celtic 1 St. John’s Athletic B 0 Skyvalley Rovers B 1 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United 0 RDFL Women’s League

Cam Celtic 3 Boyle Celtic 1 Ballinasloe Town 3 Castlerea Celtic 6

Fixtures

Friday, October 28th

RDFL First Division

Shiven Rovers v Cloonfad United. 8 pm

Sunday, October 30th

FAI Junior Cup Round Two Ballinasloe Town v Ballina Town. 2 pm

Norio’s RDFL Premier Division

Moylough ’79 v Skyvalley Rovers. 2 pm RDFL First Division (11 am)

Roscommon United v Dunmore Town Ballinagare Manor United v Cam Celtic RDFL Second Division (11 am)

Dunmore Town B v Skyvalley Rovers B St. John’s Athletic B v Rahara Rovers RDFL Women’s League (2 pm)

Ballaghaderreen WFC v Shiven Rovers

Boyle Celtic v Colemanstown United St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Ballinasloe Town Cam Dysart Celtic

Kilkerrin United

Northern Harps joint captains Christine Keane and Roisin McCaffery pictured receiving the Junior C Football Championship Shield following their win over St. Dominic’s on Saturday, October 8th. Northern Harps were convincing winners over the Knockcroghery side as they claimed a historic first adult title.

The Cam Dysart women’s team pictured at Lecarrow ahead of their league match against Boyle Celtic last weekend. Pic: Roscommon and District Football League

Roscommon Town Boys’ U-9 team pictured at Lisnamult recently

Creggs U-15s were impressive winners over Corinthians RFC in the league last Sunday.

Horses for Courses

Horseracing starts this weekend today (Thursday) over the jumps at Powerstown Park in Clonmel off at 1.45 pm. Tomorrow, rac ing is under lights over the all-weather at Dund alk, first race at 5.30 pm. Saturday sees the first of the three-day October meeting in Ballybrit with national hunt cards on Saturday off at 1.08 pm, and Sunday at 12.40 pm finishing with a flat meeting on Monday, stalls opening for the first at 12.40 pm. There is also racing in Wex ford on Saturday at 1 pm and Sunday at 1 pm, both over the sticks.

There is cross channel racing on ITV4 and Virgin Media 1 on Saturday when eight races will be covered by ITV4 and Virgin Media 1, four from Ascot including two Premier Handi cap Chases, and four from Wetherby including the West Yorkshire Hurdle and the Charlie Hall Chase, both Grade 2 events.

Good news for Irish punters is that Irish racing will remain on Racing TV until at least 2029 after SIS and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) won a five-year contract extension, al lowing them to continue to show pictures from all 26 of Ireland’s racecourses.

Friday proved successful for John McCo nnell at Cheltenham when Seddon under 5lb claiming amateur Ben Harvey won the Abu Dhabi Exchange H’cap Hurdle and just over an hour later Simon Torrens steered Fennor Cross to victory in the Foundation Develop ments Maiden Hurdle to complete a double for the trainer. Saturday was even more success ful for the Irish raiding party with five winners from the seven races. Gordon Elliott completed a double with Pied Piper, Jack Kennedy, and Chemical Energy, Davy Russell winning the conditions hurdle and novice chase, respective ly. Dad’s Lad won the handicap chase for Wil lie Mullins and Brian Hayes, Shoot First won the handicap hurdle for father and son team of Charles and Philip Byrnes, and Encanto Bruno gave McConnell his third winner of the meet ing under Tom Scudamore.

The Big Dog beat Ain’t That A Shame in a thrilling finish to the JT McNamara Ladbro kes Munster National at Limerick last week end. Pulled up in this year’s Welsh National after a mistake the 9-Y-O trained by got up on the post to win by a head under Keith Donohue for Peter Fahey from the favourite who made a mistake at the last.

Auguste Rodin won the Group 1 Futurity

Trophy Stakes at Doncaster for Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the son of Rhododendron, was favourite and was eased into the lead having 3½l to spare over Epictetus at the post. He now heads the ante post betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby.

Racing News

Rock Of Gibraltar, who ran in the colours of Alex Ferguson and was the first horse ever to win seven consecutive Group Ones north of the equator, has died of heart failure at the age of 23.

Winner of the Grand Criterium at Longchamp and the Dewhurst Stakes in Newmarket at two in 2001, he went on to beat his stablemate Hawk Wing in the 2000 Guineas, Century City in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Landseer in the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Noverre in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, and Banks Hill in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp at three.

Princess Zoe has been retired. Originally bought out of Germany as a 4-Y-O to go jump ing the Tony Mullins trained grey mare devel oped into a top-class flat mare. Second on her first run in Ireland to the versatile Walking On Glass, fifth in the Munster National at the week end, she won her next five races in 2020, three at Galway Festival including the Listed Oyster Stakes and then the Group One Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp. Highlight of her career was prob ably when she finished second to Subjectivist in the 2021 Ascot Gold Cup, and she won this year’s Group 3 Sagaro Stakes beating Quick thorn also at Ascot. Rated 64 when joining Mull ins, the mare rose to a rating of 114 after the 2021 Gold Cup and will now be sold to go breeding. She was due to make her Irish debut in Lenebane but was withdrawn due to being in season.

Aidan O’Brien’s dual Group 1 winning ju venile, Blackbeard, has been retired due to in

by Tom Red

jury and will now go to stud. Winner of six of his eight races including the Prix Mornay at Deau ville and Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, the son of No Say Never has chipped a bone in his knee.

Irish conditional jockey Cillin Leonard will miss the next three months after breaking both his wrists in a three-horse pile-up at Fontwell last week. Leonard’s mount Heron Creek was brought down. Originally from Dublin, Leonard worked for Ken Condon and Willie Mullins be fore moving to Britain in 2018.

Point-to-Point News

There are three meetings this weekend starting on Saturday at Loughbrickland in Co. Down at 1 pm. On Sunday there are two meetings, one in Tattersalls opposite Fairyhouse and at Kinsale in Co. Cork, both starting at 12.30 pm.

Short putts

Athlone

Conor Quilty won the Carty Meats Grand Hamper last weekend with 40 points. Gross: Dermot O’Connor (34); Class A: Adrian Kelly (39); Class B: Ian Holmes (39); Class C: Kenneth Noonan (38); Class D: Barry Donnelly (35).

The AWGS was won by B. Nott with 34.5. Class 1: P. Burke (26); Class 2: D. Murphy (25); Class 3: B. Connolly (25); Class 4 (Vets’): D. Fenton (25).

Lady Captain Frances McGettigan is hosting her Lady Captain’s Dinner on Saturday, November 5th at 7 pm. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and celebrating a successful year.

The recent St. Vincent de Paul competition was won by Kathleen McDonnell with 33 points while the last week’s 9-hole competition was won by Lily O’Sullivan with 17 points. The ’97 Club was won by Yvonne Walsh with 24 points.

Boyle

Charlie O’Donnell was the clear winner with 42 points in the final weekend of qualifiers for the King Harmon Cup. Lochlainn Conboy was second with 39 while Martin Sweeney finished third with 38.

The draw for the first knockout round: Ross Andrew v Jonathan Egan; Karl Keenan v Martin Sweeney; Mark Feehan v Michael

(News from local golf clubs)

McHale; Pat Brogan v Lee McKillen; Brendan Gaffney v Adam Daly; Ciarán Beirne v Michael Simon; Terry Canning v Gabriel Lavin; Lochlainn Conboy v Charlie O’Donnell. Matches to be played by the end of the Bank Holiday Weekend and the following round by November 14th.

Roscommon

The Men’s 18-hole competition scheduled for last Sunday was postponed due to the inclement weather while the Ladies’ weekly 9-hole competitions have now commenced.

E. Finneran was the winner of the Men’s Senior competition on

Thursday last with 39 points while Jackie Maxwell won the Ladies’ Christmas 12-hole competition with 28 points.

The final 18-hole Ladies’ competition of 2022 will be the Christmas Hamper which takes place this Saturday (29th) and is kindly sponsored by Bernard Keane Supermarkets.

Finally, there will be a Ladies’ presentation on Saturday at 8 pm in the clubhouse. All outstanding prizes will be presented along with Golfer of the Year, Silver and Bronze Medal winners, Senior Cup, and Senior Foursomes team medals. Hopefully all winners are able to attend but if not please nominate someone to collect your prize on the night.

Darts League action resumes!

The Hannon’s Hotel spon sored Roscommon Darts League made a welcome return on Friday evening last with some excellent darts on show.

Cosy Bar and The Holly Tree played out a 4-4 draw while The Village Inn beat Dalton’s 8-0. An Bothar Rua were 6-2 winners over The Hollywood and Mc Dermott’s were also im pressive winners over Fla nagan’s on a 7-1 scoreline. David Concannon, Mark Finnegan and Thomas Con cannon impressed in that match as they all hit 180s while Thomas also had two 15-dart legs.

Ain’t That A Shame nods at the last as The Big Dog comes with a run to win the Munster National.

Gunn fires Elphin/Ballinameen to glory

Dermot Hughes Cars U-20 Division 2 FC Final

Elphin/Ballinameen 2-12

Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg 2-8

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Elphin/Ballinameen scored six points without reply in the final ten minutes to overcome the challenge of Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg in a thrilling U-20 Division Two final played in Dr Hyde Park last Sunday.

Early comers to the county senior final – and fans of the four clubs involved – were treated to a superb game as the two amal gamated teams went at it hammer and tongs from the opening whistle. The outcome was very much in the balance until that late flurry sealed it.

The Glavey’s/Éire Óg combination grabbed the first goal of the game in the 7th minute when Conor Ruane finished a superb team move to the net. Less than a minute later Elphin/Ballina meen got their first three-pointer of the match when Evan Gunn scored a brilliant individual goal.

In what was a very close contest, there were some marvellous scores from both sides. In the 17th minute Rossa Brennan Kelly nudged Elphin/Ballinameen ahead with a well-taken goal. In the topsy-turvy nature of the game, Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg were not long in arrears, Brian Greene scoring their second goal in the 20th minute. At half-time they led by a single point, 2-4 to 2-3. The sides fought it out score for score in a very exciting second half. In the 37th minute Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg had strong claims for a penalty but referee Allen Cox wasn’t convinced. In deed Glavey’s/Éire Óg hit both the crossbar and the post in the space of three minutes, and those misses were to prove costly. Elphin/Ballinameen weathered that storm and swept to victory in the closing stages. Points from John Finnerty, the outstanding Evan Gunn, and three from full-forward Diarmuid McCaffrey saw them over the line.

Elphin were best served by Evan Gunn, who was in superb form all through, while Gavan Murray, Rossa Brennan Kelly, John Finnerty and Diarmuid McCaffrey were also very prominent.

For a Glavey’s/Éire Óg team who contributed richly to a great game of football, Joseph Hester, Jamesie Greene, Daniel Hag ney, James McGreal and Robert Heneghan stood out most.

Elphin/Ballinameen: Ewan Clarke; Alex Gormley, Conor Dur kan, Robbie Lee; Thomas McGrath, Gavan Murray (0-1), Dylan Scott; Rossa Brennan-Kelly (1-0), Ben Gleeson; Evan Murray (0-1), Evan Gunn (1-4, 3 frees), John Finnerty (0-2); Adam Dw yer, Diarmuid McCaffrey (0-4), Dara Casserly Beirne. Subs: Colin McGrath for E Murray (42), Luke Gunn for McCaffrey (64).

Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg: Ian Burke; Matthew Frayne, Jamie Mitchell, Luke Ruane; Aonghus McDonagh, Joseph Hester, Conor Ruane (1-0); Dylan Coleman (0-1), Jamesie Greene (0-4, 3 frees); Brian Greene (1-0), James McGreal, Daniel Hagney; Darragh Flynn, Darragh Heneghan, Robert Heneghan (0-3, 2 frees). Subs: Stephen Cannon for Frayne (41), Darren Keadin for Flynn (47), Sean Brehony for McGreal (58).

Referee: Allen Cox.

Player of the Match Evan Gunn (Elphin/Ballinameen)

Elphin/Ballinameen players and management pictured celebrating their win over Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg in the U-20 Division 2 Final in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

Elphin/Ballinameen and Michael Glavey’s/Éire Óg in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

St Dominic’s can finally

dangerous opponents. St Dominic’s have been unbeaten en route to this final. They have proven consistent throughout the campaign. With a num ber of players who were absent earlier in the cam paign now back in action, St Dominic’s are in great shape. There is no doubt

that they have justified their tag as favourites to win the competition this year. Most supporters of the Knock croghery club would say they probably needed a test before going into a final and they certainly got that against Fuerty in the semifinal.

St Dominic’s have been

rightly praised over the past three years for their prow ess in midfield and attack, but what manager Tomás Gilleran and his selectors may have enjoyed most from the semi-final was the fact that defensive solidity was key to their win against Fuerty in what was a very difficult assignment.

Pictured is Éire Óg’s Conor Cox. Éire Óg face St. Dominic’s in this year’s Roscommon Intermediate Football Championship final on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Hyde

Mick McCormack

Mark Miley continues to exert his considerable in fluence from between the posts. He is a vital cog in this Dominic’s side. Eoin McCormack and Micheal Byrne have been excellent in defence and the return of Jack Lohan at centre-back has strengthened the team.

Paddy Fallon and Tom Appleby will probably start in the middle of the park, while up front Keith Doyle will likely lead the attack from centre halfforward. The county man is improving all the time. Daire Keenan and Darren Donnelly will hope to get the vital scores, with veter an Conor Fallon chomping at the bit on the bench.

Éire Óg have also re mained unbeaten during what has been a very good championship for Paul Hunt’s men. They’ve ar guably come into this final under the radar and will be quietly confident they can cause an upset. In the semi-final they played well against St Croan’s, scoring a goal at just the right time and winning in the end by a point.

The club has been going really well this year and they have a lot of talented young players. Ian Burke is an impressive goalkeep er while Joseph Hester has been having a great year in defence. Jamesie Greene and Enda Crawley will

probably start in the mid dle of the field and both are talented young players. Up front, there is a mixture of youth and experience. Conor Cox is the main man of course, and he and the evergreen Ross Nolan will play prominent roles, while Jason Doory and Liam Creaton have both been doing well in this championship.

Éire Óg, amalgamated with Michael Glavey’s, won the Division One mi nor final recently, and last weekend they were in volved in that thrilling Di vision 2 U-20 final against Elphin/Ballinameen, so there is a great buzz in the club at the moment. They will travel with confidence to Hyde Park on Sunday. Sport can be cruel – and if Dominic’s show any com placency or have an off-day then Éire Óg will take full advantage. However, St Dominic’s look to have the edge. There is a wide spread expectation that the painful memories of those extra-time defeats to St Faithleach’s last year and to Oran in 2020 will drive them on this Sunday.

It would be a shock if St Dominic’s were not to win this game and bring the cup named after Knockcrogh ery’s finest back to the vil lage on Sunday night.

Prediction: St Dominic’s.

Jack Lohan in action for St. Dominic’s who are preparing to face

Éire Óg in this year’s

Intermediate Football Championship final on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Éire Óg will face off against St. Dominic’s in this year’s Intermediate Football Championship on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Influx of new players hasÉire Óg in ‘hunt’ for glory!

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Paul Hunt took over as Éire Óg manager at the start of last year. He says he was certain that the po tential to have a good sea son was evident in the pan el. Paul points out that the influx of several talented young players in the past two years has been crucial

to their progress.

“The quarter-finals had been a stumbling block for the team in recent years. When we took over, the ambition was to go a step further and see where it brought us –and here we are in the final.

“We have been lucky in that we have had a num ber of talented U-20 play

ers. We have six of them on the starting team this year. They re-energised the team. Then some of the older lads put in an extra effort and that has made the difference”.

Éire Óg are unbeaten this year and Paul agrees that they have produced a per formance every time it was needed during the course

of this championship.

“We won our three games in the group stages and that’s the first time we have done that. We weren’t playing that well but were doing enough at the same time. Then in the knockout stages we didn’t play our best again…we got a bit of luck, firstly against St Brigid’s with that penalty, and then against St Croan’s when we got a late goal.

“We won those arm wres tles this year which we were not winning in the past. You need a bit of luck in any championship run”.

Club captain Denis Bar ron is out with a long-term injury and James Lavin is also out at present, but their manager will have the rest of his panel to call on.

“Those lads are a huge loss to us but thankfully the younger players who have come in have done very well. We have a great spread of younger and older more experienced players and it’s working out well”.

It’s been a very exciting time for the Éire Óg club. Their U-17s recently won the Division One title (alongside Michael

Glavey’s) and their U-20s contested this year’s U-20 Division Two final last Sunday (again amalga mated with Glavey’s).

“The fact that we were in that U-20 final meant that it wasn’t ideal prepa ration (for this weekend), but we just have to get on with it. There is a great at mosphere in the club at the moment with the success at underage level this year.

“We played St Dominic’s in the group stages last year in Knockcroghery. That was a good match. They were very unlucky in the final last year but we will be going up to Hyde Park on Sunday to win it. We will give them the ut most respect and will try to get our match-ups right and to get our own house in order for the match.

“There’s a great buzz around the villages of Gortaganny and Lough glynn. It’s 1993 since we won it and 2004 since we were in a final so we are saying to the lads ‘this is a chance that may not come along often’. It could be 10 or 15 years before it hap pens again so we have to make the most of it on the day”.

McCormack on ‘bottling’

hurt of past finals

St. Dominic’s defender, Eoin McCormack, believes the heartache of losing consecu tive county finals has spurred the club on this year as they prepare for Sunday’s decideragainst Éire Óg.

“Two years ago, Tom Fetherstone (Oran’s winning captain) said up on the po dium to bottle the feeling and never forget it so you don’t have to feel this hurt again,” he said.

“They (Oran) went through the same thing as us with two lost finals before going up the third year. We’ve bottled that (hurt) for two years now and we just don’t want to have to ever feel that way again. It’s what drives us on to go again and not drop the head after last year. It’s a great experi ence to have been in two fi nals but it’s only experience if you learn from it and try to put it right the next time”.

For Dominic’s, this steep

learning curve extended into an impressive O’Rourke Cup campaign in 2022 and saw them earn another tilt at Inter mediate honours this Sunday.

“I think this year we’ve learned to win games with out playing too well. We’ve ground out wins this year…if you want to play senior foot ball then you need to know how to win ‘dirty’ and when you’re not playing well to still come away with the win. That’s something we’ve add ed to our game,” Eoin said.

“When the going gets tough in the last 15 minutes we’re not giving away the silly turn overs or silly scores that we used to. We’re keeping those two- or three-point leads and we’re confident that we’re actually going to see it out to the end. There are no doubts in anyone’s mind anymore that we are good enough to be there”.

While there’s a feeling that Dominic’s have matured this year, they’ve also had to

adapt to being the favourites when taking the field.

“It is a bit tougher this year. Teams are giving us a bit more respect and they might be setting up with a game plan to draw us in and then counter-attack on us. That’s why we’re not playing our free-flowing football. We’ve had to adapt to that and still get the win,” Eoin added.

His own performances re cently earned him a call-up to the Roscommon panel, and Eoin says that that experience has been a real boost.

“I’ve learned so much physically but also mentally just being in a group with so many lads who are just born winners. I’ve learned so much about how those lads ap proach their nutrition, their day to day life and every thing,” he said.

“There was an intensity in training that I’ve always wanted to be involved in when you’re pitting yourself against the very best lads in

the county. When the standard went up I felt like I could rise to it. I can’t wait to get going again for next year”.

Looking ahead to another county final on Sunday, Eoin believes there is no lasting psychological damage from the team’s previous defeats and his teammates will relish another opportunity to bring the cup home to Knockcrogh ery.

“I wouldn’t say there’s any fear in the group at all, there’s just a buzz around the place to get there as soon as possible. There’s been a three-week wait since the semi-final and everyone just can’t wait to get going,” he said.

“Everyone’s still pushing each other for starting spots and at this stage of the year it shows how strong the team is now. There’s no real focus on the past – it’s a focus on our selves and how we can keep improving all the time. It’s not looking back, it’s about look ing forwards,” he concluded.

Eoghan’s goal: a title triumph

Éire Óg captain Denis Barron will miss this week end’s IFC final as he’s sidelined with a long-term cruciate injury. The man who will step into his shoes on Sunday is Eoghan Walsh.

The centre half-back says that it has been a great year for the team thus far.

“Five wins out of five is great. At the start of the year we knew that we had a good team with plenty of talent. We have come up short over the past few years but there was always a belief among the play ers that we were good enough to get to a final. We are delighted to be there this year”.

Eoghan says that while the team has had a bit of luck over the course of the campaign, they have played well.

“You need a bit of luck along the way, but you also have to be well in the games and winning your bat tles. We have been doing that all year. We are as good as anyone else in the intermediate championship”.

Eoghan says that while St Dominic’s are a very good side, the pressure is on them on Sunday.

“They have been unlucky to lose the final the last two years, so the pressure is certainly on them. It’s theirs to lose. We will be going into this as the under dogs but we will be quietly confident. Hopefully we can surprise everyone”.

It’s been a purple patch for the club, with their mi nors recently winning the county title, their U-20s reaching the final (in both cases amalgamated with Michael Glavey’s) and the intermediate team doing likewise. Suffice to say there’s great excitement in the parish.

“The buzz is fantastic at the moment. There is loads of bunting and plenty of flags around the parish. We haven’t been in a final for nearly 20 years (2004) so football is the main topic of conversation around here at the moment.

“As a player I can’t wait for that referee’s whistle to sound and for the match to start and see what hap pens” he concluded.

< SEAMUS DUKE

< DAN DOONER

Paul Hunt, Éire Óg manager.

St. Dominic’s defender, Eoin McCormack.

‘Hunger or hurt is a great sauce!’ – Gilleran

DAN DOONER

Dominic’s

Gilleran said that

last year’s Intermedi ate final defeat to St. Faith leach’s was a difficult one to take, it has been another year of growth and devel opment for the Knock croghery team.

“There was disappoint ment and the rest of it (last year) but the following Friday night we had 26 at training. We didn’t leave the Hyde before making the promise to ourselves (to return)…we felt a lot of things went against us on the day but if we were re ally honest with ourselves and while we were disap pointed to lose, we didn’t do enough to win it. We left it as a close game and

when you leave it as a close game anything can hap pen,” he said.

The achievements of this group in reaching the last two Intermediate Cham pionship deciders has seen key players Keith Doyle, Eoin McCormack and Daire Keenan being se lected for the Roscommon senior team. This, Tomás says, has been a boost for the entire panel.

“We had fellas who were getting a chance to step in and they were improv ing and growing at senior league level. When we look at where we are now in terms of the champion ship, we’re picking our 15 off 22/23 starters all the time. That strength in depth is improving all the time and we hope that it contin

ues to improve,” he said.

So, what if anything has changed as the team aims to make it third time lucky this Sunday?

“The difference this year is the composure. The lads are comfortable in them selves. Maybe last year it was a bit more ‘guts and gusto’ and swashbuckling football, whereas this year it’s controlled and patient and a higher level of con sistent intensity. That con sistency has got us through our games. We’re only winning by a couple of points here and there but we are far more controlled in our football this year,” Tomás said.

St. Dominic’s refuse to dwell on the heartbreaking defeats of 2020 and 2021.

‘Win or learn’ seems to be

the motto Tomás and Co. are working off.

“Hunger or hurt is a great sauce! Going back to the league when Brigid’s were seven or eight points up on us, they could have packed up the tools and said ‘this is just a league game’ but it’s not. Everything was about becoming better for where we needed to be for the championship,” he said.

“If we had won in 2020, I’m not sure we would have been in the senior championship in 2023. In last year’s final we were there or thereabouts…we were good enough…but ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough. You need to be the best and if we’re honest with ourselves we weren’t the best on either of those days (final and replay) and

that’s why we came sec ond.

“As a group they’re two years further on and four or five U-20s have come into it now. The group is getting stronger. If we did go up, I think we’d be in a better place than where we were in 2020 and if we don’t…these lads just love their football, we’ll be back down here next year. It’s not going to be the end of the world, this group isn’t going to fall off the edge of a cliff. We’ll be back next year, playing O’Rourke Cup (League Division One) and setting our eyes on whatever championship competition we’re in”.

Looking ahead to this year’s decider, ‘ferocious’ is the word the St. Domi nic’s manager kept return ing to when asked about Sunday’s opponents.

“I’m looking forward to it to be honest. There’s a big challenge ahead of us but if we’re able to match the intensity and the ferocity of our opponents then we have a chance,” he said.

“We watched Éire Óg’s game the last day and their intensity is ferocious. They literally have the first and last man you’d put on the county team – Colm Lavin and Conor Cox – two huge players for them. You look at midfield: those two guys nearly turned the tide in the U-20 game at Croke Park when they came on last year. Liam Creaton is prob ably like a free signing for them in terms of coming back from injury. That’s just a few players.

“They were also in our (IFC) group last year; St. Faithleach’s only beat them by two points and realisti cally we robbed them here – we were seven points down with ten minutes to go and came back and beat them by a point. We’re un der no illusions as to the challenge ahead of us. If we can deal with that feroc ity we would hope that we would be able to grind it out,” he concluded.

Earle warning shots fire

Clann to two-in-a-row

CAPTAIN O’NEILL SWITCHES FOCUS TO CONNACHT

< SEAMUS DUKE

Two timely first-half goals from Karla Earle laid the foun dation for a comfortable win for Clann na nGael as the prematch favourites confirmed their place at the top of the Ro scommon Ladies Football tree with a successful defence of their senior title at Ballyforan on Saturday.

Team captain Orla O’Neill said the goals settled the team. “The two goals in the first half settled our nerves. We didn’t feel as much pressure in the second half. We just kept the ball and stayed steady, and eventually pushed forward to put a few more scores on the board”.

Orla highlighted how much it meant to the club to successfully defend their title. “It’s an amaz ing feeling. We’ve won underage titles all the way up, but we’ve experienced a lot of losses at senior level. It’s great to win the second one. I’m the captain, but there were so many leaders on that pitch today. That’s how we got here and that’s how we’ll move forward going into Con nacht”.

Orla disputed any sugges tion that the win was as easy as

the final margin might suggest.

“It never feels that comfort able. We’re always striving to keep winning and keep pushing ourselves, and getting more and more scores. So when you’re on the pitch, it doesn’t feel as if it’s that straightforward. But it was great to really drive it home to

day”. Finbar Egan’s team may have been slow to get into their stride, but once they got going in the second quarter, they blew Kil bride away. In reality the game was over as a contest at the half way mark, by which time they were ten points up.

The opening quarter was quite

dour, with both sides very tenta tive, and placing an emphasis on holding on to possession. Kil bride were hoping to sit back and try to hit their opponents on the counter-attack as they had done in last year’s final with consider able success.

Clann were in no mood to be

Sights now set on KilkerrinClonberne

Following their comprehensive county final win last weekend, Clann na nGael’s focus is now firmly on this weekend’s Connacht Club Championship fixture with Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

Clann are now the undisputed queens of Roscommon club foot ball, but Kilkerrin-Clonberne are defending All-Ireland champions.

Orla O’Neill not only captained Clann to their title win last Sat urday, she also led by example, winning the ‘Player of the Match’ award in recognition of her own superb display.

Directly after the final whistle on Saturday, her focus had switched to Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

“We’ll have a few hours of fun to night, but we’ll get back to work to morrow (Sunday). We’ve training early in the morning, so it’s a case of getting back out on the pitch and getting ready for next week”.

caught out this time around, and with Jenny Shine and Orla O’Neill outstanding around the middle third, they began to get on top. With Ruth Finlass, Karla Earle and Roise Lennon attack ing the Kilbride rearguard from all angles, the scores began to mount. A 2-6 to 0-2 lead at half-

time was fair reward for their excellent play in that second quarter.

Down at the other end, Kil bride’s main threats – Aisling Hanly and Fiona Tully – were well marshalled. As a result, the Kilbride challenge never really materialised.

Clann na nGael captain Orla O’Neill is presented with the cup by Adrian and Elliot Grealy of the Abbey Hotel, sponsors of the Roscommon LGFA Senior Championship, following Clann’s victory over Kilbride in the Roscommon LGFA SFC Final at Ballyforan last Saturday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Roscommon LGFA Treasurer Micheal McHugh pictured with Clann na nGael manager Finbar Egan after Finbar’s side defeated Kilbride in the Roscommon LGFA SFC Final at Ballyforan on Saturday. It was a busy day for Finbar who was also the manager of the Clann junior team who played Oran in the Junior B Final.

Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Abbey Hotel Roscommon LGFA SFC Final

Clann na nGael 4-9 Kilbride 0-5

Clann players Roise Lennon, Jenny Shine, Kelley Colgan and Sinead Farrell celebrate after their win over Kilbride in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon LGFA SFC final at Ballyforan on Saturday.

Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

The Clann breakthrough came in the 15th minute at which point they were 0-2 to 0-1 in front. Karla Earle finished off a very good Clann move for her side’s first goal. Points from Sinead Farrell and Ruth Fin lass followed, and when Earle popped up to score her second goal in the 19th minute – after great work from Orla O’Neill and Sinead Farrell – the gap was becoming significant.

Kilbride defended well in a dis appointing second half, but they just couldn’t get their attack go ing. In the first ten minutes of the new half Clann outscored their opponents by 0-3 to 0-1. By the 40th minute they led 2-9 to 0-3.

After almost 18 minutes without a score – the game petering to wards its inevitable conclusion –Kilbride broke the deadlock with a pointed free on 57 minutes. It was the champions who finished the game in style as they grabbed two goals in injury-time.

First, Roise Lennon was on hand to finish after a mix-up in the Kilbride defence, then with almost the last attack of the match the outstanding Jenny Shine slalomed her way through and finished with aplomb to seal an easy win.

Aine Connaughton, Orla O’Neill, Megan Kelly, Jenny Shine, team captain Orla O’Neill, Sinead Farrell, Roise Lennon and Karla Earle were outstanding for Clann, while for a well beaten Kilbride team Yvonne Creighton, Aisling Shanagher, Aisling Han ly and Fiona Tully were most prominent.

Teams & Scorers

Clann na nGael: Emily Duff; Kelley Colgan, Orla O’Neill,Áine Connaughton; Kim berly Finlass, Megan Kelly, Ruth Finlass (0-2); Michelle Harney-Nolan, Jenny Shine (1-0); Caoimhe Lennon (02), Ciara Quinn, Sinead Far rell (0-1); Karla Earle (2-1), Fiona Scally, Roise Lennon (1-3, one free). Subs used: Hope Glynn for Scally (42), Ide Crehan for Harney-Nolan (51), Therese Lennon for Earle (54), Tara O’Neill for Kelly (60), Caoimhe Galvin for Quinn (60 mins).

Kilbride: Rachel O’Grady; Aoife Feely, Corina Gorm ley, Yvonne Creighton; Aoife Leonard, Blaithin O’Beirne, Amy Shanagher; Aisling Shanagher, Jennifer Fan non; Eilish Fannon (0-4,two frees), Aoife Tully, Áine Griffin; Aisling Hanly (0-1), Fiona Tully, Sinead Clabby. Subs used: Casey Keane for Griffin (46), Maire Lohan for Feely (60m), Caoimhe Shan agher for Amy Shanagher (60), Mairead Tully for Fan non (60).

Referee Turlough Bruen.

Stat Attack

Wides: Clann na nGael 5 (2, first half); Kilbride 7 (4, first half)  Yellow cards: 0 Red cards: 0

Player of the Match: Orla O’Neill (Clann na nGael)

Clann na nGael players celebrate after their emphatic win over Kilbride in the Abbey Hotel LGFA SFC Final at Ballyforan on Saturday last. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Clann na nGael’s Jenny Shine in action during the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Ladies Senior Football Championship Final at Ballyforan on Saturday.

Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Cronin hat-trick as Oran claim junior crown

Keenan’s Bar & Restaurant Roscommon LGFA Junior B Final Oran 5-21 Clann na nGael 3-5

< SEAMUS DUKE

Inspired by a sensational display from Caitríona Regan, Oran comprehensively defeated a young Clann na nGael team in this Junior B final which was the curtain-raiser to the senior final in Bal lyforan last Saturday.

The exchanges were evenly contested in the opening ten minutes. Indeed a well-taken goal from Clann full-forward Therese Lennon in the 15th minute saw them lead by 1-1 to 0-2, but that was as good as it got for the Johnstown ladies as Oran drove forward in the second quarter, going in 2-10 to 1-1 in front at half-time.

With Caitríona Regan dominating down the centre, and with her sister Dee, Kirsten Cronin (who scored 3-2), Niamh Walshe and excellent full-forward Orla Connolly all in top form, Oran swept past Clann to put the game out of reach by the halfway mark. Cronin banged in two goals in the 19th and 25th min utes and Orla Connolly kicked four fine points from play.

All credit to Clann na nGael, they never gave up the ghost and fought hard to the bitter end, with Amy Quinn and Therese Lennon particularly prominent. Oran’s third goal arrived via Kirsten Cronin in the 38th minute and the game was cer tainly over as a contest after that.

Goal number four came in the 48th minute when Niamh Walsh took advan tage of a poor kickout, and the fifth came

in the 58th minute, once again from the boot of Walsh.

Clann’s Kiera Timlin scored two goals after she came on as a second-half sub, but the day belonged to Oran who ran up an impressive total for a very comfort able win.

Oran: Grace Fitzpatrick; Aisling McDer mott, Shauna Keena, Siobhan Hoare;

Erin McDermott, Ciara Owens, Katie Cronin; Mella Lawless, Dee Regan (0-3); Kirsten Cronin (3-2), Caitríona Regan (0-2), Niamh Walsh (2-4, 3 frees); Laura Fannon (0-1), Orla Connolly (08), Claire Curley. Subs: Grainne Whyte (0-1) for Fannon (44), Aisling McGrath for Katie Cronin (47), Tia Cronin for Curley (48), Nicole Reaney for Kristen

Cronin (51), Nuala Gunning (58) Clann na nGael: Eadoin Lennon; Emily McDonnell, Amy Quinn (0-1), Shauna Egan; Orla Kildea, Nimah Reynolds, Sarah Galvin; Eva Bea Mulligan, Anna Golden; Chloe Kilroy, Emma Kildea, Shauna Kenny (0-1); Chloe Shanahan, Therese Lennon (1-3, 2 frees), Maeve O’Higgins. Subs: Kiera Timlin (2-0) for

Kildea, Caitlin Galvin for O’Higgins (both h/t), Mary O’Malley for Kenny (44), Amy Harney for Reynolds (54), Ava Galvin for McDonnell (58). Referee: Shane Noonan.

The Oran team (and subs) who defeated Clann na nGael II in the Roscommon LGFA Junior B Championship Final at Ballyforan on Saturday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Player of the Match Caitríona Regan (Oran)

Clann na nGael players pictured after their emphatic win over Kilbride in the Abbey Hotel LGFA SFC Final at Ballyforan on Saturday last. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Four Roads players celebrate winning the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship against Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Ciara Mannion, Orna Mulry and Anna Fallon pictured at the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final between Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Katie Lawlor, Aisling Dempsey, Lisa Dolan, Shauna Fallon and Oonagh Kelly supporting Four Roads at the Kepak Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Evan Sweeney, Jack Kelly, Davin Finn, Darren Grenham, Aidan Gallagher, Daniel Duffy, Cillian and Evan Brooks pictured at the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final between Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Daniel Connor and Lorcan Sweeney pictured at the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final between Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Four Roads arrive at familiar destination

BRENDAN’S BRACE AS ARISTOCRATS BACK ON THRONE!

Kepak Senior Hurling Championship Final Four Roads 3-14 Pádraig Pearses 0-15

< ELLIOT GREALY

Two second-half goals from Brendan Mulry ensured the Mickey Cunniffe Cup has returned to Four Roads after what felt like a famine of three years. A complete second-half per formance from the men in black and amber meant they were able to overcome a Pádraig Pearses side which struggled to break down the Four Roads defensive unit.

With a strong breeze in their favour at Waldron Park in Ath league, it was Pádraig Pearses who made the brighter start, using that wind to help develop an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead. As the rain fell, Four Roads then got a foothold in the game and began to fire over some great scores. The strength of their defence was tested with the pacy duo of Seán Canning and Oisin Kelly looking to cause damage. The duo were halted in their tracks on many occasions by the ever-impressive Micheál Kelly and John Moran. The vast experience in the Four Roads half-back line was key to keeping Pearses in check.

Daniel Glynn (Pearses) and Cathal Dolan (Four Roads) continued their fine form from placed balls, landing crucial points for their respective teams. Seán Canning and Matthew Comerford added some fine scores for Pearses, who moved 0-8 to 0-4 in front. That’s when Four Roads struck for their first goal, a vital score that settled them.

Adam Donnelly played in talisman Cathal Dolan for that opening goal seconds before the interval. This reduced the gap to one and gave Four Roads renewed belief that they could land a first title since 2019.

In what overall was a sluggish start to the second half, both Dolan and Glynn continued to raise white flags. Four Roads began to take the game to Pearses as they claimed three points in quick succession. Adam Donnelly finished off a great team move after he was found by his skipper Micheál Kelly. Dolan landed a monster free from 75 yards and scored another sublime point after claiming the resulting puckout.

Kelly’s pinpoint passing was on show once again when he found Brendan Mulry on the halfway line, and he made no mistake to give Four Roads a four-point cushion midway through the second half.

That gap was back to three when the towering figure of Mulry rose highest to claim the sliothar and rattle the net to give his team a six-point lead (2-14 to 0-14) with less than 10 minutes to go.

Daniel Glynn registered another point for Pearses to keep their hopes up, but Brendan Mulry had other ideas. He landed a dagger in the heart of Pearses when he claimed his second goal of the game with moments to go. This ensured that the Mickey Cunniffe Cup was making the journey back to Four Roads for a 35th time.

Athleague will be the venue for the start of Four Roads’ Connacht campaign as they face a tenacious Tooreen side on Sunday.

Four Roads’ Cathal Dolan strikes a free during the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague last Saturday.

Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Teams and Scorers

Four Roads: Noel Fallon; Martin McLoughlin, Cormac Coyle, James Dillion; Oisín Campbell, Micheál Kelly, Johnny Moran; Conor Coyle, Mikey Lohan (0-1); Brian Lawlor (0-1), Adam Donnelly (0-1), James Cunniffe; Brendan Mulry (2-1), Cathal Dolan (1-9, 0-6 frees), Conor Mulry (0-1). Subs: Eamon Mulry for Oisin Campbell (12), Donal Kelly for Martin McLoughlin (40), Jimmy Hoey for Brian Law lor (41), Cormac Mulry for Conor Mulry (57), Jamie Lawlor for Adam Donnelly (60).

Pádraig Pearses: Pádraic Dolan; David Dolan, Luke Corbett, Paul Dolan; Eoghan Cos tello, Shane Naughton, Jamie Curley; Mark Naughton, Eoghan Cogavin; Mike Donoghue, Daniel Glynn (0-8, 0-3 frees, 0-1 sideline, 0-1 ‘65), Matthew Comerford (0-3); Seán Can ning (0-1), Oisín Kelly (0-2), Darragh Finn (0-1). Subs: Paul Carey for David Dolan (ht), Teige Cogavin for Mike Donoghue (ht), David Loughnane for Finn (45), Tomás Sweeney for Mark Naughton (49), Ronan Finn for Eoghan Cogavin (55).

Referee: Francis Kelly.

Stat Attack

Wides: Four Roads 14; Pádraig Pearses 12

Yellow cards: 0

Red cards: 0

Man of the Match: John Moran (Four Roads. Brendan Mulry, Cathal Dolan and Micheál Kelly impressed for the black and amber, but the award has to go to the county title winning captain from 2008. A simply impeccable performance from the wing-back. He covered every blade of grass in Waldron Park and was a warrior in the defensive third

Four Roads players celebrate winning the Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship against Pádraig Pearses in Athleague last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Four Roads’ Brendan Mulry fires past Padraic Dolan in the Pádraig Pearses’ goal during last Saturday’s Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Final in Athleague. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

THE SPORTS STUDIO

Occasional sporting musings with Paul Healy

Northern lights shine brightly for Strokestown

< PAUL HEALY

The day had begun with tor rential rain on a scale which, had this been a few years ago, would have had the solemn ‘match off’ texts pinging. These days, in the Hyde we trust.

By mid-afternoon, the morn ing’s relentless rain had given way to pleasant conditions. There was a very big crowd in Hyde Park for a county final that had captured the public im agination.

I passed on the press box, in stead taking a seat in the stand below, where the excitement of the supporters merged with nervousness. There was a great atmosphere as two proud north ern clubs claimed rights on cen tre stage.

Early on, there were indica tions that the occasion might be getting to Boyle, the weight of history a growing burden on their shoulders. They were bat tling to find their best form, and a battle it was. Still, they led by two as the first half entered a marathon injury-time period.

Those ‘extra’ nine minutes were sadly required due to lengthy delays following sepa rate injuries to Boyle’s Cian McKeon and Strokestown’s Paddy Brogan. It was a shame to see their participation end so early, and particularly in such circumstances. Both players are in our thoughts this week.

For favourites Boyle, the prospect of being two in front at half-time in a low-scoring, nervy, ‘high stakes’ game must have seemed very appealing. But no such prize awaited. In a key phase, Strokestown pounced for two late first-half scores. It meant the teams were

level at the break, Strokestown the happier. It was no classic, but we were all invested in this dogged battle of wills.

Scores in the third quarter were as rare as expressions of regret from Donald Trump. Do nie Smith ventured deep from time to time in a gallant effort to do the work of a few men. He could have done no more.

Further back, his brother Enda was not quite having the ex pected impact. There were few of the trademark runs for which Smith is renowned. He is of course judged by the highest of standards. Enda did score one excellent point, and a superb pass to Daire Cregg around the half hour mark created the game’s only goal chance, the

Boyle attacker’s drive from the right whizzing just wide.

Entering the business end, that weight of history was undoubt edly taking its toll on Boyle, desperate to win a first senior title in 95 years. Still, they were edging towards the winning post. Yet it was nicely set up for Strokestown, who stuck to their game plan and maintained their belief. All the pressure was on Boyle. Strokestown had a num ber of players who could sense that there was a title here to be won, a chance to dance with destiny.

With the exchanges incred ibly tense and close, Boyle went two ahead again, but Strokestown drew level. Roars from the stands were steeped

in nervousness. Donie Smith put Boyle one clear, but Colin Compton and Diarmuid Mc Gann replied for a Strokestown team of tremendous heart and resilience. Suddenly Strokes town were in front at that point when supporters (and the man in black) are beginning to check how much time is left. Four extra minutes. A Strokes town attack broke down – iron ically, eventual match-winner Tony Lavin spilt possession –and seconds later Donie Smith levelled with a long-range free. It was an epic score, particu larly given the circumstances. I thought referee Ollie Kelly (who officiated very well) would call time, but he didn’t. Strokestown attacked; Diar

muid McGann passed to the overlapping Tony Lavin. You could almost hear the collec tive intake of breath around the stadium. Standing beside the dugouts, subs and mentors (of both teams) froze, their fate in Lavin’s hands. Even history had to wait. The Strokestown man kept his nerve and lobbed the ball over – and that proved to be the day’s punchline.

It was a very, very tough day for Boyle. They gave it every thing. At times they looked the likely winners; when Smith boomed that amazing late free over, it appeared they had se cured extra-time. Next season, a host of established perform ers from around the county will expectantly amble back to

wards the stage, but the quality in Boyle’s ranks – that, and this raw, brutal experience last Sun day – tells us they will chase the dream again. For now it’s heartbreak, but these lads can bounce back.

For Strokestown, being crowned 2022 county cham pions is a sensational achieve ment. Sean Mullooly, Diarmuid McGann, David Neary, Colin Compton and Shane McGinley were just some of their play ers who caught the eye, but they are all heroes. The most outstanding of all was Colm Neary, who seemed at times to have his own ball. Then there was Tony, who ended the ten sion and sprinkled stardust on Strokestown.

Diary of hat-trick hero Tomi ... aged 65!

< PAUL HEALY

Deep down I knew it…that those of us who played indoor football for a few memorable years in the Convent Gym in Roscommon hung up our runners/ trainers much too early.

We of little faith (in our durability) might – even now – take inspiration from a Mr. Tomi Morgan.

Tomi was a semi-professional footballer in the Welsh League for many years. Many, many years, it would appear (he later went into management).

This week, came an unexpected and remarkable postscript. Now a coach with Welsh side Penparcau, Tomi attended a cup game against Welshpool re serves. With Penparcau short a number of players, Morgan, now aged 65, was listed amongst the subs. When their goalkeeper got injured, and with his team 6-0 ahead, he got the call to come on. It gets better. With his team totally dominant, chanc es came quickly. Three of them fell to the 65-year-old sub, and he put all three away. A hat-trick in eleven minutes!

Fortunately a few dropped for me in the six-yard box and I managed to put them away”.

Tomi had great fun with the rest of the team after wards, having often told them that he was a prolific goalscorer in his prime (which I reckon was in the late 1970s/early ‘80s).

As an aside, James Callaghan was Prime Minis ter when Tomi was in his prime, and the Margaret Thatcher era was only starting.

Morgan

He always had an eye for goal, scoring freely with Aberystwyth Town over the years. The bould Tomi showed Mickey Linden/Stanley Matthews-like lon gevity by playing up to 2010, at which point he fi nally retired, aged 53.

Morgan told BBC Sport: “It was a bit of a surprise for myself to be honest (being put on). My first thoughts were not to get injured and to keep out of trouble because we were coasting to victory at halftime anyway…we were on top and creating chances.

Anyways, his hat-trick as a 65-year-old – irrespec tive of how relatively humble the league in question may be – will surely have a few veterans thinking. There may even be a few Roscommon GAA/soccer/ Creggs Rugby legends who will have a rethink this weekend!

Beat that, Erling Haaland!

Strokestown players pictured celebrating after the final whistle following their win over Boyle in the County Senior Football Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Pearses poised to end great St Ronan’s run

Tansey Cup and recently won the Division One U-20 title. A lot of the play ers on this junior team are made up of those talented youngsters.

< SEAMUS DUKE

It’s certainly a year of unique final pairings in club football in the county. In the Junior A final the two clubs who are furthest apart in terms of distance in the county will meet on Saturday.

Not alone are these two clubs far apart in geo graphical terms, they are also polar opposites in terms of demographics and make-up. Pearses are a big club with teams in all grades of football, hurling and ladies football, and a club with a growing and vibrant membership.

St Ronan’s have been bat tling against the odds in terms of playing numbers over recent decades as de population and the general decline in rural areas con tinues. But a small number of dedicated people have kept the club going and they will take the field on Saturday fiercely deter mined to claim what would be a sensational victory.

Pearses will come into the final as warm favourites. They were beaten in the 2021 final but have had a great 2022 so far. They were promoted from the

By contrast, St Ronan’s will be depending on sev eral players who have given many years’ service to the club jersey and they thoroughly deserve to be in their first final in 26 years. Players like John Keaveney, Gary O’Daly, Enda Flynn, Eddie Noone, Thomas McManus, Jason Glynn and Ronan Kelly have been excellent this year and they will hope to match those performances on Saturday.

Pearses will be depending

on their young guns to do the business this weekend.

Conor Ryan, Sean Can ning, Richard Browne and Adam McGreal were in great form in the semi-final win against Strokestown. It looks a very strong Pearses outfit throughout the field.

The vast majority of neu trals will be hoping for a Ronan’s win and if they were to lift the title it would be one of the stories of the year in club football in the county. Pearses, however, look to have too many aces in their pack and they should be good enough to atone for their defeat in last year’s final.

Prediction: Padraig Pearses.

King & Moffatt

Roscommon JFC A final: Padraig Pearses v St Ronan’s on Saturday in Dr Hyde Park at 3 pm

Pádraig Pearses will be hoping to go one better this year and win the Roscommon Junior ‘A’ Football Championship.

St. Ronan’s’ Barry McNama tackles Ballinameen’s Finbar McDermott during the Roscommon JAFC semi-final. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

St. Ronan’s players Kevin Healy, Liam Killoran, and Tadhg and Fergal Guihen celebrate their Roscommon JAFC semi-final win over Ballinameen.

Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Sun shines on Strokestown as last-gasp Lavin seals title triumph

< SEAMUS DUKE

Strokestown manager John Rogers says he “looked to the heavens” when substi tute Tony Lavin kicked what proved to be a dramatic last-gasp winner in Sunday’s county senior final.

Lavin’s point in the 5th minute of injurytime saw Strokestown lift the Fahey Cup for the first time in 20 years following a dramatic, tense and incident-filled de cider played before a huge crowd at Dr Hyde Park.

It looked odds-on that the match would go to extra-time when Boyle captain Do nie Smith kicked a monster point from a 55-metre free to level the scores in the 4th minute of time added on – but there was still time for Strokestown to work the ball downfield. When Diarmuid McGann’s pass found Tony Lavin inside the Boyle cover the substitute pointed from 25 me tres out. It was the second last kick of the game as referee Ollie Kelly called for the ball on the kickout. Strokestown were champions.

After the game Strokestown manager John Rogers stood in the Hyde Park sun shine shaking his head as he tried to ab sorb one of the sweetest wins in the club’s history.

“The sun is shining down on us here this evening. It was end to end stuff out there. There weren’t too many scores but some of the scores we did see were top class”. The manager relived those final dramat ic seconds, paying tribute to his ‘super sub’ Tony Lavin.

“Donie (Smith) kicked a serious equalis er and I thought it would be a draw…but in the last play the ball fell to Tony. You know he was injured a couple of weeks ago and he kicked the ball with his weak er left foot. When it went over I looked up to the heavens. I just couldn’t believe it”.

Rogers’ team probably deserved the win on the balance of play, but in truth this was a tense final between two nervous teams who seemed to be caught up in the enormity of the occasion. In reality, good football was limited on what was a per fect day weather-wise (after a morning of torrential rain). Still, the outcome was on a knife-edge to the very last kick.

Strokestown were hit with a setback be fore the game started as Kevin Finn was ruled out through injury. They brought Cathal Brogan into the defence with Keith Murphy moving up into attack.

The evenly fought first half was domi nated by a serious injury to a key player on either side. In the 18th minute Boyle’s Cian McKeon went down after contest ing a high ball. After lengthy treatment he was stretchered off. Four minutes later Paddy Brogan suffered a serious looking arm injury that saw him leaving the play as well. Both players received medical at tention.

The sides went in level at half-time, 0-6 apiece. Boyle had led 0-4 to 0-2 after 12 minutes with Donie Smith, Cathal Feely (a ’45), Enda Smith and Daire Cregg on target. During a nine-minute injury-time period late Strokestown points from Niall Curley (a ’45) and a Diarmuid McGann free saw the sides level at the break.

In a final which lacked a clear pattern, Colm Neary, Davy Neary and Sean Mul looly were very prominent for Strokes town, while Donie Smith, Daire Cregg

and Evan McGrath were doing well for Boyle.

The tension went up another level in a fraught second half. Both sides lost pos session time after time. By the 44th min ute Boyle had gone two points ahead with frees from sub Colin Goldrick and Donie Smith, but Strokestown were level again by the 48th minute when Diarmuid McGann (free) and Colin Compton were

on the mark. As the game slipped into time added on the teams were locked to gether at 0-9 apiece. McGann looked to have sealed a win for Strokestown when he converted a 62nd minute free, but the drama was only beginning.

Donie Smith landed that booming free in the 64th minute to level the game again. Just as we were preparing for extra-time McGann passed to sub Lavin and he kept

his cool to land the winning score from 20 metres. Ecstasy for Strokestown, utter devastation for Boyle.

Strokestown will long remember this title triumph. They came good at just the right time and played some great football in the knockout stages.

Niall Curley was very solid in goal and his kickouts were excellent. Sean Mul looly and Davy Neary both played very well in defence, while Colin Compton weighed in with two precious points from play. Once again the Strokestown star man was Colm Neary, who won loads of possession and used it intelligently all through. He has had a fantastic campaign and is definitely a contender for player of the championship, and surely a Roscom mon star of the future.

This is a devastating loss for Boyle. They took the surprising decision to play Enda Smith in the half-back line, a call that was hard to fathom (Sean ie Purcell was played further out the field). Conor Flanagan was doing well at full-back until he was forced off through injury.

Seanie Purcell, Evan McGrath and Daire Cregg had their moments, while Boyle’s best player was Donie Smith, who led his side from the front. He didn’t deserve to be on the losing side, but such is the cru elty of sport.

The fact that this will not go down in the annals as a footballing classic will not bother Strokestown one little bit. The Fahey Cup is theirs for 2022 and they will celebrate this win long into the winter.

Strokestown joint captain David Neary probably spoke for everyone in the club when he told People Sport: “It has been a great year for the club. This is the greatest feeling in the world!”

Hodson Bay Hotel Roscommon SFC Final Strokestown 0-11 Boyle 0-10

Strokestown

Mick McCormack

Devastated: Boyle players pictured at the final whistle in Sunday’s county final where their bid to win a first senior title in 95 years just came up short. Pic: Mick McCormack

Stat

McGinley, Cathal

East, Roch Hanmore)

(Strokestown)

Teams & Scorers

Strokestown: Niall Curley (0-1, free); Timmy Gibbons, Sean Mul looly, David Neary; Cathal Brogan, Colm Neary, Ciaran Regan (0-1); David Butler, Cathal Compton; Keith Murphy (0-1), Paddy Brogan, Cathal Lavin (0-1); Shane McGinley, Colin Compton (02), Diarmuid McGann (0-4, frees). Subs: Mikey Kavanagh for P Brogan (24), Michael Fallon for Murphy (56), Tony Lavin (0-1) for McGinley (62).

Boyle: Robert Kearney; Luke Glennon, Conor Flanagan, Daniel Casey; Killian Cox, Tadhg McKenna, Enda Smith (0-1); Roch Hanmore, Evan McGrath; Cathal Feely (0-1, ‘45), Seán Purcell, Dylan East; Daire Cregg (0-2), Donie Smith (0-5, 2 frees), Cian McKeon. Subs: Colin Goldrick (0-1, free) for McKeon (18), Eden Kerins for Hanmore (44), Jack Moran for Flanagan (58), Mark O’Connor for K Cox (64).

Referee: Ollie Kelly.

Tony Lavin scores the winning point for Strokestown against Boyle in last Sunday’s County Senior Football Final at Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Cathal Compton in possession during last Sunday’s County Senior Football Final between Boyle and Strokestown in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

The Fahey cup is raised aloft by Strokestown joint captains Diarmuid McGann (left) and David Neary, with County Board chairperson Brian Carroll in background. Strokestown defeated Boyle by 0-11 to 0-10 in Sunday’s County Final. Pic: Mick McCormack

Strokestown players pictured celebrating after the final whistle following their win over Boyle in the County Senior Football Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Rogers

tribute to panel

< SEAMUS DUKE

Strokestown manager John Rogers paid tribute to his entire panel and all involved with the club as he tried to take in the magnitude of what had been achieved this season.

The importance of having a strong panel was some thing that John had been emphasising in the run-up to the final.

“You have to have a strong panel. You know there are 13 other lads there who didn’t get a chance today and who have given everything over the past two years… and there are other lads who didn’t even make the bench. This win is for them as much as anyone else”.

The Strokestown manager was very conscious of the players who were injured either in the build-up to the county final, or during it.

“We lost Kevin (Finn) after the semi-final win and my heart went out to him. He has had a lot of inju ries over the years and no one wants to see anyone get injured”.

John Rogers also had the welfare of Paddy Brogan (Strokestown) and Cian McKeon (Boyle) uppermost in his mind, these two players having being injured during the final.

“My best wishes go to Cian (McKeon) and to Paddy (Brogan) but I suppose those things happen when you play football. We wish them speedy recoveries”.

Diarmuid McGann, who kicked four points from frees in Strokestown’s win, was one of a number of players who were stunned at the manner –the timing certainly – of their victory.

“It was nip and tuck all the way. Both sides had periods of dominance. We were lucky at the very end there but

it’s an unbelievable win. The subs we had coming in off the bench were so important all year. You saw that again today with Tony (Lavin) getting the winner”.

Even midst the rapturous Strokes town celebrations on the Hyde pitch, Diarmuid still had time to remember

the two players who were forced off with serious injuries during the match.

“My thoughts are with Paddy (Bro gan) and also with Cian McKeon who went off with serious injuries. I want to wish them well and hope they recover quickly” he said.

Lavin:

was last kick of game!’

Tony

point

final, was mobbed by delirious

whistle.

fans after the

Tony was in a state of disbelief at what had just happened when People Sport caught up with him.

“I just tried to get the ball over the bar to be honest. I never realised that it was

the last kick of the game. I thought there was a minute or two left. Ah I just can’t believe it!

“What a tremendous win for the club. You could see the excitement over the last two weeks, the build-up was fantastic. The support that we got from the local people has been the spur that we needed to go out and win it here today. What a great day for everyone involved”.

A breathless Strokestown joint captain David Neary couldn’t believe that his side had snatched a win so late in the game when he spoke to People Sport on the field after the final whistle.

“There were a lot of nerves out there. It was the first county final for the players and there were two good young teams there today. It was incredible to win it the way we did. I just want to pay tribute to our whole panel.

You saw the difference there today. The subs we brought on were immense. Look at Tony Lavin…he has been one of the main players for our junior team this year. He prob ably felt that he should have got more game time with us but he comes on and wins the county final, and with his weaker foot too! What a story”.

The defender said it has been a fairytale year for Strokes town.

Tony Lavin and Diarmuid McGann pictured during Sunday’s County Senior Football final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Strokestown players pictured celebrating after the final whistle following their win over Boyle in the County Senior Football Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Tormeys

named one of Ireland’s Best Law Firms 2023

Athlone-based law firm, Tormeys Solicitors, was recognised in the second annual edition of Ireland’s Best Law Firms Special Report by the Sunday Independent and the Independent Market Research Company, Statista.

Statista launched a survey among peers and business clients wherein participants were asked to name the firms which they would recommend. Through this, Tormeys Solicitors stood out and was indeed the only Midlands-based law firm and in fact one of the few law firms based outside the main urban centres of Dublin and Cork to be recognised as one of Ireland’s Best Law Firms in the areas of medical negligence and personal injury.

This nomination follows Tormeys Solicitors being awarded the Legal Firm of the Year at the Midlands 103 Customer Service Awards in July of this year.

Tony Henry, Managing Partner at Tormeys Solicitors LLP commented: “This is a great achievement and compliments the dedication and commitment of the team at Tormeys Solicitors and we would like to thank our peers and clients for this recognition”.